Fishing Guide to the Stars for the week 8.19.2010

“Take him and cut him out in little stars
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night.”
Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet [III.ii.24-6]

Source for Shakespeare’s version or Romeo and Juliet? It’s probably based on Arthur Brooke’s 1562 poem, “The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet” — a tale of two lovers who died in each others’ arms, in Verona. Italy, 1303.

Mercury — the planet — not the character in Romeo and Juliet — moves into apparent retrograde motion. Although, it could be noted, that the character does move backwards onto the blade of a sword. In the play.

To honor and offer assistance to the ‘Mercury is Retrograde’ time, there’s a 4-minute music meditation. Available here, for a free download. (Scientifically engineered with binaural beat technology to enhance the effect. “Beat” Mercury Retrograde.)

Leo: There’s a small house, older farm house, I pass almost every day when I’m in town. I’ll even pass it twice, once going and once coming. Varies. I tend to vary my route pretty much, to keep me entertained. I passed this one farm house, though, and I noticed that it had a new front porch.

For a place that could be close to a hundred years old, I doubt that the porch snuck in there overnight. I was marveling at the place, though, trying to guess why I never saw the porch before. Closer examination revealed a large tree trunk, fresh cut, and from the girth of the stump? I never saw the porch because it was hidden.

The house is now being renovated. Mercury is in its retrograde pattern. How bad is it? How bad do you want it to be? Could be something as simple as me noticing a previously hidden architectural feature. Could also be the act of removing that tree, age, about to fall on the house, and similar issues, I’m sure.

Can go a lot of ways. All depends. When I started out to use this example, I was thinking, Mercury was starting a retrograde pattern, there was a feature to the house I’d never noticed. Tree was in the way. Mercury backwards? Does it have to be bad? Could just be a new way of seeing something. A different perception.

Virgo: I traveled westward, like, a lot. Bit of useless local lore? In Mesilla, NM, in 1871 – August 27, 1871, there was a political rally — two rallies. One for the Republicans and one for Democrats. Got rowdy. It was the Old West, back then. Gunfire erupted.

When the smoke cleared and the riot was finally stopped — by the intervention of Federal troops — 8 people were dead. That’s some fireworks at a clash of political ideologies. My “blue door” picture was taken in Mesilla, NM. Part of that Southern NM, “Southwestern” flavor I tend to favor. Or evoke.

I’m just thinking, what with the planets like they are? I just hope, planets the way they are? You don’t belong at a political rally like that one, in Mesilla, the kind of rally that starts with an open and frank discussion of “issues,” and ends in a firefight. No need to repeat historical precedents.

Libra: The term is “SERE.” Alternatively, it’s an acronym, S.E.R.E. Stands for Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape. It’s a kind of military training that evolved as a result of the Korean War. At least, that’s what I was told. There are several levels of SERE training. However, I think the acronym itself should be good enough for the illustration process.

Never give in. Libra survival is dependent upon that idea. Never give up. If you can’t evade capture? Then it’s your job to resist.

Don’t be helpful to the enemy. Resist. Eventually? Escape. That’s the goal, evade the capture in and do so in a way that causes as much consternation for the enemy.

Now, as a good Libra, you’re reading this so you’re a good Libra, it helps to think along the lines of that acronym. No, I don’t think you’re going to parachute into hostile country where you have to fight for your life. But there is a situation where, in order to survive, you can make the enemy as uncomfortable as possible.

Scorpio: The Texas Rangers (Law Enforcement Officials) have a long and storied history. Some fact, perhaps a leavening of myth is scattered into the mix, as well.

The story is, one Texas Ranger was sent to stop a riot. When that solitary ranger stepped off the train, the mayor said, “One Ranger, that’s all?” The ranger — allegedly — drawled, “Ya’ll only have one riot.” Might be little more myth and maybe small amount of mirth, but that’s the story.

Careful about fact and fiction. Mercury in apparent retrograde motion, that can confuse fact and fictions. Causes friction. Then, too, there are tales that apocryphal in nature, accepted as gospel but lacking verifiable resources.

Finally, there’s one other problem. Toy with the Great State’s myths? That can cause ire to even question any of the Texas heritage that is accepted as fact. Even if it might be a little bit of myth, maybe more myth than fact? “One riot, one Ranger.”

Sagittarius: A Burmese Python, the kind commonly sold in pet stores? Makes a great pet, I’m sure. As long as the critter is kept in the house. In the wild? They can grow up to 20 feet long. It’s one of those guys who grows as big as its environment will let it. As either escapees, runaways, or voluntarily freed? Those non-native snakes do well in the American South. The swamps and bayou counties (and parishes) that border the Gulf of Mexico make a wonderful habitat for Burmese Python.

The biggest problem, though, isn’t the snakes could, conceivably eat a small child, nor is the problem that they could, conceivably, get to be large enough to be a serious threat, no, that’s not the problem. It’s an invasive species, and it’s a problem in the Florida Everglades. For real. Couple of years ago, there were some photoshop examples of those Burmese Pythons versus Alligators, and neither species was a clear winner.

I wouldn’t want to tangle with either, just as a matter of form. I’m not going to debate the authenticity of the images wherein the two species fight out, reptile to reptile. Nor is this really about invasive or non-native creatures. This is about stuff that doesn’t belong one place and the calamity that can ensue. Although, when dealing with invasive species, not all results are comical. Ask the alligators and Florida park rangers.

Capricorn: Mercury is heading backwards in the Capricorn (solar) 9th (ninth) house. Looks like you’re going to have to relearn some issue that you’ve already been through. Instead of thinking this as “Painfully acquiring knowledge a second time around,” think about this as a puzzle that you’ve worked before.

It’s like the back of the discarded newspaper at a coffee shop. Maybe the newspaper is a day old, but someone has half-finished the crossword puzzle. You pick up the paper and start working on the rest of the answers.

It’s a perfect Mercury Retrograde action. Better yet, imagine that it’s the back of a magazine with a puzzle, and someone has erased all the answers. The puzzle was worked once, but it’s been cleared and ready to work a second time.

Going over stuff that you’ve already gone over. Is it any less fun? Depends on how porous your memory is, how well you learned the material last time, and how you deal with the clues. Also depends — a lot — on how you approach that puzzle that you worked, once. Time to work it gain. Is this comic in some way? You be the judge, but I think finding the humor makes the situation a great deal more palatable.

Aquarius: I’ve thought about this before, but it came up again prompted by a client’s comment. I should start my own religion. Or cult, really. All the trappings of a religious cult, maybe. I could be a good cult leader. As an Aquarius, think about what you need. A good pitch, a good selling point, a simple message that’s not harmful, maybe hopeful, maybe a good title to a self-help book, that kind of tag line.

I wasn’t thinking about any kind of heinous cult-like cult, more along the lines of some of the more innocuous new age groups I’ve seen. Meet on Wednesday night. Or maybe just biweekly? The message? It’s got to be generic enough to not offend any particular group. Hope, has to contain an element of hope.

The central charismatic character? Has to claim that he/she is just a vessel of voice for the message, not the message itself. Make sure that the line between what’s being said, and the speaker, make sure that the line is clear.

As Leo closes and Virgo opens, as the Moon gets full? The line between the message and the messenger? Very important to make sure that the charismatic cult leader doesn’t assume that god-like role. That’s when cults get a bad name. No need for that to happen.

Pisces: I’ve been “flying solo” for so long? I doubt I can take on anyone to assist me. Just the way I’m wired.

“That’s how we roll,” I guess, would be the correct expression — only, it’s not.

I roll solo. Been doing it for myself for so long I’m not sure I’m prepared for offices and business partners and cohorts and hanging out around the water cooler. Or having a water cooler. I’ve got some bottled water in the ice box, a case of hurricane water in the closet, and that’s as close as I’m going to get to a water cooler.

This isn’t about water, or water coolers, or even water signs.

It’s about being personally responsible for your own Pisces actions. There’s something that needs doing. Some action is required. Sometimes? It’s good to get the Pisces minions to do your bidding. This week? If it’s meant to be then it’s up to me. You. If you want something to happen? Make it happen. Take action.

Aries: Captain John Coffee “Jack” Hays (Aquarius) — Hays County? Named after him? Hero of the Texas Rangers? Anyway, in the “Indian Wars,” the fierce Comanche referred to Capt. Jack as “He who fights with the devils all on his side.” It’s a really long “Indian” name. Could be, “Fights with many devils at his side as aiding and abetting the wild one.”

The story is, it was his ferocity in the face of the Comanche dangers that showed his prowess. As an Aries, do you have a long Indian name like that? What would it be? Capt. Jack was a colorful bit of Texana Trivia I happened upon, and he is the namesake for that little county just south of Austin. It was the long and unwieldily Indian name that got me interested in Capt. Jack’s history.

Long name, short meaning. Ferocious enemy. As Mercury starts messing with you? Are you going to have that long name? It would befit an Aries like yourself, but I’m not sure you should claim that type of name. Too long. Like Captain John Coffee “Jack” Hays eventually got shortened to Capt. Jack? Think short version, not the longer, although I find it more evocative, “The one who fits with the assistance of the devils of many along his sides.”

Taurus: My kid sister lived in Oakland (California) for a long time. I liked her place there. I liked the town. It had that laid back feel — like Austin — revolutionary and evolutionary. Lifestyles mixed with ease, no judgement.

Sister moved, eventually, to a tony, tawny place. Yeah, nicer neighborhood, I suppose, but I wasn’t motivated to visit as often. Too nice. Too polite, too quiet, too clean. I need a little inner-city dirt and grime to feel at home in a large, metropolitan area. When I got around to digging up that Texas Rangers’ historical note, see the preceding horoscope, I found another connection to Oakland, CA: it was founded by Capt. Jack (Hays).

Texas Ranger. When he settled the West, as defined by Texas, he followed gold to California. Never struck it rich with gold, but he did find a way to make money by real estate. And founding Oakland. Just another example of why California should be more appreciative.

Jumping to conclusions? With Mercury backwards in Virgo? Talk about a perfect world order that is rent asunder? My fine Taurus friend, the Texas/California connection? Pause. The recriminations and back-stabbing? Careful. History has a way of sneaking up on us right now.

Gemini: There is a Gemini well of reserve. Deep well. Most “Gemini” descriptions, some of my observations included, tend towards flighty as the simple moniker. “Shallow” comes to mind. A brilliant mind that skates across the topics, sometimes that mind appears lacking depth. However, this little Mercury Retrograde?

It’s going to cause your Gemini brain to discover untapped depths of will, resolve, and the littlest planet? It will prompt and elicit the Gemini’s true depth.

Going to take some thinking, plotting, planning, then work-around planning, to deal with what’s happening. If these were normal times, which they are not, then this wouldn’t be a pressure point. However, the obstacles and apparent problems in the coming week? Those merely serve as launching points for new ideas.

Clue: the first work around idea? It’s good. Not your finest brainchild, but good. However, because of the Mercury influence and so on? First try might not work out. Don’t hesitate to re-think the solution then think about the answer to the solution. I’m just suggesting, the way I see it? We have to do something. Make a change. Makes a difference.

Cancer: In the next couple of days, you, as a Cancer (sun) sign person, you’re going to be faced with an “inevitable” decision. One of those points that you must render a decision, even though, as we all know, Mercury is in its apparent retrograde pattern.

“But you said I shouldn’t make such a momentous choice until later, right?” What I said. What you’re going to do? Think about this. You have to sign that piece of paper, you have to enter into a contract, you have to negotiate the deal, you have something you have to do.

Can’t be avoided. Here’s what I see will happen. Last time I went to the coast, I read and heard that, “new penny shrimp,” an artificial bait, was more effective than live bait. I took a package with me. Didn’t catch a single fish on those baits.

Bought some shrimp. Worked just fine. The idea, what you start with? Like me, starting with that “best bait in the world?” Yeah, just realize that you might change tactics, strategies, or renegotiate the deal, at some later date.