Astrology...Darwin's theory proves occult science rings true!

If you scan the daily horoscope and follow the advice competent astrologers have conjured up the morning newspaper, understandably, the predictions may not pan out.

That doesn’t mean to say that the divining tool is a lot of bunk.

Unfortunately, the newspaper columnist probably tossed together a general reading for the teaming masses, which may not be sufficient for a handful of individuals to utilize effectively in their daily lives; after all, overriding planetary influences may require a shift in focus to interpret the influence of the moon, the sun - or even another sign of the horoscope - prominent in the heavens at the precise time of birth.

For instance, although an individual may be born under the sign of Libra, a brief review of the mid-heavens may establish that Taurus was “rising” when the newborn child was delivered into the world.

In that event, it would be of paramount importance to have a full “chart” (a blueprint of life) prepared by a competent astrologer, who is capable of preparing a forecast that reflects the influences that have a direct bearing on the fate and destiny of the querent.

A computerized analysis that was prepared for me years ago by a legit astrologer - based on the aforementioned criteria - was so accurate it was downright mind-boggling.

By the way, it should be noted for the record - that a couple of decades ago - a handful of scientists conducted an intriguing study in a concerted effort to determine if the principles of astrology rang true.

The outcome of the thoroughly professional research was broadcast on CBC radio - and the results were, to say the least - startling!

For instance, the scientists selected a handful of subjects born on the same day - at the same precise hour, minute, and second - and proceeded to take an in-depth look at their personal and professional lives to determine if there were any unusual or unique ssimilarities.

It is important to note that the “two individuals” selected for each study - were not actual “twins” - born into the world with the same set of parents.

However, for the purposes of this particular study, it was important that each subject be born at the exact moment on the same exact date under the same set of planetary influences in effect at the time of birth.

Got it?

In sum, the researchers sought to determine if Darwin’s following theory (which triggered the study) had any substance or basis in fact.

What is born of a moment partakes of the nature of the moment

When the results were in, the findings were astounding, you betcha!

As it turned out, the subjects ended up living parallel lives in many instances.

For example, in the event two babies were born into the world at the exact same second in time on the exact same day - even if they were born a scant few miles apart – the children may have ended up being christened with the same first name.

Curiously, more striking similarities also popped up, when more in-depth studies were undertaken.

For example, two children – though not related – may have found themselves raised in similarly-styled semi-detached homes in the suburbs just miles apart (in spite of the fact their families never met each other).

The more pronounced the set of astrological influences in play at the time of birth, the more noticeable their lives mirrored each other, in fact.

In one shocking scenario, two men shared the same first and last name, worked in the same profession, and drove cars that were of the same make, color, and so-forth-and-so-on.

But, get this!

One day, both men were driving down the same highway toward each other, when they crashed in a freak accident and ended up being the "cause" of each other’s death!

Did you just hear the eerie stains of the Twilight Zone theme bouncing around inside your head just now?

For good reason, researchers labelled their subjects "time twins", and proceeded to assert that the studies undoubtedly established that Darwin's theory was probably correct.

On the heels of that observation the doubting-Thomases pointed out that astrology may be more of an exacting occult art than originally thought.

Skilled intelligent interpretation is a prerequisite, though, if a chart is expected to be facilitated for any practical use in an individuals life.

There are several techniques involved in the casting horoscopes.

Transits are based on the actual motion of planets moving through a sign or house within the horoscope.

Another method focuses on "progressions" based on the movements of the planets after birth symbolically related to a particular cycle of life.

Throughout history known astrologers often relied on close observations of celestial objects and the charting of their movements.

Modern astrologers use data provided by astronomers known as the "ephemerides" which focus on the changing zodiacal positions of the heavenly bodies through time.

In view of the foregoing, interested believers may be inclined to sign up for an astrology course, to learn more about this fascinating subject.

If that event, seekers of knowledge - interested in their own fascinating destinies - may opt to attend meetings like those held at the Astrological Society in San Francisco.

LOCATION

San Francisco Astrological Society
Fort Mason Center
C-260
San Francisco, CA

http://www.sfastrologicalsociety.com/

Astrology is believed to have originated in China.

The year?

About the 3rd millennium BC.

Allegedly,  Confucius once mused:

"The heavens send down good or evil symbols & wise men act accordingly."

Tsou Yen - a Chinese astrologer (300 BC) - once opined:

"When some new dynasty is going to arise, heaven exhibits auspicious signs for the people".

During the Middle Ages astrologers were called mathematici.

Historically the term "mathematicus" was used to denote a person who was proficient in astrology, astronomy, and mathematics.

Well-known "seer" Nostradamus allegedly based his predictions on "Judicial Astrology" - which referred to the "quality" of events - such as births, weddings, coronations.

Michel de Nostredame, who was born in December of 1503 (the exact date is unknown), was a reputed seer who published collections of prophecies that focused on world events.

Nostradamus is best known for his book "Les Propheties" (The Prophecies).

Since the publication of this book - rarely out of print, by the way - Nostradamus has attracted a following that has carried on through to this century.

Generally, legitimate academic sources maintain that the associations he made between world events and his quatrains were largely the result of misinterpretations or mistranslations which place their integrity in question.

Today, such an individual practising this arcane art, may charge a hefty fee for their services.

I don't have to consult the stars to figure that one out!

May the force be with 'ya, eh?

http://www.thetattler.biz






Nostradamus predicted the end of the world!

Death...releases the spirit! But, the footprints remain...

Out-of-the-blue, now and then, a screwball comment glides into my e-mail box which causes me to scratch my head in disbelief.

Some folks are so ignorant about subtle Noble truths and glaring realities on this mortal plain of existence, that it boggles the sensibilities.

Yes, life is like a box of chocolates, rife with both treacherous land mines and awesome treasures.
.
The nerve of a pushy handfull is downright disconcerting, though.

For instance, over the weekend, two individuals (unknown to me 'til now) zipped off e-mails urging me to delete a post which contained negative comments about a pal of theirs who met an untimely death in a traffic accident recently.

One of the blustery characters tried a bit of psychology to bully me into zapping the offending post into oblivion on the grounds that "allowing" negative comments about a person - in this instant case, quite a despicable one - was disrespecful to the dead.

In a nutshell, the publication of the disparaging post was initially triggered because of shocking abusive conduct levelled at me during the course of a local film festival (all to my damage).

I was attending festival circuit screenings in my capacity as a Film Critic in the Los Angeles area, and in the nerve-wracking midst of zipping off upbeat posts for publication on the Tattler (from a make-shift Press Room hastily thrown together by the organizers at a local Mall), when the wiry little know-it-all strode up and chastized me for allegedly "hogging" a laptop.

What a heapload of BS!

Instead of being grateful for the thouands of dollars of free publicity - and flattering posts which triggered quite a few ticket sales at the box office - the demented gal continued to gun for me thereafter.

At every turn, she pestered and annoyed me whenever possible, in fact.

At this juncture, her snotty unprofessional conduct - and a gross lack  of organization at the Festival - inspired the idea for an expose on the film festival circuit.

For example, I tossed  the glare of the spotlight on disturbing behind the scenes screw-ups, a lack of organization on the red carpet which caused film honchos to groan and mumble, and the shoddy way festival officials and inexperienced "could-care-less" volunteers dealt with crowd control, celebrity guests, and so forth and so on.

The neurotic little whiff of a thing must have been sitting on her computer to catch my posts fresh off the laptop - because seconds after the article was published on line - she bolted  through the press room doors and made a bee-line for me, crouched down, and hissed:

"I want you to leave right now!"

"Okie Dokie," I mumbled, or something to that effect.

As I started to exif, she suddenly screamed at me in a nails-on-the-blackboard tone of voice:

"Why would you do that (post the nasty article)," she angrily demanded, as festival-goers lolling about nearby snapped to attention all ears.

"Because you're an asshole," I retorted.

She glared at me in shock and - for once  - was totally speechess.

"And," I quipped - almost as an afterthought - "You know what? I never used to think a woman could be an asshole. But, you are definitely an exception to the rule, obviously."

In a sincere effort to avoid any further altercations, I plucked up my briefcase, and headed toward the glass doors for a quick exit.

Just as I was about to step through the opening that beckoned, the looney co-ordinator suddenly grabbed the handle, and tried to slam the door in my face.

As I was about half-way through the exit, the screwball loser grabbed my body, and tried to physically prevent me from going my way.

Gosh!

One moment, the dizzy broad was demanding I leave the festival grounds - in the next - she was trying to prevent me from departing the press room in one piece.

As I dashed down the walk to get as far away as possible from the mentally-disturbed young lady, she proceeded to scream out at the top of her lungs:

"Security! Stop that man."

Huh?

I continued on in a bold-faced effort to escape her bizarre clutches.

However, as I started to trot across the parking lot, she came from the rear (spunky little spitfire!) and  yelled at shoppers in the Mall parking lot to detain me.

When I spied security about to cross my path, I came to a stop out-of-breath, and asked for his kind assistance.

"Some wacho festival employee is trying to hold me against my will," I managed to utter.

Almost on cue, she dashed up to the security guard, and demanded that he prevent me from driving off until her boss arrived on-the-scene.

The security guard, an intelligent thoughtful man, scolded her.

"Miss, you can't physically hold this man against his will. He hasn't done anything."

So, with a nod from the Mall employee, I headed off to my car.

That was the last night I ever saw Miss goody two-shoes alive!

Then, as aforementioned herein above, I learned a couple of days ago that the power-hungry festival nut lost her life during the course of a traffic accident recently.

For this reason, and "out of respect for her", a couple of friends asked that I delete the original post.

On the contrary, it shall remain in its published state on the world wide web, until the sorry day the Internet falls down and goes boom all around us.

For the record, I take the position that while death "releases" the spirit from this mortal coil, the footsteps of the individual (DNA, too) remain etched in space and mark their place in time (whether good, bad or indifferent).

The notion that the young woman's untimely demise should be worthy cause to delete the post - which reported on her shocking abusive conduct -  is sheer lunacy.

When Hitler died, was there a cry for an expungement of all documents and papers and things Hitler, and his gang of murderous thugs?

No, of course not!

If I am not mistaken, while obit authors handle the "dead" with kid gloves generally, it is not beyond History buffs to give a brief run-down on scandals and/or associations which may have plagued their sorry individual lives, which resulted in a fall from Grace, and so forth and so on.

The attainment of " Death" does not bestow great honors on the dearly departed.

So, why should life's chroniclers take a stab at polishing up flawed personalities on the world stage, after the last gasp has finally sealed their fate?

http:/www.julianayrs.com

A Serious Man...dark comedy enlightening! Coen Brothers score big-time again...

Coen Brothes serious dudes!

Because of scheduling problems, I missed a couple of screenings of  "A Serious Man" (the latest dark comedy conjured up by the ever-ambitious  Coen Brothers).

Fortunately, the Regency booked the much-hailed film into the theatre recently, and I was able to catch it for a discounted price of $7.50 (so there was moolah left over for a hotdog and soda).

For good reason, the art-house film has not only been garnering rave reviews, but managed to snap up a couple of Oscar nominations to boot.

*Best Feature Film
*Best Original Screenplay

Once the opening credits rolled, and the camera panned in on the opening scenes, I was taken by surprise.

The neighourhood the main characters resided in was remarkably similar to Scarborough (where I was raised as a kid - though female impersonator Craig Russel - might refer to the middle-class suburb as "Scarberia" in view of his unpleasant memories there as a child).

As the story unfolded, I guffawed loudly over another experience the teenage son (Aaron Wolff) was suffering through.

Each day, as he trundled home from school, he was forced to dash by the house of the neighborhood bully to escape a poke or two.

On each scary occasion, the scrawny freckled-faced kid (the kind that bullies love to pick on) just barely made it to his own yard untouched.

Yup!

I was forced to contend with "Norris", who usually punched me in the stomach, as I headed home.

Finally, one day - I got so annoyed - that I struck back in a sort-of knee-jerk reaction.

Imagine that!

Within minutes, he was sporting a shiner, and I became the class hero overnight.

My teacher nick-named me one of "Golden Boys" on the heels of that auspicious occasion.

Unfortunately, the young lad in "A Serious Man" doesn't strike back.

But, later in a prophetic noment near the end of the film, he fathomsthat  the oversized moron will not be around for the long haul if the portents swirling all around are correct.

A sign from Jehovah, perhaps?

For the most part, the story focuses on the father of a Jewish household ( portrayed with minute attention to detail by Tony Award nominee Michael Stuhlbarg).

He's a teacher, with two children, who tries to walk the straight and narrow.

In spite of his good nature and kind-hearted intentions, the sky starts to fall down on his head.

Out-of-blue, for example, his wife (Sari Lennick) informs him she is involved with an old family friend (a real smuck, by the way) and demands a divorce.

Oy, veh!

If that wasn't troubling enough, when the teach marks an Asian student's paper with a deserving low grade, the schemer tries to effect a little wicked blackmail to extort a higher grade.

Dark humor, of the crazed kind that only the Coen brothers are capable of effectively delivering  up, drives along the drama-comedy with side-splitting laughs, moments of profound truth from on high that resonate, and just plain silliness that hits the funny bone just right.

"A Serious Man" is a bit cliche at times, though.

But, would it be possible to tackle the trials and tribulations of a Jewish family, without going there?

A cast of zany off-beat characters - each unique in his or her own way - delight throughout.

Two of my favorite characters are the likeable thirteen-year old (with remarkably good taste in rock bands  such as the Jefferson Airplane) preparing with earnest for his barmitzvah and his older bitchy sister who taunts him endlessly (Jessica McManus).

Yeah, she's a real piece of "Jewish American Princess" work.

A handful of scenes focusing on Dad literally steal the show because of his hang-dog demeanor and the actor's finely honed comedic (dead-pan) skills.

In one hilarious plot twist, at the insistence of his spoiled son, he goes up on the roof to adjust the bunnie ears on the antenna when he spies his married neighbour sunbathing in the buff with all her attributes hanging out.

In a flash, he scurries off to introduce himself, and ends up in like Flynn.

When the bored housewife offers him a toke on a joint, the wicked Coen humor blossoms in all its debauched glory.

At one point the beleaugered Dad is urged by loved ones - the wife who is divorcing him, the lover  who is attempting to kick him out of his own home, and the patronizing principal at his school - to seek some meaningful guidance from the Rabbi.

Now the hilarity kicks into high gear.

The twisted onscreen tale about the "goy and the teeth" will put you in stitches.

In  a way, this film is not unlike a Buddhist Koan, in many respects.

Though to crack, but earth shattering, when the message rings out crystal clear.

The timing of the actors is impeccable, the characterizations are well-developed, and the acting is seamless and believable.

On occasion, "A Serious Man", is a startlingly realistic film designed to take filmgoers by surprise.

When the filmmakers cut to a nightmare incident on a beach, for example, it turns out to be just that!

The skilled Coens had us all going there for a moment - so intense so believable - was the scenario.

Like Fargo (still my favorite) "A Serious Man"  is right up there on the ricter scale still shaking people up.

There are also a handful of thought-provoking ideas and concepts about the almighty (and his intent) that resonate with filmgoers.

In the case of this Oscar contender an old truism applies:

Life is a bitch, and then you die.

http://www.thetatttler.biz/

Happy Birthday...to George Clooney, Orson Welles, Rudolph Valentino, Sigmund Freud, Willie Mays & moi! It was predicted in the stars...

May 6th has always been an auspicious birthday for individuals seeking to stand out, be original, and achieve in their chosen fields of endeavour.

Today, as I celebrate the "anniversary" of my birth (along with that handsome devil-may-care actor George Clooney) I am inclined to reflect on the issue.

The "sexiest" man alive and I also share the honor with celebrated film director, Orson Welles; screen idol, Rudolph Valentino; Willie Mays, baseball great; and - last, but certainly not least - dream analyst, Sigmund Freud.


I was born just after midnight on the 6th.

As the story goes, my doting father called my Aunt Evelyn to inform her of the good news.

"Victor, it's the middle of the night. Are you mad? Call me in the morning," she whined just before hanging up the phone in his ear.

To some, a bouncing baby boy is not a bundle of joy, I suppose.

Years later, when my Aunt was inclined to boast that I was nearly born on her birthday - May 5th - I didn't have the heart to reveal that I was privy to her selfish response a few dusty decades prior.

When I scrambled out from under the covers bright and early this morning, I dashed to snatch up the morning paper; after all, a special forecast is cast for celebrants experiencing their birthday on the day of publication.

Here's what Holiday Mathis predicted for Georgie-boy and moi this year:

"You hit your stride this year and become powerful in a family or organization. July brings a surprise visitor. There will be a windfall in October (can't wait!). Libra and Leo admire you (better ask folks what their sign is pronto so I can manipulate the scenario!). Your lucky numbers are 3, 5, 39, 15, and 5."

Oops!

Ms. Mathis repeated 5 twice. Guess the science is not always exact due to human error, eh?

Actually, I studied astrology "many moons" ago.

When people complain that their daily horoscope is not always accurate, there is a sound reason for that, 'ya know?

The daily forecast is sketchy and based on general trends for the "sign" in question.

If a true "reading" is desired, then a chart would have to be mapped out based on the specific heavenly influences at play at the exact second, minute, and hour of the subject's "b"-day.

Years ago, when I sprang a few bucks for an in-depth analysis, the assessment was pretty right-on.

Even down to my "sexual" proclivities!

Some say, that astrology rings true because of one of Darwin's most thought-provoking theories:
"Whatever is born of a moment partakes of the nature of that moment."

To determine if the theory was correct, years ago CBC radio tested the theory, and later broadcast the startling results.

In particular, the study focused on individuals who were not related by family, but nonetheless, were born the exact moment under the same set of circumstances influencing the mid-heavens on a specific date.

After exhaustive investigations into the personal and professional lives of the subjects meeting the basic underlying set of criteria, the conclusions were unanimous.

Individuals born the exact moment in time - even though not related or falling under the classic sibling scenario - tended to live "parallel" lives.

Consequently, they were labeled "Time Twins".

To illustrate, consider these case histories that were held up to scrutiny by the scientists.

In one instance, two men born in the same hospital at the exact same second - to separate parents tended to not only live "parallel lives" - but were drawn to similar types of people, places, and things.

For example, two male babies were both named "John", for instance, in spite of the fact the families hadn't met and didn't know each other.

When the two young men reached adulthood - and married - they both got hitched to a pretty young lady by the name of "Mary".

Each had three children, ended up in management for a career, and drove a Volvo.

The study determined that the farther apart babies were born (at the exact second in time) the more pronounced the differences in their personal and professional lives.

Because the "John" individuals were born in the same hospital at the exact same time, their parallels were more astounding.

Two children born under the same set of circumstances in the mid-heaven at the exact moment in time - but brought into the world in hospitals sixty miles apart - might result in more dramatic differences.

In one shocking instance, two men were given the same Christian names, resided in similar semi-detached homes, married a woman with the same first and last name, and so forth and so on.

One day, each was travelling down the road toward each other on the highway, and crashed, and were the cause of each other's death!

Bizarre, eh?

According to the principles of Numerology, a subject must add all the digits of their birthdate to determine their basic personality traits and overall lot in life.

May 6th folks are 1's.

1's tend to have very distinct individual personalities, may be loners, and creative in nature.

Instinctively, such a person can rise up the ranks to become the head of an organization or a politician.

After all, 1's usually possess leadership ability.

But, one classic Taurus personality trait often threatens to undermine their success in life, unless kept in check.

Stubbornness!

Personally, I've turned that potentially-negative trait into a positive one by harnessing its obvious strengths into a "stick-to-it" aspect of my character, that drives me forward when the going gets tough.

Nope, Taureans are not quitters.

In fact, later in life, "bulls" usually end up luxuriating in the fruits of their labor.

When it comes to friends, individuals born under the sign are "solid" and may be relied on.

Watch out for Geminis, though.

They're flighty as he**, Dudes!

http://www.julianayrs.com