-The Forty Eight Periods – The Week of Genius-

“Genius”

Aquarius I

January 23 – January 30

Zodiac Position: Approximately 2’ – 11’ Aquarius

Season: Mid-Winter

Element: Air

Ruler: Uranus

Symbol: The Water Bearer

Mode: Thought

Strengths:

• Precocious
• Unique
• Self-taught

Weaknesses:

• Reckless
• Distracted
• Stressed Out

 

The Aquarius I period takes Genius as its central image.  According to The Grand Cycle of Life, this period can be symbolically likened to the years of a person’s early seventies.  At this time, a more universal understanding of nature, time and man has emerged.  Having to impress others, struggling to accumulate money, striving for success, shouldering family responsibilities – for many, these are a thing of the past.  Time can be spent reading and thinking, and perhaps considering philosophical matters or areas of social or international concern.  Ideally, wisdom has crystallized, for the outlook of a person this age is now somewhat fixed.  The days that comprise Aquarius I symbolically reveal the elder facing advanced age and coming to the hard realization that not so many years may be left.  Concerns of character, withdrawal from the world, thoughts about human destiny, but also memories of high points in life, for oneself and others – extraordinary scientific, philosophical or physical achievements – may be mentally surveyed.

 

Although Aquarius I’s may not necessarily be more intelligent than others in the year, they generally learn quickly and exhibit an alert, even high-strung demeanor.  Like thoroughbreds, they are hot-blooded types, usually champing at the bit to get on with it.  Patience is not one of their virtues, and Aquarius I’s show a marked itchiness with those slower sorts who need time to express themselves and make decisions.

 

Aquarius I’s often arouse other people’s amazement, and also jealousy, due to the speed and ease with which they pick things up at the first go.  When they are young, this ability may manifest precocity, but parents and teachers who do not understand them may criticize them as superficial, and for lacking the stick-to-it-iveness to see a project through.  But although it is true that Aquarius I’s are easily bored, they are quite capable of perseverance when they feel it is warranted.  Not everyone born in this week has the ability to learn so fast, but most value mental skills highly and try to develop them, whether born with them or not.  They also prize education, but not always the kind found in school: Aquarius I’s believe that experience is the best teacher and are often self-taught types.  The lure of worldly excitement will often entice them away from the classroom, and travel to foreign lands can have a peculiar fascination for them.

 

In their careers, those born in this week want to have things their own way.  They rarely do well in jobs where they are told what to do.  Self-employment or independent positions suit them better, particularly if their work allows them the freedom to make choices, plan, change direction, follow their instincts and be true to what they believe.  Although Aquarius I’s can be excellent leaders, whether of families and social groups or in their professional environments, they have no essential need to either rule or dominate.  Their greatest need in relation to other people may actually be just the need for attention, since every performer ultimately needs an audience.

 

It is extremely important for Aquarius I’s to give every project they work on their own personal stamp.  People who enjoy the individual expression of others are fond of those born in this week, but their often destabilizing and self-centered energies can affect group projects adversely.  Aquarius I’s often seem rebellious, but this is usually because of some attempt to tame or control them.  Their impulsiveness can easily bring them into conflict with authority figures, or with those of a more conservative nature.

 

Once those born in this week accept their uniqueness and realize that their social needs and drives are less deep than they think, they will make great strides in their careers.  More enlightened Aquarius I’s may come to realize that they can use their strengths best by pursuing a career that does not necessarily involve social contact.  There are many areas of science, music, art, publishing or economics that can fit the bill.  Part of the problem Aquarius I’s confront in working with others is that they tend to exhaust their talents and energies on those close to them, sometimes in a frustrated effort to fit in and feel that they really belong to a group.

 

On the negative side, the Aquarius I personality has a tendency to self-destructiveness.  They are more hurtful to themselves than to others.  They can be emotionally unstable, wired, self-absorbed, and can be easily upset.  Their sensitivity to external stimuli may be pronounced in such moods, and they may have an acute need to withdraw to a quiet place, away from the bustle of the world.  Easily stressed out, even prone to periodic breakdowns, Aquarius I’s must learn to toughen themselves.  If they can become less easily aroused, they will deal more effectively with the exigencies of everyday life.

 

In matters of love, Aquarius I’s insist that their mates understand their need for freedom.  They will not be tied down to fixed routines and schedules.  Friends and lovers with more demanding expectations of them are in for a rude surprise; Aquarius I’s will rarely accept restriction.  Chafing at constraint, they may just try find another free spirit to get involved with, a solution that may work in the short term but seldom provides the stability and permanence required for deeper commitment.  Some Aquarius I’s may indeed desire a permanent, faithful, giving and stable partner but may also seek the freedom to carry on all kinds of other relationships, sexual, or otherwise, at the same time.  By practicing this kind of double standard, these Aquarius I’ seek to satisfy both their needs and their desires, but also show their disregard for others.

 

Those who choose family life will have to learn to direct their energies efficiently, share responsibilities, budget their time and, above all, conquer their need for attention.  Their charismatic side often attracts the wrong kind of people, and this may keep their energy from those whom they love and who really need it, particularly family members.  Restricting themselves to a well-chosen circle of close friends, and concentrating on those who have a stabilizing effect on them psychologically and are not needy people, will contribute greatly to their happiness.

 

ADVICE:

Clarify a realistic picture of yourself in your mind’s eye.  A certain amount of undesirable personal interaction is always necessary try to be a bit more thick-skinned and, if necessary, downright insensitive.  Cultivate calm, patience, and persistence rather than always going your own way.  Learn to handle frustration and be tough enough to quietly demand the very best for yourself.

AQUARIUS I NOTABLES:

Certainly the most precocious musical prodigy the world has ever known, Austrian composer Wolfgang Mozart exemplifies the dazzlingly quick abilities of those born in the Week of Genius.  Yet perhaps the greatest struggle for Mozart was taking his place in the adult world, where values like maturity, responsibility and hard work were stressed.  That he was successful artistically in his struggle can be seen in works like the operas Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute and in his late symphonies and piano concertos, although his personal life remained somewhat chaotic.  Dead at 35 under mysterious circumstances, leaving an unfinished commissioned requiem, which proved to be his own, the prolific Mozart had already written enough masterpieces for a dozen lifetimes.

TV and film star Oprah Winfrey fits the pattern of precocity frequently found in Aquarius I’s who tend to give public performances at an early age.  Her first notable appearance was delivering the Easter sermon in church at age 2.  Oprah majored in speech and drama in college, was voted Miss Tennessee and by the age of 19 was already a local CBS anchor.  Reported the highest-earning women in America for several years now, Oprah can attribute her tremendous success to the empathic bond she has formed with her audience, partly due to her honesty about her own childhood and personal life.  Oprah reached out and touches her audience not only figuratively but literally, making the human bond even stronger.  Her role in the film The Color Purple demonstrates her extraordinary versatility.

Elected U.S. president 4 times, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was possibly the most popular public figure in the 20^th century.  His New Deal reforms were credited with bringing America out of the Depression.  As commander in chief, he guided the country in WWII and, more than anyone else, was responsible for winning the war.  Although FDR fits the Aquarius I mold as impatient and itching to get on with implementing his latest schemes, he was also frivolous, reckless and overconfident when younger.  Perhaps it was the polio that crippled and immobilized him in 1921 that was most responsible for allowing him to become more mature, thoughtful and compassionate.

-The Forty Eight Periods – The Cusp of Mystery and Imagination-

“Mystery and Imagination”

Capricorn-Aquarius Cusp

January 17 – January 22

Zodiac Position: Approximately 26’ Capricorn – 3’ Aquarius

Season: Mid-Winter

Element: Earth/Air

Ruler: Saturn/Uranus

Symbol: The Goat/The Water Bearer

Mode: Sensation/Thought

Strengths:

• Exiting
• Entertaining
• Lighthearted

Weaknesses:

• Chaotic
• Difficult
• Eruptive

 

The Capricorn-Aquarius cusp can be likened to symbolically to the period around seventy years of age in the human life; it arrives at the time in winter when the days are lengthening but remain cold in the northern hemisphere.  Indeed, nights are freezing and refuge must be sought inside.  The Capricorn-Aquarius cusp may be said to represent Mystery and Imagination.  In human development, at the age of seventy, one must certainly come to terms with one’s own mortality.  Preparations must be made to make one’s remaining years comfortable but also productive and satisfying.  Although external activities have usually slowed down considerably, ideally a corresponding increased tempo of the interior life – mental, emotional, and spiritual – can manifest.  The worlds of imagination, fantasy, and dreams are active, and some feel and act in a childlike manner.  The days that comprise the Capricorn-Aquarius cusp exemplify some o f the manifestations of Mystery and Imagination where the practical, conservative Capricorn nature clashes with unpredictable, unconventional Aquarius impulses.

 

The vivid and expressive individuals born on the Capricorn-Aquarius cusp generate excitement wherever they go.  Unable to keep out of the action for very long, they make their presence felt almost immediately on entering a room.  Their viewpoints tend to be controversial, and whether conservative or radical are highly stimulating, often because of the dramatic way they are delivered.  Capricorn-Aquarius’ interest in the poor and downtrodden is more than theoretical: most of them will not hesitate to make direct contributions of time, money or energy to help anyone less fortunate than themselves.  At the same time, however, they have little sympathy for those they see as freeloaders or parasites, able to pull their own weight but refusing to do so.

 

The influence of the planet Saturn (ruler of Capricorn) lends structure and a feeling of responsibility to Capricorn-Aquarius personalities, but the unpredictable energy of Uranus (ruler of Aquarius) may tend to break this order apart at any moment.  It is not uncommon for Capricorn-Aquarius to have wild mood swings; they can appear sensible and reasonable one moment, uncontrolled the next.  Capricorn-Aquarius can get pretty wild, so it is not surprising that violence can feature in their lives, whether they attract it or enact it.  Chaotic, out-of-control energies can produce tremendous unrest in the lives of those born on this cusp.  Their regard for their personal safety is usually not high, a trait they may reinforce with a daredevil nature – a deadly or at least dangerous combination.  A disregard for their health in general, and an insistent confidence that their prodigious energies will bail them out, time and time again, can wear them down over the years, or induce chronic physical conditions.  Concerned mates and lovers may have a hard time, for example, weaning them away from heavy drinking and smoking.

 

Capricorn-Aquarians have a pronounced dark side.  Not ones to keep anger inside for very long, they can explode in fits of temper that will send others scurrying.  The image of furious Capricorn-Aquarius hell-bent on punishment is a tremendous variance with the face they present when enjoying themselves and having fun.  More than most, those born in this week can be at the mercy of their demons, so that their outbursts of temper are truly spontaneous.  Because they are rarely calculating, it is hard to blame them for their tremendous mood swings, which are usually forgiven, through not easily forgotten, by those closest to them.

 

Even the most settled and conventional of Capricorn-Aquarians will often have an active dream and fantasy life.  They lead a kind of Walter Mitty existence, with few guessing the extent of their interior life or the degree of its inventiveness.  Everyday situations can prove the springboard for bizarre mental gyrations, in which the Capricorn-Aquarian becomes the central character in an imaginary world.  These flights of fancy rarely indicate pathological states – quite to the contrary, those born on this cusp show how important being in touch with one’s fantasy life can be for mental health.

 

Capricorn-Aquarians love to tell and play jokes.  Their mates, friends and family must not only understand but appreciate this need if those born in this week are to be kept happy.  It isn’t always easy, however, to keep up with Capricorn-Aquarians, who may one moment be dealing seriously with day-to-day problems, the next exploding in riotous laughter.  They also have a conventional side that can make them extremely exacting: they generally expect all family members to do their duty and discharge their obligations to the fullest.

 

Those born on this cusp can only fully respect people who share daily chores and duties with them fairly.  Capricorn-Aquarians often seek hard-working, dependable mates rather than beautiful or intelligent ones.  Outside their permanent or primary relationship, however, the impulsive Capricorn-Aquarius may be magnetically attracted to vivacious and exiting individuals, or to quitters but still passionate types.  The sexual powers of those born on the Cusp of Mystery and Imagination are usually high, and their interest in sex is pronounced.  When they stray, they suffer to an extent from guilt, but this can lend extra spice to their indiscretions.  Although they may attach little importance to such flings, their partner may not be so understanding, and deep, long-lasting hurts may be inflicted.  In their sexual and other escapades, Capricorn-Aquarians exhibit an immature side, like Peter Pan, who refused to grow up.

 

Youthfulness is, in fact one of the most obvious Capricorn-Aquarius qualities.  Those born on this cusp do not necessarily age well; many risk burnout in their tumultuous lifestyles, others deteriorate through neglect or abuse of their bodies.  Haste and carelessness may not only wear them down physically but contribute to psychological instability.  On the other hand, those Capricorn-Aquarians lucky enough to have a stable support group, whether in family, friends, or a mate, can have it all, establishing the many facets of their personalities.  Capricorn-Aquarians who live alone may, in fact, build up great inner strength through dealing with the most difficult and elusive customer they have ever met – themselves.

 

ADVICE:

You must find an outlet for your creative energy.  Communicate what you experience.  Try not to be discouraged by lack of understanding, ignorance or negative criticism.  Don’t go off the deep end, but, rather, find those who understand and appreciate you.

CAPRICORN-AQUARIUS CUSP NOTABLES:

The former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali typified the vivid expressiveness and the activity and violence that frequently characterize those born on the Capricorn-Aquarius cusp.  It was Ali’s speed, dancing style and rope-a-dope techniques that set him apart from other heavyweights, but his ability to take a punch and hit hard were never seriously questioned.  Ali had attracted as much attention out of the ring as in, particularly when he joined the Nation of Islam and later refused induction into the U.S. Army.  Ali decisively defeated some of the toughest fighters of his day, including Joe Frazier and George Foreman, wining the respect of fight fans the world over.  His inimitable speech was frequently punctuated by “I am the greatest.”

Janis Joplin characterized the vivacious, impulsive and wild nature of many born on the Cusp of Mystery and Imagination.  Joplin lived the years of the 60s perhaps more intensely than any other major rock star.  In large outdoor concerts she mesmerized thousands by her incredible intensity, which pushed her voice and body to the most painful limits.  Me and Bobby McGee and Lord, Won’t You Buy Me a Mercedes Benz were trademark songs, although it is unlikely the Almighty was moved by Janis’s plea.  Fronting Big Brother and the Holding Company and the Kozmic Blues Band, Janis conveyed her blues-oriented music with highly charged emotion.  Her drug-related death in 1970 at 27 came, symbolically, as the 60s drew to a close.

Italian film director Federico Fellini began his work in the neorealistic cinema but could not resist the pull of fantasy and imagination felt so strongly by those born on the Capricorn-Aquarius cusp.  His first masterpiece, La Strade, which starred his wife, Giulietta Masina, shows how much the director’s symbolic imagery had suffused his cinematic vision.  In La Dolce Vita and 8 ½, strongly autobiographical and social elements were added, making the films highly personal commentaries on the times.  In both films, Marcello Mastroianni is Fellini’s personal, wandering through the maze of his own visions, along with Satyricon and Amarcord revel in the use of color, fantasy and exploration of images from childhood to create Fellini’s surreal world.

-The Forty Eight Periods – The Week of Dominance-

“Dominance”

Capricorn III

January 10 – January 16

Zodiac Position: Approximately 19 – 27’ Capricorn

Season: Early Winter

Element: Earth

Ruler: Saturn

Symbol: The Goat

Mode: Sensation

Strengths:

• Professional
• Surmounting
• Maintaining

Weaknesses:

• Unheeding
• Outrageous
• Self-Sacrificing

 

The Capricorn III period takes Dominance as its central image.  According to The Grand Cycle of Life, this period can be likened in human terms to a person’s late sixties, when the wish to be dominant can manifest strongly.  As long as such urges are expressed in technical areas, they are likely to bring positive results.  However, in the personal sphere, the desire to rule the roost may cause strife with one’s life partner, who may be thinking the same way.  Not uncommonly, such conflicts can be the result of both people too much time around the same house.  Successful elders focus more of this powerful energy inward – particularly in acquiring greater control over wayward emotions, wasteful impulses and unrestrained fantasy.  The days that comprise Capricorn III symbolize the energy of the elder seeking to order his//her environment by making realistic assessments and hard choices, while seeking greater comfort happiness and fulfillment.

 

Many Capricorn III’s find it unnecessary to rise to the top of their field, or even to lead, as long as they can express their dominance within the day-today dynamic of their family, work or social group.  Although ambitious types may well be born in this week, Capricorn III’s often reach a certain level in their particular circle and are content to stay there for the rest of their lives.  They have tremendous diligence and dedication, which enable them to stick to the path they have set for themselves without being sidetracked.

 

Self-confidence is extremely important to the psychic well-being of Capricorn III’S.  As long as they are not beset by worry, do not probe too deeply into their own motives or expect too much of themselves, they function well.  A secret inferiority complex may plague them for years, however, until they can prove to themselves that they really are worthwhile people.  Some born in this week may be unrealistic about their capabilities, overrating themselves – a desperate attempt to deny their feelings of inferiority, and one that can only set them up for failure.  Those with a poor self-image often still suffer from the negative attitudes of a disapproving or overly demanding parent in childhood.

 

When young, Capricorn III’s are prone to idolize an older figure of the same sex.  As they grow more mature they themselves are often cast in a heroic mold by others.  Idolizing and idealizing can build up the expectations surrounding Capricorn III’s to an unrealistic extent, again setting them up for the inevitable disappointment of a fall from grace.  A strongly moral attitude, and a tendency to divide the world into good or evil; they need to learn not to judge others or be so extreme in their views.  The happiest Capricorn III’s are those who can take people as t hey are without rejecting them or laying on trips of guilt or shame.

 

Those born in the Week of Dominance are highly physical but not always sensuous or pleasure-loving.  Some of them may make the overcoming of physical wants and needs their chief occupation, in fact, showing their dominance over their own feelings and bodies.  Capricorn III’s can be severe in dealing with themselves and with those close to them, notably their mates and families.  Yet they can generally be counted on for honest and straightforward opinions and advice.  Rarely prone to unconscious self-deceit, they also have little interest in deceiving others; most often they mean what they say and say what they mean.

 

Capricorn III’s value service highly.  They are competent and thoroughly professional, but their giving attitudes may make them too self-sacrificing, or vulnerable to exploitation.  Although they are capable of learning from such experiences how to say no to co-workers and acquaintances, they may still be unable or unwilling to deny the demands of their immediate family.  Years of devotion to a needy family member can not only drain time for themselves but also cause the buildup of tremendous frustrations, which, inevitably, produce unhappiness.

 

Capricorn III’s are thoughtful people and can also be a great deal of fun.  Their playful attitudes and scathing wit show their ability to put things in perspective and also to no take themselves too seriously.  There is an undeniable streak of eccentricity in many born in this week.  Although not overly social, they often like nothing better than an evening with friends, whether quiet or uproarious, depending on their mood.  Capricorn III’s enjoy being part of a group, sharing experiences and conversation with several individuals equally; they are less prone to have one single best friend.  They are often attracted to team sports, hobbies or clubs, and may contribute wholeheartedly to the planning and maintenance of such organizations.

 

In their careers, many Capricorn III’s are hard workers.  They often get their biggest kicks battling against high odds – for example, by struggling to overcome physical disabilities.  Others born in this week are more realistic in the projects they take on but nonetheless show workaholic tendencies.  A vivacious and interesting mate can be good medicine for those born in this week, taking their minds off career concerns and allowing them to relax and have fun.  Capricorn III’s often need someone at home who can lighten their mood when they walk in the door.

 

Although responsible, Capricorn III’s are not dull by any means.  Many born in this week have an arresting, even electric demeanor that can be highly charismatic, or at the very least can cause others to watch them in wide-eyed astonishment.  Those born in this week rarely try to be outrageous, but they often wind up like that anyway.  Capricorn III’s are often unaware of the effects their statements and actions have on others, and basically may not care, either.  They don’t feel rejection keenly, partly because they generally don’t have a great need for the approval and acceptance of others.  Self-contained, those born in this week must be careful not to keep too much under control, stifling their more expressive side.

 

ADVICE:

Don’t be afraid to take chances.  If you do not dare to fail you may not achieve your true heart’s desire.  Your insistence on security may be misplaced at times.  Try to be more flexible where the feelings of others are concerned.  Do not assume that your values have absolute or universal application.

CAPRICORN III NOTABLES:

In her best film performance, Faye Dunaway shows the kind of dominant attitudes and eccentricity that are characteristic of Capricorn III’s.  In roles opposite Warren Beatty in Bonnie and Clyde and Jack Nicholson in Chinatown, Dunaway displays not only her beauty and fine acting but also her flair for the unusual. Such feeling for more bizarre roles is reflected in her incredible portrayal of actress Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest and opposite Mickey Rourke in Barfly, where she plays a wealthy drunk.  Dunaway has also been able to express her dominant side as film producer, notably in 1990, with Cold Sassy Tree.

The legendary story has been told many times of how the young Greek immigrant Aristotle Onassis arrived in Argentina with only a few hundred dollars in his pocket.  Showing the hard-working  characteristics and single-mindedness of those born in the Week of Dominance, Onassis became a millionaire by the time he was 25, working first in the tobacco business and then using his profits to buy ships.  By the time he met Jackie Kennedy, shipping magnate Onassis had amassed one of the largest fortunes in the world.  Jackie and Onassis wed in 1968, and although many were bewildered by her choice, few could deny the power and self-assurance of her Capricorn III husband.

The origins of George L. Gurdjieff, founder of an important 20th-century spiritual movement, are shrouded in mystery.  Having spent the first 40 years of his life in central Asia, Tibet, India, and the Middle East studying the wisdom of several mystical and religious groups, Gurdjieff appeared in Russia and established his Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man with the help of his followers.  Forced by the Russian Revolution to relocate outside Paris, Gurdjieff’s Institute was able to spread the master’s idea to a larger public.  His books Meetings with Remarkable Men and Tales of Beelzebub attracted great interest over the years, although it was disciple P.D. Ouspensky’s book In Search of the Miraculous that popularized Gurdjieff’s IDEAS.  Gurdjieff possessed the electrically dominant demeanor but also the fixed moral orientation that characterize many Capricorn III’s.

-The Forty Eight Periods – The Week of Determination-

“Determination”

Capricorn II

January 3 – January 9

Zodiac Position: Approximately 11 – 20’ Capricorn

Season: Early Winter

Element: Earth

Ruler: Saturn

Symbol: The Goat

Mode: Sensation

Strengths:

• Resilient
• Resourceful
• Theoretical

Weaknesses:

• Naive
• Armored
• Workaholic

 

The Capricorn II period takes Determination as its central image.  This period can be related in human terms to the time of life when an elder seeks to develop new interests and is, ideally, free to explore them.  A greater universality and a deepening of outlook now manifest strongly.  Illnesses may have to be overcome; the ability to come back from physical setbacks, and a positive outlook, which lends psychological resiliency that are crucial here.

 

The days that comprise Capricorn II symbolically reveal the elder engaged in new explorations, having the time to travel, formulating philosophical or religious point of view, substantiating gains already made, and manifesting ambition (perhaps for further wealth and power, perhaps for more personal and spiritual goals).  During this time the individual seeks the very best for him/herself.

 

Those born in the Week of Determination often have the drive and ambition necessary to reach the top of their profession.  Whether or not they succeed, no one can fault them for not trying.  Capricorn II’s are strivers, like the mountains goat who seeks out the highest crags.  Once embarked on a course of action, they are extremely difficult to dissuade from their plans.  No matter how great or modest their gifts, Capricorn II’s make the most of their abilities and stretch their talents to the outer edge of the envelope.

 

Capricorns are generally pictured as hard-headed, down-to-earth thinkers, but those born in the Week of Determination are often interested in theoretical, even metaphysical, religious or spiritual subjects and practices.  Nor are their ideas in these areas at all conservative; they may, in fact, be rather radical.  No idea is too stranger or far out for Capricorn II’s to at least consider, and they an undeniable tendency to let their minds ranger over the broadest questions of cosmology and human existence.  This philosophical bent, however, is usually based on fact and observation, for Capricorn II’s have little time for idle or ill-founded speculation.

 

Capricorn II’s often appear tough and aggressive, but most are highly sensitive, perhaps hypersensitive, underneath.  They react strongly to criticism, often with denial.  Although acutely aware of the disapproval of others, however, they usually have the strength to continue along their path if they believe in their heart that they are right.  Of course, there are also immoral Capricorn II’s who get away with as much as they can whether they can justify it or not, for they know something about power and how to wield it.  They may be vulnerable to using slightly underhanded or unscrupulous methods.  Even the more idealistic, who put their energies into serving a cause or organization, may wind up making questionable judgment calls.  Classically, Capricorn II’s often believe the end justifies the means.

 

They usually despise weakness in almost any form, and will not hesitate to use the deficiencies of those around them to their advantage.  Such a person can only view personal failure as the ultimate humiliation.  To say that Capricorn II’s are unprepared for failure is an understatement: for many born in the Week of Determination, in fact, admitting failure is not really a possibility.  In their philosophy, defeat is only a temporary setback, and the very weapons that destroyed their project must be used to rebuild it.  Letting go or giving up on something can be extremely difficult in these circumstances.  It may be years, before Capricorn II’s can free themselves of the baggage of the past that they carry on their able shoulders.  On the other hand, they are capable of taking big chances at crucial points in their lives, in this way appearing as those prototypes of success who dare to fail.

 

In a strange way, Capricorn II’s are masters of both reality and illusion, for many are so persuasive that they can convince others that an illusion is in fact reality.  If those born in this week come to believe in their own illusions, however, they may become ineffectual in that they lose their credibility with those around them.  Thus a single good friend who refuses to be conned and has the courage to report what he or she has seen, honesty and objectively, may be the most valuable resource a Capricorn II can have.

 

In their personal lives, Capricorn II’s are happiest when they have a partner with whom to share the joys and sorrows of everyday life.  They can live alone but most often choose not to do so.  They may well insist, however that their work is an inviolable area that they have no duty to share with their mate, who may get the idea that he or she occupies only second place in the Capricorn II’s heart – that work comes first with these individuals.  Consequently, those born in this week should consequently avoid involvements with dependent types who need attention and are unable to keep their nose out of their mate’s business.  It is not at all uncommon for Capricorn II’s to marry a spouse whose work has little, if anything, in common with what they do themselves.

 

On the other hand, the friends of Capricorn II’s are often colleagues, or at least work on similar pursuits.  Extremely close relationships may develop with such individuals, and maters must accept this or face unhappiness, jealousy or feelings of rejection.  Many Capricorn II’s come to lead three quite separate and mutually exclusive lives: their work life, their social life and their intimate life.  They may have no interest in integrating these areas, and, indeed, it is often unnecessary for them to do so.

 

Extremely resourceful, those born in this week are good at making the best of a bad situation.  This and their loyalty enable them to hang in there for years to make a difficult or even somewhat undesirable relationship work out.  What motivates them is less sympathy with or understanding of their partner then a refusal to admit failure.   A Capricorn II can be extremely devoted not so much to a person as to the relationship itself, and to a belief in the concept of marriage or living together.

 

As realistic as they are, Capricorn II’s are often seen as idealistic and even at times naïve.  Naiveté, in fact, can be considered their Achilles’ heel, but also may be a reason for others to love or feel fondness or sympathy for them.  Being vulnerable and admitting to weakness is essential to sharing love, and many born in this week handicap themselves by maintain a strong façade.

 

ADVICE:

Recognize your limitations – they do exist.  Allow yourself to give in occasionally, even to fail and acknowledge it.  Showing your more vulnerable side should not be threatening.  Try to keep your ideals grounded and be sure your “reality” is not in fact an illusion.

CAPRICORN II NOTABLES:

Republican President Richard Nixon was probably the most controversial individual to occupy the White House in this century.  Typical of those born in the Week of Determination, Nixon took the talents he had been given and drove them mercilessly to the extreme in order to realize the high goals he had set for himself.  In typical Capricorn II fashion, nothing was permitted to get in the way of Nixon’s power drives or to thwart his ambition.  Although credited with ending the Vietnam War and establishing U.S. relations with China, Nixon was never really trusted by a large percentage of the electorate.  Finally brought down for his role in the Watergate scandal, he resembled a figure in Greek tragedy who destroyed himself through his own overweening pride and arrogance.

Leaders of the intellectual left and the existentialist movement in France, Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre were lover, colleagues and friends.  De Beauvoir taught philosophy until 1943, when she turned to writing.  Thereafter, she gave an accurate picture of the first half of the 20^th century in autobiographical works.  It was in her later nonfiction, however, that she achieved her greatest international fame, particularly The Second Sex, her analysis of the role of women in society.  Another cause was that of the elderly, and her book The Coming of Age attacks social attitudes toward senior citizens.

A student of drama with Stella Adler and of dance with Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey formed his own dance company in 1958.  One of Ailey’s earliest and most successful works was Revelations, set to African-American spirituals.  His most important solo piece, Cry, was choreographed for Judith Jamison and is dedicated to “all Black women everywhere – especially our mothers.”  Ailey had the tough exterior and hypersensitive interior of many Capricorn II’s, accompanied by their interesting mix of realism and idealism.  During his lifetime he created some 80 works, which were performed by many American dance companies, including the Joffrey Ballet and American Ballet Theater.  Considered one of America’s leading choreographers, Ailey was frequently praised for his belief in universal and multiracial brotherhood.

-The Forty Eight Periods – The Week of the Ruler-

“Ruler”

Capricorn I

December 26 – January 2

Zodiac Position: Approximately 3 – 13’ Capricorn

Season: Early Winter

Element: Earth

Ruler: Saturn

Symbol: The Goat

Mode: Sensation

Strengths:

• Capable
• Hard-working
• Concerned

Weaknesses:

• Dogmatic
• Bottled Up
• Tyrannical

 

The Capricorn I period takes The Ruler as its central image.  According to The Grand Cycle of Life, this period corresponds to the human age when most people prepare to retire from the working world.  The emphasis here is on taking control of one’s life, making decisions about one’s day-to-day activities without career restraints.  Those who choose to continue their careers may do so with a greater feeling of control and autonomy.  As elders, those of this age may exert a kind of rulership in family matters, assuming a patriarchal or matriarchal role.

 

The days that comprise Capricorn I symbolically reveal the elder displaying survival toughness, taking command, finding new areas of service, and deepening aesthetic and spiritual interests.

 

Highly dependable, Capricorn I’s are able to assume many of the responsibilities of daily life complaint.  Not necessarily leaders, they often assume the position of ruler by default, or take over because they can’t bear to watch the way others are running things.  Ruling their family, business, department or social organization is their forte, and they are excellent at delegating responsibility and seeing that things run smoothly, to the mutual advantage of all concerned.

 

To unseat a Capricorn I from any executive position is extremely difficult.  Indeed, when those born in the Week of the Ruler give up their authority because of ill health, say, or are forced to step down due to allegations of mistakes, personality clashes or a need for younger blood, they take it pretty hard.  Dealing with loss of face, status and power is generally the most difficult challenge they face.

 

When Capricorn’s I’s speak, they expect others to listen.  They are often authoritarian type, and their high opinions of themselves and of their ideas may, in extreme cases, approach a belief in their own infallibility.  Even if their spouses is an accepting or submissive person, they may have problems with children and other family members who will not endure their strictness and dogma so readily.  Indeed, conflicts and rebelliousness may rage out of hand in their families, with the Capricorn I’s setting ironclad rules, issuing ultimatums, uttering threats and generally making daily life difficult for children or relatives who simply do not agree with them.  Capricorn I’s can make powerful weapons out of guilt and shame.

 

Many Capricorn’s I’s, of course, are not tyrants at all, and exert highly positive influences on their families through their insistence on structure and on accepting personal responsibility.  Even so, not all mates are willing to accept Capricorn I rule, and the best solutions are often those in which each partner has his or her own domain.  The pragmatic side of those born in this week allows them to see the value of such a division of labor.  In addition, the recurring power struggles that feature in some Capricorn families are replaced in other by the stimulating exchanges of ideas that develop when each partner make suggestions about the other’s work.  There is usually a limit, however, to the amount of debate a Capricorn I will tolerate and they will not usually submit to criticism of their basic principles.

 

Ultimately, those born in the Week of the Ruler are even more attached to ideologies and ethics than to common sense.  Thus may occasionally lose touch with those around them.  Even long-standing friendships can collapse overnight if Capricorn I’s feel their morals have been breached, or they confront financial irresponsibility or outright under handedness.  They also subject their love relationships to similarly rigorous standards of trust and honesty.

 

Money is generally very important to Capricorn I’s, who know its power and how to put it to work.  Shrewd calculators, they can have an instinct for turning a profit.  These are the people you want to have around to analyze the deficiencies of a failed company, or to get a bankruptcy back in the black.  Reorganizers, Capricorn I’s have a special genius for improving the efficiency of any group, whether social or business.  Yet their honesty and sense of fairness may undercut their own ambitions by hindering them from reaching the top of their profession.  This might not be a problem if Capricorn I’s weren’t ambitious.  They are, however, and consequently are often caught in a bind.  Many born in this week find a comfortable career niche for themselves and stay there.  Thus they too often settle for second best, much to the frustration of their family and friends, who know what their talents are.

 

Acceptance does not come easily to Capricorn I’s.  It is not that they are bigoted or prejudiced – quite the contrary.  Capricorn I’s are admirable in their willingness to oppose injustice fearlessly.  Overall, they have a very healthy respect for traditions; they are more oriented toward making improvements in a given system than in tearing it down.  Rarely will they reject a time-tested solution.  Yet they also keep abreast of all the latest developments in society or their professional field.

 

Despite all this, the people born in the Week of the Ruler may have a hard time being open to the individuality of those close to them.  Stern taskmasters, Capricorn I’s may expect their mates and children to understand that there is only one way to be.  Too often, that way is simply the Capricorn I way.  In fairness, however, their viewpoint is seldom arbitrary; most often it reflects values of hard work and excellence of achievement.  Capricorn I’s have workaholic tendencies, and expect others to work at least as hard as they do.  Goofing off, cowardice, low morals and laziness are the four sins that those born in this week would condemn most emphatically.

 

Emotional expression does not come easily to those born in this week; often creatures of deep feeling, they can get all wrapped up inside a cocoon of repressed emotion.  Since love relationships are a direct means of liberating such feelings, their mates and lovers may be indispensable for their mental and physical health.  Capricorn’s are usually extremely faithful – they may be tempted to stray from their primary relationship, but they generally choose to stay.  Although not overly sentimental, they can be quite affectionate, and they often sublimate more passionate drives into feelings of friendship for dear ones.  Associates of those born in this week know them as caring, concerned and trustworthy individuals.

 

ADVICE:

Let others take the lead more often.  You may be wise, but remember that wise men learn more from fools than fools from wise men.  Work hard at trying to admit mistakes when you make them.  There is no particular merit in holding on to an outworn creed or outdated idea.

CAPRICORN I NOTABLES:

Impeccably trained at the dram school of Max Reinhardt and the Berlin Music school, German actress and singer Marlene Dietrich became an overnight international hit after her legendary film appearance in The Blue Angel.  A seductive vamp, and a dangerous one, her role in the film draws on Dietrich’s Capricorn I power and her imperious, strict and coldly-detached manner.  Ironically, Dietrich who been offered a lot of money by Hitler to make Nazi films, wound up entertaining American troops during WWII, in a kind of hardhearted retaliation typical of one born in the Week of the Ruler.  Sexy and highly intelligent, Dietrich acted in American films for some of the greatest directors and opposite the leading actors of her day.

The life of American writer Henry Miller can be divided into three parts, according to where he lived – New York, Paris, California.  In each of these settings Capricorn I Miller did not really change a lot from his normal dogmatic and crusty self, but his viewpoints about life and his writing did.  For the early Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn he was accused of being a degenerate, and in the later Big Sur and Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch, he sounds more like a flower child.  In all his work his lust for life and strong command of the language are evident.  Many of his works were banned for years as obscene and could only be obtained with some difficulty.

Born in the Week of the Ruler, Mao Zedong was chairman of the People’s Republic of China from 1946, when he drove Chiang Kai-shek’s armies from the mainland, until his death in 1976.  As a young man of 18, Mao joined the revolution against the Manchu Dynasty and in 1921 took part in forming the Chinese Communist party.  His Capricorn I patience and toughness was evident in the 6,000 mile long march to Shensi province, where the Red Army could regroup against their enemies.  For the last 30 years  of his life, Mao strove to implement his social ideas, culminating in the Cultural revolution, in which all opposition, real or imagined, was ruthlessly stamped out.  The tenets of Maoism were distributed throughout the world in the form of the Little Red Book.

-The Forty Eight Periods – The Cusp of Prophecy-

“Prophecy”

Sagittarius-Capricorn Cusp

December 19 – December 25

Zodiac Position: Approximately 26’ Sagittarius – 4’ Capricorn

Season: Late Fall/Early Winter (solstice)

Element: Fire/Earth

Ruler: Jupiter/Saturn

Symbol: The Archer/The Goat

Mode: Intuition/Sensation

Strengths:

• Psychic
• Inscrutable
• Intense

Weaknesses:

• Frustrated
• Antisocial
• Oppressive

 

The Sagittarius-Capricorn cusp can be symbolically likened to the period around sixty-three years of age in the human life and also marks the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere.  During this period most of the land lies fallow, some animals go into hibernation, the wind blows cold, and on the winter solstice, the night is longer and the day shorter than at any other time in the year.  This is the time at which druids at Stonehenge made astronomical observations and prophecies, and when fortunes were often cast.  Indeed the Sagittarius-Capricorn cusp may be said to represent Prophecy.

 

In human development, at this juncture in life, middle age is drawing to a close and old age is about to begin.  The emerging elder must face a time when traditionally his/her usefulness to the material world has lessened.  However, the individual’s usefulness in the spiritual sense may increase greatly, as a mentor and inspiration to others.  The days that comprise this cusp exemplify some of the manifestations of Prophecy (using wisdom to look into the future), where the visionary, intuitive Sagittarius nature combines with the pragmatic, empirical nature of Capricorn.

 

Sagittarius-Capricorns are influenced by both the planet Jupiter (ruler of the fiery Sagittarius) and Saturn (ruler of earthly Capricorn).  The energies of these two planets are dramatically opposed: Jupiter stands for expansion, jollity and optimism, Saturn for contraction, seriousness and realism.  A kind of push-pull effect is at work in the personalities of the unusual individual born on this cusp – they may want to have fun, for example (Jupiter) but be too serious to do so (Saturn).  Conversely, on another occasion, they may set out to buckle down on the job at hand (Saturn) but be lured by a new horizon (Jupiter).  The more successful Sagittarius-Capricorns are able to integrate both these influences in their personalities.

 

The fiery and earthly natures of Sagittarius-Capricorns speak of highly developed faculties of intuition and sensation, respectively, but do not necessarily point to either a strong mental or a strong emotional orientation.  Those born on this cusp are consequently at their best when trusting their hunches and their five senses, particularly sight and hearing.  Their articulation and expression of their thoughts and feeling may be more problematical.  Ultimately, the development of extrasensory abilities, or even a single sixth sense, is often the most unique and remarkable quality that those born on the Cusp of Prophecy can offer to the world.

 

Master’s of the art of silence, those born on the Sagittarius-Capricorn Cusp have no need for speech to get their point across.  It is often hard for them to get what they have to say into writing, or express it over the phone, and they may consequently feel that they have to deliver their messages in person.  Whether happy, seductive, threatening or punishing, Sagittarius-Capricorns make their moods known very unambiguously, leaving little if any doubt about how they feel.

 

Those born on this cusp are at their best when they are confident of their powers but at the same time kind and understanding to others.  They are at their worst when feel self-pity, usually a result of worldly failure or personal rejection.  In some Sagittarius-Capricorns, feelings of hurt or frustration about something they are convinced they can do nothing about are psychologically gratifying, relieving them of the responsibility of taking positive action.  In others, a militant attitude may be engendered when suppressed feelings burst forth and cause trauma.  Put to a positive use, however, such energies can achieve creative and remarkable results.

 

Cassandra-like, those born on the Cusp of Prophecy do not expect to be liked by other people, although it often happens that they are.  Being independent of the approval of others gives Sagittarius-Capricorns a power and freedom that many lack.  On the other side of the coin, they may themselves like a few of the people they meet, and may thus be seen as antisocial.  There is generally speaking only one requirement for being a close friend to a Sagittarius-Capricorn, besides the fact that you like them: you must accept them without reservation for what they really are.  Those born on this cusp have their antennae out to detect when others are flattering them or simply being polite, which doesn’t cut the cake.  Consequently, only a few individuals manage to get close to most Sagittarius-Capricorns.

 

For most Sagittarius-Capricorns there is a danger in all this, namely that, like children, they will repeat the somewhat exaggerated words “No one likes me” and will set up this motto as a self-fulfilling prophecy.  They can make it come true by neglecting their physical appearances or, as adolescents, by being unresponsive.  Many teenagers born on the Cusp of Prophecy appear quite introverted, and those who are more extroverted may have a greater need for recognition and approval – or, perversely, for rejection.  Most often it is actions rather than words that are so outrageously expressed.

 

Those born on the Cusp of Prophecy may have rough childhoods due to conflicts with their parents, most often with the parent of the same sex.  They themselves can make attentive and generous parents, but some run the risk, through identification, of making precisely the same mistake their own parents did.  Strong ties with siblings or other family members often carry over into adult life, however, and the success of these fraternal bonds may make those born in this week very comfortable relating to those younger than themselves as equals.

 

The deep, passionate natures and highly sexual orientation of those born on this cusp can bind others to them magnetically.  Friends and lovers of certain Sagittarius-Capricorns understand their need to be alone, and often gain great satisfaction from sharing a private or secluded life with them.  Partners of the more outgoing Sagittarius-Capricorns, on the other hand, often provide a link between them and the world, and bring them out of their shell.  The joy gained in watching a Sagittarius-Capricorn bloom socially may be considerable.  Only one warning: there is always a chance that, Pygmalion-like, the partner who goes to this effort may finally be rejected when the Sagittarius-Capricorn “fair lady” (or gentleman) come down off her or his pedestal and says good-bye.

 

ADVICE:

Learn to temper your intensity.  By understanding yourself better, you will be less at the mercy of your moods.  Work on improving social relationships and continue to befriend others.  Beware of any tendencies to close yourself off.  Allow your warm and loving side full rein and keep your heart open

SAGITTARIUS III NOTABLES:

Like many born on the Sagittarius-Capricorn cusp, Florence Griffith-Joyner did not need speech to get her message across but did in a convincing physical manner.  Winner of an incredible 3 gold and 1 silver medals at the 1988 Olympics world record-holder Joyner impressed people as much with her beauty, grace and style as with her speed.  Sharing the spotlight with her Olympic champion husband and sister-in-law, Al and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, has brought tremendous satisfaction to all concerned.  The Florence Griffith-Joyner Youth Foundation has been set up to give disadvantaged young people opportunities denied to Florence when she was growing up in Los Angeles.

The Israeli psychic Uri Geller is the first of his profession to teach some of his secrets to the public at large and to encourage them, particularly children, to develop their own psychic abilities.  Born on the Cusp of Prophecy, Geller not only predicts and influences the future but believe that if children could be taught in school to trust their psychic intuitions more, the future could be very different from the present. Geller’s widely publicized paranormal abilities include not only his legendary bending of spoons but also the undeniable gift to describe covered drawing at a distance and to move objects.   A devoted family man, his Sagittarius-Capricorn qualities are a mixture of the fun-loving and the serious elements of life.

French songwriter and chansonnier Edith Piaf led a tragedy-filled life.  Born in a bordello and blinded by meningitis as a child, brought a depth of expression to her art perhaps unsurpassed in French popular music.  Her peculiar blend of earthy and fiery nature identifies her as a typical Sagittarius-Capricorn.  Sorrow seemed to be her lot in life, she lost her lover, boxer Marcel Cerdan, in a plane cash.  Although she first became famous for her nightclub performances, she later appeared on the international scene in films and recordings.  Her most famous hit was La vie en rose, which became her trademark song.

-The Forty Eight Periods – The Week of the Titan-

“Titan”

Sagittarius III

December 11 – December 18

Zodiac Position: Approximately 18’ – 27’ Sagittarius

Season: Late Fall

Element: Fire

Ruler: Jupiter

Symbol: The Archer

Mode: Intuition

Strengths:

• Big Hearted
• Self-Assured
• Inspiring

Weaknesses:

• Self-Unaware
• Secretly Insecure
• Fussy

 

The Sagittarius III period takes The Titan as its central image.  This period can be likened in human terms to the years of a person’s early sixties, when, for many, retirement is just in sight (or already begun), and those who have asserted newfound freedom seek to expand their horizons.  At this time plans are often made for the coming years that reshape financial priorities, meet the challenge of filling larger blocks of leisure time and allow the individual follow highly imaginative and creative pursuits.

 

The days that comprise Sagittarius III symbolically reveal a mature person growing more attentive to physical considerations, and having time to perfect hobbies and avocational projects but also to soar imaginatively with all kinds of expansive thoughts and activities.  For the first time since adolescence and young adulthood, many individuals feel free enough to make major choices that will shape their personal future.

 

Born in the Week of the Titan, Sagittarius III’s think on a grand scale.  Their minds are usually geared to big projects, whether planning a family get-together or mapping out a business strategy.  Disliking pettiness in all forms, they see the total picture first, and generally avoid getting hung up on the details.  Sagittarius III’s are big-hearted and give shamelessly, but are realistic enough to expect something in return.

 

Sagittarius III’s reach for the stars, but they keep both feet solidly on the ground.  Their ambitions and aspirations are firmly rooted in the here and now.  Whether small or large of frame, they are physically imposing, and make their presence felt in any gathering.  The persona they project is big, and hard to take in all at once.  This feeling that they are difficult to walk around can also extend to the sense that they can’t easily be gotten out of the way – can’t be bamboozled by any schemes of faulty reasoning.  Those personally involved with these powerful individuals will inevitably have to reckon with playing a subordinate role.

 

It can be dangerous to come between Sagittarius III’s and their goals, for once they have made up their mind they move with lightning speed.  Their friends and family learn soon enough what a given mood foretells – quiet or action.  The people who get along with them try to read their emotional weather report at the beginning of the day, for it may well determine the outcome of any project at the day’s end.  The more disturbing aspects of Sagittarius III’s may have to be overlooked or ignored in the cause of group harmony and effective action.

 

There are moody and disturbing elements to the Sagittarius III personality that may strain living and working relationships.  If Week of the Titan people are depressed, they are hard to budge.  They often internalize external pressures and may, in consequence exhibit chronic (rather than acute) physical and mental symptoms.  Those close to them will eventually have to try to cheer them up, or get them to take a more positive view of their lives, but often to no avail – for Sagittarius III’s actually find these dark moods an essential way of withdrawing from the world to chew things over.  Extremely thoughtful, they can ruminate over a problem or plan for weeks or months before finally coming up with a solution.  In this activity they are best left alone.

 

Since the emotions of Sagittarius III’s come from a very deep place, their eruptions of feeling can be nothing short of volcanic.  It is extremely important, then, that they spend time with people who are sympathetic to them, and with whom they can periodically unburden themselves by discussing whatever is on their mind.  Like a pressure cooker, smoldering crater or grinding tectonic plates, they need to let energy loose in small doses if they are to avoid being shaken apart by the “big one”.  Complaining is actually healthy for those born in this week, and those who understand them welcome their occasional fussing and grumbling: the alternative is a good deal worse.

 

Those born in this week are drawn to magical and ecstatic experiences, not only in their personal lives but also in their careers.  What basically attracts them, after all, is the impossible challenge, and they love to pull off miracles both minor and major before their astonished colleagues’ eyes.  Yet these Titans cannot be called competitive, since there seems to be so little to fear from their fortified citadels that no real competition is possible.  That outlook may seem egotistical, but it gives some idea of the self-confidence and assurance of Sagittarius III’s.

 

And yet behind the massive bulwark of their personality, somewhere in a remote back passage lurks insecurity.  This is their greatest enemy.  A wee voice still murmurs from time to time, Are you really as rock-solid as you seem?  The answer, of course, is no, but the world is usually fooled until a crack appears in the Mount Rushmore-like façade.  Everyone has some kind of insecurity, of course, so it should come as no surprises that Sagittarius III’s do, too; what is important, however, is their inability to recognize or deal with it.  This lack of self-awareness may be the high price they pay for their peace of mind.

 

The most successful lovers and mates of those born in the Week of the Titan are often those who can weave a magical spell around them, after first lulling them into letting their guard down.  Sagittarius III’s actually enjoy being enchanted by those very special individuals who can lighten their ponderous workload or their crushing personal responsibilities.  The mates of Sagittarius III’s will benefit from their protective and capable ways but can also come to feel imprisoned , and may chafe under the feeling that they full expression of their own talents and abilities is denied.

 

Sagittarius III’s are so focused and single-minded by nature that there is usually little difficulty in distinguishing between their desires and their needs, which are in some cases identical.  Those emotionally involved with them know what they demand, and usually face only one decision – comply or resist.  Negotiation or compromise is not in the picture.  Still, like the giant in a fairy tale, Sagittarius III’s can be fooled, often without finding out about it until later.

 

ADVICE:

Learn to enjoy the little things, the simple pleasures of life.  Try to be more understanding of others.  Apply your ethical standards to yourself and concentrate more of your energies on personal growth.  Find a way to blend in when necessary and avoid ruffling feathers.

SAGITTARIUS III NOTABLES:

The giant of post-WWII Russian literature, Alexander Solzhenitsyn presents a titanic view of Soviet Russia and, in particular, of Stalin’s brutal system of camps known as the Gulag, in which untold millions died.  Imprisoned for years himself, Solzhenitsyn wrote directly from his own experience.  After recovering from cancer, Solzhenitsyn wrote, Cancer Ward, which brought him great literary acclaim, and he won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1970.  His largest works are August 1914 and the mammoth Gulag Archipelago, for which he was banished from the Soviet Union.  After living on a farm in Vermont, he was allowed to return to his homeland following the overthrow of communism.

Epic, blockbuster gargantuan – all describe the nature of the mammoth film productions of Steven Spielberg.  Seeing things in the expansive Sagittarian manner do not preclude an eye for detail, however Spielberg is also a meticulous craftsman.  Although he is a master at manipulating his audiences into believing the unbelievable, Spielberg can also deal masterfully with factual historical materials, as in the black-and-white masterpiece Schindler’s list, which won seven Oscars.  Nonetheless, it is probably for his fantasy films E.T., The Indiana Jones series, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Jurassic Park with the highest-grossing director and producer of all time will be most fondly remembered.  His latest commercial venture, Dream Works, will no doubt serve as a vehicle for his expanding vision.

Norwegian stage and film actress Liv Ullmann was brought to worldwide attention by Ingmar Bergman, who starred her in several of his most important films.  She lived with Bergman, described in her book Choices, published after she liberated herself from his tyrannical control and emerged as an individual in her own right.  Physically imposing on the screen, Ullmann’s moods and deep emotions are characteristic of those born in the Week of the Titan.  She is able to portray a variety of starts, from deep meditative contemplation to frightening psychological imbalance.  Born on the birthday of Beethoven, Ullmann shares his affinity for the long line and monumental effort.

-The Forty Eight Periods – The Week of the Originator-

“Originator”

Sagittarius II

December 3 – December 10

Zodiac Position: Approximately 10’ – 19’ Sagittarius

Season: Late Fall

Element: Fire

Ruler: Jupiter

Symbol: The Archer

Mode: Intuition

Strengths:

• Unusual
• Ardent
• Talented

Weaknesses:

• Peculiar
• Irresponsible
• Rejected

 

The Sagittarius II period takes the Originator as its central image.  This period can be compared in human terms to a time in middle age when independent impulses have paved the way for individual forms of expression.  Ideally, at this juncture in life, a person can assert newfound feelings of newfound freedom in terms of inventive projects and original activities that reflect a truly unique and experienced outlook.  The desire to it all hang out reflects not only enthusiasm in being alive but also a lack of fearfulness regarding success or failure, winning or losing, even mortality.

 

The days that comprise Sagittarius II symbolically reveal a mature person having the courage to go for it in terms of simply being oneself.  A take-it-or-leave-it attitude, increased self-confidence and guts, and a minimum of self-conscious and shame are typical of this period.  Also, the courage to be transparent is characteristic here.  Eccentricities and idiosyncrasies tend to manifest now which only intensify as old age approaches.

 

Sagittarius II’s are different and are not afraid to show it.  Among the more unusual people of the year, even the most apparently normal of them may come to seem a tad peculiar once you get know them better.  They rarely consider doing anything in any way but their own.  It would be one thing if they were content with being different, but they usually expect others to understand them somehow.  In consequence, Sagittarius I’s commonly encounter rejection, which they must learn to handle without becoming frustrated or bitter.  They usually become dependent on one or two close friends or family members for acceptance and emotional support.

 

Sagittarius II’s need to realize that by taking the path of least resistance they will arouse the least opposition.  Unusual occupations or co-workers will allow them to work in a way more suited to idiosyncrasies.  Many success-oriented Sagittarius II’s will push to get ahead and rise to the top at any cost; this may be a result of their tremendous need to be accepted.  Strangely enough, it is often only when the unpredictable individuals born in this week forget about success that they suddenly achieve it – as if by accident.

 

The most successful of those born in the Week of the Originator are those who can cash in on their own wacky way of seeing and doing things.  True, some Sagittarius II’s can get mired in frustration and self-pity, and may find friends of teasing them with jokes about their weirdness or strangeness’ but for the most part they are proud of who they are, although perhaps unable to explain how they got that way.  Even so, those born in this week have escapist tendencies, often feeling exigencies of everyday life.  The danger that they will involve themselves in questionable activities or drug states is high, and an ever-present threat to their physical and mental health.

 

Those born in this week are often clever – good with their hands, quick with their minds, technically proficient in their principal pursuit.  Whatever their eccentricities success can be theirs for the asking.  Their talents overestimating faculties and abilities they can slip and fall.  They can be slow to learn this lesson.  In fact becoming more realistic about themselves and the world around them is generally a struggle for Sagittarius II’s, who often take on too many activities at once, and occasionally the wrong ones.  A good working relationship as a member of a team, or perhaps the reliability of a practical business partner, may serve to ground and direct their energies, keeping them from becoming scattered.

 

This week sports its share of expressive and exhibitionistic individuals.  Perhaps out of an inner drive to show people who they really are, Sagittarius II’s can sometimes let aggression run riot, whether it be territorial, intellectual, sexual or emotional.  Perhaps the greatest need of those born in this week is to turn some of their outwardly directed energy inward, and to develop their spiritual side.  They will also benefit by seeking to understand others better, particularly by listening, and to expand their circle of friends and acquaintances.  Engagement in humanitarian pursuits or community projects will help them to normalize their relations with their fellow human beings.

 

In general, Sagittarius II’s will save themselves and other a great deal of agony by seeking out people who will appreciate their uniqueness and avoiding the effort to impress or be accepted by those who will not.  This is true of both marriage and business partners.  Those born in this week are liable to give their all for love, and sometimes to get hurt in the process.  When young, they may experience more than average disappointments in romantic relationships; a common scenario involves idolizing someone who does not return their enthusiasm.  A number of rejection notices from several different addresses may be necessary to make them more realistic about their feelings and choices.  When they do meet someone who will love and understand them, their first response may be to push this person away, perhaps in disbelief.  Once a bond of trust is formed, however, and particularly if that process has been long and difficult, Sagittarius II’s may become emotionally fixated and clinging.  Depending on the depth of the love felt, the other person can get nervous, and back off in fear.  The Sagittarius II should be wary, then, of laying too heavy a weight on lovers or friends, and particularly of trying to convince them that they are the “only one who understands” – a burden that is almost certain to be counterproductive to the relationship.

 

Sagittarius II’s have an intensely physical side that cries out for satisfaction.  Because they tend to give themselves fully to their experiences, they make ardent lovers and appreciative mates and friends.  Often extremely attractive, either in their person or their personality, those born in this week can be true heartbreakers.  Yet their equally strong tendency to art irresponsibly or destructively may finally lead even the most patient of lovers to break up with them.

 

ADVICE:

Try to get out a bit more and do what others do from time to time.  Don’t drive yourself into a corner by believing that no one can understand you.  Make an effort to let others into you private world.  Resist turning off to life: keep things fresh and renew your commitment.

SAGITTARIUS II NOTABLES:

The art of cartoon animation in America is synonymous with the name Walt Disney.  Although today Disney refers to a gigantic entertainment empire, it all began with Walt at the drawing board, as the Originator of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and friends.  Disney created the first feature-length cartoon, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which had flawless synchronized sound.  Pinocchio, Dumbo, Bambi, Lady and the Tramp and many other animated features followed.  Giving a whole new spin to the archetypes of the collective unconscious, the Disney characters provided material that filled the dreams of American kids.  Perhaps Disney’s greatest artistic success was Fantasia, which featured both abstract and story-line visual creations inspired by and synched to Leopold Stokowski’s performances of Stravinsky and other classical composers.

A recluse for many of her days, few in the village of Amherst, Mass, knew that Emily Dickinson wrote poetry.  Regarded as outstanding American women poet, it is a bit shocking that almost all her poems were unpublished in her lifetime and completely unknown for years after her death.  The peculiar nature and escapist tendencies of Sagittarius II’s were magnified in Dickenson, but so was the unique creative expression that made her a true Originator.  Preferring to live alone and never marry.  Dickenson had secret relationships with three men in her life, the last of which, a Philadelphia clergyman names Charles Wadsworth, fanned the sleeping embers of her creativity to full flame.

Russian Expressionist painter, teacher and theorist Wassily Kandinsky characterized the kind of creative originality associated with the Sagittarius II period.  Meeting the great challenge of those born in the Week of the Originator, Kandinsky was also able to turn much of his outwardly directed energy inward and develop his spiritual side, the fruits of which may be seen in  his great work On the Spiritual in Art.  A founding partner of the Blue Rider School with Franz Marc, Kandinsky was the leading spokesman for Expressionism for most of his life.  In fact, some experts credit him as the most important figure in the formulation of nonfigurative, abstract and geometrical painting in modern art.

-The Forty Eight Periods – The Week of Independence-

“Independence”

Sagittarius I Cusp

November 25 – December 2

Zodiac Position: Approximately 2’ – 11’ Sagittarius

Season: Late Fall

Element: Fire

Ruler: Jupiter

Symbol: The Archer

Mode: Intuition

Strengths:

• Honorable
• Intuitive
• Responsible

Weaknesses:

• Over competitive
• Impulsive
• Temperamental

 

The Sagittarius I period takes Independence as its central image.  According to The Grand Cycle of Life, this period can be likened to the time, just following the second Saturn return at age fifty-six (see Scorpio-Sagittarius cusp), in which a desire for a new kind of independence manifests in the middle-aged adult.  The emphasis here is on striking out on one’s own perhaps devoting more energy to oneself and a bit less to family or career.  Joyfully embarking on a fresh path but building on areas of real interest from one’s past is characteristic of this period.

 

The day’s that comprise Sagittarius I symbolically reveal a mature adult purposefully asserting an individualistic position, feeling renewed excitement in being alive, seeking more expansive horizons and perhaps relearning how to be alone (and enjoy it).  All attempts to dampen or smother such impulses will be steadfastly resisted.

 

Sagittarius I’s are hard to control.  In many ways the most independent people of the year, those born in this week must feel free to act on their impulses and intuition.  People who try to exercise power over them in personal relationships are in a rough ride.  When Sagittarius I’s respect their spouse or living partner, they will cooperate, sharing their feelings and dividing the chores.  When they feel that their respect has not been earned, through, or when it is lost, expect constant conflict and strife.  Honor and trust are high on Sagittarius I list of priorities; without these, they feel, life ceases to have meaning and reverts to the law of the jungle.

 

Sagittarius I’s has a thing about fairness, expecting it not only of themselves but of others, too.  Their nurturing side is particularly evident in their relations with animals, small children and the less fortunate members of society; they simply will not tolerate mistreatment of the dependent or helpless in their presence.  They often act impulsively to protect the defenseless without a thought for their own safety.

 

Those born in the Week of Independence try to protect an air of self-assurance and confidence, but behind this façade there often lurks a sensitive and even insecure individual.  This becomes quickly evident when they are put under stress, either through negative criticism or through some challenge to their character.  In such situations Sagittarius I’s can easily and instantaneously fly off to handle, drowning those around them with their anger.  Those alert enough to see the storm clouds gathering will try to avoid unleashing the emotional thunderbolts of those born in this week.

 

Sagittarius I’s has enormous willpower.  The loyalty of Sagittarius I’s is a matter not only of principle or of emotion but of stubbornness; sticking to their guts is a ply because they allow no other possibility.  Anyone deeply involved with a Sagittarius I is likely to know their highly competitive nature, winning is essential to those born in this week.  Learning to submit, and to accept defeat graciously, is not usually possible for these dynamic individuals.  Those few who do learn this lesson may have succeeded in meeting their greatest challenge and thereby in gaining a high degree of maturity.

 

Sagittarius I’s can be unreasonable, but they are usually open to discussion.  Actually, these quick, witty individuals thoroughly enjoy verbal repartee and debate.  This can become a problem if they reach a subject that sticks in their craw, when they can easily become contentious and argumentative.  Friends know what subjects to avoid and how to smooth over rough spots through playfulness, but those meeting Sagittarius I’s for the first time sometimes taken aback by their forthrightness and their times outrageous observations and proposals.

 

Many born in the Week of Independence have a greater need to give then to receive.  Their generosity is directly related to their feelings of self-worth and self-esteem, for they have a need to see themselves as caring rather than needy people.  There are also Sagittarius I’s who are not at all bashful about stating their demands, and will not object to being served by others.  Both character types, however, will often occupy an indispensable position in their family: shouldering substantial responsibilities, but on their own terms, is extremely important to them.

 

Sagittarius I’s generally have only one or two people – whether friend, mate, co-worker or family member – with whom they feel close enough to share their innermost thoughts.  The bond between Sagittarius I’s and their parents or their children is extremely deep, and may be considered a true friendship.  Such soul mates know those born in this week as highly ethical individuals who value integrity and character more than anything else, except, perhaps their freedom.  A Sagittarius I who feels betrayed by a family member or close friend can go through untold agonies of evaluation, judgment or rejection.  In these struggles assessing the intentions of the person in question is usually of great importance.

 

Those who want to spend time with Sagittarius I’s usually have to be able to keep up with them; their friends and lovers must share the fact pace they set, whether in sports, travel, work or hobbies.  A special person for Sagittarius I, however, may also be someone who sticks close to home or place of business.  Those born in this week have an acute need for stability; an individual who is always there to return to may prove to be the anchor in their lives.  Although most Sagittarius would be capable of living alone, and in fact are well suited to it, they will generally make a firm decision to be a person’s spouse or living partner and then continue in that role, even if they outgrow the need for it.

 

Sagittarius I’s are ardent and unconstrained in their emotional expression, particularly in the sexual arena.  They make the intensity of their energy fully apparent to their partners, who will remember vividly the full-bodied encounters in which these types engage.  Sagittarius I’s take pride in their sexual desirability or prowess, often exhibiting quiet confidence in their ability to satisfy their partners.  They are extremely giving of their feelings but demand a great deal in return.

 

ADVICE:

Strive to keep your emotions on an even keel.  Beware of allowing yourself an overly high-minded attitude.  Keep control over your expectations and try to be more forgiving.  There is nothing wrong with compromise, or with occasionally losing.  Watch your tendency to exaggerate.

SAGITTARIUS I NOTABLES:

Actress, singer, comedienne and entertainer Bette Midler fits the Sagittarius I model perfectly, with her highly independent and outrageous nature.  Although her first film, The Rose, in which she gave a virtuoso performance as a rock star, was a huge success, the failure of her second film, Jinxed!, almost finished her career.  However, she came a long way from the early 80s with hits such Outrageous Fortune, Beaches, and The First Wives Club.  Born on the same day as Woody Allen (and thus both Sagittarius I’s), she interacted hilariously, and uninterruptedly, with him in Scenes from a Mall.

From gag writer to comedian to actor, playwright and film director, Woody Allen has steadily evolved in an increasingly creative and authoritative direction.  But he did in his own way and always made one demand wherever he worked – that he be given as high a degree of independence as possible.  Although his Sagittarius I temperamental and impulsive nature has frequently worked against him, Allen’s intuitions has been right on the mark enough times to guarantee his continuing success.  His oscillations between serious and comic films have upset some viewers and critics who think he should strike to one of the other, but the level of his brilliance in his signature low-budget productions has given him a high degree of freedom to express his personal vision in a manner practically unparalleled in modern film.

Certainly the sexiest grandmother in the entertainment business, Tina Turner just doesn’t slow down as the years go by.  Tina suffered for many years on a personal level through an abusive marriage and, typical of many Sagittarius I’s, through lack of stable force in her life.  Since she turned to Buddhism in the 80s she established a rock-solid basis through chanting and meditation and a personal relationship that brings performers, Tina specializes in live concerts but won back-to-back Grammy’s 3 years in a row (1984-1086) for best Rock Vocal of the Year.  In 1991 Turner was voted into the Rock Hall of Fame.

-The Forty Eight Periods – The Cusp of Revolution-

“Revolution”

Scorpio – Sagittarius Cusp

November 19 – November 24

Zodiac Position: Approximately 26’ Scorpio – 3’ Sagittarius

Season: Late Fall

Element: Water/Fire

Ruler: Pluto and Mars/Jupiter

Symbol: The Scorpion/The Archer

Mode: Feeling/Intuition

Strengths:

• Ecstatic
• Loyal
• Gutsy

Weaknesses:

• Autocratic
• Derisive
• Wild

 

The Scorpio-Sagittarius cusp is an admixture of the eight sign of the zodiac, Sagittarius.  The combined energies of the emotionally deep, serious and secretive Scorpio and the intuitive, outwardly directed, freedom-loving Sagittarius reflect the need first to understand oneself and then to act to institute change.  The Scorpio-Sagittarius cusp may be said to represent Revolution.  It is symbolic of the beginning of a new period of human life, around fifty-six years of age, when inescapable changes must take place: retirement may be coming up, marriages and other relationships may be forsaken, and physical limitations may have to be confronted.  In addition, a great empathy with one’s fellow human beings and, with it, an interest in international or even universal concerns (religion or spirituality) may manifest now.  Many people at this stage can feel resentment and rebelliousness at not having done what they really wanted to do in life and see this period as a “last chance” for them.  The Revolutionary nature of this cusp can underline the need for total reorganization if crucial changes have not yet been made.

 

Not all revolutionaries are wide-eyed, bomb-throwing idealist; within the souls of many fighters for human rights lurk secret autocrats, who, once in power, may themselves be toppled by a further revolution.  The revolt that engages those born on the Scorpio-Sagittarius cusp is often the fight against sloppiness, bad taste, ineffectualness, stupidity and old-fashioned, outworn attitudes.  They are capable of exploding old myths, true, but they are equally capable of reviving and preserving myths that they view to be useful.  Thus those born on this cusp can also be secret traditionalist at heart.

 

Characterized by a disdain for middle-of-the-road policies and middle-class ethics, most Scorpio-Sagittarius would rather be very rich or very poor, and aristocrat or a working-class hero or heroine, then anything in between.  This hankering after extremes leads many born on this cusp to indulge in excess, sometimes in more than one area of their lives.

 

Scorpio-Sagittarius is usually aware from an early age that they are different from other people.  An unusual blend of opposites, those born on the Cusp of Revolution combine the watery sensitivity of Scorpio with the fiery, freedom-loving nature of Sagittarius.  In their family, then, they may occupy a lonely position in relation to parents or siblings, and their assessment of their peculiar abilities and strong drive to succeed often dates from their childhood years.  Making plans for the future, dreaming up elegant new schemes and guiding a decent percentage of them to fruition are all characteristic of Scorpio-Sagittarius imagination and determination.  Goal and result-oriented those born on the cusp often show the same stubbornness in picking out a friend or life partner, when they may pursue with unrelenting zeal.

 

Scorpio-Sagittarian laughter is a direct barometer of their mental health.  If you don’t hear it in the first few minutes of conversation with them, you can generally be pretty sure that something is wrong.  Those born on the Cusp of Revolution can use cutting sarcasm and derision not only to make a laughingstock of their enemies but to give even their dearest friends a good poke in the ribs every now and then.  In this respect they operate with a bit of double standard, for they do not take kindly to being talked down to or derided themselves, seeing such teasing as an attempt to humiliate them.  They will not submit to this more than once from anybody.

 

Moral questions are important to those born on this Cusp of Revolution.  They strive to be honest, but don’t always manage it; they believe in being truthful, but often cannot measure up to their own standards.  Finding it hard to be completely open and honest to those close to them, they may tell only a part of the truth, only to be embarrassed and regretful if they are found out later.  Yet their undeniable charm, and their well-meaning, faithful and loyal attitudes, usually lead those who love them to forgive them.

 

Even the most serious critics of those born on the Cusp of Revolution admit that they have guts.  Making it a specialty to say the unspeakable to the unapproachable, they not only seem to lack fear in the dealing with authority figures without compromising, but demonstrate the power of such a stance.  Yet they are, in fact, excellent at compromise, and know when to give around and when to stand and fight.  Their instinctive side is highly developed and will come to their aid when they believe enough in their own powers to trust it fully.   Intuitive types, Scorpio-Sagittarius get muddled or confused when they try to depend too much on their rational abilities.

 

Those born on the Cusp of Revolution rarely forget either a slight or an act of true friendship.  They are fully aware of the power of money but would rather not pursue an opportunity, even a lucrative one, if it means working with someone they do not respect.  On the other hand, Scorpio-Sagittarius depend highly on their friends, of both sexes, and may be remarkably successful in doing business with those to whom they feel emotionally close, usually as partners or members of a team.  They really see associates as family.

 

Scorpio-Sagittarians are not the most stable of individuals in their romantic relationships.  When they are young, their wildness and sense of adventure can them from one partner to another; meanwhile, of course, any commitment to a single deep relationship.  Some Scorpio-Sagittarius may find a permanent mate necessary later in life, but this new setup may cause them to chafe at the bit, longing for the freedom they once knew.  Others marry earlier but seek out a “modern” marriage, in which both spouses carry on their own lives more or less independently of each other.  Spending a lot of time away from their partners guarantees Scorpio-Sagittarians the freedom they need with a minimum of jealousy and recrimination.

 

Lovers and mates of Scorpio-Sagittarians will testify to their highly sexual nature, which is not only passionate but also, to an extent, competitive and combative; those born on the Cusp of Revolution are confrontational in both work and play, and they do not leave this quality behind at the bedroom door.  Scorpio-Sagittarians do have a sweet, affectionate side as well, but in their sexual contacts the carnal and ecstatic usually overshadow the soft and sensitive.

 

ADVICE:

Follow your vision of life but don’t lose touch with where others are.  Keep your intentions honest and your motives pure.  Develop the objectivity to stand back and observe yourself living.  Try to be more forgiving and less possessive.

SCORPIO-SAGITTARIUS CUSP NOTABLES:

Robert Kennedy was only 35 years old when he took over the Justice Department as attorney general in 1961, appointed by his brother the president.  Bobby quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with.  Somewhere between a working-class hero and an aristocrat in his sympathies and demeanor, Kennedy was typical of many born on the Cusp of Revolution.  In his political position, Bobby had a chance to make even more enemies than his brother John, both in the government and organized crime, but, like many Scorpio-Sagittarians, he thrived on conflict and challenge.  Competitive, combative and uncompromising, Kennedy fought his way into the Democratic Party leadership and the hearts of the Americans as a feisty, intractable opponent of all that was unfair.  Like his brother, he succumbed to an assassin’s bullet.

Perhaps the most passionate and violent of Mexico’s muralists, Jose Orozco expressed his feelings fearlessly.  Like many born on the Cusp of Revolution, Orozco was not afraid to make his opinions known, and his mastery of the mural enabled him to make statements in a big way.  Originally trained as an architect, Orozco changed direction and gave his life to painting, drawing, murals and printmaking.  Scorpio-Sagittarians are feeling intuitive types and Orozco was no exception, giving very direct expression to his emotional state.  He played an extremely important role in the development of modern art in Mexico and though his dramatic murals was able to encourage its principles to be accepted by the general public.

Winner of the Nobel Prize for literature in 1991, South African novelist Nadine Gordimer was witness and scribe of the events of her country under apartheid.  She grew up in a South African mining town, the daughter of European Jewish immigrants.  An important theme in her writing was the position of the Europeans in Africa and how people like her own family were able to adjust to a totally new way of life.  Born on the Cusp of Revolution Gordimer sought to express her opposition to apartheid quietly, as an objective observer rather than an activist.  Nonetheless, three of her novels were banned by the oppressive South African government.  Her uncompromising stance in the face of authority marks her squarely as a Scorpio-Sagittarius.