Full Moon in Gemini - December 4, 2006

There are ideas, and then there are philosophies. Our chattering mind is constantly running. What gives our thoughts a sense of cohesion is an over-arching framework -- something that gives the many little facts in our heads a sense of meaning.

Facts are the realm of Jeopardy. But of what use is information -- other than winning on quiz shows -- if these bits and bytes do not cohere into something bigger?

Of course, the danger of a belief system is that we tend to filter out the data that does not fit our philosophy. Whether you're a Christian, a Nietzschean or an astrologer, you seek out evidence to support your view of the world.

There's nothing inherently wrong with this. Life can feel pretty empty without a sense of meaning guiding us, so we latch on to a philosophy or religion that inspires us. But there's no one "truth." The realm of facts and figures is quantifiable, but the domain of meaning is subjective. We can all agree that an Electric Mini can go from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds, but this statistic will inspire some (greenies, car enthusiasts) and do nothing for others.

The Full Moon highlights this conflict between ideas (Gemini) and philosophies (Sagittarius). Our will is directed towards expansion and inspiration, while our comfort needs are met by solving Sudoku puzzles and reading gossip blogs. Geminian pursuits provide pleasure, but reading about Britney Spears doesn't significantly enlarge our perspective on life. (Or does it?)

Uranus in Pisces is making a square (a 90-degree angle) to both the Moon in Gemini and the Sun in Sagittarius, challenging us to shake up those ideas, opinions and beliefs of ours that have stagnated over time. Uranus introduces information to shift our paradigms, to bring fresh insights into our lives. During this Full Moon, you may receive a shocking e-mail, or you may have a conversation that disrupts your mental equilibrium. Since Gemini also relates to short-distance travel, neighbors and siblings, you may have an unpredictable encounter with the girl next door, or get into a bicycle accident. Wear a helmet!

This Full Moon will most directly impact people with planets or angles around 12 degrees of mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces), as well as those with birthdays around March 3, June 3, September 5, and December 4.

Michael Richards' Racist Rant and Jupiter in Scorpio

The man who played 'Kramer' from Seinfeld raged at a comedy club Monday night, saying some pretty hateful things to some African-American members in his audience. Last night he apologized on Letterman, claiming he is not a racist.

I'm inclined to believe he is being as honest as his self-awareness allows. In the U.S., we grow up learning some pretty hateful messages about people different from ourselves ... it's almost unavoidable. If you grow up in a racist culture, prejudice insinuates itself into your psyche. You can do "personal work" -- as Richards says he will do -- but there's always a part of our culture inside of us.

Richards' explosion occurred when Jupiter, the planet of expansion, was in the last degree of Scorpio. Any time a planet is in the last degree of a sign, something significant happens related to the flavor of that sign. In this case, Jupiter made a big splash in Scorpio's domain, which is about rooting out the darkness in the depths of our psyches.

We don't need to study Richards' natal chart (although a tight Uranus-Mars conjunction obviously relates to impulsivity). Instead we can see this incident as an event in the greater cultural landscape -- Richards just happens to have been "chosen" to play out this drama.

In the Broadway show Avenue Q, the puppets and humans sing, "We're All a Little Bit Racist." I think it's time to own that, so that we can all do some personal work.

Addendum (added 10:14 pm):

This incident is actually an appropriate expression of the recent New Moon in Scorpio squared by Saturn in Leo -- a negative experience (Saturn) performing on-stage (Leo) which leads to a large display (Jupiter) of the hidden, dark and ugly aspects of one's psyche (Scorpio).

Christmas Insanity

I work at Rockefeller Center in NYC -- home of the big Christmas tree, the skating rink, the upscale clothing stores on 5th Avenue -- and I have to tell you, there are too many goddamned people here today!

Can't all you tourists at least wait until the Sun enters Sagittarius?

Venus -- the planet of shopping -- entered Sag today, so I guess that explains all this excessive pre-holiday indulgence.

New Moon in Scorpio - November 20, 2006

The sign of death is featured prominently in this lunar phase of new beginnings. Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, the planet of regeneration. Pluto is Lord of the Underworld, impelling Scorpio to delve deep into life, to unearth secrets and hidden knowlege. This sign also relates to the emotional intimacy and financial resources we share with another person.

Since the New Moon is the start of the lunar cycle, it is a time for new beginnings. In Scorpio, we initiate deep connection. True connection requires a death of individuality. To bond with another human being, we must be willing to transcend boundaries. Scorpio follows Libra, the sign of marriage. In a partnership, sharing a bank account and a bed necessitates a relinquishment of self, a movement from mine to ours.

This New Moon conjoins astrology's two benefic planets, Jupiter and Venus. Jupiter expands Venus' desire to indulge herself. It is a pleasurable combination. However, there is a slight disconnect, with Venus having left deep-sea diving Scorpio for white-water rafting Sagittarius. Venus has gone off on her adventures, seeking sensual delights across the horizon, while Jupiter still celebrates the inner world.

Since Saturn in Leo is squaring the New Moon and Jupiter, there is a feeling of obstruction in our desire to renew ourselves. Leo thrusts himself out into the world, wanting to be the center of attention, while Scorpio puts up a wall, needing to protect her emotions from those she can't trust. Saturn's overcompensating efforts to be validated interfere with our drive to connect on an intimate level, either with a significant other or our own psyches.

The task during this New Moon is to find a way to transform, to shed your snake skin, while another part of you wants to put on your best shoes and dance, thinking that you're missing out on something that will feed your need for affirmation. Snakes spend most of their time in the water while they shed (Scorpio), which precludes basking in the glorious Sun (Leo). When it's time for a part of you to die, you need to withdraw, not seek the spotlight.

This New Moon will most directly impact those people with planets or angles around 28 degrees of fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), as well as those whose birthdays are around February 17, May 19, August 21 or November 20.

View the New Moon chart.

My AOL article on TomKat's wedding has been picked up on TMZ

I think it's pretty cool that millions of readers will learn about the Void of Course moon on a celebrity gossip blog.

Update: Lynn Hayes has posted her response. I should add that TMZ wrote that the couple is "doomed" -- as an astrologer, I would never state that.

Saturn opposite Neptune

I've written an accessible article for AOL Horoscopes on the Saturn-Neptune opposition, including my first stab at Sun sign horoscopes!

TomKat Wedding -- Electional Astrology

I'm no expert at electional astrology -- if you want to find a good wedding date, see April. Nonetheless, I've written an article at AOL Horoscopes looking at the placement of the planets (notably the transiting Moon) on November 18 in Italy.

Sex Advice from Astrologers

Nerve.com is featuring sex advice from yours truly, as well as astro-bloggers Neil D. Paris and AstrologyChick, and New Jersey's finest, Lorraine Valente, whom I had the pleasure to work with a few years ago at the New Life Expo.

Tags: astrology sex advice nerve

Britney Files for Divorce -- Transiting Uranus and the Taurus Full Moon

I wrote an article for AOL looking at Britney Spears' transits that illuminate her decision to divorce Kevin Federline. My colleague Jess Hulett helped with stylistic editing -- she makes everyone look good in print!

Her birth info from Astrodatabank: 12/2/1981 1:30 am McComb, MS

Tags: astrology - britney spears - kevin federline - divorce