Floating Bits and Pieces

“Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else sees, but then reassemble those floating bits and pieces into an enticing new possibility." So said Rosabeth Moss Kanter, an American social scientist and business expert.

I'm not feeling particularly creative these days, there's an uncomfortable feel to things in general, I find. "Enticing new possibilities", especially in politics, are thin on the ground, unless you are a fanatical Obama supporter. Still... I'll try looking at those "floating bits and pieces", otherwise known as celestial bodies in our solar system, the seven planets the ancients traditionally used in their astrology, and see what they seem to be representing, to me, at this point :

Sun, now residing in kingly Leo brings thoughts and predictions on who is likely to be the next president of the USA. Predictions vary - a lot! The only common factor I can detect is that astrologers foresee trouble brewing at the Democratic Conference at the end of August, and/or later, after the General Election in November.

Moon - representing the public: a public sharply divided (and sub-divided) in the USA in opinion of presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama, and presumptive Republican nominee John McCain

Mercury represents all forms of communication. It seems to me that the blogosphere and the internet in general is fast overtaking traditional media, and in particular is making itself strongly felt during this election season. An astrological communications matter which has surfaced, or rather sunk, in the past week or so is the blog link-up "Astrology News" with its widget, which used to appear in my sidebar. It was a really useful grouping and quick reference place for daily links to a large number of astrology blogs. I miss its convenience, as I'm sure do many others. I hope it will return soon. Elsa, of Elsa Elsa Blog , who ran the Astrology News facility gives an udate on the situation HERE .

Venus the love planet brings to mind two items: First, the recently publicised alleged infidelity of John Edwards. If true this is very, very sad for his wife and family. Love and its partner lust are strange and powerful, it often seems that those who hanker for power also possess an overload of hankering on this other front........Second, because Venus is ruler of Libra and 7th house matters - partnerships etc. I'm thinking about the announcement of running mates by the two presumptive candidates, which must surely be imminent. From what I've been able to glean on-line, it seems my tarot deck's answer (here) seems unlikely to be accurate in the case of Obama's pick, unless perhaps he chooses Joe Biden, or Bill Richardson who would loosely fit the description, as both were defeated in the primaries.

Mars represents energy, some aggression and at present I see these in the clear determination of PUMA and other groups who are opposing an Obama presidency. Aggression and determination flow in the opposite direction too, towards these groups - often in far more vitriolic style.

Jupiter, planet of travel, publication, and exaggeration calls to mind Obama's recent "World Tour" which covers all three Jupiter matters, as well as touching on Jupiter's other domain, religion.

Saturn, planet of laws, restrictions, authority, for me brings to mind two matters: (1) the quest of Larry Sinclair to have his allegations against Senator Obama officially investigated. He has been hounded, his life threatened, his family threatened, at least two of his blogs closed down, and he has been generally dismissed as a fraud. InformationHERE. I don't necessarily believe that everything Sinclair alleges is true, but his story ought to be properly investigated by the authorities, and soon.

(2) The matter of Barack Obama's eligibility to hold the position of President of the USA. There has been much written in blogs recently about his birth certificate. Another issue has now been raised by an historian, Judah Benjamin in a two-part article HERE and HERE. There is a question as to whether Senator Obama has ever held dual-nationality, and if so, would this disqualify him under the US Constitution from holding the country's highest office? Again, something which needs to be properly investigated by consitutional lawyers, the results to be made public. A further article by the historian appeared yesterday (HERE). Judah Benjamin's articles are painstakingly researched and scholarly, and perhaps too detailed for passing readers here, if so, blogger Texas Darlin' has a handy summary: - "Birth Certificate: Obama, Soetoro or Dunham?"

Heretical Thoughts

When comparing tropical and sidereal versions of a natal chart, I've found that often both provide a reasonably accurate interpretation, yet there are around 24 degrees difference between the two zodiac systems.

What if, in both versions of the zodiac, the division into 12 signs, passed to us by ancient astrologers is just too detailed and precise to fit real-life living breathing mortals in the 21st century ?

All the widely used astrological systems stick to the 12 classical sign divisions, Aries through Pisces, apart from Uranian astrology and Harmonics, both of which ignore signs completely and concentrate only on planets. I've found that there's proof enough that the signs have value, but I do get the feeling that there is much more "wiggle room" between them than has always been assumed.

An astrolger, I can't remember the name, once pointed out that "there are no walls in space", how true that is! A longish "blending in" phase between each cusp would result in a more complex system for sure, but one which would follow the rules of nature more nearly. Nature doesn't move abruptly, from one situation or stage, to another, it does so gradually. Even in the case of what seem to us to be abrupt events - earthquakes, hurricanes and such, the causal factors have gradually built up over a period of time, sometimes centuries, sometimes days, but never instantly - on/off.

Any blending-in phase would need to be too long to account for the 24 degrees of difference between tropical and sidereal, using a zodiac of 12 signs. I wonder whether anybody has ever experimented with, say, seven or eight signs, re-interpreting them, using traditional meanings in a subtly different mix.

I've always accepted that astrology is a natural phenomenon, so these thoughts fit my own perception. People who look on astrology as a mathematical phenomenon, or in the realm of the spiritual or metaphysical, or those who stick firmly to the system of the ancients, would not find this view tolerable, I realise that.

Just thinking (heretically)!

"Heresy is another word for freedom of thought"(Graham Greene)

Still on the subject of change, but in an entirely different arena, a question which some may consider equally heretical.

A large part of the population of the USA seems passionate for change, hope, peace and unity, as evidenced by their unbridled enthusiasm for Barack Obama, his promises and policies. How is it, then, that Dennis Kucinich, who offered a Department of Peace, single payer health care plan and other goodies was almost totally ignored by these same people? John Edwards was similarly ignored. He promised to move the country away from the corporate stranglehold in which it now finds itself, which would have been a much bigger and better change than anything Obama envisages. A strange inconsistency here methinks. Neptune in Aquarius & Uranus in Pisces showing perhaps? Fog, illusion, delusion, confusion in the realm of change, and change in the realm of fog, illusion, delusion....

Just wondering!

Clinton v. Obama - Horses for Courses.

One of my forlorn hopes finally sank this week. John Edwards withdrew as a candidate in the presidential election. From an article in the New York Times


“Having the first serious African-American running against the first serious female — it’s a hard story to get into,” Mr. Moylan (campaign advisor) said. “There was an alignment of the stars this year, and it wasn’t for us.”

The "alignment of the stars", if not for John Edwards must be in favour of one of the remaining candidates. Many professional astrologers have made predictions on this score, so I'm not about to add my astrological two pennyworth on the basis of transits, progressions or whatever. After the USA has had 8 years of Republican presidency, I'd say that natural balance dictates a Democrat should be the next president. Any kind of catastrophe occurring before November could possibly set natural balance awry, but in the absence of such, Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama should be moving into the White House in January 2009 - just before a solar eclipse in Aquarius. A nice herald for changes of more humanitarian flavour!

After writing this post, I watched last night's TV debate between the two Democratic candidates, came away impressed, and with the same opinion as stated below.


Comparing the tropical and sidereal versions of their natal charts, a thumbnail astro-sketch of these two candidates reflects a slight shift of emphasis, according to zodiac used.





Ms Clinton : Sun&Mercury= Scorpio/Libra, Moon = Pisces/ Aquarius. (More detail in yesterday's blog post).

Mr Obama : Sun&Mercury = Leo/Cancer, Moon probably in Taurus either way.
Mr Obama's chart is funnel shaped with Jupiter and Saturn forming the funnel opposing Mercury - whichever zodiac is used this remains the same, with emphasis on either Cancer/Capricorn axis or Leo/Aquarius. Because Mercury is involved I think this may relate to his obvious talent for oratory. Expansive Jupiter and restrictive Saturn hold equal weight as "funnel", and could connect symbolically to his stated objective of bringing the two Americas, the wealthy and the poverty-stricken, closer together.

If I had to choose between these two, who should be be next president of the USA, purely on the basis of natal charts, I'd choose Hillary Clinton, in spite of all the ra-ra-ra currently in the air about Obama, and in spite of the fact that she has not been a favourite of mine so far. I seem fated to support underdogs. At the moment all roads seem to lead to Obama.

Whether tropical or sidereal zodiac is used, Hillary Clinton has the strength, passion and doggedness of Scorpio, talent for diplomacy and mental skills of Libra, with underneath it all still, a compassionate side. Strength, diplomacy, doggedness, and political clout will be sorely needed to confont the really serious difficulties which await the new president of the USA.

Mr. Obama is obvious presidential material, he has charisma and star quality, but in my opinion he's not exactly right for the job at this point in history. Perhaps next time around will be a better time for him, after the worst of the mess, left by the current administration, has been cleared away by those who understand how to deal with it, how to play hardball to get the right results. This may not always be noble and squeaky clean, but in difficult circumstances it's the only way to get things done.

Horses for courses! - An old horse racing expression meaning that some horses race better on certain tracks than on others. Applied to people, it means choosing the person ideally suited for the particular job in question.

Sticking with a horsey metaphor, I think the USA now needs a workhorse, strong, trained, resilient, thick skinned and familiar with the territory:



Perhaps, at some point in the future, a person more akin to this talented beauty will prove to be more appropriate as president:

After last night's debate I decided that if either of these two candidates is president by the time I get to be a citizen of the USA, I shall be able to swear an oath of allegiance with confidence and pride.

Hopes that didn't float

One year ago I was writing about my hope that Al Gore would run in the presidential election, and looking eagerly for signs in his astrology. ("Al Gore, his transits, our chance?") That hope sank, gradually, and without trace. I was bitterly disappointed in my hero, in spite of opinions that "he can do more for the environment outside of politics".

As hopes of Gore's entry into the presidential race faded, I pinned hope on Dennis Kucinich gaining popular support. I've written several blog entries about him and his astrology (linked via the Label Cloud in the sidebar). His policies are truly what the nation needs, many can see this, but few have had the confidence to give him their support. Another hope sinking fast. He is now routinely excluded from debate in spite of fighting against his exclusion.

My third hope, John Edwards, has a reasonable level of support from the people, but little or none from the mainstream media, whose bosses, the corporations, fear his policies. There's still time for his campaign to gain strength, time for the people of the USA to see the light, to see past what they are being force fed by the media. If change is what they truly crave, then I believe Edwards is the best one to bring it about. Others may speak of it, they may have good intentions, but I doubt they'd fight as hard and fearlessly for it as I believe Edwards would.

If my third hope fails to float, wishes must once again be modified, and I'll be prepared to hope that whichever of the three current "front-runner" Democrat candidates wins the nomination, also wins the presidential election in November. Any one of them would be an enormous improvement on what the USA has had for the past seven years.

"We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope."(Martin Luther King Jr.)

My last political hope, albeit a forlorn one, is that I'll achieve citizenship in time to register and vote in the November election. Senator Schumer's plan for speeding up the processing of applications by re-appointing retirees to assist (mentioned here) has been approved. There's an outside chance that my last hope may float.

In my re-located chart, the 11th house of hopes and wishes is occupied by Mercury in Capricorn - and it's beginning to look as though writing (Mercury) about them may be the best outcome I can expect !

"Come what may, I am bound to think that all things are ordered for the best; though when the good is a furlong off, and we with our beetle eyes can only see three inches, it takes some confidence in general principles to pull us through".(Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Caucuses, Edwards, Rousseau, Gemini & Cancer

We watched TV coverage of the Iowa caucuses on Thursday evening, I wanted to understand more about this peculiar tradition. It was interesting. But what moved me, and really moved me (to tears), was John Edwards' speech after the results were announced. After hearing him speak, speeches of the other candidates seemed lacklustre, stilted and boring. He won me over. Kucinich wasn't even in the race, and Biden, my other favourite, has now bowed out. What is becoming annoying is that mainstream media is now practically ignoring Edwards - in the way they ignored Kucinich, Biden and the others before Iowa. I find this shocking - Edwards came second, he deserves equal coverage with Clinton and Obama! Bill Moyers on PBC yesterday evening, while analysing Iowa results with an expert, didn't mention Edwards once! John Edwards now seems to me to be America's best hope for real change, but if MSM have their way he'll sink without trace like the rest.

Other astrologers have interpreted Edwards chart in the past, so I'm not going to attempt that. I'd recommend the article about Edwards by Lynn Hayes in her blog about around a year ago.

On Thursday, before watching TV, I'd been working on a post about an artist from 19th century France, Henri Rousseau. When I looked at John Edwards' chart the next day, I remembered Rousseau's. They both have a mixture of Gemini and Cancer in their makeup. Edwards has Uranus close to the ascendant, Rousseau had Neptune. (Click on charts to enlarge. Edwards' is on the left)



I have been wondering whether that combination of Gemini and Cancer is one which has a distinct ability to reach out to people, via a chosen channel or medium. The Moon (ruler of Cancer) is said to represent "the public", Gemini, ruled by Mercury, is the sign of communication of all kinds. Edwards certainly reached out to me on Thursday evening.

So... on to artist Henri Rousseau, born 21 May 1844 in Laval, France. According to Astrotheme he was born at 1am. If this is near accurate it puts Neptune very close to his ascendant. There could hardly be a better placement in the natal chart of this French artist.

His nickname was "Le douanier", the customs officer. He was actually a toll collector at one of Paris's gates, but like everything else about him and his art, a touch of imagination and romaticism edges in. Many of his best known paintings depict exotic jungle scenes. He spread the word that his inspiration came from travels in Mexico, but in truth he had never left France. His inspiration came from museums, botanic gardens and the like. None of this detracts at all from his unique painting style, which comes under the label "naive" or "primitive" - meaning an artist without formal training. Grandma Moses and Beryl Cook are two others from this genre about whom I've written. Although their paintings often lack proportion, perspective and depth, there is something special about them - they seem to live. Could the secret of this be that the artists were so filled with enthusiasm for their subjects, that they acquired a magical ability to convey it to others?

Henri Rousseau's natal Sun, Mercury and Mars all lay in Gemini. Venus and Moon in Cancer. Saturn in the sign of its traditional rulership, Aquarius, along with Neptune which lay in a strong position, just 4 degrees from the Aquarius ascendant (if birth time is correct). Jupiter is in the sign of its traditional ruler, Pisces. A bowl shaped configuration with all planets in one half of the chart, signifies a person with specific and determined focus.

Here are four personal planets in the signs of their modern or traditional rulerships - Mercury/Gemini, Moon/Cancer, Jupiter/Pisces and Saturn/Aquarius.
As I understand it these placements do not actually make the planets' energy stronger, but more pure and true to their inherent nature - unadulterated by other factors. Strength, I believe, comes from a planet being on or close to one of the angles, and here we have Neptune, planet of imagination and dreams on the ascendant -possibly the strongest angle in the chart, personality-wise.

Some of Rousseau's paitings are realistic, but the majority of his best work relies heavily on imagination and inventive ideas.

In spite of some ridicule by contemporaries about his work, Rousseau didn't ever lose faith in himself or his ability as an artist. Nor did he ever try to copy the more sophisticated styles practiced by his peers. He remained supremely confident in his own unique style. Was he deluding (Neptune) himself, or were his bloody-minded Aquarian traits overcoming Gemini mutability? Perhaps this kind of confidence could be one result of having several planets in the signs of their rulerships.

Rousseau died in poverty, but like so many of his fellow-artists, the future brought acclaim. Young artists took inspiration from the work which had been derided during his lifetime. The outstanding factor in Rousseau's chart has to be dreamy imaginative Neptune on the ascendant. One of Rousseau's best known paintings is actually called "The Dream", see below.

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More of this artist's work can be explored via Google Image