In the Sky: Mercury-Pluto
Dive into the Mercury-Pluto alignment this week and explore the cosmological weather through the music of Édith Piaf, the murder-mystery film Insomnia, and the designs of Italian fashion label Moschino.
Mercury, the planetary archetype of information and communication is in a hard alignment with Pluto, the archetype of taboo and power. With this transit, the cosmological weather for the unfolding week may have flavors of deep observation and transformative dialogue.
Transit
Mercury-Pluto is the aspect of the investigative journalist. With the opposition (180º), dark secrets and shadow material may come to the surface.
Iconic Figure
French singer Édith Piaf, best known for her cabaret and chanson style music was born on December 19, 1915 with a Mercury-Pluto opposition. Her song La Vie en rose has been sung by old timers like Louis Armstrong to global pop stars such as Lady Gaga.
Piaf's voice is often described as distinctive, powerful, and emotive. She possessed a rich, deep timbre that conveyed intense emotion and vulnerability. Piaf's vocal delivery was characterized by its rawness and authenticity, allowing her to connect deeply with her audience. This is characteristic of the Mercury-Pluto alignment–Pluto in all its depth and intensity is being conveyed through the voice (Mercury).
Her ability to express profound sorrow, longing, and passion in her music made her one of the most iconic and beloved voices in French chanson. Spend some time this week listening to Piaf's profound voice and allow yourself to fall down the rabbit hole of the Mercury-Pluto alignment:
Film to Watch
Christopher Nolan's mystery thriller Insomnia was released on May 24, 2002 under a Mercury-Pluto opposition. The plot follows two Los Angeles detectives, Will Dormer (played by Al Pacino) and Hap Eckhart (Martin Donovan), who travel to a small town in Alaska to investigate the murder of a teenage girl. While working on the case, Dormer struggles with severe insomnia, exacerbated by the constant daylight of the Alaskan summer. As the investigation progresses, Dormer finds himself entangled in a tense and complex game of cat-and-mouse with the prime suspect, played by Robin Williams. The film explores themes of guilt, morality, and the psychological effects of sleep deprivation.
This is a great film to deepen into the mysterious yet psychologically brutal aspect of the Mercury-Pluto combination. Mercury–the planet of communication–thrives in efficiency and rationality, while Pluto–the planet of transformation–takes the intellect on a hero's journey, one that could potentially even destroy the hero. Indulge in this psychological thriller and deepen your understanding of the Mercury-Pluto aspect:
Style to Explore
Italian designer Franco Moschino was born on February 27, 1950 with a Mercury opposite Pluto alignment. This natal aspect reflects itself in the satirical and subversive themes in his clothing label Moschino. Moschino often creates designs that challenge high fashion norms by exaggerating logos and incorporating them in unexpected ways to mock the obsession with brand names in high fashion.
The brand also often plays with paradoxical elements and dark humor. One of the most famous examples is the 2014 collection featuring fast food-inspired outfits, including dresses resembling McDonald's uniforms and handbags shaped like Happy Meal boxes. This juxtaposition of luxury fashion with fast food creates a paradox that is both humorous and thought-provoking, highlighting the absurdity of luxury in everyday life.
Moschino doesn’t shy away from controversial themes. Collections have included pieces that touch on themes like drug addiction, violence, and societal issues, all presented with a satirical edge. This provocation serves to spark conversation and critique societal norms. In essence, Maschino's brand identity is embedded in the Mercury-Pluto alignment. Mercury-Pluto is the intellectual challenger, a planetary aspect that uses dark humor and contradiction to unveil deep hidden truths which may present something quite ugly but transformative. Perhaps you can experiment with powerful and intellectual motifs in your style and feel a depth of curiosity unfold into the week.
