Eyes of the World: Aries and Scorpio

“Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world…”- Robert Hunter/Jerry Garcia, Grateful Dead, Eyes of the World

Image source: http://carlprox.theworldrace.org/blogphotos/theworldrace/carlprox/Eye_Of_The_World1.jpg

Have you ever felt like you were being assaulted by someones eyes? Have you been stalked by a gaze that made you blush or made you wonder if the owner of the gaze was plain crazy or utterly oblivious to their overt facial operations? If you know what I’m talking about, then chances are you had captured the attention of an Aries or Scorpio.

Traditionally, the war-god Mars was assigned as the ruler of both Aries and Scorpio, until Pluto was discovered in 1913. While the Mars influence is aggressive and brash, the Pluto influence is smoldering and penetrating. These energies—powerful and all-consuming—are difficult to conceal, which become very apparent in the eyes of Aries and Scorpio individuals.

With Aries, the eyes focus with a desire to engage or challenge you—”Notice me!” they say, “I am here, now!” Sometimes, you may notice that Aries isn’t quite looking at you—their eyes are fixated by a primal urge or thirst for action. It’s quite impersonal—I call it the “crazy eye.”

With Scorpio, the eyes focus with a desire to look into the depths of your being—they say, “What are you hiding? I seek truth. Reveal yourself!” This gaze is quite discomforting if you’re not prepared to stare back. A Scorpio will not flinch if caught staring this way at you. I call it the “knowing eye.”

There are many eyes of the world. How have you felt them?

National Political Astrology: Mr. Scorpio Speaker of the House- John Boehner, (R) Ohio

[tweetmeme] In the funeral wake of the loss of Democratic power in the U.S. House of Representatives during the current Venus Retrograde in Scorpio, I wanted to shine the light on the power of the new Speaker of the House: Scorpio, John Boehner, (R) Ohio. As astrology will tell you, the sign of Scorpio, ruled by the power planet, Pluto, is strong-willed, extreme, powerful, obsessive, secretive, and probing. Speaker Boehner will assume his new leadership role, after Aries, Nancy Pelosi, (D) California.

I find it interesting that soon-to-be former Speaker Pelosi’s Aries Sun is ruled by Mars, while soon-to-be Speaker Boehner’s Scorpio Sun is ruled by Mars’ higher octave, Pluto. In fact, astrology lore tells us that Scorpio’s former ruler was Mars, before Pluto was discovered in 1913, and there are still many astrologers who uphold Mars‘ rulership of both Aries and Scorpio. The point being, we are not losing a fighter in the U.S. House of Representatives—we have a different warrior.

I decided to pull up Speaker John Boehner’s astro chart, born November 11, 1949, and look at the progressions and transits on election day, November 2, 2010. I’ve used a default 6am birth time as I do not have an exact time of birth, so the Ascendant, House positions, and Moon will not be taken into account. Aspects of note are listed below:

• Note: Boehner’s Natal Moon can be anywhere between 11-26 degrees Libra, based on the day of birth and the Moon’s travel speed. This is important as the planet Saturn is current traveling around 12 degrees Libra (its sign of exaltation) and can bring rewards for hard work.
• Natal Sun/Mercury conjunction in Scorpio square Pluto in Leo. Progressed Sun/Mercury conjunction in Capricorn, conjunct natal Jupiter: This is a very important set of aspects! Nothing says “Speaker of the House” better than the Sun and Mercury in harmony, with planetary aspects to powerful Pluto, expansive Jupiter, in the backdrop of public recognition in the sign of Capricorn?
• Transiting Mercury in Scorpio approaching conjunction with natal Mercury in Scorpio: Boehner’s Mercury Return occurred soon after the election. Another nod to Mercury, the ruler of communication.
• Natal Venus in Capricorn trine natal Saturn/Mars conjunction in Virgo. Progressed Venus opposite natal Pluto: Another reinforcement of transiting Saturn, exalted in Libra (ruled by Venus). John Boehner is known to be a fiscal conservative, among other things, and his natal chart reflects delayed gratification, small business, favoring lobbyists, etc, with Venus in Capricorn (ruled by Saturn) in aspect to Mars and Saturn. It is also extremely interesting to see Pluto and Venus (power and money, big business) together. Restructuring of finances, anyone?
• Natal Mars/Saturn conjunction in Virgo: Hard…work…sustained…effort…steady…climb…to…the…top…criticizing…all…the..way…
• Natal Uranus in Cancer opposite transiting Pluto/North Node conjunction in Capricorn/conjunct transiting South Node in Cancer: Boehner was able to tap into the will of the people (South Node in Cancer) who wanted dramatic change (Uranus) in government leadership (Pluto/North Node in Capricorn).

Friendly Astrology: Siobhan, The Aries Ram, Yes She Can!

Siobhan, The Fierce. She just might cut you.

[tweetmeme]If I could choose a lioness to debate with and tear the heads off of Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Rush Limbaugh, or Sarah Palin, I’d send Siobhan. No nonsense. No pleasantries. No “aw, shucks” about it. The first time Siobhan and I spoke, we held an hour-long phone conversation, and found common ground talking shit on a mutual acquaintance. (It was warranted.) We also share a Virgo Moon, Saturn, and North Node connection, by way of conjunction. When we were teenagers, we used to sit on the corner in our small town and take turns tearing apart people who walked down the street. (They had it coming.) When we were old enough to drink, you’d better believe we had a ball honing in on the frailties of our fellow bar patrons at the Keswick Tavern. As adults, we have gone our separate ways in accordance with the natural evolution of all relationships in the progression of time. Though, as our relationship as friends has evolved, our intellectual sensibilities remain consistent, which has always been the foundation of our friendship. (We were both in our school’s “Enrichment” program due to high IQ testing.)

I’m not going to tell Siobhan’s life story here; though with her Ascendant (ASC) in the critical 29th degree of Scorpio and natal Jupiter at the critical 29th degree of Cancer, you’d be intrigued by the story. I’m merely going to highlight the potential that I see in her chart. Perhaps, one day, you will hear her story in her own words. I say this because her natal chart displays the Moon, North Node, and Saturn at the pinnacle of her chart: The Midheaven (MC). The MC is one of the important angles in astrology, which symbolizes one’s reputation, career, and status in society. Siobhan needed a while to decide exactly what her role in society should be, but she is certainly headed in the right direction after recently graduating, Magna Cum Laude from Temple University (my alma mater), with a BS in Political Science.

Siobhan’s mind has always been an asset, whether she wanted to publicly acknowledge it or not during her teenage, high school rebellion. Her natal Mercury in Pisces sits conjunct natal Mars in Aries, also forming a trine to natal Uranus and natal Jupiter, in addition to a square with natal Neptune. These aspects show a highly energetic, eccentric, and unconventional mind and intuitive, intellectual acuity. Mercury also rules her MC in Virgo, which, to me, is evidence of her predilection towards public life. She initially aspired to be an actress (note the 1st house Neptune). Though, it looks like her recent Saturn Return and its current transit through her natal 10th house of career has now set her sights on something more concrete: Politics.

It is also relevant to add here that Siobhan’s younger brother, Daniel, is an Iraq war veteran and is currently a military police officer in our Nation’s Capitol, Washington DC. She is also planning to relocate there within the next few months. Please note the transiting Uranus in her natal 4th house of home, which is also conjunct her natal Mercury. The winds of change are blowing for my dear companion, as her progressed MC is sitting conjunct her natal Pluto, indicating a rebirth in how she presents herself to the world. Our paths once crossed in 7th grade and our lives have led us on different paths. Perhaps, Saturn, the North Node, and the MC/IC axis will further validate our alliance in future, given Siobhan’s political aspirations and my current activities. We have a shared past in Montgomery County, PA, but life is leading Siobhan to Washington and myself to straddle work and life between Philadelphia and Lancaster, PA. Time will tell how it all plays out. Vive La Femme!

(See Natal Chart below with accurate birth time.) Siobhan, let me know if you want further clarification.

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.)