I love because it is Love's nature to love
image copyright 1999-2000, Laura Perkins

This image represents Neptune.  In astrology, Neptune is the "higher octave" of Venus.  Venus is the planet which rules affection.  According to Isabel M. Hickey, in her book Astrology, A Cosmic Science, Neptune has to do with divine compassion, and giving without expectation.  Venus says "I will love you if you love me".  Neptune says "I love because it is Love's nature to love".  The qualities of Neptune remind me of the Christ, and his self-sacrifice to redeem the world.  That is why I put my image of Neptune on the cross.  Hickey's book also indicates that the house placement of Neptune in your natal chart indicates past life karma.  This is the area where you need to transmute your attitudes and actions to a higher level of consciousness, and lots of work must be done to achieve this.