The Astrology of the Hourglass Figure
The hourglass figure really gained mainstream attention in the 1950s, thanks in part to iconic figures like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, who were often celebrated for their curves. This era emphasized feminine curves as a symbol of beauty and sexuality. However, the concept of the hourglass figure has actually been around for centuries, tied to different cultural ideals of beauty.
The hourglass figure has been a symbol of feminine beauty for centuries, its shape and significance evolving with each era. In the Victorian era, women embraced the exaggerated curves created by corsets, shaping their bodies into a narrow-waisted, full hipped ideal. By the 1940s and 1950s, icons like Marilyn Monroe reintroduced a more natural version of the hourglass, celebrating fuller, more attainable curves. The 1990s saw a pushback against the ultra-thin supermodel look with songs like Baby Got Back celebrating fuller, more curvaceous bodies, particularly in Black culture. As the 2000s brought greater visibility to Latina and Middle Eastern women’s natural curves, the hourglass figure found new representation and appreciation. Yet, by the late 2010s and early 2020s, the figure became increasingly exaggerated, with plastic surgery and corset training bringing back the more dramatic curves of the past. From Victorian corsets to social media influencers, the hourglass figure continues to evolve, reflecting changing beauty standards and the cultural forces that shape them.
Breaking down the key Components of these Eras
Victorian Era (1837-1901) - The Exaggerated Hourglass
Fashion Trend: The Victorian era was defined by the corset, which exaggerated the waist and emphasized the bust and hips. This highly sculpted hourglass silhouette symbolized wealth, propriety, and femininity, achieved through extreme waist compression.
Cultural Influence: Women were expected to embody an idealized form of femininity and purity, with the hourglass figure signifying both physical beauty and moral uprightness.
Astrology: Pluto in Taurus (1852-1883) intensified the desire for control over the body, linking beauty to material wealth and structure. Neptune in Pisces (1848-1861) romanticized femininity, making the extreme corseted look seem ethereal and idealized. The North Node in Libra (1839, 1857, 1876) reinforced the societal obsession with balance, harmony, and the “ideal” feminine form.
Early 1900s - Decline of the Hourglass, Rise of the Flapper Look
Fashion Trend: The 1920s flapper era rejected curves in favor of a boyish, straight silhouette. Natural body shapes were de-emphasized as women sought freedom from restrictive clothing.
Cultural Influence: The women’s suffrage movement and changing gender roles encouraged a shift away from traditional beauty standards.
Astrology: The North Node in Gemini (1917-1939) emphasized intellectual expansion and breaking traditional norms, leading to more androgynous fashion. Pluto in Cancer (1913-1939) shifted focus toward emotional and domestic themes, moving beauty away from materialism and toward personal expression.
1940s-1950s - The Return of the Hourglass with Marilyn Monroe
Fashion Trend: Stars like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor brought back natural curves, with fuller busts and hips paired with a narrow waist.
Cultural Influence: Post-World War II, there was a return to traditional gender roles, and the hourglass figure became a symbol of fertility, sensuality, and femininity.
Astrology: Pluto in Leo (1939-1957) made confidence and glamour the focus, bringing back bold, exaggerated beauty. The North Node in Leo (1949-1951) emphasized self-expression and pride in one’s appearance, fueling the embrace of curves. Neptune in Libra (1942-1956) idealized beauty and symmetry, reinforcing the hourglass as the standard.
1960s-1970s - The Rise of Twiggy and the Rejection of Curves
Fashion Trend: The hourglass figure faded again as ultra-slim models like Twiggy became the new ideal, promoting a boyish, waif-like look.
Cultural Influence: Second-wave feminism and shifting gender roles encouraged a move away from overtly feminine beauty standards.
Astrology: Uranus in Virgo (1962-1968) and Pluto in Virgo (1957-1971) emphasized discipline, minimalism, and practicality, which translated into thinner, more “natural” body types. Neptune in Scorpio (1956-1970) introduced a fascination with extremes, from intense dieting to natural beauty trends.
1990s - The Pushback Against Skinny Culture with “Baby Got Back”
Fashion Trend: The “heroin chic” era promoted extreme thinness, but cultural pushback emerged, especially within Black communities, where fuller figures were celebrated. Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” (1992) openly praised curvier bodies.
Cultural Influence: Black culture’s influence on mainstream beauty ideals grew, introducing a wider appreciation for natural curves.
Astrology: Pluto in Scorpio (1983-1995) intensified themes of power and transformation, pushing both extremes of body trends — hyper-thin and hyper-curvy. The North Node in Leo (1997-1999) reinforced individuality, leading to greater confidence in embracing non-Western beauty standards.
2000s - Latinx and Middle Eastern Representation, Hourglass Resurgence
Fashion Trend: Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, and Salma Hayek popularized curvier bodies. The hourglass figure gained mainstream recognition beyond Western ideals of thinness.
Cultural Influence: There was a growing push for diversity in beauty standards, with Latinx and Middle Eastern communities celebrating fuller figures.
Astrology: Neptune in Aquarius (1998-2012) encouraged individualism and breaking traditional beauty norms, allowing for a broader range of body types to be celebrated. Pluto in Sagittarius (1995-2008) expanded beauty ideals beyond Western expectations, incorporating more global influences.
2010s - Exaggerated Hourglass and Plastic Surgery Trends
Fashion Trend: Social media and celebrity culture pushed the hourglass ideal to an extreme with plastic surgery trends like Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs). Figures like Kim Kardashian and Nicki Minaj popularized surgically enhanced curves.
Cultural Influence: The digital age fueled beauty obsession, making plastic surgery and body modification more accessible and desirable.
Astrology: Pluto in Capricorn (2008-2023) reinforced structured, hyper-controlled beauty standards, with people literally sculpting their bodies. Neptune in Pisces (2011-2025) encouraged beauty illusions, making hyper-feminine aesthetics seem dreamy and aspirational. Uranus in Aries (2011-2018) promoted aggressive self-transformation, pushing people toward extreme body modifications.
2020s - The Natural Curve Renaissance & Digital Beauty
Fashion Trend: While the exaggerated hourglass remains popular, there’s a growing push for body diversity and embracing natural curves. Social media promotes both self-acceptance and digital filters that create unrealistic beauty standards.
Cultural Influence: The body positivity movement and shifting ideals encourage more natural body appreciation, but the influence of surgery and social media aesthetics remains strong.
Astrology: Neptune in Pisces (2011-2025) continues to blur the line between real and ideal beauty, making filters, AI-enhanced aesthetics, and beauty illusions part of mainstream culture. The North Node in Taurus (2022-2024) emphasizes self-worth and body appreciation, shifting focus toward natural beauty and sustainable self-care. Pluto’s move into Aquarius (2023-2044) hints at radical beauty transformations driven by technology, AI, and digital aesthetics.
The Astrological Trends
Key Astrological Patterns in Beauty Trends
1. Pluto in Fixed Signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio) → Extreme Beauty Transformations
• Pluto in Taurus (1850s, 2030s): Beauty is rigid, structured, materialistic.
• Pluto in Leo (1950s): Bold, confident, exaggerated glamour.
• Pluto in Scorpio (1990s): Dark, intense, hyper-sexualized beauty ideals.
2. Neptune in Venus/Mercury Signs (Taurus, Libra, Gemini, Virgo) → Idealized Beauty Trends
• Neptune in Taurus (1870s-1880s): Focus on natural beauty and bodily sensuality. Favors soft, luxurious beauty standards.
• Neptune in Libra (1940s-50s): Symmetry, balance, classic beauty standards.
• Neptune in Gemini (1880s-1890s): Trend-driven beauty with a youthful, adaptable aesthetic. Media-driven trends.
3. North Node in Libra, Cancer, Pisces, Aries → Beauty Ideals Shift
• North Node in Libra (1839, 1995, 2040s): Beauty perfectionism.
• North Node in Cancer (1860, 1945, 2000s): Soft, maternal, curvier forms.
• North Node in Pisces (1850, 1950, 2010s): Dreamy, exaggerated beauty.
• North Node in Aries (1837, 2005): DIY beauty, self-made transformations.
This timeline shows the most common trends between Pluto, Neptune, and the North Node shaping beauty ideals.
Why can we track this?
Astrology offers a unique lens through which we can examine the evolving nature of beauty trends because it connects planetary movements and transits to shifts in collective values and societal ideals. Each planet has distinct energies that influence different aspects of our lives, and their transits play a role in shaping not just personal experiences, but also broader cultural shifts. Venus, as the planet of love, beauty, and aesthetics, is naturally central to understanding beauty trends. It’s often the driving force behind changing ideals of attractiveness and style, with its position in different signs signaling shifts in what is considered “beautiful” or desirable. Neptune, the planet of illusion, fantasy, and dreams, further enhances this exploration by highlighting the idealized versions of beauty that society tends to chase during certain times. Additionally, generational planets like Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto influence longer-term societal changes, shaping the broader cultural landscape over entire generations. These planets help explain the deeper, more collective shifts in how beauty is perceived, as their movements can signal major transformations in social values and aesthetics. The North and South Nodes also play an important role, as they represent the collective path of humanity. When the nodes transit through specific signs, they shift the collective focus toward certain themes, including how beauty is expressed and experienced. By focusing on these planetary influences and their transits, we can better understand the cyclical nature of beauty trends, how cultural shifts align with planetary movements, and why certain aesthetics emerge at specific points in history. Astrology gives us the tools to track the cosmic influences that intertwine with our desires, helping us see how beauty ideals evolve over time.
In the end,
To conclude, the connection between astrology and beauty trends offers a fascinating way to understand the evolution of cultural ideals and aesthetics. By looking at planetary transits, especially those of the generational planets, we can uncover the cosmic influences that shape the collective understanding of beauty. The movements of these planets provide insight into the ideals and fantasies society gravitates toward at different points in time. The nodes’ role in directing collective energy further explains why certain beauty trends emerge when they do, as they signal shifts in societal values. Through astrology, we can track the ebb and flow of beauty standards, recognizing how they align with the greater cycles of human experience, and appreciate the cosmic forces that guide our perceptions of attractiveness!
Written by
S.S