Bamboozled with Rhetoric: Jupiter in Gemini

Created on 22 May 2013

Written by Curtis Burns

Predictions for the Week, May 21 to 28, 2014: Lunar Eclipse, Jupiter Enters a New Sign

The news of the week is Jupiter moves into sidereal (Vedic astrology position) Gemini, and there is a lunar eclipse, both on Friday, May 24, 2013.

The eclipse is described in detail below, but the significance of Jupiter entering sidereal Gemini is that it will be entering the sign of its detriment; i.e. Jupiter does not function very well in that sign.

Jupiter is a planet of big ideas and bold, all-encompassing promises. Whereas Gemini is less hip on the big bold ideas with the spiritual overtones of Jupiter, but is more into the mundane particulars of everyday life. Although both Jupiter and Gemini both share an emphasis on ideas and communications, Jupiter while it transits through the Gemini realm of the sky just will not “fit in” very well, hence the astrological affliction of Jupiter in Gemini.

During this time ideas and endeavors may be burdened by trying to cram too much info or relevance into plans, goals, and projects. There could be an epidemic of over-blown, overly-ideological (propagandistic), and ultimately impractical endeavors brought out; most of which may not last long out of the gate.

Pare down, get to what’s real and relevant to people and their situations, and don’t try to force them into your way of thinking by bamboozling them with big words or unnecessary religious, patriotic, or sensationalistic rhetoric.

However, Jupiter as the Roman mythical hurler of lightning bolts can serve to light up Gemini’s mental and intellectual arena, effectively giving wisdom where there might have only been data before. Jupiter may feel hard pressed to not go over the top and deliver more blasts of hot air, impressing only himself if no one else. Jupiter most certainly will gain some humility and utility during this time.

Jupiter transits through one sign every twelve months, so Jupiter will be in the sidereal sign of its detriment (Gemini) through late spring/early summer 2014.

Tuesday, May 21
Outlooks may be dark, pessimistic, and maybe bleak; an ardent spirit though will endeavor to carry on through what may seem to be the most unpleasant of situations. Organization, practicality, and honesty will be accented. Messages may have to deal with obstacles to get through. (Mercury biquintile Saturn)

Wednesday, May 22
No peaking influences

Thursday, May 23
No peaking influences

Friday, May 24, Full Moon (Lunar) Eclipse, Jupiter Enters Sidereal Gemini
The shadow of the Earth moves across the face of the full moon; which only happens at a very tight alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Therefore significant changes and developments are more likely in our affairs, and the intensity of the alignment may wreak havoc on our sense of bodily, emotional, or mental equilibrium. Think of it like a software update on your computer, the system connects to the cloud and gets a “code-recharge” from headquarters, as it were. There is a pause as the system installs and resets, but after that things run better than ever. In other areas relationships are favored; love, cordiality, and communications. A shift will also be noticed as Jupiter enters sidereal Gemini, more info in the introduction above. (Mercury conjunct Venus trine Juno)

Saturday, May 25
Intension, motives, and actions may be quite strong and compelling; a lot can be accomplished but not in gentle or tactful ways. Be careful walking in risk zones or dangerous areas, whether it is metaphorically or literally. Pathological tendencies may be more “hair-trigger” than usual. Break-downs, break-throughs or break-outs today. (Mars sesquiquadrate Pluto)

Sunday, May 26
This could be a very complex character to this day, but be very careful of exercising negative self-agendas, lacking self-control, and allowing relationships to be a vehicle for your fractured psychology. Be careful of potential accidents, injuries, or worse. Situations have the potential to suddenly spin out of control. (Sun biquintile Pluto, Mercury sesquiquadrate Saturn, Sun square Neptune, Mars semisquare Uranus, Venus sesquiquadrate Saturn, Sun tridecile Juno)

Monday, May 27, Memorial Day
Expectations may be high, if not unrealistic. Feelings crescendoing to infinity. All of which is good for creativity and spirituality, and which should be hopefully anchored into some tangible accomplishment or endeavor. Early on, acute fear and anxiety patterns may be brought out through events, with delays and obstructions to overcome. (Jupiter tridecile Neptune, Mercury conjunct Jupiter, Sun quincunx Saturn)

Tuesday, May 28
Very nice influences with Venus conjunct Jupiter quintile Uranus, stay tuned for more info….

Robert Downey Jr: Verve and Success

Created on 06 May 2013

Written by Curtis Burns

Iron Man Actor: Patterns of Success and Addiction

One of the biggest movies stars in the world today, Robert Downey Jr. also has an appropriately success-driven horoscope. This article will look at his chart using the techniques of Vedic astrology, covering issues of his history of substance abuse, but also his rise to commanding fame through such movies as Kiss Kiss Bang Bang to Tropic Thunder to Iron Man. This article is based on the April 4, 1965, 1:10 pm, New York City chart.

The Foundations: Sun, Moon, Ascendant

Downey's Sun falls in sidereal Pisces, a sign of sensitivity and spiritual refinement, but also adversely of over-vulnerability, potential addictive behaviors, and self-deception. Downey's early life was self described as "surrounded by drugs" with his father an addict, to the point where he smoked marijuana with his father at the age of six. Addictions carried through Downey's life until the early 2000's.

Charts are displayed at the bottom of this article.

Downey's Cancer rising denotes sensitivity again, and with the Sun in another water sign Pisces there is an affinity towards the fantasy life of Hollywood movies, playing roles of imaginary characters. The Cancer rising also highlights the emotional resonance that such a person can command in order to be successful as an actor.

Cancer can also indicate a sort of inverted emotionality that many addicts exhibit by insulating their selves behind wall of drugs or alcohol. Cancer is also just sensitive to it's environment, and if one grows up in a world of drugs, one is bound to emulate such behaviors.

His Moon (disposing his Cancer rising) falling in aggressive Aries in the tenth house denotes an individual driven for success and acheivement, and the journey to the top may indeed be fraught with perils and pitfalls. Downey's personal mannerisms certainly reflect an Arian verve and quick-wittedness. His Moon also flanked by benefic planets (Shubakartari Yoga) corroborates his overall life-success.

His Moon in the navamsha chart also falls in the twelfth house, further corroborating the Hollywood fantasy life quality, as well as that of addictions.

Addictions

Eating and drinking addictions usually are indicated by afflictions involving the second house. The reason is because the second house in a person's chart indicates their face and mouth (among other things), malefics in or aspecting the second house many times will be in the charts of those with eating and drinking problems (including being overweight), and even those who have coarse speech. Basically, anything that goes into or out of the mouth is the domain of the second house.

In western astrology the second house relates to the financial picture of an individual, as it also does in the Vedic system. The second house also indicates issues with a person's family in Vedic astrology.

Downey has a malefic planet, Mars, in his second house, and it is aspected by Saturn across from the eight house. Right away this corroborates his abuse of substances, his situation with his family, especially his father, and his quick-witted and somewhat aggressive repartee. It is easy to assume that his current net worth is quite high, and this would be attributed to Mars being his fifth and tenth house rulers falling in his house of finances.

An addictive lifestyle can also be seen having Saturn in the twelfth house from the Sun.

Since 2003 Downey claims to be addiction free, which he attributes in large part to his marriage to his wife Susan Downey. Downey also claims his recovery is due to therapy, martial arts, and meditation. He also describes himself spiritually as "Jewish-Buddhist", which would be only natural for someone with three planets in Pisces in the ninth house of his chart.

In the western chart his Moon exactly opposes his Neptune, which would corroborate spirituality, an affinity for affecting different personas such as an actor would, but also a penchant for addictive behaviors.

Past Cycles of Addiction

Downey Dasas Perhaps the worst period of his addictions occurred during the period of 1996 to 2001, arrested numerous times for drug possession, in and out of prison and drug rehab programs, and fired from the TV series Ally McBeal. This who period coincided with his Rahu dasa (planetary period) and it's sub dasas of Mercury, Ketu, and Venus from 1996 to 2002. Rahu dasas can be particularly turbulent, especially during their Ketu sub-dasa phases.

This period also coincided with Saturn's transit through his tenth house (conjunct his Moon), and transiting Pluto's square to his natal Mars. In the western chart Downey's Mars is also quite closely conjunct to his natal Uranus and Pluto.

Career Acclaim

Downey career ascendancy certainly coincided with the ushering in of his Jupiter long dasa, starting in late 2005 and which will run until late 2021. There could be quite a few years left to experience good-fortune-making power in his life. You could say that he is definitely riding the peak of wave of his Jupiter dasa quite well.

During the period of mid July 2014 to July 2015, transiting Jupiter will be moving through his first house and transiting Pluto will be trining his natal Mars (ruling his tenth house). All things being equal, this could prove to be quite a powerfully advantageous time for him personally.

Biographical info about Downey was taken chiefly from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Downey,_Jr.