The Substance - The Lover and The Renegade Make Themselves Known

Archetypal Analysis: Venus in Scorpio Opposes Uranus in Taurus

It was a pretty low-key thanksgiving. I worked at the mall giving tarot readings, but it was dead for the holiday. My coworker, who loves the movies invited us to see, and for him to re-see, The Substance. It was pretty messed up to say the least. I won’t think of chicken wings the same for a while… But what caught my attention even more was the archetypal expressions of The Lover and The Renegade in perfect combination; in intense tension. 

The Substance is a 2024 sci-fi horror movie starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid. Directed by Coralie Fargeat, the film delves into shocking body horror and the theme of self-obsession. Demi Moore plays Elizabeth Sparkle, an older woman desperate to regain her lost youth and fame. She uses "The Substance," a product that promises a perfect, younger version of oneself—but with a twist: you and your doppelgänger must share time, switching every seven days.

Things take a dark turn when Elizabeth's new version, played by Margaret Qualley (Sue), starts breaking the rules, leading to dangerous consequences. As Sue gains fame, Elizabeth deteriorates physically and mentally, sparking a brutal power struggle between the two versions. The film explores themes of identity, vanity, and ambition, blending sci-fi with intense body horror​.

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So, the colour-coded words are expressions of the two planetary archetypes (Venus and Uranus), where they show up mostly. If I were to really examine each word it would be hyper-holographic. Archetypes are living images that are expressed through us, scenarios, energy, and even objects or foods. They are primordial, universal, and psycho-active. 

It’s funny, whenever someone tells me they don’t “believe” in astrology I say, “do you feel the sun?”. We feel the sun, of course. It is hot, it’s not too far away, and it’s rather large. It makes its presence known because its archetype is The Sovereign. The Sovereign accepts themselves and their purpose and radiates generative energy for all to see—these are your kings and queens, a neighbour who always invites you over, a leader who’s not afraid to speak their mind, and someone who doesn’t run away from the camera. Everyone has access to Sovereign energy, and when the sun is out, you want to go out, be with friends, smile, stretch your arms up above your head, and enjoy life. This is why people love Sun sign astrology because it speaks to a part of your personality that you can see on the outside, for the most part. But we are all influenced by all of the planets all of the time! 

We hear with our skin. Even more than our ears. The planets all emit a frequency, which is how Pythagoras created the musical scale - Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do. When asked how he came up with the scale he said “the planets”, 

Them: “How can you hear the planets?” 

Pythags: “because I have lived before, and I’m fortunate to remember what I learned the last time I was here.” 

All this is to say that the harmonics of the planets can be seen in reality in an infinite number of expressions, especially in particular transits and positions. The art of seeing is really about the art of full body listening. They also combine with our own personal universe, because we have core and current archetypal ingredients that express themselves in us every moment of every day, both in gifts and shadows, consciously and unconsciously. Co-Founder of Archetypes at Work ™ Dr. Laurence Hillman who is an Archetypal Coach &  Consultant, Author, and Astrologer says that astrology is like the weather. It can say “hey, in September it's going to rain in your life, but it’s up to you to decide if you’re going to stay inside, get an umbrella, or go jump in the puddles.” 

On Monday, Oct 14, 2024 I watched Astrologer Adam Elenbass’ “forecast the weather” for the week, starting with Venus in Scorpio Opposes Uranus in Taurus. Basically that means we can watch out for themes of The Lover in the essence of intensity, depth, and transformation hold intense tension with The Renegade in the sign of cultivation, practicality, and sensuality. 

Here’s the cheat sheet for some of the keywords of these archetypes and the significance they hold: 

Venus/The Lover: beauty, desire, love, friendship, value, money, creature comforts 

Uranus / The Renegade: invention, disruption, provocative, futuristic, free, radical 

While oppositions give us the opportunity for union and compromise, balancing the energy perfectly like a yin and yang, they can also create extreme drama, conflict and power struggles. 

The Substance’s grotesque effects and deep subtext of desperation for self acceptance was the most vivid expression of this planetary junction I can think of. Characters Elizabeth and Sue were fighting for the hyper embodiment of The Lover, the feminine, the toxic materialistic attention that descended them both–literally-into gag-worthy monstrosity. And the fact that we happened to see it on the day of this aspect in the sky was just a wild turn of events. According to Nightlight Astrology, Venus is also entering a trine with Neptune and a sextile with Pluto. Which I also couldn't help but feel the presence of, by seeing archetypes through a horror movie! 

I also experienced a flare up with a close friend, created a soundscape by putting digital music samples in layers for me and my friend’s performance art production, played with my cat using her weird dangly wiener toy, and my boyfriend buying his friend's DJ decks, and the two of us racing each other to Google the price of a Louis Vuitton wallet to see who was right. 

I can’t even with these archetypes right now! 

The movie ended with Elizabeth’s (now an amalgamation of selves aka monster ELIZASUE) face dragging itself down Hollywood Blvd in agony, to rest its unsightly pile of decaying yet regenerative skin on her Hollywood Star. The Star in tarot, is ruled by Aquarius - a sign ruled (in modern Astrology) by Uranus - The Renegade. The Aquarian expression of The Star card is all about healing through learning, and being true to your authentic self. Giving yourself the space to acknowledge your pain, and showing up as you are, where you’re at, with radical acceptance that gives you mental power to move towards your highest good. 

Elizabeth smiles, even after all she’s been through with a sick desperation to be admired. But there she is… showing up as she was, where she was at alright. 

This little nerd out of mine isn’t meant to prescribe everything that happens in a day to something astrologically. It can be fun and useful to know the weather, but it is not everything and it should not dictate your life or important decisions. It is there as an aid to learn about our multidimensionality,  to see/hear/feel/experience how psychoactive archetypes can play out through the veil; a universal language of the soul. 

See if you can go deeper:

What does the Lover in you desire? 

Do they have a chance to tell you? 

Do you listen? 

When’s the last time you dressed up and felt super sexy? 

What about your Renegade? 

Have you stood up for something you believe instead of conforming to the majority? 

What is something that you bring to the world that no one else can, at least not in the way you do it? 

Thanks for reading and if you want to use the art of listening as a tool to be empowered by your hidden parts, book a reading or a coaching session!