THE SIGNS AS ARCHETYPES

The Don’ts of Glorifying

I’m writing this post with not being dependent on one case that has been floating around, yet more on something that is a very general - and unfortunately - usual and normal habit in the SW community - and elsewhere in the world, too.

I am a white woman, therefore it’s obvious that I have never experienced discrimination based on my race. I still dedicated all my love and support to my POC friends as throughout my entire life, I saw them being robbed of their own lives: getting doors slammed at their noses because of their race. All clear so far, right? I had it easy, very easy regarding this case - so one would assume I have absolutely no personal experience or to be more more harsh, a relevant opinion in this topic.

Yet I would like to speak up against something that - with maybe being excessive, one would think - has been giving me traumas. I have spoken up against it many times, got some “there’s some truth to it, huh!’s and nothing more. I will say it out loud: I’m heartily sick of the glorifying of certain cultures, nationalities and races in this community and I will no longer tolerate it in any case.

I’m sick of seeing my homeland’s history that has lead an entire folk into constant suffering - even to this day - and its consequences, such as: forced sexwork, depression, financial trauma, violence, murder being seen as aesthetic, glam, chic. This goes for black women and Asian women as well. Quit rebranding as us, quit saying “you could very well be one of us”, quit envying a life you could have never handled, a life of being a fantasy, an illusion, a fetish, a product. A valuable to put in a museum, to be looked at, never touched, to be thrown away.

A person from a developed country would never know how it feels like to earn 100 euros/month with a graduate degree, your life being a bystander to tragedy as you don’t have needs that would be laughably easy to get access to in wealthy countries. The depression. Have you gone beyond Instagram? Have you read a book, from the oh-so-praised country’s own literature? Have you felt what they feel, day by day? You want to relate so bad, you want to be a badass woman from those countries, an Olga, Nadya, Alena. A vicious woman with the hard life who will end up seducing Abramovic and your other favourite Russian men. Dreaming about getting into Russian political circles, saying your type is exactly what Russian men secretly desire, that you pray every night for a Russian oligarch. Take a deep breath. Do you think, that you, whom had been leading a life that was more privileged that the early lives of those desired men and the majority of the people will be welcomed in our circles? Accepted? Needed?

“You do not suffer enough for me! For you suffer from yourselves, but you have not suffered from man. You would lie if you spoke otherwise! None of you suffers from what I have suffered.”

VENUS IN THE SIGNS

Venus in Aries: You have an exciting approach to love, that is almost child-like in how straightforward and innocent it is. In relationships, you are very straightforward with your intentions, and you love to live in the moment. For Venus in Aries, love is very much about the chase, the thrill of pursuit, the adrenaline. Rather impulsive in love, you follow your heart as freely as you can- and as a result, you find it hard to settle down. This Venus sign needs a relationship that both protects their independence and is also a bit of a challenge. You show your feelings openly and enthusiastically, and others find your affectionate nature attractive.

Venus in Taurus: Love cannot be rushed for you. Your relationships leave a deep imprint on you, and you are careful to ‘feel’ out a relationship before you get into one. Once in love, Venus in Taurus is deeply sensual, demonstrative, and generous. This Venus sign prefers to avoid drama and upheavals in relationships, as a trustworthy and reliable person. In love, you would much rather like to settle down with a stable and committed relationship. Once your partnerships have a sense of comfort, you can be very passionate, as well as possessive. Some might say you’re too resistant to change, but you are consistently romantic and steadfast in your feelings - which few can complain about.

Venus in Gemini: You genuinely enjoy different kinds of people, and seek out variety, stimulation, and fun in love. As opposed to other, heavier Venus signs, Venus in Gemini likes to take  a lighter approach to love. A naturally curious person, you have places to see, people to meet, and things to do. As a result, one person cannot be the sole focus of your life. This may be disappointing to some, but you have the talent of wit and humor at your side, which makes you a social chameleon and a gifted flirt- which you often do unintentionally. This Venus sign values intelligence in a partner and needs mental chemistry before physical chemistry in a relationship.

Venus in Cancer: Highly romantic, you have a very strong desire to be loved, but due to your sensitivity, you hide under a mask of reserve. You’re highly sentimental and gifted with an excellent memory - though unfortunately, this applies to events that you’d rather forget. In love, this Venus sign requires comfort, stability, and affection- because only then will they come out of their shell. You’re a very nurturing partner and place importance on caring for others. You are very intuitive and attuned to people’s feelings and character - which, combined with your sympathetic character, adds to your appeal.

Venus in Leo: At your best, you are a warm, generous, and highly affectionate partner. You are gifted with playfulness, confidence, and presence. You need someone who is loyal, devoted, giving, and most importantly, makes you feel loved. Venus in Leo doesn’t want to be taken for granted or treated with indifference. You do tend to have high expectations for love, since you want someone you can both be proud of and respect. Otherwise, with this Venus sign’s confident and bold personality, you may walk all over them. On the downside, you can be too demanding, or even egotistical but you make up for it by giving a great deal in return - there’s rarely a dull moment with you.

Venus in Virgo: You’re not one to rush into commitments, since you want a relationship to develop slowly and naturally. You don’t like to show it, but you are actually quite sensitive, and sometimes even insecure. Nevertheless, you are a refined, careful, and intelligent lover- and you would prefer someone with similar qualities. Venus in Virgo demonstrates their affections through the little things- picking up on someone’s likes and dislikes, listening to what they say, or helping them out anyway they can. This Venus sign has a somewhat practical take on relationships, and this gives a great deal of thoughtfulness and integrity. In love, you need someone to make you feel special and appreciated for all that you do.

Venus in Libra: This Venus sign is a gentle, kind, and charming partner, with a distinctive taste for beauty and romance. Anything that comes across as too strong or abrasive makes you want to walk away- for you aren’t so much sensual and earthy as you are romantic. An idealist in relationships, Venus in Libra tends to be attracted to a certain kind of love. You want candlelit dinners, hand-holding and thoughtful, poetic messages. You want harmony and elegance, but on the downside, you can be somewhat superficial and unable to handle conflict. Regardless, your social tact, fairness, and pleasant behavior makes you charming and attractive to many.

Venus in Scorpio: You have a taste for the all-consuming. You hate the idea of a half-hearted relationship or a part-time love, and you want someone that is head-over-heels for you. Venus in Scorpio wants to know all of the ins and outs of their partner’s character, and are prone to ‘investigating’- a trait that can be both attractive or repelling. Those who take relationships lightly can seem callous to this Venus sign because they seek intimacy and depth. You appreciate loyalty and devotion, and though you may truly want stability- it might be difficult for you to obtain it, because the ups and downs of a relationship are what make it so meaningful to you.

Venus in Sagittarius: For this Venus sign, love is a means of adventure. The ideal relationship for you is one with a partner that you can travel with, explore with, and grow with. A significant other for the Sagittarian Venus is not just romantic, but a good friend, an intellectual connection, and most importantly- someone who can make you laugh. You are a connoisseur of experience, and. monotony and routine spell the end of a relationship for you. Venus in Sagittarius is gifted with playfulness, optimism, and an excellent sense of humor. Idealistic and light-hearted, there is a deep need for playfulness and spontaneity, and though you are sensitive, emotional drama is draining for you.

Venus in Capricorn: You’re not one to believe in love at first sight. Due to your sensitivity, you are cautious and self-protective in love, and fall in love slowly but ardently. Because of the intensity of your emotions, you prefer to hide how you truly feel underneath a veneer of cool and calm- which you use to impress your partners. Venus in Capricorn seeks out quality in both their relationships and their partners. As a result, you are naturally attracted to goal-oriented, intelligent, and mature people. This Venus sign is certainly not cold, but rather an old fashioned-romantic: though it does take time for you to warm up to people, once you’re comfortable, you are a devoted and committed partner.

Venus in Aquarius: A standard love story is not for this Venus sign. You don’t want a real-life rom com- no, in romance, you require an element of excitement and unconventionality. Venus in Aquarius can get attracted to other people quite easily, but their affections are hard to capture. A satisfying relationship is hard to find for you, as you are somewhat contradictory in love: You want to be recognized for your unique character and originality, but you also need someone who can match you intellectually. You are a committed partner, but also want space for yourself. Once in a relationship, this Venus sign’s spontaneous nature and creativity  make you an intriguing partner.

Venus in Pisces: Dreamy, sensitive, wistful. You have the gift of compassion and understanding, and like to see the good in people. As a result, you easily forgive people- perhaps to the point where you don’t think of yourself. In relationships, Venus in Pisces presents themselves with a soft touch and gentle spirit- and their genuine kindness makes people open up to them. You are a sweet and tender-hearted lover, and you truly want to provide unconditional love to someone else. This Venus sign does love being in love because it’s such a wonderful feeling, but at your worst, you spend your affections on someone who doesn’t give much back.

Don’t know your Venus sign? Calculate your birth chart here.

MERCURY IN THE SIGNS

Mercury in Aries: You are a pointed, direct, and alert communicator. You can be quite candid at times, but this is because you see no point at hinting at something- you prefer to be as to the point as possible. Your mind works very quickly, and for this reason you can be a talented at brainstorming due to your imagination and creativity. Mentally, you are impulsive and intuitive- often making snap decisions. This placement can be very witty. You are a natural visionary and are always seeking out new projects, since you need a great deal of mental stimulation. At heart, you are an idealist, and this is especially the case with your ideas. You approach your projects with enthusiasm and energy. You’re fast on your feet, but long-term concentration or focus tends to be difficult for you.

Mercury in Taurus: Slow, steady, and deliberate is how your mind works. While it may take some time for you to come to a conclusion, once you do, you stick with your idea through and through. You’re a very practical-minded person and tend to prefer seeing the real-life application and demonstration of something you’re learning, rather than just sticking to abstract theories. Your instinctive reaction when given something is to ask yourself what it can do for you. You’re a realistically-minded person and are not a fickle thinker- for this reason, people tend to value and respect your input. This Mercury sign grants someone with highly-developed senses of scent, touch, and color. 

Mercury in Gemini: Regardless of what the topic at hand is, you probably have something to add to it, for you’re a jack of all trades in knowledge. Your curiosity makes you intrigued by nearly anything, and your sharp mind enables you to process whatever you find very quickly. Unfortunately, this trait also can get you bored quickly, making you restless. When you’re bored, you may resort to gossiping or stirring up trouble, but to make up for it, you have an excellent sense of humor and always have something interesting to say. You have a way with words and wits that makes you an engaging and eloquent speaker: people want to listen and get to know you.

Mercury in Cancer: Thoughtful, touching, and tactful- these are the best words to describe you. You are adept at listening and understanding people, and for this reason others readily come to you for advice and help. The gentle and sympathetic approach of this Mercury can easily comfort and soothe other people. You’re naturally receptive to the emotional atmosphere and subtle cues, and you think most clearly when you feel balanced. Rather than using cold logic or hard facts, you process your experiences intuitively. You have an excellent memory, especially for how something made you feel and can remember details down to the tee. For this reason, you can be quite sentimental but also an incredibly deep thinker.

Mercury in Leo: You are an innately enthusiastic and somewhat dramatic communicator, giving you an air of authority when you speak. Simply put, you naturally shine in the spotlight. You like to use colorful language and passionate emotions, which makes you a natural entertainer and speaker. You tend to attach your ego to your ideas and beliefs, which can result in a constant need for praise or being arrogant. In a more positive way, this can make you intensely devoted to the work that inspires you. In social situations, your confidence is infectious, and you seem warm and humorous- there is rarely a dull moment with you around. With this Mercury sign, it grants someone a creative and intuitive mind, making a strong need for self-expression.

Mercury in Virgo: Precise, exacting, detail-oriented. You’re a level-headed person granted with a good dose of common sense and a quick mind. You learn best with structure and organized, since your mind is analytical and systematic. At times, you doubt your own capabilities- not because these thoughts are true, but rather because you fear making a mistake. For this reason, despite having a clear mind, you might be too shy to share what you truly believe- or you may criticize others to compensate. Nevertheless, you have the many virtues of integrity, helpfulness, and resourcefulness. Since you appear to others as sincere and honest, people tend to trust your opinion. With your talent for observation, this Mercury sign also has a sharp, biting wit and a dry sense of humor.

Mercury in Libra: A natural diplomat, you have the capability to value all views and sides of an issue. You are open-minded and objective- though you are thoughtful, you don’t take opposition to your ideas personally. For this reason, whenever an argument comes up, you can easily smooth things over as a peacemaker. You shy away from extreme statements and instead seek the middle ground, but often times this makes decisions in your life hard to make. You tend to be rather easy-going, and your agreeableness makes you affable and sociable. You have a talent for making connections and blending ideas- whether it’s in academics or with people, which makes you an expert at networking. There is a quiet intelligence to this Mercury sign- due to your tactfulness, your brainpower may not seem as evident as others, but make no mistake- it’s still there.

Mercury in Scorpio: Your mind is like a detective’s: investigative, inquisitive, and always trying to get to the heart of the matter. If there is one thing that you aren’t, it’s superficial: you naturally look for the deeper meaning of everything. In many ways, you are a natural human psychologist and can easily draw insights from a person’s tone and body language where others may not see anything out of the ordinary. Unfortunately, sometimes this can result in an overly suspicious attitude or drawing conclusions where none exist. When a subject comes up, you are either fascinated or feel nothing at all; thus, when you speak about something you are passionate about, you can be magnetizing or to your audience. You’re not an open-book either, and are quite difficult to read, often concealing what you know or how you feel.

Mercury in Sagittarius: Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and philosophical. You are someone who takes a broader point of view on life- you don’t simply look at the here and now, but you always wonder about the bigger things in life. You’re a forward-thinking, optimistic person, because your creative outlook enables you to see the many possibilities of something. You have little patience for mental manipulation or mind games: you say what you mean and you mean what you say. Though your directness can be refreshing, other times, you can come across rather tactless and rude. Otherwise, you are good-natured, humorous, and a great conversationalist. Your enthusiasm can be quite infectious, and you do love to debate and discuss. You have a fast-paced and inventive mind: your imagination makes you social and adaptable.

Mercury in Capricorn: You are a person of substance, for you always try to channel your energy into something productive and active. You are a practical person, and while others only talk, you walk the walk. You have a talent for organization, and you always try to approach a subject by categorizing and breaking it down. You’re a down-to-earth person, and therefore prefer concrete subjects rather than theoretical concepts. One of your favorite things to do is plan ahead, for you are dependable, reliable, and responsible. Because you are so oriented on action and achievement, you may burn yourself out through worrying  and constant moodiness. Despite this, you have a very focused and coherent mindset, and this placement generally has a talent for concentration and memory.

Mercury in Aquarius: You have a different perspective than most other people. Due to your independent stance and your tendency to go against the grain, you will readily consider opinions or beliefs that others might immediately dismiss. At your worst, you can be stubborn and dogmatic, always wanting to play the devil’s advocate. You’re very futuristic-minded, and concepts concerning humanity, technology, or metaphysics tend to fascinate you. Your open-mindedness makes you a progressive and idealistic thinker: you enjoy thinking about changing and improving the status quo. At your best, you have an innovative and original mind. You may surprise others, not simply with your opinions, but also with your astute observations and your accurate insights. You have an offbeat, but very funny sense of humor.

Mercury in Pisces: You process information not by reading the fine print, but by reading between the lines: you are not one to concern yourself with minor details, but you are highly intuitive. You are highly attuned to the emotional atmosphere of whatever environment you’re in, and you pay attention to subtleties that other might miss- giving you a great deal of perception. You are an excellent listener and your gentle way of communication may find you a lending ear for many. You want to make others feel comfortable around you, and so you may lie or fib- though it is rarely intentional. Other times, you can easily be misunderstood, for much of what you say or mean gets lost in translation. Yet, you can also be compassionate, creative, and deeply thoughtful. There is a powerful visionary aspect to this Mercury.

Don’t know your Mercury sign? Calculate your birth chart here.

Cancer moodboard.

-Bruce Lee (A Sagittarius)