GERSHWINS

FASCINATIN' RHYTHM
The Gershwin Brothers

Happy 100th birthday, George Gershwin. Oh sure, you're dead, but the good always die young. You were only beginning the mid-life crisis, only beginning to realize the scope of your power and potential, only just ready to consider the Libra issue of marriage. You couldn't make up your mind…should I get married…or die? Well, we loved your work and it has really withstood the test of time. You set a trend of incorporating classical and popular music. Your songs are still standards and have a romantic, endearing quality about them. You had an almost career-long partnership with your brother, Ira. That's a very Libra thing to do. Was it his idea? I'm only asking because Ira was an opinionated Sagittarius and was very controlling, with his Moon and Venus being in Capricorn. So, perhaps with his Sun on your Saturn, he drew attention to your goals and your weaknesses. So, George…with all that activity and success and travelling, did you ever have your horoscope done? Well, I think it's fascinating that your Moon is in Aquarius, the sign of Astrology, friends, group associations, innovation, unpredictability, the latest trends and rhythm! You were the future of American popular song. Everyone knows that Libras are nice people, except when they blame others for their own shortcomings, but let's not project negative issues. You had some good company amongst the fraternity of composers. Lizst, Verdi and Vaughan Williams were all Libras and wrote extraordinary music. The truth is that you had something to share with the world, a sense of love and romance that traces itself back to your New York Jewish roots. And even though you went a bit "Glitzy Glamorous Hollywood", you always had a little bit of home in you. No matter how much you tried to detach from it with your Moon in Aquarius. When Ira exerted too much control, you rebelled, which led to a sort of stroke that ultimately killed you. There was anger six months before the end and some peace of mind that there was a deep bond between you and your brother. You were being pulled in so many different directions that you shorted out.

Ira had the flow with words, having Mercury in Sagittarius opposite Mars and Neptune in Gemini. He was a visionary in his way, a spinner of words and ideas, rushing to judgement that usually went okay and sometimes downright lucky. He was an opportunist, saw a chance for fame and fortune and took the risk that usually paid off. Sometimes, the open door led into a dead end, but more often than not, he was careful about making calculated risks. While you both had a chance to work with other people, it was never as magical as it was when you two partnered up. But that was then, this is now…what of your future? You have one, you know. Even though you aren't in the same body, let's see if you went the distance karma-wise. {Looking at the chart} Well, with the North Node in Capricorn and Saturn near the Ascendant, discipline and ambition were the order of that lifetime. The South Node in Cancer conjoining Mars shows some of the battles you may have had in the family. I'll bet your Mother could usually get to you through Ira…he was her spy, someone to watch over you. There were anger issues and a temperamental impulsiveness that got you in trouble with schoolteachers who may have considered you too much for them to handle. You were always a bright kid who was so busy planning his future that he lost track of the here and now in the classroom. Your destiny was to take control of your life and do it with maturity, responsibility and structure. Only you know the methods you employed to reach your goals but it couldn't have helped having Maurice Ravel refusing to give you lessons because you made more money than he did! Oh, those French!

So, anyway, you're the big time American Musical hero for many, an agent of change for the musical scene. Ahead of your time because of Uranus on the Ascendant and a hard worker with Saturn on the Ascendant in the 1st house, you would never think of stopping the creative work you loved. Perhaps the intensity of your mind, represented by Mercury square Pluto, would have you virtually explode with ideas, like a volcanic eruption of the brain, your cause of death (?). Yet, the energy which can be explosive can also be expansive and a blessing. Jupiter trine Pluto has a truth that must be shared with the masses. I ought to know, since I have it myself. You were blessed with a Grand Air Trine, the Aquarius Moon completing the pattern. You needed the freedom to blow like the wind, at times a gentle breeze, at other times and gale force, verging on a twister and as unpredictable. That Moon made you a lot of friends and very important ones at that. Yeah George, you were and still are a popular guy. The world of classical, jazz, popular song, opera and musical theatre all love you George. But life is not perfect and each of us has some problem area in life. You had a problem with intimacy, fidelity and commitment. Being a Libra, Venus will be important to consider. Venus in Scorpio, it's detriment, and in the 12th house make for affairs gone astray and can even be obsessive and self-destructive. Venus square Moon reveals difficulty with expressing feeling in a relationship. An air of detachment, except when the sexual desire for a quickie takes over, exudes from you in a most charming way, but you won't commit. Even if you were to get married, it would end in divorce. Since Pluto in the 7th house of marriage would be a death or transformation of a relationship or marriage. I've seen it both ways. Neptune in the 7th is an idealistic way of seeing a partner, as through rose-colored glasses. Burn some incense and meditate, brother. In the house of relationships, you want to share the muse of music and inspiration. Neptune is the transcendental master of spiritual depth. Just when you thought it was deep in those waters, it got deeper. I suppose angels and fairies are under Neptune's influence, as are dreams and fantasies. "All we ever see or seem is but a dream within a dream" (Victor Hugo). There were still things you wanted to share. God love ya' George, you wanted to show the world how to love each other in a romantic way. You achieved the epitome of musical genius. George, you need to un-stress! You Libras are so busy trying to please others that you go to extremes for them. This will cause upheaval but, then, your Sagittarius Ascendant likes the thrill of adventure, risk taking and travel. Expressing yourself with flair and wit and multi-talents was a nice touch. You just make it nice, make it so in a big way, with drama and pulling out all the stops. I think if you'd lived longer, you may have gotten a chance to write a symphony. Maybe outdoing Beethoven, but with a jazzy/blues style. As it turned out, your masterpieces were an opera, "Porgy and Bess" and Rhapsody in Blue that everyone and his brother plays. It makes me blue to think it's anything but brilliant. The brilliant innovators often die young, look at Mozart and Schubert…even Mendelssohn. They were all Aquarians, but hey, that's your Moon, so what the hell! You know…with Uranus in the 12th house, you were probably an Aquarius in a prior life and while you can't really repeat a subsequent life verbatim, there are exceptions when the life is cut short. However, once the mission is accomplished, there's no other reason to stay in the body. So, that's the reason for the tumor. You know…astrology is like preventative brain surgery.

You have a Mercury/Venus sextile that radiates harmony, a nice touch for a musician. You were able to relate your ideas to others, as long as they were sharp enough to appreciate your unique qualities. The mind is also quick with Mercury sextile Mars and volatile with the Pluto square. A conjunction to Ceres signifies a nurturing sibling, a Mercury thing. There's an inconjunct to the Moon that stresses Merc out even more. You were finding people attractive to you regardless of gender. Mars square Jupiter and Moon Square Venus, as well as the Sagittarius Ascendant are all indicative of bi-sexual tendencies. You Libras really don't want to make up your mind. Your immigrant parents were very strict and instilled a strong work ethic in you shown Saturn in the 1st on the Ascendant. You were always so mature at a young age and as you got older became, well, dead, since you never got old. See, if you lived as long as George Burns, you would have used Rogaine or something and gotten your hair back. So you would have looked younger when old. Moot point, however, so let's move on. In the exact same degree as your Saturn is Vesta, the asteroid of sacrifice and service. It could symbolize a deal you made before birth. Here's my theory: you were one of the dead composers who agreed to come back quickly to do some specific work to further the cause of racial integration. You always were a liberal, as Jews traditionally were then. And coming out of slavery was common to the Jews and blacks. So, Porgy was the man who stood for a painful and crippled heart. He really represented you George. You wrote love songs to a far away love that you could never stay with. Another Libra wrote, "One thing you can't hide, is when you're crippled inside" (John Lennon) and it describes you, too. You would sublimate love to an ideal that couldn't be attained and if we carry that farther, we could say that your ideal vision of love has led to disillusion and dysfunctionality in most relationships. But it wouldn't be nice to blame you for the rest of the world not being able to get along. It's really Ira's fault, since he wrote the damn lyrics, anyway! Well, he was a manic-depressive Sagittarius with Moon in Capricorn, remember? So, it's not your fault, okay, George? When you decide what you really want to be next lifetime, you'd certainly be welcome to join us again. But if you want to be a musician again, you won't stay around too long. I think being a painter would be great. I know it's something you'd enjoy, too. Maybe next lifetime, you follow the other half of the Libra path and get married and settle down and realize what real relationships take. They aren't just about being in love…they are built on a foundation of friendship and communication (your Moon in the 3rd house), psychic, mystical vibes (Venus in Scorpio in the 12th house, trine Mars in Cancer in the 8th) and sexual attraction. If you don't feel it, you can't do it. By the way, was that cigar symbolic of anything phallic? Just kidding. Yanking your chain, you know? Yeah, you had a sense of humor since the old country! Oy and then this old Rabbi said, "Did you hear the one about Jesus being an astrologer? Now the Christians are looking for twelve signs!"

I know you were seriously focussed on achieving your ambition. That's why you were here and gone so fast. You did what you came to do and then left. You are quick, I've got to say that for you. Mars on the South Node, Part of Fortune in Aries, Moon in Aquarius and Sagittarius Ascendant. Well, no wonder…you were a space traveler that colonized this planet. You came back to try to take over the world! We, someone took note of your evil plan and slipped you a mickey. Again, I jest… it's what I like to do. Anyway, you time is up. It's been a hundred years since you came back to this planet, don't make it too much longer, George. I almost wouldn't mind if you changed the course of music again. It could sure use a classy guy like you. This time, though, leave Ira home. I know you needed him, since your Moon was on his North Node…but you were as good to him as he was for you. He has a Saturn/Uranus conjunction that's closer than yours, only a two-degree orb so he may have been less free-spirited than you were. But his Pallas was on your Moon, so he was always appreciative of your music. And, in his own way, he had a rhythmic way of thinking and he could crank out the lyrics with that Mars in Gemini conjoining Neptune. He really tried being diplomatic with you, but there were times you were a bit too wild and crazy! Blood is thicker than water…you may haves friends, but you'll always have family, dysfunctional as they may be! Well, your association with Ira was always a karmic thing…he really had to keep you in line and keep you out of trouble. But he had an older brother ego and duty. He was doing what he felt was his responsibility. Yeah, at times he was controlling and severe, but he had a good heart. It lasted him a lot longer than yours did…oh, right, it was your brain! Never mind. Ira was a bit more on the introverted side, wasn't he? Oh, you can't tell me, can you. Well, we'll have to hook up through a channel sometime. I suppose I could go into more about Ira but it isn't his centennial.