Remember that week or two in the Spring of 2020 when quarantine was novel, relaxing, and fun? When we were baking bread and enjoying our down time and not yet sick of the people we would be locked inside with for the majority of the year, or the internet?

It was in that sweet little slice of time-heaven that the Empress was born, on the exact same day that the CARES Act was signed, which resulted in $1,200 checks for every American.

Economic stimulus in a bottle. And then some.

Empress is the sister series to Luminous Crown, ritually called forth the afternoon of the first operation as Our Ladies — Venus in Taurus conj. an exalted Moon — embraced the midheaven, in the day and hour of the Fairest Benefic. One of the cleanest and most powerful Venus elections the year prior or time since had to offer.

Both altars occupied adjoining rooms, lit until nightfall. Each operation (and their resulting creations) share a characteristically dignified and noble aura, though Luminous emphasized the symbiotic and world-building prowess of the Soli-Lunar, while the Empress’ focus is more self-indulgent, desire driven, and self-serving. What the Empress wants, She shall receive — and despite Her own obstinate nature, in due haste when it comes to those who seek to satisfy Her. And deeply.

This is, perhaps, a very different flavor of Venus than what you might be used to, Dear Reader, for the focus here is not on diplomacy or ease of relationship or to lube any overarching social dynamics, per se. It is to see our material needs and sensuous desires met by the world around us. It is to put ourselves and our own needs first. It is to admit what we want, and to feel know we are worthy. To drop the Good Girl (or Boy! or Enby!) facade, with all of its demurity and agreeableness and globally imposed limitation, in order to embody She who wears the Crown and commands the sparkling Sceptre.

She is the Empress, after all, and she becomes you.

Of the various Venii so far released, this series has the most resonance with the maiden Venus in Taurus… but on steroids. Empress is slightly less lazy, dreamy, and passive, but still comfortably seated on the throne of Her own desire, happier to be served than to do the serving, and unlikely to concede on matters of personal or material import. She is ambitious, sober, and commanding — imperious, even.

My own Venus in Virgo is shuddering just describing this. But working with Venus in Taurus in her manifold talismanic grade forms over the years has taught a number of things…

That there is a pure, unadulterated pleasure in being able to satisfy the object of our desire.

That by knowing and being honest about what we want, we either A. do not need to wait for anyone else to give it to us (by making it happen on our own), or B. make it easy like Sunday morning for those who wish to make us happy, to do so.

For in its own way, developing one’s capacity to receive, appreciate, and indulge without shame is a divine gift to those with whom we share an orbit, and in allowing ourselves and others to wholly please us, and allowing ourselves to linger in a wholly pleased state, for one shining moment the world becomes a little less neurotic, complicated, and frustrating.

The post-orgasmic bliss that only the fulfillment of authentic, loin-deep yearning can truly bring.

The transcendent simplicity of owning our desires — and our desirability! — unburdened by the scripts and lies we’re told to tell — to ourselves and to others.

And Key to these mysteries: the infuriating, yet compelling seductiveness that self-regard and even a little well wielded narcissism hold over the human psyche.

Yet Venus is Venus, and (dignified) Venus always makes for a higher quality aesthetic and sensory experience. Music resonates more deeply. Art becomes elevated — to the creator and beholder alike. Food tastes richer, and more satisfying. Highs run higher. Sex is sexier. Glamour more glamorous.

And because the Empress election features Venus + Luna goaded and in the 10th, these offerings are also good for career and reputational concerns. At the top of the chart, She occupies a privileged and pivotal position, impossible to ignore and ripe for promotion. This is absolutely the Venus materia of choice for wearing to work, as the specifics of the chart make it so. Which is a notable difference from our other Venus series, which came with an advisory not to, as the set and setting would likely prove incompatible.

Venus in the workplace can be difficult for all of the trope reasons that people say attractive women are (archetypically, they are one and the same), and also because Venus would rather enjoy herself than toil.

In terms of this series, there may still be some fallout in the workplace in the form of crushes, harassment, jealousy, social jockeying, and the like, but the difference is that the Empress can — and will — handle it. As HBIC, it is literally Her job to do so. The difference is the willingness to stand Her own ground, and the commanding gravitas with which she carries Herself. This is an optional application, of course (and if someone does not yet have a career, this series could be magically instrumental in securing and advancing one).

Empress is also perfectly suited to increase the incomes, opportunities, and perceived prestige of creatives, artists, image based influencers, musicians, singers, models, actresses, OnlyFans creators, cam girls, sex workers, pornstars, perfumers, makeup artists, estheticians, stay at home moms, baby mamas, surrogates, chefs, taste makers, caregivers, nannies, daycare workers, Otorhinolaryngologists (Ear, Nose, and Throat doctors!), nurses, and the like (what a seemingly mismatched string of Venusian, Lunar, and Taurean career keywords that was!), in addition to those whose career or financial significations are keyed to Venus or the Moon in the natal chart.

The midheaven being the angle of utmost visibility, this election also provides excellent fuel for a potentially significant glow up. Since initiating this release cycle and heavily beta testing, I’ve felt compelled to devote more time to my fitness and overall beautification than perhaps ever before (#venusselfies incoming, no doubt!), but not in that typical “because I hate this part of myself and need to change it” sort of way. In a cliche “because you’re worth it” and “I deserve to feel good in my own body” lady’s deodorant ad sort of way, except actually.

And we are.

Equally as effective in the boudoir as the boardroom, anoint oneself, one’s partner, or toys for a magically enhanced sexual experience. Combine or cross-pair with Mars materia (Scorpio, DOE, or a spritz of Jow — avoid the junk, please!), or layer with additional Venus. Have fun exploring! Do note that Empress is naturally suited to emphasize sub/ dom dynamics. It may be of special aid to those who have a difficult time staying embodied during sexual activity, or who have a tendency to be uncomfortable receiving or testifying to what would give them pleasure.

Magically speaking, Empress materia can be used to charm and compel, to seduce, to cast and boost glamours, to increase income, to sweeten reputations, to dominate, to manifest material resources, to draw power, and to promote sexual desire and desirability.

Ingredients renowned in Hoodoo and Conjure for such were combined with classic planetary herbal and lapidary correspondences to make for a particularly powerful formula: Eve Root, deer’s tongue, jezebel root, lucky hand root, and Abre Camino to open the way. Alongside pink lotus stamens, aloeswood, benzoin, vanilla bean, Royal sandalwood, rose, jasmine, pink and white water lily, blue lotus, damiana, cranesbill, raspberry leaf, orris root, watercress, red clover, rosehips, passionflower, yarrow, diamond, emerald, and more, all in top shelf, cold-pressed, and organic carriers. Topped with milk, honey, and Royal Jelly — the nectar upon which the Queen herself feeds.

No fillers or artificial scents, ever. Just pure and uncut herbs (organic, wildcrafted, or home grown wherever possible), precious metals, and gems, consecrated within the election window to talismanic standard, left to incubate (in this case for almost a full year), bottled by hand in metal or glass, and marked with an embossed rose gold glyph. The Sphere + Sundry way.

The scent profile of this series is very… Imperial Gourmand, akin to mingling beside the lavish spread of desserts at the Empress’ coronation, every once and a while catching a whiff of the finest incense smoke trailing Her lavish procession, amidst a cornucopia of rose and pink lotus bouquets. Olfactory statements rich and pronounced, in terms as monetary as they are sensory.

Malachite is the patron stone for this series, chosen for its high copper content (the metal of Venus) as well as its gorgeous ripples of green (a primary Venus color), the precious metal being rose gold (an alloy of gold + copper combined) as a nod to the election’s Exalted Sol, in house joy and ruling the first.

Each are offered as a rollerball selection for The Empress’ Oil, and feature in various offerings throughout the series, as well as the Malachite Yoni Egg Talismans and Tony Mack’s characteristically gorgeous pendants.