Planet Waves Monthly | October 2007

Sex Toys and the Politics of Orgasm | By Rachel Kramer
Policing women's sex toy use isn't new, but the meaning of the vibrator has changed dramatically over time. The Technology of Orgasm shows how women's sexuality, pleasure and masturbation have been regarded alternately as taboo and important, flip-flopping back and forth between being in vogue and cloaked in secrecy and shame.

Bloggers Who Risked All to Reveal the Brutal Crackdown in Burma
Internet geeks share a common style, and Ko Latt and his four friends would not be out of place in cyber cafés across the world. They have the skinny arms and the long hair, the dark T-shirts and the jokey nicknames. But few such figures have ever taken the risks that they have in the past few weeks, or achieved so much in a noble and dangerous cause.

Planet Waves Astrology News | By Eric Francis
Planet Waves premium edition is now better than ever, with more detailed horoscopes, articles about your role in global changes, and excellent birthday reports. Learn more at the link above. Read our vision statement here, which describes our plans at Planet Waves.

Top 10 Sources of Astrology News | Fun! Edited by Elsa
This excellent website, edited by Elsa P., lists the latest news in the worlds of astrology and cultural astronomy. "What are astrologers talking about today? A diverse and growing community of astrologers and bloggers create a dynamic and constantly updating source of astrology-themed news and commentary. Enjoy!" you can also send your submissions, whether yours or someone else's; look for contact info on the site.

Astrology Questions and Answers | From Elsa Elsa
Elsa is also doing an astrology question and answer site that is actively looking for questions. These may be seeking advice, or on astrology in general. Comments are also welcome. Make them short and pointed. Write it over a few times till you know what you're really asking -- then submit. Meanwhile, you can read Elsa's abundant wisdom at this site, and also see her excellent astrology video snips for free.

The Seven Definitions of Monogamy | By Eric Francis
Back by a stroke of synchronicity, this article, originally from the Scorpio Section and now from the Eros Section, is a satire on how everyone seems to have a different idea of monogamy. Look for The Seven Definitions of Polyamory some time soon.

Got Game? (part two) | The Art of Seduction, by Sally Sunshine
The Dating Game is notoriously competitive. For those of us who are in it, we know It’s a Jungle Out There. The Pick-Up Artist (PUA) teaches men how to navigate this rocky terrain, but it's not rocket science, folks. Women have been using similar methods in a different form (i.e. feminine wiles) most of their lives. Same tricks, different trade.

Dan Rather's Magnum Opus | By William Rivers Pitt
His face was once a totem, a comforting TV-screen touchstone. His voice and inflection lent suppertime credence to the myth of American permanence, safety and dependability, night after night, for a quarter of a century. It is surpassingly strange, therefore, to encompass Dan Rather's recent and abrupt metamorphosis. The former "CBS Nightly News" anchor, previously a study in constancy and predictability, has suddenly become a genuine threat to the entire mainstream news industry.

Pathos Girl: My Lover Revolts | Book of Blue
I am aware that there are guys (most professional photographers are men) who, however they may do it or have it done, experience sex with a lot of their models. How many? Probably not that many; but it happens. Yet it’s one of those public curiosities that does not get a lot of airplay. It seems to be simply assumed that it will occur, and that whatever side of the work you’re on, it comes with the job.

The Fairer Sex : A Private View | Exhibition by Dani Voirin & Friends
What do six women do on a Friday night in Paris? Compare notes? Yes! And photos. Projected on an atelier wall, images by six women photographers were viewed by a private, invitation-only group in a show entitled "The Fairer Sex" this Friday, 28 September. Click for details.

Consultations With Eric Francis

About the Oracle and Horoscope Database
Have you tried the Planet Waves Oracle? It's free, and it's interesting. This letter from Eric explains the basics -- and clarifies why it's not a great idea to ask the same question over and over again; the reason being, it's impossible to get clear results that way. Ask once! Then, as with any other oracle, figure out what your response means.

Can We Talk? | By Mike Ferner
"This began as a story about the Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) "Truth in Recruiting" campaign. But by the end, it seemed more like a story about whether or not we can still talk with each other in this country." Mike Ferner, an outspoken vet, takes the podium again.

What is it About Libra? | By Eric Francis
"As usual, there is a great woman behind every idiot," opined John Lennon, who was a great man with a great woman next to him. Every astrologer has their poster children for the various signs, and Lennon is one of mine for Libra. I am not alone.

They took away Habeas Corpus and All I Got Was This Lousy
T-Shirt! | Psychsound by Steve Bergstein
The first causalty of war is the loss of life. The second casualty is the truth. And the third is the loss of civil liberties. With the stroke of a pen last year, President Bush wiped out Habeas Corpus for certain detainees. Habeas Corpus is the legal procedure dating to the Magna Carta which allows prisoners to challenge the legal basis for their confinement, allowing a neutral judge to determine if the government has the right to lock them up.

Unveiling the Soul Inside the Form | Planet Waves Astrology News
In the newest subscriber edition of Planet Waves Astrology News, Eric Francis explores the coming solar eclipse conjunct Saturn on Sept. 11, as well as taking a detailed look at Saturn in Virgo. This is a sample of our subscriber edition, which you can connect with at this link.