But their alignment has not arrived in the sign of Scorpio for more than a decade — until now. Studying what happened when it did gives a clear picture of what's in store for us. Scorpio represents power and control, while Jupiter is a figure of justice, and Venus helps bring about peace. In 2006, the last time Jupiter and Venus combined in Scorpio, Saddam Hussein was being held to account for war crimes. In 1994, these planets joined in the sky just as loyalists laid down their weapons in Belfast, and Israel and Jordan signed a historic peace accord.

It is early days, but we may already be feeling the effects of this latest conjunction, with the challenge Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe this week. The current turmoil at Westminster and sexual outrages in Hollywood fit the pattern of what we can expect in this celestial situation too — indicating Jupiter's morality and truth journeying through Scorpio's themes of sexuality and power, the hidden and the taboo.

As an astrologer, however, I prefer to focus on what this event might mean to us on an individual and personal level. This week's conjunction could be likened to a 'love bomb', bringing with it an explosion of emotions. It also marks the beginning of a new Venus-Jupiter cycle taking place over the next 14 months — and I've prepared this sign-by-sign guide to benefiting from it now and in the year to come...

ARIES (March 21 - April 20)
Are you a stock-market soothsayer or do you find commodities confusing? The placement of this year's Venus-Jupiter conjunction suggests that, whether you realise it or not, you might be leaning towards the former. But it doesn't have to be stocks and shares — whatever you value now has the potential to grow, as long as it can be shared and exchanged. We all know markets are sometimes volatile, and I'm sure you'll agree that people can be too — but that doesn't preclude you from being able to ride your luck. Invest wisely, whether materially or emotionally, and you'll enjoy a significant return.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21)
As children, my brother and I loved playing the game of opposites. We'd wind our parents up by declaring the opposite of what we meant, saying 'yes' when we meant 'no' and 'more' when we meant 'less'. So now your ruler Venus has conjuncted Jupiter in your opposite sign, does this mean its effects will be felt only by other people? Quite the, er, opposite! Instead, it shines a spotlight on you — meaning that others are finally seeing the wonderful things you can do. You are due for a prolonged period of generous support. Give as much as you take and you will have many rich pleasures to enjoy.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 22)
In Japan, green-tea making is a ritual. There are special cups, caddies, bowls and scoops. There's precise attention to detail, every movement is meticulously considered and there are strict procedures to follow — but it's also a ceremony that's meant to be enjoyed. At the moment some aspects of your own life require similar levels of dedication to protocol, yet may feel joyless in comparison. The Venus-Jupiter conjunction has changed that, though. You have arts and skills in which you could become a master. Here comes the chance not only to benefit greatly from them, but to find pleasure in their practice.

CANCER (June 23 - July 23)
Although love is renewable, that doesn't mean we can meet every demand for it that's placed on us. Sometimes we feel drained by the need to maintain a constant supply. And at other times, we generate so much that it's hard to know what to do with the excess. In much the same way, the great challenge in the renewable power business is working out how to store energy for a rainy (and less windy) day. But the brightest technological minds in the world are on the case. And when it comes to love, the Venus-Jupiter conjunction is making you equally as creative and successful. You're free to generate and be generous.

LEO (July 24 - August 23)
It may have taken a wolf at the door, huffing and puffing and blowing their houses down — but eventually, the three little pigs in the fable got the right idea. They realised their houses had to be properly constructed and made of a durable material. You might not have a curly tail or trotters, but the effect of the Venus-Jupiter conjunction was to encourage you to build up your own home base too. Yet when it comes to your emotional foundations, it's not bricks and mortar that provide the safest space to inhabit. You needn't feel stalked by wolves of the past. Love, hope, optimism and vision will endow you with the greatest protection and the brightest possible future.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23)
Roy Orbison sang 'If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all'. But what about the times we need to deliver a difficult message? Mary Poppins advocated a spoonful of sugar. But your situation requires more than platitudes. It needs solutions. And the recent Jupiter-Venus conjunction will help you arrive at inspiring conclusions. It's inspiration that's key here. No matter how worthwhile your ideas, they'll only disappoint if they create tension. Yet if you now sow harmony where there is discord, the decisions you make will prove both wise and valuable.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23)
Your ruler's visit to Libra arrived too early to coincide with Jupiter's last year. But that doesn't mean you have reason to be underwhelmed as Venus converges with the planet of abundance and success. Their conjunction will help you grow your resources and gain greater security. But this process doesn't dictate you must lead a life free of risk or full of caution. Accumulation requires speculation. And you will need a sense of adventure if you are to capitalise on the opportunity this presents. Yet as long as you're wise enough to do what feels right, emotionally or otherwise, your speculation will prove anything but idle.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22)
The Venus-Jupiter conjunction took place in your sign. If this celestial conjunction is a 'love bomb', that makes you the general with your finger on the button. But this power has hardly fallen into the wrong hands. And you needn't fear sanction or retaliation. Instead, you will be met with admiration, support and autonomy. Jupiter's transit through your sign is an inspiring period that takes 12 years to return. Though still in its infancy, this will be a time when you explore, learn and grow at an unprecedented rate. Venus' kindness and beauty ensures that this experience will be both greatly rewarding and immensely enjoyable.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21)
Jupiter is your ruling planet, so any conjunction he makes will be keenly felt by those born under your sign. And little else heightens your sense of emotion more than when Venus and your ruler converge in the sky. Their meeting signified that an unconscious connection to the world is being reinforced for you. You're being encouraged to dream - to realise what's possible when you work in harmony with your environment. Have faith in your heart's vision. Edgar Cayce said 'Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions'. With Jupiter on the final leg of his long journey home, all you dream of now can begin to come true.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20)
Author Malcolm Gladwell described 'the tipping point' as 'the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point'. It's often used to understand how social norms develop or trends catch on. Following the convergence of Venus and Jupiter, you're reaching your own emotional tipping point. Yet you needn't fear boiling over or being burned in the process. This is simply the moment you realise that you have all the resources, all the support and every opportunity to take advantage of your position and pursue meaningful progress. But you needn't try to go it alone. Many hands are now willing to lift you up and lighten your load.

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19)
Success is not found in a burnished reputation. Although we often confuse notoriety with importance, some of the greatest achievements go unnoticed and many significant breakthroughs remain inconspicuous. But that doesn't mean the success now becoming available to you won't be recognised. It's significant. And it can make a material difference to how valued you are and how comfortable your place in the world feels. It just means that, first and foremost, the Venus-Jupiter conjunction is encouraging you to make sticking to your values part of your ambition. The right kind of success - and appreciation - will surely follow.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20)
Your sign does not have one ruler, but two. And Venus follows up her conjunction with your traditional ruler, Jupiter, with a harmonious link to your modern ruler, Neptune. Does that make Pisceans the luckiest recipients of Venus' celestial benevolence? Perhaps. But her alignments also do their best to remind you that life is marathon, not a sprint. It's not that your faith in yourself will be tested, but it will be called upon on this journey. Yet as long as you answer that call with kindness, confidence and imagination, you'll come to understand all the benefits this positive philosophy of optimism bestows.