Venus is the planet that supports attraction and sensuality and Mars is the planet that triggers lust.

While we might say that attraction needs the support of the neurotransmitters dopamine and partly by serotonin, and lust is encouraged by estrogen and testosterone hormones. Dopamine gives the motivation and desire, while testosterone makes us act toward the desired person.

However, attraction and lust, even though exciting and often necessary in the first stages of a relationship, aren't sufficient for a long-term one.

While many people relate love and sexuality with Venus and Mars, we tend to forget that the Moon has a prominent role in relationships. This is especially true in case of long-term  relationships.

Another stage is linked to bonding, feeling at easy and getting familiar with each other, caring, cuddling and affection, which is the purpose of the oxytocin hormone. Hugging, cuddling, kissing and orgasms increase oxytocin levels.

Oxytocin brings a feeling of familiarity, a sense of security, a sense of support, and affectionate love, which are all akin to the astrological Moon.

Also, there's the dark side of the Moon and oxytocin. Since both also carry the feeling of attachment, they might limit the love to the attached person only by excluding others or becoming needy and suffocating the other with frequent requests for attention.

The position of the Moon in a natal chart tells us how we relate with care, trust, attachments, bonding and maternal love.

In the next blog posts we are going to explore the Moon positions in more details.