Celebration of Talent

Here are two of the winners of the 8th annual Halloween Coloring Contest. The one on the left is by Isabelle Scott, age 11, from Aurora, Colorado. The one on the right, by Kristal Walters, age 10, from Northglenn, Colorado.
I'm impressed. I believe that there is an artistic protoplasm in all of society that manifests in certain individuals in what appears to be a random pattern. It's reassuring to know that art will continue as long as man is around. And what joy to see it emerge in people so young.

Neptune Has Gone Direct!

We shall see what will be.

Now that Neptune has see-sawed with Saturn and encountered some weight and presence, I'm looking forward to seeing what he has in mind. I think he means business.
He can be mighty.
Some say equal in strength to Brother Zeus.

I'm in love with Neptune so any direction is fine with me.

An Unusual Breakfast

I don't normally eat cheese, but my body is demanding protein at the moment so I'm offering a spread of delicious wedges, fruit, nuts, and artisan bread. I won't touch that creamy stuff in the center though. Too much rich bovinity for me.

Not pictured but part of the table are honey dew melons and, of course, blueberries.
The figs are also a little beyond my spectrum. Too gooey. 

As usual, my favorite part of the array is the perfectly crunchy crusted grainy heavenly mainstay of life.....bread.

A taste of Spanish wine will round out the celebration and set me off into the week contented, refreshed, and repaired. Protein anyone? 

A Getup for a Harsh World

This cat is prepared.
No wind, no desert fly, no burning sun are going to mess with him.

I was tossing around some ideas as to how I might shield myself against adverse circumstances as I adventure through the world I presently inhabit.

This dude has the right idea. I would add industrial ear plugs.

Suspense!

I think I'll ask these dudes to tell us who's gonna Win the House.

Fashion Statement...chapter 5

South Africa. Xhosas don reed outfits for a rite of passage to manhood.

Whenever I get disgruntled with mankind and I see evidence of his fantastic everflowing imagination in its infinite combination of parts..... all is forgiven.
Photo byJodi Cobb 1999. 

Uncle Benny on a Neptune Transit

Benny's a Taurus, Taurus rising, with a Moon in Cancer, so my uncle is used to relaxing and enjoying himself. But with Neptune square his Sun now, he's gone into deep water. The kids bring him snacks, and Mary, his wife, has a high paying job so things are cool overall. His skin is shriveled, though.

Bloghdad Ahoy!

As we sail out of Libra and idealized, intellectualized love, here is my last momento of the passage. A dreamy shipboard romance. Today the Sun, Mars, and Venus are traveling into Scorpio to join Mercury and Jupiter, where they will be delving into deeper conduits, and possibly some truth revealed.
Sweet candy kisses ..... Adios, for now.

Love in Times of War

I went to the gypsy, to have my fortune told
She said you're in hard luck woman,
Doggone your Bad Luck Soul

I want to be..... somebody's..... baby doll
And get my lovin all the time
I want to be...... somebody's..... baby doll
To ease my mind
Now he can be ugly, and he can be bad
As long as he can Eagle Rock and Ball the Jack

I want to be..... somebody's...... baby doll
And get my lovin all the time
I really mean!
To get my lovin all the time! 

Slow and Easy

You may high hat me all the time
You may never go my way
But Mother Earth is layin' for you
And that's a debt you got to pay
I don't care how rich you are
I don't care what you're worth
When it all ends up
You got to go back to Mother earth

You may even play the horses
You may even own the track
You may have enough money
To buy anything you lack
I don't care how rich you are
I don't care what you're worth
When it all ends up
You got to go back to Mother Earth.
 photo:Earl Hines

Moisture

Beautiful slicker.
Illustration by Kadir Nelson

Saturday Night Fish Fry

An age old tradition in the Deep South where my beloved Blues was born, was dancing, drinking, gambling, and fried fish, most often catfsh from the local waters. Not for the faint, these weekly celebrations were a law unto themselves unless things truly got out of hand and outside intervention was required. It's fascinating to see the internal rules created by all sociological groups. And how these raucous parties preserved these struggling people's sanity in some way while providing raw emotional release that would scare many straight laced people out of their wits.

This fine lady in her charming abode, though, seems to be releasing her fish into the heavens rather than frying them to that perfect brown crisp.
Illustration by Nicoletta Ceccoli

The Changed Face of American Politics

PEACE IN HER TIME

The first U.S. congresswoman (representing her native Montana) could vote for herself in 1916 but not for a presidential candidate.
Jeanette Rankin lost her next run after opposing America's entry into World War I. Her continued pacifism (above, in 1932, at age 51) led to a second term in 1940. She thereupon became the one lone legislator to vote against declaring war on Japan after Pearl harbor.

Jeepers Creepers!
Where'd you get those peepers?
Jeepers Creepers!
Where'd get those eyes?

Golly gee!
When you turn those heaters on
woe is me!
Got to put my cheaters on

Jeepers Creepers!
Where'd you get those peepers?
Oh those weepers!
How they hypnotize!

Where'd ya get....... those..... iiiiiiiiiiiiis!!!!??
Jeepers Creepers. 1938. Lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Music by Harry Warren.

Possibility

Once again I raised my sails
Set my ship into the gale
Sailed out on the ocean blue
In search of you

The captain he was lost at sea
And left no one aboard but me
I'll have to find my way back home
All alone

I'm a fool in so many ways
Been around too long, I've seen better days
I'm just a fool drifting through the days
Waiting for the wind to change

The ship and all it's possibility has been one of the most enduring of man's symbols. Always a place to go, a sea to take us to freedom. A sudden wind to change our direction. The ocean, the sea worthy vessel, and man's infinite imagination will never fail him.

Pleasure

As Pluto, famous for pain, finishes its opposition to my Venus, known for pleasure, a choice is being made. Never has it been more clear. My destiny is concerned with forgoing pain and experiencing pleasure for its own sake. Not everyone is like this. Some people find satisfaction in surmounting pain and seek it repeatedly. I've mastered this and it's time to move on.

What perplexes me is the almost exclusive bonding with pain by people in my environment. Experiments have revealed that the human mind is wired to respond more to bad news, threat, and fear. Pain is part and parcel. It could be evolutionary as the human is learning how to survive. Maybe when he is more comfortable he will be less apt to prefer these harsh experiences.

I'm not waiting. The pleasure receptors are already in place. I will drink in the cool moist air of the woods, put my feet in the cold clear water, and breathe in the pleasures of life as much as I am able. Looks like coins in the stream. I could use some of those too.

The Cure

My remedy for all ills, is tomato sauce. So deep is my feeling for this creation, so complete my comfort, so satisfied my soul, that I'm convinced I was Italian in a recent lifetime.

As a matter of fact, I think I was an aspiring opera singer then, but got saddled in an ordinary life bearing seven children. So this incarnation seems to be my chance at achieving this never forgotten goal, although as a jazz singer instead. Never too late. And a better choice, practically speaking.

I cook these herb packed potions from scratch and the power is consistent, the satisfaction guaranteed everytime. The only thing I don't like is when the sauce spits in my face when I open the lid for stirring. I don't take it personally though. I love the stuff. It's the Mediterranean in me. And I need to keep my voice strong. Love the color too.

Saturn in Leo

Tomorrow Saturn leaves the exact degree of its return to my natal Saturn in Leo, and it has been exhausting. It literally took my breath away.
This 22nd degree is especially significant since my father died when Uranus opposed it, almost to the minute. The lights in my house performed an astonishing Uranian miracle and I knew my life had just dramatically changed.

If there's one thing I can learn from this King of Beasts with the luminous sun filled eyes that fear no one, it is how to sleep. Eighteen hours a day, is it? I could use a nap

Illustration by Jan Brett

Art in the Right Places

My billionaire friends, the Weatherstones, have invited all of us to spend some time with them in their beautiful mountain retreat. Unfortunately they have no indoor plumbing. This is the outhouse.
It's absolutely gorgeous and is decorated with fine art. There's a Picasso in there.

This is the only minor inconvenience I can think of. Other than that, the place is fabulous, and the Weatherstones are wonderful gracious hosts, anxious to meet you. Let me know if you want to go and when we'll all be free. I'll let them know. You'll like them a lot. They've got excellent taste. 

Shell We Dance?

I know ....... dumphf ........ a dark ...... dumpphf .... secluded place!

Where no! ..... one ..... ehh-ver ....... knows your face!

A glass! ...... dumphf ...... of wine! .....dummphf... a fond embrace!

It's called....dumphfff......Hernando's Hideaway..........

OLE!!!!!! 

A cuppa jivin' joe

I love coffee, I love tea
I love the java jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea, the jivin' and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup.

I love java sweet and hot
Whoops! Mr. Moto, I'm a coffee pot.
Shoot me the pot, and I'll pour me a shot
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup.

java jive........java jive..........java jive.........
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup.
Yeah.
Java Jive. 1940. Music by Milton Drake. Lyrics by Ben Oakland. 

A Miracle has Occurred.

After a horrible, hideous, horrendous week but a delightful last 24 hours at Raging Uni, I ventured out tonight to see what life had in store for me.

I percolate my one cup of coffee a day in a stainless steel electric pot. For years I cleaned the machine with Dip It, one of the best products known to man. Last year I ran out and searched the entire city, plus the Internet, and couldn't find a place to purchase some more. My dull, stained coffee pot lent an undercurrent of despair to my life for a whole year. This cup of coffee holds extreme importance. I substituted false teeth cleaner but that didn't work as well.

Ace Hardware.....tonight....the cleaning product aisle.....you guessed it! There it was staring at me from the shelf in all its glory. I plucked three boxes and exclaimed with joy to the nearest sales clerk how happy I was to find it, then proceeded to the popcorn wagon in the back of the store to further celebrate.
I am euphoric. I just cleaned my pot.

Why would this great event suddenly happen tonight of all times is my question?

Huuummmph.

Ladies and Gentlemen.....My Dog Guildenstern.

You didn't know I had one, did you? Well here he is. The absolute light of my life. I love him with all my being. He is a Uranian Bulldog.

He fetches my morning papers, I get two, and also makes my toast and coffee. He's a genius.
He loves waiting for the postman, which he is doing now, so he can read my mail. Oh he's clever.

I've decided to set him loose to bring down the Republicans and Guildenstern will do it. He's a good dog.

My vegetable soup is outstanding.
Try some. There's enough for everybody.

The crisis has passed, believe it or not.

For all you astrology enthusiasts, here is an overview of what's going on right now.

The last lunation was a moment of crisis, the word meaning crucial turning point, moment of decision.
When the moons are out of phase they form a quincunx, the aspect of crisis and health, with the 8th house on the natural wheel. This was Virgo/Aries. Surgery to the soma.

The Aries Full Moon brought the surgical lance, and now the drainage will begin. The last scandal did the Republicans in. You can't build a philosophy of government based on moral values and get away with this. And the preposterous War On Terror. The hypocrisy is far too glaring. Pluto in Sagittarius. Everything has a saturation point. The best thing to do now is face the hypocrisy in our own lives if we're really serious about a solution.

Great diseases are like this. The building to the crisis, then the purge or death. For many years these elements have been surfacing and now with Pluto just finishing its station, Jupiter deep into Scorpio and soon leaving, and a stellium of planets soon to be in Scorpio, it does appear to be the time of purge and elimination. Jupiter has also been in mutual reception with Pluto in Sagittarius. Quite a setup for moral, ethical, truthful issues, and quite an invitation to catharsis. Many people are sick as it should be. It will be huge relief to be free of this.

Jupiter is leaving the USA 12th house where for a year it's been magnifying these dishonesties and other problems, and when it comes into the first house there will be renewed faith and optimism, although with reservation as the pain went deep and will take time to process. The political change is only the beginning.

There is so much concentrated energy to achieve this now, this purge, on so many levels, and the more people participate consciously the more successful our society will be. It might even get a little easier. The agony can be shared, some even getting a skinnier slice. :-)

Venus and Neptune in Libra

This Endless Family

This is Uncle Bertrand Higgingbottom. We call him Bertie, although some call him Higgie.

Uncle Bertie is a bit eccentric, a world traveler and collector of odd artifacts. Very odd. That racoon sculpture in the bell jar comes from a place called Maple Junction, an isolated village in our very own Appalachin Mountains. Bertie loves remote spots and knows how to find them.
He's an Aquarius, Taurus Rising, and Mars in Sagittarius. Not the neatest pin. He does have a Mercury/Saturn aspect, though, and his work is very organized.

Never married, preferring the free life of the bachelor, Uncle Bertie has adopted many of his nieces and nephews who adore him and gather round all the time to hear his colorful stories of his vast travels. They seem to gather even more color as time goes on, keeping the younger ones shrieking and squealing. He's very funny. Does outstanding animal imitations.

Bertie's Taurus Rising has kicked in and he's hard to budge lately, taking it easy and organizing the logs of his journeys. He's been writing excellent articles for various periodicals on many subjects, so he is happily occupied as usual.

He's a great conversationalist. A delight at dinner.

I'm continuing my quest for relaxation.

I'm relaxing today.

Straight From the Aries' Mouth. Myrtle Rae Tells It Like It Is.

If anyone dares utter one bad word about Aries they will be coming into contact with the rough side of my tongue, which is not an experience I recommend!

You can chart, analyze, study the eclipse from 1429, and any planetary cycle you want, but when push comes to shove, demonstration tells the story.
That darling Sun in Aries, kj, and my sweetheart of an Aries Rising niece, jm, gave you the full demonstration yesterday of this potent and impossible to restrain pure potential energy. It was exhausting! Thank the merciful lord for the upcoming Taurus moon.

I've been an astrologer since my chicken Zelda's grandparents were toddlers and I will tell you something.

This is an unusual Aries Full Moon. Normally the moon is full in the sign exactly opposite the New Moon in Libra. Sometimes this goes out of phase as it did now. The New Moon was at 29 Virgo, so the lunation was quite different. Virgo is cleaning and organization, and many of you mentioned trying this. It is also worry and anxiety, and there certainly has been a lot of that, what with all the jackasses pulling their stunts again!

There is a big catch in the entire scenario. The South Node of the Moon in Virgo, where the lunation started. So as much as we want to clean things up and get going, the North Node in Pisces is telling us that it's not time yet. Futher chaos and disintegration are in store for awhile until Saturn gets to Virgo next September and the nodes change in December. A lot of detritus will be eliminated by then and we'll be ready to rock, roll the mop, and clean up. Meanwhile, enjoy this fine Aries energy and try to stay out of trouble tonight!

And to hell with the housework! Jm will certainly be delighted! She does listen to me, believe it or not.

Fashion Statement....Chapter 4

Jason and Medea

Words fail me.

Jason by Gustave Moreau, canvas, 1865.

On Key

Years ago I lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico for a while. I was singing in the clubs and accompanying myself on guitar at the time, but I bought an old upright piano for 200 bucks just like this one, and fell in love with it. Day and night I played and wrote in the weird funky adobe brick Victorian house I lived in. I couldn't part with the piano so I dragged it to Colorado. I finally had to let it go when the squeeze in the city apartment got to be a little too much. I replaced it with a wonderful electric piano.

The piano has a majesty about it to me. These big babies fill the body with sound, vibrate the chest, and roll the floor under the feet. Great to sing with, awful to carry on a gig. I had to give in to practicality but I will always remember.

Besides. The piano of my dreams is in Longmont, Colorado right now. I'm keeping my eye on it.

Fashion Statement....Chapter 3

As the many planets traverse fashion conscious Libra and the Moon approaches fullness in athletic Aries, I thought I'd share with you these marvelous specimens of manhood from 1926, to see how the fashions and concept of the perfect man compare and contrast to the modern day ideal. They look a lot like the fellows I see today, although a tiny bit heftier, and I can't say that I've seen anything like the outfit on the far right in my gym experience.
Today, I've noticed that the upper body is a bit larger compared to the girth of the legs, bringing to mind a primate model very similar to the Great Ape.

There really is no accounting for popular taste in any given era.

Neptune in the 7th House

Hmmmmmnn.......

I never had nothin, no one to care
That's why I seem to have more than my share
I got a man, crazy for me
He's funny that way

When I hurt his feelings, once in a while
His only answer is one little smile
I got a man, crazy for me
He's funny that way.

Serena met David at a spiritual retreat. High in the mountains in a sunrise yoga class. They chanted and meditated together, and fell in love. An astrologer did a composite chart saying they had been together in a previous lifetime. The relationship is ordained by God, blessed by the stars. The lovers dance together under the moon nightly, bodies scented with jasmine, the softest silks to greet them with sound, dream filled sleep. They are in heaven. Will it last?

Where Neptune falls in the chart is where we seek the ideal and often have illusions. We merge completely with the oceans of our imaginations knowing paradise is within reach. Some liken this to an altered state of consciousness. Sometimes it is.
Serena has Neptune in the 7th house of one on one relationships. David has Venus, the relationship planet, conjunct Neptune.

Will it last? I'm taking bets. 

Warning!!

Watch out!

Now that the Sun, Venus, and Mars are in the sign of loving Libra, Cupid is on the loose again. He's armed. Let me remind you that there is a trine to Neptune included.

Please, please, be careful!
 Illustration by Lisbeth Zwerger.

The Traveler Returns....The Journey Goes On.

Welcome home tseka!!!

All is well.

Raven by Trina Schart Hyman

My First CD?

I was tossing around ideas for a cover for my first CD and came up with this. I like the way it marries my love of astrology with my skill in music. I do cover outer space themes in my lyrics. And of course, I am a Cancer. It doesn't quite capture my cosmic electric jazz-rap, and the costume and hairdo need adjustment, so I haven't fully decided. I've got a little time on it, thankfully.

Berries For Breakfast

I'm combining my berries with Neith's who just introduced me to the cloudberry, a rare and highly prized species that grows near the Arctic Circle.

To the left we have mulberries, blueberries, gooseberries, and currants. Accompanying these delicious and exotic fruits is a lemon cardamon cake along with the usual dark, rich , aromatic, freshly ground and brewed coffee. Water buffalo milk is available for those who would like that.
I hope everyone has a productive and satisfying week. Maybe a little ease as we get ready for the fiery full moon in Aries. 

Happy month of October to all!