Karl Lagerfeld

Mr. Karl Lagerfeld is the kind of exotic persona that has the “timid contingent”, quaking in their boots. He is the ultimate fashion mastermind to reach iconic status, his life a rush of phone calls, appointments, meetings, and decisions. He will be in the swing of things from Dubai to Madagascar, always wearing those dark glasses, the ones he never takes off, that white hair, that pony tail that intimidating stance smacking of a refined character with an innovative take on life. We would expect him to be holidaying in Cannes, lazing at the edge of some private pool sipping his mineral water with a hint of distain, after all he has reached iconic status, and that can be stressful.

The fact is the intriguing Mr. Lagerfeld is a Virgo, and Virgos are prone to be hyper critical of themselves and others – Mr. Lagerfeld is no exception. But with his moon in Pisces, this man will waft off into his own world, inclined to melancholy, complex moods and sullen silences. Add to that Mercury in Leo, once he is there, in his own world we mean, he pulls down from the ethers a magnificent “something” out of nothing, in other words a fabulous new range of Haute Couture. Perhaps his creative brilliance is something to do with intricacies of his mind, a genial, yet convoluted place where his multifarious creations first come into being. Jupiter in Scorpio will have gifted him with an eye for business; a capacity to pull all the right strings, and make his fashion forays smart, intelligent and infinitely attractive to celebrities and society dames alike.

Karl moved to Paris in the 1950s and started working as a draftsman for a fashion house. His talent was spotted immediately and he was soon working an apprenticeship with Pierre Balmain. He subsequently joined up with Jean Patou, where he was creating two haute couture collections per year. He has designed costumes for films such as “Carmen”, “Callas Forever”, and ran up a few outfits for Madonna on her Re-Invention Tour, as well as designing outfits for Kylie Minogue’s Showgirl tour. His high street forays include H&M and before he could say, “where is my ipod?” Karl loves ipods; his clothes were literally torn off the racks by hoards of manic fashonistas!

<!–more–>He has been the centre of much controversy. Anna Wintour walked out of his show when he employed an Italian stripper, to model his Fendi collection and he is virtually at war with the Animal Rights contingent, standing by “fur in fashion”. He says, “In a meat eating world, wearing leather for shoes and even clothes, the discussion of fur is childish.”. In the north, hunters make a living having learned nothing else than hunting, killing those beasts who would kill us if they could kill us. “Michael McGraw spokesperson for PETA replied. “Lagerfeld seems particularly delusional with his kill or be killed mentality. When was the last time a person’s life was threatened by a mink or a rabbit?” Whether one agrees with Mr. Lagerfeld’s or not, it is clear that he takes a very strong stance, and once he decides something his stroppy Mars in Virgo will help him stick to his point of view. Yet with a magnificent Scorpio in Venus he can be charismatic, charming, and available, giving his all once he likes you, and once you agree with him. But when it comes to his inner circle, Mr. Lagerfeld is complex, he will never go where angels fear to tread, he is wary, and has a strong defense mechanism that protects him from hustlers and emotional vampires. He has a hawk like eye, and can suss out a loser at 30 paces.  

Once he decides to commit himself to a friendship his intensity will be strong, yet his attitude strangely detached, we said he was complex! The Saturn in Aries effect, will have Mr. Lagerfeld’s incarnation on planet earth fully focused on creating modish attire and trendy accessories, his aptitude is distinctive, his sense of colour, flow and textile movement incomparable. Sometimes calculating, sometimes headstrong this man will be a total enigma not only to his public but his inner circle. He will create an aura of mystery around him, his controlled persona well defined and intentional. One wonders whether anyone has ever managed to scratch below the surface of Karl Lagerfeld, connecting to that place few have been privy to.

We sense once, long ago, he drew down the shutters and will continue to hide behind them, far away from the force of most human emotions, after all his mission is to design what is beautiful and see the ladies of this planet wear his creations, he cannot afford conflicting feelings. This year, there will be challenges to pick up on, and he will have to rethink his business, and revamp it to keep abreast with world changes. He might realise that some of the managerial processes running his Lagerfeld business are not as apt as they once were, there could even be a major reshuffle and some cut backs. But there is a strong sense that he will evolve to a new level in 2010, and he will stand as strong as ever, one of the most confrontational and brilliant designers in the world today.

Cassandra Peterson (Elvira)

Excessive, entertaining or just plain gorgeous whatever way you want to look at her, Virgo Cassandra Peterson, alias Elvira Mistress of the Dark is a one off lass when it come to the entertainment industry. Born in Kansas, she later moved to Colorado Springs with her family, and the very day after graduating drove all the way to Las Vegas to become a show girl. This is a lady who likes to live on the “edge”, no matter how absurd that “edge” might be, so since she had always wanted to be a showgirl Destiny waved her magic wand and Hey Presto, wish granted, after all she had the looks and the chutzpah. But her major morph into her the mega successful sub personality, Elvira Mistress of the Dark, was created with that Virgo will of steel and down to earth realism. It did not all happen at once of course. In the seventies she went to Italy and got spotted by Fellini who gave her part in his film “Roma”. She even became the lead singer of an Italian rock band. She later joined an improvisational troupe when she returned back home and built on the “California girl spiel” that was to become a major anchor to her Elvira presentation. 

 

To see a “dark” lady talk “Californian Beach Babe” was absolutely hilarious.O n the way up the ladder Cassandra also posed nude for a few men’s magazines, being such an all American beauty and all. In fact a total contrast to her sub persona, Elvira Mistress of the dark, Cassandra is as blonde as Elvira is brunette, as peaches and cream, as Elvira is white skinned, and Gothic. It has to be said, Cassandra’s “Elvira Mistress of the dark” literally cascades on to shows in a figure hugging black gown, her cleavage plummeting to her navel, her black hair back combed into a six inch bee hive! Her glib asides and off beat comments were all the rage on popular late night shows, when she would preen in front of Jay Leno, David Letterman or some other such host, spouting so called “dark” absurdities. Petersen once said of her sub personality “I figured out that Elvira is me when I was a teenager. She’s a spastic girl I just say what I feel and people seem to enjoy it”. She is indeed magic, with all that self mockery, and off hand delivery. 

 

Interestingly her Moon in Aries will always keep her on top of her art. She is deeply curious about the human psyche; intense in her exploration of it, paying attention to detail is fundamental when it comes to her performance also. She will always be ready to experiment with something, the more outrageous the better, the more challenging the more fun. Elvira’s persona is an exact and precise interpretation. Cassandra would have studied the phantomatic inner world of her Mistress of the Dark down to the finest details, so that the persona came over as 100 percent credible and 100 percent hilarious. Mr. Mercury also in Virgo wants her spot on with that creative flair of hers, it is so fundamental to the success of her act, to shine Cassandra has placed her off beat take on reality well before her love life, with Venus in Virgo she would be rather inclined to put long term relationships on the back burner, she needs to feel free and in command of her own destiny, and when love comes her way she is inclined to analyse it to dust before she takes the plunge. She is a free spirit and has such a strong personality it would be really difficult to mix and merge with her, as she would always want to do it “her way”. This is due to her determined Mars in Leo, and a rather stroppy attitude to obstacles blocking her way.

 

She is a lady who sure knows the score, as again Mr. Mars in Leo would be generous and gift her with the energy, the charisma and the determination to bring her dream into reality. Her “Elvira Cult” has been transformed into Halloween costumes, comics, toys, perfumes, dolls, quite an industry. In fact a film based on her persona, called Elvira, Mistress of the Dark was released to the delight of her fans! But the cream on this lady’s cake is her Jupiter in Aries; it will have given her the energy to really go for it, and touch the stars, to cut through to the chase, above and beyond her own misgivings or anyone else’s and just keep going, until she gets to the very top of the mountain. Of course we would not go so far as to call her a “myth in her own time” but certainly “fun in her own time”. As far as this year is concerned, there is not much change to all the unexpected events that continue to crop up around her. More talk shows, more meetings, more crazy times and maybe some activities involved with her beloved artistic ventures, or musical exploits.

 

As beautiful as she is we do not see a companion coming into her life soon, maybe because she is okay just as she is. Certainly she is a one off creation, Cassandra or Elvira; it cannot be denied she is an entertaining dame, and let it be said a great buddy to her mates, especially when she quits telling them what to do! A great gal in other words, “Dark” or “Light”, she fascinates us, and we will continue to keep abreast of her shenanigans, whatever and wherever they may be! 

 

Sherrie Hewson

Normally when one says someone is a “salt of the earth” the image is of a grounded personality with a practical nature and an open heart, and it describes British Treasure Sherrie Hewson to a T. She is lovely Virgo, so hard working, so no-nonsense, so matter-of-fact. And like most Virgos a chronic worrier, but in her case with a wacko sense of humor, and a honed in ability to see through pretence. She endears herself to us immediately. She is so ordinary, yet so special. So candid yet so sensitive. Tact is certainly not her middle name and when there is a battle to be fought; Sherrie will be in the front line. She would be the best person to call if you were in trouble. Mercury in Virgo will have her stand up to anything or anyone. Energetic Mars in Scorpio will help her face up to a challenge.

She will never forget a kindness, a slight, or her lines; a good memory is useful to an actress! Her Scorpio moon insists on making her a faithful friend too. When she likes you, she likes you. She will stand besides you if you are in trouble, and with one scathing comment cut your adversaries to the quick. Sherrie’s genes are sheer show biz. Her father was a singer, her mother a model, and even as a tot she brought down the house with her signature song “You’ve got to have heart!” In her teens the proverbial door to success opened out wide, not only did she win the Oliver award, but a scholarship to RADA. Her career started to take off in the seventies; she appeared in the famous Z cars series as well as Carry on Laughing. Her screen appearances included The Slipper and the Rose with Richard Chamberlain and Hanover Street with Harrison Ford. An exacting Mercury in Virgo will be her friend when it comes to examining a role in the finest detail, her well honed technique enabling her to merge into a characterization and yet retain a certain detachment, now that is sheer professionalism!

Sherrie also starred in one of the greatest British Soaps, Coronation Street, playing Maureen Naylor a rather daft supermarket employee who had a thing going for a certain Reg. Her performance achieved much acclaim. Yet when she launched into her second soap appearance in Crossroads, it did not go down quite as well. When the show folded she became a unique panelist on Loose Women! Her blunt communication style, her “out there” attitudes have the audience in fits, she always manages to “put her foot in it” with style. When one tunes into Sherrie’s astro picture, what emerges is solidity and a rich inner life. As far as her personal life is concerned, Venus pops up in Virgo here, so there could be an occasional pedantic “who squeezed the toothpaste from the middle of the tube?” attitude, but also such sweetness that the nagging is quickly forgiven. 

Sherrie has a lovely daughter and a little grandson, who she will probably dote on, and tell fun stories to as they giggle and roll around the carpet. But ultimately, Sherrie has an indefinable quality, there is nothing small minded about it, Jupiter in Aquarius would not stand for meanness. She is inclusive, non judgmental. Sherrie’s north node in Pisces would also make her humane, compassionate, the archetypal “chip off the old block” ready to help anyone in need. It is almost certain she is a very old soul, and has come to fulfill her final mission on planet earth. We would be very surprised if Sherrie was not spiritual, a unique style of spiritual of course. She could be someone who believes in the inexplicable mystery of existence, yet not make a big deal out of it, she is far too practical. She would prefer to see the good in humanity rather than the bad, to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, even if her Scorpio moon will not stand for unkind individuals. 

Even as a child, Sherrie knew success would be hers. She watched people, assessing their mannerism, identifying with them; these insightful perceptions have enabled her to be the fine actress she is today. She is on the way to change over the next couple of years, cultivating something new for herself, a new hairstyle, a new look, an even broader approach, she might travel, get involved in a charity drive, whatever she does she will shine at it, and perhaps even touch the core of who she is, that spiritual core that ultimately gives her inner wisdom and joy. We cannot wait to see your new choices Sherrie, we look forwards to them, whatever they are, because we know they will make us laugh, and always love you for the star that you are!

Michael Jackson

“Why not just tell people I’m an alien from Mars. Tell them I eat live chickens and do a voodoo dance at midnight!” For some, Virgo sun sign, Michael Jackson is indeed an E.T, for others a plastic surgery freak. He might say he is a Peter Pan look-alike, there is no doubt he is phenomenal show biz talent whose eccentricity has shocked many to the core. Michael Jackson’s originality is indisputable. He was said to have slept in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, but he has vehemently denied this. One could believe anything, especially seeing his moonwalk routine enchants the most severe of his critics. The guy’s performances are superlative, his voice beautiful and very particular, expressive and emotive. But why has he dedicated a great percentage of his life to skin whitening, even though he insists he suffers from vitiligo! Are all these blatant “wacco” rumours, just part of his showmanship style then?

His Piscean moon shows him frightened, timid, and a recluse, even though an undisputed King of Pop. He was born on the 29th August 1958; twenty-nine, by the way, is not the luckiest of numbers. Now all of you lot born on the 29th do not get into a tail spin, the situation can be far less fraught if combined with a positive astro picture, but in Michael’s case we have convoluted and stressful planetary configurations especially regarding relationships with the human race, starting off with his own father. His dad was more than responsible for a terrified boy growing into a confused man. Imagine your own father entering an open window wearing a Scream mask, just to teach you not to leave the window open at night! When interviewed by Oprah, Michael wept behind his hand, still obviously traumatised by the abuse. The shock resonates deep within him, beats to the rhythm of his life no doubt about it.

So, how could he have overcome trauma to become such a successful entertainer? Well, as we pointed out, Michael is a Virgo, a grounded, earth sign; hardworking, dedicated, truly talented and sometimes inspirational. But his true blue ally would have to be his Mercury in Leo. It gives him the courage to stand up for his life, be counted, and continue on against all odds. Yet, as we said, we cannot exclude complex astro aspects, due to an excessive dash of Piscean that comes with suffering. His moon makes him compassionate, yes, he wants to be a philanthropist, he wants to help this planet’s hurt and weary, especially children, but when he must roll up his sleeves, participating hands on, Michael feels he fails short of the task, even though he has channelled a great deal of publicity and finances for the suffering. He co-wrote “We are the World” with Lionel Ritchie, and raised millions of dollars for the famine in Africa. He also founded the “Heal The World Foundation” in 1992 for hurt and poor kids.

He would invite them to his ranch, and his theme park rides, and was quite harshly judged by the media as a result. Yet the foundation sent millions of dollars around the globe to help children. But still, notwithstanding these achievements, Michael cannot live in peace; his private Wonderland is the only place that feels normal to him. We are sure he did not marry Lisa Marie Presley to feel normal however. He married her because she was a twin soul, the daughter of Elvis, and had suffered from an unusually lonely childhood. They connected when he was going through child abuse allegations, and she became his confidante, helping him get over the shock and the defamation of character.  Lisa always maintained it was a normal bond, but two years later they divorced remaining friends. Mars in Taurus shows Michael had a strong attraction to Lisa and their love life would have been vibrant.

We must try not to be bamboozled by his mask like face, a way of protecting himself from the onslaught of injustice, abuse, and his perception of a critical and judgmental media. Yes he is scared by life and challenge, but no, he is not a coward. So who is Michael Jackson after all? He is certainly not an E.T, rather a gentleman, clearly a victim of child abuse both on his own skin and through what some perceive to be his own actions. His true resilience shows no matter how wounded he feels, his gifted energies win through, energies that will, and have, carried him forwards through more than his share of trials and tribulations. His own worst enemy is his true node in Libra. It would make him push others away when they try to help, retire within himself yearning for balance and harmony. Liable to self-defensive attitudes, insecure perceptions, afraid of other’s assessments, he makes life difficult for himself. But remember, his transformation into a ghoul in Thriller did not really scare anyone. He was always our Michael, the screwball genius galvanizing his girl “Honey I am not like other guys” he said in that mini horror movie.

Yes, weird, perhaps, lonely, grief stricken, but harmless. Spirit shows us his lesson is to turn away from his past, let go of the abuse and accept his true goodness, that goodness so many of us see seeping through wonderful artistic gifts above and beyond his deep shame, a shame he hides from view. Nelson George summed up Jackson ‘ “The grace, the aggression, the growling, the natural boyishness, the falsetto, the smoothness—that combination of elements mark him as a major vocalist” and a phenomenal entertainer in our book. The next couple of years he will find himself involved emotionally. He could allow himself to fall in love unexpectedly or at least consider the prospect of linking up to a beloved one in his life. She will be an unusual person, not as unusual as he, but enough to keep him enthralled. And she will not care about his reputation, his honors, his 13 Grammy awards, etc. She will care about Michael, the greatest “Thriller” in popular culture today. We cannot wait to hear your news Michael!

Jack Black

Mr Jack “You must never underestimate the power of the eyebrow” Black, is an amiable goofy guy, born in California under the sign of Virgo. Even though he is no golden skinned beach dude, he is a closet sex symbol, Nah! Yeah, this man has gallons of sex appeal but nobody could say he is an archetypical male lead. Be surprised, he is the kind of guy who clicks his fingers and gets a date with the peachiest honey on the beach. Why? He makes them laugh. He says of himself. “Never for a second did I think of myself as the sexiest guy in the world. When I was a kid I thought I was the strongest man in the world. Then, the fastest runner and then the smartest person in the world. One by one my delusions got shut down. Now I just see myself as the lamest guy in the world.”

He could be considered odd, more gnome than romantic lead, more witty than droll, and more slapstick than quaint. Yet he makes us laugh so much, we find him extraordinarily attractive. His fun acts are performed with such dexterity, his capacity to communicate is so intense it would be difficult to remain indifferent to all that super-wacko acting out. He is a mate of Will Smith and the mind boggles at the thought of those two on a roll. His Virgo tendencies should make him the possessor of earthy can-do attitudes, it should not be difficult for him to deal with every day life. But he just cannot keep his fingers out of pandemonium once he gets going, a funny pandemonium but a pandemonium all the same. Perhaps it has something to do with his genes; both his parents were rocket scientists! It makes his brain function on a different wave length to the average bloke, the kind of wave length that helped him enjoy his “once in a lifetime” role in X files; perhaps the sinister force he represented was a laughing UFO.

He had his main break in the movie “High Fidelity”. His rock band Tenacious D has its own fan club. His family are his greatest fans. With Venus in Cancer he is one of the most caring of men.  Profoundly sentimental, deeply romantic and protective of those he loves, his wife must pinch herself every day, never wanting to wake up from their dream of a marriage. They were high school sweethearts; she is a cello player, which is significant as there is a part of Jack that is much hidden. A deeply sensitive part.  A part that values the classic ways of doing things, the higher aspects of life, Saturn in Taurus makes him want base line security. Family, friends and his two kids must be around; he has trouble overcoming his fear of losing everyone he adores to some awful disaster. So he will build his house brick by brick, and make sure the foundations are solid and everyone he loves is okay in it. Mercury in Libra makes him smooth over rough waters, create good vibrations, build a world of options, and easy going communications.  He is a laugh a minute at a social gathering; he does not stop joking when he is off screen either. He keeps his goof ball antics on the go and the fun just bounces out from him like a never-ending stream.

Jack is basically a free spirit, Mars in Sagittarius says so. It also insists that he has a dream for a better environment. He could have Green leanings or want to help a war torn world. Deep down Jack Black the funny man, the guy who makes us all smile, makes us feel better, pushes us from the sublime to the ridiculous is a really nice chap. Moon in Pisces gives him an instinctive capacity to know what to say, to pull out from the depths of his nature the funniest comment, the most side splitting crack.

This year, he will let go of certain ways of doing things, he will find his own life undergoes some unexpected changes, many of them will be positive and some will challenge him. There is a sense he will find a new way forwards another way of communicating his gifts and yet he will always make us laugh, our Mr Black. One can only end with trying to comprehend his fear that “Gwyneth Paltrow” would fall for him on set of Shallow Hal, but she fell for Brad Pitt instead. It only goes to show that our friend is not quite as sexy as we thought. But certainly more fun than we can imagine.