Christmas Cards

Christmas card styles for the 12 zodiac signs:-



Aries
Lighthearted fun, usually sent early:



Taurus
Traditional style, landscapes:



Gemini
Making sure the message gets through:





Cancer
Homely scenes:




Leo
Classy, large, somewhat pretentious, expensive looking:




Virgo
Restrained, minimal:



Libra
In the best of taste, maybe handmade, may show pairs:





Scorpio
Cards to grab the eye by colour or design:



Sagittarius
Santa Claus, fun, or religious cards:



Capricorn
No nonsense, structured, traditional symbols:




Aquarius
Unusual, zany:



Pisces
Whimsical, pretty, religious:

Willie and Billy

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A little astrology in "Journeyman"

In a posting last winter, HERE, I listed a few novels which feature astrology in the plots. It's surprising that the subject doesn't feature in plotlines more frequently. Perhaps authors don't know enough about it to construct an interesting theme, or if they do understand astrology, fear that the average reader will be put off by its inclusion.



Astrology came up, fleetingly, in last night's episode of NBC's "Journeyman". Dan Vasser (Kevin McKidd, who also appeared in "Rome"), plays a San Francisco newspaper reporter and family man who inexplicably begins to travel through time and change people's lives. Along the way, he also must deal with the difficulties and strife at work and home brought on by his sudden disappearances.

In last night's episode, Dan's wife and sister-in-law had enlisted the assistance of a psychic. During a tarot reading Dan suddenly re-appeared. He had returned from his most recent time-travel trip, where, inadvertantly he'd left behind a small digital camera, causing that most intriguing of concepts in time travel stories - a paradox.

The psychic immediately sensed something very unusual about Dan's energy, and asked for his birthdate. Later in the episode she presented him with his natal chart and told him that he was born during an exceptional celestial configuration. The same configuration had occurred only once before, on 6 March 1923. There is a link to this date and another character. I'm hoping that this aspect of the plot might be expanded later.

A special episode is scheduled for tomorrow evening, when it is promised that "many questions will be answered". We shall see!

Saturnalia - Immigrant Style

Coming up tomorrow -17th December - The Lord of Misrule


The first day of the Roman festival Saturnalia.
It was a period of great feasting and festivity, with a lot of
drinking and eating. Slaves would become masters for the
festival, and everything was turned upside down. This part
of the Roman festival survived into the 17th Century.

Saturnalia in our world will not look quite like this, not unless the finger printing staff at the Immigration and Citizenship Office in Oklahoma City are having an off day (or on-day?) Or unless HeWhoKnows decides to let his hair down.




This'll be our version of it.
Good old Saturn - gotta love him!

Tomorrow, 17 December, Saturnalia for us will be spent acknowledging a different side of Saturn - laws, government, red tape. It's the date I've been summoned for fingerprinting at the "local" office of the Immigration and Citizenship Service, 80 miles distant. There'll be a gaggle of planets in Sagittarius quite close to my natal Venus (19.59 Sagittarius), so I'm thinking that I'll adopt Sagittarius as "the immigrant's sign".

This will be the third, or maybe fourth time they've taken my prints. This time, I understand they are to assist in a background check to be carried out by the FBI. Yet another background check. (All very Saturnian!) They've done it all before, too, when they first allowed me into these shores, as Mrs.HeWhoKnows. They are insatiable!

I'm told, also, that notification of a date for my main interview and test on civics may be expected "within 365 days". No voting for me in 2008 then. Yet more Saturnian limitations.

Due to wintery weather here, lots of ice, we're going off to the City later today and hope to find a nice warm motel where the power has been restored after last week's ice storm. Blogging will probably be suspended until Tuesday. Brrrrrr!

ODDS.......

Astrotheme's "dominant" pages sometimes throw up oddities. On the first page of "Angular Houses Dominant", for instance.

Two, of the first three, individuals with angular houses 1,4,7,10 (where planets are said to be most powerful) dominant in their natal charts are members of European royalty.

#1....The Infanta Cristina, Duchess of Palma de Mallorca
#3....Henri Robert Ferdinand Marie Louis Philippe d'Orléans,also known as Henri, comte de Paris. The next two names on the list are Roy Castle and Ross King ..........king, castle, royalty! A nice oddity! (Those two men are/were British entertainers).

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There's a new service on the market at ScientificMatch.com.

For just short of $2000(per year) they offer:

"Our patent-pending technology uses your DNA to find others with a natural odour you'll love, with whom you'd have healthier children, a more satisfying sex life, and more. Our personal-values-analysis provides a deep spiritual bond, to complete your path to truly amazing relationships."

This all sounds di-stink-tly odd.
What a great opportunity, though, for astrological research, if a group of astrologers were to be associated with this company, and have access to birth data, DNA data, and relationship records.

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AND....ENDS ?

We should all be aware: "Ominous Arctic Melt Worries Experts"
by Seth Borenstein

"..................This week, after reviewing his own new data, NASA climate scientist Jay Zwally said: “At this rate, the Arctic Ocean could be nearly ice-free at the end of summer by 2012, much faster than previous predictions"...................More than 18 scientists told the AP that they were surprised by the level of ice melt this year............What happens in the Arctic has implications for the rest of the world. Faster melting there means eventual sea level rise and more immediate changes in winter weather because of less sea ice.............."

Saturn the limiter and Pluto the transformer are either in or heading for Earth signs. Perhaps what we are seeing here is a point in an inevitable progression or cycle, albeit that it has been helped and speeded along by human activity. With investment, ingenuity, and most of all the will to do so, surely it need not be inevitable? Man has evolved to a highly sophisticated level technologically, this too is part of a cycle. Perhaps the two cycles are co-ordinated - for a very important reason.

Also....."Up to 200 species, including penguins and polar bears, are in big trouble. Animal and plant species have begun dying off or changing sooner than predicted because of global warming, a review of hundreds of research studies contends.

These fast-moving adaptations come as a surprise even to biologists and ecologists because they are occurring so rapidly."


"What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All things are connected."-
(Chief Seattle)

Saturn Dominant & Saturn Royal

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Diana Krall

After writing about k.d. lang yesterday, a comment from a blogging buddy led me to think about about k.d.'s fellow-Canadian singer, Diana Krall. A quick look at Diana's chart (14 November 1964, Nanaimo, Canada, time unknown)
shows some similarities with k.d.'s.
(12 noon chart shown)



Both singers' charts have an emphasis on Scorpio and Virgo, both have Venus (planet of music and the arts) in its home sign of Libra, and within a degreee of each other-Lang @ 18.57*Libra, Krall @ 19.55*Libra.

Whereas Diana Krall sticks to jazz interpretations, k.d.'s style is wider ranging, more contemporary and a little nearer to the popular market, but neither is exactly mainstream. They are both of the generation with Uranus and Pluto in Virgo, and both undoubtedly have a distinctive sound - passionate, sexy, yet still delicate. A sound liable to bring on goosebumps and curled toes. Scorpio/Virgo/Libra is a potent mix!

Here is Diana Krall singing my favourite, Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You". I think she sings it better than Joni.



and here, with Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are"

k.d. lang

There are very few singers whose albums I could play from beginning to end and enjoy every second of every track. k d lang is one of them.

She was born Kathryn Dawn Lang in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on 2 November 1961. Astrotheme gives a birth time of 2.03am.



Journalists frequently harp upon the fact that she's gay. It's irrelevant. She is an exceptional songwriter and performer, a powerful voice capable of great passion, but allied to a certain delicate sensitivity - a rare combination.

Her natal Sun lies in sexy and passionate Scorpio conjunct dreamy, imaginative Neptune, along with dynamic Mars all in 3rd house (an Air house related to communication). Her Virgo (perfectionist, workaholic) ascendant, has powerful Pluto, ruler of her Scorpio Sun close to it, with Moon and Uranus also in Virgo. This Virgo cluster must outweigh Scorpio in overall astrological strength. k.d. was included in my Virgo Dominant video.

k.d. lang blends passion and eroticism with delicacy. Mercury and Venus, conjunct Libra, add sweetness and tact to the mix. Jupiter and Saturn lie close together in common-sense Capricorn, and bring business sense to her more passionate side.

k.d.'s natal planets form a bowl configuration, spanning only Capricorn to Virgo - here is the focus which has earned her success and fame. As for polarities, her Yin(female, negative) beats Yang (male, positive) by 8 to 2.

I'll try to relate factors in her natal chart to remarks gleaned from an on-line article and an interview.

"Always an experimenter, she resists neat categorization.(Moon conjunct Uranus the rebel and innovator) But her sincerity(Virgo), charm(Libra), and compelling(Pluto, Scorpio) voice continue to attract a wide variety of listeners."

"A natural iconoclast, she has for years eschewed the use of capital letters in her name." (Moon conjunct Uranus).

".... while her musical interests have continued to evolve, in keeping with the vastness of her talent, some things about her remain consistent-her honesty, for one.(Virgo planets and Saturn in Capricorn)

"Performing is like being possessed sometimes, because when I sing and it's really on and it's Zen, I have nothing to do with what's coming out. Honestly, I don't. All I do is provide the channel. Because the voice is not really mine at all". (Sun conjunct Neptune in Scorpio - mystery, illusion, psychic phenomena)

"I want to be huge, huge, huge as an artist, but it doesn't have anything to do with fans. It's because I want to say something. It has to do with touching people. It has to do with spreading this goo that's coming out of me" (Sun (self) and Mars(dynamism) in 3rd house of communication, Pluto on the ascendant)

"I'm trying to make art that my mother will like, but to be contemporary and progressive at the same time. It's not easy." (Moon conjunct Uranus wants to be progressive, but Jupiter and Saturn in Capricorn lean towards more traditional themes)

One of k.d. lang's songs can be heard on the Virgo Dominant video linked above.
Here are two more, via YouTube. You can feel the Scorpio and Pluto in her own song, "Sexuality", and in Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"!!

Celebrity Endorsement

It was good to see Dennis Kucinich getting support from Sean Penn last weekend. A transcript of the speech he gave at San Francisco State University is HERE.

I'm not sure how much this kind of endorsement influences voters, but for an alien onlooker like me, who will miss out on voting in 2008, it all adds to the fun of the election circus.

Sean Penn was born 17 August 1960, Santa Monica California at 3.17pm. Comparing his natal with that of Denis Kucinich shows their Uranus placements in exact sextile (a harmonious link) Penn's at 21 Leo, Kucinich's at 21 Gemini. Uranus is the planet of change, usually unexpected change, and of forward looking, and avant garde thinking. Uranus is modern ruler of Aquarius, the humanitarian and most progressive of all zodiac signs, I guess this Uranus link is what they have in common, along with their fiery ascendants in trine(very harmonious), Kucinich @14 Aries, Penn @ 16. Sagittarius.

The "big three" Democratic candidates seem to have cornered the market in celebrity contributions and endorsements, but it's nice to see names like Paul Newman, Paul Simon and Willie Nelson among those venturing out of the mainstream, along with Sean Penn.

This list (from HERE) of celebrity endorsements and starry contributors to campaigns is interesting - and telling !

DEMOCRATS:

Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York - Barbra Streisand, Hugh Hefner, John Grisham, Jerry Springer, Chevy Chase, Rosie O'Donnell, Candice Bergen, Christie Brinkley, Barry Manilow, Mary Steenburgen, Marlo Thomas, Sharon Lawrence, Bette Midler, Alex Baldwin, Martha Stewart, Merle Haggard

Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois - Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, Halle Barry, Jennifer Anniston, Morgan Freeman, Ben Stiller, Tobey Macguire, Edward Norton, Eddie Murphy, Gene Wilder, Branford Marsalis, Dennis Haysbert, John Cleese, Louis Gossett, Cindy Crawford, Kenny Alphin.

Former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina - Don Henley, Larry David, Seth Green, Gary Cole, Hank Azaria, James Denton, Jean Smart, Richard Gilliland, Tony Shalhoub

Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico - Rob Reiner, Randy Travis, Al Unser, Barry Switzer, Val Kilmer, Jimmy Smits

Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut - Steve Martin, Paul Newman, Lorne Michaels, Paul Simon, Elisabeth Shue, Michael Douglas.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio - Willie Nelson, Sean Penn, Mark Ruffalo.

REPUBLICANS:
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani of New York - Kelsey Grammer, Adam Sandler, Ben Stein, Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson.

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas - Chuck Norris, Ted Nugent, Ric Flair.

Former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee - John Rich(of Big and Rich), Cowboy Troy, Trace Adkins.

Here is just one paragraph from Sean Penn's long speech:

"Wolf Blitzer asked each candidate if they would support the other should they themselves not be the nominee. One after another, the answer, yes. One exception: Dennis Kucinich, who with the minimal time allotted him, once again rose up beyond the sound bite and put principal ahead of party; argued policy rather than politeness. He has been the dominant voice of integrity on issues of trade, labor, education, environment, health, civil liberties, and the one endlessly determined voice of peace. But is he too short? Does his haircut not appeal? Is he not loyal enough to a cowardly democratic platform? Does he not appeal to the cult of personality? And what if the answer is yes? What if Dennis Kucinich, the most deserving and noble of candidates, the most experienced in issues of policy and the least willing to play into the politics of personal power? What if we can't elect a man simply on the basis of the best ideas, the most courage, and the most selfless service? What does it say about our country when we can't rally the voices of the common good to support a man, like our troops, who would die for us, who would die for our constitution? Who, as mayor of Cleveland at the age of 31 stood up against contracts on his life. Three separate assassins whose intent was to kill him as he stood up for his constituency there. Nonetheless, he carries on. He continues to serve."

Great stuff Sean ! Go get 'em Dennis!!!!

"Gone With The Wind" - Zodiacal Connection?

Sixtyeight years ago this week, on 15 December, 1939 the movie "Gone with the Wind" had its premiere. Sixtyeight years and no re-make? That must be some sort of record. Come to think of it though, who could play Rhett Butler these days? Johnny Depp - perhaps.

It has been said that Margaret Mitchell, author of the book, source of the movie's plot, used astrological stereotypes to help develop the characters. I searched for confirmation of this. Perhaps it's common knowledge, but it was new to me.

I eventually found a piece by astrologer Alex Trenoweth HERE which states
".......readers have failed to notice that Gone With the Wind is, as Neil Spencer describes: “a thinly disguised astrological allegory. Margaret Mitchell based the characters of her torrid epic on the zodiac, leaving a blatant trail of clues which were only picked up in 1978 when US astrologer Darrell Martinie was shown photocopies of notes from Mitchell`s library.”

That's fairly reliable provenance. I'm careful, not because I have an overly suspicious mind, but because, as we all know, you cannot automatically trust everything you read on the internet!

Further investigation threw up, in a discussion forum, a list of zodiac signs and related GWTW characters. ( I don't know the origin of this list, or whether it is reliable.)

Aries - Scarlett O'Hara
Taurus - Scarlett's Father, and Tara the Plantation
Gemini: Prissy and Aunt Pitty Pat
Cancer: Melanie (Ashley's Wife)
Leo: Rhett Butler
Virgo: Scarlett's Mother
Libra: Belle Wattling (The Madam and friend of Rhett Butler)
Scorpio: Mammy
Sagittarius: Bonnie (daughter of Rhett and Scarlett)
Capricorn: Ashley Wilkes
Aquarius: Mr Kennedy, Scarlett's 2nd husband and Ashley's sister India Wilkes
Pisces: Scarlett's sisters and Scarlett's 1st husband.

The Ashley Wilkes Plantation named 12 Oaks after the 12 Zodiac Signs.

Wikipedia tells us that many of Mitchell's characters are based on people she knew. Both theories could be correct.

"While Margaret Mitchell used to say that her Gone with the Wind characters were not based on real people, modern researchers have found similarities to some of the people in Mitchell's own life as well as to individuals she knew or she heard of....
Researchers believed Rhett Butler to be based on Mitchell's first husband, Red Upshaw. She divorced him after she learned he was a bootlegger. ........".And more
And:
"Over the past years, the novel Gone with the Wind has also been analyzed for its symbolism and mythological treatment of archetypes".
Which may, or may not, be an oblique reference to the astrological connection.

During the times in which the story is set, segregation and slavery were part of life in the southern states of the USA. I found that, even on the date of the movie's Atlanta premiere, December 1939, the ugliness of segregation hadn't disappeared. This from an article HERE

"Noticeably absent were Hattie McDaniel (Mammy) and Butterfly McQueen (Prissy), black actresses with major roles who were not welcome in the white side of the segregated Atlanta society. Noticeably present was a young Martin Luther King, Jr., who sang in a "negro boys choir" from his father's church, Ebenezer Baptist. "

Many years ago, I worked with a young woman who was obsessed with Margaret Mitchell's novel. I remembered her as I was typing this. She had a battered paperback copy of the book which went everywhere with her. She'd finish the book, then immediately start again at the beginning. Proof indeed of the power of the author's storytelling talent - and perhaps of the strength of astrology's archetypes!

"The Golden Compass" reflects Pluto in Capricorn

We saw the movie "The Golden Compass" on Friday evening. After publicity indicating that the film is "anti-religion", we doubted that our local movie theater would be showing it - so were pleasantly surprised. I guessed the film wouldn't be as controversial as was publicised, and I was right. But there is a message in the film which fits with Pluto's imminent move into Capricorn, touched on here yesterday.

"The Golden Compass" movie is an adaptation of the first book of a trilogy, "His Dark Materials", by British author, Philip Pullman. In Britain the first book of the trilogy had the title "Northern Lights", but for some reason in the US it's called "The Golden Compass".

From information gleaned via Google, it appears that the books do have a more overtly anti-religious message than this movie, and one which grows more insistent as the trilogy moves along. In the movie, the plot seems to have been considerably diluted, and unless one has read the books, it would be hard to detect any message that is specifically anti-religion.

I went with an open mind, and came away with an anti-establishment, anti-brain-washing, pro-freedom message rather than one of anti-religion. I got a feel more akin to that of "V for Vendetta", albeit with a more fantastical backdrop and spectacular special effects.

"The Golden Compass" will probably offer different messages to different viewers, but all with a theme of individual efforts to break down tyranny, dominance of institutions, and restriction of human freedoms. These are all aspects of Pluto in Capricorn - plain as day!

A movie review which I particularly liked for its fairness and insight is at Sprituality and Practice. It gives away much of the plot though, so anyone planning to see the film is warned!

The review ends: "We wish her (the heroine) well and hope that youth will take this movie to heart, especially its call to be wary of all institutions that stifle the soul and try to limit the spiritual search for truth."

I'll confess that my primary reason for wanting to see this movie was that Sam Elliott is in it. It turned out that Sam Elliott, as a come-on, introduced me to a fascinating tale. I'll be watching for the almost inevitable sequel, with relish.

Pluto in Capricorn

It's never a good idea to read too many forecasts, astrological or otherwise.

When learning the Tarot, I discovered that it's never wise to study too many books on the subject - it's best to find one with which one can resonate and stick with it, ignore the rest. The same applies to forecasts, but it is a real temptation, when feeling insecure, to investigate all available sources.

Take, for instance, the variety of views about what Pluto's imminent move into Capricorn might signify. Pluto is thought to have a transformative influence on "the collective". Its transit is slow, it takes Pluto 248 years to complete a circuit of the zodiac, its influence can be seen most clearly with hindsight. What astrologers predict for any given year or group of years is a range of possibilities. This is, in one way, comforting yet frustrating at the same time.

There appear to be at least two interpretations of how Pluto in Capricorn will work out for us, collectively. I think that in time both may prove correct. "In time" being the important words to keep in mind.

Inspecting a large oil painting up close, one sees nothing but wild brush strokes, a jumble of colours. Stand well back - very well back, and a clear picture emerges. Astrology in life is like that, I've discovered. Not many of us want to believe it though. We still want to see prompt results for planetary transits and major moves.

With regard to Pluto in Capricorn, I've come to the conclusion that both the theories/interpretations below, from astrologers Eric Francis and Eric Meyers will turn out to be correct....eventually.

Eric Francis :

"Pluto in Capricorn is, among other things, about massive changes to the structure of society. It is about the consolidation of corporate and government power to a degree that far exceeds anything we have seen so far."

Yes, we can see that coming, in the USA, even now, just before Pluto has reached its new abode in Capricorn. This scenario could continue, and intensify, for a variety of reasons, and would form stage one.

We're contemplating a period of some 12 to 14 years for this transit of Pluto and Eric Meyers' interpretation could well form a stage two, to commence when other outer planets have moved on into new positions:

"When Pluto moves to the earth sign of Capricorn, our structures and institutions are bound to face upheaval and drastic change that will reflect the shifting spiritual and moral processes that are currently occurring while Pluto is in Sagittarius.

Leagues of people will be challenged to release attachments to paradigms and structures they thought were stable and enduring. Changes in government, education systems, infrastructure, organized religions and the general sociological organization of society could endure needed face lifts in order for our collective evolution to take its next step."

All kinds of scenarios might bring about a swing from the corporate and government clamp down of stage one, to the kind of collective evolution described by Eric Meyers. It is not possible for anyone to foresee the details. What is certain, is that by the end of Pluto's journey through the sign of Capricorn the world will have changed, just as it has changed since Pluto moved from Scorpio to Sagittarius in 1996. My personal world is different, in every respect, from how it was in 1996. I may not be here to see Pluto move from Capricorn into Aquarius, but do hope to see some indication of how things are turning out before my final exit!

I like the late Maya del Mar's attitude - she said:

"We are, in fact, fortunate to live in such an intense period of tremendous challenges, and tremendous opportunities. This is our chance to create a new and better world."

So, in a way, I've proved my opening remark to be wrong, haven't I? Reading several forecasts has led to a theory which satisfies me. That's all one can ever ask of forecasts: to provide an acceptable theory.

Innuendo, eroticism from Rockwell and Leyendecker?

Continuing yesterday's theme, a look at two of the most popular, prolific and talented illustrators of them all from The Golden Age: Joseph Christian Leyendecker and Norman Rockwell.

Leyendecker was born in Germany but came to the USA as a child, with his parents (small illustration, left, is one of his). Rockwell, born 20 years later, idolized Leyendecker, it's easy to see similarities in their work. Both were perfectionists, and although both became fabulously wealthy - like pop stars of their time, neither could be said to have led an idyllic life. Their devotion to their art must have exacted a toll on their personal lives. Rockwell suffered from bouts of depression. He married three times, two of his wives also suffered from depression, and there are suspicions of suicide attempts in both cases. Leyendecker was gay. Nowadays we would say, "So what?" Back then it was not an easy lifestyle, too much publicity of the fact could have cut short a promising career.

Norman Rockwell's stereotypical homespun American scenes earned him the affection of the public. It has been suggested, in recent years, that there is hidden innuendo in some of his illustrations. This is really a case of "to the pure, all things are pure"....and the opposite applies! Perhaps Rockwell did, occasionally, insert items which could be seen as suggestive - playful, mischievous additions, which only those looking for such things would see. Most people didn't see them, and those who did, until fairly recently, kept quiet about it! For instance, is there a phallic symbol in his "Rosie the Riveter" illustration on the right? Leyendecker also used mild eroticism (see top of post) in some of his illustrations for commercial advertisements. He realised, good businessman that he was, that sex sells, and most of the work of both artists was used as some kind of "come-on" to customers.

Rockwell's Scorpio ascendant makes the idea of hidden sexual innuendo more believeable. Sexy Scorpio likes secrets! He was born February 3 1894 in Manhattan, New York, at 2am. Scorpio rising. Sun and Mercury conjoined in Aquarius, Moon in Capricorn, Virgo at midheaven.

Rockwell's chart is on the right, Leyendecker (12 noon version) left... should enlarge with a click.



There's an Air Grand Trine in Rockwell's chart, linking Mercury with Saturn and the Neptune/Pluto conjunction - a combination of communication, hard work, power and imagination - which served him well. His Scorpio ascendant may be linked with his bouts of depression. Scorpio is a highly emotional sign, fairly incompatible with his Aquarius Sun, and not too happy with Capricorn Moon either. Virgo at midheaven signifies his perfectionism. Sun and Mercury in humanitarian Aquarius, in my view, accounts for his insight into "the human condition", the way he was able to perceive the fun, the sadness, or the sentimental in everyday life, and paint these for the public to share. It's ironic that his own life didn't match his illustrations. Perhaps depicted life as he would have liked to experience it.

J.C.Leyendecker was born in Montabaur, Germany on 23 March 1874 (no time of birth available).
Sun, Venus and Neptune in Aries. Saturn in Aquarius (the sign it traditionally rules), opposing Aquarius's modern ruler Uranus in Leo. A strong opposition which may or may not relate to the challenge of being a gay man in those days. It was a newly acknowledged way of life, and challenged the establishment (as far as sexual orientation was concerned). A Mercury in Pisces/Jupiter in Virgo opposition involves mutual reception(each planet in the other's home sign) making each more potent. Mercury, the communication planet and Jupiter the publishing planet, two hugely important factors in Leyendecker's career are given emphasis. The perfectionist traits of Virgo, too are here. I wouldn't be surprised to find Virgo as his rising sign.

Sources:
Biography of Norman Rockwell (one of many)
Reconstructing Rockwell by Christina Larson
How Innocent Was He? by Richard Halpern
Leyendecker biography
more Leyendecker
Explore Google Image for more examples of the art of these two illustrators.

The Golden Age of Illustration

Writing this blog has led me to realise that I'm a keen fan of illustrative art, especially that from a period known as The Golden Age of Illustration (1880s to 1920s). Astrologically, that Golden Age coincides with a period of time when the outer planets were at points in their slow cycles above, strangely appropriate to what was going on below.

Development of technology capable of good and economical colour reproduction launched illustrative art into the mainstream. In 1880 Uranus (technology and invention)was in Virgo, ruled by Mercury(planet of communication). Pluto and Neptune were both in Taurus ruled by Venus(planet of art and beauty). It could be said that the seeds of a relatively new industry fell upon fertile ground.

By 1900 Pluto (transformation) and Neptune(imagination) had moved on into Gemini, ruled by Mercury(communication). The generation born then brought us some exceptional communicators, in both art and writing. Uranus was now in Sagittarius ruled by Jupiter (expansion and publishing). The pieces fit.

By 1920 Uranus was traversing its own sign of Aquarius(revolution and all that's new) maintaining an atmosphere in which people craved novelty and the work of this new breed of artists. A revolution had quietly taken place. Colourful prints to hang in the home, book and magazine illustrations, postcards, illustrated advertisements and posters created rapidly growing commercial demand, both in Europe and America.

In Europe artists such as Alphonse Mucha and Toulouse Lautrec had led the way. In the USA Howard Pyle is credited with ushering in the Golden Age. His many pupils, and others inspired by them, helped it flourish - Maxfield Parrish, Norman Rockwell, and J.C. Leyendecker, among the best known.

"Ecstasy" by Maxfield Parrish


From Norman Rockwell's "The Four Freedoms"


J.C. Leyendecker


(Small illustration at top of blog entry is 'Neptune's Horses' by British illustrator, Walter Crane)

I've written in past months about comic strips and cartoons, and more

pin-ups
children's book illustrators
Aubrey Beardsley,
Beatrix Potter,
Alphonse Mucha
without fully realising that all these do come under the same general heading of illustrative art. I've frequently included Norman Rockwell illustrations, too, because his work has a special appeal.

The digital age has now changed the scene for illustrators, almost beyond recognition. We may never again see the talent and skills of Rockwell, Parrish and Leyendecker - that is all the more reason to appreciate them. I can't resist adding another Maxfield Parrish here - "Stars". I must get me a print of this one!

Bits

We watched "The Tin Man", a new 3-part mini-series on SciFi Channel this week. It's an updated version of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L.Frank Baum. We enjoyed it. The main elements from the original are all there, but slightly skewed and expanded. I took a quick look at L.Frank Baum's natal chart, and an on-line biography. I discovered a coincidence - or is it? Whatever it is, it has made me less cynical about fixed star Algol.

Researching for one of last week's blog posts about Leon Russell (here), it emerged that he suffered a birth injury, causing a physical disability. Natally he has Saturn conjunct Algol. L. Frank Baum was born 15 May 1856 in Chittengo, New York. His natal Sun is conjunct Algol (25 Taurus) and I discovered that he too suffered from a birth defect:See here
"A rather sickly child who was both timid and shy, he kept to himself and made up imaginary places and playmates since he had to refrain from any kind of strenuous exercise due to his faulty, weak heart. Throughout Frank's life, his health was a constant impediment, which became a looming presence and a major controlling factor. Although, it never impeded his creativity, drive and talent."

Although this is hardly conclusive evidence of Algol's potential effects, it does make one pause and think. There are probably other combinations of factors which need to be in place in any astrological chart for Algol's influence to come to the fore. No doubt many people live all their lives in Algol's shadow without as much as a headache.

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On a more antagonistic note, an article by Sam Harris annoyed me. He is author of a couple of anti-religion books, "The End of Faith" and "Letter to a Christian Nation". I'm no supporter of organised religion myself, but neither do I admire those who set out to make money by writing books running it down. The paragraph which really made me cross was this:

"And, as I argued briefly in Letter to a Christian Nation, I think that “atheist” is a term that we do not need, in the same way that we don’t need a word for someone who rejects astrology. We simply do not call people “non-astrologers.” All we need are words like “reason” and “evidence” and “common sense” and “bullshit” to put astrologers in their place, and so it could be with religion."

I find that offensive, and quite uncalled for. If Mr Harris took some time to study the basics of astrology, spoke open mindedly to some of the many well educated, highly experienced astrologers and astrology researchers, but still arrived at the same conclusion, he might be entitled to make such remarks. Until then, he'd do well to keep his own counsel on the subject.

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Trawling through some archived pages, I asked myself which blog post had encouraged me most in those early days. One sprang immediately to mind. - The Thorne Smith/Douglas Adams Coincidence, written around this time last year. It was the single comment I received about it which has remained in my memory because, at the time, it pleased me so much.

I'd puzzled about Thorne Smith's correct date of birth, sources varied. Using a little astrology, I chose between the two birth dates available. An author who was engaged in writing Thorne Smith's biography left me a comment confirming that I had chosen the correct date. It was 50/50, of course, but even so I felt elated. I credit that early comment with motivating me to continue with this blog.

Butterfly Mind

Mine is one of those natal charts with planets well-spread over the whole area of the circle. Astrologers call this a "splash" configuration, and it's said to bestow versatility, but lack of concentrated focus.

I'm fairly versatile and interested in just about anything - except sport. I enjoy variety, and have lived in big cities, small towns, country and coast. I turned my hand to many different occupations before settling down in a department of the UK's civil service for a long career. I worked for an archivist, I was a hotel receptionist in several locations, I did stints as barmaid in some fairly low dives, secretarial work in a computer accessories firm, accounts clerk at a 'bus company, assisted my parents in a variety of businesses, and for a time, during my first short-lived marriage, ran our own cafe with my ex-husband. I did the cooking !

HeWhoKnows gazes disbelievingly over my shoulder as I type.

"You.....cooking??!!"

"It's all down to my splash chart, I've moved on now from that particular area."

"Yes, I've noticed."

"But it's worked out well. In the last few years you've moved into the cooking area of your own splashy chart", I respond, with some satisfaction.

Whenever it's called for, I can focus on a specific subject as well as the rest of 'em. I don't, it appears, have the kind of focus required to drive me on to notable success and fame.

So many individuals who have been particularly successful in a chosen career or calling have natal charts where planets form a bundle or bowl configuration (planets all lying within half, or less, of the full circle). There are famous people with splashy natal charts, of course, but I've noticed the bowl and bundle come up more frequently among charts I've looked at during research for these blog posts.

Of the other chart patterns commonly considered by astrologers, the "funnel" or "bucket"(a bundle configuration with one rogue planet opposing the planet cluster) and the "see-saw" (two planet clusters in opposition) both seem to manifest most clearly. I'm doubtful that the "locomotive" and the "splay" are as easy to see in action, but that's just my own view.

Astrologer John Townley's article "Planetary Order III: Islands in the Sky" is one of the best and clearest articles I've seen on the topic of chart shapes or "Jones Patterns", as they are known. They are named for Mark Edmund Jones, an American astrologer who studied chart shapes, defined and introduced names for them.

I long ago accepted that I'm a scattered individual with a butterfly mind and a butterfly chart. I'd never make the top sections of Astrotheme's lists of dominant signs or planets, even should I, in some fantasy world, become a celebrity or an axe murderer. My splashy natal chart may even help to save me from either possibility - so it's not all bad!

A Triple Sagittarian Good Guy

Thousands of legal immigrants to America, would-be US citizens (myself included) are stuck in the quagmire that is USCIS. We now have a champion - New York Senator Charles (Chuck) Schumer.

A press release last week revealed that he is to introduce legislation making it easier for USCIS to re-hire retirees to help deal with the backlogs.

"Schumer said immigrants who have followed the law and waited their turn should not have to sit in bureaucratic limbo because Citizenship and Immigration Services, part of the Homeland Security Department, was not prepared for the spike in applications before fees increased."

"For waves of would-be citizens, bureaucratic incompetence is turning the American Dream into a dream deferred," Schumer said in a news release."

"Indeed, believes Schumer, it could work so satisfactorily that he wants a CIS commitment to get the applications processed by July 4, just in time for national swearing-in ceremonies. That's eight months from now, not 18 - and he has called upon director Gonzalez to show cause why this goal cannot be met."

Extracts from HERE and HERE

I hope something comes of this, then I might be in with a chance of voting in 2008 after all!

I've taken a look at the Senator's natal chart. I'd like to know more about the man we immigrants have to thank for his support.

Senator Charles Schumer was born in Brooklyn, New York on 23 November 1950. (No time of birth available, so below is a 12 noon chart for his day of birth)


I should've known! A triple Sagittarius!!! Sagittarius understands immigrants - it being the vagabond of the zodiac.

Saturn at 00 Libra exactly sextiles Sun at 00 Sagittarius, and and Venus at 3 Sagittarius. Saturn relates to the law - which makes up a large part of the Senator's life's work, and it is here closely connected with his Sun(essence of self).

Mars in Capricorn semi-sextiles Mercury, Capricorn links back to Saturn (its ruling sign). The semi-sextile is a semi-harmonious connection to planet of communication, Mercury. Capricorn and Sagittarius are not highly compatible, but because of the link between Saturn and Sun, I suspect in this case it works rather well, Mars adding energy and drive to all his legal doings.

Jupiter, natal Sun's ruler lies in Aquarius, in the last degree, not making a close aspect with anything as far as I can tell, without time of birth. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find humanitarian and foward-looking Aquarius rising, having looked quickly at a few articles about the Senator's work.

I should add that Hillary Clinton has also come out on our side. She has written to Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security, telling him to "get his finger out" (as we used to say in Yorkshire). Report is on her website.

Our two champions will not see this blog, but it's in the nature of a loud yell into the ethers:
"Thank you Senators!"

Things are lookin' up!

A Rotten Day for Sagittarius, A Good Night for Leon Russell

Sagittarius, as seen by Jim Critchfield and Jerry Hopkins, authors of "You Were Born On a Rotten Day", first published 1969. It's an early attempt at astrological humour - at times it seems to have been written by naughty schoolboys. Maybe it was. Any passing Sagittarians reading this should bear that in mind. As for me - I love y'all!

A previous chapter featuring this slim volume, and relating to Scorpio, is HERE.

"Sagittarians are represented by the Centaur - half man and half horse. This makes it extremely difficult to decide where to sleep: lying down on a soft bed or standing up in a stall. It also creates problems at most of the better motels.

Naturally enough this half-and-half symbol produces a dual personality problem, both parts equally unpleasant. This constant conflict keeps coming to the surface and prodding people who are impossible to get along with. A Sagittarius even has trouble making friends with a rubber tree. The nicest person born under this sign was Scrooge.

Sagittarius ruled by Jupiter, the planet of expansion, which explains their love of eating. They will eat just about anything, and too much of it. Let's face it Sagittarius, you are a fat person. But you are not without hope. You sit around hoping a lot, wear wishing rings and spend hours throwing pennies into wells.

By the way, your compatible sign is "No Left Turn", your Birthstone is fake, your Lucky Number is missing, and your Lucky Star is having a thing with her agent.

This conflict also brings about another problem - the inability to make decisions. Ninety percent of old maids are Sagittarius-born (the other ten percent are gay)."

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Brief review of last night's Leon Russell concert. (Ref. yesterday's blog entry)

Leon didn't disappoint. He and his band gave us a great rockin' show. Leon appears frail, walks with difficulty, using a cane, but once he starts to sing, his voice is anything but frail. Without any ado or introduction, after the audience's welcoming standing ovation, he ploughed straight into a non-stop medley of some of his best known numbers, then on to some lesser known songs. It was probably 20 to 30 minutes in before he spoke. When he did I warmed to him at once. Instead of the rather strangulated, nasal tone of his singing voice, his speaking voice is deep and warm. In spite of many years living in Los Angeles, he hasn't lost his kindly, comfortable Okie accent.

Leon told us a couple of stories of the days when he was, as he described it "more high profile", and had delighted in the company and friendship of other musical icons. I wish he'd done more of the chat, but naturally, the audience had come to hear the music, so he kept it to a minumum. He told us how he met Bob Dylan, liked him a lot, and they became friends. He said he often used to sing some of his songs, then for a time stopped doing so. In an almost throw-away aside he said, "But now that old GW and his boys are running around, I'd better start singing them again" - and launched into "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall"! HeWhoKnows gave a loud whoop as did certain family members several rows behind us. Most of the audience either didn't catch what Leon had said, or chose not to acknowledge it. That one comment endeared him to me! As did his lovely version of "Georgia On My Mind" - one of my favourite songs.

There was no break, instead Leon remained at his keyboard while the band members took turns to leave the stage. The lead guitarist did an excellent solo blues number, and the keyboard player gave a very creditable rendition of a country-style song. Then, Leon, alone on stage but for the other keyboard player, sang his space and time masterpiece, "A Song For You". It wasn't a straight copy of the recorded version - he embellished it and played with it a little - which was good. We can hear the recorded version any time, but I think that a live performance ought always to add a little something to what we already know.

After another standing ovation, the band returned for a heavy rockin' number with sound cranked up. Then Leon told us that this would be the point where, normally, bands leave the stage, we applaud and wait for an encore.

"You'll have to imagine that has happened", Leon advised us, "I don't like walking, and I'm getting too old for all that nonsense". They launched into a medley of old rock songs from the 60s and 70s - once again earning a standing ovation.

It was a good night for Leon.

We were a little too far away to get a good shot of him, but this is one from the camera of HeWhoKnows:

Master of Space and Time

We have a special treat on the agenda this evening - Leon Russell, "The Master of Space and Time", a son of Oklahoma, will perform at our local theater. Son-in-law of He-Who-Knows was instrumental in booking this singer, songwriter, musician and his band to perform here, and the theater is sold out, an achievement in itself in this sleepy town.

Leon Russell has written dozens of songs, both for himself and other performers. "This Masquerade", "Roll Away the Stone", "Delta Lady", "Stranger in a Strange Land" are a few of the best known titles, not forgetting the most famous of all, "A Song for You", from whence comes the famous "space and time" lyric. Oddly it seems that many people think that this is Donnie Hathaway's song - wrong!

Here's an opportunity for a little astrological investigation. I found a couple of on-line reports of interviews with Russell, which throw some light on the kind of person he is. I'll relate some of his comments to his natal chart. (Sources linked at foot of post)



Born April 2, 1942 @ 1.22am in Lawton, Oklahoma.



Interviewer: You've mastered the piano, trumpet, guitar and bass guitar. Most people only play one instrument. Did the guitar, bass guitar and trumpet come easy for you?

Leon Russell: The guitar was difficult for me due to a birth injury that partially paralyzed my right side. It took a year for me to be able to hold a guitar pic.

There is a Yod formation in his natal chart - Saturn sextile Mercury, both planets quincunx Moon, forming an arrow point with the Moon at it's tip. Fixed star Algol (traditionally known as a malignant influence) is conjunct natal Saturn at 25 Taurus. When I first noticed Algol's position I thought to myself, "Aha! Here's an example of Algol not having any ill effects." Then I saw the reference to Russell's birth injury.

"My major concern in high school was containing my neurosis about school not being the proper way to educate, which I found increasingly difficult as I went on. When I first started in school I was a straight-A student, and as I progressed -- my last year in school I failed three courses and just could barely make it to school at all. I gave up school when I had a chance to go on the road with Jerry Lee Lewis."

GRAND TRINE in Air - Moon/Venus/JupiterwithMars - Quick mind, sharp intelligence, clear objectivity - but Sagittarius rising : itchy feet and an unwillingness to be tied down.

"The last time he granted a lengthy interview, Russell mentioned that he enjoyed making people wonder about him, speculate and ponder his actions and motives, and his career suggests that he works overtime at inspiring that wonder...... Along the way, he has remained an enigma, masking himself first as a pompadoured sessionman, then as the mysterious Master of Time and Space, and lately as Country and Western songster, Hank Wilson."

NEPTUNE in Virgo opposing Mercury in Pisces - Communication with mystery and illusion in a push-pull situation. In addition, each planet is in the other planet's ruling sign - Mercury rules Virgo and Neptune rules Pisces - this is what astrolgers call mutual reception. Astrologer Noel Tyl puts it like this:"Mutual Reception in astrology occurs when two planets relate by the fact that each is in the sign ruled by the other; that’s time-share swap. And when the two planets in each other’s domain are ALSO in aspect, the wedding of energies can be magical dramatic." The same aspect has, no doubt, beautifully enabled Leon Russell's songwriting skills.

"I'm not an ecology freak... nor Women's Liberation. I'm almost totally politically inactive. I don't play benefits or any kind of fund-raisers. I prefer to play at hospitals, for people who otherwise can't see us. But I can't see playing for causes, unless it's specifically -- for instance, if it's my cause or some poor people's, I'll try to help. But you won't find me playing for any peace candidates --or any candidates.
Both economics and politics are false sciences. They're based on poor communication.............Capitalism itself in itself is a bit of a rip-off, as far as I'm concerned........"

Sagittarius rising - outspoken and direct. He says he's not politically active, but he oviously has very clear opinions about the subject! (I wonder why he wouldn't play for any peace candidates?)

"He was just weird enough, talented enough and pushy enough to accomplish what he wanted. With disarming ease, he transformed Mad Dogs and Englishmen into a showcase and giant stepping stone for Leon Russell. Still, he remained a mystery, a nonplus in a top hat and Holy Trinity shirt."

"It's easy now to tell that his introduction of the unexpected element has all along been the key to his success, lyrically, musically and personally"

Venus in eccentric Aquarius squared by Aquarius's traditional and modern rulers Saturn &Uranus conjunct in Taurus. Weird and fond of the unexpected? You bet! Pushy? Of course, with Aries Sun sextile Mars and Jupiter conjoined in Gemini.

Sources:
Rolling Stone
Superseventies
Leon Russell Records

Here's the famous "space and time" song -"A Song For You". Leon Russell has said:

"In the case of "A Song For You", I was trying to write a song that both Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra could sing. It's very nice to know that a moment from my past reaches the audience in such a way. When I was writing the song, there was a funny feeling in my chest as I wrote the lines "I acted out my life on stages, with ten thousand people watching". At that time, my largest audience had only been about 80."