personal 2.0

EVERY STAR IS A MIRROR 

Aries ~ The snowflakes of Pisces winter fall and death embraces the zodiac. Sweet, sensual death. Evaporating into the divine, deep in the hollows. And the further we go into darkness, the brighter the light within us shines Bursting to awaken with the first sound of spring, bluebirds echo in the Aries ear, calling… calling… calling…. bring back life, colour, and god’s delight to the bleakness Special child of the divine, still held in heaven’s arms, waiting to be born like an exploding nebula, scattering pieces of itself everywhere out of curiosity and enthusiasm. Follow the sound of bloom, the fresh smell of spring, the feeling of warmth beginning to saturate your spirit once more the earth’s revered child has finally been born. The zodiac begins

Taurus ~  As a child of Venus, Taureans navigate the world through their senses. The fresh air of nature, trees, flowers and wildlife is extremely therapeutic and stimulating for them. They are often acutely sensitive to the seasons and weather changes. There is a real need for contact with nature, which and many Taureans fill the roles of farmers, gardeners, horticulturists or artists who use natural materials. One of the male images of Taurus is that of the green man, the male fertility principle. This sign is the closest manifestation material purity, and their sensory alertness allows them to connect to the five sense experience like no other. They can make universes out of empty sketchbooks, make homes out of half crescent Moons and heatwaves through their determination and spirit. This is all four seasons rolled into one.

Gemini ~ Gemini provides a dazzling display of how the mind works. This mad instrument in all of its glory and its chaos, its genius and dissociation, its ability to create patterns and puzzles and spin the world upside down. Gemini is like a literal mind fuck, you know one minute you are traveling 200,00 miles an hour down one road, into philosophy and corruption of the military and then you have a drunk child on your hands, unable to focus or sit still for a moment. Geminis orgasm can come from conversation, communing with a mind, or meeting an intellect, someone who will talk their ear off all night conveying hypnotizing facts and knowledge. Gemini is always the student and the teacher, forever threading the information inside onto silver wings and blowing them into the ether. They touch people through language, through the way they weave words together to create laughter or conversation or sheer delight. Gemini is spinning deliriously in a world of thought, crossing the borderlines, doing the thinking for both dark and light. Gemini is a book of mysteries inside 

Cancer ~  Cancers have a surreal experience of time. It can melt through their mind like dripping honey. The sound of clocks can be intimidating. They need music and oneness, the rhythm of stars. The moon rules Cancer, and before the 30-31 day calendar, we followed the cycle of the moon, a 28 day ‘month’, stemming from ‘mon’, or ‘moon’. And now we live separate from nature, and the Cancer is pulled between materialism and delirium, unsure of what is completely real. But from this conflict evokes a brilliant prophet in the Cancer, a crystal ball that conjures the inner world’s most marvellous vision. Spirit guides reside in the 4th house. So the Cancer can hear thoughts, and these are thoughts of their guide. They can receive intuitive knowledge about the past, a place where the Cancer dwells comfortably, they can be the conduit for ancestral inheritance and the protection of passed descendants, they can swim on a river of divination, because their psychic imagination is so acute. When they fear their own safety, this vision can become dark and volatile. Fear is Cancer’s most destructive poison.

Leo ~ It’s the centre of a star that bursts from Leo and they are pure magic, a splendid cosmic artwork mixed with dripping sun maple and  the manifestation of divine creative power. the Leo can stare at themselves and see the universe in their reflection, a flickering light of God burning behind their eyes, constellations made of broken capillaries, sweetness and softness. And there is the roar of the Leo lion, a heart that beats a tattoo in their chest because it is overflowing with love, passion, and desire. The Leo has painted every sparkling essence of time and space with their enchanted paintbrush, that mind is a visual display of milky way fireworks, heaven is a place on earth with Leo. But the Leo can also look in the mirror and see a black hole. It isn’t always so vein and conceited. every flaw echoes so loudly. The Leo just wants to be loved, simply for who they are. Not their fortune, or photographs, or profound generosity. Only the bravest hearts are born under the sign of Leo. It’s sensitive and spirited, ravishing and regal

Virgo ~  The lines and poetry of sacred geometry and mechanical movement come to life before the Virgo eyes. Sacred geometry is the sort of experience the Ancients believed was nourishing for the soul. Virgo becomes intimate with the earth and its divine faculties with more voracity than any sign. There are details perceivable to only the  Virgo, like nervous signals jump from their fingertips into their surroundings and electrify the invisible engineering. The Virgo individual is very sensitive to elements, precision, accuracy, and seemingly insignificant components, but nothing is simple to the Virgo, and they recognise the duty and usefulness of everything, the whole dynamic of seasons and earth, the equilibrium and the silent movement. This is what makes Virgo tremendous at occult studies, specifically those requiring analysis like astrology and numerology, and those involving healing properties like minerals and witchcraft. Through intense observation of surroundings, through holding a microscope to every leaf and flower, through watching the reverent dance of the sunrise as they measure the motion by time, they identify with the part of themselves that is infinite. They can unify with the part of themselves that is pure, that is untainted awareness and magnificence and beauty. 

Libra ~  With Libra we have the Snow White pages. the innocent beauty who does not know the seduction of her aura, the distressed belle who waits for a prince to save her, despite easily outwitting and serving justice better than any man who takes their hand. and in the antithetical pole, the wretched self consciousness. After Virgo has achieved personal perfection, she wants to be the fairest of them all. she evokes the images of others as she attempts to be all things, a glorious figment. they are the enchanted mirror, although they look into their own searching for others and answers. Libra is every character, the enchanting snow is the jewel in her heart and the melody in her love of people. And the witch, her voices of self resonance. Saturn exalts in Libra and the stepmother is an expression of the domineering Saturn parent, often leaving impossible idealism in the child. The notes of empty comparison against others that wither her supple apple cheeks into dried roses and destroy every venus valley. 

Scorpio ~  The human world is rarely enough for Scorpio. That can be why they provoke people’s souls, they want to see your insides, your darkness, your light. They can seem spiritually provocative, it’s like they know how to draw madness out of lovers, they can sense the unseen, they can experience states that question existence. And nothing is ever enough. They don’t want a lover. They want a reunion with a soul mate, their soul. They don’t want sex. They want angelic intimacy, the evaporation of bodies into intwined ether. Scorpio is preparing for death, but they don’t want to leave without truly tasting life. The superficial is rarely enough for Scorpio. They are discontent swimming in shallow waters. They become easily bored when their brilliant mind is under stimulated and unchallenged, they become distracted into unconscious trance when people are dull. And the Scorpio cannot force conversation. There are holes in the world that only Scorpio can see, and they will crawl into one when this world is not enough. 

Sagittarius ~ After emergence from the deep Scorpio tomb, the Sagittarius hybrid spirit soars far and wide. The Sagittarius wisdom operates from the laws of nature, stars, archetypes, the Akashic records, the higher mind, and culture. It embodies the divine chant of laughter, the publication and interpretation of symbols, mythology, theology, and religion. Here is the quest for the meaning of life, the pilgrimage to unknown regions in search of understanding and the materialisation of belief. It could be travel, education, relationships, indulgence in intoxicants, or nomadic wandering through religion. The Sagittarius guru is the scholar. His temple is filled with books, compasses, astrology notes, and artifacts from every country. He uses comedy for his teachings and applies experience to philosophy and scripture. Waiting in the middle of winter, the Sagittarius speaks many languages and knows many ways of life. He is approachable and warm, filled with light and spice. Even with the wrinkles of time, the spirit of youth always radiates. Old as the trees and free as a bird, as young as the sunrise and as old as the night.

Capricorn ~  To stand on top of the mountain, to stare over the edge of the midheaven, sometimes all you would ever see would be your own shadow. And the Capricorn’s shadow can linger like a heavy fog, always threatening, always concerning. At her peak, she radiates like a Mistress of Brilliance, she has scaled the land and sea, starred in her own dream and written her own success story. She has stood behind people and encouraged their ascent in her graces she has climbed and flown, a mountain goat, pursuing the grand land and salty sea. In all of this, she has only had herself to rely on, and a voice of wisdom, found only in the darkest moments. She can be hungry for descent because she understands the reigns of flight. The Capricorn is contained, and yet they are the stitches that thread the stars, the grand mastery of it all. In her spirit wields the resources of the Gods, each of whom have tried and tested her. Through the Capricorn’s shadow, a self portrait is created. It reveals the most powerful triumphs of human kind.  The undeniable component of the shadow is that in its presence it reflects only light. The Capricorn is capable of wielding both in their starry ascent toward the heavens, an intuitive focus in strategic command, a skilled concentration that gleams fantasy into reality. The shadow can be lined in exquisite silver. 

Aquarius ~ Telepathy could be the Aquarius enchantment. Telepathy into the web of consciousness, the matrix of thought that connects all beings together. Telepathy into the ideas of the sky, cascading like a diamond waterfall into the Aquarius mind. And there is telepathy into the knowledge of stars and space dwellers. The Aquarius mind is a conduit for all sorts of cosmic contemplation. It receives tremendous visions of utopia and elevating bursts of intuition. It also soaks up space junk, and this may turn into madness. Aquarius is the last moment of thought before we capsize into Pisces dream. They look out to the stars to find their soul mate. They stare into the sea to contemplate infinity. They test logic against galaxies of invisible wonder. The Aquarius mind diffuses an extraterrestrial perfume, their thoughts dart through constellations and fields of existence. Underneath the disorder is a mind that sparkles like the diamonds that rain on Uranus. Inconceivable. Curious. Marvellous.

Pisces ~  Pisceans can try on new personalities like they try on shoes, and with those unusual feet hardly any shoes, from heels to flats or docs seem to fit properly, like all these personalities she tries to be, none of them cloak her soul with the colours. Nothing ever seems to fit those shades she knows ripple inside, those pastels that haven’t been invented yet. From room to room she moves, shifting face and shape, slippery with sea salt infused in her skin, impossible to catch or define, lost and wandering, the facets of a thousand personalities. It feels so foreign being trapped in a body, when she can feel wings fluttering behind her shoulder blades, and scales shimmer under her thighs. Like a mirror carved in heaven, reflecting people as angels. She is the stain glass window that forever changes colour and tone, paint streaked over her spirit, impossible to conceive without a kaleidoscope. She knows her true self resides at home The home in the sky, made of clouds and liquid love. But for now the show must go on. Who do I dress as today. Nobody knows.

MERCURY IN ARIES:

Mercury in Aries is quick thinking. They don’t have a lot of patience for studying every angle to every problem… they would rather make a decision and let you know. Candid and direct, they get to the point. While they may appear crude or aggressive at times, it is usually because they are trying to overcome opposition to their ideas. Like a child, it doesn’t occur to them that someone may disagree with them, and so they may act out of frustration. Mercury in Aries is very attached to their ideas.

They tend to streamline their learning so they don’t get too bogged down in details. They take what they want and dismiss anything they feel may be irrelevant. Mercury in Aries has a certain innocent charm. They love to begin new things, and they are very enthusiastic. Any negative criticism will be taken personally, even if it was not meant that way. They are not afraid to stand up to a challenge. While idealistic, they are very intelligent.

Aries Mercury may quickly jump from old ideas to new if they seem more exciting. They are excellent promoters. They know how to motivate people and make things sound fun. They enjoy competing with others, and may argue a point just for fun.

They are mentally agile and can think well on their feet. Obstacles in their path are terribly frustrating for them. This may bleed over to other areas in their life as well as communication. Aries Mercury is known for their impatience.

Concentration may be difficult for long periods of time. It is easy for them to jump to conclusions, and they tend to be impulsive. Witty and inventive, they are great conversationalists as long as they don’t need to delve deeply into a subject. As charming as they may be, they can also be brutally honest.

They will do anything to win an argument, even with those they love. Aries Mercury can become a terrible know-it-all if this is not controlled. On the other hand, they can let their confidence inspire others with excitement. They tend to be original, and stand out in their areas of expertise. They are challenged to learn to love details and stick through projects no matter how tedious.

Opinionated almost to a fault, Mercury in Aries is quick to share theirs even when it isn’t wanted. They are not blessed with a lot of tact. They are restless, and seem full of nervous energy. They need to be kept busy, and often don’t seem to have any to spare. They like to do things their own way; they don’t like to be told what to do. Aries Mercury can be a great leader, and even when not in such a position, they may have a handful of followers. Their excitement and enthusiasm is infectious.

MERCURY IN TAURUS:

Mercury in Taurus takes their time when making a decision. They do eventually get there, and will be stubborn once their mind is made up. While some may think that Taurus Mercury is lazy, upon closer inspection, you’ll find that they really do think things over very carefully.

While it may take some doing to get a Mercury in Taurus to start something new, once they begin they see it through to the end. They are full of common sense. They process information through the use of their senses. When they communicate, they may be a bit slow to get to the point. They are very deliberate in everything they do.

People tend to listen to Taurus Mercury. They are taken seriously. They are funny and a bit sarcastic. They do not use flowery speech; instead they come across as authoritative and realistic.

Mercury in Taurus likes to learn through demonstrations, basic concepts and concrete answers. They like practical applications for what they learn. They can learn in the abstract, but the lessons are much more powerful if they can use the information personally.

They are very sensual, and have well-defined tastes. Everything they can experience through the senses: color, scent, touch… all affect their communication style. They are shrewd in business and excel at finances.

Mercury in Taurus can come across as obstinate and opinionated. They have an incredible memory. Whatever they set their efforts to needs to produce tangible results. They truly believe that slow and steady wins the race. Unlike most Mercury signs, they are not restless… they are grounded and steady. This keeps them rooted in reality.

Taurus Mercury usually has a pleasant voice and the discipline to get through rigorous training periods as they learn their craft. They may be talented in the arts. They seek to make things that last and reflect their own deep values. They want to show something for their efforts.

Taurus Mercury may appear set in their ways, and may need to get out of their rut on occasion. They can appear pigheaded and difficult. They need to learn how to adapt. They don’t like being forced into a quick decision.

They like to build new things. It creates something substantial that they can measure and see as the result of their efforts. Mercury in Taurus can make a good living as a speaker. Their voices are melodious and their topics are thoroughly covered. Their ideas are practical and work well. Those who take their advice are seldom sorry.

MERCURY IN GEMINI:

Quick-witted and eclectic, Mercury in Gemini may appear a bit scattered. They have a broad knowledge of many subjects… but not too much about any one subject. They learn fast, but because they have so many different interests it is difficult for them to concentrate on a single subject. They also get bored easily. Give Gemini Mercury a stimulating environment and they will be happy.

Speaking of their environment, Mercury in Gemini is very sensitive to what is going on around them. They are very impressionable. They tend to be restless and full of nervous energy. While they tend to be open-minded, logical answers appeal to them. Most of the time intuition is not part of their process. They may come across as too intellectual. Spock was probably a Gemini Mercury. They may appear to be emotionally detached when communicating.

At the same time, Mercury in Gemini can also make an interesting speaker. They are not attached to their own opinions or ideas like Aries Mercury. They adapt well, and are curious about everything. It isn’t too difficult to persuade them to change their minds. They can be talented at smooth talking, and may actually be a little deceptive, with a sense of humor. They like to spot weaknesses around them and play with them a bit just because they can.

Mercury in Gemini makes decisions quickly, and they usually turn out well. They enjoy working with language and are good on the phone. It is easy for them to communicate with anyone from all walks of life with ease. Eloquent and engaging, it is hard to be bored with a Gemini Mercury around!

It is difficult for them to shut out external stimulation, however, which can wear on them. They can get overwhelmed and frazzled. They may show signs of irritability or mental confusion. Taking some down time will help them overcome this problem.

Gemini Mercury is a natural witty flirt. Their clever chatting often keeps their partners enthralled. They love to take part in cultural events and enjoy new situations. Their minds are always spinning. They blossom in a stimulating, fast paced environment.

When bored, Gemini Mercury may stir up some trouble or controversy just to make things interesting. They like to play mind games, and are delighted when they find someone who can mentally spar back. They may tend to gossip. A natural at social gatherings, they flit from group to group like a butterfly. They are usually attractive and full of good humor. Mercury in Gemini likes to travel, read, talk and meet new people. They are the original jack of all trades, master of none model. Writing helps them focus better, and many may become journalists or freelance writers.

MERCURY IN CANCER:

Mercury in Cancer is sensitive and withdrawn. They are very thoughtful of others. They are shy and may choose not to talk at all. They may respond slowly, giving the impression of being a deep thinker, which they very well may be. They like to meditate on a problem, and reflect on their experiences.

They are great listeners, and can actually make decisions faster than it appears. Cancer Mercury has a terrific memory, too… especially if it is emotional in nature. They come across as gentle, intuitive, sentimental people. They take things very personally, which can make them appear defensive. At the same time, they can also make you feel protected and warm. They can appear to be hiding something even when they are not, which can cause Cancer Mercury some trouble.

Mercury in Cancer learns best when they feel balanced emotionally. They can remember a lot of information, though they prefer to focus on a subject and approach their problems step by step. They are empathic and can pick up the feelings of others. They are good at putting themselves in the other person’s place.

Cancer Mercury does not like to argue. They will go out of their way to avoid it if possible. At the same time, they are good at starting an argument. They do this very subtly, and then feel hurt when others argue back.

They are attracted to poetry and the romance of yesteryear. Don’t be upset if they withdraw for a time when making a decision… it helps them figure out their own opinions on the matter rather than being influenced by others. The dislike distractions and need to focus on matters at hand. They make very good speakers and writers. Mercury in Cancer has a talent for feeling out the audience.

Cancer Mercury is very intuitive. It is not easy for them to be objective. They learn best through experience and are very receptive to subliminal messages. They have a deep appreciation of the past and historical artifacts. They would probably enjoy working in a museum. Mercury in Cancer is loyal and very patriotic.

They are creatures of habit, and a lack of routine is upsetting to them. Mercury in Cancer is very considerate of others, which engenders sympathy and support when they need it. They are very good at giving motherly advice. When they are upset, they tend to sulk. They cannot focus enough at this time to react with practical reasoning. They can be moody and defensive when criticized. Cancer Mercury is talented at reading between the lines, so they are not easily fooled.

They are often called upon to speak at family gatherings because they are in touch with life’s deeper meanings. Mercury in Cancer also knows how to draw someone out of their shell when they feel awkward or troubled.

MERCURY IN LEO:

Mercury in Leo speaks with style and authority. Some may come across as know-it-alls, but they really just want to share their knowledge with everyone else. They have a talent for seeing the big picture; but may miss the details. They are very persuasive, using warmth and goodwill. They know how to promote their ideas and get their message to the masses.

They hold their opinions very dear and take pride in their beliefs. They tend to be idealistic. Mercury in Leo has a good intellect, and they love to express themselves. In fact, creativity is very important to them. They excel in presenting themselves with drama and style. Passionate and enthusiastic when speaking, Mercury Leo is usually successful in getting their point across.

They may be oversensitive to anything they consider less than praise. They can appear rather arrogant due to their natural detachment. Mercury in Leo has their ego tied to their intellect, which sometimes makes it difficult for them to separate fact from fiction. They may be considered boastful.

Mercury in Leo is wonderful at story telling because their sense of drama is so well developed. Performing or public speaking are both good outlets for their creativity. They have a strong will power and stick to their purpose.

They make natural leaders and people are inclined to follow them because of their charisma. Leo Mercury can be stubborn, especially when crossed. They follow their passions, acting spontaneously in the moment.

In social situations, Leo Mercury’s warmth is contagious and they make friends easily. When they get interested in someone and their potential, they turn their attention to developing that potential. If their heart is not in a project, it shows. They are quick witted and take intuitive leaps when thinking on their feet. They may take disagreements personally since everything they do is attached to their ego. They seek recognition for their ideas, so it is difficult for them to participate in brainstorming or other group activities.

If there is a chance to be in the spotlight, Leo Mercury is your person. They are happy to soak up the glory. They are never boring, and always “onstage.” They may exaggerate at times, but they are very convincing and entertaining. They make excellent teachers, enthralling their students no matter what their age. Besides performing, they also do well in politics, coaching or other leadership roles. They do not enjoy a job where they have no voice in making decisions or any creative input.

Mercury in Leo needs to watch out for false pride, intolerance, being full of themselves and needed praise for everything they do. While their need for admiration is evident, they do deserve it a good portion of the time.

MERCURY IN VIRGO:

Mercury in Virgo can be a bit high strung when things seem out of control, but they are very good at taking care of practical things. They appreciate it when others give them credit for their intelligence. They are good at organizing, planning and taking care of business. They do best when they know exactly what is expected and are usually willing to lend a hand.

Since they are detail oriented, their friends and coworkers appreciate them. Mercury in Virgo needs a structured learning environment and organized methods of study. They can learn a lot about their chosen profession, but may have difficulties absorbing all of the knowledge on a deep level. They don’t see the point in learning something unless it has a practical use. They are resourceful. Mercury in Virgo is very protective about how they handle their every day affairs. They may get impatient with other people, have trouble telling people no, and complain that they get to do all the grunt work.

Mercury in Virgo is logical, and may be critical of others. They have good common sense. They may appear to lack confidence in themselves, which may or may not be true. It is not uncommon for Virgo Mercury to hesitate before acting… not because they are afraid or unsure, but because they are double checking everything in their mind one last time.

They may be thought of as picky, but in actuality they are concerned with accuracy and precision. They are gifted with language and math, but may be shy or withdrawn. They are analytic and exercise good judgment. Virgo Mercury is usually content to stay in the background and orchestrate things.

They are so detail oriented that they may lose sight of the big picture. Despite this, they are good to have on hand during a crisis because they stay calm. They won’t lose their head to emotional displays. They are completely self-contained. Virgo Mercury has integrity. They may lose interest in projects that don’t seem to have a purpose. Creatively, they stick to practical things. Others find they can relate well to what Virgo Mercury creates.

They have a dry sense of humor, and notice things that other people miss. They are not easily distracted from their task. Mercury in Virgo comes across as sincere and virtuous. Others trust your opinion. They enjoy puzzles and word games that keep them challenged. Reading is often a pursuit they enjoy.

Mercury in Virgo is adaptable, systematic, stable, flexible and exacting. Conversely, they can also be pessimistic, intolerant, sarcastic, critical or whiny.

MERCURY IN LIBRA:

Mercury in Libra is pleasing. They are natural diplomats, or at least make the effort. They wish everyone were equal in the intellectual circles. It is very important for them to have a mental connection to those they have relationships with. Chances are, if they feel there is no connection, it is because Mercury in Libra is trying too hard to be intellectual in their relationships instead of paying attention. They have a need for fairness, but their constant comparisons can appear to be unfair instead.

While they strive for perfection and can’t help criticizing, they try to be tactful. They are always looking for compromise, so everyone is happy. Opinions from either end of the spectrum can make them uncomfortable, but if they favor the middle ground, Libra Mercury is happy. This creates a great personality for a counselor or mediator. It may also cause them to be indecisive. They can’t help but see both sides to everything. This may cause them to lose out on opportunities sometimes because they take too long.

Mercury in Libra can be objective because they are able to think in the abstract. They are intelligent, but it is subtle. They don’t push it on anyone. They don’t like to play the bad guy, and will drive themselves mad trying to make everyone happy.

Mercury in Libra is good at networking with people, but due to a trend towards mental laziness, they may not always follow up on those connections or maintain them. They often turn to others for opinions when they need to make a decision. They may have a fondness for playing devil’s advocate. They are usually rational and well balanced. They don’t like arguments and prefer to have a quiet discussion.

Libra Mercury is friendly and broad minded, but they can stick to their principles when need be. They don’t like conflict or when people act in a crude manner. Quickly changing situations can be difficult for Mercury in Libra because they don’t adapt very fast. They prefer to study an issue and slowly come to a decision.

Mercury in Libra likes the arts and they enjoy literature. Culture is important to them. If they are not expressive in the arts themselves, they enjoy supporting others. They may not like seeing the darker side of life, and may appear to be rather shallow.

Libra Mercury is fun at parties. They are easy going, warm and charming. They may have talents as a speaker or performer of some kind. They need to learn that it is okay to disagree. Once that lesson has been understood, life becomes much easier for them. Writing comes naturally to them, and they are good at merging ideas. Overall, they work well with almost anyone.

MERCURY IN SCORPIO:

Mercury in Scorpio likes to get to the heart of things… and they are very good at it. They are talented at seeing the truth and they are fearless about going where others fear to tread. A human surveillance camera, Scorpio Mercury can see through almost subterfuge. They hate superficiality. They may come across as suspicious and negative.

Mercury in Scorpio is passionate, and this comes through when they communicate. They usually want to help others, and may even share some of the insights they have… as long as they are about other people, not themselves. Their observation skills are beyond the pale, and more often than not have seen something others have missed.

Mercury in Scorpio is all about strategy. They are smart and work by instinct. While they may think they are helping in a constructive manner, their criticism may come across as negative instead. Don’t try to win an argument with Scorpio Mercury… it is very hard to do. They have a need to win, intellectually and literally.

They are loyal to the bone, and will defend anyone they care about to their last breath. They are also good motivators. They are good at keeping secrets, especially their own. They are also good at digging out the secrets of others. They make excellent detectives, investigators or researchers. They love mystery and intrigue. Science is intriguing to them. Anything that challenges their brain will keep them occupied. Mercury in Scorpio likes to figure out what makes people tick.

They are not very tactful, and will often say what they are thinking. They can have a very sharp tongue. Stubborn and tenacious, Scorpio Mercury will hang onto a subject until they are satisfied. They have a very emotional approach that may prejudice them. This makes it difficult for them to be objective.

If they have no interest in a subject, they will do all they can to avoid it. This can be difficult in school and other times when some subjects must be addressed.

Mercury in Scorpio has a keen understanding of human nature. What may seem obvious to them may make others puzzled. This sign brings out an intensity that others can’t help but notice. It is not uncommon for people to either love Scorpio Mercury or hate them. Psychic talents may appear with this sign. They are often interested in mystical and paranormal subjects. They may be drawn to the arts, showing the darker side of human nature through their work. They can be manipulative and controlling at times, and they like to possess those around them that they care about. They feel it is a way to protect those they love. While they do not hesitate to explore the dark secrets of others, they tend to avoid it with themselves. It may be that they seek answers in others as a way to face what is deep within themselves.

MERCURY IN SAGITTARIUS:

Mercury in Sagittarius espouses freedom of thought; at least, they try. They are optimistic and look to the future. They have big ideas and mean well. Vision is their strong point. Details are not.

They have a great thirst for knowledge, but have little time for facts and dry texts. They learn best when given the freedom to think and choose for themselves. They also prefer topics they are truly interested in, and when they are having fun.

Mercury in Sagittarius defends justice and freedom, even though their personal definition of justice may be a bit confusing. They have several principles they promote, and are always happy to discuss them. Their optimism shines through no matter what. It is both their strength and their weak point. They are good at invigorating people with their sunny outlook, but they can be a little blind to the facts.

Sagittarius Mercury is also not too well organized. Piling or trashing is their preferred method to deal with clutter. They like the illusion of space if they can’t get the real thing.

Their enthusiasm is admirable, and they love a good debate. Sagittarius Mercury imagines themselves as very open minded. While this may be true to a certain degree, they can also be very judgmental. They can quickly pick out prejudices in others, but are rather blind to their own. They are good at bending your ear, but not so good at listening or picking up subtle signals.

Mercury in Sagittarius is blunt and to the point. When someone is hemming and hawing, they get impatient. They don’t understand it. They despise mind games. They do love to laugh and have fun. They are independent and adaptable. They love being social and will talk with anyone who will listen. It may be difficult for them to focus on any single subject for very long. They prefer theories to concrete evidence.

Mercury in Sagittarius enjoys philosophy, religion, foreign cultures and psychology. They may study any of these their entire lives, trying to grasp a deep understanding. They are restless, intellectual and crave intellectual stimulation. They make good teachers; they like sports and they love to travel.

The downside of Mercury in Sagittarius may be laced with sarcasm, bragging and rudeness. On the other hand, they really want to see the big picture, and will do what they can to get all the pieces. They describe things broadly, leaving out the small details. They have an artistic side that puts vitality in the everyday. They are also good politicians, activists and adventurers.

MERCURY IN CAPRICORN:

Mercury in Capricorn tries to understand the world by putting everything into its own little compartment. They may be slow and methodical, and they appreciate structure and organization in their life. They are resourceful, but they can easily get overwhelmed if too much information comes at them at once. They need to break the information down into manageable pieces before it is useful.

They are very productive and active mentally, and prefer tasks that end with a tangible result. They can be quite authoritative, and don’t like surprises. Mercury in Capricorn does not like people who don’t keep promises. They can appear rather judgmental and strict, and they are short on patience with those who don’t understand things that seem obvious to them.

They are not frivolous, and they don’t like frivolity in others. They are practical in all aspects. They are often skeptical when confronted with something new. They may appear more conservative than they really are. They don’t like to waste time or anything else. Planning, however, is important to them. They will take as much time as needed to make sure the plan is foolproof.

Words are chosen carefully by Capricorn Mercury. They don’t want to appear foolish, so they may be a bit stiff. Those that appear very natural when making a presentation have probably worried themselves sick over how they would appear.

They are clear thinkers, and may appear rather rigid or narrow minded. They are cautious before committing to anything. They very seldom have anything to regret. While they don’t learn too quickly, they retain the knowledge for a long time. They often feel a need to prove themselves.

Capricorn Mercury may appear moody or sulky, and it may take some effort to show enthusiasm. They have a great capacity for concentration and earnestness that makes them appear very serious. They are reliable and responsible, and in bad situations may end up depressed or pessimistic.

Mercury in Capricorn is definitely someone that you can trust to live their beliefs. They often become experts in their field because they are dedicated to learn all they can about their chosen topic. They favor self control, and may have difficulty mingling with others.

Mercury in Capricorn finds history and traditions fascinating. They have a way of melding the old and new into something practical and useful. They really want to leave their mark on the world and stand the test of time. They make good administrators, engineers and excel at anything that is practical and detail oriented.

MERCURY IN AQUARIUS:

Mercury in Aquarius likes to break the rules when expressing themselves. While not really flamboyant, they do have a knack for stirring things up. They take great delight in exposing the biases of others. They are the first to contradict someone and give their own, very different perspective. They love intellectual debates. Quick and alert, they are very observant.

They are often detached and seem to have their own agenda. They can be intimidating to others because of their innate superiority complex. At the same time, Aquarius Mercury can be absolutely delightful to be around. They are interesting, quirky and insightful.

When it comes to learning, they have unusual study habits. They don’t like schedules, but can be surprisingly organized, although their system may make no sense to anyone else. They like science and metaphysics, as well as anything that deals with mankind’s progress or advancement. They have a well developed sense of humor and love practical jokes.

Mercury in Aquarius is often labeled eccentric. They love controversy and chaos, and have little respect for tradition. They are intuitive and can judge a person’s character very accurately. They are fair minded and believe in equality and fair play. They are humanitarians and love to help those who are less fortunate than themselves. They are often involved in social reform.

Mercury in Aquarius is witty and open minded at times, but they can also be very stubborn. They often make good speakers or writers. They are often very original and their ideas may be ahead of their time. Ideas often just appear to them out of thin air. They are more loyal to concepts than they are to people. They may play the devil’s advocate just to have a debate.

They can see the big picture, and will lay out the facts as needed. They prefer to explore the more outlandish and far reaching ideas. Science fiction isn’t much of a leap for Mercury in Aquarius. Resourceful, they can use their powers for good or to drive others to distraction. They are usually well disciplined when it comes to intellectual pursuits. They are versatile, practical and somewhat revolutionary.

MERCURY IN PISCES:

Gentle in their communications, Mercury in Pisces has a pleasing, soft touch. They are almost poetic. They are not detail oriented… instead they are caught up with feelings, emotions and moods around them. They can get a very clear picture from their surroundings.

Mercury in Pisces is a great listener and makes a great conversationalist. They can be moody and this can extend into their writing as well. They are unpredictable and it is difficult to determine what their mood will be at any given time. They may tell you what they think you want to hear. They do this to make you as comfortable as possible.

Indirect and dreamy, Pisces Mercury can be hard to pin down. They take in so much information that they can’t remain with a single opinion for long. They don’t like cold hard facts or making hard decisions. They prefer to follow their intuition, which gives them some pretty accurate insights. They may appear disorganized to others. They don’t like details, and they may tend to drift mentally.

Mercury in Pisces picks up every subtle sign in their environment. While often indirect in their communications, they can improve if they work at it. They are often artistically inclined, and may have talents in the theatre, music or films. They may be psychic or have other talents in the paranormal range. Spirituality, meditation and prayer are things that come naturally to Mercury in Pisces.

They are rather naïve, and they are trusting. This can result in them being taken advantage of or being misled. They can be very vulnerable. Their natural idealism doesn’t let them become pessimistic. They are often very shy, and may lack self confidence. They may get lost in fantasy. When they can express themselves creatively, they gain in confidence and are able to find themselves.

When I was a child, from the time I was about four and could understand things, my mom told me and my brother that we should have a secret word. That way, if we were ever in trouble or felt unsafe and we didn’t want the people around us to know we needed her to come get us, we could let her know. So she let us pick the word and my brother and I chose the phrase “peanut butter cups.” (I’m happy to share the phrase now since both my brother and I are adults now). 

I used the phrase twice in my life. Once, I was at a friends house when I eight years old. Her dad got really drunk and was throwing things against the wall. I was really scared and I didn’t want to draw attention to myself on the phone when I called my mom to come get me because I didn’t know if he would get more violent if I asked her to come get me. So I called her and was calm and after a couple minutes I asked “Hey mommy, did you get me those peanut butter cups from the store?” And she said “I’ll be right there.” And she came and got me within minutes. 

Second, I was a teenager spending the night at a friends house. Her brother and dad were drinking and they started talking about things that made me uncomfortable - ie: what they liked to do to women. My friend didn’t seem perturbed and said that was normal for them and that I shouldn’t worry. But I was worried because they were really drunk and I was 15 and the only ‘woman’ around that wasn’t related to them. I went in my friends room, told her I needed to call my mom and say goodnight. Before I hung up with her I asked “Next time we go to the store, can we get some peanut butters cups? I’ve been craving them.” And she came and got me, just like that. 

It’s not a contest to see who can get by without them. It’s not cheating to look at a thing in order to know what the thing looks like.

USING REFERENCES FOR ART IS NOT ‘CHEATING’!!!

If you can draw/paint without references, great!  But if you need to use them, and feel that your art can be bettered by using references, please, use them!  This is one of the biggest tips I can give to artists, is USE REFERENCES! 

Anyone who would dare to attack someone for using references after ‘recognizing a pose’ is a dipshit, who doesn’t know a thing about art.

Do you know who else used references for their art?

Norman Rockwell

Alphonse Mucha

Gustav Klimt

Toulouse Lautrec

Vincent Van Gogh

Paul Gauguin

Edgar Degas

Gil Elvgren

Frida Kahlo

Pablo Picasso

Disney Studios

Soooo. I made this post originally on my personal blog (I’m eliciaforever), and it was nothing more than a little rant about a specific incident that I deleted after five minutes. But before I could delete it, it took the hell off on me, and now it has all these notes. And LOTS OF AMAZING INPUT.

And I just wanted to add in response to the above tags in particular, that shaming people for using references is something that happens to so many of us SO OFTEN. It doesn’t matter how skilled you are. People think art is supposed to be magical or whatever, and anything else is a crime. The reality of course is that art is a thousand times more deliberate than a lot of people think it is.

Firstly, don’t touch your skin, because your hands have a lot of bacteria. I also believe in always using alcohol gel on your hands, because everywhere we’re touching things.

When I say goodbye to someone I don’t kiss, because this also has a lot of bacteria [laughs]. Don’t kiss just anyone, that’s my advice.

Never try to push a pimple. If you have one, the best thing you can do is to take a pure alcohol on a Q-tip, and delicately touch it.

I’ll often make myself a natural mask with honey and avocado, or I’ll make a mask with oats and milk - oats are very good as a scrub to cleanse the skin. I also like pure oils - like avocado oil. I’ll warm it in my hands and rub it in.

When I wake up, I wash my face only with water, and I take a small towel and dab it gently.

In terms of products, I use Doctor Alkaitis organic moisturiser - with no perfume, no chemicals; just natural products inside. I try wherever possible to keep my skin free from chemicals day-to-day. I have an amazing herbal toner from Dr Alkaitis, but very little else.

I also like to make a hot bath for my skin: combine some oils and herbs and let the pores open, and then use a towel afterwards to gently dab the skin.

Having said that, I see Dr Colbert in New York and he has an amazing three-part treatment: the first level is basically a machine that takes away all the dirt and cleans your skin; then there’s a delicate laser that closes your pores; then the third level is an acid used like a peel. And that’s the only treatment I will do.

When I travel, I make sure I have a good natural moisturiser to rehydrate my skin, and once I’m on the flight I’ll put on a mask and just sleep with it on.

Make-up is also very important because it can clog your skin, and you don’t want your skin to be clogged. There is an Armani foundation that I use, it’s already very thin, but I’ll mix it with a little moisturiser before I apply.

Then vitamins, because vitamins nourish your skin from the inside out. Vitamin E, A, all the omegas, and fish oil are all very important - and also I like to eat chicken soup because it contains collagen. I eat a lot of avocado, a lot of fish, beef - because your skin is built from these oils. You need to care for the skin from inside. I can have pasta, trust me - I live in Italy. I’m not torturing myself.

Another thing I do, and this comes from my mother, is I sleep like this [mimes totally still, on her back, corpse pose]. You don’t want to wrinkle.

The other things are quite obvious. I drink a lot of water, I like hot water and lemon to clear the skin. Don’t smoke, and I don’t drink alcohol at all. I’m 30 and I have not one wrinkle, so this is why. It’s all about being very delicate with your skin and treating your skin like it’s your best friend. I say to all the young models, who are there backstage with a cigarette: “Don’t smoke!” It kills, you know, it really kills. You see that girl in 10 years and she won’t still be working, you’re like: “Wow, she changed so much,” because she destroyed herself. Don’t party too much, don’t take drugs: you get the face you deserve.

I like to stretch, I think it’s very important for your body, so I do yoga and pilates, but I don’t like to go to the gym and work out. I don’t have that body type. Some girls, like Izabel Goulart, have that body and look great that way, but I treat it the same way as my skin; you have to be very delicate with your body. I don’t like to have muscles, but I also don’t like to be too skinny. Sometimes I notice I got too skinny, and even my skin will suffer - maybe if I’ve been working too much - but it’s about balance.