I am an Aquarian, why am I different from other Aquarians?

This, or “how can you divide everyone into 12 types?” are questions that astrologers are often asked. The simple answer is that we don’t.

Here’s a little joke to lighten the proceedings before you read on...…

Heaven is where the cooks are French, the police are British, the mechanics are German, the lovers are Italian and everything is organized by the Swiss.
Hell is where the cooks are British, the police are German, the mechanics are French, the lovers are Swiss, and everything is organized by the Italians.

There is some truth in the fact that the French are renowned for their cooking, but are all French people good cooks? Of course not, just as all Japanese are not necessarily polite, nor are all Aquarians eccentric and independent.

However observation, either of nations or of zodiac signs gives us a stereotypical representation that has an element of truth in it. But it is not the whole picture.

What you refer to as your ‘star sign’ or ‘zodiac sign’ is just a small part of the complete picture that astrologers look at. The rest of the picture includes the zodiac position of the Moon and the planets from Mercury through to Pluto. It also includes your ‘rising sign’ (also known as the ascendant,) where the planets are within the circle of the chart, called the house position, and the angular relationship between the planets. This complete picture is called a birth chart or a natal chart.

The reason most people only know of their ‘star sign’ is because newspaper horoscope and horoscope books are all based on the zodiac sign of your sun. Because the sun moves at more or less the same rate every 12 months it’s easy to calculate by date what sign it is in. The moon and the other planets all move at varying rates taking from 2 days to 240 years to complete a circle of the zodiac signs. The ascendant moves even quicker and can change within the space of 30 minutes at least and 2 hours at most.

So being an Aquarian means that yes you do have some Aquarian traits but your personality is based on much more than just that, which is why you are different from other Aquarians.

This of course goes for each star sign, not just Aquarians. And if that’s not enough? Well we all know that Aquarians are known for being different don't we?

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graphic made using a font from http://www.fontspace.com

Your Stars 2010

Horrible title isn't it, but hey I had to get your attention. In all my years as an astrologer I've never turned my hand to sun sign forecasting. But you know us Geminis, we will try anything once. I've no idea of the usual method of sun sign predictions so I did the Gemini thing and invented my own method. I guess time, the year and your feedback will show whether the method works.

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Capricorn
The focus for Capricorns will be on relationships. It's time to review and rethink emotional attachments. If any seem to be going nowhere then it's time to move on. Friends are going to play an important part in relationships; indeed a new relationship may emerge from friendship. It's not going to be an easy year for Capricorns and any stresses could take a toll on your health. Home and family are going to be your rock through any difficult times.

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Aquarius
Aquarians will be inspired to take a chance this year, you are open to new experience and will want to grow into a greater sense of self. Now is a great time to take a look at your surroundings and improve, expand or change your home, especially as you will be full of creative ideas, some of them surprisingly different and innovative. There could also be changes of locality and/or unexpected events linked family members.

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Pisces
You are, as usual, full of inspired ides, but in order for these to come to fruition you will have to concentrate on working out the details and focussing on what the can do rather than what you think you might possibly do. This year you may have to get out of your comfort zone and come down to earth in order to deal with the nitty gritty of everyday reality. Luckily others will be on hand to offer support and encouragement.

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Aries
As an Aries you are usually are full of energy and prefer to go it alone. However this year you will need to negotiate and work with others in order to fulfill your aims. This is the year when you want to probe into things in a little more depth than usual so you may find yourself focussing your attention on philosophy or higher education in order to gain broad overview of where you want to be going.

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Taurus
Personal security and finances are as ever a focus for Taureans, but you now want to indulge in a few more of life’s pleasures. This year you intend to enjoy life and will do so come what may. You will also be motivated by new creative projects. If you have children there could be tensions but not enough to upset the comfort of home and family.

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Gemini
This year you will be seeking changes in finances and security but in order to do so you will need to balance your usual flexibility with a good helping of stability. Benefits will come via the exchange of creative and innovative ideas. So talk about what interests you and express yourself creatively this year. But don’t forget to work on the details, without these nothing will be completed or achieved.

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Cancer
It’s likely there will be a change in your values this year. You will have a strong need to achieve some personal goals and visions. To this end you are full of inventive ideas and innovative methods to increase your prospects, be they personal aims or more career orientated. Diplomacy and communication will be the way forward for you.

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Leo
The desire for freedom and adventure this year is offset by responsibilities. Your work and services will be much in demand this year you could make some important strides forward. But do watch out for any undue pressures and demands from others as these could have a negative effect on your health. It’s important you allow your self some time for freedom and for play. There may be unexpected news regarding children and/or a creative endeavour.

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Virgo
This is your year Virgo. You don’t usually like to come out from behind the scenes and shine but this year your talents will be to the forefront. Autonomy and doing things in your own unique way will be important to you. With an above-average ability to express yourself you will find that others are going to listen to and appreciate your innovative ideas and methods of getting things done. Enjoy the spotlight!

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Libra
The focus for Libra will be on hard work in order to get things done. Your mind will be very focused and discriminating as you work hard to ensure your personal security and establish your sense of self worth. Partnerships will provide inspiration, emotional warmth and maybe a little bit of new or rediscovered romance.

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Scorpio
The focus for Scorpios is on fundamental change especially in career or status. It's here you can attain power and status through positions of authority and professionalism, providing you are willing to put the effort in. Friends and like-minded people will be on hand to help you attain your desires. Taking time out for pleasurable or sensual activities will renew your emotional resources.

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Sagittarius
Your hard working efforts will pay off in establishing yourself in your career and improving status this year. You will need to make an effort to gather your scattered thoughts and focus, but once you do so you will discover a good grasp of the details needed to advance your ideas. On the whole you are happy to take a back seat and just get on with what needs to be done this year.

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Note: I can't recall where I found these lovely zodiac images. If they are yours please let me know so that I can credit you.

The Boy in a Balloon - Real or Hoax?

On Thursday 15th October we were all transfixed by the boy in the balloon saga. A home made aircraft, variously described as a 'flying saucer' or a 'hot air balloon', had been accidentally released.

It was feared a 6 year old boy was inside as he had reportedly been seen climbing inside by his older brother. The boys home was searched, failing to find any sign of the six year old lad.

The balloon was tracked live on air as most of us held our breaths in horror at the unfolding saga. Some two and a half hours later the craft lands. There is no sign of the boy, it is feared he has fallen out somewhere. A land and air search is called. At 4:05 pm we all breathe a sigh of relief as it is announced that the boy had been found hiding in his attic at home.

During the saga it is discovered that the boy's parents have appeared on the US show Wife Swap where they have been described as 'mad scientists' The father is particularly interested in 'storm chasing' and is one of a team of people who call themselves 'science detectives'.

The question on everyone's lips now is, was it a hoax? Can astrology answer that question? Let's take a look at the chart. (note that this is a Gemini look at the chart, it's a cursory glance and not in-depth)

The event kicked off on a Jupiter day and in a Mercury hour (which seems to suit an event involving an air balloon nicely) at 11:01 (MDT +6:00 ) on Thursday 15th October near Fort Collins Colorado, 40°N35'07'', 105°W05'02''

The chart has 6 degrees and 41 minutes of Sagittarius rising, very close to the degree degree of flight (5sag04 this was the MC of the Kitty Hawk Flight).

I would assign the boy to Mercury, it is the ruler of youth and childhood and also, in this chart, ruler of the 7th of other people. Mercury is separating from the conjunction of Venus. As far as the world is concerned the lad is moving through the air and away from security and safety. Note however that if we turn the chart then the boy is in his 4th house - i.e. he is at home. But the world do not know this at the time, our eyes are firmly focussed on the 10th house of the event which has Moon and Saturn either side of the cusp.

The public(Moon) are fearful (Saturn) for the health (Virgo) of this young lad.

So the chart describes the event quite nicely, but was it a hoax?

The parents of the boy had previously appeared on the US show Wife Swap. It's been rumoured that they are media hungry. In the event chart we see Jupiter in the media related 3rd house, approaching a conjunction with illusory and deceiving Neptune. Should it come as no surprise to us that the boy's parents first notified the FAA, then the media before they dialed 911?
I'll leave you to make your own minds up....