First, a wee bit of reporting back, regarding that pesky Grand Cross formation of late April this year. In my post about the formation I mentioned that my own natal Saturn at 12.55 Aries would be hooked up in the Grand Cross pattern which linked planets in cardinal signs at around 13 degrees. At the time I couldn't relate anything personal to me other than having recently changed computer operating system after some 10 years, from Windows XP to Windows 7.
Shortly after those Grand Cross days of late April I began to be aware of a problem with my scalp - itching, scaly, getting gradually worse. I'd experienced a similar condition before, back in the 1990s in the UK. I wasn't unduly alarmed because then it was reasonably quickly cleared up using a particular shampoo (Nizoral 2%), and a mild corticosteroid liquid scalp treatment. This year's version eventually grew more virulent though, possibly it was seborrhoeic dermatitis rather than a simple fungal scalp infection. My hair began falling out in places where the problem was at its worst.
The Grand Cross involved my natal Saturn in Aries being conjoined by Uranus, squared by Pluto and Jupiter and opposed by Mars. Aries in medical astrology rules the head face and eyes; Capricorn rules knees, joints and hair, Saturn, Capricorn's governor rules the skin and bones. (Information from here) So, did the Grand Cross reflect its challenges in my scalp and hair problem? Any ideas?
I think - hope - that I now have the problem under control, I'm fairly optimistic that the lost hair will grow back in time, in the meantime I can cover the loss by some judicious combing...or by wearing a hat! I cannot, though, risk carrying on with my visits to the hairdresser every 2 months or so for a dye job. It could even be that my scalp, at last, had rebelled against some element of that treatment. I won't mind the white/grey - it's time now. ...some would say past time!
This is clever!
Quick & Animated History of the English Language
"That lucky old sun has nothin' to do
But roll around Heaven all day"
Russell Brand taking on Fox News - perhaps his accent might confuse some US viewers - I'll translate where needed, just ask!
Lastly ~
Ever wondered why, in a universe as vast as we are told it is, we Earthlings have never been contacted by beings from somewhere out there? There's an entertaining and enlightening article titled The Fermi Paradox at an always interesting website: Wait But Why.
Keith Olbermann announced that a fellow presenter, Ed Schultz (below, right) also born 27 January, like himself, has joined MSNBC's early evening news programme line-up. Both he and Olbermann were previously sports commentators. I'd like to be able to say that Aquarius, at 27 January, breeds leftwing political folk with a love of sport. But I was born on that day too. I'm interested in left-wing politics, but sport was always a big blind spot for me.
Chief Justice John Roberts was also born 27 January, by the way. He's almost certainly right wing politically, whether he's a sporty type remains a mystery.
There was a bit of tut-tutting, among the more strait-laced protocol upholders, about the photograph of Michelle Obama and Queen Elizabeth II with, fleetingly, arms around each other. It's reported that they seemed to get on well. That's not surprising, thought I - one lady with Capricorn Sun, othe other with Taurus Sun - two Earthy ladies. It was refreshing to see someone unafraid to demonstrate affection towards a monarch who is often thought of as unapproachable.
And as for idiot criticisms of what Michelle Obama wore to the palace (e.g. "You don't go to meet the queen wearing a sweater"), or what she chooses to wear at any time - exactly who gives anybody the right to tell anybody else what to wear? In any case, I'd be very surprised if Buckingham Place officials and advisors hadn't been in touch with the First Lady's advisors with pointers as to the type of meeting it would be, and how formal or informal, just so as to avoid embarrassment on either side. Apparently the meeting was very informal - an invitation to share afternoon tea with the queen, who was herself informally dressed in a pink frock. Of course, nothing ever pleases the fashion police. I bet Michelle Obama has a good laugh at it all, if she ever reads some of the drivel written about her choice of clothes.
Bob Geldof had a few words to say about the G20 meeting in London this week. He speaks much sense. His natal chart and biography are at Astrodatabank here. There's a discussion about the chart on an Astro.com forum here
In a nutshell he's a blend of Libra diplomacy and charm, Sagittarian philosophy and Virgo discernment, with a dynmic opposition between his cluster of Libra planets and Jupiter in Aries which I suspect is the main driving force which spurs him on to his good works, and prevents him from being simply a charming academic or run-of-the-mill musician.
See a brief interview at G20 below.
A Broadway revival of "Hair" opened this week. The show presented in Central Park last summer now moves to an indoor stage. Hair has perennial appeal, and remains relevant more than 40 years after its original showing. Uranus and Neptune currently semi-sextile (30*) in Pisces and Aquarius, and in mutual reception (in each other's home signs) probably offer a suitable asto-atmosphere for the hippie musical. A harmonious blend of radical opinion and mystical creativity seems just about right !
From a list of events which have occurred on 27 September through the years, I noticed that the stage musical "Hair" opened its London run on 27 September 1968. There had been a total solar eclipse five days before, at 29 Virgo. During the eclipse, and the period between the eclipse and the show's opening, Uranus (ruler of Aquarius) lay at 29 Virgo the degree hit by the eclipse. As the show's best known song is "Age of Aquarius", and its message overall is very Aquarian/Uranian, it's a remarkable coincidence.
The dates of the show's US off-Broadway premiere and its debut on Broadway show other interesting coincidences, or astrological pointers:
Off-Broadway premiere: 17 October 1967 - There was a lunar eclipse the next day, (@ 24 Aries.)
Broadway opening: 29 April 1968 - There was a line-up of planets around the 25 degree mark in several signs: Venus 24.43 Aries. Mars 23.12 Taurus. Jupiter 25.54 Leo. Uranus 25.34 Virgo. Neptune 25.37 Scorpio. Which means that Venus & Jupiter were in harmonious trine - could be translated as a lucky time for the publication of loving musical messages (which does describe "Hair".) Mars, Uranus and Neptune were in either trine or sextile, helpfully blending imagination and energy into the Uranian message put out by the show. Of course, as well as harmonious trines, some of these planets also formed challenging squares, Mars/Jupiter for example, representing the controversy the show brought forth in some circles.
"The musical's profanity, its depiction of the use of illegal drugs, its treatment of sexuality, its irreverence for the American flag, and its nude scene caused much comment and controversy"
I've seen only the movie version of "Hair", which I think was a much modified and sanitized version. Available YouTube videos of stage versions aren't very good quality, so instead I've chosen a clip from the beginning of the movie, featuring 'that' song.
I think - hope - that I now have the problem under control, I'm fairly optimistic that the lost hair will grow back in time, in the meantime I can cover the loss by some judicious combing...or by wearing a hat! I cannot, though, risk carrying on with my visits to the hairdresser every 2 months or so for a dye job. It could even be that my scalp, at last, had rebelled against some element of that treatment. I won't mind the white/grey - it's time now. ...some would say past time!
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