Venus in Virgo – Between Ideal and Imperfection
Venus in Virgo – Between Ideal and Imperfection
I am writing this text on the occasion of the current transit of Venus through the sign of Virgo, which lasts from September 19 to October 13, 2025, but also in a broader sense – to shed light on what this position means and how it can be understood through a Jungian perspective.
In astrology , Venus is the archetype of love, attraction, relationships, values, and the ability to enjoy the world. It is the connecting principle, what attracts us and in which we recognize beauty. When it passes through the sign of Virgo, it meets the symbolism of the analytical mind, service, order and critical awareness. This combination is often interpreted as “cold” or “critical” Venus, but if you look deeper, you can see that the meeting of Eros and Mercury, the heart and the mind, takes place here.
In Jungian terms, Venus in Virgo illuminates the relationship between the anima-archetype and the shadow. Love here cannot remain at the level of idealization or projection; it is constantly questioned, questioned and subject to criticism. In Virgo, Venus seeks what is pure, but not in the sense of moral purity, but in the sense of essence – what remains when the superfluous is stripped away. She cannot be satisfied with superficial gestures, but wants a relationship that has purpose, meaning and internal consistency.
Because of this, this transit can bring feelings of dissatisfaction or disappointment – because the ideal that Venus in Virgo evokes can rarely be found in the outside world. The partner, the relationship, and even life itself, are exposed to careful analysis and thereby lose part of their magic. But, precisely at that moment, when the projection ceases to satisfy, the possibility of inner work opens up.
Jung would say that here is an opportunity for individuation – to recognize where we tend to love an image rather than a person, where we seek a perfection that does not exist, and how to get back in touch with what is human, imperfect, yet truly valuable.
Venus in Virgo is in its “fall” – which in classical astrology means an unpleasant position. But it is precisely this discomfort that makes sense. While Venus in Taurus or Libra tends to foster coziness and harmony, Venus in Virgo reminds us that love requires work, attention and a willingness to face the details that often go unnoticed.
Love here is not an abstract ideal, but a daily practice. It is the ability to see a small gesture, a small attention, a silent sign of concern. If the shadow of this Venus is obsessive criticism and the inability to accept anything as good enough, its bright side is the gift of discernment – to recognize what is truly valuable from what is fleeting and without substance.
On a collective level, the transit of Venus through Virgo can bring a focus on health, habits, work relationships, as well as the question of how we nurture the body and everyday life. The love of order and simplicity can appear as a need to discard what is excessive or superficial.
Also, it is a time when criticism or requests for “fixing” may arise in relationships – which may seem strenuous, but is basically an invitation to cleanse the relationship of illusions and return it to its practical function: to support growth, not to hinder it.
In a Jungian sense, this transit invites us to become aware of a part of the anima-archetype that is not blinded by beauty, but that distinguishes, analyzes and filters. It’s that part of us that can say, “This is love, even though it’s not perfect. This is value, even though it’s not ideal.” Venus in Virgo teaches us to accept imperfection not as a weakness, but as a human measure.
As Venus moves out of Virgo and into Libra, balance and aesthetics will once again become emphasized. But the experience of Venus in Virgo remains a reminder that love is not only what intoxicates and enchants us, but also what we nurture, repair and learn to accept day by day.