2006 August : Big Sky AstroBlog

Aug

31

Thirteen Astrologers to Know About:
A capricious and arbitrary listNotice I did not call this “A comprehensive list,” and it certainly is not. These are merely a handful of colleagues I’ve chosen based on the fact that (1) if, let’s say, the latest issue of TMA shows up tomorrow and includes something written by ANY of these people, it’s the first thing I’ll read. Unless, um, more than one of them have something in there. And, (2) perhaps you haven’t come across them yet in your webly travels. Anyway, here then - in no particular order (oh wait - actually, in the order their pictures appear at the top of this post, left to right) - are some astrologers well worth adding to your browser’s bookmarks:Dana Gerhardt has been my writing teacher-by-example ever since her first articles appeared in TMA (sometime in the Jurassic era - I believe she’s their longest running columnist). Somehow we ended up in an astrology class together in L.A. a lifetime ago, and we’ve been friends and occasional collaborators now for probably 15 years. And I’m still a huge fan.

Natori Moore is good people. She’s smart as a whip, a great writer (check out her monthly horoscope feature “New Moon Morsels”), and a stalwart chum. People love her, pinatas fear her.

Moses Siregar, who I believe launched his website around the same time I hatched Big Sky, seems to have a greater love of humanity than do most astrologers; he’s incredibly friendly, and has a talent for bringing people together in a common endeavor. Everyone seems to know Moses, so his inclusion in this list is probably technically unnecessary. But still. And speaking of not-exactly-obscure…

Is there anyone left who hasn’t heard the good word about Steven Forrest? I’ve been boosting this fellow for so many years that I’m sure people are convinced I’m on his payroll. It’s just that he’s the total package: great writer, inspiring lecturer, awesome counselor; giving back to the astrological community with his apprenticeship program and work with Kepler College. All this, and he’s a very, very kind human being as well.

Simone Butler is another great San Diego astrologer and friend. She’s a really fine writer - her monthly essays are heartfelt and beautifully crafted. Heart of gold. Cat person. All-around classy dame.

Diane Ronngren, a Reno astrologer, is sort of my astrological mother. She gave me my first professional astrology reading, was my teacher for two or three formative years, and was the single most influential person in my decision to became a professional astrologer. So yeah, blame Diane.

Are you reading Astrobarry? Because it really cannot be said enough times: Astrobarry is huggable.

If you’re not hip to Bill Herbst, by all means, get yourself over to his website and devour back issues of his amazing monthly newsletter. And if you don’t own his book “Houses of the Horoscope,” shame on you! I’ve occasionally disagreed with some things Bill has written over the years, and in the end it always ends up that he’s right and I’m wrong. Normally, I’d hate that. But somehow, it just makes me love him more.

My friend Pete Watson hangs out over in England somewhere. He’s brilliantly funny, always coming out of left field with some wry quip, and is also a fine writer and one hell of an astrologer. You may have seen his article about Paul McCartney in a recent issue of TMA, and he’s currently working on a book with a couple of other guys; let’s keep an eye on Pete.

Bernadette Brady scares me - I love that! First of all: huge brain. NO ONE could best Brady in a battle of astrological titans. Plus, she is formidable, possessed of the ass-kicking moxie I’ve admired in many Australian women. I saw her lecture at UAC a zillion years ago and fell immediately in love with her because she gave the squirrelier members of the audience an earful, just really smacked ‘em down for their rude behavior as they so richly deserved. Moved, I dabbed a small tear from the corner of my eye and thought: “Here is my spiritual mother.”

Caroline Casey should be president of the United States. She is, as my friend Maria would say, “the astro-peaches.” If you ever have the chance to see her lecture, for God’s sake don’t miss it. Unbelievably smart and funny and cool.

Brad Kochunas. I’ve only read a couple of Brad’s articles, but they absolutely blew me away. I told a young friend about him and they met up at a conference; the friend reports that Brad is also the coolest, nicest astrologer around. (”Other than you, of course, April.” I’m lying. Of course he didn’t say that, as I’m patently uncool and congenitally cranky.)

Alert readers will note that there are only 12 astrologers on my list. Leave your nomination for number 13 in comments!

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August 31, 2006 | 3 Comments

Aug

27

Venus conjoined Saturn over the weekend; did difficult things seem sweeter? Or sweeter things more difficult? Here’s a really heartbreaking story I just read on Salon; apparently a newlywed couple were on the Comair flight that crashed Sunday in Lexington, KY. They were married on Saturday afternoon; the Venus/Saturn conjunction was exact at 7:38 pm local time.

Mars squares Pluto on Tuesday - but apparently we don’t need to talk about it. Because Pluto is a mere dwarf among planets and, you know, size matters. Apparently quite a lot, to some people. So I guess I won’t urge you to count to ten and take it easy when that guy cuts you off in traffic or steals your parking place - particularly on Tuesday, when the Moon is in Scorpio, ruled by Mars and (formerly) Pluto. No, just go about your business as if everything is trines and roses. I’m sure it’ll all work out just fine.

Now, it’s true that Jupiter trines Uranus on Tuesday as well… but honestly, how is that going to make anything better? Jupiter likes to exaggerate and amplify that which he bumps up against… and who wants an amplified Uranus, knocking over the furniture and agitating the populace? Sigh.

Lots of unsettled energy in the air, friends. People are like powder kegs, just ready to blow. Maybe you’re one of ‘em. Proceed with all due caution and consciousness.

August 27, 2006 | 1 Comment

Aug

27

Ah, the meme: the best friend a chronically self-involved Leo ever had. Thanks for the tag, Barbara, trivia-loving Gemini of my heart; with my Moon in Gemini, I adore looking at lists of whatever is floating around in the psyches of my fellow bloggers. Here’s what’s hanging out in mine:

Things that scare me
Physical violence. Fascism. Airline travel. “Motherf*cking snakes on a motherf*cking plane!”

People who make me laugh
My husband, which is precisely why I married him. Joe Queenan. My brother and sister. Sarah.

Things I hate the most
People who insist on trying to control what other people believe. That’s MY job. I kid!

Things I don’t understand
The energy some people put into hating, deriding, and debunking astrology. We’re over here on the fringes of society, people; we pose absolutely no threat to your way of life. It’s not like we’re trying to mandate chart readings in your kids’ schools or something. Jeez; a friggin’ hurricane made the greater part of an entire American city disappear overnight while the president played guitar for a photo op and the secretary of state shopped for shoes… and ASTROLOGY is what’s getting your knickers in a twist? I have to question your priorities. Also: Wrestling. Reality TV. American Idol. Beer.

Things I’m doing right now
Figuring out if I want to do a podcast, and why in the world anyone would be interested in listening to it. Ideas?

Things I want to do before I die
Other than achieving total world domination? I’d like to fulfill my 9th house mandate and do some traveling. I’d particularly like to spend some time on Nantucket, where I apparently have family connections, and in Britain and Ireland, Italy, and South America - specifically Peru and Easter Island.

Things I can do
Play the guitar. Cook. Crochet. Spell and use punctuation in a reasonably coherent fashion. Type fast and take a little Gregg shorthand. Navigate the L.A. freeway system with aplomb and dexterity.

Things I can’t do
I can’t dance. Don’t ask me.

Ways to describe my personality
You could describe my personality as cheerful, sunny, optimistic, easy-going, and self-effacing. But you’d be lying.

Things I think you should listen to
Whatever makes you feel that anything is possible, that the human race is capable of great beauty, and that the world is an essentially worthwhile place. For me, this includes Garrison Keillor or Spalding Gray doing a monologue; Leo Kottke playing the guitar; Tony Bennett singing; Al Swearengen tellin’ it like it is.

Things you should never listen to
People who think they know better than you do about what is right for you. Unless it’s someone with impeccable bona fides who truly loves you and really knows you. Generally speaking, this does not include televangelists, politicians, or astrologers. You’re the ultimate authority about your life; the astrologer’s job is to help you sort out what you already know and maybe get a little perspective on it.

Things I’d like to learn
Knitting. Flash. How to play the piano. More Spanish. More history. Some kind of martial arts.

Favorite foods
I really love pasta, cheese, and anything salty and crunchy.

Beverages I drink regularly
Coffee, sparkling lemonade, and lots and lots of water.

Shows I watched as a kid
Dragnet. Underdog (”There’s no need to fear: Underdog is here!”). Rocky and Bullwinkle. I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched. The Monkees. Mr. Ed. A bit later, The Waltons, The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family.

More than you wanted to know? Fine. See what these good folks have to say:

You’re it:
Molly
Wendy
Neil

Other folks playing: Lynn, Nancy

August 27, 2006 | 4 Comments

Aug

25

Oh, Pluto… (to the tune of Billy Joel’s “Always a Woman”): “You’re always a planet to me!”

Well if Pluto’s not a planet, I’d certainly like an explanation for the doomed, hellish landscape of my life between 1994 and 2004. And my Moon, bedevilled by its natal square to Pluto for 45 years, would like some answers too.

Take a listen to Rob Hand’s interview about Pluto’s demotion on NPR’s All Things Considered. Robert Siegel and Robert Hand, together at last. :: nerd swoon :: Hand comes across as gentlemanly and scholarly as you would expect, and Siegel, a consummate professional, tries like hell to be respectful and almost succeeds. Thanks to Terry Lamb for the link.

More in comments

August 25, 2006 | 3 Comments

keep looking »

Sign of Pisces

Moon conjuncts Uranus at
5:54 am on Oct.12, 2008

Moon trines Venus at
11:27 am on Oct.12, 2008

Moon squares Pluto at
10:02 pm on Oct.12, 2008

Moon goes void of course at
10:02 pm on Oct.12, 2008

Moon enters Aries at
12:07 am on Oct.13, 2008