Tag Archives: real life astrology

The Vatican Vote: A New Pope Is Chosen

13 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by in current events in the sky, ECLIPSE magazine, Retrogrades, Spiritual Considerations

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'The Prayer of St. Bonaventura About the Selection of the New Pope' Zubarán 1628 {{PD-Art}}

‘The Prayer of St. Bonaventura About the Selection of the New Pope’ Zubarán 1628 {{PD-Art}}

This is from the new ECLIPSE, out tomorrow; I’d just finished this section when they announced the election of Cardinal Bergoglio. Make of it what you will–

The Vatican Vote   The Cardinals seemed to be dragging their feet when it came to getting together to vote on a new Pope–and that made me wonder if they don’t have an astrologer on staff–I’m betting they do. Benedict announced his intention to resign on 11 February, with Mercury direct, square Vesta, semi-sextile Pallas, sextile Pluto, and close to trine with Saturn. That suggests a message that was itself direct, though in conflict with what is most revered (this could apply to the 600-plus years tradition since the last living Pope stepped down–until now the Pope has been expected to serve until death), but wise, particularly in choosing a point of easy transition, and that this is both permanent for Benedict (no take backs!) but may also have created a new tradition of retirement for Popes to come.

The foot-dragging on gathering the Cardinals for the Conclave only makes sense in astrological terms: with Mercury retrograde a vote on a new Pope might be a very bad idea, promising that whomever was elected would likely end up being significantly different in enacting the Papal role than he seemed as a priest; however, it is a good time for them to get together and re-consider, re-hash, and perhaps re-volutionze the Church with a progressive choice. Voting has already started (afternoon of the 11th); typically there are an average of nine days of voting in order to choose a new Pope. Mercury goes direct early afternoon Pacific time of the 17th (so even before the day’s voting begins in Rome, if they will indeed be assembling every day). It’s reasonable to expect that voting could stretch into Mercury direct, that perhaps it’s even intended to do so. Just after direction on the 17th the transiting Moon will conjunct Jupiter, symbol of the office of the Pope, and puts both very close in square to Chiron. This could signal the point of election, with a ‘hurt or heal’ scenario the challenge for whomever is elected

Update: A Pope has just been elected on 13 March, Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina, with Merc still retrograde. Does this mean they really weren’t using an astrologer? Not necessarily, since Bergoglio is known as a social progressive who is actively for a clean-up of both conduct and business within the Church, certainly a vote for effective re-vamping (Merc retro appropriate) of existing practice. At the approximate time of the announcement the Aries Moon was acting as a Finger of God base with Jupiter, apex North Node–so they may have listened to the Universe/ God, bending human emotion and Will to the need of the Church to re-make itself, in order to survive successfully into the future.

Your Weekend ECLIPSE Sampler: ‘Saturn, Unicorns & A Taste of the Forecast’

15 Friday Feb 2013

Posted by in current events in the sky, ECLIPSE magazine, forecast, Retrogrades, Saturn, Saturn in Scorpio, Zeus

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'Reading by the Shore' Charles Sprague Pearce 1883-85 {{PD-Art}}

‘Reading by the Shore’ Charles Sprague Pearce 1883-85 {{PD-Art}}

For Friday the 15th:

6 PM PST the Taurus Moon sextiles Chiron, offering us some healing energy–or some very useful knowledge. 10 PM PST the Moon trines Pluto, making emotional purging very easy–just try to do it in a positive way. Can be very comforting, getting rid of the dross. Midnight the Moon opposes Saturn and sextiles Mars, suggesting we may find ourselves lacking in emotional restraint, and acting on our impulses. If that previous emotional housecleaning went well, the witching hour could find us taking action on something long delayed, put off, or denied–and it sure will feel good. If we resisted letting go of ‘old’, outdated emotional views and reactions, we may act in a way that’s simply contrary to our usual discipline–with poor or mixed results.

For the 16th:

10 AM PST the Moon sextiles Mercury, opening the emotional spigot and spilling all that we have to communicate. Take necessary pre-cautions should you find yourself in inhospitable territory. 2 PM the Moon squares Venus, bringing sudden confrontation in relationship, financial worries, or some distinct discomfort. Addressing the problem with the intellect (Aquarius), rather than through material perceptions (Taurus) is likely the answer.6 PM PST the Moon conjuncts the South Node and semi-sextiles Ceres. Nostalgia and a trip down memory lane may end up empowering us, as we review the role authorities used to play, the way Mom used to be in charge, or the way we used to have to negotiate for what now we can just take when we want it.

For the 17th:

Noon Pacific time the Moon makes her final aspect in Taurus, a T-square to the Sun-Earth axis; all are at 29 degrees. Tension may be what we’re breathing and eating at this point. Again, don’t let emotions push you into life or circumstance changes you don’t want–we’re certainly in no position to judge ‘new moves’ today.

Void begins at 12:31 PM PST; the Moon enters Gemini at 1:50 PM PST.

And on the 18th:

February 18th is an active and somewhat difficult day. It may feel as if the atmosphere is shifting, and it is, as the Sun enters Pisces and the Earth enters Virgo; this change highlights discrepancies between our life direction and our ambitions, goals, and desires (Sun sesquiquadrate Zeus). We also have Venus square the Nodal axis, stressing relationships and/ or finances. DO NOT PANIC. View it all as simply informational; NOTHING needs to change at this moment–but if it does, those in authority give needed assistance (Venus trine Ceres).

From the article ‘Saturn Retro, Relief and Personal Review’:

We may actually perceive this retro of the Old Man as a relief; Saturn turns around on the 18th at 9:02 AM PST at 11 Scorpio 31, and the result might be a lifting of the ‘rip-tide effect’: contradictions drop away, with all info/ circumstances ‘flowing’ in one direction (or that things are subtly withdrawn or shut down), OR we see the sublimation of everything, and find ourselves with a sense that there are no restrictions or withdrawals, but also with no ‘real’ material with which to deal, argue with, or grab on to–and this latter condition might include some roiling emotions (Scorpio).

From the article ‘What’s Your Unicorn? Finding Energy Wasters in the Chart and the Life’:

Unicorn status isn’t for those things we can work toward and achieve; we reserve this fantastical designation for those things that we are more invested in idealizing and identifying through than actually attaining. What’s distinctive about a unicorn is the way in which we don’t, in any significant sense, try to make this ideal a reality, and yet we may spend a great deal of time talking and thinking about it, fantasizing about it, and letting others know that we have a personal connection to it, and so using it as a personal identifier. We may tell everyone that we hope to catch our unicorn one day–but what makes it a unicorn is the way we make sure we will never make significant steps to capture it and ‘make it real’.

This is just a sampling from the current issue of ECLIPSE—order to see it all! No more posting for a bit after this weekend sampler, so to get the entire, detailed aspect and Lunar forecast, get the mag! Or have the forecast material sent directly to you daily, a day ahead! Also featured this week is an article on the asteroid Zeus in aspect to other chart energies, and what that means. And have an excellent weekend, and coming week!

Just a Little AstroEssence 11-12 February 2013: ‘Negotiating for Power’

11 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by in current events in the sky, ECLIPSE magazine

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'Drinking Girl and Smoking Boy' Roosenboom {{PD-Art}}

‘Drinking Girl and Smoking Boy’ Roosenboom {{PD-Art}}

From the current ECLIPSE:

February 11th sees us actively negotiating for as much power, and the leeway for powerful expression, as possible. A great day to work something out, especially something that will empower you in the granting, or the process, as we are alert and up to the task of dealing with the more powerful factions around us; as well, our minds are firmly fixed on our highest values–everybody should come out of this a winner. (Juno quincunx Ceres, Uranus sesquiquadrate the North Node, Mercury sextile Pluto, square Vesta).

Lunar Note: 10 PM PST the Pisces Moon squares Ceres and quickly thereafter sextiles Juno. Confrontations are about naked power, and empowerment comes simply by standing up to who- or whatever confronts us. Yeah!

By 12 February we may be feeling a little cocky, sure of our values but somehow abandoning caution and good sense to the winds. We feel stronger than we should, in the sense that we are unaware that we may not be on firm footing in our understanding of things. Actions very straightforwardly either hurt or heal–no middle ground right now. What gets communicated at this time may be set in stone–even more reason to proceed with real caution (and a good dose of humility) (Mercury trine Saturn, Mars conjunct Chiron, Pluto square Pallas, Vesta sextile Pallas).

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And on Current Events: I’m thinking that the Pope’s resignation announcement today perfectly embodies the current Finger of God with apex Vesta (highest values) and base of Saturn (the establishment) sextile Pluto (change). Whatever you may think of Benedict, this may be an extraordinarily unselfish act (the opposite of clinging to power until one’s last breath). In any case, interesting–the first such abdication in nearly 600 years. Who will replace him? I’m wondering if there isn’t a chance he will be replaced by a group, rather than a single individual. Time will tell.

This review of a recent film seems right in line with today’s events at the Vatican.

UPDATE: Thank you! 10 Free copies of ECLIPSE have been given out–to get your own, order here!

A Comment on Today, and a Little AstroEssence for Tomorrow 4 December 2012: ‘A Fog in Mind’

03 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by in current events in the sky

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'Waterloo Bridge' Monet 1904 {{PD-Art}}

‘Waterloo Bridge’ Monet 1904 {{PD-Art}}

In last week’s ECLIPSE I said this of today, the 3rd:

We may wake up in the morning with great difficulty recognizing what’s smart, a sensation intact as if it’s always been that way! or the condition of ‘disappearing wisdom’ may creep up on us like a fog on little cat feet (sorry, Mr. Sandburg!) We may react by running around like a chicken with our head cut off, or we may sink back so that our vision turns in to our own interior landscape, and spend our time contemplating what’s missing, what’s gone wrong.

And I don’t know about you, but that’s exactly how I spent it! The fog wasn’t disorienting so much as . . . maybe discouraging, and working was interrupted so many times it’s a wonder I got anything done. I turned inward, all right, in a kind of headache-y contemplation that I’m just now coming out of. I hope your day was better? That doesn’t seem right, my day was actually pleasant, just not the ultra-focused time I so often aim for. What about tomorrow, you ask? This is what I have to say about tomorrow, also from ECLIPSE–and really, if you come here for a glimpse ahead, don’t you deserve the detailed, hour-by-hour rundown?

December 4th plays a lot better, with Ceres entering Gemini by retrograde, and Mercury opposes Sedna and trines Pallas. Even though we feel a return of wisdom, and our reasoning powers seem on target, there is a little thing about sort of losing our minds that may get in the way. Nothing to panic over–sit back if you can, and remind yourself, “All the world is queer (mad crazy)save thee and me, and even thou art a little queer.” –Robert Owen, 1828

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The Shape of Things to Come: A Look at Mohamed Morsi

21 Wednesday Nov 2012

Posted by in Aspect Delineation, Astrology of Careers Vocations and Callings, Consciousness Explored, ECLIPSE magazine, Transit Effects Explored

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Esneh on the Nile by Longfellow 1880 {{PD-Art}}

Considering that Egyptian President Morsi is a major player in current Middle East difficulties, I thought another look at this piece from an August 2012 ECLIPSE was in order:

Have had extreme trouble fitting this to any template–still working on it. Please use the bar at the bottom to read the full text

The new president of Egypt, Mohamed Mohamed Morsi Isa al‐Ayat, was born 20 August 1951, ntk, in the Sharqia Governorate, in northern Egypt‐‐since the birthplace is not pinpointed, and the province itself rather small, I chose the capital city, Zagazig Az‐zaq. Morsi’s rise is meteoric only in the sense of his arrival on the world stage; he was a prominent member of the Muslim Brotherhood, but gained the globe’s attention when, in the wake of the Egyptian Revolution, he became the candidate of the newly formed political arm of the Brotherhood, the Freedom and Justice Party. Now, with his election to president, Morsi brings unquestioned loyalty to the Brotherhood and their beliefs to a previously secular post‐‐and, having seen other instances where religious figures rose to political power within the Arab world, the West watches and waits to know the direction its one‐time ally (Egypt) will take.

Public life may be a challenging road, one that fills personal ambitions for Morsi, if he can continue in creating the illusion that he has so far‐you’ll see why I call it an illusion in a moment. He has Jupiter, his relationship to and attitude toward the social sphere, in aggressive and independent Aries‐‐right away he may have problems in the social arena, if he doesn’t get to be the leader! With the exception of one aspect, Jupiter is harshly contacted‐‐but oh that one aspect: it’s a trine to Pluto, suggesting that a powerful leadership position is just the thing for him, and easily attained.

The other Jupiter aspects, though, tell the rest of the story, with the most startling perhaps being the sesquiquadrates to the Sun and Juno, which create a Fist of God with Jupiter apex=if he can mesh the identity‐Soul needs with his empowerment options (which are in some way at odds with the Soul, my guess being that his Leo Sun would simply prefer to be dictator!) then he will actualize the potential leadership role‐‐done and done. Sun, Zeus, and Pluto are all conjunct in Leo, in fact, painting a portrait of someone power‐hungry and focused on acquiring that power for the Self‐‐the Fist, and so the public, simply becomes a way of fulfilling personal goals. Jupiter also is quincunx Mercury (adjustment to speech and writing is necessary for harmony with the public) and square Uranus (the individuality and urge to uniqueness and rebellion were easily channeled against the previous regime, but really want to express as total independence from having to answer to those who put him in place‐‐we must remember that Jupiter is also religion and religious hierarchy).  Jupiter also opposes Neptune, placing it firmly (and possibly literally) in opposition to ideals, and we note that Neptune rules both the North Node and Ceres, suggesting a fundamental rejection of both what is ‘natural’, and of the future; this is a ‘live in the moment’ guy.

Saturn, which would logically make a significant appearance in the chart of someone strongly involved with a religious hierarchy, barely shows up, here sitting at 00 Libra, so that the idea of hierarchy, discipline, rules are all ‘new’ to him; and in Libra, the philosophy presented was likely one of co‐operation, where following the rules and Self‐discipline are not just sacred, they define one as a man (sextile to Mars‐Vesta conjunction). Morsi recognizes the wisdom of this (Saturn trine Pallas), yet justifies his own use of sincere religious principle to further his own wants as required payback for past injury (Saturn square Chiron).

Astrologically speaking, Morsi appears to be an individual who has fooled (or maybe just used) the Muslim Brotherhood for his own, power‐hungry ends; but will this marriage last? Without House cusps, it’s very hard to say, though from the transits, I’m thinking the honeymoon might last awhile, though not indefinitely; Jupiter is in Gemini, soon to square his Nodal axis, signaling that ‘people talk’, and though not enough to bring him down, information or gossip propagated now may sow the seeds of his eventual fate. t Chiron is conjunct the natal NN right now, suggesting that his use of very personal and specific skills have led him in his destined direction. t Pluto is moving to oppose natal Uranus, and t Chiron to trine it, suggesting that, as long as he can downplay the individuality urge, the rebelliousness within him to the Brotherhood (because for him it’s all about him, not any kind of religious ideal), and promise healing to the masses, he’ll remain in place. Having attained a pinnacle with the presidency, the vaunted Self‐regard and insistence on doing as he pleases shown by his Sun‐Zeus‐Pluto conjunction will not allow him to ever back down or let go.

t Neptune’s upcoming contact to natal Saturn by quincunx says that Morsi may successfully obscure his own goals or create an illusion that satisfies others, but it will take effort on his part; however, t Pluto trines the natal SN once again in January 2013, possibly stirring those old power urges and prompting a grab, and around August of next year, t Jupiter conjuncts natal Uranus‐‐with this meeting we may watch as his individuality is ‘seen’, by religious leaders, or by the masses, and considering that t Saturn will have recently squared natal Mars, reality ‘threatening’ his manhood, we may see some fireworks, rebellious behavior, radical responses, or a ‘beginning of the end’, as it seems to me a violent finale may be inevitable for this ambitious, would‐be dictator (that Sun‐Zeus‐Pluto natal conjunction in Leo, a human powder keg to which someone, probably himself, will eventually set a match).

Just a Little AstroEssence 9 November 2012: ‘Poison Bite or Poison Pen’

09 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by in current events in the sky

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‘The Spider’ Gysis 1884 {{PD-Art}}

Rather than give you a tidbit from the current ECLIPSE, I want to talk about some current in-play energies, and my personal experience of them yesterday; after talking to a number of people after the ‘event’, (though not about it) I’m fairly sure most everyone is or has been experiencing at least one of two possible effects: poison bite or poison pen–and figuratively speaking, the two are likely to overlap.

My attention was drawn to what might be floating around when, while on Facebook, I made a very mild comment on a friend’s post. I remember thinking how bland the comment was, and wondering why I was even bothering–and now I see that I was playing a part in this woman’s drama. She answered my comment with a brief tirade that went all over the place (Taxes? Obamacare? Where did that come from? My remark was about how nice it would be if we could all get along, a mutual respect in the health-front arena, with the hope that conventional and alternative methods could both be used, echoing–I thought–what she had said). This screed ended with her calling my comment asinine and asking if I was “happy now?” I wondered what the heck she meant.

Foolishly, perhaps, I tried to answer non-confrontationally, but trying not to allow her to wipe her feet on me, either, which I felt she had done with the name-calling. I stated what I thought she’d said, trying to draw a clearer connection to what I thought had been my innocuous remark, and I said, as it was so obvious to me, that her anger was misdirected and her rudeness uncalled for. I would say I shouldn’t have said that last, though I don’t believe it escalated things; she was already on a tear, and besides it was true: I hadn’t done or said anything to inspire this, and I can be sure of that because I had initially said so little! I don’t mind being called an ass if I am one, but I just did not see where she was getting this, and I thought that would make her realize that what to me seemed an intense overreaction on her part had to have been based on her misunderstanding my comment and my intention.

Her answer was to bring forward more non-sequiturs, including saying that her initial (very vague) post was “based on real-life”, to ask some questions out of left field, toaccuse me of “making things worse” and “kicking her when (she) was down”, and then she did something I find unforgivable: she tried to use my birth chart to insist that I must be “attacking” her, citing my 10th House Saturn as apparently making me aggressive and evil. This kind of condemnation based on some very old interpretations of a singular placement (in this case, based on the charts of world leaders, “gaining power before a pride-induced fall” was the common conception) suggests not only a lack of experience in chart interpretation but a shallow and, yes, vindictive way of thinking. It’s like saying that everyone with a 00 Taurus Sun must be a Hitler–it not only doesn’t follow, it’s insulting.

I never, ever indict someone based on their birth chart–it’s too complicated a subject to blithely pull out one item to try to bludgeon someone with in an argument. In my mind it’s akin to judging or condemning someone because of their skin color, eye color, or the timbre of their speaking voice–it’s something that just is, and to try to gain the upper hand in a dispute (and here I have to say, in my own mind I wasn’t actually in a dispute–I was confused, and a wee bit offended) by labeling a particular facet or aspect of the chart as bad is just wrong. I felt I had been cast against my will as the enemy, receiving vitriol that was unrelated to me or my comment, and that in her mind this justified any underhanded tactic to paint me as bad. I answered that no kick had been administered, and that I was sorry she felt that way–and then unfriended her, not to be vindictive myself, but because nobody needs ‘friends’ who treat them like that.

This occurred in the window for that 10:30 AM Lunar aspect I cited yesterday about housecleaning with the Moon trine Pluto (which can be both symbolic and literal)–but that Plutonian element can also be rage, and clearly, my former friend was immersed in it. The most interesting thing about real-time, current, but swift moving transit interaction with my natal chart was the way retro Merc was heading back toward my Midheaven–easily linking words to public reputation/ career or a public ‘space’–and t Venus, ruler of four planets in my chart, was conjunct my natal Sun–I’m not really sure how that might’ve played in–jealousy? thinking I should ‘pay’ somehow?–while the t Moon was conjunct my Vertex–manifesting something fated, a ‘step along the way’, which I can only think was to draw my attention and prepare me for more of these instances of dealing with someone who is clearly dealing with themselves, and not with me–and with t Neptune opposed my natal Pluto, quincunx my Merc, trine my Neptune, and square my MC, it’s easy to see how I could misunderstand and be misunderstood, but also bringing events that clear out what’s no longer relevant (Pluto), teaching me to adjust and clarify my communications (Merc) and making me a prime target for projection–and this latter has always been so, with my 7th House Pluto often receiving others’ perceptions of themselves and transferring them to their perception of me. She was, in effect, attacking, and looking in the mirror, saw that person who was reflected was attacking, too.

So I got the poison pen, and so did a few others I encountered yesterday–but there were also some poison bites that were quite literal. Spider bites, rashy, pokey injuries, and mystery maladies–and all of this I would hook in the general picture to Mercury retro square Chiron and Neptune, with Saturn trine Chiron-Neptune bringing it into the reality picture. We can see, too, that with Chiron involved we will either get hurt, or add to our own understanding and unique skills. This influence will be in effect through, roughly, the 16th, and again, probably manifesting in intangibles only (since Saturn will have moved on somewhat) starting 9 December and lasting through about the 15th. Stay alert to the possibility that what’s being communicated is much more about the speaker than the recipient, and stay away from spider hidey-holes, real or symbolic–their bite may be especially irritating right now.

Discussion of the Mystery Charts from ECLIPSE’s Article on Career and Talent Markers, Pt. 2

11 Friday May 2012

Posted by in Astrology of Careers Vocations and Callings, Natal Delineation

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Mystery Man #2  12 February 1943  4 AM  Holyoke Massachusetts USA

What grabs us first about this chart? Maybe it’s the way the Cardinals bracket most of the other energies, forming a barbell or double-ended funnel; the structure implies everything is about action–it begins and ends everything, and so much action makes sense, with Mars in the 1st and a Sag ASC with ruler Jupiter in Cancer in the 7th–it’s a feeling action that reaches out to the world–he needs an audience, and this is reinforced by the Libra MC.

Neptune is the visual standout, in the 9th reasonably close to the MC, and in mutual reception with ruler Venus, who sits in Pisces midway in one end of the barbell–this mutual reception screams artist. Neptune himself is trine both Uranus (at 00, the implication is that he may be a wee bit obsessed with the new, unusual, or radical) and Saturn, and both are in the 6th–creativity in solid and innovative ways is a daily thing. This is the chart of an artist, in so many ways oriented toward reaching out to others through Self-expression.

The chart shows a small complex of material support likely from those who ‘get’ his communications and who are ‘in love’ with his creativity and his work (8th is ruled by Moon, in Taurus in 5th, while the 7th of the audience holds Jupiter, with ruler Merc in the 2nd in Capricorn). That’s solid material support, generously shared. Pluto in the 8th is sextile Saturn, hinting that there’s something destructive or subversive in his offerings.

Commenter Nicoleh73 notes that what this man does is likely visual, and Aphelionx suggests painting–and both are essentially right, this man is known as a visual artist, though he writes and works in various mediums, with the idea often as important (or more so) than the representation. He’s known for one particular thing, and in looking in the chart we see Neptune widely opposed Ceres, suggesting that nature may be an inspiration, and both Uranus and Saturn are in the Taurean 6th of pets/ animals (large animals fall in the 9th), though both planets are in Gemini, suggesting that the subjects of his work communicate something.

The artist is William Wegman, known for his photographic portraits of deadpan weimaraners in human situations.

Discussion of the Mystery Charts from ECLIPSE’s Article on Career and Talent Markers, Pt. 1

10 Thursday May 2012

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, Astrology and Communication, Astrology of Careers Vocations and Callings, Natal Delineation

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Chart of Mystery Man #1  26 January 1955  1:05 AM  Amsterdam, Netherlands

What grabs your eye right away? That often ends up being something key to understanding the chart, and here it’s no exception; if you’re like me, Neptune in the 12th only one minute from the Ascendant is what caught your attention. This suggests to me a Neptunian quality to this individual’s essence, one that hooks the personality to the Collective, almost in tandem–this man was meant to express something ideal or creative through his individuality that is right in line with a statement of the Collective spirit–and this suggests a timeliness to the expression, where the individual is instrumental in bringing something ‘of the moment’ into being. Neptune is opposed Sedna, though, and that suggests that, though the individual takes to his Neptunian role like a duck to water, he’s really unaware of the true extent of his ability! Neptune rules his 5th, suggesting his role is both creative and a labor of love.

The 2nd, seat of his assets. is ruled by Pluto, which sits in the 10th of career–this suggests both the ability to be known specifically for one’s talent, and to make a lot of money at it (Pluto can be connected to serious money wherever we find it). Pluto is conjunct Zeus–in someone with fewer positive attributes, this could read as ‘naked ambition’, but in this man it manifested in career focus that took him to the top. The 2nd also holds Pallas, Venus, and Ceres–again, money, wisdom (perhaps in the guise of a smart woman at his side), and access to nature, this latter a connection that can give someone a ‘primal’ edge, and so make them very appealing.

The article also noted Chiron as indicating abilities, and his is at 29 Capricorn 51, conjunct the Sun in the 3rd, opposed the Jupiter/ Uranus conjunction of the 9th and quincunx 10th House Zeus; Chiron in Cappy suggests a practical or ‘applied’ bent to the talents, with conjunction to the Sun making it integral to identity (indeed, the 29 degree placement says Chiron expression is a must, and so lends some urgency and feeling to what might’ve otherwise been a too-cool Aquarian Sun). Tucked near the IC, though, Chiron/ Sun says he doesn’t need the spotlight–bringing the talent forward is really about communicating who he is. Jupiter/ Uranus conveys luck in a lightning-strike kind of way–Jupiter rules the 3rd, Uranus rules the 4th, reiterating the communication/ identity focus, and ruler of both these, the Moon, sits in the 4th in Aquarius, conjunct Mercury–again, deepest Self and communication as a focus, and with the 3rd/ 4th so much involved, we might expect that family, specifically the father or a sibling, has something to do with this–and they do.

The unconscious influences are creative (Neptune in 12th), influenced by the Self-worth picture and the assets/ talents (12th ruler Venus in the 2nd), with a need to communicate at a ‘higher order’ level, and/ or the need to be original, surprising, and inventive. Partnership is a big part of this (Libra on the 12th) Of all the Neptunian Arts, music might be the one we would call ‘highest level’, with its correspondence to mathematics, and if you guessed music is this man’s field, you are correct. He is capable of putting the brakes on, and of Self-discipline when need be (Saturn in the 1st, which has a lot of contacts to other energies).

What about his audience–what do they want from him? The 7th says energy, drive, ‘manly’ performance, while the 10th says that power and desire are visible to all, as is his essence, with the Sun ruling the 10th–people see him, and approve his efforts toward ambition fulfillment, fame and fortune. Nice if you can get it, right?

After a period of big and relatively long-lasting success, this man’s band went through some difficulties and some decline–and once they’d retreated somewhat from their more prominent status this man suffered cancer of the tongue–are we surprised, considering the emphasis on Merc and communication, the conjunction of Mercury with the Moon, and Pluto’s opposition to these? No, we’re not; illness in a part of the body representative of something critical to life expression is not uncommon with a sensitive individual when the road gets rough–and we can’t overlook the influence of the father here, as when this musician early on complained of extreme pre-performance nerves (a perfect expression of an anxious Aquarian Sun) the father (remember the family/ 3rd/ 4th emphasis) told him to just have a drink to calm his nerves–thus precipitating a serious substance abuse habit, again, not surprising with Neptune right there in everything he does. And there’s more family involvement, as this man formed his band with his brother.

Commenter Dunyazade got the power in his field part very right, along with the way his Art got this man into (substance abuse) trouble, and Aphelionex was right top to bottom–impressive!–kudos to both of you! And Donna Davidson didn’t waste time; she went straight to the answer, correctly naming this the chart of Eddie Van Halen.

Will discuss the 2nd chart tomorrow. Many thanks to those who participated! And don’t miss the subscription specials, listed below–

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Charts for the May 4-10 2012 ECLIPSE: What Are They Good At?

04 Friday May 2012

Posted by in astrology, Natal Delineation

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Subscribers, here are the two charts for the article on career and success markers in the natal chart. Both happen to be for males, both are living, and both made their mark in the Arts; those are the only clues for now, but if you choose to make comments I’d love to hear what area of the Arts you think each would excel in–and of course all comments, especially those focusing on the principles outlined in the article, are more than welcome, and all commenters are welcome, whether you are a subscriber or not. Will post my take early next week. Enjoy your weekend, and Happy Full Moon in Scorpio!

Re-Visiting: Desperate for Power: Aspects of Rod Blagojevich

20 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, Juno

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Here’s a look back at the chart of just sentenced former Illinois governor and ‘Apprentice’ candidate Blagojevich; we get a reminder of how much better it serves us to carefully balance the Self-image we insist on with the undeniable facets of our reality.

We don’t have an accurate birth time readily available for embattled Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, but we do know reliably that he was born December 10, 1956 in Chicago. The lengths to which he’s willing to go to defend himself, marked by an extreme impetus for denial, even in the face of material evidence, suggests some interesting astrological dynamics at work, and in inspecting his chart, I wasn’t disappointed. The big question for me was, does he genuinely believe he’s done nothing wrong, or is this an ego-driven show designed, like a magician’s sleight-of-hand, to re-direct attention, and leave at least a few of his followers with the ability to maintain the illusion of good character? The principle being that, as long as he continues to insist he did no wrong, some will believe he didn’t.

I went in looking for how he feels about power, and a few things jumped out at me. Of course, I have my own personal ideas about Juno in a man’s chart (please see my Juno book for further explanation), and Blagojevich did not disappoint: he has Juno opposed Uranus involved in a T-square with Neptune. Now, with no angles there’s only so far we can go with this–but do we really need them? This, to me, summed up his personality nicely: the Will to total power, wherein the male incorporates the female as well, making himself, in essence, everything (which is what I believe Juno can, in some men’s charts, indicate) is here opposed to the individuality urge as well as the group (Uranus), and we have some volatile ingredients for a contradictory temperamental dish. His Will to power is at odds with his own uniqueness, as well as with group involvement, and these two features may be constantly at war–he has to stand out, and yet may reject his own separateness, if his goal is empowerment–and no one runs for political office without that goal.

With Neptune squaring this dynamic, the imagination, ideals, and urge to deception are all perpetually in conflict with what has to amount to a basic manifestation of the Beingness–and telling lies could, under the right conditions, become a way of life. Neptune, remember, can also serve us as we attempt to create an image for the consumption of others–and with his Pisces Moon, this would be a natural channel for the emotions to express (this whole set-up could be the mark of a strongly ego-centered artist, as well . . . so nature/ nurture, I guess!)

Juno is also part of a mixed element Grand Trine with the South Node and Jupiter, the latter of which sits at 29 degrees (stress!) of Virgo. This dynamic suggests that the empowerment needs are easily linked to the social realm, and that the social framework within which Blagojevich moves is both a source of personal stress and the forum for expressing the empowerment desires, all guided by the past/ past experience/ where he came from–and he’s made no secret of his exceptionally rough upbringing within the transplanted Serbian culture of his Chicago neighborhood.

Juno sits in wide conjunction with Chiron, uniting the primal wound and the empowerment urge, and these two are widely sextile Saturn, which is in a Grand Trine with Uranus and the Mars/ Ceres conjunction in Aries, bringing in the personal Will to action, to arbitrate, to be the authority in any situation. All this only points up the need to express the Will as absolute, and with Mars and Ceres together in Aries, this individual will not negotiate!

There’s plenty more in the chart that could feed our analysis and give it more dimension, but these components seem so strong, and are currently so prominent in his behavior, that I think they nicely sum up some of the crucial energies at work in the Illinois governor’s psyche. One more point: with ‘the head’ such a strong energy in his chart (Mars in its own sign of Aries), I especially enjoyed this story I heard, and if we give Ceres (as Mother Nature) credit for hair, it makes it even more fun: you all know how the suitcase that travels with the President and holds the codes for nuclear launch is called ‘the football’–well, Blagojevich is said to have his own football (this is what he calls it), the loss or misplacement of which has been known to lead to fiery scoldings (very Arian!) and possibly a firing or two: a particular hairbrush, the only one he believes can tame his thick hair!

My conclusion, gleaned in large part from the above aspect picture, is that Blagojevich doesn’t believe his own patter–but that he stridently expects that others should–and that if they don’t, they must at least pretend to! (Jupiter opposed Mars, Mars quincunx Neptune) His claims that his enemies are cooking up the charges that he was attempting to sell Obama’s vacant Senate seat so they can raise taxes are so silly as to be an embarrassment, as is his attempt to link Obama to this mess by claiming that Oprah was being considered for the seat (implying that this was being pushed for by Obama’s people). Mr. Blagojevich is that most pathetic of individuals, the bold-faced liar who won’t give up, no matter what he’s confronted with, surely the ego (Mars) and the urge to total empowerment (Juno negatively manifest in the male chart) in spectacular overdrive.