Poppies

I feel certain that it has been said many times over the years, by astrologers, that 11 November is an astrologically appropriate date on which to remember those who fell in both World Wars. 11 November lies within the zodiac sign of Scorpio. In modern astrology Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, traditional astrologers had Mars as Scorpio's ruling planet. Scorpio represents, among other things, death. Mars rules war, Pluto represents transformation - death is the greatest of all transformations, apart from birth.

Whether we call 11th November Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, Veterans' Day or, Einherjar (the name given to 11/11 by followers of Asatru, Norse Heathenism), we remember and honour those killed in, or as a result of battle.

In the UK poppy emblems, symbol of remembrance, are sold for people to wear in their lapels, the funds collected go towards support of ex-servicemen. I don't know if this happens in the USA to the same extent, I haven't seen any evidence of it so far.

I "blog peace", the peace emblem remains here at all times, but equally I always used to wear a poppy around the time of Remembrance Day. I almost certainly owe my own life to those who died to win World War 2. What makes me sad (and lately very angry) is that the world hasn't learned the lesson those courageous men died to teach us.


THE INQUISITIVE MIND OF A CHILD

Why are they selling poppies, Mummy?
Selling poppies in town today.
The poppies, child, are flowers of love.
For the men who marched away.

But why have they chosen a poppy, Mummy?
Why not a beautiful rose?
Because my child, men fought and died
In the fields where the poppies grow.

But why are the poppies so red, Mummy?
Why are the poppies so red?
Red is the colour of blood, my child.
The blood that our soldiers shed.

The heart of the poppy is black, Mummy.
Why does it have to be black?
Black, my child, is the symbol of grief.
For the men who never came back.

But why, Mummy are you crying so?
Your tears are giving you pain.
My tears are my fears for you my child.
For the world is forgetting again.
(Author unknown)



"War would end if the dead could return."Stanley Baldwin

Found on a not-so-rotten day.

On the way back from our recent jaunt we stopped off at assorted antique shops and a second-hand book shop. In the latter I headed straight for the back of the shop, towards the most hidden recesses and, sure enough, there so as not to embarrass the shop owner was a small section of books devoted to "weird subjects". I was quite surprised to find a sizeable collection of secondhand books on witchcraft and Wicca here. Is there more going on in Oklahoma than meets the eye?

There were only two books on astrology, "An Idiot's Guide to Astrology" and "You Were Born On a Rotten Day". Now, idiot I may be, but I avoid advertsising the fact more than is necessary - although passing readers may think differently! "Idiot's Guide" would not look good on my bookshelf. The co-authors of the second slim volume had certainly written their book on a rotten day - rotten for astrology that is. I had to chuckle over a few of their quips though, so bought the book for the knock-down price of a dollar.

"You Were Born on a Rotten Day" ("The unofficial horoscope guide that tells it like it really is.....A book that comes to you after years of painful guesswork") was written by Jim Critchfield and Jerry Hopkins, first printed 1969 in Los Angeles. (I should mention that it is not the same as a later book with a similar title, "Born on a Rotten Day", that one is by different authors.)

A collection of spoof Sun Sign interpretations - I suspect the same idea has been better done, with more wit and zing, in recent years, but this early attempt at astrological humour is kind of sweet.

As we're now sailing through Scorpio waters, here are words of wisdom from that section. Perhaps I'll return to the book each month for a little light relief about the other signs.

Scorpio

"Men and women born under the Sign of Scorpio have very active minds, bodies and police records.

This sign is all fuzzed up with mythological happenings about a pretty lady who gave a nice man a scorpion which promptly bit him and gave him such a lump he never got over it.

Much of life is like that for Scorpios.....they never get over it, or in it, or anything about it. Tragic, painfully tragic.

To begin with, Mercury rules the pelvis of each Scorpio. (You can just imagine what that causes when the lights are out). Due to this pelvic problem Scorpio has a thing about love. Crying out for love, but shoving it away when it comes. (Doesn't this one choke you up?)

Scorpio women are very giving by nature, which always makes them sought after by men who throw certain kinds of parties.

Scorpio men, on the other hand, find happiness in the Armed Services, since they are the simply marvelous cheaters at poker and craps. The Scorpio born should try to direct their emotions toward more healthy outlets....like organising waterfalls...or sending gift packages to needy Admirals.

If you are a Scorpio, never play with your yo-yo in public. (Note from me - Now that IS wise advice, Scorpios!)

Your Lucky Color is fading, and your Lucky Day is worse than most."

Another look at Neptune's Pin-up Illusions

Post removed by administrator - see post dated 25 December 2006.

No end in sight, but a scenic horizon.

The saga of my application for US citizenship trundles on.....and on....and... Venus retrograde, Mercury retrograde periods have both come and gone, still no progress, now it's the turn of Mars!

My cheque sent on 26 July has still not been cashed, in common with those of many others who applied via the Texas Service Center around the same few weeks in July/August. Eventually, even after they've condescended to cash my cheque and enter my application into their systems, there'll still be a series of long waits, as frontlogs turn to backlogs. Compared to the obstacles and difficulties some people have to live with, this is very minor stuff - but frustrating nevertheless.

Transiting Jupiter is, as I type, conjoining my natal Venus in Sagittarius (bring on the wanderlust!)

Something nice is in order - as an antidote to frustration. We're taking ourselves off, right now (just for a couple of days), to see the fall foliage on Talimena Scenic Drive, which follows the tops of the Kiamichi Mountains in the Ouachita National Forest, between Oklahoma and Arkansas. The name Talimena Drive comes from the towns nearest each end of the 54-mile stretch of road. On the Oklahoma side is Talihina. On the Arkansas side is Mena, the purported hub of the Arkansas mafia’s drug flights, I'm told. (Arkansas has a mafia!!??)

Maybe I'll have a chance to upload posts from the road - maybe not. It'll depend on how civilised is the motel where we hole up.

Polarity

As well as the elements (Earth, Air, Fire and Water) and the modes (Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable) there's a third aspect to be considered in a natal chart: polarity. Astrological polarities are variously described as masculine/feminine, active/passive, or Yin/Yang, take your pick!

Starting with Aries (positive/masculine/Yang) the signs change alternately positive/ negative. So:

Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius are all positive/masculine/Yang.

Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces all negative/feminine/Yin.

Extract from Astrodienst (full explanation at website)

"The positive signs describe object-oriented, sociable people who are not afraid to jump into unknown situations. The negative or yin principle is subject-oriented, receptive, yielding, enclosing, withdrawing and inward-moving. The yin individual ‘is characterised by a reflective nature which causes him always to think and consider before acting. His shyness and distrust of things induces hesitation, and so he always has difficulty in adapting to the external world."

From Astrotheme's lists, I've copied the names of some of the best known individuals who have Yin or Yang @ between 99% and 90% in their natal charts, which takes in a very high proportion of their personalities. I was quite disappointed that a perceivable difference between the people on these two lists isn't immediately apparent. We know only their public faces though, so maybe it isn't so surprising. Looking at the Yin/Yang balance of people we know well is bound to be more telling, but it's interesting to experiment.

Men and women are listed separately, in case that'd help to throw up any glaring differences between Yins and Yangs, it doesn't seem to do so.

Yangs include Anita Roddick but Nina Ricci is amongst the Yins - both very successful business women in similar fields. I'd have expected Anita Roddick to be among the Yins though. Kim Farnell is among the Yins - which seems correct for an astrologer. Paris Hilton is an active Yang - tee-hee - I guess!!

Do the Yang guys seem like a more macho, active group than the Yins? Not really. Er -wait a minute - perhaps the Yin males are a wee bit smoother, more polished? It's notable that Bono has the highest Yin of all, almost pure Yin!

I wonder if these considerations might have more importance in relationship compatibility, rather than in straightforward personality assessment. Perhaps a strongly Yang person needs a strongly Yin partner, and vice versa.

My software tells me that my own polarities are equally balanced, while HeWhoKnows has majority of Yin - I'd have guessed that, in spite of his Aries Sun.

Anyway, here are the lists. I've added the percentages for first and last names in each list, those inbetween are....well...inbetween!

Yang - active - masculine

Paris Hilton 94.44%
Brit Ekland
Loretta Lynn
Barbara Walters
Anita Roddick 90.08


Ralph Bellamy 96.92%
Dan Quayle
Danny Elfman
Alfred Molina
Gary Puckett
Sasha Baron Cohen (Da Ali G)
Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee)
Jimmy Durante
Hoagy Carmichael
Stan Laurel
Barry Manilow 90.95%

****************************************
Yin - passive - feminine

Kim Wilde 98.08%
Cindy Crawford
Maureen O'Sullivan
Kim Farnell
Nina Ricci 90.83%

Bono 99.09%
Keanu Reeves
Kurt Cobain
William Friedkin
Upton Sinclair
Keith Urban
Gary Player
BB King
Adam Sandler
Bob Kennedy 91.23%

Born 1968 - "The Year That Rocked the World"

Without much astrological knowledge, it is possible to see astrology at work. Here's an example of how the qualities of a single year can be crystalised and reflected back many years later by some of those born within that time frame. What led me off on this tack was a blog entry at How This Old Brit Sees It , on 3 November. It featured a book "Beyond the Green Zone" , the author, an independent journalist, Dahr Jamail.

I set off on a goosechase across Google looking for the birth data of this brave journalist. I didn't find exactly what I was looking for, but did discover that Dahr Jamail was born in Houston, Texas in 1968.

How about that year, 1968? Anything special about it? A synopsis of Mark Kurlansky's book "1968, The Year that Rocked the World" threw some light on this.

"1968 was a year of political upheaval and protest around the world. In the U.S., there were the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, the antiwar protests, the Chicago riot at the Democratic National Convention, and the Apollo 8 mission around the Moon. In Vietnam, the Tet offensive was underway. Protests in France began the downfall of Charles de Gaulle's government. Soviet tanks rolled into Prague to quell the rebellion there. Mexico City police opened fire on university protesters. Mark Kurlansky documents these events and more that occurred in 1968, and examines the cultural forces that drew them altogether across the world."

Wow! An exceptional year! 1968 is described elsewhere as "a benchmark of unrest, tumult, and change." Astrology tells us that those born during that time are bound to bear its imprint - some more clearly than others.

From a list of birthdays in 1968 , I noted the usual gaggle of actors, musicians, sportsmen, but three names leapt off the screen - Mohammed Atta (said to have masterminded 9/11 attacks, and died in them), Timothy McVeigh, (the notorious Oklahoma City Bomber), and Ramzi Yousef (mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing). The astrology of that tumultuous year had certainly left its imprint on those three characters, and in the worst possible way! Dahr Jamail, however, carries the positive side of the same imprint.

It's necessary, for a moment, to blank one's mind to the horror and tragedy that Atta, McVeigh and Yousef individually caused, and look at their motives. They each had what they saw as "a cause" which they sought to further. They chose the wrong route - a route of destruction and death. Dahr Jamail too has a cause, but in him it is manifested in a noble and more enlightened way. His "cause" is to let the public see the truth, he furthers it in a way, dangerous only to himself. The causes of these four men spookily reflect qualities of the year of their birth, 1968, when numerous events, both tragic and noble occurred, all in pursuit of "causes".

Pluto's transit during 1968 took in 22 to 25 degrees Virgo, with Uranus retrograding from 29 to 25 Virgo then proceeding into Libra by October. Neptune started the year at 25 Scorpio and after some retrograde motion finished in December at 27 Scorpio.

All the outer planets, then, were in the last ten degrees of Virgo or Scorpio for most of the year, often within conjunction (same degree or near) and/or sextile (60*). In the summer months Saturn at between 21 and 25 Aries would have been inconjunct (150*) all three of three outer planets.

I'm not going to attempt to interpret those configurations, except to describe the qualities of the three planets involved. Pluto is the planet of transformation (sometimes involving death), Uranus planet of change and revolution, Saturn planet of laws, rules, structure, representing the establishment and "status quo", and Neptune planet of illusion, delusion, and dreams. The fact that these astrologically powerful planets were so closely aligned during that time has to have a very significant connection to those world changing events, and to the qualities born into some of the year's natives.

Dahr Jamail was born into 1968's atmosphere of tumult, unrest and change. Without his date of birth it's impossible to examine his personal astrology. From what I've seen of his work on-line, he has much talent and great courage.

From ZNet's review of his book "Beyond the Green Zone":


"Soon after the US invasion of Iraq in March 2003, Jamail emptied his savings, bought a plane ticket to Iraq, and began writing about what he saw as an independent reporter from the war zone. His missives were sorely needed by those people looking for a side of the story not being told by the so-called embedded media and soon his stories were being published in multiple internet outlets, radio programs and even some newspapers....... the book is a riveting and clearly written piece of journalism that puts the pap most US residents consider as news to shame."

"The More Loving One", W.H. Auden & his own stars

Looking up at the stars,
I know quite well
That, for all they care,
I can go to hell,
But on earth indifference is the least
We have to dread from man or beast.

How should we like it were stars to burn
With a passion for us we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.

Admirer as I think I am
Of stars that do not give a damn,
I cannot, now I see them, say
I missed one terribly all day.

Were all stars to disappear or die,
I should learn to look at an empty sky
And feel its total darkness sublime,
Though this might take me a little time. (W.H. Auden, 1957)



W.H. Auden, renowned poet, born 21 February 1907 in York, England, died in Vienna, served in the Spanish civil war, but left England at the outbreak of World War 2 to live in America, became a US citizen in 1946.

"His early work was socially committed left-wing writing. He read Marx and Freud, but was also influenced by the need to conceal that he was writing about his and his friends' homosexuality, which was illegal at that time. Later, he began to turn away from Marxism towards his mother's faith, which left a mark upon his poetry" (More HERE)



A poet with three planets (Sun, Mercury, Saturn) in romantic, imaginative Pisces. He was one of the ultra- talented Pluto in Gemini generation, I bump into them regularly on this blog! His natal Sun exactly trines Jupiter in Cancer, while his Mercury Saturn conjunction is nicely sextiled by Venus conjunct Uranus in Capricorn. There's an opposition to Venus/Uranus from Neptune, but Neptune also trines Mercury/Saturn - so his chart is well integrated in Watery-Earth. Moon in Gemini (degree not known) and Mars in Sagittarius draw in a little Air and Fire.

Auden's transition from left-wing socialism to devout Christianity seems to indicate that he needed a background of structure and dogma in his life, perhaps this is indicated by Saturn (structure, rigidity) conjunct Mercury (the way his mind worked). Both are in the mutable sign of Pisces, so although he may have craved structure he was not averse to a change of dogma! It's interesting to note, too, that he has no natal planets in Fixed signs. The anomaly of volunteering to serve in the Spanish civil war, yet declining to remain in England, the country of his birth at the outbreak of World War 2 is a curiosity - another manifestation of the predominantly mutable temperament?

Stars of the Debate & Divorce of the Week.

Two bandwagons continued their roll this week - the US presidential debates and the Mills-McCartney divorce. Good fodder for media and blogs - what would we do without this mayhem?

We watched the Democratic candidates' debate on TV, Tuesday evening, but came away with little new information. It seems to me that the candidates act like pre-programmed automatons, whatever question they are asked, their program seeks out the most appropriate response, often barely compatible with the question.



After a while I started to concentrate on the candidates' astrology (or what I could remember of it).

Joe Biden showed a nice bit of Scorpio punk and determination, I thought. To be honest, of the 7 individuals, I felt that he appeared the most presidential. A new insight for me!

Hillary Clinton was her usual hard-faced self - another Scorpio Sun, with a little too much of the scorpion and not enough of the eagle for my taste.

John Edwards and his hairdo were as smiley and do-goody as ever - typical Gemini Sun, trying to please everyone. He did take a pot-shot or two at his nearest rivals, it was nice to see the Goody-two Shoes image slipping for once.

Chris Dodd, another Gemini Sun, played his experience card once again (it's getting a little worn now). He plays hard on the fact that he has experience of "bringing people together" - Geminis are good at that part....but what then?

Bill Richardson, our 3rd Scorpio Sun option also keeps pushing his past negotiating experience in foreign parts. I wonder if he's angling for a position as the new president's Secretary of State ?

Barack Obama, the only Leo King on the platform, didn't look very regal on Tuesday evening. He also trotted out many well-worn phrases with hardly a new thought amongst them.

Dennis Kucinich, a personal favourite, the candidate without a snowball's chance, but with plenty of balls - the one who should be way out in the lead, was given but a fraction of speaking time compared with the rest of 'em. He did get the only applause of the evening though. He has Sun in Libra, with three personal planets in Scorpio. In a thinly disguised attempt to discredit Kucinich, the presenter saw fit to ask him a question in connection with Shirley MacLaine's book, in which she mentioned that Dennis once saw a UFO. Really important presidential stuff, this! Yawn. (See HERE) "NBC anchors Brian Williams and Tim Russert meticulously avoided following up on Congressman Dennis Kucinich’s three references to impeachment but somehow found time to grill the contenders on UFOs and what costume Barack Obama would be wearing on Halloween." Dennis handled the silliness with Libran grace, dignity and humor, I'm happy to say (but I'd bet that his well-hidden Scorpio bits were very annoyed!)

PS - also this (from the article by John Nichols, linked above):

"Frustrated by the refusal of Democratic leaders to set up a process for holding hearings on his proposal(to impeach Dick Cheney), Kucinich will use an arcane House rule allowing for the prodding of the process with privileged resolutions to try and force consideration. Once introduced, a privileged resolution must be addressed within two legislative days.

Kucinich is expected to offer his privileged resolution on Tuesday. He expects to continue pushing it until the House acts. That action is likely to be a successful move by Democratic leaders to table the measure. Such a vote could be instructive, however, in that it would provide a rare measure of the willingness of at least some House members to respond to the popular will — which is that Dick Cheney be held to account."


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

So, on to Mills v. McCartney. I'm not leaping onto the critical bandwagon - either way. And I'm not hauling out their natal charts either - it's been done before by competent astrologers. What I've done, is what I always do when I'm considering a question of relationships, I turn to Robert Camp's "Love Cards" book. Why? Because I've found that it works. It has connections with astrology, so why wouldn't it?


Their birthdays are 18 June (Paul) and 12 January (Heather). That, amazingly, is all the information we need to consult "Love Cards". Paul's birth card is Queen of Clubs ("The Mother of Intuition Card"). I've known one of these - my late partner. Lovely, warm and loving, intense with, when provoked, a fiery temper and very stubborn side. Heather's card is 2 of Spades( "The Friendship Card"). I don't recall ever meeting one of those.

Moving on to the compatibility rating for these two: the primary connection between them is coded CLR/CLF - which, being translated means -

From Heather's point of view, Paul is her "Lifetime Cosmic Lesson" - brief excerpts from "Love Cards":

"This person plays the role of 'teacher' for you in some fashion in your life.....a reminder of some great lesson that you must learn regarding your role here on the planet. For this reason you may not always appreciate their presence in your life. They may remind you of some of your own shortcomings, or play the role of a critic in some manner. .....associated with Saturn, but Saturn taken to a higher octave....these relationships can be difficult and heavy feeling."

For Paul it's the reverse of the above - he is the "teacher". "Even if you don't say anything, your presence in their life is teaching them invaluable lessons that they may someday express gratitude for. In the meantime there may be personality conflicts as these lessons are learned."

I'll refrain from giving my own opinion as to what lesson is being learned by this paticular "2 of Spades" !

The secondary connection is via Uranus. Paul is Uranus to Heather in the Life Spread. He wants complete freedom to be himself....she may experience this as his being unpredictable or unreliable.....he may scare her or leave her uncertain about his affections at times. The same influence could make them the best of friends, if freedom is allowed.

The primary and secondary connections are said to be the most significant, but there are others too. The overall rating for compatibility is better from him to her than from her to him. Him to her is a 3 (quite good), her to him is minus 1. Not an impossible match by any means, but a more challenging one for her.

(Introductory graphic by G.Grow)

Men and Women

Mini-rant coming up.

I have read that astrologers, presented with the natal chart of an unknown person, cannot tell whether the owner of the chart is masculine or feminine, or indeed, gay. I'm glad about that - very glad. I feel it reinforces my own view that men and women are not as different as many would have us believe. It's a myth - another one! Life is filled with them.

I'm aware that many don't agree with me on this point. Discussions about differences and difficulties between the sexes, the relative talents of one over t'other....etc are legion. One could fill a library with books written on the subject. There does appear to be some evidence to support my theory though: "The Truth about Gender Differences". Studies show that one's sex has little or no bearing on personality, cognition and leadership.

What does make a huge difference in personality, cognition and leadership, of course, is the natal chart, about that much I have no argument whatsoever!

Physical differences are not in question. I'm well aware that men have dangly bits and women have rounded bits, and men can lift heavier weights, and women can bear children. Full stop. Outside of that, men and women are the same - simply human beings. Men are not from Mars and women are not from Venus (but writing about that myth can make a lot of money, I guess). The myth exists from centuries of suggestion, which have led to personal expectation, which has led to experience.

Women were held back, by suggestion, for too long. But now many people seek to keep the idea of differences alive by manufacturing them, to provide reasons for stuff which is really just basic relationship business - human being problems. Most, if not all of these stem from individual life history and experiences, not from any fundamental psyschological difference between men and women.

There are already enough "differences" to deal with in our world - political left and right, religion and atheism, rich and poor, healthy and sick, all kinds of discrimination, nationalism, patriotism...... we don't need to invent or encourage another one. If we are guilty of doing so, it will only serve to hold back the flow of progress women have achieved to date. Equality is the watchword - not difference or superiority.

Leading off from this topic is something currently in spotlight in the USA - the possibility of a woman president.

If mainstream media and the corporations get their way, Hillary Clinton will be the next US Prez. Some people think that a woman president would be something to celebrate - just because she is a woman. Huh?? Why?

Yes, women have been held back for too many years, and still have that legendary glass ceiling to negotiate before they can get a look-in. That does not automatically mean that a woman who manages to negotiate the glassware will make a good president or a good anything. There's as much chance of a woman being a good president as there is a man - good/bad = 50/50.

Let's not get all starry eyed about women in charge. They are no better and no worse than men - it's just that there are fewer of 'em in that position. My own life and work experience has led me to trust women in charge less than men - due purely to experience, not because I think they are less able or psychologically different. My own experience has taught me that the old myth that "if women were in charge this world would be a better place" is wishful thinking, at best.

A woman could make the best president ever seen in the history of the world - but equally, so could a man.

Matriarchal, patriarchal - schmatriachal. Society must move on beyond that sort of stuff now - this is 21st century! We human beings ought to be aiming to become one race, undivided, citizens of Earth.

End of rant. I've just noticed, tranisting Mars is 4* from my natal ascendant - which may account for the current period of bolshiness yours truly is experiencing.

(Illustration from www.primitivebirdgroup.co.nz/mgal5k.html)

Snap Judgment in Astrology

Delving into my hoard of second-hand astrology books, lucky-dip style, I came up with "Astrological Keywords" by Manly P. Hall, who is described here as:

"One of the metaphysical giants of the Twentieth Century, Manly P. Hall spent decades researching eastern philosophy, occult studies, astrology, and a wide variety of related topics at a time when such subjects were still unknown territory in the western world. It is in no small measure due to his extensive writings and teachings that these subjects are so widely known today.
A prime example of the visionary Balsamic Moon type, Hall had Sun in Pisces, Moon in Aquarius. He earned an honorary Ph.D. in literature, was a 33rd Degree Mason, was a Rosicrucian initiate, and wrote over 200 books."


This book has been re-printed many times from 1958 onward, my copy is the 1978 version. It contains a treasure trove of astro information. I'm borrowing, here, from the last chapter, "Snap Judgment".

M.P. Hall tells us that "While a detailed analysis of character depends upon a profound knowledge of the science of astrology, the possession of certain fundamental keywords enables the student to arrive at remarkable conclusions, which, while not complete, will adequately demonstrate the accuracy of astrology."

Yes, and for me this kind of pencil sketch is often far more convincing than pages and pages of scholarly interpretation.

Mr. Hall provides 8 examples to illustrate his point. I'll borrow his snap judgments about three of the best known personalities he features.


"Abraham Lincoln -
Aries rising - courageous, ambitious, idealistic. Sun in Aquarius - humanitarian, religious, progressive, tolerant. Neptune, Saturn and Antares (fixed star) conjoined in 8th house: a tragic and violent death. Mars and Uranus in 7th house: unhappy marriage. Capricorn in Midheaven: high honor and great sense of public duty and responsibility. Venus opposing ascendant in Aries - features irregular but conveying an impression of beauty, sweetness or kindliness. A glance reveals these elements in the horoscope of America's martyred president, Abraham Lincoln.

Sir Francis Bacon
Aquarius rising with Sun opposite ascendant "spiritual and scientific progressivisim and diplomacy. Sun in 12th house: disgrace or imprisonment. Mercury conjunct Sun in 12th: the brilliance of his mind left unrewarded and obscured by the enmity of his contemporaries. Sagittarius on midheaven: high philosophical and religious attainments. Uranus in 10th house: erratic fortune and public place. Mars in Scorpio in 9th house: religious and political intrigue. This is an astrological sketch of the personality of Sir Francis Bacon, Chancellor of the British Empire and father of modern science.

Thomas Edison
Scorpio rising, a scientist. Leo on 10th house, a leader. Sun in Aquarius, a mind turned to Aquarian concerns - an inventor. Mercury in Aquarius, electricity. Neptune in Aquarius an inventor and investigator. Thus we may sum up the outstanding characteristics of Thomas Edison." (Inventor of the light bulb, among other things).

I didn't realise until I'd typed these that they're all Sun Aquarians. I looked quickly through the other 5 examples in the chapter and oddly there's another Sun Aquarian, an Aquarius rising, a Pisces rising, a Sun Pisces, and a Leo Sun with Uranus in Aquarius. The author, Manly P. Hall, had Sun in Pisces, Moon in Aquarius (as stated in his memorial above). I wonder whether there was a little astrological nepotism going on here? Or are Aquarius and Pisces, for some reason, best able to demonstrate the efficacy of snap judgments? Curious.

"Across the Universe" - the astrology

Yesterday we visited a cinema in a neighbouring city to see "Across the Universe". I've wanted to see this movie ever since a trailer at our local cinema whetted my appetite months ago (mentioned HERE).

I'd like to think that the release of the film at this point in history might herald a resurgence of that spirit which coloured the 1960s. My wishful thinking that the Beatles' wonderful music may, in the manner of a snake charmer, raise awareness and a spirit of rebellion and determination to right wrongs once again stayed withme long after the movie ended. Maybe it is wishful thinking. Maybe not.

The film, "Across the Universe", is an unusual kind of film. A musical, a love story, a chronicle - but much more than that. I found it affecting and memorable. The story will appeal to British and American audiences alike. The screenplay was written by Dick Clement and Ian LaFrenais, brilliant authors of numerous British TV comedy series, both of whom are old enough to remember those legendary days of hippydom.

First, a look at the astrology of those hippy years of the 1960s, with Skip Stone from his "Hippies A to Z"

"Beginning in October, 1965 we witnessed a rare, powerful conjunction of Uranus and Pluto (it happens about once every 200 years or so). Uranus represents the urge to be free. It brings sudden changes usually by destroying the old to make room for the new. It replaces outdated attitudes with new, more constructive ones.

Pluto forces us to transform and regenerate. It takes that which is sick, no longer of value and either destroys it or transmutes it via healing and cleansing into something useful and positive. When the two planets are conjunct (aligned together) their energy intensifies and focuses. Since the aspect occurred in the sign of Virgo, this means the focus was analytical, and critical with an emphasis on communication and service to others. The whole astrological scenario was extremely conducive to revolutionary ideas and activities, if not outright revolution.

Indeed revolution was on the agenda, and might've happened, if not for another very profound astrological event that occurred in September 1966. This was a sextile (60*) of Uranus (again) and Neptune. This is another positive aspect that represented an unusual combination of powerful energies at work during the period. Again we have the need for freedom combined with sudden destruction of the old ways (Uranus), but this time creating new opportunities (sextile) for spiritual growth, artistic creativity, and idealism (Neptune).

Neptune is symbolic of the higher form of love. With Neptune in Scorpio, the sign of powerful emotions, enormous latent energy, and strong sense of purpose, it's no wonder there was an explosion of creativity and new ideas in the Arts and Music, as well as spiritual, sexual and chemical experimentation.

These astrological events, because they involve the outer planets, occur over a long period of time, affect a large number of people, influence social structures and can bring about great changes that take many years to manifest. They also affect generations in different ways since our natal (birth) astrology differs (particularly the outer planets). Whereas one generation may be open to the changes, another might be highly reactionary, as was the case in the 1960s. Even though young people in the '60s had virtually no power (the voting age was still 21), our in-your-face, extremely vocal radicalism and the violent conservative backlash only served to underline the hypocrisies, outdated attitudes and serious failings of the system."

Now - back to the present and near future -

In the mid-1960s Uranus and Pluto were both in Virgo. Next year Pluto will be back in an Earth sign, Capricorn, and Saturn will still be in an Earth sign, Virgo - 2 slow movers in Earth, not the same two, as in the 60s though, but still an Earthy emphasis. Uranus and Neptune in mutual reception in Aquarius and Pisces will form a semi-sextile aspect, July to September 2008, just before the US presidential election. Is there a very faint echo of the 1960s contained in this aspect? The semi-sextile is bound to be be less harmonious than the sextile they experienced then, it might well be be more of a summer of challenge than a summer of love.

Astrologer Maritha Pottenger here has this to say about semi-sextile aspects (30 degrees between)

"This aspect is also often ignored. It is “minor,” but significant if close (within one degree). Astrologers differ on meaning. Some will call it a harmony aspect; others a conflict aspect. It can operate both ways. As in any aspect, the most important element is the planets involved: are they naturally harmonious (sextile, trine one another) or naturally ambivalent, in conflict (square, quincunx, opposite one another in terms of the signs they rule)?.......I read the semi-sextile as a potential strength (mild) in terms of us being able to integrate the two planets, houses and signs involved, thinking especially in terms of carrying further with the later ones what was begun or established with the earlier houses and signs.......................From air to water,(as in Aquarius to Pisces)we move from intellectual insight to depth understanding. We perceive not just consciously but also unconsciously. We function intuitively as well as rationally."

I don't for a moment think we shall ever again see anything comparable to the hippy movement, but we might see a pale reflection of it. A movement with updated focus and followers who strain to see deeper than surface considerations. Use of new technology to assist in understanding things as yet unaccepted by the mainstream, which might help and heal us, and the ills we have inflicted upon our planet home by greed and wars.

PS:I highly recommend "Across the Universe" the movie!





"Sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing
Through my opened ears inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying Love which shines around me like a
million suns, It calls me on and on
Across the universe
Jai guru deva, om."

Pluto Dominant

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Patriotism

Patriotism, astrologer C.E.O. Carter told us, in his Enclyclopedia of Psychological Astrology, is "a Cancerian trait and most patriots have this sign prominent". I'm not sure that works for me - I have natal Cancer rising, but don't consider myself patriotic - except in regard to the Earth.

He goes on to say "But many who are so called, and who perhaps have even performed deeds of great value to their country, have been actuated by such motives as duty (Saturn), resistance to aggression (Mars) or love of freedom (Jupiter or Uranus). Astrology enables true patriotism to be detected, and at the same time, although few national horoscopes are obtainable, it may usually be judged that a person who has many planets strong in a certain sign will do well for himself when in a country ruled by that sign, and, in turn, may benefit the country."

A variety of astrological charts are used by astrologers to represent the birth of the USA, rising signs differ, but I think that the Sun always lies in the sign of Cancer. I'm not a fan of astrological charts for countries. I feel that a chart set up for an inanimate entity describes a moment in time - nothing more, a moment whose "imprint" has no flesh and blood upon which to imprint itself (except of course upon babies born at that precise moment). I'm not a professional astrologer though, and am probably wrong. Assuming that I am wrong, if the USA's Sun sign is Cancer, and C.E.O Carter was right about the sign of Cancer being related to patriotism, then it's hardly surprising that the USA has always inspired its citizens with great patriotism.

What worries me a lot, as an alien here, is that a good proportion of people in the USA can see no wrong in their country. They see this as patriotism. There's also, thankfully, a growing group of more enlightened folk who see things as they actually are, accept that there are faults, and work towards change and progress. In my book, these are the true patriots.

Last week, at a local concert, a singer (well known country star) performed a self-penned song of praise for America and Americans, written after he'd felt outrage about a news article seen while doing a gig in the north-east. The article in question had criticised current conditions in the USA, and the US administration. At the end of the song the whole audience stood and cheered. If that song had been in protest about the war in Iraq, or likely bombing of Iran by the US, or about the poor in this country who have no social welfare safety net, or the children and families without access to health care.......or about what we are doing to the planet....or.....well, you get my drift....I'd have been on my feet cheering louder than anybody. It wasn't. I sat with my head bowed, feeling deeply disturbed.

When "America the Beautiful" was sung though, earlier the same evening, I had applauded along with everyone else, because the land is amazingly beautiful, it would be hard not to fall in love with certain parts of it.

C.E.O. Carter's assessment of patriotism may have been correct for his own time, and for his own country (Britain). We now live in different times, are considering a different country, with different needs. I'd say the astrological signature for patriotism nowadays would have to include some good Mercury and/or Virgo aspects to enable clear, critical thinking, and a little bit of forward-looking Uranus/Aquarius to enable us as citizens of the world, rather than of any particular country.

I wish America could see itself as part of the wider world instead of a large self-contained world of its own - best of all worlds, which can do no wrong. The plea "God Bless America", to my ears is all wrong! "God Bless the World" is the way forward now, the only way, in fact. If the sensation or emotion we call patriotism were to be be re-jigged, re-aligned to encompass the planet and all its peoples, we might see a flicker of hope for the future of this sad old world.

"The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?" (Pablo Casals)

Blogger descends from soapbox.

Musical Yods, a Funnel, and rising hackles.

Concerts are like buses - you wait for ages, then two come along at once. Two concerts came along to our local theatre this week. Yipeee - a couple of nights out! Thursday's was a very enjoyable performance by a cappella group, Marcoux Corner. Their website is HERE - they'll serenade you with "Moondance" as you visit. We enjoyed their show a lot.

The four lads, Brent, Dave, Josh and Kevin hail originally from Minnesota and North Dakota. The group's wonderful harmonies led me to wonder whether there might be any astrological harmonies between them. Number One Daughter of HeWhoKnows kindly voluteered to ask the lads for their birth dates on my behalf.

(Left to right Dave, Josh, Brent and Kevin. Note the matching ties and sneakers, green, blue, pink and grey!)

I am not going to disclose the actual birth data here, it doesn't already appear on-line anywhere, but I've looked carefully at a 12 noon chart for each of them. Three of the four singers were born within a period of 6 months, so naturally the outer planet placements are very similar for them. The fourth member of the group is seven years younger.

In the charts of all four guys I was fascinated to find a Yod formation - two planets in close sextile(60 degrees between) both inconjunct(150 degrees between) a third planet, forming a kind of arrow. Astrologer Bob Marks describes such a formation HERE.

The sextiles in the four charts are formed by two slow-moving generational planets Pluto and Neptune, in Libra and Sagittarius respectively. For the youngest member of the group, Dave, this is stretched a little for Pluto is right at the end of Libra and Neptune has just moved on to 00 Capricorn - still a sextile aspect. There will, of course, be millions of people in this age group with the same sextile, the significance here is in the planet(s) at the pointy end of the Yod. These turn out to be personal, faster-moving, planets, definitely NOT the same for all members of the generation.

In each of the charts the Yod's arrow point is aimed at planet(s) in Taurus, which is one of the signs ruled by Venus, planet of music. Pluto, one of the generational planets forming the base of the Yod is in Libra, which is the other sign ruled by Venus.

The arrows point as follows:

Brent - to Mercury in Taurus
Dave - to Venus in Taurus and/or Sun at 2* Gemini
Josh - to Jupiter in Taurus
Kevin - to Mercury and Sun in Taurus

Interesting! As Bob Marks says - "an emphasis on one particular area of the life..... this focus frequently seems driven, compelling." And here the focus is on Taurus probably the most musical of all the 12 signs.

The opening act for Marcoux Corner on Thursday evening was Greg Klyma, described at his website as:

"Witty, down-home troubadour" (Austin Chronicle) -"Rust Belt Vagabond Greg Klyma is a character - a folk troubadour with a rock 'n' roll heart. He's played that character into his well-worn dreadnought acoustic guitar and A-frame mandolin. He's stomped it onto the soles of his shoes." For the better part of the last decade, Greg Klyma has toured the country as a solo acoustic act"



Greg happily gave his birth data to HeWhoKnows, including exact time of birth - he has obviously been asked for this before! He's a Sun Capricorn with 3 planets in Sagittarius, two in Scorpio, and Moon and Saturn in Taurus. His chart is one of those funnel shaped configurations, with most planets grouped in one area with "funnel"planet(s) opposite. In Greg's case most planets are at the top of his chart, not surprising for a guy who spends so much of his life on stage. The funnel planets are Moon and Saturn in Taurus (ruled by Venus, planet of music). Very appropriate - representing the outpouring of his musical energies. He's constantly on the road, so his 3 planets in Sagittarius(the astrological vagabond) are working well! Greg's songs and stories are witty, and his gentle, often self-deprecating humor is endearing.

Greg sings to welcome visitors on his MySpace page, then carries on with another song - a rather Sagittarian one, I reckon -

"You want the end of the rainbow? That rainbow doesn't touch down here. If you can't find something to believe in here, start looking in another town"

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

Friday's concert was billed as "Country Jazz Fusion". The Gatlin Brothers, led by Larry Gatlin, "fused" with a big band/orchestra of students from nearby Cameron University.

I swore off country music a while ago due to the political leaning which is often embraced by artists and fans of this genre in the USA. However, at the word "jazz", HWK pricked up his ears, he knew from previous shows that the Cameron University band is good stuff - so off we went. For me, it didn't work. The Gatlin brothers took over, the band hardly got a look in. And Larry Gatlin's last "flag waving" song got my hackles well and truly rising, I was the only member of the large audience not on my feet. I think I feel a soapbox coming on, it'll probably surface tomorrow.... and I'm most definitely sworn off country music.

Secrets

As we're currently travelling through the astrological terrain of Scorpio, and secrets are stock-in-trade of this zodiac sign, it's a good time to take a look at Post Secret, an ongoing "community art project" founded by Frank Warren.

From Wikipedia
"The simple concept of the project was that completely anonymous people decorate a postcard and portray a secret that they had never previously revealed. No restrictions were (or are) made on the content of the secret; only that it must be completely truthful and must never have been spoken before."

People with a lot of Scorpio in their natal charts are said to be secretive by nature, so I somehow doubt that many of them would wish to partake of Post Secret's opportunity. Keeping secrets is unlikely to present them with a psychological problem. Other folk, with little or no Scorpio in their nature, might well feel guilty or burdened by their secrets, and for them Post Secret may well provide a welcome outlet. I'll decline the offer myself - I reckon a secret is a secret is a secret!

If you haven't already stumbled upon Post Secret, this YouTube video shows some examples of contributors' postcards. There's also a Post Secret blog and a book.



In an interview with the originator of Post Secret, Frank Warren at How to Change the World blog the last question the interviewer asked was:

"What have you learned from all this?"

Answer: "We all carry a secret that would break your heart if you just knew what it was. And if we could remember that there might be more understanding and peace in the world."

A nice thought, but I'm not convinced that personal secrets are the cause of many of the ills in this world.

Cowboys and Clowns

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Mars People

Aries and Scorpio, as seen by American astrologer of the 20th century, Carl Payne Tobey in his book "Astrology Primer for the Millions". His assessments show us the similarities and differences between two zodiac signs ruled by the same planet. His views on "Venus People" and "Mercury's People" were covered here previously - now, we meet Mars people.

Mr.Tobey's comments about Aries and Scorpio can be applied not only to Sun Aries or Sun Scorpio people, but to anyone with emphasis in these signs (e.g. a cluster of planets, or Moon, ascendant or ruler of natal Sun in one of the signs.) He considered that both signs have relationship with Mars and Pluto, but he states in this book that Mars rules Scorpio while Pluto rules Aries - which is the reverse of what I've read elewhere. Pluto ruling Aries doesn't sound quite right to me...but what do I know? Anyway, traditionally Mars was ruler of both signs.

(I have not copied the author's exact words throughout, simply to cut down on typing finger fatigue, and I've omitted any remarks about personalities who are no longer in the public eye.)

Both signs are aggressive, impulsive, but executive. Alike, but different.

Scorpio tends towards family or group loyalty whilst Aries is more of an individualist, independent and daring. Both have drive but Scorpio's is emotional in source, Aries drive is vital, from the spirit. Aries initiates, Scorpio reacts. Aries burns, Scorpio boils.

Aries is the natural pioneer, able to survive alone if necessary. Business pioneers are often found to have Aries strong in their charts, and many Taureans who are pioneers are often found to have a cluster of natal Aries planets.

Scorpio believes in working as a team. Wary of the stranger considering him a potential enemy, suspicious and alert for possibility of betrayal. Scorpio expects loyalty and is badly hurt if let down by others.

The ancients associated Scorpio with sex and it is a strong feature in the Scorpio individual, but can also be associated with a guilt complex (Scorpio ministers Billy Sunday and Billy Graham preaching against sin).

Scorpio produces excellent executives, loyal and inspiring loyalty, able to be secretive when secrecy is called for.

Both Scorpio and Aries are accident prone. Aries often sustains injuries to the head, Scorpio seems to undergo more surgery than average.

Will power is a strong feature of Aries people. They are capable of fighting off great physical pain, and even disease by strength of will.

Aries intends to be master of its own destiny. Unlike Taurus/Libra(Venus People) it does not wait for opportunity too come along, it goes after it.

Both these signs are always active, nothing lethargic about them. Aries tends to live in the present and future, Scorpio in the present and past, but both emphasise the NOW.

A characteristic difference between Aries and Scorpio is that Scorpio cannot hide its feelings, being too emotional for that. Aries can - completely - it is too proud to let others know it needs then and can always find a way of going it alone if necessary.

Aries strength comes from inside, Scorpio draws strength from others, in some cases to the extent of becoming a psychic vampire.

Aries finds it easy to break away from its heredity, Scorpio is the reverse. Aries is likely to marry into a different race or religion, Scorpio more likely to marry someone who resembles a member of their own family.

Most of what Mr Tobey has to say about the individual signs is much the same as other astrologers have said (many times). What I like about these comparisons is the way a fundmental similarity can be seen, shining through the differences - something I hadn't appreciated before. Mars people are fundamentally different from Venus and Mercury people, but fundamentally similar to each other.

Scorpio Dominant

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Soapbox Time

Lots of things tempt me to drag out a personal soapbox and leap upon it, here's the latest.

Mike Gravel, Alaska's former senator, currently a Democratic presidential candidate, is being excluded from the TV debate sponsored by NBC, scheduled for 30 October. He has written about it HERE.

NBC have, apparently laid out criteria which Mr Gravel does not meet, he tells about it thus:

"When my staff called NBC directly to find out why I was now barred from attending, Chuck Todd, NBC news' political director, told us that there were three criteria we did not meet, namely that I had not campaigned in New Hampshire and/or Iowa at least 14 times in the past year, that I was not polling at 5% and that I hadn't raised $1 million.

Since I announced my candidacy for the Democratic Nomination for President of the United States on April 17, 2006, I have certainly traveled to New Hampshire and Iowa at least 14 times. And, according to a recent CNN poll, I am tied with Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich and Chris Dodd.

NBC claims I haven't raised enough money to qualify. I'm proud of the fact that I don't collect millions from special interests........ By stifling my voice on the basis of fundraising dollars, NBC is reinforcing the power of money over our national political discussion and our freedom.

But why has NBC suddenly come up with "requirements" designed to exclude me from the debate?"

As I see it this is another attempt by the mainstream media to force feed its audience with what THEY want them to hear and see, for corporate reasons.

Mike Gravel has not received a fraction of the exposure of the MSMs chosen big 3 - Clinton, Obama and Edwards, yet his voice is one I intuitively trust, along with that of Dennis Kucinich. These two men are the real deal, there aren't many like this in politics, either here or in Britain - they deserve to be treasured.

Another very telling point from Mr Gravel's article :

"The fact that NBC is owned by General Electric, one of the world's leading military contractors, is frightening and certainly smacks of censorship directed at the most outspoken critic of the influence that the military-industrial complex holds over this great nation. In the past decade, GE has benefited financially from the global war on terrorism and currently holds almost $2 billion in military contracts"

The Satya Center ran an excellent article in July "Mike Gravel: Still Principled After All These Years", which reminds us that

" During the 1960s, he was often in the news as one of Congress’s fiercest opponents of the Vietnam War. In his most famous act, Gravel helped make public the Pentagon Papers by carrying them into the Senate in two suitcases and reading them into the record - for a time, with tears streaming down his face".

Here's his 12 noon chart (birth time unknown).



Sun in steadfast Taurus, with three planets in Gemini, lightening the Earthiness, giving him wings and a flair for communication. Mars conjunct Uranus in Aries represents the determined fighter for people's rights. Saturn (rules and laws), purely Saturnian in its own sign of Capricorn, widely trines and blends with his Taurus Sun. Mr Gravel's Moon at 12noon was in Sagittarius - a birth before 6am would take it back to Scorpio - it's hard to say which is more likely - he has the passion for a cause which says Scorpio, but he also displays the bluntness of Sagittarius - I'd go for Sagittarius on balance.

Transiting Mars, now around 8* Cancer is coming up to opposition with Mr Gravel's natal Saturn - perhaps indicating the current struggle.

America may never see a President Gravel, but as long as his voice is allowed to be heard, then the country has an opportunity to hear truths which will be forthcoming from few others.

There's an on-line petition - if you feel as I do about this, please click-on over there and sign.

Neptune on TV

There's a distinctly Neptunian flavour to TV, in the USA, this fall. Neptune in Aquarius is working well.

Among the shows on offer are Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead and Psychic Challenge. Also, coming up this week Phenomenon with Uri Geller.

We've watched Lisa Williams' show a few times, and two episodes of "Psychic Challenge". We'll no doubt sample "Phenomenon" this week.

This type of show is always interesting, but usually there's a little cynicism to contend with, Chez Twilight. Lisa Williams, on the face of it, is amazing, but HeWhoKnows wonders aloud whether she and/or a team of researchers could easily find out all or most of the information she manages to come up with for her clients.

"Psychic Challenge" is fascinating and enjoyable. I suppose it could be open to manipulation, but somehow I doubt it - hard editing maybe, but no more.

Last week, in a kind of cross-over, Lisa Williams took part in an experiment on "Psychic Challenge". She, seated behind a wall, was the celebrity whose identity the 4 psychic contestants were challenged to guess. They were told only that the person behind the wall was "a celebrity". One of the contestants expressed a feeling that there may be a link with astrology, but later Lisa Williams said that she is not interested in astrology - "not into it". No reason why she should be, but I found it rather surprising that she was so definite about it, with apparently no curiosity about the subject at all.

I try to remain open-minded about the whole psychic scene. I much prefer the type of experiments carried out in "Psychic Challenge" to the "communicating with the dead" department. Whether a medium is actually communicating with loved ones who have died is, for me, a moot point - the medium could be just as easily reading the client's own mind/heart, without even realising it - that's something I find much easier to accept.

We're looking forward to "Phenomenon" this week, it'll complete a Neptunian hat-trick.

There's no doubt in my mind that "something is going on" in psychic phenomena - something over and above the norm. As in astrology, nobody can know for certain what that "something" is. It is though, for sure, typically Neptunian!