01. Paradox & Pleasure: September ‘26
This September we are met with subtle moments which set the stage for the months to come. Moments which require observation, receptivity, acceptance and strategy. We are still riding the tidal waves from the tumultuous, gut-wrenching eclipse season which preceded us. September is a time to process residual emotion, picking up the pieces left behind, in preparation for what’s to come. This month, I would like to focus on Mercury in Libra and Venus in Scorpio.On September 10th, Venus entered Scorpio, slowing down to prepare for her retrograde station on October 3rd. Venus retrogrades are intimate excavations of desire. We are forced to become in touch with the root of a desire and engage with it critically. This can be painful and tender as Venus’s instincts to repair and reconcile are hindered. Soul-desecrating introspection is needed before making forward advances. In August, Venus reached her maximum elongation from the Sun while opposing Saturn in Aries, whispering hints of what this Venus retrograde will kick up. As the days pass, I expect dissatisfaction that was once subtle to become magnified and difficult to avoid. We may hope an unfed desire will repair itself or that we can try to make it work. However, as Venus moves apprehensively through the first decan of Scorpio, we realize if our dismay is to change, our souls require a mess to be made. A descent. Mercury entered Libra on the same day as Venus in Scorpio, moving through the terrain Venus just visited. Perhaps Mercury provides a language for our ever-growing dissatisfaction. At the very least, we understand what an unmet desire is trying to communicate to us. We shall keep this information in our heart-shaped lockets for safekeeping until October, when Mercury and Venus both station retrograde in Scorpio. Cue "Waiting" by Madonna.Okay, let’s look at some art, shall we? Danceteria / Venus in Scorpio, Mercury in Libra
An eclectic safe haven for counterculture, Danceteria was an NYC after hours nightclub in the 1980s. Folks from gay discos and rock clubs would find themselves enchanted here until dawn. The club consisted of six floors showcasing a diverse selection of art on each floor. Dance, performance art, culinary arts, music, fine arts, fashion, video installations; all of this was exhibited for experiential pleasure and discussion at Danceteria. Many artists and bands like Madonna and Sade got their start here. Others who frequented the club were Psychic TV, Sonic Youth, Duran Duran, New Order, Billy Idol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Depeche Mode, Bauhaus, LL Cool J, and more. Above are images of posters, cards and invitations designed to promote the club.
It was clear to me from these designs alone that Danceteria had a mercurial mystique. Learning about its cultural significance only enriched this instinct. One look at these designs and you’re enamored with the artistic and intellectual eroticism which allowed Danceteria to thrive. Design can be impactful in that way. It provides a language and structure to all kinds of experience, touching the souls of those intended.
What I find most fascinating about these designs is the fusion of absurdity, silhouette and structure. In the photographs and illustrations of people used in these designs, the body is posed to create shapes with sharp edges, representing the sophisticated edge to Danceteria’s culture. Through the use of repetitive line work and shapes, the vitality of this club is felt, and they mimic the pulsing bass you would hear outside of the building. The intentional alignment of the music notes on images #1 and #3 is also very clever here. They are distorted to have sharper, wider lines to represent the kind of art (and debauchery) that took place. They also add an element of alluring anonymity when aligned over the eyes. All of this represents the interplay between Mercury in Libra and Venus in Scorpio. Mercury in Libra providing a clever, structural harmony that fits just right, and Venus in Scorpio bringing in a biting, off-kilter, sensual mystique. We see this connection explicitly in image #4, particularly with the typographic choice of aligning the word “pleasure” over “discipline,” and the aligning it with an image of a muscular femme.
Venus represents the arts and adornment in all forms. Mercury represents concept and movement. Mars, ruler of Scorpio represents rigor. With this Mercury in Libra transit ruled by Venus in Scorpio, we expect to be drawn toward art which honors a rigor that is not only physical, but also cultural and intellectual. With Venus being in the sign of her detriment and of nocturnal sect, all of this is underground in some way or the other. A multitude of subcultures and their respective esoteric styles enchanted the atmosphere of Danceteria. People could mingle and be their liberated selves at the same time. Funnily enough, Danceteria was born under the Venus cycle we are about to embark upon. May we embody their spirits as we move throughout September.Check out more Danceteria designs here!Two of Cups / Love as Alchemical Symmetry
I think one of the most loving things somebody can do is bring you a cup of water. Especially without request. To me, it’s a sign of somebody meeting you where you’re at. Although water is our life force, it’s easy to forget we need it to survive (especially if you’ve got an afflicted Moon). It seems so simple, but a loved one offering you water is their investment in your nourishment.
Due to recent experiences in my life, I’ve been reflecting on the Two of Cups representing the symmetry in someone seeing all of you, accepting you as you are and choosing to show up for you anyway. Symmetry may seem like a paradoxical word choice, but balance is not static. Your stasis is ever-changing. There’s a reason the figure in the Temperance card pours between two cups! Anyways, in both the Rider-Waite-Smith and Thoth illustrations of Two of Cups, they appear to prioritize symmetry, however each is slightly imperfect. This is by design.
In the RWS artwork, the figure on the left stands a bit further away from the center of the composition than the loved one standing in front of them. The hand and foot of the loved one on the right reach towards the figure on the left. The figure on the left stands still with the cup in their hand, they aren't doing much, but their body is open and receptive. Isn’t that sweet? There’s safety here. Both parties intimately see each other; there’s a synergy between both of them that only they know. The caduceus, a symbol for Mercury or trade and exchange, placed between them makes this message all the more potent. There’s a subtle, mercurial dance in meeting each other where they’re at, with the most adoration.
In the Thoth artwork, two fish wrap around the stem of a lotus while water flows out of their mouths and from the lotus. The water from the fish pours back into the base of the lotus, and the water from the lotus pours into two cups which overflow into a body of water. The fish on the right has sharper fins than the fish on the left. Intimate relationships are environments. Each partner tends to and complements one another as they pour into a fountain of trust. One party may have softer edges while the other has sharper ones, and they take care of each other with reverence to these differences.
As Venus continues to slow down, I wanted to reflect on these small but gravitational ways love can reach us, partially as a reminder to orient our hearts toward love as an alchemical symmetry, especially while dissatisfaction in relationships may become intolerable this month. All of our hearts are broken in some way or the other. While we should absolutely take care of ourselves when we can, there is power in being accepted as we are while being met with grace and care from others. (And vice versa, of course). We deserve to melt into safety, especially when tender and vulnerable. If we don’t feel as if we are being met where we are, perhaps it’s time to make that known or look somewhere else.Laboratory & Updates
Thank you so much for joining me here, I’m so delighted to have you! As many of you know, I just got back from the United Astrology Conference. I had such a beautiful time with friends, colleagues, teachers and classmates. It was truly special and my heart is full of love.
An exciting update I am pleased to share with you all; at the conference, I was awarded the Catalyst Award from the Association for Young Astrologers! I had the honor of being nominated alongside two brilliant practitioners, Erin Tack Shipley and Katia Perez Fuentes, as emerging astrologers who inspire creativity and connection in the community. I would like to express appreciation to the Association for Young Astrologers for the work they do to uplift young astrologers and for considering my work. Thank you to everyone who took the time to cast their vote and show support, it truly means the world to me. I want to express a heartfelt thank you to Kaitlin and Austin Coppock for their compassionate, gracious support in their daily praxis and especially during the night of the awards ceremony. Deep gratitude to my teachers in the Fundamentals of Astrology Program who have enriched my astrological knowledge with care and inspiration as well; Austin Coppock himself, Drew Levanti, Amy Green, Rory Keys, Micki Pellerano, Debra Stapleton, Stacy Fevinger, Bear Ryver, Rose Kent and Jen Hanen. Last but not least, thank you to my dear friends, classmates, colleagues and mentors who have inspired and encouraged me every step of the way here. I appreciate everyone’s kind thoughts and celebrations!
At the conference, I gave out little postcards with my Jupiter in Leo design on them. They received a lot of love! However, the company I got them printed at sent more than I ordered, so I still have a ton left. As soon as I have extra time, I’m planning on mailing these postcards out to those interested. This may cost a humble price as I need funds to pay for stamps and envelopes and such, I'm still deciding. I’ll notify you all with details once I’ve got a structure set up.
In the past month I have been drafting an article for the Venus Retrograde in Scorpio & Libra, which will be released at the beginning of October (with a design to accompany it of course). You will receive an email notification from me once it is released. In the design laboratory, I have been working with astrologers Jenna Scott, Coco Carrillo-Lopez, and animistic perfumer Mauricio Garcia of Planets Perfumery to craft a discovery box set for their gorgeous fragrances which are named Venus, Mars and Mercury. I am not overstating when I say Planets Perfumery is the highest quality of fragrance; every step of their creation process is tended to with love, care and devotion to the archetypes of the planets. I highly recommend you check them out! Additionally, I’ve been designing brand identity projects for a couple astrology colleagues, which has been fun. I am also studying in Year III of the Fundamentals of Astrology program, where we are currently reading Firmicus, Valens and discussing planetary pairs.
Regarding astrology consultations, I’m taking on a limited amount of readings each month. I have one slot left for September, and will likely have a few openings in October.
If you’ve read this far, I truly appreciate your time and attention, it means a lot to me. I’ll be back soon with more, each monthly newsletter will be a little bit different, which I’m excited to experiment with. Mwah! Love,
Rishima of Sacral Mystic