Zachary Quinto a.k.a. the "New Spock" - a Geminian Hero

Zachary Quinto says "I was born to play the role of Spock" and I agree - I was impressed with his portrayal of the yet-to-mature Spock who carried a volcano of emotions underneath the studied calm.

As a rule, an actor brings something of himself into the role, and the character he plays brings out his inner qualities that are reflected in the horoscope.

Looking at Quinto's horoscope (June 2, 1977 - birth time unknown) we can notice the following:

1) Quinto's horoscope has very little Water element, with emphasis on Air and Fire: Intellect and principles seem to dominate over emotions. Yet, because of this very imbalance, he would be seeking to connect emotionally with something larger than himself.

2) Sun-Jupiter conjunction in Gemini, opposed by Neptune: this is a strongly intellectual placement that highlights idealism and possible confusion.

3) Mercury is in Taurus, and is unaspected: the calm, contained intellect. Unaspected planet tends to become the dominant voice within the psyche - in Quinto's case, an intellect bent on calm, idealistic productivity runs the show.

4) Pluto is quindecile Mars & Venus in Aries: this is a powerful, almost brutal passion that refuses to be contained.

So the intellect that wishes for calm and peace (Taurus) is continuously having to battle with the fire that is underneath. Sounds like Spock, don't you think?

Some interesting synastry facts for Kirk & Spock:

• Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine (who plays Kirk) have each of their Mars exactly opposite the other's. Chris said in an interview that he worked out in the same gym as Zachary, which helped him obtain the role of James T Kirk.
• The original Star Trek Duo, William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy were born only a few days apart from each other (3/22/1931 and 3/26/1931, respectively.) Thus their planetary positions are almost exactly the same except that Shatner has his Moon in Taurus and Nimoy has his Moon in Gemini*.
  

*In Astro Databank there are conflicting birth times quoted for Leonard Nimoy, and it's quite possible that his Moon is actually in Cancer.

Things I've Done During Mercury Retrograde

Mercury turns direct tomorrow - Despite the usual warnings, I found this period to be a highly productive and fruitful time.

Some things I've done (you can find a lot of "re" something, as is the case with retrograde periods):

• Read Chris's free ebook - afterwards I rethought about the pacing in my blog - I've decided to have at least one substantial post a week, and schedule them months in advance so that the pace is consistent even when I'm out of town (which I frequently am.)
  
• I've started rewording the purpose statements (what I do & why I do it, etc) for my astrology practice - when I'm done it'll be more focused and refined, better able to reflect who I am.
• Started doing morning pages (or evening pages depending on when I do it) again. A great way to reconnect with the self.
  
• I've committed to a weekly coaching session a couple of months ago; this period seemed to be especially suited for revisiting past traumas and releasing the residual emotional baggage.

So I'm grateful for the period despite some usual communication hiccups. If you have your own Mercury retrograde story, please feel free to share via email or comment.

In case you haven't read it yet: inspirational ebook for writers and bloggers

279 days to overnight success : Another generous & inspirational offering from Chris Guillebeau - the man is a super hard worker who has created a successful career out of writing online - he shares an enormous amount of helpful and practical insights in this ebook.

I read this one a few weeks ago and still think about its lessons today. If you are interested in blogging or writing online, you'll probably find it well worth your time - even if you don't intend to make a career out of it.

Gemini Through the Houses - Finding Practical Solutions

In honor of the Gemini New Moon today, we'll explore the sign of Twins within our horoscope.

Problem Solver
Gemini is the part of us that lets us find new, practical solutions to our problems. Planetary aspects to its ruler Mercury modifies the way we think and communicate. Those with several planets in Gemini become naturally curious and eager to learn new information.

When Gemini occupies the cusp of a house, we can expect Geminian behavior and experience in the life area represented by that house, for example:

1) You'll end up gathering a lot of information about that life-area, out of curiosity or necessity.
2) You'll be naturally communicative and inquisitive in the life-area represented by the house.
3) You'll experience diversity or multiple solutions to the problems represented in that life area.
4) You'll likely become an expert about the life area, able to teach and share information with others about it.

Let's walk through the 12 houses:

• Ascendant: Gemini rising suggests that the identity of the savvy, knowledgeable problem solver must dominate the personality. There is an eagerness to learn from others, and generosity with sharing what one knows.
  
• 2nd house: Your may end up learning a lot about finances and how to establish material security, achieving practical competence as a result (as befitting a Taurus rising, a most common combination with Gemini on the 2nd.)
• 3rd house: Here the mind loves diversity and is open to all kinds of interesting information.
  
• 4th house: There may be more than one place to call home. Possibly you will be exposed to a great deal of knowledge about houses, real estate, families, or emotional roots.
  
• 5th house: You may become knowledgeable about children, sports, romance and sex, and creative expressions of all kind. There may be a diverse interest in any of these subjects.
• 6th house: Here a person becomes especially knowledgeable about one's work, and is able to mentor or be mentored by others (this placement accompanies Capricorn rising in most cases.)
• 7th house: The partner can become the problem solver. Diverse relationships are sought in order to become more informed. Speaking to the public comes naturally. I believe the classic delineation is "more than one marriage" etc, but the real question is: what can you do when one person can't satisfy your need to experience diversity in relationships?
  
• 8th house: You may gather a lot of information about healing, psychology, occult, or taxes and other people's finances (Scorpio rising is most common with this placement.)
• 9th house: Learning a lot about other countries and cultures, law, academia, philosophy, spirituality and/or religion. There may be an involvement with publishing, or simple love of books.
  
• 10th house: Multiple vocations (pursued simultaneously or one after another). Communication and problem solving becomes the key to career success.
  
• 11th house: diverse friends, love of communicating in large & small groups (Leo rising.)
• 12th house: knowledge about hidden things, perhaps within oneself. The interest toward introverted, self contained activities (Cancer rising.)

If you are experiencing a problem in the house represented by Gemini, this may be the time to start deepening your knowledge, as well as start sharing with others helpful solutions to their problems. May the New Moon awaken the inner problem solver in all of us!

Ascendant and Identity (12) Aquarius Rising - A Quest for Social Significance

Element: Air - Social connection and intellectual expression strengthens the self image
Mode: Fixed - Stability, patience and reliability leads to personal power

For Aquarius Ascendant, there is a need to be socially significant, through the expression of individuality. Having a Leo Descendant suggests that personal significance is often experienced in the realm of relationships with others, and dealing with the public.

Uranus' (ruler of Aquarius) position in the natal chart, through house placement, rulership, aspects etc, will suggest how/where the expression of individuality can be most expected:

In Obama's horoscope Uranus is in the 7th house (the public), and contacts the Midheaven (career). This suggests "public career", and the fact that Uranus is unaspected by other planets (called "peregrine" by Noel Tyl) makes its expression even stronger.

Actor Shia La Beouf has Uranus in 10th house, aspecting Sun (ruler of 7th) and Jupiter (ruler of the Midheaven) - a social significance attained through magnified, individualistic career expression.

Interestingly, Karl Marx also has Uranus in the 10th, but aspecting Saturn and Pluto (ruler of 9th) - which corroborates the social significance he attained through serious academic expression.

The individuation need is great for people born with Aquarius Ascendant, probably because of the intense social awareness that comes with this placement: for them, other people's individuality and social significance are recognized so vividly that it becomes imperative to become (at least) as interesting as the people around them.

Relationship Astrology (4) Ascendant - Descendant Axis and What We Look For in a Partner

I am very happy to have attended Bob Mulligan's class tonight, on astrology of relationships - Bob was the nicest person you could meet with, and had the kind of self deprecating sense of humor that kept everyone laughing and liking him at the same time.

I'm going to share Bob's explanations of the polarity of Ascendant - Descendant axis here (with slight paraphrasing and added thought.) As taught in most classic astrology books, Descendant shows what you look for in a partner on a conscious or unconscious level:

Aries rising (Libra Descendant): on a basic level you're looking for someone that will listen to you and follow you. You need your partner to provide you with options so that you'll feel balanced.

Taurus rising (Scorpio Descendant) : There is a sense of stability (or attachment to the status quo) here, and on a low level you may be looking for your partner to provide you with some excitement. On a higher level your partner needs to give you the opportunity for you to experience a deeper understanding of yourself and others.

Gemini rising (Sagittarius Descendant): There is a perpetual youth - like curiosity and inquisitiveness here. On a basic level you may be looking for your partner to provide you with an adventure. On a higher level your partner needs to help you see things from a larger perspective.

Cancer rising (Capricorn Descendant): There is a deep need for family oriented security. On a basic level you may be looking for a partner that can take care of you. On a deeper level, you may be looking for someone that can provide you with the structure to create that family you desire in your life.

Leo rising (Aquarius Descendant): On a low level you may be looking for an audience, someone that help you shine. On a higher level, the partner needs to be able to teach you detachment.

Virgo rising (Pisces Descendant): On a low level you may be looking for someone that needs help, or can provide you with a really wacky (weird, transcendent, 'out there') experience. On a deeper level your partner needs to be able to give you a vision of the higher reality (perhaps through ideals, spirituality or creativity.)

Libra rising (Aries Descendant): The partner needs to help give you a sense of direction and purpose, for better or worse (you're who you associate with.)

Scorpio rising (Taurus Descendant): On a low level you're just looking for someone to hang out with, to make you feel comfortable. On a higher level your partner's sense of calm may give you the stability that you need.

Sagittarius rising (Gemini Descendant): The partner may be able to help you overcome your shortcomings, through providing you with necessary facts and information.

Capricorn rising (Cancer Descendant): On a low level you may be looking for someone to take care of you emotionally. On a higher level your partner can help you get in touch with the emotional side of you.

Aquarius rising (Leo Descendant): On a low level you may be trying to live through your partner's accomplishments. On a higher level your partner needs to help you find your sense of personal power.

Pisces rising (Virgo Descendant): On a low level you may keep attracting criticisms from your partner. On a higher level your partner needs to provide you with the necessary discernment to ground your vision.

9th House: Getting Out of Your Routines

I remember listening to Steven Forrest's tape about the 9th house many years ago: the phrase that stuck with me was that 9th house has to do with getting out of one's established routines. How does that work?

9th house opposes the 3rd (the mindset) and squares the 6th (daily work) & 12th (self undoing) house. In pursuing the 9th house behavior, i.e. traveling overseas, getting advanced education, working internationally, or studying philosophy and religion, we often shift our mindset (3rd house), take vacations and/or change our attitude toward daily routines and work (6th), and become aware of unconscious, self imposed limitations (12th).

So if you feel "stuck" about some situations in life and it seems you have no way out, 9th house activities may allow you to think out of the box, and offer unexpected solutions to your problem.

Alternatively, the bigger perspective you gained through such activities may help you realize that you really don't have a problem at all.

A tension to the 9th house ruler often coincides with an interrupted education (i.e. people dropping out of college, or deciding not to go at all.) The deeper implication of 9th house tension might be that the ability to get out of one's physical/mental routine (and thus envision a larger world of possibilities) may become limited, thus stifling life development.

Life is way too short to keep being dissatisfied about our daily work and our own limitations - for most of our problems, there is a way out through becoming more educated. Even a trip to a library may be a start. A site like TED might also be considered a source of 9th house experience*.


*Sample of 9th house activities: Joining Peace Corps, working for other international humanitarian organization, pursuing advanced degrees in college, hosting someone from another culture at home, becoming a tour guide for international guests, studying abroad for a year, traveling to one's home country (if living abroad), attending a retreat, religious gathering, astrology conference, motivational workshop, reading books about philosophy, religion, spirituality, yoga, getting certified in something through training, learning a foreign language, writing and publishing a book. Feel free to share if you have your own version of the 9th house experience!