Astrology Journals

Astrology, especially the zodiac system, with its ancient symbols and timeless archetypes, has always felt to me like a map of the soul, like an attempt to understand ourselves by tracing the stars. During the years I have returned to this thematic multiple times, creating a few journals, each one imagined as its own little universe.

Hand painted in colorful tones, each one of a kind, the creation of these journals was not only about bookbinding. I tried to capture a fragment of the vast and mysterious language of astrology in a tangible form. It is fascinating to think that zodiac symbols have existed for thousands of years, starting with the ancient civilizations that tried to make sense of the world and connect the heavens with earthly life. By making these journals, I wanted to bring that symbolism down to earth, into something you can touch, write in, and make your own.

Wheel of the Year (2014)

The mysterious Wheel of the Year, an historic symbolic representation of time divided into annual cycles. It is believed to have a sacred meaning. It has eight seasonal festivals, each aligned with the turning points of the sun and the midpoints between them. Though rooted in ancient Celtic, Germanic, and Norse traditions, it has been reimagined in modern times as a way for many pagan paths, including Wicca and other forms of Neopaganism.

Aries (2019)

The Aries journal was the first of a series of 12 corresponding to each zodiacal sign. The idea of this project remained in my mind but I have not materialized it yet. Perhaps it's time to give continuity to The Horoscope Collection.

Astro (2023)

Bound in black leather, painted and decorated by hand with a complex composition depicting an astronomical scene, this journal has a modern abstracted look, its design was created to create the impression of a map of the outer space. The covers are decorated by tooling and stamping and hand painted to create a game of textures and colors.

The Old Zodiac (2024)

One of my all times favourite, the design of this journal was inspired by illustrations from The Theatrum Chemicum, a major collection of English alchemical writings and poetry, published in 1652 by Elias Ashmole. It has highly intricate frames with floral and botanical motifs that weave around the borders. Within it sits a geometric diamond-shaped pattern which holds the central imagery. On one side, I painted astrological elements: the sun, moon, and constellations surrounded by zodiac names in fine script. On the other, I depicted more symbolic markings — planetary names, alchemical-like signs, and celestial figures. I wanted this book to have the feel of a tome from the desk of an astrologer or an alchemist centuries ago, waiting to be filled with notes, sketches, and reflections.

The Zodiac (2024)

The theme of the journal is astrology, the zodiac with its symbols and representations disposed in a wheel according to the calendar. On the lower right and left hand sides a God and a Goddess are represented, two mythological figures siting on a planet and on clouds playing music. The background is the celestial realm. The colors of the zodiac are inspired by the palette of the color wheel. This design was inspired by a glass painting made originally by my father, who was a graphic artist. When I was a teenager he tough me how to paint it on glass and I wanted to recreate it as a binding to honor his work.