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!

Looking back and forward......

2007 is almost here, bringing a blank page. Before I start to scribble on the new one, a last look at 2006:

Saturn in Leo around mid-sign this summer was well and truly felt in this family circle. A broken bone (daughter with Leo rising). Sports injury resulting in surgery (grandson with Leo Sun). New, badly designed computer system at workplace which nobody could make to work properly for months (Son with Leo Sun). Series of unexpected medical checks resulting, eventually, in nothing to worry about (myself, tr.Saturn opposing Aquarius Sun) and another daughter who had the same Saturn opposition aspect as me now has tr. Pluto sitting between Jupiter and Venus and has health problems. Worry about all of the above for my husband (Leo ascendant).

On a brighter note, I've just noticed that Jupiter transited my North Node in January at the same time as transiting Uranus hit my natal Jupiter in Pisces - I bought my first astrology software then! Jupiter was back at my North Node again in August when I opened this blog!

MY PREDICTION : 2007 will be filled with some good and some bad, with interludes of the mercifully indifferent.

"Happiness is too many things these days for anyone to wish it on anyone lightly. So let's just wish each other a bileless New Year and leave it at that." -Judith Crist

A Bileless New Year everyone!

An Example in Art of Jupiter Opposition ?

" Prosperine" by Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

"The Boyhood of Raleigh" by John Everett Millais

"The Lady of Shallot" by William Holman Hunt.

Using hindsight blended with a modicum of astrological knowledge can throw up evidence for astrology's truths. So, here I go again!

This example may seem obscure, especially to folks in the USA, where the Pre-Raphaelite movement was, and is, largely unrecognised, it didn't travel across the Atlantic as well as did Art Nouveau and Art Deco. There is an interesting astrological phenomenon involved though, so please bear with me !

BACKGROUND

In England, in 1848 three artists banded together and decided they'd had enough of the current British art scene which they saw as stagnant and uninspiring. Paintings then consisted mainly of boring landscapes depicting cattle, or stags at bay, seascapes, still life studies, or family portraits. The three artists seeking change were Dante Gabriel. Rossetti, William. Holman Hunt, and Sir John Everett Millais. The name of the movement they founded - "Pre-Raphaelite" stems from their aim to take inspiration from a time before the artist Raphael set standards in art which they felt had been followed for too long.

Their vision was real, unidealised landscapes, figures drawn from life, to real proportions, and grouped without stylised arrangement. They favoured subjects drawn from poetry, religion or mediaeval tales. Paintings were to be vibrant, so they used a white paint background base - which certainly adds impact when viewed next to other contemporary Victorian art. Vivid colour and lyrical forms were to be used for dramatic and emotional effect. Several other artists soon joined the original three, and their work became well known, attracting both criticism and praise from contemporaries.

ASTROLOGY

I've looked at 12 noon charts for the three principal founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. I half expected to see some link involving Uranus.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti born 12 May 1828, London, England.
William Holman Hunt born 2 April 1827, London, England.
Sir John Everett Millais born 8 June 1829, Southampton, England.

Putting the 3 charts charts side by side on screen threw up a very obvious similarity. Jupiter opposes Sun, Moon or Mercury in each case.

ROSSETTI - Sun 21* Taurus, Mercury 8* Taurus Moon 4* Taurus opposed by Jupiter @ 7 Scorpio.
MILLAIS- Sun 17* Gemini opposed by Jupiter 9* Sagittarius.
HOLMAN HUNT -Sun 11* Aries opposed by Jupiter 9* Libra (Pluto and Mercury at 5* and 17*Aries respectively

(Probably less significantly, in all 3 charts Neptune in Capricorn (widely) opposes a personal planet in Cancer.)

The oppositions involving Jupiter MUST be significant. But how?

Skyscript has this to say about such aspects
"The opposition of the Sun and Jupiter suggests an over-expanded ego. Jupiter deals with judgment, and with this aspect, the drive for significance is subject to being overemphasized. There is often a tendency toward extravagance and pretension. You can have too much optimism, and promise more than you can deliver. There is a continuous need to control urges to enter grandiose schemes and avoid ostentatious manners. The strength of this aspect lies in the ability to apply much charm to gain the approval of those dealt with in daily affairs. There is often much talent and creativity associated with this aspect." ( Jupiter/Mercury opposition is mainly similar).

Pretension, over-optimism, grandiose schemes, fit the bill quite well. I guess it was pretty pretentious in those days to think one could do better than "the establishment" in art. It must have been quite a challenge to stand against the status quo in the art world of Victorian England. Uranus would seem a more appropriate focus in such a case, yet this group of artists were actually looking BACKWARD for inspiration, rather than inventing a new style, so Uranus energy may not be applicable.

Weboteric Astrology says:
"Jupiter rules the law and moral authority, and our attitude to these issues. It brings a strong desire for understanding and the tendency to have powerful opinions and convictions The aspects Jupiter makes shows a psychological identity characteristic where the need for expansion, influence and understanding is paramount. These aspects show the specific personal drives where the search for wisdom is most intense"

Even though Jupiter is found in 3 different signs, elements and modes (Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius - Air, Water, Fire - Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable) there is still a strong link between the three charts. Jupiter is in a similar section of the relevant sign (7 or 9 degrees) and in similar aspect to Sun and/or Mercury.

Whilst I don't feel confident about interpreting those Jupiter oppositions, I AM confident that they are significant. Whatever the true meaning of this aspect IN THIS CONTEXT, it doubtless had some part in drawing the three men together.....a specific personal drive common to all three artists.

The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood disbanded after a few years but, in England at least, their body of work has endured. I enjoy their paintings. I saw a collection of Pre-Raphaelite art last year at the Manchester City Art Gallery, it was wonderful to encounter the real thing at close quarters.

Thanks to Venus and Mars (I think)!

Yesterday I decided to change the look of my blog. It wasn't as difficult as I had imagined : change basic template, dabble with html (after reading a variety of advice on other blogs) - voila! The hardest part was finding a graphic to add to the header. I chose and tried several, all looked fine, then I realised they were all subject to copyright. Eventually I decided to use a photograph I took myself last year in Manchester, England. I cropped it, and......well, it'll do for now! I wonder what starry influences set me out on yesterday's task? I've investigated transits and found that Venus was transiting over my Mercury while Mars passed over natal Venus.

Saturn and The Big Band Leaders

Here is yet another crop of luminaries from my favourite generational group, Pluto in Gemini, well known Big Band leaders from the 1930s and 40s. There were others too, of course, but these are some of the most widely recognised. I looked at a 12noon chart for each, hoping to find some hint of similarity.

Duke Ellington 29 April 1899 Washington DC
Jimmy Dorsey 29 February 1904 Shenandoah Pennsylvania
Glen Miller 1 March 1904 Clarinda, Iowa
Count Basie 21 August 1904 Red Bank, New Jersey
Tommy Dorsey 19 Nov. 1905 Shenandoah Pennsylvania
Benny Goodman 30 May 1909 Chicago, Illinois
and from Britian -
Ted Heath 30 March 1900, London
Geraldo 10 August 1904, London
Joe Loss 22 June 1909, London (?)

What separates a band leader from other musicians? The Big Band leader had under his wing a group of at least 16 to 18 musicians. They were often "on the road" travelling from venue to venue - away from home and family, liable to fall foul of excess alcohol, drugs, sex, and they would certainly be a mixed bunch of varying temparament. The band leader needed the ability to draw these individuals together to rehearse and perform. He would command respect and trust. The first words which sprang to mind were "discipline and organisation" and the next was "Saturn".

The band leaders in my list are legendary. Their musical ability is beyond question. It is an extra quality I'm looking for - something that set them apart from other musicians.
Without benefit of birth times, it's down to the "broad brush and stand well back" approach once again!

I felt sure that Saturn had to be involved. Discipline, organisation, business savvy, and an almost paternal attitude would be involved in finding success as leader of a Big Band.

The most common aspect involving Saturn in these charts is opposition to the Moon, it occurs in four of the six American band leaders. Of the remaining two, one has a Saturn/Moon conjunction and the in the other Saturn (widely) opposes Sun. From the British trio there's a close square and a trine in Saturn/Moon, and a Saturn/Sun opposition.

DETAIL:
American band leaders

Jimmy Dorsey and Glen Miller were born only a day apart, so their charts are similar. Both have Saturn at 14* Aquarius opposing Moon at 19* Leo ( Saturn being conjunct Mercury and Venus).

Benny Goodman - Saturn at 19* Aries opposing Moon at 19* Libra

Tommy Dorsey - Saturn at 26* Aquarius opposing Moon at 22* Leo.

Duke Ellington (the Daddy of 'em all) - Saturn at 23* Sagittarius and Moon at 29* Sagittarius

Count Basie - Saturn at 16.51* Aquarius and Sun at 28* Leo - wide opposition is the best I can find here.

British band leaders
Ted Heath - Saturn at 4*Capricorn and Moon/Mercury at 4* Aries - square

Geraldo - Saturn at 17* Aquarius, Sun at 17* Leo (Moon at 2* Leo) - opposition

Joe Loss - Saturn at 21* Aries, Moon at 24 Leo - trine.

As these calculations are based on 12 noon charts, there will be some Moon degree discrepancies. I think a loose picture still emerges though. It seems to show the discipline and structure of Saturn pitted against emotional and instinctual Lunar reactions, or less frequently against the native's Sun. I'm not sure how to interpret these aspects in this particular context. All involve major personality components Moon or Sun with Saturn, most within reasonable orb. In general it would be safe to say that Saturnian energy is directly affecting these personalities, often in a fairly dynamic way.

Scorpio's Daughter - Georgia O'Keefe

Georgia O'Keefe born 15 November 1887, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin - time unknown

If I had been unable to find Georgia O'Keefe's birth data, I could almost have guessed it from the "keywords" found in a variety of on-line biographical pieces. For example:

Her paintings present crisply contoured forms that are replete with subtle tonal transitions of varying colors, and she often transformed her subject matter into powerful abstract images.
Wikipedia

Her subjects were often enlarged views of the skulls and other bones of animals, flowers and plant organs, shells, rocks, mountains, and other natural forms. Her mysteriously suggestive images of bones and flowers set against a perspectiveless space have inspired a variety of erotic, psychological, and symbolic interpretations. Her later works celebrate the clear skies and desert landscapes of New Mexico, where she moved after her husband's death in 1946. She is regarded by critics as one of the most original and important American artists, and her works are highly popular among the general public.
Britannica

Some of her best known work includes her flower and plant forms such as 'Black Iris' (1926), an elegant work construed by many as being sexually suggestive though this was denied by the artist.
articons.co.uk

"O'Keefe was a 'natural': not a naive or primitive painter by any means, but one who seemed to be instinctively in touch with the vibrations of the cosmos." Robert Hughes.

Georgia O'Keefe's chart shows 4 planets bunched together in Scorpio - Jupiter 17*, Sun 23*, Mercury 27* and Moon 28*. Venus and Uranus in Libra. Mars in Virgo, Saturn in Leo. Pluto is in Gemini (another of that Pluto in Gemini crowd!) Neptune is close to Pluto but at the end of Taurus. Neptune exactly opposes Moon, and the other bunched Scorpio planets. How could her intense Scorpio-ness NOT shine through her work?

O'Keefe spent much of her life in her beloved northern New Mexico, she died aged 98, in 1986, and her ashes were scattered from the top of a mountain she had looked out on from her home.
She had received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Gerald Ford in 1977 and the National Medal of Arts from Ronald Reagan in 1985.

Christmas Day in Oklahoma

Christmas Day here in south west Oklahoma was wonderfully clear and bright, but windy and cold. Family gift-giving had taken place at a pleasant evening get-together on Christmas Eve, so we had the whole day stretching before us. We packed some sandwiches and soft drinks and headed for the Wichita Mountains - a low range some 50 miles from home, enclosing Mount Scott and a Wildlife Refuge.


There's a paved road to the top of Mount Scott, which rises two and a half thousand feet above sea level. That's me (above) at the top of Mount Scott - there are lovely views - miles of the Wichitas on one side and the great plains on the other. A Native American legend tells that The Great Spirit once appeared atop Mount Scott after a devastating flood. I love the mountain because my maiden name was Scott ! It's actually named for an American General in the war against Mexico.


After admiring the views, battling the brisk wind, and feeling for a while that we were the only humans on Earth, we descended into the 59,020 acre WichitaWildlife Refuge. After driving for a while, probably the only vehicle for many miles, we came upon a herd of around 25 buffalo. They were quite unfazed by the approaching car, wandered in the road right in front of us . We stopped in their midst, they looked at us with disdain, moved slowly on, and continued with their munchings. I opened the window and tried to chat, but they would have none of it.
It was not your usual Christmas Day, but one I shall remember for a long time !

Neptune's influence on 5 American Pin-up Artists

Top by Gil Elvgren. First row left by George Petty.

First Row right by Alberto Vargas

Bottom row left by Rolf Armstrong.

Bottom row right by Earl Moran.

What I most enjoy, in using astrology, is to find a group of people with something in common, and look at their charts to see if there's a common thread. I tried this in earlier blogs relating to a group of humorist/writers of the Pluto in Gemini generation. Now, without realising it, I've picked another group of Pluto in Gemini individuals. I had in mind a group whose work has great similarity - artists who specialised in painting the classic American pin-up, popular in the mid-20th century.

I already knew the names of a few American pin-up specialists - Alberto Vargas, George Petty and Gil Elvgren, because I admire their work. I was surprised to find, on doing some research, that there were dozens of such artists. However, the three I've mentioned, along with Rolf Armstrong, their forerunner, and Earl Moran, were five classics, and stand for me as the truest representatives of the genre. Examples of the work of each are pictured above. Luckily I was able find their birth dates minus birth times. I think any major link should be apparent from 12 noon charts (me and my 'broad brush, stand well back' approach! )

Rolf Armstrong 21 April 1889 Seattle Wa

Earl Moran 8 Dec 1893 Belle Plaine Iowa

George Petty 27 April 1894 Abbeville La

Alberto Vargas 9 Feb 1896 Arequipa Peru

Gil Elvgren 15 Mar 1914 St Paul Minnesota

I DID find a common thread! All 5 artists have Pluto in Gemini, 4 have Neptune in Gemini too, but that's purely generational. It's the fact that their Suns form close aspects with Neptune which I found significant.

Rolf Armstrong - Neptune 00*Gemini Sun at 1*Taurus - semisextile (+ Pluto is at 4*Gemini)

Earl Moran - Neptune 12*Gemini Sun 16* Sagittarius - opposition (+Pluto 9* Gemini)

George Petty - Neptune 11*Gemini Sun 7* Taurus - semisextile (+Pluto 9*Gemini, Jupiter 5* Gemini)

Alberto Vargas - Neptune 15*Gemini Sun 20 Aquarius - trine (+Pluto 10* Gemini)

Gil Elvgren - Neptune 25*Cancer Sun 24* Pisces -trine (Pluto 29* Gemini)

Neptune/Sun aspects found = 2 semisextiles, an opposition and 2 trines - all within 5* orb, Pluto is drawn into most of these aspects too.

Whether links would be apparent in charts of other, similar, artists, I don't know, birth dates couldn't be found. It's likely, though, that after the success of these frontliners many copy-cats emerged. This area of commercial art must have appeared to be a nice money-making opportunity. Copy-cats might not necessarily have the same starry background as the icons.

Neptune... hmmmm?

Let's see what the experts have to say - remembering that Pluto is involved too, which must add some extra, and slightly different, energy to the mix.

Cafe astrology says "Planets that Neptune contact are often colored by fantasy and dreaminess, and a vulnerable nature that may be susceptible to disillusionment. Here, we find hope that is sometimes unrealistic, a poetic and intuitive outlook, and compassion".

Astrology on the web says " On a higher level it rules visionaries, and those who are glamorous and charismatic."

Skyscript(Charles Harvey)- " Neptune is the planet of poets and mystics, of alcoholics and pornographers, of film makers, advertisers and illusionists. Her dream-like qualities bring a self-deceiving charisma and an enchanting glimpse into the mysteries of ecstatic merging...............This can lead the Sun-Neptune(individual) all too readily into being seduced into living out the prevailing, family and cultural myths, into living a socially acceptable lie."

MY OWN INTERPRETATION ( as it applies to the 5 pin-up artists)
Using artistic talent, possibly indicated elsewhere in their charts, they drew on Neptunian energies to depict an idealised female with perfect face and figure, scantily clothed and teasing, often looking attainable - like the girl who lived nextdoor. An illusion indeed, because the male would probably find females in his circle of acquaintance to fall far short of the standard set by these illustations, which continued to please him, even so. Dream girls, Neptunian illusions, communicated to a wide audience via the energies of Gemini.
It should be emphasised that these pin-up illustrations were in not ever crude or pornographic. They retained a certain innocence, in some cases with an almost adolescent hint of humor.
***************************************************

Pin-up art had its roots in Europe around the end of the 19th century. Henri Toulouse-Latrec and Alphonse Mucha (who had his own blog entry earlier) were some of the first artists to realise that the female form could attract the attention of the public when used in advertisements, magazines and posters. Raphael Kirchner emigrated to the USA from Eurpope at the start of World War 1 and sowed the first seeds of pin-up art in the states. Rolf Armstrong and the others from my chosen group were probably inspired by his work and followed in his footsteps. I wasn't able to discover Kirchner's birthdate, other than "1876" - Neptune and Pluto were both in Taurus in 1876. Perhaps the Gemini generation of artists, inspired by Kirchner's style (rooted in Veunus?) updated it to appeal to the American male and perhaps a younger age group. As time went on, World War 2 brought a big new audience of lonely young American males to admire the work of exponents of pin-up art. Petty, Vargas and Elvgren girls even decorated the noses of US fighter planes - inspiration for the brave crews. The updating by Pluto in Gemini artists also involved using new tools - pastels and oils were gradually replaced by the airbrush, bringing even more realism to their illustrations.

The heyday of pin-up art was undoubtedly the 1940 and 50s, photography came into its own after that, and mostly overshadowed these artists, who stand as representatives of a bygone era and Neptune/Pluto in Gemini.

An Astrology Blogger's Christmas Song

An Astrology Blogger's Christmas Song - Sung to the tune of "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts roasting by an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose.......etc.)
With apologies from Twilight to Torme and Wells who composed the original in 1946.


Astrologers telling us what's due next year,
Bloggers churning out their prose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
And folks forget their astro woes.

We all know that planets
So well aspected
Help to make the season bright,
Hearts send trines to friends far and near,
Love's all around, just for tonight

We know that Saturn's on his way,
He'll bring new rules....
And he'll be here to stay,
And every astro fan is gonna spy
To see predictions coming true by and by.

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To bloggers and their readers too
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you !

Sun Sign Astrology

I'm often puzzled and irritated when reading the critical thoughts of "serious" astrologers about other astrologers who specialise in Sun sign astrology.

What is their problem!?? Sun sign astrologers play a big part in keeping "serious" astrologers in business.

I'd guess that 9 people out of 10 who contribute to the livelihood of "serious" astrologers, through personal consultations, or purchase of their books, are first drawn to the subject via Sun sign columns, or books (such as Linda Goodman's) based on Sun sign astrology. It ill-behoves one to bite the hand that feeds him.

Even the worst astrology columns in local newspapers, and there are some REALLY bad ones, serve to keep the concept of astrology alive. Good Sun sign writers such as Jonathan Cainer and Rob Brezsny, can inspire readers to delve deeper into the subject, whilst offering regular doses of inspiration and wisdom, rather than out and out predictions of the "tall dark stranger" kind.

It is possible, of course, to get into what I call "the Sun sign rut", but anyone sensitive to astrology will soon find a way out of that rut. Those less sensitive will still find plenty to play with among the Sun signs, and this is definitely better than nothing. Knowledge of traits attributed to the 12 zodiac (Sun) signs is helpful when moving deeper into astrology -time is not wasted reading Linda Goodman's books, or any other descriptions of the 12 signs.

The reason Sun sign astrology remains popular, and that people at parties still love to ask "What's your sign", is because there IS a golden nugget of truth there. It doesn't shine through as brightly in every person, but it's always there. The Sun sign is an easy handle to grasp, a clue to work with - and let's face it - it's fun!

"Serious" astrologers can take themselves far too seriously. It's obvious that astrology is not yet an exact science, nor anywhere near, and probably never will be. All astrologers are whistling in the dark, to some extent. Make it a friendly, happy tune, please, guys!

Carl Sagan and astrology

In several blogs yesterday, the 10th anniversary of the death of Carl Sagan was remembered with tributes from science fans, and self-proclaimed sceptics. It's something of an anomaly that he is one of my own heroes. He was never a friend of astrology, he was a critic of so-called pseudo-science. Perhaps because I have doubts of my own about certain areas of astrological doctrine, I understood his views to some extent. I sense though that, deep down, he stood not too far away from my own beliefs. One day it might emerge that he and the astrolgers were both partially correct.

I wanted to add my own tribute to the 'blogathon' tribute out there, but felt that it would be unwelcome. Here - a day late - using his own words, is my tribute.

From the last chapter of 'Cosmos'

"And we, we who embody the local eyes and ears and thoughts and feelings of the cosmos, we have begun at least to wonder about our origins -- star stuff contemplating the stars, organized collections of ten billion billion billion atoms, contemplating the evolution of nature, tracing that long path by which it arrived at consciousness here on the planet earth, and perhaps throughout the cosmos. Our loyalties are to the species and to the planet. We speak for earth. Our obligation to survive and flourish is owed not just to ourselves but also to that cosmos ancient and vast from which we spring!"

and from "The Cosmic Connection"

The fate of individual human beings may not now be connected in a deep way with the rest of the universe, but the matter out of which each of us is made is intimately tied to processes that occurred immense intervals of time and enormous distances in space a way from us. Our Sun is a second or third-generation star. All of the rocky and metallic material we stand on, the iron in our blood, the calcium in our teeth, the carbon in our genes were produced billions of years ago in the interior of a red giant star. We are made of star stuff. Our atomic and molecular connection with the rest of the universe is a real and unfanciful cosmic hookup. As we explore our surroundings by telescope and space vehicle, other hookups may emerge. There may be a network of intercommunicating extraterrestrial civilizations to which we may link up tomorrow, for all we know. The undelivered promise of astrology-that the stars impel our individual characters - will not be satisfied by modern astronomy. But the deep human need to seek and understand our connection with the universe is a goal well within our grasp. "

Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere

Each of us feels the pull of the winter solstice. Sometimes we call it the stress of the season, but perhaps we are also sensitive to the great cosmic forces involved. At this season each of us undergoes a new beginning, a new initiation, as the god within stirs, however slightly. And without a sense of these wonderful initiation Mysteries being portrayed in our Christmas story, it can become a distant event -- which it is not. It is right here with us, and we will experience it every year as the cosmic clock returns to the winter solstice, when even the worst trials and tribulations have within them the seeds of light and triumph.
http://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/seasons/4s-aed.htm