Throughout the next few weeks, I will be making 12 paintings, each one inspired by a different Zodiac sign.
The inspiration for this project is based on the idea that we each have every sign in our astrology chart. I want to connect on a deeper level to each of the signs and do this through the intuitive process of creativity. By sharing my process and the questions I ask to uncover more about myself hopefully encourage others to tap into their own creativity.
A major thing in my life and my creativity is music. I have synesthesia where I see colors and frequency waves to different sounds. I wanted to see if there is a way to connect the 12 zodiac signs to music. Turns out there are many different ways, each with a different perspective and there isn’t a right or wrong way this was just what made the most sense to me.
The Zodiac and the Circle of 5ths
In music there are 12 different notes which each having their own collection of notes that make a scale that is either major or minor depending on the notes used. For example, the key of C Major has the notes C D E F G A B C all white keys on a piano. But F# Major has the notes F# G# A# B C# D# and E# F# almost all black keys. These can be organized on what is called the Circle of Fifths, which lists all the notes in an order where when we go clockwise each letter is 5 away from the one previous.
The top of the circle starts with C major and if we go to the right, we get all the scales that contain sharps and if we go to the left from C, we get all the scales that have flats. Every piece of music is written in a specific key, and they have different atmospheres and moods that can be associated with them. Often the key that most piano players start with learning is C major and it being at the top of the chart this felt like the best place to start and line up the zodiac cycle to the circle of fifths in this way.
The zodiac cycle starts at Aries therefore Aries = C Major then going in a clockwise direction gives Taurus = G Major, Gemini = D Major… It felt more natural to go to the right and start with the sharp keys because of the nature of how sharp keys feel brighter, energetic, and uplifting corresponding to the seasonal aspects of Aries – Taurus being the beginning of the transition from spring into summer. The flat keys are generally darker and more melancholic, which can be more associated with the energy of fall and winter.
12 Signs – 4 Songs
For each of the 12 signs I found 4 songs that are in the musical key that are associated with them. The keys are either major or minor. The minor equivalent of each major key starts on a different note and is listed in the inside of the Circle of Fifths. The songs reflect themes based on the house that the sign shows up for me in my chart.
Process of Creativity
My process of creating doesn’t typically have much of a plan to it but is much more natural and going with what feels intuitively right. To get over the fear of starting I painted each of the canvas a color associated with the signs. This immediately gets rid of the white canvas and creates a distinction right away for each of them. I’ll be listening to music and utilizing my synesthesia to help inspire me on what the art is to be.
Each post in this series I’ll go through my process of creatively connecting to the zodiac signs and hopefully allow a new perspective on the ancient art of astrology.