Yesterday one of my very favorite astrologers, Susan Miller, came to the Apple Store in Chicago to present her new astrology software and iPhone applications to an eager audience.
I arrived early to find Ms. Miller happily chatting with a woman, so I waited my turn. I had to laugh to myself because Susan herself said in my AstrologyZone horoscope for that very day that “Sun in Scorpio and Uranus in Pisces is likely to make this a winner on so many counts. Things will go really well, and if you need to travel over this weekend, events will just click perfectly into place.” I had travelled a couple of hours to get to the Apple Store, and here I was, waiting to speak with Susan in person in a very relaxed and friendly way.
When I sat down with her, I explained that I was at the event to cover it for my website, and she reacted so happily, as if I were Oprah! Her response was so warm an vivacious! Of course, her website is one of the longest-running on the web, but she really made me feel at ease and special. She is as empathetic and joyful as she appears to be in her writings.
Susan offers a yearly calendar on her site that I happened to bring along. I asked if she would autograph it on the March 2010 page because both my husband and I are Pisces, and she revealed that she, too is a Pisces. She happily sat for the photo below, and then I took my leave and found a place to sit in the mini-lecture room.
Susan brought along her business partner, Henry Seltzer, who had developed a software program called Time Passages which is really comprehensive – more for the non-novice, however he did many demonstrations of its usefulness.
He called people from the audience to come up and he set the program up for a short, one question read based on the chart that the program produced on the screen behind them. While he was doing that, Susan answered questions.
The very first question was about December 21, 2012.
I chuckled, because both of these esteemed astrologers had the same reaction to the 2012 story as I’ve had for years: There’s nothing special about the actual date 12-21-12, astrologically or mathmatically. Even the year itself doesn’t cry out “Armageddon” (although Susan confessed to TiVo-ing all the shows on the subject). Instead, they both felt that either the Mayans just got tired of chipping stone and picked a numerically aesthetic date to end it, or they just ran out of stone. I’ve studied the 2012 subject in depth and have not been convinced by anyone’s doomsday argument.
The rest of the presentation was riveting, and I’ll present random notes below to help the curious (myself, included) to get a handle on astrology basics that I learned that afternoon.
Susan invited me to interview her, so please send me a comment with the questions you’d like me to ask. I’m hoping we can set up our chat very soon!
Astrology for Beginners
Your Sun Sign is important, but equally important is your Rising Sign. When you read your horoscope, read both your Sun and Rising Signs. How do you find out your Rising Sign? You must know your time and location of birth. I sent off for my birth certificate to solve this riddle because Susan says that you must know your birth time to the minute (even the second! – says she). Then, go to Astro.com and have your birth chart drawn up for free. Go to the interactive horoscope section and you’ll find your your Rising Sign.
At the very top of your chart is the Midheaven. This is what you’ll be known for in your life; your ultimate contribution to the world.
The 9th House is where you’ll find meaning in your life.
The North Node is where you’ll find your life’s purpose.
When Jupiter enters your sign, plant seeds for the future. Make good choices for yourself at this time. Susan made a point to say that Jupiter is entering Pisces in January 2010 and will be there for most of the year. 2010 is Pisces’ year – “a handful of emeralds for every Pisces” as she put it. The outcome of these choices should last for a decade.
The ‘Luckiest Day of 2010’ – February 28. Plan something big and fabulous!
On June 26 we’ll experience a monster eclipse – known as a Cardinal Cross. This is a good example of how spending time studying astrology is a good use of one’s time, because you will want to make the most of this eclipse.
Watch for some really radical changes across the board next summer.
Planets move in 4 ways during their trip across the heavens:
The Conjunct – plant the seeds, begin the new project
The Sextile – growth begins and flourishes
The Square – challenges arise
The Trine – opposition crops up: are you still committed to the seeds sown during the conjunct? This is the time when we either perfect our commitments or end them.
Learning to read your chart is like learning a new language. Take is slowly, have fun!
And watch for my interview with Susan Miller!
Henry’s astrology software is called “Time Passages” and is available for the PC and the Mac.
Susan’s iPhone and Blackberry Application is called, “Astrology Zone Premier”
You can order Susan’s 2010 Astrology Calender here.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for writing this, Deb. It’s full of fun stuff. For one thing, I had no idea the Rising Sign was that significant. Thanks, too, for the heads-up about February 28th: it’s never too soon to start planning for the “luckiest day” of the year! (Who knew?)
Your piece on Susan Miller gave me more useful information on astrology than I’ve picked up in years. Thanks!