IDOL FINAL (continued)

Last night's final performances were interesting, though not the best I've seen from either Kris Allen or Adam Lambert. These two must be worn out both physically and mentally. Adam has the better training and experience to withstand this kind of strain, and is doing so admirably, but Kris, tired as he must be, also stood up to it well. The show seemed rushed, which detracted from the enjoyment; an extra 15 or 20 minutes could have made all the difference.

Adam's first song, a reprise from the season, "Mad World" showed off his flair for drama. Clad in a long black coat, surrounded by mist, he slowly descended the Idol, staircase, singing. The vision, for some reason, reminded me a lot of "V for Vendetta" (though Adam didn't have that hat!) Simon Cowell said it reminded him of "Phantom of the Opera", the other judges thought "Twilight" (not me - the movie!!). Adam's natal Pluto in first house, is being highlighted at present by a trine from the transiting Jupiter/Neptune/Chiron cluster in Aquarius. It came out visibly in that dramatic, rather eerie presentation. Very, very Pluto!

His second song, chosen by the show's creator, Simon Fuller, was "A Change is Gonna Come". It was a knock-out emotional performance. He sang the last line as "My change is gonna come" - I'm not sure if that is in the original lyric, but for last night it fitted so well. The song fit Adam's Aquarian Sun and Mercury too: Aquarius = change. I wonder if Simon Fuller knows astrology?

Adam's third song was a godawful composition co-written by one of the judges (Kara), to be sung by both contestants. No melody, silly words - the title is the only thing going for it: "No Boundaries". Adam did the best he could to breathe life into the dirge, and pleased Kara, at least.



Kris's reprise song was "Ain't No Sunshine". He sang it probably as well as it has ever been sung. His trio of planets in Cancer brought sincerity, heart and sensitivity to the pretty lyrics.

Simon Fuller's pick for Kris: "What's going On" wasn't ever going to have quite the impact of "A Change is Gonna Come", even though it, also, is a socially conscious song. Personally I'd have liked a little more drama here from Kris - this type of song needs hammering home, and Kris isn't a hammerer.

The dreadful "No Boundaries" song was a real challenge for Kris. He seemed to be straining. The judges said it was too high for him. A performance best forgotten, for Kris's sake, and a song best forgotten, for all our sakes!

This morning I read through a few articles and strings of comments about last night's show; putting everything together with our own impressions, it looks as though it'll be a very, very close result. Certainly there'll be no runaway winner.

Experimentally, I pulled out my tarot cards to see if they had an answer as to who will be the winner tonight. I think the cards were teasing me! I drew:
King of Cups/Queen of Coins/Knight of Cups. Two Cups cards (Water) relate more to Kris's Cancer Sun than to Adam's Airy Sun and ascendant. Air is represented by Swords in tarot terms, and there are no Swords there. Coins relate to Fire, and both guys' Moons are in Fire signs. The Moon tonight is in Aries, Adam's Moon is in Aries - is that a good sign? It's not a bad one.

Taking the series as a whole, in my own opinion it's very clear that, if there's any justice, Adam Lambert should win. Even on the evidence of last night's performances alone, Adam should win. But having read what others think, matters become very confused.

It seems that in reality, outside of my own little world, it is TOO CLOSE TO CALL.

I'll add tonight's result here, as an update.


UPDATE

Kris Allen is American Idol 2009.
I should learn to trust my tarot cards!! Yet what about QUEEN!!! Queen of Coins - will Adam finish up fronting Queen when he's free from any ties of Idol's contract?

I loved the Santana segment and the Queen segment - I think they could hear our TV in Oklahoma City, 80 miles away, during those two numbers!

Congratulations to Kris, and congratulations to Adam, who I suspect will be the bigger star in the end - just watch! Both will be fine.
And we have tickets for the American Idol concert in Tulsa in July!! Can't wait to see 'em all, in the flesh!

IDOL's FINAL ROUND - and a wee rant.

Tonight, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen will sing for the title "American Idol of 2009". I've taken a look at their charts to see whether one or other is more favoured by the planets, but first I have to get something off my chest.

In previous posts about Adam Lambert I have deliberately never mentioned sexual orientation - it ain't at all relevant, and his is certainly none of my or any other blogger's, commentator's or journalist's business. Those in higher places, and with more clout, obviously consider it theirs though. Ryan Seacrest and someone called Perez Hilton reportedly discussed it on Seacrest's radio show. If true, this has seriously besmirched my previous admiration of Ryan Seacrest and his professionalism. Bill O'Reilly has had a couple of attempts to stir this pot, and, surprise, surprise, threw religion into the mix as well. Writers and commenters all over blogland just refuse to leave this topic alone.

What's up America? You are supposed, by your own reckoning, to be head and shoulders above and beyond the rest of the world, yet some of you gossip and bitch like schoolkids about such irrelevancies as sexual orientation at the slightest opportunity. This is century 21! Wake the f...k up at the back there!! Some of the stuff I've read could quite easily be construed as sexual harassment!

On a calmer note, this comment from fellow-Brit, and fellow Aquarian is pleasing: Robbie Williams from his myspace blog:

“Adam Lambert is my personal bestest Pop star right now…..If you haven’t been watching American Idol check him out… he’s the real deal in fact if there was a Singing Olympics and the US where sending Michael Buble and Adam Lambert I wouldn’t even try out for the UK team…”

(Michael Buble is actually Canadian, but the thought was there!)

A Jupiter/Neptune conjunction, joined by asteroid Chiron, the mythical Wounded Healer, is above us right now, in the astrological sector of Aquarius. I'll leave it to others to decide what, if any, significance there might be in Chiron's position.(Chiron's glyph looks like a "k" atop "o"). Jupiter and Neptune, together, are saying "dream big!" That's exactly what Adam and Kris are doing.

Below is a chart showing today's transits (where the planets are right now). The chart set for this evening in Hollywood.




The astrology: Both Adam and Kris have planet(s) in Aquarius, though neither has a close connection to the exact degrees where the Jupiter/Neptune/Chiron conjunction now lies. Still, this Aquarian link could speak to how the two guys have made it this far - benign Jupiter, the lucky planet, will have been close to their natal Aquarian planets over past months.

Below is Adam's natal chart. He does have a couple of tricky transits going on just now: Transiting Saturn at 14 Virgo is in irritable quincunx aspect (150*) to his natal Mercury in Aquarius -not a helpful link, especially to his communications planet. This might have something to do with the gossipy scenario mentioned above. Transiting Mars at 21 Aries lies opposite his natal Saturn and Mars in Libra - this could either lend energy (Mars) and stability (Saturn) tonight, or something less helpful. That opposition certainly smacks of keen competition.





In Kris's chart, a 12 noon version below, comparing with the transit chart showing today's positions: transiting Saturn at 14 Virgo is in helpful trine to Kris's natal Venus (planet of the art and music)at 14 Taurus. That will be good for Kris. Transiting Pluto at 2 Capricorn is sextile natal Pluto at 2 Scorpio and conjunct natal Neptune at 2 Capricorn - but these are a generational aspects, affecting a whole age group; still though, these are much better than challenging aspects at this point.



Kris will need all the help from the planets that he can get, because Adam is a huge, flamboyant natural talent, while he, Kris, is quieter, his style more subtle.

Adam, too, could use some help from above, to counteract adverse gossipy publicity. I've been among Adam's supporters from the start. He is the most talented, versatile and charismatic singer I've seen on any talent show, here or in the UK - and I've seen a lot of talent shows! Until the past few days I've felt confident he'd be the winner. Now though, I'm not quite as confident. Talent and charisma aren't always enough to impress those with small minds.

It'll be close. The result will be announced tomorrow evening during the finale, when several well-known performers will also be on the bill....Lionel Richie, Carlos Santana, Cyndi Lauper, Queen Latifah, Black Eyed Peas, Keith Urban, Jason Mraz and previous "Idol" winner David Cook.

It's reported that Kris and Adam have become firm friends, their families are supportive of both their own son and each others' sons. That is so good to know. I doubt that either contestant will begrudge the other's win, and both will have careers previously beyond their wildest dreams, whatever the outcome.

It's pure Jupiter/Neptune!

HANKS & HOWARD - "filling crannies".

Tom Hanks and Ron Howard appeared together, chatting with Larry King on his TV show last week. Ron Howard has directed current release "Angels and Demons", as well as earlier movies with Tom Hanks in the leading role: "Splash", "Cocoon", "Apollo 13", & "The Da Vinci Code". I was tickled by a remark from Tom Hanks who, when asked by King why he thought that his actor/director collaboration with Ron Howard was so successful, responded with: "we fill each other's crannies". When someone with an interest in astrology hears such a remark, thoughts immediately fly to natal charts. Mine did.



Here are the two charts, with data from Astrodatabank.

Ron Howard born 1 March 1954 at 9.03 am - and in Duncan, Oklahoma not far from where I'm sitting - who knew?




Tom Hanks born on 9 July 1956 at 11.17 am in Concord, California.




Straight off, even without the benefit of seeing charts, there's the link of Suns in Water signs, Pisces and Cancer; and a generational similarity - 2 years between them. That doesn't speak to "filling each other's crannies" though. That speaks to a general compatibility.

Both men have Grand Trines in Water signs - more compatibility. Water emphasises emotionality, compassion, imagination, insight, and artistry.

Crannies?

Tom has the extra Leo input from Moon and Uranus. He's quite at home on the stage and in the limelight, in fact he revels in it. Ron has a more serious Capricorn Moon, though he does have experience of being in the limelight himself, in his younger years (he played Opie in "The Andy Griffiths Show", and The Fonz's friend in "Happy Days"). Apparently, in maturity, Ron prefers to be behind, instead of in front of the camera. His Capricorn Moon is conjunct North Node of the Moon as well as being close to midheaven, the career sector of the natal chart. This adds importance to the Moon's placement and to serious, business-savvy Capricorn in his public persona.

Tom has Venus in Gemini close to his midheaven, something which manifests clearly when he appears on chat shows. He's gregarious, funny, very chatty, always entertaining. Ron Howard comes over as much more subdued.

Ron's rising sign is Aries - the leader. To be a director in the cut-throat movie game one needs extreme confidence, energy and leadership skills - here they are.

Tom Hanks has directed movies too. His Leo planets are helpful for that aspect of his career, Leo is a leader also, as well as loving to ham it up in the limelight.



Tom's Virgo ascendant seems quiet, but not to forget that Virgo is ruled by Mercury the commuicator. Virgo is the more discerning and discriminating side of Mercury, while Tom's Gemini midheaven lets loose his wilder side. He has an ideal combination for an actor, I think: Leo, Virgo, Gemini prominent, in combination with sensitive Watery Cancer.

So can we see the crannies filling? You know, the crannies are not particularly wide - they certainly aren't canyons! Both men can do each other's jobs, and have done so. Tom the director, Ron the actor. I'd say the biggest small cranny there might be between them is filled by Tom Hanks' limelight-loving Leo bits.

Noblesse Oblige ? Are you kidding?

Fellow-blogger, R.J. Adams of Sparrow Chat, has done me the honor of presenting me with a "Noblesse Oblige" award. It's very gratifying when a guy as talented as RJ considers me worthy of an award which someone has also presented to him! Paul Simon's lyrics spring to mind: "I would not be convicted by a jury of my peers...." -or at least by a jury of one of 'em! RJ and I would probably find it hard to consider ourselves very "noblesse" (i.e. possessors of nobility), socialistic left-wingers that we are. But that's splitting aristocratic hairs.

This genteel award doesn't come free. There's no such thing as a free lunch, or a free award! I am obliged, by the terms of the award, to comply with the following:

1. -Create a Post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award.

2. -The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post.

3. -Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older posts to support.

4. -The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions.

5. -Blogger must display the Award at any location at the Blog.

The first requirement has been complied with. Second requirement: to show Award conditions (presumably so that readers can see what the award is all about):


Noblesse Oblige award is for the following:

The Blogger who manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervade amongst different cultures and beliefs.

The Blog contents inspire; strive to encourage and offer solutions.

There is a clear purpose to the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding of Social, Political, Economic, Arts, Culture and Sciences and Beliefs.

The Blog is refreshing and creative.

The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.

Well, on a good day, and with a following wind, I might manage to rise to a couple of those challenges - but all at once - a tall order! Let's just say I'm taking this as a carrot to urge me on to do better. Maybe once in a very blue moon I'll have a "Bingo!" moment and manage to check all of the boxes above.

For the award's third requirement, my thinking cap needs to be firmly in place:..."a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older posts to support."

I opened this blog in the Fall of 2006. At the back of my mind was a vague notion of writing about astrology, but in a style which might appeal to people who know nothing much about the subject, as well as to some who do know the basics. It was an extension of my girlhood fantasy. I'd wanted to be a journalist, writing articles for magazines.

A bog-standard Blogger template sufficed as a start. Later I learned how to customize it to its current style. Slowly gathering confidence, I registered the blog on a few networking sites; soon some established astrology bloggers kindly lent me their support.

Fantasy turning to reality?

Then came statistics software. "This'll be useful(not)", I told myself, "how difficult is it to count to four?" After a while daily blog statistics began to climb, but painfully slowly. On a very good day the blog would rack up 40 hits. I'm guessing that Google gathered up Learning Curve on the Ecliptic around this time. A sudden spurt of hits hauled numbers above 100, occasionally to 200 some days. I don't, and didn't, pretend that every "hit" equals a reader, but if 5% or 10%of hits represent readers, I'm more than happy within my fantasy, and look upon it as an achievement of sorts.

It's hard to say exactly "what the blog has thus far achieved", other than in statistical terms which, when you get right down to it, is fairly meaningless. In terms of my own satisfaction, I'm satisfied. Some kind commenters have indicated that they've enjoyed what I've written. The blog has achieved that much.

A further surprising statistical spurt came from what has turned out to be my most visited post of all: "Are We Human or are We Dancer". It's a post about a song. There's a stray mention of astrology in it, but it's not really about astrology. That post alone continued to garner upwards of a hundred visits a day for many weeks, and still, even after more than 6 months, brings in over 30 a day and the occasional comment. The post comes up on Google second only to Wikipedia's entry about the song.

A lucky break indeed!

Blog statistics are now on a gently descending curve, as visits to the "Human" post decrease. Numbers remain well-boosted by other Google searches though, which is pleasing.

Two tasks remain: To display the award - it'll remain permanently in the sidebar.

And...finally, I have to award "Noblesse Oblige" to one or more bloggers of my choice.

This is the part I really shy away from. I dislike singling out one or two from a body of people who all do such terrific jobs, and are unpaid at that! With the "unpaid" bit in mind, I'm nominating only non-professionals. I do enjoy reading blogs written by professionals, of any ilk, but for this particular purpose I'm sticking with non-professionals. I like to think that blogs originated to give anybody and everybody their chance to write, and show off a bit; professional astrologers already had that chance.

Without more ado, I'm offering this award to two astrology bloggers whose blogs fit the award requirements. Whether the two bloggers decide to participate fully in the "Noblesse" scheme is entirely up to them. I'm implying no obligation whatsoever, and offer it with sincere admiration.

GEMINI and... Blog
Out the Comet's Ass Blog

Arty-Farty Friday - Celebrity Art

Grace Slick and Jane Seymour

Another pair of celeb artists, female this time. Grace Slick and Jane Seymour. Two quite different characters with very different styles.
(Long piece, so it's for Friday & Saturday.)

A lengthy career in TV drama and movies, from 1969 onward, has made Jane Seymour a recognisable face on both sides of the Atlantic, and in other parts of the world too. Best known for her roles as Bond Girl in "Live and Let Die"; Dr. Quinn in the successful TV series; and her leading role in the mini-series "War and Remembrance", as well as numerous lesser known roles.


British born, honored by the Queen with an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1999, became a US citizen in 2005. She is a celebrity ambassador for the non-profit organization Childhelp. In December, 2008, she was honored by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation in a ceremony in Los Angeles for her work with people with disabilities. She currently resides in Malibu, California with her husband and twin boys.

It was after a challenging period in her life that Ms Seymour began to paint as part of a healing process -some 10 years ago. Her style is soft, sentimental and traditional.



Jane Seymour born 15 February 1951 in Hayes, London, UK. No time available, 12 noon chart below.



Sun and Mercury in Aquarius, with 3 personal planets and north Node of the Moon in Pisces. That Watery Pisces trio and her Sun's ruler, Uranus, in Watery Cancer could account for her penchant for painting romantic and sentimental scenes of the sea, beach, even a fish !

Without knowing her time of birth her rising sign and degree of Moon remain a mystery, but Moon would be in Gemini, and probably forming part of a Grand Trine in Air with Sun and Neptune (Aquarius and Libra respectively). The Grand Trine indicates an easy, harmonious blending of Airy attributes - mental adroitness, charm and social graces.

I wonder if Ms Seymour has Cancer rising? Her charity work for children, and the subject matter of some of her paintings seems rather Moonly, sweet and motherly to me.

PEACE by Jane Seymour



RED RIBBON by Jane Seymour




MOTHER & CHILD on the BEACH by Jane Seymour




KOI by Jane Seymour








Grace Slick joined the rock band The Great Society in 1965, later she became lead vocalist for Jefferson Airplane with songs such as 'White Rabbit' and 'Somebody to Love' . Through the next 20 years, Grace participated in several incarnations of the band including The Jefferson Starship, Starship and several solo albums. Grace retired from Rock and Roll in 1989 and began a new career in the visual arts in the mid 90's. Her first show was in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in 2000. Since then she has had over 30 exhibits and is represented by some of the best galleries in the US. (Here)





There were quite a few dramas and encounters with The Law during the musical portion of Ms Slick's career.

"Slick and Tricia Nixon, former President Richard Nixon's daughter, are both alumni of Finch College. Grace was invited to a tea party for the alumni at the White House in 1969. She invited the political activist Abbie Hoffman to be her escort, and planned to spike President Richard Nixon's tea with LSD. The plan was thwarted when they were prevented from entering after being recognized by White House security personnel.

While Slick was involved in several run-ins with the law while a part of Jefferson Airplane, she was arrested individually at least three times for what she has referred to as "TUI" ("Talking Under the Influence") and "Drunk Mouth". While technically the charges were DUI, the three arrests mentioned in her autobiography occurred when she was not actually inside a vehicle."

Grace Slick's style and subject matter are quite different from Jane Seymour's. Ms Slick often portrays some of her musical colleagues, and fantasy scenes from songs which made her famous. Her style is kind of "primitive", yet adept, not traditional yet not exactly abstract.

Born 30 October 1939 in Evanston Illinois at 7.37am (Astrodatabank)




Sun, Venus, Mercury and ascendant in Scorpio. Uranus exactly opposing Venus, from Taurus, and harmoniously trining Neptune in Virgo. Moon in Gemini. That's a lot of dark and heavy, intense passionate determination from Scorpio, lightened somewhat by sociable and versatile Gemini Moon. Uranus trining Neptune opposing Venus, Neptune sextiling Venus puts a two-way pull on Venus, delicate planet of the arts. Unruly Uranus is almost certainly involved in the daredevil antics which resulted in those early brushes with the law. Neptune (planet of creativity and imagination) has helpful links to Venus and Uranus, and connection to Ms Slick's music as well as her painting. There's more potential irritability as Mars in Aquarius squares (90*) Aquarius' ruler, Uranus; and Saturn in Aries lies quincunx (150* scratchy aspect) Mercury in Scorpio.

I suspect that Grace Slick has mellowed and matured a lot - she's in her 70th year now. She has no doubt learned to control and use her challenging natal aspects, putting them to very good use in her current artistic endeavours.


LIVERPOOL LENNON by Grace Slick




JOLLY ROCKER by Grace Slick



HER MISTRESS' VOICE by Grace Slick



JANIS WOOD NYMPH by Grace Slick



MORE EXAMPLES of the artwork of Jane Seymour and Grace Slick can be seen at these links, and via Google Image.

Neptunian Songs

Most well-known songs have lyrics with an immediately obvious, non-adaptable meaning, but there are a few oddities which act in a similar way to abstract art, leaving interpretation open to the observer/listener. It's the second kind I'm concentrating on here, calling them Neptunian songs. Neptune is traditionally accepted as planet of mist, fog, imagination, dreams and visions.

Three such songs spring to mind: "Come Together" written by John Lennon; "One" by Bono; and Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale". The lyrics of each are open to several interpretations, shrouded in Neptunian mist, with strange, seemingly out of place references, using words almost as musical notes or vessels of rhythm (which is, I guess, the secondary purpose of words in art).

John Lennon had Neptune conjunct Mars trining Moon and Uranus in his natal chart, which means that Neptune was well-harnessed within his nature; Uranus added a touch (often more than a touch) of obtuseness and intentional nonsense to his lyrics. There have been dozens of theories about the meaning of the peculiar picture painted by his lyrics in "Come Together": drug-related; Jesus-related; Paul was dead; pen- portraits of each of the Beatles; John's dream of seeing himself in a coffin as people filed by to look at him. I prefer the last of those. John said, in interview, that the song is simply "gobbledy-gook". I'm sure it was, up to a point, but I'd guess that it contains some in-jokes and reference known only to the Beatles - "toe jam football", "walrus gum boots", "mojo filter", for instance. Anyway it's a catchy tune with hypnotic rhythm, lyrics are secondary in this abstract painting of a song, "colors" are everything.

Here come old flattop he come grooving up slowly
He got joo-joo eyeball he one holy roller
He got hair down to his knee
Got to be a joker he just do what he please

He wear no shoeshine he got toe-jam football
He got monkey finger he shoot coca-cola
He say "I know you, you know me"
One thing I can tell you is you got to be free
Come together right now over me

He bag production he got walrus gumboot
He got Ono sideboard he one spinal cracker
He got feet down below his knee
Hold you in his armchair you can feel his disease
Come together right now over me

He roller-coaster he got early warning
He got muddy water he one mojo filter
He say "One and one and one is three"
Got to be good-looking 'cause he's so hard to see
Come together right now over me

Bono penned the lyrics of "One". There are a few conflicting ideas about its meaning. In Bono's natal chart foggy Neptune is conjunct Moon and exactly opposite Venus (planet of music and art) and Mercury (planet of writing and communication). Again, as with Lennon, the foggy planet is harnessed to personal planets. It's not surprising that Bono managed to write an abstract painting of a song, whether intentionally or not. Theories about the song's meaning range from: it's a song about the break-up of a relationship (lovers, friends, partners, parents); a conflict between a gay person and their parent; a song about Jesus (why do all lyrics have to be about Jesus for some listeners?) Others assume it's a song about one-ness in the world - a wider view of one-ness than just a self-centered whinge about relationship breaking up. I'd go along with the latter, if it weren't for some references to the contrary.

Is it getting better
Or do you feel the same
Will it make it easier on you now
You got someone to blame
You say...

One love
One life
When it's one need
In the night
One love
We get to share it
Leaves you baby if you
Don't care for it

Did I disappoint you
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without
Well it's...

Too late
Tonight
To drag the past out into the light
We're one, but we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Carry each other
One...
Have you come here for forgiveness
Have you come to raise the dead
Have you come here to play Jesus
To the lepers in your head

Did I ask too much
More than a lot
You gave me nothing
Now it's all I got
We're one
But we're not the same
Well we
Hurt each other
Then we do it again
You say
Love is a temple
Love a higher law
Love is a temple
Love the higher law
You ask me to enter
But then you make me crawl
And I can't be holding on
To what you got
When all you got is hurt
One love
One blood
One life
You got to do what you should
One life
With each other
Sisters
Brothers
One life
But we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Carry each other

One...life

One

"Whiter Shade of Pale" is so beyond interpretation that it's amazing anyone has even attempted to make sense of it. It is the classic Neptunian song. Unfortunately I'm not aware of its writers' astrology. Literary and historical motifs abound here, suggesting dreamy visions with no hint of logic. Truly, truly Neptunian. I've always loved it.

We skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kind of seasick
The crowd called out for more
And the room was hummin' harder
As the ceiling flew away
And when we called outfor another drink
But the waiter brought a tray

And so it was later
As the miller told his tale
That her face at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale.

You said: "There is no reason,
And the truth is plain to see."
But I wander through my playin' cards
Would not let him be
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast
And although my eyes were open
They might just as well been closed

And so it was later
As the miller told his tale
That her face at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale.
A whiter shade of pale
Turned a whiter shade of pale
A whiter shade of pale

By the way, there's a good example of another Neptunian song already discussed on this blog - "Human" written by Brandon Flowers of The Killers. Chat about possible meanings has continued for some time, here and elsewhere.

Indigo? Going....gone?

I haven't read much about so-called Indigo children lately. What happened? Did that cash-cow dry up for authors and film-makers? It was an engaging concept, though, one I'd really like to have believed in.

I've had the article, from which the following excerpt is taken, in my Favourites file for years. I like the connection to the outer planetary positions, as mentioned below. And yet, child prodigies of various kinds have popped up here and there throughout history without the aid of peculiar outer planetary line-ups, and without causing much of a stir. There have always been hyper-active kids, driven by a combination of diet too high in sugar, and the natal chart they were born with. Where Indigo children were supposed to differ from the not-so-common-and-garden child prodigy was in their aptitude for some kind of psychic ability.

Perhaps it's still far too early to be reading news of fantastic feats performed by the Indigo youngsters. I'd have thought that something special would have emerged by now though, if these kids are as unusual as has been put forward.

From
Indigo Children: The Birth Charts of Indigo Children
By Mary English DSH

In September 1977 the major planets had moved into the following signs:
First indigo date
Nep-13 degrees Sag,
Uranus-9 degrees Scorpio
Pluto-14 degrees Libra
Sun-21 degrees Virgo
Saturn-24 degrees Leo
Jupiter-3 degrees Cancer

As you will notice, all the signs follow each other. This was when the first Indigos began to be born. These are the early Indigos and the heavy planets are close, but in separate signs. By 1981 the first conjunction occurs, with Saturn, Pluto and Jupiter in Libra. By 1983 Jupiter has caught up with Uranus in Sagittarius. In 1989 Uranus, Saturn and Neptune are all in the signs of Capricorn.

Now - what if you were born at this time and all your personal planets were in these same signs? What would make you different (or the same) as others?

First of all, you would be very focused in certain areas. You'd know how to operate the Playstation, but you might have problems tying your shoelaces or remembering to wipe your feet... Your chart shape would be called a 'Bundle', or a 'Bowl', and you would have interests that would definitely need to be expressed otherwise problems would occur.

In my practice I have noticed that Indigo Children have birth charts that are rather unique. All their planets are located on one side of the chart, i.e. six houses or less (out of twelve) are occupied and six (or more) are empty, meaning that their energies are strong in certain areas, and non-existent in others.

In 'The Bowl' shape, all the planets are concentrated within one half of the chart. Reflecting the shape of this pattern, 'Bowl' types are said to be immensely self-contained and resourceful, but they also tend to be 'one-sided', so their life's challenge is to integrate the empty half of the chart.

The 'Bundle' shape is rare, and reflects a narrowness of vision and experience. 'Bundle' types tend to channel their energies into issues related to the occupied section at the expense of the rest of their chart. This shape describes the specialist in his or her field, or, negatively, the obsessive personality. And because a 'Bundle' chart has no oppositions, the person whose chart it is, will have more difficulty seeing things from others' perspectives, unless those 'other's' are fellow Indigos.

A 'Bundle', or 'Cluster',' is not an especially rare shape; 30% of my clients have this configuration. What is rare, however, is having Neptune and Uranus conjunct (in the same sign). This only ever happens in the sign of Capricorn and last happened in 1827 (before that in 1657) and will next occur in 2157.
From 1978-1989 the bundle of planets stayed together, various outer planets moved a little and at certain times of each year, personal planets clustered with the biggies.

So, what does a cluster feel like? What does it look like from the outside? And what do cluster charts have that Splays or Grand Trines do not?
From my observations, clusters have an intensity as well as a complete and natural understanding of their peer group and their generation. We all know what it feels like to be out on a limb and not recognised by others. The child born at the wrong time, in the wrong place, and the wrong era really. Well, Indigos don't suffer that. They were born in exactly the right year/month/day location. We all choose our parents in the planning stage before we were born, and maybe Indigos are a little more astute at doing this.

Indigos understand fashion, latest gadgets, popular music, popular TV soaps/programmes. They know what is 'cool' and what is not. Why? Because their outer planets are all together with their personal planets. They're not usually interested in history or old out-dated ideas. (God forbid that they should like folk music!)

IDOL STARSHINE

Excitement is building, at least it is here, Chez Twilight.

The semi-final of American Idol airs tonight. It has been pretty obvious for many weeks that Adam Lambert has "STAR" written all over him. It's hard to imagine either of the other two semi-finalists, good as they are, beating him. But then, this is Idol, and not the real world. I can never understand, by the way, why some people look on American Idol as "Reality TV". It's not - it's a talent show, and what it offers to winners, if they are good enough, is a lifestyle far removed from reality.



Another of the semi-finalists, Danny Gokey or Kris Allen will likely be relegated to third place after tonight's show - unless the unthinkable happens. To lose his front-runner status, Adam would have to really mess up, catch swine 'flu or fall through that dramatic staircase, as the show's stage manager, Debbie Williams did a couple of weeks ago. And yet -
the voting public has the last word. Danny has a big church-related fan base, Kris is adored by the tweeny gals who vote, and vote multiple times. Nothing is certain.


I'm a fierce Adam fan. I care not a jot that I'm old enough to be his grandmother, and I suspect that even I am not his oldest fan. He appeals to all age groups. There's a sweet video (embedded below) featuring what must surely be his youngest fan. Just this morning I logged on and found a new comment on an old post of mine about Adam, from someone who says they are "obsessed" with him. He seems to have this effect on people. As well as his outstanding vocal abilities he has such visual attraction when he performs. His musical theater background is paying dividends here. As well as having huge potential as a recording star, he'd be great in movies, music videos, or on Broadway. When was the last time somebody with this combination of talents came on the scene?

I've scoured Adam's natal chart for a hint of what might happen tonight. I'd say that the signs are good. Here it is, with today's transits on the outer ring (click on it to enlarge).



The current Jupiter/Neptune conjunction in Aquarius, his Sun and Mercury sign, must surely be helpful to him, especially as they are in harmonious trine to the Libra planets in his first house. Next week the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction will be exact, just as the finale airs!

Transiting Venus (planet of music and the arts)is at present right over Adam's natal Moon in Aries. I might be a wee bit out with his estimated time of birth (he has said he has Libra rising) but transiting Venus would still be very close to his Moon, whatever the exact birth time.

It's looking good! The teeny-tiny Adam fan, below agrees. She's totally entranced by her idol.

Seth (Family Guy) MacFarlane

Seth MacFarlane appeared as a guest on Bill Maher's "Real Time" on Friday night. He's an animator, composer, writer, producer, actor and voice actor, best known for creating the animated sitcoms "Family Guy" and "American Dad", for which he also voices many of the characters: Peter Griffin, Stewie Griffin, Brian Griffin, Glenn Quagmire and many additional characters.

Multi-talented? I guess so!

We watch "Family Guy" repeats quite often, The series has now come to an end, but repeats go on for ever in the USA. Stewie's Rex-Harrison-type English accent is a hoot. The humor and satire in the episodes often hovers around the border of acceptable and not acceptable, this is just part of its charm. Later seasons of the show seem to get more and more risque, certainly not fare for faint-hearted, strait-laced religiously oriented mortals.






When Seth MacFarlane appeared recently in a TV commercial, for HULU, and lapsed into the Stewie accent, I was completely taken aback. I'd felt convinced that some retired English actor from the West End stage was responsible for Stewie's lines.

Astrologically, I'd been expecting to see versatile Gemini (often a great mimic) featuring strongly in Seth MacFarlane's natal chart. I was wrong - unless Gemini is his rising sign (which can't be established without a time of birth). The chart below is set for 12 noon on his birth date: 26 October, 1973, Kent, Connecticut.





Just as MacFarlane has a surprising combination of talents, this chart has a surprising combination of Yods, aka Fingers of Fate. (A Yod is a planetary configuration made up of two planets in sextile aspect (60*), both linked to another planet via quincunx (150*), forming a sharp arrow-like shape.

Astrologers consider that these formations are reflected in the personality by the characteristics of the sextiled and harmonious planets blending and being channelled through the planet at the apex, via its own characteristics. A complex concept!






There are three Yods in this chart (as shown). That's fairly rare, I'd say. The Yods are themselves linked too, by Neptune forming part of each one.

Saturn/Mars~apex at Neptune = work/career/energy channelled via imagination and creativity.
Neptune/Jupiter ~ apex at Saturn = Imagination/exaggeration channelled via career and work (almost the mirror image of the previous Yod).
Neptune/Pluto ~ apex at Mars = Imagination/Passion/Darkness channelled via enthusiasm and energy.
The planets involved are exactly right for describing what Seth's career has turned out to be.

MacFarlane needed lots of energy and strong work ethic to get his projects off the ground and accepted by a primetime TV channel. These attributes comes via Saturn and Mars in the Yod configurations. His oddball characters are product of his Neptune links with a splash of Jupiter's excess. Pluto's appearance in one Yod, sextiling Neptune reflects the occasional satirical darkness of some of his storylines.


In general, apart from the trio of Yods, He's a Scorpio/Sagittarius type - intense yet with an outgoing enthusiasm for life and fun. I think he looks Sagittarian.


There are close square (90*) aspects in his chart: Sun to Jupiter to Mars, linked by the resulting opposition Sun to Mars which makes up yet another triangular configuration known as the T-Square. In this case the configuration links his core self (Sun) and two other planets in Fixed signs, bringing in an element of stubbornness and determination to add to the tension indicated by a T-square formation. But this formation does provide a special kind of dynamic tension - that which is is so often a pre-requsite for success.

In a lengthy and interesting interview at IGN.com (here) Seth MacFarlane admits that he was stubborn and determined about keeping to his initial vision when Family Guy first came to the TV screen. He was unwilling to delegate much to his team at first, but said that he later eased into trusting his team and loosening the reins. This connects to his Fixed and controlling Scorpio planets easing under the influence of his Mutable Sagittarius planets (Venus and Neptune).

MACFARLANE: When Family Guy started as a series, I was very, very controlling....... out of sheer paranoia, because all of our writers had come off of live-action sitcoms. My first thought was, "Oh God, these people have never written for animation before." And really, by the end of the series, I could not have come to a more opposite viewpoint. It got to the point where you just rely on these people. Really, what I found was that good writers are good writers.