John Adams & Hillary Clinton

We're watching the HBO series "John Adams". The subject matter didn't appeal initially, but as I need to learn a little American history for my upcoming citizenship interview and civics test I decided that watching this drama could be helpful. Amazingly I'm completely hooked, after three or four episodes. I'm not sure whether it's down to the excellent production, the feel of authenticity, brilliant portrayals by talented actors, or just the truly fascinating story of the birth of the USA.

John Adams was the second president of the USA, coming after George Washington.

After peeking at the natal charts of John Adams and his wife, Abigail. Something clicked! Surely Hillary Clinton's chart contains some similarities to one of these, I thought.



John Adams born 30 October 1735, Quincy, Massachusetts (12 noon -unknown birthtime)

Hillary Clinton born 26 October 1947, Chicago, Illinois (8.02 am)

Closer inspection reveals interesting similarities:

Hillary Clinton's natal Sun is at 2 Scorpio, John Adams' at 6 Scorpio
Venus is at 16 Scorpio in both cases
Hillary Clinton's Mercury is at 28 Scorpio, John Adams' at 21 Scorpio

Those positions, of three of the most personal of planets, Sun/Mercury/Venus are so similar ! I'm not suggesting that this is an omen - I wouldn't dare bring down the wrath of Obamaphiles upon my blog! (Wink) I do like finding stuff like this though, and these charts are 212 years apart ! It keeps on underlining the fact that "something is happening here, but I don't know what it is" (do I, Mr. Jones?)

There are clear differences too, of course. The Moon's position is an important one. John Adams' birth time isn't known. If here were born before 10pm his natal moon would have been in Aries, after 10pm, in Taurus. Hillary Clinton's Moon, if her time of birth is correct, is in Pisces. From the portrayal of John Adams on screen I'd find it difficult to choose between Aries and Taurus Moon. On balance Taurus well suits his dogged determination, and his down to earth-ness. Hillary Clinton's Pisces Moon remains fairly well hidden from her public, but the fact that it's there indicates a deep compassion and sensitivity, far removed from the hard-nosed image she has gained in some quarters.




John and Abigail Adams (Abigail born 11 November 1744, Weymouth Massachusetts) both had heavy Scorpio influence in their charts, but John's matches Hillary's more closely. Abigail's Scorpio Sun was exactly conjunct Scorpio's ruler, Pluto - no wonder she seemed to have such power, even in those days, long before female emancipation!

Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney play the parts of John and Abigail in the HBO series.


Trailer for the TV series:

Idol Suns

American Idol has winnowed its contestants to 9 already, the three I mentioned back in February (here) have all survived thus far. Last week the singers had to choose a song from the year of their birth so I now have a list of birthdays. I still haven't found all their places of birth, but a list of their Sun signs will tell a small amount. There are three with Sun in Capricorn, two in Virgo, an Aries Sun, a Sagittarius Sun, a Gemini Sun and a Libra Sun, as listed below.

Pluto has moved into Capricorn recently, it will retrograde back into late Sagittarius this summer - probably after the winner of American Idol has been decided. With three Sun Capricorns and a late Sagittarian here I wonder whether Pluto's transformational influence might help or hinder those singers. So far Pluto seems to be doing good, three of those four are doing very well indeed in the judges' estimation. Saturn is currently transiting Virgo, which may be significant for the 2 Virgoans, inclining them to make efforts above and beyond normal.

My own pick of the bunch is Michael Johns (the Libran), but the two Davids are close contenders too.

Jason Castro 25 March 1987 ~~~ ARIES

Brooke White 2 June 1983 ~~~GEMINI

Ramielle Mulabay 6 September 1987 ~ VIRGO

Carly Smithson `12 September 1983 ~~ VIRGO

Michael Johns 20 October 1978 ~~~LIBRA

David Cook 20 December 1982 ~~~ SAGITTARIUS

David Archuleta 28 December 1990 ~~ CAPRICORN

Syesha Mercado 2 January 1987 ~~~ CAPRICORN

Kristy Lee Cook 18 January 1984 ~~~ CAPRICORN



Left to right back: Ramielle, Jason, Brooke, Michael, Carly, Kristy
Left to right front: David A., David C., & Syesha. (The guy at front-center, Chikesie, was eliminated last week, another will be voted out tonight.)

Different Drummer

Purely on a whim I took a look at the natal charts of two of Hillary Clinton's best-known supporters, Maya Angelou (famous American poet) and Ed Rendell (Governor of Pennsylvania). I wondered whether they might reveal something in common with my own chart, and that of Hillary Clinton. Something which might account for our being drawn to Hillary Clinton's candidacy, against the tide of Obama-mania, some harmonious astrological connection.

Back in Britain I was a loyal supporter of the Labour Party (pre-Tony Blair). Labour used to be a long step to the left of USA's Democratic Party. The sad demise of candidacies I saw as being of the true left here in the USA, those of Dennis Kucinich and John Edwards, left a narrow choice between Obama and Clinton. Most acquaintances on-line and off, Brits and Americans, seem to prefer Barack Obama. Writers and commenters on websites and TV channels I used to frequent are no longer on my wavelength, and "in the tank" for Obama. This has been a disconcerting experience, I am badly out of step, for I much prefer Hillary Clinton's candidacy.

So - back to the astrology:

Maya Angelou (chart on left) was born in St Louis MO on 4 April 1928 at 2.10 PM
Ed Rendell was born on 5 January 1944 in New York City, NY. (12 noon chart below).
Click to enlarge.



Without even looking at the charts I'd know that these two individuals, though basically different, fueled by natal Suns in Cardinal signs, Aries and Capricorn, are likely to be initiators, enthusiastic and ambitious, but in vastly different ways. Maya Angelou has no planets in Earth signs, though her midheaven is in Taurus, Ed Rendell has none in Water signs. Maya's poetry needs little support from Earthy planets, Ed's political talents need little input from emotional Water.

There are similarities too. Ed Rendell's Jupiter is in exactly the same degree as Maya Angelou's Neptune, 26 Leo. Maya's Neptune is just 3 degrees from her ascendant. Jupiter is connected to law, Neptune to creativity and poetry, so inspiration could said to be sourced from the same degree of the zodiac in both cases - interesting! Going further with 26 Leo, Marc Edmund Jones' interpretation of this degree via his Sabian Symbols is "a rainbow".

Comparing these two charts, my own, and that of Hillary Clinton, I find that there are links around 21 Capricorn, Scorpio and Pisces:

Ed Rendell and myself share Mercury at 21 Capricorn, which is sextile to Hillary Clinton's Mercury at 21 Scorpio. Angelou's Mercury/Venus at 20/21 Pisces is close to Clinton's Moon at 22.51 Pisces and trine Clinton's Mercury at 21 Scorpio.

And:

Rendell's Sun at 14 Capricorn sextiles Clinton's Venus at 15 Scorpio.

My natal Saturn at 12.55 Aries, and Angelou's natal Sun at 14 Aries trine Clinton's Mars at 14 Leo.

My natal Jupiter at 6 Pisces trines Clinton's Sun at 2 Scorpio, and my natal Mars at 28 Scorpio is close to Clinton's Mercury at 21 Scorpio.

Are these aspects and common degrees some of the reasons I, along with Maya Angelou and Ed Rendell, are marching to a different drummer from all those wildly enthusiastic Obama supporters? Perhaps so. Or perhaps it's just that Hillary Clinton IS the better candidate!

Maya’s recent poem for Hillary:

Rise Hillary Rise.

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

This is not the first time you have seen Hillary Clinton seemingly at her wits end, but she has always risen, always risen, much to the dismay of her adversaries and the delight of her friends.

Hillary Clinton will not give up on you and all she asks of you is that you do not give up on her.

There is a world of difference between being a woman and being an old female. If you’re born a girl, grow up, and live long enough, you can become an old female. But, to become a woman is a serious matter. A woman takes responsibility for the time she takes up and the space she occupies.

Hillary Clinton is a woman. She has been there and done that and has still risen. She is in this race for the long haul. She intends to make a difference in our country.

She is the prayer of every woman and man who long for fair play, healthy families, good schools, and a balanced economy.

She declares she wants to see more smiles in the families, more courtesies between men and women, more honesty in the marketplace. Hillary Clinton intends to help our country to what it can become.

She means to rise.

She means to help our country rise. Don’t give up on her, ever.

In fact, if you help her to rise, you will rise with her and help her make this country a wonderful, wonderful place where every man and every woman can live freely without sanctimonious piety, without crippling fear.

Rise Hillary.

Rise.
**********************************

...............or else (here)

Home Again

I'm back in the saddle again after a very pleasant trip to Taos, New Mexico. Astrologically, the only thing I have to report from the trip is that, sadly, we were there a few days too early for a workshop held by author of "Cosmos and Psyche", Richard Tarnas. The workshop, titled "Planets and the Birth Imprint", will take place on 6 April. It appears to be somewhat connected to "The Birth Imprint" theme for the 8th Annual HDP Symposium (Association of Human Design Practitioners), being held in Taos 3 to 6 April. The announcement says "He (Richard Tarnas) is an inspiring speaker and uses great music to experientially evoke the energies of planetary archetypes." Sounds interesting. Not for the first time I was in the right place at the wrong time - astrology-wise.

Even in the lovely town of Taos we couldn't escape politics:



And we walked around a lot leading to this:



Nice mural:



Around the galleries, both in Taos and in small outlying villages, the variety and volume of local creativity and talent is truly amazing. As I said to one artist/gallery owner, "I don't often wish to be rich - only when I see work like this." Some artwork is priced in tens of thousands of dollars. We did wonder just who buys at such prices, in the current financial climate. Luckily it's all free - as eye candy.

(Photos by the husband)

New Clothes

The people of the USA will, later this year, decide into whose safe keeping they will entrust the country, and possibly the world, for the next four years. Will it be a Sun Leo, Sun Scorpio or Sun Virgo?

In basic Sun sign terms, I guess the Scorpion could sting both Virgin and Lion to death, but that's not the whole story. In reality all three contenders have a dangerous side, and wear the non-existent clothes of tempting promises. It's all in the wonderful but often dirty game of politics, so it's wise to remember that we ought never to get too many stars in our eyes.





I'm leaving this homemade video compilation here, while we head off tomorrow morning to New Mexico for a few days, as a cure for cabin fever and a late celebration of my husband's birthday.

'Bye for now!

As the lyrics say, in a different context, but still apt enough here:

"We refused to admit that we wore this disguise
Every inch of us growing
Like Pinocchio's nose
As we walked around in the emperor's new clothes

We flew by our wits and by the seat of our pants
In the state of illusion
In the nation of chance"

(It's as non-partison as I could manage.)

Sign of a Quote

Hand-picked quotes which accidentally reflect, sometimes tongue-in-cheek, the flavor of each zodiac sign:


ARIES
What reason would grope for in vain, spontaneous impulse ofttimes achieves at a stroke, with light and pleasureful guidance.
--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

TAURUS
I am firm. You are obstinate. He is a pig-headed fool.
--Katherine Whitehorn

GEMINI
Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.
--Anne Morrow Lindbergh

CANCER
They say it is better to be poor and happy than rich and miserable, but how about a compromise like moderately rich and just moody?
--Princess Diana

LEO
The nice thing about being a celebrity is that when you bore people, they think it's their fault.
-- Henry Kissinger

VIRGO
Anyone nit-picking enough to write a letter of correction to an editor doubtless deserves the error that provoked it.
--Alvin Toffler

LIBRA
Equal opportunity means everyone will have a fair chance at being incompetent.
-- Laurence J. Peter

SCORPIO
Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you've got to say, and say it hot.
--D. H. Lawrence

SAGITTARIUS
A pessimist is a man who has been compelled to live with an optimist.
-- Elbert Hubbard

CAPRICORN
The gambling known as business looks with austere disfavor upon the business known as gambling.
-- Ambrose Bierce

AQUARIUS
The difficult and risky task of meeting and mastering the new, whether it be the settlement of new lands or the initiation of new ways of life,is not undertaken by the vanguard of society but by its rear. It is the misfits, failures, fugitives, outcasts and their like who are among the first to grapple with the new.
--Eric Hoffer

PISCES
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom the emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause and stand wrapped in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.
--Albert Einstein

Aries and Mars Dominant

Astrotheme's extensive lists of dominant Planets and dominant Signs in the natal charts of famous people offer some interesting insights. These lists are different from the usual "celebrities who are Librans, or Aquarians, or whatever" types of lists, based purely on birthdays and Sun signs.

The Sun has just moved into the zodiac sign of Aries, so I've compiled a list of the best-known names of folk with Aries or Mars (ruler of Aries) dominant in their natal charts. Those in the lists below have from 80% to 40% of the zodiac sign, or 30% to 20% of the planet in their personality, so potentially offer a clear representation of the Aries/Mars type.

Keywords are a good way to briefly describe the heavily Aries/Mars personality, the good, the bad and the ugly of this, the first sign of the zodiac. From Manly P. Hall's "Astrological Keywords": courageous, enthusiastic, energetic, proud, excitable, impulsive, hasty, quick tempered. Executive, enterprising, pioneering, confident, independent, aggressive, competitive, dictatorial. From me, married to an Aries Sun person, and myself with Moon and Saturn in Aries: spontaneous, humorous, not complicated or deeply mysterious - what you see is what you get.

In previous months I've used a video compilation with photographs of the individiuals listed, this time I decided to list the names and add a video from YouTube featuring two of the individuals named here.

Of the Aries dominant people, for me, Steve McQueen personified Aries in his role in "The Great Escape". His one-time wife, Ali MacGraw, is in the same list with Mars, Aries' ruling planet dominant in her chart. I loved watching Steve in any movie he made. In the Music section, Gordon Macrae was another, very early, heart-throb of mine. And in the Art section - William Morris is an all-time favourite artist/designer. I put it down to my Aries Moon!

ARIES and MARS Dominant


ACTORS
Aries Dominant
Anthony Perkins
John Gielgud
Chico Marx
Angelina Jolie
Ali MacGraw (+Mars dom)
Patricia Arquette
Omar Sharif
Max von Sydow
Steve McQueen
Jon Voight
James Woods
Gordon Macrae (+ Mars dom)

Mars Dominant
Heather Locklear
Richard Burton
Lloyd Bridges
Mia Farrow

MUSIC
Aries Dominant
Lene Lovich (+ Mars dom)
Carl Perkins
Tiny Tim
John D. Loudermilk(+ Mars Dom)
Celine Dion
Johannes Brahms
Loretta Lynn
Gordon Macrae (+ Mars dom)

Mars Dominant
David Crosby (Crosby Stills & Nash)
Helen Reddy
Barbra Streisand

WRITERS
Aries Dominant
Emile Zola
Algernon Swinburne

Mars Dominant
Alex Haley

ASTROLOGY
Aries Dominant
Adze Mixxe (+Mars dom)

Mars Dominant
Philip Sedgwick

ART
Aries Dominant
William Morris
Mars Dominant
Grandma Moses

MIXED BAG
Aries Dominant
Rolf Harris

Mars Dominant
Mike Todd
Albert Einstein
David Beckham
Billy Graham
Christian Dior

Here, in a video from YouTube, two for the price of one - Barbra Streisand (Mars dominant) and Celine Dion(Aries dominant) singing "Tell Him"

Divisions

Astrology, in particular Sun Sign astrology, is continually criticised for categorising people as 12 "types". Those who have delved deeper into astrological discipline know that these 12 "types" are not even the tip of the iceberg, they're the shadow on top of the ocean where an iceberg lies beneath.

As in astrology, so in polls and politics. One would think that counting votes would be a simple matter. 1,000 votes for candidate A, 2,000 for candidate B, 3,000 for candidate C. But no, political pollsters and pundits then segregate voters and their mode of voting in various ways. Male/female, blue collar male/"educated" male ( - cheek!! Why are blue collar people considered uneducated?). White males/black males. White "educated"/white blue collar. Black "educated"/ black blue collar. Same for Hispanic male/female, and for all females. Age groups: under 25, over 40, over 50, over 60 - and on...... along with any possible permutation of all of the above factors. Religion also has to be added to these investigation exercises in the USA -Roman Catholic, Baptist, Evangelist, Black Churches, and all the other denominations. They don't bother with atheists and agnostics - I wonder why?

So really, political polling analysis and astrology have a lot in common. Astrologers must juggle with Sun, Moon ascendant sign, all the planets, points, fixed stars, asteroids, centaurs, nodes.....and more, mixing, blending, analysing, weighing strengths, and synthesising. In most cases, I have to say that astrologers come up with better, more accurate results than the pollsters and pundits ever manage to do.

Leading on from that, a thought from the BBC's Washington correspondent Matt Frei (here)

"When it comes to race, religion and even class, America, the great melting pot, is still an archipelago of hundreds of tribes living largely separate lives in their own communities.
Perhaps it is one of the luxuries of space in a vast country. Perhaps it is proof of prejudice. It certainly undermines real efforts to understand each other, to mingle, to melt in the same pot. "

For all the stated wishes of those on high, or those who aspire to be on high, integration ain't happening in much of the country. There are Black Churches, Black beauty contests, Black TV shows, Black Nationalists, Black Panthers, Black Pride. Comparable White categories could be identified for some of those. In a perfect world, which this is never going to be, there would be no such segregation, only integration - always.

I don't see Senator Obama being "the one" to start bringing full integration about, sorry to say. For this onlooker, at this point, it's nothing but the wishful thinking of his fans. Either it's not the right time, or it's not the right person. I believe the latter. Perhaps Barack Obama is a forerunner (as John the Baptist was a forerunner "preparing the way"). Another, true, uniter may appear in coming years. That's my personal hope.

My Zodiac with Wings

This is something I dreamed up some time ago, after spending a lot of time watching the many birds who visit our backyard in Oklahoma. I noticed that they seem to have distinctive personalities, and tried to relate them to the 12 zodiac signs. The photographs included were all taken by my husband, mainly in our backyard.

I have posted this before, back in January 2007, but with spring is springing higher with each day here, I decided to give it another airing.

"The spring is sprung, the grass is riz - I wonder where the birdies is?"

They're here!

ARIES
The Red-bellied Woodpecker - quick and decisive in his movements, quite impulsive in his choiceof materials on which to "drum".He will drum on a metal gutter for the sheer enjoyment of hearing the noise sounds -music to his ears , or perhaps a mating call? His scarlet head and pinkish tummy match the fiery element of Aries.


TAURUS The chubby American Robin is typical Taurus. He stays close to the earth, walking around on the grass or soil, digging for food, of which he consumes a large amount. This bird is different from the little English Robin. Early settlers named him because of his Robin-like habits and his russet-coloured chest. He is actually one of the Thrush family.

GEMINI
The Goldfinch displays many typically Geminian traits. These tiny birds are very sociable, move around in flocks, descending upon birdfeeders en-masse. They are
quick, fluttery, twittery, and appear unafraid of other birds 3-times their size. Golden and mercurial!


CANCER The Mourning Dove represents the gentle nature of Cancer.

Her rather sad cooing call seems typically Cancerian. She looks dignified and a little old-fashioned when compared with more exuberant cousins. She doesn’t often mix with other birds, appearing shyly aloof.


LEO
Who would argue against the Cardinal being designated Leo ? With his flashy scarlet feathers, almost fluorescent, and his regal bearing he stands out from the crowd - however big the crowd. Eyes are irresistibly drawn to him. He is devoted to
his mate (evidence of his fixed Leonine nature), they usually appear together. Lady Cardinal is more soberly dressed in a variable light brown, but still attractive - her beak is a nice shade of lipstick pink!

VIRGO
The Junco displays many of Virgo’s virtues. Sleek
and neat, no flashy plumage here. The Junco, like the robin,
stays on the ground to feed - evidence of his earthy nature. These tidy little birds are quiet and industrious, finding all the food they need for themselves and their young. They never cause squabbles mix quietly with whatever other birds are around. One might at first consider them boring, but with patient observation their admirable traits become clear.

LIBRA The Mocking Bird represents Libra. This classy bird, quietly but elegantly dressed in subtle shades of grey, white and black, with brilliant white stripe appearing on each wing when in flight. Sings beautiful songs sometimes throughout the night. The song is repeated 4 times, then he/she changes its mind (typically Libran) and starts a different ditty - repeating 4 times then changing again!

SCORPIO
Traditionally the Eagle is one of the two symbols of Scorpio, but eagles do not frequent backyards - something less rare can carry the Scorpio banner. The American Crow is much maligned and misunderstood, like some Scorpio-heavy humans. He is, in fact, quite majestic, highly intelligent and very resilient. Humans have slaughtered many of his kind, but still they flourish. His glossy black feathers are mirror-bright as he strides around in the grass.

SAGITTARIUS
The wise old Owl would have been appropriate, but since the writer has yet to see one locally, another side of Sagittarius is represented - the rover. The Brown-headed Cowbird fits the bill - often looked on as something of a vagabond or prairie tramp. They don't build nests, but deposit eggs in nests built by other birds - having no use for a home of their own! These birds once followed buffalo and cattle through the plains .

CAPRICORN

The third Earth sign is represented by the lovely Eastern Meadowlark, who is actually not a Lark, but related to the Starling. The Meadowlark has very similar feeding habits to the American Robin - walking around in fields and open spaces looking for insects, grubs, worms etc. From the back he's a stripey grey and rather uninteresting, but when he turns, the sight of his brilliant yellow breast comes as a surprise, and, like the sense of fun often present in Capricorn humans - it brings a smile to the observer.

AQUARIUS
Looking now for the oddball of Birdland ! The Blue Jay. Some people love him, others hate him because he doesn’t conform to their views of how a bird should act or look. He is stunning in his bright blue plumage with random markings of black and white, and a rakish top-knot. His call is either Crow-like (he is cousin to that bird) or a beautiful bell-like sound when he wishes to impress. These birds are curious and intelligent, like their cousin the Crow, not usually inclined to mix. They can appear at times to be imperious or bossy, and are certainly unique.

PISCES I'm nominating this group of juvenile Eastern Bluebirds to represent Pisces, they used to visit our birdbath regularly last summer - they loved the water like good Neptunians!

Church, State, Astrology

Sagittarius is the zodiac sign said to be connected with religion, politics and philosophy. It's more than a little unfortunate that religion and politics couldn't have been clearly separated by ancient astrologers who set the "rules". I guess in those days things were different.

"The Church", as an institution, is ruled by Capricorn. Laws, a large part of politics, are represented by Saturn, ruler of Capricorn. I suppose the mental or philosophical aspect of religion and politics could be said to be somewhat connected, but I still wish there had been a clearer separation.

As we're seeing in recent news stories, religion and politics in real life are poor bedfellows. Many countries, the USA included, have ruled that there should be clear separation between church and state.

AUTHOR: John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917–63) QUOTATION: "I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute"

What happened?

In the last few days we've been treated to sight of videos showing Reverend Jeremiah Wright speaking out, in church, against Hillary Clinton. Irrespective of his views as to whether the USA is entitled to his God's blessing or damnation, and his obvious hatred for the white race, his remarks appertaining to politics were, in my view definitely out of bounds.

These are two examples:
"Hillary Clinton ain't never been called "nigger"", he yelled at his congregation. His remarks about the Clintons having "done" black people as Bill "did" Monica Lewinsky - the Reverend swinging his hips in imitation of the sexual act (forgive me for not quoting exactly but I cannot bring myself to watch the hate-filled videos again.)

What place did those remarks have in church?

I do not single out Reverend Wright for criticism. There have been many other, and many white ministers in the USA and elsewhere who are equally culpable. Some are known to have spoken out against gays and abortion, and have tried to encourage their congregation to vote in a particular direction. None of this should have any place in churches.

Politics should be all about the efficient running of a country. Religion, or indeed lack of it, has no place whatsoever in politics.

In at least one of the political debates shown on TV this US primary season the candidates were quizzed about their faith. Why? Surely this is purely personal. Their professional abilities and records are all that should concern the public, in my not very humble (on this topic) opinion.

Please, can some erudite astrologer separate religion and politics in the zodiac, and drag these matters into the 21st century?

Golda Meir

A few women throughout history have broken that legendary glass ceiling and progressed onward and upward to eventually lead their countries, Golda Meir was one of these. She became Prime Minister of Israel 39 years ago yesterday, 17 March 1969.

Golda was born in Kiev, Ukraine and emigrated in childhood with her parents to the USA where she was educated. In 1917 she moved to live in Palestine, after Britain had declared its support for a Jewish homeland there. She and her husband lived on a kibbutz. Continuing with extracts from here

"There, despite her fear of chickens, she became an expert on raising poultry. Soon, she was representing the kibbutz at meetings of the Histadrut, Israel’s General Federation of Labor.

While now an Israeli, Golda’s early years in America shaped her thinking and her career –not to mention her spoken Hebrew --which was filled with English-sounding pronunciations—and helped lay the groundwork for her rapid rise in Israeli politics. In 1928, Golda was offered a job with Histadrut’s Council of Women Workers, which she accepted....... A charismatic speaker, she rapidly became a spokeswoman for Histadrut and later the world Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency, and was particularly effective raising funds from Americans.

When Golda was elected to the Knesset in 1949, David Ben Gurion appointed her Minister of Labor. In 1956, he promoted her to Foreign Minister, the second highest cabinet post. Renouncing the pomp associated with diplomacy, according to Pogrebin, Meir "entertained foreign dignitaries in her kitchen, in an apron, serving them her homemade pastry along with a stern lecture on Israel’s security." Diagnosed with lymphoma, Golda retired from government service in 1966 but three years later she was persuaded by the Labor Party to come out of retirement to serve as Prime Minister.

In the early 1970’s, polls revealed that Golda was the most respected woman in America, despite the fact that she was no longer an American. Nevertheless, Golda’s stint as national leader ended sadly when Israel suffered heavy losses in the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Blamed for Israel’s military unpreparedness, Meir resigned in June of 1974. In the years before her death in 1978, Golda earned the status and affection accorded an elder stateswoman. Golda Meir now ranks as one of the great female heads of state in modern history."

Golda Meir born 3 May 1898 in Kiev, Ukraine (12 noon chart used as no time of birth is known)



This chart has not reproduced well - for clarification: Sun & Mercury in Taurus. Mars in Aries. Neptune, Pluto and Venus in Gemini. Jupiter (and maybe the Moon) in Libra, Uranus and Saturn in Sagittarius. Moon's Nodes and Vertex/anti-Vertex in Cancer/Capricorn.

Without a time of birth, what's to be seen in the chart is fairly limited, but what I see first is the Mystic Rectangle formed by trines, sextiles and oppositions (I've marked it on the chart), closely integrating at least four planets. Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Uranus, with Saturn and perhaps the Moon near enough to be included too. These planets are in Air and Fire signs, bringing a predominantly masculine/positive polarity strongly into focus.
A good explanation of the Mystic Rectangle configuration can be found here

There's a nice combination of signs emphasised in Golda's chart - Sagittarius, Libra and Gemini bring diplomacy, fairness, philosophical outlook and good communication skills. Mars in its own sign of Aries brings determination, energy and strength. The Sun and Mercury within three degrees of each other in earthy, sensible but stubborn Taurus came to mind as I read this in above extracts :"Meir entertained foreign dignitaries in her kitchen, in an apron, serving them her homemade pastry along with a stern lecture on Israel’s security"

Taurus Sun/Mercury are quincunx (150 degrees) Saturn in Sagittarius, which indicates some internal conflict between incompatible elements, perhaps reflected in Golda's concentration on her poltical work rather than home and family, which may have resulted in the failure of her marriage in 1945. She once said hereself:"At work, you think of the children you've left at home. At home, you think of the work you've left unfinished. Such a struggle is unleashed within yourself, your heart is rent."

There's a very brief soundclip of Golda Meir speaking of her hopes for the future HERE

A few more quotes from this great lady:

With regard to President Richard Nixon, with whom she is pictured here
"As President Nixon says, presidents can do almost anything, and President Nixon has done many things that nobody would have thought of doing"



"To be or not to be is not a question of compromise. Either you be or you don't be."

AND - "Don't be humble, you're not that great.” (But she was both!)

Journalese for the astro-climate

I approached the subject of journalists' trendy words and expressions in a post last month (A Handily Wonkish Rant). Since then several more buzz-filled words and expressions have tickled my fancy. I've Googled for true definitions. Leaving it to assumption or guesswork can lead to long-term misunderstanding, and embarrassing egg-on-the-face moments in friendly conversation.

My own Mercury in Capricorn reflects a somewhat strait-laced approach to words and language in general. Current planetary transits show Mercury presently residing in Pisces (ruled by Neptune) representing dreams, imagination illusion, delusion. Mercury, at present, is just opposite Saturn in Virgo, indicating a see-saw effect between dreamy imagination and stone-cold nitpicking reality. So, does my latest bundle of journalese fit today's astrological climate ?

"Thrown under the bus": ~~Made a scapegoat, put out of favor

"Playbook": [In political context]~~ Plan of action, scheme or set of strategies. Modus operandi

"Swiftboated": ~~ Made subject of a smear campaign, or character assassination

"Okey-doke": [slang]~~ As well as being an extension of "okay" it also means a con-trick or swindle, a deception, someone who has been tricked/swindled/deceived.

These words and expressions are being flung around freely in reports of the US presidential primaries. They do fit the current astrological configuration. Either exactly or loosely, all have a tinge of underhandedness, trickery or deception about them. We should remember that Mercury is also represented traditionally as a trickster as well as a communicator, so when this fast-moving planet is found in Pisces, perhaps that particular side of its nature can more easily be detected.

When Mercury moves on into Aries, I'll watch for a new crop of journalese.

"Master of Makebelieve"

Maxfield Parrish was briefly mentioned in my post relating to the Golden Age of Illustration. He deserves something more.

Parrish, originally set out to become an architect, changed direction, and became one of America's best loved artists. He has been called "Master of Makebelieve", and having looked at some of his work on-line it's easy to see why. Many of his pieces remind me slightly of the paintings of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in Britain in the 19th century. Their work is rather more sensual, but I felt certain he was influenced by them, and this was confirmed in a brief biography here

"(Parrish)was particularly drawn to such contemporary English artists as the Pre-Raphaelites, Rossetti, and Lord Leighton. Parrish took an immediate interest in Leighton's art, his lifestyle, and this shaped Parrish's artistic vision, and most certainly contributed to the creation of his curious blend of naturalism, fantasy and romanticism."

The painting below is one of Lord Leighton's.



Maxfield Parrish painted serenity, using glowing tones. He achieved the glow by a particular method of applying thin layers of paint and varnish one atop the other. I'd love to see some of the originals, because the computer screen, though a wondrous invention, can only give us a shadow of the real thing. It seems, even from what can be seen on-line that his paintings captured the image of light wonderfully.

Born 25 July 1870 in Philadelphia PA at 6.00pm (according to Astrotheme).



His natal chart shows a clear "funnel" configuration, with Saturn in Sagittarius at the business end. He has been referred to as "A businessman with a brush" as well as "Master of Makebelieve". Capricorn rising (ruled by Saturn) underlines his instinct for business. There's a Yod (two quincunx aspects joined by a sextile) involving sextile aspect between Pluto and Uranus with Saturn at the pointy end of the Yod formation - Saturn in focus on two counts, and his Capricorn ascendant brings in a third.

Neptune (imagination and fantasy) in Aries trines Saturn in Sagittarius and sextiles Venus. Venus Mars and Moon form a stellium, albeit that Venus is in the last degree of Gemini while Moon and Mars are in Cancer. Neptune's harmonious links are reflected in the artist's nickname "Master of Makebelieve".

Parrish's penchant for depicting androgynous figures rather than voluptuous or overtly masculine ones may be symbolised by the grouping of the Moon, Mars and Venus in his natal chart. Masculine Mars sandwiched between feminine Moon and Venus, with just a degree of so between - an androgynous mix!

It's interesting that Parrish's first painting was titled "Moonrise". His Moon at home in Cancer is one of the stronger placements in his chart. Sun at home in Leo is also strongly placed. It seems significant to me that the two celestial bodies which are givers of light, strong in his natal chart, reflect strongly in his paintings which are so universally lauded for their unusually clear depiction of.....light!

The video I've compiled from on-line illustrations of his work can only give an idea of his subject matter, not the glowing brilliance of colour and light for which Maxfield Parrish is so well known:

Pluto's abscess

Yesterday I had decided that it was unfortunate for events to have brought into focus again some video recordings of sermons of Rev Jeremiah Wright. He is the pastor of Senator Obama's church. After further investigation I've come to the conclusion that it may, in fact, be fortunate that these matters have resurfaced.

Pluto is presently in the first degree of Capricorn. Capricorn represents institutions such as "the church". My favourite description of Pluto influence describes it as being like an abscess, bringing infection and nasty stuff to the surface, so that healing can follow, allowing clean healthy skin to form again.

There is certainly some nasty infection in the sermons of the Rev. Wright. He openly incites hatred. He is supposed to be a man of God. That being as it may, more shocking to me, much more shocking is the fact that a man with ambitions to be President of the United States would call such a preacher his friend and mentor. Senator Obama has attended his church for 20 years, Rev. Wright married Obama and his wife, baptized their children. The senator openly admits to his close association with this man.

I am not convinced by Senator Obama's words in repudiation of the Reverend's angry diatribes. When you analyse things, nothing adds up. Even if they did add up, this goes to the issue of the Senator's judgement.

I've looked at the Rev Wright's natal chart (22 September 1941, Philadelphia PA) and compared it with Senator Obama's. I felt sure that there had to be some connection to account for the closeness between these men.

Sure enough. Senator Obama's Moon at 00 Gemini is in the same degree as Wright's Uranus and a degree away from his Saturn at 28 Taurus. Obama's Venus at 8 Scorpio Wright's Neptune at 8 Scorpio.
Obama's Mars at 22 Virgo, Wright's North Node at 22 Virgo.

I'm not sufficiently well-versed to interpret synastry between the charts, but the fact that they share some degrees of the same sign means quite a lot in my book.

It's better for these matters to be aired now than later, I guess. Could this be the beginning of the end for the Senator from Illinois?

Snides of March (a rant)

CAESAR :
Who is it in the press that calls on me?
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music,
Cry 'Caesar!' Speak; Caesar is turn'd to hear.
SOOTHSAYER:
Beware the ides of March.
(from William Shakespeare's "Julius Ceasar" Act 1 Scene 2


Pardon the "press" pun, please. The ides of March isn't until tomorrow(15th), but watching Keith Olbermann's rant, aka "Special Comment" on TV, Wednesday evening, brought to mind "a tongue, shriller than all the music". His diatribe against Senator Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro struck me as being subliminally hysterical, in a Saturn in Virgo, po-faced fashion.

Keith Olbermann doesn't do typical everyday hysteria, his Mercury and Saturn in Capricorn deny him that, but replace it with a quieter, more insidious version. We share a birthday (27 January), different year. I'd have expected a little more cool Aquarian logic from the man than we are hearing these days. Perhaps he is simply satisfying his masters at MSNBC, but he certainly seems to delight in inflaming an already sensitive situation.

I'd have thought that people who wish to see unity and healing in this country would do all they could to foster it, not fan the flames to encourage the fever. Remarks by Geraldine Ferraro, made as part of a longer speech some weeks ago, need not have been resurrected, taken out of context and magnified - not if there were any intention or thought of healing divisions in this country.

This is deliberate trouble-making. I am fast coming to the conclusion that there really is no wish to heal. "Yes we can"? No....you can't. Not without some radical changes in attitude.

Are we seeing a reflection, here on Earth, of the current celestial opposition of malefics: Mars/Pluto in cardinal Cancer/Capricorn?

Ms Ferraro's remarks may have been ill-considered, but they were hardly offensively racist, and nowhere near as offensive as Samantha Powers calling Hillary Clinton "a monster" a few days earlier. The ensuing outcry in the media has been far more shrill, in spite of Senator Clinton's apology and repudiation of Ms Ferraro's comments. Attacks against the Clinton campaign have now brought forth retaliation from some of her supporters in the form of videos. These involve one Reverend Wright, pastor of Senator Obama's church. They show the pastor, said to be Obama's mentor, making overtly racial pronouncements which are far beyond anything heard so far.

Vitriol brings forth even more vitriolic vitriol. An eye for an eye makes the.....well, we know what that makes.

Where will it end ? Perhaps with another Republican president in the USA.

Sigh.

Let's hope that as Mars moves out of range of opposition to Pluto things will calm down - sometime after the ides of March.

The Astrological Guitar

Our planned visit to the local theater tonight to see classical guitarist Edgar Cruz, sparked a Google search to discover whether there could possibly be any connection between guitar and astrology. I typed those two words into the search box without much hope of a result and found: "The Spiritual Guitar Guide by David Cherubim"

I read the article with a certain amount of cynicism. Not that I think music isn't spiritual - I feel it certainly is, it feeds the senses, calms the troubled breast etc. But does the guitar have any more claim to being spiritual than, say, the piano, saxophone or flute. How does astrology come into it?

Here are a few extracts. Astrological connections are highlighted bold.

"Guitar playing is a Spiritual Art, for it is a musickal form of both Magick and Alchemy. It is a creative manipulation of the Elements of Nature and an artistic transmutation of Universal Forces through the skillful use of the hands and sound. It effects changes in both the player and the listener. With a proper understanding of both the technical and spiritual aspects of playing the Guitar, one is able to use the Guitar as an efficient instrument of the Will to create internal and external changes. The Guitar has its own Science, both conventional and unconventional in kind, and for the most part we are concerned here with the unconventional or rather spiritual and occult aspect of it all.

For the serious and dedicated Guitarist, learning to play and master the Guitar represents The Path or Way of Enlightenment of which there is no end. George Harrison once pointed out that it doesn't matter if you are the greatest Guitar player in the world, if you are not enlightened, then you should forget it.

Ultimately, playing the Guitar represents the Path to Spiritual Perfection. The Guitarist is always a Neophyte or Student on this Path.

There are seven Natural Tones or Notes in Musick and, with the five Sharps and Flats (the so-called Accidental Notes), we have Twelve Tones in all that we can play in various positions and octaves on the Electric Guitar. Both the numbers, seven and twelve, have great significance in Magick, Alchemy, Astrology, the Qabalah, Yoga, and in other Esoteric Systems and Philosophies and Religions. They are universally sacred numbers and they cover a lot of divine ground. But for now, regarding the seven Natural Tones (A, B, C, D, E, F and G), it should be noted that they correspond with the seven Colors of the Spectrum, the seven Chakras of Yoga, the seven Metals of Alchemy, and with the Sun, Moon, and the Planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. (The five Sharps and Flats [A#/Bb, C#/Db, D#/Eb, F#/Gb and G#/Ab] correspond with the five Elements of Fire, Water, Air, Earth, and Spirit.) Also, in all, the twelve tones correspond with the twelve Zodiacal Signs of Astrology (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces) which, like the Sun, Moon and Planets, represent Spiritual Forces of Nature. Playing any of the twelve notes on the Electric Guitar, melodically or harmonically, is a musickal invocation of the mystical colors and spiritual energies of the Sun, Moon and Planets, and the Astrological and Elemental Forces of Nature."

There's more where that came from!

It's an interesting theory, for sure, but I retain some cynicism. Nevertheless, we shall wander off to the theater with all this in mind.

Here's Edgar Cruz, via YouTube, playing "Bohemian Rhapsody".

Glass Houses

Another scandal (yawn) hit the headlines this week. New York's Governor Spitzer, allegedly hoist with his own petard, with potential to be brought down by the same kind of investigation he pioneered as a prosecutor. At least this new source of gossip deflected some attention from the popular pastime of Clinton-bashing. Those obsessed with the C-bash however have even sought to make tenuous Clinton links to the current scandal, in case the name might pick up an extra layer of dirty dust in the storm.

Scandal. What did esteemed astrologer C.E.O. Carter have to say on the subject in his "Encyclopedia of Psychological Astrology"?

Hmmmm "Scandal ...see Slander". Okay. Different aspects of the same thing, but astrologically perhaps from similar sources.

"Slander
Liability to slanderous attacks is generally shown by malefics in or afflicting the 10th house, especially an afflicted Mercury, Mars or Neptune therein. The house from which the afflictions come, or which is ruled by the afflicting planet, shows the direction of the attack.

Love of scandal, slander, and backbiting is a fault connected with Moon-Mercury afflictions, while, if Mars be involved, the trait will be more pronounced and acute. Domestic gossip is largely a result of Moon or Cancer afflictions, but the Moon will not by itself give malice or ill-nature. The most treacherous attacks will result from Neptunian or Scorpionic aspects."

Applying that theory, not to Governor Spitzer, for he is author of his own undoing, but to the American public - a sizeable proportion must carry the chart afflictions mentioned by C.E.O. Carter in the second paragraph , so enraptured are they by tales of scandal in high places.

Applying the first paragraph of Mr. Carter's theory - liability to slanderous attacks, Senator Hillary Clinton's is a good natal chart to investigate. She has been attacked mercilessly during past months by her opponents' obsessed supporters. Let's see then. (Chart available here)

If Senator Clinton's birth time were, as is widely supposed, around 8.02 am, then the 10th house is empty. Saturn 21*, Pluto 14* and Mars 14* in Leo (three planets traditionally labelled malefics) all lie in 9th house. 9th house represents, among other things publicity and politics. Mercury, right on the ascendant is at 21 Scorpio exactly square Saturn. Symbolically, critical Saturn is challenging Scorpio Mercury in the area of self, and the other two Leo planets which are conjoined at 14degrees, are also within challenging distance (7 degrees). These aspects could also be ammunition for the anti-Clinton brigade to say that Senator Clinton has tendency to cause problems via her Scorpio Mercury. However, according to C.E.O. Carter "the house from which the afflictions come show the direction of the attack." The three malefics, surely together stronger than Mercury, are in the house of politics directed to the house of self. There's a definite source of problems there, and it seem likely that trouble could move in both directions, according to circumstance and transits.

"There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it hardly becomes any one of us to talk about the rest of us." (Anon.)