In the Sky: Venus-Pluto
Deepen into the Venus-Pluto alignment this week and explore the cosmological weather through the profound work of Richard Feynman, the artistic-drama film “Whiplash,” and the sultry designs of Karl Lagerfeld.
Venus, the planetary archetype of beauty, love, and the arts is in a square (90º) to Pluto, the archetype of power, intensity, and the taboo. The cosmological weather for the unfolding week may have flavors of artistic obsession and/or power-struggles in relationship.
Transit
Venus-Pluto is the aspect of the deep lover. With the square (90º), an integrative tension may be felt between creativity and destruction.
Iconic Figure
American theoretical physicist, Richard Feynman was born on May 11, 1918 under a Venus-Pluto square. He is renowned for his contributions to quantum mechanics and quantum electrodynamics, for which he won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965. Feynman was a beloved teacher and popularizer of science, celebrated for his ability to make complex ideas accessible.
Feynman's life and work were marked by an intense passion for uncovering the mysteries of the universe, evoking the archetypal combination of Venus-Pluto. Feynman approached physics not as a purely academic exercise but as something deeply intimate, even seductive—driven by his curiosity to penetrate the deeper layers of reality. His famous quip, “Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that's not why we do it,” underscores the Venus-Pluto influence in his work. For him, the pursuit of knowledge was less about utility and more about the profound, often ecstatic experience of discovery, much like a passionate love affair that transforms both the lover and the beloved. Explore Feynman's teachings and feel embraced by the eros (Venus) of the mysterious (Pluto) universe.
Film to Watch
Artistic-drama Whiplash was released on October 10, 2014 under a Venus-Pluto square. The plot follows a young, ambitious drummer named Andrew Neyman who enrolls in a prestigious music conservatory. There, he encounters a demanding and perfectionistic instructor, Fletcher, whose unrelenting pursuit of excellence drives Andrew to push his boundaries and confront his deepest fears.
The film vividly portrays the intense and obsessive dynamics characteristic of this alignment. Venus represents creativity, beauty, and love, while Pluto embodies depth, power, and transformation. Andrew’s relationship with Fletcher exemplifies the artistic obsession of Venus-Pluto—Fletcher’s overpowering and manipulative approach ignites a consuming drive in Andrew, pushing him to the extreme in his quest for artistic perfection. The film’s intense focus on the sacrifices required for greatness underscores the Venus-Pluto theme of deep, often unsettling transformation through one’s passions. The obsessive pursuit of excellence and the psychological intensity that ensue reflect the powerful changes and personal revelations that come with a relentless commitment to one’s craft. Deepen into the Venus-Pluto alignment and feel the powerful yet painful aspects of obsession.
Style to Explore
German fashion designer, Karl Lagerfeld was born on September 10, 1933 under a Venus-Pluto square. As the creative director of brands such as Chanel and Fendi, and the founder of his eponymous brand, Lagerfeld left an indelible mark on high fashion. When Lagerfeld took the helm at Chanel in 1983, the brand had waned in prominence since Coco Chanel's death, struggling to maintain its once-vibrant reputation. Lagerfeld's approach was revolutionary, infusing the brand with a fresh, modern energy while respecting its storied heritage.
His reinvention of Chanel was marked by bold and sometimes controversial choices, such as introducing shorter skirts and contemporary silhouettes that deviated from Coco Chanel’s original designs. He redefined the classic tweed suit with more relaxed fits and edgy details, incorporating elements that would have seemed unthinkable to the brand's founder. These audacious moves captured the essence of his Venus-Pluto alignment–merging femininity (Venus) with intensity (Pluto). His statement, “I admire people who destroy themselves,” evokes the archetypal combination—embracing and pushing the boundaries of fashion to transform the iconic brand in ways Coco Chanel herself might not have envisioned. As Venus-Pluto transits across the sky, experiment with an aesthetic that blends beauty (Venus) with power (Pluto).
