New Year's Babies: Identical Twins Born a Year Apart!

Don't know if this is typical or not. I've certainly never read a story like it.

Three sets of twins were born in the U.S. over the New Year's Eve celebrations, but one was born on Dec. 31, 2011 and the second one was born on January 1, 2012. Born minutes apart but with a year between them.

There are some astrological reasons for why this might have occurred this year.

First there was a strong and fortunate Sun-Pluto in Capricorn conjunction trining Jupiter in Taurus in all these charts. A Sun-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn is a strong personality and Sun-Pluto-Jupiter combinations can bring success in life as long as the owners also have discipline. Most of these babies will have Saturn in their first houses so they will take on responsibility. They will also be talented musicians with good rhythm.

Most of these babies have Libra Rising with Moon in Aries in Libra's House 7. So they are born with a natural need for a partner which is great when you're born with a twin.

Their Moons are all widely conjunct Uranus at 1 Aries. That shows the unusual stories around their births. They will also manage to be very unique individuals on their own as Uranus likes to do things differently.

In Buffalo, NY, Ronan Rosputni was born at 11:37 pm on Dec. 31. His sister Rory was born at 12:10 am. They're Irish which explains such a good luck story. Boy, they will have the gift of gab with that Mercury-NN conjunction in Sagittarius!

Ronan has ASC 1 Libra; Sun 11 Capricorn (H4); Moon 10 Aries (H7)

Rory has ASC 7 Libra; Sun 11 Capricorn (H4); Moon 10 Aries (H7)

Next, in Tampa, Florida, Jenna Bear was born at 11:59 pm on Dec. 31, 2011 and her sister Leah Bear was born right at 12:00 am, 2012. Two little Cinderellas.

Jenna has 3 Libra ASC; Sun 11 Capricorn (H4); Moon 10 Aries (H7)

Leah has 3 Libra ASC; Sun 11 Capricorn (H4); Moon 10 Aries (H7)

And last but not least, well, actually first before the others I just wrote it down this way: Beckett Humenny was born at 6:40 pm on Dec. 31, 2011. And his sister, Freya, was born at 12:26 on Jan. 1, 2012.

Beckett was born with 5 Leo Rising; Sun 10 Capricorn (H6); Moon 8 Aries (H9)

Freya was born with 11 Libra Rising; Sun 11 Capricorn (H3); Moon 11 Aries (H7)

The Freeway -- Flocked and Blocked

Report tonight of a herd of goats in Sacramento who ran onto the Freeway and blocked traffic for an hour. According to reports a couple dozen were killed. Bless their sweet souls. May they all be reincarnated into Car Company CEOs.

Goats, of course, are represented by the sign of Capricorn in Astrology and Capricorn's ruler Saturn. Saturn also rules blockages, brakes, and Car Company CEOs. So, naturally I was curious to see what was going on with Saturn in the chart.

Herd of Goats runs onto Freeway, blocks traffic for an hour:

February 26, 2011 8pm Sacramento, CA
Sun 9 Pisces; Moon 6 Capricorn; ASC 5 Libra; MC 5 Cancer; NN 30 Capricorn

Saturn is in the 1st House of the Chart! MoFoSo-o-B!!! Astro-amazing! Saturn is very prominent as it is angular, is unaspected by major aspect to other planets, and is also the lead planet of a bowl shaped chart. By 9 pm the traffic was freed up. At this point Saturn was exactly Rising at 17 Libra.

Furthering the Saturn-Capricorn-Goat imagery, we have Moon in Capricorn in conjunction with Pluto right at the IC of the chart and moving into the 3d House of Transportation and Freeways. Moon-Pluto-NN shows the tragic loss of life on the freeway.

Jupiter, planet of hooved animals, was in conjunction with the Descendant and a singleton in Fire. Okay, so that's a stretch, thing is, Jupiter is still widely conjunct Uranus which represents big flocks of things. Sun, Mercury, Lilith and Uranus were all in the 6th House of Barnyard animals.

There was a 7 car accident in there somewhere, but it is not clear from the article whether this was the reason why the animals panicked in the first place.

http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/archives/2011/02/goats-on-road-f.html

Record Temperatures in Los Angeles

Los Angeles logged a record peak in temperature for this day ever since 1877 when temperatures started being recorded.

Record Heat Los Angeles
Sept. 27, 2010 12:15 pm

Sun 5 Libra Moon 25 Taurus; ASC 13 Sagittarius; MC 27 Virgo; NN 8 Capricorn

The last hottest day was:
June 26, 1990 Time?

Sun 5 Cancer; Moon 29 Leo; ASC ???? At 12:15 26 Virgo was Rising; NN 10 Aquarius

Look at the Suns! They are both a 5 Cardinal. That must mean something, right? It's right after a Solstice/Equinox.

Mercury in both charts is in the sign that it rules and is elevated in both charts up near the Midheaven. Mars is also in sign of its rulership if you include the old style rulerships. Today it is in Scorpio conjunct Venus. In 1990 it was in Aries.

And since these temperatures occur 20 years apart I thought I'd look for Jupiter-Saturn contacts since that's a 20 year cycle. Jupiter is vaguely opposing Saturn within larger outer planet oppositions which take place right on the 4th-10th House Axis:

1990: At Noon these planets were in the 4th House: Uranus 8 Capricorn c. Neptune 14 Capricorn, Saturn 24 Capricorn opposing these planets in the 10th HOuse: Jupiter 19 Cancer c. Chiron 18 Cancer with Sun 4 Cancer c. Mercury 28 Gemini

2010: At 12:15 pm these planets were in the 4th House: Jupiter 28 Pisces c. Uranus 29 Pisces opposing these planets in the 10th House: well, Mercury 20 Vrigo (H9) Sun 5 libra c. Saturn 8 Libra and squaring Pluto-NN (3 & 8 Capricorn) in the 1st House.

Not only do we have a Jupiter-Saturn opposition here, but there is also a Sun-Uranus opposition. For heat you want to look at the planets which rule Fire, these are Sun, Mars and Jupiter. Of these, Sun and Jupiter are both prominent on the 4th-10th House axis. Mars is in signs that it rules Aries and Scorpio. (It is apex of a t-square in the 7th House in 1990 and is in the 11th House conjunct Venus in today's chart. That gives it some sort of connection with Venus/Libra but that's probably irrelevant info)

Moon is in Fixed Signs in both charts. You expect some stubbornness for anything record breaking.

Today's chart is lacking planets in Fire but 1990's chart has Moon and Mars in Fire Signs. Just thought I'd look that up to see if anything in particular turns up the thermostat.

Saturn/Capricorn could be related to anything record breaking. Today we have Pluto-NN in Capricorn squaring Saturn-Sun in H10. In 1990 Uranus-Neptune were in Conjunction in Capricorn along with Saturn later on in the sign. All placed down in the 4th house. Capricorn, though, is a cold sign, so I don't get it.

Mercury and Jupiter are prominent as chart rulers. Jupiter's a Fire planet that does everything in excess so I guess that makes sense. Perhaps Mercury's prominence is just connected to thermometers and recorded temperatures.

There were huge riots in Los Angeles in 1992. And the big Northridge Earthquake occurred in 1994.

7.0 Earthquake in Haiti

Yesterday Haiti suffered a 7.0 earthquake which appears to have devastated huge sections of its capital city, Port-au-Prince. Although Haiti is considered one of the poorest countries on earth, both its rich and poor have been randomly victimized in this earthquake. The reports on CNN last night reported that most of the buildings are made out of concrete in a sort of poor man's attempt at trying to withstand the many Hurricanes that hit the region. Un-reinforced concrete is considered the most deadly material to build with in an earthquake region as it is not flexible and, of course, is very heavy when it falls. The devastation looks enormous. Supposedly the roads into town are damaged which will make rescue efforts extremely difficult.

Many of the news reports say that Haiti hasn't had an earthquake this big in 200 years but other reports have said that the island country suffered two much bigger earthquakes in 1946, 8.0 or 8.1,and then the 7.6 aftershock back in Aug. 1946 on the 4th (17.51 UTC) and then on the 8 (13:28 UTC). The epicenter for the 1946 quakes was in the neighboring country, Dominican Republic. There is a major fault line running through the bottom portion of Haiti.

Interesting that back in 1946 Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune were all in the same sign of Libra together. They were not within orb of a conjunction at the time of the earthquakes in the region. Currently the same planets are in conjunction in a different air sign, Aquarius. Perhaps there is a reason why this is, probably it's just coincidence. I'm including a couple of quick observations down at the bottom of Haiti's chart but nothing related to this.

Yesterday's earthquake:

Haiti Earthquake 7.0
Jan. 12, 2000 4:53 pm 10 miles west of Port-au-Prince

Sun 23 Capricorn; Moon 27 Sagittarius; ASC 15 Cancer; NN 22 Capricorn; 9 Aries

Uranus stands out in this chart as most elevated planet and also as a singleton (water), but he is not ruling any of the angles here as I have come to expect of earthquake charts. He is also not on an angle. So, his prominence in earthquake charts isn't reliable. Uranus always has to throw a curve ball with the unexpected.

Pluto, planet of crisis, is not, as far as I can see, very prominent at all with regards to house placement. With this level of damage I'd expect him to be related to a resource house, perhaps. He is, however, squaring Saturn, and these two working together is thought to cause great losses and grief. (I've just read over at the astro.com forum that there was a Saturn-Pluto square in the big Northridge Earthquake (for reference)).

Saturn's presence in this chart is very prominent. He is conjunct the IC/Angle/important section of the chart related to anything having to do with home/land.

The biggest stand-outs here seem to be the Cardinal Sign prominence in the chart; the prominence of the Nodal Axis crossing the H1-H7 Axis and in conjunction with the Sun. And the fact that this is occurring between two Cardinal Sign Eclipses which are themselves sandwiched between two Cardinal Sign Eclipse sets doesn't hurt either.

Interesting that Cancer is rising in this chart same as the Ferndale-Eureka earthquake which struck in California on Saturday. The orb difference of the rising sign for both charts is 2 degrees. This means that the Moon rules both charts. Moon in Scorpio (H5) for California quake and in Sagittarius for Haiti quake).

Both Charts have the Nodal Axis crossing the angles of the H1-H7 cusps. As a matter of fact they are very similar except for the placement of the Moon. The first astrological signature of earthquakes that I was ever told about was that the Nodal Axis tends to be prominent in earthquake charts. The Nodal Axis here is in Cardinal Signs, is on the angles (a Cardinal thing) and is conjunct the Sun and ruler of the 4th House. The North Node disposits to a planet (SAturn) which is conjunct the IC.

As said before both charts have Saturn on the IC. In Haiti's case, Saturn is stationing Retrograde which might in some way indicate the extreme devastation. The California Earthquake hit in a less populated place. The Haiti earthquake hit in an extremely populated place.

Trying to read the Saturn influence in the Haiti earthquake chart is revealing. In political terms, Saturn rules Government and the President. Government Buildings, even the Capital Building have fallen down. The President himself is a Capricorn. Haiti is going through a Saturn Return. Saturn in the 4th House is opposite the house which it rules which is one of its least comfortable spots. This is the bottom of the chart. Often this will indicate a need to build new foundations. The Cardinal Sign emphasis wants to start new things, it doesn't want to reconstruct or recycle what's already there. Saturn is cold and practical and brings these needs into focus in a harsh Saturnian way. Saturn also probably rules Concrete, haven't looked it up really so don't know.

I have to say, though, I wish I could find an obvious Pluto emphasis here and I can't. Whole neighborhoods seem to have fallen down like a house of cards so perhaps this was just not Plutonian territory. On the news last night it was reported that this earthquake was so severe because it happened very close to the ground surface, about 5 miles down, and this can cause more damage on earth. Pluto likes to wreck things from the depths so maybe he figured that Saturn could do this on his own (I'm being grim and facetious here). Pluto is in Saturn's sign right now after all.

The Sun-NN is also in conjunction with Venus. I couldn't figure out how that could possibly be important in Saturday's earthquake in California, but now I realize that Venus is very important in these charts because she rules the IC. Also, she is in mutual reception with Saturn which is conjunct the IC. Venus is the great energy link between the Sun-NN conjunction and the 4th House in the charts of these two earthquakes.

The rulers of the angles:
Chart Ruler/H1: Moon;
IC Ruler: Venus;
DESC Ruler: Saturn;
MC Ruler: Mars.

Saturn is just stationing Retrograde in this chart. When planets are just beginning to station in one direction or another their energy is thought to sort of jam up and become prominent. Remember that the Sun-NN conjunction and Venus and Mercury Rx are all dispositing to this Saturn as well.

Mercury and Mars are also both Rx. Mercury is conjunct Pluto in H6 squaring Saturn/IC. Mars rules the MC and is placed in the H2 of material possessions. Mars is lead planet of a locomotor chart. Mars is in Leo so also disposes to the Sun which is conjunct the NN and the ruler of the IC.

So, Cardinal Sign energy really stands out in this chart. Cardinal Signs rule the angles. There is an off again on again t-square between Saturn-Uranus-Pluto which is going to peak in Cardinal Signs this Summer, a very destructive energy both socially and materially.

Interesting to look at Haiti's natal chart. There are some amazing connections that show that Haiti was due to make a huge change at this time. Since the land existed before Haiti was incorporated I tend not to link the two easily in my mind. But, obviously the country is at a major turning point. Or starting point.

So please pray to get these people through this awful tragedy as swiftly and with least amount of pain possible. And pray for the Philippinos, as well, who have been going through similar pain but haven't received much attention. Hey Philippinos, I've been following this stuff, but can't make any sense of the charts yet. You are complicated people.

Here's a couple of findings about Haiti. According to Wikipedia Haiti was founded May 13, 1856. Incorporated Apr. 18, 1856. Reincorporated Feb. 19, 1874. I looked at the reincorporated chart because frankly I thought it would have an Aquarius Sun and I'm still trying to find the Uranus connection. Nope, it's not there, 1 Pisces Sun.

Pretty incredible that this chart has a Saturn-Uranus opposition and a Sun-Venus conjunction. These transits are currently mirrored in the present sky (Saturn-Uranus conjunction is not technically within orb right now).

I've discussed endless times how Saturn-Uranus can be connected to earthquakes.

This Saturn-Uranus opposition squares Haiti's Taurus North Node in the reincorporation chart. This aspect certainly describes the civil unrest that the country has gone through. It also describes the destructive weather patterns, the hurricanes of 2008, which keep the country from being able to build. By coincidence, Haiti's Saturn-Uranus opposition is prominent in the natal chart because it squares the country's Nodal Axis. The Nodal Axis rules Destiny.

Another incredible aspect to look at right now is the Progressed Sun for Haiti which is at 14 Cancer. This is conjunct the Ascendant of the earthquake chart along with the South Node.

This also means that the Solar Arc Sun-Venus conjunction is opposing itself for Haiti.

And, right now prog. Mercury and prog. Venus are right on top of Haiti's natal Uranus setting off the Saturn-Uranus opposition.

Very interesting that the current President, Rene Preval, is a Capricorn Sun with a Saturn-Uranus conjunction in Gemini. He actually has an out of sign Grand Trine between Sun 27 Capricorn trine Uranus 1 Gemini trine Neptune 3 Libra.

And, look at the placement of that Neptune one more time. Saturn is passing over it so the Saturn-Uranus-Pluto t-square is hitting it. This guy is having one Hell of a Solar Return this month. Both the Palace and his personal home apparently have been destroyed and he is sleeping at the airport. The transiting Chiron-Jupiter-Neptune conjunction is passing over his South Node in Aquarius. Another way to interpret the Dirigible metaphor that I've labeled this transit.

Rene Preval
b. Jan. 17, 1943 Marmelade, Cap-Haitien

Sun 27 Capricorn; Moon Gemini; NN 27 Leo




Sorry this is written sloppily. My blogger software is acting screwy.

Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi

It's no doubt premature to look at the chart of the Suicide Bomber who killed the CIA agents over in Afghanistan. Wikipedia is just now providing the information and sometimes these things change and the birth chart given is just too amazing.

If it doesn't already use astrologers, the CIA should perhaps pay attention to astrological charts right now because it certainly looks as if the terrorists are using them in order to figure out "who's next" of their own crowd. If you want to make sure that you are successful at killing people, it sure does help to have a strong Sun-Pluto transit going on (among other transits).

Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi is the second terrorist with Sun in early Capricorn Sun who is attempting to attack the United States. The man who tried to blow up the Northeast Airlines plane on Dec. 25 was the other one.

Right now this point is under a lot of stress as there is not only Pluto right on the spot, but a huge Outer Planet t-square of planets that really like to play havoc with society when they are working together. Pluto represents Power and Death and Extreme Obsessions and right now the Sun (Power also) has been passing over it. This Summer will probably be the most intense expression of this t-square and the Sun opposes Pluto and the t-square becomes its most exact.

Further emphasizing the tension on these spots of the wheel, there are 3 Eclipse sets starting last Summer and continuing to next Summer that are aspecting the Cancer/Capricorn Axis.

Have to admit that my reason for trying to look up al-Balawi's today was because of an article I just read saying that his wife is proud of what he did. I wanted to look at his chart to see what kind of "Bitch" aspects he had. Who was wearing the pants in that household? Who would gladly turn her husband from a Medical Doctor/Healer to a murderer. I know that people say that women would never create evil in the world because we're all lovey dovey, but, man, that is just such a lie.

Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi
b. Dec. 25, 1977 Kuwait (no city given)

Sun 4 Capricorn; NN 11 Libra; Moon Gemini or Cancer

The main parts of al-Balawi's chart show total emphasis on early degrees Cardinal, which are the affected points. Pluto is currently passing over his Sun. Saturn is currently approaching his natal North Node-Pluto conjunction. His Moon may be in Cancer.

What's really bizarre is that al-Balawi was born with both Mercury and Mars Retrograde. Both of these planets are moving in Retrograde together in the current sky and Mars is actually in the same sign of Leo at both point (Mars Return in Retrograde - that's pretty rare).

Natal Mars is squaring rebellious Uranus in Scorpio which shows a person who likes excitement.

Al-Balawi also had Sun opposing Jupiter at 1 Cancer-Lilith 28 Gemini-Moon either Gemini or Cancer (2 Cancer at noon). Sun opposing Jupiter shows the Religious extremism side of this man, and as oppositions tend to show relationships we get into (Opposites) it can show the partner as well.

Jupiter is probably conjunct the Moon (women) and even perhaps disposits to the Moon. It also is in conjunction to good old Lilith which represents the wild side of women. In addition, on the other side of the opposition, the Sun is in conjunction with Venus in Sagittarius (which disposits back to Jupiter, and also references a woman who might like to see her husband commit Jihad. Al-Balawi's wife is represented by Jupiter-Sagittarius themes. These can be religious extremism, opinions, strong beliefs systems, especially in difficult aspect to the natal chart as it is. Jupiter is emphasized in al-Balawi's chart as it is a lead planet to a bowl shape (which further shows a man who might defer too much power to his wife's needs).

Al-Balawi was just past his Saturn Return in Virgo (Rx in natal). Saturn in Virgo is pretty insecure and the Rx doesn't help with that. In this chart there is a Grand Earth Trine between Saturn and Chiron and Sun-Venus. That shows the interest in becoming a Doctor. I suspect that Grand Trines are very common in the charts of Double Agents. Problems have a tendency to just slip under the cracks for these people. Saturn in Virgo can indicate a martyr as Virgo/Pisces is related to such subjects. People, i.e. the CIA, will also trust Virgo. It's an earth sign that seems to show no ambitions or motivations. They can always sound like they are talking so straight from the hip.

The progressions seem to reinforce some of the problems in al-Balawi's chart. Because his natal Jupiter at 1 Cancer and is Retrograde, it has been in long-term progression with natal Lilith his whole life. Jupiter expands whatever it touches. This is a long-term stress aspect of always looking for balance in others and finding really wigged out situations.

This energy would be reinforced by the Natal North Node in Libra which is conjunct Pluto in Libra.

And also, progressed Sun has always stayed in conjunction with progressed Venus as well and the two are conjunct to the degree right now at 6 Aquarius. That's another influence which shows great charms, vanity, and also a lot of female influence in the life. I've mentioned before how I feel that Sun-Venus conjunctions in progressions can indicate suicidal tendencies --- this is an extreme example. The Suicide bomber may have begun to develop more rebellious needs to fight on behalf of humanity about 5 years ago as p.Sun-Venus changed signs into Aquarius. Natal Mars is at 11 Leo just opposing that spot and in Rx his whole life so far, so would have been opposite Sun-Venus (and squaring natal Uranus).

This guy had that shy, reserved Capricorn Sun trine Saturn in Virgo with all this need for excitement and religious experience bubbling underneath. And the Pluto on the North Node which needs to create change.

The Wikipedia article mentioned that al-Balawi's family had had to leave his native Kuwait in 1990 during the Iraq invasion. I wanted to quickly see if there were some kind of leftover trauma which occurred at that time which al-Balawi perhaps couldn't have recovered from easily. The indicators are there.

I tend to think that Uranus and Pluto transits, etc. will show when traumatic events will happen. Doesn't hurt if Mars and Saturn are playing along.

In 1990, Uranus was passing over al-Balawi's natal Sun-Venus. Also Pluto was passing over his natal Uranus.

Another big aspect was that at this time al-Zawahiri was going through his Jupiter Return. A trauma at this time in his life could have magnified this one planet in his chart. (This is what my whole research project is about right now but that's another story)

I've discussed what a prominent influence Jupiter was in al-Balawi's chart. As Jupiter is located on 1 Cancer which is related to strong attachment to and need to care for home, heritage, and homeland I think this is the most prominent factor. Cancer rules feelings and attachments that one can't let go of easily. His loyalities would have become very important to him, as well as a strong devotion and need to care for others. Imagine how difficult it would be to have to process this Jupiter. During the first Jupiter Return, when this man was around 11-12 years old, his family (Cancer) has to evacuate their country (Cancer) due to War. Jupiter in this chart is lead planet of a bowl shape. What this means is that at the time it is opposing the Sun-Venus-Mercury at the same time. Then over the next 6 or so years Jupiter hits all the other planets in the chart and hits that other side of the bowl. That's a lot of intense stimulation and growth with nothing on the other side to balance the energy (no planet opposing from the other side). Then for the next 6 years Jupiter would pass through the empty side of the bowl, opposing all the natal planets (except for Chiron, wonder if that's when he decided to become a doctor). This is a problem of the bowl shaped chart for anyone. There's always a sense of everything being lopsided, especially since the cycle began with the type of trauma which is devastating for most people. With Jupiter, it would be too much of one thing, then too much of the other. Plus, Jupiter is related to Religion.

Well, that doesn't make sense. Sorry for the ramble.

American Student Convicted for Murder of Roommate

I've been ignoring the Amanda Knox case. She's the girl from Seattle who went to study in Italy and has now been convicted, along with two others, for murder of her English roommate Meredith Kerchner. Amanda has been convicted along with her boyfriend at the time, native Italian son of a Doctor, also a student. His name is Raffaele Sollecito. Another man has been convicted as well, Rudy Guede. Guede, I don't believe is a student. He is an African immigrant who very likely had sex with Kerchner before her murder.

It's unclear to me who knew whom in this scenario. The media has been publishing all kinds of bizarre storeis. It's very clear that Amanda Knox's weird behavior after the murder has helped to convict both her and her boyfriend. Knox kept changing her stories.

It's very strange that no one called the police at any time after hearing Meredith's screams and finding the house broken into and blood spattered all over, so there was a cover up. Rude Guede, (the immigrant) says that he was listening to his ipod and didn't hear the scream. He fled to Germany that night. Knox apparently confessed under police pressure and then says that she covered her ears during the scream. The neighbor says she heard it. Knox and her boyfriend were sitting outside the apartment when police happened to show up after finding her and Meredith's cell phones in a neighbor's yard. There's another guy who was taken in and held for two weeks because Knox accused him of having committed the crime. It's difficult to know because Knox may have been too young, she may not have been able to speak Italian very well, she may have really succumbed to the police interrogation.

First of all, this case sounds like nobody in Italy calls the Italian Police for help when it is needed. I traveled through Italy when I was 18 and from what I saw I can understand why nobody would call the Italian Police but that was a really long time ago and figured that things would have changed by now. The murder happened just as Saturn moved into Virgo. Virgo rules the Police and Saturn generally messes up anything that isn't very well organized when it hits the sign of rulership. After watching Nancy Grace the other night to find out what this case was about I heard how the police screwed up on the evidence. Nancy always says that the police screwed up, though. That's why I love Nancy.

Saturn is in detriment in this chart because he was conjunct the Nodal South Node at the time of the murder. That's a real Devil is in the Details aspect so the details are probably where the problem lies. I can't really answer for Amanda Knox's weird behavior except that she's a Cancer Sun like me and we're totally useless in an emergency. George Bush Jr. is a Cancer Sun. Look what he did to a whole country after 9/11.

If you look at the 4 charts of the crime, the 3 who are convicted and the victim, you will notice that it looks a bit like the Victim is the Killer. Meredith had the nasty Mars-Pluto-South Node in Scorpio conjunction. Some astrologers would convict a nun if they saw this aspect. Actually, some nuns ought to be convicted, but, if I go off on that I'll be acting as dopey as Amanda Knox.

Of course, often a victim's chart will look like a killer's chart. There's just some scary propensity for violence indicated here. One could be violent or attract it or become it because of having attracted it. Either way, both roommates had Mars-Pluto aspects. Kercher had the conjunction and Knox has the square. This could certainly have added an additional problem with willfulness which could include rape and murder, sex crimes, dressing up like a vampire because it's the day after Halloween.

On Nov. 1, 2007, the night of the murder (around 11:00 pm? in Perugia, Italy) the Sun and Lilith were both in conjunction with both roommates' natal Plutos. As a matter of fact, the two men involved in the crime had Pluto around the same spot as well.

The event chart shows a more complicated story here as the Sun-Lilith conjunction is squaring a Moon-Chiron opposition. The reason why I looked at the charts in the first place was because I wanted to see if Moon and Chiron were heavily aspected because I believe that these two working together might indicate being falsely accused, or of making false accusations. It certainly is prominently placed in this chart as the Moon-Chiron opposition is conjunct the Asc-Desc of the 11:00 timing of the murder. So, this does describe something related to the murder. Chiron rules Teachers and Wounds that can't be fixed. The Moon rules Women. It also rules Amanda Knox's chart as she is a Cancer Sun with Mercury Rx and Venus in that sign as well. She also has Lilith at 26 Cancer. Transiting Mars was passing between her natal Mercury Rx and her natal Sun at the time of the murder. It is said that she had dressed up as a Vampire for Halloween the night before. This was definitely a good transit for convincingly dressing up as a Vampire. To see if someone is really wigging out you want to see the Moon and maybe Uranus involved. Uranus and Mars were in a Grand Trine with the Sun-Lilith conjunction. This Grand Trine was affecting the Pluto of both women's charts.

Mercury in the event chart is also very prominent. It is conjunct the IC (root of the matter and the home) and it is just stationing direct in the sign of Libra. The moment that Mercury comes out of Retrograde can often indicate a log jam of snafus. (So says Bob Marks). It certainly describes Student Housing, Neighbors, faulty thinking, miscommunications, police error, lies, media lies. It could indicate why Amanda Knox couldn't get her story straight. Don't know why she was doing cartwheels during police interrogation. (She could be heavily affected by all things lunar. Her natal Moon placed at noontime (which probably isn't correct) is moving extremely fast and is placed way out-of-bounds up at 28 degrees and something. Also her chart is a Seesaw shape so she is probably always playing a balancing act, her natal Mercury is Retrograde so she probably doesn't talk straight too much of the time, and she has no Air in her chart, so she's a bit of a space cadet.)

What's interesting is the amount of Cardinal Sign prominence in the charts of those involved. I don't have an explanation for this other than to observe that birds of a feather flock together. Kerchner and Rudy Guede (who she had sex with) were both Capricorns with Sun conjunct Neptune. Amanda Knox is a Cancer Sun with Moon either in Sagittarius or Capricorn. Raffaele Sollecito is an Aries with Moon either in Capricorn or Aquarius. There is the possiblity that all 4 have Cardinal Moon signs as well. As Cardinal Signs tend to be the Starters of the Zodiac maybe what happened is connected with not finishing something.

Knox and Guede both have Aries North Nodes which are Cardinal as well. Sollecito (the boyfriend) has Sun conjunct Amanda's North Node. Bet that's one relationship they both regret having entered into.

Anyway, with the weird stories that people have been giving it would be impossible to know what happened. It looks like the evidence wouldn't convict Amanda Knox if only she hadn't been changing her story every 5 seconds and doing cartwheels during police questioning. But, then again, the Italian Police are said to be a really strange bunch. It looks like Rudy Guede really did have sex with Meredith Kercher and it also looks like Kercher was trying to fight her killer off. So, he's certainly implicated. There is no mention at all of where the other two roommates were at the time of the murder.

Kercher's death is certainly described by that Mars-Pluto-South Node in Scorpio conjunction. My understanding obviously doesn't go much farther than that.

Murder of Meredith Kercher
Nov. 1, 2007 around 11:00 pm? Perugia, Italy

Sun 11 Scorpio; Moon 9 Leo; ASC 8 Leo; MC 26 Aries; NN 4 Pisces

Meredith Kercher (Victim)
b. Dec. 28, 1985 Southwork, London, England

Sun 7 Capricorn; Moon Cancer?; NN 7 Taurus

Amanda Knox
b. July 9, 1987 Seattle, Washington

Sun 18 Cancer; Moon Sagittarius or Capricorn; NN 7 Aries Rx

Raffaele Sollecito
b. Mar. 26, 1984 Giovinazzo, Italy

Sun 6 Aries; Moon Capricorn or Aquarius; NN 11 Gemini

Rudy Guede
b. Dec. 26, 1986 Abidjan, Cote d-Ivoire

Sun 5 Capricorn; Moon Libra or Scorpio; NN 17 Aries

Tiger Woods Wrecks His Life A Little

Big Sports Stars and their Sex Lives. I couldn't care less, you're not hearing this from me, mind you, wouldn't want to get all Mercurial and gossipy here about this, but I had to look at Tiger Woods' chart to see why suddenly his sex life is being presented to us the public at this point in time. I know that sports stars and celebrities have sort of a weird peer pressure thing to do this conquest thing with the ladies. They say it's for their image. They're doing it to impress each other. They build this rich fantasy life that goes along with their celebrity. Woods has Mars conjunct Gemini Midheave (reputation as athlete). Mars opposes Moon (public, women) and Neptune (fantasy, deception).

So, Tiger is a Capricorn. Capricorns tend to get caught because they are ruled by Saturn and Saturn rules guilt and regret and life lessons. That's why Capricorns are really smart like Sagittarians but also wise and clear headed. It's also why they're so grumpy and intolerant of bad behaviors in others. They know from experience that if they hang out with a jerk, they'll eventually get blamed for everything that goes down. I don't know why this is. Must be something related to the Father because Capricorns tend to think of their Mothers as the Virgin Mary. Really, they put off some super power innocence thing on the Mother.

I sort of remember something about Age 33 and the Solar Return cycles culminating at that age. I'll mention it although I don't see how it happens in Tiger's chart. He's 33 years old which supposedly means that the Sun in his Solar Return chart has cycled all the way through the houses and has returned to its birth spot. There's something happening like that.

At any rate, Tiger's Capricorn sun is in a pretty intense t-square aspect with H1 Pluto and H7 Lilith. These are on the angles so are very potent. His Sun is in the 4th House of family, parents, and home. Lilith and Pluto like to do the taboo. Pluto likes to have some privacy while doing the nasty. Lilith couldn't care less, she'll do it anywhere. Interesting that one of Woods' Gal Pals, Rachel Uchitel, is said to have been born on the same day as Woods. This would give her the same t-square. Don't really know how to explain why that might be, just think it's interesting that these two would hook up and then their affair would be such a drag. Getting caught like this exagerrates the kinky just the way that Lilith might like. It reminds me of how Monica Lewitsky's affair was Bill Clinton's biggest blunder and they had matching Sun and Moon signs. It sounds so German Romantic doppel-gangerish to see these big celebrity men getting caught by their astrological twins, at any rate. (And I don't know if that's Uchitel's birth date for sure).

On the other angle, Tiger has a really incredible opposition of Moon to Mars hanging over his IC/MC axis. His natal Mars is prominent because it's out-of-bounds and Retrograde. And his natal Moon is traveling fast. That explains why his eyesight is so damn good. Sure does explain his extreme skill as an athlete. Mars rules the physical body and competitiveness, and Midheaven rules one's public life. The Retrograde Progression means that Mars has been in aspect with Wood's Midheaven for a really long time during his life.

And, right now, the Saturn-Uranus opposition has been not only squaring this double opposition but has been passing over Woods' ASC/DESC. And his progressed Moon is right there in Pisces (family, women, Mother, needs and feelings) (18 Pisces) and is closing in on Uranus and the Descendant. So, his angles are shot to shit. And the angles specifically rule relationships (H1 and H7) and career and homelife (H10 and H4).

Plus, the Jupiter-Chiron-Neptune conjunction is happening in his 5th House of Romantic liaisons so he's got the Happy Happy like Governor Sanford of South or North Carolina. Woods' progressed Venus has been passing over his natal Sun which adds to the overindulgent leisure lifestyle thing. He's probably been going through some weird feelings of not knowing what to do next with his life, hope he's not suicidal over this, it's actually about his grief over his Father and stuff.

Interesting aside about Tiger's progressed Mars. It was Retrograde when he was born at 18 Gemini and Stationed Direct around 1995-1996 at 15 Gemini. During that same year, his wife Elin's progressed Mars stationed Retrograde Motion at 16 Virgo. These spots all square each other on the Astrological Wheel. It's almost as if she somehow picked up on his Mars vibe, or he picked up on hers and they share this link.

Anyways, it sounds like Tiger's got a problem with drugs. The Chiron-Jupiter-Neptune conjunction has been hitting his progressed Sun which is at 14 Aquarius. Since it's moved on now he might be able to come back down to earth. Otherwise, he's going to end up in an old piano bar competing with good old Governor Sanford for every old cougar who walks in.

Tiger Woods
b. 12/30/1975 10:50 pm Cypress, CA

Sun 9 Capricorn (H4); Moon 23 Sagittarius (H3); ASC 25 Virgo; NN 20 Scorpio; MC 25 Gemini

Hey, What Did You Just Step In?

Well, now that we pretty much know that life is not possible on the Moon we've found another use for Her/Him(gender of Moon is??). The Moon has become the Space Race's garbage dump. The Japanese are slamming a used up space probe onto the Lunar Surface at 2 pm today (6/10/09). I don't know if this is 2 pm Japan time, or CNN time, or Yahoo time. I doubt it's Moon time. At any rate, Pluto rules Waste Products and Pluto is opposing Cancer, the Astrological Sign that rules the Moon. I suppose we can expect more of this. The Moon today is also in Capricorn, the sign of its fall. If Capricorn can't find a use for you he will just trash you.

One small step for man, One big step for mankind ...

Logging Off - World's Oldest Blogger

This past week the World's Oldest Blogger passed away. Maria Amelia Lopez was 97. On her 95th Birthday Mrs. Lopez' grandson set up a blog for her and it became an online sensation with her takes on Life and the world. Her blog gives her birth information and no surprise Mrs. Lopez was a Capricorn, the sign of old age. To make things just a teensy bit more interesting the Sun is on the Aries Point at 1 Capricorn meaning that Age could play a part in Lopez's ability to come before the public. She found blogging to help her with her loneliness and her illness.

Pluto's passage through Capricorn might confront the problems of old age. There have been several of the Pluto in Gemini generation who found one last moment of productivity through their Blogs while Pluto was passing through Sagittarius and who have recently passed. The Gemini/Sagittarius pole seems very significant in Lopez' chart, along with the Aries Points. A couple of the other bloggers are mentioned at the bottom of this post.

Maria Amelia Lopez (Solino?)
b. Dec. 23, 1911 La Coruna, Spain

Sun 1 Capricorn; Moon Capricorn or Aquarius; NN 28 Aries Rx

I took a quick look at how the planets were placed at Mrs. Lopez' 95th Birthday to see what might indicate this late success. Without a birth time we can't find the Midheaven which would certainly show a big part of the story.

Solino has that amazing Capricorn Sun. I looked up her chart curious to see how Capricorn and Saturn are placed in her chart. They represent Old Age and I expected them to be prominent. Capricorn as I said already is on the Aries Point which is supposed to mean that a person will come before the public. I never really believe that until I see this kind of thing. Saturn is at 14 Taurus Rx in Solino's natal chart and opposing Venus in Scorpio. She would have been shrewd and have had a reserve of energy which perhaps can hold out for a longer life.

Astrologers often say that Capricorn is associated with a late success in life. I have no idea if that is true or not. Solino was born with Mercury and Mars Retrograde in her chart. I don't think that has anything to do with a late success but I'm going to mention it here anyway. Both planets stationed direct while she was still young so I don't think this is important.

So, now for the Return Charts, really fun and possibly insightful. I looked up the Solar Return Chart for Lopez' 95th Birthday and mined some other significant Returns that were going on at the same time and could possibly indicate her new vocation.

Lopez' natal Sun is conjunct Mercury in Capricorn and opposing Pluto in Gemini. This shows a highly communicative person with higher than average intelligence which has deep insights into her generation. Her communications about relationships would be particularly shrewd. I don't understand Spanish so I can't read her blog but in the introduction she cracks a joke about how her Grandson is cheap for only setting up her blog for her on her birthday. That's Plutonian sense of humor.

First off, there was the Solar Return on the Aries Point in Capricorn. An older person coming before the public.

This also happens to the be the year that Lopez was going through a Pluto opposition from the signs of Gemini (natal) to Sagittarius (Transit). Most people don't make it to their Pluto opposition so this is a difficult transit to interpret. Gemini and Sagittarius rule Writing/Communication and Publishing/International Affairs/Opinions, respectively. The Pluto Opposition is also part of Lopez's Solar Return transit as her natal Pluto is opposing natal Sun and Mercury out of sign in Capricorn. Just for extra kickers, Mercury is conjunct Pluto in the Solar Return(transit) chart.

And to even further the punch, the Moon was in Capricorn and was enhancing the energy. Lunar Returns happen once a month which is very common. But, you've got to look at the Moon because it represents the Public and Emotional Reactions, something that I suppose a blogger wants. I've been finding the Moon to be important in blog popularity, at any rate in the few instances where I've looked). Without a birth time I can't say anything about her Moon placement (except that it may have been aspecting her natal Uranus-Neptune opposition which squares her North Node. That's a strong generational aspect which hooks into her personal destiny, but as I say, I can't say much about that.

Last but not least is the final Return that I noticed for this Birthday. As a matter of fact this would be most significant. Lopez's natal Jupiter in Sagittarius was going through a Return. Jupiter here is in its own sign and, as already stated, Sagittarius is the sign of Publishing, International Affairs, Opinions. Jupiter is also the planet of Luck.

One more thing I found that's interesting is in regards to Progressions in this chart. I've mentioned earlier that Lopez's natal chart has Retrograde Mercury and Mars. Both of these planets are making major hits in her chart while she is writing her blog. Progressed Mars is now conjunct her natal Pluto. Mars represents young men and it was her 35 year old grandson (that's not particularly young, am speaking from a 95 year old woman's point of view). Also, progressed Mercury (writing, communication, blogging) is at 26 Aries and is 2 degrees away from conjunction with the North Node in Aries (Destiny). Interesting how Aries disposits to Mars, which once again points to her Grandson as motivator in her life somehow.

So, after writing this I found that Lopez is one of a handful of amazing "Oldest Bloggers." There's a whole blog about them. Listed below are their names and birth dates (hopefully correct).


Ruth Hamilton, Died at Age 109 on Jan. 18, 2008
b. Apr. 21, 1898 Alta, Iowa

Olive Riley, died July 12, 2008
b. Oct. 20, 1899 Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia

There are more, probably some skate boarding blogs written by Octogenarians. That would be cool.

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6344077.ece

O No! Not Shoulder Pads!!!

It's official, the 80s are back. As the Sun rolls into Taurus, the fashion runways are exploding with Shoulder Pads. Women are once again going to be dressing up like linebackers. Just plan on penciling in the black kohl under the eyes. It must be something having to do with outer planets in Capricorn. Let me guess here -- once the knees give out people want to look like they can still barge into any board room and make the sale?

Basically, there's no excuse for this abrasion. Where's Tim Gunn?

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/the-thread/are-these-shoulders-you-can-lean-on-448968#photoViewer=1

Johannes Mehserle, BART Police Shooter

Johannes Mehserle is the ex-Oakland BART Train police officer who killed a hand cuffed man in the back on New Year's Day. I wrote about the incident a few days ago. Mehserle has been charged with Murder and has surrendered to Oakland Police.

Can't vouch for its accuracy, but Mahalo.com and a SFGate.com article have listed a birth date for Mehserle. The chart is really incredible from an Astrological point of view. According to that website and the article which is available at this link:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/06/BAK61540MH.DTL:

Johannes Mehserle
b. Jan 5, 1981 (no place given)(probably wrong birth date so maybe scroll down and read about the similarity between this incident and the Stanford Prison Experiment).

Sun 16 Capricorn; Moon most likely Capricorn; NN 11 Leo

If this is correct, Mehserle was 3 degrees away from his Solar Return. And the Solar Return would involve a conjunction of the Sun to Mars and Pluto. According to the SFGate article, the shooting happened, Mehserle's wife gave birth to a Son and Mehserle had a Birthday. Wow. Mars can indicate violence, but it can also indicate having a Son.

If this birth date is correct, Mehserle is a Double Capricorn. On bad days this can indicate an overbearing streak and authoritarian attitude. On the other end of the Capricorn spectrum, this can indicate a heavy Karmic side involving intense lessons concerning guilt and shame, difficult lessons. Capricorns tend to have to play by the rules because they often can't get away much. The Leo North Node could repeat the Bossiness theme and Mars conjunct South Node could further emphasize this along with an impulsive streak that acts before it thinks.

Chiron squares the Nodes and Mars. This indicates some kind of wounding wound up in one's destiny with fighting and aggression. The Mars energy and the Saturn energy in this chart seem to have found a common ground in the police profession but in this case they are bringing out each other's bad side.

Mehserle's chart has two conjunctions which are exact to the degree: Venus-Neptune in Sagittarius and Jupiter-Saturn in Libra. These are pretty friendly aspects overall. The Venus-Neptune could get carried away especially in Sagittarius. Mehserle may have had a little bit of a hang over from too much partying the night before. The (natal) Jupiter-Saturn conjunction is conjunct the 12th house cusp to the degree of the event chart (Placidus). Jupiter-Saturn represents Society on a Social Level and its placement in Libra, sign of Diplomacy and Peace Making, is pretty bizarre. 12th House, though, represents Self-Undoing, Institutions like Jail and Martyrdom so perhaps this particular event seems to have brought out a streak of this. Mehserle's refusal to speak infuriated the public which has evolved into rioting on at least two occasions. 12th House often simply can't explain its actions.

Mehserle is caught in a lot of Cyclic Return activity. He is probably just past his 2dary Progressed Lunar Return and is heading in to his Saturn Return. This is significant since both his Sun and Moon disposit to Saturn. He is also going through his Nodal Opposition, a time of extreme confusion and having one's world turned upside down. If this is a true birth date this chart is really amazing because the Nodal Axis for the event was crossing the IC/MC axis which represents opposition between the Public and Authority. Interesting that these points are represented by the Moon and Saturn in one's chart as well. And the chart shows someone with strong Saturn-Moon contacts.

If Mehserle were born early in the day his Moon would have been getting hit by the Sun-Mars-Pluto transiting conjunction on the Aries Point. That's a highly emotional aspect. Bob Marks, who has done extensive research on the astrology of murderers, has pointed out the significance of Mars-Moon combination in violence. (www.bobmarksastrologer.com) He has also found how common Capricorn Moon is in murderers (which isn't the best news for those of us who have the natal aspect ourselves.)

I've listened to Malcolm Gladwell's book (either Tipping Point or Blink, can't remember) where Gladwell discusses research that has examined a sort of Mars-Moon-Pluto hormone effect in police officers which can lead to brutality. There's a chemical reaction that can happen which causes them to go into some sort of brutality mode if not checked. Astrology sure would have been useful to the police department in this case because Mehserle was in line to completely lose it around these dates.

Also interesting is the mutual Venus-Neptune conjunctions between the natal chart and the event chart. The conjunction in the natal chart is in Sagittarius and is in Aquarius in the event chart in the 4th house. Venus in the event chart rules the 7th House so I associated it with the Victim, Oscar Grant, but it certainly looks like the killer is indicated as well. These aren't planets I would associate with committing police brutality unless it's through some sort of gas or inaudible, invisible vibe. What's even more interesting is the fact that they both square the Uranus placement of the other. Mehserle's natal Venus-Neptune is apex to a t-square of the Saturn-Uranus opposition. One possible explanation could be the amount of video filming that was done at the event and the Internet "conviction" by the public.

The natal chart shows an unaspected Uranus in Scorpio indicating that for Mehserle, impulse and shock run deep and can bring on crises. Uranus is in a sign for 7 years so this is a generational planet showing general social consciousness. in this chart the Uranus energy can't flow with the rest of the planets of the chart so sudden crises could tend to ball up for this guy (if this is his chart). Progressed Mars is now squaring this Uranus which heightens the volatility and impulsiveness for Mehserle over the next few years. His nervous system will be under assault something which a double Capricorn already would struggle with due to deep perceptual abilities and difficult self-expression. Hopefully, he is not living with the rest of the prisoners in the jail.

By some sort of coincidence I was reminded here of the Stanford Prison Experiment which I studied on this blog a while back. This case for me seems to be about uncontrollable rage and police brutality rather than racism and this is what the Stanford experiment was about. A psychologist at Stanford University hired ordinary men to conduct a study on behaviors that occurred within a prison environment. Half were assigned roles as prisoners and half were assigned roles as prison guards and they all knew they were play acting their roles. Within a day the prisoners were rioting. The experiment, originally planned to last 14 days, was ended after 6 because the prison guards abused their authoritarian roles and became abusive.

I compared the charts between the New Year's incident and didn't find any significant similarities at first. But, I did find similarities between Mehserle's supposed birth chart and the Stanford experiment transits. The Leo-Aquarius nodal axis shows up in his natal chart and the Stanford Prison Experiment which took place between Aug. 14 and Aug. 20, 1971.

The NN for the Stanford Prison Experiment was at 15 Aquarius conjunct Mars 17 Aquarius Rx. This Nodal Axis is on the IC/MC of The BART Station shooting with NN at 10 Aquarius.
And Mehserle's Nodal Axis was on top of this. And he was going through his Nodal Opposition.

To add fuel to the fire, so to speak, Mehserle's natal Mars is at 5 Aquarius conjunct his South Node is at 11 Aquarius (NN at 11 Leo) which adds the violent streak.

(The Sun was conjunct Venus in the Stanford Prison Experiment and this was passing over the South Node at the time of the Stanford Prison Experiment.)

I talked about Mehserle's "alleged" (might as well use that word) volatile Uranus in Scorpio at 29 degrees. In alignment with that point, there was a huge transit aspect during The Stanford Prison experiment with Jupiter 30 Capricorn conjunct Neptune 1 Sagittarius and opposing Saturn at 6 Gemini. The Moon was in Taurus and passing through Gemini during the beginning days of the experiment so was setting off those points.

(If the Stanford Prison Experiment had been conducted during a Jupiter-Neptune trine maybe the prisoners would have gotten along.)

At any rate, going even further, way too far probably, down the line, we can look at the publication date for The Lord of the Flies. This book deals with the same type of brutality. It was published in 1954 while the NN was in Capricorn. This means that it was probably being written 1-2 years before while the NN was in Aquarius. Good time to observe the behaviors of people abusing authority in mass group settings, I guess.

In conclusion, all I can say is, boy, the Police really need to pay attention to Mars transits.

David Sedaris

I'm listening to David Sedaris' new book When You Are Engulfed in Flames. Supposedly it's about Death, there's a picture of a Skeleton with a Cigarette hanging out of its face. Maybe it's just a story about my parents who both died from Lung Cancer. I think it may be just a story about quitting smoking. I heard Sedaris speak once and without answering questions he ran out the door and lit up. So I know he needed to quit. I think that chapter comes towards the end. What I am liking a lot so far are the descriptions of women. They are unbelievably accurate descriptions of the types of women that nobody ever talks about. No virgins, no sluts. Bitches all (he's Gay so it's ok) (and his Sisters come across as normal, which is odd considering one of them is Amy Sedaris).

David Sedaris
b. Dec. 26, 1956, Binghamton, NY

Sun 5 Capricorn; Moon Libra or Scorpio; NN 29 Scorpio

I looked up Sedaris' chart. He's a Capricorn. That explains the dry wit and the genius and the earthy faking of the humility. He also says he went through an astrology phase at some time or other which is really exciting to hear about at all times except when idling at a 4 way stop (got honked at). Sedaris has Moon in either Libra or Scorpio. A noontime birth places his Moon in Scorpio conjunct Neptune which would explain his references to much drug taking and dealing with addiction problems in general. He also has Pluto square Scorpio North Node and trining his Sun. That adds up to a very sensitive, psychic character but a need for control (and self improvement/transformation) which isn't natural for addiction.

Since he's a writer I thought I'd look at Mercury and Jupiter. I suppose that many astrologers look at Uranus for a Sense of Humor. Once I started thinking about it I realized that all the planets express a funny side, at least on their good days. Uranus is surprise and ability to connect unrelated ideas in new ways. Moon is goofy humor. Saturn is dry humor. Mercury is quick wit. Jupiter is just too fucking funny. Why is it then that most of my favorite comedians are Tauruses and Scorpios? That brings in Venus and Pluto. That's the entire Solar System except for the Sun. Leos do melodrama and just don't know when to stop. I have 3 planets in Leo and simply hammer ideas into the ground. Sometimes it gets a laugh...

Sedaris has a very prominent Jupiter. His Jupiter is at 2 Libra. That's an Aries Point which brings all things Jupiterian (too fucking funniness along and publishing) to the public attention. If his Moon is in Scorpio then Jupiter is also prominent as a Singleton in Air. Can't know for sure without a birth time. His Jupiter is also the only planet aspecting his Capricorn Mercury and this is a great aspect for a writer. And Jupiter squares the Sun, self expression and creativity. They always share a transit at the same time.

Progressed Jupiter is also interesting. It has been Retrograde by progression since the 70s so has been hanging out on the birth spot (Aries Point) for the last 30 years.

Mercury in this chart is in Capricorn at 25 degrees. Mercury rules communication. Sedaris can write his humor and he can speak it. He's a master of telling anecdotes. Capricorn is a very intelligent, observant, sophisticated and dry sense of humor.

Progressed Mercury in Sedaris' chart is really interesting to observe because it was Retrograde up until the early 80s. He says that he started out wanting to an artist and then turned to writing at age 21 (around 1977?) because he wasn't comfortable with his creations. That insecurity about one's expression is so Mercury Rx and it's very interesting that he turned to writing right before Rx Mercury stationed Direct. By the time that Mercury returned to its natal spot, around 2000, Sedaris was very famous and successful.

At Age 21 there are a number of other transits as well that would have indicated turning to writing: p. Sun c. n. Mercury; p. Venus c. n. Sun (well, that can indicate marriage and/or suicide as well, if he's got a Moon-Neptune conjunction in Scorpio one can only imagine what was going on); t. Neptune c. natal Venus/Saturn in Sagittarius and opposing t. Jupiter; and t. Saturn c. n. Pluto (and squaring n. Nodal Axis and n.Sun).

I think that enlivening these incredibly talented writer placements is the Fire Grand Trine in Sedaris' chart. Fire gathers no moss and its great for keeping a story line going. He's got a conjunction of Venus to Saturn, both at 8 Sagittarius which is trining Uranus 7 Leo and Mars 11 Aries. Venus is also parallel to Saturn which doubles its conjunction influence. This combines discipline with aesthetics but also perhaps some fear. The Grand Trine is overall, a great aspect for making fun (Venus & Mars) of reality (Saturn & Uranus). The Pluto aspects explain the darkness behind some of the humor.

Rambling on, it's interesting to see how Saturn-Pluto transits have affected Sedaris' career. He was going through a conjunction of t. Saturn to n. Pluto when he started writing. And t.Pluto was passing over his natal Saturn right as he was becoming extremely famous (2000). Since I've been going through the double whammy Saturn-Pluto conjunction last year and continue with Pluto on my natal Saturn I enjoy finding examples of people who survived this. Usually the ones who do well are workaholics and enjoy the extra fight that Saturn-Pluto demands. That explains why they get rewarded. The rest of us get sucked under.

I recommend this audiobook, in case anyone's interested. I can't wait to see what Sedaris writes as Pluto transits over his Sun. It will be squared by the Saturn-Uranus opposition and so will set off his Saturn-Uranus-Mars-Venus Grand Trine.

Pluto in Capricorn and Melanoma; that's a Double Negative

Just read that an Australian Immunologist is developing a Skin Cancer Vaccine which is due to go into human trials next year. I've been wondering if there would be advances in Medicine regarding things Capricornian like Skin and Bones. Either that or a surge of problems with diseases in those areas. Professor Ian Frazer is the Immunologist who has also been responsible for developing the Cervical Cancer vaccine which was recently put on the market. I'm a bit leary of vaccinations myself and strongly believe in using them only sparingly. I perpetually read the obituaries and have noticed what seems like a lot of premature deaths of people born between 1960 and 1961, or round abouts that time, and have read that there was some sort of super Vaccine which was injected into babies that was loaded with multiple vaccinations all at once. But I also live in California and have known my share of people in their 20s with huge chunks of skin hacked out of their bodies so a Skin Vaccine sounds like a good thing overall. Well, maybe they were given the Vaccines...

Article:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gq4t6R-QhHgUsus_JHp0iAV74n6A

I looked up Professor Ian Frazer's birthdate and noticed that he's born during the Saturn-Neptune conjunction in Libra in 1953. That's only a month after the magical date of Dec. 2, 1952 on which both Carolyn Myss and Karen Hamaker-Zondag share a birthday. Frazer is a traditionalist Capricorn so it makes sense that he went into straight forward Medicine while the two Sagittarians went for the Woo-Woo. In the end they are all extremely special Healers.

Dr. Ian Frazer
b. Jan. 6, 1953 Glasgow, Scotland

Sun 16 Capricorn; Moon Virgo or Libra; NN 13 Aquarius

Frazer has Sun conjunct Chiron 17 Capricorn which opposes Uranus in Cancer Rx and trines Jupiter 11 Taurus. That shows Healing Abilities in Academia and Innovation. Jupiter also squares his Nodal Axis and with Aquarius North Node this reinforces the relation to Uranus that these two share with the Sun and Chiron. Also, Frazier is going through a couple of Jupiter transits right now which shows Success in his life. First off, squaring the Jupiter, he's going through a Nodal Return (which includes conjunction of NN to Chiron and Neptune). And transiting Jupiter is passing over his natal Sun. He's also in between his 2d Progressed Lunar Return and his 2d Saturn Return. His life's work is coming to a peak.

Natal Mercury at 30 Sagittarius is very prominently placed on the Aries Point. It is also Out-of-bounds. Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo and is related to Public Health related side of Disease so it's interesting that Frazer's is so prominent. Right now, of course, transiting Pluto is right on top of natal Mercury. Pluto rules Research, especially Medical Research, and is probably a strong ruler of Vaccinations. Mercury in Frazer's chart is centered in a long line of sextile aspects. Depending on what orbs one uses (I reduce 75 percent on astrodienst) there is a string of sextiles in Frazer's chart that runs from Jupiter 11 Taurus sextile Venus-Mars 2-6 Pisces sextile Mercury 30 Sagittarius sextile Saturn-Neptune 27-24 Libra sextile Pluto 23 Leo. These planets aren't all in aspect to each other but this is still a pretty nice set-up showing incredible amounts of talent and ability to harmonize many different qualities.

Danieal Kelly - Died from Neglect

It will be awesome to see how the outer planet conjunction of planets in Capricorn that happened back in the early 1990's will manifest in the babies who were born with it. I suppose it will create great leaders and new forms of perception in the arts and sciences. Unfortunately, Capricorn can be a sign that is slow to develop. If a Capricorn child is born with a problem he or she may not be perceived as loveable or forgiveable by the family. This is a sign that demands self-sufficiency of itself and of others. It is reserved and is not good at asking for help. Well, it will generally demand help and order people around, but just appearing needy and letting others respond is not really the Capricornian thing.

Danieal Kelly's story is as tragic as they come. Danieal literally died of neglect. She had Cerebral Palsy and her disease and care were too much for her parents who actually sound as irresponsible as people can be. Her Mother left her in bed and watched her starve to death. Her Father was no where to be found. Social Workers had been assigned to overlook her care and completely ignored her. Last week nine people were found guilty and responsible for her death.

I found her birth information at the link listed below.

Danieal Kelly
b. Jan 3, 1992 Youngstown, Ohio

Sun 13 Capricorn; Moon Sagittarius or Capricorn; NN 10 Leo

d. Aug. 4, 2006
Philadelphia, PA

Birth information from: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20080801_A_Timeline_of_Neglect.html

When I saw that Kelly was born in 1992 I wondered how the Capricorn conjunction of Uranus and Neptune were figured in her chart. Saturn had passed them by and was in Aquarius when she was born. Danieal's Sun was conjunct Uranus and Neptune.

There's a very interesting article about Premature babies (which Danieal was) on StarIQ.com. It's written by Valerie Vaughan and says that babies with Sun in aspect to Saturn and Neptune are more likely to born premature. It also discusses the link between premature births and development of Cerebral Palsy in some cases. Danieal's Sun was conjunct Uranus and Neptune so her Sun is definitely tied to Saturn and Neptune.

Capricorn is the sign of conditional parental love and shame. On the good side it represents the Father and the discipline and boundaries that a parent will teach his/her children. Danieal's parents were never married. She lived with her Mother for a few years and then was taken in by her Father and her Father's girlfriend who actually cared for her. When the girlfriend left in 2001 Danieal was sent back to her Mother's house. Her Mother is extremely poor and is said to have a total of nine children. She couldn't handle the idea of having a needy child apparently and left her to starve to death in bed where Danieal was rotting from bedsores. Although 14 years old in 2006 when she died, Danieal weighed only little more than 40 pounds. Her last words were her continual cry for water. Kelly's Mother wouldn't take her out of the house because she was ashamed of her illness. The story just goes on and on.

Saturn, the sign of boundaries is super amplified in Daniel's chart and life. She was bound within an illness, an unloving family, poverty, even to her bed. Her Mother had given birth to nine children and it's as if she placed all the blame for her problems on this little girl. Saturn is the sign of blame. As a Capricorn, Danieal may even have convinced her Mother that she didn't need help or was bossy in some way that made her Mother insecure. I know that's a weird thing to say but it would be nice to see from the Parents' point of view in order to understand what happened. It would be most interesting to study the comparison charts in these cases. When she died, Pluto was hitting her natal Mars to the degree. This is not only conjunct Mercury and perhaps the Moon in that sign but is also conjunct the Galactic Center. This could be another explanation in some way the extreme nature of neglect on all levels that Danieal died from.

Capricorn is also the sign of Government and the Government Social workers even neglected her. So her chart was working on many Capricorn themed levels.

This story is extreme or at least I hope it's not too common. This might be explained by Pluto's placement which is in Scorpio. Pluto is unaspected and a singleton in Water. This means that its presence in Danieal's chart is extra extreme. Scorpio is the sign of crisis and extreme circumstances and here it doesn't flow with any of the other planets in the chart. Feelings would have to be submerged extra deep. Capricorn and Scorpio are both reserved signs that pride themselves on self sufficiency. If a person in need has these placements he could easily be overlooked. Danieal's natal Saturn is in Aquarius and is also a singleton in Air. This emphasizes the Saturnian aspect of her chart as well.

The transits show how heavily she was affected by Saturn and Pluto in aspect. She passed away on her 1st Saturn opposition. Natally she had an opposition of Saturn to Chiron (Aquarius to Leo) which contained the rest of her planets to one side in her chart.

At the of Danieal's death Pluto was in Sagittarius within a degree conjunction of her natal Mars in Sagittarius. And if her Moon is in Sagittarius it would have been in conjunction as well. The Saturn-Pluto opposition of 2001 seems to have been the beginning of the end for Danieal. This is when her Father's girlfriend left and she returned to her Mother's house.

9 people have been found responsible for her death. These are Saturn & Pluto keywords. Her Mother has been convicted of Murder and the Social Worker assigned to her case was convicted of Manslaughter. I wonder if this would indicate a Moon that is placed very close Sagittarius/Capricorn cusp as it indicates revenge after Death.

Saturn and Pluto are planets of Leadership. One hopes that Danieal's story will lead to changes in parenting and government aid. Danieal was born during a Saturn-Chiron opposition. The Leo New Moon Eclipse was conjunct her Chiron in Leo. She also has a trine from Jupiter to her Sun-Uranus-Neptune conjunction and transiting Jupiter is trining that to the degree. She is said to have had a really sweet personality which hopefully will be remembered and used to inspire improvement in the lives of others who come after her.

Pablo Casals on His Conception Chart

In his famous book Anatomy of an Illness, Cousins describes a visit he made to Pablo Casals while the Maestro was in his 80s. For his book, Cousins is studying the role of creativity in healing in the lives of old, creative people. So they are talking and Cousins asks Casals what his favorite piece of music is. Great Question. Casals says his favorite piece of music is the Brahms Quartet in B-Flat. And then he shows Cousins the original manuscript for the Quartet which was given to him years earlier. When given the manuscript Casals learned another interesting fact about this particular work which Cousins tells in his book:

"...Brahms began to write the Quartet just nine months before I was born. It took him nine months to complete it. We both came into the world on exactly the same day, the same month, the same year." -- Anatomy of an Illness (p. 77-78)

This certainly seems like a good argument for using Conception Charts, if only they were available, along with reading a person's natal chart.

Pablo Casals
b. Dec. 29, 1876 8pm El Vendrell, Catalonia, Spain

Sun 9 Capricorn; ASC 20 Leo; Moon 24 Gemini; MC 12 Taurus; NN 13 Pisces

Johannes Brahms
b. May 7, 1833 3:30 Hambourg, Germany

Sun 17 Taurus; ASC 19 Aries; Moon 25 Sagittarius; MC 7 Capricorn; NN 17 Cancer

I understand that there are all kinds of pre-birth and Conception Charts. I don't know how to read those. But I am amazed by how the synastry between these two birth charts relate to each other.

First off, Casals' Gemini Moon is opposing Brahms' Sagittarius Moon within a Degree. The Moon's relationship to conception is very important so it's nice to know that they are relating here.

Then both men have Sun conjunct each other's Midheavens and squaring each other's Ascendants. Casals' Sun is conjunct Brahms' Nodal Axis as well which is configured very strongly in his (Brahms) chart. Brahms' has a conjunction to the degree of Mars-NN in his 4th House and it squares Brahms' natal ASC which is conjunct Pluto-Jupiter & Mercury. It is opposing Casal's Sun.

Another interesting tidbit. There was an Eclipse 9 months before Casals was born on Mar. 25, 1876 9:05pm (London time). (Sun and Moon at 6 Aries.) This Eclipse had a conjunction of Venus-Mars-Pluto (18-23 Taurus) on the cusp of the 8th House. This would have been conjunct Brahms' Sun and Casals' Midheaven. 8th House rules the Occult and re-Birth. Such planets combined on the 8th house cusp also indicates that Casals was probably the product of some pretty good Sex which could account for his great musical abilities and also his incredible political statements in defense of world peace.

This isn't all.

Casals goes on to say that the piece of music that he would most like to hear while he was dying was Mozart's Clarinet Quintet (written 1789).

Wolfgang Mozart
b. Jan. 27, 1756 8:00 pm Salzburg, Austria

Sun 8 Aquarius; ASC 13 Virgo; Moon 18 Sagittarius; MC 9 Gemini; NN 12 Virgo

Once again the Synastry is amazing.

Like Brahms, Mozart also has a Sagittarius Moon that opposes Casals' Moon. Here it is conjunct Pluto to the degree (planet of death).

The Men share the same Nodal Axis within a degree but with Nodes switched. This Axis is layered over Mozart's Ascendant/Descendant axis. And it is layered over Casal's 8th/2d house Axis! The Axis that rules Death.

And Casals said that the reason that he wanted to hear this particular piece (the 2d movement) because it was so light and clear. Mozart's Uranus was conjunct his South Node-DESC (all between 12-14 Pisces) right on Casal's 8th House Cusp. I don't know what Casals actually listened to when he died but do know that Uranus does show Lightness and Clarity and also what one Wishes for.

Philippe Starck

Famous Industrial Product Designer Philippe Starck (I think he's French) says that he will retire in two years. He says that he's tired of living in a Material World and that everything he has created was "unnecessary." He says that the only thing that really matters is one's ability to Love. That's Donkey Manure, of course. I smelled a gnarly progression coming up, at any rate.

Philippe Starck
b. Jan. 18, 1949 4:40 Paris, France

Sun 28 Capricorn; ASC 2 Sagittarius; Moon 13 Virgo; MC 25 Virgo; NN 16 Taurus

Okay, Starck's 59 years old. Just watch a Capricorn going through his 2d Saturn Return. What a grump.

For materialism one would expect heavily weighted Earth which is what Starck's chart is. All his major elements except for his Sagittarius Rising are in Earth Signs. He's certainly fulfilled his designated mission here on Earth. Starck's Ascendant, although in a Fire sign, is progressing through Capricorn as well. He's got no planets in Water (feelings) and only Pluto in Fire (enthusiasm). Truth is, with that much Earth in his chart, Starck wouldn't be retiring if he hadn't made enough money to live really comfortably.

What's really interesting is Starck's progressed Sun. In two years when he retires it will be on the last degree of Pisces. That's also the last degree of the Zodiac and is probably the most creative spot in the whole horoscope as it passes into Aries. That will be a good time for a rebirth for Starck.

This comment really angers me because it sends a really stupid message out to the kids. With Global Warming and Internationalism coming up kids should be encouraged to become Designers in order to figure out how to find Solutions in order to exist in the World.

Leakey's Angels

Louis Leakey was the famous Archaeologist who established that the Human Race perhaps began in Africa. Leakey also seems to have a thing for hooking women up with monkeys. All three of the most famous researchers on primates were guided into their professions by Leakey, and oddly, especially for their time and for the danger that is inherent in their work, they are all women. So I thought I'd take a look at their charts. The women are Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas. Their charts definitely show their Maverick natures (Uranus) and their Courage (Mars, plus some).

Rex Bills doesn't give rulerships for specific primates, as far as I can tell. He says that Monkeys are ruled by Gemini, Mercury. Domesticated pets are ruled by Virgo, Mercury. Large animals are ruled by the 12th House and Jupiter. Wild animals are ruled by Uranus (according to Rex Bills).

I was curious to see how Mars figures in the charts. These women are all strongly independent. And I figured Mars indicates the idea of "Primate." Goodall's Mars is in Aries, Fossey's is in Capricorn, and Galdikas' is in Leo, all very strong willed placements. In addition, all three women have Mars-Pluto contacts. The 10 degree orbs are considered too wide by many but since they are included in stelliums that tighten the orbs so I think they should be considered. It's a relief seeing the Mars-Pluto aspect being used in life for something other than Temper Tantrums which is the common interpretation by Astrologers. Dian Fossey's Mars, however, was conjunct her Sun-Saturn and she did suffer from some of the more alienating Mars-Pluto-Saturn problems both politically and in that she was murdered perhaps by a poacher. Both Fossey and Goodall grew up in Divorced homes which could also develop into a loner, self dependent personality.

I've also noticed that Jupiter is strongly aspected in two of the charts and I think that Jupiter, Sagittarius should maybe be considered for Human-Animal Relations. Sagittarius is a Centaur, half man, half horse and I've noticed people with this sign very strong in their charts seem to have an affinity with animals. In these charts, Jupiter trines the Nodes of Goodall and Galdikas' charts. These two women interestingly were born with Jupiter within a degree of each other in Libra. All three women have strong Jupiter-Uranus aspects as well.

Venus is also strongly connected with Uranus-Aquarius. Goodall and Fossey have Venus in Aquarius (on the same degree) and Galdikas has a conjunction of Venus to Uranus. Two of the women have Venus-North Node Conjunctions. When one looks at Leakey's chart one can see his attraction to them as he had a Grand Square which included Venus in Virgo square Uranus. The other indicator for women in one's life is the Moon and Leakey's Moon was in Aquarius. One can certainly understand that a woman attracted to this line of work must be independent, enterprising and not bothered by the prospects of an alternative lifestyle. Bills assigns Rulerships for "Wilderness" to Uranus (Pluto).

Jane Goodall / Chimpanzees
b. Apr. 3, 1934 London, England

Sun 14 Aries; Moon Scorpio or Sagittarius; NN 18 Aquarius

Sun conjunct Mars in Aries squaring Pluto in Cancer. Sun-Mars opposes Jupiter in Libra.

Jupiter 19 Libra trine Aquarius North Nodes

Venus 28 Aquarius conjunct Saturn-NN in Aquarius.

Dian Fossey / Gorillas
b. Jan. 16, 1932 San Francisco, CA

Sun 26 Capricorn; Moon Aries or Taurus; NN 29 Pisces

Sun-Saturn-Mars in Capricorn opposite Pluto in Cancer.
Jupiter 21 Leo trine Uranus 16 Aries
Venus unaspected 28 Aquarius
Mercury 3 Capricorn squaring NN 29 Pisces

Birute Galdikas // Orangutans
b. May 10, 1946 Wiesbaden, Germany

Sun 20 Taurus; Moon Virgo; NN 22 Gemini

Mars 9 Leo conjunct Pluto 10 Leo
North Node 22 Gemini conjunct Uranus-Venus in Gemini trining Jupiter 20 Libra

Jerome Kerviel

Jerome Kerviel is the French Rogue Trader who just lost the Bank he worked for $7 Billion Dollars. Okay, so George Bush can do this for the U.S. in a day over in Iraq, no biggee. I looked at the chart anyway. Found some stuff that might be useful.

Jerome Kerviel
b. Jan. 11, 1977 Pont-l-Abbe, Brittany, France? (not sure about place)

Sun 22 Capricorn; Moon Virgo or Libra; NN 30 Libra

The most recent news is that the bank, Societe Generale, is thought to be partly to blame for entertaining a very competitive, risk taking environment and not keeping track of its Traders. Big Whoop, Saturn was in Leo, what do you expect? Also, another bit of news was that Kerviel has recently suffered two major losses. His Father died in 2006 and he has recently separated from his wife.

Kerviel's "unauthorized" trading began at the end of 2006. It's interesting to notice that in August, 2006 Kerviel was having his Saturn Return just as the Saturn-Neptune opposition was moving into place. That's a tough transit to go through just as you "lose" your "Father." But opposite the Neptune, eek.

I also checked for Lilith's placement as I know that in mythology she had some problems with death and grieving and holding grudges. Here she is placed in Taurus (Banking) conjunct Kerviel's Jupiter. Am not sure how to interpret her but this as well as a possible conjunction between Moon and Pluto may show some difficult emotional/feminine energies that struggle with loss more than average.

Kerviel could do what he did because he had worked for so long in the back office. I don't understand the working of legal bank trading let alone illegal bank trading but do recognize that a "back office" and "unassuming" character is a Neptunian theme as is "Fraud". It's also a Scapegoat theme, the card which Kerviel is playing right now. He was being rewarded for making the company money, even if assuming risk (Saturn in Leo), so I guess they are in part to blame (Saturn & Neptune word).

Kerviel's chart cycles show a Saturn Return, a Jupiter Opposition and a Uranus trine while he was committing his crimes. These planets are linked by aspect in his natal chart in the Resource Houses of Risk taking Leo (Saturn), Banking Taurus (Jupiter) and Investments (Uranus). All 3 Planets were in aspect to natal planets and were being hit by t.Neptune and prog. Sun as well. The broader nature of all the outer planets chiming in so well together explains the extreme nature of the crime.

The Saturn-Neptune opposition transit hooks into Kerviel's natal chart by transit but also because he has a natal trine between the two planets (Neptune in Sagittarius). He naturally knows how to use that energy. Also, his progressed Sun has been traveling 21-23 Aquarius so it has been within conjunction-opposition of that Saturn-Neptune opposition.

Venus and Taurus also rule money and Banking themes so I took a look at those. Venus here is in Pisces. That again shows a style of handling money which is not direct and which somehow works beyond the normal boundaries. I believe this is the biggest Bank Fraud case in history. Jupiter is his only planet in Taurus. It is Retrograde and is strongly linked with his Saturn (so involved in the Saturn-Neptune opposition as well). It is parallel Saturn and both planets are Retrograde and in Fixed, Resource signs. Jupiter and Saturn working together can give one a great, broad sense of social rhythms, for good or bad.

Saturn is also squaring Uranus in Scorpio in this chart and Jupiter was passing over natal Uranus just at this time.

T. Uranus was passing over natal Venus in Pisces (squaring Neptune).

Kerviel was caught for making unauthorized trades on Jan. 19, 2008. His Solar Return Chart for 2007 shows a Sun-Venus Rx conjunction and a Grand Fixed Square between Mars 15 Taurus opposition Jupiter Scorpio which was squaring Saturn Leo opposite Neptune Aquarius, all on top of his natal planets. He was about 6 months out of his exact Saturn opposition.

It's interesting that another Rogue Trader, Nick Leeson, who completely tanked the British bank he was working for back in 1995, was caught for his hanky panky back on Jan 16, 1995. This shows the Sun in close to the same spot of Capricorn (Authorities, Guilt). Also interesting is the fact that Saturn (Authorities, Guilt) on that day was at 10 Pisces, very close to opposition of Saturn's placement for when Kerviel was caught on Jan. 19, 2008. I'm not much into Sabian Symbols but it would be interesting to check out the interpretations for these degrees. Mostly I think this is just a symptom of the end of Saturn's ambitious transits through risk taking Leo and enterprising Aquarius.

There's an interesting blog post comparing Leeson and Kerviel's charts at "Astropost" http://astropost.blogspot.com/2008/01/jrome-kerviel-and-nick-leeson-same.html.

Playing Games

I'm not much into games, but it seems that as Jupiter and Pluto have moved from Sagittarius to Capricorn there is a big switch from interest in Poker to interest in Chess. The party, gambling aspects of Poker seem much more suited to Sagittarius. And the serious, long drawn out strategizing and planning seem much more suited to Capricorn.

Pablo Casals

I admire this guy so much I can't even begin to try to think of fluffing up some stupid introductory remark. You want to see a great Master in action watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP5OUxyEOhk. Casals is teaching a student. The student plays, completely clueless how the music should sound and then Casals shows her how it's done...

Pablo Casals
b. Dec. 29, 1876 8pm Vendrell, Spain

Sun 9 Capricorn; ASC 20 Leo; Moon 24 Gemini; MC12 Taurus; NN 15 Pisces Rx

Casals was one of the greatest Musicians who ever lived. This is reflected by his Taurus Midheaven and Pisces North Node, and also his 5th House Sun trine Neptune.

Casals was born in Spain to musician parents. His Father had taught him to play piano, violin and flute by the time he was 4 years old. At Age 11 Casals decided he would play Cello. This would have happened right before Casals' first Jupiter Return in Sagittarius right on his 5th house cusp (music, performance). Jupiter is opposite Casals Moon which is way out-of-bounds at Declination 28 14' 36" N and a singleton in Air. At this time there was right around the time of the big conjunction of Neptune to Pluto in Taurus in the sky. This would have happened in Casals' 10th house and opposed his Mars in Scorpio.

Casals gave his first performance at Age 14 (Saturn opposition in Pisces including the Nodal axis) on Feb. 23, 1891. It's interesting that his progressed Sun was conjunct n.Mercury to the degree in the 5th house of performance. But, N.Mercury was apex of a Yod figure, inconjunct on either side to a sextile of Moon in Gemini & Uranus in Leo. I've heard stories about Casals' terrible stage fright, once his bow slipped out of his hand and into the audience because he was shaking so badly. I wonder if Yods can have something to do with this. There may have been some sort of fear of success related to not wanting to eclipse his Father in career matters. The Father is shown through Capricorn emphasis, Family tradition problems shown through the Yod and the Moon, and nervousness shown through Mercury, Leo, Gemini, and Moon. Certainly with the Capricorn there would have been fear of failure. Once he hurt his hand and had to stop playing for 6 months. He said it was one of the happiest times of his life. Fortunately he probably couldn't do anything else and had to go back to it. He was also an incredible Conductor who gathered together the greatest players of the time every year at his home for the Internationally famous Marlboro Festival.

Casals' major relationships show the Capricorn streak true to form. He was cautious and didn't marry his first partner who was his student. Then he married an American Socialite. Then at Age 80, at a very advanced age, he married another student. This marriage actually lasted until he died at age 96 and was his longest!!

Casals' greatest achievement is his contribution to music, but he is also known for his strong political stance against Franco's regime after the Spanish Civil War struck. Casals refused to perform in Spain until Democracy was reinstated in the country. He never got his wish and lived in exile for the rest of his life. He died in his Mother's birth country of Puerto Rico but he was buried in Spain. This tension is shown very clearly by a t-square aspect in his chart which is due for a repeat transit in a couple of years. Uranus (rebellion) was conjunct Casals' Leo Ascendant and it was apex of a t-square to Pluto (power, resistance) in the 10th House (Government) opposite Mars (discord) in the 4th(homeland). His t-square was in Fixed Signs whereas the transit coming up will be in the Cardinal signs which gives a much different flavor but Casals' planets are placed prominently in angular in his chart. The Uranus-Pluto square was furthered agitated by 135 degree aspects to his Sun in a Thor's Hammer aspect. This is again the Thor's Hammer which I looked at in Hillary Clinton's and John Edward's chart. It shows a strong need to fight for political rights apparently. Saturn in this chart is not in aspect to the t-square but is in the 7th house, also on an angle.