As we move deeper into January 2026, Venus continues her combustion journey while making several powerful connections that will profoundly impact our relationships, values, and creative expression. The complex conjunction of Mars, Mercury, Venus, and the Sun early this month has set the stage for what promises to be an intense period of transformation in the realm of love, beauty, and connection.
Venus has been combust since November 26, 2025, hidden from view in the night sky, and this combustion continues until February 16th. During combustion, Venus’s significations can become “burned up” by the Sun’s intense rays, making this an especially challenging time for relationships, artistic pursuits, and the harmonizing energies we typically rely upon to smooth over life’s rough edges.
The Heart of the Storm: Venus Conjunct Pluto (January 19th)
On January 19th, Venus makes an exact conjunction with Pluto in Capricorn, and this is one of the most transformational aspects of the entire month. Pluto is connected with power and transformation and, in extreme cases, the death of the old so that the new can arise. The cocoon has to be destroyed so that the butterfly can emerge.
Pluto is about power, transformation, unconscious patterns, and the death of old patterns. In Vedic astrology, Pluto seems to be a combination of both lunar nodes, representing powerful transformation and death/rebirth themes. Pluto forces us to surrender and change our self-defeating behaviors and blind spots, and if we are stubborn, then dramatic events may be necessary to shake us out of our rigid ways.
When Venus meets Pluto, this conjunction brings up huge transformational energy in relationships and our value systems. This aspect is creating ambition in your life to complete big unfinished projects. Use the energy to make major transformations in your life with unfinished business. The energy is there if you let it empower you.
On a psychological level, there is great power for complete psychological transformation and breakthrough in matters of the heart. But the process can be tiring and slow, and some old structures have to break down. It’s possible that relationship patterns get taken away from you—a partnership that no longer serves you or values that have outlived their usefulness. Ultimately, this transit is reinforcing a new need to change your approach to love and connection and not be dependent on others in unhealthy ways.
This conjunction may bring out some darker energy, particularly in relationships, and can lead to power struggles, jealousy, or attempts at manipulation. Use the energy for positive transformation and change this week and for personal transformation in your relationships. It may bring up huge angry flare-ups in some people, so find a way to channel the energy constructively. If you were born with Venus conjunct Pluto within 2 degrees in your natal chart, you may have intense experiences around love, power dynamics in partnerships, and strong desires that need to be transformed rather than suppressed.
The deity associated with Pluto is Yama, the god of death and dharma. Yama means “the binder, restrainer” who keeps mankind in check. He is a deity that demands sacrifice and discipline. The power to cleanse and remove impurities is a boon of Yama. Yama’s reflection of the Pluto themes of death/rebirth, transformation, and purification can be seen in this Venus conjunction. The spiritual lesson here is to let go of what no longer serves us in relationships and to purify our approach to love.
Remedial Measures for Venus/Pluto:
- Engage in deep journaling about relationship patterns you’re ready to release
- Practice meditation focused on surrendering control in relationships
- Honor the goddess energy through devotional practices
- Work with a therapist or counselor if old wounds are surfacing
- Channel intense emotions through creative expression—painting, music, dance
- Be willing to have difficult but necessary conversations
Venus Combustion: The Ongoing Challenge
Venus combustion can raise jealousy issues, so remember to praise and appreciate others at this time, help them, applaud their success and good fortune. This conjunction can also lead to manipulative energy in relationships, cause annoyances, friction, and problems, so remember to accept people with all their imperfections or you will likely be seething with anger.
The best outlet for Venus’s frustrated energy during combustion periods would be to do some wild dancing, take a craft class, sing loudly with the radio turned up, or go on a shopping spree (but watch the credit cards with that Pluto influence!), or create a massive artistic dinner with friends that you are not likely to get into fights with.
Taurus and Libra rising signs will continue to experience intense fatigue as Venus remains combust, so get extra rest and 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. If there is relationship friction, take a walk and get out of the house rather than get into a battle with your partner.
Mercury Conjunct Venus (January 29th)
On January 29th, Mercury joins Venus in Capricorn, bringing the planet of communication and intellect into contact with the planet of love and harmony. Mercury is friends with Venus, and this conjunction can support skilled advisory work, relationship counseling, and the ability to communicate about matters of the heart with greater clarity.
Mercury governs the intellect: learning, writing, communication, and critical and discriminative thinking. When Mercury connects with Venus, we have the opportunity to bring intellectual understanding to our emotional experiences. This can be an excellent time for having important conversations in relationships, for writing about love and beauty, or for making diplomatic connections.
However, because both planets are in Capricorn and Venus remains combust, this conjunction requires careful handling. Mercury aspects show what one wants to learn and understand, while Venus aspects show desires for love, enjoyment, and relationships. Together in Saturn’s earthy sign of Capricorn, this combination asks us to be practical and realistic about our relationships while still honoring the heart.
This can be a good time for:
- Having serious discussions about relationship commitments
- Writing contracts or agreements related to partnerships
- Communicating your values and boundaries clearly
- Problem-solving in relationships using both heart and mind
- Creating art that has a message or teaches something
Watch out for:
- Being too critical or analytical about love
- Using words as weapons in arguments
- Overthinking matters that require emotional intuition
- Getting caught in your head rather than feeling into relationship decisions
Rising Sign Impact for Mercury/Venus Conjunction:
- Gemini and Virgo Rising: Your chart lord Mercury meeting Venus can bring positive developments in partnerships and creative projects, though the combustion requires patience
- Taurus and Libra Rising: Your chart lord Venus meeting Mercury can help you articulate your needs and desires more clearly
- Capricorn Rising: Both planets in your 1st house can enhance personal magnetism despite the combustion challenges
- Cancer Rising: The 7th house placement emphasizes relationship communication and partnership agreements
Venus Quincunx Jupiter (January 31st)
On January 31st, Venus makes a quincunx (150-degree) aspect to Jupiter. The quincunx is also known as the 6/8 relationship in Vedic astrology, and this always creates tense energies requiring adjustment and adaptation. When benefics like Venus and Jupiter are involved, the tension is less harsh but still requires conscious navigation.
Jupiter and Venus are actually enemies in Vedic astrology because Venus is the master of pleasure and Jupiter is the master of wisdom, and their association can create challenges. Jupiter wants freedom to move and expand, while Venus can demand emotional involvement and commitment. This can lead to conflict between our desire for growth and adventure versus our need for relationship stability and pleasure.
Jupiter connected to Venus increases the desire for the beautiful and elegance, so watch your credit card spending around this time. Be careful and not careless, as this aspect can lead to squandering money or wasting valuable resources. Sometimes Jupiter/Venus aspects in challenging angles can lead to emotional turmoil in relationships, so make sure that trust and respect are there.
The quincunx aspect specifically requires us to make adjustments between two areas of life that don’t naturally work together. With Venus in Capricorn (practical, structured, committed) and Jupiter likely in another sign, we may need to balance our need for responsible relationship conduct with our desire for expansion, optimism, and adventure.
Practical Navigation for Venus/Jupiter Quincunx:
- Resist the temptation to overspend on luxury items or experiences
- Balance your need for freedom with your relationship commitments
- Watch false optimism in matters of the heart—stay grounded
- Avoid the extra piece of cheesecake or indulgence that you’ll regret
- Find ways to bring expansion and joy into relationships without breaking commitments
- Practice moderation in all Venus-related activities
Rising Sign Guidance for This Period
Aries Rising: Venus rules your 2nd and 7th houses, so these transits will impact your finances and partnerships. The Pluto conjunction may force transformation in how you value yourself and others.
Taurus Rising: As your chart lord, Venus’s journey through combustion and these conjunctions will impact you most directly. Focus on self-care and avoid relationship drama during this time.
Gemini Rising: Venus rules your 5th and 12th houses, impacting creativity and spirituality. This period may bring transformation in creative projects or spiritual practices.
Cancer Rising: Venus rules your 4th and 11th houses. Home life and friendships may undergo transformation. Be patient with family dynamics.
Leo Rising: Venus rules your 3rd and 10th houses. Career and communication may see powerful shifts. Use the energy for professional transformation.
Virgo Rising: Venus rules your 2nd and 9th houses. Financial and philosophical transformation is possible. Watch spending but invest in growth.
Libra Rising: As your chart lord, Venus’s combustion impacts your vitality directly. The Pluto conjunction can bring profound personal transformation. Rest deeply.
Scorpio Rising: Venus rules your 7th and 12th houses. Relationship transformation and the need to release old patterns will be strong themes.
Sagittarius Rising: Venus rules your 6th and 11th houses. Work relationships and friend groups may undergo change. Focus on service.
Capricorn Rising: Venus transiting your 1st house brings transformation to your identity and how you present yourself to the world. Own your power.
Aquarius Rising: Venus rules your 4th and 9th houses. Home and higher learning undergo transformation. Trust the journey.
Pisces Rising: Venus rules your 3rd and 8th houses. Communication about deep matters and shared resources need attention. Speak your truth.
Spiritual Practices and Remedies
This is a time to be disciplined about your meditation practice and yoga and other spiritual practices because these lighten the burden and give us more strength to deal with everything. The tendency is to skip that which is good for us when we are challenged, but that’s like taking off a winter coat when it’s below zero.
The antidote for challenging Venus transits is always to engage more deeply with Venus’s higher qualities:
- Spend time in nature appreciating beauty
- Create art or music from the heart
- Practice loving-kindness meditation
- Offer service to others, especially women
- Sing devotional songs or mantras
- Wear white or pastel colors
- Use rose water or rose essential oil
- Donate to causes supporting women and the arts
Looking Ahead
Venus will finally emerge from combustion on February 16th, bringing relief to our relationship and creative realms. Until then, use this time as an inner journey—a period for deep reflection on what we truly value, how we want to love and be loved, and what transformations are necessary for our highest good.
The cocoon must be destroyed for the butterfly to emerge. These January transits are breaking down old patterns so that something more beautiful and authentic can take their place. Trust the process, practice patience with yourself and others, and know that by mid-February, Venus will shine brightly once again in the evening sky, bringing renewed grace, beauty, and harmony to our lives.
About the Author: Barry Rosen
Barry Rosen has been practicing Vedic astrology since 1987. He has visited and studied in India on 4 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.
Recently, he has been pioneering research in other areas of Vedic astrology including Vedic Astro-locality, the effects your current physical location have on your chart, connecting astrology to hatha yoga for therapeutic purposes and developing transformational healing work to move through karma and the spiritual dimensions of Vedic astrology. He is a Neo-Vedic astrologer and uses the outer planets. He is particularly interested in Jaimini astrology and the soul’s journey through the physical world and its karma and purpose and has taken live seminars in London with Sanjay Rath.
For questions, please contact Barry by email at [email protected] or call Fortucast at 800-788-2796.
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