Mark Zuckerberg, Our Friendly Overlord

Posted on September 23, 2011 by ohioastrology

A friend’s entrepreneurial uncle always told him that to be successful in business one must sell to “women’s vanities or men’s addictions.” Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook, seems to have figured out that men and women can be addicted to the same item.

Yesterday Facebook changed how it works and the change made news. Some of my friends complained. No one has left. We love our Facebook but hate our Facebook Overlord. We are addicted.

In “The Social Network” Zuckerberg is portrayed as brilliant, determined and vengeful. In the movie he agrees to work with twin brothers to create a proto-type Facebook. Instead he does it all on his own and banks the results. He then undermines his best friend leaving him out of millions in profit. Both the twins and best friend sue and win.

In reaction to the movie portrayal, Zuckerberg was all over the TV shows especially the revered “60 Minutes” smiling and acting just like any old Facebook friend.

Zuckerberg has a sun in Taurus, the fixed earth sign. That speaks to his determination and, until recently, lack of facial or emotional expression. Taurus is steady and calm, rarely reacting emotionally. But when it does explode, it’s known to have one of the worst tempers in the zodiac.

I also consider Taurus to be materialistic in a good sense. There is true enjoyment of physical pleasures and 3D reality. Most people, really, are not deriving the pleasure they truly want from material goods. Taurus accumulation comes from enjoyment, not from a desire to impress (see Capricorn for that).

Taurus is not the sign of revenge. It’s opposite, Scorpio, is.

Taurus and Scorpio are the possession and sensuality polarity. Taurus enjoys physical pleasure without guilt. Scorpio, on the opposite pole, wants emotional bonding of the sort that can feel like invasion if you are not having the same feeling. Scorpio, with its compulsive need to see under the surface to the true motivation of others, can feel guilt, and lots of it (you see a lot of Scorpio in religious leaders). The Taurus – Scorpio polarity sometimes manifests into what I call “good girl – bad girl.”

I say “girl” because women appear to struggle with sexual guilt more than men. It makes sense because there is no male equivalent of “slut.” Women seem to struggle with the Taurus – Scorpio polarity more than do men.

Zuckerberg has Pluto, Saturn, moon and Mars all in the sign of Scorpio. Saturn conjunct moon also suggests an emotional reserve of the kind that wipes expression from one’s face. However, Scorpio does feel, and very deeply. It is extremely sensitive which is what I believe makes it vengeful.

Scorpio, even to a serious Capricorn like me, seems to take life too seriously. The seriousness of Scorpio, I believe, comes directly from its sensitivity. Scorpio is a fixed water sign and its two water-sign companions are Cancer and Pisces. Cancer and Pisces are more open to being vulnerable. Scorpio is not. I believe that is what leads to vengeance.

Humans are rarely consistent and for a Scorpio human inconsistency feels like betrayal. Leo is next in line to dramatize human behavior as betrayal but Leo will kiss and make up because that is so much fun and Leo is about fun.

Scorpio takes it all seriously and perceived betrayal can’t be forgotten. That you are a whimsical creature of the universe isn’t answer enough either.

Zuckerberg’s chart is filled with serious signs: two in Taurus (sun and Venus), four in Scorpio (Pluto, Saturn, moon and Mars) and two in Capricorn (Neptune and Jupiter).

The only relief from seriousness is Mercury in Aries and Uranus in Sagittarius. Talking provides some fun as does traveling. Zuckerberg probably travels on a whim without prior planning. Uranus in Sagittarius suggests accidents while traveling.

Zuckerberg has no planets in air. Air is related to social interaction and sharing of ideas. Air also relates to detachment. Interesting a man with no air would create a social site.

In summary, Zuckerberg’s chart could manifest as the character portrayed in “The Social Network.” The shoe fits, although I don’t know if Zuckerberg actually wears it.

Ultimately, a chart full of Scorpio and Capricorn (not Taurus so much) needs to learn how to trust. I think that’s why Scorpio is so drawn to God because who else can really be trusted?

Zuckerberg has created a space where 800 million people share varying levels of personal information on the Internet. We are trusting and vulnerable. We open ourselves to hackers across the globe.

I wonder if Zuckerberg has shared equally on Facebook or if he’s acting like a Scorpio and learning all he can about us while he shares little about himself. We trust him, does he trust us?

Posted in Famous people | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

What’s Next for Michael Stipe?

Posted on September 21, 2011 by ohioastrology

I heard the bad news today – REM is breaking up. While I haven’t bought their music in a while, hearing about my favorite college band breaking up is like hearing about Al and Tipper Gore calling it quits.

What is there left to believe in?

But it doesn’t surprise me that Michael Stipe, lead singer, is moving on. He has sun in Capricorn. Pluto is now transiting Capricorn which means this sign is next in line for transformation of the self (Pluto just finished razing the lives of Sagittarians).

Stipe has Mercury, Saturn and the sun in Capricorn. Pluto has already done the slam dance on his Mercury which means communication style will transform. As one who lives by the sound of his voice and the words of his choice, this is a big change.

After years of voicing his poetry to millions, who will listen to him now?

Pluto will then transit Saturn and the sun. I suspect that Stipe will move into serious, Capricorn pursuits. This serious Capricorn is already known for his social consciousness. My guess is that he will run for political office.

Saturn conjunct the sun makes one self-conscious, serious and reserved. In Capricorn, it lends to uber-seriousness. Stipe could handle the world of politics because, well, Capricorn is a hard-nosed sign that can be controlling and even mean.

Stipe’s moon is in late Pisces or early Aries. Those are very different energies. Stipe comes across more as an emotional, shy Pisces than an aggressive, frustrated Aries. Either sign, however, is being affected by Uranus’ current transit through end of Pisces, beginning of Aries.

Uranus on the moon represents sudden outbursts of the energy of the moon. Maybe Stipe’s moon is in Aries and the breakup was his sudden idea to set himself free.

Stipe has Mars and Jupiter is the fiery, wandering Sagittarius. Maybe if Stipe goes into politics he will be a foreign ambassador. Maybe Stipe can be the glue that holds the north and south together as one happy Union.

Saturn’s current transit through Libra is squaring Stipe’s natal Saturn in Capricorn. This is problems with the partner. Saturn on the sun, especially in Capricorn, can create a somewhat pessimistic view of life, one where the “rules” are paramount. Stipe doesn’t appear to follow the rules, per se, but the rules probably bother him more than he admits. That partner may have triggered this tension in some way.

Stipe’s current transits suggest he will get more serious about his life. Capricorn says you need to achieve something in this world. Stipe certainly has but maybe not what he meant to achieve.

Stipe for President. That would be cool.

Posted in Musicians | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Texas-trology

Posted on September 20, 2011 by ohioastrology

I’m still deciding which chart is the “real” Texas – the chart of the Republic or the chart of the State. Maybe, amigos, you can help decide.

The Republic of Texas

The Republic of Texas, liberated from Mexico, was born on March 2, 1836. The Republic is a sun in Pisces and moon in Virgo. Rick Perry, current governor and contender for the Republican presidential nomination, is also sun in Pisces and moon in Virgo. He’s a man of the Republic.

The Republic’s moon could be in late Leo, which makes sense from the sense of pride felt for the Republic, but that means the declaration would have had to occur in the wee hours of the morning well before sunrise. I’ll go with Virgo.

The Republic is ruled by a mutable water sign. Water, the Rio Grande as we call it and the Rio Bravo as the Mexicans call it, creates the boundary between the Republic and its former overlord, Mexico.

Pisces is emotional, spiritual and mysterious. Pisces is the empathizer of the zodiac so Texas may have once been a place of emotional refuge. It would have been a place to hide.

Moon in Virgo means the population is work-oriented, servile and interested in health. Uranus in Pisces opposes the moon in Virgo which would indicate periodic, sudden outbreaks of emotion or illness (or both).

Both Pisces and Virgo are nervous signs – Pisces because it picks up on the energy of the surroundings and Virgo because of excessive worry. Is the Republic one big, giant worry wart? It should have been because as a Republic, it was surrounded by two huge foes.

The Republic has some fire with Pluto conjunct Venus in Aries. In a nation’s horoscope, Venus is women or women’s issues. Pluto on Venus means that the women of this state are very, very powerful. Pluto suggests they must be powerful to survive. These are the “Annie Get Your Gun” types. Annie probably had to pull a lot of Texas men’s hands off of her thigh.

Jupiter in Cancer, Saturn in Scorpio and Uranus in Pisces create a grand water trine. The Republic provided emotional comfort of family, physical love and spiritual harmony.

Neptune, Mercury and Mars in Aquarius suggest unusual communications and inventions. Aquarius rules electricity so possibly inventions involving electricity. I don’t see Texas much mentioned in the annals of electrical inventions, but maybe the mysterious Pisces Republic is hiding some of the contributions.

The State of Texas

The State of Texas, annexed by the United States on December 29, 1845, is a very different Texas than the Republic. The State of Texas has sun, moon and Mercury in the authoritarian Capricorn. This Texas is master of the house, always.

The State has Saturn, Neptune and Venus conjunct in Aquarius and Mars, Uranus and Pluto in Aries. As with the Republic, there is a bit of Aquarius and Aries energy – invention and force.

Uranus is transiting Aries now and for The State represents its second Uranus return. Individuals (except in the Bible) do not have second Uranus returns as it takes Uranus 84 years to complete its cycle around the sun. The State is currently experiencing its second birth as an awakened entity.

Uranus squares The State’s sun in Capricorn. The challenge is individual versus state. Aries is about individuality and Capricorn is about structure and society.

It’s going to get worse before it gets better for Texas. After Uranus moves out of square with the sun, it will begin to square the moon. The control versus individuality debate will get more out of control.

Aries is a fire sign so the state should also watch for unexpected fires and explosions right now.

As this Uranus transit is occurring, Texas has also just experienced its Neptune return, that return which occurs every 164 years. The State is going through some big spiritual awakenings. The next 164 years will function as the next level of that spiritual growth. In Aquarius, that relates to equality in society. Capricorn is about hierarchical structure and Aquarius is about fraternity.

The State is also going through its 14th Jupiter return, an expansive time of material growth as Jupiter is placed in the sign of Taurus. This would be a good time for a land-grab. If there is any land in dispute, it is a good time to call that land “Texas.” Texas as a Republic and a State was about land grabbing, really. The time is ripe for extended borders.

The Two Faces of Texas

The Republic of Texas’ chart represents the raw energy of Texas and the State of Texas’ chart its role in the Union. From my northern perspective, Texas seems to be ruled by Capricorn because of the controlling role it plays in the Union because of its oil wealth.

I have also noticed the great love of Texas that many folk have that you just don’t see with other states, such as Ohio. That must be the energy of the Republic, something I can’t feel but can see in others.

Posted in Nations / States / Institutions | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Saturn in Gemini Presented by Jim Parsons

Posted on September 19, 2011 by ohioastrology

Saturn is the planet associated with limitations, restrictions, self-denial and discipline. Fun stuff.

While few seek the delights of self-denial, if Saturn isn’t prominent in your big life decisions such as marriage, career or buying a house, there is no grounding or crystallization of those events.

In marriage, for example, most in the US want to marry for love, passion and partnership (Mars and Venus). But if there is no serious commitment to the idea of marriage (Saturn), the marriage may not last. The arranged marriages of the world rarely end in divorce because they are ruled by Saturn. The marriage follows a rule and is an institution, not an emotion. Emotions are like clouds that form and disperse; institutions are like fortresses – they may be abandoned and decay over time, but still stick around in some form unless deliberately razed.

Saturn in the chart represents an area of limitation or restriction. Because of that, I find there are two reactions to our own Saturn placement – complete denial or complete immersion. It’s also interesting to see how running from our Saturn can inadvertently throw us directly into its lessons.

Jim Parsons, the actor who plays Sheldon Cooper on “The Big Bang Theory,” has incredible skills of diction. His character recites complicated lines involving physics theory at breakneck speed. When watching on DVD, I often have to rewind several times to figure out what the heck he is saying.

How can this man remember and recite those complicated lines?

In a Movie Line interview, Parsons says that remembering the lines is “maddening” and he creates notecards to recite all week. He writes the cards in long hand (what’s that?) and also writes the entire dialogue out on his computer.

That’s discipline.

Where is Parsons’ Saturn?

In Gemini, the sign of communication.

By portraying Sheldon Cooper’s intensely brilliant mind, Parsons the actor is nose-diving straight into a Saturn in Gemini that feels insecurity about its ability to communicate and even questions its own intelligence. To compensate, Saturn in Gemini can form a much disciplined mind that seeks out facts becoming a “know it all.”

If I just know everything, I will be ok, says Saturn in Gemini.

The rest of Parson’s chart suggests he is an aggressive and fun-loving extrovert. He has sun in Aries and moon in Sagittarius. Neptune conjuncts the moon.

Neptune on the moon makes one extremely attractive and charismatic. I don’t know Parsons’ sexuality, but regardless, women love him. That Saturn in Gemini opposes the Neptune/moon conjunction. That he is charismatic and others (especially women) love him creates issues with other men.

The sun in Aries is opposed by Pluto in Libra. This is the me-you polarity. Combined with the aforementioned moon stuff, Parsons struggles with freedom versus partnership. He truly loves that partner, but sort of loves everyone else as well. He loves them and they love him. Who can resist that? It’s like jumping onto a hotel bed overstuffed with fluffy pillows (unsponsored promotion of Westin – love them beds).

Since this post is about Saturn, I’ll end with Saturn, which likes endings because endings are boundaries and create structure.

I will say that Parsons has consciously or unconsciously immersed himself in Saturn in Gemini. He may have imposed that intense professional verbal discipline on himself because the rest of his chart (except for Mars in Capricorn) would rather go have fun. He’s so charismatic, his phone is probably ringing off the hook with delightful companions offering exciting adventures if he would just put down that script and come over.

The script is his discipline and his anchor.

Posted in TV Shows / Movies | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Republican Presidential Candidate Minor League Players – Huntsman, Cain and Santorum

Posted on September 15, 2011 by ohioastrology

I realized I better feast fully on this buffet of Republican candidates before the big money, I mean the voter, decides who will be the Republican nominee for President.

Jon Huntsman

I think Jon Huntsman, current ambassador to China, should be nominated solely on his name. “Huntsman” has the word “hunt” in it which will subconsciously appeal to the National Rifle Association (NRA). Huntsman should “gather” pro-gun lobbyists around him to project his ideas into the mainstream, like a bullet into the chest of a fleeing deer.

Huntsman has sun in Aries and moon either in late Pisces or early Aries. There is a lot of Pisces and Aries energy in this Republican campaign. Uranus is currently in Aries and Neptune is currently in Pisces. Pluto, the other outer “planet,” is in Capricorn but we’re not seeing much Capricorn energy in this election.

Uranus in Aries says it’s all about personal freedom. Neptune in Pisces says it’s all about sacrifice to the common good. We’ll see which wins.

Huntsman’s Saturn is in Capricorn, the authority of the zodiac that rules the skin, bones and knees. Capricorn, then, is about structure and surface.

Ohio Astrology Assessment:  Too much Aries and Pisces energy means too neurotic. Saturn in Capricorn is skin too thin for this rough-and-tumble game. If he were President, I think we’d see Nixon-like outbursts of paranoia.

Herman Cain

Herman Cain, Federal Reserve board member and pizza magnate, believes that a businessman should be President of the United States. Our business-revering culture may agree.

Cain has sun in Sagittarius and moon in Aries. Cain also has Mercury and Venus in Sagittarius and Mars in Leo. You know what that means – a grand fire trine. Fire equals enthusiasm and passion, energy and confidence.

Cain will be having his Mars return (in Leo) in the next month and will probably feel like a million bucks. I bet he will treat himself to new clothes and a new haircut. Leo loves hair and Cain has little left so maybe he will play with facial hair. I dig sideburns on a man and I think the handsome Cain could pull it off.

Cain has no planets in earth in his chart. You know what that means, astrology-philes. Cain is not grounded or realistic. Playing in the garden is my usual suggestion for those lacking earth.

Ohio Astrology Assessment:  While a chart filled with fire has tremendous energy, Sagittarius and Aries are not the most responsible of signs. Sagittarius loves to gamble and has self-confidence that borders on inflated ego. Cain’s chart suggests he and Newt Gingrich would hit it off. They can plan a trip to Vegas, bet on some ponies, or find some “sweet side action” in just about any other sporting event.

Rick Santorum

Rick Santorum, previously Senator from Pennsylvania, has the stuff of US Presidents – sun in fixed earth sign Taurus and moon in fixed air sign Aquarius. This is one stubborn dude with eccentric and unwavering ideas. Americans love that.

In addition to the fixed signs of Taurus and Aquarius, Santorum also has planets in the fixed sign of Leo (Uranus and Pluto) and Scorpio (Neptune). Santorum is so fixed that really he needs to lighten up. He’s like a lead pellet at a cotton ball party.

Saturn in Sagittarius means that Santorum isn’t much for exploring the new or different. Those with strong emphasis in Sagittarius are drawn to foreign or outcast experiences. Those people are willing to try anything “at least once.”

Santorum, on the other hand, probably eats the same lunch every day, say a turkey sandwich. And if you take him out somewhere new, he will eat a turkey sandwich.

Ohio Astrology Assessment:  The American voter loves fixed signs that say the same thing consistently and draw ideas using simple, easy-to-understand language. Santorum can do this. It won’t bore him to have the same conversation over and over and repeat his ideas over and over. Santorum has the astrological stuff it takes to be President of the United States. Two thumbs up.

Posted in Politicians - Republican Presidential Candidates | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Biden and Boehner, Sitting in a Tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Posted on September 13, 2011 by ohioastrology

Last week before the President’s address to Congress, Vice President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House John Boehner could be seen in a very enthusiastic greeting, the stuff of Hollywood. Shaking hands Biden and Boehner got as close, almost, as Madonna and Brittany at the 2003 VMA awards.

Biden and Boehner should have gone for the big kiss, made news and dispensed with partisan politics forever. Or they could have simply done some cheek-pecking as the French and other cultures do. If we can drink wine at lunch because “the French do it,” why not some male kisses on the cheek?

Biden and Boehner have some astrological placements in common – both have the sun in the passionate, fixed, water sign Scorpio. And both have moons in pleasure-loving signs (Biden’s is in Taurus, Boehner’s is in Libra). Maybe they don’t like to kiss each other, but they probably like kissing in general.

Biden has more Scorpio than Boehner with Mars, Mercury, sun and Venus in this sign. Boehner has only sun and Mercury in Scorpio.

Biden’s moon is in Taurus, the sign opposite Scorpio, also a fixed sign, but in the element of earth. Boehner’s moon is in airy, find-me-a-mate Libra.

In other words, Biden’s smile probably meant, “I’ll squash you eventually.” Scorpio doesn’t forget and both Scorpio and Taurus are fixed which means “I have all the time in the world to obsess about this.” Everything else can wait. He may dream about Boehner, but not in the way one wants to be dreamt about.

Biden is not social in the way Boehner is social. Biden may like his pleasures, but those pleasures don’t involve a bunch of people he barely knows. Boehner appreciates any adoring fan; the Scorpio in him can see through a fake but the moon/Neptune conjunction in Libra soaks up praise like a loofah soaks up designer bubble bath in a marble tub.

Biden and Boehner can definitely understand each other. The major difference in their personalities is Biden’s Uranus/Saturn in Gemini and Boehner’s Mars/Saturn in Virgo.

Gemini and Virgo are both ruled by Mercury. Gemini represents interest in the environment, learning, talking and constant stimulation. You know how you put up a mobile above the crib for your infant to watch? That’s Gemini at work, fascinated by the world as it is.

Virgo, on the other hand, is about discrimination. This hamburger is better than that hamburger. Cabernet Sauvignon is better than zinfandel. The office temperature should be set at 71.5 degrees because that is the optimal temperate to keep people alert but not distracted.

For Boehner, Saturn in Virgo says he’s never perfect enough. For Biden, Saturn in Gemini says he’s never smart enough. These two insecurities together mean long, long debates with lots and lots of facts meant to impress. If I just learn everything there is to know about this subject, I’ll be smart and people will listen to me.

We all have insecurities, represented by our Saturn. Biden’s and Boehner’s Saturn placements are both ruled by Mercury, which rules communication. They both have insecurities with regard to communicating and intellectual ability.

In the political arena, Biden has one astrological advantage over Boehner – he has more ability to be disliked. Biden’s Taurus moon can handle just about anything with equanimity. Boehner’s Libra moon wants to be liked. In the real world, this is no big deal. But in the political world, Biden can shield better against animosity which is critical to survival.

These two really have a lot in common astrologically. If I were a dating service and someone slipped me these two charts, I’d say give it a go.

The more I look at their charts, the more I think Biden and Boehner really were happy to see each other last week. It’s too bad American culture allows men nothing more than a handshake.

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Ashton Kutcher – One of Two and a Half Men

Posted on September 10, 2011 by ohioastrology

Like many others, I am trying to understand how Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper will be removed from Two and a Half Men to be replaced by Ashton Kutcher. What will be the character Kutcher plays?

If like Sheen Kutcher were to play himself, this is what he would play – a zany brilliant eccentric airhead. The old “absent-minded professor” type.

Kutcher has Mercury sun, moon and Venus in Aquarius. This is the third chart I’ve looked at this week with TMA (Too Much Aquarius). Maybe I have a zany Aquarius experience in my future.

In addition to the fixed air sign of Aquarius, Kutcher has planets in the other two air signs of Gemini (Jupiter) and Libra (Pluto). This is one friendly guy.

Friendly, absentminded, zany, unusual, unique, idealistic, argumentative, rebellious and stubborn in eccentric habit – if Kutcher were to play himself, these are some of the traits he would have.

Kutcher’s Uranus in Scorpio is squaring those planets in zany Aquarius which makes him seek intense emotional and/or sexual encounters. He seeks them, but probably has trouble with the reality of intense emotions. Like much that we churn in our imagination, it’s much more satisfying in our heads than in reality.

Saturn in Leo opposes the planets in Aquarius and acts as the Achilles’s heel in Kutcher’s personality. Leo is about confidence; Kutcher’s confidence comes from working with others. While he might seek solitude to support his eccentric habits and unusual personality, he mostly enjoys being amongst many people most of the time. He may disappear, but he’s with someone.

He’s really not one to take center stage. No tiger blood here.

The element lacking in Kutcher’s chart is earth. Earth grounds so Kutcher is the type who has to be reminded to eat, shower and mow the lawn (if the famous mow lawns). He probably does regularly what we all do at some time – say we have to pee only to get distracted and forget. He forgets to pee a lot.

Those without earth need to remember that it’s the body that makes us present here in 3D and if we neglect it, those interesting conversations might cease or get delayed.

Saturn is currently transiting Libra conjunct Kutcher’s Pluto. Like many of us these days, there are challenges in partnerships. Kutcher’s character could have issues with others in an academic or social setting where ideas are in dispute.

Kutcher could be the zany character who invents a car powered by text messages (which then allows people to text and drive) only to have the idea stolen by app developers and sold to Japanese car manufacturers.

If Kutcher is to play himself, as Sheen was given the luxury to do for $1 million an episode, then he needs to be weird. Or maybe, unlike Sheen, he will act and create a unique character, one that he can leave on the set at the end of the day.

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Cristina Fernandez Cries for Argentina

Posted on September 9, 2011 by ohioastrology

Feedback on the blog provided a time of birth for Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez. I have no way to verify the time is accurate, but I will go with it because having the time of birth makes astrology much, much more fun.

Natal Horoscope

Fernandez is a very, very early Pisces (not Aquarius as I first wrote) with moon in Taurus.

Fernandez has a Taurus ascendant (aka rising sign) in Taurus with both Jupiter and the moon in the first house. For starters, Fernandez must watch her weight. Argentina is known for its love of meat and Taurus rules the bull. I’m guessing Fernandez is a voracious meat eater.

Taurus likes “real” food, not fancy art food that looks pretty but doesn’t “stick to your ribs.” Jupiter is transiting Taurus so this is a time when food and other physical luxuries are available. Fernandez must work hard to keep the body in shape.

Taurus on the ascendant also shows a love of physical delights from money, to massages to a big home. I think of Taurus as materialistic in a positive sense – it truly enjoys physical reality. Buying a big house can have many motivations – to store a big family, a statement of prestige or the sheer physical enjoyment of walking through a house and calling it one’s own. Fernandez buys the big house for the last reason.

Pisces is a sharer so if Fernandez has a big house, she probably offers it up not only to family but to others in need. Her home is a place of physical and spiritual refuge.

Pisces is sensitive and Taurus has very thick skin. Fernandez’ moon will shield her from the onslaughts of life in politics.

That’s the home-body, loving side of Fernandez. She also has an interesting pattern of relationships. Mars and Venus are conjunct in Aries so she loves to “fight with the one she loves,” as my Meetup astrologer says of this aspect. And in Aries, fighting is definitely part of love.

Mars and Venus in Aries are opposed (loosely) to Neptune and Saturn conjunct in Libra. Libra is about partnership.

Here’s the story that comes to mind: Pisces sun and Taurus moon go out to play in the world. They play nice, say the right things and try to keep everyone happy. They go home to meet the partner. Pisces and Taurus turn over to Mars and Venus and release the frustrations of everything they didn’t say or do during the day onto the partner. The partner is the filter to help Fernandez process aggression.

That Neptune and Saturn conjunction in Libra suggests disappointment in partnerships. People always seem more idealistic than they truly are.  It may be that partners see the Pisces/Taurus in Fernandez and don’t realize that their role is to help her express her more aggressive desires.

Current Transiting Grand Cross

The current transiting grand cross (soon to be T square) of Pluto (in Capricorn), Uranus (in Aries), Saturn (in Libra) and Mars (in Cancer) is firing up that Aries/Libra opposition in Fernandez’ chart. She is not getting along well with schoolmates right now. Others are not cooperating.

Fernandez has planets in three of the cardinal signs – Aries, Cancer and Libra. Capricorn is the sign that is demanding attention. Capricorn rules authority, the role Fernandez is in now.

If Fernandez picks up an astrology book, I suggest she read about Capricorn, a sign not represented in her chart. She’s being asked to be Capricorn and needs to see how her fundamental cardinal and earthy nature can join to be more Authoritative (capital A). In other words, regardless of what is going on, act like you have your shit together. Act the part. Straighten your back and keep your head high and act like you are in charge.

The Neptune transit of Pisces will bring a new kind of spirituality. The Pisces among us will be leading the charge. It’s important to remember that the added charisma of this aspect is not enough to enable positive change. The challenge is using that energy to shift conscious rather than using it to form a cult of personality.

Horoscope for week of September 11, 2011

With time of birth, we can also do a weekly horoscope. How much fun it is to have time of birth!

Week of September 11

Sunday  –  Monday

A very spiritual, emotional  couple of days as the moon is in Pisces. These feelings will be expressed in public and may provide spiritual guidance for the public. On Monday there may be additional communication regarding the feelings/events. Be careful that the emotions of the speech are not construed as distortion of facts. It may be important to explain that how people feel is not equivalent to the exact nature of the event.

Tuesday – Thursday

Moon moves into Aries so the next couple of days are a little more fun as you spend time with friends. Feelings of aggression arise which will be directed toward loved ones. Find that family member or friend who likes to spar with you and understands that the fight is not personal. The fight is your way of processing the events of the last few days.

Friday – Saturday

As Venus moves into Libra and the moon moves into Taurus, you are more willing to make peace with those you argued with earlier in the week. By this time, you will have calmed down and will feel more willing to negotiate and compromise. Mars will be on your part of fortune in Cancer in the 3rd house. Your family can help you learn something important about cooperation.

The best day to go to the spa and forget about daily troubles – Thursday. On Thursday, no one is willing to fight with you.

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Moon Conjunct Pluto: Caught in a Bad Romance

Posted on September 9, 2011 by ohioastrology

“I want your ugly, I want your disease . . . “

These are the first lines of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” Who wants that when they meet someone?

As I get older, I get suspicious of the young ‘uns blowing smoke with their tough talk. Sure, you’re that jaded at the age of 25. Now taking a look at Lady Gaga’s chart, I’ve changed my mind. She truly has been caught in a bad romance. 

Lady Gaga is an Aries sun, that first and fiery sign of the zodiac that says “me first.” It’s the most self-aggrandizing of the signs and, I personally believe, has a naiveté that matches Pisces. There’s a kind of newborn innocence to Aries. It’s a headstrong and impulsive sign.

It’s the Aries energy (both sun and Venus) that pushes Lady Gaga on the stage. And I’m glad it did. The rest of her chart wants to stay at home and BROOD.

Gaga’s moon is in the intense, fixed water sign of Scorpio. Scorpio rules death, regeneration and sex. Scorpio forgives but doesn’t forget and is known to seek revenge. Plotting revenge takes an obsessive nature.

“I want your love and I want your revenge . . .”

Pluto conjunct this moon in Scorpio adds to the intense emotional energy as Pluto rules Scorpio. Regardless of the sign placement, Pluto on the moon is about emotional and/or sexual invasion. Pluto destroys. The moon is the emotional or reactive nature.

This is tough stuff. I suspect that Miss Gaga had an unpleasant sexual awakening. Her creative outpouring of that experience is one way to understand and transform it. Because Gaga’s Venus in in Aries, she desires a passionate relationship. What gets tricky is determining where passion ends and cruelty begins. Merging is goal of sexual union, but separating again is necessary to maintain individuality.

Scorpio’s highest realm, to my observation, is a raw, unfiltered emotional honesty. When you meet one of these Scorpios you may notice how much you pretend and alter your emotional responses to the reactions of others. With these Scorpios, I feel like a giant fake.

Finding that kind of Scorpio can be difficult as we are all learning about the sign we were born into. For Scorpio to reach the golden city of emotional honesty and openness, they travel the thorny path of hurt feelings as a result of taking the world and the fumbles of others too seriously.

This moon in Scorpio with Pluto towering over it is what I believe astrologer Liz Greene calls “the devouring mother.” Think of the animated film Coraline.

Coraline has just moved to an old house with her very distracted parents. She’s lonely and bored and the parents can’t attend to her needs because they appear to be struggling just to survive.

Coraline finds a tunnel into the other side of the house where she meets her “other” mother, a perfect mother who attends to her every need, makes traditional omelet and bacon breakfasts, buys her presents, provides entertainment and even coerces dad to sing Coraline lovely songs in her behalf.

Coraline loves her perfect mother and her perfect mother loves her. There’s just one catch – Coraline can stay forever only if she sews buttons into her eyes.

“I want your love

Love, love, love I want your love . . .”

That’s quite a high price for love so, of course, Coraline says no. Now the perfect, loving mother shows her true emotional need to devour those she loves (including, we learn, Dad). The spider metaphors then start to roll in. The author of this horror novella, Neil Gaiman, is a Scorpio sun. I wonder what his mother was like . . .

Lady Gaga wants to devour you but also wants her Arian independence. With Uranus transiting Aries, Gaga may start to make sudden breaks from old habits.

In the Vanity Fair interview with Lady Gaga, she expresses her gratitude toward her fans. She seems a genuine and honest person. Maybe Gaga has already reached those Scorpio heights at a young age. Because she is loved by the masses, she is probably speaking to emotional wounds in them as well.

“I want your love and your love is revenge . . .”

Is love revenge?

Posted in Authors / Filmmakers, Musicians | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Duality and Polarity Astrological Style

Posted on September 8, 2011 by ohioastrology

When I was teaching English in Taiwan in my early 20s, I thought the best way to help my students learn English was to organize a debate. Just pick an issue, I thought, and let them go at each other. The urge to debate will force them to learn English.

Much to my surprise, this didn’t work. There were few hot-button issues that set the students against each other the way it happens in the United States. All you had to do at that time in the United States was yell “abortion” in a crowded room and people divided to yell at each other.

As foreign experiences often do, I learned something about my own culture. Something I took for granted, that people take hostile sides on issues, is actually a cultural trait. When I realized that my students were willing to discuss peacefully subjects that in the United States are touchy, such as religion, I relished in the harmony of peaceful conversations about delicate topics. It was a freedom that I didn’t feel in my own country.

Over the years I discussed this with many people, including those interested in astrology. They explained to me the difference between duality and polarity. It’s relevant for astrology and, I believe, relevant and important for American culture.

An astrological horoscope has 12 “houses” which is the sky mapped into a circle. Although there are 12 houses, there are truly 6 polarities. I’m going to use Barbara Hand Clow’s description of the polarities because her descriptions are succinct and capture the abstract essence of the polarities:

1st / 7th Self – Other

2nd / 8th Grounding – Letting Go

3rd / 9th Integrating in 3D – Integrating with spirit

4th / 10th Feeling – Power

5th / 11th Creating – Giving

6th / 12th Be here now – Bliss

Polarities are opposite points on the same continuum. In the middle is balance. Imbalance is teetering to the extreme side of the continuum.

Duality, on the other hand, represents separate, mutually-exclusive elements. If you loved me, then you would pick up your socks. If I see those socks on the floor, you hate me.

I found this site on polarity and duality to be highly informative.

My political belief is that duality is encouraged by our political party system for the gain of those wanting power. Duality says that there are two mutually-exclusive sides and you must pick one. That politically-motivated duality has created a culture that forces thinking into rigid categories or forces us to label ourselves with terms that don’t describe our true beliefs.

While duality might be useful to politicians, I believe it is unkind to the people as a whole. Polarity encourages balance and duality encourages discord. Duality is the old “divide and conquer” mentality.

It’s interesting to watch the play for duality during Presidential elections. At the Republican debate last night, Gemini  “the twins” Newt Gingrich threw out a question aimed at showing differences amongst the candidates where no differences exist.

Good for Gingrich! It takes guts to say I’m running against a bunch of people who agree with me and let’s find another reason you should vote for me, a deeper, more meaningful reason than “I’m the opposite of the other candidates.”

Duality divides. Polarity unites at the balance point.

I vote for polarity.

Posted in American Dualism, Meditation | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments