ArchitectureCulture

(Not so) silly horoscope for 2021

by Katarzyna Niedurny

 

The year 2020 did not take hostages. Alongside the pandemic and general disaster, every one of us has been served with a fair share of struggles. Uneven walls, trouble at the construction site, designer’s block or plain laziness may cause as much damage as invaders from outer space (whose coming to Earth would probably surprise hardly anyone this year). The good news is that 2021 is coming to the rescue. I looked into the sky, examined stellar constellations, and consulted my inner eye to tell you what to expect. Enjoy this horoscope dedicated exclusively to architects.

 

Aries (March 21–April 19)

 

Dear Aries, let me phrase this as delicately as possible…  Popular wisdom has it that your first design in 2021 will determine how the rest of your year is going to be. Take another look at what you are about to submit in January. And another one. And another. Jove isn’t going to send you a second warning.

 

 Your challenge for 2021: Lick a wall of your favourite building. I mean it. Write down what you felt.

 

Taurus (April 20–May 20)

 

Venus speaks to you through the voice of Violetta Villas: love forgives everything, except for a poorly designed summer house. If in 2021 someone from among your friends and relatives asks you for help, think twice. Unless you secretly want to sever the ties with that person.

 

Your challenge for 2021: Think about your favourite childhood fairy tale and draw a building that could appear in it.

 

Gemini (May 21–June 20)

 

Admit it: one twin inside you is lazy, but every now and then he gets something done, while the other one is a complete loafer. In 2021, in the pale light of the moon, you will lose any hope that you are able to finish anything you have started. Being a Gemini myself, I can tell you that taking on another job will be as productive as covering yourself with a blanket and staying under it until 2022.

 

Your challenge for 2021: Change your bedsheets at least once a month. Design a perfect bed for yourself.

 

Cancer (June 21–July 22)

 

Saturn urges you to build bridges, and don’t expect anything more precise from him. However, before you rush to learn new skills in 2021, pause for a moment to think about your relationships with other people. Maybe instead of connecting two riverbanks you should connect with someone close to your heart, so that you won’t end up all alone on the next New Year’s Eve.

 

Your challenge for 2021: What is your favourite country? Create an inspiration board with materials, photos and images that you associate with it. Look at it every time when you feel uninspired.

 

Leo (July 23–August 22)

 

The sentence that you will repeatedly hear in the coming year is: “I have been building houses for 20 years, boss…”  with a whole gamut of possible endings: “…and that is why I have put the beam in the middle of the room”, “…and that is why I have corrected the design you had been working on for months according to my brother-in-law’s advice”. Relax. Even though you may want to roar in reply, remember that such anecdotes will make you the soul of the party for many years to come.

 

Your challenge for 2021: Imagine which of the subjects of the animal king would make the best patron for you. Ask yourself what traits of this animal you would like to have. Design his flat.

 

Virgo (August 23–September 22)

 

The planets suggest that this year you should focus on what is inside. Feel free to interpret this message in any way you want. You may either join a meditation class and find answers to the great existential questions or develop an interest in spotting differences between crimson and carmine red in wall paints. Jove steers you towards what is inside and directs his light to the shelf with feng-shui books.

 

Your challenge for 2021: Chose your favourite colour. For the whole year collect as many of its shades as you can find. Read up about its magic powers.

 

Libra (September 23–October 22)

 

Ambition, ambition, ambition – sighs Uranius, his grey beard trembling with worry. This mythological elder, who handled his enemies with a skill comparable to Frank Underwood’s, knows where excessive ambition may lead you – in a good way and in a bad way. He suggests that instead of planning your outfit for the gala where you will receive that Pritzker prize, you should focus on appreciating little successes and a smile of genuine appreciation on your client’s face.

 

Your challenge for 2021: We both know that you keep an empty shelf in your living room for future prizes, but think about what you would have done with an empty shelf as a 7-year-old. What would you keep there?

 

Scorpio (October 23–November 21)

 

There are zodiac signs that we don’t come across too often in our lives, and there are zodiac signs that we don’t meet at all. I admit it, I don’t know anyone of the Scorpio sign, so it seems to me that you do not exist. However, if you are out there, hiding somewhere in the universe, then first of all: give me a call to let me know you do exist, and second of all: 2021 is definitely the time to leave your mark. If you keep a design project to yourself, take it out and do what it takes to make it happen.

 

Your challenge for 2021: What is your greatest professional dream? Describe it in detail and put the text under your mattress. Every Monday, before you fall asleep, imagine vividly that it comes true.

 

Sagittarius (November 22–December 21)

 

I have no idea what this means, but Mars has a message for you: shift everything 3 cm to the right. Venus adds that you should move everything to the left. Mars answers: “Yeah, sure”, to which Venus responds: “That’s just like you, and you never take out the trash”. Keep your poise, examine the project you worked most hard on this year, trust your intuition when applying the last corrections and ignore those critical voices behind your back.

 

Your challenge for 2021: Imagine how it would be to be of a different sex. Imagine yourself as a woman/man/non-binary person. How would it affect your attitude toward work? In what way would this impact your designs?

 

Capricorn (December 22–January 19)

 

Capricorns will be the first to feel the positive changes brought by the year 2021. Follow the advice of the venerable astral wise men and open a bottle of champagne, because everything is about to fall into place for you. P.S. Beware of jealous Libras, who are about to find out that this year you will steal all the major prizes right out from under them.

 

Your challenge for 2021: Play at being a fashion designer. Design an outfit that you will wear when you receive the most important prize in your life. As you approach this goal start sewing it.

 

Aquarius (January 20–February 18)

 

You know how things roll. One planet will tell you ‘no’, the other will say ‘yes’. You keep having doubts and continuously seek advice and new experts. Remember that you have all the answers in your head. Trust yourself and finish the design. The time has come to stop hesitating and start taking decisions.

 

Your challenge for 2021: Make a box. Place inside 12 cards with descriptions of things that you have always wanted to do, but you never have had the time. Maybe you dream of baking a cake, going fishing or visiting that museum? Draw one card a month and find the time to do what you wrote there.

 

Pisces (February 19–March 20)

 

Contrary to a common belief that fish have no voice, remember that your voice matters. Share your ideas with your boss, tell your clients with confidence about innovations that come to your mind. Admit that your importance equals that of the mighty Jove and shrink your self-doubt to the size of Pluto. Last but not least: in the second quarter of the year beware of constructors with a ginger moustache!

 

Your challenge for 2021: What is your favourite scent? Smell it and close your eyes. Try to get from it as much information as you can. Design an interior that would go well with this scent.

 

Katarzyna Niedurny – an outstanding Polish fortune teller, permanently associated with the ‘Wróżka’ magazine.