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| Quote by Winston Churchill |
Showing posts with label World War2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World War2. Show all posts
Thursday, September 15, 2016
A British Anniversry
I got nuttin' today - but I do want to remember, and record with feelings of gratitude, that today is Battle of Britain Day. The anniversary of one of those days in history when the shape of the future hung in balance. Our present would have turned out to be radically different from the present we know, had the Royal Air Force failed in their mission during those times.
Thursday, October 02, 2014
Not Yer Textbook Libra-type!
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| Libra by Erté |
Yesterday's post touching on Germany and World War II, as well as an exchange with commenter LB the other day about Sun signs, Moon signs etc. and astrological recognition factors in general, reminded me of a post I wrote years ago, in October 2008 to be exact. It has gathered a nice pile of views over the years, 10,646 at last count:
A Libran Exception: Irma Grese
There are some comments there too, including rather cool (not "cool") responses to one visitor.
Maybe current, 2014, visitors or commenters might have something to add, here, on the topic, either astrologically or in general?
A Libran Exception: Irma Grese
There are some comments there too, including rather cool (not "cool") responses to one visitor.
Maybe current, 2014, visitors or commenters might have something to add, here, on the topic, either astrologically or in general?
Sunday, September 02, 2007
War & Peace, & Brian De Palma's "Redacted"
To live in a world totally without war is a dream most people cherish. I've hoped to experience this for as long as I can remember, probably stemming from my experiences as a very young childhood in wartime England. I may not have appreciated fully what awful risks we faced in the city port where we lived, but in later years I came to understand, and to realise how lucky we had been to survive. Like many others of my generation (John Lennon from another port, Liverpool, is a famous example). We grew up hating the very word "war".
Until half-way through the second world war more women and children in Britain had been killed than soldiers. Over three-quarters of the total housing stock in our city was either destroyed or damaged. Some families were 'bombed out'of their homes two or even three times.
People who lived in the USA during WW2, and since then, have no such experience to use as a yardstick. There are still many in the US who support the current adminstration's determination to continue war in Iraq, and even expand the conflict into Iran, thereby risking a World War 3. I wonder if they would be so keen to support it if they had ever experienced war as a civilian? Even in Europe, those who lived through WW2 as children or adults become fewer in number with each year that passes. Their wisdom is becoming scarce.
Movie director Brian DePalma's latest film "Redacted" aims to bring home to audiences some of the horror of the war in Iraq. DePalma's long career in film has been quite controversial. He has gathered much criticism, and is apparently one of those directors one either loves or hates with a vengance. Until now many of his films have been fairly violent and gory - certainly not pacifist in nature. (Movie list here.)
The word "redacted" isn't one in common use - I had to look up its meaning - Wikipedia tells us "Redaction generally refers to the editing or blacking out of text in a document, or to the result of such an effort. It is intended to allow the selective disclosure of information in a document while keeping other parts of the document secret."
Wow! what a lot of Earth - Virgo and Taurus, with Moon certainly in Capricorn, but degree can't be known without time of birth. Pluto and Venus conjunct in Leo are the only variety in this Earthy natal chart. Not one planet in Air or Water.
His Virgo and Taurus planets are in trine - Uranus with Neptune/Mercury and Jupiter/Saturn with Sun/Mars. Depending on time of birth the Moon might hook up into a Grand Trine in Earth.
He says about his films in general:
"My films deal with a stylized, expressionistic world that has a kind of grotesque beauty about it. I like stylization. I try to get away with as much as possible until people start laughing at it."
"I've never been accepted as that conventional artist"
In this case I have to admit that I'm stumped to find him/his work in his natal chart. Uranus trine Mercury/Neptune possibly accounts for being unconventional. He is probably very at ease with himself (the Earthy trines), and cares little what critics say about him and his work. Perhaps the key to finding "him" will be in the ascendant and house configuration.
I'd guess that his ascendant will not be in an Earth sign - perhaps Aquarius, or Leo. A 5p.m.-ish time of birth would put ascendant just into Aquarius, with Sun/Mercury/Neptune in the 8th house, Taurus planets close to the IC (nadir) angle, opposite midheaven. That's a fit, tailor-made by me !
I wish Mr De Palma the best with his new film. It will certainly not be easy viewing, but could help to bring home the horrors of war to US audiences. More on the new film HERE.
Some current estimates of civilian casualties in Iraq since the start of the conflict are as high as one million. Casualties of any World War 3 would be between 6 and 7 billion.... man's exit from planet Earth.
I trust that Americans who truly believe in 'Peace on Earth' will consider carefully before casting their votes in the primaries and in 2008. There is one candidate whose focus is, and always has been, on peace - Dennis Kucinich. Journalists delight in telling us that he is unelectable. What does this say about us?
"War! When I but think of this word, I feel bewildered, as though they were speaking to me of sorcery, of the Inquisition, of a distant, finished, abominable, monstrous, unnatural thing.
"When they speak to us of cannibals, we smile proudly, as we proclaim our superiority to these savages. Who are the real savages? Those who struggle in order to eat those whom they vanquish, or those who struggle merely to kill?"
—Guy de Maupassant, Sur l'Eau
Until half-way through the second world war more women and children in Britain had been killed than soldiers. Over three-quarters of the total housing stock in our city was either destroyed or damaged. Some families were 'bombed out'of their homes two or even three times.
People who lived in the USA during WW2, and since then, have no such experience to use as a yardstick. There are still many in the US who support the current adminstration's determination to continue war in Iraq, and even expand the conflict into Iran, thereby risking a World War 3. I wonder if they would be so keen to support it if they had ever experienced war as a civilian? Even in Europe, those who lived through WW2 as children or adults become fewer in number with each year that passes. Their wisdom is becoming scarce.
Movie director Brian DePalma's latest film "Redacted" aims to bring home to audiences some of the horror of the war in Iraq. DePalma's long career in film has been quite controversial. He has gathered much criticism, and is apparently one of those directors one either loves or hates with a vengance. Until now many of his films have been fairly violent and gory - certainly not pacifist in nature. (Movie list here.)
The word "redacted" isn't one in common use - I had to look up its meaning - Wikipedia tells us "Redaction generally refers to the editing or blacking out of text in a document, or to the result of such an effort. It is intended to allow the selective disclosure of information in a document while keeping other parts of the document secret."
Brian De Palma was born on 11 September (fateful date!) 1940, in Newark, New Jersey. I can find no time of birth, so use a 12 noon chart.
Wow! what a lot of Earth - Virgo and Taurus, with Moon certainly in Capricorn, but degree can't be known without time of birth. Pluto and Venus conjunct in Leo are the only variety in this Earthy natal chart. Not one planet in Air or Water.
His Virgo and Taurus planets are in trine - Uranus with Neptune/Mercury and Jupiter/Saturn with Sun/Mars. Depending on time of birth the Moon might hook up into a Grand Trine in Earth.
He says about his films in general:
"My films deal with a stylized, expressionistic world that has a kind of grotesque beauty about it. I like stylization. I try to get away with as much as possible until people start laughing at it."
"I've never been accepted as that conventional artist"
In this case I have to admit that I'm stumped to find him/his work in his natal chart. Uranus trine Mercury/Neptune possibly accounts for being unconventional. He is probably very at ease with himself (the Earthy trines), and cares little what critics say about him and his work. Perhaps the key to finding "him" will be in the ascendant and house configuration.
I'd guess that his ascendant will not be in an Earth sign - perhaps Aquarius, or Leo. A 5p.m.-ish time of birth would put ascendant just into Aquarius, with Sun/Mercury/Neptune in the 8th house, Taurus planets close to the IC (nadir) angle, opposite midheaven. That's a fit, tailor-made by me !
I wish Mr De Palma the best with his new film. It will certainly not be easy viewing, but could help to bring home the horrors of war to US audiences. More on the new film HERE.
Some current estimates of civilian casualties in Iraq since the start of the conflict are as high as one million. Casualties of any World War 3 would be between 6 and 7 billion.... man's exit from planet Earth.
I trust that Americans who truly believe in 'Peace on Earth' will consider carefully before casting their votes in the primaries and in 2008. There is one candidate whose focus is, and always has been, on peace - Dennis Kucinich. Journalists delight in telling us that he is unelectable. What does this say about us?
"War! When I but think of this word, I feel bewildered, as though they were speaking to me of sorcery, of the Inquisition, of a distant, finished, abominable, monstrous, unnatural thing.
"When they speak to us of cannibals, we smile proudly, as we proclaim our superiority to these savages. Who are the real savages? Those who struggle in order to eat those whom they vanquish, or those who struggle merely to kill?"
—Guy de Maupassant, Sur l'Eau
Sunday, May 27, 2007
MEMORIAL
No astrology, only memories on this Memorial Day Weekend.
Although I'm not American, I too owe a debt of gratitude to the American servicemen who, during my early childhood in World War 2, came to the aid of Britain. Many fell in action, and the majority of those who were fortunate enough to return home will by now have passed on. Without their assistance to our own brave military men in those dark days, it's hard to know how Britain could have survived.
The above illustration, by Norman Rockwell, is dedicated to them all. It was originally issued for Thanksgiving 1943, but it's equally apt this weekend.
That was then, though. This is now. In the current situation:
"Honour the dead, heal the wounded, bring the troops home."
***********************************************
Also, in remembering my own loved ones, I think of some lines from a Tina Turner song :"Something Beautiful Remains"
We're living in world, stars and dust
Between heaven 'n all that surrounds us
We're travellers here, spirits passing through
And the love we give, is all that will endure
Hey now, what we had is gone
But I still remember you
Just like a rose after the rain
Something beautiful remains
Tears will leave no stains
Time will ease the pain
For every life that fades
Something beautiful remains
Although I'm not American, I too owe a debt of gratitude to the American servicemen who, during my early childhood in World War 2, came to the aid of Britain. Many fell in action, and the majority of those who were fortunate enough to return home will by now have passed on. Without their assistance to our own brave military men in those dark days, it's hard to know how Britain could have survived.
The above illustration, by Norman Rockwell, is dedicated to them all. It was originally issued for Thanksgiving 1943, but it's equally apt this weekend.
That was then, though. This is now. In the current situation:
"Honour the dead, heal the wounded, bring the troops home."
***********************************************
Also, in remembering my own loved ones, I think of some lines from a Tina Turner song :"Something Beautiful Remains"
We're living in world, stars and dust
Between heaven 'n all that surrounds us
We're travellers here, spirits passing through
And the love we give, is all that will endure
Hey now, what we had is gone
But I still remember you
Just like a rose after the rain
Something beautiful remains
Tears will leave no stains
Time will ease the pain
For every life that fades
Something beautiful remains
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