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The Sun Enters Virgo and
‘Dems’ Enter Denver on Last Quarter Moon
Virgo Kitchen Goddess Rachael Ray Turns 40!
[From my 'Shimmering Stars' column in The Westchester Guardian, © 2008]
NOTE:
Check for UPDATE on OBAMA’s VP Pick on our HOME PAGE
SHELLEY ACKERMAN
Photo: Rich Press
Make the Most of this Weekend’s Earth Grand Trine
When 4 planets align in any earth sign, the message is clear: Get Grounded. And on August 22nd, there’s a lucky sobering/stabilizing influence to be tapped into by one and all.
The fortunate “grand trine” between the Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn in the element of earth offers an afternoon state-of-grace period and much needed clarity to all who wish to get the material and practical aspect of their trip together.
Times have been rough for many and while temporary bright spots can always be expected, the overall picture for the next few years is rocky. But don’t tell that to a Virgo, they don’t care and they won’t believe you. Those born under the hard-working sign of the virgin keep their noses to the grindstone no matter what. As a matter of fact, according to a 2006 article in Forbes Magazine, billionaires are most likely to have their Sun in Virgo, the humble sign of the worker bee. Yes, service with a smile does pay off. In that article, astrologer Michael Lutin said, “It’s a bit ironic that top astrology honors for this male-dominated billionaires list goes to the sign symbolized by a virgin, but it actually isn’t too surprising. Virgos are known to be hardworking, determined, detail-oriented and analytical. They are driven more by their desire to achieve excellence at whatever they do than by the pursuit of riches.” Both Warren Buffett (of Berkshire-Hathaway fame) and Larry Ellison (Oracle) are Virgos.
Rachel Ray
On her way to probable billionaire-hood is Rachael Ray, TV’s Kitchen Queen and Multi-Media Mega Star. Rachael turns 40 on Monday, Aug 25th. She reportedly earns about $18 million annually from her multi - dimensional television and magazine publishing platforms. Rachael, a New-Moon baby born on August 25th 1968, has a whopping and almost unheard of seven planets in Virgo! Rachael came out of the womb ready to roll up her sleeves and cook up a storm. Her infectious giggle, adorable smile, and effervescent energy have enabled this humble young lady to accomplish what most of us never even dare to dream about. What’s so amazing about Rachael’s story is that she never really had the ambition to be famous, and according to many interviews, fame and success came as a shocking surprise. Astrologically, her 1990’s incubation period (which eventually culminated in the skyrocket to mega-success in the early 2000’s) were jump started by the Uranus-Neptune duo in earthy Capricorn making a supportive “trine” to all of her Virgo planets. The Jupiter-Saturn conjunction and build up of planets in Taurus in April-May 2000 probably set her into orbit.
Annoyingly sweet or not, we can all take something away from Rachael’s enthusiastic approach to her life and her work. Since there is a stellium (cluster of planets close together) in Virgo, this week’s horoscope (below) will celebrate ways to unleash the inner Rachael in every sign.
Rick Warren, McCain, and Obama:
Bill Maher got it right when he said on Larry King Live this week, that many atheists/ethicists are often more humane, open, non-judgmental and when it comes down to it, Christ-like than the narrow-minded evangelicals who use Jesus' name in every other sentence.
Last Saturday with hoards of evangelicals and right-wingers in the auditorium, the deck was stacked against Obama, but he delivered beautifully just the same. He hadn’t heard any of the questions before hand (McCain very well might have- he was not, as Warren said, in a “cone of silence” but en route to the broadcast while Obama and Pastor Rick were on) yet he answered everything thoughtfully, with wisdom and elegant insight.
In contrast, McCain’s answers were predictable, and rehearsed. He is not a spontaneous man and he reveals very little about himself. He doesn’t let us see his soul, which leads me to believe that he has Scorpio not Libra rising. When asked about it, his mom has given two birth times 9 AM and 11 AM on separate occasions. At 11 AM (Aug 29, 1936 in Coco Solo, Panama) McCain would have 17 Scorpio rising. Fascinating that Rick Warren (b. Jan 28, 1954) is one day older than Oprah Winfrey. Both Aquarians have their wildly successful ministries.
What stood out as very significant, though it was hardly sited by the bloggers or pundits, was the response both senators gave on what dollar amount per year they considered “rich” and therefore eligible for a tax increase. Obama first joked that Rick Warren’s sale of 25 million books might count. But then he said that it’s relative and depends on where you live. He finally settled on over $250K per year(click here to read more on Obama's proposed economic policies). McCain put that figure at $5 million. In other words, earning anything below that figure would place you in the poverty group and therefore you would not be called upon to pay any more tax to help offset those in our nation who have no insurance, go without dinner, and are losing their homes. On Aug 22, Paul Krugman addressed this specific issue in his NYT Op-Ed piece.
The Good Die Young:
Heartbreaking that Ohio Senator Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, who had the courage to challenge the 2004 Ohio vote on the Senate floor in early 2005 has died at the age of 58 (three weeks before her 59th birthday). Tubbs-Jones was born on Sept 10, 1949, the same day and year as FOX blowhard Bill O’Reilly. A staunch Hillary supporter, she would have been a super-delegate next week in Denver. I would not rule out foul play, she was her own woman and a threat to politics as usual.
Dems in Denver:
August 25th marks the official opening of the Democratic Convention in Denver. Two days after the waning last quarter Moon, the four planets in Virgo are squared by an out-of-bounds Moon in Gemini approaching an opposition to Pluto. It’s a mutable mess and not the best heavenly hook-up for a happy and unified convention, to say the least. Not terribly calm or safe either I might add. Let’s hope that things remain smooth enough and that cooler heads prevail. Pray for good will and protection to rule the day. I know I will. More on the horoscope of the convention as precise times for specific openings, announcements, and speeches become available.
Chart: Virgo Ingress of the Sun
Click for larger view
Aug 21: Moon in Aries V/C @ 12:53 pm, enters Taurus @ 2:38 pm;
Sun trine Pluto @ 2:49 am, Mercury conj. Venus @ 11:44 am
Aug 22: Sun enters Virgo @ 2:02 pm
Aug 23: Moon V/C @ 5:20 am, enters Gemini @ 5:48 pm,
Mercury opp Uranus @ 2:13 am
Venus opp Uranus @ 11:49 am
Aug 25: Moon V/C @ 5:52 pm, enters Cancer @ 8:18 pm
Aug 27: Moon V/C @ 8:13 pm, enters Leo @ 10:51 pm
Mercury sq Pluto @ 9:36 pm
*Moon v/c = ‘void of course’, a time of disconnect until
the Moon enters the next sign
This week, there’s a little Rachael Ray in Everyone:
ARIES: Stay open and attentive to flashes of brilliant insight as you struggle with your impatient I-want-it when-I-want-it-and-that-means-NOW demons. How well you manage your frustration-tolerance gremlins will determine your success this Fall. Unleash your “Inner Rachael Ray” by focusing your entire being on the task at hand, whatever that task may be. Attention to detail is both your personal key to joy and the road to victory.
TAURUS: Get out your drums, pots and pans, make-up brushes, or knitting needles, whatever floats your boat! Channeling your “Inner Rachael Ray” means reconnecting with and falling in love with a hobby or past time that you abandoned for whatever reason. Pick it up and revisit: It will do you a world of good. That hobby, by the way, may have two or four legs. If you opt for the former, make sure he or she is untangles. None of us had the privacy we once enjoyed back in the good old days.
GEMINI: As you continue to sort things out at home, your biggest challenge this week is to not be thrown by sudden and unexpected demands from work and/or for a parent or parent figure (an authority or boss?). Keep your balance, no matter what. It’s a test and no big deal in the scheme of things. Tap into YOUR “Inner Rachael” by enjoying clearing the clutter and doing all of those little domestic touch ups that you’ve postponed for ages. The back-burner is now front and center. Just watch those flames and make sure they don’t get too high.
CANCER: Stop whining and count your blessings, especially on the 23rd when the beneficent earth grand trine makes for a special cooperative energy between factions in your life. For once, a spouse (or significant other), siblings and friends all speak the same language. Don’t knock it. Tap into your “Inner Rachael Ray” by spending some quality time, sans resentment-please, serving the needs of a brother, sister, or close neighbor that needs your undivided attention badly.
LEO: The earth grand trine on the 23rd can and should bring to your doorstep the blessing of all blessings, but don’t wait for the phone to ring or the doorbell to chime. This may not be the Publisher’s Clearing House win you’ve prayed for but it may be the next best thing. Channel your “Inner Rachael Ray” by sitting down and forcing yourself to get real about the correlation between income and expenses. This diet can and should be fun. This moment of financial Zen will guarantee that the good times will continue to roll for years.
VIRGO: Hey baby, it’s your time of year. Hard for you to even consider dropping the ball and taking a break, but do it anyway. Even if you can’t get out of Dodge (a mini-day trip to a charming college town would do wonders), a small daily jaunt to a park or beach is mandatory. Surprising behavior from a spouse or BFF, should be taken in stride. Channel your “Inner Rachael” by promising to spend time doing what you love. If you don’t know what that is, find out fast. A new career is waiting to be born.
LIBRA: Take the phone off the hook, even if it kills you: Blackberries and cell phones too. Your dreams have been wacky and possibly even violent of late. Don’t be scared by this as you’re processing and working through some very heavy long-standing stuff that needs clearing. Tap into and employ your “Inner Rachael Ray” by recognizing that privacy and solitude do not equal isolation. It is a requirement to recharge and contemplate this, that, and the other thing without knowing what you’ll do with what you discover. This is how the good dreams are born, the ones that lead to the greatest accomplishments.
SCORPIO: The magnificent grand trine alignment in earth signs in your communication houses. For once, set aside any control issues or whatever remnant of childish delight that you sometimes take in factions not getting along and use the energy to get something powerful done that requires a group effort. Channel your “Inner Rachael Ray” by rolling up your sleeves and serving your community (or a group that interests you) and making the difference of a lifetime. It will feel soooo good.
SAGITTARIUS: The week begins with a piece of good old fashioned advice (that seems too simple to be worth much, but it is) from an unlikely source. Take this ball and run with it. Channel and implement your “Inner Rachael Ray” by taking your career seriously and acting accordingly. Don’t rush through any task or listen half-heartedly to anyone in the workplace. You will be tested on the details. The earth grand trine alignment in your money house insures the cash flow you need.
CAPRICORN: August 23rd’s earth grand trine in your money houses feels so comfortable and familiar that you must be careful to not miss what could be a terrific opportunity. The Sun’s entrance into Virgo and your 9th house o legal and foreign affairs sheds light on an issue that you’ve been struggling to understand. Now that you see things more clearly, who will you align with? Channel your “Inner Rachael Ray” by revisiting the philosophy by which you live. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
AQUARIUS: There are many paradoxes in the sign of Aquarius, not the least of which is the odd combination of a cool exterior and a complex sexual nature. As the Sun enters your psychologically deep and very psychic eight house of sex, , and transformation, you may reawaken (and enjoy) a dormant aspect of your more prurient nature. This delicious devil is definitely in the details. Channel and tease your “Inner Rachael Ray” by saying “si-si” to that which you have ignored for too long. Take it slow and savor.
PISCES: The many benefits of August 23rd’s earth grand trine alignment will serve to smooth out several misunderstandings and could make your world a much better and easier place to live in. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for what you need. Tap into your “Inner Rachael Ray” by choosing your partners wisely and well. As someone who devotes much of themselves to whoever needs you, why waste your time with the unworthy and ungrateful? For the best pay day always invest wisely.