If you haven't already heard, some folks decided to mess with the astrological calendar. Scientists have factored in the tilt of the earth's axis since the Babylonians determined the dates of the Zodiac (um, or something like that), so now some Virgos are Leos, some Scorpios are Virgos, and some Sagittarians are...Ophiuchus.
Here's the supposedly accurate new zodiac:
Capricorn - Jan 20 to Feb 16
Aquarius - Feb 16 to Mar 11
Pisces - Mar 11 to Apr 18
Aries - Apr 18 to May 13
Taurus - May 13 to Jun 21
Gemini - Jun 21 to Jul 20
Cancer - Jul 20 to Aug 10
Leo - Aug 10 to Sep 16
Virgo - Sep 16 to Oct 30
Libra - Oct 30 to Nov 23
Scorpius - Nov 23 to Nov 29
Ophiuchus - Nov 29 to Dec 17
Sagittarius - Dec 17 to Jan 20
I'm still a Leo, so as far as I'm concerned, it's all good. This most pressing matter just gave me an an excuse to think about astrological signs, each sign's (supposed) personality, and which vintage perfume I think goes with which sign.
Basically, the following is about as scientific as astrology — Babylonian or otherwise — but just as fun! I'll let you decide which sign you identify with on your own. So without further ado...
ASTROLOGICAL SIGNS AND THEIR COMPLEMENTARY VINTAGE PERFUMES
Aquarius is known for being a cerebral humanitarian, so I chose the lovely but remote Chanel No. 19 as her match. No. 19 manages to be earthy and otherworldly at the same time, just like Aquarius.
Every Pisces I've ever known has been emotional, creative, and ...kooky. I choose the dreamy Fidji perfume for her.
Aries is a fiery, go-getting ball of crazy energy. Fracas is a perfect punk floral for her — girlish on the outside, anarchist on the inside.
Taurus is stubborn, sentimental, and a lover of hearth and home. She needs a down-to-earth but chic comfort fragrance like Givenchy III.
Gemini: Talkative, inventive, and mercurial, Gemini needs a perfume with a kaleidescopic personality. How about Diorella, with its Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde clean-dirty quality?
Cancers tend to be emotional, dreamy, sensitive (over-sensitive?), and romantic. I think Shalimar, with its comforting vanilla, sexy civet, and historical longevity (Cancers hate change) makes it perfect for the crab ladies.
A Leo gal is usually direct, playful...and vain. Bitter-green leather Bandit or neon-tuberose Poison for me, I mean — her.
Virgo: Bookish, perfectionistic, quirky and warm, Virgo often epitomizes sexy librarian. I'd go with White Linen or Calyx for her.
Libra. A diplomatic peacenik, the balanced and beautiful Ivoire is right up her alley.
Scorpio Strong-willed, secretive, a little pervy and very power-hungry, Scorpio still manages to be as cute as a bug as long as you don't disturb her pincers. This sign needs a strong, even repellent perfume: how about the medicinal Aromatics Elixir or the civet-drenched Jicky? Scorpio needs to make sure you don't scare easily...
Sagittarius. Sporty, goofy, and sexy, Sagittarius is known for speaking before thinking and generally being outrageous. How about the weird and wonderful Azurée?
Capricorn is usually conservative and/or understated, so I would choose Femme by Rochas. It's sexy in a quiet way.
An Ophiucus never feels like she quite belongs. For her, I choose Must de Cartier, the perfume for those who let their freak flags fly. (Thanks to Anna of Edinburgh for wondering why this overlooked sign didn't get her own signature scent.)
Ha ha ha ha. Leo! Me? Ha ha ha ha ha (etc., ad infinitum).
What scent is an Ophiuchusian (??) meant to choose?
This will mess up that "classic" (cheesy!) song "Float on" by The Floaters. Maybe they'll record a new version? "Ophiuchus, and my name is Mud ..."
cheerio, Anna in Edinburgh
Posted by: Anna in Edinburgh | January 14, 2011 at 01:27 PM
Ruh roh, Anna. I totally forgot to choose the perfume for an Ophiuchusian. Thanks for the reminder!
Posted by: Perfumaniac | January 14, 2011 at 01:33 PM
LOL Anna in Edinburgh, I thought about that song as well. :)
According to this astrological calender I've been bumped from Sagittarius and fall under the 'new' sign. Unfortunately I've never smelled either perfume listed. :(
Posted by: Lisa BTB | January 14, 2011 at 03:27 PM
I didn't intend to make you think you'd missed something out, honestly, because who knows *anything* about Ophiuchusians and their quirks? Really, the Babylonians ought to have foreseen this and kept us all in the picture!
I've had "Float on" biffing about in my brain since I read this ... hey, maybe an Ophiuchusian wrote it, to confuddle us for not noticing them before?
cheerio, Anna in Edinburgh, floating off for the night.
Posted by: Anna in Edinburgh | January 14, 2011 at 08:02 PM
I still feel very Taurus, sorry for the mad scientist, but I'd rather stick with Babylon. This new thing...it's like taking away a part of my identity. Never tried Givenchy III, but I found out that fragrances with a masculine note express me very well.
Posted by: hiacint | January 15, 2011 at 04:57 AM
Anna: Didn't you like my ad hoc personality reading and fragrance recommendation? ;-)
hyacint: I doubt anyone who doesn't like her new sign will switch, hyacint. So you can stay a Taurus. But you should try Givenchy III anyway.
Posted by: Perfumaniac | January 15, 2011 at 02:06 PM
Hi Perfumaniac,
I'm flying my fragrant freak flags in empathy with the Ophiuchusian gals, to help them feel a sense of belonging;-)
(It's the least I can do given the way I've probably mangled their name all this time!)
cheerio, Anna in Edinburgh
Posted by: Anna in Edinburgh | January 15, 2011 at 03:26 PM
Wow. Per your scent assignments, my "new" cusp (Gemini/Taurus) makes more sense than the one I thought I had been (Gemini/Cancer). Diorella, I wear and love (vintage, natch); Givenchy III, I would if I had more of it (just a smidge in a vintage mini right now).
Shalimar? Dare I say (lowers voice to whisper)...I can appreciate it, but it's not really me?
Maybe I am more bull than crab.
Posted by: ScentScelf | January 15, 2011 at 08:58 PM
I've never felt very Aries-like, so I'm happy to give Pisces a go. I can't stand Fracas anyway, so it's all good! I'm now seeking out some Fidji--thanks for the suggestion.
Posted by: Vinery | January 15, 2011 at 09:33 PM
I'm totally Gemini, so I refuse to be a Taurus. :) Love your choices for the various signs!
Posted by: Mary | January 16, 2011 at 08:50 AM
ScentScelf: I'm so glad some of these suggestions actually make...scents. ;-)
Posted by: Perfumaniac | January 16, 2011 at 02:41 PM
Vintage Fidji's beautiful, Vinery. Maybe Y by YSL, too?
Posted by: Perfumaniac | January 16, 2011 at 02:43 PM
Glad you liked the choices, Mary! It was fun putting this together.
Posted by: Perfumaniac | January 16, 2011 at 02:48 PM
I have to say, I like White Linen! Virgo
Posted by: Vintage Lady | January 18, 2011 at 07:41 AM
I'm better at this than I thought, Vintage Lady!
Posted by: Perfumaniac | January 18, 2011 at 12:32 PM
Pah. I think Capricorn needs to be Chanel No. 5. Timeless, elegant and enduring. Much like us Cappies. ;)
Posted by: Aquaria | April 07, 2011 at 05:27 AM
Look, there is no way I could ever be confused with a Capricorn, so this sign rearranging is not on. But I like Chanel 19. Just not as much as 22, 5, Cristalle, Anteus, or Bois Noir. Still, on a fresh, crisp, sunny spring day--I'd wear the 19.
Posted by: Aurumgirl | July 25, 2011 at 07:37 AM
LOL I guess I am no longer a Leo ... and I remember that 'Float On' song too. Actually I love Poison but I also really like Tendre Poison ... and Shalimar is one that I like as well, although I like Samasara better. Oh well, it is fun to experiment at any rate. :)
By the way, has anyone found Blue Jeans by Shulton? I used it back in the 70's and cannot find it anywhere ...
Posted by: BlueRose | August 05, 2011 at 01:10 PM
I got bumped from Taurus to Aries, neither of which totally fits me.
My son got bumped from Saggitarious to the new on. He was bummed out until I researched it. It is an Egyptian constellation that depicts the Snake Handler or Snake God. He was happy after that!
Very macho sign!!
Posted by: glamour kitty | May 13, 2012 at 08:35 PM