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Fire and Ice:
Mars Opposes Sun on Leo Full Moon
Saturn Squares Pluto (Again)
By Shelley L. Ackerman © 2010
SHELLEY ACKERMAN
Photo: Rich Press
State of the Union:
With Mars within a degree of his Leo Sun, President Obama delivered what I thought to be an exceptionally good, relevant, and potentially effective address on Wednesday January 27th.
It was more disturbing than usual to observe the stone-faced smug section of GOP’ers refusing to give an inch, and exuding waves of ill-will at our earnest 44th president. Who seems to be trying his darndest
Obama was gracious and spoke of the need (of elected officials) to serve, reminding us that his job description did not include “three years of trying to get re-elected”.
John Boehner:
Dissing the Prez
His speech focused on job creation and the economy, and he spent far less time on health care and on the environment. In case you missed it, here it is on YouTube. And when viewing, pay attention to the withholding GOP and to Judge Samuel Alito who shook his head and mouthed “not true” when Obama was critical of last week’s SCOTUS 5-4 decision in the case of “Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission”, which effectively opened the floodgates for Toyota, Wendy’s and SONY to buy the next president.
On Friday January 29th, hours before the dramatic Leo Full Moon, both sides (Dems and Republicans) debated their differences but little was resolved.
About 29 years ago, I participated in a theater game that should be employed by our divided House of Reps today:
Stella Adler: Teaching Congress?
Had she lived, Stella Adler, the legendary acting coach (who taught Marlon Brando, Robert DeNiro, and Warren Beatty, to name a few), would have turned 109 years old on February 10th.
I was fortunate to have studied with Ms. Adler and to know her personally.
Stella Adler
One of the exercises that she gave our class, was to have each of us take one side of an issue (say abortion, for example) and to argue the pro-choice side for two minutes. We would then have to immediately switch gears and take the opposite side, and argue pro-life just as passionately. Her reasoning was, that as actors we would often be cast in a part that we were philosophically opposed to, but in order to be effective, we would need to understand how and empathize with the way that the ‘other side’ feels.
I couldn’t help but wish that those stone-faced heartless fools in the HOUSE would have had the experience of that exercise with Stella. The Democrats seem to be more advanced at seeing the other side- almost to a fault. There needs to be a balance.
How I’d love to go to DC and teach that class to the GOP side of the House and Senate. The idealist in me believes that it could make a difference.
Stella Adler was more than an acting teacher, she was a force of nature who demanded greatness and accountability of her students. Like many complex individuals, she was a bundle of fascinating contradictions. “I am a socialist” she would say, but she lived like a Queen on Fifth Avenue (across the street from the Metropolitan Museum) with servants and all of the trappings of royalty. She was a founding member and an integral part of the GROUP THEATER, known for its left-leaning political stance, plays such as "Waiting for Lefty" and "Golden Boy" and she was instrumental in helping Israel achieve statehood in 1948. She encouraged, no she DEMANDED, that her students be well-read, well-informed and responsive to the world in which they live.
“If you look at history from the perspective of the slaughtered and mutilated, it’s a different story” said HOWARD ZINN, author of “A People’s History of the United States” who died at the age of 87 this week, on his third Saturn-Return.
Like Stella, ZINN was a great thinker who inspired his readers and challenged his students to question the version of history that they were taught. He was referred to in the film “Good Will Hunting”. Here is his NYT obituary.
Eclipse Influence Continues: Edwards’ Marriage, J.D. Salinger
The Dec 31 lunar eclipse fallout continues with the devastating and damaging news of John Edwards’ 2007 affair with Rielle Hunter, the lies that his aide Andrew Young told to cover it, and Edwards’ alleged horrible behavior towards Young, his family, Hunter, but most of all towards his wife Elizabeth. I feel sorry for the entire lot.
Edwards (b. June 10, 1953) has 12 degrees Cancer rising, and his wife Elizabeth (b. July 3, 1949) has her Sun at that same degree, both within two degrees of that lunar eclipse.
J.D. Salinger
They (John and Elizabeth Edwards) are now separated, and no one in this story looks good, least of all, our predatory ‘friends’ at the National Enquirer. Rumors are swirling about yet another Edwards’ romantic involvement. What a mess.
J. D. Salinger, reclusive author of “The Catcher in the Rye” died this week at the age of 91. Born on January 1, 1919, the lunar eclipse was clear across his Capricorn Sun and Jupiter in Cancer at 10 degrees.
“Catcher in the Rye” was in the hands of Mark David Chapman the night that he murdered John Lennon. We are now in the Saturn-Return of that horrific Dec 8, 1980 event.
Elaine Stritch
Liz Smith
Birthday Girls
Wishing legendary gossip queen Liz Smith and Broadway legend Elaine Stritch a very happy birthday on February 2nd. Liz has been beyond generous to me in her column on wowowow.com and I thank her profusely.
Chart: Full Moon in Leo
Click for larger view
The Planets This Week: Times are Eastern
Jan 28: Moon in Cancer V/C @ 11:48 pm
Jan 29: Moon in Leo @ 9:10 am, Sun opposite Mars @ 2:43 pm
Jan 30: Full Moon @ 1:18 am
Jan 31: Moon V/C @ 1:27 pm enters Virgo @ 8:23 am,
Saturn square Pluto @ 5:07 pm
Feb 1: Moon V/C @ 11:17 pm
Feb 2: Moon in Libra @ 8:42 am
*Moon v/c = ‘void of course’, Best for spiritual not earthly pursuits
Bonus: 2010 Astro Crib Sheet
Mercury: Begins @ 18 Cap 28 Retro, ends 2010 @ 19 Sag 44
Mercury Retrogrades: Dec 26 ‘09- Jan 15 ‘10, April 17-May 11, Aug 20-Sept 12, Dec 10-30
Venus: Begins @ 8 Cap 29, ends 2010 @ 23 Scorpio 05
Venus Retrograde: Oct 8 – Nov 18
Mars: Begins @ 18 Leo 44 Retro, ends 2010 @ 17 Cap 59
Mars Retrograde: Dec 20, 2009 - March 10, 2010
Jupiter: Begins @ 26 Aquarius 28, ends 2010 @ 26 Pisces 29
(Jupiter in Aries from June 6-Sept 9)
Jupiter Retrograde: July 23-Nov 18
Saturn: Begins @ 4 Libra 31, ends 2010 @ 16 Libra 38
(Saturn in Virgo from April 7- July 21)
Saturn Retrograde: January 13- May 30)
Uranus: Begins @ 23 Pisces 06, ends 2010 @ 26 Pisces 57
(Uranus in Aries May 27- Aug 13)
Uranus Retrograde: July 5- Dec 5
Neptune: Begins @ 24 Aquar 36, ends 2010 @ 26 Aquar 44
Neptune Retrograde: May 31- Nov 7
Pluto: Begins @ 3 Cap 19, ends 2010 @ 5 Cap 19
Pluto Retrograde: April 6 – Sep 14
Eclipses: Jan 15-Solar @ 25 Cap 01, June 26-Lunar @ 4 Can 46, July 11- Solar @ 19 Can 24, Dec 21-Lunar @ 29 Gemini 21
ARIES: “Choose this day whom ye will serve” can be one tall order at particular sequences and this is one of them, especially now, when there are several deserving recipients of your time. But the pressure of the Saturn/Pluto square offset by the Full Moon (with your ruler Mars in the mix) will amplify the basic truth that you can’t be in more than one place at one time- literally, figuratively, metaphysically, and spiritually.
TAURUS: If you remember nothing else remember this: Tauruses are built to last. And as fellow Taurean Jay Leno has weathered one impossible storm after another- and has survived beautifully to tell the tale, you too will endure the test of time Though a female family member (or one crashing in your space) is irritating, irritated, and at times fightin’ mad, you need not get swept up in the tornado of emotions. And besides, you have the upper hand.
GEMINI: Not only does the Full Moon find you ‘deeply in touch’ with all that you’ve kept inside and under wraps for months, but it is now undeniably clear that you must express what’s bothering you – or else! Geminis are so glib and so tricky that they can keep talking while saying virtually nothing about the ‘real deal’ (think John Edwards). And though you are not necessarily dealing with or trying to hide anything scandalous, you still hesitate in revealing the core issue. If you’re fearful of losing the love/approval of someone close, you must have that talk - now.
CANCER: The Saturn-Pluto square has compromised your sense of autonomy and has cramped your style to a nearly crippling degree. The needs of a spouse and/or a family member though legitimate, are overwhelming. But your dignity and sense of self are still very much in tact as is your ability to reach for healthier and more attainable (short-term) goals. Restate your needs in a way that makes sense to would-be supporters, and in time, they will back you. For now, focus on the matters at hand and take comfort in the little things- including a job well done.
LEO: Warm, regal, and at times royally out of touch, your focus has been directed inward for the past few months and rightly so. But be that as it may, you must for the time being, direct your gaze and attention outward and prepare yourself for some unexpected ‘acts of God’ in and around the work place. You may be called in to pinch hit or to take on the roll of CEO (or some other leadership position) at the last minute. Transportation issues may arise so for the timing being figure on extra time for getting to and from places.
VIRGO: For what it’s worth, no one and I mean no one is off the ‘Saturn-Pluto’ hook, and everyone is in one way or another, dealing with power-struggles (internal and external) that seem to eat up every ounce of spare energy around. And though a ‘misery loves company’ approach doesn’t really do it for you, take comfort in the fact that everyone is involved in ‘survival mode’ and has some sort of Hobson’s Choice to contend with. So what brings relief? Throw yourself into some creative aspect at work or a project that you are deeply passionate about, it will work wonders.
LIBRA: Your circle of friends all seem to have grown egos the size of football fields and the demands they place on your time are impossible to fulfill. But the operative phrase is “seem to” and much of the pressure you experience has to do with a loopy sense of responsibility you feel to be all things to all people all of the time. The next two and a half years (through Oct 5 2012 to be exact) is all about boundaries baby, boundaries. You need not be a Pavolvian-type dog who responds to every call, text, and email in real time. The world will keep spinning without your hyoer-vigilance.
SCORPIO: Water signs hate confrontation and don’t take well to being pushed. But there’s no other way to describe the energy out there, so tap into that brilliant part of you that knows exactly when to surrender so that a new life (and a new sequence0 can spring forward. (Moon/Mars in 10, Saturn in 3 Pluto in 12. Now is the perfect time to get to the absolute bottom of what makes you tick and to once and for all, through brutal honesty, come clean (at least to yourself0 about what’s been tripping you up.
SAGITTARIUS: Whether you’re male or female, this week, your inner “zealot’ is a feminist, meaning that it is wise to honor your inner matriarch and give her a voice. How might that work? Well, if you’re still blaming Mamma for what ails you, you might want to sit down and write a short essay about what’s gone down from her point of view. You’re in a place to get to the bottom of what’s been blocking you. This Full Moon will open the floodgates, have a pen and paper (or an electronic a writing device) available at all times. You may have to drop a group activity or two, your dance card has been way too full anyway.
CAPRICORN: Has a budget-busting conundrum got you down? The eclipses of the past 30 days have done their part in shaking up, waking up, and exposing the inner workings of several players in your sphere. And truth be told, several layers of your own precious skin have been shed in the process. Being raw, though uncomfortable, has its merits. When we are stripped of defense, accoutrements, and props, we are strangely closer to the source of our power. How you use it will define you in the months and years ahead.
AQUARIUS: A partner, spouse, or BFF explodes with excitement and a rush of energy that all but knocks you over. And if that wasn’t enough the list of honey do’s that she, he, or ‘they’ present you with could make you scream. But keep in mind that the Sun in Aquarius (meaning YOU) ‘rule’ all of that fiery Leo energy and are therefore in complete control of every aspect of the situation. The moral to the story: Be a good listener and don’t let an intimate’s exuberance overwhelm you. Their drama belongs entirely to them.
PISCES: A brazen female co-worker may lose it at work, but it isn’t just a run of the mill temper tantrum- there may be some heart related issues that need tending to immediately, so count to ten before reacting to any irregular behavior. Jupiter in your sign brings out the magnanimous in you and you feel like buying the world dinner and a coke. That’s all well and good, but can you really justify adding to the mountain of debt on those little plastic rectangles in your wallet? A smile and a cup of H2O from the cooler will suffice.