J U L E S

Aries: An empire of cathedrals and smoke. Gold frescos of saints ensconsed within ramparts of stone and iron. Priests walk the streets disguised in sack-cloth cloaks.

Taurus: An empire of scales and stars. The citadels to an avatar of war now blooming, overflowing with the summer harvest. Winged serpents bask in the shade.

Gemini: An empire of chisels and wind. A road carved through the high mountain spine of the world. Agile horned steeds race across paths too narrow for any horse. 

Cancer: An empire of rivers and marble. Reeds grow between the tiles of old mosaics. Fresh spring thaw running clean and clear through what were once grand courtyards.

Leo: An empire of earth and sunlight. A forest of spears left thust into the soil. Grand wooden halls now rotting, planted like a seed to sprout after this long winter. 

Virgo: An empire of cotton and bone. Colossal stone lamassu patrol the dune sea, guardians built by the ancestors. None remember what they guard against.

Libra: An empire of roots and waves. A palace nestled in the great banyan, its roots stretching for leagues, nurturing the woven throne. Veins to a heart.

Scorpio: An empire of stories and song. A crown tattooed into the flesh of a ruler. A palace built by the gods, and left duly untouched.

Ophiuchus: An empire of salt and sound. A capital built where the arc wrecked upon the shore. Images of non-existent sea creatures embossed on salt-eaten armor.

Sagittarius: An empire swallowed by the earth. Divine punishment turned to worship. Temples built in reverse, dug, carved, into holy darkness. A blind priesthood. An embrace.

Capricorn: An empire of memories and time. Effigies of gardens and flowers, now buried under rime. The rivers here used to run warm.

Aquarius: An empire of brass and conquest. Patchwork regalia of all the empires before it, no understanding of their meaning. A pretender to every throne.

17th Century viewpoint on the signs

aries: “every conquest i had made would make me more of a boss to you”

taurus: “if i was out flashing my dollars i’d be a bitch, not a baller”

gemini: “when everyone believes ya, what’s that like?”

cancer: “what i was wearing, if i was rude, could all be separated from my good ideas and power moves”

leo: “i’d be a fearless leader, i’d be an alpha type”

virgo: “they’d say i hustled, put in the work”

libra: “they’d say i played the field before i found someone to commit to”

scorpio: “they would toast to me, oh, let the players play, i’d be just like leo in st. tropez”

sagittarius: “what’s it like to brag about raking in dollars and getting bitches and models?”

capricorn: “i’m so sick of running as fast as i can, wondering if i’d get there quicker if i was a man”

aquarius: “i’m so sick of them coming at me again, cause if i was the man, i’d be the man”