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Jupiter and Neptune Conjoin in Aquarius, Mars Enters Gemini Philadelphia Story - a Stark Inversion to Jackson Family Saga, Racism Alive and Well at Private Suburban Club
SHELLEY ACKERMAN
Photo: Rich Press
Valley Club President Eats His Words
Today Joseph Duesler’s face is bright red. But regardless of his attempt to explain his embarrassingly “poor choice of words’, his Freudian slip regarding the “complexion” of the private club he presides over can’t be retracted and won’t be forgotten.
“There is a lot of concern
that a lot of kids
would change the complexion ...
the atmosphere of the club.”
-John Duesler, President
When the awful story about the racially-charged debacle involving use of the club’s swimming pool by a group of mostly black and Hispanic kids at The Valley Club in a Philadelphia suburb broke yesterday, I was struck by the sign at the entrance stating that the club opened in 1954, the year of the US Supreme Court’s ruling, “Brown v. Board of Ed”. The landmark decision was the one that ended the policy of ‘separate but equal’ schools for blacks and whites, and in effect began the civil rights movement.
Evidently, Huntington Valley, a suburb of Philadelphia, is stuck in a segregationist time-warp and needed the outing and an airing that only a world wide media blitz could provide.
After the ridiculous explanation he offered on Thursday for withdrawing the contract and returning the money to a Northeast Philadelphia day camp for weekly swimming privileges at the club. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I heard this on CNN. Club president Joseph Dueler said that “safety not race is the issue”.
Jackson with his children
The sweet dignity of the rejected kids was sobering and sad but oddly encouraging: The ones I heard spoke beautifully and held their head high. Each will remember the public outrage at the way they were treated more than the incident itself-I hope. But while watching the story unfold, I couldn’t help but think about the inversion of the country club event at the Michael Jackson memorial service - with his picture-perfect white children of privilege enveloped in the arms of his black family and friends. No one is talking about the white elephant in the room, regarding Jackson’s choice to not have black children, ones that he could have fathered biologically. Though rooted in other more personal reasons, Jackson’s self-loathing is eerily consistent with the rejecting behavior of the ignorant and snotty Valley Club members.
Michael Jackson’s Jupiter-Neptune Conjunction: NeverLand Forever
Of the many celebrity deaths in June and early July 2009 the shocking death and elaborately produced and televised funeral of 50 year old superstar Michael Jackson eclipsed all and will continue to fascinate us for years.
Debbie Rowe
The unfolding drama concerning his vast estate, his parents, his former wife Debbie Rowe, his siblings, his medical care, his children and their truthful biological origins will provide content for the tabloids for decades.
Dr. Arnold Klein
While Jackson’s close friend and dermatologist Arnold Klein (b. Feb 27 1945, the same day as Elizabeth Taylor) has been highly visible with his quasi – “I don’t think I’m the first two kids’ father” denial/schpiel, Jackson’s father, Joe Jackson (“I never beat him with a stick”) has been making the rounds talking about how he and his wife should have custody of Prince Michael, Paris, and Blanket. And though 79 year old Jackson matriarch Katherine appears to be sweet and loving, my sense is that the kids need the continuity of their nanny more than ever while the courts determine who should call the shots. All will want to know who there mother and father really are and all have the right to that information.
If I were judging this case, I would encourage the participation of Debbie Rowe with the family and the nanny, while keeping an eye out for who the other parents are. Thank heaven for DNA testing.
Paris Jackson
For interesting background on the lives of the Jackson kids, check out Lifting the Veil in the NY Post and Liz Smith’s write-up: Michael as Dad, “Surprisingly Normal”.
On July 10th the second of this year’s Jupiter/Neptune conjunction occurs at just under 26 degrees of Aquarius (the 3rd and last of 2009’s triple conjunction will occur on Winter Solstice, Dec 21). Jupiter (expansion) and Neptune (dreams/illusion) conjoin roughly every 13 years. The combination puts us in touch with our longing for Heaven on Earth. For Jackson, born on August 29th 1958 at 7:33 pm, with Moon in Pisces rising, the dream of eternal youth and money to buy every toy that his little heart desired was consistent with his natal Jupiter-Neptune conjunction. He broke away from the Jackson Five and went solo in 1971, on the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction in Scorpio; hit it big with “Thriller” during 1983’s Jupiter-Neptune conjunction in Sagittarius; married Debbie Rowe in 1996 in time for the birth of ‘his’ son in February 1997, which took place during the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction in late Capricorn; and finally died on the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction of 2009.
This week, as the red planet (Mars) enters Gemini, the multi-tasking sign communication, of Jupiter and Neptune meet up, we will undoubtedly all be that much more in touch with and vocal about our deepest longing for the beauty that lies “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. The challenge is to keep our feet on the ground, and the grown-up within in charge at all times.
There is a place where dreams are born
And time is never planned
It’s not on any chart,
You must find it in your heart,
Never, Never Land
It might be miles beyond the Moon,
Or right there where you stand,
Just keep an open mind,
And then suddenly you’ll find,
Never, Never Land
You'll have a treasure if you stay there,
More precious far than gold.
For once you have found your way there,
You can never, never grow old.
-‘Never, Never Land’ from 1954’s ‘Peter Pan’
by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, Adolph Green
Check Out Mary Martin singing “Never Never Land” from Peter Pan.
Chart:Gemini Ingress of Mars
Click for larger view
July 9: Moon in Aquarius, Sun sextile Saturn at 3:16 am
July 10: Moon V/C @10:17 pm, enters Pisces @ 11:44 pm
Jupiter conjunct Neptune @ 5:08 am
July 11: Mercury sextile Saturn @ 8:55 pm,
Mars enters Gemini @ 10:56 pm
July 13: Moon V/C @ 4:03 am, enters Aries @ 10:40 am.
Sun conj. Mercury @ 10:16 pm
July 15: Moon V/C @ 11:08 am, enters Taurus @ 6:30 pm
*Moon v/c = ‘void of course’, Best for spiritual not earthly pursuits
Bonus: 2009 Astro Crib Sheet
Mercury begins 09 @ 0˚Aquarius07’ & ends 2009 @ 19˚Capricorn29’ Rx
Mercury Retrogrades 2009:
Jan 11-Feb 1, May 6-30, Sept 6-29, & Dec 26-Jan 15, 2010
Venus begins 2009 @ 27˚Aquarius48’ and ends 2009 @ 7˚Capricorn13’
Venus Retrograde: March 6-April 17, 2009
Mars begins 2009 @ 3˚Capricorn57’ and ends 2009 @ 18˚Leo54’ (Retro)
Mars turns retrograde on December 20th (thru March 10, 2010)
Jupiter begins 2009 @ 29˚Capricorn02’ and ends 2009 @ 26˚Aquarius15’
Jupiter enters Aquarius on January 5, 2009
Jupiter Retrograde: June 15-Oct 13, 2009
Saturn begins 2009 @ 21˚Virgo46’ Retrograde and ends 2009 @ 4˚Libra30’
Saturn Retrograde: Dec 31, 2008-May 16, 2009
Saturn enters Libra on Oct 29, 2009 (will retrograde back into Virgo in 2010)
Uranus begins 2009 @ 19˚Pisces15’ and ends @ 23˚Pisces05’
Uranus Retrograde: July 1-December 1, 2009
Neptune begins 2009 @ 22˚Aquarius27’ and ends 2009 @ 24˚Aquarius34’
Neptune Retrograde: May 28-November 4, 2009
Pluto begins 2009 @ 1˚Capricorn16’ and ends 2009 @ 3˚Capricorn17’
Pluto Retrograde: April 4-September 11, 2009
ARIES: Neverland Dream: A magical group of friends who anticipate your every whim and deliver it gift wrapped to your doorstep in two seconds flat. Reality Bite: Your ruling planet Mars, in Gemini (through Aug 25) says you’ll have to do your own legwork, thinking, and promote yourself and your ideas for the next six weeks The Silver Lining: The best ears are the ones found at home amongst family members. Their heart-centric advice will help keep you on schedule and smooth tensions between you, co-workers, and underlings.
TAURUS: Neverland Dream: A promotion to the corner office, your salary doubled, and an Academy Award for your exceptional work. Reality Bite: The Oscars were given out months ago and your boss isn’t sure that he can make payroll next week. Make the most of the week: By putting the energy of Mars in your 2nd house of income to work: Get on the phone, send out your proposals, and chat up the locals to get as much info as you can about what’s going on in competing environments. Knowledge is power.
GEMINI: Neverland Dream: A foreign shore where the living is easy and one only need work three half-days per week. Reality Bite: You’d get bored very quickly with the lack of pressure and stimulation. Lucky for You: That your ruling planet, Mercury, enters Cancer and your 2nd house of income this week. You’ll see your way clear to work out a problem at home that has plagued you for months. The more gratitude you can muster up, even for the littlest breaks, the better this Summer will flow.
CANCER: Neverland Dream: That your bank and investment institutions have magically placed you on a “Do not disturb” list and that no matter what happens in the world markets, your money is safe and grows steadily. Reality Bite: Nothing is guaranteed and your best bet in the coming weeks is to adopt a hands-on approach to every facet of your financial life. Lucky for You: What a relief! Your spouse, partner, or best friend is on top of things, more clear-headed and reliable than ever. Take advantage of this state of grace -please!!
LEO: Neverland Dream: That your spouse, partner, or object of your affection gets the raise and the recognition that he or she deserves. Reality Bite: Love is blind, and just because you think he (or she) has earned the key to the city doesn’t necessarily make it so. Know that if you’re tired, it may be due to the fact that your unconscious mind is working over time to solve a financial conundrum. Lucky for You: The solution of said financial dilemma is just around the bend. Mars enters your 11th house of community affairs and your social life will pick up some steam.
VIRGO: Neverland Dream: That Snow White has no use for her Seven Dwarves and has sent them over to your place to help with whatever projects you need done in a jiffy. Reality Bite: You’re in no mood to train anyone, let alone Seven Dwarves who don’t speak your language. Same goes for co-workers who offer to help but who are really in no mood to pitch in. Lucky for You: Mars enters your 10th house of career advancement and if assuming you’re prepared for it, you can make great strides and take over while everyone else is laying back. Based on your fine communication skills, the team work you’re about to set in motion will be stellar.
LIBRA: Neverland Dream: The romance you’ve fantasized about for years is yours for the asking and is available whenever you wish him (or her) to be Reality Bite: Assuming you go for it, after the novelty wears off and you realize that he or she may not have any visible means of support, you’ll decide that maybe your time is best spent focusing on career. Lucky for You: That you’re in the mood for puzzle solving. Mars’ entrance into your 9th house of philosophy and inspires you to look at things from a big picture-perspective so that it all becomes part of an interesting journey.
SCORPIO: Neverland Dream: A million-dollar remodeling of your primary residence and the purchase of a glorious 2nd home with year-round staffing. Reality Bite: Even if you’re moved to make the aforementioned happen, you’d have to deal with permits and the arbitrary delays put forth by neighbors with nothing better to do than stand in your way. Lucky for You: Mars enters your 8th house of shared resources so the financing is there - as is the help and mojo of a devoted partner who will shoulder his/her half of the deal. Those ‘neighbors’ wouldn’t stand a chance.
SAGITTARIUS: Neverland Dream: A neighborhood initiative that cleans, beautifies, and removes all pollutants within at least a one mile radius. Reality Bite: It’s at the bottom of everyone’s list of priorities, there are just too many other emergencies that require funding, plus you need all of your energy to handle a partner’s spouse’, or best friend’s anxiety about finances. The Good News:: You can have it all, it’s just a matter of timing: Odd as it may seem, you will be able to get things moving in the hood if by making the case that the clean-up will up property values. Your partner will be on board by August.
CAPRICORN: Neverland Dream: A guarantee that your income will continue to increase and your expenses shrink to what they were in the 1950’s. Reality Bite: For some reason you can’t put a lid on the non-stop barrage of bills that keep landing on your desk. Lucky for You: That Mars enters your 6th house of work and helpers: Your support team is energized to do their best to lighten your load. Give those that didn’t deliver in the past a second chance to make good.
AQUARIUS: Neverland Dream: To escape the limitations of time and space and to make things happen in three places at once without requiring anyone’s ‘help’ or input Reality Bite: No man is an island, even if those you’re dependent on are culturally illiterate and come up empty when you need them most. Lucky for You: That Mars enters and energizes your creative 5th house and inspires you to do some of the best thinking and writing you’ve done in two years. How good it will feel to be so quick on your feet - again!
PISCES: Neverland Dream: The Summer off with endless days and nights at the beach with not a care in the world. Reality Bite: Even in your sleep, you can’t help but worry about the state of the world and what you must do to insure the well-being of loved ones. Lucky for You: A partner of BFF is ready, willing, and able to pick up the slack, share your burdens, and cover for you at a moment’s notice- no questions asked. Mars enters your 4th house-and gives you a six-week window to finish up the renovation you started and dropped some months ago (or has it been years?).