Madam Lichtenstein's Cosmic World

Sepulchre: Kate Mosse's Latest Novel (Author of Labyrinth)

Several years ago I read Kate Mosse's Labyrinth. I just happened to pass it my local bookstore and the cover image and title grabbed my attention. I stopped, picked it up, read the inside jacket and I was intrigued and had to buy it. It's a story of two female protagonists born 800 years apart and linked by a discovery of two skeletons and a labyrinth pattern discovered in a hidden cave.

I loved reading that book and am delighted that Kate has just published another: Sepulchre, 

concerning a rare tarot deck that helps link the lives of two women living eras apart.

I predict I will be having some late nights of reading. If you have read Kate's books, please comment.

Soleology: How to Read a Man by His Shoes

If men only knew what they were revealing by their choice of shoes -- their shoes are windows to their "soles."  Or at least that is what Donna Sozio believes. She has written a book, Never Trust a Man in Alligator Loafers, that teaches women how to determine a guy’s potential as a date or a mate—all by looking at his shoes!  For example:

He says: I'll call you.
His White Alligator Skin Loafers say: At 3 a.m.

Watch the following YouTube video to see Donna decode several men by their shoes. I think you will find the book to be a fun read, and if you are in market for a new fellow, you can always use a little more insight. My question is, what about flip flops....?

The Silk Day Spa

Run, don't walk, to the Silk Day Spa on 47 West 13th Street in New York City. And after you run there, rest your weary feel with a Asian influenced treatment.

My generous friends gave me a gift certificate for a pedicure and I redeemed it this morning. The spa is downstairs and very quiet. After you change into your robe, you enter a quiet and serene waiting area. Salt lamps with candles light your way and there are little snacks and water as you wait. The pedicure had everything - a salt rub, creams, hot wax and reflexology. I floated out of there and went home to take a nap.

The Silk Day Spa has a range of services - all sorts of massages and facials too. Worth a restful visit.

I recommend Reflexology, a fully illustrated guide that features step-by-step sequences and incredible photography, an invaluable guide for home users or reflexology students.

Geisha Facial: Apply Nightingale Droppings

In the never ending quest for facial treatments that will leave you with a smooth and glowing complexion, spa aficionados will try anything from 24 karat gold (for that special glow...) bull semen (yuck), to even bird poop (very yuck)! Before you get any ideas about just scraping up the bottom of a bird cage, please note that it's very important to purify the bird droppings (and we're talking about only Nightingales here) before applying to your face. You definitely don't want to try this treatment at home.

This treatment may have originated in Japan with geishas needing to remove the heavy makeup from their delicate skin. Who knows how they discovered that nightingale droppings did the trick. Some women claim this is a great treatment. If you'd like to try it for yourself, ask your local spa or, in the New York area, check out Shizuka (50 minutes for $180).

I wonder how many nightingales one would need for a body scrub....?
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In the West, a bath is a place one goes to cleanse the body. In Japan, one goes there to cleanse the soul: The Japanese Bath.

Void of Course Moons - June 2008

For those of you who track the void of course moons through the months, here is June 2008. Read more about the definition of the VOC either here VOC Moons or in Debbi Kempton-Smith's great book "Secrets From a Stargazers Notebook" and see how they can improve your timing.

A big thank you to renowned astrologer Felissa Rose for the charts.

MOON VOID OF COURSE –JUNE 2008

THE FOLLOWING TIMES ARE CALCULATED FOR EASTERN DAYLIGHT. ADJUSTMENTS MUST BE MADE FOR OTHER TIME ZONES.

VOID BEGINS VOID ENDS                                    SIGN MOON ENTERS AFTER VOID

Mon Jun 2 9:04 AM To 6:07 PM                             Moon enters Gemini

Wed Jun 4 8:10 AM To 5:17 PM                            Moon enters Cancer

Fri Jun 6 5:33 AM To 6:01 PM                              Moon enters Leo

Sun Jun 8 11:42 AM To 10:02 PM                         Moon enters Virgo

Tue Jun 10 3:43 PM To Wed Jun 11 5:56 AM         Moon enters Libra

Fri Jun 13 5:16 AM To 4:54 PM                            Moon enters Scorpio

Sun Jun 15 5:30 PM To Mon Jun 16 5:21 AM         Moon enters Sagittarius

Wed Jun 18 5:38 PM To 5:53 PM                          Moon enters Capricorn

Fri Jun 20 3:03 PM To Sat Jun 21 5:35 AM            Moon enters Aquarius

Mon Jun 23 3:05 PM To 3:33 PM                          Moon enters Pisces

Wed Jun 25 10:17 PM To 10:50 PM                      Moon enters Aries

Sat Jun 28 2:15 AM To 2:51 AM                           Moon enters Taurus

Mon Jun 30 2:44 AM To 4:04 AM                          Moon enters Gemini

Felissa can be reached via email at: felissarose@taconic.net and also has a webpage at http://www.accessnewage.com/Felissa/

Cassadaga, Florida: Psychic Town, USA

Cassadaga is a quaint little Florida town founded in 1894 by spiritualists looking for a warm retreat from New York winters. The location was chosen for its unique energy level and special "etheric vibrations emanating by the earth itself." It is home of the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp, whose members have beliefs very similar to many other religious groups with the exception that they believe that they can communicate with the dead. The tiny camp has a population of 100 and remains much as it was in the 1920's. The Camp's certified mediums offer services: communication with one's dearly departed, palm and tarot readings, astrology and past life regression.

Tourists come, some just curious, but most wishing to consult with a psychic for a reading. There is an interesting article written by Robin Hill Rowan describing her visit and the reading she got from a medium. The following YouTube video is an excerpt from a series done by the History Channel. It includes town history, a tour, and a seance session. For some related music: Bright Eyes has an album Cassadaga which features the town in the lyrics of the single "Four Winds."

One question I have: do they hold town elections, or do the residents just "know" who the majority favors?
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Obama and Hillary Face Off: Looking for Astrological Clues

Indiana and North Carolina Primaries: Outcomes are Crucial for the Candidates

Barack Obama emerged from the pack to become a frontrunner in the Democratic presidential nomination race. But recent controversies have been a bit of a set back. Hillary can harness dramatic change to her advantage, never gives up looking for a way to succeed, and it seems that Bill Clinton got his grove back in his campaigning for her.

You've seen all the press coverage, now consider the candidates' astrological profiles and see if you can predict which candidate will make it to the presidential race against McCain. Read Hillary Clinton's Horoscope and  Barack Obama's Horoscope -- based on their horoscopes what do you think the outcome will be?
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To learn more about Hillary, here are two recommended books: A Woman in Charge: The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton and Target: Caught in the Crosshairs of Bill and Hillary Clinton
Barack has written several well-received books, here is one: The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream

Cappuccino Coast - Massive Ocean Foam

This was emailed to me and I thought that it was so bizarre that it qualified for a cosmic moment. These were taken (or so I am told) at the shoreline north of Sydney, Australia. Foam swallowed an entire beach and half the nearby buildings in a freak display of nature at Yamba in New South Wales.

The massive foam stretched for 30 miles out into the Pacific in a phenomenon not seen at the beach for more than three decades. Scientists say that the foam is created by impurities in the ocean, such as salts, chemicals, dead plants, decomposed fish and excretions from seaweed all are churned up together by powerful currents which cause the water to form bubbles.

Does this make sense to you? I am not sure it is the entire explanation.
 

Explore the ocean's mysteries with seven-time Emmy-winners Howard and Michele Hall, the world's foremost underwater filmmakers. Broadcast to critical acclaim on PBS: Wondrous Secrets of the Ocean Realm.

John McCain's Horoscope

There is something very striking about John McCain's horoscope. (Born August 29, 1936 at 9am in Cocosolo, Panama) Not only does he have a lot of aspects (the angles that the planets make to each other in a chart) which indicate a great deal of energy, he also has Pluto, the planet of volcanic power and transformative change, in his 10th house of career and as the highest planet in his chart. This man can harness tremendous inner strength and overcome any and all obstacles. In fact, looking at the career sector of his horoscope, it is clear to see that he will be a formidable candidate - Pluto and Mars (planet of energy and action) are both there. And his Mars makes a great, beneficial aspect to Jupiter (luck) in his chart.

But I am getting ahead of myself. John McCain has Sun (basic personality) in careful, conservative, detail-oriented Virgo, Mercury (communications) in charming Libra, Venus (love) in Virgo, Mars (energy) in feisty Leo and his moon (emotions) in dour Capricorn. This is someone who is, at heart, a perfectionist. But you may not know it by just a casual acquaintence with him.

In fact he is tightly in control: Saturn (the planet of problems, learning from past experience, wisdom) opposes both his Venus and Neptune (dreams) indicating that light hearted sentiments are doused in the cold reality of life.

Upon first meeting him you will see his charimatic and charming Libra ascendant. And as you get to know him better you will see how deeply and passionately he feels about home, country and family (Cancer on the Midheaven). Sometimes he confounds his own luck (Grand Cross - Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune/Venus) but can regain his standing quickly (Jupiter trine Mars).

What fascinates me is that on election day, the planet Pluto (power) will be transiting his chart at almost an exact degree to his North Node (success), transiting Saturn will almost exactly oppose his natal Saturn and transiting Jupiter will be almost in an exact opposition to the top of his chart. This is an extraordinary aount of activity to his chart from some very powerful planets. This indicates to me that he either has an excellent change of being elected or something world altering will happen in his candidacy.

A post comparing McCain's chart with that of the Democratic nominee will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.
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Related posts: Barack Obama's Horoscope, Hillary Clinton's Horoscope, and Democrats vs Republicans, Astrologically.
Two related books: John McCain: An American Odyssey and Hard Call: The Art of Great Decisions.

May 2008 Pet Horoscope

A Taurus Sun opens the month with sturdy self-assuredness. (“You talking to me??) On the 22nd, the Sun moves into Gemini to spark any pet’s playfulness.

TAURUS   (APRIL 21 - MAY 21)
The planets signify a time for reflection followed by swift action; A time to plan and implement action for future projects.. or at least another meal. Taurean pets are on a mission, but can be diverted by a new thing in their dish.

GEMINI   (MAY 22 - JUNE 21)
Gemini pets love to share their stuff and this May, "give unto others" is the key to true happiness. I’m not sure what you can do with an old piece of string or a soggy bone, but always remember to say thank you.

CANCER   (JUNE 22 - JULY 23)
Friends gravitate around Cancerian pets this May. These sensitive souls always want to  help a friend in need but may go to the extreme. Keep an eye on them lest they stray too far from home and get lost.

LEO   (JULY 24 - AUGUST 23)
Leo pets may make themselves absent just to see how much you miss them this May. These pets yearn to be admired and stroked and may not feel as if they are getting enough adulation. Decide if you want them to sit and sulk or if you just love to hug them all the time.

VIRGO   (AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23)
Randy Virgo pets may be very ... ahem... sexually active this May. The warning is to keep them in the confines of the house or in an area where you can monitor them so they don’t run away to have their fun. Hi Mom and Dad!

LIBRA   (SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23)
The early part of May will turn out to be the perfect time for your Libra pet to seek or reinforce one-to-one relationships.  The month looks ripe for deep involvements and heavy emotional interactions.

SCORPIO   (OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22)
Active Scorpio pets may yearn to take it easy and be a bit lazier than usual this May. Life is more than the day to day grind. They may pay a bit more attention to you so be prepared to give them a little more attention too.

SAGITTARIUS   (NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22)
Sagittarian pets will play all they want in the early part of May, but may be on a personal mission by the end of the month. Maybe that means getting into the food supply or burying a particular treasure at the back of your closet. Surprise!

CAPRICORN   (DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20)
Capricorn pets work quietly and efficiently in the background and build their little arsenal of toys carefully and quietly this May. Buy them a few new things to let them know that you really care.

AQUARIUS   (JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19)
Aquarian pets stay close to home this May when home and hearth become a center of their activities and source of joy. Also, it may be because flea season is rearing its ugly head and they may be more susceptible than usual.

PISCES   (FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20)
Pisces pets seem to lack self confidence but that is all a facade. Communication is at a peak and they will ask for the world and expect to receive. Think before you give. It will only spur them to ask for even more!

ARIES   (MARCH 21 - APRIL 20)
Aries pets get the word out in May and engage in shameless self-promotion. Let them enjoy their freedom and feistiness while the summer shines. There’s always time for restraint in the fall.

(c) Madam Lichtenstein, LLC, 2008. For Entertainment purposes only.

Read more about your pet at Petopia.
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If you want to gain astrological insight into your dog's thoughts, moods and behavior you should read Dog Stars: Astrology for Dog Lovers. Cat lovers who read Vivian's Original Cat Astrology will learn how different vibrations of the planets influence each cat's personality, resulting in some cats becoming homebodies and some wandering gypsies.