Kathryn Bigelow is the first woman to win an Oscar for film directing which is amazing considering the show’s been going for over 80 years (or at least it seems like it, during those song and dance routines).

Her award for The Hurt Locker must feel very sweet as she was going up against her ex-husband James Cameron for his monster hit Avatar.

Kathryn is a Sagittarius which rules foreign travel and culture, philosophy, politics, law and religion - themes of which keep featuring in her films (eg Blue Steel, Point Break, K19: The Widowmaker).

She has the planet of action, energy and violence (Mars) in the peaceful, romance-oriented sign of Libra, which rules fairness. She really fights for what is right, whether it is politically correct or not. Kathryn also has Jupiter (generosity, abundance, optimism) in Aries (masculinity, ego, action, war) so yes, she really does enjoy making action flicks!

As the Oscar nominations were announced, transiting Saturn in Libra (relationships, marriage, business partnerships) moved towards a conjunction with her Mars. Saturn rules longevity, endurance, patience and hard work and will make you famous once you’ve earned it - and she became famous for what she put all her energy into. Interestingly, Saturn in Libra insists on fairness and equality so even though most people expected her ex-husband’s behemoth of a movie to scoop the pool of awards, it was her low-budget movie instead.

She also has the Moon’s North Node (a fated position) in Pisces, a sign renowned for film and photography. As the Oscar nominations were revealed, transiting Jupiter (which provides lucky breaks and goodwill, among other things) in Pisces, conjuncted her natal Moon’s North Node.

Her win was meant to happen!

If you a) think it’s too corny to get engaged on Valentine’s Day, b) too “expected, or c) you just like teasing your partner and making them wait(!), ask them to marry you on Wednesday 17 or Sunday 28 February.

The 17th February features the absolutely gorgeous Venus conjunct Jupiter in Pisces aspect. This once-in-12-months planetary line-up offers love, sweetness, generosity, joy and abundance. You couldn’t plan a proposal on a nicer day!

If you’re the type who likes to have the ring organised first and payday came after Valentine’s Day, you could also ask on the equally sweet, lovely and optimistic 28th February when the Sun conjuncts Jupiter in Pisces. It’s also the same day as the Full Moon which is the culmination or fruition of a project and plus, it’s super-romantic being proposed to under a a full moon. 

Pisces also rules karmic links and soulmates so if you’re meant to be together, it’ll just feel “right”.

Good luck!

When I read about singer Katy Perry planning to give her brand-new fiancee, Russell Brand, a lilac Bentley for Valentines Day, I thought, “wooah, there, girl!”

They got engaged very romantically on the Full Moon of New Year’s Eve in India after dating since only September 2009.

Whichever way you cut it, after barely five months, they still don’t know each other very well. Yeah, yeah in THAT sense but it takes time for a person’s chart to unfold.

The strongest aspects around their chart have to do with Uranus (no jokes, please) which indicate sudden, enormous attraction, crackling electricity, independence, unconventionality, friendship, but also a definite on-off quality to their relationship.

The sign your Jupiter is in is where you find fun, joy, generosity, and optimism. Katy has hers in Capricorn. While the Mars-Jupiter conjunction that she has is renowned for being super-impulsive (compulsive, even), Capricorn is not known for being splashy with money and prefers to climb the career ladder, building a solid reputation. She also has the Sun, Moon and Mercury in Scorpio which means she is completely passionate - yet also highly strategic.

While I don’t doubt she fancies Russell’s pants off (his Mars in Aries trines her Venus in Sagittarius - lovely for a romantic, sexual attraction), she’s no fool and knows her flamboyant gesture would get publicised (which kinda ruins the surprise for him).

I’m not convinced that these guys can make it last the distance however. Russell has his Moon, Mars and Jupiter in Aries which means he feels, acts and has fun spontaneously. Plus he’s a Gemini and boy, are they hard to tie down! Katy’s more of a planner so his impulsive proposal may come unstuck as transiting Jupiter and Uranus in Aries (mid-year), Pluto in Capricorn and Saturn in Libra hit their charts over the next couple of years.

Better keep the receipt for the Bentley!!!

If one of your favourite people is a Capricorn, make an extra fuss of them!

They suffer the double whammy of having their birthday around Christmas (when you-know-who tends to forget to stuff a little extra something in his sack for them), and the hangover territory of New Year’s Eve and Day. Plus, if you live in the southern hemisphere, it’s summer so many people are away for your birthday.

These guys are modest, but surprisingly sentimental so please don’t forget their day or “double-up” on their birthday and Christmas gifts!

The archetypcal Cappie is ambititous and keen to climb that career ladder (just think of Alex P. Keaton from Family Ties). They want to look classy, elegant and capable. If you can give them something that has a little cache to it, so much the better. They’re not into bling like Leos and they’re not mad ego-maniacs like many Aries, but they do want to be taken seriously.

Secretly (OK, sometimes openly) snobbish, they just want the very best. They prefer classics to anything trendy and natural fibres to sticky, scratchy polysters. They secretly like fabulous items that make them feel like an old-fashioned millionaire, like smoking jackets, velvet slippers, cashmere coats, real ivory jewellery, vintage accessories, bankers’ green glass reading lamps and Monopoly!

Antiques can have enormous charm for these guys - they just adore the craftsmanship and beauty of the object. If your budget doesn’t run to antique furniture, perhaps antique objet d’art, jewellery, homewares or industrial items could appeal. Capricorn Prime Minister Paul Keating used to collect French clocks, for example, but many Cappies have a collection of some sort.

Many Capricorns often have a very clear path in mind ie finish university (while doing summer internships), work at a blue-chip company for several years, get posted overseas, complete an MBA, launch their own business then sell it out at IPO - or something similar.

Even Gen Y Capricorns have a healthy respect for learning from their superiors and putting in the hard yards. Inspire them with tomes of those super-successful entrepreneurs who made it - and cautionary tales of those who didn’t. They love to hobknob with industry VIPs - could you pay for a year’s airline lounge membership if they’re about to travel overseas?

They’re well-known for taking a long-term view of wealth-building. Perhaps they’d enjoy an investment course or a subscription to Money magazine?

Some of them don’t want to draw any attention to themselves and dress on the boring side. A stylist might give them some practical tips on how they could stylish and presentable. Many Capricorns can look too old for their years so if you know them really well, perhaps a really good moisturiser or classy sunblock wouldn’t go astray…

They want to feel special but don’t want you to spend a lot of money either. This is one sign who doesn’t mind receiving a regifted item - nor hesitate to give it either. They appreciate thriftiness and cleverness so if you (or they) can get a tax deduction, or use frequent flyer points to cash it in for a gift, so much the better.

Most of them are hugely sentimental about their partners. A personalised gift about them as a couple will always work.

Note: Jupiter will be going into their solar third house of communication on 18 January. While they’re not known for being early adopters of technology, if you spring for a new iPhone, laptop, printer or other business-type gizmo, that would be fine with them this year. On the communication theme, they also might appreciate you paying for them to attend a media presentation or public speaking course. Anything that helps them raise their profile - professionally of course - is fine with them.

Sagittarians are ruled by the biggest planet of ‘em all, Jupiter! He rules optimism, expansion and exploration so your typical Sagittarians loves a good holiday! One of their favorite presents is a an airline ticket (even better if it’s open-dated so they can come home - eventually) but if you can’t spring quite that far, give them something that expands their horizons. A gift certificate to a travel agency, hotel, car, airline or adventure company would go down well.

Can you organise a weekend away that combines a fun event - whether it’s the Elvis Festival, a rodeo manned by lanky, tanned cowboys (a favourite look for many Sagittarian girls) or something hilarious like those Finnish wife-carrying races?

They’re fond of the outdoors so some of them may like a deluxe camping chair or bed, outdoor shower unit or gas-powered refrigerator to keep their drinks cool? Many of them are very sporty so they might appreciate roofracks for their surfboard, skis or bike, or perhaps some cool athletic wear.

They love to know about other cultures so you could give them a beautiful coffee table book on Africa, or an amazing souvenir from Asia. They can- and do - pontificate about politics and religion for hours. How about The God Delusion for a real thought-raiser, something about the Dalai Lama or a biography of adventurers such as Amelia Earheart,  Steve Fossett, Jacques Costeau, Joy Adamson, or Ernest Hemingway.

They love a good laugh, too. More cerebral Saggies might prefer comedies by fellow Sagittarian Woody Allen, while others may chuckle at classics ranging from the madcap Marx Bros to the Farrelly Brothers. Male Sagittarians of a certain age might prefer westerns with John Wayne but both sexes should enjoy Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean, or those Errol Flynn swashbuckling classics on DVD.

These guys are one of the few signs who love gags and tricks so yes, woopee cushions are fine with this gang. Younger Saggies might like dress-up kits, too.

Sagittarius rules publishing so you might introduce them to Kindle, or thrill them with a personalised book about themselves that you’ve had specially created for them.

And if you’re still not sure, it’s a rare Sagittarian who doesn’t have a healthy appetite. Since most of them like entertaining, why not put together a hamper containing gourmet meats, sauces, marinades, relishes, nuts, chips and dips for an instant BBQ party?

If you’ve got a diamond ring burning a hole in your pocket (or just the urge to propose), Wednesday 28 October 2009 is a lovely day to get down on a bended knee to pop the question!

Venus (the Goddess of Love and Beauty) will be in Libra (the sign of balance, harmony and relationships) which will make a gorgeous trine to Jupiter (the Santa Claus of the zodiac) in Aquarius (friends, hopes and wishes) that day. There is probably no other combination as romantic, lucky, prosperous, abundant and joyous as this aspect!

On the same day there is also Mercury (communication) in Scorpio (sex, insight, psychology) sextiling Pluto (the planet of transformation) in Capricorn (stability, longevity, conservatism). This combination is fantastic for putting a metaphorical jigsaw puzzle together in a long-term way. Hopefully you are the one who “completes” them.

Plus, Saturn (the Pillar of the Community guy) moves into Libra (see above) the very next day. He WANTS you to get married and to make a commitment! How cool is that?!

One of the loveliest aspects of the year, which is so wonderful in connection with gift-giving, occurs on Saturday 10 October.

The Sun in Libra trines Jupiter in Aquarius. Libra rules love, beauty, harmony, thoughtfulness and pleasing others. Aquarius rules friendship, group activities, camaraderie and hopes and wishes. And fat ol’ Jupiter is the Santa Claus of the sky, offering largesse, fun, generosity, goodwill and expansiveness. Put ‘em all together and you have a beautiful, genuinely happy day when you spot gorgeous Christmas gifts in markets, malls and online that are thoughtful and guaranteed to raise at the very least a brilliant smile, or at most, a whooping yell of “Yayyyyy!” that can be heard around the neighbourhood, plus an enthusiastic, sweep-you-off-your-feet hug that nearly knocks your little glass of sherry off the side table.

If you’re kinda fond of that reaction (who isn’t?!), go shopping for Christmas gifts on Saturday 10 October. Uh, one word of warning - you may shrug your shoulders at the price tag and put it on your already swelling credit cards. Potential gifts spotted today are likely to be a little more expensive that you had planned, but they’ll love ‘em!

Have you filled out our Christmas Gifts Survey yet?

I read that Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) loves the gifts that her World’s Sexiest Man, David Beckham, gives her.

Ha! I would, too. Apart from renting out Richard Branson’s beautiful Necker Island in the Carribbean to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary, ol’ Golden Balls also had 10 roses tattooed around his arms to celebrate their 10 years of  marriage.

According to Becks, “I always seem to do pretty well,” he says. “She always seems to be happy with the gifts that I get her.”

Yes, indeed. From an astrological point of view, they are really meant to be. His Mars in Gemini conjuncts her Venus in Gemini while her Venus in Pisces conjuncts his Mars in Pisces. Such a double Venus-Mars conjunction is very unusual - and very, very hot! They still madly fancy each other after all these years and are right in tune - even down to gift-giving.

His Mars in Pisces also conjuncts her Jupiter in Pisces. Mars is what you desire and Jupiter is what brings you joy. David truly desires Victoria’s happiness and recognises that extravagant - yet also wildly romantic - gifts are what she wants. She’s also an Aries, with Mercury in Aries - and they’re not shy about saying what they need!

Victoria has Venus conjuncting Jupiter in Pisces in her seventh house of relationships. Venus is what you love and it’s conjunct Jupiter which is what brings you joy, while Pisces, rules music, movies, mysticism, glamour and feet! The seventh house rules her marriage so she is deeply delighted when Becks sweeps off her feet with romantic gestures and gifts.

They really get each other as they both have the Moon in Aquarius and both of their Suns are in each other’s eleventh house of friends and group activities. They will stay friends no matter what.

Finally, Victoria has a Leo Ascendant which is a prime candidate for somewhat diva-ish, look-at-me behaviour on the outside. Romance, beauty, love and fun are very key for her. David on the other hand has a Cancer Ascendant. He is well-known for being a family man and has often cried after losing important soccer matches.

Well, if he needs cheering up…

If your favourite Virgo is celebrating his or her birthday, I hope you’ve marked it in your diary/Outlook calendar, have left enough time to get their present there on time AND call them on the day. Well, they would do it for you! Most Virgos have an amazing memory and mentally file away everyone’s birthdays, anniversaries etc so they can deliver a gift on YOUR day. You might be surprised to know that they’re secretly wounded by people forgetting their birthday and quietly, desperately need you to prove that they’re special.

So, what to get them? One of the nicest things you can give them is a break from the housework that they tend to feel overwhelmed by. When too much is going on in their lives - and it has been thanks to Saturn in Virgo putting immense pressure on them since August 2007 not to mention Uranus in Pisces freaking them right out with undependable partners - they tend to clean, polish, sweep, vacuum, scrub, and wash etc to get some sense of order back. So as you might imagine, they have been cleaning up a storm for a couple of years…Give them a well-deserved break.

They also love a good de-cluttering. They have Pisces on the seventh house of relationships which can make them hate to throw things away that their loved ones have given them and have Sagittarius on the fourth house of home and family which suggests they live with complete grots (sorry, disorganised people). Call in the professional organisers - it will make them silly with happiness!

Saturn in your own sign is, shall we say, a little heavy-going on one’s self-esteem and attitudes towards one’s looks. Is it time for a professional stylist to freshen up their look with more flattering clothes, a haircut or better make-up choices? They just lurrve those makeover shows!

Pluto in Capricorn entered their solar fifth house of love and creativity in January 2009 and will be there until 2024. Pluto rules Scorpio so anything that promotes a bit of lovin’ and kissin’ - can you babysit the kids for the weekend? - is ideal. Virgos love step-by-step manuals and since there are all sorts of interesting how-to books to do with lovemaking, this could be a a naughty thrill!

Jupiter is in Aquarius is their sixth house of work and health until January 2010. Jupiter is what you find fun. Personally I’d like to steer away the emphasis from work for Virgo - it’s waaaay too easy for them to be workaholics - so please don’t give them leather-bound diaries or desk organisers - yuck! Springing for some new bookshelves for their home office - the Expedit ones from IKEA are very popular - might be OK, as might picking up a cute little handbag-sized laptop for them.

Or let’s consider the health side of things. Perhaps you could spring for a personal trainer, a new gym membership, some cute workout clothes, the Low GI Diet book, a delivery of fresh fruit and vegies, or at least a good, deep Swedish massage. The sixth house also rules pets. Have they been pressing their nose up against the puppies’ window at the local pet store or RSPCA? If a little doggie or kitty-kat could fit into their lifestyle, a pet could make a wonderful surprise gift.

Books are also pretty well-received. Since they love to know how things work and what makes people tick, why not check out the latest round of self-help/inspirational books?

Oh boy! I would love to know what is going on with this family!

An 11-year-old in Britain has been reported as the country’s most spoilt child, receiving approximately $300,000 in clothes and gifts (we’re talking about $2,300 a month, EVERY month, people) since she was born.

Her mother Alison MacKay, who must be the world’s best paid hairdresser, apparently started this insane and revolting spending spree since Brogan was born, lavishing her with Gucci loafers before the toddler could walk, giving her the latest Jimmy Choo shoes, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Chanel handbags, as well as a $1,100 flatscreen TV, iPhone and everything else you could poke a maxed-out credit card at.

Alison apparently “can’t go into a shop without buying Brogan something….She’s always been obsessed with her looks and I’m happy to work extra hours to buy her new clothes.”

Her dad is no better. According to Alison, Stephen “doesn’t mind. He just says, ‘Oh, let her have it.’ We have no savings but he believes in living for the day.”

What a psychological smorgasbord for a future counsellor to pick over.

While I don’t have any of their birth charts, Brogan is currently 11 years old. Allowing for this pre-teen to have just turned 11, or about to turn 12, she was born sometime between August 1997 and July 1998. Throughout this year-long period, Saturn was in Aries (between 20 to 29 degrees). Saturn rules what you’re insecure about, feel guilty about, get criticised for and have lessons in which to learn. Aries rules the physical body and is well-known for its overly healthy ego. When Saturn is in Aries, it can make for a person who is hugely insecure about their looks, yet who is also has guilt about feeling that it is ”all about them”. Brogan is going to be in for some pain if she thinks handbags and shoes can make her feel good about herself.

Her parents seem to be lacking that vital body part: a spine. Alison seems to have Neptune (glamour, illusion, addiction) in overdrive, buying her young daughter endless gifts. She “cannot go into a shop without buying Brogan something”. She really needs help! Her Dad is playing Good-Time Dad, which can often be an overly generous, irresponsible Jupiter at large. Jupiter hates responsibility and certainly doesn’t like the idea of savings.

As Pluto works his inexorable way through Capricorn (he’ll be there til 2024), we’ll all be taking much greater financial responsibility for ourselves. Pluto rules resources (anything from mineral to human) and you have to make the most of what you’ve got.  I think that when Brogan’s Saturn in Aries squares Pluto in Capricorn, (from about 2017 onwards), if she or her parents haven’t addressed this, there could be some real tears to be shed.