The Aesthete

Storm the Bastille

Mix one part Uranus station retrograde, one part Mercury retrograde (again) and a dash of Friday the 13th for a high voltage week

by Shelley L. Ackerman

When mystics, metaphysicians and esotericists alike began speculating about the year 2012 some years back, the phrase "quickening" was often used, referring to the phenomenon of time speeding up and an acceleration and increase in intensity and number of "leap forward" type events on Earth. And while technically earth slows down one second every 24 years (a "leap second" was just added on June 30, 2012), in the past week alone, CNN's Anderson Cooper (Gemini with Libra rising, born just as the Summer of Love began in June 1967) casually came out and announced he was gay, hot on the heels of the usually conservative Chief Justice John Roberts (an Aquarius) who lived up to the unpredictable/revolutionary quality of this astrological sun-sign and voted to uphold the Affordable Health Care Act. Clearly something is happening and I'm totally on board.

And though many have criticized our Aquarian Mayor Michael Bloomberg for pushing to limit the over-the-top ounces one can buy per serving of sugary soft drinks, I’m glad that he’s taken a stand to force awareness of how we’re doing ourselves in. One can argue that it’s nobody’s business how we may be killing ourselves, but in this age of accelerating health costs someone has to shake us into action.

The sign Aquarius is co-ruled by Uranus and Saturn. Whereas Saturn is concerned with structure, tradition and rules, Uranus is all about breaking those rules and going for something totally new. I love that my old Aquarian buddy Bill Maher has a segment at the end of each episode of Real Time (HBO) called "New Rules". It fits perfectly. And though Bill might not ever admit to believeing in anything as quirky as past lives, he tapped into that energetic field of possibilitues in between segments last week. His first guest was former lobbyist Jack Abramoff who was convicted and served time for the San Cruz Casino lobbying scandal involving bribery, mail fraud and conspiracy. An orthodox Jew, the stylish, colorful, arrogant and roguish Abramoff was born on February 28, 1958.

I’ve always sensed that Abramoff could have been the reincarnation of legendary New York mobster Bugsy Siegel, also born on Feb 28 but in 1906 (Siegel was gunned down in Las Vegas in June 1947). The two are, pardon the expression, dead ringers for one another. When Maher said adieu to Abramoff (who was on to promote his book, Capitol Punishment: The Hard Truth About Corruption from America’s Most Notorious Lobbyist), he quoted Siegel saying “Bugsy Siegel always said: Everyone deserves a second chance”. Did Maher consciously tap into what I’ve always suspected, or did he merely unconsciously associate the similarity in looks of the two? We’ll never know but I was floored.

This week, two planets station (stand still) and turn retrograde – Uranus on Friday the 13th and Mercury on Saturday the 14th. Neither are great travel days. As most of us know, Mercury goes backwards three times a year for 21-24 days, giving as a chance to regroup, revisit, and work on projects and issues that need some fixing. Travel, machinery, and technology in general can get funky during Mercury retro, and miscommunication tends to be the order of the day. Mercury will be retro through August 7th so take your time and plan accordingly. The outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto) are retrograde for 5 months annually so no huge deal there, but do be aware that the day of the station can be fraught with booby traps and electrical surprises. Err on the side of caution.

 

HOROSCOPES FOR JULY 9th to 15th

ariesARIES: A temporary feeling of WTF?, followed by a sense of cautiousness should not alarm you in the slightest this week. With Uranus retro in your sign (for the next five months- as is the case with the three outermost planets), and Mercury about to go retro in your 5th house of romance, there’s a lot of reflection going on. Reviewing what your bottom line is both personally and romantically is a good use of your time. Through August 7th, consider tackling a creative project or two that you set aside a while ago. The embers on that back burner are stone cold and would appreciate some attention.

ARIES Dos & Don’ts: This will-received revival of late '80's hit Closer than Ever (by Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire) plays at the York Theater Company on Lexington Avenue thru July 14. By All accounts, it's a gift to the ears that pulls on the heartstrings and could stir up some old feelings that could serve you in the here and now. 

taurusTAURUS: Time to contemplate and calm the inner workings of your being. Reviewing where you come from (and how you got to where you are now) is very much on the front end of your many agendas in these next weeks, and making the space to facilitate the above is just as meaningful as all of the practical must do’s of your day to day. This Mercury retrograde (through August 7th) will work best if you pay special attention to your ancestry — not just the dates and names but who your people are and were. Fixes in and around the home should be anticipated and scheduled.

TAURUS Dos & Don’ts: The Summer Sale at Henri Bendel’s thru July 31 with 25% off handbags and accessories is certainly worth a visit. But better yet, 60% off a Bergdorf speaks to your Taurian sense of TK. Too hot to shop? Check out the sustainable Arican/Mediterranean fare downtown at 508 Greenwich St. The book-lined walls and ecelectic environment will not dissapoint.

geminiGEMINI: You, more than anyone else in the zodiac know that there’s always more than one way to skin a cat. And July 14th to August 8th is the perfect time to review options and make corrections re: possible limitations in the way you’ve been thinking about several issues. Once your flexibility kicks back in and you’ve cleared some mental cobwebs, you’re going to feel a heck of a lot better. By the same token, revisiting a group, community or even some individuals you’ve called “friends” in recent years may prove to be eye-opening. No need to judge their choices, just whether who “they” are good for you right now.

GEMINI Dos & Don’ts: On Wednesday, July 11th, go up on the roof for "Four Wonder Woman" who will sing up a cabaret storm at the JCC. The Wonder Women are committed to "raising awareness and providing women with opportunities for professional, personal and community development." And on July 12 at the same W 76th street rooftop venue, "Fiddlers on the Roof", a rooftop fiddlefest invites you to bring your violin, cello or bass and jump right in.

cancerCANCER: A little career back-tracking may not be a bad thing as it coincides with Mercury retro in your 2nd house of financial affairs. Review periods are cyclical and necessary you know, and depending on how we work them, they can often yield some pretty welcomed results. Through August 8th, surrender to the process of going over your finances with a fine-tooth comb as you also open to adding some spice and new mojo to a creative project that has been on hold for a while.

CANCER Dos & Don’ts: As the saying goes, “There is nothing as powerful as an idea whose time has come” and far be it from this astrologer to underestimate the value of having one’s boobs expertly fitted at Intimacy on Third Ave and 62nd/63rd Street. It’s a life altering experience. So my Cancerian Mamas, since your sign rules the bosom (and cradle of life), explore the wonders of a new correctly sized bra. In the meantime, the guys worthy of a treat (you know who you are) could mull over your next moves at the glam and tasty Gilt NY at the NY Palace Hotel. And take me along.

leoLEO: Second-guessing oneself is a debilitating drag and rarely yields the results we truly desire, so why do it in the first place? But there is a difference between destructive self-flagellation and healthy self-correction. This Mercury retro (thru August 8) in Leo is suggestive of pulling in the reins and really really taking the time to think before speaking. But the very good news is that if this exercise is played correctly, the evidence will manifest in your money house by Fall. An awakening and possible reversal in your philosophical 9th house of higher-ed and legal affairs could shift your core beliefs some. Got a problem with that? Deal!.

LEO Dos & Don’ts: On July 10, Barnes and Noble’s E 86th Street location presents the Merrily We Roll Along cast-singing of the CD. The listening party, with prizes, begins at 3pm. Up for something after work with a bit more gravitas? Also on July 10th, former NY prosecutor Linda Fairstein will be at the same location, speaking about her new book, Night Watch. 

virgoVIRGO: Your ruler Mercury, rummaging through your super-sensitive 12th house of past experiences and collective memories, is in reverse through August 8th. The question is, WHAT exactly are you searching for? It’s rhetorical, as you’re not really expected to know until you find it. but you are (through much of the summer) on a very important fact-finding mission. Know that during this time you may be a bit distracted and that’s okay as long as you don’t force yourself to be present and available for heavy lifting 24/7. Uranus retro in your 8th house may insist that you deal with some shenanigans involving a bank and/or shared resources. But worry not, you’re probably well-prepared for whatever is thrown in your path.

VIRGO Dos & Don’ts: Virgins and their sensitive stomachs will surely take to Taste of Two Forks: The Food and Wine Event in the Hamptons on Saturday, July 14th. Feel like staying in town? Locavores will be in for a treat at Back Forty on Avenue B and 12th Street where the burgers are free of antibiotics and the drinks are exotic.

libraLIBRA: In all fairness, it’s anyone’s prerogative to change their mind. However it can be most unsettling when and if this kind of thing occurs with no rhyme or reason. But such can be the case with unpredictable Uranus, which stations and turns backward in your house of partnership this week. The good news is that whatever that specific ‘other’ or partner does, it probably won’t stick as Mars (in your sign) and Pluto will simply not allow it. Be that as it may, if anyone or anything you’re in communion with starts acting funky, think of it as a test and refuse to lose your equilibrium-- no matter what.

LIBRA Dos & Don’ts: With Mars now in your sign, you’re up for some meaningful bending, flexing, and stretching of your physical vehicle (a.k.a your body). If the weather’s good, why not trek to Brooklyn Bridge Park for an hour of Pilates Waterfront Workouts on Tuesdays (July through early September). Yearning for a less physically demanding and more head-centric experience? On July 9th (same venue as above), Freebird Books presents Lost Everything author Brian Francis Slattery (and an acoustic band to celebrate you for what you've had to endure during this endless Saturn transit).

scorpioSCORPIO: Your day to day schedule at work may experience a minor jolt and/or a change in the dramatis personae involved, but the adjustment is on time, so no freaking - please. There may also be a revelation regarding health/diet that requires tending to (you have been overdoing it just a tad), but neither event need be problematic if you’re agile and follow your gut (which never fails you). And while Mercury retro in your professional sector is likely to yield some backtracking on the part of an authority or higher up, the good news is that if you revisit a request that was previously denied, it may get a second look and a ruling much more to your liking.

SCORPIO Dos & Don’ts: The screening at Pier 1 near the Brooklyn Bridge on July 12th at 6 pm (bicycle valets are on hand) of To Kill a Mockingbird, the 50th anniversary of the classic film starring Gregory Peck, will fill the bill for story with meaning.

SAGITTARIUS: If you suddenly begin having second thoughts about what you actually stand for and are committed to, there’s no cause for concern. This moment of questioning the point of it all correlates quite appropriately to what’s happening in the heavens. Same energy applies to a partner/significant other. Allow him or her the same freedom to figure things out that you insist on for yourself. Said partner’s sibling may come ‘round for a spell or need some extra attention, and if that’s the case, so be it. Speculating on a pet project is fine as long as you take the next few months to revise and/or reconfigure your creative vision so that it’s genuinely workable.

SAGITTARIUS Dos & Don’ts: A thinking man’s (or woman’s) lunch can be enjoyed on July 11th at 12:30 pm with liberal comic Michael Ian Black and conservative blogger (daughter of Sen. John McCain) Meghan McCain who praise the USA and plug their joint book venture entitled America: You Sexy Bitch: A Love Letter to Freedom at "Word for Word" at Bryant Park. Can’t get out at lunch? Then later at 7 pm July 11th at this very location, author Scott Rasmussen (in partnership with Oxford University Press and The NY Historical Society) will discuss his book, The People’s Money: How Voters Will Balance the Budget and Eliminate the Federal Debt. As we say, “From Scott’s mouth…”

capricornCAPRICORN: Friday the 13th notwithstanding (watch those wires and booby traps in and around your home or apartment), Uranus retro in your 4th house spells likely reversals at home base and/or having to do with family. This can manifest as a surprise visit from a relative or friend, your being needed by a parent, parental figure, or a family member, or an unexpected expense that simply must be shelled out to keep things functioning. Either way, it’s not that big a deal and something that will cyclically kick in at least once or twice a year through 2017.  A little more enervating is Mercury’s retro motion in your 8th house of investments and shared resources. Creative bookkeeping won’t fly, stick with tried and true accounting and only walk the straight and narrow.

CAPRICORN Dos & Don’ts: On Friday July 13th, history lovers and culturally sophisticated goats can sink their horns into this special double header: Come early/stay late, and worth a ferry ride for this excursion to Staten Island’s Garibaldi and Menucci Museum (where Antonio Menucci, and General Giuseppe Garibaldi were unlikely roommates). Then later that eve, the Garibaldi Museum invites you to an evening of superb music at Lorenzo's Restaurant Bar and Cabaret featuring Louis Prima Jr., youngest child of King of Sing, Louis Prima, carrying his jazz legend Papa's music into the 21st century.

aquariusAQUARIUS:  Sibling(s), neighbors, and partners alike seem to all be on the same back-sliding page at the same time, but so what? It suits you just fine as you could sure use a time-out to contemplate some doubts you may have had concerning all of the above as of late. The reverse motion of your impossible to pin down ruler (Uranus) and Mercury at the same time could in fact be just what the doctor ordered for a patch of space you need for yourself (what a concept!) So while scientists and physicists are falling all over one another at the discovery of the Higgs boson subatomic particle that may provide clues as to why there is diversity in the universe, you may actually find the time for a cup of coffee all by your lonesome. Will wonders never cease?

AQUARIUS Dos & Don’ts: On July 14th, city-bound Aquarians up for a party will revel big time at the Bastille Day Ball at Club 404 on Tenth Avenue and 33rd Street, with music, dancing, and one lucky attendee who will win a trip to Paris for two. Now who to invite?

piscesPISCES: If there are a couple of steps backwards on the part of coworkers, subordinates and those you count on in your day to day, there’s no reason to think that your entire world is about to crumble: it’s not. There’s simply a three or four week period of re-evaluation and some adjustment necessary for better functioning of your “machine” in order to insure further growth in the months ahead. Same is true in the personal earnings/finance department. Things may slow a little but it’s temporary. Get clear on what you want versus what you actually need and what the difference is in dollars. You may be in for a shock.

PISCES Dos & Don’ts:No matter what mood you’re in, the mambo and salsa melodies and rhythms served up by The Mambo Legends Orchestra on July 10th at Damrosch Park’s Midsummer Night Swing series is guaranteed to lift your spirits and get your body moving. What else could those dancing feet of yours possibly ever wish for? (I know, a sensual foot massage administered by a main squeeze of your choosing).