Monthly Archives: December 2016

What is it About Jackie?

The Kennedy saga continues as we now have a major motion picture focusing on Jackie. Why is her legacy so enduring?

Jackie had the Sun in Leo, the sign of royalty, high in the sky in the 9th house. The Sun closely trines Uranus and both sextile Jupiter in the 7th house of the public and partnerships. This is a dynamic combination that easily attracts attention, and she was best known for her two prominent marriages.

Leo also falls on the Midheaven, which closely conjoins Neptune in Virgo, inspiring fantasies. Jackie is remembered for her glamorous image, fashion consciousness and breathy uber-feminine voice – all part of the allure of Neptune and its placement in the 10th house of reputation and status. These characteristics came naturally, since Neptune forms a grand trine with Saturn in Sagittarius and the Moon in Aries. Saturn’s trines also give her staying power.

Jackie’s Scorpio Ascendant increased her mystique, particularly since it closely trines Pluto on the 9th house cusp. Known for her dignity and fortitude in times of misfortune, she would have found it difficult to express any weakness in public.

The country’s obsession with Jackie is illuminated by declination. Her Sun, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Pluto are all parallel within about 3 degrees, and most are also parallel the U.S. Uranus, planet of fascination. And her Moon progresses Out of Bounds in declination, which can reveal high points in prominence (Donald Trump was experiencing this progression during his presidential campaign and the election; Hillary Clinton had it during her first presidential run and her first years as Secretary of State).

Jackie’s Moon had progressed OOB in the north for much of her time as First Lady. It was once again well OOB (27 North) when her biopic premiered. Her Moon continues OOB through 2018, so we should be hearing more about her. She’ll also experience her third Saturn return in 2017, further consolidating her renown.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis was born on July 28, 1929 at 2:30 PM in Southampton, New York, rated A on Astrodatabank.

The Star of the Magi

Courtney Roberts’ provocative and well-researched book, The Star of the Magi, takes a critical look at the Bible story in Matthew. Roberts reviews the previous work on this topic and concludes that most writers have sought a literal star, using a rather narrow focus. None were astrologers. Her perspective is much broader and she has added insight from studying a wide array of historical, religious and astrological texts to reach her conclusions.

To put Matthew’s statement about the star in the context of its time and place, Roberts begins by reviewing the history and politics of Judea and especially the Magi and their beliefs. Her overview of Zoroastrianism, Persian astrology, the great conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn and the traditions of messianic prophecy is fascinating. While the author often disagrees with previous writers on the subject, her intent is not to cut down others’ contributions, but rather to correct common misconceptions.

Courtney Roberts’ analysis is illuminating and sensible, and she makes it clear that we in the west have a particular bias and that these events happened a very long time ago. The Star of the Magi is a scholarly work and deserves serious study by anyone interested in the history of astrology, world ages and the Christmas star.

Buy on Amazon: The Star of the Magi: The Mystery That Heralded the Coming of Christ

Saturn and the Ancestors

With Saturn closely parallel my Midheaven and trine my Ascendant, I’ve always felt drawn toward my family’s past. Saturn represents both yesteryear and authority figures. It also rules old structures as well as the grave. So it’s obvious why Saturn also rules our ancestors and the study of genealogy.

My grandfather died when I was a little girl, but he had a tremendous influence on me (his Moon conjoins my Ascendant). He was a pianist who played by ear. When he passed, his piano came to me and became my focus. I learned how to play step-by-step though, in a more typical Saturn manner. (Once I began studying astrology in earnest, my musical studies faded out.)

When I moved back to Brooklyn it felt like coming home, as it brought back memories of my childhood visits to my grandparents. And I now live within a few miles of their homes, as well as the cemetery and family lots where many of my ancestors, including my dad, are all buried.

My office is within walking distance of where my grandfather lived with his family as a young man, after they crossed the Manhattan Bridge from Little Italy into Brooklyn over 100 years ago.

In studying any family genealogy, you’ll find unusual astrological correspondences. One of my Italian great-grandfathers, who I first discovered through his Will filed at the Brooklyn Surrogate’s Court in 1932, has his Jupiter closely conjunct my Sun; he led me on a journey into my family’s past. My great-grandmother’s Sun is closely conjunct my Moon. These people have resonance for me, although I’ve never met them. My grandfather’s Venus closely conjoins my Jupiter, showing our musical connection. His Jupiter in Virgo exactly conjoins my Pluto, which might suggest why his influence on me deepened and played out for many years after his death.

I share numerous close aspects with all of my parents and grandparents; so many planets are involved. But I think it’s ultimately the bones of Saturn that continue to draw them to me and keep them all nearby.

(Photo courtesy of NYPL.)

Mercury Retrograde and Recounts

Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein is the force behind the election recounts in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Born on May 14, 1950, she has Mercury retrograde! So a REcount is in her astrological blood.

People with Mercury retrograde in their birth charts do seem to do better when it recurs, most notably at retrograde-like projects like re-doing votes already tabulated. Stein seems to be getting more attention and media coverage now than she did when she ran for president. She raised millions of dollars in an extremely short time to pay for the recounts.

Harvard educated Stein was a practicing physician for many years. One of her research interests is toxins, and she has particularly studied Mercury contamination! She wants to REmove Mercury from the environment. (I once had a dentist with Mercury retrograde who removed the Mercury fillings from people’s teeth – you can’t make this stuff up.)

Jill Stein’s Mercury is closely conjunct her Sun, with both in Taurus, so she is committed to her views. Her intellect, thoughts and opinions are part of her identity. The Sun and Mercury trining Mars and a possible Aries Moon make her a natural activist. Stein also has Uranus Out of Bounds in declination, which seems like appropriate symbolism for a nonconformist, a reformer and someone who, at least in this case, may behave in an unexpected manner.

Hillary Clinton has Mercury exactly stationery turning retrograde and her campaign is providing some support toward a recount, although commentators don’t expect the results of the presidential election to change. As of this writing, a Federal judge has stopped the recount in Michigan.

Roque De La Fuente, born on 10/10/54, who requested a recount in Nevada, was born with Mercury slowing down and well into the shadow of its retrograde period.

When We Got It Right

Astrologers have brooded enough about their mis-calls of the 2016 election. Let’s remember some highlights – 11/7/00 and Bush v. Gore. The country didn’t know who the winner was, but most astrologers did, and funnily enough, it had been a fairly easy call. A stationary Mercury square Neptune, among other considerations, informed many.

Here are a few of the many correct astrological forecasts from 2000 – at times scarily accurate. (Some of these astrologers have unfortunately passed in recent years.)

Arch Crawford, New York, NY, financial newsletter 10/2/00: “This day will not go as expected. Something really strange and unusual will make this day remarkable.”

Jacob Schwartz, Glenside, PA, New Visions magazine 10/00: “Will the next President receive a majority of the popular vote of the voting citizens of the U.S.? No. The election will be so close that both major party candidates will be able to claim a victory of sorts!”

Kim Rogers-Gallagher, Bradenton, FL, American Astrology “Tomorrow’s News” November issue: “Tuesday evening looks a bit confusing… something’s been overlooked, stalled or delayed. It’s going to be tough to tell the results until very late that evening.”

Jim Shawvan, San Diego, StarIQ.com 11/6/00: “uncertainty may develop as the count goes on. The election may be so close in some states that it may be several days before the actual Electoral College votes can be tallied with accuracy.”

Maxine Fiel, New York, Liz Smith column, Newsday: “What seems like a runaway winter could end up the loser. The winner might not be decided after the polls close.”

Photo courtesy of pexels.com

Astrology is Popular!

Astrology is gaining in popularity these days, entering the mainstream media once again. 2012’s Lola Versus cast Greta Gerwig as a woman negotiating her Saturn return, and the musical Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 premiered the same year. The Comet opened on Broadway in November as David Hyde Pierce continued his run in A Life, about an astrologer trying to make sense of a recent break-up and his place in the universe.

In 2014, Mother Jones ran an article summarizing recent polls on belief in astrology. A National Science Foundation study suggested that Americans are more accepting of astrology than they have been in over 30 years.

Celebrities like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez and Angelina Jolie are all reported to believe in and even rely on astrology.

Astrology is breaking out into popular culture once again, for the first time that I can remember since its great popularity in the 60s when the musical Hair and “The Age of Aquarius” became synonymous with the beginning of the “New Age.” And with the proliferation of online classes and accreditation programs in the 21^st century, it’s now probably better understood than it was before.

Photo courtesy of ISORepublic.com

Karen Christino

Astrologer and Writer