Using Astrology to Enhance Your Creativity
Collage by Aryn the Alchemist
I started writing a new novel project that scares the shit out of me.
It’s one of those projects that doesn’t feel safe to write because it’s a story rooted in traumatic experiences I’ve had. Luckily, I have the opportunity to workshop it later this summer with a group of other young adult writers. But in the meantime, I’ve been working through these feelings through the lens of my astrological practice.
Just as I am in dialogue with myself about creative projects, I am also in dialogue with the planets. Venus is the go-to planet for artistic endeavors because it governs beauty, love, relationships and aesthetics. But what about the projects that do not prioritize harmony or even socially accepted beauty standards? What of the art that speaks to severance, hardship, and internal struggle?
I’m writing a novel that has teeth. Thematically, it has elements of Venus – friendship, camaraderie, justice. But the way my characters engage with these themes are more reflective of Mars – god of war, conflict and aggression.
It’s not that Venus can’t or doesn’t or shouldn’t have a role in this project. None of the planets operate in isolation. Their magic and messages are constantly weaving together, whether or not we notice the patterns. My point is that Venus isn’t the only planet to work with if you want to deepen your creative practice.
Interested in working with a specific planet, or planets, for your next creative project? I’ve written some basic suggestions for how to develop relationships with each of the inner planets – the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars – in the context of your artistic endeavors. You don’t have to be well-versed in astrology to work with planetary influences and there’s no “right” way to engage with them.
Collage by Aryn the Alchemist
The Sun
The Sun isn’t just about being seen; it’s also about being celebrated. Call in the Sun’s illuminating rays when you’re working on projects with themes of authenticity, audacity and visibility. Whether you’re a podcaster who interviews community members or a writer crafting your memoir, solar energy is vivacious, inspiring and contagious. The Sun is associated with our consciousness and provides warmth and light for plant growth. Bask in the sun when you’re feeling stuck. Emulate this bright star by posting, sharing and talking about what you’re working on and why it lights you up.
The Moon
The Moon reflects the light of the sun, just as our creative work reflects our lived experiences. Long associated with the night, bodies of water and our subconscious experience of the world, lunar magic is wild, shrouded in mystery and mysticism. Working with the Moon can infuse your creative project with emotional depth and help you orient yourself to the cycles of your artistic nature. Creation is an ebb and flow process, similar to the way the Moon influences the rise and fall of tides. Paint a portrait of your subconscious with whatever artistic medium you use. See what happens to your creative energy when you let yourself “go dark.”
Mercury
The goal of Mercury is to inform and relay messages. The fastest planet in our solar system is concerned with movement and momentum. Mercury is an ally to writers, speakers, lyricists and anyone working with messaging. The planet of information is my go-to planetary guide for learning more about my craft and connecting to experts in my field. Ask your friends to look at your work and offer their opinions. Watch a documentary about a creator you admire. Seek varied and diverse sources of information and inspiration to see what activates the cogs of your intellect.
Venus
Poets feel Venusian because they are creators who connect disparate parts together. You don’t have to identify as a poet to create poetic art, either. Venus is domicile, meaning at home, in Taurus and Libra and exalted in Pisces. Beauty, adornment, and enhancement are all elements of a Venus-ruled art practice. Create an outfit or make-up look inspired by your latest creative project. Use seemingly opposing materials or techniques and find the middle ground between them. Venus is also associated with values and justice systems. Call in Venus to your studio space if your work uplifts minority experiences, challenges beauty conventions or encourages reconnection with nature.
Mars
If Venus is the weaver of threads, then Mars is the knife that slices them. However, not all cuts draw blood. Mars is a helpful ally for artists who want to make bold statements, upset the status quo and reframe tension as productive rather than destructive. Or maybe the goal of your work is to disintegrate. In the context of overconsumption and mindless indulgence, Mars-coded art has the potential to pierce through illusions and force us to contend with Truth. As the planet of action, Mars can serve as a celestial hype man to help you overcome your imposter syndrome and dive headfirst into the work.
Collage by Aryn the Alchemist
Artists draw on many sources for support and inspiration, so why can’t astrology be another tool in their box? While each of the planets have their own strengths, consider the ways that planets can work together.
For example, how can Venus and Mars work together in building a publication? How could the Moon influence Mercury in an application for an artist grant? There are infinite combinations that can enhance your artistic practice; it all depends on you and what your goals are.
Curious about the ways astrology enhances your creative practice? I recommend checking out these sources to deepen your exploration of embodied, creative astrology:
☆ My choose-your-own-adventure custom astrology recording MAPPING MYTHOS II is a unique reading that involves me creating a fictional story based off of one of the planets in your natal chart.
☆ Jo O'Neill's Waymaking to the 12th House lecture and reading
