In the Sky: Mercury-Venus

Venus, the planetary archetype of value, beauty, and harmony is in a hard alignment with Mercury, the archetype of thinking, speaking, and writing. The cosmological weather for the unfolding week may have flavors of diplomatic speech and love letters.

Transit

Venus-Mercury is the aspect of the graceful communicator. With the conjunction (0º), harmony and beauty may be felt in communication.

Iconic Figure

Zaha Hadid, a pioneering Iraqi-British architect, was born on October 31, 1950 with a Mercury-Venus conjunction. Hadid expressed her Mercury-Venus conjunction profoundly in her unique and beautiful approach to architecture.

She was renowned for her futuristic and dynamic designs, often inspired by natural forms. Hadid's architecture, such as the Heydar Aliyev Center and the London Aquatics Centre, showcased a harmonious blend of functionality and aesthetic elegance, characteristics which are reflected in the Mercury-Venus combination. Hadid had an intricate capacity to merge intellectual innovation with artistic beauty, especially in her utilization of parametricism. This enabled her to push the boundaries of architectural design, employing advanced computational techniques to generate fluid, dynamic forms that responded organically to their environments. The intellectual rationality of Mercury merging with the harmonious beauty of Venus.

Be amazed by the sensual (Venus) intellect (Mercury) of Zaha Hadid and explore some of her brilliant architectural work.

Film to Watch

Romantic comedy-drama Café Society was released on July 15, 2016 under a Mercury-Venus conjunction. Written and directed by Woody Allen, the film is set in the 1930s and explores themes of love, ambition, and the allure of glamour in both New York City and Hollywood. It delves into the contrast between the glittering world of high society and the more grounded reality of everyday life.

The story follows a young man's journey from New York to Los Angeles as he pursues his dreams in the entertainment industry. Along the way, he navigates complex relationships, family dynamics, and the challenges of finding one's place in a rapidly changing world. The film captures the essence of the era with its depiction of café society - the social world of fashionable people who frequented fashionable cafés and restaurants. Philosophical conversations and glamorous vibes–a Mercury-Venus concoction you cannot resist.

Activity to Explore

Gertrude Stein, American writer, art collector, and salon host was born on February 3, 1874 with a Mercury-Venus conjunction. Stein was a cultural influencer who left an indelible mark on early 20th-century literature and art. She moved to Paris in 1903, where she established herself as a formidable presence in the avant-garde scene. As a writer, she was known for her experimental, abstract style that challenged conventional narrative structures and explored the musicality (Venus) of language (Mercury).

Equally significant was Stein's role as a salon host and cultural curator. Her apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus became a legendary gathering place for artists, writers, and intellectuals, including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Ernest Hemingway. Stein's ability to recognize and nurture talent, combined with her keen eye for innovative art, made her a pivotal figure in shaping modernist aesthetics. Stein's Mercury-Venus alignment expressed itself in her intellectual curiosity (Mercury) and aesthetic appreciation (Venus), contributing to her gift for bringing together diverse creative minds and fostering a rich cultural exchange.

Spend some time writing about your encounter with art, music, or anything related to the Venusian realm. And if you're feeling extroverted, perhaps you can host a salon and invite a group of interesting people to discuss the intersection of ideas.