Boston Legal Rocks!
The Sean Bell Verdict Disappoints, and
The Clinton-Obama Contest Continues
By Shelley L. Ackerman
[From my 'Shimmering Stars' column in
The Westchester Guardian, © 2008]

The Sean Bell Verdict is in, and the officers who shot him and two others were found “Not Guilty”. While the verdict was a disappointment, the officers who stood trial are not out of the woods, and may still face federal charges.
This in stark contrast to the immensely gratifying BOSTON LEGAL episode which aired last Tuesday evening 4/23. Producer David E. Kelley and head writer Laurence Broch are phenomenal in their unrelenting service to entertain, educate, and to heal the pain of the American psyche.
Sure, they’re leftists, but I’m convinced we should substitute the word “liberal” which has been successfully tainted by the wrong right-wing, with “humanist”. After a round of painful coaching by a team lead by the brilliant Bob Gunton, James Spader’s character, Alan Shore took on the Supreme Court and said everything to that group of politically biased betrayers of the constitution that many of us have had on our minds for the past eight years. It was fantastic. Boston Legal moves to Wednesday night this week. Don’t miss it.
“She won’t quit” (why should she?) and “he can’t close the deal” say critics of both. And though the possibility of a democratic “Dream Team” ticket has been all but abandoned as a pipe dream at best, how I wish they’d both reconsider.
Astrologically, the Scorpio woman (Hillary) and the Leo man (Barack) are a challenge to blend peacefully as both are fixed and strong: Just ask Hillary, she’s married to a Leo. And while she couldn’t tame the former President, she helped to contain him. But Scorpio and Leo are a dynamic team and the possibility should not be dismissed. Hillary has several planets in Leo herself (Pluto, Saturn, and Mars), and any Leo in their right mind would want her and that powerful planetary pile up on their side and not as an opponent.
Without accurate and verifiable birth times, it’s tough to get a clear read on the situation. The consensus is that Hillary was born shortly before 8 AM on Oct 26, 1947 in Chicago. Barack Obama was born Aug 4, 1961 in Honolulu. There is no birth time for him. So his Moon could be in either the very last degrees of Taurus or early Gemini. But aside from that, there’s some good synastry between them: His Venus at 1 degree of Cancer makes a fabulous aspect to her Sun. Her Venus and Mercury in Scorpio complement his Mars at 22 degrees of Virgo. And there’s a fated “yod” configuration between their charts- which often indicates time spent together and a big picture purpose to the encounter. The May 5th New Moon and the forward motion of Saturn will shift the energy, but in which direction? On the one hand, Obama’s grace, wisdom, and nobility are sorely needed, but on the other hand, so is Hillary’s resilience and experience with fending off whatever they hurl at her.
From May 15-20, 170 pro-astrologers from all over the world, including yours truly, will tackle the elections and many other pressing issues and speak to an audience of more than 1500 attendees in Denver, Colorado. We will generate a lot of celestial mojo and “warm up” the city for the Democratic convention which will take place 100 days later. UAC (United Astrology Conference) will be held at the Sheraton Hotel (formerly the Adam’s Mark Hotel) in the mile-high city.
Mark Wolz, and astrologer who teaches meditation and yoga, said, “People are dissatisfied with answers from traditional sources, and they’re looking more and more to the symbolic arts for insight.”
“This will be the largest gathering of professional astrologers in over 30 years”, said Ray Merriman, who is the president of the International Society for Astrological Research, president of the Merriman Market Analyst, and one of the conference directors. “This conference is taking place on the verge of one of the most powerful celestial patterns in our lifetime, and it is our obligation as astrologers to help people understand what’s ahead and prepare”.
I will be seeing clients in Denver- so if you think that anyone in you know in the area would like an appointment, please have them call me ASAP at 212-539-3100.
Hope to see you there. For more information about the conference visit: www.uacastrology.com.
Is there anyone on Earth who doesn’t think their story is exceptional? Well, do something about it. Each year I urge all of my women friends to drop everything and join us at the annual International Women’s Writing Guild Conference at Skidmore College. This year, the “Remember the Magic” week takes place June 13-20. Please believe me when I tell you it’s a week of Utopia that can’t be beat. Here’s the list of workshops. Call Hannelore Hahn at 212-737-7536 for more information.
Whenever a planet enters it’s “home sign” (the astrological sign that it rules), there’s a welcomed sense of things being right - at least in one part of the world.
Since Venus rules sweetness, love, and romance, and Taurus is the sign of physical pleasure and sensuality, there’s a lot to look forward to. In the meantime, it’s a good idea to use the fire and drive of Venus in Aries energy productively: Stay out of arguments, and focus on getting things done by the end of the month, so that we can relax into and savor the “horn of plenty”- the cornucopia of earthly delights that Venus in Taurus has to offer.

Chart: Venus Enters Taurus
Click for larger view
ARIES: Your ruling planet, Mars, opposes Jupiter on April 24, and while on the one hand, that can be a high-energy barrel of laughs kind of an aspect, you’ll be playing to a tougher crowd than usual for the next couple of days. Maturity and decorum will be required to win them over and get your point across. Okay, it’s not fun, but getting what you have your sights set on feels better than going back to the drawing board. Patience Pays: Taking time to express yourself clearly and articulately adds $$ to your bank account when most needed.
TAURUS: A visionary of sorts at work is open to and excited about what you have to say. If there isn’t a ‘visionary’ in a position to help, take heart- an underling who you’ve befriended may be more influential than you think. Your ruler, Venus, enters your sign on the 30th, and your time of year to look lovelier than ever has arrived. Venus is not just about vanity, but it’s about connection, money, and love. Though popularity and friendship don’t directly pay the bills, having them working in your favor can’t hurt one bit.
GEMINI: It would be really easy to cite the number of planets (the Sun, Mercury, and then Venus later this week) in Taurus and in your “I think I’ll take a nap” 12th house and vacate the premises for a few weeks of playtime. But absconding on your duties will create more trouble than it’s worth. Take advantage of the state-of-grace aspect between Mercury and Jupiter on the 28th, make that sale, and/or clear up a BIG financial road block with an ease you never thought possible.
CANCER: Like the old familiar ad for the American Express Card, you’re “so worldly and so welcome”, but don’t push it. Feisty Mars (still in Cancer for another couple of weeks) opposes Jupiter on the 24th, making you feel like Superman or Wonder Woman. And while the energy can and should be harnessed to break through to a new level, doing so without considering the feelings of those involved will backfire and further the delay the success that you’re so on the verge of achieving.
LEO: There’s little room in your life for paranoia or suspicion, as most everyone in your sphere wishes you well and is willing to put their money where their mouth is. The gathering of Taurus planets in your career sector is supported by a solid and dependable team who are there for you 24/7. Don’t believe it? Make a list of everyone who has helped you in the last few days (including those who you take for granted- i.e. cab drivers, bank tellers, tech support, and folks at the newsstand) and thank them.
VIRGO: Keep your eye on the ball and refrain from delegating any more than you have to. Though so much is working in your favor, diligence and some micro-managing will be required to assure that there isn’t a screw up at a bank or at work that could come by way of someone paying less attention than you do. It’s worth the extra effort. In the next few weeks, the oppression that you have felt of late will lift and you’ll feel lighter than you have in a long time.
LIBRA: C’mon face facts: Aren’t you getting just a wee bit tired from the partially self-inflicted financial roller coaster you’ve been on? It’s time to smash some old bad habits and replace them with ones that serve you. As your ruling planet Venus prepares to enter your 8th house of shared resources (banks, financial institutions, stocks & commodities, etc.) you will have the opportunity to fix, once and for all, what’s been broken and avert a disaster later on. A little discipline goes a long way. There’s a breakthrough possible involving real estate-are you ready for a change?
SCORPIO: Though you love to call the shots and generally prefer hiding out in your enclave to being social, you will get more out of acquiescing and being cooperative with your clan or soul family than if you’re not. The cluster of planets in your 7th house of partnership encourages putting others first more than you would normally do. Sure, silly small talk is annoying, but who says you have to listen fully or respond to any of it? A simple smile and sending out good vibes is all that’s required of you.
SAGITTARIUS: “Those who indulge-bulge” says the famous sticker on many a refrigerator door. And with the gathering of planets in “feed me” Taurus in your sixth house of health and routine, your advised to nurture yourself with quality instead of quantity. Don’t skimp on your health either- if something is bothering you (thyroid or neck in particular) seek out the best whether that professional is on your insurance plan or not. If you feel the urge to splurge, do it at a spa, not at a restaurant.
CAPRICORN: Oh- how you’d love to get away from it all, and pretty soon you’ll be able to. But for now, bear down and keep the productivity where it needs to be. Though there are many complaints and disgruntled characters acting up in the proverbial peanut gallery (so to speak) and your significant other or close BFF is less appreciative than usual, you hold the key to keeping the whole thing running and you know it. No one needs to tell you to use your authority wisely (wink), but your mood influences others more than you realize.
AQUARIUS: You’re one of the lucky ones: Because of your natural affinity for technology and/or your luck in having someone handy who knows more than you do in that arena, you really can phone it in and do your work from anywhere. If need be (or if your intuition tells you to), by all means draw upon that talent and work more from home in the next few weeks. Some down time and visits to museums or other cultural spots of interest will do wonders to recharge your battery and make you more productive in the long run.
PISCES: You’re a prolific bunny: Who knew you had this much to say and that much of it is really quite good! Don’t talk it all away only to kick yourself in a month or two for not putting it on paper or in a word doc somewhere. There is money to be earned from these ideas and you will want to refer to them later. A wild idea that sounds like a sure thing for a quick buck may not be. If a stick-in-the-mud conservative friend interferes- listen to them. You need the sobering influence they bring-amen.