 |
|
The 2008 Academy Awards
Sun-Saturn Opposition Adds Weight to Sunday’s Show
By Shelley L. Ackerman
[From my 'Shimmering Stars' column in
The Westchester Guardian, © 2008]
On Sunday evening, Jon Stewart has his work cut out for him.
Not that the brilliant and hysterically funny star of The Daily Show isn’t up to hosting Hollywood’s biggest night, he did it in 2006 and though a bit restrained back then, he was a fine choice for the job.
This year however, the Sagittarian master of ceremonies has a tight Sun/Saturn opposition in an exact square to his Sun to deal with. He must be confident and in charge. Saturn is rising in the chart for Sunday evening at 5 pm PST, and Saturn demands strict adherence to time constraints, and insists on economy. The best way for Stewart to approach the evening is to not waste energy worrying about being funny and to tap into his more reverential and ceremonial self and go with the flow. The added pressure could actually work quite well for him. I wish the producers would break precedence and just give him his desk and let him work from a place of familiarity and strength.
The very first Academy Awards dinner was held on May 16, 1929 to acknowledge the films made in 1927/28. Motion pictures were just beginning to transition from silent films to ‘talkies’ and there was no such category as “Best Picture”. Instead the top honor went to the silent film “Wings” as “Best Production”, and Emil Jannings and Janet Gaynor were honored as best actor and actress.
Oscar at 80
The 13.5 inch tall 8.5 pound statuette was named “Oscar” in 1931. According to Wikipedia, how “Oscar” got his name is contested. One biography of actress Bette Davis claims that she named the Oscar after her first husband, bandleader Harmon Oscar Nelson. Another version is that of the Academy’s Executive Secretary, Margaret Herrick who first saw the award in 1931 and made reference of the statuette reminding her of her Uncle Oscar. Columnist Sidney Skolsky was present during Herrick’s naming and seized the name in his byline, "Employees have affectionately dubbed their famous statuette 'Oscar'".
The nominated films of 2007 are a bit darker than usual: “No Country for Old Men” is the favorite, but some are saying that “Juno” could be a sleeper. The 19 nominated actors and actresses this year range in age from 13 (Saoirse Ronan in “Atonement” was born April 12, 1994) to 83 year old (Aquarian) Hal Holbrook and 85 year old (Scorpio) Ruby Dee. (Taurus) Cate Blanchette is nominated in both best actress and best supporting actress categories. No definitive birth data beyond a year of birth (1970) is available for Amy Ryan who is up for best supporting actress in “Gone Baby Gone’.
As a rule, I discourage astrology being used a' la “stupid pet tricks” to pick the winners. The reason is simple: Birth times are often unavailable and actors often lie about their age, so casting accurate charts for all in the running just isn’t an option. That being said, I will, just for the fun of it, list who I’d like to see win: Jupiter in Capricorn and Saturn in Virgo favor earth signs and actors that have stood the test of time.
Best Supporting Actress: Ruby Dee (Progressed Venus on her ascendant could do the trick)
Best Supporting Actor: Hal Holbrook (His 7th Jupiter return has got to give him something)
Best Actor: Johnny Depp (Daniel Day Lewis is the favorite, but this is Depp’s 3rd Jupiter return)
Best Actress: Julie Christie (Ellen Page, an upset?)
Best Picture: No Country for Old Men
Best Documentary: No End in Sight is the favorite, but Michael Moore’s Sicko could easily win.
Chart: Oscar Night 2008
Click for larger view
Feb 21/22: Moon in Virgo
Feb 23/24: Moon in Libra, 2/24: Sun Opposes Saturn @ 4:48 AM
Feb 25: Moon I Libra V/C @ 8:35 AM, Moon enters Scorpio @ 1:06 PM
Feb 26: Moon in Scorpio, Mercury conj Venus in Aquarius @ 12:52 PM
Feb 27: Moon in Scorpio V/C @ 9:54 AM
* All times EST.
ARIES: The Sun/Saturn opposition in your health/service axis adds a bit more drudgery to the mix than you’d like, but while there’s little that can be done about that now you do not have to face any of it alone. Help is all around you. The favorable aspect between the Moon and Mars says that this weekend is ripe for accomplishing whatever your heart desires with good old fashioned team work. The family and partner sectors of you horoscope are in an unusually cooperative flow. If asked, no one will turn you down.
TAURUS: A real estate issue that could involve family too is clarified once and for all. After that it’s “Speak now or forever hold your peace”: Mercury and Venus cozy up to one another in your 10th (career) house on the 26th and it doesn’t get better than that. So seize the day and do yourself some good both professionally and monetarily. Don’t be afraid to open your mouth and as sweetly and succinctly as you can, state your case and stake your claim. No one else can speak for you.
GEMINI: The opposition between the Sun and Saturn will demand that the more mature aspect of your nature come to the fore, and that the focus be on fulfilling professional and familial obligations without resentment. Your ruler Mercury hooks up with Venus in your 9th house of foreign and legal affairs and you may need to formalize arrangements on paper. Once those aforementioned tasks are tended to, visitors from abroad will cheer you, and your creativity soars to new heights. Stay on schedule.
CANCER: You’re balancing a lot and staying centered and sane with as much going on is quite a challenge. But it’s in your best interest to keep it together so that your best judgment is available for several issues that will come up during the week. One involves transportation logistics for one or more members of your family, another is about a school decision, and a third has to do with a partner’s unrelenting work schedule. Bottom line is you need your wits about you to take charge and be the best mastermind you can be.
LEO: A recent conversation with a partner, significant other or a sweetheart either deteriorated into a shambles or was left totally unresolved and the misunderstanding has put a damper on your sense of well being ever since. It’s time to revisit that discussion and work toward a resolution. Be willing to bend a little on a financial matter, the other side has some valid points to make and they are not only worth considering, but crucial in mending the wedge between you.
VIRGO: You’re reminded this week that no man is an island and even though you’re oh so tempted to withdraw into your Own Private Idaho, it’s an impulse you can’t afford to indulge just now. On the 26th, your ruler Mercury meets up with Venus in Aquarius in your 6th house of labor, health and service. And with the help of several hand-picked like minded comrades at work, you can move several mountains and make a big difference. Go for it.
LIBRA: Saturn in Virgo now through much of 2009 and some of 2010 will waste you if don’t set clear boundaries now. The opposition to the Sun in your 6th house of health/work/schedules/ this week has shown you that turning your cell phone off and setting an auto-response for emails at least 2 hours a day is a requirement. The meet-up of Mercury and Venus in your 5th house encourages you to not delete messages before listening and/or reading them carefully. There’s probably an invite from someone very interesting that you shouldn’t overlook.
SCORPIO: The Sun/Saturn opposition this weekend brings the challenge of discernment to your doorstep: Can you tell the difference between the friends and coworkers who waste your time and those who do not? Get clear on this now: There is much to lose if you don’t. Scorpios enjoy testing boundaries and tempting fate, but there are better things to spend your energy on. The Mercury/Venus conjunction in your 4th house encourages discussion about what to do next to fix up your home.
SAGITTARIUS: While it’s true that charity does begin at home, your darling blood relatives need to appreciate the fact that you’ll have nothing to share monetarily or otherwise if you are kept from meeting your just professional obligations. Saturn at the top of your chart on and off through summer 2010 must be your primary consideration for the time being. From the two-way street department, there may be an opportunity for a sibling, friend, or neighbor to help by recommending a lender or by co-signing a loan for a large purchase or investment. If a franchise is of interest explore it.
CAPRICORN: Money-centric talks that broke off the third or fourth week in January are ready to resume and get to the proverbial finish line. In the meantime, get all of your ducks in a row and organize your paper work so that it’s ready to go. The next phase will take about 10 weeks to complete but then it’s smooth sailing. The important thing is that after this, all parties involved are on the same page.
AQUARIUS: Although frustrating, the Sun -Saturn opposition on the 24th in your money houses will serve to align your partner’s finances and goals with your own. Thank Goodness! Now the two of you are ready to successfully tackle multiple issues including residence, transportation, investments, and vacation options for the next couple of years. If you are single the ‘partner’ can be a pal or adviser that you work closely with. Mercury conjunct Venus in your sign says that you must be heard and understood. An impromptu speech in front of a group would be wonderful.
PISCES: The delay and sense of rejection brought on by the Sun-Saturn opposition has drained your energy and thrown you into a little bit of a tailspin. But things are not what they appear to be: People are talking about you and it’s all good: Some very nice things are being said on your behalf and a fine surprise could very well be in the works. The person who said ‘no” had your best interest at heart. It was a timing thing that will resolve itself by May. Have faith.