Breivik’s Aquarian Humanity?

Aquarius is the sign of the humanitarian, and it may seem an inappropriate sun-sign for Anders Behring Breivik, born 13 February 1979 in London to Norwegian parents, but when you consider that the atrocity he committed was, in his mind, to save western civilization from eventual Muslim rule, it is possible, by a long stretch of the imagination, to construe his atrocity as a humanitarian act.

With Aquarius as the sun-sign, governing the vital first house of appearance and ego – our public personas from which we are judged – Aquarians are more likely than the rest of us to have unusual, if not quite striking, facial features, bodies and egos because of the influence of Uranus. Breivik definitely fits that bill in that the first impression one has of him, from his photographs, is of a man with a striking face and ego to match.

In private, Capricorn governs the twelfth house of the inner selves of Aquarians. Under the influence of serious Saturn they tend to feel unfulfilled without the trappings of success and status. This is a guy whose inner desire is to succeed at all costs, to have all the status symbols of success and to be treated like royalty. That he was a millionaire through his own efforts, and boasted Lacoste label clothing and Chanel Platinum Egoiste eau de toilette, loved uniforms with insignias and considered himself to be on par with the greats of history attests to his inner sense of being a man of style and substance.

When it comes to money, with Pisces governing their second house, Aquarians tend to influenced by watery, emotional Neptune – which is why Breivik was able to channel his considerable wealth into a deep, emotional and somewhat ‘fishy’ cause – that of saving western civilization. That he also made his money ‘overseas’, and had ‘offshore’ bank accounts, further solidifies the Neptune influence – as well as his intuitive understanding of the illusory nature of money, here today, gone tomorrow.

The often aggressive and selfish nature of an Aquarian communicator is due to Aries governing their third house. Influenced in this house by warlike Mars, there is a definite me, me, me, me aggression in Aquarian communication, demanding attention, always strategizing and wanting the first and last word on everything. That Breivik was obsessed with playing World of Warcraft is not surprising.

On the homefront, with Taurus and Venus governing their fourth house, Aquarians are likely to be very possessive of their childhood homes, parents and families – and very loving, too, but in a sense of ‘you belong to me’ rather than ‘I love you for who you are’. In his manifesto, Breivik talks of loving his family but being ashamed of them because of their loose morals and the venereal diseases they contracted because of having too many sexual partners.

As far as children and creativity are concerned, Aquarians are governed by Gemini and influenced by Mercury. That Breivik chose creativity over children is a wise move because although he would have been a communicative father, and an interesting one, he would have bored far too easily with the tedium of raising children. Aquarians tend to live in their heads more than their bodies, they need constant stimulation and constant activity, and Breivik fits the mould perfectly of a highly mercurial and creative Aquarian; and a well traveled one, too. There is absolutely nothing that this self-taught man did not know or could not do. He would have made a remarkable inventor.

The work and health aspect of Aquarians is governed by Cancer and influenced by the Moon. Aquarian health and work regimes are often centered on the mother figure, or female connections, and are incredibly emotional, waxing and waning. That Breivik’s mother was a nurse, and was disabled by brain injury later in life, definitely influenced how he treated his body and how he treated work. Although his work and health ethic was monumental at times, it was also blighted by steroid use and periods of emotional reflection, wondering whether he was on the right path.

When it comes to the seventh house of relationships and marriage, Aquarians are governed by Leo and influenced by the sun. Aquarians are notorious for being the top dog, the leading light, in their relationships, and very authoritative, too. A marriage, for them, has to be lasting and fixed in conservative mores. They, are, however, not averse to basking in the reflected glory of socially superior partners if the relationship put them in the limelight. With this sort of mindset, Breivik must have found it hard to find the submissive woman he needed in a highly feminized milieu. He settled for prostitutes, but only high class, top-drawer, call girls.

In the karmic eighth house of sex, life, birth, death and inheritance Aquarians are governed by Virgo and influenced by Mercury. Aquarians have a tendency to be virginal, practical and quite prissy about sex, and Mercury in this house makes them very critical and communicative of their sex lives. True to form, Breivik was no virgin but he was highly critical of his sex life and that of others – berating casual liaisons – and even kept a diary of his sexual encounters (or lack of them). The giving of sex and life is closely tied to inheritance, so maybe that is why he preferred prostitutes to girlfriends.

For Aquarians, the ninth house of personal development and exploration is governed by Libra under the influence of Venus. The key to Libra is balance – with beauty in symmetry – and wherever Libra occurs in our charts we need to work very hard at maintaining this balance. Breivik was obsessed with all aspects of his personal development – from physical beauty (having plastic surgery to correct minor faults, taking steroids to build his body), to self-education (doing crash courses in everything from Marxism to bomb-making). Breivik did understand that he needed to take time out, but under the influence of steroids he became driven.

The tenth house of worldly ambitions for Aquarians is governed by invincible Scorpio and influenced by the violent planet Pluto. When it comes to doing anything ambitious, Aquarians tend to be invincible and it’s an unwise person who comes between an Aquarian and his or her ambitious projects to get ahead or, in Breivik’s case, to save western civilization. When Breivik set his heart on carrying out a heinous plot to kill as many ‘traitors’ as he could, he was literally invincible in his violence. Nobody could stop him. There’s always a sting involved wherever Scorpio appears on our charts, and Breivik understood the price he would pay for it, and went ahead regardless.

Lastly, the eleventh house of friendships and associations exposes a great deal about Aquarians. Governed by free-wheeling Sagittarius and influence by the expansive and philosophical Jupiter, Aquarians tend to be fascinating friends and associates (even though at times they can go overextend themselves). Breivik’s friends probably thought he was a charming chap with a free and easy style, and that he moved well in all circles with all races attests to his ability to ‘blend’ and get on with everyone. That he was drawn to ‘joining’ is very typical of the Aquarian - in particular joining associations that had philosophical or historical foundations, such as the Masons and Knights Templar, in which he could express his ‘humanitarian’ essence.

See also:

Age Secrets of Anders Behring Breivik
Dating psychos like Breivik
Was Breivik a secret Israeli operative?
The ethics of politicizing children
Breivik’s online fantasy world
Breivik’s social contract betrayal
Breivik’s July 22 Sarajevo Code
Breivik the white knight
Stepfamily loners
Breivik, Christ’s Knight

the sun, moon and stars

Alissa claims that the God in Heaven and all of the rituals of the Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – are based on the sun worship of early civilizations, and none more so than Babylonian astrology.

"The Babylonians c. 2300 BC developed the 360 degree circle and our 24 hour day to honor the sun's perceived path in the sky,” says Alissa, “and they also developed the seven day week honoring not only the sun but also the moon and the five visible planets.”

“They also gave us astrology and the belief that the sign of Leo, governed by the sun, is the most powerful sign to be born under,” says Alissa, “but, curiously, the Jews, who had strong Babylonian ties, choose Saturday, Saturn's day, as their sabbath rather than Sunday, the sun's day."

"Maybe that's because the Christians usurped the day just like everything else," laughs Alissa, "or maybe Abraham's children stuck to Saturn, their old sun god."

"It is no coincidence, either, that the dates for both Hanukkah and Christ’s birth were chosen to coincide with ancient Winter Solstice celebrations which predate both religions and have deeper spiritual meanings."

“Just like the Christians managed to convince so many sun-worshippers to celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th - the Roman calendar's Winter Solstice,” says Alissa, “the Jews managed to convince just as many sun-worshippers to celebrate the Jewish Hanukkah at the Winter Solstice.”

“Representing the menorah with oil for one day that miraculously kept light for eight days after the rebuilding of the Temple,” explains Alissa, “the Hanukkah festival of lights takes place at the precise time that the sun's light lengthens."

Read more by Alissa on this issue:

sun worship

sun gods and virgins

inventing sun gods

nightmares and nightlights

harnessing the sun

the universal fear of death

a fishy story

taurus women love money!

Ella owns and runs a beauty salon. She bought out the previous owner after having worked at the salon for only three years. In that time, she had learned all the ropes of the business and knew all the clients. It was a guaranteed successful investment for her. In her words, "it was as easy as pie."

"I was definitely in the right place, at the right time," says Ella. "Everything fell into my lap."

As if to balance the lack of risk involved in her business - or to capitalize on her winning streak - Ella has taken up gambling. She picks lucky numbers and colors from daily horoscopes, and admits to having had a fair bit of luck in that respect, too.

Ella is a Taurus and says that the bull does not depict her sign without good reason. Ella hates the color red, but is willing to wear it if her horoscope says it is a lucky color. Asked whether she snorts, the salon girls shouted "yes she does" and Ella good-naturedly laughed.

Ella admits to having the typical Taurus physique and nature. She is pleasantly plump and, yes, bovine in nature, reasonably docile and placid until provoked and then she exhibits a real bullish streak. And, yes, she is easily milked of her money. She is a soft touch, literally and figuratively. But then she has a lot to throw around and give away.

"I admit to buying the business for no other reason than to make a lot of moolah," laughs Ella. "And, no, I don't work hard at all. I'm just the front for the business. My accountant and the girls do all the work."

As far as money is concerned, Ella knows how to make it and spend it. When it comes to knowing how to keep it, however, she just does not have a clue other than investing in real estate - at which she excels. Ella owns three investment properties. She is a big spender and thinks nothing of losing a thousand dollars in a gambling bet.

Ella is very sentimental, and has a long-standing problem with her mother. If you can pull her away from her gambling long enough for a chat, she will tell you how her mother abandoned her when she was 14 and how she will never forgive her for that.

Also, Ella is prone to be a bit hypersensitive in arguments, taking things too personally, but otherwise she can be a compassionate advocate.

What is really amazing about Ella is that she is always the first one out of the door at night and has no workaholic tendencies whatsoever. She loves her home - and her investment properties - and adores luxury and leisure.

"Getting enough money together to be able to enjoy life to the full now - and when I'm old and grey - is all that matters to me," says Ella.

As far as love is concerned, Ella is still looking for it at 32. She is very fussy about whom she associates with romantically, and while she says that she doesn't particularly care about money - it's just a vehicle to buy the things she desires - she is concerned about being fleeced of her fortune in a bad marriage.

"At the rate I'm going," laughs Ella, "I will probably remain single for the rest of my life.

Ella is really not a typical businesswoman - and she's not a typical beautician either. She is not particularly charming to her clients but nevertheless they keep on coming back.

"I am tough, I can be very cruel sometimes and I never forgive people who cross me, " admits Ella. "I don’t care if the grudges I carry go with me into the next life. I believe in reincarnation and that being my belief my grudges will return in the soul of another in order to wreak revenge on those who have wronged me - or their descendants."

Ella agrees with the stars when they say it is extremely unwise to cross a Taurus. She is generally slow to provoke but once that has been achieved there is no stopping her.

"Hopefully I am nowhere near a china-shop when I blow my stack," laughs Ella.

Owning and running a beauty salon is something that suits her for the time being but she feels she is destined for a bigger role in life.

"I want to enter politics one day and gain governance over a wider group of people than my immediate staff," confides Ella. "I like bossing people around. I like being the boss."

Obviously, to become a successful businesswoman and to manage staff efficiently you need certain attributes and Ella possesses what it takes.

Her weak spot is that she hates being alone. She can and must temper that awful temper of hers if she is to be able to achieve her ultimate goals in entering politics. Most people around Ella are treading on eggshells, fearful of arousing her wrath, but she agrees that if everyone left her alone she would die of misery.

Ella is very much attracted to a lawyer right now and is eagerly reading her stars to see when she should next contact him and what color she should wear at their meeting.

"He's rich so a marriage with him would be appropriate," muses Ella, "but he's an Aries and I'm a bit worried about him being too headstrong for me."

When asked why she puts so much faith in astrology Ella replied with a snort: "Did you know that Ronald Reagan when he was president made every decision on the advice of astrologers?"

(Ella's story first appeared as the lucky hairdresser and is reprinted with permission.)

a mercurial gemini

Pandora is a call centre supervisor - a job that is very much in keeping with her Gemini personality - and her partner, Sue-Ellen, was once one of the call centre girls that Pandora supervised. Since living together, Sue-Ellen was promoted to become Pandora's personal assistant and their combined incomes make them a very wealthy couple.

"I think finding love at work is the most natural thing on earth," laughs Pandora, "and when you work in a high turnover industry like a call-centre I knew it was only a matter of time before my soulmate turned up. And no, I'm not strictly lesbian. My soulmate could have been a girl or a boy."

"You see," laughs Pandora, "I'm a Gemini and although I'm intelligent enough to know that daily horoscopes are are largely manufactured drivel I believe that there must be some truth to astrology because I am exactly like what Geminis are supposed to be like."

"I met my partner, Sue-Ellen, in the very week my 26th birthday horoscope told me that I would meet my soul-mate," says Pandora. "Sue-Ellen applied for a job and I knew straight away that she was the one for me."

Because of this amazing coincidence, Pandora believes that her lesbian partnership has the blessing of the universe.

"Sue-Ellen and I have been together now for six months and I want to have a wedding ceremony - the works," laughs Pandora, "and everyone at the call-centre will be there. We are one big happy family at work and everyone is happy for us."

Before meeting Sue-Ellen, Pandora's life was consumed with the search for her perfect soul-mate. Male or female didn't matter.

"Geminis are supposed to roam the universe, or this astral plane, looking for a twin, their missing other half," explains Pandora, "and while I never traveled I always looked for love among the people at work."

"Also, Geminis often get into trouble because they end up with a fraternal twin rather than one of the same sex as themselves," adds Pandora, "and I am full of wonder for astrology because it appears to legitimize my bi-sexual nature."

Sue-Ellen agrees that the best way to get along with Pandora, and get ahead at work, is to think like her - to become her twin.

"Learning to think and act like a Gemini is not an easy task," laughs Sue-Ellen. "She really is the most versatile person I've ever met and makes most mortals giddy just listening to her or keeping up with her. She never stops."

"The moon and the sign of Cancer govern the financial affairs of Geminis," says Sue-Ellen, "so they are liable to periods of waxing and waning coffers, but overall Pandora always lands butter-side-up and is a very lucky gambler."

"I am sensitive about money," says Pandora. "Geminis can start up a business, make a fortune or lose it, and start all over again with the exact same result, but I have never ventured outside paid employment. I often consider it, though."

"Arguing with Pandora is a waste of time," says Sue-Ellen, "and that's supposed to be typical of Geminis, too. Pandora is incredibly proud of what she knows. And she knows a lot about her profession, particularly who's who in the communications world."

"I am definitely a communicative person," laughs Pandora. "If I'm not talking, I'm asleep!"

Geminis are noted for having minds like sponges, and Pandora admits that most of what she knows is superficial knowledge, but she does have an amazing ability to talk as if she knows what she's talking about. And when Pandora talks, she is a queen and demands the floor. She has a beautiful voice and great presentation skills. Pandora explains that this has something to do with sun-ruled Leo in the Gemini communication sector.

"Also, Geminis have Venus-ruled Libra in their affections sector which makes us notorious flirts, charmingly laid-back and incredibly 'nice' people," adds Pandora. "I always say good-morning and stop to chat with everyone at work - even the janitor. I make a point to ask everyone about his or her children, and I remember all of their names."

Pandora admits that she's not a very good bet for a romantic liaison because she can be hot one day, cold the next. Before Sue-Ellen came into her life she was involved with a guy at work and when the relationship cooled she fired him.

Sue-Ellen isn't worried that Pandora will tire of her one day. "I'm her soul mate," confides Sue-Ellen, "and I'm a Taurus, steady as a rock."

When it comes to work, Geminis just cannot be beaten for sheer determination and output and that's how Pandora got to be made a supervisor.

"I have a killer instinct for work and getting things done," says Pandora. "I can move mountains at lightning speed and I expect everyone in my team to be similarly hard working."

Geminis have Pluto ruled Scorpio in their work sector, and she can be extremely cunning and cruel when she wants to get the goods on someone at work.

"Yes," laughs Pandora, "I'm a great sleuth and I keep a close watch on my team. I have installed listening devices, spy cameras and other little tricks to catch my team napping or behaving unethically at work. Sue-Ellen doesn't know half of the things I get up to!"

Geminis are supposed to be forgiving and reasonably fair-minded, providing sufficient regret and sorrow is expressed, but Pandora is very selective on forgiveness.

"Perhaps this comes from having erratic Uranus ruling Aquarius in my law and order sector," explains Pandora. "I forgive when it suits me, but I never forgive ex-lovers. If a lover displeases me, they're dead meat and too bad if they lose their jobs!"

"What I really like about Pandora is that she doesn't stand on ceremony and actually believes that Jack can be as good as his Master," says Sue-Ellen.

"Yes," agrees Pandora. "I do appreciate talent in my team and I will allow it to shine. I think this trait is very much in tune with the Gemini 'twin' seeking trait."

"My ideal twin, or employee," says Pandora, "is someone who thinks like a Gemini but possess the exact talents and qualities that I lack. I am talkative and Sue-Ellen is a good listener. I am flighty and Sue-Ellen is stable. We make a great team don't we?"

Because of dreamy Neptune ruled Pisces in their tenth house of ambitions, Geminis often have a nebulous air about them and very often find fame and fortune overseas or in areas dealing with water.

"I've never traveled and I can't swim," laughs Pandora, "but I am very attracted to exotic people and I adore the fish-tank at work. I can sit there for hours watching the fish swimming around without exactly knowing why I'm fascinated by it."

Pandora also admits that she often concentrates so much on her right hand that she does not know what her left hand is doing, and feels that she can be deceptive to herself as well as others.

Sue-Ellen not only accepts these traits in Pandora, but loves them!

Another trait in others that Pandora appreciates is assertion.

"I feel that I am often too nice for my own good," says Pandora, "and I need someone around who can act like the boss when I just want to be 'nice'."

Pandora always uses a loyal fall guy to stick his or her head out for her, knowing that it will get chopped off - hardly a 'nice' trait, but it certainly does allow her to look 'nice'.

"Sue-Ellen makes a good minder for me," laughs Pandora. "She's a big girl, solid and tough and frightens people!"

Aries ruled Mars in their house of friendship means that Geminis are often combative towards people, or attract combative associates.

"Yes," muses Pandora, "I suppose this is true. I get along well with Leos and Libras. They are tough yet charming people, but I have never been attracted to them as a 'twin' because they are too full of their own importance. Too pushy for me. Taurus people like Sue-Ellen are just tough!"

Sue-Ellen, the rock-solid pragmatist, looks like the 'butch' or the male element in this relationship, and yet Pandora is decidedly the leader, the boss.

They are both proud to admit to their lesbian love, but their private life together is very much private. If they get along as well together at home as they do at work, then their relationship is likely to be as lasting - if not more so - as that of a heterosexual couple.

"We complement each other, we need each other. We're in this for keeps," asserts Sue-Ellen.

"Of course, we are," agrees Pandora. "We've been together now for six months, and that's a record for me, so this is definitely the real thing."

"Whoever says that love at work should be avoided at all costs should spend some time here," laughs Pandora. "Just about everyone who works here has had some romantic involvement with a supervisor, boss or co-worker. I can't imagine a place where it doesn't happen."

(Pandora's story first appeared as soul mates meet at work and is reprinted with permission.)

9/11 inspired new direction

Before 11 September 2001, Theresa was at a loss to know what to do with her life. Her children were growing up and doing more things for themselves, her husband was getting more engrossed at work and she was desperate for a new direction.

"The 9/11 tragedy shook me out of limbo in a most unusual way," says Theresa. "I read an article that said nobody knows the correct year let alone the month, day or time of Osama bin Laden's birth in the Gregorian calendar, and when I saw that astrologers were having a field day guessing when that day might have been I was suddenly inspired to apply myself to studying astrology."

"I don't know whether I am good enough yet to become a professional astrologer," says Theresa, "but having been inspired to go this route I am following it."

If it is true that it takes a thief to catch a thief then being herself a Libran may give Theresa's research more credibility than that of other astrologers analyzing Osama.

"Having never heard him speak very much - or watched him move," says Theresa, "I only have his head to work on. And with a turban covering his hair (does he have any?) and a beard covering his chin (ditto?) there is very little of his face to see, but what I can see is quite remarkable."

Despite the atrocities he is accused of masterminding, Theresa could not help noticing how good looking the guy is.

"Had he been born into another family, religion and country he could have become a Hollywood star. And deep down in his psyche he probably knows this," says Theresa.

"When you cannot help noticing how good looking someone is the first time you see them, the two sun signs (or influences) that stand out are Taurus and Libra," says Theresa.

"Because bin Laden's good looks are of the intellectual air type rather than the sensuous earth type, I guessed straight off that he was a Libran (or heavily influenced by Libra)."

When Theresa heard that the two most favored dates for his birthday made him a Piscean or a Leo she was skeptical.

":A Piscean maybe, but he does not come across as having the arrogance and bon homie of a Leo."

Needing to give more substance to her intuitive guess, she then proceeded to do some research on the man and the prevailing planetary scenario of the times.

"Saturn in Gemini at the time of 9/11 would have placed a heavy burden, a communication limitation or responsibility in the 9th solar house of a Libran," says Theresa, "and that was true for me, too!"

"That covers the mental, physical and spiritual development of Librans."

"At the time of 9/11 bin Laden was going through the usual mid-life crisis of a Saturn opposition,"says Theresa. "Thirty years before 9/11, when Saturn was last in Gemini, he was about 14 and experiencing puberty, and seeing how young boys in his culture are indoctrinated by religion, imagine the impact of a Saturn opposition on the psyche of a Libran's physical, mental and spiritual development during puberty!"

"Is it possible that bin Laden's midlife crisis in 9/11 was nothing more than a re-run of the mental, physical and spiritual ordeal he suffered 30 years ago?" asks Theresa.

"Is Saturn and his religion sitting like a wet blanket on his mental, physical and spiritual development, opposing his natural urges and forcing him to take an unnaturally hard line?"

Rather than being stuck in a cave in Afghanistan communicating Saturnine misery and destruction to the world, Theresa believes he would rather be in Hollywood with a starlet on both arms!

"This is probably how he felt when he was 14 but was forced by his religion, and Saturn's influence, to become something else," says Theresa, "but maybe those virgins awaiting him in Paradise are far more alluring than anything Earth can ever offer!"

"Pluto in Sagittarius was pulling to shreds and transforming the 3rd solar house of Librans in 2001," explains Theresa. "That covers self-expression, short trips, brothers and sisters."

"I've read that bin Laden's terrorist exploits have caused him to be ostracized by his many brothers and sisters - all of whom are half siblings, Osama being the only child of his mother," says Theresa.

"It is likely that he has always felt alone, without true brothers and sisters, and what he is doing now may be his way of proving himself, gaining their respect."

"Unfortunately, what is glorious to him is shameful to his family so bringing the bin Laden name into public prominence in this manner is very much a Pluto thing," says Theresa. "Tear something down, transform it and give it new life."

"Short trips? Well," says Theresa, "spending every night in a different cave over the years as a way to escape detection is also very much a Scorpio Pluto influence on the 3rd solar house."

"And communication? Well," says Theresa, "preaching death and destruction and the victory of Islam over the infidels would appear to be very much a Pluto in Sagittarius thing as expressed through the 3rd solar house of a Libran."

"Mars in Sagittarius for most of 2001 up until two days before 11 September would have given drive and impetus and even war-like qualities to the Pluto in Sagittarius religious transformation that many Librans were feeling compelled to express as part of their 3rd solar house energy," says Theresa. "I had a bit of an epiphany about that time, too!"

"Neptune in Aquarius roughly translates to confusion, illusion and deception in group associations and in the Libran fifth house it relates to creativity, romance and children," explains Theresa. "What was going on with the various warring groups in Afghanistan - desertions, betrayals and reversals of alliance -seems to definitely equate with Neptune in Aquarius."

"In bin Laden's personal sector of creativity, romance and children this confusion, illusion and deception could mean that he was leading his children astray, allying them with false associations, and misspending his creative and romantic juices on deceptive, elusive and possibly worthless causes - rather like me at the time," laughs Theresa.

"Uranus in Aquarius added instability, violence and possibly insanity, to the above," says Theresa, "and Jupiter in Cancer at the time roughly translates to a fortunate home and family life - and in Libra's 10th solar house of aims and social status Jupiter at the time conferred boundless enthusiasm and faith for whatever is desired."

"If popular astrology can be believed then bin Laden was on a winner in this respect. Possibly another country, Iraq or Iran, offered him a haven, and a new power base for him and his family?"

"Bearing in mind that Librans are likely to be not only good looking but also charming and charismatic," explains Theresa," bin Laden seems to have all of those traits as well the typical impeccable manners and quietly spoken yet demagogue traits of Librans."

"He definitely likes to see and hear himself speak and also strongly appeals to prejudices."

"Another Libran trait is a desire for company and bin Laden has plenty of that," says Theresa. "He's not out there on his own. He has a close coterie of minders and thousands of followers. Who else but a charismatic Libran can inspire such loyalty?"

"And what about the Libran reputation for amore? asks Theresa. "Hmmm, how many wives does the man have? And how many virgins are waiting for him in Paradise when he dies? And do those gay rumors have any substance? And if all of his children are teenagers, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Also, Librans are noted for being very lazy and manipulative - very good at getting others to do their dirty work for them," laughs Theresa. "This rings true of me and Osama!"

"And finally the scales of justice, that tip one way or another, and are so rarely ever balanced in Librans," sighs Theresa.

"We tend to throw all of our energy into something and totally neglect everything else, ultimately to our detriment and those around us."

"That a man with an almost indecent amount of wealth chooses to live in caves and espouse terrorist causes appears to be a case of a pair of Libran scales that are very badly unbalanced," sighs Theresa.

"If he is a Libran then he has the cold, hard analytical streak of Virgo in his twelfth house of secrets like I do," says Theresa. "He has a plan and that plan appears to have something to do with spearheading a religious revolution He probably wants to be known as a prophet, a visionary."

"He is no action man. He is all air."

"That all Librans around the age of 44 in 2001 were not out there living in caves and following bin Laden's example doesn't detract from my theory," says Theresa. "Only a Libran with bin Laden's family, cultural, religious, economic and health problems was likely to behave in the manner he did."

"If his health is seriously impaired then the man probably has a death wish to boot."

"I rest my case," laughs Theresa. "Either he's a Libran (or heavily influenced by Libra) or he was just a guy having a really, really bad mid-life crisis in which we all became unhappy and unwitting participants."

Theresa is now applying astrology to sorting out her own life. It may be an unusual new direction but it seems to be working well for her!

freewheeling through life

Anyone who doubts the truth about astrology need only look at Hannah, 31, who so fits the typical Sagittarian woman that you would think the script was written for her. She is a fiercely proud single mom who, before the industries in her area started closing down, had a simple but enviable lifestyle working six months of the year and doing her own thing for the rest of the year.

"I couldn’t believe that I'd lost my job and had to put my hand out for welfare," laughs Hannah, "but I reckoned that if that’s the way things are then I might as well enjoy the ride for however long it lasts."

"I don't believe in astrology," says Hannah, "but I do look to the daily horoscopes for guidance, or just to pass time, and I take notice of what interests me, and forget the rest."

"I don’t agree with everything the stars say about Sagittarians but I can see a pattern that intrigues me," says Hannah. "Sagittarians are depicted as archers, and those around me often do get pierced with my arrows but it’s not much good wearing an arrow-proof vest around me because with my lousy aim I'm likely to hit above and below the belt!"

"Yes," admits Hannah, "I am scattered and yet I always seem to hit the bull's-eye with one of my many arrows."

They say of Sagittarians that they hate to be tied down or restricted in any way, and Hannah agrees with this. When someone removes the sharp point of her arrows, or cuts a hole in her quiver so that she has no arrows to fire, Hannah just gallops off into the sunset leaving gob smacked those who tried to thwart her.

"I’m the fourth and last child in a family of four children," explains Hannah, "and I spent more time running away from home than I did living there."

Hannah has had more jobs and husbands than a movie star. Irresponsible?

"Probably," admits Hannah. "I have a thing about freedom and when a boss or a guy tries to tie me down and stifle my spirit I become the best escape artist since Houdini or I will die in trying. I refuse to live in misery or slavery. I will never marry again, and I will never work in a permanent job again. I tried, I really did, but I’m more cut out for a freewheeling life than a mainstream life."

"Really," says Hannah, "the best way to get along with me, and probably all Sagittarians, is to go along with everything I say, and yet do what you want to do. Sagittarians won't notice, and won’t care. My children learned this trick very early in life!"

Sagittarians like Hannah have so many irons in the fire, and are rushing about so much, that they really do not know whether they are Arthur or Martha. It's the Jupiter influence. They are just larger than life, full of brilliant ideas, the Zodiac's entrepreneur par excellence, but they do have a volcanic temper that spews lava over anyone close enough to cop it.

Hannah admits that the ears of some people are likely to have been permanently damaged after she screamed her guts out at them.

"And yes, of course, they deserved what they got," she laughs.

Hannah has never aspired to be a boss, or self employed, but she is intrigued to read that Sagittarians are destined to make fortunes later in life.

She would agree that she is very generous when she has money to splash around, but is a tightwad when she doesn't - which is most of the time. She also agrees that she is very good at cutting expenses to the bone, using orange boxes as furniture and saving pennies in a piggy bank, but she despairs of ever getting more than two pennies to rub together these days.

"When I read that Sagittarians come into their own financially when they are middle-aged, " enthuses Hannah, "I just can’t wait to turn 40 and retire in luxury. But I have no idea how I am supposed to become rich when right now I can't even find a short-term job."

Sagittarians are supposed to be incredibly deep thinkers, very fair-minded - they will not ask you to do something they are not willing to do themselves - and they also have a well-developed social conscience. Hannah agrees with this.

"I am an active member of Amnesty and Greenpeace," says Hannah, "and I do a lot of voluntary work, too, but only when it’s a good cause. You won’t catch me working at charities for free like a lot of women do. Some of those charities are nothing more than scams, with the guys at the top lining their pockets."

Hannah laughs when she reads about Sagittarians being, essentially, ‘over the top’. A Jupiter outlook on life and an Aquarian thinking and communication mode is supposed to make them quite extraordinary if not just plain weird. They are also supposed to talk about weird things. They will be making a business deal on furniture one minute and the next they will be wondering about the social implications of the deal, and the next they will be scouring for information on rain forests and then they will hit upon a story about tropical snakes and will want to tell you all about them.

Snakes? Who wants to hear about snakes?

"Yes, that sounds like me", laughs Hannah. "I don’t know the first thing about snakes, or want to, but I am definitely scattered."

Hannah says that Sagittarians are also supposed to absorb a great deal of knowledge, most of it esoteric, and are often called ‘absent minded professors’ because in the telling of the story they will forget something, often the very point of what they are trying to impart. That is typically her, too.

The stars often portray Sagittarians as sexually immoral, jumping from bed to bed, and this really upsets Hannah because she married the only three men she ever went to bed with and has never had casual sex.

"I do admit, though," laughs Hannah, "that it’s true that I am attracted to weird men, far weirder than I am. But honestly I’m not particularly good at forming relationships with anyone. I think it’s flighty Gemini in the Sagittarian relationship sector that causes this trait. It’s not a good combination for happy ever afters, and having learned my lesson I don’t plan on getting involved with any guy ever again. I’m a three times loser in love. Been there, done that. I’ve been celibate for over a year now, and it’s a lifestyle that suits me."

Above all, Hannah is a fiercely protective and loving mother. Sagittarians have aggressive Mars ruling the children/creativity sector of their solar charts, and Hannah is often down at her children’s school berating the teachers for not living up to her expectations of how children should be treated and what they should be taught.

"Woe betide anyone who slights my children!" exclaims Hannah. "Most of the teachers at the local school are really very poorly educated and were it not for the fact that school gets the kids out of my hair for the day, I’d teach them full-time myself. As it is, I do most of their schooling. But I do believe that kids need fun and freedom to be creative more than they need history lessons."

As far as work is concerned, Sagittarians are supposed to be a bit like their Taurus sisters. They are in it to make money, but unlike the Taurus gal who wants to buy expensive things, the Sagittarian gal wants money to buy leisure, freedom and independence.

"I’ve been working for six months of the year for about six years now," explains Hannah. "I save like mad when I’m working so that I can take the rest of the year off. I’ve been forced onto welfare this year, though. I see no stigma in being a welfare woman, in fact I rather enjoy having a longer break from work than I usually get."

Hannah loves to read about the typical Sagittarian who builds up a business, and then sells it in order to sail around the world or start up something new. Hannah agrees that she bores very easily. Her joy comes from mastering something - often quite a few things at the same time - and then she drops everything for a new quiver of opportunities when boredom or too many obstacles bar her progress.

Hannah has never come across a Sagittarian boss, but when she thinks of what it would be like to be one she thinks of the cartoons where the secretary has nothing better to do than paint her nails between taking telephone calls. If Hannah ever got to be a boss she would not expect her employees to work long hours or, in fact, work very hard at all.

In respect of being a hard worker, Sagittarians are remarkable. They are not depicted as horses for nothing. There is much about them that reminds one of workhorses.

"I’m pretty hopeless at delegating," says Hannah. "I really enjoy being busy, having a finger in every pie, and I’m the type who will even serve the nail-painting secretary coffee - a gesture that would surely compensate the poor girl for the occasional spew of my Sagittarian lava!"

Hannah says that there are some things people should not attempt to try with Sagittarians. Never try to outsmart them by being cunning, sly or a downright cheat.

"People often think they can get away with murder around me," says Hannah, "because I really am far too busy or absentminded to notice what is going on, but when I’m confronted with deceit or disloyalty I will never forgive it."

And there are plenty of people Hannah will never forgive. She has broken away entirely from her family because of their disloyalty towards her.

"I really don’t need anyone in my life," says Hannah. "And I certainly don’t need a deceitful and disloyal family dragging me down."

Sagittarians have the mighty Sun ruling their sector of law and order and if they don't pierce you with a death arrow then the Universe will. It is a wonder that more Sagittarians do not become judges, and yet for the sake of humanity at large it is perhaps a good thing that they don't. Hannah would chop their heads off!

Because of Mercury-ruled Virgo in their tenth solar house of ambitions, Sagittarians are supposed to be both methodical and mercurial in their overall aims.

"It sounds inconsistent, and sometimes Sagittarians can be inconsistent," says Hannah, "but we are exceptionally good planners and can strike quickly. We are also very good at exiting quickly when we need to."

Hannah says that when she deals with people she warns them to be prepared for the unexpected. She has been known to move house overnight, stripping it of everything, all on her own, and then setting up another home for her children with the minimum of fuss.

"Having orange boxes for furniture helps!" laughs Hannah.

Having Venus-ruled Libra in their solar sector of friendship makes Sagittarians pretty nice people to be around, most of the time, but when the scales tip, and they will, Sagittarians can be lousy friends. Hannah thinks nothing about telling you honestly what she think of you, but who wants to hear that they look like they've just crawled out of bed, especially when it's true?

Libras and Arians are supposed to be get on well with Sagittarians, but Hannah is impressed with neither of the two signs. She is fascinated by Scorpios, the so-called dangerous sign of the Zodiac and yet they avoid her like the plague.

"I wonder why?" muses Hannah.

Looking around Hannah’s orange-box furnished rented house, and watching her robust little children play unsupervised in knee-deep grass, one tends to shake one’s head in disbelief that people can be so poor and yet so happy!

a depressed piscean

What with endless casual jobs, long periods of unemployment and having to find a cheaper place to live, Luella has not been enjoying life since 1998 at all. She believes that her troubles started when Neptune moved into Aquarius.

Luella is currently living in an old house with four other single women, and she’s grateful for a room of her own because she hasn’t been feeling very sociable lately and the women she’s sharing with are not the type of women she would normally mix with either.

Luella explains her situation in terms of astrology.

"My sun sign is Pisces, ruled by Neptune, and with Neptune in Aquarius - governing my house of privacy and inner being - I am happier alone right now."

Luella explains that Neptune is the planet of illusion and deception, and Aquarius is the sign that governs group associations as part of its eleventh solar house placement. In astrology, this means that during the long period in which Neptune transits Aquarius - it started in 1998 - there will be a slow and almost imperceptible deceptive affect on group associations.

"People in groups will not be as they seem to be," says Luella. "There will be mass deception in which we will all play a self-delusory role."

Because Luella's house of privacy and inner being is also being affected by Neptune, she is going through a confusing time.

"Of course," adds Luella, "Neptune also represents water, drugs, inner sanctums, the mystical and generally all things unknown, so an interpretation of its transit through Aquarius can take on many flavors."

"And isn't this just typical of Neptune?"

Looking at the effect of Neptune through previous signs Luella can only make a vague interpretation of its transit.

Prior to 1998 it made a slow and nebulous transit through Capricorn, the sign governing social status and ambition as part of its tenth solar house placement.

"It was a venal period," says Luella, "and a competitive period. It was a time when you were judged by what you owned and how much you were worth in cold hard cash. Everyone seemed to be keeping up with the Jones's. And yet nobody quite knew who the Jones's were."

In that its transit through Capricorn covered the stock market crash of 1987 and the economic slump of the early 90s, it is true that many former high fliers came down to earth with a thud and lost not only wealth but social status as well - and yet they didn't. There was definitely a feeling abroad that all will be well, that power and glory will remain in the grasp of those who formerly held it.

Luella sees this as being typical of the illusory, deceptive power of Neptune at work.

When asked: "Was the whole upturn during the late 90s an illusion?" Luella replied: "Are you as ambitious and as socially well-connected now as you were in the 80s?"

Oh, so that was an illusion, too?

Around 1971, Neptune started its transit of Sagittarius, the sign governing mental, physical and spiritual development as part of its ninth solar house placement.

"Interestingly," says Luella, "the 70s were noted as being a period in which New Age ideals came to the fore. If you weren't into anything esoteric then you were at least expressing the freedom to be what you wanted to be. Just about everyone thought they knew the answer to everything. It was written in the stars, or the runes or I-Ching or in one of the many new belief systems that came into being during that period."

"Of course," says Luella, "most of the New Age stuff was pure delusion, sleight of hand, a quick cure for whatever ails you - but it was harmless."

It was also the period of demonstrations against authority and this was a very Sagittarian thing. Make love not war must have been the best catch-cry to come out of the 70s but nobody knows how much of this was influenced by drugs, particularly of the psychedelic type.

"What was not harmless about the 70s," says Luella, "was its drug dependence. A whole generation seemed to be affected by drugs. Indulging in drugs was supposed to lead to Nirvana. For some it led to a watery grave. All very Neptunian, isn't it?"

Around 1957 Neptune made a slow and elusive transit through Scorpio, the sign governing life, birth, death and sex as part of its eighth solar house placement.

"Well," laughs Luella, "everybody knows that the 60s were all about free love and the illusion that if you loved me, you'd sleep with me or give me what I want."

"There were a lot of deluded lovers in the 60s," says Luella, "and those personally influenced by a badly placed Neptune in their relationship sector will suffer this fate throughout their lives."

"Neptune, of course," says Luella, "is the ruling planet of Pisces - my sun sign. It’s a sign depicted by two fish swimming in opposite directions. Pisceans have thus gained a reputation for being fishy, flaky and having a dual personality - neither fish quite knowing what the other is doing."

"Actually," says Luella, "sun-sign Pisceans are no more deceptive and elusive than anyone else in that we all have Neptune in some area in our charts and if it is badly afflicted it can wreak more damage on our psyche than the sun being in Pisces at our birth. So, forget all that nonsense about Pisceans being flaky!"

When asked: "So, how is Neptune going to affect us during its Aquarian transit?" Luella replied that we have quite a number of years to go before the full impact of its transit can be assessed, but already it looks very much like group association - particularly in the form of nationalism - is slowly filtering into our lives like an underground stream.

"We are drawn to bonding together in groups, being with a group of friends rather than one in particular," Luella observes, "but people in groups will not always be as they seem to be. There is a tendency for mass deception in which we will all play a self-delusory role."

During Neptune’s transit of Aquarius, Luella suggests that we should all be wary of getting swept up in a tide of mass deception.

On a personal level, Luella says that Neptune in Aquarius affects the sun signs in the following areas:-

Aries (your friendships, group associations)

Pisces (your inner self, the part of you that nobody sees)

Aquarius (your ego, your appearance, how others see you)

Capricorn (your financial circumstances)

Sagittarius (your self-expression, short trips, brothers and sisters)

Scorpio (your family home, your parents, your roots)

Libra (your creativity, romantic exploits, children)

Virgo (your work, day to day life)

Leo (your partnerships, close relationships)

Cancer (your shared finances, life, birth, death generally)

Gemini (your physical, mental and spiritual development)

Taurus (your aims, your status in society)

Because Neptune is currently affecting her inner self, her privacy, that part of her that nobody sees, Luella is a afraid of the future.

"I'm not happy living in shared accommodation," sighs Luella, "and as soon as I find a job I aim to get a place of my own and become a real hermit."

pluto still rules!

Carolyn is a librarian by day and an astrologer at night. She is absolutely convinced that our daily lives are guided by the planets and went to great lengths to learn astronomy and geometry in order to map her life by the movement of heavenly bodies.

"I spend about an hour a week checking the planetary movements and aspects for anything interesting," says Carolyn, "and I also attend workshops on astrology and sometimes I do a chart for a friend. My specialty, though, is the outer planets."

"I am very interested in the generational impact of the slow moving planets, particularly Pluto - my ruling planet - which the astronomers now deem not to be one!

"That does not change my faith in astrology," says Carolyn, "I'm a Scorpio and Pluto will always be my ruling planet."

"Saturn is the greatest of the generational planets," says Carolyn, "but Neptune and Pluto -- formerly hidden from the ancients -- have an enormous impact on our lives over the long term."

Carolyn believes that the movement of these planets forms the backdrop to our lives.

"They are generational planets, affecting all of us," explains Carolyn, "and when I am considering making changes to my life I flow with the generational tide rather than try to buck it. And Pluto may be the furthest planet from earth but it has had an incredible effect on past generations."

"Pluto is the planet of transformation," says Carolyn, "and when it is in Sagittarius, as it is now, it is in the sign that governs religion and long distance travel. All of which means that during the period in which Pluto transits Sagittarius -- from 1998 to 2014 -- there will be a massive global transformation in religious beliefs over long distances."

"On a personal level," explains Carolyn, "you are flowing in the right direction if you are questioning your religious beliefs and embarking on long journeys."

"Unfortunately," adds Carolyn, "Pluto appears to exact a terrible denouement on the 'old order' before it rises from the ashes with a 'new order' so, before we see a transformation in religious beliefs, we are likely to see a shattering end to what we once accepted as the norm."

"Looking at the movement of Pluto through previous signs you can see for yourself the transforming effect of this distant planet -- and the end result is not necessarily a good transformation either."

"Pluto has a connection with the 'underworld' and all that's demonic which is why those born under the sign that's ruled by Pluto, Scorpio, have such a bad reputation."

"Actually," adds Carolyn, "sun-sign Scorpios like me are no more demonic than anyone else in that we all have Pluto in some area in our charts and if it is badly afflicted it can wreak more damage on our psyche than the sun being in Scorpio at our birth."

"So, forget all that nonsense about Scorpios being demons. We have Libra in our twelfth solar house and we are fundamentally very likeable, cultured and sociable people."

"Of all the planets, though," says Carolyn, "Pluto is the one we need to beware of.

"During its previous transit through Scorpio -- a sign governing sex as part of its eighth solar house placement, as well as being the sign ruled by Pluto -- the world witnessed the devastation of AIDS."

"The period 1981-1998 was noted for its liberation of gays, and there was definitely a transformation in sexual mores," says Carolyn. "From being reviled and its adherents denied many rights, homosexuality became mainstream."

" The price for this liberation -- this outing of millions of gays from the closets of the world - was the Grim Reaper scare and the spread of AIDS. There was also a lot of publicity given to venereal diseases generally. It was almost as if the world was consumed by a morbid fixation on the darker side of sexuality."

"During Pluto's transit through Libra -- a sign governing marriage as part of its seventh solar house placement -- the world witnessed the devastation of divorce and the demise of commitment," says Carolyn. "The period 1969-1980 was noted for free love and casual relationships. All that marriage stood for was torn down. Promiscuity was IN and millions of children were born out of wedlock."

"The price for this transformation -- this freeing of men and women from lifelong bondage to each other -- was a disintegration of the social fabric of most western countries and the rise of single parenthood. It was almost as if the balance between the sexes had been tipped. The scales had moved too far off balance. Women may have hailed their liberation from the marital bonds that had hitherto tied them to men, but this freedom did not necessarily bring happiness."

When asked: "What is Pluto going to transform through its Sagittarian transit?" Carolyn replied that as well as religion, Sagittarius also governs the law, long-distance travel, higher learning and sport.

"We have many more years to go before the full impact of Pluto in Sagittarius can be assessed," says Carolyn, "but already it looks very much like religious beliefs are going to be transformed. Before a new order can be established the old order has to suffer a terrible denouement, and what rises like a phoenix from the ashes of the 'old order' is not going to be necessarily better than what existed before."

When asked: "Is Pluto going to unleash a terrifying new religious belief system in the world?" Carolyn suggested to stay tuned, because we are living in interesting times.

On a personal level, Carolyn says that Pluto in Sagittarius affects the sun signs in the following areas:-

Aquarius (your friendships, group associations)

Capricorn (your inner self, the part of you that nobody sees)

Sagittarius (your ego, your appearance, how others see you)

Scorpio (your financial circumstances)

Libra (your self-expression, short trips, brothers and sisters)

Virgo (your family home, your parents, your roots)

Leo (your creativity, romantic exploits, children)

Cancer (your work, day to day life)

Gemini (your partnerships, close relationships)

Taurus (your shared finances, life, birth, death generally)

Aries (your physical, mental and spiritual development)

Pisces (your aims, your status in society)

"Because I'm a Scorpio I can vouch for the veracity of astrology because my financial situation has definitely deteriorated dramatically since 1998," says Carolyn. "Sure, everyone complains about financial loss, but Pluto in the financial house of Scorpios right now means that only Scorpios are going to experience a complete transformation of their finances. Eventually, I expect to get very rich out of this transit!"

"Of all the signs I worry about during Pluto's transit of Sagittarius it's the Geminis I worry about most," confides Carolyn. "As a result of Pluto in their relationships sector they are likely to experience separation and divorce."

the moon and me

Leonora is 42, a single stay at home mom and when she's not looking for work or dating some guy she busies herself with gardening and astrology.

Savvy gardeners like Leonora know that seeds planted shortly after the new moon in a fertile sign will flourish, and she says it's the same formula with every new enterprise but most particularly romance.

Leonora, like most single moms, would love to meet a nice guy and get married, and she’s turning to the moon in order to sow the seeds of romance at the right time.

"The full moon may look romantic," says Leonora, "but many a romance started when the moon is full or waning will be over before any rings are exchanged or vows made. If it's a fling you want, then the two weeks between a full moon and a new moon is the best time to get out there and do some seducing, but if it's commitment you want then lock yourself up during this period and plan to meet the love of your life during the two weeks between the new moon and the full moon."

"It's the same formula," she says, "if you're already in a relationship. If you want to move in a certain direction with your guy - try something new, pop the question, move in together, try for a baby, refurbish your love nest, whatever - then the best time to do it is during the two weeks when the moon is waxing between the new moon and the full moon."

"Conversely," says Leonora, "you can use the moon's phases to great advantage when ending a relationship."

According to Leonora, your chances of making a clean break and helping your partner cope with relationship loss are far greater if you make the announcement in the two weeks between the full moon and the new moon. A few days after the full moon would be the most appropriate time.

But hold on, that's not all!

Leonora says that you need to know about the sign that the moon is in to make absolutely sure that whatever you have planned is going to be successful.

Leonora says that some signs are fertile, some are not.

She says that the two most fertile elements are Earth and Water, corresponding to the female designated earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn and the water Signs Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio.

"A new moon occurs when the Sun and the Moon are conjunct - together in the same sign - so you don't have to know anything about astrology or use a complicated ephemeris to work out when the most fertile new moons occur," explains Leonora. "Any new moon occurring during the following dates in any year is going to be fertile and therefore is the most favorable new moon to start a new romance or renew passion in your existing relationship."

21 April to 21 May (Taurus)
22 June to 23 July (Cancer)
24 August to 23 September (Virgo)
24 October to 22 November (Scorpio)
23 December to 20 January (Capricorn)
20 February to 20 March (Pisces)

So, if you're wondering why some romances lasted a lot longer than others - or why you fell in love with the person you did, and still love them - Leonora suggests checking out whether you met just after a new moon during any of the above periods.

Conversely, when you want to end a relationship, to get rid of someone from your life forever, Leonora says that the very best time to do it is after the full moon in the barren elements of air and fire, corresponding to the male designated air signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius and the fire signs Leo, Aries and Sagittarius.

22 May to 21 June (Gemini)
24 July to 23 August (Leo)
24 September to 23 October (Libra)
23 November to 22 December (Sagittarius)
21 January to 19 February (Aquarius)
21 March to 20 April (Aries)

So, if you're still hankering after a lost love, Leonora suggests that it's quite possible that the relationship ended at the wrong time - in which case you need to do a closure exercise at the appropriate time. And, if you’re wondering why you're unlucky in love then Leonora suggests that you’ve probably been looking for love not only at the wrong time of the year but also during the wrong phase of the moon - in which case you have nothing to lose by trying her system.

Is it working for her?

Leonora smiles and says she’s waiting for the right moon time to accept a date from a guy who has lots of potential.

When asked whether the moon’s phases can be applied to job hunting, Leonora explains that the moon governs emotions not practicalities.

“Yes, I am more interested in finding a husband than finding a job,” admits Leonora, “but that is only to be expected because despite my leonine name I am actually a Cancerian earth mother ruled by the moon!”

the elements of love

Cassandra is 31 and lives at home -- caring for aging parents -- and while she would like to lead a more mainstream life she is more interested in finding a guy than asserting her independence and to this end she dabbles in astrology and a bit of witchcraft.

"I'm a Taurus, a good witch, and I tend to be a bit of a homebody," laughs Cassandra, "so getting married and having a home of my own is more important to me than anything else."

"I use witchcraft and astrology to help me find a compatible guy," says Cassandra, "and I do it for my friends, too."

"I give my friends the thumbs up or the thumbs down when they tell me the birthday of a new guy they’ve met," laughs Cassandra, "but they go ahead and do what they like despite what they hear."

"Contrary to popular astrology -- that we are attracted to people whose sun signs are compatible with ours," says Cassandra, "I've found that the sun sign we are most attracted to is the one immediately preceding or following our own which -- in terms of element and modality -- is different from ours in every respect. And when you think about it, doesn't that make good sense?"

"What woman in her right mind wants to fall in love with a male version of herself?"

"Oh, a Gemini woman might," laughs Cassandra, "but let's ignore the implications of that for the purpose of this exercise."

"The common belief is that people of the same element - fire, air, water or earth - have a natural attraction for each other," says Cassandra. "The three fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are hot stuff together; the three air signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are blown away by each other; the three water signs Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio are in moist heaven with each other; and the three earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are pretty earthy about their desires together."

"Furthermore," adds Cassandra, "it's believed that fire signs and air signs and attracted to each other, as are water signs and earth signs. It's easy to see that air signs could fan the passions of fire signs, but doesn't fire do terrible things to air? Similarly, I agree that a bit of water could do wonders for some dry earth type, but too much could turn to mud and neither water nor earth would profit from the union."

"While it might be comfortable to be with a person of the same element for a short length of time," laughs Cassandra, "it would be pretty boring or downright dangerous to confine oneself to the same element."

"Two fire signs could start an inferno; two air signs could start a tornado; two water signs could start a flood; and two earth signs could make a mountain out of a molehill."

"Also, we must bear in mind that some people have strong fire, air, water or earth charts even though their sun signs may not be such. So judging a person by their sun sign alone is not always a good indication of how they tick."

"I use the modalities as a more useful way to assess attraction," says Cassandra. "Signs are either fixed (Scorpio, Taurus, Leo and Aquarius), mutable (Pisces, Gemini, Virgo and Sagittarius) or cardinal (Capricorn, Libra, Aries and Cancer)."

"Signs of the same modality are generally reasonably attracted to each other," explains Cassandra, "but for the same reason as mentioned above for elements, a long-term union of 'sameness' could be boring or harmful. Two fixed signs would never give the other the stimulus to change; two mutable signs would never give the other some necessary stability; and two cardinal signs would never stop competing with each other."

"For balance and amazing attraction, the sort of fascination that can last a lifetime," says Cassandra, "I believe that what we need is someone who is totally different to us in both element and modality."

"Frequently," says Cassandra, "this person is of the sun sign immediately preceding or following our own, but can also be of the sun sign immediately preceding or following our opposite sign."

"For instance, the mutable air sign of Gemini would find mutual attraction of an amazing kind with a fixed earth sign Taurus, a cardinal water sign Cancer, a fixed water sign Scorpio or a cardinal earth sign Capricorn."

"So, next time you see a popular astrology book telling you how incompatible you will be with someone of a different element or modality," laughs Cassandra, "don't believe a word of it."

"Actually, because we are far more than our respective sun signs it is a bit silly to think only in terms of sun signs when assessing attraction."

"When you think about love and attraction, you need to take into account each person's placement of Venus, Mars and the Moon - but particularly Venus."

"You don’t always need an astrologer to work this out for you," says Cassandra. "Venus doesn't travel more than two signs from a person's sun sign, so the probability is high that if you are attracted to a person whose sun sign immediately precedes or follows your own their Venus is hitting your sun. And that is a lovely aspect for compatibility."

"Wouldn't you prefer to have steam from a fire and water combination than mud from an earth and water combination?" laughs Cassandra.

"I know I would and that's why I take no notice of what the astrology books say about astrological compatibility,"

"Also, I don't take any notice of what everyone says about being over the hill at 31," laughs Cassandra. "I think maturity is sexy in both men and women."