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)

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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.

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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 ?

Me and Ol' Blue Eyes - astrologically speaking.

I have idolised Frank Sinatra since the 1960s. He could do no wrong. I was not interested in the scandals. All that mattered to me was what he did for his audience, while singing or acting. As far as I'm concerned he has no equal, and never will.

Oddly, until today I had never looked at his birthchart. I knew he was Sun Sagittarius, but no more. Two things led me to have a look at his chart. Firstly I'd watched a DVD of one of his shows last night, and "that old black magic had me in its spell" again! Secondly, I've started scribbling in a blog which I'd originally opened to test custom headers and HTML. I re-cycled it under a new title "The Glorious Cycle of Song". Naturally it got me thinking about Sinatra.

Anyway.....I have a theory that people are attracted to entertainers, writers, musicians, actors, celebrities etc. whose charts contain some correlation with their own. By some peculiar means we are able to "sense" the connection, even via screen, audio, or literature. I've found in my own experience that the clearest and longest lasting attractions involve the closest astrological connections.

My theory holds good in Sinatra's case. I was delighted to see that his Sun was at 19.13* Sagittarius, because my Venus is at 19.59* Sagittarius ! ( His Mercury is at 17* Sagittarius too.)

This is a small, but to me enormously significant discovery.

"It's such an ancient pitch, But one I wouldn't switch, 'Cos there's no nicer witch than.........."

Mercurial Squirrels

I don't know whether wild animals are thought to be subject to planetary energies. If my own view of astrology is anywhere near the mark, then they must be, but perhaps in a slightly different way from humans. I started thinking about this after watching a squirrel in our backyard. Squirrels are typically Mercurial ! If they were humans they'd have Mercury and Gemini prominent in their charts. They are so darned clever, mobile, and fast.

We have an ongoing competition with the little darlin's to keep them off our bird feeders. They outwit us every time. Son-in-law made a specially designed bird-feeder stand for us, which he hoped would solve the problem for good. Wrong! Cyril, our resident nuisance, found a way to climb it and get at the woodpecker block and seeds this morning (see pic above). Clever little cuss! We don't mind him eating the birds' goodies, but he tends to gnaw the feeder, or break it, or bring the whole caboodle to the ground by launching himself, rocket-like, from a great distance.

How come that a cute little creature like Cyril can outsmart any number of his two-legged neighbours? According to son-in-law, there's a whole 'underground' working on various plans to combat this problem, trying to at least win a battle, if not the war. To date nobody has been successful.

According to an aricle here
http://timethief.wordpress.com/2006/12/24/squirrels-outwitting-trees-survival-strategy/
it's not only humans the squirrels compete with, but trees also. And what's more, the shrewd little creatures seem to be able to predict when a bumper crop of cones is due. That walnut sized brain of theirs must work in overdrive, and perhaps even has psychic capabilities.

I suppose Cyril has but few things on his mind - survival: food, shelter and whoopee!. He doesn't have to worry about the price of gas, moronic politicians, or whether his bum looks too big. He's pretty focused. Perhaps WE should emulate the attitude of our Mercurial friend and concentrate only on food, shelter and whoopee!!!

Dennis Kucinich, his wife, and Astrology

Further to my blog entry relating to Dennis Kucinich ( December 13, 2006- label "politics") the following is interesting:
It's from a piece by Dennis's wife Elizabeth in her blog http://kucinich.us/elizabeth.
It begins
"From a family (grandmother, mother, me and now my husband Dennis) of Librans, the symbol for which is the scales, my mother and I always joked that we spent our lives in constant flux in search of balance but rarely finding it. Librans, in this constant seeking for justice, appreciate fully moments of beauty and opportunity in every experience that allude to balance and justice.
It is said in physics that every action causes a reaction. Similar too is the concept of Karma. These can be understood to be the material and spiritual laws of balance. When they are translated into our day to day life experiences, every action indeed causes a reaction, a karmic narrative. To awaken vision and to touch balance in Justice’s scales, we must introduce sincere reflection between the phases of action and reaction. ........."

It's good that she considers astrology relevant - even if only at Sun sign level. For all I know she might be an expert in the subject. This is another big PLUS factor for me in favour of Dennis Kucinich, and his bid for nomination. He is very much an outsider - it would take a minor micacle for him to be chosen as Democratic candidate. Yet, you never know - Al Gore might yet run - and be elected - and choose Kucinich as his Vice President. Now there would be a "dream ticket" !

A little more insight-
From "How Kucinich Found Love", by Evelyn Theiss Published Sunday, October 30, 2005 by the Cleveland Plain Dealer -

"On May 4, Elizabeth Harper walked with her boss into Dennis Kucinich's Capitol Hill office for a meeting and immediately noticed three things. In the reception area, she saw a visiting nun in white robes. In his inner office sat a shelf bearing an illustration depicting "light consciousness" and a bust of Gandhi. She studied the lean and intense congressman and felt an attraction. "Now this is an interesting man," she thought."

(Note use of "intense" - someone else sees his Scorpio!)

My own theory about Dennis Kucinich, as stated previously, is that as well as being a Libran charmer and egalitarian, he will have steely determination and intensity of purpose courtesy of his clutch of Scorpio planets.

In Dennis Kucinich's own words (at New Year 2007)

http://kucinich.us/
"Each one of us holds transformational capabilities to engage the world constructively through the images of the future we hold in our mind. Our thoughts have power."

and more recently

"On Sunday January 7th, I will appear live on CNN’s Late Edition (11am-1pm ET) to discuss my presidential campaign.
On Monday morning in New York City, I will unveil a comprehensive Iraq exit strategy at a news conference with major media already confirming attendance.
At noon I will present an address at Jesse Jackson’s Wall Street Project, entitled "Out of Iraq and Back to the American Cities."
On Monday afternoon I will appear live in the New York studios of Fox TV’s Neil Cavuto Show and then return to Washington to meet with Congressional leaders to discuss my plan regarding Iraq. "

Go Dennis!!!

Scientists, Astronomers and Skeptics.....Oh my!

Yesterday's post about The Library of Halexandria launched me along a train of thought, disappointed that there are so few scientists willing to look at astrology with open minds. I wandered around the internet net looking at blogs written by skeptics, astronomers, and scientific types who take continual delight in decrying astrology. It's a jungle out there! But they're still putting forward the same old selection of tired arguments. Even though I've heard them all before, they still make my blood pressure rise.

If anyone has been unwise enough to read some of my earlier posts they'll know that I have some doubts of my own about my favourite subject. Those doubts lead me to question, but not to dismiss, the whole concept of astrology as we know it. I think of it as the only "tool" we have with which to prise open a box containing as yet undiscovered knowledge. This tool has been fashioned, modified, adapted, abused and adulterated by many minds over many centuries, no doubt losing efficiency in the process. All this tool can do is force open a tiny aperture in that box of knowledge, through which we may glimpse shadowy outlines, just the edges of the contents. That's all.

When some enlightened scientist such as Percy Seymour or Rupert Sheldrake stumbles upon the now hidden law of nature which brings about the astrological effects we observe, light will at last be shed upon the mystery that is astrology. Then, the clumsy tool we've used thus far will become a redundant curiosity. Astrologers will re-write their text books. Until then, we are stuck with the only tool we have. How we use it, and to what extent, is a personal matter. To throw it away completely, as do most who claim to be scientifically-minded, is reckless.

"They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea."
(Sir Francis Bacon)

The Library of )(alexandria

Yesterday, while Googling for a piece of information I happened upon
http://www.halexandria.org/home.htm

It's the website of Dr. Dan Sewell Ward, "The Library of Halexandria". It contains pages and pages of fascinating information and ideas about the mystical, mysterious, hidden elements of life, history, religion, and other stuff, including astrology. There are sections on more down to earth subjects such as Discrimination, Common Sense, Education, etc. All is written in plain language spiced with humour. The Site Map is the best place to start and gives an indication of the scope of this amazing resource. Dr. Ward provides thousands of click-through links which can set you off on a long magical mystery tour, so that you forget what it was you were looking for in the first place!

The author is a scientist (see below) who does not try to discredit astrology, he takes the same stance as Sir Isaac Newton did when he was asked how in the world he could believe in astrology: "I have studied the subject, Sir. You haven't."

Dr. Ward is added to my list of Good Guy Scientists!

Here's an extract from what he has to say about astrology.

"When someone can explain the scientifically inexplicable geometrical correlation among the planets -- and not dismiss it as some quirk or nature -- then they can challenge the theory of astrology’s geometrical influence. (But of course, if they do the prerequisite, they will likely inadvertently find the means of verifying the truth and validity of astrology. It’s a Catch 22 for the skeptics and a "win-win" for astrologers! Such is the fate of truth. Sigh.)"...................................
"The more interesting question is why should a planet today making a 60 or a 90 degree angle with the location of a planet in a person’s chart mean very different effects?
Cells have what might be best described as teeny tiny, directional antenna on the cell walls, which are in a state of constant fluctuation while an embryo is still in the womb. At birth, and shortly thereafter (a matter of days), these antenna cease their fluctuating existence and lock into place. Thereafter, these antenna need only feel the impulse of the appropriate signal to notify the cell to contact the blueprints of its DNA and do its thing. The antenna are basically timing devices for the cell (or its descendants) to be active.

One theory is that the planets are all interconnected to the cells’ antenna via subtle electromagnetics. When a planet approaches the point in space where the electromagnetic field around it (on Earth, they include the Van Allen belts, for example) is able to trigger the directional antenna of the cells, the cell checks its DNA blueprints, and physically affects the human host.

How this could work on a nation is anybody’s guess, but probably via the collective of the

orpeople who inhabit the country. This is especially true of countries where the people are not exactly world travelers -- their location on Earth having remained basically the same for years. (There is, for example, the art of Astrocartography -- locational astrology.)

Any more questions?

Well, if you don’t buy that one, how about the simple geometry of planetary locations with respect to one’s cellular antenna being the causative factor (in lieu of electormagnetic forces). Mainstream science will likely look askance at that one, but the reality is that no one in mainstream science has been able to figure out how geometry, in and of itself, can make anything happen. What we’re advocating is the idea of geometry being a causative factor, causing action-at-a-distance without the standard intermediaries of electromagnetic

gravitational forces. Mainstream science has no idea how that could happen. [But then again, mainstream science still hasn’t figured out how gravity and electromagnetism work either. They have theories, but nothing that can be conclusively proven.] "

About the author-
Daniel holds (there's not much else to do with it) a Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as a Bachelor of Engineering Science from the same university. He is the author of over one hundred and fifty technical and semi-technical articles in a variety of scientific journals, magazines and conference proceedings, and has been doing research in a wide diversity of scientific disciplines and esoteric subjects for over three decades. (Actually longer, but he's trying to think young.) These subjects include nuclear and elementary particle physics, solar energy (including building the world's first solar heated and cooled house), the economics and politics of alternative energy systems, Zero-Point Energy, Cold Fusion, Sacred Geometry, ancient history, goddess-related topics, Hyperdimensional Physics, the enigma of Crop Circles, and the list goes on and on. As a true synergistic generalist, Dr. Ward is also a teacher, prolific writer, theoretical and experimental researcher, futurist, and unrepentant humorist (specializing in puns).

Astrology Bloggers

I'm learning that my astrology-blogging colleagues are a kindly bunch.
It has been most encouraging to receive support when feeling adrift among what seems like billions and billions of blogs. Thank you for the mention of my blog in yours - it's much appreciated. I'm still learning blogging procedure and how to do the linkback trackback thingies, so if I fail to acknowledge or return a compliment it's not because I don't want to, it's because my half-assed attempts to do it correctly have resulted in a cyber-tangle.

I've been really impressed by all the astrology blogs I've read. A valuable resource is being built up, and I hope astrology fans will soon become aware of it in greater numbers. I feel rather awkward because I'm not an astrologer proper, like most astrology bloggers. I write about what comes into my mind day by day, and use the basic astrology I've taught myself over the years. I hope that my efforts might encourage others to learn more. My pet aim is to convince someone who is a sceptic/skeptic, or is completely ignorant about the subject, that there IS some truth in astrology.

Thanks again y'all. On with the blogging!

Novels featuring Astrology

For the long cold nights of January some extra reading matter might be welcome . Here are a few novels which include astrology in their plot-lines. I notice they are all written by women ! They are paperback novels, nothing too serious, probably just a good quick read. Most can be bought, "used", for as little as $1 at amazon.com.

"Mars Eclipsed": A Katy Klein Mystery, where the main character is a psychologist/astrologer. There are three books in this series of mystery tales. This one is said to be sophisticated, engaging, and witty.

"Death of a Dustbunny" is one of a series of mystery books by Christine T. Jorgensen where the main character writes an astrological help column in a local newspaper as "Stella The Stargazer".

"While this is not the first book in the Stella the Stargazer series it certainly allows you to read it first and not feel like a stranger. Stella is upset because her friend and student Elena has not shown up after leaving a particularly disturbing message . Once Stella begins to worry and have a few psychic interludes she realizes that Elena is not merely late but in trouble and she sets off to find her."

"Heart of Stone (Astrologer, No 1)" by Denny Demartino takes place in the future (2130), where forensic astrologers use astrology to solve crimes. Extract from synopsis at amazon.com:
"By 2130, earthquakes and gigantic flooding caused by tidal waves dramatically have changed the face of the planet leading to chaos. During the abyss, a power hungry individual grabbed control and declared himself Emperor. A few generations later, his descendants still rule. With the discovery of zero-point gravity, the after life is no longer a mystery and astrology is one of the most influential of the sciences. Philipa Cyprion was one of the world's leading astrologists until her spouse died causing her to doubt her abilities. Philipa goes off planet flim flamming marks along her orbit. When the Emperor's son is murdered, Terapol Detective Artemis Hadrien brings Philipa home to work with him in finding out who the killer is. That changes when another of the Emperor's children is killed sending Artemis and Philip back off world tracking an alien race and its relationship to Earth's ruling family."

"President's Astrologer" by Barbara Shafferman - the author was a professional astrologer before she took up writing fiction. This novel is set in southwestern US. The time of the setting is a bit off! The book was published in 1999 and the author was over-optimitic about the way things were heading astrologically :

"Thanks to the Reagan administration, astrology as a behind-the-scenes force in the White House isn't a new idea. In 2006, a president is once again petitioning the stars for help. Addie Pryce, "one of the top astrologers in Washington," is selected for the top-secret task of advising the president and undermining his detractors. Though she's less than thrilled by the idea, Addie agrees and is pulled into the dangerous swirl of the Washington political scene, where she's introduced to an intimidating cast of power-hungry characters and forced to work with skeptics like White House staffer Jonah Stern. When she discovers the bloody body of her only true friend and confidante, retired astrologer Livonia Matthews, Addie painfully recognizes the ruthlessness of the world she has entered."

"Raven: The Praying Bird" by Patricia Roland-James. The main character, Ellen Raven is both an astrologer and a detective. A mystery thriller "set on the Russian River (in Northern California) in the early 80s, focuses on a period of recent history when everything seemed superficial and happy. But the country was being run by a loony old man, who may have looked like a charming old grandpa, but who was responsible for atrocities committed all over the world. In the Praying Bird, the author and narrator (psychic detective Ellen Raven) shed light on the darkness and evil of that time. "

Translating Bloggerese into Astrologese

My short blogging experience of around 6 months leaves me baffled by some of the terms I run across daily. From both my civil service background and long interest in astrology, I know how difficult it can be for 'outsiders' to comprehend jargon. Now I'm on the other side, trying to understand it!

Social bookmarks, memes, tags, ping, backlink, trackback, permalinks, RSS, XML.........sigh. There is a helpful glossary at
http://www.quickonlinetips.com/archives/2006/06/the-giant-blogging-terms-glossary/

Even with assistance from that resource I remain bewildered. Compared to blogging, astrology is a walk in the park. ( On second thoughts - maybe not!) Perhaps I could translate some of those strange terms, to act as a mnemonic. I do not guarantee that what follows is correct - it's the product of a confused mind!

So:
tag = keyword(s) to identify and categorise content of blog entry.
We already have keywords for planets, signs and houses in astrology, and Sun signs are also used as tags to roughly categorise us.

ping = an alert to a search engine or other site that you have updated your blog.
Transiting planets ping our natal chart regularly as they transit and 'update' themselves.

trackback, backlink = links from other blogs to yours (and vice versa).
Comparable to synastry in astrology, or trines between planets.

social bookmarking = grouping and categorising of links.

Like the analysis Astrodatabank carries out for astrological research ?

meme = propogation of ideas/questions from blog to blog .
A spread-out version of the type of exchange seen on astrology message boards.

permalink - a link which remains active after the blog entry has moved to archive stage.
The natal chart is one great big permalink!

RSS = program format which can deliver regular updates of chosen blogs to your computer, and can deliver your updates to others who choose to receive them.

Not sure how this could be translated. Having forecasts from a selection of favourite astrologers delivered to your cell-phone/computer - and if you're an astrologer, vice-versa.

Two Funny Ladies and Their Astrological Link

My husband was a great fan of "the old" Saturday Night Live. Nowadays it appears to have lost its early sparkle (and that's putting it kindly!). He wanted to convince me of SNL's former glories, so bought a DVD featuring Gilda Radner's contributions to the show. We watched it the past few evenings. She certainly WAS a brilliant comedienne. As I watched I was continually reminded of Tracy Ullman.

The two comediennes were born some 13 years and 5,000 miles apart. It's possible that Tracy Ullman got her inspiration from watching Gilda Radner's performances. The ability to invent hilarious characters and play them with consistent brilliance and humour is the mainstay of both performers' acts. Gilda Radner's regular characters included Rosanne Rosannadanna, Emily Litella, and Baba Wawa. Tracy Ullman slipped from one crazy character to another in her shows, characters such as Carmel Pinkum, a lady who's "different" , Nadia, the Russian trapeze artist, Dr. Jillian Smalls, radio psychologist, Kiki Howard-Smith, pro golfer from Australia, Ariel, a singer (her big hit was "Slit My Wrists") .

Gilda Radner born 28 June 1946, Detroit, Michigan
Tracy Ullman born 30 December 1959, Slough, England
No times known. I looked at 12 noon charts for both women, wondering if I'd find any similarities.

1. Both have Sun, Moon and Saturn within a 30* span.
Radner Moon 29.53* Gemini, Sun 6* Cancer, Saturn 25* Cancer
Ullman Sun 8*Capricorn, Saturn 9*Capricorn, Moon 17* Capricorn.

2. Both have all planets within one half of the chart.

3. Both have two stelliums

4. Both have Jupiter trine Uranus -Radner 17 Libra/18 Gemini. Ullman 18 Sag./20 Leo

5. Radner has Mercury sextile Neptune, Ullman has Mercury trine Uranus.

6. Their Suns lie opposite each other within 2 degrees, in cardinal signs, Cancer/Capricorn.

Strange!

Closely grouped planets including stelliums indicate intense focus in certain areas. It's a pity I couldn't find times of birth. Even without times though, it's obvious that to achieve the kind of success these ladies enjoyed, focus was a necessity!

Jupiter trine Uranus - Jupiter expands things, Uranus likes the eccentric or unexpected. Both ladies created larger than life eccentric characters, aided and abetted by their Mercury placements harmonious with Uranus or Neptune.

I'm not sure what the Sun/Moon/Saturn within 30* in both charts reveals. It's a definite similarity though. Symbolically it might mean that heart and soul went into their work ? I don't know.

Tragically, Gilda Radner died from ovarian cancer in 1989. On the day of her death, 20 May 1989, it is remarkable that Uranus, Neptune and Saturn at 4*, 12* and 13* Capricorn, (all retrograde) opposed her natal sun at 6* Cancer. And.....those three planets on the same day were conjunct Tracy Ullman's Sun/Saturn/Moon.

That IS spooky!