Venus Butterfly
Encyclopedia
The Venus Butterfly is a term used for various sexual techniques
, one of which being the subject of the 1988 book The One Hour Orgasm. It was first publicly mentioned in a 1986 episode of the American television drama L.A. Law
, although a technique of the same name appears in the book The Sensuous Woman
, which was first published in 1969.
titled "The Venus Butterfly," which first aired on November 21, 1986, a client claims to have an effective sexual technique and reveals it to his lawyer, Stuart Markowitz (Michael Tucker
). The technique itself is never described to the audience. In a hotel bedroom scene it is implied that Markowitz uses the technique on his girlfriend, Ann Kelsey (Jill Eikenberry
), with great positive effect. According to Brooks & Marsh, the Venus Butterfly was pivotal in Kelsey & Markowitz becoming a couple.
The writer of that section of the episode, Terry Louise Fisher
, stated that she had just made it up. The show received many letters and phone calls from viewers asking what it was, as well as two requests to license the term. Playboy
magazine did a feature speculating on what the technique was and included suggestions from readers. Years later, actors on the show reported still being asked about it.
in 2005, the Venus Butterfly is a variant of cunnilingus
. It involves using one's tongue on a woman's clitoris
, using one's fingers on her vagina
and using the other hand in the perianal area, "even penetrating the rectum [i.e. anus] if that is pleasurable for her." A similar description was given in a 2004 episode of the TV series Rescue Me
. This same technique is referred to in the novel The Illuminatus! Trilogy
, written by Robert Shea
and Robert Anton Wilson
as "the One-Man Band," and is referred to in issue No.298 of The Amazing Spider-Man
shortly before Peter Parker closes the door of his bedroom while walking in with his wife.
on the part of the person providing the technique can be learned over time with a particular partner. The technique can be sustained, "surfing" near the orgasm but stopping occasionally, for a very long time, hence the term "One Hour Orgasm."
The book is mentioned in the film Meet the Fockers
. A set of video-tapes (for him, and for her) were later made by the Schwartzes, showing how the technique is performed.
Human sexual behavior
Human sexual activities or human sexual practices or human sexual behavior refers to the manner in which humans experience and express their sexuality. People engage in a variety of sexual acts from time to time, and for a wide variety of reasons...
, one of which being the subject of the 1988 book The One Hour Orgasm. It was first publicly mentioned in a 1986 episode of the American television drama L.A. Law
L.A. Law
L.A. Law is a US television legal drama that ran on NBC from September 15, 1986 to May 19, 1994. L.A. Law reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights,...
, although a technique of the same name appears in the book The Sensuous Woman
The Sensuous Woman
The Sensuous Woman is a book by Joan Garrity. Published first during 1969 with the pseudonym "J", it is a detailed instruction manual concerning sexuality for women....
, which was first published in 1969.
L.A. Law television episode
In an episode of L.A. LawL.A. Law
L.A. Law is a US television legal drama that ran on NBC from September 15, 1986 to May 19, 1994. L.A. Law reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights,...
titled "The Venus Butterfly," which first aired on November 21, 1986, a client claims to have an effective sexual technique and reveals it to his lawyer, Stuart Markowitz (Michael Tucker
Michael Tucker (actor)
Michael Tucker is an American actor and author, most widely known for his role in L.A. Law, a portrayal for which he received Emmy nominations three years in a row....
). The technique itself is never described to the audience. In a hotel bedroom scene it is implied that Markowitz uses the technique on his girlfriend, Ann Kelsey (Jill Eikenberry
Jill Eikenberry
Jill Eikenberry is an American film, stage, and television actress. She is best known for her role as lawyer Ann Kelsey in L.A. Law...
), with great positive effect. According to Brooks & Marsh, the Venus Butterfly was pivotal in Kelsey & Markowitz becoming a couple.
The writer of that section of the episode, Terry Louise Fisher
Terry Louise Fisher
Terry Louise Fisher is an Emmy Award-winning American television producer, screenwriter and novelist.-Early career:...
, stated that she had just made it up. The show received many letters and phone calls from viewers asking what it was, as well as two requests to license the term. Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
magazine did a feature speculating on what the technique was and included suggestions from readers. Years later, actors on the show reported still being asked about it.
Sue Johanson variation
As described by writer and sex educator Sue JohansonSue Johanson
Sue Johanson, CM is a Canadian writer, public speaker, registered nurse, sex educator, and media personality.-Early life:...
in 2005, the Venus Butterfly is a variant of cunnilingus
Cunnilingus
Cunnilingus is an oral sex act performed on a female. It involves the use by a sex partner of the mouth, lips and tongue to stimulate the female's clitoris, vulva, or vagina...
. It involves using one's tongue on a woman's clitoris
Clitoris
The clitoris is a sexual organ that is present only in female mammals. In humans, the visible button-like portion is located near the anterior junction of the labia minora, above the opening of the urethra and vagina. Unlike the penis, which is homologous to the clitoris, the clitoris does not...
, using one's fingers on her vagina
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
and using the other hand in the perianal area, "even penetrating the rectum [i.e. anus] if that is pleasurable for her." A similar description was given in a 2004 episode of the TV series Rescue Me
Rescue Me (TV series)
Rescue Me is an American television drama series that premiered on the FX Network on July 21, 2004, and concluded on September 7, 2011. The series focuses on the professional and personal lives of a group of New York City firefighters in the fictitious Ladder 62 / Engine 99 firehouse.The show...
. This same technique is referred to in the novel The Illuminatus! Trilogy
The Illuminatus! Trilogy
The Illuminatus! Trilogy is a series of three novels written by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson first published in 1975. The trilogy is a satirical, postmodern, science fiction-influenced adventure story; a drug-, sex-, and magick-laden trek through a number of conspiracy theories, both...
, written by Robert Shea
Robert Shea
Robert Joseph Shea was an American novelist and former journalist best known as co-author with Robert Anton Wilson of the science fantasy trilogy Illuminatus!. It became a cult success and was later turned into a marathon-length stage show put on at the British National Theatre and elsewhere. In...
and Robert Anton Wilson
Robert Anton Wilson
Robert Anton Wilson , known to friends as "Bob", was an American author and polymath who became at various times a novelist, philosopher, psychologist, essayist, editor, playwright, poet, futurist, civil libertarian and self-described agnostic mystic...
as "the One-Man Band," and is referred to in issue No.298 of The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics, featuring the adventures of the fictional superhero Spider-Man. Being the mainstream continuity of the franchise, it began publication in 1963 as a monthly periodical and was published continuously until it was...
shortly before Peter Parker closes the door of his bedroom while walking in with his wife.
The One Hour Orgasm variation
The 1988 book, The One Hour Orgasm: How to Learn the Amazing "Venus Butterfly" Technique, written by Leah and Bob Schwartz, is dedicated to educating readers on how to perform the technique. In this variation either the woman or man is lying down, and their partner, sitting next to them with their legs positioned around each other, very gently, with just the minimal amount of pressure (the "touch" of a butterfly's wing, at least on the clitoris) stimulates the clitoris or the hood, with the penis at the two-o'clock or ten-o'clock position. The book suggests keeping the clitoral shaft steady with one thumb laid gently along and beside it, with the other thumb lying lengthwise just within the vagina but not moving deep within it. (All of this is done using a lubricant.) The light pressure continues using the same speed throughout until a peak is reached close to orgasm but not quite (although it can be continued if multiple orgasms are the goal), then the speed is slowed down even further or stopped, but very soon continued again and the person is brought back near orgasm or given a second or third orgasm. This orgasm controlOrgasm control
Orgasm control, also known as "edging", "peaking", "surfing", and by other terms, is a sexual technique which involves the maintenance of a high level of sexual arousal for an extended period of time without reaching orgasm, although orgasm can be reached eventually. If orgasm is not reached after...
on the part of the person providing the technique can be learned over time with a particular partner. The technique can be sustained, "surfing" near the orgasm but stopping occasionally, for a very long time, hence the term "One Hour Orgasm."
The book is mentioned in the film Meet the Fockers
Meet the Fockers
Meet the Fockers is a 2004 American comedy film directed by Jay Roach and the sequel to Meet the Parents. The film stars Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Blythe Danner and Teri Polo. It was followed up by a sequel, Little Fockers, in 2010.-Plot:Nurse Gaylord "Greg"...
. A set of video-tapes (for him, and for her) were later made by the Schwartzes, showing how the technique is performed.