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Hello Aries: It’s a Mars, Mars, Mars, Mars, World
If Health Reform Passes - What Changes?
Dame Edna Returns to Broadway!
Sondheim (My Hero) is 80
By Shelley L. Ackerman © 2010
SHELLEY ACKERMAN
Photo: Rich Press
“Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.”
~ Virgil A. Kraft
“Drab” is probably the last word that comes to mind when looking at the chart for Spring 2010. “Colorful”, “dramatic”, “volatile” and “ripe with possibilities” is more like it, for when the Sun entered Aries and the astrological New Year began on March 20 @ 1:32 PM EDT, Mars, the warrior planet, rose in the east and aligned with the Sun in a way that said: “hold on to your hats”!
The tense “T-Square” configuration between the Sun/Mercury, Saturn, and Pluto reinforces the “something’s gotta give” energy and places a global influence on events here at home. In no uncertain terms, change is in the air!
As the United States continues to face one of the worst economic sequences in modern history, we’re on the verge of passing a sweeping health reform bill. Many remain unemployed, the IRS is on everyone’s case, while millions deal with the threat of foreclosure. But “sweet are the uses of adversity” and Spring 2010 will provide all signs of the zodiac with a rigorous curriculum, plenty of testing, and above all, a chance to show the world what you’re made of.
As of this writing we are hours away from the vote on Capital Hill that will determine the fate of the long battle for health reform.
Nader
Kucinich
There is much confusion and controversy surrounding this historic moment and a good deal of last minute maneuvering, not the least of which is the flip from Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio to support the bill. Here is Amy Goodman’s and Juan Gonzales’ interview with Kucinich and Ralph Nader on the pros and cons of passing this imperfect bill as is. It’s very worth your time, as is this Democracy Now interview with Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida. The feisty and very vocal democrat has introduced a “Buy into Medicare at Cost Bill”, and as of this writing, it has over 80 co-sponsors in congress.
“Spring is God’s way of saying “let’s party”.”
~ Robin Williams
And if you’re confused as to exactly what is in the bill being voted on this weekend, join the club. Here is a fairly thorough piece clarifying the most misunderstood “myths” in the proposed legislation.
“All About Me”: Dame Edna and Michael Feinstein “Quincunx” on Broadway
Michael Feinstein & Dame Edna
What happens when a wild Aquarian is forced to share the stage and the bill with a persnickety Virgo? Or more important, can an incongruous quincunx (150 degree aspect) be entertaining? The answer to the second question is a resounding yes! And maybe the word “persnickety” isn’t fair to the gifted and dedicated musician that Feinstein truly is (Feinstein surprised me with his powerful and perfectly smooth voice). But irregardless of the less than stellar reviews, do make it your business to get to the Henry Miller Theater on West 43rd Street to see “All About Me” as soon as you can. Dame Edna, (Aussie comedian Barry Humphries' alter ego) is one of those creations that comes but once in a lifetime, and if you miss seeing ‘her’ live, you’d have no one to blame but yourself.
Cheering Dame Edna and Michael Feinstein on at Thursday evening’s opening night were Barbara Walters (she looked stunning in red), Judge Judy (whose bit was axed from the show after the first dress run-through), radio legend Joan Hamburg, TCM’s Robert Osborne, Andrea Martin, Ashford and Simpson, Joel Grey, Elaine Stritch, Billy Stritch (who accompanied a svelte but hobbling Liza Minnelli), and many other luminaries. The show was flawed but the audience could have cared less. And that’s really the point. Yes, Feinstein should have sat at the piano and deferred to Dame Edna until invited to share the space as an equal, but the character of Edna as the ultimate “Crone Gone Wild” is so brilliantly fueled by her puppet-master Humphries, that you forgive them both for anything.
Humphries, born on Feb 17, 1934, has a stellium in Aquarius, Mars in Pisces rising and the Moon in Aries. Feinstein, born on Sep 3, 1956, has a Sun-Jupiter conjunction, and the Moon probably in late Leo conjunct Pluto (no birth time is available). Edna is raw and brutally truthful and Feinstein is controlled. If permitted, Edna could mop up the floor with him, which would be hysterical but disrespectful, but it would make one hell of a show. Either way, it was divine hearing some of those songs and half of Edna is better than none at all.
Ben Brantley’s review in the NY Times was fair and accurate, as was Elysa Gardner’s review in USA Today. But no matter what any of ‘em say, this is a rare opportunity to see a theatrical genius at work.
Sondheim
An American Treasure: Broadway Legend Stephen Sondheim Celebrates His 80th Birthday
Born on March 22, 1930 at 3:30 AM in New York City, Stephen Sondheim has the Sun in Aries, the Moon in Capricorn, and Aquarius rising. His tight Venus, Saturn, and Pluto T square have been brilliantly channeled into creating the most profound and exquisitely complex music and lyrics that the American theater has ever known, and the best that this singer (me) has ever sung. Since the age of 16 I’ve been hopelessly devoted to Sondheim and his music.
Sondheim grew up ‘privileged’ in Manhattan before moving to a Pennsylvania farm after his father vanished one night when the young genius was less than 10 years old, leaving him emotionally scarred and, as is the case with many born under Aries, feeling responsible for his mother’s well-being ever since (He took exceptional care of her until her death). Though those scars permanently impacted his personal life, they would serve him well creatively over the course of his lifetime- with the theater-going public and the American Songbook as beneficiaries.
Mentored by theater legend Oscar Hammerstein II at puberty and through his teens, the boy wonder began his career by writing for the television series, Topper” at age 23 in 1953, and wrote many a Sunday Times crossword puzzle before devoting himself (almost) exclusively to the theater..
Writing the lyrics for “West Side Story” and “Gypsy” followed in 1957 and 1959 (his Saturn-return), and by the early 1960, his talent and accomplishments guaranteed his place as the greatest composer/lyricist of the American theater of all time, period. The roster of his award-shows is staggering as it is impressive: “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”, “Company”, “Follies”, “A Little Night Music”, “Sunday in the Park with George”, “Sweeney Todd”, “Into the Woods”, the list is endless. Even his so-called flops “Anyone Can Whistle”, “Do I Hear a Waltz” have become cult classics. My life has been so enriched by his work.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Sondheim, and thank you for adding so much meaning to the world’s many stories.
This week’s horoscope (below) begins with something to think on from a notable member of your sign. May it inspire you to take the ball and run with it.
Chart: Aries Ingress of the Sun
Click for larger view
March 18: Moon in Aries V/C @ 7:23 am, enters Taurus @ 12:29 pm
Mercury opposite Saturn @ 7:04 am
March 20: Moon V/C @ 3:42 pm, enters Gemini @ 8:28 pm,
Mercury square Pluto @ 4:16 am, Sun in Aries @ 1:32 pm
March 21: Sun trine Mars @ 1:54 pm, Sun opposite Saturn @ 8:37 pm
March 22: Moon V/C @ 9:49 pm, Mars sextile Saturn @ 11:55 pm
March 23: Moon in Cancer @ 2:16 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: "A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song."- Maya Angelou. It’s your time of year baby, and with your ruling planet, Mars, rising in the Aries Ingress chart (which heralds the arrival of Spring in the east coast) AND forming a supportive aspect to the Sun, it’s a “fire on fire” scenario. So with the sky being the limit, and with the steady hand of Saturn legitimizing your every move and keeping you in check, how will you spend your time? True, Pluto squaring your Sun will force a change that you may not feel ready for, but don’t fight it. The universe is smarter than you.
TAURUS: "Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility", said Sigmund Freud, the father of modern analysis, and while much of Freud’s philosophy is (IMHO) open to revision, this is a week (OK, a month) in which a little self-examination and reflection goes a long way. How much self-determination can you handle and what can you truly afford financially? There’s a lot bubbling beneath the surface so don’t feel obliged to be more social than you’re in the mood to be. Focus on your health (physical and mental) and nourish yourself by communing with nature and the elements.
GEMINI: From Beatle Paul McCartney: "Somebody said to me, "But the Beatles were anti-materialistic." That's a huge myth. John and I literally used to sit down and say, "Now, let's write a swimming pool." Yes, it’s the old carrot and donkey routine. Work, when perceived as drudgery, takes ten times longer to get through. But when you hold in your mind’s eye, what you’d really love to see as a result, it can become a thing of joy. It’s always darkest before the dawn, so they say, but do “they” know how frustrating it is when you can’t quite find the right words that you need to make your case, or what it’s like to have your every thought and word challenged by nay-sayers?
CANCER: “It is the enemy who can truly teach us to practice the virtues of compassion and tolerance”, said the Dalai Lama, who by the way, shares his July 6th birthday with George W. Bush!: Watch your temper on the 23rd, a little frustration tolerance goes a long way. If need be, lower your expectations, at least temporarily. You may be pleasantly surprised.
LEO: "Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold."- Zelda Fitzgerald (wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald) and no one has a bigger heart than a Leo. Now, what if it were proven that the heart was the organ of intelligence and not the brain? It’s true you know, the heart is where we ‘hear’ the still small voice that comes from the source of universal knowledge. Keep that in mind as you are called upon to put out fires here, there, and thither. On a mundane level, neighborhood traffic snarls and snafus could be blessings in disguise
VIRGO: "Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain", uttered one Lily Tomlin. The brilliant comedienne, actress, and wit par excellence, exemplifies Virgo’s impeccable creative expression. And while lamenting the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune does have its moments, try not to make it the centerpiece of your existence. On the other hand, with so much transformational energy afoot, it would serve you well to pre-select your designated ‘listeners’ for the next few weeks. Make sure that they’re people who not only have the capacity to listen well, but to respond thoughtfully and as needed.
LIBRA: “I am not a perfect servant. I am a public servant doing my best against the odds. As I develop and serve, be patient. God is not finished with me yet”, said Jesse Jackson, and nothing could be more fitting for this Spring cycle in which your Sun is being challenged well and often by Martian, Saturn, and Plutonian energies. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and despite the bouts of occasional discomfort, you’re in the throws of a growth spurt of cosmic proportions. Communal support and a partner’s (or best friend’s) helping hand act as the spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine go down.
SCORPIO: What the country needs is dirtier fingernails and cleaner minds”, said fellow Scorpio Will Rogers, who, in case you’ve forgotten, “never met a man he didn’t like”. Let that sentiment be your guiding light this Spring (at least through much of April) as you strive to accentuate the positive by directing your energy to the tasks at hand. For the time being, focus on putting one foot in front of the other and do not worry about the big-picture, at least not right now. Be clear and honest with yourself about the skill and commitment of co-workers and those that you have (possibly) exalted in error. Have you been rewarding the right people? If not, make those adjustments now.
SAGITTARIUS: “It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question”, said Sagittarian playwright Eugene Ionesco, and as this Spring commences with a grand-trine between the Sun and Mars to your sign in the creative and inspiring fire houses of your chart, be encouraged to fan the flames of curiosity at every turn. Gifted Sagittarian ‘winners’, Kathryn Bigelow, Mo’nique, and Jeff Bridges dominated the major categories at this year’s Oscars. Your ability to craft story in a way that enlightens and inspire will see you though many a dicey moment this Spring. Encourage others to take the high road as you do the same.
CAPRICORN: “Only the fool hopes to repeat an experience; the wise man knows that every experience is to be viewed as a blessing", said Capricorn Henry Miller, a wise old goat if ever there was one. And though Spring 2010 will present you with one tough decision to make after another, you’re up for the challenge. Try not to be thrown by the heightened activity on the home-front: Yes, the natives are restless –so to speak- but you are quite capable of lending a steadying hand to each and every situation as it arises, and there’ll be plenty of ‘em.
AQUARIUS: "All my life I have tried to pluck a thistle and plant a flower wherever the flower would grow in thought and mind", said Abraham Lincoln, Aquarian and 16th US President, and that sentiment should be placed on a post-it to guide you through Spring 2010, a time when we’re all called upon to pluck many thistles while turning lemons into lemonade, with the Aquarians among us showing (the rest of the zodiac) the way. Though you may see yourself with an unusually high influx of people to respond to, take your time with each and every one. It would be better to frustrate a correspondent with a slow response than with one that hasn’t been thoroughly thought-through.
PISCES: "Be like a duck. Calm on the surface, but always paddling like the dickens underneath", said perennially nominated and two-time Academy Award Winner, Michael Caine. And with the Sun/Mars configuration in your money/work houses at Spring’s inception, you have every reason to be encouraged by what lies ahead. Taking a pro-active approach to your financial life and going after that which you deeply desire is most encouraged at this time. You may be stunned at what you are able to make happen.