Some astrologers don't consider minor aspects, but the energy of Venus today is very much wrapped up with them. The planet is making a sesquiquadrate (or 135 degree) aspect to both Saturn and Pluto, which are meanwhile in square to each other. This forms an aspect pattern that looks pretty similar to a Yod or "Finger of God," in which two planets in sextile both form quincunx aspects to a third planet. In a Yod, astrologer Eric Meyers writes, "the two planets in sextile are in harmonious connection, and together they pressure the third to grow in novel ways."


The Allegory of Venus and Cupid, H. Tan

    I don't find anything written about this, but I think when two planets are square to each other (like Saturn and Pluto currently are) and both form a sesquiquadrate to a third planet (Venus in this case) the effect is similar to that of a Yod, but less harmonious. The focal point in the Yod is like a blessed planet being forced out of the nest by caring, benevolent parents. But the SesquiYod is made of 3 difficult aspects: one square and two sesquiquadrates (which are like slightly less abrasive version of the square).
    So think of Saturn and Pluto as two parents who both want to force change on their child (Venus), and use hostile, combative means of doing so. The "parent" planets themselves, in square to each other, don't even agree what the change should be. The result is a Venus who feels pressured to satisfy the Saturnian urge to achieve and cement with and also the Plutonian urge to hit bottom and soar upward again. What Venus really wants to do, however is just relax! She's in her own sign of easy-going Taurus... and really this gives what could be a very stressful planetary combination a bit of relief.
    Each of us may handle these energies for better or worse in our own lives. Some may be feeling the roughness of Saturn in their interpersonal relationships, some the Plutonian urge to cut themselves off from a relationship whenever trouble emerges, or even a co-dependent urge to stay when they shouldn't. I'm finding personally that relationships already build on firm foundations are feeling more satisfying than ever, but not without some bumps for us to share together. Relationships that were already a bit uneasy are growing (the inharmonious aspects force us to change and, hopefully, grow) but the bumps are less easy to handle.