Venus in Aquarius

Love gets more intellectual … and electric

Love is unpredictable, but knowing a little Astrology can give us insider information about that path passion will take. By tracking Venus, we know that the next few weeks will be ideal for freeing ourselves to love, or to love more openly within our relationships. It's also a great time to break out of stale habits and reinvigorate our relationships. That's because the partnership planet will be hanging out in Aquarius, the airy sign of idealism, creativity -- and emotional detachment.

Because Aquarius is an unconventional -- even experimental -- sign, this lovely cosmic hook-up is perfect for opening our minds about how and who we love. Under this influence, it's easier to see that there truly are no rules in romance, making this the perfect time to question to your long-held beliefs about relationships and to revise what isn't working for you. Explore the idea that there are many levels to intimacy beyond the sexual kind; although Aquarius isn't known for being a softy sign, it does strive to bring out the best in us and our interpersonal connections.

With that in mind, consider the intensity of affection you feel for all the people in your life; Aquarius' optimistic approach can point out better ways to strengthen our social connections and express our feelings in more interesting ways. If you're single, look around you to see what potential partners you may have overlooked. Someone you've previously written off as "just a friend" may suddenly have partnership potential. Because Aquarius is a somewhat philosophical sign, this is also a great time to ask yourself whether you truly want a significant other, or simply a lover, now -- or vice versa.

If you're happily coupled off, you might find that you and your sweetheart feel a lot freer to be individuals within a couple. If neediness has been an issue for you, Venus in Aquarius makes it clear that pursuing your own passions separately enriches what you bring back to the relationship.

Do keep in mind that Aquarius is more about the head than the heart, so if you notice less sentimentality floating around in your relationship, have no fear -- it's a natural side effect of Venus in Aquarius. But while you and your partner (or love interest) may be doing more conversing than cuddling now, expect the unexpected: Aquarius likes to keep things spicy and unpredictable, and passionate Venus definitely won't argue!