When the Muses Meet

This song was written during a Moon, Neptune, Chiron conjunction in Aquarius opposite Mars in Leo, and a Venus, Mercury conjunction in Sagittarius. It is dedicated to the lead guitarist of Splintered Sunlight and his wife.

Butchy the Muse. Image source: Splintered Sunlight

Out on the dusky rails of road
The sun was setting up the show
I saw a woman in the sky
She was a cloudy firefly

I shifted gears into the air
My wheels-a-turnin’ up the stairs
Upon the heavenly highway
I gotta meet my woman there

When the muses meet
(When the muses meet)
Won’t you move your feet
(Why don’t you move your feet)
To the sound of love
(Yea, the sound of love)
To Mother Nature’s beat
(Oh, Mother Nature’s beat)

Across the silky strands of night
Her hair a raven-winged delight
My woman shook her locks for me
They wrapped around my heart so tight

We sailed among the leaves of rain
And washed our souls of earthly pain
I love my woman, she loves me
Oh, won’t you play our lovin’ game?

When the muses meet
(When the muses meet)
Won’t you move your feet
(Why don’t you move your feet)
To the sound of love
(Yea, the sound of love)
To Mother Nature’s beat
(Oh, Mother Nature’s beat)

There ain’t a storm or hurricane that’ll blow away our home
We got an angel on our fence and our love is garden-grown
You may be wonderin’, my friend, how to find your lovin’ land.
Me and my woman can show you—come and play with our Lovin’ Band!

Well, well, when the muses meet
(Oh, when the muses meet)
You gotta move your feet
(Why don’t you move your feet)
To the sound of love
(Yea, the sound of love)
To Mother Nature’s beat
(Oh, Mother Nature’s beat)

Yeah, yeah, when the muses meet
(Oh, when the muses meet)
Your soul will be complete
(Yeah, it’ll be complete)
You can dance in love
(Yea, you can dance in love)
To Mother Nature’s beat
(Oh, Mother Nature’s beat)

Mercury, Mars, Neptune Conjunction in Aquarius: Humanity speaks and acts out against inequality

Unrest in Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain and Yemen.

Unsuccessful budget negotiations and protests in Wisconsin and threats of U.S. Government shutdown.

Full moon in Leo opposite the Sun, Mercury, Mars, Neptune conjunction in Aquarius. (Note: The full moon was void of course and occurred on Fri, Feb 18th at 3:36am EST.)

If you haven’t been living under a rock or ignoring the major news wires, you’ve noticed that people across the globe are speaking out (Mercury), acting out (Mars), and demanding their rights from exploitative and oppressive institutions (Neptune).

The sign of Aquarius, ruled by Uranus, represents political unrest, anarchy, independence, equality, and humanity. I just wanted to shed light on the planetary forces in play during these events. Additionally, Chiron is transiting close by at 0 degrees Pisces (if you follow Western astrology, however, sidereal astrology will have Chiron in Aquarius).

On a personal level, the Sun, Mercury,  Mars, Neptune, and Chiron are transiting my natal 10th house of career, reputation, and goals. When I’m not reading an ephemeris, casting a chart, and blogging on astrology as a part-time hobby, I work full-time at the  Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania. Much of my work is computer-based which includes graphic design, web maintenance, information management, and social media outreach, coordination/consulting, and marketing.

In the midst of the current planetary alignment, our Center released a report on how philanthropy (Neptune) can help improve teaching quality for high-need, at-risk high school students (Mercury/Mars) in the United States (Moon). If you’re interested in our findings, you can read “High Impact Philanthropy to Improve Teaching Quality” here: http://goo.gl/qyQj4. You can also follow related news and updates on twitter at @ImpactTeaching: http://twitter.com/ImpactTeaching.

Friendly Astrology: Renee, The Fab Capricorn

[tweetmeme]Back in 2004, my first year in graduate school at Arcadia University, I was sitting in a classroom waiting for the Intro to Humanities class to begin and something happened. That something was a woman who walked in, with a purple bandana, pigtails, and Grateful Dead t-shirt. I didn’t know it at the time but I was to become good friends with that young lady. The Humanities class progressed throughout the semester, taught by the great Finbarr O’Connor (who later introduced us to the “philosophical deep waters of Socrates”), and at one point, the purple-bandana woman revealed that she would love to make out with John Stuart Mill. The class eventually ended, the semester concluded, and I wondered what was next.

The following semester I took an Acting for Musical Theater class to fulfill an Arts requirement. Wouldn’t you know, Miss Purple Bandana walked into the theater for that class, too? And thus began the friendship of me and the Fabulous Renee (Capricorn). Although, we disagree on William Shakespeare—she strongly for; I strongly against—we both ended up in the same Poetry Workshop. You can listen to my poetry reading on my podcast page: http://signon2nine.podbean.com/—there you will also find links to Renee’s reading and the rest of the other amazing poets in my class. You can search for “Signon2nine” on iTunes to subscribe to my podcasts, as well.

Well, now the fabulous Renee has launched a new blog, What’s the Sign for Disillusion?. To answer her question simply, I would say: Neptune, Pisces, and inflated expectations (Jupiter). Let’s peek, briefly at her natal and progressed chart, shall we? (Born Jan 6, 1979, 5:45pm EST)

I have a fairly accurate time of birth, give or take 30mins or so, but off the bat I see retrograde Jupiter in her first house and close to the Ascendant in Cancer. Magnanimous, fabulous, and tragic goddess that she is, Jupiter also rules her sixth house of service and work. This, coupled with her Capricorn Sun conjunct Mars in the 6th house, is a very obvious sign for her obsession with work, volunteering, and community service. Renee is the reason I started volunteering at WXPN—when I met her, she was a professional student and volunteer, with 2 or 3 other jobs! I now have the pleasure of working with her in the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), formerly the School of Social Work (SSW). Furthermore, Renee’s dedication to work and community service is emphasized more by her natal Saturn/North Node conjunction in her 3rd house of community, not to mention transiting North Node is conjunct her natal Sun/Mars conjunction in the 6th. She’s now reconsidering her application for the Peace Corps, which was put on hold because of a boy…

Ah, boys, the rise and fall of Renee in the tide of her natal Venus in the critical 29th degree of Scorpio, also in a wide conjunction with natal Uranus. Please note that Uranus is conjunct the Pluto/Scorpio-ruled 5th house of creation and love. And that’s not all. Transiting Uranus is currently in trine to her natal Venus, and transiting Pluto is sitting conjunct her progressed Venus and natal Moon, while trining her natal Moon in Taurus (ruled by Venus). So we’ve got the vainglorious, indulgent qualities of Venus under constant assault by crazy, erratic Uranus and obsessive, destructive Pluto—and the Moon while in stable, earthy Taurus has to deal with a conjunction with wounded Chiron and Pluto’s unrelenting scourging for truth. SHIT!  Keep fighting, Goddess! And fight she will with her natal Mars/Pluto square, which is EXACT (19 degrees Capricorn and Libra, respectively). See chart below. Renee, if you want a further reading, let me know. In the meantime, Power to the Priestess!!!

National Political Astrology: Jupiter in Pisces and SCOTUS Campaign Finance Ruling – Gemini John Edwards’ Road to Redemption

[tweetmeme]I’ll tell ya, that planet Jupiter sure knows how to make an entrance! I was reading the headlines today and thought, “what the hell kind of alignment is occurring now?” Well, according to Astro.com’s current transits, Jupiter is at 0 degrees Pisces. Not only did the Supreme Court of the United States (or SCOTUS) overturn campaign finance restrictions for corporations, but John Edwards decided to start his Baby Mama, Road to Redemption PR campaign in Haiti.

Now, I’m no expert on Supreme Court rulings or the history of campaign finance in America, but boy, oh boy, the reactions to the freedom of corporations and nonprofit groups to spend freely on campaign ads are sure to dominate our political scene for the upcoming 2010 elections. Not to mention, President Obama decided to take on the banks in an address today. Many astrologers have been writing about the current Saturn square Pluto transit, and I find it interesting that, on the day of this court ruling, Jupiter has entered into the sign of Pisces while the transiting Sun and Venus in Aquarius have entered into aspect with the Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn square. Further explained:

• Transiting Jupiter is making a 60 degree (sextile) aspect to transiting Pluto as well as a 150 degree (quincunx) aspect to transiting Saturn
• Transiting Sun and Venus are making a 120 degree (trine) aspect to transiting Saturn, as well as a 30 degree (semi-sextile) aspect to transiting Pluto

When I use astrology, I tend to look for patterns in planetary movement, so when I see…

• Jupiter, which represents the law, entering a sign of Pisces (ruled by Neptune), which represents the dissolution of boundaries, enter into aspect with
• The Sun and Venus, which represents identity and money, and
• With Saturn which represents rules and boundaries, and Pluto which represents power and destruction

… my analytical, Virgo eyes take notice. AND THEN, there is our beloved John Edwards (Gemini), former Democratic VP candidate in 2004 and Presidential candidate in 2008. (Note: John was born on the same day but different year, June 10,  as fellow Gemini Eliot Spitzer, who I discussed in an earlier post.) Oh, John, I won’t trash you because the popular media and American people can do that themselves. And lord knows, my critical Virgo nature is salivating at the opportunity to talk shit. But right now, I just want to peek at your astrology chart and see what the HELL is going on. Sigh…

Hello Pluto! Transiting Pluto has decided to get all up in John Edwards’ dirty business and expose the truth as it opposes Edwards’ natal Mercury and progressed Moon/Venus conjunction in Cancer, not to mention forming a trine with his natal Venus in Taurus. His progressed Sun is also approaching a conjunction with natal Pluto. You CANNOT hide from Pluto. Pluto digs, Pluto exposes, and Pluto destroys, but it also clears the way for a new beginning. You have to hand it to a slick Gemini to time a paternity scandal with a redemptive trip to Haiti, as well as media highlights on service work in El Salvador. I find it interesting that the transiting North Node is also conjunct Edwards’ natal Chiron, a planet associated with healing that I also referenced in my post yesterday regarding Governor Ed Rendell’s orphan rescue in Haiti. There is also some natal South Node activity as John’s progressed Mars forms a conjunction, and in addition, transiting retrograde Mars is forming a conjunction with his progressed Sun. Mars doesn’t only provide energy, fight, and courage—in this instance, it is marring or damaging this man’s reputation. Not that it is unwarranted. Yes, I’ve been reading Game Change and Edwards sure had it coming. (Chart below with 6am default birth time- actual birth time unknown.)

PA Political Astrology: Governor Ed Rendell (D-Capricorn) Touches Haiti Ground and Catches Some Hot Air from CNN’s Anderson Cooper (Gemini)

[tweetmeme]Haiti has been on my mind since I saw a friend’s troubling facebook status update last week when the earthquake hit. Yesterday, when I opened my gmail and read the email blurb from CapitolWire about Governor Rendell (Capricorn) rescuing 53 orphans from Haiti, I thought, “Whoa, that was the last thing I expected to read in my Under the Dome email!” Of course, the story doesn’t end there. As I was perusing the headlines on Politicspa, I saw that Anderson Cooper (Gemini), the “Silver Fox” of CNN, had something to say about Ed Rendell’s trip. In essence, Cooper wants to know why the Governor could gain access to enter Haiti while many rescue workers still cannot. It’s a valid question, no doubt. But is Anderson just a little jealous because he couldn’t be the one to throw some power around and be the on-the-ground savior of the day? The bottom line is, 53 Haitian children are away from the dangers that still exist in Haiti—not just the imminent dangers of aftershocks, dehydration, and starvation—but the dangers of kidnapping and trafficking.

So what would motivate the Governor to attempt such a daring act? Apparently, he is writing an autobiography, according to a PennLive article. But what else could have inspired him to leave the comforts of the Governor’s mansion and the political parties in Harrisburg, to fly to Haiti, still in a state of chaos and tragedy, just to help out a few orphans? Let’s check out the chart. (See below. 6am default time used- birth time unknown.)

Bang! Eddie has a natal Mars/Uranus conjunction while transiting Uranus is not only squaring his progressed Mars but also conjunct his progressed Sun. The Governor has spontaneous action written all over his chart. He doesn’t play around and he didn’t during this 22 hour rescue mission. Also, looking at his estimated natal Moon position, ranging from 13-26 degrees Taurus, he’s also got the compassion of a transiting Neptune square natal moon and progressed Moon conjunct transiting Saturn and natal Neptune. There’s emotion mixed with duty and compassion, right there. And it’s not just the moon under Neptune’s spell. His progressed Venus is conjunct transiting Chiron and Neptune, plus his natal Jupiter is receiving an opposition from those planets as well. I know I’ve trashed Neptune on numerous occassions but here is an example of Neptune’s good side: compassion and service. Judging from his comments on seeing the children, his natural sense of justice and service for good was moved to initiate immediate, charitable action:

“I don’t care about [criticism from Cooper]. If you had seen the faces of these kids … it would have absolutely melted your hearts,” Rendell said.

I mentioned Chiron earlier, as it is transiting close to his progressed Venus, but his natal Chiron is opposite his progressed Mercury as well. Chiron is most often referred to when speaking about healing and sacrifice. Perhaps, as our beloved and notorious Governor is winding down his final year in office, he found a way to redeem himself amidst constant attacks on his character and affiliations. Yea, so he used his political weight and contacts in the Secretary of State’s office to get entry into Haiti when most people are trying to get the hell out. He also gave 53 orphans a new chance at life. I’ve got no problem with that. Do you?

Sarah Palin (R-Aquarius): A FOX-Y Failure in the Fog of Neptune

[tweetmeme]Ah, Siobhan, if it hadn’t been for your timely facebook reminder of this travesty, I would have went to bed without posting. So, FOX News has finally acquired its finest ASSet to date by bringing Sarah Palin into the fetid warmth of lies within its ignorant embrace. And why not? Why wouldn’t the Elephantine, Grand Ol’ Party of No say “Hell Yes”—no, wait—”HEAVEN Yes” to Sarah Palin? To be honest, I had the fleeting inclination to consider John McCain for the Presidency (because he’s a fellow Virgo…superficial, I know) but that decision went straight to the Pagan den of HELL to rot with Hades and Persephone when, along came Sarah Palin (Aquarius). She proved to be a disgrace to the modern American professional woman. Instead of presenting herself as an intelligent, cultured, and respectable leader in American politics, Sarah Palin damaged the likelihood of a woman winning a spot in the Executive Office.

Let’s look at a brief list of prominent female figures: Hillary Clinton (Scorpio), Nancy Pelosi (Aries), and Condoleezza Rice (Scorpio)— all very accomplished with outstanding academic and/or professional backgrounds. When they are seen in public, they exude confidence, refinement, and mental acuity, even more so than many of their male colleagues. Whether or not this is an accurate or authentic representation of who they really are, it fits in with the current standard of what is expected of our Nation’s leaders. Now, let’s look at another brief list of prominent female figures: Britney Spears (Sagittarius), Paris Hilton (Aquarius), Lindsay Lohan (Cancer)—all known for their pretty faces, perfect bodies, and entertaining lifestyles but could never be taken seriously enough to be considered for any kind of respectable position in society, let alone political office. What does this comparison serve to illustrate? That we have been conditioned to believe that smart, respectable women are conservative in appearance with less than extraordinary physical features, while unintelligent and scandalous women are outlandish and scantily clad in appearance with impeccable physical features. We have few examples of both intelligence and beauty integrated into a prominent female figure who is also taken seriously and believed to be on the same mental, physical, or political level as a man with the same qualities.

Sarah Palin has a favorable mix of physical attractiveness and conservative appearance. While the Presidential campaign exposed the truth of her less than spectacular educational background, she could have played her role as Vice-Presidential candidate a bit smarter…literally. I don’t mean to downplay the accomplishment of her election to the Governor’s office in the state of Alaska, as well as holding the office of the Mayor as well—both positions would require a wide array of skills, acumen, and intelligence. However, those attributes were not what she presented to the American public and International audiences. Instead, she came across as a stereotypical backwoods hick, “hot” chick in a suit, ignorant of the world around her, and worse…a woman who can’t rear her own family properly.

The issues of femininity, gender roles, professionalism, and public opinion are age-old and ever-changing. There are some that will argue in favor of Sarah Palin either because they believe it was the fault of the McCain campaign and the Republican Party for even thinking of choosing someone who was clearly unqualified for the job. There are others who would say that she was unfairly targeted because of her looks and that someone else may not have been subjected to the same probing questions, invasions of privacy, and snap judgments that she had to endure. On the other hand, appropriate public appearance and favorable public opinion are vital factors in politics. Being a hypocrite is only bad if one is actually caught being a hypocrite; otherwise, for the most part, it is of the utmost importance to maintain an ideal image, by any means, if one wants to remain in office and stay employed in the world of governmental affairs. It is even more important for women to play their public and professional cards very wisely, as there is still a long road ahead in order to compete and thrive in the public space with their male counterparts. Had Sarah Palin taken her role as a groundbreaking female political figure a bit more seriously, she could have been another addition to the small but growing list of exemplary women for younger generations to model themselves after for future success. Instead, we are left to wonder if perhaps a woman just isn’t quite ready to take on the role as President just yet.

Looking at Palin’s chart (born February 11, 1964, per Wikipedia), the most obvious influence she’s been under over last few months has been transiting Jupiter, Neptune, and Chiron conjunct her natal Sun, Mars, Saturn conjunction. This triple conjunction of the natal Sun, Mars, and Saturn is also squared by her natal Neptune. Additionally, her progressed Venus is in wide opposition to her natal Neptune. What does all this mean? Well, she’s under one hell of a Neptune, god-like aura, “It was God’s plan,” make-me-a-celebrity, delusional transit. The qualities associated with Neptune can soar to the heights of the beautiful, ethereal, sublime, and spiritual. Neptune can also fall under the guise of false prophets, drug addicts, liars, and cheats. It seems as though Palin’s sudden rise to fame and constant life in the spotlight triggered her narcissistic streak to the Nth degree. Designer clothes, $100,00 speaker fees, the “God’s plan” assertion all stink of Neptune’s influence. Not to mention, good old larger-than-life Jupiter is lending to the extremes in her feelings of “specialness.” Well, Sarah Palin better buy a pair of those new Reebok Easytone sneakers to build up her gluteal muscles so that she has some padding as she falls down on her dumb ass when the transit finally passes. (See chart below. Default 6am birth time used- actual birth time unknown or unverified.)

National Political Astrology: Sagittarius Harry Reid (D) Makes a Negregious Slur

[tweetmeme]First, the Census 2010 has the word “Negro” as an option for racial classification. Then, Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada says President Barack Obama lacks a “Negro dialect.” What is the deal with all this Negregiousness? Okay, I’m being a little silly, but really, is it that big of a deal? How old is Harry Reid? Um, he’s 70…and he’s a Sagittarius. His natal Mercury is not only in Sagittarius, too, but it is also, you guessed it, Retrograde. Sagittarians are born with Centaurian “hoof-in-mouth” syndrome and lack of tact. Just ask Nancy Pelosi about their inappropriate public gestures. But of all the signs of the Zodiac, Sagittarians are one of the least likely to be racist. Why? They are ruled by Jupiter, the ruler of foreign places, expansive consciousness, higher learning, and generosity. Now, I’m not saying there aren’t any Sagitta-racists, I’m just giving you some food for thought.

Give Senator Reid a break. His natal and progressed Mercury are both receiving transits from the Jupiter, Neptune, and Chiron conjunction, while transiting Pluto is sitting on his natal Venus, and transiting Uranus, in concert with natal Pluto and natal Neptune, are forming aspects to his progressed Venus. In short, his reputation is taking a beating and the public is not very appreciative of him right now, while the media is using his words and actions against him rather than for him. His progressed Sun is awfully close to Chiron and Neptune which can sometimes be a signal of retirement but we will see how he fares in the upcoming election. In any case, I’ve got nothing against the man.

new moon in aries: gimp means lame walk but also fighting spirit

today, i watched the movie king gimp which follows a man named dan keplinger (who was also in attendance with is fiancee) who was born with cerebral palsy. it chronicles his life growing up with this condition and how he made it through childhood, high school, and college to become a painter and oscar-award winning film writer.

i realized how uncomfortable it is for me to watch people with disabilities; my neptune/dc conjunction has always made it very easy for me to slip into someone else’s shoes and vicariously feel their pain, humiliation, joy, etc. watching this movie left me feeling so weak because i know that i could not handle the plight of having a disability. i would rather die than live through that- i’m just not that strong.

what a way to start the new aries moon cycle than to watch the king gimp. In Dan’s words, “Most people think ‘gimp’ means someone with a lame walk. But ‘gimp’ also means a ‘fighting spirit’.” I’d like to celebrate all of the fighting spirits in this world that remind me of my thin-skin. what an inspiration on the 26th of march, 2009.

oh and it is probably important to mention that Chiron is currently conjunct my MC (Placidus), along with Neptune. hmmm… The woman who posts on Lucky Jupiter says that in her experience, Chiron is associated with disabilities.