This year's Nobel Prizes will be announced beginning next Monday. There is no way to know for certain who is in the running, but that doesn't stop the speculation. Derek Lowe points to plausible lists of potential winners at the Wall Street Journal, which bases its predictions partially on who has received other prestigious awards, and Thomson Reuters, which lists "Citation Laureates" based on its ISI Web of Knowledge data.
Who are the women who made the prediction list?
Physiology or Medicine
Both the WSJ and Thomson Reuters listed Elizabeth H. Blackburn, professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at UC San Francisco and Carol W. Greider of Johns Hopkins University for "their roles in the discovery and and pioneering research on telomeres and telomerases."
Chemistry
Thomson Reuters listed Jacqueline K. Barton, Professor of Chemistry at CalTech (along with Bernd Giese and Gary B Schuster) for "pioneering research of electron charge transfer in DNA"
Personally, I think a Nobel prize for telomeres will happen at some point, if not this year then in the near future.
Barton, on the other hand, seems to be a less likely winner. There's more discussion at In the Pipeline.
Tags: Nobel Prize
Ryan Jenkins: The Jasmin Fiore Murder
The murder of Jasmine Fiore occurred on August 15, 2009. Fiore was a model from Santa Cruz, California. Her body was discovered on August 15, 2009, strangled and stuffed into a suitcase. Her remains had been mutilated to prevent recognition; she was eventually identified by the serial numbers of her breast implants. Fiore was 28 years old at the time of her death.
Her husband, a former reality show contestant, Ryan Alexander Jenkins, was the only suspect and was formally charged with the murder. Jenkins was found dead in a Hope, British Columbia, hotel room on August 23, 2009. He was 32 years old.
Fiore had met Canadian-born Ryan Jenkins at a Las Vegas casino shortly after Jenkins had completed filming Megan Wants a Millionaire. Two days later – March 18, 2009 – the pair married at The Little White Wedding Chapel on the Las Vegas Strip.According to court records, Jenkins was charged in June 2009 in Clark County, Nevada, with "battery constituting domestic violence" for hitting Fiore in the arm. Travis Heinrich, who was present, said Jenkins and Fiore had been arguing over her friendship with Heinrich, which resulted in Jenkins hitting Fiore's arm and causing her to fall into a nearby swimming pool. Jenkins was to go on trial in December. The pair had reconciled shortly before Fiore's death and was reportedly traveling to Las Vegas for a poker game.
Astrological Data of Ryan Jenkins
Ryan Jenkins was born under a fixed t-square, his Sun was in Aquarius and in opposition to Saturn in Leo, and both planets squared Uranus in Scorpio. Thus, Uranus is at the apex of the t-square, and is under significant pressure. This whole configuration shows us someone who is very resistant to change, and that he was extremely rigid and inflexible. With Uranus severely stressed it can show a disregard for the rights of others. It can also show a craving for excitement and in Scorpio a liking for danger, violence, and extreme possessiveness and cold detachment (Uranus in Scorpio). The T-square to Uranus could be pointing to an instability in the psyche of Ryan Jenkins and could explain why he had such extreme radical behavior, in every other sphere of life he socialized well and attained a prominant position in the business world. The Sun-Saturn opposition in his natal chart describes a tightly controlled personality, somebody who would need to achieve and someone who has had to work hard for his position in the world.
A fixed t-square is focused upon identity, and with his Sun-Saturn aspect he would feel inferior or sub-standard unless he was achieving his goals. His success in the world offers him greater confidence. He is very fixed upon his ambitions and he tends to finish what he has started, an extremely determined personality. He would be difficult to compromise with or to get along with. With his Sun square to Uranus this can often show someone who is very self-willed, and someone who feels deep inadequacy as a man (Sun-Saturn). An unpredictable character, one moment he would appear very controlled and then in the next instant he would willfully rebel and cause chaos. Saturn in Leo shows how powerfully his ego needs are, he likes admiration and to be recognised by everybody. He may be jealous and resentful of others and through his own deep insecurity attract rejection in love. I believe he needed Jasmine as an ego boost to his fragile personality. According to Astrologer Liz Greene behind the heartbreak that is often associated with (Saturn in Leo or in the 5th house) this position shows the individual's inability to love himself, to recognize his own significance.
On top of this the Sun in Aquarius is square to Jupiter in Taurus, and this shows a man who is unduly confident, and he would have a high opinion of himself. When Jupiter and Saturn square the Sun in this way there is both a retraction and expansion in his personality, he is fuelled by a low self-opinion and in compensation he would would make himself appear larger than life and he can actually come across as arrogant and would have unrealistic expectations of himself. It's like a bi-polar reaction in his personality, depression, inferiority and low self worth, and he also has the need to live the good life with abundant opportunities for wealth (Jupiter in Taurus) and probably a compulsive need for fame, if we look at Saturn in Leo opposite Sun, he is in desperate need for attention, praise and recognition.
Competitive Businessman - Reaching the Top of his Game
Competition in Love: Uncontrollable Passion
The planet of relationships Venus, is in Aries in detriment and opposed to Pluto in Libra. A polarity here between identity needs and needing to conquer (win) his love one, some competition love and jealousy provoked. He can be at the mercy of his uncontrollable passions. He can endure a turbulent or volatile love life. He lacks balance and moderation in his passions, and he fears rejection deeply. Definitely a misuse of power in the relationship. According to James Braha Venus-Pluto's lovers may be famous or special. They may also die and disappear from the persons life without a note. I think he would have been very good at manipulative charm, but he was too demanding and egotistical in love. The Venus in Aries would be one symbol of woman that is independent, sexy, quite adventurous. Jasmine embodied his archetypal woman, but she proved too hot to handle for Ryan. However, he was compulsively attracted to her raw sexuality. He was frequently jealous of Jasmine Fiore's male friends. And according to police records he was done for battery and has a history of violence with women.Love Letter
Jasmine My Love,
I want you to know how much I love you, I want the world to know too and in a few months they will. I don't have any interest in any women Jasmine, your the only one I want. If you can come back to me and stop all the craziness we can have a wonderful life. Respect our love and it will grow. Trust me and I'll be strong for both of us. Honor me and receive what you need from me. These things you want are all attainable with me but you have to want it too. I can't want it for you. Let what lonely part of your heart thats still pure recieve what I have to give you. Let me into your inner circle again. Let me truely love you and don't fear the worst of even think on it because you've manifested so much negativity in us. I've grown, I've forgiven I've risen above all of our problems and I want you to do the same so I can help you. Helping you brings me happiness because when your happy you give me all I ever wanted. I promise I will always have your back from here on out. I will always be honest with you and I will honor you and our love.
Your forgiveness, trust and loyalty is all I need right now and when your love for me grows and our lives are heading in the right direction I'll truely feel complete. It was really great to talk last night with you. I miss you so much. I can't wait to see you again. I know you have a hard time trusting people. I know we can be happy if you can just get back to where you were, we need to respect each other and we need to rebuild the trust. I think w really need to talk to someone because as much as I know about behavioral science, I can only help so much. I know you have a huge problem letting go of things. I wish you could understand what you mean to me and treat me like I deserve. Just a little time together is all we need and I know you and I could fall back in love. I came into all this assuming you'd just treat me the way I wanted without ever having to explain what I needed. This time, I won't be so vague. Your my angel, despite what we've done to each other, I know we're perfect for each other. It just takes two of us trying at the same time instead of one at a time. I will take care of you the rest of your life , With all honesty . I will never leave you . I only want you. I'll see you later today baby.
Love always,
Ryan
An Examination of the Transits
It is important to look at the transits for these horrific events. At the time of the murder and suicide transiting Pluto was 5 degrees away from squaring Venus. The Jupiter, Chiron, Neptune transit has been moving over his natal Sun in Aquarius, affecting his WHOLE purpose in life, where he is going, and wounded identity. Chiron always seems to be lurking around at death or terrible murders it is the third time I have seen it aspect the Sun, especially under a major wounding event that has happened. I won't overplay the transits because there is no birth time. Neptune around the Sun may be one of the significators of his suicide - Neptune rules confusion, loss of purpose, a longing to escape etc. In my abandoned research on Suicide I did noice Sun-Neptune or Sun-Pluto was significant, and perhaps this holds true for transits. Leo-Scorpio squares were also prominant, again the the self-destruction and Ryans' has Saturn in Leo square Uranus in Scorpio, perhaps it is a way to maintain control of the dead end situation he was in. A life in prison was not appealing and he wasn't going to face up to the responsibility of this horrific act.
The Jaycee Lee Dughard Kidnapping
The kidnapping of Jaycee Lee Dugard took place on June 10, 1991. Dugard was abducted from a school bus stop within sight of her home in South Lake Tahoe, California. She was abducted at the age of 11 and was missing for over 18 years. On August 26, 2009, Dugard appeared in the office of her alleged kidnapper's parole officer in California, and her identity was confirmed the following day.
The return of Jaycee after 18 long years was a shock to the world. Jaycee returned back as a full grown adult. It is good news to know that she is alive For many years Jaycee was kept in a concealed room by her kidnapper, and she was pregnant at age 14. She has had two children since she has been in captivity. She wasn't kept in total isoaltion from the world and was apparently allowed out. Many people have reported seeing the young woman out and about with her kidnapper, and the latest news reports say that she had developed a strong emotional bond with her Kidnapper Garrido.
Sun conjunct Chiron: Garrido's Spiritual "Healing" and the Sexual Wounds to Jaycee
Jaycee has three conjunctions in her chart and this is significant because there are three power points where energy is focused. Jaycee's Sun is conjunct Chiron in Taurus, and Garrido for the past 18 years has been the male (Sun) influence in her life. Chiron often describes a male figure who is spiritual or seeks to heal and help others, and someone who has been deeply wounded by life. Garrido had written an essay containing his own ideas and teachings about religion and sexuality, suggesting that he had discovered some solution to his problem behaviors. The essay described how he had cured his own criminal sexual behaviors, and how this information could be used to "cure" other sexual predators by controlling human impulses that drive people to commit dysfunctional acts. He wanted a christian event to be held as part of his "Gods Desire" program.
Mars conjunct Jupiter: Abduction/Sexual Predator
The second conjunction in her chart is Moon-Neptune conjuct in Sagittarius. Jaycee has quite a fragile self-image. She would be described as a sensitive and imaginative woman, and she can is easily influenced and feels empathy for others. Moon-Neptune has have enabled her escape and seek solace in her inner world. Jaycee has her Moon in Sagittarius square to Saturn in Virgo, showing her emotional development stunted a. Security and separation from her mother would also be shown by this difficult aspect.
The final conjunction is a critical one, and it involves Mars at 29 degrees Leo and Jupiter at 0 degrees Virgo (both critical degrees in astrology). Jaycee was made "famous" through her physical abduction from Zeus (Jupiter). I do look for aspects involving Jupiter in cases of abduction. In mythology Zeus kidnaps numerous women and he had a large sexual appetite. Mars-Jupiter Jupiter in 7th or Sun-Jupiter can sometimes depict a male with a love of adventure. Zeus, according to mythology couldn't keep his trousers zipped!
Give me Stability
Jaycee has three planets in Taurus, and what she most needs is security and stability. Jaycee's Mars in Leo is square to Uranus in Scorpio, and archetypes the sudden (Uranus) abduction (Scorpio) as a child (Leo) and her sudden reappearance. Jupiter also squares Uranus and beliefs can radically change, or she is liberated and seeks freedom from restriction. I looked at transits for when Jaycee was abducted and transiting Jupiter was moving through Leo and squared her Sun-Chiron conjunction in Taurus. This shows us that at the time of the abduction a "Zeus" (Jupiter) type male had come into her life and literally carried her off kicking and screaming (as in myth).
When Jaycee returned 18 years later, Saturn returned back to it's natal position and powerfully marks her RETURN as an adult now back into the real world. Transiting Uranus also trines her natal Uranus. Both transiting Saturn and Uranus form a mutable T-square to Venus in Gemini. A relationship breaks up suddenly and separation is often indicated.
2009 MacArthur Fellows: Lin He and Beth Shapiro
Recipients of the 2009 MacArthur Fellowship - sometimes referred to as the MacArthur "genius grant" - are an interesting mix of writers, artists, journalists, scientists, attorneys, entrepeneurs and physicians who have one thing in common: they have demonstrated "exceptional creativity in their work and the prospect for still more in the future". The 24 fellows will receive a $500,000 stipend over the course of five years, no strings attached.
This year's winners include two young women scientists:
Lin He is an assistant professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. She studies the role of microRNAs in the development of cancer:
Beth Shapiro is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Pennsylvania State University. She is "an evolutionary biologist who integrates molecular phylogenetics with advanced computational biostatistics to reconstruct the influences on population dynamics in a wide variety of organisms." She is using the methods she and her colleagues developed to study the population history of recently extinct (like the dodo) or currently threatened species to assess the effects of environmental change on polar bear populations, an approach that will help in shaping conservation efforts. She also has been studying the evolution of RNA viruses in individual patients, an approach that may help in understanding the development of virulence in human pathogens.
Prior to joining Penn State in 2007, Shapiro was director of the Ancient Biomolcules Centre at Oxford University. She was also named one one "America's Young Innovators in the Arts and Sciences" by Smithsonian Magazine.
Here Shapiro explains "How to Clone a Mammoth":
More information about Beth Shapiro:
Photos courtesy of the MacArthur Foundation
Tags: MacArthur Fellows, Lin He, Beth Shapiro
This year's winners include two young women scientists:
Lin He is an assistant professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. She studies the role of microRNAs in the development of cancer:
More information about Lin He:Lin He's research involves a class of small ribonucleic acid, or RNA, that are not transcribed into protein like messenger RNA. Instead, these microRNAs or miRNAs bind to messenger RNA to regulate the amount of protein produced. This entirely new level of dosage regulation in mammals was not realized until 2000, even though miRNAs were first discovered in 1993. Now, miRNAs have been shown to be involved in many aspects of development and diseases, He said.
"MicroRNAs are a mechanism to fine-tune gene expression simultaneously in many different pathways, achieving a homeostasis very much needed for many biological processes," He said. "In the case of cancer, where some microRNAs behave abnormally, detrimental effects will occur due to the loss of proper gene regulation by microRNAs."
He has shown that miRNAs play a role in a broad range of cancers, in particular those such as lung cancer that involve mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene. She is also investigating the role of miRNA in the development of B cell lymphomas.
"In an area that has generated intense effort among many leading researchers, Lin He has established early in her career the capacity to make significant advances with direct implications for the development of future cancer treatment strategies," the MacArthur Foundation noted.
Beth Shapiro is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Pennsylvania State University. She is "an evolutionary biologist who integrates molecular phylogenetics with advanced computational biostatistics to reconstruct the influences on population dynamics in a wide variety of organisms." She is using the methods she and her colleagues developed to study the population history of recently extinct (like the dodo) or currently threatened species to assess the effects of environmental change on polar bear populations, an approach that will help in shaping conservation efforts. She also has been studying the evolution of RNA viruses in individual patients, an approach that may help in understanding the development of virulence in human pathogens.Prior to joining Penn State in 2007, Shapiro was director of the Ancient Biomolcules Centre at Oxford University. She was also named one one "America's Young Innovators in the Arts and Sciences" by Smithsonian Magazine.
Here Shapiro explains "How to Clone a Mammoth":
More information about Beth Shapiro:
- MacArthur Fellow Profile
- Official Web Site
- America's Young Innovators in the Arts and Sciences: "How to Make a Dodo"
- Penn State Press release
- Wikipedia article
- Jill Seaman, Infectious Disease Physician in Old Fangak, Sudan
- Mary Tinetti, Geriatric Physician at the Yale School of Medicine
Photos courtesy of the MacArthur Foundation
Tags: MacArthur Fellows, Lin He, Beth Shapiro
Jupiter Key Words: Intuition
The definition for intuition is an instinctive knowing (without the use of the rational function) some call it a “hunch“. The root of the English word derives from the Latin word intuitus meaning roughly “the act of achieving knowledge through direct perception or contemplation”. Scholars have termed intuition as a judgement about things that are consonant with a person’s worldview.
It is difficult to express into words what intuition is because it is non-rational and can‘t be explained. The number one question you are confronted with regarding intuition is - How do you know what you know? It is the type of knowledge that comes to us without our rational processes or analytic thinking. It is often termed as a higher knowledge that guides us in the right direction. Intuition is the universal intelligent life force, it is that deep wisdom and inner “knowing” it is knowledge appearing without any “rational” explanation. You might have all the technical information and analysis but it is the intuition that “knows” which way to go.
Jupiter has a nose for the next big thing, and he can intuit where something is going to catch on like wildfire. Individuals who are successful at gambling often have “hunches” that lead them in the right direction. Usually they are highly attuned to Jupiter and just “know” what horse will win the race. Don’t ask them to logically explain their choice because you will not get a rational explanation. For example you might have Jupiter in the 8th house and have that intuitive business plan or you put your money into something that is not popular now, but you “know” that something is going to grow and expand and catch on quickly, and you are usually right. Others may have gone with a safe bet and walked down the known path, but Jupiter doesn’t use logic he intuits the future. Therefore, intuition is not logic or fact it goes beyond that. You might get a hunch that something is going to happen, and to your surprise it does happen.
Quotes on intuition
“Intuition is the clear conception of the whole at once.”
“Intuition is the supra-logic that cuts out all the routine processes of thought and leaps straight from the problem to the answer.” Robert Grave
"All great men are gifted with intuition. They know without reasoning or analysis, what they need to know". Alexis Carrel
"Intuition is a spiritual faculty and does not explain, but simply points the way".
"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift". Albert Einstein
Death Wish
Christine Pascal was a French actress, director and writer. She lived a life most people would dream of; however, privately, she was torn apart by inner turmoil and self-destructive thoughts. Christine had contemplated suicide at various times in her life and would openly tell people that she wanted to end it all. Most people never took her threat seriously, and they assumed she was just being “dramatic“. It was evident she had a fascination with dying, and in her first directed movie Felecite, the film opened with a suicide scene. Christine was asked how she would like to die; she told them " I would throw myself out of a window". It has been reported that she had stayed in a mental hospital for some time before the suicide.
Christine was born with an unaspected Sun in Sagittarius in the 5th house. In Liz Greene’s Astrology for Lovers she describes Sagittarius as a sign that is more amateur dramatics than Leo! In Christine’s chart she has a double does of fire (Sun in fire sign & house). When a planet is unaspected the lines of expression are “cut off” from the rest of the chart. If you have hard aspects to the Sun, at least you are "recognised" even if your individuality is challenged. There are a couple of ways an unaspected Sun can manifest. Firstly, it can take a long time to express her core self (Sun) and do what she wants; there is always a feeling of being “unnoticed“, and her real individual essence isn’t recognised. Or, alternatively, she is completely free to do what she wants, and in the most dramatic fashion (A fiery Sun), she follows her own direction. The Sun in Sagittarius is about discovery, adventure and purpose. The Sun in the 5th house is focused on creative expression, romance, art, and drama. The Sun trines her Leo Ascendant and Aries M.C, so her self-expression is at ease with the way she presents herself (ASC) and how she goes about realizing her aspirations (M.C).
Christine’s Moon is in Virgo in the 3rd house, which is in deep contrast to her fiery Sun. Moon in Virgo tends to analyse emotions, and they are not prone to expressing feelings spontaneously, there is strong humility and instinctive need to serve. Christine is prone to self-critical questioning, and she would never feel emotionally satisfied with her achievements. The Moon is in an exact square to Jupiter in Gemini. Her analytic emotions are in conflict with the part of her that is spontaneous, witty, expansive and socially expressive. Jupiter is placed in the 11th house showing expansion and developing the world of ideas, or being part of a group or social cause. However, her social side is conflicting with her need to always analyse her emotional responses. With the Moon in aspect to expansive Jupiter she may blow emotional issues out of proportion, and she could then critically assess her responses.
Mercury the planet of communication and intellect is in introspective and cynical Scorpio. Mercury in Scorpio has an honest and unflinching view of life. Mercury in the 4th house could indicate that she may have researched or explored psychology at home and she analyses her emotions deeply. Mercury also forms a square to Pluto (death, sex, and transformation), and this shows us that she needs to understand her inner motivations. Mercury-Pluto contacts can create mental paranoia and fixation with subjects such as death, transformation, sex and all taboo matters. This contact can crate morbid thinking. Kurt Cobain and Michael Jackson share the same aspect. I have also seen this aspect in this chart of a poet, and his material was very dark, taboo and sexual (Mercury and Pluto were conjunct in poetic Pisces).
The Subterranean River
Christine has five planets in the 4th house (water) and she has been described as extraordinarily sensitive. The fourth house describes an individual’s background and is the lowest point of the chart and signifies our most private self, it is the part of us that is hidden from the world. This sector of the chart is traditionally associated with the end of life. In Liz Greene’s much acclaimed book “Saturn A New Look at an Old Devil”, she offers some powerful insights for understanding the 4th house, she says "The 4th house describes conditions before the development of the discriminating mind, any planet placed here is highly suspect because it points to something in the psyche which must be first discovered and brought up to the surface, before it can be dealt with constructively. The influence of the fourth house is like a great moving subterranean river beneath the surface of the later personality which is developed in accord to the Sun and ascendant; and this river may be powerful enough to dominate the behavior without being seen". Christine has three planets in Scorpio in the 4th house, and inwardly she longs for transformation. Saturn in the 4th house forms a square to her Leo Ascendant, and Christine's sense of direction was affected by Saturn’s emotional repression and inner difficulties.
At the time of her death transiting Pluto the planet of endings, cycles and transformation was conjunct the Sun. Transiting Uranus conjoined her Descendant (house of others) and confronts her identity in the first house. This represents a time of unpredictability in her social interaction. Transiting Uranus squares natal Saturn in Scorpio in the 4th house and often shows broken bones and accidents.
The Sultana's Dream
'Our good Queen liked science very much. She circulated an order that all the women in her country should be educated. Accordingly a number of girls' schools were founded and supported by the government. Education was spread far and wide among women. And early marriage also was stopped. No woman was to be allowed to marry before she was twenty-one. I must tell you that, before this change we had been kept in strict purdah.''How the tables are turned,' I interposed with a laugh.
'But the seclusion is the same,' she said. 'In a few years we had separate universities, where no men were admitted.'
'In the capital, where our Queen lives, there are two universities. One of these invented a wonderful balloon, to which they attached a number of pipes. By means of this captive balloon which they managed to keep afloat above the cloud-land, they could draw as much water
from the atmosphere as they pleased. As the water was incessantly being drawn by the university people no cloud gathered and the ingenious Lady Principal stopped rain and storms thereby.''Really! Now I understand why there is no mud here!' said I. But I could not understand how it was possible to accumulate water in the pipes. She explained to me how it was done, but I was unable to understand her, as my scientific knowledge was very limited. However, she went on, 'When the other university came to know of this, they became exceedingly jealous and tried to do something more extraordinary still. They invented an instrument by which they could
collect as much sun-heat as they wanted. And they kept the heat stored up to be distributed among others as required.'While the women were engaged in scientific research, the men of this country were busy increasing their military power. When they came to know that the female universities were able to draw water from the atmosphere and collect heat from the sun, they only laughed at the
members of the universities and called the whole thing "a sentimental nightmare"!''Your achievements are very wonderful indeed! But tell me, how you managed to put the men of your country into the zenana. Did you entrap them first?'
'No.'
'It is not likely that they would surrender their free and open air life of their own accord and confine themselves within the four walls of the zenana! They must have been overpowered.'
'Yes, they have been!'
'By whom? By some lady-warriors, I suppose?'
'No, not by arms.'
'Yes, it cannot be so. Men's arms are stronger than women's. Then?'
'By brain.'
'Even their brains are bigger and heavier than women's. Are they not?'
'Yes, but what of that? An elephant also has got a bigger and heavier brain than a man has. Yet man can enchain elephants and employ them, according to their own wishes.'
'Well said, but tell me please, how it all actually happened. I am dying to know it!'
'Women's brains are somewhat quicker than men's. Ten years ago, when the military officers called our scientific discoveries "a sentimental nightmare," some of the young ladies wanted to say something in reply to those remarks. But both the Lady Principals restrained them and said, they should reply not by word, but by deed, if ever they got the opportunity. And they had not long to wait for that opportunity.'
~ from "Sultana's Dream" by Rokeya Sakhawat, 1905
Rokeya Sakhawat (also known as Roquia Sakhawat Hussain) was an early 20th century Muslim feminist writer and social worker from what is present-day Bangladesh. She was a "crusader for girls' education", and founded Sakhawat Memorial Girls' High School - the first school primarily aimed at Muslim girls. Her 1905 science-fiction short story, "Sultana's Dream", is set in a utopian future where women rule and the men are locked away at home, very much like the Muslim practice of purdah that kept most women in the home in Sakhawat's time (and yes, today too).
I find the story particularly enjoyable because of the way in which the women took over: they studied science and developed useful inventions while the men scoffed. It was their brains, rather than brawn, that created their peaceful country. And while I don't believe that women are "smarter" than men, or that the world would be necessarily a much better place if women ruled by locking up the men, I do think that increasing the number of women scientists would indeed improve the world if only because excluding a significant portion of the population from scientific research is a huge waste of brainpower.
And even though women in Bangladesh face many obstacles - poverty is widespread and only 32% of women are literate - there are indeed a number Bangladeshi women scientists making a difference today:
- Interview with Dr. Tasnim Azim, head of the HIV/AIDS Programme and Virology Laboratory Sciences Division at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B)
- Interview with Dr. Ruchira Tabassum Naved, Gender & Reproductive Health Specialist in the Public Health Sciences Division at ICDDR,B
- Interview with Dr. Shamima Akhter, Research Investigator, Health Systems and Infectious Diseases division of ICDDR,B.
- "More Women Scientists in Bangladesh" and "What Banladesh Needs" by Hasina Akhter, UNESCO-L'OREAL for Women in Science International Fellow, 200
("Sultana's Dream" via Nesrine Malik in The Guardian's Comment is free)
Image: Dr. Shamima Akhter, Research Investigator, Health Systems and Infectious Diseases Division, ICDDR, B
Tags: women in science, Bangladesh
No Air: Joey Tribbiani
The elements are considered to be vitally important in understanding the nature of an individual. However, what happens when an element is missing completely? How does an individual respond to the missing element? I am not entirely sure how to answer this question. In the next few posts I will explore charts that are missing the element of air. This means that there are no planets in Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. There are some ideas that we use which help interpret this factor in the birth chart, and below is the “general” astrological school of thought for interpreting the meaning of “No Air“:When the individual has no air in his chart he may not realize that he is exceptionally intelligent. He may be a genius in the field of communications. Or he may have no “idea” that the element is lacking. He may be intolerant of stupidity and slow intellectual responses in others. They may have trouble communicating. Learning the process of analysis and collecting data may prove to be exceptionally difficult. They may struggle in order to compensate and balance the missing element. These are the standardised interpretations that you will find in astrology books. As you can see there are contradictions. Human beings are rarely simple, and a closer look at the individual chart can perhaps help us to understand how the individual deals psychologically with this missing element.
My first example of an individual with no air in his natal chart is Matt Le Blanc, he has played simple-minded Joey Tribbiani for 10 years on the American comedy series Friends. You can’t be mean about Joey, he is lovably stupid, but he fails to catch the obvious jokes. He isn’t the sharpest tool in the box, but the character is extremely fun to watch. He has no problem with getting women and he has a powerful sexual appetite (he loves his food too). His two best friends are intelligent which could make him feel intellectually inferior.
Chandler is the witty and humorous one noted for his wisecracks, he specializes in statistical factoring and data reconfiguration. Chandler has a big problem getting women, and he uses his humour to cover his nervousness. Ross, is the geeky Palaeontologist, he is a Professor at the University. He is socially awkward and clumsy, and has had three failed marriages. Joey plays on his own strength and he is not shy at all around women, he is extremely confident and good at socializing (Air). It is evident that Matt Leblanc’s natal chart has been instrumental for the successful portrayal of Joey Tribianni. Matt must get annoyed if people think he is “Joey” in real life, or perhaps he sees the funny side. Matt Le Blanc has Mercury in Cancer square Saturn in Aries and this aspect lacks intellectual confidence, he also has a grand water trine and his Sun in Leo square to Mars in Scorpio, helps to express the confident, dramatic, and passionate side of Joey Tribbiani.
I promise you this isn’t the only example of missing Air (I will show all the ways it can manifest). I have quite an interesting verbal character coming next. For now, enjoy the unintentional wit and comedy of Joey.
DAD'S BEATING LEFT ME DRIPPING WITH BLOOD
Christina Aguilera has spoken about the abuse she has suffered at the hands of her father. The singer described how she was left covered in blood after a vicious beating. After this particular incident it prompted her mother to leave her abusive husband. Christina said “I witnessed a lot of unpleasant things - a lot of pushing and shoving and fighting and quarrelling. Feeling powerless is the worst feeling in the world. I turned to singing as an outlet. The pain at home is where my love for music came from“.Christina has Sun in Sagittarius conjunct Mercury and Neptune; this is an expansive combination, and Neptune rules illusions, dreams and escape. Coming from a violent home, she is extremely sensitive to discord and she would seek privacy and shelter. Neptune takes us out of reality and cushions us from the pain of the real world. Christina is extraordinarily compassionate and sensitive, and her personal boundaries are easily violated. Neptune also rules the arts, music, film and drama and she shines (Sun) in this arena, and has a powerful imagination (Mercury-Neptune). Christina’s father (Sun) may have been elusive and difficult to get hold of. He can be emotionally withdrawn and evasive. Escape may have been sought through drinking, drugs or physically disappearing. Sun-Neptune’s father can be described as a "weak role model", and he is an individual that has suffered deep disillusionment in life. Christina's task is to find her inner confidence and self esteem, and fulfill her dreams.
I am a Fighter
Christina has Mars the planet of assertiveness and strength in Capricorn the sign of ambition and self-control. Mars in Capricorn can describe unresolved feelings of anger towards her father. Mars is square to Pluto and this describes a woman who has had to fight to survive. She is determined (Mars in Capricorn) to overcome her earlier adversity. This can be a self-destructive aspect and it symbolizes buried (Pluto) rage (Mars). According to James Braha “Traditional astrological texts report that certain individuals with hard Mars-Pluto aspects are subject to violence, sexual abuse and rape, etc. This is especially true in cases where the person is unaware of (or repressed) his massive desire nature, intense physical and sexual urges, and egocentric needs dominate“. The singer is threatened by her own sense of power and she may fear confrontation for this reason. The pop star is ambitious and competitive, and she has a tremendous amount of raw energy. The Astrodatabank chart has Pluto in the 8th house. I will be covering all the Pluto houses and I will explore this placement in depth. Pluto in the 8th house is exploring power in all forms. The 8th house symbolises family legacies, secrets and various uncomfortable and taboo aspects of life. The 8th house can describe the family inheritance and what is passed down from your relatives, it can point towards unresolved issues. Pluto in the 8th house may show family abuse, rape, murder, bankruptcy etc. Christina abhors superficial relating with her 8th house Pluto. However, Christina’s early work resembled something out of Disney. Further into her career she expressed her own music and lyrics, and we saw a powerfully raw Christina Aguilera take stage. Her early management team may have wanted her to present a socially nice young lady (Libra). Thank god, the real Christina showed up.
Here is one of her songs describing the terror of her childhood. "I’m OK".
Mercury-Neptune
Merging with Something Greater(A personal account of Mercury-Neptune)
In astrology Neptune is the desire to go beyond the self and merge with something greater. It is the urge to lose ourselves and dissolve all boundaries, to be one with all life. Neptune breaks down barriers and can overwhelm us by flooding our conscious selves with images of the unconscious and unseen. Under Neptune we feel that there is a deeper emotional connection to the world and we have empathy for all people no matter their class, race, or religion. Neptune represents our universal feelings and it is primarily the ruler of water, this element in astrology symbolises all that is emotional, feminine, and mysterious. Water has the ability to flow through, over and round objects, it can wear away anything which gets in the way, and water can create new life in response to it’s own inner urgings. Deep water often signifies being out of our depth or entering into our subconscious. Spiritual rebirth is represented by the cycle of water, and the sea represents our cosmic consciousness, the original chaotic state in which all life emerges. Inherent in that state is all knowledge and completeness, although it may be obscured by our fear of it’s depths. The rise and fall of the tides is to be conscious both of the passage of time and of the rise and fall of our own emotions. Neptune has a dissolving effect on personal identity, motivations, clarity and ego. When we are under Neptune natally or by transit, it often describes the strange feeling of being lost and hopeless in the great sea, and it becomes more and more difficult maintaining our physical reality.
Early Education
The Gifts1. Mercury in combination with Neptune shows a powerful imagination. The storyteller.
2. The minds sensitivity & receptivity is enhanced.
3. There is often an interest in the spiritual and the occult.
4. A deep appreciation of art, music, and beauty, in general anything which uplifts the mind. They may favour fictional writing especially of the mystical kind.
Personal Creativity
During my school days I was alaways chastised by my teacher for drawing the same picture over & over again. I always used to draw a house. My school teacher called me unimaginative. Drawing a house is a pretty common theme for all children. A house represents security and safety, and it has been said to represent the protection of the great mother. Children’s early drawings are a form of non-verbal communication. I was terribly shy as a little girl and my head was filled up with all sorts of images that I could not communicate about to others, and so drawings, poetry or play are often expressions of this vivid and colourful world, and can it can also be used as a marker for a child’s emotional state. Mercury-Neptune is learning the “art” of communication on many levels, and learning how to communicate a symbolic world that is difficult for many minds to reach, this can be through literary pursuits such as storytelling, poetry, or spiritual subjects. Pursuits that allow the imagination free rein are favoured. Mercury-Neptune may simply mean the individual is overcoming emotional complexes and sensitivity around communication.
The Challenges
2. Thinking may seem vague and unclear.
3. A sensitivity to drugs, and may have problems with substance abuse.
4. Learning difficulties can sometime be indicated, speech and hearing problems, dyslexia and other related conditions which may refer to confused or disorganized thinking.
Neptune and the Quest for Redemption, by Liz Greene:
One of the most profound and disturbing ways of gaining insight into Mercury is to work with severely autistic children, who have appeared to put the planet into cold storage. Little or no communication passes from the autistic child to the outer world, nor does any external event intrude upon the child’s enclosure in uterine waters. Emotional experiences cannot make their way past the barriers to produce recognisable responses other than terror and rage. On some level we all have elements of autism within us, where the lines of communication have broken down, or where our perceptions are no longer of what is there. Mercury-Neptune can provide a channel between the imaginable realm and the intellect, and between the individual and the oceanic source. Equally it may reflect broken bridges and severed telephone lines, where the individual is locked into the paradise garden and can perceive nothing outside it’s walls except the threat of extinction.
Constant State of Confusion
The feeling of being in a constant state of confusion can mean that on a deeper level Mercury-Neptune is refusing to deal with mundane relaity, and they can be confused by external matters - forgetting to pay bills, or losing objects and experiencing misunderstandings in communication. Outer events mirror the deep mental disorganisation inside. Mentally they can feel weakened and lethargic. Neptune dissolves the mental capacity and the level of clarity is decreased. In the worse cae scenario they can become abnormally forgetful and detached from reality. Such mental confusion indicates that inwardly they have lost direction and the ability to make clear decisions. To reach a state of wholeness in communicating Mercury-Neptune has to repair the bridge between thinking and feeling and between conscious awareness and unconscious motivation.My personal Struggles in Communicating
As a child I needed a minor operation on my ears, and after the surgery I had to attend speech therapy lessons. I am completely healed today but I still found it difficult communicating to people verbally. I think this sensitivity has stayed with me for a long time and I still have that an internal fear that others would not understand me. I have always felt intellectually inferior, and this has been one of my greatest challenges to overcome. My communication is fine now, but those haunting inner messages still live on. I am very sensitive to people and the enviroment, too sensitive at times. Most of the communication problems may not be this evident with other Mercury-Neptune's and the level of disorganization may not be so servere. Someone can be completely business like at work and at home they can be disorganized.
Water on the Brain
The hard aspects involving Mercury-Neptune are more troublesome than the easy flowing aspects. When an aspect forms between Mercury and Neptune we are bringing the conscious (Mercury) and the unconscious (Neptune) into conflict. Some of the effects of this can be quite disturbing to the rational mind (Mercury). Fear, doubt, and confusion can take over the mental reasoning. And at it’s most extreme level the Mercury-Neptune individual can feel as if they are losing their mind. Yet Neptune can add a rich quality to the imagination, and such great sensitivity and receptivity can prove to be of immense value to the individual, and it is well worth developing. If the ego is not contained or strong enough to handle the oceanic waters then there is inevitably a severe threat to the individuals sense of reality in everyday life. Neptune clouds the conscious mind and rational thought processes are overtaken by emotional complexes that are unconscious. There is often a powerful need to escape from everyday reality through drugs, alcohol or losing the mind in television & movies and becoming absorbed (Neptune) in fantasies and daydreams.
The Collective Unconscious
Neptune in astrology is called an outer planet and this means that the planet has a collective meaning for all, to explain this further I will reference some of Carl Jung’s work on the subject. According to Carl Jung the collective unconscious contains archetypes. Jung believed that important creative ideas come from influences greater than those in the mind of a single individual. The images, figures, and characters seem to be remnants of the experiences of our ancestors, it’s a place were all souls are connected and have been through the ages. These are the archetypes you find in stories, myths and legends. According to Jung this explains the similarities of the creation myths, the resurrection and flood stories found in widely separating cultures. Jung believes the collective unconscious was inherited rather than developed. It’s a knowledge we are born with a container of our experiences as the whole human race. Jung believes that whoever speaks in primordial images (Neptune) speaks with a thousand voices, he enthralls and empowers while at the same time he lifts the idea he is seeking to express out of the occasional and into the transitory realm of the ever enduring.Jung believed that individuals tapping into the collective unconscious, are those most adept of high quality creative activity. Thus many individuals with Neptune connected to personal planets in the chart or Neptune on an angle or in the 12th house, have a connection to the collective unconscious where deep reservoirs of images and archetypes exist in a flowing motion. According to Jung, the aim of an active imagination is to find the middle position between “conscious” and “unconscious” having a quality of conjoined opposites. Jung also spoke of a transcendent function of opposites. A precondition for the success of active imagination is that it shall not be a pretext for flight from life. “Fantasies are no substitute for living” they are the fruits of the spirit which fall to him who pays his tribute to life. The shirker experiences nothing but his own morbid fear, and it yields him no meaning.
Collective Dreams
The collective unconscious (Neptune) has been likened to a “world spirit” or “world soul”. Something which flows from the divine into the human subject, and the unconscious begins when emotions are generated. Jung put his hypothesis of the collective unconscious on solid ground and in reality by observing and investigating the dreams of modern men and women. Unconscious material is often repressed and forgotten and it often appears in dreams. The individual with Mercury in aspect to Neptune can have a difficulty judging whether the conscious is predominating over the unconscious, or the unconscious over the conscious. According to Jung, in coming to terms with the unconscious the ego takes the lead but the unconscious must be allowed to have it’s say.
Fairies don't Exist: Disowning Neptune
Individuals with this aspect can deny the unconscious exists. There will be a deep fear of anything spiritual, psychological and what the person may call irrational. The intellect may be used to combat Neptune. The truth can be distorted in this area and the individual holds on desperately to what can only be perceived as logic. This type of individual may accuse others of being gullible wishy washy fools for indulging in the Neptunian world of dreams, fantasy, art, music or the whole of the imaginable realm.
Related Posts:
- If you like Jung, read Lynn Hayes great chart analysis here at Astrological Musings.
Female Rivalry: Venus in Gemini
Venus in mythology was sometimes referred to as the “dark one” because of the the tragedies which resulted from her passions. Aphrodite in myth would create terrible punshments when she was not the revered one, or acclaimed as the most beautiful. In society today female rivalry is still rife. Remember the rivalry that went on between Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks. Naomi felt threatened and jealous that another black model had entered the scene, and she turned into a super bitch. Although admittedly she is like this to a LOT of people. Reportedly she made Tyra banks modelling life hell, and on many occasions the model had been left in tears by Naomi's attempts to ward off her “female rival”. If we peer psycologically into Naomi Campbell’s horoscope map, we see she has Venus in Gemini conjunct Mars and both are square to Pluto. The Mars square Pluto aspect can be extremely competitive, and ruthless in it’s attempts to win. Individuals with this aspect may use their power constructively or destructively.If we add Venus to the equation - in comes competiveness (Mars) linked into the female anima. Other attractive females (Venus) can be a threat (Pluto). Naomi's Mars in Gemini can be extremely fierce and argumentative. Gemini is an air sign and thus she can be very abusive verbally (Mars-Pluto rules abuse). There is a lot of rage contained in Mars square Pluto and she spits all her venom out at other people. Gemini is the sign of the twins and it is strange to see this battle between opposities fight it out. In myth Gemini is connected to the twins Castor and Pollux, one twin is divine and the other is mortal (I guess Naomi would see herself as the divine one) but there is always that inner split of light and darkness. There is the confrontation with the dark twin, and the issue of rivalry seems to appear in Gemini’s life through a sibling, friendship or another model! Astrology’s myths find there way once again into the reality of our lives. Naomi made sure her female rival was not going to defeat her. However, the "underdog" came out on top and landed her own show; she hosts "America’s Next Top Model". And if you watch an episode of America’s Next Top Model you will see the jealousy, fighting, bitching and competiveness on the show models compete to for the top prize. It is ironic, since Tyra was emotionally distraught by the treatment she received as a young model.
The Eiffel Tower Jump
Don’t watch the video if you feel uncomfortable with seeing his death.
Why the crazy Jump?
In his natal chart he had Mars in Gemini opposed Jupiter in Sagittarius. With Mars in aspect to Jupiter we see a man with great enthusiasm but also a risk taking propensity, and someone who is mentally restless. Jupiter in Sagittarius is placed in it’s own sign, and he had way too much confidence for the jump, and lacked clear judement, and he got too carried away. Mars-Jupiter is a very adventurous combination, and can be a careless aspect. Too much impulsiveness caused his death. Saturn in the natal chart represents lessons we are learning to master, and with Saturn in the sign of Taurus - he is learning all about patience, stability and steadiness!!!. The inventive side to his personality comes through Mercury in Capricorn conjunct Uranus, which adds mental originality, discovery, breaking through barriers. The Sun is also placed in Aquarius and this is a future orientated sign focused on taking humanity forward.
Read also: Racing Driver The Astrology of Unusual Accidents
Beyonce: Transiting Jupiter in Aquarius trine Venus in Libra = Rise in Popularity
Beyonce Knowles acted so sweet and kind, when she went up to accept her award she offered the stage to the lovely Taylor Swift, and gave Taylor back her deserved moment in the spotlight. As everybody knows Kanye West rudely interrupted Taylor's speech by snatching the microphone out of her hands and ranting on about Beyonce's video. I recently looked at Beyonce's Chart and her stellium in Libra certainly does not appreciate rudeness, and you could tell she was mortified by the whole event. Transiting Jupiter is currently trine her natal Venus in Libra, and this transit represents "pleasant" gatherings, and she attracts joy and positivity now. She turned the whole fiasco around by offering Taylor centre stage, and this move attracted (Venus in Libra) support from the crowd (Aquarius). Right now, the stars are the bringers of goodwill and fortune in Beyonce's life. Many people applauded Beyonce for balancing the scales, and putting it all right again. She doesn't have a stellium in Libra for nothing!
Soap Opera Chart
Deidre Hall has played the most outrageous character ever in soap history. Here are just some of the things that have happened to her.
2. Marlene has been used as a surrogate for genetically engineered babies, during a four year coma.
3. She has been kidnapped numerous times.
4. She has been raped and the man who attacked her was murdered by his own son.
5. She has been stalked and threatened by the Salem strangler; he then killed her twin sister thinking it was Marlena.
The list goes on… Screen life has been absolutely horrendous and I would expect Marlene’s chart to look exactly like this. In real life I didn’t see any major events; she has married three times, and has had difficulty having children of her own which could be reflected by the Leo configuration. Overall, it seems most of the drama is played out on screen in the most DRAMATIC role ever; she has played this character for nearly all of her life. If you have a difficult chart a good outlet is acting, and that way you can use some of that energy up. Or perhaps find another outlet like art or writing. I came across the same thing when looking at Dakota Fanning’s natal chart she has powerful emotions with her Piscean and Plutonian personality. Releasing the tension and high drama in a creative way really does help relieve the intensity of "soap opera charts".
George Carlin on Similarities
Vanished Without a Trace: Robin Ann Graham
Robin Graham was a college student who disappeared from a Los Angles freeway on November 15th 1970. She has not been heard from since, and there are no clues as to her whereabouts or subsequent fate. Robin was out for the night with friends, and she was seen later by officers on the California Highway at approximately 2.00 am on November 15th, she was beside her car on the southbound on Hollywood Freeway, and she was in the presence of a dark haired white man estimated to be in his mid twenties. Robin used a call box to ask that the operator let her parents know that she had run out of gas; her younger sister took the call and relayed the information to her parents - who returned at 2.30 am. They went immediately to the location, and found Robin’s car but she was missing. It was suspected that she was a victim of the Zodiac Killer. To this day her case remains an unsolved mystery.Astrological Chart
Robin has four planets in Cancer, and this is a vulnerable and sensitive sign. Her Sun is conjunct Venus in Cancer and shows a pleasing and gentle personality. Her Sun in Cancer is square to Saturn in Libra; she had self-doubt around her own self-sufficiency, and she lacked self confidence, however, she has a serious and responsible disposition. The aspect can show difficulty with men, and for a Cancerian she would have been feeling very vulnerable, scared and anxious in this kind of situation. Any woman would feel this way stranded on a motorway. Her Sun and Venus in Cancer trine Mars in Scorpio, and shows an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual, she related well to the opposite sex. This is a contradiction to my previous statement, but she was popular. She had great sensitivity and intensity, along with a warm sociable aura. According to James Braha, "There is personality and presence here. The person is well loved and not easily forgotten ". Seventeen years after her disappearance an ad appeared in the newspaper that read “Dearest Robin, you ran out of gas on the Hollywood Freeway. A man in a corvette pulled over to help. You’ve not been seen of since. It’s been 17 years, but it’s always just yesterday. Still looking for you.” It turned out to be written by a friend still living in the neighbourhood. He simply wanted to express that Robin had not been forgotten.
Transits at the time of her disappearance -
Transiting Jupiter in Scorpio and Saturn in Taurus were in opposition to one another, and both squared natal Pluto in Leo. A fixed t-square to Pluto represents a time of psychological darkness, obsession, power struggles, and dangerous passions erupting. You can manipulate or be manipulated under hard aspects to Pluto - and there can be an all or nothing approach to life at this time. It is a very difficult t-square and it connects to her nodal axis. Transiting Saturn square Pluto is extremely powerful and it often appears around events that are not in your control. Some call it fate, but it usually represents that we are up against something that is out of our hands. You could say she was in "the wrong place at the wrong time", but it coincided with her difficult transits. Transitng Neptune was not featured powerfully in her chart, it inconjucts her Sun and Venus exactly. I only use the major aspects, but this may be something to consider.Transiting Chiron opposed Saturn in Libra, and this aspect can describe insurmountable wounding and obstacles around her identity and relationships. In this case the transits don’t seem to favour the best outcome, but astrology cannot predict exact events it only shows symbolism.
Vanished Without a Trace: Louis Le Prince
Louis Le Prince was an inventor who was considered by many historians as the true father of motion pictures, he shot his first moving pictures on paper using a single lens. He was never able to perform a planned public demonstration in the United States because he mysteriously disappeared. On the 16th September 1890, he boarded a train, promising friends he would rejoin them in Paris on the following Monday, and this was to be followed by a trip to the U.S to promote his new camera. He did not arrive at the appointed time and was never seen again. The French Police and his family undertook an exhaustive search, but never found his luggage or body. A century later, an archive was found to contain a photograph of a drowned man that could have been him.There are five theories for his disappearance.
1. A missing person - No strange behaviour was reported, and no one saw Le Prince board the train apart from his brother. Perhaps the conclusion is that he didn’t want to be found.
2. Perfect Suicide - According to police Le Prince wanted to commit suicide because he was on the verge of bankruptcy. Le Prince had arranged his suicide, and took care of his belongings.
3. Patent war assassins - Christopher Rawlence pursues the assassination theory. At the time that he vanished he was about to patent his 1889 projector for official exhibition. His widow assumed fowled play, although no evidence was found. However, Rawlence prefers the suicide theory.
4. Disappearance ordered by the family - Another theory was proposed, and it was thought that he voluntarily disappeared for reasons of financial order and family convenience. A note was found that stated Le Prince died in Chicago in 1898, voluntarily disappeared at he family’s request. This statement was made by a famous historian, but kept secret.
5. Murdered for money - Another theory questioned why his brother never stopped him going on the train, if it was believed he would commit suicide.
Loius Le Prince was born under a cardinal t-square involving Venus in Libra, Pluto in Aries and Jupiter in Capricorn. A cardinal t-square can symbolize someone who has ambition, and lots of energy to pursue his goals. For Louis, life always has to be happening, and he would be the one to initiate change in his environment. He thrives on crisis and is motivated by challenge. Venus in Libra is powerful in its own sign; this means he enjoys the companionship of others, and he can be attracted to art, music, and law. Financial gain can be made through these activities. With Jupiter at apex of a t-square he has to be careful about misjudging situations or over committing himself to something. The immediate realities can be overlooked when Jupiter the planet of expansion, growth and excess is stressed. All his buoyancy and luck (Jupiter) is focused through Capricorn, and here we have a clash between optimism and pessimism. This placement can indicate wealth is lost, but on the whole he believes in tradition establishment and working hard.The optimist versus the pessimist motif is further accentuated because Jupiter is in conjunction with Saturn (restrictions, fear, delay), and his luck can run out. However, this does indicate a hardworking individual who sadly might have suffered from difficult material circumstances. He will have fluctuated from feeling hopeful about his future, and then back down to feeling depressed and pessimistic about his whole situation. According to James Braha in his book How to be a Great Astrologer, "Jupiter-Saturn aspects are the most common features in the charts of suicides". Liz Greene in her book Saturn a New Look at an old Devil says “And after the aspects of Venus-Saturn, these are the favorite choice for suicides". Lois Le Prince also had a wide Venus square Saturn aspect. This could be pointing powerfully towards the suicide theory. Again there is another Mars-Neptune aspect in the natal chart, and this can be a common feature in the charts of people who have physically disappeared. In Louis Le Prince's chart Mars is in the creative sign of Leo, and Louis would not like to feel small, he will always want to maintain his honour, he has a very sensitised Mars with Neptune in opposition, and this can symbolize his artistic and creative interest in film.
Transits at the time of his disappearance -
Transiting Saturn in Virgo was crossing his Sun-Mercury conjunction, and this shows a heavy analytical time; he would have had a serious and pessimistic frame of mind and outlook. He could even be feeling extra ambitious with this combination, but at the same time feeling depressed and frustrated. There could be great scepticism about his future. He may have also felt isolated, burdened and suffered a significant loss. It can be a positive aspect for achievement at this time. Le Prince, however, had transiting Neptune & Pluto in Gemini square his Sun-Mercury conjunction in Virgo. We see foggy Neptune and secretive Pluto in the picture of another disappearance. During his Neptune transit he was going though a period of confusion and self-doubt, and he isn’t sure about his identity, he probably felt he was falling apart under this difficult aspect. A loss of hope and difficulty in achieving objectivity are the usual interpretations of this aspect. He would need to enter this phase of confusion until he could gain a new sense of himself. It would have been a difficult process. His old self-image is washed away, and he would have been under self-destructive urges at this time. Astrologers warn about the use of alcohol, drugs, and other substances under Neptune transits. And of course drowning would be a Neptuinan indication if we go with the suicide theory. He would certainly have felt a victim in life with Neptune hanging around his Sun. With Pluto and Neptune there can be heightened feelings and he wanted to be "somebody" Perhaps death (Pluto) by drowning (Neptune) is foretold in these transits. A loss of control can be indicated, and it is possible he could have been living a deceptive life at this time.
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Vanished Without a Trace: George Bass
It is strange when people vanish without leaving a trace, and it must be devastating for the families who have lost someone and have no clue as to what has happened to them. I think I would rather know, even if they had died. I thought this was a topic worth exploring, and I am curious to see the natal charts and transits for their sudden disappearance. I will post various charts on this topic; and I will file them all under Vanished without a Trace, in the left hand menu of this blog. Bear in mind most of these individuals have no birth time, and so again the information is limited regarding the individual in that respect. First up is George Bass, he was born the son of a farmer. His father sadly passed away when he was six years old. George attended Boston Grammar School, and later trained in medicine. At 18 years old he was accepted in London to join a group of surgeons, and in 1794, he joined the Royal Navy as a surgeon. He later married and started his own boating business. However, after this nobody knows what has happened to him. He set sail on his last voyage on a boat called the Venus, and this was on the 5th February 1803, and he was not seen since. One theory is that Bass was captured by the Spanish and was sent to work in the silver mines. However, this theory fell short when the slaves were released, and there was no sign of him or his crew. An adventurer wrote about Bass in his 1835 Biography, claiming Bass had attempted a forced trade at gunpoint in Chile, and was captured when he let his guard down. This account was considered to be far from factual, so nobody knows the fate of George Bass.
Astrologically George has nothing in the element of water, apart from Chiron in Pisces. It is quite funny that he lived most of his life on the sea, and was no stranger to water in that sense. George was born under a fixed t-square, he had Sun in Aquarius opposite Saturn in Leo, and he had Uranus in Taurus at the apex. He was a business man and had influential friends. Often, Sun-Saturn can end up in a position of authority, and this combination of planets would describe him as a self-willed and determined individual.
George Bass had a Venus-Jupiter-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn. These three planets are connected to money and Capricorn is the sign of business and accomplishment. Bass had entered a syndicate with friends and he invested £10,000 pounds in goods to ship and sell. The trading and selling is shown by his Mars in Gemini square Neptune in Virgo. Mars in Gemini is usually a good placement for quick wit, communication and fast trade. He would be very good in a competitive business, and it can also indicate many short journeys. His Mars-Neptune aspect is a good contact for those who enjoy adventure at sea. I have seen this combination in Madeline McCann’s natal chart, she is the little girl who disappeared during her holiday abroad.The transits around his disappearance -
Transiting Saturn in Virgo was trine Pluto in Capricorn, indicating an ease in his authority and business skills and working towards his goals. He had plenty of resourcefulness at this time. Transiting Uranus in Libra squared Venus in Capricorn, and there was some disruption and surprise shocks in his relationships and perhaps a sudden separation with business associates (Venus in Capricorn). It can indicate that he needed some freedom in partnerships at this time. A sudden change of fortune is indicated here, but there is an uncooperative element here too (Venus-Uranus). Transiting Uranus trined his Sun, so he was most likely experiencing some change at this time, and he needed to feel liberated and do his own thing. Transiting Neptune was conjunct his North Node in Scorpio exact, and could symbolize his mysterious disappearance. Was this his death? Was he captured? The combination of Scorpio is dark, mysterious and secretive and combined with nebulous and foggy Neptune it seemed to have led to his disappearance, and there will always be suspicion around him and confusion around the fate of George Bass???
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