Venus in Aquarius
Mercury and Mars retrograde are still going strong and making a mess of all that doesn’t heed its instructions to slow down. But, as of January 2nd, Venus is in Aquarius to bring a nice little burst of fresh, albeit cold, air. Aquarius, the water bearer, is often mistaken for a water sign - and understandably so - but it’s an air sign. Air is associated with ideas, intellect, and social exchange. The symbol of the water bearer is not so much about the water itself, but the person who created the tool to transport it, and everything that happens as a result.
It’s strange looking back on Aquarian contributions in history because the sign is so future-oriented it almost negates any possibility of nostalgia. The original shock factor of their actions has been so normalized and integrated that it can be hard to see the impact it’s really made. This is the democratic nature of Aquarius. Its opposite sign Leo is all about giving the gift of the self, the king, while Aquarius disseminates its tools to the people.
Venus loves to connect, romanticize, make art, but in Aquarius it doesn’t fall drunk with desire, head over heels. It keeps its wits about them with enough air to breathe. This space to breathe is so that everyone involved can be the most authentic versions of themselves possible. Which, in turn, enables us to evaluate whether the relationships we have with others, or the art we make, feels as authentic as we do. Does it need to be revolutionized? Does it need to reflect the revolution we’re in?
Gustave Flaubert and Bertold Brecht both had Venus in Aquarius. Flaubert was so completely driven by his pursuit to find the perfect words to objectively describe the inner-workings of his characters. Rather than dress up their external experience, Madame Bovary rendered romanticism tragic. This style, which was a controversial seed of modernist literature, is practically inescapable now. For Brecht, who developed his “alienation effect” for theater, the audience always remained aware of the artifice. Utilizing things like breaking the fourth wall and exposed lighting and set elements, he never fully fell into the trance of romantic storytelling. Fantasy and imagination are ripe for creative practice, but can tip so readily into escapism. Flaubert and Brecht are both examples of how Venus in Aquarius can pierce that delusion. When you desire to be anywhere but in reality, you do not have the impetus to change it.
The experience of Venus in Aquarius is uncanny, mind-altering, almost untouchable. It might even seem ugly at first, but look again–she’s not trying to seduce you, she’s making you think. It’s Idealistic and stylized without sentimentality. Electric, funny fuck-you, champions of the weird and drivers of the zeitgeist.
Whenever Venus enters Aquarius it makes our relationship to rebellion and eccentricity a little smoother. Give yourself the freedom this month to be you, shiny and new.
or not. your rules.
(As usual, all the following have Venus in this sign)
“Not for Balenciaga, as for Dior, young alluring mannequins. His were often middle-aged (like his clients) and never pretty… They were not arrogant; they were just incredibly and unsmilingly detached. No amount of applause brought a change of expression. The collection was presented; take it or leave it. Most took it.” - Ernestine Carter on Cristobal Balenciaga (hard to find these images as magazines often refused to photograph his models. The above isnt’ one of them).
