Happy Birthday Lisa Marie Presley

Ah, Lisa Maria.
What can we say about you that hasn't already been said? Sun in Aquarius, Moon in Pisces, Leo rising. 6 planets in mutable signs.
Aquarius is so supportive and such a decent friend,  a visitor to this still undeveloped planet. Pisces is so empathetic, so aware of pain, and sometimes feels the world as a living hell.  The combination inspires poetry, music, fantasy. Escapism. Prayer. Who else would marry Michael Jackson? Who else but that altruistic Aquarian Lisa Maria, with Moon, Mercury, Mars AND Chiron in Pisces? His pain was palpable, her attempts to help him laudable. But the whole thing looked like a weird plot to cover up or distract attention from his legal problems involving small children, weird over nights, and blackmail. They married just as transiting Chiron was conjunct her Jupiter, and transiting Saturn in Pisces just past her Mercury, about to conjunct her Mars. "valiant rescue attempt hits reality"
But the muse of music lives within her. Neptune is trine her Moon/Mars/Chiron, all 3 in Neptune's own sign of Pisces. She writes, sings, records and sells music. She has 4 children. She has a life, work she loves, and a family. It might not be what others want, it might not be what she wants, but she is living in the world, not locked away from it. Moon conjunct Mars is so strange to find in Pisces, isn't it? What a contradiction. Wishy washy speed freak? Shape shifter, angry martyr? Sexy romantic? Most likely, all of the above at different times, quickly responding to her environment. Pluto is about to conjunct her Venus, exact next year on her birthday. In the 6th house of work and health. Transformation, obsession, struggle, death and rebirth of relationships.  Good luck this year, Lisa Marie. One thing is sure: whatever happens, you will turn it into music.

Steve Jobs astrology

I'm SO excited about the new iPad! Go Apple! I was interested in Steve Jobs chart, so of course I thought you would be, too. Sun in Pisces, Moon in Aries, Virgo rising. Cardinal cosmic cross, so of course, lets begin there.Cardinal signs are all about beginning, starting, taking risks. He has 6 cardinal planets! Venus in Capricorn, loves to work. Square Mars at the last degree of Aries. Squares reveal inner conflict, in this case let's go faster, no, lets make sure everything will last, will support what is to come. Venus in opposition to Jupiter conjunct Uranus. Jupiter is one of the rules of Pisces. He not only loves to work, he not only wants to go FAST, he wants everything to be extravagantly unique. Mars squares Jupiter/Uranus, he has a lot of inner conflict, maybe even anger management issues, because he wants to be first, but demands that everything be SO futuristic and SO perfect, it can't be a picnic to work with/for this guy. So far, so obvious. Neptune adds imagination and the desire for beauty, and Apple is known for beautiful products. Now Pluto and Saturn aspect most of these planets, too. So we know he has drive, intensity, is driven to succeed. We still just seem to be describing the obvious. I took a look at his progressions, since it's been what most of us would call a pretty tough year, what with liver cancer and a transplant. Progressed Sun was exactly conjunct his natal Mars in April when he had the transplant,  then moved into a new sign in November 09. Since the progressed Sun only changes signs once every 30 years, this is notable. And that same month, November 09, the progressed Moon returned to the same spot as when he was born. This is also quite rare, every 28 years. And my oh my aren't we surprised, this is the month that Fortune Magazine named him CEO of the DECADE! As for his health, the 2 combined look like a new beginning. As does the iPad. Thank you so much, Steve Jobs, for all that you have given our world.

American Idol astrology: Randy Jackson

It was a revelation to do Randy Jackson's chart. Looks like next season he will be the only judge remaining from the first show in 2002. And wouldn't you know it, his chart looks like the original show, Gemini and Cancer. Randy is a full moon guy, born with Sun in Cancer, Moon in Capricorn. With Mercury and Venus in Gemini, versatile is his middle name. Reading his biography is an eye opener.  How can one man have played with so many different performers? Santana, Jerry Garcia, Journey, Divinyls, Tracy Chapman, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Blue Oyster Cult, Michael Bolton, Charlie Daniels Band?! PLUS he was an executive at Columbia Records for 12 years. Mercury square Mars, yet he doesn't bark and howl like so many of us with Mercury square Mars - or at least, he doesn't on this show. How in the world can he stay calm despite so much provocation? He is a performer first, and that shows up in his Sun aspecting Venus (talented art lover), Jupiter (luck) and Neptune (the muse of music). Saturn makes an exact inconjunct to Venus, adding an uncomfortable but stabilizing influence. Some branches of astrology are really concentrating on Chiron, and Randy has an exact trine from Chiron to Mercury. I am sure not seeing all of this  great success in the rest of the chart, so maybe Chiron is stronger than the ubiquitous "wounded healer" label suggests.

Judge Judy astrology

Now lets take a look at another very famous TV judge: Judge Judy. Like Simon, she is a Libra.They both have Sun Mars and Mercury in Libra. Yes, Libra is symbolized by the scales, because they like fair play, and don't make decisions lightly. Like Simon she has major Jupiter and Saturn influences. Unlike Simon she has no Virgo. In Judge Judy's chart Sun Mars and Venus are all conjunct in Libra and all 3 square Jupiter. She is a BIG Judge, and demands respect. Mercury is exactly trine Saturn, creating an ease, it is easy for her to command respect, she listens well and speaks with clear authority. What is so astonishing to me is the total lack of earth in her chart! I sure wouldn't have guessed that. Another thing they have in common: they really are what they play on TV. Judge Judy was actually a family court judge in Los Angeles for many years, and of course Simon Cowell used his excellent ear to judge talent long before American Idol.

American Idol astrology: Simon Cowell

Today I'd like to take a look at 2 judges. Simon Cowell first. When it comes to judging we think of 3 things. Jupiter, Saturn and Virgo. Jupiter is very concerned with justice and greater understanding. Saturn is determined to maintain authority, or to BE the authority. Virgo is constantly making  judgments, because of it's emphasis on details and perfection. And what a COINCIDENCE, Simon has Venus in Virgo trine Saturn in it's own sign of Capricorn and square Jupiter in it's own sign of Sagittarius! Venus rules music, and don't we just feel so bad for him when he gets migraines from all those awful notes he has to listen to for hours at a stretch? It seems Simon was born to be a judge of music and talent. Venus is conjunct Pluto, so he thrives on intensity, seeks it out, even when it gives him many a headache. It also explains how intense his reactions are to the music, often curt, seemingly unhampered by the feelings of the performer. With Moon is Sagittarius, he responds to situations with humor, even if it's insulting, and as a teacher, hoping to inspire performers to do their best work.

The astrology of Jon Stewart

Watching a clip of Jon Stewart last night on youtube, I though, gee, wonder what HIS chart looks like?! So, thought I'd take a look. As I would expect, he has several EXACT aspects. Sun makes exact (within 1 degree) aspects to Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus AND Chiron!! That is a lot, folks, a LOT of exact aspects to his Sun. Jupiter offers humor and good luck. Sag is ruled by Jupiter, so we already look to Jupiter to learn more about Jon. Sun square Jupiter builds a very expansive view of the world, especially since Jupiter is in Pisces, which it co-rules. Saturn offers stability, maturity and the desire for a clear conscience in order to sleep well at night. Saturn is also very strong in the sign it co-rules, Aquarius. Uranus shakes things up, wants change, but can feel very scary when it squares the Sun: will I be up the the challenge the incoming changes bring? WHY do I keep shaking things up, because then I have to keep dealing with all this change!? And Chiron? What does Chiron offer? Conjunct Jupiter and square his Sun? Jupiter in Pisces wants peace and harmony for the world. Perhaps he is more deeply wounded by the suffering of the world, the lack of peace and harmony. Perhaps Chiron insists that he is more capable of doing something of a healing nature for the greater good, than the average joe. Or perhaps it insists on finding a path to personal freedom. He is currently rated the NEWS reporter people trust the most! On Comedy Central! Come on, that is FUNNY! Sun Moon Mercury in Sag just sees the world as a funny place, a place full of things to learn, honor to be won. Thanks for the laughs, Jon, and for helping us grow with humor.

The Dog Whisperer: astrology of Cesar Millan

Truth be told, I am not a 'dog person', I much prefer kids. While visiting my daughter, we watched a couple of episodes of the Dog Whisperer, and I was dumb founded. After that I kept saying "Your son needs YOU to be in charge. This bad behavior is because he is afraid just like the dogs are. He knows he shouldn't be the leader of the pack. PLEASE, do your job as mother, be the leader of your pack!"

Today I couldn't find a time of birth, only the date, so this is a natural chart. He has supple Virgo Sun trine Saturn in Taurus, a terrific earthy combination. Venus trines Neptune in water, with Moon in Pisces, bringing compassion and empathy to the forefront of his life. Watching him at work feels like a religious experience at times, eh? His intuition is so amazing. I've saved the most interesting aspects for last. Mercury conjunct Uranus and Jupiter, and all 3 in close opposition to Chiron. Mercury/Uranus/Jupiter: quick thinking, unusual, intuitive, independent, freedom loving, futuristic, big ideas, well read, loves to travel, loves to talk, optimistic. Now I ask you, opposition to Chiron means WHAT exactly? The ability to see 'low self worth' in dogs and help them by retraining their owners? He figures out a way to make a living while helping others, in freedom loving style, as a personal trainer, based on his own astonishing intuitive abilities. Whatever part is due to Chiron, I don't know, but you gotta love the guy.God bless you, Cesar Millan.

Project Runway astrology: Jay Nicolas Sario

I'm a big fan of Project Runway, because the designers create such amazing things so quickly. On last nights episode we watched Jay accomplish miracles and win the round. I looked and looked and was finally able to find his birth date: June 6, 1978. There's a lot to like about this chart. New Moon in Gemini, plus Mercury, the ruling planet of Gemini, in it's own sign. So versatile with all that Gemini. Absolutely exact Mars Saturn conjunction (and exact is ever so much stronger than "close")= Intense concentration. In Leo = DRIVEN to succeed, willing and able to do whatever it takes. How very nice that he has it balanced out with Venus conjunct Jupiter, providing his obvious charm and grace, to say nothing of luck. This is a wide 7 degree conjunction, but Venus and Jupiter aspect both Uranus and Pluto, so he is forward thinking and craves intense situations. Transits are fleeting, but progressions last for months, so I took a look. Major progressions highlight all the important points for this show: his Sun, so he wants to shine; his Venus, sparking his creativity; his Mars Saturn, giving him the strength to plow on despite that lack of sleep. We will enjoy watching you, Jay. Good luck!

A bit of the astrology of McDonalds

I so enjoyed looking at the Walmart chart that I went searching for other big successful business charts. Now mostly you find incorporation charts, which are terrific for watching the stock prices, but I wanted the on the ground experience. McDonalds has a bunch of different dates, but the one they use is for the first FRANCHISED McDonalds. It opened it's doors on April 15, 1955 in Des Plaines Illinois. I usually just use the date if I can't find the time, but they didn't make breakfast, and so I figured 10 AM is the usual time, ready for the lunch crowd. Just so happens that puts Jupiter Uranus conjunct the Ascendant, so that seems quite likely. There are 2 gigantic aspect patterns. One is a grand trine in water. WOW - Walmart also has a grand trine in water! 7 year apart, different planets, they both have grand trines in water, very exact! Now that is really remarkable!! McDonald's also has a cardinal grand cross. Sun opposition Neptune crossing Moon opposition Jupiter Uranus. All of these planets are cardinal, and if the time is correct, all are in cardinal houses as well. This speaks of lightening quick ability to react to public taste, and to present as fun and futuristic.  I was hoping Chiron would again be a major player, but no. It makes a nice trine to Mars, that's all. Now ask yourself,

why would Walmart AND McDonald both have grand trines in water?
Hmmm? Maybe a superior ability to go with the flow?  

The astrology of Walmart

Last night I watched a show about Walmart, so I was of course curious about the astrology.This is the chart for the very first Walmart, which opened July 2, 1962 in Rogers Arkansas. Sam Walton had other stores, but this isn't about Sam, it's about Walmart, so I think this is the one I wanted to see. Couldn't find a time, so this is a natural chart for 8-9 AM. WHAT a chart! It confirms that EXACT aspects are ever so much stronger. Sun and Moon in Cancer (so the new moon was the day before). Always great for new beginnings. Sun makes an astonishingly exact grand trine with Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune. Sun trine Jupiter, great good fortune. Sun trine Neptune, understanding the pulse of the public. But Sun trine Chiron? Really, I am having great doubts about the whole "wounded healer" ideas. Some folks are saying that Chiron represents Free Enterprise, and in this chart that surely makes more sense. The Moon is EXACTLY on the mid point of Mercury and Venus, how much clearer could it be shown that at Walmart the focus is on the constantly changing wants and needs of their overwhelmingly female customers. Sun, Chiron and Neptune are all at 10 degrees - and so is Saturn. What about the Mars Uranus square? Walmart "broke the rules" in so many ways, beginning with putting a priority on rural communities. Most of us never think of what it was like living in isolated rural communities, with only small overpriced stores to shop in, and a total lack of selection. People who could afford it shopped when they traveled, and ordered from catalogs. Poor folks wore hand me downs. Walmart changed everything, and gave people the sense of dignity that comes from being able to show up on the first day of school or a job wearing new clothes.

Happy Birthday Paul Allen (co-founder of Microsoft) January 21

Paul Allen, along with Bill Gates, founded Microsoft. That makes him one of the most important folks in the world. Thought it would be interesting to see his chart. Yes, he has Mercury square Saturn and Neptune, which can impart great determination and mental agility. Yes, he has nice personal aspects to Jupiter which brings luck. But he has Venus and Mars conjunct in Pisces! When was the last time you saw that and thought "oh wow, this person will probably run one of the largest companies on the planet"?? Venus and Mars trine Uranus and since he has Sun in Aquarius "that's nice". Come on, really! None of the bright and shining aspects I would have expected. Here's the kicker. I just did posts on Scott Brown and Martha Coakley. The ONLY thing their charts had in common was  Chiron Uranus in opposition. What was really intriguing was that Scott has it in Aquarius/Leo while Martha's is Capricorn/Cancer. Now I find the very next chart I do, Paul Allen, geek billionaire, has ...an EXACT Chiron Uranus opposition! I tell you, I have become very interested in Chiron. I would love to know more. Any suggestions on what to read would be much appreciated.

Scott Brown won the Big Race

Scott Brown won the Big Race that none of us heard of until this week.
How in the world did he pull that off? He always has Mars square Saturn, and right now that is being set off to the max by tPluto conjoining his Saturn and tSaturn conjoining his Mars! Now I ask you, would you have advised him that this would be his lucky day?? Of course, with 4 planets in Virgo, it isn't luck, he just works harder than most of us. Venus conjunct Pluto, he is a lover of power, and tPluto trines that right now. He's very earthy, willing to do the dirty work of politics. Jupiter smiled on him at the very last minute, entering Pisces and opposing his Venus just 2 days before the election. His Venus always trines Saturn, and tJupiter came in and added an extra dollop, sextiling Saturn for good measure. Add Moon in Pisces on election day, and there you have it: Scott won the Big Race. So Martha had no major transits on election day, while Scott had a ton.

Martha Coakley loses the Big Race

The "BIG Race" that none of us even heard about until this week is over.
Martha lost. Martha Coakley has Sun conjunct Mars and Uranus in Cancer. She is used to unpredictability in life, and has a ton of energy to get her own way. All 3 square Saturn Neptune, so she has a lot of cardinal energy, a risk taker,  path blazer, she knows how to stand up to power and get her own way. What is most mysterious is that on this most important election of her life, she had no major transits to her chart! How can that be? Of course, we don't know her time of birth, perhaps her Moon would explain a lot. But she also has no planets in earth signs. Only little Chiron in Capricorn, and her Moon could be in Virgo. She has no strong aspects to Jupiter, so she never relies on luck. One of the other funny things I noticed: she and Scott have NOTHING in common - nothing except Chiron opposition Uranus! What the heck do you think that means, eh?

Mo'Nique astrology

To tell you the truth, I did not know who Mo'Nique was until just the past few months. Seems like everyone else knows exactly who she is! She got up on stage at a comedy club on a dare from her brother, landed numerous roles in TV sitcoms, has had rave reviews of her comedy specials, and now is winning awards for her intense dramatic evocation of Mary Jones in the movie Precious. She has her own late night talk show while raising preschool twins with her husband, whom she has known since age 14. I couldn't find her time of birth.
Mo'Nique is a Sag with Moon in Aries. Mercury and Venus aspect Jupiter, as we would expect in the chart of such an accomplished entertainer. Mercury and Venus both aspect Mars, highlighting the astonishing energy it takes to keep such a diverse career going while raising little children. Love of variety in her career is shown by all the mutable energy in her chart. People were astonished that a comedian could portray such an ugly character as Mary Jones, but maybe her Sun Pluto square showed her the way. She co-stared with Gaby, who played her abused daughter. I love how Gaby said Mo'Nique helped her so much by making her laugh after every take. They didn't stay in character, they escaped into humor every chance they had. Mo'Nique also specializes in showing that you don't have to be skinny to make it in this world. You go girl!

Happy Birthday Dolly Parton January 19

A few days ago I posted about Dolly Parton and all of the cardinal energy in her chart. Yesterday I found her birth time at Astro.com,  in the AstroDataBank section. Virgo rising with Moon conjunct. Ya think that explains all the plastic surgery? A wee bit picky eh, Dolly? Yet it is still all the cardinal energy that explains her amazing life, taking risks, changing all the rules, blazing paths that have enabled untold numbers of people to succeed. Mars conjunct Saturn within minutes of exact. She sets such high standards, you would think we would have heard of her being a terribly hard person to work with or for. Venus conjunct Sun surely helps there, smoothing the sharp edges of Capricorn, drawing people to her, people who want to help her, want to see her, want to help her manifest all of her huge dreams. So many performers have Jupiter aspects to Sun or Venus - she has both. And Jupiter is conjunct Chiron, the wounded healer. Her song about the Coat of Many Colors comes to mind. Being poor in the mountains of Tennessee before there was WalMart meant wearing hand me downs, and that song tells the story like no one else ever has. She wrote "I Will Always Love You", and recorded it. Elvis loved it, but the Colonel wanted way too much money, so Dolly didn't allow him to record it. She said she cried for days over that decision, surely doubting herself. Years later Whitney Houston made it a mega hit when she sang it in the movie The Bodyguard. It seems unlikely they would have chosen it for the movie if Elvis had recorded it earlier. Don't you just love stories like that? She stuck to her guns time after time, and succeeded doing it her way. Gee, that sounds like a good song, too. ;>)

Astrology transits for Tuesday January 19

Today the Sun moves from Capricorn to Aquarius. That leaves just Mercury and Pluto in Capricorn. Mars remains the only fire in the sky. The Moon in soft sentimental Pisces all day will provoke many a sad memory in some folks, surges of desire for spiritual understanding in others.

Happy birthday Janis Joplin January 19

Janis Joplin has become a legend, not just for her music, but for her astonishing person style. She felt so different, yet craved success in the straight world.  Born during the period of Saturn Uranus conjunction, they both rule Aquarius.  Janis has Venus, Mercury and Ascendant in Aquarius. Sun in Capricorn with Mars in the Capricorn house. Some think of her as a laid back hippie, but at the time she was astonishing in her determination to succeed, to control the band and make them all stars. Much has been written about her control issues, as seen here with Mercury opposition Pluto. Seems like you can hear that fixed opposition in her voice, can't you? Notice also that her Sun and Chiron (the wounded healer) are at the same degree, forming an exact inconjunct. Again, we can hear it in her voice, the unrelenting pain.  Her Sun is trine Neptune and in Neptune's house, so alcohol and drugs were offered and gratefully accepted to ease the pain.

MLK astrology

Today is the celebration of the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King. He was born with Sun in Capricorn and Moon in Pisces, just like we are experiencing today. He combined compassion (Pisces) with hard work (Capricorn in the 10th house); the desire to lead (Sun in 10th) with the desire to follow in the footsteps of those whose lives especially benefited the poor and dispossessed (Moon and Venus in Pisces). Pluto trine the Moon, transformation from within. Note also  Chiron (the wounded healer) is conjunct Jupiter, strong in it's own house and his soaring oratory surely benefited from this combination. Mars opposition Saturn can be seen in action with his determination to stand up to bullies, and squaring the Moon we can see how deeply frightened he must have been for his family.

Astrology transits for Monday January 18

FINALLY Jupiter enters Pisces! Hooray Hooray Hooray!
Moving oh so fast, as if racing to meet Uranus for their exciting entrance into Aries this June.
Venus moves into more sociable Aquarius today, sort of replacing Jupiter for all the Aquarians who are going to miss having Jupiter to cheer them up.

Happy birthday to Kevin Costner January 18

Kevin Costner has a cardinal T square, like Dolly Parton. His Capricorn Sun is conjunct Chiron, the wounded healer. Jupiter conjunct Uranus opposition Sun gives him plenty of drive in unusual ways, especially affecting his career, since they are in the 10th house. All 4 of these energies are square to Neptune, so it can be difficult to figure out what is real and what is fantasy. Isn't that the definition of acting? Spontaneous and honest Sag Moon is trine eager to move quickly Mars in Aries. Mars is likely feeling the pressure to slow down and regroup from transiting Saturn squaring it.

Michelle Obama astrology transits + one progression

Today is the birthday of the First Lady. What a year she has in store. Progressed Mercury is at 4 degrees, same number as her Mercury in Capricorn. Of course her Mercury in Capricorn is besieged by transiting Pluto and transiting Saturn. I think we can all agree she is under enormous pressure, which the transits show could affect her whole nervous system.

Saturn is her ruling planet with Sun in Capricorn, and right now it is also trining her Mars in Aquarius. Since Saturn co-rules Aquarius, this is a very beneficial, strengthening aspect.

Michelle Obama astrology chart - time unknown

Astrology clock for Sunday

Astrology transits for Sunday

A brief astrological look at Dolly Parton born January 19, 1946

Dolly has quite an amazing T square.

Sun and Venus,

Mars and Saturn,

Jupiter and Chiron

ALL in CARDINAL signs.

She also has Mercury square Neptune, also CARDINAL!

You go girl!

Astrology clock for Friday

Astrology clock for Thursday

Astrology chart for DD, an amazing healer

This is the chart of a truly remarkable healer. The first thing I noticed was  the energy on all 4 angles. Chiron keeps popping up, shouting to get noticed these days.  Here it is in the strongest place in the chart, conjunct the Ascendant. Her Ascendant is Aquarius, ruled by both Saturn and Uranus, and aspecting both of them. 4 planets in Virgo tips us off to her interest in the healing profession, and Uranus opposition the Ascendant speaks of the need to find a unique way to present that interest, no matter the costs in $ or approval. Sun in a grand trine with Moon and Mars speaks of FINDING what she was looking for, a career that fits her instincts.