Planet Waves Monthly | October 2007

This week in Planet Waves Astrology News, Eric takes a whole new approach to working with Mercury retrograde, and explains an intriguing chart that comes up next week. Kirsti and Eric take apart the Libra New Moon that occurs Oct. 11. Don't miss another week! Sign up here.

Love and Hate (Jan Svankmajer, 1982) | YouTube Video

Clarence Thomas: Seething Reactionary | Psychsound
If the plumber that I hired to fix the shower came into the house with a scowl on his face and reeked of enough seething anger to melt the paint off the wall, I would think twice before hiring him again. Same goes for the automobile mechanic and the dog groomer. So why isn't anyone shocked that the angriest man on Earth is one of nine people authorized to interpret and give meaning to the United States Constitution? Steve Bergstein takes on Clarence Thomas.

An Art or Nothing Moment | Book of Blue by Eric Francis
What exactly is sexual art? Oh, we usually use the words 'erotic art', but I am this evening declaring them a euphemism. Or perhaps there is a difference. Maybe erotic art includes the depiction of something directly sexual. But sexual art is something where sexual alchemy went into the creation.

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.

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.