AOC, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Just the Beginning of a Notable Political Career

by Milky Way Maid

The junior Congresswoman from New York is getting a great deal of press – and now even on the astrological websites! I have been astonished at how she attracts more interest than any other new Congressional representative or senator ever – excepting probably the charismatic young JFK when he won his Senate seat.

ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ

born Friday Oct 13, 1989, New York, NY TIME 11:50 am

ASC= 15 SAG MC= 6 LIBRA

SUN= 20.lib MOON= 3.ari MERC= 3.LIB VE= 5.sag MARS= 15.lib JUP= 10.can

SAT= 8.cap UR= 1.cap NEP= 9.cap PL= 14.scorp NN=24.aqu.21'

One of the BIG drivers of her campaign run was her first Saturn return. AOC beat her Republican opponent on November 6, 2018, smack in the middle of the exact return. Her natal Saturn is at 5 degrees of Capricorn, and Saturn was at 5 degrees of Capricorn from November 2–13, 2018. So obviously she had decided to use the Saturn energy to accept more responsibility, duty, and hard work with long hours.

Another key transit, in my opinion, was Jupiter rolling through her Ascendant, Sagittarius. Nothing can be luckier for a Sag rising than to have its ruler, the luckiest planet of them all, putting a big smile on your face to the world.

Let's not forget the impact of Uranus entering Taurus and setting up a trine to her natal Uranus in Capricorn! Uranus is usually described in terms of unreliability or oddness, but in this case the quality of uniqueness best describes her appeal to many segments of her Brooklyn constituency as well as her ready wit when someone tries to take her down a notch for a tape of her dancing. Uranus also rules lucky breaks, which is also a great help when taking on an established incumbent.

I say she is at the beginning of her political career because before you know it, favorable outer planet placements and the nodes will recharge her booster rockets. Her earth-sign Saturn-Uranus-Neptune stellium will benefit from the Saturn-Jupiter conjunction in Taurus in late 2020 which signifies the keynote for the next 20 years. After 2028, transiting Uranus in Gemini will start trining her natal Sun and Mars in Libra. Later transiting North Node will move into Sagittarius and contact her natal Ascendant and Venus.

So I am not too worried that the current criticism from the far right will cut her political career short. If anything, she will just fire back while keeping her eyes on the issues and goals that motivate her most.

What's Cooking for December 10 (or so) in Trump clan???

by Milky Way Maid

Maybe some of you have latched onto Robert Cosmar's Youtube videos already; if not, I recommend you sample them. The latest one says something is due to happen around December 10, 2018, possibly in connection with the Mueller investigation.

Cosmar points out that the transits are very serious around that time. Pluto will be conjunct Jared Kushner's Sun, while it also opposes Donald Jr's ascendant. I'd like to remind people that Pluto has been nicknamed the wipeout planet for good reason; it is possible that they will both be served indictments, or face arrest, seizure or freezing of accounts. Pluto can conceal or it can reveal the devastating truth. 

The Pluto transit over one's natal Sun can play out over the course of about a year and a half, so Kushner's exact transit may or may not show up in the December headlines. Pluto also governs generational issues from genetics to inheritance. It is thought that the transit points to finding out who one really is, what you really want to do with your life (as opposed to fulfilling a parent's ambition for you). It could be that Kushner has to give up his career as a developer or real estate baron, and carve out his own career somewhere else. 

Kushner in any case will make a drastic change in his life. It could take the form of a separation from his famous wife, Ivanka. While I have not seen rumors of any troubles in their house, the fact that they will incur heavy legal expenses could drive them apart so as not to be responsible for the other's debts as well as their own. Kushner has been investigated for some time for his involvement in deals and loans from foreign parties seeking to gain influence with his father, the current president. Ivanka will be scrutinized for using her private email account for government business. 

The Pluto transit regarding Donald Jr's seventh house probably signals the legal end of his marriage, since he and his wife separated some months ago. Long term, I see him becoming more determined to carve his own path in life, instead of seeking his father's approval by partnering with his dad in the family businesses. 

As for Donald Sr., Pluto is approaching an opposition to his natal Saturn at 23 degrees Cancer. I think this will be very karmic, and he will lose the rest of what's left of his empire. (This can take years to play out, though.) Already we have seen a couple of his towers take off the Trump name; also the Trump Soho was divested completely (as far as we know). 

See what you think. Donald Trump Jr. born December 31, 1977 in New York City. Jared Corey Kushner born January 10, 1981 in Livingston, New Jersey. The Robert Cosmar video mentioned can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEfswMybQ6g

Have Wills and Kate Produced a Daredevil? (chart included)

by Milky Way Maid

Well! The heir to the throne that everyone has been waiting for finally arrived July 22, somewhat overdue. He was a BIG baby, weighing in at 8 pounds, 6 ounces. The official birth-time was given as 4:24 pm, London time, giving baby George a late Scorpio ascendant and a Full Moon chart.

First a note about his given names. He has been dubbed “George Alexander Louis” and will be called His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge.

The internet quickly picked up on the fact that these names coincidentally (?) honor the actors who played the major roles on the old Seinfeld TV series. That is, George Costanza, Jason Alexander, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Will this irreverence offend the Queen? Will the names affect the relationship between the young couple and the Queen?

I like to check first to see if any planets are on late degrees of any signs. Baby George has two, the Sun at 29 degrees of Cancer and the Moon at 28 degrees Capricorn. Late degrees of Cancer can signify a hefty inheritance, or carrying on a family business. Of course the family business in his case is the throne; this might be one signal that George might actually reign one day. [John F. Kennedy had Saturn in a late degree of Cancer, too; his “family business” was politics.] Late degrees of Capricorn helps one in the business world, especially in building up a large business. Maybe this will help him to promote British industry and trade. Interestingly, Princess Diana had Saturn at 27 degrees Capricorn; she was a great boost to the British fashion industry.

[CHART: Baby George in inner wheel. Daddy William in outer wheel.]

Then I like to check also to see if there are planets on critical degrees. [The critical degrees are 0, 13 and 26 of the cardinal signs; 8 and 22 degrees of the fixed signs, and 4 and 17 of the mutable signs.] George has three planets on critical degrees: Mercury at 13 degrees Cancer, Uranus at 12 degrees Aries, and Neptune at 5 degrees Pisces. While the placements of Uranus and Neptune affect many thousands of babies born that week, Mercury is interesting because it just went direct on July 20. I feel that Mercury is stronger due to the fact that it is almost hovering in one spot, even though it is actually moving forward now.

Mutual Reception-- George has Moon and Mars in mutual reception. Mars in Cancer (Mars is in its detriment in Cancer) is exalted in Capricorn; Moon in Capricorn (the Moon is in its fall in Capricorn) is ruler of Cancer. Both planets are weak by natal position, but are strengthened by the mutual reception. There are other and more subtle mutual receptions, created by planets being in a house that they also rule.

Grand Trine-- George has a Grand Trine in water signs, composed of the Jupiter-Mars conjunction in Cancer, Neptune in Pisces, and Saturn in Scorpio. He may be very emotional, yet his intuition could guide him to a deeper knowledge and deeper understanding of life and people. Much will depend on the guidance he receives from those around him.

T-squares-- George has a T-square composed of the Mars-Jupiter conjunction opposite Pluto in Capricorn, square Uranus in Aries. His Sun-Moon opposition is also squared by Saturn, tho it's a bit wide with a 5 degree orb. So there will be many challenges set before him, but I have to say that cardinal signs tend to enjoy a challenge. The drawback is that cardinal signs tend to rush in where fools fear to tread, before they have properly assessed the risk and developed a plan of attack. Let's hope that he is part of a team effort that will shore up his weaknesses.

I am very disturbed by George's chart. I feel that he will be much too rash and invite disaster due to the Mars-Jupiter-Mercury opposed to Pluto. These are in the eighth-second house axis which sometimes denotes a daredevil, someone who thinks he is invincible and immortal and dares the devil to take him. [Evel Knievel and Neil Armstrong have a Moon-Mars opposition across the second-eighth house axis; Armstrong's Mars is late in the first house.]

At any rate, Mars conjunct Jupiter is either a great athlete or a big gambler. With Pluto opposed, he is sure to lose the bet – eventually, anyway. Perhaps when Mars-Jupiter progress to an exact square to Uranus, he may run out of luck.

George does have a wonderful Full Moon opposition in his third and ninth houses, which can indicate intellectual curiosity and even brilliance. He will love to read, and may be a history nut. He may show an intuitive grasp of difficult principles. Where he may have inherited scholastic brilliance will be a mystery, because certainly the rest of the family is astonishingly poorly if expensively educated.

If you use planetary hours, George was born in a Saturn hour. I have not been tracking this kind of thing, so I have no idea of the significance of this factoid. I do know that Queen Elizabeth II has a prominent Saturn in her natal chart, representing the heavy responsibilities of the throne. Could this be another hint that he may one day wear the crown?

AMENDED TO ADD: The best part of his chart is the strong driver of the Sun-Saturn square (even though it is an out-of-sign square from late Cancer to early Scorpio). He will be driven to achieve something with his life and adopt challenges that few could tackle. People with a Sun-Saturn square just keep going in spite of the obstacles. He could really become a famous and accomplished person aside from the fact of being born into the royal family. This square is something that he shares with his father William. William has his Sun-Moon square both Jupiter and Saturn in Libra, and so far he is using it in his search-and-rescue career.  

---------------------------------------------------------------------

For more about planets in late degrees of a sign, please read my popular article here:

http://milky-way-astrology.blogspot.com/2008/08/planets-in-late-degrees-what-do-they.html

A Look at the new Pope Francis's astro charts

by Milky Way Maid

Last March 13, at 7:06 pm Rome time, white smoke appeared, signaling that the Cardinals had elected a new Pope to head the Catholic Church. We soon found out that the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elevated to head the church that he had dedicated himself to since 1969 in such a humble and just manner.

What kind of man is he, and what can we find in his transiting or progressed charts to signal such an elevation of rank?

Pope Francis's entry in Wikipedia is very heart-warming, and gives the casual Church-watcher reason to believe that a just man has been elected. What do I mean by a just man? I mean someone who stands up for the right, instead of acting as a collaborator with the high and mighty as they crush the poor and working peoples under their feet.

The natal chart for Pope Francis (see inset) is set for his birth at Dec. 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I have printed it with the speculative time of 12:30 am, a time chosen by astrologer Dave Roell, of AstroAmerica dot com fame. While we cannot confirm or dismiss this time yet, there is some reason to believe that this is a workable chart that fits what we know of the former Jorge Bergoglio.

I also calculated a transit chart for the election of the new Pope – set for 7:06 PM Rome time on March 13, 2013, and used a guesstimated chart for his progressions to age 76.5. They revealed some interesting contacts.

First the birth chart. The early birth time puts Neptune rising in the first house, suitable for such a humble person who has eschewed the trappings of higher church office, and also suitable for someone who immersed himself in religious matters. Even more interesting, though, is that this Neptune (at almost 19 degrees Virgo) is opposite Saturn (at 16 degrees Pisces), which represents The Powers That Be, the Establishment, Big Business, etc. This is a guy who has spoken up against the government in favor of the poor and working classes. From Wiki: “Oliveira described the future Pope as "anguished" and "very critical of the dictatorship" during the "Dirty War".”

Also notable is the Moon-Venus conjunction in selfless Aquarius. Bergoglio is the son of a railway worker, and his sympathies with the working people (Aquarius, representing the proletariat) have carried over into adulthood. Venus in an air sign is more objective and idea-oriented, not given so much to sensual pleasures or earthy pursuits.

Also notable are the Mercury-Jupiter (religious dialogue) conjunction in Capricorn trine Uranus (foreign languages and beliefs) in Taurus. This may account for his remarkable ability to forge connections with representatives of other religions. He has befriended clergy representing the Jewish, Muslim, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant faiths. In fact, many civil and religious leaders from the Islamic world attended his installation as Pope – as did the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople. A Saudi Arabian newspaper stated that his public call as pope for increased dialogue with Islam "comes as a whiff of fresh air at a time when much of the Western world is experiencing a nasty outbreak of Islamophobia". (Wiki)

When a Jewish Community Center was bombed in 1994 in Buenos Aires, Bergoglio was among the first to sign a petition condemning the attack and calling for justice. Bergoglio also made the Cathedral in Buenos Aires available for interfaith ceremonies. Once such event was an interfaith prayer for peace in November 2012, attented by leaders from the Jewish, Islamic, Evangelical and Orthodox Christian faiths.

There is much more that one could say about any natal chart, but let's go on to the chart for the election to the papacy. The chart for his election (not shown) has 4 degrees Libra rising, with natal Mars at 19 degrees in his first house, inconjunct natal Saturn. This reminds me that an astrologer friend insisted to me years ago that while Libra was the sign of peace, it was also the sign of war. With Mars on an angle in the election chart, I feel that he will be rather a bulldog in standing up for the poor, as he has always done, against governmental or other oppressive forces (Saturn).

The Ascendant is inconjunct natal Uranus in Taurus, opposite transiting Mars and Uranus in Aries, inconjunct transiting Neptune and Mercury in Pisces – forming a Yod with that Mars-Uranus conjunction at the release point. Mercury-Neptune speaks about ideals. Mars-Uranus can get violent – I think he is going to face some virulent opposition (literally) to some of the things he will speak out about. And Uranus in Taurus represents, I think, the working people, the “salt of the earth” types who keep everything going. We could write a book about all these influences but let's go on to the other Yod.

Other Yod? Did you say “other Yod”? Yep, another Yod is found in this chart. Look at the stuff at around 11 degrees here. We have 4 items: the transiting Part of Fortune at 10 degrees, 53' Virgo. Transiting Saturn at 11 degrees Scorpio. Natal Mercury at 10 degrees Capricorn, conjunct transiting Pluto at 11 degrees Capricorn. And transiting Jupiter is in orb at 9 degrees Gemini in the ninth house of religion. So the two legs of Saturn in Scorpio and Mercury-Pluto in Capricorn support the triangle topped by religious Jupiter in the house of religion and world views. The Yod is said to have a fated quality, and perhaps Pope Francis was always destined to lead the Catholic Church in this new millennium. 

Perhaps that is another meaning of the retrograde Mercury conjunct Neptune here – perhaps this election was in a sense, a re-do of the prior election of a Pope, the now-retired Pope Benedict. (Neptune here would represent not only religious matters but the idea of a Symbol, and the Pope is a symbol of non-material values and eternal truths.)

And finally, just a quick look at the progressions that may have brought Cardinal Bergoglio to his elevation to Pope. What I notice are the following: Mars conjunct a late Moon in Scorpio – Moon-Mars is impassioned feelings and beliefs, trine natal Pluto in Cancer, possibly denoting the vast power of the papacy giving new weight to his pronouncements. The Sun is three days shy of a conjunction to natal Saturn, but his inauguration on March 19 would exactly coincide with the enormous responsibility now invested in him. Not sure what to make of this, but the true North Node at 10 degrees, 13' of Sagittarius is conjunct is natal IC, and sextile natal Mars in Libra, square natal Neptune on one side and square natal Saturn on the other. The end of the matter (IC) is his growth into the top job of his chosen profession, the Catholic Church? And this role will put him in a VERY challenging and stressful position of balancing defense of the poor against the powers of temporal authority. This is somewhat past the natal positions of his Sun and North Node in Sagittarius.

Maybe we should all fasten our seat belts. This could be a bumpy ride. 

A Look at the Occupy Wall Street Movement and Chart

by Milky Way Maid

(Dave Roell's analysis of the OWS protest, with chart, is in the Dec. 6 issue of his newsletter at http://www.astroamerica.com/astroamericanewsletter.pdf - (it will have the new issue, click on Archives and select Dec. 6) (Also Dave wrote a bit of a follwup in the Dec. 13 issue)

Perhaps I am overdue in writing about a chart for the beginning of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Actually the website came before the protest in the New York financial district, but the registration of that website is variously given as June 9 or July 14 (see Wikipedia). I think that the July 14 date would be rather apropos since that is also Bastille Day, a historical event in which the oppressed 99-percent masses rose up to crush the aristocratic 1 percent.

So I have drawn up a chart for the beginning of the actual protest at Bowling Green Park in the financial district. The chart is located in Manhattan, noon (or actually 12:01 pm) of Sept. 17, 2011. The ascendant is 27 degrees Scorpio and the Midheaven at 11 degrees Virgo.

But the first thing that leaps out at the astrologer is the T-square of Pluto, Uranus and Venus. Now Dave cautions one to look at the chart basics first before jumping at the angles so OK, let us back off a bit and come to it again later.

The ascendant as we said is 27 degrees Scorpio. Rulers Mars at 29 Cancer in the eighth house of other people's money, and Pluto at almost five degrees Capricorn in the other money house, the second. Either would validate the chart because they confirm the topic of the protest which is directly related to money and how it handled.

THE T-SQUARE: It is pretty tight with Pluto at almost 5 degrees Capricorn (4 degrees 53') in the sign of Big Business and in the house of money; Venus (representing both values and money) is at 3 degrees 11', strong in her home of Libra, elevated in the tenth house; and Uranus the rebel at 2 degrees, 55' retrograde in Aries in the fourth house. Pluto signifies the powers that be, the oligarchy that seems to pull the strings behind too much of our lives and against which the protests are focused.

The basic complaint is that the guilty parties behind the mortgage credit fraud and collapse have still not been brought to justice.

So we see from this T-square that the degrees from 3 to 5 are highly charged. Transits or progressions to these degrees mark events related to the occupation or clearing of the park. Mars (police) at almost 3 degrees Virgo trines Jupiter (law) at almost 3 degrees Taurus on Nov. 16, the day before the rather infamous overnight forced evacuation of the park.

Looking ahead to coming transits to the sensitive degree, we have: the Sun at 3 degrees Sag on Shop Local day- Nov. 26, and at 3 Capricorn on Christmas; Mercury making a direct station on Dec. 13 in first house Sag; Venus at 3 Sag on Nov. 5, at 3 Capricorn on Nov. 29, and at 3 Aquarius on Dec. 23-24; Vesta at 3 Aquarius on Dec. 28-29. Jupiter will eventually reach 3 Taurus again during the first full week of February. Interestingly, Mars will retrograde back through Virgo and make a direct station at 3 degrees Virgo (ninth house) about April 14, 2012. So these will all be key dates in the ongoing movement especially on the stations of Dec. 13, 2011 and April 14, 2012. I do not think this movement is collapsing just because of the forced evacuations in New York and elsewhere, not at all.


Also it is auspicious that the lights are closely trine to each other, the sun at 24 degrees Virgo in the tenth house, trine the Moon, exalted in Taurus at 22 degrees in the sixth house of workers. Jupiter is also in Taurus (at 9 degrees) and in the sixth house, trine the Midheaven and Mercury. The leadership of the movement (Sun in the tenth), therefore, finds a receptive audience (Moon, the public, the audience) among the working classes (sixth house).

A grand trine is formed if you include Pallas Athena at 27 degrees Capricorn in the second house. Earth signs build. What are they building here? Possibly a new way of looking at money, possibly a new way of using money as a tool of protest (other than simply donating to a cause). Moving one's money to small, locally owned and operated banks and credit unions was one of the protest tactics in December. A few words about Pallas in the second house: Pallas here is a strong saver, enjoys making money as long as it does not violate their strong code of personal ethics – and they would NEVER do anything they consider wrong just to make some money. They expect anyone who handles their money to not only be honest, but to keep their best interests at heart. (This is called fiduciary interest.) Sucking people in to buy your bundled shaky loans is not something they accept from any financial officer.

Let me make a note here of the other asteroids and Part of Fortune: Part of Fortune is at 24 degrees Cancer, near Mars at 29 degrees and both in the eighth house. Chiron is at almost 2 degrees of Pisces now, in the third house of communications. Ceres is at 23 degrees Pisces, in the fourth house. Juno is at almost 17 degrees Libra, almost exactly conjunct Saturn in the eleventh house of friends. Vesta is at 6 degrees Aquarius in the third house.

The third house being occupied by two asteroids, Chiron and Vesta, makes me wonder about a connection to the so-called “people's library” of 3,000 books that was collected and available to lend to the protesters. This collection was seized and trashed when the park was cleared of protesters in the November crackdown. Some of the books were rather valuable and some were signed by the authors, so it was a loss for the world of book-lovers everywhere.

Anyway,
Dave's comments (from his Facebook page) on chart:

Chart ruler Mars in the 8th house, this is a protest (Mars) against Wall Street (other people's money = 8th house). This establishes the chart as valid. Ascendant at 27 Scorpio, Mars at 29 Cancer - the ends of the signs - say the protesters are at the end of their rope.
(and from a later comment)
So far as the government is concerned (10th house), the Occupy crowd has, to date, not one single friend or ally. So far as the media is concerned (3rd house) the proper media is universally hostile, as Aquarius is ruled by Saturn, which is in the sign of Venus, which is Wall Street itself. The "New Age" ruler of Aquarius
is Uranus. We find it exactly opposed to Wall Street and everything it stands for: Uranus dead opposite Venus. In the 5th house, Uranus is typically creative and in Aries, energetic (the internet is
solidly behind Occupy), but that's not a lot to pin your hopes on. Oh my Gawd, they're sexual degenerates!!! Well, yes. Uranus in Aries in 5 can be kinky, especially when contrasted with Venus in suave Libra just opposite. All of this is straightforward chart analysis. I wish I could find a ray of hope in this.

Dave"

Kinky sex?? We're accused of being degenerates now?? Wow. The only thing kinky about us is our attitude about Money (Venus) which we believe ought to serve society, not be its master. That's what is revolutionary (Uranus), sir. (Dave is often curmudgeonly, but here he sounds like he needs therapy or something. Maybe some nice Christmas eggnog.)

As for planets being “at the end of their rope” or “out of steam,” as Dave puts it, because they are in late degrees, I beg to differ. Let me link you to my article that states that late degrees can be very powerful in a natal chart, at least. Example: Writers who have planets in late degrees of Gemini. http://milkywayastrology.wordpress.com/2008/08/15/planets-in-late-degrees-what-do-they-mean/
And let me quote from this article:
“If you see a Sun, Midheaven, Part of Fortune, or chart ruler in those degrees, then the career should have a measure of fame. But any planet in a late degree is going to throw more weight than you might otherwise expect from the placement or aspects.”

The OWS chart has Mars in late degrees of Cancer; late degrees of Cancer have been linked to those who inherit a family business, those who become real-estate moguls, and so forth. So this Mars addresses the debt and interest rates (Mars) related to mortgages, and to loans in general, possibly also credit card debt. There is also the matter of where these protesters are to live, also reflected in the fact that one leg of the T-square is Uranus in the fourth house. The single item that most riles Occupiers' opponents is that they do not stay in their own homes (if they have one) but camp out on the (privatized) public space.

I am going to go out on a limb and say that eventually some campground or other public space (football or soccer field? Abandoned apartment building?) will be co-opted by the Occupiers, from where they can continue to badger public officials.

This Mars is angry, sure, but because it is in a late degree, he is not rash. He does not go off half-cocked, turning over the money-changers' tables nor does he open fire with an Uzi. He is controlled, deliberate, and planned. In the sign of the Moon, exalted in Taurus, which is in the twelfth house of the opposition (Wall Street and Big Banking), he gets the public on his side.

It almost does not matter if the opposition is not going to kneel down in defeat. The goal was primarily to get this subject onto the news pages, which it did. It got the public on its side. It woke up the millions who have been wandering around in a daze because they are in so much debt they cannot dig themselves out.

Since this Mars is in the ninth house (ruling colleges), there is a related protest regarding the interest rates on student-loan debts. A recent article by one graduate said that she had been paying since 2006 on a student loan and had only made a dent of a whopping $1200 in the total.

The other late-degree planet is Neptune in Aquarius. Late Aquarius sometimes gives rise to “mental detectives” and perhaps some members of the movement will be able to figure out who the guilty parties are in the financial scandals that have gone unpunished. Late Aquarius is a good researcher, especially with online sources. Neptune holds up ideals in front of our eyes --, impossible ideals perhaps -- but they give us something to aim at.

The Ascendant is late Scorpio, a highly spiritual sign, and a sign that likes to see true justice done. And when you get a Scorpio mad, oh boy, ol' Scorp can stay made for years. So just because the militarized police have done the bidding of the monied class and broken up the camps, does not mean that the Occupy movement is kaput. In fact, the movement seems to have taken on nine lives in interrelated issues.

The latest phase is OWS has morphed into a protest against manipulating food, and food supplies, for monetary gain. See this article with pictures of “Occupy Food brings American Farmers & Food Lovers to OccupyWallStreet” at http://pameladrew.newsvine.com/_news/2011/12/05/9233400-occupyfood-brings-american-farmers-food-lovers-to-occupywallstreet?threadId=3288882&commentId=60489160#c60489160

On December 7, I received an email from Michael Moore with an article called The Winter of our Occupation. (this is posted online at his website http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mike-friends-blog/winter-our-occupation )

In this article, Michael calls on occupiers to continue the movement indoors with a five-pronged attack on corporate complacency. Re-occupy houses that you have been foreclosed on, occupy the for-profit colleges' student loan offices and regents meetings, move your money to a local credit union, reorganize unions, and also occupy for-profit health insurance companies like Cigna, Humana, etc.

Dave wrote on his Facebook page,  “A protest is not a success when it is smashed by the police. A protest is a success when it CHANGES THINGS." Well, I am not accepting your definition of success.

The Occupy movement has succeeded in getting the issue of justice for financial crimes onto the news pages and blogs, it has succeeded in getting people to move their accounts out of Big Banking into local institutions, it has succeeded in getting the Republicans' top strategist to alter their buzzwords (capitalism is now a dirty word, folks). "They're having an impact on what the American people think of capitalism," said Frank Luntz, in a article you can read on Yahoo: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/republicans-being-taught-talk-occupy-wall-street-133707949.html

Hard figures are hard to come by when measuring success of the Great Money Migration, however Yes Magazine reported on Nov. 7 that “over the past month credit unions have added 650,000 new members (as opposed to 80,000 in a regular month), resulting in more than $4.5 billion in new deposits.” Like they say, four billion here, four billion there, pretty soon you're talking about real money. And this was BEFORE the actual Move Your Money day action.

So I think that Occupy is a success on several fronts and is not done yet. It seems that Occupy has only begun to fight.


SOURCE:
Date and time as given on the official Orientation Guide at http://occupywallst.org/media/OccupyWallSt-Orientation-Guide.pdf

Also, Wikipedia states that the date the website was registered was variously given as June 9 and July 14. July 14 would be cute because that is Bastille Day.

Astrological Birth Control Not Same as Rhythm Method

by Milky Way Maid

With all the pressure being put on insurance companies and pharmacists to not cover or offer birth control supplies or information, women may be forced to fall back on more traditional forms of birth control. Astrologers have access to an alternative to the rhythm method (also known as the Knaus-Ogino method). And if practiced faithfully, the astrological method known as Jonas-Rechnitz (aka cosmic or astrological birth control or A-B-C) claims to have as good a record as the birth control pill in avoiding unwanted pregnancy.

Studies in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s showed a 97.7 percent success rate for the Jonas-Rechnitz method , on par with The Pill. According to what I have read about this method, the fertility cycle is not necessarily congruent with the menstrual cycle, and that this accounts for the phenomenon of conception during one's menses. Such occurrences are not deemed possible under current mechanistic understanding of the female cycle, so there has to be something else going on.

The major drawback of astrological birth control is that it cannot be combined with the pill. Women who want to hedge their bets cannot use both, thinking that when one method fails the other will kick in. Taking the hormones in the pills throws the woman off her natural cycle and onto one dependent on the date she started taking her pills.

Due to the fact that taking the pill became so widespread, all other natural forms of birth control were abandoned. I provide this information more as a historical footnote --- and as an observation about astrological cycles --- than as a viable alternative for most modern women who prefer to take their pills and forget about everything else.

OK, you ask, so tell me what is this method all about? The Jonas-Rechnitz method posits that the woman is most fertile when the transiting Sun-Moon angle is the same as the Sun-Moon angle in her natal chart.

If you have an astrological program, or have a chart service print up a chart for you, it may include the angle between the Sun and Moon somewhere in the small print.

If not, it is not too hard to calculate this angle. First, translate the placement of the lights in terms of the 360-degree circle. In other words, the first degree of Aries is 1, the first degree of Taurus is 31, and so forth as you go around the zodiac through Pisces.

Say your Sun is at 22 degrees of Cancer. You have three whole signs before it, each of thirty degrees. Three times 30 = 90, to which you add 22 degrees. The total is therefore 112.

And then say your Moon is at 8 degrees of Sagittarius, or 249 on the 360-degree wheel.
Subtract the smaller number from the larger; we do not deal with negative numbers here. 249 – 112 = 137. Okay, now we have a working number to find this same angle in charts of Sun-Moon angles for the upcoming months and years.

For example, in charts for the year 1973, the angle of 137 degrees occurs on Jan. 15, Feb. 14. March 15, April 13-14, May 13, and so forth. One would abstain from relations on those days, on the two days preceding and one day after. For extra “insurance” to avoid pregnancy, one may combine this method with the rhythm method which might add another 7-14 days of abstinence to the month --- not a great hardship when one considers that many health risks of taking birth control pills are completely sidestepped.

The real beauty of this system is that it can be used either for avoiding or for trying to get pregnant. The woman who has finally found the man she wants to live with long-term, has found a pleasant home to raise children in, and has saved up funds to help support the wanted child, can discontinue her pills and after establishing a natural cycle, can hope to complete her family.

In addition, women who have difficult side effects of taking hormone pills such as depression, crying jags, and so forth, find this technique to spare both them and their families the strain of living in the same household.

Inre to the sex of the child: A baby conceived on days when the woman was fertile according to this method, reflects the sign that the Moon is in when she conceived will denote the sex of the child. If the Moon is in “masculine” signs like Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sag, or Aquarius, then there is a high probability that the child will be male. If the Moon is in the “feminine” signs like Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, or Pisces, then there is a high probability that the child will be a girl.

Women who have a natal angle that is stressful, that is a conjunction (zero degrees), square (90 or 270 degrees) or opposition (180) tend to have high odds of conceiving defective, stillborn, or miscarried children, or have a problem pregnancy. In that case, the source book suggests that they try using the rhythm cycle to conceive a healthy baby.

Women who have a very irregular or spotty menstrual cycle are advised to try using another method to determine when they are most fertile. The method that is most often employed uses observation of mucus thickness to determine when she is ovulating. This is called the Ovulation Method or Billings method.

SOURCE: Condensed from “Natural Birth Control” by Art Rosenblum, Aquarian Research Foundation, Philadelphia, PA, 1973. Book does not list vendors of tables of Sun-Moon angles. I do not find such charts on the internet either, but there is this related article at http://www.astrologyweekly.com/astrology-articles/fertility-jonas-dicu.php

The Goddess Archetypes: The Ceres Myth

by Milky Way Maid

Recently I posted some brief entries on the asteroid goddesses; one was on a historical note regarding responsibilities held by the Vestal Virgins. Today I want to go back to the original myths and try to tease out some themes pertaining to each of these goddesses. (For this series of articles I am using the excellent “Goddesses in Every Woman,” by Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D.)
Next up: Ceres, also known as Demeter. Let's go up close and personal with the goddess of the grain.

PEDIGREE: Second child of Rhea and Cronos, and therefore second in being swallowed by father Cronos. Zeus and Demeter's only child was the girl, Persephone aka Proserpine. Want to hear the sticky part? Her daughter was abducted by her brother, Hades. Yuck. No wonder she went into a funk when Hades took her daughter away.

HABITAT: Cultivated fields. Chiefly found at home or the day-care center taking care of the kids. Also her need to provide food and drink to her guests means that natives with a strongly placed Ceres may have a talent for the restaurant or bakery business.

FASHION STATEMENT: Usually pictured in a blue robe. Carries sheaf of wheat around. Everything has wheat-ear motif. Is that monotonous, or what? Really needs to break out and try on different outfits for different occasions.

SYMBOLOGY: Wheat and cereal grains in general. (The word cereal comes from the word Ceres.) Pictured as a woman holding a sheaf of wheat in one hand. Animals: Dolphin, pigs. Birds: Dove and crane. Insect: The industrious ant. Emblems: scythe, torch, or sacrificial knife. Special fruits of the earth: wheat or bread, of course, but also honey. Pictured as British nanny, nurse, farmer. Chakra: Thyroid. Colors: Green and gold fields. Direction: West. Element: Earth. Number: 49. Ray: Third ray of intelligent activity. Icon is a circle enclosed by an equilateral triangle.

RULERSHIPS: Ceres or Demeter were long worshiped in ancient Greece and Rome as the goddess of fertility and agriculture. The Eleusinian mysteries, established by the Goddess herself, “ensured not only fertile wheat fields, but also the ennoblement of human life on earth and the cultural gifts which enrich earthly experience.” Ceres is most at home in the earthy signs Taurus (which rules farming) and Virgo (which rules the domestic arts like bread-baking and is symbolized by a woman holding a sheaf of wheat). Not only are Ceres people devoted parents, they are natural conservationists who a concerned with environmental issues and saving our mother earth.

MARRIAGE: Demeter was the fourth royal consort of her brother Zeus, the one who had rescued all his siblings. (She preceded Hera, who was seventh and last in the series of royal wives.) Zeus and Demeter's only child was the girl, Persephone aka Proserpine. The fact that Demeter had only one child, upon which she invested her whole being (since she separated from her erstwhile husband), led to a very unbalanced psyche. Geez, you'd think that she could've adopted a dog or cat from the local shelter or something.

WOMEN FRIENDS: If a Demeter-type woman is childless for whatever reason, she will feel pangs of envy towards women friends who get pregnant easily or who have several children, who have close relationships with their children, and who gather a skein of grandchildren. So this tends to poison her friendships with those other women.

CAREER: On the other hand, if she is psychologically healthy, can be very supportive of women's issues, may be a doula or provide prenatal massage services, run a shelter, manage or serve as chef in a restaurant, or provide food service in any number of settings, or run a motel/hotel.

POLITICAL LEANINGS: Resents the “women's libbers” for devaluing motherhood. On the other hand, she is very supportive of things like shelters for abused women or children, and protecting children from all types of abuse. May also be an ardent conservationist or animal rights activist. Can be the type who becomes the crazy old cat lady if she's not careful.

PERSONALITY: Tends to feel depressed and useless after her children leave the nest. May not act supportive of her kids as they develop independence. Defines herself mainly as Earth Mother-type who takes care of other people's kids when their mom is laid up in the hospital or whatever. Really needs to develop other aspects of her personality and identity.
The keyword here is NURTURING. She feeds the people of the planet with the fruits of the fields and orchards. She raises and protects children. She conserves and protects the earth itself as the source of our sustenance. Women who have a large Ceres component in their personality feel incomplete without being able to feed someone or something, and can end up overfeeding themselves or terribly depressed. I recommend feeding birds, taking care of a pet, becoming a foster parent or getting involved in child-protection issues or women's shelters to restore a sense of purpose to one's life. One might go into the hotel or restaurant/catering business, too, as another option.

So what themes can we deduce from all this? We can list some of them here:
1- Needing to be needed
2- Not encouraging independence on the part of her children, ie wanting her kids to stay children and never grow up
3- Defining herself solely as a mother
4- Generally does not have close, supportive women friends who help each other grow as people
5- Narrow interests include the kids, the home, hubby, and mom, probably in that order
6- Can be politically or socially active in support of social services or environmentalism.

How might Ceres, the asteroid, operate in the various houses? The question becomes, where does she nurture others? First House: Really likes to play the earth mother role. Simplicity of dress with a minimum of adornment. Usually little makeup if any.

Second House: A careful conservator and saver of money and other resources, with steady growth. May have lots of flowers or house plants if in Taurus, lots of children if in Leo.

Third House: Great organizer of local events, block parties, family picnics. They often talk to their pets or house plants.

Fourth House: Quite good at meal planning with proper nutrition in mind; may be a professional nutritionist. May put up preserves, have a well-stocked freezer and larder, buy cases of canned foods on sale.

Fifth House: Usually have a couple of children naturally but may adopt if not fertile. Bird-watching or pet care or training appeals to them. Often has healing ability.
Sixth House: May be a nutritionist or in the health sciences. May work in a spa environment in any capacity. Is often the one who cleans up the business office even if they are not a cleaning lady.

Seventh House: May be called upon to nurse mate through a serious illness at some point in their relationship.

Eighth House: May work as a doula (midwife) or practice prenatal massage. Some possibility that they are very curious about topics like reincarnation or other esoteric matters. Interested in health foods as cures for various illnesses or disease conditions. May have career in the medical or biological sciences, often in the research wing.

Ninth House: Practical application of philosophical ideas, usually ones related to social or legal status of women, children, and the homeless. May have a career in higher education. Likes long trips or camping out in the country.
Tenth House: As an executive is very organized but may be dull when it comes to inspiring the troops. Best chance of advancement is in civil service where their conscientious service is recognized.
Eleventh House: Involved in humanitarian, non-profit, social welfare, or New Age causes and projects. Not a rabble-rouser kind of activist, but one that is good at getting corporate and governmental support.
Twelfth House: Often found in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, and other care facilities. May choose a religious calling although this is a less popular option than in past eras. Supports mental health initiatives but prefers that patients not be committed to institutions as was done in less-enlightened eras.


PLEASE ALSO SEE: Article on the Pallas Athena myth and archetype at http://milkywayastrology.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/the-goddess-archetypes-the-pallas-athena-myth/
or http://milkywayastrology.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/the-goddess-archetypes-the-pallas-athena-myth/?sn=l

AND article on the Vesta-Hestia myth and archetype at:
PLEASE ALSO SEE: Article on the Vesta/Hestia myth and archetype at
http://milkywayastrology.wordpress.com/2011/07/31/the-goddess-archetypes-the-vesta-myth/

The Goddess Archetypes: The Vesta Myth

by Milky Way Maid

Recently I posted some brief entries on the asteroid goddesses; one was on a historical note regarding responsibilities held by the Vestal Virgins. Today I want to go back to the original myths and try to tease out some themes pertaining to each of these goddesses. (For this series of articles I am using the excellent Goddesses in Every Woman, by Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D.)
Next up: Vesta, aka Hestia. Let's go up close and personal with Vesta, as we trace her life from birth onwards.

Vesta was the oldest Olympian, just as Mercury was the youngest. She was the first to be swallowed up by her father, and the last to be disgorged when Zeus rescued them all (Bolen, p. 118). Therefore she spent the most time sequestered away from the world, and this became her preferred milieu you might say.

PEDIGREE: First child of Rhea and Cronos. Was oldest sister to first-generation Olympians, and maiden aunt to the second-generation (including Mercury). She had a claim to a home on Mount Olympus yet was never found there; her spot was eventually claimed by the upstart Dionysus, but she did not protest.

HABITAT: At home, always at home. Never shopping in the agora, I mean mall. Quite happy puttering around the house doing chores, or focusing on her own spiritual development. Lets the world go away, far away. As the spirit of the home, she represents home and family as a sanctuary from the cares and stresses of the world.

FASHION STATEMENT: Never depicted in in human form, at least, by painters or sculptors, so we have no portraits per se; she is more a spirit than a living goddess. Young girls' heads were clipped when they first entered the temple, and all of them were dressed in the same simple robes. Sorry, no fashion plate here, no jewelry, no nothing. We could call it ashram chic, I suppose.

SYMBOLOGY: Her symbols are often found together with those for Mercury aka Hermes. Often her symbol, a circle, hearth or ring, became a symbol for the feminine principle itself, while the pillar (adorned with male genitalia, the pillar was called a herm) became the paired symbol for the masculine principle. (Hearths and her first temples were round.) A Hindu counterpart that expresses this yin-yang pairing is the yoni (ring) and lingam. Hestia is the soul, and Mercurius was the alchemical spirit envisioned as elemental fire; together the represent spirit setting the soul on fire. This mystical fire “was considered the source of mystical knowledge, symbolically located at the center of the earth” (Bolen, p. 115).
She might be thought of as a candle in the wind, lighting her little fire one at a time to bring warmth, order and light to every household. She is a spirit yet grounded in the reality of earth-bound life, grounded by her rituals that make what would be drudgery, into sacred duties.
Another symbol besides the circle is the mandala, an aid in meditation to take one further into one's real, inner self.
Animals: Deer and donkey. Bird: Nightingale, ibis. Insect: Spider. Tree: Laurel and oak. Emblem: Tripod. Pictured as nun or monk. Chakra: Pineal gland. Color: Ruby or lilac/amethyst. Direction: North. Element: Fire. Number: 144. Ray: First ray of will to do good, or the seventh ray of ritual. Icon: five-pointed star (which also happens to be Venus' symbol).

RULERSHIPS: Hestia-Vesta is the goddess of the hearth, or more specifically the sacred fire itself in the hearth. A house or temple was not consecrated until the sacred fire (Vesta) entered. A bride's mother lit a torch from her hearth, which was carried to the bride's new home to consecrate it as it lit the home's first fires. Another ritual was conducted when infants were five days old, followed by a huge banquet.

In my earlier brief post, I related how the Vestal Virgins also had the duty of guarding the wills of citizens. Final testaments were stored all over their temple, with different sections for Romans, Italians, and those further afield. Furthermore, the VV's guarded the absolute privacy of the contents of these documents; no one could get a sneak peak at who was getting what from rich old Uncle Ned. So rather than security being under the domain of Vesta, I prefer to think that privacy itself was held inviolate by her maidens.

What other duties did she have? Geez, you can only do so much sweeping; but then again she finds a Zen-like harmony in putting a house in order. She also meditated; she focused on the “inner subjective experience” to use the words of Dr. Bolen. Like nuns, she performs all her work in the service of God. But we need to be able to get in touch with our real, inner selves to keep from being swept away in the onslaught of stimuli, phone calls, emails, advertising, and everything else that assaults our senses and judgment. Tranquility and solitude are preferable to the hustle-bustle of our cities. As the spirit of the home, she represents home and family as a sanctuary from the cares and stresses of the world.

MARRIAGE: Well, here it gets sticky. A Vestal Virgin who had relations with a man was guilty of desecrating the goddess, and was buried alive. Yikes! Hestia was courted by both Poseidon and Apollo, both suitors having had spells cast on them (by Aphrodite) to find demure Hestia desirable. But Hestia said nay to both and vowed to forever stay celibate.

However, Vesta-Hestia and Mercury-Hermes had a very unusual partnership. His pillar stood at the doorway, just as nowadays an intercom or some kind of communication or alarm system marks the threshold of public and private space. In many homes the family dog is the furry alarm, barking to announce a visitor. Mercury-Hermes not only announced visitors but kept distraction away so she could focus on her duties.
Taking care of her house and family provides meaning for Vesta; she notices that children are calmer and do better in school when the house is run in an orderly fashion. She is not generally ambitious for herself or her husband, but is content with what they have. She is not a servant to her family, let me make that clear. She serves but is not a servant. She does not need a husband or children to be fulfilled, and yet family life is fulfilling for each member of the family.
Dr. Bolen notes that “many contented traditional marriages are unions of a Hermes husband, who is a businessman-traveler-communicator-entrepreneur agilely negotiating the outside world, and a Hestia wife, who keeps the home fires burning” (Bolen, p. 123). Each spouse is allowed to do what makes them happy and trusts that their partner is holding up their end of the deal.

PERSONALITY: A Vesta-like girl may be very good at not being noticed! She may seemingly disappear even when in the same room with you. These daughters may seem to be pliable and compliant; they will do their chores and homework and then amuse themselves in their rooms quite happily.

Parents would do well to allow her some solitude, but also coach her in manners and deportment. Tell her what to say to Uncle Joe when they go visit, and so forth. She is quite capable of learning to be comfortable in any social situation, with people of all ages. She just doesn't get too worked up if someone appears to not like her. She appears to be detached, sometimes even apathetic, but what she is, is centered in herself.
Assuming she does not enter a convent or ashram, a modern Vesta-type woman needs to acquire other skills and personas, usually via another goddess archetype like Ceres, Juno, Athena, Aphrodite, etc. The goddess Hestia, as Dr. Bolen points out, did not compete for golden apples or choose sides in the Trojan War. Now it can be very useful to be the one person in the office who stays above the fray; the office politics will probably not target you, and you can gain the trust of all your coworkers.

No one person is a pure example of any one goddess archetype. We are all combinations of two or three major components and possibly some secondary modes. Vesta women do need to learn how to express those other aspects of themselves in a healthy way in order to feel at home in the world. Parents should given their children a variety of experiences, including outdoor sports, summer camps, hobby clubs, music, academics, and creative outlets.
But Vesta will ever be in the world, but not of the world. And there is nothing wrong with that.

How might Vesta, the asteroid, operate in the various houses? The question becomes, where does she sacrifice herself in service to others? First House: Insecure in her own ego, Vesta in the first is self-effacing and self-abnegating. May give all the credit to her staff or crew or assistants. Second House: May be better at managing other people's money than her own, because it is a sacred trust. May be good at being club treasurer, accountant or banker for that reason. Third House: Often gives the impression of being very solemn as a child, or older than her years. Becomes a good scholar as she matures. May teach children with learning disabilities. Fourth House: This is where she prefers to be, where she can uphold the traditional values of home and family. May wind up taking care of a senior or invalid family member at some point. Fifth House: This position may deny one children or the pleasure of children. If she has children, is kept too busy with work or other commitments to spend much time with them. May lose the ability to have fun, becoming less interested in amusement parks, spectator sports, etc. as she gets older. Sixth House: These natives will serve and sacrifice for their work. May be involved in remedial education, public health, visiting nurse, etc. Is usually very dedicated to her students/patients/wards. Seventh House: May take on the responsibility for the success or failure of a relationship, rightly or wrongly. Quite willing to be the silent partner in marriage or business. Eighth House: Spiritual lessons in relying too much on pooled resources (insurance, estate bequests, lotteries, the partner's money). Again, may be better at managing others' money than one's own. Ninth House: Less likely to travel for pleasure; this is the type who will give away her boarding pass to someone who has to go somewhere on an emergency. Has ability with philosophy, law, and higher education, generally turned toward civil rights and fighting for the poor and down trodden. Tenth House: More likely to go into public service rather than the private sector, and non-profit or service organizations rather than manufacturing, etc. Eleventh House: Is willing to sacrifice personal ambitions and pleasures for humanitarian goals, for a group or club or organization. Twelfth House: May be involved in hospice or hospital service corps. May visit prisoners or people in other kinds of confinement.

PLEASE ALSO SEE: Article on the Pallas Athena myth and archetype at http://milkywayastrology.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/the-goddess-archetypes-the-pallas-athena-myth/

The Goddess Archetypes: The Pallas Athena Myth

by Milky Way Maid

Recently I posted some brief entries on the asteroid goddesses; one was on a historical note regarding responsibilities held by the Vestal Virgins. Today I want to go back to the original myths and try to tease out some themes pertaining to each of these goddesses. (For this series of articles I refer to the excellent Goddesses in Every Woman, by Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D.) First up, Pallas Athena. Let's go up close and personal with Pallas Athena, as we trace her life from birth onwards.

PEDIGREE: Most of us know that Athena sprang full-grown from her father's (Zeus's) head. Most of us do NOT know that she did indeed have a mother, Metis, who had been swallowed by her father. So while Athena had a nonexistent relationship with mom, I am going to posit that her father incorporated some feminine or nurturing qualities in order to be a complete parent to his daughter. He carried her to term, he suffered labor pains, presumably he felt a parental bond. One might say that Zeus gave her life twice, once in impregnating her mother, and second when birthing her. That's a powerful bond.

Her mother, Metis, was the first consort to Zeus. She was known for her wisdom, a trait passed on to her famous daughter. By swallowing Metis, Zeus not only took on the role of mother to his daughter, he also made wisdom part of his own personality.

HABITAT: Definitely a city girl, Athena is not found wandering the wilderness or forests like Artemis, nor tending the hearth (and home) like Vesta, nor playing with the wild animals, nor the cultivated fields like Ceres. Her special city is Athens, the most civilized and democratic city of its time.

SYMBOLOGY: Often shown carrying an owl, a symbol of wisdom. Animals: Unicorn. Birds: Owl, cock. Insect: beetle or scarab. Emblem: shield or lance. Chakra: Heart center, representing philosophy. Colors: Indigo and lilac. Direction: East. Element: Water. Number: 72. Ray: Second ray of love and wisdom. Icon: six point star with a small triangle centered inside the inner pentagon.

FASHION STATEMENT: The only goddess portrayed wearing armor, she was charged with protecting her city, Athens. Only the visor of her helmet is pushed up to show her classically beautiful face. Therefore I feel that security matters are under the rulership of Pallas, in addition to military strategy. Does armor represent emotional invulnerability? Keeping her personal problems under wraps? I suppose it is akin to the general professionalism expected of most people in the workplace, ie no temper tantrums, no yelling or other outbursts, no talking about stuff outside the job, and all that.

She carries both spear and shield, with the other hand holding a spindle in the other (denoting her rulership of weaving and other domestic arts). This is an odd combination: martial and domestic arts, but she took civilization to a new level.

RULERSHIPS: Athena is the goddess of weavers, goldsmiths, potters, dressmakers. She invented the bridle to tame the horse and the yoke for oxen, plus taught the human race how to plow, build ships, and drive the chariot. She is also the goddess of hygiene, safeguarding public health. She is one smart cookie. And on top of that, she gave Athenians the olive tree.

SMARTY JONES: Athena took on her parents smarts, and became a sort of military advisor, counselor, campaign strategist, and personal cheering section. She helped Perseus, Bellerophon, and Jason to become the heroes that they are. She was involved in the strategy for fighting the Trojan War--- and she was not above planting a bit of misinformation to the other side.

WOMEN FRIENDS: Now, since she is completely her father's daughter, she rarely has close friendships with other women --- not with her mom Metis, not with any mother figure like Persephone with her mother Ceres, not with sisterly women like Artemis does. There was only one exception: Pallas. Pallas was a sisterly companion who was the victim of an unfortunate accident. They were playing a competitive game, and Athena's spear accidentally hit and killed her friend Pallas. After that, Athena took her friend's name as part of her own. Dr. Bolen feels that Athena's competitive drive can be fatal to her female friendships; she needs to find another gear, you might say, when hanging out with her women pals.

MARRIAGE: Athena types may or may not get married. Career women flock under her banner, whether they have their own business, work for a corporation, work in the political realm, or are in the halls of academia. But they do often get married to an up-an-comer type in business or politics, in which case they sublimate personal ambitions to provide key support in their husband's career. Jacqueline Kennedy was an example of the behind-the-throne type.

SISTERHOOD?: Dr. Bolen is quite clear that despite Athena's career ambitions, she is frankly NOT a women's libber type nor does she feel any sense of sisterhood with other women. That is the province of Artemis. Moreover, Dr. Bolen feels Athena is very much a supporter of the social/political status quo, as evidenced by her vote to acquit Orestes in the murder of his mother Clytemnestra. Back to that in a moment. She also condemned Arachne to life as a spider after she submitted her weaving in a contest with the goddess. This punishment was not meted out because of Arachne's temerity to challenge Athena in a contest of skill; it was because of the controversial subject matter of her tapestry. It depicted Zeus' peccadilloes in seducing Danae and Leda and Europa. How dare she point out the feet of clay of her personal hero, Zeus! So not only does Athena worship her father, she also has no sympathy whatsoever for whistle-blowers in general.

CRAFTY N SAVVY: Athena was the go-to person if you had a riddle or problem that your poor, feeble human brain could not figure out the solution to. She told Perseus how to master the fearsome Gorgon (look at it only via a mirror). She gave the equestrian and general, Bellerophon, a golden bridle to tame Pegasus with. She helped Jason and his crew build the famed ship Argo (no, not nailing boards together; with technical advice). She whispered tips and encouragement to Achilles. Like I said, she is one smart cookie. Athena might be compared to the frontier women who not only helped plow the fields but also wove the fabric for their clothing, as they and their mates wrested the land from the wilderness into a homestead.

LEGAL EAGLE: Now, back to that trial of Orestes. This is a very muddled issue in my mind because unfortunately Athena did not write a legal opinion on the case explaining her reasoning. Did she vote to acquit because this was a revenge killing? (Orestes' mother had killed his father) Did she sympathize with anyone who was faced with the death of a father? Did she think that perhaps Orestes was crippled by temporary insanity, and let him off on that plea? Or did she think that women should never strike out against their own husbands, no matter what the provocation?

A closer look at the story of Orestes: The house of Atreus was one of those supremely dysfunctional families. Orestes' mother, Clytemnestra, was cheating on her husband, King Agamemnon. Agamemnon returns from the Trojan War with his booty, the girl Cassandra. King and Queen go into the palace and the queen comes out all bloody after killing the king, saying it was revenge for his killing one of their children. Son Orestes is in the same boat as Hamlet, wondering if avenging his father extends to even the crime of killing a mother. So he goes to the oracles of Delphi, where Apollo himself tells him to kill both mom and her lover. Orestes does so, then wanders for some time in the wilderness before he goes to Athena to explain himself. Apollo is beside him to vouch for the fact that he ordered this vengeance killing. Athena, establishing a new order of mercy, acquitted Orestes, and the curse on the Atreus family was lifted.

So by looking closer at the story of Orestes, I believe we can say that Athena's brand of justice was tempered by MERCY, and that she realized the only way to end a cycle of murder was to stop the shedding of blood, both illicit and licit. She realized that even legally sanctioned murder must stop. Oh, it just occurred to me that Athena would be against the death penalty for that reason.

So there you have an overview of the legendary goddess Pallas Athena: smart n savvy, a skillful weaver and crafter and shipbuilder, a tamer of large animals (animal husbandry), a merciful judge, a military strategist, a political analyst, an ombudsman or consultant, city girl, ambitious career woman, competitive athlete and business-woman. Not a warm, fuzzy type with a dozen cats, and not a fashion plate who lives for the New York fashion shows. But a smart, wise woman of the world.

So many modern women who eschew marriage or just do not set a priority on getting married and having kids are accused of trying to be men. That is NOT TRUE. They follow another drummer, a female drummer who loves the challenges of trying to uphold civilization with laws, industry, education and high-quality craftwork. Oh, and olive trees.

Dave at AstroAmerica stated in a recent newsletter that Pallas Athena represents how we gained the father's approval. I might add that clues to HOW we were rewarded with that approval may be gleaned from the sign and house position of the asteroid. For example, my Pallas is in Aries; I feel that part of the meaning of this placement is that I was rewarded for taking the initiative in some things, in my childhood. For getting on that bike and learning to ride, for venturing down to the corner park alone, for upholstering that old chair, etc.

How might Pallas, the asteroid, operate in the various houses? First House: you feel rewarded for speaking up for yourself, for putting yourself out there and introducing yourself. Sometimes spread self too thin over too many projects. Second House: Pallas is not interested in wealth per se is good at saving and conserving. Will never sell out their reputations for personal gain. Third House: Pallas here might prompt you to go into education but probably not in the primary grades. Third House also rules the city, her favorite place, so you may be quite involved in local politics.

Fourth House: Pallas is not very domestic but she does run an organized household, like a military operation. She may be the pioneer type who not only weaves the fabric for clothing but also puts up food and helps with the plowing. Also rules security systems. May start a home-based business. Fifth House: Geez, Pallas is not much into fun n games nor into romance, so that leaves the arts. Particularly textile arts, but any work that is equal parts skill and craft like shipbuilding. Enjoys strategy games like chess and bridge rather than golf, etc. Sixth House: OK, now you're talking. Pallas is very much at home with any career where one wears a uniform: the military, nurses and doctors (especially public health personnel), and police. Also working in civil service may be the sort of Confucian duty that appeals to her.

Seventh House: You may be a very public person, someone who perhaps investigates consumer problems brought to your attention. You may be more known for the person you marry, and prefer to be the “power behind the throne.” In one case the placement of Pallas in the seventh showed the husband's occupation (Scorpio: he was a police detective). Eighth House: Management of pooled funds such as insurance, state lotteries, joint accounts. Also good for surgeons. Ninth House: Another one of Pallas' fave houses, where she can exercise her Legal Eagle savvy, get involved in academia, national or world politics, or heck, rule the world. She could do that.

Tenth House: Pallas here can easily handle being high in the executive boardrooms of major corporations. Eleventh House: here is a difficult place for Pallas because she is just not really chummy, doesn't hang out at the mall with friends, doesn't care too much for pure socializing. But she does excel at heading, organizing and fund-raising for charitable or non-profit groups. Twelfth House: Hmmm, not likely to be a fave place for Pallas although her rulership of hygiene may help her to run large hospitals or other medical facilities.
Next up: Vesta, aka Hestia.

Formulas for Arabic Parts

by Milky Way Maid

Many of us like to work with Arabic Parts in addition to the planets and asteroids. For most of us astrologers, the only one commonly used is the Part of Fortune, found on most astrology software.

But there are scads of Arabic parts available. This is only a hefty serving of some of the more common ones, plus some uncommon ones. I have no idea how to use some of them. What does one make of the Part of Deep Reflection and Understanding? Or the Part of Disassociation??? Some would seem to step on the toes of Asteroids, like Eros. There is some duplication and inconsistency but I can only relate them to you as they are listed in my sources.

Parts of Divorce or Infirmities or Hour of Marriage may have some really cool application to our real lives, however. And I sure hope that I can find a way to use the Part of Luck or Part of Success!!!
So anyway, I hereby present a list of the Formulas for Arabic Parts. An explanation of how to calculate the equations follows at the bottom.

ACCOMPLISHMENT- Ascendant plus Sun minus Jupiter
AGREEMENT/DISCORD- Ascendant plus Mercury minus Part of Spirit
ANCESTORS- Ascendant plus Mars minus Saturn
ART/VENTURE- Ascendant plus Mercury minus Venus
BONDAGE- Ascendant plus Moon minus Moon's dispositor
BROTHERS- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus Saturn
CAPTIVES- Ascendant plus Sun minus Sun's dispositor
CAPTIVES/THE CONQUERED- Ascendant plus Sun minus Sun's ruler
CHILDREN- Ascendant plus Saturn minus Jupiter
COMMERCE- Ascendant plus Mercury minus Sun
CONSTANCY- Ascendant plus Part of Spirit minus Part of Fortune
CONTENTION- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus Mars
CUNNING OF MEN TOWARD WOMEN- Ascendant plus Venus minus Sun
CUNNING OF WOMEN TOWARD MEN- Ascendant plus Saturn minus Venus
DANGER/VIOLENCE & DEBT- Ascendant plus Mercury minus Saturn
DARING,STRENGTH, DOMINION- Ascendant plus Moon minus ruler of first house
DEATH- Ascendant plus 8th house cusp minus Moon
DEATH OF SIBLINGS- Ascendant plus (third house cusp plus10 degrees) minus Sun
DEATH OF BROTHERS/SISTERS- Ascendant plus Midheaven minus Sun
DEEP REFLECTION- Ascendant plus Moon minus Saturn
DESIRE FOR WORLDLY PLEASURES- Ascendant plus Part of Spirit minus Part of Fortune
DESTINY- Midheaven plus Sun minus Moon
DISAPPOINTMENT- Ascendant plus Mars minus Venus
DISASSOCIATION- Ascendant plus Moon minus Mars
DISCORD- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus Mars
DISINTEREST/BOREDOM- Ascendant plus Sun minus Venus
DIVORCE- Ascendant plus Venus minus seventh house cusp
EARTH'S CULTIVATION- Ascendant plus Saturn minus Venus
ENEMIES- Ascendant plus twelfth house cusp minus ruler of twelfth house
EROS or appetite- Ascendant plus Venus minus Part of Spirit
EXCELLENCE, NOBILITY- Ascendant plus Part of Spirit minus Part of Fortune
FAITH, religious- Ascendant plus Mercury minus Moon
FAITH AND HOPE- Ascendant plus Venus minus Saturn
FATHER- Ascendant plus Saturn minus Sun
FATHER'S DEATH- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus Saturn
FATHER, FATE, & KARMA- Ascendant plus Saturn minus Sun
FATHERS-IN-LAW- Ascendant plus Venus minus Saturn
FERTILITY & ABUNDANCE- Ascendant plus Mercury minus Moon
FORTUNE- Ascendant plus Moon minus Sun
FRIENDS- Ascendant plus Mercury minus Moon
GOODNESS OF THE SOUL- Ascendant plus Sun minus Mercury
GRANDFATHERS- Ascendant plus Saturn minus Sun's sign
GRANDPARENTS- Ascendant plus Saturn minus second house cusp
HAPPINESS- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus Saturn
HEAVY PLACE- Mercury plus Mars minus Saturn
HISTORIES, SCIENCE, LITERATURE- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus Sun
HONOR- Ascendant plus 19 degrees Aries minus Sun
HONORABLE ACQUAINTANCE- Ascendant plus Sun minus Part of Fortune
HOPES AND WISHES- Ascendant plus eleventh house cusp minus Moon
HOUR OF MARRIAGE- Ascendant plus Moon minus Sun (same as part of fortune)
HOW NATIVE IS LOVED OR HATED- Ascendant plus Part of Spirit minus Part of Fortune
HUSBANDRY- Ascendant plus Saturn minus Venus
INCREASE- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus Sun
INFIRMITIES, ACCIDENTS- Ascendant plus Mars minus Saturn
INFIRMITIES- Ascendant plus Mars minus Mercury
INFLUENCE- Ascendant plus Saturn minus Moon
INHERITANCES- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus Mercury
INHERITANCES, POSSESSIONS- Ascendant plus Moon minus Saturn
INITIATIVE- Ascendant plus Sun minus Mars
INTELLIGENCE- Venus plus Moon minus Sun
INVESTIGATION- Mercury plus Mars minus Saturn
JOURNEYS (short)- Ascendant plus third house cusp minus Mercury
JOURNEYS BY LAND- Ascendant plus ninth house cusp minus Ruler of ninth house
JOURNEYS BY WATER- Ascendant plus 15 degrees Cancer minus Saturn
KILLING PLANET- Ascendant plus Moon minus ruler of first house
KINGDOM- Jupiter plus Midheaven minus Sun
KINGSHIP- Ascendant plus Moon minus Mars
KINGSHIP AND KINGS- Ascendant plus Mars minus Mercury
KINGSHIP AND VICTORY- Ascendant plus Saturn minus Sun
LABOR AND AFFLICTION- Ascendant plus Part of Fortune minus Part of Spirit
LARGE BODIES- Ascendant plus Mars minus Part of Fortune
LIBERTY OF PERSON- Ascendant plus Sun minus Mercury
LIFE (vitae)- Ascendant plus Saturn minus Jupiter
LONELINESS- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus Venus
LOVE- Ascendant plus Part of Spirit minus Part of Fortune
LOVE, BEAUTY, & PEACE- Ascendant plus Venus minus Sun
LUCK- Ascendant plus Moon minus Jupiter
LUXURY- Ascendant plus Saturn minus Venus
MARRIAGE- Ascendant plus seventh house cusp minus Venus
MARRIAGE CONTRACTS- ninth house cusp plus third house cusp minus Venus
1-MARRIAGE OF WOMEN- Ascendant plus Mars minus Sun
2-MARRIAGE OF WOMEN- Ascendant plus Saturn minus Venus
MALE CHILDREN- Ascendant plus Moon minus Moon's ruler
MALE OR FEMALE CHILDREN- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus Mars
MALE OR FEMALE CONCEPTION- Ascendant plus Sun's dispositor minus Moon's dispositor
MEMORY- Ascendant plus Mars minus Moon
1-MEN'S MARRIAGES- Ascendant plus Venus minus Saturn
2-MEN'S MARRIAGES- Ascendant plus Venus minus Sun
MILITARY DARING- Ascendant plus Moon minus Saturn
MONEYLENDERS- Ascendant plus Mercury minus Saturn
MOTHER- Ascendant plus Moon minus Venus
MOTHER'S DEATH- Ascendant plus Saturn minus Venus
NECESSITIES- Ascendant plus third house cusp minus Mars
NECESSITY, CONSTRAINTS- Ascendant plus Part of Fortune minus Mercury
NEGOTIATION- Ascendant plus Mars minus Jupiter
NOBILITY OR HONOR- Ascendant plus 19 degrees Aries minus Moon
NOBLES- Ascendant plus Sun minus Mercury
NUMBER OF BROTHERS- Ascendant plus Saturn minus Mercury
OCCUPATION & DESTRUCTION- Ascendant plus Mercury minus Saturn
ORATION, PROFUNDITY OF COUNSEL- Ascendant plus Moon minus Saturn
PASSION- Ascendant plus Mars minus Sun
PERIL- Ascendant plus Ruler of eighth house minus Saturn
PLAYS- Ascendant plus Venus minus Mars
PLEASURE- Ascendant plus seventh house cusp minus Venus
POVERTY- Ascendant plus Part of Fortune minus Part of Spirit
REAL ESTATE- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus Mercury
REASON & SENSE- Ascendant plus Mars minus Mercury
RELIGION- Ascendant plus Venus minus Moon
RETRIBUTION- Ascendant plus Sun minus Mars
RUMORS- Ascendant plus Moon minus Mercury
SECRET ENEMIES- Ascendant plus Mars minus Saturn
SECURITY- Ascendant plus Venus minus Mercury
SENTIMENT- Ascendant plus Venus minus Jupiter
SERIOUS MATTERS- Ascendant plus Part of Fortune minus Saturn
1-SERVANTS- Ascendant plus Moon minus Mercury
2-SERVANTS- Ascendant plus Part of Fortune minus Mercury
SEXUAL ATTRACTION- Ascendant plus fifth house cusp minus Ruler of fifth house
SICKNESS & MURDER- Ascendant plus Mars minus Saturn
SKILL OR TALENT- Ascendant plus Part of Fortune minus Mercury
SOLDIERS AND MINISTERS- Ascendant plus Saturn minus Mars
SONS- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus Moon
SOUL- Fourth house cusp plus Moon minus Sun
SPECULATION- Ascendant plus fifth house cusp minus Jupiter
SPIRIT, FUTURE- Ascendant plus Sun minus Moon
STABILITY- Ascendant plus Part of Spirit minus Part of Fortune
SUBSTANCE (goods and possessions)- Ascendant plus second house cusp minus Ruler of 2nd house
SUCCESS- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus Part of Fortune
SUCCESS IN INVESTMENT- Ascendant plus Venus minus Saturn
SUDDEN ADVANCEMENT- Ascendant plus Part of Fortune minus Saturn
SUICIDE- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus twelfth house cusp
SURGERY & ACCIDENT- Ascendant plus Saturn minus Mars
TRADE (buying and selling)- Ascendant plus Part of Fortune minus Part of Spirit
TRADESMEN- Ascendant plus Venus minus Mercury
TRUTH, GOOD WORKS- Ascendant plus Mars minus Mercury
VALOR, DARING- Ascendant plus Part of Fortune minus Mars
VICTORY, HAPPINESS- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus Part of Spirit
VOCATION & STATUS- Midheaven plus Moon minus Sun
WHAT KIND OF WORK THE NATIVE DOES- Ascendant plus Moon minus Saturn
WIDOWHOOD- Ascendant plus fifth house cusp minus Venus
WISDOM- Ascendant plus Sun minus Saturn
1-WISDOM & PATIENCE- Mercury plus Jupiter minus Saturn
2-WISDOM & PATIENCE- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus Saturn
WORK- Ascendant plus Jupiter minus Sun
WORLDLINESS- Ascendant plus Venus minus Part of Fortune

HOW TO CALCULATE: First one must memorize the order of the signs; Aries is 1, Taurus is 2, Gemini is 3, Cancer is 4, Leo is 5, Virgo is 6, Libra is 7, Scorpio is 8, Sagittarius is 9, Capricorn is 10, Aquarius is 11 and Pisces is 12.
The first part of the equation is usually your Ascendant, say it is 11 degrees, 44 minutes of Aquarius. The first line will look like this: 11 11 44
Second line, say add your Moon which we will say is 13 degrees, 15 minutes of Aries.
So now it looks like this:
(Asc) 11 11 44
(Sun) 1 13 15
sub-ttl= 12 24 59
THEN we subtract the last item, assume it is the Moon which we will say is 22 degrees, 33 minutes of Cancer.
Subtotal 12 24 59
minus Sun 4 22 33
RESULT= 8 2 26
This translates as 2 degrees, 26 minutes of Scorpio.
Always be careful that the middle column (degrees) is a maximum of 30 so you will have to carry over if you have more than 30 degrees, and also take note that the right column (minutes) is a maximum of 60 so that you will have to account for that, too. I suggest that you WAIT TILL THE FINAL LINE before adjusting for the fact you may have enough minutes to make an extra degree, or a change of sign. And of course if you have more than 12 in the first column at the end of all your calculations, then you just subtract 12 to arrive at the number of the sign indicated.

The Secret Meanings of the Names of the Planets

by Milky Way Maid

The esoteric meanings of the planets' names is mostly a lost body of knowledge. Even very good astrologers have no idea what the names of planets or even of the zodiac signs mean. But the ancients had very clear meanings attached to all of these. By drilling down to the traditional meanings of the phonemes that make up the names, we can begin to understand more about what values and ideas they attached to these symbols.

Jupiter --- “the ever-existent Father” The French je means ever-existent; it also occurs in Jahweh or Jehovah, in Jove, and in the Finnish Jumala (All Father). He is identified with wind, rain and thunder --- and of course the thunderbolt. The zigzag of lightning was believed to be Jupiter herding the other planets about.

Venus --- from Vannus, meaning a fan or shell. The terms are equivalent because they refer to her shell-like or fan-like car which is pulled by doves. This is also why her emblem is the dove. Incidentally, the Paphians worshipped her as a white pyramid.

Uranus --- Ur-ray, “the Light of Ra” Also, as Kronos it resolves into Ak-Ur-On-Os, “The Great Fire” or “The One Light” Ur is the Semitic root meaning fire or light. Shouts of Hurray or Hurrah greet the sunrise. Ra, the Egyptian sun-god, would seem to be linked to Uranus, but the root syllable is found in several cultures. Sanskrit for a prince is rajah. The Semitic Ra means Time, or the Ancient of Days. The Mayan Ra or La means “that which has existed forever.” Ra appears in our English words ray and radiant.

Earth --- Ea, mother of Ishtar

Mercury --- “Fire of Merak” (Merak was the Great Mare). Mercury's emblem the caduceus is encompassed by a winged horse or mare. Mercury was symbolized by a variety of animals: the lizard, the cock, a pregnant sow. Also the hare, because it makes regular trails in the meadows it frequents. Mercury is the god of ways (roads or streets), and many statues of Mercury marked the crossroads. So numerous were these markers where three roads intersected (tri-via) that the word took on the meaning of commonplace. Mercury as the god of commerce and the market has his name as the root of related words: market, merchandise, merchant, commerce. The Greeks symbolized Mercury as a square stone.

Saturn --- Saturday, or Seaterdag, means day of the Seater or Sitter, the day when the Great Workman sat himself down and rested. Saturn was linked to Stonehenge, which was also known as Caer Sidi (the seat or fort of Sidi). Caer resolves into root syllables meaning Great Fire. Saturn, or the sitter, therefore seems to have made Stonehenge his throne. Note the design of Stonehenge which incorporates not only circles but an inner horseshoe-shape which perhaps outlines his throne seat. In the words of the Wlsh poem Taliessin: “Perfect is my chair in Caer Sidi,/ Plague and age hurt him not who's in it./ About its points are oceans' streams,/ And the abundant well above it,/ Sweeter than white wine the drink in it.”

What Do the Stars Say About Super Bowl 2011?

by Milky Way Maid

At last we come to the Super Bowl 2011, the premier game day in all of pro football and an unofficial mid-winter holiday. It is a peak day for TV viewing, eating, drinking, betting on the outcome, watching TV commercials, and all the other hoopla that accompanies this event.

But let's concentrate on the game, and on what the stars might say about the outcome.

First, let's look at the ascendant which represents the home team or the favorite. There is no home team in the Super Bowl, so we will try to scope out which team is the fave later in this article. Right now,let's just examine the aspects.

The date: Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011. Kickoff will be approximately 5:25 pm CT in Dallas Stadium, which is in Arlington, TX (halfway between Dallas and Ft. Worth).

That makes the ascendant 10 degrees Leo, with no aspects. This is quite startling for a major game like this.

The midheaven is 3 degrees Taurus, square Mercury in the sixth house. It is also trine Venus exactly in the fifth house (the game plan) with Pluto nearby. It is also sextile the South Node in the eleventh house of hopes/wishes. I think the quarterback will be the main story of the day, a youngish and attractive one. That seems to point to up-and-comer Aaron Rodgers rather than older veteran Ben Roethlisberger.

The ascendant ruler is the Sun in Aquarius; it is placed in the seventh house with Mars conjunct. That gives it high energy and vitality, although prone to accidents and temper tantrums. However, the Sun is trine retrograde Saturn in Libra, giving it the discipline to harness all that energy. Also the Sun is semisquare Venus in the fifth house, and semisquare Jupiter in the ninth house -- that puts the Sun at the midpoint of Venus/Jupiter in other words. I am not experienced in using midpoints so I will leave the interpretation of that to others, although it does look auspicious.

The descendant ruler is Uranus (Aquarius) which is conjunct both the Moon and Jupiter in an out-of-sign conjunction. Moon and Jupiter are in Aries, while Uranus is in Pisces. All of that energy is square Venus in the fifth house, and square the nodes.

But let's look at the co-ruler before making any judgment. Co-ruler is Saturn, and Saturn as we said, is retrograde in the third house, and trine Sun-Mars in the seventh house.

How to interpret the fact that Saturn is retrograde? Often a retrograde planet means you go back over the same ground again, doing things differently we hope. Experience (Saturn) helps us to know what traps to avoid and who to go to for advice or who to put on your team.

The Moon (public) is conjunct Jupiter-Uranus in the eighth house, square the nodes in houses 5 and 11, square Venus in the fifth house. The public is not frustrated by the outcome, the public is rather delighted and pleased in a big way (Jove-Uranus), and somehow the subtext of the day is the changing of the guard (the nodes, representing past and future). Square Venus is hard to peg; maybe there won't be much much value in betting this Bowl because the favorite wins?

The Packers quarterback is Aaron Rodgers, whose main aspect this day is his Sun-Uranus conjunction is exactly trine the game ascendant, an ascendant that has no transiting aspects. This gives him a strong tie to the game chart. His Moon in Scorpio is possibly square the game Mars in Aquarius; that might make him a bit too rash in the early going. His Mars is also square game Pluto plus 2 degrees; that could frustrate him but he will dig deep for his best efforts.

(cont'd) His Jupiter is sextile game Sun-Mars in Aquarius, and Saturn in Libra. This is another midpoint, and I can only speculate that his athletic efforts will be disciplined and he will show leadership. His Saturn is square the Ascendant, his Mercury-Neptune conjunction is sextile game Neptune, his Pluto is inconjunct the Moon, his Pluto is also sextile the North Node, and his North Node is trine both Sun-Mars and Saturn for a very powerful grand trine in air. I have to say that his passing game is likely to be the key element in his performance of the day, and could well carry the day for the Packers.

Now let's look at Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has ample experience in playing and winning Super Bowls, so we have to have a high regard for his ability and for the managing and coaching staff behind him. They know what it takes to win at this level.

Ben's Moon is semisextile the Ascendant, giving him a tie to the unaspected game Moon. Mercury is near the transiting Sun in Aquarius. His Venus is sextile the Moon (public); the fans like him and think well of his abilities. The game Saturn is applying to his natal Mars, though, and that is a troubling aspect; he is sure to be frustrated in his athletic attempts. Jupiter squares the Ascendant, providing an opportunity to do well. Saturn is widely applying to his natal Saturn (in other words his Saturn return is approaching). He may well retire after this year is over and done with. Uranus is sextile Mercury, favoring his passing game, his play-calling, and his general quickness. Neptune is square game Uranus, though (orb 2 degrees). Pluto is inconjunct game Uranus, and trine game Neptune.

I don't think that it looks good for Ben in this game. The aspect between his Neptune and Pluto to the game Uranus and Neptune look to me like he will make some fatal errors. Transiting Saturn is applying to his natal Mars, and more widely to his natal Saturn, so I do not see him having a stellar day. He does have a nice sextile from his Uranus to the game Mercury, so possibly his passing game will be alright.

RE the Packers, I was concerned that the ascendant at ten degrees Leo has no aspects whatever, but Aaron Rodgers Sun trines that degree exactly. He will have his work cut out for him. But his North Node is trine the Sun-Mars conjunction in Aquarius, and trine Saturn in Libra; his air game should be spectacular. And yet, will it be enough to overcome the fact that the ascendant ruler is in the seventh house, the house of the opponent? We have seen the Bears lose under that aspect in the final playoff, and manage to win under the previous playoff. So now I do not know what to think.

Generally the game goes to the team with the strongest quarterback chart. That is how I called the upset in last year's Super Bowl. I believe Mr. Rodgers will have a stellar day on Super Bowl Sunday; I only hope that it will be enough to lead the team to a win.

BTW, in clearing out some stuff from my car last week, I discovered an old sweatshirt. It was from Super Bowl XXXI, when the Packers defeated the Patriots in New Orleans on January 26, 1997. Gee, could this be an omen? I don't know, but the odds are good that I will be wearing it on Feb. 6. Good luck, Packers!! Give 'em heck in Dallas!!