"Ms. Stewart's supporters have contended that the decision to prosecute her was motivated by the desire to take down a popular and very public female chief executive. Some say she became a target for prosecution because she supported members of the Democratic Party; others say she simply was not part of an old-boy network".

Martha's Stars:
Don't Throw Her a Bon Voyage Just Yet
by Shelley L. Ackerman

Late last week, some rough Stars hit Martha, (Mars in Taurus in her house of enemies squared her Leo midheaven) and the jury acted accordingly.

But to quote Yogi Berra's famous words, "It ain't over till it's over".

Martha's chart suggests that we hold off planning a Soprano-Style 'going away' party, at least for now.

The Domestic Diva, born August 3 1941 at 1:33 PM in New Jersey is a Leo with Scorpio Rising and the Moon in Sagittarius. Leos are theatrical, creative, courageous, and strong, but their fatal flaw is always arrogance (as was the case with Leo Bill Clinton), and it's often the littlest detail that trips them up.

Martha's big Boo Boo: She should have graciously accepted her part in any wrong doing early on, and much of this could have been avoided. But her Leonian prideful nature wouldn't allow it, and Martha, a born fighter will appeal Friday's guilty verdict.

Her chart suggests that "Meticulous Martha" will most likely have to take the stand this time.

The timing may be better for the next round, with lucky Jupiter now approaching her Venus in hard-working Virgo. She will have lots of support from the public and women in particular, who are beginning to mobilize around Martha and 'the cause".

And she'll need it.

Though her public persona is fierce; privately she's more sensitive and needy than she'd ever let on. It's hard for her to show any vulnerability, and yet, that's what would have helped her most.

And despite her lifetime of achievement, her inner landscape has a contradictory have-not feel to it: With her Moon in sagittarius in a tight square to Neptune, Martha's motivated by need more than greed; and she has the potential to be extremely empathetic to the needs of others. This is why she constantly strives to make life prettier, tastier, more functional and elegant. The public will see and understand more of this side of Martha as time goes on.

In Vedic astrology, her moon is the Nakshatra of "Moola" which is a very trying one emotionally. Women born with this placement have a cross to bare, as was the case with Judy Garland, Margot Fonteyn, Anais Nin, Margaret Trudeau, and actresses Barbara Hershey and Joan Fontaine to name a few. Vedic astrologer Ronnie Gale Dreyer reminds that women with this placement must become spiritual and devote a certain amount of themselves to helping others to overcome the difficulties associated with this Nakshatra.

Emotionally, (with relentless Pluto approaching her Sagittarian moon), the next two to three years will be brutal, with Fall 2004 and mid 2005 being especially rough. She will need a solid inner spiritual focus to help her through. However, this same aspect will make her vulnerable and appealing to the opposite sex, and the silver lining may be an appreciation in her love-life with one or two knights in shining armor appearing to aid in her emotional rescue.

Adverse aspects from Saturn to her Mars late this Spring indicate that her health may suffer: She will have to guard against deep depression, but one way or another and she will emerge from this sequence, a changed woman and happier.

The stars say she'd do well to have a woman attorney on board for the appeal too, and consult the stars for the right time to file:

Either Friday March 19, 2004 @ 11:30 AM or Tuesday March 23rd @ 4 PM would be good times that might give her team an edge.

It's likely that if the appeal is filed at the wrong time, and she maintains a stoic and defiant tone, some prison time will result later in 2004 and in 2005 when Jupiter visits her 12th house of confinement, with health being a concern as well. But even if that's the case, Martha will characteristically turn lemons into lemonade by becoming an inspiring teacher to inmates, champion of prison reform, decorating the hell out of the place (literally): Her prison term would be turned into art: a best seller, reality show, and a classic movie that would rival "Caged", "Women Behind Bars", and "Chicago" put together.

But no matter what, be assured, Martha will triumph in the end.

One can't help but wonder when the wheels of justice will turn to the likes of Kenneth Lay, Jeffrey Skilling, and Neil Bush (of the S & L horrors) and give them their due. These men and others cost millions their life savings, by comparison, Martha's a Saint.

© Shelley Ackerman, 2004.
No parts of this article may be used or reprinted without written permission from the author.