Before we start, let's clarify those few things again:
.

• I will not agree to the statement that men (or women) are superior. Both have equal qualities, though may be better in different departments.
  .
• I’ll be taking the stereotypical view of both genders, just so I don’t have to keep saying “but there are exceptions!” and making myself sound like a broken recorder. I know there are exceptions, just don’t make me repeat that so many times. =(
  .
• The reason why I’m doing this is not to belittle the other gender, it’s for me (and hopefully, my boyfriend~) to understand the differences between the two, and maybe even appreciate them! I know I appreciate him knowing the roads better than I do. xP
  .
• This has nothing to do with the book “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus”. I’ve read an excerpt of it, but this is not meant to steal things from there. This is to inform people (who’re interested enough to read this, anyway) in a way that I understand with my own experience!
  .

Okay, now let's start~!

.

Men and Venus? On Gender Differences

Chapter 2: Too Focused, Blur-case, or Deaf? Too Excited, Aggressive, or Just Can't Stop Talking?

.

Sometimes, I see complaints of one person on the other gender. Like, "ZOMG, he just doesn't listen to me! I told him that so-and-so happened and to do this-and-that, but he doesn't listen!!" or "ZOMG, she just talks too much! Why doesn't she shut up?!"
.

Sounds familiar?
.

My boyfriend and I haven't really encountered this problem badly yet. Or rather, he hadn't complained to me yet. Though for me, sometimes I can see the truth in these complaints.
.

Like, for example, sometimes when I talk and talk, he doesn't respond. It's like, "Hey, you know, next time we should go to so-and-so and do this-and-that!"
.

Silence.
.

Girls, like me, tend to wonder, "Hey, did he hear me or not?"
.

Yep, it sounds familiar.
.

However, there's most likely a reason behind that.
.

When I do ask my boyfriend if he heard (after a bit of talking and little response), he actually heard me. What's more, he could repeat most of the information I gave him!
.

Yeah, he did miss out some information, but who cares? He heard me!
.

But hey, what about other couples? Why are there so many arguments on why he don't listen and why she talks too much?
.

After a lot of reading, I can finally come here and write a blog post about it. It helps me understand my boyfriend, too. =D

.

Part 1: Back to the Prehistoric Days...
.

Yep, we date back all the way to the prehistoric days where we all still live as cavemen. Back then, the roles of males and females were pretty clear cut; men go hunting all day and bring back hunted animals (for food, clothing, weapon materials, etc), while the women stay home, guard the home, and gather fruits, herbs and stuff.
.

As quoted from Kat Caverly (link at the bottom of the post):
.

"Men evolved from hunters who didn't do much talking. (If you've ever seen your grandpa and uncles hunt and fish, you know this to be true. Hours and hours go by, and no one speaks.) While there is evidence to support that communication was needed among early hunters, most of it was done prior to setting out to hunt, leaving little for discussion during the hunting trip itself. This was practical. Too much noise (conversation) would alert the prey -- at best scaring it away; at worst turning hunter into hunted.

On the other hand, women went out-and-about not to hunt, but to gather. As they did this activity in groups, they would keep up a stream of conversation in order to make sure no one had fallen behind or prey to animals. For a woman, conversation was literally life itself!"
.

Further quoted from a commenter on the post by Kat Caverly:
.

"Along with that, women were responsible for raising the children, and being sensitive to communication was/is key. Such as the need for details, tones, and the “closeness” or intimacy that is entwine in women’s conversations."
.

Makes sense, right?

.

Part 2: Talking and Listening Today
.

And so, that prehistoric trait difference brought along the complaints; men don't listen and women talk too much. This difference even brought along quotes from famous people through the ages.
.

But is it really true?
.

Research showed that the female brain is more geared for language and emotion related stuff, due to that part of the brain being bigger (this is writing from memory gained from reading, so I forgot the name o_o). They're also basically better equipped for multitasking, since the connection between the two hemispheres of the brain is bigger compared to that of the male brain.
.

But, while this finding concludes that women do talk more than men (6,000 words compared to 4,000 words... wait, what?), other research show that this is nothing more than a myth. As said by an article from PBS: Language as Prejudice:
.

"When women and men are together, it is the men who talk most. Two Canadian researchers, Deborah James and Janice Drakich, reviewed sixty-three studies which examined the amount of talk used by American women and men in different contexts. Women talked more than men in only two studies."
.

What?! That's the complete opposite!!
.

Forget the women talk too much part...

.

Part 3: Difference Between a Talking Man and a Talking Woman
.

What difference? Both men and women use words!
.

Duh.
.

Well, aside from that, people of both genders use speech for different purposes.
.

For a start, men talk for informational purposes; they don't like talking unless it's information requesting or information sharing or something. That explains why guys talk more than girls, huh? After all, we're in the information age!
.

Guys also have a heavier tendency towards actions. Once you gain the necessary information, act on them. That's what they did during the prehistoric times, right? Device hunting plan, then carry out hunting plan and don't talk during action.
.

Women, on the other hand, use communication mainly for relationship building. When feeling anxious or happy or anything, they feel the need to share the emotions with someone else, and from this communication, they form relationship with each other. Even during prehistoric times, they talk to ensure that their friends are still around (you hear her, then therefore she's safe, right?) and to pass the time while they gather. So basically for them, talking = better relationship.
.

See the big difference here?

.

Part 4: Difference Between a Listening Man and a Listening Woman
.

Remember what I said about the prehistoric times when guys don't talk much and girls talk a lot?
.

When the guys go hunting, they talk before the hunt, then they stay silent during. Their focus is always on the prey, so that it doesn't get away.
.

The consequences? Most of the time, guys have a single-track mind. When they focus, they focus hard and do one thing really well, but they don't really hear anything else.
.

Sure, guys can multitask, but not all of them can do things and listen at the same time. Which reminds me of Ammaro's post (link at the bottom of this post):
.

It happened again, today. My wife called me when I was coming home from work, and the conversation (well, the part I heard anyway) went something like this:

"Hi honey, can you ..... by the supermarket ... get .... ...... ......, some tomatoes....., .... ,..... ,...... ..... , ok dear? Thanks. Bye"

...so now i'm at the supermarket, buying what she wanted; I pick up the tomates and... Hmm... I can be pretty sure she mentioned FIVE items. Why do I only seem to remember one? Umm...

Ok, time to call her again. Uhh, honey, what did you say you wanted?

"Get ..... fat-free white cheese,..... ..... ..... tomatoes, and ..... ...., with the .... .... next to the .... counter, ok? Bye..."

So I go to the cheese section, but realize there's like 3 million different varieties of fat-free cheese. Dammit, another phone call. What was that cheese you wanted hon? And what else?

"Yeah, .... was the Kraft fat-free cheese, and by the way, ..... ..... ....., .... you find a pack of ...., and a family pack diet coke"

I swear to god, I must have called her 6 times today while I was in the supermarket... to pick up 5 things!
.

It cracked me up. xP
.

Guys are easily distracted. He hears his favourite tune in the background, there goes his mind. You tell him things during a movie, he doesn't remember much of it after that.
.

I can relate to that, too. When I tell my boyfriend things while he's driving (women's favourite past-time o_o), he remembers less than if I lock him in a quiet room and run off with his book. So I learned my lesson and make sure I run off with his book before I tell him things!
.

Well, that's the guy.
.

For girls, when they do things, they respond better when you call them in the middle of things. They multitask well (though they may not be perfect), so they pick up information better when they multitask. That's because, as mentioned in the previous section, the two hemisphere of the female brain is better wired compared to the male brain.
.

So... where's the problem?

.

Part 5: Problems in a Relationship

Now that we know the difference between a talking/listening man and a talking/listening woman, now we can see what's up with the couples who complain about their partners.
.

When a guy loves a girl, he doesn't say "I love you", because guys don't like to look weak and vulnerable. He acts out on the feelings of love, and gestures and actions become important. Action speaks louder than words, in the guy's case.
.

When a girl loves a guy, she says "I love you" often. She talks a lot and always conveys the feelings in words, and she always wants to touch (hug, kiss, etc).
.

So when the problem occurs?
.

Due to the fact that there are differences in talking/listening needs between the two couples, both needs are not fulfilled. Women talk, thinking that the men don't listen enough, but the men get swamped with all the words and responds with actions.
.

Both feel that the other doesn't understand them, and this turns into a fight.

.

Part 6: So... what now?
.

Compromising. That's the only way the vastly different male and female can be happy together.
.

Understanding that a guy acts out on feelings rather than say it, and understanding that a girl needs to talk and hear things to feel secure.
.

This is, of course, something I still need to work on, though at least I don't feel insecure anymore when he doesn't say "I love you", his actions are pretty loud. =D
.

Still, knowing and understanding is the first step. And writing this article has helped me to understand loads!

.

~Estrelita Farr, not so insecure~!

.

• Kat Caverly: Why DO women talk so much? (Link)
• PBS: Language as Prejudice: Language Myth #6, Women Talk Too Much (Link)
• Ammaro: Women Talk Too Much and Men Don't Listen (Link)

Nä, George Lucas, bättre än så här kan du. Väl? Hellre tittar jag då på vår Måne och Venus. Ta dig i hampan därborta på Skywalker-ranch.

+ Det fanns en del riktigt coola grejer med. Dessvärre inget som kan rädda betyget i någon nämnvärd omfattning. Men vad sägs om några råtuffa scouts, Asajj Ventress och... Nä, det var nog det.

- George Lucas hamrar sönder sitt livsverk med en stor slägga genom att släppa igenom sådan här dynga. - Has the man gone Mental? Är frågan jag måste ställa mig själv. Mannen har hur mycket pengar som helst. Är det här det bästa han kan få fram? Börjar undra om det verkligen var han som låg bakom ursprunget. Sen var det ju det där med Jabba the Hutts son. En baby-hutt - som låter som en baby. Gonatt.

Nighters all,

Mr Onemountain

Venus is the closest planet to Earth and the brightest object in the night sky, with the exception of the moon, and has been referred to as both the Morning and Evening Star due to its luminosity. Venus is most striking for its thick atmosphere which covers the entire planet and obscures the view of the surface from space and Earth. The hidden surface of the planet was the subject of much curiosity and speculation before the myths were dispelled by probes and exploratory spacecraft. Science fiction writers in particular pondered what what be on the surface of Venus, speculating about possible life on the surface.

However, numerous probes sent to the planet would remove any lingering doubt over the possibility of life on Venus. The surface temperature averages at around 460 degrees C with the atmospheric pressure 92 times that of Earth's, the same as that found 1km under the oceans. The extremely high temperature is caused by a runaway greenhouse effect. Venus' atmosphere is predominantly composed of carbon dioxide with clouds of sulphur dioxide. Heat from the Sun becomes trapped and the planet gets warmer and warmer, to the point it is at today.

At its closest Venus passes 41.8km away from Earth, takes 225 Earth days to orbit the Sun and 243 days to complete one rotation. Venus' orbit is the closest of any planet to being circular, with an eccentricity of less that 0.01. The extremely slow rotation of Venus makes it stand out from the other planets, taking much longer to complete. Venus also spins in the opposite direction to Earth. Venus has no moons.

Venus has been the subject of a lot of the initial ideas of colonisation by Man of the Solar System. The discovery of the conditions on the surface seemed to all but rule out any human settlement on the surface, the extreme temperature and pressure would make life impossible. There has been some talk, however, of possible colonisation of the Venus' atmosphere. 50km above the surface the conditions are much more favourable and Earth-like. Floating cities filled with human-breathable air would float in the dense atmosphere, at that height the atmospheric pressure is the same as that of Earth and temperatures range from 0-50 degrees. A different approach could be to artificially cool Venus using giant mirrors or manipulating dust clouds. In just a few decades the planet would cool significantly enough to give conditions similar to Earth on the surface.

Venus is an interesting planet given its similar properties to Earth. It is also a living example of what a runaway greenhouse effect can do to a planet. The excessive CO2 content in the atmosphere has massively heated the planet beyond what it would be otherwise, a stark reminder of what could eventually happen to Earth.

Here it is:

I never quite figured out why the sexual urges of men and women differ so much. And I never have figured out the whole Venus and Mars thing. I have never figured out why men think with their head and women with their heart.

FOR EXAMPLE: One evening last week, my girlfriend and I were getting into bed. Well, the passion starts to heat up, and she eventually says, "I don't feel like it, I just want you to hold me."

I said, "WHAT??!! What was that?!"

So she says the words that every boyfriend on the planet dreads to hear... "You're just not in touch with my emotional needs as a woman enough for me to satisfy your physical needs as a man."

She responded to my puzzled look by saying, "Can't you just love me for who I am and not what I do for you in the bedroom?"

Realizing that nothing was going to happen that night, I went to sleep.

The very next day I opted to take the day off of work to spend time with her. We went out to a nice lunch and then went shopping at a big, big unnamed department store. I walked around with her while she tried on several different very expensive outfits.

She couldn't decide which one to take, so I told her we'd just buy them all. She wanted new shoes to compliment her new clothes, so I said, "Lets get a pair for each outfit." We went on to the jewelry department where she picked out a pair of diamond earrings. Let me tell you... she was so excited. She must have thought I was one wave short of a shipwreck.

I started to think she was testing me because she asked for a tennis bracelet when she doesn't even know how to play tennis. I think I threw her for a loop when I said, "That's fine, honey." She was almost nearing sexual satisfaction from all of the excitement. Smiling with excited anticipation, she finally said, "I think this is all dear, let's go to the cashier."

I could hardly contain myself when I blurted out, "No honey, I don't feel like it." Her face just went completely blank as her jaw dropped with a baffled, "WHAT?"

I then said, "Honey! I just want you to HOLD this stuff for a while. You're just not in touch with my financial needs as a man enough for me to satisfy your shopping needs as a woman." And just when she had this look like she was going to kill me, I added, "Why can't you just love me for who I am and not for the things I buy you?"

Apparently I'm not having sex tonight either....but at least that bitch knows I'm smarter than her.

It's occurred to me that I can't be completely honest here. That's not true. I'm completely honest, with the exception of my unnatural compulsion to change the time stamp at the top of each entry. I like the appearance of consistency - although I myself am consistently inconsistent. But the "Secrets" label is more misleading. For crying out loud - my picture's right there for the world to see! What kind of secrets can I possibly reveal? A few of you know me so well you'd crush your ergonomically designed mice in horror if I let loose any big secrets. You'd fall off your chairs. You'd have apoplectic fits. Okay, maybe not that dramatic. I do have sizable secrets. Some embarrassing, some delicious, some would bore you to tears, but they're mine.  If I gave them all away I'd have no secrets left. The mystique would be gone. You'd all go off to read postsecret.

Amanda and I had fun reading the postsecret cards displayed at the American Visionary Arts Museum back in August. I picked up a postcard, thinking to out some secret of my own. It's still sitting here on my desk, waiting. Botticelli's Birth of Venus seems too lovely to mar with an anonymous admission though. Really, she looks as though she has secrets of her own. Well, yes, she is in fact naked. Yet she covers parts of herself, reluctant to be utterly revealed. Even Venus is unsure of exposing herself completely. I like that. I think it makes her far more interesting.

Like Botticelli's Venus, I'll keep my more sensational secrets hidden from public view. Instead I offer the inner dialogue; Me talking to myself. That has to be edited somewhat obviously. Not all my thoughts are fit for polite society. Maybe there's some value in the anonymity of postsecret after all.

Before tonight, in the local Whole Foods parking lot, I didn't even know how many moons Jupiter had.  But now, after meeting just the rightly-friendly, sky-passioned, well-timed-parking astronomer John, I do! What lovely luck to be trying to go to the passenger side of my red VW Jetta just as John's big white Astrovan pulled in where I would have liked to be standing. His smiling "Hello, how are you?" was infectious and I smiled broadly back with my "Good, thanks. How are you?" to which he answered in a sort of intoxicated tone something about the stars and looped me into a question about the moon, or rather what was sitting just up and to the left of the moon. I ignorantly ventured a guess of Mars, then immediately knew I was wrong because that bright lovely beemer above the moon wasn't red. "Well at least you knew it was a planet!" he said, and so pleased by it. Then he pulled out this large set of binoculars and without even really asking if I wanted to join him in his spontaneous sky-bound viewing fancy, he set me up to see the moons.

They were so beautiful! Specks of reflected light all lined up in a perfect row, the proud parent Jupiter leaning back against the cosmos with total equipoise. And at that magnification, what a wonder it was to view the moon, too! The craters and the mountains in the craters... such a wondrous world up there. 

John talked about how he'd just been out in some itty-bitty town away from all the lights on a sky-viewing vacation, about how the sea turtles are dying from the light pollution on the planet, about feeling that we are experiencing such crazy times because we are so disconnected from the sky and earth and the seasons, and then mistaking a plane for Venus just like I would do! But then I spotted her! Up there over flagstaff mountain.

I felt like one of the luckiest people on the planet to have been standing there with those binoculars thrust at me by this sweet, exuberant older man with the gray-red beard.  I even got a little misty-eyed as I watched Venus simply slip behind flagstaff mountain, first eclipsed by a pine tree, then sinking out of sight, a brief halo following her down. 

He's right, I think - John, about our relationship with the planet and our minds and hearts. We have lost touch as a human race, the "developed" nations pulling at those who are still earth-based towards our elaborate disconnections, those of us who see it not mobilizing enough to change much. Maybe there is little to be changed externally. We will keep building up, up, up, keep adding lights whose beams eventually reach the depths of the sea turtles' once-pitch habitats. We will keep inventing more and more convenient gadgets and become less and less likely to see our friends and family in a place where we can touch their faces. We will keep fighting over what we don't really need anyway.

What to do? Look up. Look at the night sky and remember that we are each like a mere piece of stardust. We are fleeting moments of love and depth. We have a right to smile at strangers and are not fools for wanting them to smile at us. We can look down. Look down and not step on the ants. Count our freckles like so many planetary moons. Breath into the whole solar system or beyond, and remember that the incalculable heavenly bodies up there are akin to the incalculable energy particles that hold steady, or not so steady, in this one heavenly body right here. 

What to do? Love life enough to offer a stranger in the parking lot at the grocery store a beautiful pair of binoculars... whatever kind you might have, even if it's just the magnifying mechanism of your smiling eyes. Those eyes hold all the beauty of the world.  And a little more beauty in the day may be exactly what every single one of us needs.

I don't know when I started having homework, but it wasn't in first grade. Did I mention I WORK! That I abandon work undone every day to leave work at 5pm? That leaving at 5pm I dash to Sonny's day care and then to DeeDee's extended day program praying I won't run into traffic?  That upon arriving home <hopefully> before 6pm I throw together some dinner before the kids melt down in a haze of hypoglycemia? That I bolt down a meal in the midst of "I don't like THIS!"? Then set myself to pursuade the children to go upstairs and begin the bedtime ritual?

And now, her teacher expects us to fit homework into the middle of that? Is she out of her ever-loving mind???? So in the middle of spooning my dinner into my mouth, I "support" my daughter in doing her homework. Did I mention she just started to read with confidence? So she can't even really read the homework directions.

Oh, and the homework isn't simple. She has to choose three of nine possible homework activities. So I have to help her READ the assignments. Then I have to help her CHOOSE the assignments. Then I have to help her DO the assignments. But NOT do them for her. Did I mention that Sonny is expecting to play with his sister like they usually do in the evening?

Somehow, we make it through the evening.

I venture downstairs after the kids are in bed and comment to my husband, "I don't know how we're going to make it with the homework." It comes in on Monday and has to be done by Thursday. And we've missed bath night Wednesdays the last two weeks. Now we have homework too?

His comment to me?

"The Dow ended up 300 points down today. I am worried about the global economy."

Ok. You worry about that. I'm going to get a glass of wine.

Não se esqueçam que tambem se pode ver a olho nu (localizar) Urano, e com instrumento Neptuno durante a noite.

Eis a posição de Venus e Jupiter para o dia 11/10/2008 no final do dia (Sudoeste):

Para localizarem Urano e Neptuno durante a noite (a Lua podera ajudar os menos habituados...)(Sul):

Mercurio e Saturno durante a manhã do dia 11/10/2008 (Leste):

Utilizei o Stellarium para obter esses mapas.

Boas observações...

Är de som har sökt på följande:

botticelli	3
knaschefen blogg	2
jag är för snäll	1
rynkor i ansiktet	1
birth of venus	1
älska mig för den jag är	1
fakta om uranus	1
madonnan	1
birth venus	1
att se aura	1

Och ja; man kan väl säga att det har med mig att göra, allting. Intressant. Förutom knaschefen då; fattar inte hur han nästlade sig in här...?
Läs även andra bloggares åsikter om Madonnan, sökord, blogg, knaschefen, Uranus, Venus, Botticelli, Astrologi

Scantrad par Mangakun Scantrad

Titre: Iron venus

Type: Shojo mature

Statut: Terminé ( sur mangakun scantrad )

Auteur: Domoto Nao

Où le lire en scantrad ?: Mangakun Scantrad

Sypnosis:

Le petit ami de Yuuki est Tetsu, le lanceur du club de baseball mais... elle est embarrassée parce qu'elle a beaucoup de  rivales en amour ! Alors qu'ils sortent ensemble depuis 4 mois, elle est constamment harcelée par les fans de Tetsu pour rompre avec ce dernier.

Introduction

The configurations in the sky do not affect one nation, or one people. The patterns in the celestial sphere create and destroy patterns which are copied on Planet Earth with the simple determinism of seeds being planted on fertile ground germinating and producing fruit. They impel of course they impel, but when a seed is planted, watered and given the right amount of sunlight, nutrition, and warmth, it is fairly easy to say that you will be reaping what you have sown. This article is interested in finding out whether the heaven's seed are about to fall on stony ground, and whether those seeds might just contain a few weeds among them.

The Last Ideology:1966

Now, down to business. Uranus and Pluto were conjoined in longitudinal degrees during the late 1960's everyone knows this and a few people may also be aware that they were simultaneously opposed by a beleaguered Saturn in Pisces and eventually given a winning hand from Jupiter as he traversed late Virgo after that opposition. The Ideology however, is what we are after. Several ideological structures came out of the late 1960's which were previously not in circulation. Some of the things which are thought of as being created during that era are women's power, as well as civil rights for minorities. These are big things, big ideas with big laws that were passed in order to support those people, and there is nothing wrong there as far as I can see. This was one of the great movements of progress of the 20th Century. 1966 marks the T-Square of these planets with Jupiter sadly detrimented in Gemini, with Saturn in Pisces and with Uranus and Pluto conjoined in Virgo. It is this moment in time which has been the beginning of the Era of late 20th Century and early 21st Century, politics, and social modes existence, the social rules were in effect changed in 1966, which does mark the watershed moment.

Why was this ideological structure developed in the way it was? The reason is not in the noble ideas of equality and dignity of humanity, nor in the progression of the rights of anyone, but in the power structure of Empire. The real motivating force for these changes was historical. For an empire to exist there needs to be social cohesion. Social cohesion in the Western World was only possible through these bills of rights and social movements, which were in effect damaging to the structures of traditional Religion, signified by Jupiter in Gemini being defeated by the other stronger planets in materialistic and analytical Virgo, and a Saturn in Pisces which is reminiscent of power structures that are torn in two directions.

In essence the 1966 alignment allowed for social cohesion and the economic freedom in vast untapped numbers of the Western population, namely women's economic power, befitting the Virgo symbolism of a Woman associated with service and harvest. the main focus of Virgo is that everything has a place and a worth, and the simple economics of this placing has allowed the economic materialism due to the nature of the Earth element to empower a Western Empire which is constant in its adaptation and has no centralised power structure but various co-operating structures, which again is part of the nature of those three mutable signs, Pisces, Virgo and Gemini, with emphasis on materialism and Mercurial thought over the Piscean and Sagittarian belief, sacrificed for the economic power structure. And all of course based on that key logical yet completely anti-spiritual Ideology of the 1966 T-Square.

Note: Although Neptune is not directly involved in the T-Square aspect pattern, Neptune however, does confer its particular power from Scorpio, and this is where the association of the 'sixties with Sex and Sexual Revolution comes from, due solely to Neptune in Scorpio, nothing to do with Mars, or Pluto. The Neptunian energy manifests itself mainly in music, art and cultural pursuits including drugs.

Ideology formed and given power: 1931

Now we go one more step back in the 20th Century, we come to the ideology which was formed and crystallised in 1931. How can you not look to Germany? Saturn, Pluto and Uranus were T-Square in Cardinal signs during this year with the Sun conjoining as close a matrix as possible on July the 13th of that year. Now the Sun in this aspect pattern gives the show a big star. Most people will immediately say, Adolf Hitler!! Ah, what intuition! But they would be wrong the heavens have scattered several big stars all across the globe, certainly he was one of the stars of that Era, but we have other big house hold names like Roosevelt, Stalin, Churchill, all of which actually managed to hold power in their own countries for as long as Mr Hitler, if not a lot longer. These men were all sensitive Cancerian types, Father figures who were fighting for the preservation of their homelands. Can you get a better description of Pluto conjunct Sun in Cancer?

So, what was the ideology which existed between 1931 and 1966? This ideology was based on the darkness of Saturn in Capricorn and the impulse of destruction and creation, of Uranus in Aries.  Even after the War, it was the "Cold War" a rather befitting term for Saturn in Capricorn, whose nature inclines towards low energy, though with a tenacity and talent for persistence and survival. The Iron Curtain and the Berlin Wall are powerful symbolism of this placement, how much more evidence is needed to show that the Era of thirty five years was commenced in 1931, even after the demise of the fascist Bogey man of all time.

Note: Mars, although not directly involved in the T-Square aspect pattern is however, powerfully connected in virgo with Sun, Saturn and even Uranus through an Inconjunct aspect. Mars although outside of the matrix which is the Era creation is however so involved that it is impossible to separate his energetic and agressive influence. Indeed looking at History it is easy to see how Mars even in 1931 in this aspect grid was influencial, with Uranus in Aries, it is necessary to view the dispositor, Mars.

1903 (note: not a Saturn configuration, though still powerful technologically)

This year is also a marker of Uranus-Pluto forming a T-Square with another outer planet, Jupiter. This is though, an exception to the Ideological Structures and 1903 really belongs to the matrix of 1851. Because this is Jupiter it is not the powerful social rule creating, politically fueled force that involves Saturn. On September the 12 1903, the Sun plugs into this T-Square to form a grand cross. 1903 is significant for other reasons. Shortly after the Grand Cross of September the 12, Orville Wright makes the first combustion engine powered flight, the USA begin to expand with the instigation of rebellion and eventual control of Panama. During this period Edward VII became King of England and Emperor of the British Empire, so 1903 loosely coincides with the transferal of power, though for the true ideological Era it is necessary to look back further.

1851

The 24th of October 1851 marks the beginning of an Era which ended not in 1903, but in 1931, this is a period of eighty years. The T-Square of 1851 is a bit of an understatement. In the early degrees of Taurus and late Aries a stellium lined up to include Pluto, Saturn and Uranus. This alone marked the beginning of an Era, the beginning of an ideology and the chronocrator of a time period which saw the height of the British Empire and the almost total domination in true Taurus style of most of the world's land mass by one Empire. On the other side of this stellium is to be found another stellium of Moon, Sun, Jupiter, and Venus. Those personal planets signify a family united under a bright star a king and emperor in the most powerful sign at the first degree of Scorpio symbolising the beginning the Empire. Mars of course in the sign of Leo shows that it was the Nation whose symbol of military strength was indeed three Lions and has Lion imagery in every crest and seal.

Ideologically the period starting in 1851 was one in which the Fixed signs dominated, with Scorpio and Taurus as feminine signs of both power and cultural creation it was a time in which a strict code of law was in force, a cultural ideology based on wealth and industrial power took hold, the rise of a bourgeois middle class with great power in not only the British houses of Parliament, but in the nations of Europe and America as well as in Asia with Japanese imperialism based on industrial and monetary growth. There is nothing that symbolises this as a time marker more than the opening of THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF THE WORKS OF INDUSTRY OF ALL NATIONS in the Crystal Palace, Hyde Park in of course London, which ran for most of that year.

The accepted norms of society though are what we are looking for, the equivalent of 1930's Fascism and 1960's Feminism was 1850's, this is an Era which is determined by strict social rules and stability, by respect for tradition, by love of culture, of literature, music, and religion, with the Uranus, Pluto and Saturn Stellium between the last degree of Aries and the early degrees of Taurus. The Scorpio inner family symbolised a unity of a central family which could not be better described better than by the enduring family of Queen and Empress Victoria at the centre of this Ideology, and not surprising that it is now known as the "VICTORIAN AGE."

Note: Neptune is connected to this aspect pattern, though slightly wide from making a sextile to Pluto and Saturn, it does slide into a wedge with Uranus and the family of inner planets in Trine on the other side. So to note, some of the greatest cultural achievements in Literature, Art and Music were achieved during this Era. Even beginning in the 1850's Dickens was writing his great works, as were the other great authors and composers of the second half of the 19th Century. That Pisces Neptune must be interpreted in terms of spiritual accompaniment durning this period, great Religious fervour and belief, in spite of the developing ideas of the times like Darwinism, Marxism and Science. This Neptune in Pisces as always symbolises two fish swimming in opposite directions, two fish who both have belief, and in retrospect these fish are both Religions and Sciences.

1819

On the 17th December 1819 a Square took place involving Pluto and Saturn in Pisces, (Chiron also) with Uranus and Neptune forming a stellium with Sun and Moon in Sagittarius. There are some ways in which this was a greater Era creator than the 1851 alignment. Namely Neptune is involved in the alignment, though the energy and buoyancy of Jupiter and Mars are omitted with the result that this alignment was in many ways a silent, velvet revolution in World Thought. There are numerous world writers who were born during this period, Fyodor Dostoevski, Anne Bronte, and George Eliot as well as Charles Dickens give or take a couple of years are a few, and the writings which they eventually wrote were highly religiously inclined with huge spiritual involvement, all due to the effect of this Pisces, Sagittarius alignment.

Some events of this alignment are the beginning of George IV's reign, as well as the end of the Napoleonic Wars with a return to the traditional establishment, to the traditional mode of belief, which the French Revolution as well as the American Revolution had threatened. South America became a free enterprise in the year 1819 with the proclamation of Gran Colombia.

1792

This year is very different from all other alignments of the nature which are under scrutiny in this article. The planets Uranus, Pluto along with Sun-Moon conjoining in Sagittarius on the 13th December of 1792 form a Kite aspect pattern. This alone fulfils the criteria of a powerful aspect pattern involving the said planets although the sextiles are fairly weak on there own they are in a powerful alignment. To note also, Jupiter forms a T-Square with the Pluto-Uranus opposition though does not link up with Saturn.

The events of the years between 1792 and 1819 are well chronicled. Franch becomes a scene of Revolution, with much upheaval and bloodshed, it also forges ahead with new ideas and experiments with different forms of governance but does inevitably become an Atheistic Empire on the rampage under Napoleon Bonaparte.

But of course the events in the Heavens were not just taking place over France. Britain and Germany saw a cultural revolution in the name of a Poetic movement now known as ROMANTICISM. And not only were these poets writing their subversive texts, there really was fear in the rest of Europe of Revolution taking place because of the unparalleled social change of this Era. The Kite formation is a pattern which is made for movement, for travel and like the actual physical kite its symbolism can be seen in this period in the name of great movement, upheaval and excitement, as if whole nations were able to fly and metaphorically, France did just this.

1649

The only true link up between Uranus, Pluto and Saturn with an acceptable orb and acceptable strength of power took place in 1648 and 1649 and involved Uranus in conjunction with Neptune on 27th February 1649. Saturn, True Node and Pluto were conjoined together in Gemini in opposition with the Uranus and Neptune placement in Sagittarius. The Sun and Mercury formed a Grand Cross with Moon and Mars in opposition in Virgo.

1649 begun the Era which lasted until 1819. This period of time was begun with the execution of King Charles I, the killing of the King, God's representation on Earth had never been done before, but was done by Parliamentarians, whose logic was founded in the power of Pluto conjunct Saturn in Gemini. It is hard going back so far to make an estimation of the cultural and social values of this time period. During this period John Milton was writing Paradise Lost and supporting Republicanism, in an age of total Monarchy.

The Grand Cross in mutable signs confers a great struggle between on the one hand Gemini materialism and logical thought and on the other side Sagittarian orthodoxy. This is a struggle which lasted until 1819 which seems to have marked a brief period of all embracing Religious Faith until the 1851 alignment.

© Denis Materna, 2008.

© http://buddymaterna.wordpress.com 2008.

P.S.: Und am kommenden Mittwoch bin ich beim Konzert von ich + ich im Wiener Gasometer - juhuuuuuuu!!!

Veio pelas mãos da minha irmã-amiga Kel.

Sempre senti falta de uma imagem no meu altar.

Vênus é da Alícia, minha filha, mas passa temporadas no altar da casa.

Ainda não tenho minha imagem, mas sinto que isso está ligado a outras coisas, que quando estiverem no momento exato hão de permitir que eu a tenha.

Canada’s birth chart has no planets in Sagittarius.  Jupiter is transiting Capricorn quincunx Venus making women’s issues quite contentious.  The women are watching to see what the leaders have to offer for their homes, their families and their security.  Women could well be the unknown vote.  Hello male politicians.  Women control 85% of household spending decisions.  So if you are concerned about the economy, you had better be looking to get their vote!

Elizabeth May [Green] has no planets in Sagittarius.  The Moon will quincunx her Jupiter this morning so that she might feel the heat from last night’s debate.  She did an awesome job of coming out with factual data and definitely took her place as a leader among other leaders.  My best guess is that she is making the Conservatives sit up and take notice that she is a strong force to be reckoned with.  You go girl!

Jack Layton [NDP] has his Chiron in Sagittarius.  He might be wounded from his debate responses last night or he can use the square to Saturn to restrict and fine tune his focus.  This is further echoed by the fact that his natal Jupiter has a square to Chiron.  It’s time for him to reassess and narrow down what he wants to say during the next two weeks.  Shine the spotlight on the key issues for success Jack!

 Stephen Harper [PC] has his Jupiter being crossed by the Moon during the debates last night.  Unfortunately for him his Jupiter is square his Chiron so he was deeply wounded and feeling the frontal attack by the other four leaders.  His Venus is opposite Sagittarius, so he likely will not make any ground with women voters over the next couple of days.  His pole results will likely feel this downward shift.  Hello Stephen, women will be your nemesis on election day!

Stephane Dion [Liberal] has his North Node in Sagittarius.  The Moon transit will help people to sit up and take notice of this stately man.  His natal Jupiter conjunct Pluto in Leo suggests that at a deep gut level, he will be able to passionately engage Canadians over the next couple of days.  Stephane, the stars will bring lots of positive energy to your side on election day.  You just need to tap into it!

If your Sun, Moon or Ascendant are in fire signs of Aries, Leo or Sagittarius, you noticeably will be affected by the emotional energy over the next couple of days.  The rest of us will have moments of our day which will be influenced by the Moon burning brightly in this fire sign. 

Empower yourself and use the Moon energy wisely!  I’m grateful for the high rate of energy I’ll feel over the next couple of days.  It’s light hearted and laughing energy which will make our weekend wonderful!  What are we talking about in our household?  A Sagittarius trip plan we are making for a few days run-away to the mountains over Thanksgiving!  My hubby will now be open to the idea, so I’m doing what I can to make it a reality. 

In your family life and at the office fuel the fun with light hearted quips.  People will want to kick up their heels and have some fun.  Your office staff might be playing jokes on one another.  If you are the boss, how about you playing jokes on them first!  Take a walk in those gorgeous autumn leaves and smell deeply that smell of fall as the earth gets ready for a well deserved rest.  Pile those leaves up and then roll in them like you did when you were a kid.  Your kids will love the playfulness.  Hey and how about finding one of those corn mazes to get lost in? Just go out and do it and your kids will love you forever!

In your love life and friendships of all types this is expansion time for you and your main squeeze.  Your honey will be generous with you and you will want to be generous with him or her.  That’s Jupiter/Sag energy.  Throw in a dose of lovely Venus ruled Libra and life will be a fun filled weekend if you play your cards right!

Reflection Questions! 

1. Who can I pull a joke on today?
2. Where can I make people laugh over the next couple of days?
3. How can I plan and choose to play and have fun in the next 48 hours?
4. When am I going to lighten up and kick up my heels?  It’s up to me!

Glorious gamboling with life and

Dance in the Moonlight!

For more information on dealing with love and relationships, visit my blog at Love My Journey, www.sherrieh.wordpress.com.  If you are on a spiritual journey, you might also want to explore my website at www.moonwomenspirituality.com. 

Vackra Venus och tjusiga Tellus

...är ett så väldigt vackert namn och jag har bestämt för mig att jag själv har Venus i Vattumannen.

Undrar jag vad Venus i Vattumannen innebär? Tror att jag har fått det förklarat för mig någon gång för länge sedan... En sak vet jag i alla fall och det är att jag omger mig med en hel del personer som är födda i det tecknet och alla dem tycker jag mycket om. Min vän Isprinsessan, som jag har känt i över 40 år (låter som om jag är 100 nu...det är jag inte!), är född i just det tecknet. Min syster är en annan och några till som jag alltid pratar och ofta skrattar mycket med.

Venus har fått namn efter den romerska gudinnan Venus ( i den grekiska mytologin Afrodite). Venus är den andra planeten ifrån Solen och står tydligen för attraktion och skönhet, förmågan att kunna njuta och uppskatta det vackra och harmoniska, mm enligt Astro.com.

Intressant, tycker jag som instinktivt känner att det är en bra planet eftersom allt det är saker som förgyller Livet.

Läs även andra bloggares åsikter om Madonnan, Venus, Vattumannen, astrologi, New age, Isprinsessan, vänskap, syster

Här är min rosa blogg.

Moving on to the next Sign in the Zodiac, Libra the Scales does hold the distinction of being the only Sign represented by an inanimate object.  In exploring where the significations of Libra came from, we must first begin a long trip back in time and explore the very foundation of astrological thought and philosophy, but this is the best way to exlore and understand the grand field of astrology.  As with several concepts, there is division between the modern and the classical, the difficult part comes in when both attempt to explain the same concept in different ways.  This artilce will explain the beginning concepts surrounding the Sign of Libra and how these concepts continue on into present day astrology.  Proving that the past is not so far behind.

Astronomy

Libra is actually a fairly unimpressive constellation, holding no first magnitude stars.  However, it does hold the Gliese system within it.  This system holds an earth-like extrasolar planet that is the first discovered to orbit around its parent star's hospitable zone (the distance away from the orbited star that has the proper temperature to support most forms of carbon-based life), this planet was discovered orbiting the star Gliese 581 which lies in the constellation.  There is argument about whether or not this earth-like planet can support life.  The autumnal equinox point used to lie within the constellation of Libra, but due to procession of the equinoxes, this point now lies within the previous constellation Virgo.

Mythology

The scales of Libra are often thought of as belonging to the justice goddess Astrea who is also associated with the adjacent constellation Virgo.  However, there is a totally different history to Libra that most people don't even know about.  Libra is the youngest of the Signs of the Zodiac in that it originally did not exist, or at least, it did not exist in the way we know it today.  The area of the sky where we now see scales was once seen as the claws of the scorpion; Scorpio.  Most classical writers, including Manilius and Ptolemy, knew it as this and called this constellation by the Greek word "Chelae" meaning "Claws".  The Romans are the ones who are said to be responsible for bringing the association of a balance to this area of heaven sometime around the first century BC; however, there is evidence to suggest that the Sumerians had already made this association as early as 2000 BC.  To the Romans, Libra was a favored Sign, it's said that the city of Rome was founded with Luna in Libra.

Also, the symbolism of the scales is very potent in Egyptian mythology.  The goddess Ma'at would weigh the feather of truth against the heart of a recently departed soul.  Should the heart fail the test, then it would be devoured by Ammit and the owner of the heart would be doomed to suffer in the afterlife for all eternity.

Traditional Associations

In Lilly's sixteenth chapter in Christian Astrology, he writes that Libra is "aerial, hot and moist, sanguine, masculine, movable, equinoctial, cardinal, human, and of the aerial triplicity".  Modern astrology supplies their own list of keywords associated with Libra, this list includes the words: diplomatic, cooperative, charming, sociable, kind, romantic, and refined.  Now let's compare the 17^th century writer's list to the modern list and see just how close they match up.

As a masculine/diurnal Sign, Libra is more comfortable openly expressing his opinion on the world around him.  Libra feels very comfortable expressing his opinion of justice and equality on the world around him, and he's also not afraid to stand up and defend these opinions openly against attack.  However, there is a certain hindrance in this ability in that Sol is traditionally depressed in this Sign.  Meaning that Libra has difficulty expressing Sol's individuality and self-expression because he is more concerned about fairness and juggling the opinions of a million other people as well as his own opinion, and then feel as if they need to take on the burden of responsibility to those million other people.  There is, though, a certain advantage of this planetary debility, in that Libras are very comfortable having their own views and positions challenged and consider the opinions of others and take the extra mile of looking at things through the opposing view's perspective.  This way, both ways are considered before a stance on an issue is taken.

This is not the only instance in which a planet-Sign relationship alters the significations of Libra, in fact the ruler of Libra - Venus - simply accentuates traits that are caused by Sol's fall in this Sign.  Venus is a planet that centers on relating to the people around us, Venus wants to be wanted and needed by others.  She needs to be accepted by others, and so too does this Sign under her rulership.  With this powerful connection to Venus, Libra feels like he needs to be needed by others, and so he will find that most of his problems and struggles in life center on other people.  Venus does, though, offer a sense of grace and finesse to Libra and makes him very attractive and sociable, unfortunately, it also makes Libra too easily influenced on aesthetic pleasures and too easily swayed by a pleasant appearance.

Libra is also a moveable or cardinal Sign, being that the season of autumn begins with Sol's ingress into this Sign, so all of the changes that occur in this season that differentiate it from the previous summer months are in full swing of motion.  So too does Libra's cardinal signification give him the will to initiate change.  Houlding writes:  "Yet of all the cardinal signs Libra is the most underrated force; for their non-intimidating personas can often fool us into thinking that they will give up on their goals far easier than they will." Libra is a sanguine air Sign, meaning that the humoural qualities associated with Libra are warm and moist.  This association makes Libra an optimistic and light-hearted Sign, enjoying the pleasantries and social circles while keeping things bright and charming.  As a sanguine Sign, Libra seeks the middle ground and shuns extremes and eccentric attitudes.  As a humane Sign, Libra is blessed with social graces, an accommodating attitude, a pleasant demeanor, and an abundance of manners and people skills that could operate very well for them in situations of public relations.

Only two Signs in the Zodiac are equinoctial, Libra being the second.  This means that Libra marks the Autumn equinox where the length of day and night are equal.  This and the visual image of Libra being associated with a balance as well as one other point I will discuss in the following section make the Sign of Libra very much associated with balance, harmony, peace, comparison, and fairness.  Libra is often thought of as a great counselor, advising us to step outside of our personal biases and see things through the eyes of others and "walk a mile in their shoes".  This balance is also seen as a symbol of moderation, which works with Libra quite well as he enjoys to distance himself away from extremes and excesses, this not only makes him more comfortable with himself and the environment he puts himself in, but also makes him more socially acceptable, which is necessary for a Sign that seeks to be approved.  Unfortunately, the negative side of this Sign is seen in a similar manner, Libra is often extremely indecisive, bouncing back and forth between two ideas, it's as if there is a see-saw in his mind, while the good news is he will often become very, very fixed in his decision once he has made it, the bad news is that it will take him a long time to make that decision as he will continually question it to make sure that that is the proper conclusion.  Through the need to be accepted by others, it is often thought that Libra is shallow and gullible and he may very well be if he isn't careful as he can be easily pleased by a pleasant visual presentation, so if something looks good, he feels it must be, which isn't the case.  While trying to keep things balanced, Libra has a problem dealing with emotional situations and be much more willing to brush it away and get away from it then seeking to deal with it.

As far as other significations go, Libra governs the kidneys, lower back, and reproductive organs in the body.  He is also significant of all illness and diseases that occur within these areas of the body, including (as Lilly writes) "all diseases or the stone or gravel in the reins of the back, kidneys, heats and diseases in the loins or haunches, impostumes, or ulcers in the reins, kidneys, or bladder, weakness in the back, and corruption of the blood."  In more modern terms, Libra signifies diseases such as kidney stones, diabetes, sexual diseases, inflammation and ulcers in those areas of the anatomy signified by the Sign, and addictive tendencies in their ability to break the balance and overindulge.  Places signified by Libra are any places off the ground (as is the case with all air signs), it also represents ground near sawmills or barns or somewhere where wood is cut and stacked.  Sides of hills, tops of mountains, sandy and gravelly fields, second stories of houses, and rooms inside of one another.

Stars

While the association with the equinox and the symbolism of the balance is often cited as reasons for this Signs association with balance, equality, and fairness another seemingly forgotten reason is the stars contained within the constellation itself have an effect on this.  Ptolemy refers to this constellation - in keeping with the Greek tradition - as the claws of the scorpion, saying that the ones in the extremities are of the influence of Jupiter and Mercury, while those in the middle have an influence of Saturn and Mars.

As you can see, the two chief stars of the constellation are Zubeneschamali and Zubenelgenubi.  Zubeneschamali is Arabic for "the price to be received" and is a very benefic star and its proximity to the constellation Virgo (as opposed to Scorpio on the other side) makes half of this constellation benefic.  The other star, Zubenelgenubi, is Arabic for "the price to be paid" and is a very malevolent star that keeps more in accord with the nature of Scorpio and the malefic planets, which would make the other half of the constellation evil as well.  So it's very interesting that a constellation that is associated with balance and harmony forms an opposition within itself of the nature of good (represented by the benevolent northern star Zubeneschamali) and evil (represented by the malevolent southern star Zubenelgenubi).  Also, the later half of the Sign Libra is associated with a particularly malevolent part of the Zodiac called the Via Combustia (the Burnt Path, this also extends into the first half of Scorpio) and that is specifically due to the reign of Zubenelgenubi in the half of the constellation that lies closer to Scorpio.

Dignities and Degree Influences

Venus is said to be in her domicile in the Sign of Libra due to the friendly sextile aspect cast between its cusp the cusp of Cancer/Leo.  Venus is the lesser benefic, and so is a fortunate planet, this benevolent planet is also a friend to the luminaries Sol and Luna, and so the friendly aspect links them.  Libra is the exaltation of Saturn due to the length of darkness beginning to increase when Sol is in this Sign, it is the depression of Sol for the same reason, as he spends less time in the sky during this time of the year.  Below are the degree influences according to Ptolemy and Lilly:

0° Libra - Face of Luna, Term of Saturn, Deep

1° Libra - Face of Luna, Term of Saturn

2° Libra - Face of Luna, Term of Saturn, Increasing Fortune

3° Libra - Face of Luna, Term of Saturn

4° Libra - Face of Luna, Term of Saturn, Masculine, Light

5° Libra - Face of Luna, Term of Saturn

6° Libra - Face of Luna, Term of Venus, Deep

7° Libra - Face of Luna, Term of Venus

8° Libra - Face of Luna, Term of Venus

9° Libra - Face of Luna, Term of Venus, Dark

10° Libra - Face of Saturn, Term of Venus

11° Libra - Face of Saturn, Term of Jupiter

12° Libra - Face of Saturn, Term of Jupiter

13° Libra - Face of Saturn, Term of Jupiter

14° Libra - Face of Saturn, Term of Jupiter, Feminine, Increasing Fortune

15° Libra - Face of Saturn, Term of Jupiter

16° Libra - Face of Saturn, Term of Jupiter

17° Libra - Face of Saturn, Term of Jupiter, Light

18° Libra - Face of Saturn, Term of Jupiter

19° Libra - Face of Saturn, Term of Mercury, Masculine, Deep

20° Libra - Face of Jupiter, Term of Mercury, Dark, Increasing Fortune

21° Libra - Face of Jupiter, Term of Mercury

22° Libra - Face of Jupiter, Term of Mercury

23° Libra - Face of Jupiter, Term of Mercury

24° Libra - Face of Jupiter, Term of Mars

25° Libra - Face of Jupiter, Term of Mars

26° Libra - Face of Jupiter, Term of Mars, Feminine, Light

27° Libra - Face of Jupiter, Term of Mars

28° Libra - Face of Jupiter, Term of Mars

29° Libra - Face of Jupiter, Term of Mars, Masculine, Void, Deep

Houlding, Deborah. Libra the Scales.. 28 Sep. 2008 <http://skyscript.co.uk/libra.html>.

Houlding, Deborah. Starlore: Libra the Scales.. 28 Sep. 2008 <http://www.skyscript.co.uk/libra_myth.html>.

iVillage. Libra: Understanding Your Sun Sign.. 28 Sep. 2008 <http://www.astrology.com/allaboutyou/sunsigns/libra.html>.

Lilly, William. Christian Astrology. : Astrology Classics, 2004.

Ptolemy, Cladius. Tetrabiblos. : Astrology Classics, 2005.

Ridpath, Ian. Star Tales - Libra the Scales.. 28 Sep. 2008 <http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/libra.htm>.

Robson, Vivian. Electional Astrology. : Astrology Classics, 2005.

Astrologers base their predictions on horoscopes calculated for the precise time of birth at the place of birth (beginning), because they presume there is certain order in the Universe, and the time and place of birth define our position within that order. The position within the order in turn defines further development, as order limits the possible outcomes to a manageable number. The less there are possible outcomes, the more they become predictable.
Astrologers create horoscope for birth of people, countries, and everything else that has a known beginning.
Although no one can say with certainty they know when the U.S. was born, there is a consensus that this country came into being on or around 7/4/1776. Most of the astrologers favor either the chart with Gemini rising, which places the Moon at 18' of Aquarius in 10th house, or the chart with Scorpio rising, which places the Moon at 25' of Aquarius in the 4th house. After 9/11, the other chart, called "Sibly" became popular - because when astrologers are uncertain of the time of birth/ beginning, they attempt to rectify charts (finding more probable birth time) based on dramatic pivotal events. The Sibly charts gives the U.S. Sagittarius ascendant, and places the Moon at 27' degrees of Aquarius.
All other planets remain in the same degree, because they move much more slowly then the Moon or house cusps. Thus, all three the most popular U.S. horoscopes place Venus at 3' of Cancer.
Venus is the planet that is always associated with money and relationships. And my predictions of the Horrible Economic Depression (greater than the Great One) are based on upcoming planetary assault on the U.S. Venus.
Interestingly enough, history confirms that conditions are ripe. Here is what Wikipedia says about economic causes of the Great Depression of 1929: "Although its causes are still uncertain, the basic cause was a sudden loss of confidence in the economic future. The traditional explanation is a combination of high consumer debt, ill-regulated markets that permitted malfeasance by banks and investors, cutbacks in foreign trade, and growing wealth inequality, all interacting to create a downward economic spiral of reduced spending and production". Sounds familiar? Are not we in debt up our ears now? Have not our ill-regulated markets permeated malfeasance by banks and investors? Don't we have growing wealth inequality? The famous "Trickle-down economy" that keeps on trickling up instead? This is 2008, but, obviously, we do not learn from history.
So here is what the planets say about now, which is the setting for the next 5 years:
The Moon's nodes are passing over MC/IC axis in the "Scorpio" U.S. chart. In "Gemini rising" chart, they have just past the Moon and are about to pass over MC/ IC axis. The Moon's nodes going over the luminaries and / or chart's angles herald major changes of direction that are brought on by a pivotal event.
In the "Gemini rising" chart, Jupiter, "The great Exaggerator", also opposes the U.S. Sun in the second house of $$$, while the Moon that is reeling from nodal transit rules that $$$ house.
BUT THIS IS JUST A BEGINNING!...
In December of 2008, Pluto settles in Capricorn.
Pluto is so tiny, that it was even demoted by astronomers from planetary status. But astrologers, and all who went through a major Pluto transits and lived to tell about it, know better. Pluto is "the Wrecking Ball" of the zodiac. Its mighty punch is so painful, that we either die or transform.
When it went through Scorpio, its own sign, that deals with abuse, taxes, sex, death and rebirth, we had Reaganomics, and AIDS epidemic. Now Pluto is ending its 13 yrs transit through Sagittarius, the sign of religion, philosophy, foreign relations, higher studies and judicial systems. The costs of colleges went through the roof, religious fanaticism rose to the point of Global War of Terror, and we scaled down democracy by adopting "The Patriot Act" and torture procedures.
Pluto screws with our heads by making us compulsive-obsessive with regards to wherever it is at the moment. When it was in sex, death and taxes sign, we obsessed on those topics. When it went through religion sign, we lost our sobriety on account of faith.
So now it is at the door of Capricorn, the sign of government and corporate structures, of rules and regulations, of fear and ambition. So in the next 15 years, expect us obsessing in fear on rules and regulations, while being overly ambitious, and while all government, political and corporate structures undergo DEMOLITION. Some societies will die, others will be transformed.
By the way, there is another possible U.S. chart, based on letters of John Adams, who pinpoints America's birth at 7/2/1776 at about quarter to noon in Philadelphia. That chart would have the U.S. Venus at 0' of Cancer, so the wrecking ball (Pluto) may come to the U.S. economy (Venus) as early as December of 2008.
If any other chart is correct, February is a more likely time of reckoning.
Since economy always dictates politics, we are likely to see global powers falling like dominoes.
By the end of November of 2009, we would begin to cry for mercy, as our economy would get completely stalled: Saturn, the planet of lack and limitations, joins Pluto, the Terminator, in the assault on the U.S. Venus, the planet of Money. It begins to squeeze it from Libra, the sign of relationships and justice. So as global trade gets restructured, we get the foul end of the deal. Saturn would limit our reach into the packets of other countries. We may face the retribution for our misadventures on foreign soil and/ or for amassing huge deficit (read "debt to other countries").
In 2010, we may begin to exhale, hoping that the worst is behind us, only to be hit below the belt in the summer of that year. I am favoring 8/01/10 as another historic date - when the world is going to shake from the thud of the falling giant hitting the ground.
This is how it is going to come about from the planetary point of view:
By June of 2010, Jupiter and Uranus join forces in Aries and enter the war on the U.S. Venus. You may say, they join the robbery in progress of American public.
Uranus operates by coming out of left field with a sudden shocking occurrence. It rules electricity, and it always aims to shock the system. Jupiter always exaggerates and blows things out of proportion. After all, it is the Planet of Plenty. Put these two together, and you get an immense unexpected shock to the system. Since they are going to square the U.S. Venus, the Planet of Money, we are going to go through an immense sudden expense (another BAILOUT, much bigger than the present one?).
On 8/1/2010, Mars, the planet of war that always acts like a trigger, joins Saturn in Libra in squeezing daylights out of the poor U.S. Venus, while Pluto in retrograde motion is circling around that Venus, and Jupiter with Uranus deliver huge shocks to it from Aries, the sign of war and ragged individualism.
You can envision the conclusion.
By the way, according to known U.S.A charts, the only planetary culprit for Great Depression of 1929 was Uranus, assaulting the U.S. Sun from Aries, with Saturn playing a secondary fiddle in Gemini rising and Sibly charts. Interestingly, Saturn in November of 1929 was traversing the same degrees of Sagittarius, as Pluto does now.
With Pluto being so much mightier than Saturn, the 2010 bro-ha-ha is going to be MUCH BIGGER. Those of us who will live past 2014, will be able to tell the tale, and they would give it an appropriate name. But by 2015, Pluto will be done with the U.S Venus and Sun. Other planets will fall off sooner than that.
Meanwhile, in May of 2010 I am planning to stock up on all non-perishable food I am going to be able to find.
Whoever wins the 2008 elections is going to be at the helm of the wildest ride ever.
As Chinese saying goes, blessed are those who live during interesting times.

Hello. My name is Rom...now's where you say, "Hi, Rom!" I'm an infoholic.

A few weeks ago I dropped my phone as I was running for the bus.  I didn't realize my phone was missing until it was too late. After resorting to instant messaging and buying skype credits to call people on their cell or landline phones, I was in a pinch for a new cell phone but what kind of phone did I have?

I came from using an LG 8100.  It's a music phone that had separate stereo speakers and external music controls to play my tunes.  I used this feature quite a bit while hanging out on my balcony and swimming in the pool.  It wasn't the perfect phone and Telus' restrictions never help but I found ways around them and this phone suited me just fine.  I'm a guy who loves to tinker and got my MP3 ringtones on using Audacity and Bitpim.  Now that I don't have this phone, where can I go for here?

After speaking to one of my carrier's reps, they offered me a discount to a phone without a contract price.  Upon purchasing this new phone, I would be tied in with Telus for another 3 years!!!  Lions and tigers and Telus' 3 year contracts.  Oh my!  Knowing this I couldn't resort to using an el cheapo for the next 3 years.  I wouldn't be satisfied.  I've recently acquired an Ipod Touch (not an iTouch people!) and was seriously considering buying out the rest of my contract and go with Rogers to get an iPhone.  That thought quickly passed as the fees were endless.  Seriously!  Phone companies make it extremely hard for customers to leave and for good reason.  They know that it's easier to make more money from existing customers than to get new ones and boy that minimum of $200 +tax and maximum of $720 +tax to cancel a contract.  At the same time they'll happily toss away your current account if you choose to renew for another 3 years.  Seriously?! Seriously!!  So before you sign your life away make sure you've got all options covered.  Back to the story.

There were 4 phones that caught my eye; the Samsung Instinct, the Samsung A523, the LG Shine and the LG Venus.  The Instinct is a touch screen phone advertised as a direct competitor to the iPhone.  Really, Samsung?  Ok, while it looks pretty good on paper and while it does offer some things the iPhone doesn't, the user interface just can't compete and it doesn't have a large community developing 3rd party applications to back it up.  I mean c'mon!  Apple's getting university groups to create applications for them along with everyone else who wants to see their iPhone do every imaginable task under the sun.  I couldn't rule out iPhones being a solution to stopping a meteor from crashing into the Earth.  If only Bruce Willis had an iPhone in Armageddon.  Next!  The Samsung A523 is a little slim slider phone that just sits there occupying as little space as possible.  I've read about it's plastic cheap build quality and decided it wasn't for me.  I've only owned LG phones and moving to a Venus or a Shine wouldn't do me wrong.  The Venus is the LG Chocolate's newer model.  Whenever I asked Chocolate users their opinion of the phone I always seem to get the same response, "Ehhh...it's a nice phone but this touch control is annoying."  The "it" feature for the Venus is its touchscreen LCD display which replaces the Chocolate's touch sensitive controls.  Like the Instinct, it sounds good but isn't implemented well.  The LG Shine is a regular flip phone with a brushed metal case.  It's sturdy and does whatever else the other phones do.  Then my brother entered the picture and just had to make things a little bit more complicated.

Introducing the Bold, Blackberry's new flagship model and my brother's new phone.  He asked me, "Why not get a Blackberry?"  I replied, "Really, why would I need a Blackberry?"  Since I usually research the hell out of things, I was on my way to find reasons why I would want a blackberry.  All popular items have their advantages and disadvantages and Blackberry phones are no exception.  They don't have the slick user interface iPhones do but who else really offers that right now? The blackberry communicates well with IMAP HTML emails, Blackberry messenger, SMS, instant messaging all with an easy to use qwerty keyboard.  All these features but what about the price?

With Telus, I already had a pretty good voice plan with Super Talk 15.  Attaching $30 unlimited data plan on top of this wasn't too bad.  I was looking at around $55-$60/month for my phone bill.  "Really?  Do I need a smartphone?" I thought to myself.  After talking to another Telus rep who was able to give me a nice deal on my data plan, there wasn't any other choice.  I was going to get myself a Blackberry Curve 8330.

Now I've had my curve for about 2 weeks.  I'm sure I'm making good use of my data plan using up a good amount of data so far.  The excitement of my Blackberry has subsided.  Can I say that I'm content with it?  After tinkering with the device by upgrading the OS to the latest beta (4.5.0.77), installing and uninstalling apps, customizing profiles and ringtones, and adding an 8GB micro SD class 4 card I've learned what it can do and what it can't.  After all is said and done, I still can't view YouTube clips and the GPS takes a while to catch on but these features aren't my must have features.  I'm not going to waste a ton of time watching people lip sync to annoying songs nor am I going to track myself on my commute.  As I've mentioned before Blackberries communicate well.  The keyboard starts off small but you get used to it as I've been using MSN solely on my blackberry these days.  With instant access to online information everything is within a few keystrokes away.  Waiting for an appointment