Perfumed Horoscope: May 17 to May 23

We are dedicating this issue of Fragrant Horoscope to Africa, where Queen Sheba first introduced perfume as a part of the Egyptian culture. A simple googling for “African perfumes” doesn’t give us much: 1. Almost no information about African perfumers (Claz Nubo, Philippe Paparella, Nyakio) 2. Web-sites like “backtoafrica.com” sell hundreds of great perfume oils (the latest is called Obama Style) with minimal or no description. 3. African flowers and plants as ingredients in perfume giants. We hope that Africa can someday more actively join the $45 Billion a year industry. (Photo: F H Mira)

Aries
As you emerge from the semi-resolved home situation, you feel playful beyond imagination. Involve everyone from your wish-to-be-with list, and do some serious playing this week. Later in the week a workload is suddenly in your face. It both constrains and feeds your unrealistic desires like the new Porsche or a trip to Japan. Anything new should not contribute to the greater chaos. Check out the warm and gently woody Rouge by Bvlgari with South African variety Roiboos.

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Taurus
It will be necessary to do a lot of homework this week. Little abstinence from social life until Thursday will actually increase your desirability, which is peaking at this time. The best idea would be to throw a party this weekend and have people talk about it for many days to come. Try Africanimal and MAC Creations with honey, pepper, bergamot, and wood (f), and Zanzibar by Van Cleef & Arpels incorporating red African land, exotic trees and hot spices (m).

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Gemini
Do all the shopping this week before Wednesday. Things you buy will last for a long time. It will also keep you away from the irresolvable emotional entanglement. Don’t give in to a person who’s telling you that you don’t know what you want emotionally. You will change your mind this weekend on some very important issue, and may be at first even afraid to talk about it. Give a chance to Poopoo Pidoo by Ego Facto with African orange flower and Nigerian ginger.

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Cancer
This week your emotional, physical and mental makeup will change. Before Wednesday it’s still slightly gloomy, but afterwards your emotions finally start to brighten up and many people are attracted to you. This triggers your mental processing not go backwards, but to look into what you can accomplish with fresh enthusiasm. You also improve physically and it feels like you finally learned how to be gentle to yourself. Byredo’s Bal d’Afrique with African marigold and Moroccan cedarwood bring the excitement you are ready for at this time.

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Leo
The week begins with general indifference and picks up with many unconventional ideas seeking your flexibility. Among all the buzz and tribulation you can still use the high energy phase to lay out some basic framework. The weekend brings less tension, and you can start working on the projects you will really enjoy. Don’t take risks over the weekend. African Hibiscus Flower Body Perfume is “a super sexy blend of African Hibiscus blooms” from africasgarden.com. You will like it.

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Virgo
This week brings excitement around you with unconventional ideas, emotional conundrums, and challenging obstacles. Have many thoughts, but avoid conclusions. At this stage you have climbed a high mountain and after adapting to the different air, you will start to make connection which will ultimately revive your career. South African based “Frazer Perfumes” offer perfume called Anzère, abundant with tiny flowers reminiscent of daily walks through the fir tree forest.

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Libra
Your interventions and mediations will be required on many fronts. It’s the week of zigzags, from friends crying on your shoulders, to out-of-this-world ideas, to the subtle volatilities over the weekend. You will feel strung and possibly overwhelmed by capacity of your neighborhood to change. By the end of the week you seek inspiration in a literature that has been waiting for you for a long time. Krishnamurti maybe? It will redefine your peace. Try this week Tamboti Wood by Susanne Lang with a clean, sheer essence of this sacred African tree.

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Scorpio
You will love this week for its contradictions and challenges. Just as you thought that nothing can surprise you, suddenly you have the readiness to genuinely be fascinated by someone or something. The tension is gone, the wider support is here, and once again you are ready to transform the insanity around you into something solid and exemplary. Safi by Nyakio carries base notes that represent Africa including bamboo, papyrus, and muhuhu wood. It will work for you.

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Sagittarius
If you still feel the need to be excessive, resist the temptation. The objects that you plan to drag into your living space need evaluation. Don’t rush into anything until mid week. Your partner is exhibiting hard-to-define expectations. It’s possible you spoiled her/him over the last few weeks. Use the strategy of gratitude, because what they have to give you will come spontaneously and you will love it. Enjoy the Exotic by Boadicea the Victorious. It’s a velvet-smooth fragrance with balmy extract of African costus, praised for its fragrance by ancient Romans.
 

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Capricorn
This week will bring a full focus on your partners who seem to be very needy these days. Mid week you apparently will be revising some plans, as the sense of stability returns. Your partners are ready to share your burdens, since they know how beneficially you can manage them at this point. Over the weekend you are joining the gym, or working out more than usual. Wazamba by Parfum d`Empire is inspired by a West-African instrument which was used at important ceremonies. The fragrance is characterized by incense essences from Somalia, myrrh from Kenya and cypress from Morrocco. Love it.

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Aquarius
You could be emotional wreck this week. Make sure to recover quickly since the challenging and the empowering influences switch quickly. You have the need to go out, and soon the invitations for events will start pouring in. Hopefully you will still be able to schedule in the time with your personal trainer. Work on your stomach muscles at this time. The Spirit of Wood NO. 3 by Cosmic Wonder Light Source is designed by artist Yukinori Maeda and South African perfumer Philippe Paparella. It’s a scent experienced during a walk through eucalyptus forest. How much better can it get?

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Pisces
You defined the game by now, but make sure you didn’t sacrifice too much. You get so involved in the moment and lose sometimes the ability to read into the consequences. Question less. The strength comes midweek with a new space in your mind: You are laying foundation for the regeneration, participate in the environment, and strengthen your affection for those important to you. Playing with children is the plan for the weekend. Are you familiar with Timbuktu by L’Artisan Parfumeur. It’s a spin on an ancient West African mystical perfume art, called Wusulan, still handed down from mother to daughter as a magical spell to seduce and secure one's true love.

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