The Zodiac and Its Origins

After posting my attempt at a zodiac featuring backyard birds yesterday, loaded questions surfaced in my mind regarding the origins of the "real" zodiac. So many and varied are the explanations and theories available on-line and elsewhere that some of them are surely suspect. What is especially intriguing is how and why each sign of our zodiac came to carry the seeds of the interpretations we now apply.

Once one starts the enquiry its not long before becoming submerged in theosophy, physics, the Bible, the Bhagavad Gita, mythology, morphology, Mesopotamia, Babylon, Greece, Egypt, and much more, until the eyes glaze (are yours glazed already?) Mention of India and China is omitted to simplify matters a little, for they have their own stories.

The following is my own, highly-distilled and simplified version. I make no claim as to its accuracy.

In order to trace the origin of the zodiac it's necessary to look for the origins of astrology itself, to discover whether the zodiac as we know it appeared intact from the beginning. "The beginning" of astrology is in question. Dates from 2000 to 9,000 years BC and even eras beyond that are mentioned in various sources, depending on exactly how one defines astrology.

Apparently astrology as we now understand it (or try to) did not exist in the beginning. Longer ago than anyone knows for sure, our ancestors in the area of what is now Iraq (how ironic!) were recording the movements of the Sun, Moon and visible planets against the background of stars whose positions appeared not to vary. Over a long period of time the cyclical and seasonal nature of those movements was understood and put to use counting time and in assessing orientation. This knowledge would have been valuable in agriculture and the production of food , for planning activities and journeys. Not surprisingly, early peoples attributed the planets and stars with god-like abilities. It's amazing that such people, observing the sky with nothing but the naked eye, using pieces of stone and a carving tool, were able to make lasting records of their findings, a few examples still survive. It's tempting to wonder whether they had some kind of head start, such as essential knowledge, handed down from a time of which modern man is no longer aware. From a civilisation which may have perished leaving no trace but for some oral traditions left by a few survivors. Or perhaps the ancient peoples did, after all, work things out for themselves by patient observation. We shall never know.

By the time of the Greek civilisation astronomical knowledge acquired by groups living further East had been passed along to Greece, probably via established trade routes over land and sea. The Greeks, of course, were great philosophers and seminal scientists. When Greek philosophers put their minds to work on the basic knowledge, they garnished it, made it more palatable to their own people, and added to the knowledge by further observation and the use of geometry. Embellishing the information with their mythology - heroes, gods and goddesses must have helped to make it accessible to those who sought to understand. It is probably around this stage that a zodiac in a form familiar to us appeared on the scene. The earliest example of an actual astrological "reading" of a natal chart, as we understand the term, is said to have been around 410 BC, this reading was very rudimentary in style.

Some historians say that the Greeks discovered the precession of the equinoxes, others contend that it was known at a much earlier stage. It's a thorny subject, and one not approached here. Suffice to say that the discovery or re-discovery of precession resulted in two different zodiacs - sidereal based on the constellations, and tropical based on the Sun's movement. In a nutshell, our tropical zodiac was set so that the vernal equinox was fixed for ever at 0* Aries, rather than shifting over the centuries along with the backdrop of stars. This had the effect of appointing the Sun as our main indicator - which, of course, for life on Earth, it most surely is. It also means that the constellations of stars which originally gave the signs their names no longer correspond with tropical zodiac signs. This can be confusing.

But how and why did each constellation of stars originally acquire its name? The names are now attributed to each 12th of the zodiac circle. Symbolic meanings implicit in the names of the signs have remained with the tropical zodiac. It is difficult to accept that stars in the constellations really do trace the outline of a lion, a scorpion, a virgin carrying a sheaf of wheat, a ram, a bull.....Yet the meanings we accept, the interpretations arising from them, are at the very core of astrology, and do seem to retain their accuracy, even after the tropical signs have moved on well past their sidereal position. This is the crux.

Some modern sources surmise that the the basis of broad characteristics attributed to the 12 signs might be explained by a kind of electro-magnetic wave effect. This is not easy to fully understand or to explain succinctly, however.

The Greeks, who may appear to have been making wild guesses, attributed mythical figures to the visible planets and associated these with the 12 signs. But were they guessing, or is there a deeper explanation? Was there other knowledge available of which we remain unaware? How did they choose which to associate with what ? The Egyptians are said to have had stores of mysterious knowledge - was secret information from Egypt amalgamated with the Greeks' philosophies and scientific work? The elements, modes and polarities were associated with the zodiac signs at some stage, a stage not easily identified. Many texts were destroyed at various times in the past, by rulers or church leaders standing against astrology. Much crucial information must have perished. It's likely that the most important texts were the ones to go!

Astrology and the zodiac came to prominence in Europe, beyond Greece, in mediaeval times. What is now called 'traditional astrology", based on the Greek version with many additions, modifications, bells and whistles, became the great great grandfather of the basic astrology we use today. It should be mentioned that druids and the Celtic tribes are thought to have practiced a form of astrology in parts of Europe long before the more sophisticated Greek version arrived. They certainly used astronomy based on observation of the skies - Stonehenge is one of many pieces of evidence.

Mans' use of the positions of stars and planets has evolved from clock, calendar and GPS system to philosophy, psychology, and prognostication. Where is the bridge from the former to the latter ? That's a loaded question indeed! The zodiac, its signs and all they have come to represent will not go away. Perhaps they survive because they contain a key to the mystery of mankind, a key perhaps misunderstood, but still available.

Zodiac of Birdland

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

ARIES
The Red-bellied Woodpecker - quick and
and decisive in his movements, quite impulsive in his choice
of 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
indicate 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 a type of Thrush.

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
Perhaps 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
author 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!

An Aquarian Astrologer

I've noticed that Scorpio seems to feature in astrologers' charts more strongly than Aquarius, even though some say that Uranus or Aquarius "rules" astrology. I know only of Evangeline Adams, Russell Grant, and C.E.O. Carter who have/had Sun in Aquarius. Other astrologers may well have Aquarius rising or prominent in their charts, of course.

Of the three astrologers I've mentioned, C.E.O. Carter appeals most to me. He was an Englishman, and from his writing style, a rather charming one. My birthday is a few days before his.

Charles Ernest Owen Carter was born 31 January 1887 at 10.55 pm in Parkstone, Dorset, UK. Data from http://www.digthatcrazyfarout.com/carter/

Mr Carter was very much an Aquarian. He had Sun, Mercury and Venus all in the sign of the water bearer, with Uranus, Aquarius's modern ruler in house 12, very close to his Libra ascendant. His Aquarian Sun trines Uranus within 34 minutes of arc. Jupiter lies in Scorpio in first house. This astrologer had both Scorpio AND Aquarius well featured.

Quote from the link above
"........he was elected president of the Astrological Lodge of London in 1922. Through this office, which he held for thirty years, and through the quarterly 'Astrology' which he started in 1926 and edited until 1959, he was a guiding light to students not only in London but throughout the world. Upon the foundation of the Faculty of Astrological Studies he became its first Principal and in 1958 he became Patron of the newly formed Astrological Association.
Throughout these years he wrote many books and articles which were especially characterized by clarity, soundness and unity of thought. Together they provide perhaps the finest body of astrological literature available today. "

The same website carries some good articles by Mr Carter covering the 12 signs, and the planets. Under "Aquarius" is a transcript of Mr Carter's lecture to the Astrological Lodge on 23 May 1955 entitled "Some Eminent Aquarians" (including Sun Aquarians and those with Aquarius prominent in their natal charts.) He lists a string of well known characters from history pinpointing their similarities and concludes:

"Among our Aquarians we have found many who wished mankind well, and some who have deserved to be remembered by every one of us with gratitude and honour. Others, like Charles Dodgson and Grock have amused and delighted us. Of some few it is not easy to speak kindly. And "others there be that have no memorial.

I confess I have found much pleasure in writing about them, for they are interesting subjects of study. Furthermore, I think that there is a sufficient family likeness throughout to constitute, of itself, an argument for the truth of Astrology. "

He was man after my own heart! But I had to smile when I read the following extract on the same website - from Mr Carter's article about Uranus. I have commented cynically myself, more than once, on the point he speaks of. I'm still not convinced, even after reading his view on the matter, but I shall try to keep an open mind !

"It is often said that the absurdity of astrologers is manifest in the way in which they claim that the names of the three "modern" planets - if one may for con- venience call them so - have a real relation to their qualities. For, it is said, these names are arbitrarily chosen by people who have no astrological interests and merely select whatever name seems to them to be convenient. It is contended that except for mere chance, Neptune might as well have been named Pluto, Pluto Uranus, and so on. The astrologer, with deeper knowledge, denies that these choices were made fortuitously, although he will of course admit that the persons who chose them believed that they acted without any guidance, either from within or otherwise. We contend that there is a racial guidance, or over- soul, that acts through our subconscious faculties and causes such selections to be made in accordance with a real fitness in things.

We do not pretend that we understand how this influence works, and, for myself, should say that it is on the instinctual level only; but we do contend, from our experience, that there is such a directive power and that it usually operates with a strange appropriateness. "

Sunday Morning Comin' Down

Kris Kristofferson wrote "Sunday Morning Comin' Down" - it's one of his best songs , I think. You can feel it, and smell it, and hear it!

I thought Kris had Gemini Sun, but no - it appears his sun is at 1* of Cancer, though he does have Mercury, Mars and Venus all in Gemini. I've always thought he LOOKS like a typical Geminian type - thin, wiry, a little nervy.

There's a hint of Cancerian feeling in this song - the nostalgic, feeling sorry for oneself thing. I have Cancer ascendant - I know that of which I speak!

According to Astrotheme Kris has Scorpio ascendant, I don't know how accurate the birthtime of 3.30pm is. I'd have guessed an Aquarius ascendant - he has no planets in Aquarius but his political views and some of his other songs whisper Aquarius to me.

I can't bring myself to cut out any of this song's lyrics - here they are in full

Well I woke up Sunday morning

With no way to hold my head, that didn't hurt

And the beer I had for breakfast

Wasnt bad so I had one more for dessert

Then I fumbled through my closet for my clothes

And found my cleanest dirty shirt

(It's the one I'm wearin')

And I shaved my face and combed my hair

And stumbled down the stairs to meet the day

I'd smoked my brain the night before

With cigarettes and songs that I'd been pickin'

But I lit my first and watched a small kid

Cussin' at a can that he was kickin'

Then I crossed the empty street

And caught the Sunday smell of someone fryin' chicken

And it took me back to somethin'

That I'd lost somehow somewhere along the way'

Chorus:

On the Sunday morning sidewalk

Wishing lord that I was stoned

'Cos there is something in a Sunday

Makes a body feel alone

And there's nothin' short of dyin'

Half as lonesome as the sound

On the sleepin' city side walks

Sunday morning comin' down.

In the park I saw a daddy

With a laughing little girl who he was swingin'

And I stopped beside a Sunday school

And listened to the song that they were singin'

Then I headed back for home and

Somewhere far away a lonely bell was ringing

And it echoed thru the canyon like

The disappearing dreams of yesterday.

Chorus:

On the Sunday morning sidewalk

Wishing lord that I was stoned

'Cos there's something in a Sunday

Makes a body feel alone.

And theres nothin' short of dyin'

Half as lonesome as the sound

On the sleepin' city sidewalk

Sunday morning comin' down.

An Airy Birthday

A piece of silliness - because today is my birthday, and I share it with..... taaa..daaaa..
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning! This aircraft had its maiden flight on the day I was born.

Do we share any characteristics, I wonder ?

"The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War 2 American fighter aircraft. It had twin booms with the engines mounted forward and a single, central nacelle containing the pilot and armament. The engine sounds were a unique, rather quiet "whuffle," because the exhausts were muffled by the turbochargers of the twin Allison V12s. .........The aircraft was used in a number of different roles. It was equipped with droppable fuel tanks under its wings, and used extensively as a long-range escort fighter. The Lightning was also used for dive bombing, level bombing, ground strafing and photo econnaissance missions." (from Wikipedia)

I expect I "whuffled" a lot too, like my twin. I'm not sure my exhaust would have been muffled though! I too have played a number of different roles, some long range - I reckon it's all down to our "splash" chart patterns, Venus in Sagittarius, and of course Sun in Airy Aquarius. Dive bombing is not my style, but with Mars in Scorpio, P-38 Lightning certainly made the most of that planet's position.

It is stated at the aviation-history website that " it was very unusual that the Lightning design progressed beyond the testing stage; such radical concepts seldom achieved production status."

Radical eh? How appropriate for an Aquarian aircraft! Even its name "Lightning" is reminiscent of the Aquarian symbol, which some say depicts lightning.

Happy Birthday Astro-twin!

Al Gore in 'Rolling Stone'

My second blog entry in one day !!


I had a dream last night. I wouldn't have mentioned this but for two things which happened this morning.

My dream:

I walked past an empty car park and saw a figure waiting there. I recognised him as Al Gore!
He called out to me "Are they saying I'm a Democrat?"
I walked over to where he stood and said "Yes - well, you are, aren't you ?"
He replied "No. They are not interested enough in protecting the environment"
I said "So are you going to be an Independent then?"
"Yes, I am" he responded, and just then a little girl appeared across the car park. He lightly patted me on the back, said "Good bye now" and went to meet the child for whom he must have been waiting.
(It was a good dream, and its memory stayed with me very clearly, unlike most other dreams which I hardly ever recall.)

The first thing I saw on computer this morning was a comment from Velvet Blade of the excellent Astrology Talk blog - it related to my entry about Al Gore on 17 January.(I can't do that clever link via word thing ) http://astrologytalk.blogspot.com/. The comment uplifted my spirits, as did Velvet Blade's own blog today, which I've mentioned in my earlier entry.

Then, a few minutes ago, I found an article currently appearing in 'Rolling Stone" called "Run Al, Run!" here
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/13248532/why_gore_should_run__and_how_he_can_win/1

It's well worth reading, along with a long string of comments.

A dream coming true ? Not quite, but it was pointing in the right direction. I'm optimistic now!

Yes, "Run, Al.....Run!"

Britishness or Humanness ?

I read yesterday that "Britishness" is likely to become a part of the school curriculum in the UK. The House of Commons leader, Jack Straw, said a stronger sense of "Britishness" and its roots in democracy was needed, to challenge those opposed Britain's core values. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6298875.stm

In my opinion the lessons which need to be taught are lessons in HUMANNESS, lessons which future citizens of this planet will surely need.

Human beings naturally gravitate into groups or tribes, it's in our genes, I guess, it even happens in astrology. Sun sign astrology retains its hold on fans because so many wish to categorise themselves and others by their "star signs" and they find it hard to get out of that rut. If and when they do widen their knowledge of the subject , a broadening of perspective and better understanding of themselves and others follows. The same broadening of perspective could be available in all areas where 'tribal' mentality persists.

Encouraging nationalism is not wise, in my opinion. Pride in one's home country because of achievements of past or present natives is a natural reaction, but if allowed to reach extremes this can evolve into something less than admirable. History is scarred with examples of such evolution.

I wish that countries who consider themselves to be enlightened such as Britain, other European countries, and the USA would desist from encouraging a nationalistic and insular mindset.

I understand that a foreigner applying for citizenship must be able to show some knowledge of the background of their new country, how it functions, its language etc. to enable him/her to contribute in a proper and productive way . I am not questioning that . Making "Britishness" ,or any other nationalness, a part of the school curriculum is a different matter, and seems to me to be a step in the wrong direction.

Lessons in Humanness, unrelated to nation, religion or ethnic background would be a much wiser way forward, and would prepare young people for citizenship of our planet. That is, if we manage to survive the ravages incurred on it already.

Our true nationality is mankind (H.G. Wells)

******************************

And before I get down from my soapbox I want to recommend an article by Velvet Blade at http://astrologytalk.blogspot.com/ "The Flame of Fire". She has fearlessly told it exactly like it is. Good on ya VB!

Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt - A Magical but Unlikely Pair of Aquarians

Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt are legendary figures in the world of jazz, in fact, in music generally.

Many, many years before I met my jazz-fanatic husband, I had recognised and enjoyed the playing of Stephane Grappelli. He comprised my only crumb of jazz-related knowledge, for offering up to my soon-to-be spouse, who was duly impressed!!

Grappelli played violin and Reinhardt, originally a violinist too, played guitar. An accidental fire badly damaged the fourth and fifth fingers Reinhardt's left hand, this led him to take up guitar, which he mastered with such style and skill that the late Benny Green commented :
" I am quite convinced that Django Reinhardt could have played great unaccompanied solos on his head, under water, or wearing boxing-gloves, there being no extremity I could imagine that would have curbed his gift. As far as guitar-playing is concerned, he is Genesis, and we don't ask what came before that."

Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt met in 1934, in France. Together with two others playing guitar and a fifth musician on double bass they formed the legendary Hot Club of France quintet. They continued to play together until the start of World War 2. Microphones were hardly ever available in those days, it wasn't easy for a violin to be heard. Jazz played by string instruments only was quite a revolution. Revolution ? We would expect no less from a couple of Aquarian Suns! They actually invented a whole new style of music, which lives on today.

Django Reinhardt died in 1953 after a stroke, age 43. Stephane Grapelli, who lived until 1997, died after a hernia operation, aged 89.

The two men were quite different personality-wise. Grapelli was said to be calm and spohisticated. Reinhardt, with his gypsy background, tended towards the wild and woolly, volatile, and undisciplined. They were, on the surface, an unlikely pair, yet they composed an ideal complementary partnership when playing together. Their birthdays were close, but 2 years apart.

Stephane Grappelli born 26 January 1908 in Paris, France.
Django Reinhardt born 23 January 1910 in Liberchies, Pont a Celles, Belgium

Two first decanate Aquarian Suns, both with Mercury in Aquarius, both with Venus in Pisces (using 12 noon charts. Time of birth, if available, would be unreliable)
Their generational planets match too -Uranus in Capricorn, Neptune in Cancer and Pluto in Gemini. ( Pluto in Gemini certainly gave us some extraordinary talents!)

The similarities, without benefit of birth times, end there.

Grappelli's Moon is at 3 Scorpio, Reinhardt's at 7 Cancer (unless time of birth makes an appreciable difference in either case.)
Grappelli's Mars is in Aries, Reinhardt's in Taurus
Grapelli's Jupiter is in Leo and Reinhardt's Libra,
Saturn in Pisces for Grappelli and in Aries for Reinhardt.

Both men have generational Neptune and Uranus in opposition on the Cancer/Capricorn axis, but Reinhardt also has an opposition between Jupiter and Saturn on the Aries/Libra axis, which then forms a Grand Cross, probably his more abrasive personality stems from this.
Grappelli's chart shows a second opposition too, between Sun and Jupiter (Aquarius/Leo), but his chart also contains a Water Grand Trine (Neptune/Venus/Moon) which no doubt helps to account for his calmer disposition.

It's enlightening to see how two men with chart similarities can be so different, yet possess an innate ability to work together, blending their differences to produce real magic.

State of the Hypocrisy

I can't relate today's scribble to astrology, except to say that my Mars in Scorpio is showing.

I'm a foreigner here in the USA, a legal resident, but until such time as I can apply for US citizenship still a foreigner, a British citizen.

I'm interested and concerned about American politics, so I watched all of last night's State of the Union address, and the discussions which followed. I had to watch alone, because my husband refuses to watch or listen to "his" president, so great is his disgust and dismay at current policies. By the time the proceedings had wound down, I was left with a bad headache! Next year I shall follow my husband's example.

As I watched and listened I was amazed at the obseqiousness of both parties towards the president. Many of these men and women profess to detest the president's policies, yet they leapt to their feet at every opportunity, applauded each proposition he put forward. Few, if any, remained seated throughout, few didn't wish to shake his hand and smarm over him as he entered the hall like some great prize fighter, and left, signing autographs for fawning fans along the way. I realise that all of this is "just for show" - but why? Isn't this hypocrisy ? I suppose it's tradition. Traditional hypocrisy.

There are more than enough bloggers giving their opinions about the content of the president's speech, so I'll limit myself to one point only - the one which disappointed me the most, and the one about which even I, as a foreigner here, have some right to voice my opinion. Mr Bush mentioned global warming only once, and almost as an afterthought. After outlining plans to conserve energy, reduce the use of gasolene etc. for the stated purpose of reducing America's dependence on oil ..... then...oh yes, one short sentence acknowledging that these measures would help the environment and global warming. He actually said the words "global warming". No acknowledgement though that global warming IS a serious threat. I wonder what Senator Inhoffe, our Oklahoma senator, thought about the mention of global warming - he's been declaring, for the past several years, that it's all a great hoax. I bet he was on his feet applauding with the rest of 'em .

Sigh. Al Gore - come back to politics - PLEASE!!!

I must get back to astrology before I blow a fuse!!

Astrologers' Representative Planets ;-)

Scuffling around the lower reaches of my Wordpad, I came across these notes which I made some time ago, about a few of my favourite astrologers. I had tried to allocate to each what I considered to be the appropriate planetary correspondence, according their professional style. ( Just for fun!)

Jonathan Cainer... SUN... Obvious reason - King of the Sun sign astrologers, warm and positive.

Zane Stein..... MERCURY... Excellent communicator, explains difficult concepts so that they are easily understood.

Robert Hand ....JUPITER... The biggest name, and possibly most respected astrologer of today.

Bill Herbst.... SATURN.... Serious and solid, it's obvious that a lot of work goes into his articles and newsletters.

Philip Sedgwick.... URANUS... The astrologer with astronomy plugged in - all that's new in astrology.

Eric Francis.... NEPTUNE...Always a little mysterious.

Antero Alli.... PLUTO.....Transforms astrology - a different perspective.

******************** ******************* ***************

But what about the Moon, Venus and Mars? I hadn't mentioned them in my notes.

So, an update :

VENUS .....Elsa Elsa springs to mind - she is often to be found helping readers with love-related conundrums in her blog.

MOON .....might correspond to all astrology bloggers everywhere. The Moon is said to signify "the public" with whom we hope to connect.

and, finally
MARS...... represents all the skeptics who energetically oppose astrology.

Paul Klee and Lewis Carroll - An Odd Couple

Intending to write a line or two about Paul Klee, his art and his natal chart, I started to read about his paintings. As I read, for some reason Lewis Carroll kept coming to mind. .

Reading Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky", and looking at a Klee painting arouses in me similar sensations. Curiosity mixed with puzzlement !

"`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe"

Klee's paintings have always been a mystery to me. I've discovered today that he was heavily influenced by Transcendentalism, and by the art of children - a strange combination, indeed.

http://www.acquavellagalleries :
"Klee is a difficult artist to categorize, for he incorporated into his generally small-scale paintings, drawings and watercolors, allusions to dreams, music and poetry with a complex language of symbols and signs of arrows, letters, words, commas, and musical signs in a form of writing. He especially valued the art of children, for he felt they revealed the mysteries of the creative process, relying on signs for things in the natural world............ Rather than describing an object, person or place in traditional pictorial forms, Klee gave us a personal sign system in works that are abstract and figurative at the same time." (Personal sign system? - Sounds familiar!)

Paul Klee and Lewis Carroll both had "spiritual" connections, one with transcendentalism, the other with the church, for Charles Dodgson was also an Anglican clergyman, as well as an author and mathematician.

I've looked at 12 noon charts for both these men. I chose to ignore birthtimes given at Astrotheme and Khaldea, because I'm not confident that in the mid-19th century accurate birth times were recorded.

Paul Klee born 18 December 1879 in Munchenbuchsee, Switzerland.
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson , pen name Lewis Carroll born 27 January, 1832, Daresbury, England.

I didn't expect to see any overall similarity in the two charts, and I know nothing about their personal lives and true personalities - but I was looking for SOMETHING.

I found this: both men have Uranus closely inconjunct Saturn.
Klee- Uranus 9 Virgo, Saturn 9 Aries.
Carroll -Uranus 14 Aquarius, Saturn 14 Virgo.

Saturn inconjunct Uranus = rebellion competing with, and not understanding, discipline. The new trying to find a way through old structures and restrictions which it fails to understand. The established order struggling to get to grips with new ideas. Avant garde meets status quo - and vice versa.

Lewis Carroll's Aquarian Sun underlined a rebellious, and somewhat eccentric streak. Klee's Sagittarian Sun inclined him to a more philosophical approach, while still trying to forge ahead into "the new". Both writer and artist were certainly treading new paths in their respective arts, and probably met resistance, criticism and, in Lewis Carroll's case gossip, along the way.

There are two other odd similarities in the charts. I'm not sure whether these are significant. Klee's Saturn is at 9.00 Aries, Carroll's Pluto is at 8.52 Aries. Klee's Sun at 26.14 Sagittarius, Carroll's Mars at 25.55 Sagittarius. Those degrees ARE within the same decanate and duad of Aries and Sagittarius. Saturn or Pluto in the first decanate of Aries in both charts might point to the influence of children in the work of both these men. First decanate of the first zodiac sign indicating youth, springtime, new life ?

Moon and Stars

The Moon and stars have always represented something for which to reach - a level of achievement not easily attainable but worth the effort, and one doesn't have to be an astrologer or astronomer or astronaut to appreciate this:


"Oh Jerry, don't let's ask for the moon. We have the stars"
(last line in the film "Now Voyager" - Bette Davis and Paul Henreid)

James Thurber's fable "The Moth and the Star". A story of a little moth who, against advice from his peers insisted on attempting to reach the light of the moon rather than that from a street lamp or candle. He had the last mothy laugh though - his peers were fried, while he lived to a ripe old age - didn't reach the moon but had fun trying.
James Thurber's moral to this tale: "Who flies afar from the sphere of our sorrow is here today and here tomorrow."

"His gaze wandered from the windows to the stars, as if he would have read in them something that was hidden from him. Many of us would, if we could; but none of us so much as know our letters in the stars yet - or seem likely to do it, in this state of existence - and few languages can be read until their alphabets are mastered." {Ain't that the truth!}
(Charles Dickens - the Mystery of Edwin Drood)

Even a fool knows you can't touch the stars, but it doesn't stop a wise man from trying. (Harry Anderson)

When you reach for the stars you may not quite get one, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either. (Leo Burnett)

Shoot for the moon - if you miss you'll end up in the stars. (Artie Shaw)

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

(Harriet Tubman)

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. (Oscar Wilde)

AND some salutory warnings ( someone always has to spoil it!)

A man gazing on the stars is proverbially at the mercy of the puddles in the road. (Alexander Smith)

Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars but remember to keep your feet on the ground (Theodore Roosevelt)

Stargazer, you with your head in the heavens,

You'll never get by walkin' that high off the ground.

Moon dreamer, I've been around and I've seen it;

The higher you get--the harder they let you down.

(Neil Diamond "Stargazer" lyrics)

THE WEEK THAT WAS (sprinkled with astrology).

A quick re-cap of some events which caught my attention this week:

The unrelenting freezing temperatures here in Oklahoma, to be followed, we are told, this weekend by oodles of snow (only rain so far) . Other parts of the US, Britain and Europe have experienced severe weather too. Did the rare visit of Comet McNaught leave something equally rare behind, for the Northern hemiphere to remember him by ?

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One of my favourite American politicians, Dennis Kucinich gave a speech to Jesse Jackson's Wall Street Project Conference January 8, 2007 - A video of the speech appeared on line this week. Dennis Kucinich was inspired. Late in the speech he sang the song "Sixteen tons", afterwards declaring "We WILL NOT go back to THAT kind of life!"
(Sixteen tons and what do you get, Another day older and deeper in debt, St.Peter don't you call me 'cos I can't go, I owe my soul to the company store.)
Video at http://kucinich.us/node/182 (click on "Video" in the navigation bar).I had a lump in my throat as I watched....must be his heavy Scorpio influence - Why can't America have a president like this?

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The Golden Globe Awards brought more honours to Dame Helen Mirren for her portrayal of Queens Elizabeth I and II of England. I haven't seen either of the films, not being a fan of royalty in general, but I'm certain that Helen Mirren's 3 planets in royal Leo helped make her regal portrayals realistic.
A quick look at her chart indicates that transiting Pluto and Mars were trine her natal Mercury this week - that'd help!

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The return of American Idol and its lesser cousin Nashville Star was a mixed blessing! I'll be addicted... again, and anchored to the TV on two or three nights a week for the foreseeable future. As the weeks progress some birth data might be available for me to play with - grist for the mill.

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And .....They moved the Doomsday Clock 2 minutes closer to midnight, supposedly towards 'The End of the World'. I think it's more likely to indicate a time when, like Cinderella at midnight, we could be catapulted from a dream-like existence into cold, cold reality - that's if we're lucky! Threat of nuclear destruction and threat from climate change take equal shares of the blame for this move towards so-called doomsday. We are getting closer to Pluto in Capricorn, I think there's a connection !

Ryan Seacrest and his astrology

After watching Ryan Seacrest doing his thing on American Idol once again, I was curious to see his natal chart.

Out of the whole crew of that incredibly popular show, and I'm a great fan, he strikes me as the most professional. He's not treated too well by critics and comedians who often have him at the butt of their jokes and bitchy comments.

I knew absolutely nothing about Mr Seacrest, or his other professional endeavours and was initially surprised when I saw his chart.

Born 24 December 1974, Dunwoody, Georgia. No time known.

The Sun, Mercury and Venus are at 2, 5 and 14 Capricorn respectively. Surprising to me - until I Googled for more information on Mr. Seacrest, then all became clear. He's a workhorse, and an ambitious businessman.

From tvguide.com
Seacrest already has a full plate — besides his radio shows On-Air with Ryan Seacrest and American Top 40, his gigs on E! News the Live from the Red Carpet specials, and Idol, he is co-owner of eight restaurants and a clothing line (The R Line). He is also busy producing E!'s Paradise City, a Vegas-based half-hour reality series about twentysomethings trying to make it in the entertainment industry (debuting in 2007), plus he's working hard rooting for his famous friends. And if that weren't enough, he's working on a new ndustry-related project that is too secret to divulge just yet, but which he hopes to announce in the beginning of the new year.

From nytimes.com
Each day at 4 a.m. Ryan Seacrest, the tireless host of "American Idol," is wide awake staring at a schedule that frightens even him at times. "There are certainly days when I'm brushing my teeth and thinking, 'How are you going to have the energy to do all of this today?' " he said in his sparsely decorated dressing room, a half-hour before he was due to direct traffic on "Idol." "But it's like running. The first few minutes are difficult, and then you find a rhythm."............
"I'm frightened by the thought of being out of work," he said. "Growing up, there were people on shows like 'Diff'rent Strokes,' 'Facts of Life,' 'Love Boat' that you thought would be huge stars for the rest of their lives, and they've just vanished. You never want to be that person."

Ryan's Moon is in Taurus, opposed by Uranus in Scorpio - emotional commitment will not be easy for him, he craves excitement, novelty, challenge. Saturn at 16 Cancer opposes his Venus, possibly bringing limitation to his love life. He can't possibly have much spare time! Ryan is presently single. Gossip seems to have surfaced from time to time as to his sexual orientation. Who cares?

Jupiter lies in Pisces, Neptune and Mars are conjunct in Sagittarius. Pluto's in Libra(the only Air planet he has), and Uranus in Scorpio. I feel certain that if his birth time were available we'd see some planets in Air houses, probably his ascendant in Air too - I think he's too good a communicator to be lacking in that element.

One surprising piece of information at http://extratv.warnerbros.com
Ryan - "I was bullied," he confessed. "I used to lock myself in my room and scrape the skin on my cheeks because I wanted to be thinner. It wasn’t that big a deal. I just was teased. I had braces, I had glasses, I had Simon’s haircut -- so I was teased when I was a kid."

That early experience, together with his natal Jupiter in gentle Pisces no doubt contributes to his compassionate approach when dealing with some VERY eccentric, often pitifully misguided would-be singers.

I feel I understand Ryan Seacrest a little better now! In a nutshell: a compulsive worker and achiever, foregoing emotional relationship for the sake of his future career, but with an underlying base of compassionate understanding. Difficult, but nice!

AstroLydia

Meet AstroLydia. As Groucho Marx once sang "You can learn a lot from Lydia".....Lydia the astrolady.

She's my doodle (Can you tell I've been iced in for a week?)

She's composed of trines, squares, oppositions and conjunctions - aren't we all ?

Her first thoughts -

Eeeeek - American Idol auditions !

NEPTUNE OVERLOAD!!!!

They imagine they can sing!

Wake up people, turn back that Doomsday Clock. Crank up your Mercury - communicate with your politicians !

Al Gore, his transits - our chance ?

Wishful thinking propels me almost daily to search Google with the request "Al Gore 2008". Yesterday a recent news item from the Boston Globe :

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/01/16/another_chance_for_gore/

offered a hint of hope.

In his article "Another chance for Gore" Scot Lehigh, Globe Columnist said

"Publicly, Gore hasn't ruled out running, but neither has he evinced much interest.
But when one friend asked him recently about another campaign, Gore didn't dismiss the question out of hand. "We'll see how things go," he replied.
Another Democratic source says that in recent weeks, the former vice president's camp has quietly put out feelers to presidential politicos, asking whether they are committed for 2008"

I sincerely hope that Al Gore will decide to run in the presidential race 2008. Dennis Kucinich is a favourite of mine too, but I suspect that Al Gore is the only politician America has who's right in every way for the job a new president will face.

Later yesterday I ran across a transcript of Al Gore's Martin Luther King Day address given on Monday: http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Text_of_Gore_speech_0116.html
He really tore into President Bush's policies. The speech is inspirational!

I've looked again at Gore's natal chart , at transits, and at the ephemeris for 2007/8.
His chart is available at Astrodatabank - http://www.astrodatabank.com/NM/GoreAl.htm

Perhaps I'm being optimistic and simplistic, but consider this -

Al Gore's natal Jupiter is at 28 Sagittarius. Transiting Pluto will join it there between February and May this year and again in December, also from August to October '08, just before the election. It will still be within a degree of exact conjunction at the '08 election date. Transiting Jupiter will join transiting Pluto at Gore's natal Jupiter in mid-December 07 too. Quite a lot going on!

28 degrees of a mutable sign (as is Sagittarius) can be considered as "Aries Point" i.e.within 2 degree orb of Cardinal Capricorn's 00 degrees. Even more significant then!!
Extract from an article by Roderick Benns - http://www.lifepathastrology.com/articles/TheAriesPoint.htm

"In astrology, there is a special measurement we can look to reliably when we are seeking evidence of tremendous public projection potential. This is known as the Aries Point, yet it refers to zero degrees of all cardinal signs — Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Use an orb of two or two and a half degrees maximum (which means that a planet at 29 degrees Virgo or 28 degrees Sagittarius, etc., would be considered at the Aries Point). Use planets, the Ascendant, MC and midpoints only. "

I can only guess what significance these powerful Pluto transits might have for Al Gore. Perhaps the earlier transit connects to a possible Oscar nomination for his film "An Inconvenient Truth". Pluto's energies are well known as being transformative, sometimes painful, but eventually in the native's best interest. It seems that Al Gore doesn't exactly relish the idea of presidency, he has found success outside the arena of politics, which he has described as "toxic". Pluto's influence upon his fifth house Jupiter could help to change his outlook. I shall continue to hope

The Weather, Comets and Astrology

A cardinal visiting our backyard for his breakfast yesterday.

Whilst I don't believe that "The End Times" are nigh, the long string of recent freak weather detailed at The Great Red Comet blog http://sky-watch.blogspot.com/ does give cause for thought, especially regarding Comet McNaught's possible effect on our weather since it appeared in our skies. (Late addition - please see interesting information posted today on this topic at Jude Cowell's site http://starsoverwashington.blogspot.com/ )

In astrology we believe "as above, so below". Above us last week in the USA and Europe was a rare sight (for those lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time). Below, here on Earth, many people experienced rare weather. To be reasonable about this, it IS mid-winter in the northern hemisphere. Skeptics will say "What do you expect?" Agreed - we expect it to be seasonally cold or hot, but the longlasting and severe swath of Arctic weather presently spreading across the USA is more severe than normal. Oklahoma has been declared a Federal Disaster area by President Bush - that's rare! Scientists say that the only way an object such as a comet can affect the Earth is to hit it. How can they be so sure ?

I'm not in a position to comment on the rest of the weather items mentioned in The Red Comet blog, but grouped together as they are, it inclines one to pause and wonder.

More on weather and astrology at a blog written by Ken Paone, who, I understand, has been working with Kepler's long-range weather forecasting method for about 14 years.

"The Weather Alternative" http://theweatheralternative.blogspot.com/

On 27 December 2006 the author told of an historic snow storm.

"January 12, 2007 will mark the 119th anniversary of the Children’s Blizzard. Also known as the Schoolhouse Blizzard or the Schoolchildren’s Blizzard, this powerful storm hit the U.S. Plains unexpectedly on January 12, 1888. Only those who lived close to telegraph offices or railroad stations received news of the approaching storm from the U.S. Signal Corps. Many people, however, were caught unaware. Children were trapped in one-room schoolhouses or met their fate trying to find their way back home. Farmers were caught without protection taking care of their livestock as were family members doing errands in town. It is estimated that 235 people died that day on the Dakota-Nebraska prairie—more than a hundred of them children.

He goes on to say

The astro-meteorology behind the Children’s Blizzard shows that on the 11th and 12th of January Mars conjoined Uranus as Mercury made a 90 degree angle to Mars and Uranus. Mars-Uranus contacts indicate acute, energetic, erratic action and provoke wind velocities of varying intensities. Mercury-Uranus is known to provoke falling temperatures and erratic gusts of wind. Mercury-Mars action indicates sudden brief spurts of whipping winds....................................

This January(2007), roughly from the 27th through the 30th, shows that the solar eclipse of March 29, 2006 will be activated. The implications are that a powerful storm, perhaps a blizzard, will develop over the Plains and push eastward across the Mississippi Valley and toward the East Coast. I’m in no wise thinking that this storm will be anything like the Children’s Blizzard of 1888. The similarity resides in the fact that, in both cases, eclipse charts are involved. The planetary energies involved, however, are different. This January we will be dealing with a Mercury-Saturn opposition, a sure harbinger of a strong low pressure system."

So..... more fun to come then ????

A Different Learning Curve

The Arctic weather we're experiencing in Oklahoma just now is presenting me with a learning curve of a different kind . We lost electricity on Sunday for five or six hours. A big old tree had fallen under the weight of ice, right across some electricity lines. Electricity returned just as darkness fell - for which we were truly thankful! My husband's photographs above show how the trees are covered with a heavy layer of ice . This morning, as the sun rose behind the big Cottonwood trees in our backyard and in the woodland beyond, shimmering through ice coated branches and twigs, the scene took on a look of pure burnished silver - an amazing and beautiful sight !

These circumstances have delivered a salutary lesson. "Be Prepared!" We had to scramble around in the freezing cold garage looking for batteries, portable radios and torches . AJ, my husband's son, who lives in the neighbourhood, braved the skating rink of a road to our house to make sure we were warm enough and OK. He brought news of the reason for the outage. He pointed out that our telephone wouldn't function under these circumstances, it's the "walkabout" type which relies on electricity. This started yet another hunt in the garage for an old fashioned telephone handset which would plug directly into the phone line. With this organised, AJ left for a slithery drive home.

I made sandwiches while the daylight held out, and we hunkered down for a picnic evening, with gas fire, candles, alcohol, and radio playing country music....then the lights came on again! Good on ya, Wichita Lineman! We were lucky this time, but many in the state and beyond are less fortunate, and may be without power for much longer during this unusually long and severe Arctic interlude.

On a brighter topic

Here is a link to The Curator's notes at Jonathan Cainer's Psychic Museum site
http://www.psychicmuseum.com/curator.php
There's a selection of very interesting links there relating to all things paranormal.
One of the most recent is to a group of articles and websites on the subject skepticism.

PS
The photograph (left) is of a Christmas gift I received from AJ. A plaque showing the Aquarius symbol. AJ's hobby is using scrap copper to make sculptures. His job as heating and air conditioning expert is source of much scrap copper.

His family was quite surprised by his new-found creativity when he started experimenting a couple of years ago.

On my first Christmas here he made me a 10" high copy of a British telephone kiosk (right) working from photographs. I was most impressed, and touched. It stands in a prominent place in our living room, reminding me of "home".

The above plaque, AJ confessed, proved unexpectedly difficult to make. He gave up on it several times throughout the year. He knows nothing about astrology, but worked from an illustration provided by my semi-indoctrinated husband. I think the plaque is a true work of art, it hangs by my desk as I type.

AJ is a sweetie!

The Stars in Their Courses

Long ago, and far away (I feel a song coming on) in the days when I attended church, I was asked to read the lesson at a service held on a certain "Youth Sunday". I've never forgotten the Bible text I was asked to read - it was from the Song of Deborah in chapter 5 of Judges in the Old Testament. When I look at the text now I wonder why it was thought appropriate for such an occasion. It's the story of a battle, and how the Israelites overcame the Canaanites with the help of their judge and prophetess Deborah. One line from the text often slides into my mind:

"The stars in their courses fought against Sisera"

I don't know whether those words refer to anything astrological, or whether they relate to the storm which occurred during the battle and assisted the Israelites, or perhaps both are interwoven ? Whatever the relevance, I find it somehow uplifting that the reference has never been "adjusted" by ancient or modern censors. The Song of Deborah is one of the oldest texts in the Bible. I'd like to think that Deborah was an astrologer as well as judge, prophet and lady of some strength, and that all those years ago I was reading astrology in church!

Singing about winning a battle has mercifully gone out of fashion. Songs now are more likely to be a cry for PEACE than celebration of victory in battle.

Global Warming and Pluto in Capricorn

This is a subject about which I feel passionate. Perhaps the most telling symbolism of it in astrology is Pluto's coming journey through Capricorn, starting around December 2008.

Greg Foster describes the energies of Pluto in Capricorn in an article carried at Eric Francis's Planet Waves website :

http://planetwavesweekly.com/parallel/articles/pluto_capricorn.html

"Pluto spends roughly 18 of the 248 years of his trip around our local star in Capricorn. When this energy puts on the heavy lead robe of the sign of the Sea-Goat, the 10-words-or-less message is get real; change is the only constant. This is partly because Capricorn is the energy we depend upon to hold things stable; Pluto is the energy of the most compelling changes."

I once read a description of Pluto energy which likened it to an abscess - drawing out impurities, painfully, slowly, until a point is reached when the abscess bursts. The blood has then been cleansed, healing begins. That description rang true to me.

Applying the analogy of an abscess and combining it with Cardinal Earth of Capricorn leads to a mental picture of Earth and its civilised structures being subjected to a draining of impurities and organisms which spell danger to it. Some pain to be endured, leading to eventual cleansing and healing.

Cardinal Earth. Capricorn, part of the solstice axis. It's something vitally important. It's not about war in Iraq or Iran, or problems with North Korea, important as those matters are. As I see it - it's about Earth, our home. The Earth itself will be subjected to a cleansing of the ills visited on it by too many inhabitants - through ignorance initially, and carelessness latterly . The pain is likely to be an intense experience for some, and intensly painful for others to watch. The transit covers an 18 year period, the first 9 years will no doubt be the hardest.

Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" was a wake-up call to the USA, and to the world. It has been heard by many, but not by the US government as yet. Even enlightened governments back away from the radical changes which must be made if real progress is ever to be made in stemming the rise of human-induced warming, changes which might give us more time. A "10-year window of opportunity" has been mentioned by some scientists. I don't think the window is that wide. I think perhaps the window is almost closed now, and all we can do is to wait for the natural results of man's early ignorance and present lack of care. A warning sign : The Ayles Ice Shelf — about the size of Manhattan — broke clear 16 months ago from the coast of Ellesmere Island, about 500 miles south of the North Pole in the Canadian Arctic.

A course we all could take during the next two years is to consider ways to feel reasonably non-dependent on resources which might be affected by environmental disasters. It's a sobering thought that electricity might disappear for long periods, clean water would be in short supply, food and medical supplies might be hard to obtain, motor vehicles and air travel would be subject to severe restriction. We've seen this science fiction-like scenario in films. Attempting to act it out mentally, in relation to our own circumstances, while relaxed and safe within our lives of plenty, might result in feeling more able to deal with such a situation when it arises. A mental fire drill. And we have still time for practice.

Above all, what will be needed are governments who have the strength of will, intelligence and compassion to deal with situations not yet encountered in human history. This is what voters everywhere ought to bear in mind at coming elections.

Pluto in Capricorn will bring a long needed cleansing to our planet. How intense and radical that cleansing is will depend on how bad we have allowed things to become. Each sincere effort to help, even seemingly inconsequential efforts, might assist in lessening the intensity.

A Mystery - Playing Cards and Astrology

I was introduced to Robert Camp's two books "Love Cards" and "Cards of Your Destiny" some years ago. Being of cautious nature about anything involving playing cards ( I always lose) at first I was sceptical. Over time I've come to respect the ancient "science of the cards" especially as it relates to relationships and compatability.

For anyone unfamiliar with the "science of the cards", there is background information on-line from a variety of sources:

http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/rosemurray/TheCards.html
http://www.metasymbology.com/whatsyourcard.html
http://www.cafeastrology.com/playingcardsbirthdaychart.html
http://www.7thunders.com/

The ancient and mysterious system is said to be based upon astrology and numerology. It's hard to see how it can possibly work with accuracy, because only the day and month of one's birth is used, year, time and place of birth are not involved.

As an example, the Birth Card for my own January birthday is King of Clubs. King of Clubs is also the Birth Card for people with birthdays on 25 Feb, 23 March, 21 April, 19 May, 17 June, 15 July, 13 August, 11 September, 9 October, 7 November, 5 December.

All cards do not have as many connections to dates as the King of Clubs. 4 of Hearts for example relates only to 31 October, 29 November and 27 December. So there is more involved than a simple circling and re-circling of the deck.

As well as a Birth Card for each birthday, there are Planetary Ruler Cards, Karma Cards, and cards of Karma Cousins.

Robert Camp's book "Love Cards" in large format, contains full information on each card with detailed tables of compatability ratings, based on planetary connections between two cards. As we know, in astrology planetary connections change year by year, month by month, day by day and hour by hour! In spite of this anomaly I've found that the system works reliably concerning compatability. The system is not as reliable in my own experience, regarding future events, as detailed in the Destiny Cards book.

Here is just one example from my own experience. My Birth Card is (Aquarian) King of Clubs. My maternal grandmother's birthday was 19 May -another (Taurean) King of Clubs. My late partner's was 20 May - (Taurean) Queen of Clubs. My husband's is Ace of Diamonds (Aries). According to Robert Camp's book all these are rated as very compatible with me. The three people named were/are undoubtedly the closest relationships in my life. In the Birth Spread they fall next to each other - Queen Clubs, King Clubs, and the next card is Ace of Diamonds!

Coincidence? I don't know.

It's very mysterious, and a reminder that though straight astrology can be accurate, there is MUCH more to learn about the mechanism behind it all. This is what keeps me searching.

Comets

Jonathan Cainer's website alert to the fact that Comet McNaught might be visible these nights led me to go see if I could spot it near the horizon, and later, seek more information about comets in general.

So far I haven't been able to see the comet, we have had clear skies for the past 2 nights, and found a reasonably clear horizon. Perhaps in SW Oklahoma we are too far south ? Most photographs of the comet I've seen on-line come from more northerly locations, Canada, northern Europe, or Scotland.

I found some interesting facts and figures on comets here:
http://www.geocities.com/mahtezcatpoc/comets.html
and
http://accessnewage.com/articles/astro/HALE-BOP.HTM

What has intrigued me is that the two comets which were visible in 1996 and 1997 might have had influence in my own life. It could be pure coincidence, of course, or due to a combination of other astrological influences which were certainly present at those times. I thought it interesting enough to relate my story, anyway.

According to the first of the above linked sites
" Comet Hyakutake perihelioned on May 1, 1996 at 11 Taurus 26 and attained a maximum magnitude of +0. "

In my natal chart the South Node of the Moon lies at 13 Taurus, with Uranus conjunct - this was close to the comet's perihelion! On 21 April 1996, 10 days before the comet perihelioned one of my life's biggest disasters occurred.

A fire broke out in a building adjoining the 2nd floor apartment where I and my late partner had lived for some 23 years. The fire spread, engulfed our apartment and destroyed everything in it. We escaped with our lives, the few clothes we had on and, fortunately, my handbag, with credit card and some cash. We had to start again, from scratch. It was difficult at first. The alternative apartment we found wasn't pleasant. We suffered a break-in during the first few months - how unlucky were those burglars, for we had next to nothing to steal!

In early spring of the following year, 1997, I made a determined attempt to find a different place to live. In late February Comet Hale-Bopp was conjunct my Sun at 6*46 Aquarius, according to the second link above. In early March I found a nice and affordable house to rent. But it seems that the comet's influence persisted.... my mother, who was in reasonably good health for her age at the time, helped us to move in to the new abode. Within 3 months she was diagnosed with cancer, and by August she had died. She left me her home by the sea, 70 miles away. We were unable to move at the time due to my job, but when I retired in 1999 we moved to live there .

The chain of events had not ended. My partner became ill, deteriorated gradually and died early in 2003. The chain continued. I met my present husband, we married in 2004 and I sold my home and emigrated to the USA late that year. The chain ends here, in Oklahoma!

As I pointed out , these matters could well be coincidental, or connected to other astrological events in my natal chart (notably a Saturn return in 1997, Pluto conjunct my natal Venus on two occasions in 2003, also Uranus was close to my Sun all through 1996). I can't help feeling though that one or other (or both) those comets, so close to sensitive points in my natal chart, initiated or intensified this chain of events. It has been the most eventful time of my life! A visit to The Twilight Zone ?