American Dualism: Coca-Cola and Pepsi

Posted on February 13, 2012 by ohioastrology

Americans love to split the universe in half and take sides – Republican and Democrat, pro-choice and pro-life, Coca Cola and Pepsi.

I laugh whenever I hear politicians talk about the free market. I think the free market led to what we have now. As a company, why wouldn’t I want to be a monopoly? In the paradigm of continual growth, monopoly is the logical extreme.

In an effort to prevent monopoly in consumer businesses we’ve landed right below monopoly – a dualistic split of the majority of the business with a few minor players.

There’s Tyson chicken and what else . . .?

There’s Crest and Colgate and what else . . .?

Bubbly Brown Liquid

The bubbly brown caffeinated liquid business is run by two major players – Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Ask your friends which they prefer and you’ll find that most prefer one or the other. Rarely do you find someone who likes both and regularly alternates. They are essentially the same product with slightly different taste.

As an aside, I believe the secret ingredient in Coca-Cola is guarana.

Moon in Water

For Coca-Cola, I’m using the date May 8, 1886 date based on the Wikipedia article stating this is the first sales date in Atlanta, Georgia at Jacob’s Pharmacy. That puts sun in Taurus and moon in Cancer.

For Pepsi I’m using June 16, 1903 which, according to Wikipedia, is the launch date for Pepsi-Cola. That puts the sun in Gemini and moon in Pisces.

Both charts have moon in a water sign.

Moon is the reactive principle and as such is commonly associated with our emotional side. Moon in water likes liquid, often the fermented kind.

My “bubbly brown liquid” description comes from a woman I met once who commented on how unusual it was for humanity to be drawn to a bubbly brown liquid.

I agree. How could this weird product become so popular across the globe?

Our constant drinking of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is a lot like a baby carrying around a bottle. Have you noticed that people are now constantly carrying around beverages?

When we buy a cola at the checkout, is it to quench thirst or for comfort?

Of course, Coca-Cola and Pepsi also contain sweeteners and stimulants which make them both attractive and addictive.

Coca-Cola and Pepsi are providing us moon-in-water comfort of the mother’s-nipple kind. We’re a globe full of infants needing to be weaned from the bottle.

Coca-Cola Transits

Coca-Cola has sun in Taurus which is now being transited by Jupiter in Taurus. That suggests an excellent year financially.

When Jupiter enters Gemini and transits Coca-Cola’s Pluto in Gemini next year, Coca-Cola may have some announcement about splitting the business in some way.

Pluto transiting Capricorn opposes Coca-Cola’s Saturn and moon in Cancer. If there is a family aspect to the business, it will be broken or changed.

Mars transiting Virgo is in return position and will also conjunct Jupiter in Virgo later this year. Again, I believe this year will be a good one financially for Coca-Cola.

Coca-Cola’s Venus and Mercury are in Aries and Uranus is in Libra. Saturn is transiting Libra now while Uranus is transiting Aries. I see some partnership or business break up again.

So this year appears to be a financially strong year for Coca-Cola but it appears later in the year or early next year some sort of splitting or break up of the business.

Pepsi Transits

Pepsi has Mercury, Pluto and sun in Gemini. Gemini is constantly changing so maybe the Pepsi business has too.

Mars squaring Gemini in Virgo suggests some auditing going on at Pepsi. I’m guessing with Gemini sun and Pisces moon and Jupiter, bookkeeping isn’t as good as it should be. This company might also be one to cook the books a little.

The other planets in Pepsi’s chart are Mars in Libra, Venus in Leo, Uranus in Sagittarius and Saturn in Aquarius.

Saturn is transiting Libra and Uranus transiting Aries. The natal Mars in Libra says Pepsi always wants to look pretty. Uranus opposing that Mars while Saturn transits suggests an ugly eruption, kind of like a pimple on your face when you eat too much sugar.

Maybe accounting problems will occur with some sort of employee or customer eruption. What comes to mind is that large corporations sometimes go abroad and steal the resources of other countries. Maybe something like this is occurring at Pepsi.

Neptune is transiting Pisces now and will be conjunct Pepsi’s moon in a year or so. There may be questions about what Pepsi contains. There may be issues about ingredients and whether something unusual is added to create even more addictive behavior.

Pepsi’s chart suggests an entity not entirely trustworthy.

Republican or Democrat

If I were to assign Coca-Cola and Pepsi an American political party, I would say Coca-Cola is a Republican and Pepsi a Democrat.

With sun in Taurus and moon in Cancer, Coca-Cola is more traditional and family oriented. Taurus is a fixed earth sign that likes things to stay the same, not change.

Pepsi is mutable with sun in Gemini and moon in Pisces. Pepsi might take the road of the mutable Newt Gingrich and go with the Republican party, but generally a signs that change as much as Gemini and Pisces are better suited to the liberal party where there is an attempt to accept different perspectives and lifestyles.

Maybe Coca-Cola and Pepsi can take sides and sponsor the conventions. If we knew what cola was preferred by each candidate, we could make a more informed decision at the voting booth.

My vote is with Pepsi.

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Ohio Political Fight Club: Sherrod Brown and Josh Mandel

Posted on February 12, 2012 by ohioastrology

Focusing so closely on the Republican presidential candidates, I forgot there is a Fight Club right here in Ohio. The Ohio senate seat will be up for grabs in November. The contenders are Democrat incumbent Sherrod Brown and Republican Josh Mandel.

Brown and Mandel have a 25-year age difference. Age differences mean generation gaps which are represented in astrology by the outer planets. In generation gaps, there will be some common elements such as the older person feeling that things were better in the past and the younger person trying to bring in something new.

Comparing Brown and Mandel is a little like comparing a father and a son. When there are age differences, there are many more interesting aspects than when people are the same age.

Sherrod Brown

I’ve blogged on Brown already. Brown has sun in Scorpio, moon (and Pluto) in Leo, Jupiter in Taurus and Mars in Capricorn. Fixed signs with a little Capricorn tossed in as garnish makes for one intense and driven individual. He’s compulsively ambitious.

Relaxing for this guy means doing his taxes or some other productive project. He’s not one to call off sick, grab a beer and watch Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in his pajamas.

Brown does have Mercury and Venus in Sagittarius so his pleasure involves travel, philosophy and history. If Brown does take a day off, it might be to buy rare stamps for a Japanese stamp collection.

Josh Mandel

Mandel has sun in Libra and moon in opposite Aries (full moon). Mandel’s Jupiter and Mars are in Cancer, Venus and Mercury in Virgo and Saturn in Leo.

The outer planets are in Libra (Pluto), Scorpio (Neptune) and Sagittarius (Neptune).

Libra-Aries-Cancer is a cardinal T-square. Cardinal signs are the initiators of the zodiac and lots of cardinal means lots of bossiness. This is a person who walks in the room and rearranges your furniture. He’s the new employee who wants to change everything you do although he might not really know how he wants to do it himself.

Libra and Cancer are relaters. Libra is about partnership and Cancer is about family and belonging. Together is a person who wants to be liked and accepted and will do a lot for that acceptance.

The moon in Aries, however, starts firing up and says, “I want independence. I’ll do whatever I want.”

Mandel probably does what everyone else wants, then rebels, then apologizes and does what everyone else wants in an endless cycle.

Saturn in Leo is a lack of true confidence. Mandel can talk to Mitt Romney about this placement.

The Virgo energy (Mercury and Venus) combined with Libra energy makes for a nervous person who remembers every little detail. The details overwhelm and indecisiveness arises.

I would not want to go to dinner with Mandel. He’s probably the kind of person who looks at the menu and has this conversation with the server:

Mandel: “What’s in the vegetable pasta?”
Server: “Zucchini, carrots and onions.”
Mandel: “Can I get different vegetables in the pasta?”
Server: “Yes, what do you want?”
Mandel: “I don’t know. What do you have?”
Server: “We also have corn, broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.”
Mandel: “Do you have peas?”
Server: “No, we don’t have peas.”
Mandel: “How about bok choy?”

Changing the pasta is cardinal. Not knowing what you really want after asking for a change is Libra/Virgo. This conversation would be much longer, but I wanted to give a brief idea.

Current Transits

Brown and Mandel are different in generation and very different in personality. Let’s see how the current transits affect their charts.

Mars in Virgo – Mars is spending a LONG time in Virgo and is currently retrograde. This transit conjuncts Mandel’s Venus/Mercury so we can expect some verbal gaffes from Mandel. He’s probably experiencing some anxiety right now, worrying about every little bitty detail. I’m guessing he’s not sleeping well.

For Brown, Mars in Virgo means he has to talk in detail that he normally avoids. His natal Mercury in Sagittarius likes to talk about what things mean while Virgo wants to talk about what things are.

Jupiter in Taurus – Jupiter is transiting Taurus but will move to Gemini by election day. Brown is experiencing a Jupiter return (his natal Jupiter is in Taurus) meaning he’s having monetary and asset gain. This can indicate gaining weight as well.

Jupiter will oppose Mandel’s Uranus (in Scorpio) and square Saturn (in Leo). I’m sensing that Mandel will make some monetary move that will upset those around him. Or he may be offered some money and not be able to take it for some reason. This is a tense aspect that involves authority in some way. I’m going to watch the news for this one.

Saturn in Libra, Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn – I put these three together because they create a cardinal T-square in the sky.

Mandel already has a cardinal T-square so this creates additional cardinal tension in his life. He’s a bossy, edgy guy in the best of times and now he’s probably an impossibly insufferable candidate. I imagine a “bridezilla” type. Maybe it should be called “candidate-zilla.”

Saturn has finished transiting Mandel’s sun so he may have gone through partnership changes recently. Uranus transiting his moon in Aries makes him self-absorbed. Aries is demanding and impulsive so Mandel may have challenged those around him to find him a Zero Calorie Cherry-Lime Dr. Pepper in a 12 oz can at 3 a.m. Some of those people may have brought him a diet Coke and then said goodbye.

Pluto in Capricorn for Mandel would have been an external force trying to make him play by the rules. While Libra wants fairness, Libra is not a rule follower. Libra enjoys its pleasures so the rules are okay, but pleasure is pleasure. It’s almost like a father figure pounding on Mandel to stop smoking expensive cigars.

For Brown, Saturn in Libra is his second Saturn return. Saturn returns are settling down periods, the first occurring at age 29. At age 29 we realize we are children no longer and accept our adult existence and our personal limitations. At age 58, we accept we are in the second half of our lives. Energy shifts to a younger generation often during our second Saturn return we are supporting the younger generation more than supporting ourselves.

Because Saturn and Neptune are conjunct, Brown may also be experiencing disillusionment in partnerships and friendships.

Uranus will be opposing Brown’s Saturn/Neptune several years (three to five) from now and he may break away from even more partnerships and friendships. His social life will be very different in five years than it is now.

Pluto in Capricorn intensifies his already hyper-ambitious nature. Brown may want to do an ethics check on his own actions. Pluto and Mars in Capricorn may feel the end justifies the means. Hopefully Brown will stop and think before attacking.

Neptune in Pisces

Neptune has just entered Pisces a place it feels at home. Neptune and Pisces bring spirituality, mysticism, hypnosis, visual image, fog, illusion and quest for divinity.

Neptune will oppose Mandel’s Venus and Mercury. Mandel should carefully monitor what he says as it will definitely, DEFINITELY, be taken out of context or distorted in Neptunian ways.

Neither man seems strongly affected by this transit. That’s both good and bad. It may be that the people are feeling a need for spiritual guidance and neither candidate can truly relate.

Ohio Senator Fight Club

Astrologically, Brown is definitely the stronger personality. Brown has Mars in Capricorn and Mandel has Mars in Cancer. Those are opposing signs. Pluto in Capricorn enhances Brown’s calculating and ambitious nature and opposes Mandel’s natural urge to belong.

I’m guessing that Mandel will go through a very calculated attack from the Brown campaign. Brown is hard and tough and probably has a Visio flow chart created showing how he plans to take down Mandel.

I see in the news that Mandel has some nice financial backing, but the personal attacks may be highly uncomfortable to him. As a regular human being, I don’t know how political candidates can survive the attacks that occur. If anyone put my romantic history on a TV commercial, I would be hiding under the sofa. Mandel may have that same urge.

Mandel’s Saturn (in Leo) is conjunct Brown’s moon. Mandel will attack Brown’s sense of pride. Mandel may even attack Brown’s children in some way.

Mandel’s Uranus (in Scorpio) is on Brown’s sun. Attacks from Mandel will be sporadic but sudden. They will involve accusations of funny money and sexual misconduct.

Mandel’s Neptune (in Sagittarius) is on Brown’s Mercury so there will be distortions of Brown’s communications. Because Neptune is in Pisces, this will occur to Mandel as well. We’re going to have a lot of “he said” “no that’s not what I meant.” These two better be careful that they do not ultimately confuse the voter while trying to distort each other’s message.

A Very Nasty Fight

I predict a very nasty fight here. These men are so different in personality that there are lots of different angles from which to attack.

Hopefully at some time these two will understand that they need to connect to the voter. Neither seems particularly tuned to this – that he could actually channel the energies of the people and win based on this rather than technique.

As Neptune enters Pisces, they might want to think about it.

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If You Want to Be a Writer, What Sign Should You Be?

Posted on February 12, 2012 by ohioastrology

This is a tricky question because there are so many famous writers and so few natal horoscopes available for them.

Why is that?

Writers are artists just like actors, musicians, dancers, painters and sculptors. Why can I find charts for these other artists and not writers?

Writers seem to be the stepchildren of the artistic world. While the other artists are off making loads of money, receiving the warmth of popularity and having wanton sex, writers sit at home over typewriters, computers and pads of paper ignored and lonely, dirty laundry piling up, bills unpaid.

Poor, poor writers.

The Third and Fifth Houses

February 7 was Dickens’ 200th birthday. I found a chart for him and also looked up one for Stephen King. I hit the jackpot. I found horoscopes for both and also found the traditional indicator of writing talent. (A true horoscope needs a time of birth and that is why they are difficult to come by).

Dickens had sun in Aquarius in the 5th house and moon in Sagittarius in the 3rd house.

King has sun in Virgo in the 3rd house and moon in Sagittarius in the 5th house.

Both men have Neptune in the 3rd house.

The third house rules communication, short-distance travels, siblings and neighbors. The 5th house is the house of creativity, self-expression, children and romance.

Writing ability is traditionally seen as stemming from 3rd house placements. Creative expression in general is seen as stemming from 5th house placements.

Planets in the Signs in the Houses

Planets in houses mean that the area of life indicated by the house is emphasized. We all communicate in some way but a planet in the 3rd means that communication is a “theme” in life. Planets in the 3rd at the least indicate some nosiness in the personality.

Planets in the 5th suggest that creative self-expression is a must in one’s life. Others might go through life just working and sleeping, but 5th house folks must shine in the spotlight.

A planet in a sign in a house is a sentence that goes like this:

What + How + Where

Dickens had sun (conscious self) in Aquarius (humanitarian focus) in the 5th house (creative expression). Dickens needed to consciously express his humanitarian focus through his creative expression.

King has sun (conscious self) in Virgo (discriminating mind) in the 3rd house (communications). Looking at King’s chart, I would have suspected a journalist or cookbook writer more than a horror writer.

Both Dickens and King have moon in Sagittarius which I call the “Charlie Sheen” moon and suggests a generous, fun but irresponsible and indulgent nature. Dickens had Neptune conjunct moon which is even more indulgent and out of control.

King had drug problems. I’m guessing Dickens did as well. Sagittarius is the “quest for the sublime” as one astrologer calls it. Drugs can make reality more interesting until crack in the psyche creates unbalance.

Both King and Dickens have Neptune in the 3rd house so both are daydreamers. Dickens’ placement was in Sagittarius so he must have longed for travel and adventure. King’s Neptune is in Libra so there is a romantic nature. I’m guessing King has some lovely poetry somewhere that is very different than his work produced with Virgo critical discrimination. King probably has some erotica out there too.

Different Types of Writers

There are different types of writers – journalists, novel writers, poets, political commentators, sports writers, etc. The planet(s) in the 3rd house can indicate the type of writing developed:

Sun – the Writer (capital W) who is known for writing
Mercury – the journalist
Venus – the poet
Mars – the political or sports writer
Jupiter – the philosopher
Saturn – the law or rule book writer
Uranus – the technical writer
Pluto – the erotic or taboo subject writer

Moon and Neptune in the 3rd

You’ve noticed that I left out two planets – moon and Neptune. These two planets in the 3rd seem to be the Writer as stereotype – the imaginative novel writer who sits in dirty clothes pumping out writing but too shy to appear in public.

King has Neptune in the 3rd, Dickens both moon and Neptune in the 3rd.

Why do these two planets drive one to writing?

The moon is the reactive principle. It’s where we go in reaction to life’s events. When trying to explain astrology, I always ask people what they do when they’ve had a bad day. Do you go out with friends? Watch a movie? Or do you hide under a blanket?

Moon in the 3rd retreats into communication. Your friend with the nose a book all the time probably has moon in the 3rd (especially in an earth or water sign).

Neptune is similar to the moon in some ways. While moon is reaction, Neptune is escape from the hum-drum world. Neptune seeks the divine.

Seeking the divine through communication may also send someone to the calligraphy pen to write some poetry. William Blake comes to mind as someone who would have Neptune in the 3rd.

Consulting Astrotheme, the chart for William Blake shows Neptune in the 1st with sun in the 5th. I don’t know if that time of birth is accurate or rectified (estimating time of birth based on observed personality and life events). If the chart is rectified, someone else agrees that Blake is under the influence of Neptune.

If you want to be a writer . . .

Writers appear to have planets in the 3rd house. The stereotypical novel writer has moon or Neptune in the 3rd.

Planets in the 3rd indicate writing ability and the 5th house is where we show it to others. There are lots and lots of writers out there who show their work to no one or just a few loved ones. Placements in the 5th house alone might not make one a writer.

If you want to start a writing career, transits to the 3rd house are a good time to do this.

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Republican Fight Club: Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum

Posted on February 10, 2012 by ohioastrology

Congratulations to Rick Santorum for winning the Missouri primary and Colorado and Minnesota caucuses on the same day. And, Rick, thank you.

Thank you for several reasons:

1. It would be really boring if in February we knew the candidate, especially if that candidate was Mitt Romney. Watching him transmogrify based on every criticism is already tedious.
2. It’s nice to think that you can’t buy a presidency although that still may happen. Although I don’t agree with your ideas, you seem sincere and appear to be having success based on your personality and ideas.
3. I think you are better looking than Romney. I’d prefer to see you on TV for the next eight months over Romney. I like your Roman profile, senatorial stance and stentorian bearing.

Fight Club: Romney and Santorum

The fight continues. This time Santorum is up for his second bout of “not Romney.” What will the fight be like?

Mitt Romney is a Pisces sun and Scorpio moon. Romney also has three other planets in water (Mars and Mercury in Pisces and Jupiter in Scorpio).

Romney has already given indication of how he fights with water energy – TV ads. Until his bout with Newt Gingrich at the last debate, you might call Romney passive-aggressive. Someone clearly coached him on dumping the passive part.

Pisces can be passive and Pisces is ruled by Neptune which rules images. Neptune is both spiritual and manipulative. Pisces never fights directly. Neither does Romney.

Another Piscean trait we’re seeing in Romney is that with every criticism, he becomes a different person. While fighting Gingrich, he became Gingrich by attacking verbally. After Santorum’s three-state takeaway on Tuesday I saw Romney on TV telling homespun homilies about his dad. Romney is trying on Santorum’s Pennsylvania Po’ Boy act.

Who is Romney?

Pisces greatest strength is ability to empathize. Romney is using that trait in an effort to connect to the voter. If someone else has found a way into the hearts of Republicans, Romney moves into that pattern.

Rick Santorum has a Taurus sun and Aquarius moon, both fixed signs. Santorum has that fixed sign ability to stay on message and remain doggedly persistent. Fixed signs are determined and have forbearance.

Fixed signs are also stubborn and unable to alter method in response to external stimulus. At this point, the trait has served Santorum well. He could have listened to everyone and dropped out. But he stuck around. He will probably continue to stick around.

Santorum’s fixed sign nature is showing in that he has not altered his message (I don’t think, anyway) during this campaign. He’s just waited, patiently, for the campaign topics to relate to his message. By golly, after his win, the issues have matched his message (gay marriage, contraception, religious freedom). Imagine that.

The challenge for fixed signs is that sometimes you do have to change course. Fixed signs are like the Titanic that is just too big and bulky to skirt around that iceberg.

In the Mud

From now until Super Tuesday (March 6), I there is a great chance of mud in this campaign. As the mutable water sign (Romney) fights the fixed earth sign (Santorum), here’s what we might see.

Politically, the attacks tend to be in this order: 1) women, 2) money and 3) political associates.

Women

Romney and Santorum appear to have been good boys as no women have emerged thus far. But with Romney’s moon in Scorpio, it’s difficult not to imagine that there’s some hanky-panky in his past. Mars will be on Romney’s moon next September. I’m thinking if there is a women in Romney’s closet, it’s the Democrats who will set her free.

Scorpio moon likes both intensity and taboo. If Romney has a sex scandal, it should be a delightfully interesting one.

Santorum’s moon in Aquarius suggests that in his spare time he’d rather design a new lint trap for the dryer than chase skirts. If he has chased some skirts, they are probably not blonde babes but someone like the hospital administrator who was able to explain how a catheter worked.

Santorum’s a guy, there might be a chick. But he may also be the nerd he appears to be.

Wait, I missed the Pluto in Capricorn transit squaring his Venus in Aries. Women are striking back against his comments on women. Maybe there’s no “woman” but a bunch of women who don’t like him (rather than sexual partners). With Pluto in Capricorn, this could involve legal action.

Money

The money axis in the horoscope involves the 2nd and 8th houses which are ruled by Taurus and Scorpio, respectively. Taurus is “my” money and Scorpio is “your” money. In addition to sex, Scorpio also rules taxes.

Jupiter will be transiting Taurus until mid-June. This is very good news for Santorum who has sun in Taurus. Jupiter transiting is traditionally seen as a lucky or benevolent time. In Taurus it says more money, more assets, more food, more stuff.

Santorum will probably gain some weight during the next few months.

Even if Santorum doesn’t win the nomination, he will probably become rich in some way. Taurus is “my” money the expansive assets will probably originate in some way from his own assets.

This same Jupiter transit opposes Romney’s Scorpio moon. Whereas Santorum will be getting money, Romney may have to dish it out.

Attacks to Santorum could be about his investments. Attacks to Romney could be about payoffs and unusual transfers of money.

I love financial scandal because it’s like a puzzle. Can’t wait.

Political Associates

The last form of attack is about who the nominees hang out with. Those may be the people they’re having sex with or trading money with, but this last attack is ultimately about character.

Santorum with moon in Aquarius probably is involved with some unusual groups. With that Taurus sun, he may even be giving them money or sharing assets with a group. The attacks to Santorum will be about sharing money with a group.

Romney, we know, is a Mormon, which is considered by some to be a tight-knit group. Romney’s sun in Pisces and moon in Scorpio suggest someone without solid boundaries. In fact, it’s someone with no boundaries. Attacks to Romney may be about that lack of boundary or attacks may be through those groups to Romney.

Attack Styles

Santorum’s chart verifies what we see on TV – that his attack style is earthy direct. It’s both good and bad to lay all your cards on the table.

Romney’s style is to hide the cards under the table. I continue to suspect unseemly connections and manipulations with this man. I also suspect that his true motivations will only be known in some book published long after Romney’s time in the sun.

Santorum’s earth and air is aloof. It lives in the world of ideas and sensation. Romney’s water is emotional and sensitive. It lives underground in the world of feeling.

A Santorum earth attack is a brick to the head. A Romney water attack is to unleash natural gas.

Which is worse?

We’ll see on March 6.

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Nevada Wants Your Money and More

Posted on February 4, 2012 by ohioastrology

Today is primary voting day for Nevada. A look at Nevada’s horoscope, by admittance to the Union, shows it to be a Scorpio sun and Scorpio moon state. Scorpio is ruled by Pluto. Pluto is Nevada’s chart is opposite the sun, in Taurus.

Scorpio is a fixed water sign known for its intensity and it rules the 8th house of sex, relationships, death and taxes.

Fun stuff.

Sun and moon in Scorpio with Pluto opposite says this is one intense state. While it’s known for its glamour city Las Vegas, Nevada clearly wants more than gambling proceeds. I’m guessing that Nevada is also a tax haven of some sort.

Housing nuclear waste might be represented by the Pluto in Taurus opposition to Scorpio. I’ve never truly understood if prostitution is legal anywhere in this state. If so, Nevada is saying, I’ll make money in those ways others say is bad.

That’s Scorpio. I’ll go into the murky waters others avoid.

Pluto in Taurus also suggests upheavals in property or physical state. I don’t know if Nevada is prone to earthquakes but from this aspect I’m guessing that it is.

Pluto opposite sun and moon is, frankly, bad news. While Pluto can be called transformation, Pluto opposite sun and moon is invasion, an invasion like rape.

For all that intensity, there is quite a bit of air and fire to offset this fixed sign opposition. Mars and Uranus are in Gemini, Saturn in Libra, Jupiter and Venus are in Sagittarius and Neptune is in Aries.

Currently Uranus is transiting that Neptune in Aries. I’m guessing that due to Nevada’s strong Scorpionic traits, it’s been a behind-the-scenes manipulator. With Uranus transiting Neptune, some of the mechanics of what is going on will emerge. The emergence will be sudden and with much fire and emotional eruption.

This is the state that hosts “Burning Man” once a year. This event can accurately represent the state as a whole.

Republican Candidates

Mitt Romney is expected to take this state as easily as a highway gunman takes a virginal damsel. The reason, I hear, is that Nevada is a Mormon state.

This is a good indication of what Scorpio can bring – politics, religion, gang, the mob. All are involved in power.

Romney has moon in Scorpio so fits right in. I suspect that in Nevada there is much more going on behind the scenes than simple Mormon brotherhood. With Scorpio and Taurus energy, there are probably money and property exchanges involved.

Newt Gingrich with his Gemini-Sagittarius personality does appeal to the air in Nevada’s chart. You might say he’s the Las Vegas in Nevada’s chart, but Gingrich must remember that Las Vegas brings more than fun to Nevada – it brings bucket loads of money.

Fun is fun, money is money. Nevada is about the money and the power it brings. Gingrich is really not about money.

Rick Santorum will find that Nevada’s an intense water sign. You are an intense earth-air fixed combination. Scorpio makes a T-square in your horoscope.

Santorum likes intensity, but must have a plan, a blueprint. Scorpio intensity is about politic maneuvering; Aquarius intensity is about the idea itself.

For Santorum, Nevada is too emotional, focusing its passion on personal revenge rather than idealistic heights. It’s like going on a date with someone and then having them stalk you.

Ron Paul, like Santorum, has a fixed sun (in Leo) and fixed moon (in Taurus). Nevada’s Scorpio energy also creates a T-square in his chart.

As with Santorum, Scorpio is too intense for Paul.

Leo is open hearted; Scorpio is hurt easily.

Taurus enjoys simple physical pleasures; Scorpio likes intense, emotionally threatening invasion.

Leo is romance; Scorpio is S&M.

Way different.

Viva Las Vegas

I’m not a fan of Las Vegas since I’m a stingy Capricorn who doesn’t like to give my money away for nothing but the sensation of manic highs and lows. All I see in the lights of the strip are vacuums sucking at my wallet.

I know, I know, I’m no fun. But deep down, Nevada is no fun either. Be careful.

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Presidential Mentors Astrological Style

Posted on February 3, 2012 by ohioastrology

If the four republican presidential candidates were freshmen in college, the college might assign them big-brother mentors who would help them in that critical first semester when homesickness reigns and parent-free delights tempt.

Ohio Astrology sought past presidents with the same sun/moon placement that could serve as guides for the current republican candidates in their quest for the oval office.

Two candidates have a perfect sun/moon match, two others, not so much.

Astrological Presidential Mentor

Mitt Romney – I accept you are the front-runner and will list you first. Also, there is a perfect astrological match to serve as your mentor – James Madison. Madison also had sun in Pisces and moon in Scorpio.

I don’t have time to read a biography of James Madison so had to refer to Wikipedia. Madison was “hailed a Father of the Constitution” and “Father of the Bill of Rights,” was co-author of the “Federalist Papers” and protested the “Alien and Sedition Act.”

Madison, according to Wikipedia, vacillated between supporting strong federal government versus strong state government. By the same source, he did ultimately support a stronger national government, army and national bank due to struggles with resources during the War of 1812.

Sound familiar?

Times have changed since 1817. Madison sounds like an intellectual, which in today’s United States is frowned upon.

What has happened to our nation?

Madison might ask Romney if he truly wants the role of bully in a bully pulpit spewing 30-second sound bites or if he wants, perhaps, a more intellectual or spiritual endeavor for the remains of his wealthy life. We are in the 19th century no longer.

Ron Paul – I list you second because I have also found a perfect astrological mentor for you – Bill Clinton. Clinton also has sun in Leo and moon in Taurus.

Clinton is recent history and we know about his sensual needs. I always say you can fool everyone but your astrologer. Paul may not have a Monica Lewinsky in his past (and may not smoke cigars), but he probably is a touchy-feeling guy in some way. Moon in Taurus loves touch; you might say it’s the favorite of the five senses for this sign. Maybe that’s why Paul is a doctor, so he can have the physical sensation of touching others.

We also know that Clinton tried to reform health care, instituted NAFTA, sent troops into Somalia and bombed Libya. He also left office with a budget surplus. Paul, the penny pincher, would surely do that as well.

As a Leo, Clinton was intelligent and expressive. To my observation, Leo is a storyteller but not truly a liar. Leo lies, to me, only 95%. There’s that 5% of the time the truth slips out in between stories. That’s why you know that Leo “lies” or, at least, exaggerates.

Paul as Leo must be telling some Leo stories or at least exaggerating a little. Because Paul is not taken seriously, he is not scrutinized like the other candidates. If he stays in the race, as he claims he will do, we may see his Leo/Taurus energy attacked.

Attacking Leo energy is challenging grandiose stories. Attacking Taurus energy is attacking accumulated wealth and property. If there is no woman in the closet, attacks on Paul may be about his finances. Women first, money second in political attack strategy.

If these issues arise, as they did for Clinton, Paul can certainly give Bill a ring to discuss.

Rick Santorum – I didn’t find a Taurus sun/Aquarius moon combination. But I did find the reverse – Aquarius sun and Taurus moon from Ronald Reagan. This is good news for you! As Newt Gingrich gets grated into slivers and tossed on Romney’s Caesar Salad, you might want to steal his “I’m the new Reagan” image.

Reagan was called, amongst your Republican people, the Great Communicator. Steal this and do it fast because you do communicate well. While I don’t personally agree with your politics, you appear consistent in your beliefs.

One little problem I see from the other side of the fence is that I’m not sure your party really wants an independent, strong thinker. Sorry, Rick, but they very well may be looking for someone to push around. Let’s just say that while Reagan was charismatic, I’m not sure he’d do his own taxes. You know what I mean?

But it’s the party you chose so I’m thinking from Reagan’s success that you have to take your detailed and well-thought out ideas and make them, well, simple.

Maybe you can visit Reagan’s grave and breathe in the spirit of his charismatic personality and learn how to talk in pie charts.

Newt Gingrich – This is very tricky, as you know. OHA has said over and over (and over) again that the US rarely picks Gemini sun as president. We’ve had only two – John F. Kennedy and George H. W. Bush. Between the two, they’ve averaged 3.5 years as president.

After searching for your Gemini sun/Sagittarius moon combination, I looked for Sagittarius sun/Gemini moon. Still no luck. Mutable signs just don’t fare well in La Casa Blanca.

One president did stick out as possibly having a similar energy pattern – Martin Van Buren. He had both Sagittarius sun/moon.

Did you know Van Buren was called “The Little Magician” or “Red Fox of Kinderhook” because of his finesse at political machinations? [from “The Life of Andrew Jackson” by Robert V. Remini]

That sounds a little like you, a magician pulling verbal and political tricks out of a hat.

Like your Gemini mentors, Van Buren was in office only one term. Behind the scenes machinations and the role of figurehead and leader are very, very different.

Sorry, Mr. Gingrich, but OHA can’t find you a suitable mentor. You might want to read up on Kennedy, Bush Sr. and Van Buren to see if there is any wisdom you can glean from their average 3.7 years in office.

You could also chat up John Edwards a Gemini sun and Gemini moon and ask how much effort it really does take for a Gemini to appear consistent. Maybe he can provide some useful advice.

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Americans are Becoming Chinese

Posted on February 1, 2012 by ohioastrology

Lying in bed this morning, I was thinking about the Facebook “disconnect” some of us feel in how our friendships appear on Facebook and how they are in reality. I’m a marketer by trade and have been thinking much about social media lately.

I’ve already blogged on how I believe Facebook relates to the 4th house (personal consciousness) of the horoscope and LinkedIn to the 10th house (social consciousness).

I began to wonder why Facebook was called “Face” book and not “Friendbook.” According to the movie the “Social Network,” Mark Zuckerberg created an alternate facebook, a book that is provided by some universities to incoming students that contains a photograph and name so that students can get to know each other better.

The Chinese frequently use the concept of “face” (mianzi – 面子) as in saving face or losing face. Our use of Facebook is akin to our “face” and how we want others to see us.

If Facebook is more personal, LinkedIn is more professional. LinkedIn is where we post our resume and connect to everyone we know in a personal and business relationship.

LinkedIn is crystallizing what already occurs – finding opportunity through connections. Back to the Chinese, who speak of connections (guanxi – 關係) frequently and see connections as the engine that runs the motor of society. Here’s Wikipedia’s definition of guanxi.

Here’s one foreigner’s perspective of guanxi and mianzi.

I don’t believe the Chinese are the sole culture worrying about face and connections, but they seem to have more reference to it than other cultures.

China’s Dominance

While Facebook and LinkedIn are bringing the world into a Chinese social structure, China is the largest foreign owner of US Treasuries. Some say China’s economy, now third largest after the US and European Union, will become the largest economy in the not distant future.

With China climbing the global ladder of success, it’s good that Chinese language study in the US is rising fast. Maybe soon we’ll all be speaking Chinese with our connections if China ever decides to unload its dollars.

China’s Horoscope

How does one cast the horoscope for a culture that is thousands of years old?

While China is thousands of years old, the current Republic of China was “born” on October 1, 1949. That is the day the Communists united China into one country. Leadership later standardized the language and the writing and tried to remove the ancient filial culture with a culture of loyalty to the state.

October 1 makes China a Libra. Incidentally, Taiwan, the place where the Chinese Nationalists fled on October 1, 1949, celebrates national day on October 10, also in the sign of Libra. China’s beloved Confucius supposedly was born September 28, also in the sign of Libra. China loves Libra energy.

On October 1, 1949 the sun, Mercury and Neptune were in Libra. According to Astrology Weekly, the time was 3 p.m. which puts the moon in Aquarius. Both are air signs.

The People’s Republic of China is mostly air, which makes sense as it was founded on an idea rather than springing organically from shared customs.

China has an equal dose of earth (Jupiter in Capricorn and Saturn in Virgo), water (Uranus in Cancer and Venus in Scorpio) and fire (Mars and Pluto in Leo).

China has balance.

Sun and moon in air makes a person or country social, flexible, stimulation-seeking and opportunistic. Air grabs at willows floating in the breeze. Earth stares at it, fire shoots at it and water ignores it.

Air is related to intelligence. The Chinese are known for their studious intelligence and rigorous educational system.

Where is the love of family in the horoscope?

Uranus in Cancer says, accurately, that China was born during a time of great upheaval in family structure. I haven’t been to China but wonder how much the family structure has changed from the ancient and not-so-ancient days of extended family. Maybe the one-child policy is more a way to break down the extended family relationship than a true need to limit population.

Relationship with United States

The current Saturn transit through Libra is creating “relationship” issues for China. That transit will pass this fall and China should be getting along better with other countries.

The United States’ Saturn in Libra is conjunct China’s sun. Someone’s Saturn on your sun means that they are a “heavy” to you, a restrictive or oppressive person.

In turn China’s Saturn in Virgo is widely conjunct the US’ Neptune in Virgo. China is never pleased with itself, never perfect enough. Neptune in Virgo is in detriment and suggests the US filters its mystical and spiritual energy through analysis and details. China is the perfectionist and the US is the rationalizer.

If China and the US were two people having a meal at a restaurant, you would hear that the food was cold, the duck wasn’t prepared properly, the restaurant down the street is better, the fat content too great and a host of health complaints due to the incorrect mixing of ingredients. The US would be worrying about germs as the Chinese share food.

China’s Uranus in Cancer is conjunct the US’ Venus in Cancer, suggesting that China inspires us in family pleasures.

The US’ Mars in Gemini creates a grand air trine in China’s chart suggesting that China does like the US’ inquisitive nature which seeks out facts and stimulation. In other words, the US can be fun to play with.

Pluto is currently transiting Capricorn and will create a Pluto return in the US chart and will conjunct Jupiter in China’s chart. From 2020 to 2023, both countries will be focused on Capricornian control and dominance. For the US, it is a new power cycle. For China, it is an expansion of power.

Because China’s Jupiter is conjunct the US’ Pluto, I’m guessing this power expansion and solidification will be mutually beneficial rather than a winner takes all power grab.

However, Pluto in Capricorn will square China’s Libra energy meaning some “partners” will be lost during this process and for the US, Pluto will be opposite the sun meaning open power struggles. If the US and China are united in what occurs, they will make some common enemies.

China’s greatest difficulty with the US is the US’ emotional nature as indicated by sun in Cancer. For the US, the difficulty with China is that water finds air to be uncaring and aloof. Air can also be perceived as unreliable.

Wood and Metal

In Chinese astrology, the east is wood and the west is metal. Metal cuts wood. Wood can bend, metal can only be molded by heat. Wood is flexible, metal inflexible.

Maybe this Chinese idiom can help the metallic west meet the woodsy east. And, if Americans are truly becoming Chinese, learning idioms will be essential.

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There are Four Kinds of Lies

Posted on January 30, 2012 by ohioastrology

Mark Twain said there were three kinds of lies “. . . lies, damned lies and statistics.” Twain was wrong. There are four kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, statistics and political debate answers.

I believe we all lie, we just lie differently based on our personalities. I’ve blogged about it here. Luckily for me and maybe you, we don’t have to lie in front of a national audience in desperate competition for a public office.

Mutable Sign Prevarication

Last Thursday’s Republican Primary Debate had Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney attacking each other like two grumpy old men. Using Romney’s word against Gingrich, it was repulsive.

Gingrich (Gemini) and Romney (Pisces) are both mutable signs. Mutable is one of the three modes and indicates mutability, changeable and flexibility. The cardinal signs are about initiating and the fixed signs are about stabilizing.

On Thursday, Gingrich and Romney were mutable sign prevaricators extraordinaire. And each prevaricated in the way of his sign. Mutable signs have a tendency to avoid.

Gemini Prevarication:

When asked to defend a TV-show attack on Romney, Gingrich gave his standard debate answer – that was a TV show, this is a debate.

This man who worked for Freddie Mac attacks someone for investing in Freddie Mac.

Gemini prevaricates through twisted and tangled words. Gingrich’s answers could be classified as poetry in their inscrutability.

When asked about the discrepancy between attacking Romney’s wealth and the fact his tax plan would allow Romney additional wealth (by a 0% capital gains tax rate), Gingrich had no answer at all. Gingrich fights with words and no words could explain away this contradiction.

Gingrich “hears no evil.”

Pisces Prevarication:

When asked about a TV ad attacking Gingrich, Romney claimed he hadn’t seen it. Every time Romney is asked about a TV ad, he claims to have not seen it.

If you were running a company and the man selling the product said he hadn’t seen the ads, wouldn’t you fire him?

Pisces prevaricates through denial and simple evasion.

Unfortunately for Romney, the ad in question had the “I’m Romney and I support this message” blurb at the end.

How does Romney get away with saying he doesn’t watch TV ads while he’s running for Republican Presidential Candidate with the biggest purse of all the contenders?

As for questions regarding Romney’s investments, Romney tells us that they are in a “blind” trust and he doesn’t know much about them. Romney, once again, can’t see. A man who managed a private equity firm just simply isn’t looking at his own investments.

Romney “sees no evil.”

Which Prevarication is Better?

The Republicans are deciding if they want “hear no evil” or “see no evil” for their candidate. Both Gingrich and Romney have proved that while they hear no evil and see no evil, they definitely can “speak evil.”

Both candidates are demonstrating how they deal with issues – by avoidance.

Ohio Astrology recommends avoiding both candidates and picking a fixed sign candidate – Rick Santorum (Taurus) or Ron Paul (Leo). If you want the candidate that says the same thing at dinner that he said at breakfast, you’d be better off with one of these two guys.

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Ohio Astrology Recommends Moving Valentine’s Day to August 14

Posted on January 27, 2012 by ohioastrology

It’s interesting to compare the characteristics of holidays and the characteristics of the sign in which they reside.

Major Holidays

Easter (late March, early April) is in the sign of Aries, the first sign of the zodiac representing beginnings. Easter, in fact, is a moving holiday that clearly follows the patterns in the sky for its date.

St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) is in the sign of emotional, watery Pisces. Green is the color of the heart chakra and represents emotional openness. Is it a wonder that this holiday is celebrated with alcohol?

Memorial Day (last Monday in May) is in the sign of Gemini, which is the sign of communication, short travels, neighbors and siblings. This holiday doesn’t seem to have a lot to do with Gemini. But I’m not sure what sign would work well for remembering the deceased of war.

Labor Day (first Monday in September) is in the sign of Virgo which rules health and work. September also happens to be the month when we return to school and finish those summer vacations.

Christmas (December 25), which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, occurs in the sign of Capricorn. Capricorn represents status and worldly success and is ruled by Saturn. Saturn represents the limits of the three-dimensional world and rules duty, responsibility and Time.

Some holidays fit well with the sign, some, not so much. But the one holiday that seems really off the mark is Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day, February 14, is in the sign of Aquarius. Aquarius represents friendship and fraternal love, not romantic and passionate love. Aquarius is about ideals and is more comfortable in groups than one-on-one, more comfortable leading a revolution than a family.

Aquarius, being an air sign, is not physically passionate. When Venus or moon is in Aquarius, it gets a “cold fish” rating from astrologers (after Venus or moon in Capricorn).

For romantic and passionate love of the type found in date movies, look to Aquarius’ opposite sign, Leo.

The sun is in Leo from late July to mid-August. Leo rules the heart and is often seen as the actor of the zodiac for its need to be center of attention. Leo is romantic and loves children. This sign is expressive, bold, outgoing and proud. Leo is the one who dares to stand outside your window on a cold winter night serenading you, the one to buy you the biggest bunch of flowers in the store, the one to say “I love you” first.

Cupid shoots his arrow into the heart, which is where Leo lives. To make an impact on an Aquarius, Cupid would need to shoot between the eyes into the head as Aquarius is a mental sign.

Aquarius wants an ideological soul mate. Cupid would need to do some background checks and surveys, much like a dating service, to be of use to an Aquarian. Rather than allowing that arrow to pierce the heart, Aquarius is more likely to pull the arrow out and analyze it.

With that said, I think we should change Valentine’s Day to “Friendship Day” and move Valentine’s Day six months into the calendar to reside in Leo – August 14. In Leo, Valentine’s Day mythology would correspond to the correct energy pattern.

August could use a holiday. Why doesn’t it have one?

There is probably no holiday in August because we are busy attending Leo birthday parties. Leos must be the center of attention and statistically we probably all have a Leo in our lives. Therefore, our August schedules are full.

If Valentine’s Day is August 14, then the Leos who celebrate their birthdays around this time will be assured of some additional birthday loving.

All in favor, say “aye.” And make sure you cast your vote before Friendship Day.

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Moon in Pisces – January 26 Republican Debate Prep Sheet

Posted on January 25, 2012 by ohioastrology

Newt Gingrich, Republican Presidential Candidate, wants audience response allowed at the next debate or he’s threatening to stay home.

I call his bluff.

This Gemini sun and Sagittarius moon is not staying home tomorrow. The moderators can lock the debaters in boxes with only peepholes and all four men will show up, including this most ostentatious show off Gingrich.

Why is the audience feedback so important to Gingrich?

As both a voter and astrologer, this is very, very important feedback on what makes Gingrich tick.

Have you ever watched a TV show with your family and you were the only one to laugh at a joke? Or everyone is laughing and you don’t get it? How did you feel?

Gemini is the sign of the twins. Like Libra, Gemini looks toward “the other” to gauge reaction and react to that reaction. Neither Gemini nor Libra has a strong sense of identity. Seeing what others are doing is more than a way to keep up with the Joneses; it’s the way that these signs survive.

If you survive by reacting to others, who are you deep inside?

Gingrich needs to know what the audience thinks so he can gauge his reaction to form his next word or sentence. That means, importantly, that his core is not solid, his beliefs not defined regardless of how others react.

I’m not a conservative or Republican; for the life of me, I don’t understand why conservatives do not like Rick Santorum who is consistent and steady (as they come) in his conservative beliefs and clearly intelligent and articulate about those beliefs.

I guess even conservatives need a little excitement.

January 26 Moon in Pisces

Tomorrow the sun is in detached Aquarius but the moon is in emotional Pisces. Mars is retrograde in Virgo opposing the moon.

In the real world, this Mars in Virgo retrograde is causing a lot of tummy aches (literally) and anxiety. Tomorrow it will probably provide emotional response, but possibly not the response Gingrich is seeking. Pisces wants real feeling, something Gingrich appears to lack. Pisces also wants sacrifice.

Virgo is analysis and Pisces is synthesis. It’s time to do both. Provide some detail, but not too much. Show some sympathy, but have a fact or story to back it up. Soothe the anxiety that is floating in the air like willows in early summer so that they people can relax and get a good night’s sleep.

Moon in Pisces by Candidate

Rick Santorum – You have Mars in Pisces which appears when you call yourself a “cause guy.” It’s time to emphasize the causes and talk in detail about those causes, like how you painted a shed on United Way Community Care Day.

Ron Paul – There is so much Pisces energy this primary which is difficult for a guy with Saturn in Pisces (poor you!). Again, let yourself go with the emotional flow, for once. Just do it. You could be a retiree-talk to the Floridians as a peer.

Mitt Romney – Don’t worry so much about Gingrich tonight. You’re the Pisces, just go ahead and act like one. Be sensitive. Be vulnerable. Frankly, you don’t do aggressive too well anyway. Scare the crowd by pretending you’ll be the sacrificial goat if they really want Gingrich.

Newt Gingrich – As the saying goes, be careful what you ask for. Piscean emotional reaction could be smothering to you. Pisces makes your mutable T-square into a grand cross. Will you carry the cross or be hung on the cross? Pisces likes empathy, sympathy and sacrifice. Gemini and Sagittarius like fun. See the problem?

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