Hang Yu by Leslie Zhang for Wallpaper China Magazine - September 2019

Astro Musings No. 3

Multiple planets squaring your ascendant

Can/will affect the appearance. [This includes oppositions, as well as parallels and contra-parallels] Though many astrologers mistake the term square as innately “bad” it isn’t  Squares simply have a strong, persistent effect that is considered challenging or stressful,. So a Venus or Moon square or opposite the Ascendant tends to round out face and body, plump it up more easily than usual. That is because of a tendency to over-indulgence in food, drink, pleasures of various kinds. Jupiter in strong aspect to the Ascendant falls into the expansion principle and when parallel, or in any other hard aspect it tends to over-expand, build bulk, or fatten up. Mars in hard aspect to the ascendant can give natives a hardened look or they can appear intimidating or “mean”. Mercury in hard aspect to the ascendant can give natives a nervous appearance or sly appearance. They can also be quite petite. They may also have had or currently suffer from speech impediments or can suffer from stutters. Neptune here can make one look very different in pictures. Saturn squaring the ascendant can give cold features or smiles that don’t really reach their eyes. They can also look older than they really are. Speaking of eyes…

Neptune in the 1st

…Can make someone daydream a lot or they can have dreamy looks on their faces, get lost in space often. Uranus in the 1st can make someone have a unique and avant-garde sense of style. 

Moon Signs

…and aspects to it can be seen in the eyes. One can detect water moon, or Aries moons, Virgo moons, Capricorn moons, etc easily just by their eye shape.

Aries Moons

Tend to have almond-shaped eyes. They hold straight eye contact and seem to have a “bored” look unless they are talking about an interesting subject. Often Aries have a “mars mark”, which is a scar somewhere near the forehead.

Taurus moons

Usually have darker shades of earthy color, depending on the rising sign. Relaxed and reserved but blunt stares. 

Gemini Moons

Will have glimmers or glints, usually arched eyebrows, in their eyes and they’ll be darting around the room most of the time observing their surroundings.

Cancer Moons

Tend to have blue eyes or eyes that have a softness to them. Can be big round like the moon.

Scorpio moons

Have piercing eyes, regardless of color but eyes will likely be a bit hooded. Long dark lashes and trance-like stares.

Pisces Moons

Can have dreamy, beautiful eyes. Anime eyes. Wide clear stares. Can look a bit drugged out. Beautiful eyes and pupils will look more dilated or will dilate easily.

Empty houses in your chart

…Indicate you’ve mastered this house in this lifetime and to does not require as much focus as the other more occupied houses. For example, an empty 5th house might mean children, fun, and casual hobbies are all things you have a knack for. They are not points of concern. 

8th House Stelliums

Get stressed about situations they can’t control. They may try to focus on controlling their finances instead which is why many of them tend to amass a great amount of wealth at some point in their life. Especially if Jupiter is involved in harmonious aspect. 8th house stelliums also have a knack for the occult, especially if Pluto and the moon are involved here. Cancerian 8th House stelliums and touching a malefic like Saturn or Mars in hard aspect probably gave their mother a difficult delivery or labor could have been more painful for the mother than another delivery. Sun in the 8th makes natives intense and can dip their Sun regardless of sign in Scorpionic energy. For instance, a Gemini Sun in the 8th house can come off as extremely cunning, investigative and probing. A Pisces sun in the 8th house can come off as vengeful, and highly secretive. They can also have a mysterious aura like naiads or Nymphs. An angel for some and a demon to others. Venus in the 8th can make a native passionate, over-sexed, possessive and a bit of a maneater in a woman’s chart but also afraid of vulnerability. In a man’s chart, it can make him the same but also reserved in love because natives tend to realize their intensity can be scary for many people unfamiliar with it. Venus in the 8th natally or in synastry is where you see many “crimes of passion”. They often experience issues with sex. Typically, these issues are mental. For whatever reason, the person with this stellium may find themselves too focused on sex or completely detached when they don’t want to be.

Your Dominant Element can indicate where your intelligence is strongest

Each person with a stellium has their own particular genius 

Strong Air Element [Gemini, Libra, or Aquarius]

Will be air smart. They will do well academically. They will be the journalists, the lawyers, the mathematicians. Computer operations are their first language. They see the world in a series of 0’s and 1′s. They might have a billion bright ideas in a lifetime. But, without earth or fire evident in their charts, they may lack the caliber or discipline to put it into practice consistently. They tend to talk endlessly about an idea— but never actually move on it. They can also start projects and never finish them. [Not always the rule, check to see if planets included in stellium override the sign’s qualities.] 

Strong Earth Element—like those with a stellium or triple conjunction in Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn

Will be earth smart. They’ll have the best decision-making capabilities and will be firm but judicious. They may have only a few truly brilliant ideas in a lifetime. Yet, they may develop the practical applications of that idea thoroughly enough to earn a comfortable living. They’ll be good with plants, nature, or will have a natural green thumb. They know how to trend-set based on facts and figures and the business ability to market it [Taurus equal material, Virgo equals analysis, and Capricorn Saturn rules Career]. Common sense is an uncommon quality, but earth signs often have plenty of it.

Strong Water Element [Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces stelliums]

Will be water-smart. They are deeply intuitive and keenly perceptive about emotions. Looking deeply under the surface, they gain wisdom that helps heal themselves and others. They’ll know what makes people tick. They will be the types to study micro-expressions. They can flow with the course of events better than, say, an earth type, and are keenly sensitive to how those events affect others. That sensitivity can border on paranoia it melancholia if not careful. They will also have a natural inclination to the occult or psychology, sociology. They will be good in water, feel better around water, many may have even been born in water or experience water births.

Fire smart individuals—Aries, Leos, and Sagittarian stelliums

Will be fire-smart. Have a genius for enrolling others in their enthusiasm. They know how to carouse people. This is the Hype Man at the concert. The orator. The MC. The Athletes. They tend to become inspiring leaders who know how to make things happen. They’re the ones who lead the protests, who know how to win friends and influence people, the ones with fire in the belly who can’t wait around for the rest of us to do something about the state of our world. The soldiers. The explorers. Alas, In their zeal, they can trample over the wants and needs of others who are involved.  Astro Musings No. 1  Astro Musings No. 2  Astro Musings No. 4

Venus in the Houses

Venus in the 1st House

You are a likable, magnetic, attractive, and charming person whose heart is often on your sleeve. Unless Venus is very challenged, you are easy to befriend, diplomatic, and warm in self-expression. You tend to attract others to you quite readily, and rarely come on too strong or aggressively. Negative expressions of this position include a superficial charm, a tendency to “play dumb” when challenged or in doubt, and two-faced, passive-aggressive behavior. The need to be liked by others, and/or to keep the peace, might lead to feelings of resentment or general unrest if you feel that you give up your own power to others. You might find it difficult to make solid decisions. Your personal sense of style and manner are things that others find fascinating, and you generally pay great attention to how these things benefit you in life.

Venus in the 2nd House

Tangible expressions of love and affection are important to you. Your tastes are usually “simply extravagant”, well-defined, strong, and something you are proud of. Some might feel you have a talent for finding items of value and good taste. You are attracted to items of quality. You may use generosity for your own benefit–in other words, you might give gifts with expectation of reward. Some of you might be hedonistic and overly attached to winning admiration from a partner, at the expense of discovering true love. Your neck and upper chest are erogenous zones, and your voice is unusually attractive. You generally don’t jump into a new relationship. If you do, your feelings grow gradually. A partner who makes you feel safe and secure is ideal for you. Once committed, your love is long lasting and sincere. You have strong values and others will find it hard to sway you in this area. Sensual, the world of touch and smell is most appealing to you. Complex or mysterious partners are not as intriguing to you as simple and genuine ones.

Venus in the 3rd House

You are verbally expressive, diplomatic, and aim to be tactful. You easily win others over with your words, whether it’s because of a likable facility with language, a beautiful voice, or a diplomatic use of words. You readily give out compliments. Some of you might use flattery to your own benefit at the risk of being ingenuine. You are generally a very good mediator, aiming to settle arguments quickly and restoring at least temporary peace. You have a mischievous side, however, and your desire to be tactful and polite with others doesn’t always succeed. Some of you might engage in a lot of mind games, and others might eventually find out that you don’t always mean what you say or say what you mean! You value mental stimulation and frequent changes of scenery in your love relationships.

Venus in the 4th House

You seek balance, beauty, harmony, and peace in your home and domestic life. You might be especially attracted to luxury or quality/comfort items in the home, and you likely have an eye for interior decorating. There is a loving, personal touch to the way you decorate your home. Your love is decidedly sentimental, and you show your affection through nurturing and displays of sympathy. You don’t give your heart out easily, but when you do, you do it with great emotion. It’s very easy for you to become attached to a partner, and possibly smothering or overly dependent if you are not careful. Your parents’ marriage affects your own partnering skills and style more than most. A parent may be especially charming, beautiful, or otherwise Venusian. On the negative side, this parent may have been especially indulgent or overprotective with you.

Venus in the 5th House

Interest in romantic connections may have started young. Playful, sensual, and amorous, you are in love with love! You thrive on romantic attention, and it is easy and natural for you to always have a crush or romantic interest. There is a romantic, playful side to you that is unmistakable. It keeps you young at heart! You are sensuous and enjoy indulging in the pleasurable senses to the fullest possible extent. You enjoy surrounding yourself with beautiful art and music, and these may play a role in your ideal date scenario. There is a touch of the dramatic in you when it comes to love and sex. You are generally quite loyal to your partner, and you are both charming and easily charmed. It’s also easy to turn your head. You are a warm, fun and playful date.

Venus in the 6th House

Your expressions of love and affection are practical and helpful. Being of service to a partner is especially important to you. In fact, you might go to great lengths to be available at all costs to a loved one. While you may not be flowery or showy when it comes to expressing love, you show your love by your availability, rendering services, doing practical things for a loved one, and other thoughtful “little” things. Many of you are talented at design work, as you appreciate and pay much attention to all of the little parts that make up a whole, with the goal of finding order and harmony in these systems. If you are not careful, you might pass up on true love opportunities in favor of relationships that serve a practical purpose in your life, or out of fear that you might not find better. Selling yourself short may be something that keeps you from going after what and who you want.

Venus in the 7th House

You live for relationships. It is hard for you to think about being alone. Harmony is most important to you, so it is unlikely you will attempt to dominate a lover. You are a peacemaker, sometimes going to great lengths to achieve a balanced, harmonious relationship. Be careful not to bend over backwards just to keep the peace–you may be taken advantage of. Your marriage partner may be especially attractive, charming, or well off. You are extremely attractive, agreeable, and charming, drawing others to you magnetically. You need an unusual amount of contact and exchange with a partner, and might find that you feel completely lost without one. Some of you might quickly enter into partnerships, perhaps too quickly and neither equipped nor prepared for the responsibilities that a long-term relationship demands. In some cases, there can be a shallow or materialistic interest in partners. Your hips and lower back may be special erogenous zones for you, or they may be especially attractive body parts.

Venus in the 8th House

Intensity is what you seek in your love relationships, so that casual encounters are not necessarily your game. You are easily bored with mechanical interactions between partners, and might prefer drama in your relationships to anything mundane or superficial. However, you also fear being vulnerable in love, and, in youth, you may control your emotions in love. Fears of being betrayed may be at the heart of your somewhat jealous and possessive nature in love. When you give yourself over to love, you love wholeheartedly and expect all-consuming, total devotion and attention in return. You find passion a healing force in your life. Your charm runs deep–just below the surface. You are attracted to all that is taboo, hidden, forbidden, and find beauty in the broken, disenchanted, obsessed, and passionate. In some cases, people with this position might make a business out of love, romance, and eroticism. There is an intensity about you that others pick up readily. Either they run or they are completely intrigued!

Venus in the 9th House

You are attracted to, or you tend to attract, people of different cultural backgrounds. You are attracted to a partner with a sense of adventure. You are not especially clingy, and you expect a certain amount of freedom in a partnership. You want to feel like you are growing as an individual, and you won’t be happy in a relationship that is restrictive or confining. In fact, you have a great love for the feeling of freedom or limitlessness. Your hips and thighs may be especially attractive! You appreciate a lover who is enthusiastic and not afraid to have a good time (with you!). You aspire to high ideals in love, but some of you might pursue sensations in love rather than true or deep feelings and attachment. Beware of a tendency for dissatisfaction with what you have, as the tendency to think that the “grass is greener” elsewhere can keep you from enjoying or developing what you have.

Venus in the 10th House

Others tend to respect you for your charming manner, and you have many admirers, although some of these are admirers from afar, as there is an aura about you that is charming yet strangely (and intriguingly) distant. You have a great need to be recognized or admired for your charm, beauty, or loving manner, but should be careful not to become too wrapped up in what others think of you, as you might come across as phony or superficial. Some people with this position are “married” to their work or to their image. You are good at making contacts and organizing social events.

Venus in the 11th House

The friendship level of your relationship needs to be genuine in order for you to sustain romantic interest. You tend to focus on a person’s unique qualities — those traits that make him or her stand out — as the most attractive. Your relationships must possess some kind of unconventional element in order to keep your interest levels high. Calves and ankles are either erogenous zones for you, or parts of your body that are particularly attractive! You may meet lovers through group activities. Although you value friendships and group affiliations highly, you might jump into friendships without considering the responsibilities they might entail.

Venus in the 12th House

You are big on romance and you tend to live and breathe your partner once you’re hooked. Not the best at defining your boundaries — where your needs and your partner’s needs separate — you can get hurt in love rather easily. You can also feel used quite readily. You are attracted to people from all walks of life, finding a partner who has an unusual background or quirky personality most attractive. Partners who mistake your compassion for weakness can take advantage of you. Being openly affectionate and trusting often doesn’t seem safe to you. You may feel your love won’t be appreciated or reciprocated. You may get involved in secret love affairs or fall in love with a person who is quite unavailable to you at different points in your life. Love and sacrifice often seem to go hand in hand for you – having to give something up to be with the one you love, or having to relinquish some person or some aspect of an important love relationship. 

Woman picking lotus flowers, Thailand, by Sarawut Intarob

jia_and_sally_

Housewarming Magic

For when you’ve moved into a new living situation or are ready for a new start <3

Finding your home/moving:

Cleansing:

Warding + Protection:

Sigils:

Witchin’ it up:

Odds and ends:

You may also like:

Links updated October, 2020 (please inform me of broken links via askbox)

Adut Akech by Campbell Addy for Observer Magazine - January 2021

Ann Demeulemeester Fall/Winter 2017 backstage

Ph. Julien Boudet

🔥 fiery relationships🔥

The interactions between quincunx signs have a very Leo-like quality to them, especially when it comes to relationships. No one will light a fire underneath you like they do. Normally, these signs don’t get along at all. But if these signs do get along, there’ll be a devotion and respect that is undeniable. If these signs actually get together, it’ll be a fiery relationship—for better and for worse. You’ll get so activated in their presence and light up. Quite literally, they make you buzz. They’ll either turn you off, or if you’re receptive to a new sensation, they’ll not only turn you on, it’ll be like a fire and that roars deeply and passionately in your heart for these people. Sometimes that fire takes over, like a burning rage inside of you. Out of nowhere, feelings such as jealousy, anger, frustration, and fear emerge. It’s overpowering and seems completely out of your control. These folks will absolutely drive you wild. It’s hot. And it burns. And these are folks you don’t go out of your way to find; these types of people find you. If you can trust the attraction you naturally feel for certain, specific people (and it is very specific; you don’t feel this drawn to everybody), then you will be clued in to the person you’ll grow with. The level of attraction you feel indicates the level of growth you can experience. It’s a simple equation. Just listen to your heart’s desire.

Aries 🔥 Virgo

Taurus 🔥 Libra

Gemini 🔥 Scorpio

Cancer 🔥 Sagittarius

Leo 🔥 Capricorn

Virgo 🔥 Aquarius

Libra 🔥 Pisces

Scorpio 🔥 Aries

Sagittarius 🔥 Taurus

Capricorn 🔥 Gemini

Aquarius 🔥 Cancer

Pisces 🔥 Leo

Jules Bastien-Lepage (detail)

a truncated version of the astrology of sex

mutuals *kisses your foreheads one by one like I'm blessing you in a weird way* love you

Edward Eggleston, Reaching for the Moon (1933)

TJ Tambellini