~Aquaria welcomes you to Jude's Threshold~
Huckabee on Palin’s cut and run
Is it even possible to be “hounded from an opportunity”?
I’ve heard of losing them, or of having them pass by, fall through, or lead to nought, but “hounded from”??
There is a hound barking in this bizarre story but it isn’t Palin’s opportunity.
And I think this is where President Harry Truman sits up and says, “If you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen.”
Palin steps down July 26
Is Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s rambling announcement today that she’s stepping down from the governor’s post on July 26 a brilliant strategy to concentrate on preparing for a presidential run in 2012?
Given recent political scandals in the news, one hopes her resignation isn’t an attempt to dodge a scandalous bullet of some sort! But even if it is, the 2012 election may still be the GOP’s primary concern amongst their thinning ranks of possible candidates.
Somehow she’s framing her stay in office as a waste of state money and time. Hmm. In her press conference being played on NPR right now, she sounds breathless and more than a little odd.
Jefferson, Lincoln, and the Statue of Liberty
As Independence Day 2009 approaches, here is a good and timely presentation for America’s 233rd birthday:
Today’s installment of PRI’s The Changing World looks at the presidencies of Jefferson and Lincoln and the impacts their presidencies have had on the rest of the world particularly considering President Obama’s symbolic links with President Lincoln, a man to whom Mr. Obama has said he feels a “special gratitude.”
BBC’s The Changing World site has archives of interest with features available on iTunes and as podcasts or MP3 downloads as well.
And for the Statue of Liberty, unveiled and dedicated by President Grover Cleveland on Oct 28, 1886 as a gift from France’s government to mark the Franco-American alliance in the American Revolution (and perhaps to rev up the French people for their own revolution), we shall consider her Sun in Scorpio, Moon in Scorpio on that ceremonial day in New York Harbor.
President Cleveland was a supporter of the gold standard, and the Sabian Symbol of the Sun that hallowed day was ‘6Scorpio’: “A Gold Rush.”
Moon ‘24Sco’: “Crowds Coming Down the Mountain to Listen to One Man.” (Note: it was a select crowd for the masses were not allowed on the island for the festivities, however, and suffragettes hired a boat to circle the island and shout at them!)
Of course, raising enough money for the large project had been a central issue all along so it must have been with much relief that ‘Lady Liberty Enlightening the World’ was finally presented to the American people.
This copper-bound lady, whose form is based in part on the Roman goddess of freedom from slavery, Libertas, wears a diadem modeled on the Sun-god Apollo’s solar rays shining from her crown of seven spikes. We see this concept repeated on the back of the dollar bill – the all-seeing eye of Horus – and on the Great Seal of the United States.
And as you know, Venus’ metal is copper.
Liberty’s torch represents ‘enlightenment’ and possibly points toward the Illuminati Society which had gained ground in our halls of government long before 1886.
The website of the National Park Service gives pertinent info including her torch being opened again to the public this July 4, and Wikipedia has more to read on The Statue of Liberty, if you wish.
The symbolism of the famous Colossus of Rhodes applies to her as well with Emma Lazarus’ 1883 sonnet, ‘The New Colossus’ conceptually linking the ancient world with the New engraved on a bronze plaque which was added in 1903…I quote:
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me.
I lift up my lamp beside the golden door.”
(And now, thanks to our ruling bankers’ and erstwhile politicians’ sorry ways, America has more homeless than she can house, the ‘tempest-tost’ are already here, and the door is ‘golden’ only for the elite few, as it turns out.)
The Statue’s unveiling took place just after a New Moon, signifying a time of new beginnings.
This relates well to the new beginnings of the 12 million immigrants who for 32 years were welcomed and uplifted by the sight of the beckoning Lady in New York Harbor. (Not that all were let in but that’s the story of Ellis Island which I do not cover here.)
Well, for me the ‘Images for Integration’ for the Water-Water Sun Sco-Moon Sco are somewhat puzzling in relation to Lady Liberty but I’ll give them anyway. It’s the quote of the person who shares this blend natally that seems most practically applicable to America’s spirit – then and now.
‘A pile of manure slowly permeates the deeper soil as the November rains soak the still, dark garden…A millionaire businessman establishes a foundation for medical research.’ (’Sun Sign-Moon Sign’, by Charles and Suzi Harvey.)
A ‘pile of manure’?
Perhaps this word picture implies the early and strong dislike of the Statue by many folks which had to be gotten used to to be appreciated by the public! Did they become more accepting of her presence and inspiring beauty by ‘November’? It wouldn’t surprise me – she’s quite a beaute!
And ‘a millionaire businessman’ could refer to Joseph Pulitzer who was involved with the fund raising for the project.
So in closing, check out this famous quote and see what you think as it relates to the very spirit of America:
“Where I was born and where and how I have lived is unimportant. It is what I have done with where I have been that should be of interest.”
Georgia O’Keefe
Our America, Land of the ’self-made man’ – and woman!
Dave Schechter on the meaning of patriotism
It’s become more common than ever in these R v D days that voicing a varying opinion on America and her direction garners you little but critics.
Here Dave Schechter discusses the phenomenon of having one’s patriotism questioned when you aren’t going along with society’s popular views of the moment.
In recent days I’ve noticed a tendency of certain partisans and their political gurus of failing to remember the emotional days just after the attacks of 9/11 and how ‘patriotism’ and its supposed lack was used to browbeat House and Senate members into voting for the rush to war, as the ploy silenced their loudest critics.
But if they didn’t realize it then, most Americans now see how wrong and cynical this tactic was with the goose-stepping House proceedings televised on C-SPAN – put on display in order to get the public onboard the war wagon for we Americans have to feel a larger cause is at stake before we trouble the waters and bomb the children of other nations.
Our emotions must be highly stirred and shaken to get us to march away to foreign lands, a fact politicians have understood and used for decades.
There, I said it. Dissenting me blabs aloud again – in honor of our Independence Day’s highly valued intent, if not its usual practice.
“You’re not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong no matter who does it or says it.” Malcolm X
“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.” Edward R. Murrow
No dissent on their intent here. Happy Independence Day, my America!
US Solar Return 2009: midpoint pictures
It will soon be time for America’s birthday celebration we fondly call Independence Day, so I’ve posted America’s Solar Return 2009 using and displaying both the US ‘Sibly’ natal chart, and what I call the ‘Franklin’ chart, the time of which is based on astrologer Benjamin Franklin on the US 20-dollar bill which shows in the background the clock on Independence Hall in Philadelphia marking ‘2:21′ (or 2:22)…am or pm.
I’ve used the 2:21 PM lmt chart for my SR 2009 post, yet there is much to be said for a chart set for 2:21/22 AM which gives Uranus 8Gem55 rising. But since Uranus was unknown in 1776 and was not discovered by William Herschel until 1781, it would probably be the Universe playing celestial synchronicity with us, rather than prankster Ben insisting on signing such an important document in what to me seems the middle of the night (or early morning, if you prefer!)
Another possibility, however (and I’ve not read this anywhere, I’m just imagining it now for you) is that as Franklin and the others declared (treasonous) independence from Britain, they were desirous of keeping their heads and wished to be secretive in order to be safe from British spies or officials.
Hmm. Then the Universe may have conspired after all to have the planet associated with freedom and independence, the one that disrupts the status quo – Uranus – on the Ascendant of America’s birth chart, hence: 2:21/22 am lmt.
A rising Uranus on any Ascendant indicates coping ability with whatever comes up – perfect! With the messes politicians now have us embroiled in, perhaps I’ll start using the 2:21 am chart for America just to see if it helps with anything.
As the president said, Try something. And if it doesn’t work, try something else.
Plus, in the 2:21 am chart Mars is in first house of Identity and the US seems to be awful scrappy, aren’t we? Always looking for a contest and an enemy and creating them if and where they didn’t previously exist.
September 11, 2001:
The 2:21 am chart has certain important links to the planets of a massive event with a well-known time of occurrence: the first attack on the World Trade Center, Sept 11, 2001.
The Sibly chart is often used now by some who didn’t before because 9/11/01’s Pluto crossed the Ascendant and restrictive Saturn was on the Decendant – the Saturn/Pluto opposition whose clock began ticking at their conjunction of Nov 8, 1982 – the Reagan era. He signed the Garn-St. Germain Act on Oct 15, 1982 which opened the door to the current financial collapse.
Do I believe the loosening of regulations made possible by the Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act and 9/11/01’s financial effects are related?
Let’s just say, I knew it was You, Reagan.
So, the speculative 2:21 am chart flips this transiting pair on 9/11/01 to transiting Saturn conjunct ASC, tr Pluto conjunct Descendant indicating loss and restrictions for America (Saturn to ASC) by foreign, secretive, and transformational forces (Pluto in Sagittarius.)
Works for me especially with a Gemini ASC resonating with the Twin Towers and their trade/commerce activities (Gemini’s Mercury = trade, commerce; the Twins of Gemini.)
But for the purposes of my US Solar Return 2009 article, I have used the Sibly (5:10 pm lmt) chart and the 2:21 PM chart from July 4, 1776 to calculate the current Solar Returns.
This results in differences between the Solar Return 2009 charts because the Sun returns to two spots in the zodiac: 13Can13 in the Franklin version, and 13Can19 in the Sibly.
And now here are the midpoint pictures formed in both Return charts starting with the Franklin version – you’ll notice that this version has much less “action” – only one picture – than the Sibly SR though both have the traveling Chiron-Neptune-Jupiter trio which is rising in the Franklin SR, but in 11th house of the Sibly Return.
~As always, midpoint pics operate in an ‘any, all, or none’ manner and may respond later on to transiting planets that trigger them particularly if they’re on a SR angle.
And as you know, a SR chart is ‘good for’ a year (from birthday to birthday) so it’s a bit like having a new birth chart for a year to work with (see article linked above for more info) yet Return charts are always read in tandem with the natal charts from which they issue.~
‘Franklin’ SR 2009:
Mercury/Mc = Saturn: one’s point of view comes under scrutiny by authority figures; abandoning one’s former aims; meditation; solitude; separation; melancholy.
‘Sibly’ SR 2009:
Pluto/ASC = Jupiter: an imposing and powerful personality; a large gain; generosity; a favorable turn of circumstances; receiving a bounty; drive to major success.
Plu/ASC = Neptune: potential scandal; otherworldliness; peculiarities; power run amok; away from the middle of the road; disappointments; suffering from the actions of malicious or bad people within the environment; an awkward and unfortunate situation.
(Neptune for the masses and Jupiter for wealthy bankers and politicians?)
Moon/NN = Mc: emotional relationships with intensified ego involvement; initiation of a soul-union.
Sun/ASC = Venus: harmony and affection; a love of humanity; peace.
Mercury/ASC = Mars: negotiations and discussions; quarrels; emphasizing one’s own ideas; the urge to attain success; deciding on the best course of action in collaboration with advisers.
Saturn/ASC = Mercury: change of environment; getting into trouble through others; a journey; others influencing one’s thinking; wanting to be alone, to get away from it all.
And on a joyous note, here’s a picture formed with US natal Jupiter (5Can54/56) as focal planet for the year of America’s Solar Return 2009 and operative in either chart (Mercury 2Can36/51):
SR Sun/Mercury = n Jupiter: optimism; broadening one’s horizons and mental focus; successful travel; speechmaking; uplifting thoughts about religion; good connections; a good thinker, orator, and organizer; protection and sponsorship.
Well, light the grill, pass the mustard, and Happy 233rd birthday, America and warm felicities to all my fellow Americans!
~:~
(Midpoint pictures: ‘Solar Arcs,’ Noel Tyl; ‘The Combination of Stellar Influences,’ Reinhold Ebertin.)
Lavender volcanic sunsets!
Better a day late than never, but the news is still fresh:
Space Weather News for June 30, 2009
VOLCANIC SUNSETS: The Russian volcano that erupted directly beneath the International Space Station on June 12 is now causing beautiful lavender sunsets across parts of the northern USA and Europe. A plume of ash and sulfur dioxide from the Sarychev Peak eruption is circulating through the stratosphere, and when parts of the plume pass over an area at sunset, the sky fills with delicate white ripples, sometimes-colorful streamers, and a telltale hue of purple.
Check today’s edition of SpaceWeather News for observing tips and a photo gallery.
The real face of Coca-Cola
Even though I hail from the Atlanta area and went to art school there back in the day, I think this article revealing the real face of the Coca-Cola Company needs to be spread around!
Apparently things go better when you snag lots of public money for your corporate projects but that’s only part of Coke’s story.
And don’t forget: it’s the real thing.
Update on Swiss banks closing US accounts
Here’s an update from Bloomberg News on the hot button issue of the closing of foreign bank accounts held by Americans who have been able to avoid paying their US taxes – but is the jig really up?
Yet non-tax-evaders living and working abroad are in danger of having no place to bank at all if the IRS continues its long-overdue crackdown on such fraudulent practices which have been enabled by the Swiss banking system.
So perhaps Americans working in foreign lands will have to consider online banking as a solution to their ‘Americans are pariahs’ dilemma!
Not for me, thanks: but my own bank here can’t shut up about the joys and conveniences of online banking. In their dreams…do I look that gullible?
It will be interesting to see if the IRS sticks with its Sept 23 deadline for foreign accounts declarations, won’t it?
Remembering Alexander Litvinenko
In 2007, not long after I posted quite a few entries concerning the November 2006 poisoning of Russian spy and defector Alexander Litvinenko, my articles became invisible to the general public on my Political Astrology blog even though the posts were set for Public Viewing.
Later on, when I realized the extent of the mysteriously invisible posts which were still not displaying, I published a shout-out with a Links List to the missing articles and I hereby do so again in memory of a man who, though imperfect, didn’t deserve such a miserable end by an assassin’s hand – or by a president’s order.
Note: some of the posts do include my astrological comments and anaylisis but not to fret – they’re written in English.
Wilco (The Album): have a listen!
NPR has been upgrading its grooviness quotient lately by presenting such features as First Listen: Wilco (The Album) and this long-time Wilco fan heartily approves!
