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 can add a little magic to their birthday, you make your favourite Pisces so much happier.

Pisces are the agony aunts of the zodiac who people come to with their problems, wanting a sympathetic ear, a hug and a little wallow of self-pity. Unlike say, Capricorns or Scorpios who’ll gruffly tell you to snap out of it, Pisces really want to help.

When they’re at their best, they’re selfless, kind, compassionate, sensitive and supportive. To BE at their best, they need support in return, which means remembering their birthday.

You can make their birthday a wonderful one by making an effort. Since Pisces rules the feet, they are especially fond of shoes. Teenage and twenty-something Pisces boys will always appreciate another pair of cool runners. Pisces women usually have an enormous shoe collection so a shoe bag would make a thoughtful modest gift. Splashing out? Give them a gift certificate for beautiful shoes - and you get extra brownie points if they’re for handmade and/or customised shoes.

You can also give them magic! They love tinkly windchimes, terrariums, crystal ornaments that refract the light into a thousand little rainbows and velvet throws which are vaguely Steve-Nicks. Most New Age shops have a “Oh, wow!” item that’s sure to intrigue them.

If they’ve got the right lifestyle, you could melt a Pisces heart by giving them a little puppy or kitten - bonus points if you go out to the local animal shelter to go and save one. If they live in an apartment, you could give them a pair of goldfish and decorate the bowl with a castle, treasure chest, diver and plants. Very calming (that’s why dentists have aquariums in their waiting rooms).

Neptune, which rules Pisces, rules glamour and they can’t have enough of it. Take them away from their ordinary humdrum existence with items which suggest an otherworldly, special glittering place. It could be as fun as a silk palm tree for them to pretend they’re in the tropics or a beautiful artwork which takes their breath away. If they were in a movie, what character would they play? Ask them. If they haven’t had it done yet, treat to them to a feng shui consultation.

Music simply transports them. A guitar could thrill a male Pisces while the girls might be happy to spend hours browsing through CDs thanks to a gift card. Again, you can’t go wrong with an iTunes card.

Most of them just lurrrve getting their fortunes done, too. You could delight them no end by paying for them to enjoy a reading with a clairvoyant, psychic, numerologist, astrologer or tarot card reader. Many Pisces might like a gift voucher to their favourite esoteric bookshop.

Some of them have weak constitutions and like their polar opposites, Virgo, can be inclined to get a little too ill a little too often. Give them a boost with a consultation with a homeopath. If you don’t want to go that far, a massage will do. Flush with cash? Treat them to a swanky health retreat for their birthday.

Those Pisces who are not of a materialistic bent will appreciate you giving money to their favourite charity on their behalf. Make sure you include the receipt in their card.

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!

A new Valentines Day gifts survey has found that while many women receive flowers, what they really want is a romantic weekend away or a personalised gift from their partner.

The online survey by It’s In The Stars found that what women wanted to receive for Valentine’s Day was a weekend away (30.4%), a romantic personalised gift (22.9%) or jewellery (17.6%).

What they’re actually getting are flowers (41.9%), chocolate (14.7%) and personalised gifts (11.0%). While 3.6% had received lingerie, not one woman wanted it as a Valentine’s Day gift.

Of the three age groups, Generation X (31-43 years) was the most likely to receive flowers (55.8%), while Gen Y women (18-30 years) got the personalised romantic gifts (19.0%) and Baby Boomer women recieved chocolate (17.9%).

I’d say that men might get the raw end of the bargain on 14 February as 82.4% of all women spent less than $100 on their last Valentine’s Day gift!

Gen X women are the most likely to spend under $50 (43.1%) but also over $200 (12.1%). Gen Ys stump up for gifts $101-$200 (13.3%) while Baby Boomer women prefer to spend $51-$100 (46.3%).

The top five locations where women bought their Valentine’s Day gifts were department stores (27.0%), specialty/personalised gift websites (16.8%), big box retailer eg Target (13.9%), boutique/specialty stores (10.9%), and supermarket/grocery stores (7.3%).

Women living in rural/regional areas were twice as likely as city girls to buy Valentine’s Day gifts online from a specialty/personalised gift website (25.6% vs 12.1%).

Just over half (52.3%) of all respondents would give their partner a gift certificate for Valentine’s Day.

And finally, the Sun sign voted as the best Valentine’s Day gift-giver was an equal tie between Cancer and Pisces (12.2% each), with Gemini and Aquarius in second place (10.0% each) and followed by Taurus (9.3%).

Aries men are the least likely to have have given a great Valentine’s Day gift (5.0%).

Some Sun signs luvrrve Valentines Day and all its romantic trappings (guess who?!) while others loathe it. How does your partner react to Valentines Day?

If they’re a typical:

Aries - they could be all hot and heavy, keen and ardent (especially if you have other suitors after you) or frankly selfish and ignore the whole day if you’ve been together for years. They tend to do things in a rush so they might pick up a bunch of flowers and a box of Cadbury Roses from the service station at the last minute.

Taurus - they tend to like doing the same things, over and over and over. If you received roses last year, it’s a pretty good bet you’ll get ‘em this year too. Got a favourite restaurant?  You could well be there too on the day. Most Taureans like floral fragrances, on the sweet side, such as magnolia. Anything that affects their five senses is off to a good start.

Gemini - they love surprises and novelty. They may start the day off with a cute text message or love note on your pillow. They can write fantastic love letters when they’re in the mood. These are the ones who may surprise you with one of those personalised novels with both of you starring in it. Then again these are the guys who will make light of your 50-year marriage with a joke card.

Cancer - male Cancers feel put-upon and obligated to “do” Valentines Day, grumbling it’s all a commercial exercise. Female Cancers are devastated if their mate forgets or organises nothing and will hold a grudge for the following week. No money? Cook ‘em a wonderful meal at home.

Leo - I hope you have some money if you’re with a Leo! Only the best will do, thanks. Valentines Day is your chance (along with their birthday, anniversary, Christmas.. you get the idea) to prove how much you worship (sorry, LOVE) them. While Valentines Day falls on a Sunday this year, they are especially happy if their colleagues go green with envy as a courier delivers a glorious package/hamper etc to them at work.

Virgo - you can probably save your money if you’re with a Virgo as they’re most likely to see it as corny, demeaning and a waste of money. That said though, if you do a load of washing, the dishes, some vacuuming and the bathroom that will put them in the mood for a bit of loving’ and squeezin’ faster than any box of candy will.

Libra - pull out all the stops, guys. I know Valentines Days falls during Sun in Aquarius, but really, this is Libra’s day! Whether you’re giving them chocolates, flowers, jewellery, lingerie, perfume, personalised romantic gifts, a restaurant dinner, weekend away or all of the above, don’t stint - and don’t ignore them.

Scorpio - the types of gifts Scorpios like to receive aren’t the ones I can publish here… Do nothing however and watch out!

Sagittarius - they love chocolate, laugh at lingerie and tend to lose jewellery, so if you can wing it, give them a weekend away where you can explore something. Both sexes see themselves as adventurers so try something new.

Capricorns - female Capricorns are curiously sensitive to time passing and often put arbitrary deadlines on things ie Christmas - met the parents. New Year’s - decided to move in. Valentines Day - proposal??? This is a good time to let them know where they stand. Married Capricorns like to discuss plans for the future too. Oh, and a little bauble from Tiffany’s doesn’t hurt.

Aquarius - again, this is another bunch who find the concept icky. They’re most likely to arrange a casual BBQ with friends, taking particular care to invite those who are single so no-one feels left out. If you arrange anything, make it novel and unique.

Pisces - these guys are romantics on par with Librans. If you make no effort only to discover they’ve arranged some magical day for you, they will be crushed. Their ability to express their deepest feelings for you is touching - and memorable. While I wouldn’t normally recommend giving pets as gifts, these are the ones who would go ga-ga over a new puppy, kitten, hamster or school of goldfish. They keep all their cards and gifts from exes so ask them casually what their favourite gift was as it will give you a clue.

People love receiving personalised gifts as it makes them feel special and cherished.

But unless you have a rough idea of what the item’s going to look like, you can worry that you’ve got the spelling right, ticked the right colour or even the correct size.

There are quite a few websites now which provide real-time personalisation so that you can see a mock-up of what your completed gift would look like. Here’s some of my favourites:

American Medical ID - great for family members who may have a serious condition, you can “engrave” in real-time a necklace or bracelet from 14kt, 10kt, sterling silver or stainless steel, and it has engraving samples and tips so you know what to add. If your mum or grandmother is a Cancer, this might stop them worrying.

Just for fun, create a magazine cover with their photo, the theme (ie wedding, anniversary, new baby) and magazine-style headlines ie “6 Things You Never Knew About Samantha and John” or whatever. Perfect for Aries and Leos.

If you really know their favourite colours for their lips, eyes, nails and blush, you can custom-blend cosmetics for them, even including the colour intensity and exras like shimmering glitter for nail polish. Even better, you can send in your old, discontinued favourite lipstick or nail polish etc and get them to colour-match it for you! A lovely gift idea for Taureans and Librans.

One of the most imaginative customised gift websites I’ve ever seen is Shapeways which lets you create 3D printing of your designs. You could have the words of a favourite poem, for example, laser-cut into a candle-holder or into cool napkin rings which would have to be one of the most amazing Valentines Day, anniversary or wedding gifts ever!

Hardcover photo books are not really that new now but Pixable lets you select your photos from Facebook, Flickr or your computer, upload AND receive them within 3 days! Great for Geminis.

For the aviation buff who has nearly everything, you can order a customised airline cart (yes, the trolleys that the hosties roll down the aircraft aisle) from Alcarts in one of 10 colours. Ideal for those with their own plane(!), this storage item is also an original conversation piece as you serve food and beverages in your office, garage, patio, shop or kitchen. I can see this appealing to Aquarians and Sagittarians!

Everyone loves their own name! A cute gift for a new baby or perhaps a housewarming gift is letter art photography by Alphabet Photography. Each “letter” is a photo of an everyday object (such as a door handle) that resembles the letter of the alphabet. A sweet gift for a Pisces as is this one from GrowShow which lets you upload photos in chronological order so you can see the development of your child over time. It also has interlocking photo frames so you can add to them as your child gets older.

Love to theme a party all the way through? Now you can personalise your disposable party plates with photos, text and colour for anniversaries, birthdays, Halloween, with a fun service from Hallmark. I see this being particularly popular for children’s parties!

Candles are always popular with women and now you can customise them with Lumnique, packaged in a nice rectangular glass jar. Select the intention ie peace, love etc, the colour and from 72 fragrances, ranging from the traditional, such as rose, to the frankly unusual, such as Hansel and Gretel (which I’m guessing must smell like gingerbread)!

If you’re looking for a gift with a difference for your favourite health freak, look no further. Now you can customise your own energy bars (chewy, oaty, cripsy), add fruits, nuts and sweets (ranging from chocolate chips to maple syrup), and even fibre or other nutrients, all the while seeing the nutritional panel adjust in real time for sugar, fat, carbohydrate etc. And to cap it off, you can even have your name on the packaging - how cool is that?! I’m going to order some from Element Bars for my Virgo sister!

Most people are familiar with the Successories framed prints in gift shops full of inspirational photos and sayings. Now you can customise your own, using their gallery of images but adding your own message. I think a subversive-style message (ie a straight picture and a sarcastic message) could really amuse a Scorpio, and maybe some Capricorns…

I love the mobile phone covers by GelaSkins - they’re amazing! From manga cartoons to Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, you’re sure to find something amazing here. Most importantly, you can upload your own photos, message and designs to cover covers for your mobile, iPod, laptop, gaming device or Kindle which would impress even the hardest-to-please teen.

If you find clothes hard to fit and you’re forever getting items altered, you might like to check out the customised outfits at April Marin. They make a small range of pretty, tailor-made dresses, allowing you to customise the lengths and widths of everything important!

Does your favourite friend or family member post particularly witty bon mots on Twitter? Did you know that Tweetbookz now lets you create high-quality books containing Tweets from any Twitter account? It might be a lovely gift for a small business owner! 

And last, but certainly not least, I was entranced by Princess Chic which enables you to build your own pair of shoes! From classic stilettos and platform pumps to ballet flats and high-heeled sandals, you can select your material from leather, satin, suede, snake, croc or fish skins, from 17 colours and sizes from 5-11.

According to the wedding gurus at GetMarried, the US holiday season between Thanksgiving (the last Thursday in November) through to Valentines Day is the most popular season for engagements with approximately 35-40% (or 550,00-650,000 couples) getting married in the 12-18 months afterwards.

Here are their top 10 bridal trend predictions for 2010. Some of them are frankly, a little weird, but there are a few others which could be added to a novel gift registry, especially if you need help with wedding expenses.

1. Non-linear wedding aisle.
Well marriage is hardly linear, more of a game of Twister and Monopoly with a Get Out Of Jail Free card so maybe that’s the idea? Or is it to be photographed on your best angle? I truly doubt this one will take off… If it does, a Gemini, Scorpio or Aquarius would be the most likely candiate.

2. Comfort foods
When the economy tanks, everyone wants to go back to basics which is great news for your wallet (although maybe not your waistline). Why not consider adding your catering bill to your gift registry, ask Uncle Tim to share some of his dusty bottles in the cellar or have your aunt make the cupcakes. And everyone really does love chicken. Comfort foods are nirvana to Taureans and Cancerians.

3.  Gifting techie gadgetry
Technology is a tricky one because it becomes obsolete so quickly, making your friends and family waste their money on something you can’t keep. Whatever PDA, iPhone or other techie gadget you get in 2010 is unlikely to be any use in say 2015.  However, for the retro girl/guy marrying that iPod addict, why not consider buying software that convert records to a digital file? One for the Aquarians.

4. Texture-inspired invitations
Embossed, die-cut and engraved invitations are the go for 2010 as they’re supposed to mimic your wedding decor. Unfortunately the bride will be the only one who notices the seamless theming. Yes, you could ask for someone to pay for your invites as their gift to you but um, don’t. This trend could suit the Virgos.

5. Cobalt blue
This colour is set to be the hottest colour for brides in 2010. And in about oh, 10 years or so when everyone looks at your bridesmaids in this electrically charged 80s colour (I was very fond of it myself then), they will laugh. What about keeping it to gifts like vases, table linen, candlesticks, picnicware, or cushion covers? I see this one suiting fun-loving Sagittarius.

6. Wear-again bridesmaid dresses
I like this trend. Whether you or your bridesmaids are paying for their dresses, it’s nice to think the frocks will get some wear again, like regifting…Pisces are super-sentimental and will appreciate this one.

7. Three-dimensional save-the-dates
Here’s they’re talking about items like paper umbrellas to signify a destination wedding. This is where you might want to add honeymoon excursions and attractions to your gift registry. Or even a B&B gift certificate for when you get home and feel a bit anti-climactic. Sagittarius again.

8. Old Hollywood glam for men
Think Cary Grant - even George Clooney. If your man doesn’t have a good pair of shoes, why not put that in your wedding gift registry. He will have them for years! This will thrill the Librans and Leos.

9. Blogger brides
Blogging about your wedding planning is becoming surprisingly common. If you’re a techie yourself, maybe you could give her free hosting, cool apps or a hand at programming as your wedding gift? If they can make their blog into a money-making exercise, this trend might suit Capricorn while Gemini might try it just for fun.

10. Personalised everything
Last, but definitely not least, brides want a wedding which is completely customised for them, from personalised invitations, monogrammed guest books, and made-to-order favours to gifts which are all about the couple.  Some of these things are fun but just add to the cost of your wedding. In addition to the array of personalised homewares and books you could ask for, I think a personalised set of cards and envelopes embossed with your names and address would be a nice addition to your gift registry. And you just know your aunt would buy it as that would give you the stationery on which to write your thank you cards! This trend will suit Aries, Leo and Libra (who likes everything matching).

Cyber Monday is the five-year-old phenomenon attributed to online retailers who feature amazing sales on the Monday following Thanksgiving. The day after Thanksgiving (always on a Thursday) is the curiously-named Black Friday which is the Day From Hell at bricks-and-mortar stores and malls when shoppers beat each other to death over a pair of shoes on sale (I’m joking…just).

Cyber Monday (this year on 30 November) avoids the hysterics, allowing you to shop online at home (or at work when your boss’s back is turned). There is even an official Cyber Monday website for shoppers where you can make enormous savings on their Christmas gift purchases.

However, on 30 November, Mercury in Sagittarius is squaring Uranus in Pisces. Mercury rules communication, Uranus (electronics), Sagittarius (travel and publishing) and Pisces (glamour and escapism). Mercury is a trickster at the best of times and Uranus is renowned for shocking and upsetting people.

People shopping online for electronics (ranging from mobile phones , iPhones and printers through to massive plasma TVs) could purchase a too-good-to-be-true deal on Cyber Monday. The product may have to be returned for repairs, it may fail to do what it’s supposed to do or it just doesn’t work with your existing electronic items (ie they’re now obsolete).

Others may receive an email promotion which has - disappointingly - already ended by the time they get to checkout or that the products are already out of stock. Yet more may be alarmed to find that their computer goes down which prevents them from shopping. And other people may be shocked to discover a bill they weren’t expecting has emptied their bank and/or credit card accounts, thus making it impossible for them to shop online.

If you shop on Cyber Monday, make sure the store has secure-socket layer (SSL) technology, a phone number you can actually call to speak to someone (not those websites with only email fields in the Contact Us section), and a money-back guarantee.

Once you’ve chalked up nearly two years of marriage, you graduate from the first paper wedding anniversary gifts and onto the potentially more expensive cotton gifts.

The common thread (ahem) for cotton gifts seems to be mainly homewares or clothing-related items, but you can still have some fun with them!

The ones that caught my eye were the customised queen-size duvet cover (Aries lurrrve personalised gifts) that you can personalise with your own photo (or from the photo gallery) from Vision Bedding or if your partner hogs the bed, you can draw the line who sleeps where - literally with Bedhog.com’s His and Hers sheet sheet (Geminis love a good gag gift) or if you’re after a “classier” cotton-themed present, give them a monogrammed cotton throw from The Golden Ribbon (ideal for your Capricorn or Taurus).

If you happen to be buying a second wedding anniversary gift for say, your best friend and don’t want it to be about their bedlinen, some nice thirsty towels would do the trick!

Have your favourite photo printed on cotton canvas (Leos will be delighted) or what about getting him a custom-made cotton business shirt (great for Virgos) or a fun t-shirt about your second wedding anniversary (Aquarians aren’t that mushy). Or snuggle up together in a comfortable cotton hammock (ideal for dreamy Pisces or sexy Scorpios) after he’s fired up the BBQ (especially if he’s a Sagittarius)…

And what girl doesn’t love a pretty broderie anglaise cami! (Cancers and Librans adore them.)

Ah, you gotta make these guys feel special! They’re much too polite to say so (actually, they’re usually just much too polite for their own good), but they die a little inside if you don’t make them feel loved and adored!

And please don’t forget their birthday either as they’re always thinking about how to make other people feel happy, so it’s time for them to have the favour returned. Librans (and Leos, Cancer and Pisces too actually) are devastated if you overlook their Big Day. Think about signing up with a free online birthday reminder service and make sure you tick the 30-, 14- or 7-day prior reminders, too.

Libra is ruled by Venus which rules love, beauty, art, and general gorgeousness. Imagine a charming and well-mannered beauty queen and you’re getting close! Think about the type of upkeep it takes to be a beauty queen, that might give you some clues, too. Facial? Mani/pedi? Perma-tan?

Since Libra rules relationships and marriage, you can’t go wrong with something that relates to them being a couple - and even more so on improving it if they have any planets in next-door neighbour Virgo). Single Libran girls like relationship self-help books like The Rules, He’s Just Not That Into You (actually, they know who likes them, they just need help navigating the seas of singledom, especially when someone is treating them badly), Men Are From Mars (I think John Gray must be onto his tenth type in the series - Mars and Venus on a Date was the last variant I remember). Libran men pretend they don’t like those kind of books - then again, they’re the ones swiping your copy of InStyle. Which is another gift suggestion, actually.

Perhaps you could shout your favourite Libra, a classy speed-date event, an opening night at the theatre, art gallery, ritzy musical or dinner at a three-chef hat restaurant so they can dress up.

They lurrrve clothes, jewellery, shoes and accessories (and that’s just the men). Anything from a clothing store gift certificate to an open cheque to spend breakfast at Tiffany’s would be great. What about giving them a stylist to help them chujz up their wardrobe for summer?

Still no clue? Both sexes love flowers and are often a little overcome at the sight of a stunning bouquet heading their way. Can you get a courier to deliver something to them in person or at least to their desk so everyone else oohs and ahhs at what they’ve been given?

And don’t forget the greeting card to go with your expertly wrapped present (spend extra and get it done properly). I’m thinking a mushy Hallmark one with flowers on it - not one of those cheap jokey cartoon ones that tease people about their age. No, my dear, that really will Not Do.