Sep 6
“I’m a Virgo and the sign is a virgin. So when I was 16, I got the word virgin tattooed on my wrist, thinking I was sooo deep and cool. And now I just look really weird having virgin written across my wrist and I have to explain it.”
- Nicole Richie (September 21, 1981)
Sep 21
BIRTHDAY GIRL
September 21, 1981 Berkeley, CA noon* (time unknown)
Reality TV star and tabloid fashion favorite Nicole Richie turns 27 today. Hard to believe she has packed so much into such a short life! The child of a music industry professional, Nicole was raised on the road, until at the age of 2 she was taken in by musician Lionel Richie and his then wife Brenda, to be raised as their own. This was a huge turning point in her life as this was also the year that her progressed sun moved from Virgo into Libra. Virgos like their lives to be ordered and comfortable and Nicole’s early life was probably marked by a strong absence of these things, leading her to value them even more greatly. With her progressed sun in sociable Libra from age two onwards, she has learned much more about enjoying people and creating trusting relationships.
The most fascinating thing about Richie’s chart is how precisely all of the progressions coincide with important times in her life. With a stellium of 4 planets in Libra, Nicole has had her fair share of ups and downs as her progressed sun came into conjunction with each of them in turn. At age 13 her progressed sun hit her natal Saturn, a time that usually causes difficulty. For the first time she probably became aware of the attention her famous family could bring her and struggled to reconcile this with her own self-esteem and self-awareness. Age 17 her progressed sun came conjunct with party-loving Jupiter. She was probably living it up and throwing herself into the wanton world of priviledged Los Angeles children and indulging (Jupiter’s key word) in drugs and alcohol. Though this period may have been ‘fun’ it was also stressful, as indicated in her chart by the tense aspect between Jupiter and her moon in sensitive Cancer. She was trying to celebrate (Jupiter) and be social (Libra) but was not talking care of her own emotional needs (moon in Cancer).
By the time her progressed sun hit Pluto, planet of power and transformation in 2006, she was a huge star… but also a huge mess. Rumors of drug problems and eating disorders swirled around her and culminated with a brief (very brief) trip to jail after a DUI arrest. Pluto is one of the most complex, fascinating planets in the zodiac. Pluto can bestow great magneticism and power upon you. Indeed, Richie had become a fashion icon and an influential celebrity by this point. But it also forces you to dig deep into yourself, to go beyond the superficial, and if you refuse it can stir up situations in your life that make you confront yourself. Just as Nicole was facing her DUI, she became pregnant with Pisces boyfriend Joel Madden. And of course, the power of Pluto is also there to help you turn your life around once you have truly made the decision to do so.
In 2008, with the birth of her daughter Harlow, a Capricorn, Nicole’s progressed sun made it’s last conjunction in Libra, with Mercury, Virgo’s ruler. This was truly a time of empowerment and self-confidence for her, where she was finally finding her own ‘voice’ and deciding where she would want her life to go. She will probably weigh her options and multi-task for a few more years, before her progressed sun goes into Scorpio. Then, in 5 years time, expect a decidedly more private life from this very public star.
Nicole’s Virgo/Cancer astrological signature can be seen in her famous fashion sense. Virgos are wild about jewelry and accessories. Scarves, headbands, sunglasses, bangles… these have become the trademarks of the Nicole Richie look. A look that was more or less masterminded by her one time close friend and stylist, fellow Virgo Rachel Zoe. And Cancers have an attachment to things that have sentimental value, soft materials and especially love cozy layering. History-loving Cancer has a very vintage vibe as well and Nicole’s nostalgic decade of choice is the 1970s.
COMING UP: Communicative Mercury is strong in Nicole’s chart this year. She may decide to write a follow-up to her first book. This one would likely be more personal though, perhaps exploring her recent transformation from party girl to mom. Now would also be the perfect time for her to tie up any loose ends on the business front. If she has started projects and hasn’t completed them, she should close the door or finish up. All of this boring maintenence work will pay off when the big project she finally wants comes along next year and she can focus all of her attention on it. This is set to be a happy, satisfying, creative year for her.
Aug 1
“Salma Hayek is among the most beautiful and brainiest women I’ve had the privilege of knowing and I always come away from our collaborations felling all the more inspired and empowered… We connected immediately. Our birthdays are one day apart- mine is September 1, hers is the second- so being Virgos, we’re always striving for perfection, always striving for more.”
- Rachel Zoe
Rachel Zoe is perhaps the most influential stylist working right now and I have to say I am a fan of her look. In fact before I read this excerpt from her book, “Style A to Zoe”, it had been a fun game for me to try to guess what her sign was (naturally she has not been too forthright about her date of birth). With all that hair and all that gold, I had her pegged as a Leo for sure. But alas, she is the more detail-oriented sister of Leo, the Virgo, and on second thought this makes perfect sense.
Leos like to be front and center, but as a Virgo Zoe has no problem toiling behind the scenes. And as she mentioned, Virgos are deeply perfectionistic and highly discrimination, two key ingredients for the perfect stylist. Being ruled by changeable Mercury, Virgos have a thing for accessories which can easily alter the mood of any ensemble. Lots of jewelry is a trademark of the Rachel Zoe look which has in fact become most famous through her collaborations with other Virgos, including Salma Hayek, but most prominently Cameron Diaz and Nicole Richie. She also designs a line of handbags for Judith Leiber.
Recently Wikipedia listed Zoe’s birthday as September 1, 1971 and if this is accurate, then her moon sign is business-minded Capricorn. The most important thing for Virgos when it comes to fashion is quality, they enjoy classic, staple pieces with a bit of a unique twist in the detailing. They tend to favor highbrow designers, while the similarly earthy Capricorn moon also favors traditional looks but with their sense of thriftiness, they like to search for the diamonds in the rough as well. In the chart, artistic Venus tightly conjunct her sun shows her affinity for all things aesthetically pleasing. And indeed she does have a planet, Mercury, the divine communicator of the zodiac, in the deeply glamorous sign of Leo.
Dec 28
There were a few stars who seemed to dominate the headlines this year and they were mostly of the Leo, Virgo and Sagittarius variety. Saturn was transiting Leo, and then Virgo, and Jupiter has been in Sagittarius. These two planets exert such a strong influence that big changes are always inevitable in the lives of those who have one of these two planets in their home sign. Another sign that has been powerfully activated is Pisces, where the true node has been transiting.
Leos who have been big news in 2007: Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry, Tom Brady, J.K. Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe, Barack Obama, Madonna, Roger Federer, Tori Amos, Helen Mirren, Hayden Panettiere, Sean Penn, Giada de Laurentiis, Hulk Hogan, Casey Affleck, Rumer Willis, Bee Shafer, Tinsley Mortimer, Steve Carrell, Bindi Irwin, Isaiah Washington, Brody Jenner, Mika, Amy Adams
Virgos who have been big news in 2007: Amy Winehouse, Salma Hayek, Nicole Richie, Pink, Bridget Moynahan, Cameron Diaz, Lance Armstrong, Charlie Sheen, Ryan Philippe, Stella McCartney, Lou Doillon, Rachel Ray, Blake Lively, Sean Preston & Jayden James Federline, Danielynn Hope Marshall, Jennifer Hudson, Heidi Montag, Scott Baio, Ricki Lake, Marc Anthony, Prince Harry
Sagittarians who have been big news in 2007: Britney Spears, Katherine Heigl, Judd Apatow, Jonah Hill, Brad Pitt, Christina Aguilera, Anna Nicole Smith, Howard K. Stern, Katie Holmes, Milla Jovovich, Jennifer Connelly, Tyra Banks, Tara Conner, Jake Gyllenhaal, Teri Hatcher, Kiefer Southerland, Jenna Bush, Vanessa Hudgens, Pax Jolie-Pitt, Violet Affleck, Christina Applegate, Criss Angel, Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Sanjaya, Jay Z, Miley Cyrus
Pisces who have been big news in 2007: Eva Longoria, Carrie Underwood, Chace Crawford, Ali Larter, Javier Bardem, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jessica Biel, Rhianna, Pete Doherty, Timbaland, Natalia Vodianova, Josh Groban, Emile Hirsch, Joel Madden, Vanessa Williams, Eva Mendes, Harvey Weinstein, David Geffen, Rupert Murdoch, Jenna Fischer
Now on to 2008. The big story in 2008 is going to be Capricorn. There are big changes ahead for those born between December 22 and January 19. Good or bad, things are going to be different. I guess it depends on who has been naughty and who has been nice. Also keeps your eyes on the Virgos (their time of transformation is not quite up yet), the Aquarians and the Cancers.
Capricorns who are sure to be big news in 2008: Orlando Bloom, Jude Law, Diane von Furstenburg, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Jim Carrey, Nicholas Cage, Denzel Washington, Kate Middleton, Eddie Vedder, Tiger Woods, Dolly Parton, Diane Sawyer, Helena Christensen, Christy Turlington, Mel C., Kate Bosworth, Heather Mills, Carla Bruni, Patrick Dempsey, Howard Stern, Ryan Seacrest, Katie Couric, Holly Madison, Kristen Cavallari, Vanessa Paradis, Mel Gibson, Gabriel Aubry, Amanda Peet
Aquarians who are sure to be big news in 2008: Christian Bale, Jennifer Aniston, Paris Hilton, Nicolas Sarkozy, Justin Timberlake, Oprah Winfrey, Mischa Barton, Alicia Keyes, Ellen Degeneres, Ashton Kutcher, Denise Richards, Mariska Hargitay, Axl Rose, Shakira, Jemima Khan, Isla Fisher, Athina Onassis, Dick Cheney, Kelly Slater, Agnes Deyn, Lauren Conrad
Cancers who are sure to be big news in 2008: Jessica Simpson, Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Courtney Love, Giorgio Armani, Pamela Anderson, The Dalai Lama, George W. Bush, Tobey Maguire, Prince William, Harrison Ford, Gisele Bundchen, Nelson Mandela, Liv Tyler, Lindsay Lohan, Meryl Streep, 50 Cent, David Hasselhoff, Robin Williams, Sophia Bush, Richard Branson, Josh Hartnett, Diane Kruger, Petra Nemcova, Claire Forlani, Jack White, Kristen Bell, Selma Blair, Milo Ventimiglia, Missy Elliot, Dan Brown
The economic forecast is not looking up in 2008 but rest assured, there are going to be lots of award nominees, wedding bells, baby bumps, and assorted celebrations and scandals from among this group… so enjoy! Happy New Year!
Nov 14
Three high profile Leo ladies have recently announced their pregnancies. First Halle Berry, then Jennifer Lopez and now Food Network hottie Giada de Laurentiis. They are all due next winter/spring. So what is in the Leo water? Well in late August, Saturn, the task-master of the zodiac, finally moved out of Leo into Virgo, ending a tough couple years for these women. When Saturn is in your sign, for about two years, life can be less than perfect. One more or less has to face the facts, face the consequences of their earlier choices, and stop living in La-La Land. This has been the reality for these women recently, and at least in the case in Halle and Jennifer, they were probably suffering after years of unsuccessfully attempting to conceive. Saturn is just the sort of guest that pushes you to the point of finally accepting that you might not be able to have a biological child, and then rewards you with a happy pregnancy for your patience. Better late than never…
And the Hollywood pregnancies have definitely been coming in astrological clusters. Last spring the Gemini (Angelina Jolie, Brooke Shields) and Libra (Gwen Stefani, Gwyneth Paltrow) ladies were knocked up. This summer the Virgos (Salma Hayek, Bridget Moynahan, Nicole Richie) and Saggs (Mila Jovovich, Christina Aguilera) have corned the market in the Hollywood bump watch brigade. Now is the time for the Leos. And Taurus Cate Blanchett recently announced another child on the way as well. Maybe another Taurus is not far behind… Kirsten Dunst? Penelope Cruz?
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