Zorian's Cave

Star Goddess

Dedicated to Gary Posner and Skeptics everywhere.

Galileo's Finger

Galileo's middle finger, pointing southwest towards Rome, is preserved in the Museum of the History of Science in Florence. He held the Chair of Astrology at the University in Pisa and was the first to realize that the planets revolved around the Sun, not the earth as had been taught by the Church for centuries. After being imprisoned by the Inquisition for postulating this heretical position, he was finally released as long as he promised not to ever publish his theory again. For good measure, and to ensure his silence, his mother was imprisoned for the rest of her life. How very appropriate that this universal gesture of defiance is raised for all time next to the very instruments he measured the stars with.

Here is an astrolabe he might have used from the Medici collection at the Museum of the History of Science in Florence Italy.

Although the Church had deemed Galileo's theory as heresy, the Vatican very much needed the science of Astrology in order to accurately maintain the Liturgical Calendar. For example, Easter Sunday is calculated as being the first Sunday after the Full Moon after the Spring Equinox. This can be as early as the end of March and as late as the end of April. In order to calculate the Equinox, you first have to calculate when the Solstice is and proceed from there. Complex calculations were required to mark these points and it was decided to place permanent markers cut into the floors of Cathedrals because of both their large square footage and walls high enough for the angle of the Oculus based on the 42 - 43 degree latitudes of Rome, Florence and Bologna.

This is the Meridian, the DaVinci Code "Rose Line", at the Cathedral Santa Maria Degli Angeli in Rome, Italy

The small beam of light enters the Cathedral from the Oculus, positioned high on the wall for Rome's latitude. The calculations for the Oculus were done by Michelangelo.

This the Meridian Line, with the orbits of the planets outlined, in Santa Maria De Angeli in Rome. I was there a week after the June 2003 Solstice, late in the afternoon and you can see the Sun lighting up the line at the column towards the back.

The Meridian line is built right into the floor of the Cathedral. The line itself is made of bronze, with bronze star insets in the marble mosaic.

This is the beginning of the line at Cancer, sunrise on the day of the Summer Solstice.

This is the end of the line - Capricorn - sunset on the Longest Day of the Year.

The different signs of the Zodiac are imbedded in the floor in marble mosaics. My favorite one is Scorpio.

Aries the Ram

Gemini, the Twins

Virgo, the ONLY Female Sign of the Zodiac.

This is my favorite - Scorpio, hiding behind the pillar, tail raised ready to strike.

Sagittarius - The Archer

Aquarius, the Water Bearer

Pisces, Two Fish tails tied together swimming in opposite directions.

My favorite place to find signs of the Zodiac written in stone is in Washington DC. Of course, what else would you expect from a Virgo Town? I say if the Zodiac is good enough to adorn the facades of our government buildings it is good enough for me.

In October 1987, I found myself testifying in Washington DC in front of Senator William Proxmire about problems with the F-16. I was in the Senate Hearing room at the Dirksen building when I looked up and saw, to my amazement, that I was sitting under the Zodiac glyph for Libra. As I looked around the room I saw that each of the 12 signs of the zodiac were inset into the ceiling tiles of the room. It was so appropriate that I, an Astrologer, while exercising my First Amendment Right to Petition the Government to Redress a Grievance, was testifying under the sign of Libra the Scales. These photos are from the Architect of the Capitol Photography Database, and are the actual construction designs and official photos. With most sincere thanks to my friend Paul Casasco for the photos.

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

For those of you looking for the sign for Aries, I guess they lie too much.

Johannes Kepler

What you see here I found at the University of California Santa Cruz in the McHenry special collections department.

This is the natal chart of an Austrian nobleman, Hans Hannibal Hutter von Huttershofen, born at 5:00 pm on Sept 10, 1586.

This is an astrological chart drawn by none other than Astronomer Johannes Kepler, who said

"Unto all men God has given his manner of sustenance - to the astronomer it is astrology".

My favorite book is Johannes Kepler's "On the more certain fundamentals of
astrology" (Prague, 1601).

While traveling around Greece in 2005, I found these mosaics from 5 AD in a Museum in Argos - wonder if it is Virgo and Gemini.

The Whimsical side of Astrology

Drinking Styles of Zodiac signs

ARIES

Impulsive Aries people like to party and sometimes don't know when to call it a night. Their competitive streak makes them prone to closing-time shot contests. They're sloppy, fun drunks, and they get mighty flirty after a couple tipples. Getting Aries people drunk is a good way to get what you want out of them, should other methods fail. Aries can become bellicose when blotto, but they will assume that whatever happened should be forgiven (if not forgotten) by sunrise. They can be counted on to do the same for you -- so long as you haven't gone and done anything really horrible to them last night, you sneaky Gemini.

TAURUS

Taurus prefers to drink at a leisurely pace, aiming for a mellow glow rather than a full-on zonk. Since a truly intoxicated Taurus is a one-person stampede, the kind of bull-in-a-china-shop inebriate who spills red wine on white carpets and tells fart jokes to employers, the preference for wining and dining (or Bud and buddies) to body shots and barfing is quite fortunate for the rest of us. This is not to say that the Bull is by any means a teetotaller -- god, no. A squiffy Taurus will get, err, gregarious (full of loudmouth soup, some would say) and is extremely amusing to drag to a karaoke bar when intoxicated.

GEMINI

Gemini's can drink without changing their behavior much -- they're so naturally chatty and short-attention-spanned that it's just hard to tell sometimes. They can amaze you by conversing with finesse and allusion, then doing something to belie an extremely advanced state of intoxication, like puking in your shoe. Gemini's possess the magic ability to flirt successfully (and uninfuriatingly, which is very tricky) with several people at once. They like to order different cocktails every round -- repetition is boring -- and may create a theme (like yellow drinks: beer, sauvignon blanc and limoncello) for their own amusement.

CANCER

Cancer is a comfort drinker -- and an extra wine with dinner or an after-work beer or six can be extra comforting, can't it, Cancer darling? Like fellow water signs Scorpio and Pisces, Crabs must guard against lushery. Cancers are brilliant at ferreting out secret parties and insinuating themselves on VIP lists -- and, in true Hollywood style, Cancers are never really drunk; instead, they get "tired and emotional" (read: weepy when lubricated). But there's nothing better than swapping stories (and spit) over a few bottles of inky red wine with your favorite Cancer. Even your second-favorite Cancer will do. The sign also rules the flavor vanilla, and you'd be adored if you served up a vanilla vodka and soda.

LEO

Leo likes to drink and dance, sometimes with a lampshade on their head, they're often fabulous dancers, and usually pretty good drinkers as well, losing their commanding dignity and turning kittenish. Of course, they're quite aware they're darling - Leos will be Leos, after all. They generally know their limit, probably because they loathe losing self-control. When they get over-refreshed, expect flirting to ensue -- and perhaps not with the one who brought them. But Leo's not the type to break rules even when drunk, so just try to ignore it (try harder, Cancer) and expect a sheepish (and hung over) Lion to make it up to you the next day.

VIRGO

Cerebral Virgos are compelled to impose order onto their bender. Their famously fussy quest for purity could lead to drinking less than other signs, sure -- but it could also lead to drinking booze neat, to sucking down organic wine.. ( I totally went through the wine phase...lol) or just to brand loyalty (that too). They rarely get fully shellacked -- but, oh, when they do! Virgo's controlled by the intellect, but there's an unbridled beast lurking within, and they let it loose when walloped. It's dead sexy (and surprisingly unsloppy). As one Virgo friend used to declare, "I'm going to drink myself into a low level of intelligence tonight." A toast to the subgenius IQ!

LIBRA

"I'm jusht a social drinker," slurs Libra, "it's jusht that I'm so damn social?" Libra loves nothing more than to party, mingle and relate to everyone. Whether dipped in favour of Good Libra (with Insta-Friend device set to "on") or heavier on the Evil Libra side (they are little instigators when bored), the Scales can really work a room. Charming as they are, Libras are notoriously lacking in self-control, however, which can get them into all sorts of trouble -- including wearing their wobbly boots waaaay too early in the evening, flirting with every man/woman in the room or even blacking out the night's events entirely. Oops!

SCORPIO

Don't ever tell Scorpios they've had enough, for they'll smirk at you and quietly but intentionally keep tippling till they're hog-whimpering you have a problem with that. Most of them see the sauce as something to savor in itself, and not as a personality-altering tool -- though if depressed, self-loathing Scorps seek total obliteration. But generally, they're fascinating drinking pals, brilliant conversationalists and dizzying flirts. They also remember everything -- especially what you did when you were blitzed. Only drink with a Scorpio who likes you.

SAGITTARIUS

In vino veritas -- and, for Sagittarius, in booze blurtiness: When buttered, they'll spill all your secrets and many of their own. Tactlessness aside, Sagittarius is just plain fun to drink with. This is a sign of serious partying (what else would you expect from the sign of Sinatra, Keith Richards, the Bush twins and Anna Nicole Smith?). They're the people who chat up everyone in the room, then persuade the entire crowd to travel somewhere else -- like a nightclub, or a playground, or Cancun. Good-natured hijinks are sure to ensue (including a high possibility of loopy groping; spontaneous Sag is a brilliant booty call).

CAPRICORN

Capricorn is usually described as practical, steadfast, money-hungry and status-thirsty -- no wonder they get left off the astrological cocktail-party list. But this is the sign of David Bowie and Annie Lennox, not to mention Elvis. Capricorn is the true rock star: independent, powerful and seriously charismatic, not too eager to please. And if they make money being themselves, who are you to quibble? But just like most rock stars, they're either totally on or totally off, and they generally need a little social lubricant to loosen up and enjoy the after party, especially if they can hook up with a cute groupie.

AQUARIUS

Aquarius and drinking don't go together that well (except for water, that is). They have an innate tendency toward know-it-allism, and if they get an idea while sizzled, they're more stubborn than a stain or a stone. If they're throwing a party or organizing an outing, however, they're too preoccupied with their duties to get combative -- and they make perfectly charming drunks in that case. Fortunately, they're usually capital drink-nursers. They also make the best designated drivers (if you can get them before they start raising their wrist): Aquarius is fascinated by drunk people and capable of holding interesting conversations with soused strangers while sober.

PISCES

If you're a Pisces, you've probably already heard that you share a sign and an addictive personality -- with Liz Taylor, Liza Minelli and Kurt Cobain. Not only do Pisces like to lose themselves in the dreamy, out-there feeling that only hooch can give, but they build up a mighty tolerance fast. Who needs an expensive date like that? On the other hand, they're fabulously enchanting partners, whether in conversation or in crime. With the right Pisces, you can start out sharing a pitcher of margaritas and wind up in bed together for days. The phrase "addictive personality" can be read two ways, you know

SOUTHERN SIGNS

OKRA (March 20-April 19)

Although you appear crude, you are actually very slick on the inside. Okra have tremendous influence. They can stick to just about anyone. An old Okra can look back over his life and see the seeds of his influence everywhere. Stay away from Moon Pies

POSSUM (Apr 20 – May 21)

When confronted with life’s difficulties, possums have a marked tendency to withdraw and develop a don’t-bother-me-about-it attitude. Sometimes you become so lazy, people actually think you’re dead. This strategy is probably not psychologically healthy, but seems to work for you. One day, however, it won’t work and you may find your problems actually running you over. You go best with Rhubarb.

COLLARDS (May 22-June 20)

Collards have a genius for communication. They love to get in the “melting pot” of life and share their essence with the essence of those around them. Collards make good social workers, psychologists, and baseball managers. As far as your personal life goes, if you are Collards, stay away from Catfish, it just won’t work. Save yourself a lot of heartache.

MOON PIE (June 21-July 21)

You’re the type that spends a lot of time on the front porch. It’s a cinch to recognize the physical appearance of Moon Pies. Big and round are the key words here. You should marry anybody who you can get remotely interested in the idea. It’s not going to be easy. This might be the year to think about aerobics. Maybe not.

CHITLINS (July 22- Aug 22)

Chitlins may come from humble backgrounds but you always know it when they’re in the pot. A Chitlin, however, can make something of himself if he’s motivated and has lots of seasoning. In dealing with Chitlins, be careful. They can erupt like Vesuvius. Chitlins are best with Butter Beans and Okra

RHUBARB (Aug 23-Sept 22)

You have a passionate desire to help your fellow man. Unfortunately, those who know you best, your friends and loved ones, may find that you can dish out criticism but you wilt if too much is directed your way. People who don’t handle you right can find out your leaves are poisonous. You don’t go well with Collards or Grits, but go best with Armadillo or Crawfish.

BUTTER BEAN (Sept 22-Oct 22)

Always invite a Butter Bean because Butter Beans get along well with everybody. You, as a Butter Bean, should be proud. You’ve grown on the vine of life, and you feel at home no matter what the setting. You can sit next to anybody. However, you too, shouldn’t have anything to do with Moon Pies.

. CRAWFISH (Oct 23-Nov 21)

. You should go right ahead and marry anybody you want to, because in a certain way, yours is a charmed life. On the road of life, you can always be sure that people will always pull over and stop for you. You go best with Rhubarb and should avoid Boll Weevils.

GRITS (Nov 22-Dec 20)

Your highest aim is to be with others like yourself. You like to huddle together with a big crowd of other Grits. You love to travel though, so maybe you should think about joining a club. Where do you like to go? Anywhere they have cheese or gravy or bacon or butter or eggs. If you can go somewhere they have all these things, that serves you well.

ARMADILLO (Dec 21-Jan 19)

You have a tendency to develop a tough exterior, but you are actually quite gentle. A good evening for you? Old friends, a fire, some roots, fruit, worms and insects. You are a throwback. You’re not concerned with today’s fashions and trends. You’re not concerned with anything about today. You’re really almost prehistoric in your interests and behavior patterns. You probably want to marry another Armadillo but Possum is another somewhat kinky, mating possibility

BOLL WEEVIL (Jan 19-Feb 19)

You have an overwhelming curiosity. You’re unsatisfied with the surface of things, and you feel the need to bore deep into the interior of everything. Needless to say, you are very intense and driven as if you had some inner hunger. Nobody in their right mind is going to marry you, so don’t worry about it.

CATFISH (Feb 20-March 19)

Catfish are the traditionalists in matters of the heart, although ones’ whiskers may cause problems for loved ones. You Catfish are never easy people to understand. You prefer the muddy bottoms to the clear surface of life. Above all else, Catfish should stay away from Possums.

. Trick Or Treating By Zodiac Sign

Aries pushes the others aside to get to the door first.

Taurus will only eat the finest of Swiss chocolates.

Gemini goes around the neighborhood once, changes costumes and goes around again.

Cancer stays at home and gives candy to the other trick-or-treaters.

Leos plan their costume for months then won't go out because someone else had the same idea.

Virgo wears a neatly-pressed suit and tells everyone they're a bookkeeper.

Libra is still standing in front of the closet trying to decide on a costume.

Scorpio isn't in it for the candy.

Sagittarius will manage to wander to the next town.

Capricorn makes a list of all the houses that give good candy and the optimal route to take.

Aquarius builds the costume out of spare flashlights and spends all night tinkering when it shorts.

Pisces skips the whole thing to compose poetry to the Moon.