(Totally My Opinion, of Course)
We are up for another Gemini Moon this Friday and Saturday. A set of twins is the usual symbol for Gemini and the duality of the sign makes this the best time to do 2 things at once- scrabble and crossword, chat and charm, read and analyze. Just remember to breathe – everything doesn’t have to happen at warp speed.
Have a peaceful, homey Sunday, when the Moon moves into the sign of Cancer.
“Dirty Pretty Things” (2004 DVD) is a movie that explores how “invisibles” get over/get by in a hostile environment. Illegal immigrants often perform work that nobody else wants to do, but are not really seen. Jobs are done without creating attention or much notice being paid – which works well for those who live in a foreign country without “papers”.
Directed by Stephen Frears, the film, with the help of a great cast- Chiwetel Ejiofor, Audrey Tautou, and Sofie Okendo – tells a story of men and women so desperate to find a better life far away from their home, that poverty and humiliation is endured day after day. Everyone has at least 2 jobs if they’re lucky and manage without sleep. Their situations are precarious and they can be easily exploited. But, this is not a PBS documentary. There is humor, charm and suspense. The 2 likable lead characters, a Nigerian Taxi driver and a Turkish hotel maid, cleverly interrupt a black market scheme to harvest body parts for profit.
I found myself rooting for them to get over/get by – so that all their trials and tribulations were worth it. “Dirty Pretty Things” – I enjoyed the movie!
The Moon moves into Taurus on Tuesday 5/12 and then becomes “new” on Thursday 5/13. The New Moon heralds beginnings and is a great time to initiate new projects, make changes.
A New Moon in Taurus, while the Sun is still in this 2nd sign of the Zodiac until May 20, highlights and intensifies Taurean themes- romance, creativity, obstinance. Thoughts can turn to being financially, physically secure and comfy. Re evaluate how you spend and save your money. Beauty loving, food loving, “loving” Taurus can be attached to ideas and be resistant to change.
With Taurus determination, you can manage your cash and still be good to yourself and loved ones. Think about it.
Re: General Taurus bull like traits – if you’re going to be “a stake in the ground” for an issue – make sure it matters to you (don’t just be stubborn about it)
As you know, the Moon changes signs about every 2 ½ days. A good thing, since we react to the Moon’s energy as it gets flavored by the Zodiac sign of the day- keeps life interesting:)
Friday morning 5/7 starts a Pisces Moon stay. Look for emotion, creativity, escape urges and heightened intuition. Have fun and stay grounded. Don’t sign any contracts.
Sunday afternoon brings the Mars influenced Aries Moon. Just slide smoothly from the Pisces flower child to the Aries energy bar. A great way to start the week!
Read an excerpt from the LeBron James book called “Shooting Stars” in the October 2009 issue of Vanity Fair Magazine. In the article, “LeBron’s Band of Brothers”, he discusses his High School basketball team and their coach and how much they contributed to his success. There is also a DVD that covers the same story –“More Than a Game”. It too focuses on LeBron’s beginnings as a basketball super phenom, but I think it is so much more than an uplifting tale about “having game” on a court. Dreams are wonderful to have, it makes for Technicolor nights and days, but they’re not always enough.
It reminded me so much of a terrific documentary about inner city kids with basketball skills – “Hoop Dreams”, 1994. The film followed two Chicago High School kids as they were recruited by a predominantly white school with an ambitious basketball program. They both struggled, one more than the other- but neither one was really prepared academically and emotionally for the experience. They seemed so alone. It not only takes a lot of support to get as far as the NBA, but it also helps if you have some cheerleaders around to get you thru High School and College.
In the book “Shooting Stars” and the DVD “More Than a Game”, James introduces us to a different set of inner city basketball kids from Akron, Ohio. Both highlights the work of their coach, Dru Joyce, as the engine that drove them to achieve in a Catholic H.S. There were also several family members that gave the kids a way to take advantage of the opportunities available. They all had hoop dreams, but the intensity varied. Basket ball was everyone’s love, but some of the guys just wanted to hang with their friends and meet girls. When the NBA didn’t work out for them as it did for their buddy LeBron, , they were able to use their education and other skills to make a life for themselves. (One of the “brothers” is LeBron’s financial advisor – he majored in business)
The folks who surrounded these young men wanted them to be complete adults, not just ball players. To “have game” in life is a good thing.
Things might get a little intense. Scorpio, a passionate water sign, can be emotional and sensitive and the force of a Full Moon can distill all that power into a cauldron of “feelings”. Don’t take everything personally. You don’t have to go into automatic revenge mode – wait a few days. The comment or action that brought you to either anger or tears may not have been as evil as imagined. Regardless, it is not anything that can’t be handled. As Oprah says, “this too shall pass”.
BTW: A Sagittarius Moon begins Thursday evening – a definite change of pace. Take advantage of the optimistic atmosphere. Life is good – enjoy it!
So, have fun Friday and Saturday because Sunday morning will be Capricorn Moon’s turn to influence our subconscious: thoughts turn to business, responsibility, career. (Needless to say, they too are important parts of our multi-layered lives.)
“Now Playing: Hand Painted Poster Art from the 1910s Through the 1950s”
At the beginning of the last century, posters that hung in the lobby of the old neighborhood movie palace were simple black and white drawings. Very quickly, theater owners realized that the cardboard advertisements brought in customers.
The posters then became more artful and sophisticated – pretty, or dramatic (Valentino), or scary (“King Kong”, 1932), or, just high style (Gloria Swanson rendered in Art Deco), to the lurid “Noir” films of the 50’s.
These examples of movie art have been collected into a nice coffee table book:
“Now Playing: Hand Painted Poster Art from the 1910s Through the 1950s”
(Academy of Motion Pictures/Angel City Press – hardcover, 14″ x 11″, 160 pages)
Moon change: we go from the sunny, “I” oriented Leo of the last few days into the dutiful, service, work oriented Virgo on Friday April 23.
Well, it may not be party time, but, we can be useful, focused and get lots accomplished. Your mind will be sharp and no detail will be missed- which is a good thing since Mercury is Retrograde and all plans, communications, etc. should be checked twice anyway.
Just try not to be too fussy or critical- after all, it is the weekend:)
Bi Coastal – this year, the Sun changes signs PDT: April 19 at 9:30pm / EDT: April 20 12:32 AM 
For the next few weeks we can tap into those Taurean traits of strength and determination so that we solidify and complete the projects started during the high energy of the Aries Sun. Watch out for a tendency to be overcautious – don’t miss an opportunity out of fear. Security is attractive, especially in this financial climate, but, sometimes we have to give things a second look to see the advantage.
The “Bull” is Taurus’ symbol for a reason – stubborn, unwavering in beliefs, will hold on after others have let go of the tug rope, etc. While Taureans are standing fast, they are also writing a little poetry for a loved one, enjoying a gourmet meal in a romantic restaurant and checking the bill.
Taurus: Fixed Earth sign, ruled by Venus, traditional birth stone – Emerald
Friday April 16 delivered us into the realm of the chatty, quicksilver, variety loving Gemini Moon. This is a great time for anything to do with words – scrabble, writing – catching up on current events (gossiping?), traveling, etc. which should all result in having an entertaining weekend. Just don’t get too scattered trying to do two things at once.
This will last until early Monday when we move into sensitive, nurturing Cancer – time to take care of the home front. Bake something.