Carol:
June Star-Gazers
In America, June is the traditional wedding month although I can’t think of a single person in my family who got married in June. Not that June isn’t a big celebration anyway—six family members have birthdays between June7-15, their ages ranging from six to seventy-six. We are celebrating the 50th birthday of one family member next weekend in California, all those Geminis in one place.
I confess a certain fascination with Astrology, enough that I kept the newspapers with the astrological forecasts on the dates my children were born. And, I do take a quick peek at the daily horoscopes, which I only share with my husband if they back up a brilliant idea I have concocted or make dire predictions about my Libra spouse’s day.
We got behind in our schedule today (as always happens when the cleaning people come), so I promised another Libra in the family that I wouldn’t spend too much time lingering over the dangers of narrow-mindedness, keeping my research to a minimum. So, I thought I was on pretty safe ground choosing astrology because I do know my Sign. So, what do I find out? That I really needed to have my birth chart cast to examine the alignments between the planets for a more accurate analysis of my “predispositions” and that I not only have a Sun sign but a Moon sign and an element and a ruler. Too much for my brain to handle this afternoon.
I did find a site I like, which means the description of Geminis is to my liking.
A pure Geminean is a person with whom it is almost impossible to argue for any length of time. His/her mind is so subtle, moving ahead like quicksilver, that one can never be quite sure what one is arguing about. Gemineans have golden tongues as well as quicksilver minds; like the monkeys of Chinese Astrology, they can charm the birds off the trees, induce others to follow courses of action which they don't really think advisable, and fascinate almost anyone they wish. (source: Futurescopes.com)
Well, I can tell you that we June borns’s DO like our debates and WILL argue for any length of time on any subject. My mother, who was not a Gemini, used to start every family gathering with the admonition “No arguing, no politics, please.” Yeah, right! And since the Geminis in my family not only represent a variety of ages but a variety of political and religious viewpoints, we have lots to argue about. And, we do it loudly. Just ask the family members who don’t have June birthdays.
Apparently, astrology wasn’t all that popular in American until after World War I when a British astrologer named Nayor started putting horoscopes in the daily newspaper. An interesting website called “North Texas Skeptics” notes that 90% of Americans under 30 know their astrological sign and that there are 10,000 astrologers in the United States and only 3,000 astronomers. And, according to the same website, Americans spend over 200 million dollars a year consulting those 10,000 astrologers while only about 100 million dollars is spent on non-space related basic research in astronomy. Now, that’s scary!
Sources:
Astrology Fact Sheet. North Texas Skeptics.
“Gemini—characteristics and profile of the Gemini man, woman, child and baby.”
Megan:
This is one of those topics where I think it’s gonna be a good one until I actually sit down to write about it and everything I want to say is obvious and cliché. Being narrow-minded limits a person, makes informed decisions impossible, and contributes to discriminatory practices. Broadening a mind can be done through reading and research, but is probably best achieved through action. For example, one can read about other countries and cultures, but travelling and meeting new people in real life is much better.
So, there. Essay done.
* * *
What’s that? Ninety-two words isn’t sufficient?
Ok. I’ll tell you why today’s essay is so late (it’s almost related). Now that I’ve been unemployed for a year, I’ve decided it’s time to take some classes and acquire some new skills. I’m starting slow though. I’m starting with PE.
A few weeks ago, my father emailed me a brochure for a weight loss and nutrition class. He never emails me, and I took this as a hint, so I deleted said email and cursed him loudly in my mind. This was not a complete overreaction on my part as he has a history of encouraging me to lose weight (or as he puts it, “eat healthier”). There was also the time when I asked him how much it would cost to go to Hawaii, and he said “It ‘s free but you should put a dollar in the basket when it passes.“
I paused and then said, “What is it you think I just asked you?”
“How much does it cost to go to OA?”
See what I mean?
Anyway, after the anger subsided, I whined about the email to my mother who told me that my father had been hoping we could take the class together and that softened my heart towards him a little bit. So I went ahead and registered, had a look at what else was on offer and signed up for Pilates too.
The first Pilates class was this morning, which is sort of the reason the essays are late (other reasons include but are not limited to the early arrival of the cleaning service, an emergency load of laundry, and a sudden desire to rearrange the furniture in my bedroom).The last time I took a Pilates class was about ten years ago, and I weighed at least 60 pounds less. Pilates is so much harder than it used to be. I almost died.
It will be interesting to see how the next 8-10 weeks go with the two classes. If I am able to apply what I learn in the nutrition class, then Pilates will get easier. And I might end up with a narrower waist and a broader mind (I told you I could make it relate).
Ok. I’ll tell you why today’s essay is so late (it’s almost related). Now that I’ve been unemployed for a year, I’ve decided it’s time to take some classes and acquire some new skills. I’m starting slow though. I’m starting with PE.
A few weeks ago, my father emailed me a brochure for a weight loss and nutrition class. He never emails me, and I took this as a hint, so I deleted said email and cursed him loudly in my mind. This was not a complete overreaction on my part as he has a history of encouraging me to lose weight (or as he puts it, “eat healthier”). There was also the time when I asked him how much it would cost to go to Hawaii, and he said “It ‘s free but you should put a dollar in the basket when it passes.“
I paused and then said, “What is it you think I just asked you?”
“How much does it cost to go to OA?”
See what I mean?
Anyway, after the anger subsided, I whined about the email to my mother who told me that my father had been hoping we could take the class together and that softened my heart towards him a little bit. So I went ahead and registered, had a look at what else was on offer and signed up for Pilates too.
The first Pilates class was this morning, which is sort of the reason the essays are late (other reasons include but are not limited to the early arrival of the cleaning service, an emergency load of laundry, and a sudden desire to rearrange the furniture in my bedroom).The last time I took a Pilates class was about ten years ago, and I weighed at least 60 pounds less. Pilates is so much harder than it used to be. I almost died.
It will be interesting to see how the next 8-10 weeks go with the two classes. If I am able to apply what I learn in the nutrition class, then Pilates will get easier. And I might end up with a narrower waist and a broader mind (I told you I could make it relate).
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