Category Archives: Love & Relationships

Saturday Archives: Sex, Lies and Biology from a Scorpio Perspective

Scorpio It must be the t-square with Pluto in Capricorn, Mars in Cancer and Mercury in Libra that drew me to this particular article from my Archives. Enjoy!

To be blunt – we’ve been had. Humanity as a whole is born hard-wired to reproduce and once we hit puberty, we’re at the mercy of changes in blood and brain chemistry unless we learn to pay attention to what the heck is going on. And you better believe that this has not escaped the notice of the Powers That Be all through out history.

One way or another, often in the guise of religious rules and regulations or greedy folk making a buck off sex through the sale of pornography and/or prostitution, humanity in general has a history of being lead by their gonads. Not pretty, people, not pretty!

With my Mars-Mercury in Scorpio plus a strong Pluto influence in my chart, I have observed how this has played out all my life. That being said, it wasn’t until I was close to forty that I started putting some of the pieces together and it was the advent of the crone phase in my life when the picture became even clearer. Some of the research done in this area really opened my eyes. For instance, studies have found there are biological aspects to what draws us to certain people. Here is a link to an article “The Biology of Attraction” from the Psychology Today website.

Many cultures, especially those with strong religious views, encourage early marriages with an eye to controlling through the distraction of sex. We’ve had a big dose of abstinence promoted in this country the last several years for instance. What better way to muddle the thinking of young, healthy people in this sex drenched culture. What’s the best way to make someone focus on something? Deny them access to it!

There are two periods in a woman’s life when the drive to reproduce is almost overwhelming – the first 5-10 years after menarche and the last 5 years before perimenopause. If we are allowed to acknowledge this driving force represented by Pluto and the eighth House, then we can gain some perspective and objectivity – tactics familiar to anyone who is working with Pluto. Men reading this can draw on their own experiences when it comes to the drive to procreate.

There is another facet to this puzzle that’s tied into brain chemistry. Dr. Helen Fisher has a quote that I really feel is true: “Don’t copulate with people you don’t want to fall in love with because indeed you may do just that.” This is the other side of how we are hard-wired to stay together long enough to reproduce. Read this article from McMan’s Depression and Bipolar Website on “The Brain in Love and Lust” and draw your own conclusions.

For those of us with the Plutonian signatures in our charts – lots of Scorpio, loaded 8th House and natal aspects involving personal planets and Pluto – paying attention to this kind of information can save us a lot of heartache because we tend to take the bonds we form with other humans very seriously. We just don’t do casual very well and I see this as a good thing. I have another post in the back of my mind about the pitfalls of so-called “casual” sex but that’s for another day.

Libra with Scorpioposted by Neith . . .

Anna Paquin & Stephen Moyer of True Blood – Life Imitates Art

Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer of True Blood

Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer, who play lovers in the HBO Series True Blood, announced their engagement in early August, and I immediately had to look at their synastry chart. It appears that their real-life romance is every bit as passionate as their on-screen affair!

The series is based on Charlaine Harris’s wonderful novels about vampires, werewolves and things that go bump in the night, set in rural Louisiana. I am a huge fan of her writing and consider the Southern Vampire series among her best works. Anna plays heroine Sookie Stackhouse, while Stephen plays her vampire lover, Bill Compton.

Unfortunately, all I have to work with is their birth dates and places, but no times. Stephen is a Libra’s Libra with Sun, Moon, Jupiter, and Mercury in this fair-minded sign. Anna is a brilliant Leo Sun-Mercury person with her Moon in analytical Virgo. Anna’s Sun-Mercury conjunction is closely sextile Stephen’s Mercury and Uranus in Libra, creating the basis for good communication — always helpful.

But it is the role Pluto and Saturn play in their synastry that promises to keep them together as a couple. Taking into consideration Anna’s natal Mars-Pluto conjunction in Libra and Stephen’s Venus-Pluto conjunction in Virgo, you have two people who are intense and passionate as individuals. Then to find that both of their Moons are involved, it is easy to understand the deep emotional connection between them. Even without knowing the exact degrees of their Moons, I feel a case can be made for including them partly based on the nature of the roles they play as a vampire and his telepathic lover – a great representation of the dark undertow of Pluto flirting with intense emotions.

Her Saturn in Libra conjoins his Sun and Jupiter exactly, and his Saturn in Taurus closely squares her Leo Sun. In light of them publicly announcing their engagement, I see these Saturn aspects as a very good indicator the relationship will prove durable. As I have said before, Saturn is happiest when the legalities are met. It will be interesting to see when they choose to marry, because it is highly likely to happen during her Saturn return, when transiting Saturn in Libra hits one of his many planets in Libra. There is little doubt in my mind this will be a very equitable arrangement with willingness to compromise on both sides.

Another one of those little synchronicities astrology is so fond of revealing involves Neptune, which is frequently highlighted in the charts of artistic types, especially actors. Stephen has Neptune sextile his Venus and Pluto, and Anna’s Neptune is sextile her Mars and Pluto. I can’t imagine a better set of aspects for playing lovers on screen. The chemistry between them is almost visible.

In an interview in The New Zealand Herald, Stephen said they were immediately drawn to one another but kept the relationship off the set as much as possible to prevent problems with their cast mates. Their on-screen romance definitely benefited from their personal chemistry, and True Blood has become a huge hit. The show is in its second season with a third in the works.

So . . . which came first, the on-screen romance, or the private one? You guess!

Libra seeks balanceposted by Neith . . .

RELATED POST: Find out how the cardinal T-square of 2010 impacted the wedding of Anna and Stephen.

Verified Birth Data: Anna Paquin – 24 July 1982, Winnipeg, CAN, unknown time; Stephen Moyer – 11 Oct 1969, Brentwood, UK, unknown time.

Ask Real Astrologers: Which Horoscope Is More Accurate?

This week’s question comes from Dee in New Zealand:

In my boyfriend’s chart, the recent eclipse in Cancer fell in his fifth house. When reading some horoscopes for that week, I noticed that for Virgo, the eclipse was apparently in the eleventh house, and it was Pisces whose fifth house would be activated.

Now I am a bit confused as to how the houses work and wondering whether it would be more accurate to attribute a Pisces horoscope for him. I realize the beginning of his fifth house is at the end of Gemini, but when you look at it, most of the fifth house is taken up by Cancer. So is Cancer in his fifth or is Gemini his fifth house “ruler?” Or both? And does that mean both Virgo and Pisces horoscopes would be accurate? I have really got myself confused over this one and hope you even understand my question!

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Oh, yes, Dee, we understand your question! It made me chuckle, actually, because Neith and I have written a lot about why Sun sign horoscopes are of limited usefulness. Your boyfriend’s chart is a perfect example.

As you note, your friend is a Virgo. In astrology, we say that Virgo is his Sun sign, because the Sun was moving through the sign of Virgo at the time of his birth. However, we also have a Rising sign (or Ascendant), which is the sign that was on the eastern horizon at the moment we were born. In your friend’s case, that was 28 degrees Aquarius.

The horoscopes you read in newspapers, magazines, and online are written by Sun sign, not Rising sign. So for your Virgo boyfriend, the astrologer puts 0 degrees Virgo on the Ascendant, 0 degrees Libra on the cusp of the second house, 0 degrees Scorpio on the cusp of the third house, and so forth. Sun sign astrologers have different techniques for writing horoscopes, but the most popular method is to look at transits to the solar houses. In my opinion, this is usually not very accurate, and it leaves astrology open to very valid criticism.

Even though your boyfriend is a Rising Aquarius, his first house is taken up mostly by Pisces, and that’s why his chart appears to be more like a Pisces, and he will get the most out of Sun sign horoscopes if he reads for Pisces. This won’t be 100-percent foolproof, but he may get pretty good results a lot of the time.

If you’re interested, you can find out more about Sun sign horoscopes in an article in my archive.

I hope this clears up some of your confusion, Dee, and thanks for the really great question!

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Dee, thankfully you do have a birth time for your Virgo, because that clarifies matters considerably. This is also a great opportunity for you to learn more about how astrology works.

Another way to double-check which house is activated by the eclipse is to review what the dominant themes in his life are right now. The fifth house traditionally is associated with Leo, so we’re talking children, creativity, romantic encounters, and the desire to enjoy life a little.

It is so easy to get lost in the forest of details with astrology that one is often further ahead to stay with the simplest explanation. My rule of thumb is always to check to see if a transiting planet forms an aspect of two degrees or less to natal planets, the Ascendant or the Midheaven. If there aren’t any aspects, then relax!

This has been a very busy eclipse season, and naturally the most dramatic events are those being reported on various astrological blogs. Do keep in mind there are millions of folks around the world whose lives were not disrupted at all.

Remember to have fun with your study of astrology, Dee! It has a lot to offer just about anyone.

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact us, or we don’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” Thanks!

Saturday Extra!Heard on the Street

tristan-and-isolde.jpgI heard the most amazing story yesterday, and I want to share it with you, both as inspiration and as an illustration of the kind of healing I believe is taking place in these astrologically potent times.

An older couple, I’d say in their late 50s, married many years ago and after four years of marriage and one child, got a divorce. They both went their separate ways. She stayed in the Pacific Northwest, while he traveled the world, made a fortune, married again, and bought a palatial home in an idyllic tropical location. But they remained on friendly terms and stayed in touch over the years.

Last year, his wife got cancer, and he spent many months caring for her and watching her die. He was devastated, and his life felt meaningless. Old illnesses began to plague him. His ex-wife, who was dating another man, nevertheless helped him through at every step of the way.

Earlier this year, her family was getting together for a reunion. He happened to be in the area, transporting his wife’s belongings to their children. He stopped by, and the flame reignited. As it so happened, her boyfriend had been killed in an accident, and she was now single and available again.

They are more in love than ever. Their eyes went from sparkling for each other to wet with tears as they recounted all the seemingly bizarre coincidences that brought them back together. She is going to move to his home, where he is planning to build a studio for her to explore her artistic talent. Their wedding will be at a secret, sacred spot. With his health much improved, he is going to retire and work on creative projects as well. I suspect they also will be taking long walks hand-in-hand on the beach, watching the sun set.

What amazed me all the more was that this man, while not a corporate type, was a what-you-see-is-what-you get type. He obviously has some psychic powers and was aware of them at an early age, but his career was in traditional fields for men.

I believe we are going to hear more and more stories like this in the next few years. With Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune in conjunction, deep healing of old wounds is taking place, and this includes rifts between men and women. I’ve written often that the separation between the divine feminine and divine masculine is one of the most critical wounds that beings on the earth plane have suffered, and healing it will have widespread implications for all of us. Other aspects are producing a synergistic effect, including the mutual reception between Uranus and Neptune and the opposition between Saturn and Uranus.

If any of you have stories to tell about deep healing, I’d love to hear them. Unfortunately, I can’t share my own very private story in these pages, but I can tell you that it is big, and it goes to my very core.

Much love and many blessings to all,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Tristan and Isolde, by Edmond Blair Leighton, 1902. The source of this tragic love story is very old, and the tale holds clues about the ancient wound that separated the divine feminine and masculine.

Ask Real Astrologers: Am I Doomed to Suffer in Love?

This week’s question comes from Jessica in Florida:

What is coming my way as far as finding meaningful and truthful lasting relationship(s)? I’ve read that Venus in Libra in the twelfth house indicates suffering in love. I just feel I’ve had enough and I’m tired of getting worked up for nothing and staying past the “discard by” date. I know there are certain issues I have not fully let go of and I am still working on them, but if being alone is the answer then I’d rather accept it and find meaning in something else.

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Jessica, Venus is important in your chart because she rules both Libra and Taurus, your rising sign and Moon respectively. However, in my experience, there is no particular stigma attached to having Venus in the twelfth house. It just makes those energies less visible to others. Venus enjoys being in Libra, but with Saturn squaring her, she is more subdued and formal – definitely not the pastel version.

With Neptune opposing your Moon, it’s very likely you have met your fair share of people who have turned out to be something other than promised. The odd thing about Neptune aspects that is we tend to overlook them and forget how profound an impact they have on us and our lives. Neptune-Moon aspects natally make it very easy for others to project their expectations on the native and avoid seeing the real person standing in front of them. I recommend getting a second opinion from a neutral party whose judgment you have learned to trust over time regarding potential partners.

You are also in the midst of your Chiron return, which will be over by the end of this year. Since Chiron is part of a T-square with your Sun and Uranus, this is an especially important event, with the potential to finally initiate healing of old wounds in the area of self image and self-esteem.

My suggestion would be to concentrate on nurturing and healing the child within, Jessica, in order to allow the woman you are now to be her most authentic self. Take it from someone with Chiron conjunct the Sun in Libra . . . all the work you do on yourself will pay off in improved relationships with others.

Best wishes on this journey of discovery!

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Jessica, there is no question that relationships are a major life issue for you, with Libra Rising, seventh-house Moon, and Venus conjunct your lunar North Node, a point that indicates our destiny or where we find fulfillment. That said, it doesn’t take an astrologer to tell you that working through personal issues first is a very wise move and will help ensure that each new romantic encounter is more meaningful and truthful than the last.

As for what’s coming up, the Jupiter-Chiron-Neptune conjunction that Neith and I have been writing about for many months is taking place in your fifth house, which is the area of the chart associated with love and romance. Jupiter and Neptune can be a hugely delusional combination, but since you’re already aware of this tendency, this transit instead might bring a soul mate into your life. Now, I always caution my clients about wishing for a soul mate, as you may end up working harder than you did alone! But that may indeed be the next step for you. If you have to go through a couple more relationships as learning experiences, don’t be discouraged. At some point, you have to stop reading books about swimming techniques and just jump in the water!

It may help for your intense Scorpio personality to try to let go of control over the outcome. A “successful” relationship for you may not be one that ends in marriage or cohabitation, but one in which you learn and grow. I’ve had several relationships like that, and while the endings were always hard, I gained more than I lost.

Hang in there and keep doing the work. It always pays off.

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact us, or we don’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” Thanks!

Ask Real Astrologers: Astrology Says I’m Doomed, Now What?

This week’s question comes from Ellie in the U.K.:

After a lifetime of terrible times and disappointments in love, I met someone wonderful. We have been together nearly a year and are very close, happy and there is a lot of laughter. I got worried because astrology seems to state that I’m just not supposed to have this sort of love in my life. So many aspects state that this currently lovely relationship is actually doomed. First, my Saturn in the seventh house is also in fall in Aries, I understand that to mean there will be no long-term happiness for me in relationships. In addition, my partner has Uranus in his Rising Sign Cancer, which I learn means he does not commit, has unstable emotions, and will eventually leave me out of boredom or need for freedom.

I’m determined not to make this a self-fulfilling prophecy but this all points to the fact that I’m probably setting myself up for the worst heartbreak of all time. This has really affected my feelings towards my partner who I love dearly because I’ve been through enough sadness already. Is there any hope? Can I change this at all?

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Ellie, first I’d like to note that your question was much longer, but we have to edit for length. Also, you did not provide your birth data, which we must have in order to answer questions. I would just like to ask everyone please to follow the instructions and provide your birth data and current location.

We decided to make an exception for your question because of the general concept you pose, which is that the astrological outlook for your love life appears to be unfavorable, and therefore you are depressed, even though you appear to have found a very nice relationship.

My advice to you is going to sound harsh, but I feel the need to make this point very strongly. If astrology is making you depressed, then you need to stop using this tool and find something else that works better for you.

Astrology is meant to be a tool for self-discovery and growth, and predictions are not hard and fast. There are always many possible outcomes. There are some things we can’t change, but just as we learn to live with certain genetic and environmental handicaps, we can work around our energetic makeup (which is what your natal chart describes). I like to use the metaphor of sailing. What you come into this world with corresponds to the boat. You put it out to sea and navigate according to the currents and weather conditions. If your boat is small and slow, you can still arrive at your goal, but it may take more skill and planning. In extreme cases, you may be limited in how far you can get with your particular boat, but even then, you aren’t doomed. Diana, the former Princess of Wales, wanted to be a ballet dancer, but she was too tall. Instead, she ended up becoming one of the most beloved and influential women in the world.

Usually, when a reader presents a complicated question such as yours, we recommend a complete reading with a skilled astrologer. However, going into a reading with this many preconceived notions would not be helpful or productive. My advice to you is just to enjoy your relationship and forget astrology for now. Once you feel solid ground under your feet, then if you wish to explore the various facets of your personality and relationship with this special man, you can give it another go.

I hope this doesn’t sound too critical. I just want you to have the best chance of success with your relationship possible.

Wishing you much love and courage.

Libra ponders . . .
Neith’s response:

Ellie, I have to say the first thing that came to mind after reading your plea for help was to wonder why are you going there? Is there some reason you believe you are not loveable? And if so, perhaps that is where you need to start.

Earlier this year I was talking with a very good Libra woman friend of mine who had started seeing a man who treated her with the appreciation and respect she deserved. She had spent many years in counseling to overcome a difficult childhood and is in the process of regaining her self-respect. She and her sweetheart ran into a typical communication glitch and it threw her. My question for her was similar to the one I have for you: “Why are you tearing yourself down and starting to sabotage your relationship? Don’t you realize you are a loveable person and it’s OK for you to be happy?” She agreed with me.

What you have run into with what you are reading about astrology is a very common experience. It takes an experienced astrologer to see the whole picture because taking aspects out of context can be very confusing and misleading. I agree with Pat about forgetting about the astrology and going back to enjoying your relationship with a man you obviously care for.

My suggestion would be to find an astrologer you trust to give you honest feedback and get a second opinion before throwing away what sounds like a great situation.

Good luck!

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact us, or we don’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” Thanks!

Ask Real Astrologers: Venus Needs Help!

This week’s question comes from Fumi in London, England:

I have the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction squaring my Venus/ Ascendant, whilst Uranus trines my Venus/Ascendant for the rest of 2009. I am quite confused as to how this is likely to play out. I also am dealing with the ongoing Pluto square to my natal Moon. I am hoping for a fresh and liberating start romantically (Uranus) but am weary of the Neptunian illusion that the square indicates.

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Fumi, it is understandable that confusion reigns now, with Neptune & Co. sitting in your third house. Also, the sign on the cusp of your seventh house, Taurus, is ruled by Venus, and Neptune & Co. are creating a T-square with your Ascendant-Venus and transiting Mercury (retrograde for another day) conjunct your Descendant. This is not favorable for clear thinking about romance.

After Mercury makes the final square to Neptune on June 10, the Neptune fog will thin some, and Uranus will remain at 26° Pisces until the second week in August. The biggest drawback of Neptune squaring your Venus-Ascendant may not be your lack of clarity, but the expectations others are projecting on you. You can either forego romance this summer or relax and have fun with this.

Pluto in the second house squaring your Moon in the tenth has to be bringing into focus what is truly of value to you. Do you still enjoy your career? Does it bring you the emotional satisfaction it did initially? If not, are there changes you can make, even if it means living more frugally for awhile? Many times when we spend time making do with less, we find it is not the hardship we thought it would be.

Perhaps the best thing for all of us who have been struggling with Neptune & Co., including myself, is to look at the lighter side of things and to keep in mind that the fog will lift eventually.

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Fumi, confusion is not always a bad thing! Or, as an old friend of mine used to say, “I don’t know” is a good place to be. How many people do you know who are quite sure of themselves … and wrong?

The key thing to remember about Neptune transits is that your ego boundaries are dissolved, and this is particularly true when Neptune squares your Ascendant. It’s also important to keep in mind that Neptune is traveling with Jupiter and Chiron — what Neith is referring to with her shorthand “Neptune & Co.” Chiron and Neptune together provide a powerful opening for healing deep and ancient wounds, while Jupiter amplifies this effect and helps us expand into greater spiritual awareness.

The combined effect for you and for many others will be to heal an internal wound that has made it hard for us to connect on a soul level with a romantic partner. There are many things that keep this from happening. Two of the biggest obstacles I see are attachment to a particular outcome and trying to control another person. It’s easy to fool ourselves into thinking that we aren’t controlling when we’re just doing so on a very subtle level.

Because you also have Uranus trine your Venus and Ascendant, a surprising new romance could come into your life, and this will be an opportunity for you to observe your behavior and response. I don’t believe it’s bad to become attached to someone; in fact, I totally disagree with this notion that we somehow can love with all our hearts and yet not be attached. Again, the key is to be bonded with that person and yet to resist controlling them or where the relationship goes. These are fear responses, and fear is the enemy of love.

This is not a personal judgment of you. To the contrary, I believe that we suffer from a collective wound in this regard, and I find it deeply gratifying that more and more people see it and want to work on it. Aquarius is the sign of the collective, and Neptune & Co. in Aquarius means that we have an unprecedented opportunity to do personal growth work that will have a huge impact on the collective. That is our mission, if we choose to accept it.

You, dear friend, are sitting in the catbird seat. I wish you much love and courage. Keep in touch with us, and let us know how it goes.

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact us, or we don’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” Thanks!

Saturday Extra: More On Saturn’s Role In Synastry

Neith's Parents Wedding Photo in  1944We need Saturn! Without Saturn to teach us about boundaries, to behave responsibly and give us patience, our lives and relationships wouldn’t get off the ground – period, end of story.

There is a very good reason Saturn is exalted in Libra, the sign of relating to the “other.” When the bloom wears off the initial attraction and our partner’s habit of never cleaning up after themselves gets really annoying, that’s when having a solid Saturn aspect or two in the synastry will keep us from throwing them out the door. . . or not, if that is what’s needed.

What Saturn can provide is balance and stability, especially if there are a number of Uranus squares, oppositions, and conjunctions creating excitement and lots of adrenaline rushes. In order to have a relationship at all, you need to be able to be in the same place at the same time. It can be the difference between playing “phone tag” and sitting down for “face time.”

Neptune’s willingness to see all the unmanifested potential is best offset by a large dose of Saturn, too. No matter how creative that person is or how glamorous their appearance, can they pay their bills on time? Not to mention all the unpleasantness of dealing with various Neptune-related addictions. We can still love someone very much who does behave responsibly and is not a “bad boy.”

I have long thought that Saturn’s ability to live in the here and now and to take on challenges one step at a time in a pragmatic manner are a good antidote to Pluto’s obsessions. If you think you will die without that special someone, then check the synastry for a Pluto conjunction or opposition. Saturn can help us learn detachment, because it always emphasizes the rational over the emotional. In fact, learning to delay gratification is considered part of the maturation process, which is totally Saturn.

Saturn will move into Libra at the end of October this year, so consider this a heads up about what is in store for the collective. Between Pluto in conventional Capricorn and Saturn in Libra, I’m willing to say fidelity, commitment, and learning what constitutes a good marriage will start to make a comeback.

Libra, relationship specialistposted by Neith . . .

Image: My parents had been married for close to 63 yrs at the time of my Libra mother’s death. Now that’s commitment!

Real Astrologer’s Poll: Do You Want the Bad News?

heart-moon-350-px.jpgWith Venus and Mars traveling together for the next two months in Aries (Mars-ruled) and Taurus (Venus-ruled), we expect a lot of activity in the realm of romantic relationships.

Experience tells us that when clients ask about synastry with a new love interest, they don’t want to hear bad news, even though we try to deliver it gently. But we’d like to hear directly from you on this point. Do you want to know or not?

Online Surveys & Market Research

Saturday Extra! Susan Boyle: Prepare To Be Transformed

Susan Boyle

Susan Boyle's magic moment on Britain's Got Talent. Official photo from ITV.

How did Susan Boyle skyrocket to global superstardom overnight?

At last count, the various Internet versions of her heart-stopping three-minute performance on the reality TV show Britain’s Got Talent had been viewed well over 100 million times. So the first explanation was that new media made her famous. Then why didn’t other talented contestants, notably the precision dance troupe Flawless and 12-year-old singing sensation Shaheen Jafargholi, achieve similar results? Was she that much more accomplished than they?

Most of the commentary on Susan’s performance and the response to it emphasizes the disparity between her appearance and her angelic voice. There are theories that we all love the ugly duckling and root for the underdog. Her plain looks, age, and background all make her an unlikely celebrity, and that alone has mass appeal. Some economists explain the phenomenon as a reaction to tough financial times.

Of course, astrologers weighed in, too, starting with her birth chart and examining transits and progressions. I was amused by the confusion over Susan’s birth data. Tseka and I saw a lot in the April 1 chart, and when the Sunday Times reported that her birthday was June 15, we were left scratching our heads. It now appears that the April 1 chart was correct and that the newspaper got it wrong.

Before I comment on her chart, I’d like you to see the complete lyrics of her song. She didn’t sing the whole thing, presumably due to time restraints. The words are key to understanding what this is really about:

There was a time when men were kind
When their voices were soft
And their words inviting
There was a time when love was blind
And the world was a song
And the song was exciting
There was a time
Then it all went wrong

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung, no wine untasted

But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
And they turn your dream to shame

He slept a summer by my side
He filled my days with endless wonder
He took my childhood in his stride
But he was gone when autumn came

And still I dream he’ll come to me
That we will live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weather

I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I’m living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed.

In all the analysis I’ve read, there hasn’t been much mention of the song she chose, other than that it was about a dream that died, how this strikes a chord in many people, and so forth. Sure, it fits her life: a difficult birth, learning disabilities, bullied by other kids, later giving up her career to care for sick parents and winding up as an unemployed church worker, living alone with her cat. So the theory goes, we’re touched that her dream didn’t die, and that means there’s still hope for us, too.

I won’t discount that. But it’s still not the whole story. Need another hint? Let’s look at her choice of songs for her interview with Larry King, “My Heart Will Go On,” from the film Titanic, and the song she recorded 10 years ago for a charity fundraiser, “Cry Me a River.”

These songs are about lost love and the wound that results. I’ve been writing about this theme for years, and I’ve felt a growing awareness that we are in a period of deep healing. The separation between the divine masculine and the divine feminine is one of the deepest rifts in the human heart, and it’s so much a part of us that most of us don’t even realize it. Susan is singing about a wound that is many millennia old, that dates back to the time “when men were kind.” And yes, something went terribly wrong.

If astrologers need to stretch to find indicators in her chart of her great success, it’s because this isn’t just about her. It’s about all of us, and it’s about a karmic moment in time. Susan was just the vehicle. That is what angels do. They bring us messages, and these messages can change the world.

There’s a lot I could say about her natal chart, but I’m going to confine my remarks to her lunar nodes, which are one of the leading markers of destiny. With Pluto on the North Node in Virgo, her role is to serve as a transformer. Chiron on the South Node in Pisces speaks of the ancient wound that pervades the collective conscious. She carried it into this incarnation and has lived it for all these years. Her voice came not from her but through her and went straight to the depths of our being. That is why we cried.

Looking at transits, the Jupiter-Neptune Chiron conjunction, boosted by Uranus in mutual reception with Neptune, gives us a clue about the healing power in this moment. The weekend that Susan burst into the collective conscious, Mars was about to conjoin Uranus.

But the biggest factor I see here is Venus retrograde in the last degree of Pisces, the “weeping degree.” Although it’s hard to know the circumstances of the original separation, mythology and religion inform us that the divine masculine abandoned the divine feminine. Now the divine feminine is returning to the world, and with her she brings love. We might think of it as the Second Coming, the opening of the heart.

Susan opened millions of hearts, and the world is going to be transformed as a result. Many of us have felt it coming, but did we ever imagine it would happen this way?

Over the next couple of months, as Susan advances in the competition, Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron move toward exact conjunction and then go retrograde together. At the same time, Venus and Mars will move together toward yet one more conjunction, the third in less than a year. It’s a fair bet that a lot more healing is going to take place.

Meanwhile, the discussion has turned to her makeover. I can understand wanting to preserve that karmic moment, but it can’t stop there, and we can’t and shouldn’t control it. Let her blossom. Even if our heartstrings are being played by marketing experts, she is a real woman and a real healer. Let yourself be transformed.

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat