Venus moves into Sagittarius on December 19th and stays until January 12th. Venus is combust the entire time. In fact, Venus entered combustion back on November 26th and won’t emerge from the Sun’s burning rays until February 17, 2026. This is critical for relationships, and I want to make sure you navigate this period consciously.
When Venus is combust, she’s not visible in the sky. In Vedic astrology, we say the planet’s significations become “destroyed” and its darker energies can arise. Venus combustion can raise jealousy issues, so remember to praise and appreciate others at this time. It can also lead to manipulative energy in relationships, cause annoyances, friction, and problems. You have to remember to accept people with all their imperfections, or you will likely be seething with anger.
Venus in Sagittarius brings its own interesting signature. Jupiter and Venus are actually enemies because these two Gurus have different methodologies in leading people out of ignorance. Jupiter/Venus connections can create too much overindulgence. Venus pulls Jupiter out of its priestly routine and gets Jupiter involved in too much fun and indulgence. So watch overspending at the mall or eating too much at holiday parties. The energy here is adventurous and uninhibited — you might want to run off for a foreign adventure at the drop of a hat — but with combustion in the picture, keep expectations in check.
The first 13 degrees of Sagittarius fall in Moola nakshatra, ruled by Ketu. This adds a spiritual undertone to the early part of this transit, tempering Venus’s sensual nature toward something more contemplative. There may be moments where material pleasures feel empty and you’re drawn toward deeper questions.
On December 21st, Saturn in Pisces throws a square aspect to Venus. Saturn is the lord of time and creates delays and obstructions. When Saturn aspects Venus, it can add coldness to relationships and delays in matters of the heart. Saturn wants to be real and authentic in relationships — he requires no-nonsense and will take no prisoners. If your relationship has underlying issues, expect them to surface. The combination can feel lonely and cut-off, and you may feel inclined to break relationships. Don’t make any rash decisions around that time.
Then on January 4th, Venus conjoins Mars in Sagittarius. While these two planets create the archetypal romantic dance and sexual passion that continues the human race, any affliction with this pair can lead to problems. Mars is the biggest enemy for an afflicted Venus. This conjunction can stir passionate but volatile energy. Early intimacy and sexual passion may be mistaken for love. With both planets combust, the energy is more explosive. If relationship friction surfaces, take a walk and get out of the house rather than get into battle with your partner.
Here’s the silver lining in all of this: January 6th brings the exact Sun-Venus conjunction at 22° Sagittarius, and when Venus is within 1 degree of the Sun, something remarkable happens. Medieval astrology calls this Cazimi — the planet enters “the heart of the Sun” and actually becomes energized. Venus Cazimi should be a great day for creativity, artistic development, and love. It may increase socializing, luxuriating, going out for fun, and amusement. If you are a woman, it may create incredible magnetism and make you queen for a day. This is a good day to hit the drawing board if you are an artist. The window runs roughly January 3rd through 8th, but the exact conjunction on the 6th is the peak. Then the difficulties of Venus combust return.
For Taurus and Libra rising — those whose charts are ruled by Venus — this entire combustion period hits hardest. You may experience intense fatigue as the Sun moves toward Venus, so get extra rest. Watch overeating or zoning out watching too many movies, or you will get exhausted. Take care of the reproductive organs as problems can happen during this transit.
The best outlet for Venus’s frustrated energy during combustion is creative expression. Do some wild dancing, take a craft class, sing loudly with the radio turned up, or create a massive artistic dinner with friends you’re not likely to get into fights with. Devotional practices can also help — Cazimi combustion can spiritualize individuals as it takes away material manifestation and the light of the Divine is infused into the soul. Don’t burn the candle at both ends. Rest more. Create more. And above all, avoid major relationship confrontations until this passage lifts in mid-February.
About the Author: Barry Rosen
Barry Rosen has been practicing Vedic astrology since 1987. He has visited and studied in India on four occasions and has spoken numerous times at the American Council of Vedic Astrology Conferences in Sedona, AZ since 1999 and also the British Association of Vedic Astrologers in London since 2006. He has been involved in Vedic culture since 1973 and is a long-time meditation and yoga teacher and a published poet. Barry is also a financial astrologer and founded Fortucast Commodity Market Timers in 1987. He is particularly interested in Jaimini astrology and the soul’s journey through the physical world and its karma and purpose. For questions, please contact Barry by email at [email protected] or visit appliedvedicastrology.com, fortucast.com, or commoditytimers.com.
