Welcome back to White Rose of Avalon, my Darlings, and Happy Venus Day! For this week’s Venusian Femme Fatale Friday, I am discussing an epithet of Venus. Venus Verticordia, or Venus Changer of Hearts, is one of the Goddess’s most potent aspects!
This aspect of Venus was said to change women’s desire from just sexual lust of the libido to sexual virtue. In other words, Venus Verticordia encouraged women to have a healthy sex life with their husbands rather than to sleep with anyone they found attractive. Now, while this may seem to be an epithet of Venus that sought to control, and even limit, women’s expression of sexuality, that is not how she was interpreted in ancient Rome. Venus Verticordia was seen as a proponent of monogamy, and was sought out to encourage the healthy expression of sexuality between spouses! It is this epithet of Venus that was celebrated on April 1st during the festival of Veneralia.
Much like the energy of Venus Verticordia to change a person’s heart, I am a bit of two minds about her energy. I can certainly see why some people may question the fact that this aspect of Venus actively sought to contain women’s sexuality and freedom of sexual expression, and I do not agree with that. I find that it is important to acknowledge that this is how people often see Venus Verticordia before I share my deeper thoughts. However, I equally do love that this epithet of Venus encouraged healthy sexuality in monogamous relationships. I think that we often think of monogamy as stale and boring, as that is what the media shows us. The married couple is boring, and they do not have nearly enough passion for one another, leading to their sex life suffering. We have seen this play out in countless television shows, films, and books. Yet, that is not the truth of being in a happy and healthy marriage. A happy and healthy marriage includes a fulfilling sex life! So, as someone who has been happily married for five years and with my husband for over eleven years, I think that it is an important conversation to have.
We need to reframe the idea of marriage as the death of a fulfilling sex life. This whole concept is honestly just something that will encourage cheating, and that is certainly not something I would ever endorse encouraging. If we, instead, take a note from Venus Verticordia, we can begin to remember that marriage is meant to include intimacy and a fulfilling sex life. Marriage is meant to be a partnership where you can express yourself while feeling safe and loved, a place where Sacred Sexuality can blossom! You see, this Sacred Sexuality and true sexual union between lovers and spouses in a happily monogamous relationship is the true beauty and true blessing of Venus Verticordia in my mind.
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this reflection on how I view Venus Verticordia. Do you find beauty in working with Venus Verticordia? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Note on Image: The image at the top of the post is the painting Venus Verticordia by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, which was one of my major inspirations to write this post. I found the art on https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dante_Gabriel_Rossetti_-_Venus_Verticordia.jpg.
LINK TO AVALONIAN ROSE FAERY MYSTERIES PATREON: patreon.com/AvalonianRoseFaeryMysteries
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3 responses to “Exploring Venus Verticordia on Venus Day”
Happy Venus Day, Maranda! I truly loved this reflection. You handled the historical tension of Venus Verticordia with such grace—acknowledging the potential for control while beautifully reclaiming her as a patron of chosen, sacred intimacy rather than enforced restriction.
Your point about media narratives making monogamy seem stale hit home. It’s so rare to see long-term marriage portrayed as a wellspring of passion, so thank you for normalizing that a fulfilling sex life doesn’t have to end at the altar—it can deepen there. The idea of reframing marriage as a safe container for Sacred Sexuality to blossom is gorgeous.
A question for you: in your personal practice, how do you like to invoke or honor Verticordia’s energy to nurture that intimacy and keep the “heart-changing” spark alive in everyday life? Thank you for sharing your wisdom, and congratulations on 11+ years with your husband! 💖
I am so glad that my thoughts on Venus Verticordia hit home for you! As for how I work with this energy to keep passion alive, I would say it’s in the small things. Remembering to be grateful, not feeling guilty for taking the time to take care of myself (for that’s how we feel healthy and beautiful, and therefore desirable), and keeping open communication with my husband. As always, thank you for reading and commenting! ✨
Thank you so much for sharing that, Maranda! Your answer is absolutely beautiful—and so refreshingly grounded.
I love that you pointed to the small things rather than grand gestures. Gratitude, guilt-free self-care, and open communication are truly the quiet pillars that keep sacred intimacy alive. It’s a wonderful reminder that feeling desirable starts with feeling whole and healthy within ourselves first, and that vulnerability with our partner is its own form of devotion.
Your wisdom is a perfect living example of Venus Verticordia’s highest expression—not control, but conscious, loving choice in everyday moments. Thank you again for taking the time to write back and for letting us peek into your beautiful practice. Wishing you and your husband many more years of passion and partnership! ✨💖