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“20 Feet From Stardom” – Brilliant!

20 Feet_From_Stardom_posterI loved the documentary, “20 Feet From Stardom” a music and reminiscence filled ode to the back-up singer just released on DVD. Those women, and men, that added their voices to early R&B songs, sung by Phil Spector‘s girl groups like Darlene Love and The Blossoms, (I still know the words to their hit – “Da Doo Run Run”) to rockers like the Rolling Stones, to the trios and quartets that sing a few feet behind the main acts of today like Bruce Springsteen, Bette Midler, Stevie Wonder. You may not know the singers by name or by sight, but you will know them by ear. A talented bunch, they sang everything, from “do wop, de wahs”, to the now classic line, “rape, murder, it’s just a shot away” (Merry Clayton on “Gimme Shelter” – called to the session late at night, she did 3 takes while dressed in night gown, fur coat & curlers).

Oscar Nominated for Best Documentary, “20 Feet From Stardom”, directed by Morgan Neville, never showed up at my local movie theater, thank goodness for the DVD, I would have missed a thoroughly entertaining chance to fit the names and faces to the background voices on some of my favorite songs. Included in the documentary are old concert footage, interviews with singers (those that tried to move 20 feet forward and those that enjoyed singing backup) and stars that hired the voices with great stories about the music biz – a lot of fun, a lot of memories. Watched it twice  🙂

 “20 Feet From Stardom”       

Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill, Patti Austen, Claudia Lennear, Táta Vega, the Waters, the Ikettes and many more.

FYI:   “Da Do Run, Run” The Crystals, 1963

 

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Saturday, Sunday Sag Moon = Adventure!

Astro moon-waning-crescent-lA Sagittarius Moon from early Saturday, February 22, 2014, until early Monday morning will have us getting out and about, seeing people, being optimistic. An enthusiastic “We can-do-anything” frame of mind is a definite trait of this good natured, Jupiter ruled Fire sign. There may be sudden urges to travel and seek adventure, which can add up to a fun weekend.  

With a  Sag Moon, taking chances, taking risks can seem very attractive and stimulating. But, no matter how great the scheme sounds, you still must stay grounded enough to get all the facts (an exact measurement for the Bungee drop rope is a good idea). But, it’s nice to know that the universe and lunar energy are on your side.  (Mercury is still retrograde, so pay attention to the details.)

Have an upbeat, up tempo weekend!

 

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Sun into Dreamy Pisces 2/18/14

The Sun moves into the 12th and final sign of the Zodiac– imaginative, impressionable, intuitive Pisces on Tuesday, February 18, 2014.  It’s a compassionate Water sign ruled by Neptune. If too much “feeling” sends you off course, focus on the task at hand to stay grounded and plugged  into reality. Over sensitivity to adverse energy or vibrations is no excuse to drift or evade life. Stay steady, stay productive, stay connected.

astrology_chartwheel 2As always, those most affected have the Sun and/or Ascendant in Pisces. Note that planets transiting a sign add to the mix. With its ruler Neptune visiting until 2026, Piscean traits are intensified and we will probably all feel influences of the mystical outer planet at some time. This planet has a reputation for clouding the water, fading boundaries, and fostering escapism, but, all these things that make life unsettled can also enhance creativity and imagination. Innovations regarding music, dance, theater will probably bubble to the surface faster than usual. The subconscious can be a treasure trove of ideas now. Listen to the inner voice – the positive one.

Mercury, the planet of Communication began its retrograde motion in indecisive Pisces and is now in the Air sign Aquarius until March 1. It reverses Direct and reaches Pisces again on March 17, remaining until April 8, 2014, This may influence our writing and speaking in different ways. “Say what you mean, mean what you say”. Being vague will result in confusion. Think, be clear.

Spread that innate Pisces kindness among family and strangers alike. Offer assistance where it is genuinely needed.  Contribution is always worthy.

Sun into Pisces February 18, 2014: 1 PM EST / 10 AM PST

Gemstone: Amethyst * Power color: Purple * Body Part: Feet

 

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Full Moon in Leo, Then Virgo Moon Weekend!

Champagne, chocolates, feathers, sequins, dramatic declarations all work well, regardless of partner, with the attention seeking 5th sign of the Zodiac. For Valentine’s Day, Friday February 14, 2014 the Moon will be on “Full” power in generous, ”let’s have fun” Fire sign Leo. Enjoy it all, but also note that a “Full” phase is good for wrapping things up, finishing what began at the time of the last New Moon. The effects will last for a few days even as the Lunar orb moves on to the next sign, Virgo.  Astro Moon Full

The Moon will be in service oriented, practical Earth sign Virgo Saturday and Sunday. From upbeat Leo to conscientious and ready to tackle the details Virgo – it’s all good. Take advantage of the Full phase’s continued vibe by using this Mercury ruled sign’s cleverness and penchant for detail. You can get things done.

(Just in case I haven’t been clear in my weekend update Astrology posts,  my premise is that as the Moon changes signs, so does our moods, our energy and often how we act/react in the day to day.)

Full Moon 2/14/14:  6:53 PM EST / 3:53PM PST

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Small Heart

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Weekend Moon In Gemini – Fun Times!

Astro New Moon CrescentA Gemini Moon, beginning on Friday, February 7, 2014, will have us looking for folks to chat with, tweet with, or just to keep company with. (Yes, I know, don’t end sentences with a preposition – rules are made to be broken.) We will probably have a lot to say!

But, let’s not get too loose and “clever”. Communication planet Mercury rules Gemini (and Virgo) and is now going retrograde until 2/28/14. When it treks backward in the sky, it can often lead to interaction breakdowns, misunderstandings, etc. A snippy Twitter or FB post can grow legs and follow you around for a few days. (You’ll have to spend time next week deleting & apologizing, deleting & apologizing, deleting & apologizing…)

The urge to exchange ideas and deep thoughts, or just gossip, will be strong. Have fun, spread knowledge, teach something, learn something, enjoy the youthful energy that is particularly Gemini. 

Have a glorious weekend!

 

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Back Up Your Stuff! – Mercury Retrograde 2.6.14

Astro Planet Glyphs 2Yep, it’s here again. Mercury Retrograde on February 6, 2014 until the 28th – the first retrograde of this communication, transportation, tech influencing planet for 2014. Confusion may ensue.  What to do? What does it all mean? In a nutshell: pay attention as you speak, write, listen, read and don’t forget to back up your stuff.

Contract signings, innovations, new investments should be delayed if possible and certainly not attempted until after close scrutiny. Pisces and its planet ruler Neptune can push us far away from the real. Great for creativity, not so much for focusing on details. Situations are not always clear. The resulting haziness can lead to misinterpretation. However, life doesn’t stop because a planet goes backward. If you can’t wait until it’s over and you have to make plans, complete projects, submit reports, etc. Keep track, keep copies, jot down details, just in case work has to be repeated, or something gets lost. Mitigate the severity of any possible messes that may occur. Repeat the mantra – “Sloppiness and carelessness not allowed”.

Mercury Retrograde is always a good time to make future plans, complete projects and of course to exercise all those “re” actions: re evaluate, rewrite, re assess, re acquaint, re address. The retrograde period can give us time to pause and reflect, rather than jump into new schemes. Mercury Retrograde will begin in Pisces, continue its backward movement as it reaches Airy Aquarius on February 13th until it stops and moves Direct again on March 1, 2014. Mercury, ruler of Gemini and Virgo, is more comfortable in Aquarius than in sensitive Pisces. Clarity should return in a few days. (Mercury will move forward into Pisces again on March 17th.)

Thursday February 6, 2014 – Mercury Retrograde: 4:43 PM EST  / 1:43 PM PST

 

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Gung Hay Fat Choi – Chinese Lunar New Year, 1/31/14

The Year of the Horse, Chinese year 4712, begins on Friday, January 31, 2014. 2014, a horse year, is expected to be an upbeat time, filled with energy (horse power?) and general good fortune.  chinese new year 2014... 2

BTW: with the Chinese calendar, each of the 12 months is represented by an animal: Rat, Horse, Ox, Sheep, Tiger, Monkey, Rabbit, Rooster, Dragon, Dog, Snake, Pig.

Gong Hay Fat Choi – Happy New Year!

 

FYI: The Chinese Lunar New Year, unlike the “Sun” calendar, can begin on a different date each year

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Aquarius New Moon Thurs, Weekend Moon in Pisces

Astro New Moon CrescentOn Jan 30, 2014, an Aquarius New Moon will give power and possibilities to our group actions. The Uranus ruled Air sign wants us involved with humanitarian issues – exercise those revolutionary muscles by joining or creating movements with the aim of defeating the status quo. Regardless of what’s going on, it will speak to Aquarian need for independence, love of the radical and different.

Friday evening, January 31, 2014, the Moon slips into emotional water sign Pisces for the weekend. Dreamy, vague, sensitive, impressionable – focus may be difficult. Don’t take on the troubles of the world. Good news for artists – great time for creativity and imagination. Keep pen handy to jot down any useful night or day dreams.

Have a great weekend!

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Scorpio & Sag – What a Combo!

Astro moon-waning-crescent-lOn Friday January 24, 2014, the Lunar orb is solidly in the middle of the sensitive, sensual, sizzling 8th sign of the Zodiac. A Scorpio Moon can render us focused, fierce and fearless. You may want to ratchet down some of the accompanying emotion and intensity to save room for tapping into the natural seductive energy of this Water sign. Use it to get what or who you want.

Then beginning Saturday evening, it’s all about Sagittarius influences, with planet ruler lucky Jupiter, a Fiery Sag Moon is time for big thoughts, big plans and big dreams. It can lift our spirits, thereby making us good natured and charming companions.

Have a super weekend!

 

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Aquarius Sun – A Walk On The Wild Side!

astrology_chartwheel 2The Sun enters unpredictable, independent Aquarius on Sunday January 19, 2014 – but not necessarily wild and crazy. It doesn’t have to be outrageous and out of the box, however, we can be original, inventive and sometimes revolutionary when under the influence of the Airy, 11th sign of the Zodiac. Don’t be surprised, Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, the planet of sudden changes and unexpected events. We can all tap into these vibrations regardless of our personal Sun sign.

Aquarians tend to be more intellectual than emotional, with a concern for others that is authentic and matter of fact. A stubborn, people oriented sign, they care, they are involved and they can be pretty determined to find resolutions to issues that touch them. All about team, caring about neighbors and the community is the Aquarian way of being. We may feel an urge to join a rally, march and protest for any cause deemed to be just.

Freedom loving Aquarians are great to have around. Taking risks, being on the edge, or ledge – sounds intense, but it’s done with humor. If you’re going to spend time enrolling people into saving the world, you might as well have fun doing it.

Sun into Aquarius January 19, 2014 = 10:51 PM EST / 7:51 PM PST

*Gemstone: Blue Tiger’s Eye *Power color: Ultramarine blue * Body Part: Ankles

BTW: don’t get confused – even though the Astrology symbol is the “Water Bearer”, Aquarius is an Air sign!