Astrology has been viewed as a science, an art form, a form of dark magic, and a pop-culture phenomenon over the span of millennia. But since the dawn of time, people have looked to the stars and artists for inspiration. Salvador Dali was highly superstitious despite not being renowned for being a particularly spiritual person. He had a phobia of revealing his feet as a young man and carried a talisman to ward off evil spirits. He also thought he was the reincarnation of his deceased older brother. In an interview with Mike Wallace, Dalí said that the Spanish, in general, was a superstitious nation.
Dali developed an illustrated version of the twelve signs of the Zodiac, which were published in 1969 as limited edition lithographs to capitalize on the public’s revived interest in all things astrological. As a nod to his earlier surrealist kinetic sculpture work, the Lobster Telephones, the artist turned the Cancer crab into a lobster, but otherwise left the other signs of the zodiac largely unaltered, choosing to emphasize colour and texture rather than radically altering their shapes. These paintings by Dali, which are based on Western astrology, are plain, straightforward, and illustrative. They were created in his typical surrealism style with vibrant colours and textures. They were released in a 76-page book that includes the triage and the portfolio with text.
The signs are divided into several categories, including their quadruplicities (Cardinal, Steady, and Mutable), their dominating element (Fire, Air, Water, Earth), and the planet or celestial body that rules them. Newness and inspiration are qualities that characterise the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn). Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius are steady signs known for their reliability and stability. Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces are examples of mutable signs. They are known for their adaptability and diversity. Earth signs are practical and grounded, Fire signs are passionate and impetuous, Air signs are idea-driven and daring, Water signs are mysterious and emotional.
The Signs By Dali
1. Capricorn
Capricorn by Dali. Courtesy: Artsy
The Cardinal sign of Capricorn is associated with the Earth and is governed by Saturn. Dali’s Capricorn is a horned goat with a twisted mermaid’s tail that is vividly coloured. It is surrounded by earthy tones and water.
2. Aquarius
Aquarius is a stable sign that belongs to the element of Air and is controlled by Uranus. Aquarius is pictured by Dali as a seated, robed, and haloed woman who is pouring water from a jar.
3. Pisces
Pisces is a Mutable sign that belongs to the Water element and is controlled by Neptune. Two fish, one red and one blue are joined at the mouth in Dali’s Pisces.
4. Aries
Aries is a Cardinal sign associated with the element of Fire and is governed by Mars. A ram with textured, golden fur is shown by Dali floating above a curved green landscape lit by an unreal sun.
5. Taurus
Taurus is a Consistent sign that belongs to Earth and is controlled by Venus. According to Dali, Taurus represents a white bull scaling a blue and black incline.
6. Gemini
The mutable sign of Gemini is associated with the element of Air and is governed by Mercury. In Dali’s Gemini, a human has been transformed and splits into two bodies at the torso.
7. Cancer
A Cardinal sign, Cancer is associated with the element of Water and is governed by the force of the Moon. With reference to Dali’s earlier work, Cancer in this collection is a deep red lobster rather than a crab.
8. Leo
Leo is a stable sign associated with the element of Fire and is governed by the strength of the Sun. Dali’s Leo is a blue-green lion perched on some grassy tufts beneath a red and green sun.
9. Virgo
Virgo is a Mutable sign associated with the world of Earth and is governed by Mercury. According to Dali, Virgo is an unidentified, naked woman clutching a smeared black staff and wearing a blue head scarf.
10. Libra
The Cardinal sign of Libra is associated with the element of Air and is controlled by Venus. Scales of green and yellow make up Dali’s Libra.
11. Scorpio
Scorpio is a stable sign that belongs to the water element and is controlled by Pluto’s force. Dali used himself as inspiration for his painting “Scorpio” which features a moustachioed scorpion on a pedestal like a melting clock. Dali is a Scorpio.
12. Sagittarius
Jupiter has the capacity to dominate Sagittarius, which is a Mutable sign that belongs to the world of Fire. In Dali’s representation of Sagittarius, the long-haired centaur archer is created with firm, expressive black lines.
