Star Struck Style

January 22 is Malcolm McLaren’s birthday.

In my last post, I discussed how Aquarius natives can be let down by sun-sign astrology because Aquarius is the weakest position of the sun — any astrologer knows that. Still, we have to look at the sun and figure out its importance in a chart, just like we have to prioritize every other chart factor. Sun signs are important. Someone needs to talk about them!

I was just looking at Malcolm McLaren’s natal chart. Of any individual in the 20th century, no one had a better understanding of the relationship between music and fashion. Sure, he had his critics, but he knew exactly what he was doing when he mined the trends and pointed us all in the direction he wanted us to go.

What I found confusing about his chart was his close conjunction (less than a degree) of Mars and Saturn. That aspect is often described as something that inhibits (Saturn) energy (Mars) and bestows an individual with poor timing. It had the exact opposite effect on Malcolm McLaren. It endowed him with the power (Mars) to utilize (Saturn) other people’s talents to promote himself.

I guess that the big problem with interpreting anything in astrology is the idea that there are good and bad planets. Making the assumption that a Mars/Saturn conjunction is going to be negative is like making the assumption that an Aquarius native is going to demonstrate the qualities of their sun sign, despite the inherent weakness of the sun in that position. Everything has to be interpreted within the context of the chart itself.

Nevertheless, we can’t stop talking about stereotypical interpretations because the stereotypes have developed for a reason. When I’m going on and on about some astrological cliche, it’s because that cliche is grounded in reality. I’m trying to provide some perspective on the subject by showing how things usually work, not how they always work. We all do it, no matter what chart factor we’re discussing. The difference between me and many of my critics is that I can admit that I do it. And like Malcolm McLaren, I’m not ashamed to admit that it’s great to make a buck or two from my chosen vocation.

McLaren once said “I have been called many things: a charlatan, a con man, or, most flatteringly, the culprit responsible for turning British popular culture into nothing more than a cheap marketing gimmick. This is my chance to prove that these accusations are true.” If you replace “British popular culture” with “astrology,” you’ll understand where I’d like to take my career in the next few years. I’d like to be the Malcolm McLaren of astrology.

Soon . . .