May

17

Sex, Candy and Freud…not necessarily in that order

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Shopping, chocolate, lingerie stores (Palmers, Europes Victorias Secret, literally on every other block) and a visit to the psychoanalyst could a woman want for more? Oh, then theres the shopping. For this city of window shoppers, Merchants cram as much as they can in the windows and doorways for the Sunday (nothing is open) and evening strollers. Although businesses close early (Vienna makes serious business of leisure) you can still shop. The prices are conveniently posted next to everything you can price and pick out your items and return when they open. Candy making is an art form here, also eating sweet tortes, marzipan or a fancy fruit concoction with your morning, afternoon and evening coffee (trust me, 3 times a charm). Evidently, Libra has a weakness for sweets. Evidently.
As Im writing I hear those old familiar sounds, the steadily increasing rhythm of moans echoing between the buildings. Im continually trying to distinguish the audible difference between pigeon and human lovemaking noises. Or it could be someone having a seizure, Goddess bless em. What is that sound? The flapping of wings generally clears it up, but not always. Those could be thighs, slapping together.
Yes there’s Sigmund Freud, lingerie shops and the occasional shocking show of tongue. Which brings us round to Libra’s ruling planet, Venus, in the sign of Scorpio in Vienna. As the founding father of psychoanalysis, Freud had his first office here, a trip to the Freud Museum was a must see. I found Freud’s home rather dark and dreary. And the tour was dry, 6 mostly empty rooms full of scientific papers, diplomas and certificates and photographs of Freudian friends and family on the wall. There were cute pictures of an older, Cancer-ridden Dr. lounging in garden villas with his Frau, daughter, and loyal doggies. The pictures indicate he was a flower and nature lover, although his ‘obsessions’ (their quotes) were: traveling, smoking and collecting. Someone forgot to include the juicy stuff maybe some patient notes or Freud’s diary of sex dreams? Neine! In Freud’s office, sexuality was (and remains) discussed in polite discourse, just like I’d-rather-talk-about-sex-than-actually have-it-Libra. The couch was the first ever used in psychoanalysis. This new intimacy was risky in this strictly business relationship. Freud found, when reclining, people were more easily able to free associate. Here’s a free association: when you lay down to relax you’re usually taking your clothes off. Discussions on oral fixations and Oedipal syndromes only – nothing suspicious going on here, Bill. See my library shelves full of books on the subject? Psychoanalysis and sex: both Venus in Scorpio preoccupations, and both done in a Libran, I’ll keep my clothes on fashion. This reminds me of a Details magazine survey I recently read. Women were asked if they’d rather forego a month without their favorite clothing items or 3 months without sex. They chose to forego sex. (All hail Details. Men may be simple creatures, but in our way, so are we.). I propose a similar question: Would you rather have a session with a fabulous psychotherapist or a mind-blowing orgasm? Most women would choose therapy. What do you think?

May

17

Before Sunrise

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Vienna is a romantic Libra city. Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke fell in love in Vienna in the movie Before Sunrise. Was it true love or romantic love? Was it the ambience of art & culture, street performers and cafes, cobblestone streets and breathtaking churches? Maybe a boat ride on the Blue Danube River or an Einspanner coffee shared over a Sachre torte at daybreak? What makes a city romantic? I pondered this question last night in an open air café, where we ate bio salads. (We think ‘bio’ means organic which goes to show you, you can take the person away from California, but you can’t take the California out of the person.), John ordered spelt wheat beer and when I couldn’t decide what to order, the kind waitress took one look at my bleary face and asked, would I like her to make me a special drink? Examining my bleary eyed disposition, she knew a coconut, guarana and rosemary concoction would improve my concentration. I laughed at her good call. Sipping on its sweetness, I notice a high-heeled woman struggles to navigate the deeply grooved cobblestone streets. (A personal shout out to all the gorgeous worldly women who walk around looking beautiful and unhappy – it’s probably her shoes.) Perking up, I asked my husband his opinion on the romance of the city. The lighting, he replied. Ahhh, lighting is romantic: sconces, distinctive streetlamps, well-lit shop windows, spots on art and sculptures, cathedrals ablaze with light and the small flickering candle at our table. On the kind, sweet mannered people we encounter here, we both immediately agree. There’s no catcalling, foul language, roughshod street talk or skirmishes. Everyone is immensely polite, friendly, helpful and gracious. At breakfast we receive a United Nations ‘Good Morning’ from everyone who walks in – in the native languages of neighboring countries – French, Italian, Deutsche and German. It rubs off. Just like the Libran golden rule, if you want to receive something, give it, the welcome feeling we receive is mirrored right back at ‘ya. We smile warmly, “Good Morning,” “Guttentag”.

Yes, here in Vienna we encounter something distinctly different from our Aries San Francisco home city of impatient drivers and too-hurried-to-bother with-one-another-vibe. Here we are treated as equals, as honored guests. In this Libra city, I see a peaceful, easygoing attitude on the face of Vienna. The energy is amazingly peaceful and calm amidst normal big city people in transit hubbub. As a woman, I feel completely safe walking the streets alone. When I stop to consult my map I’m consistently asked where I’m trying to go. Just like a Libra friend, the MO of the city is accommodating, overly concerned for my well-being. They seem to know what I need or they spend a good deal of energy to find out what that might be. That’s what makes Libra so wonderful to have around. And why marriage itself, over which Libra presides, only really works if you’re regarded as your partner’s equal in all ways – and slightly better than in most (Librans love to put you on a pedestal). Romance is inevitable in a Libran partnership… and in this Libran city.

May

17

Sleepless in Vienna

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Our flight time was 16 hours SFO-Vienna. We forgot the guidebook at home. We never found our camera. Arriving at the hotel, our room had been given away the night before – we had miscalculated the time zone change – and were unapologetically given a small musty, smoky room next to the elevator and the train station. The Sun was applying a square from Neptune, creating missteps, forgotten items, miscalculations and disillusionment. This will get better as the planetary energies pass, I remind myself. The melody of that first night was the intermittent arrival and departure of trains and the amorous lovemaking of a couple who seemed to require no sleep. I awoke many times that night, bemoaning the brick hard bed and prolonged exhaustion. Sleep is a tricky proposition when 9 PM Vienna time is 11 AM San Francisco time.

Days later, I am sitting inside our much improved accommodation. After surrendering to the accommodation (including the affirmation “I am blessed and lucky to be in Vienna”) by Monday we had earned the goodwill of our hosts and an upgrade – to a fabulous room with sun porch and Jacuzzi tub! (The Goldene Spinne, Room 43) I later learn Goldene Spinne means Golden Spider, my personal good luck charm. The veranda doors overlooking the Viennese rooftops are thrown open today as sunlight streams in. There’s a dense formation of apartments surrounding ours and the curtain less windows are eyes. I stop to wonder if I’m being observed and keep my doors open. I may be in a fishbowl but I am one happy sardine typing a letter to you, my American friends.

May

13

Penelope’ll take Peace

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penelope cruzPenelope Cruz April 28 1974 

She’s been likened to Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn, but it’s more than her almond eyes that cross cultural boundaries. Penelope’s beauty is an outpouring of her soul, a soul who’s crossed paths with Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, and works on behalf of AIDS foundations. When she takes up a road to manifest a creative contribution in life, the Bull gracefully stumbles upon her heart’s craving: simplicity, the peaceful silence of eternity. She can find that in the beauty of a flower, in a spring day, a good meal with a friend or trekking to the Himalayas. For each Bull the path is different, but the goal is the same: reverential silence. Penelope’s soulfulness translates beautifully to the screen, but not all is ease and peace for the Bull. If you’ve ever been to a bullfight, you know that when a Bull’s heated up, all bets are off! When asked if she had a temper in Interview Magazine (2000) she replied, “Oh yes, I am a Taurus after all!”

May

13

Clooney’s touch o’ the Bull

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George Clooney: May 6 1961

George Clooney’s Aunt was named Rosemary. Rosemary Clooney, that is. Maybe that’s why he has been known to break into song during interviews. Or maybe it’s because he’s had the honor of being one of two men voted Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine twice, ever (only shared by friend, Brad Pitt). Because he’s notoriously modest about his gorgeous genes, it’s probably not the latter – George is not one to brag. The Bull yawns, thinks “why bother?” and moves onto something far more practical, like his resourcefulness, aligning his ability to earn money with his principles. These are the Bull’s true coin in this crazy, confounding world. Surely Clooney is resourceful with his talent, rising in rank from television doctor to movie director. Notice his penchant for starring and directing in politically minded movies? The Bull’s sticking point is her values, what she stands for (Taurus is a “she,” a feminine sign). Clooney’s comfort with taking a political stand comes from hanging around his dad, a news reporter. About money: George paid for his Italian villa in cold, hard cash. The material- minded Bull only trusts what he can touch. George is also one of the most private bachelors in Hollywood, keeping his personal life out of the media. Nature-loving Taurueans can stay grounded by spending time outside, a remedy for the white noise that disturbs their peace. “I don’t like to share my personal life…it wouldn’t be personal if I shared it.”

May

9

MAGIC IS NOT WITCHCRAFT: and if it were, so what?…

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Okay, here we are at magic. Let’s debunk magic (again). I’ll give you a practical example. I’m not the type of person who has been able to actualize or even truly validate the idea that hard work equals success in my own life. In fact, sometimes the opposite occurs and you’ve seen it, too: you work hard and you’re still passed over for promotion and underpaid. While this specific example didn’t happen to moi exactly, you know the shtick and when it comes to creating the life you want, feelings of fatigue and futility will undermine the best of intentions. A perfectly good, benign, lovely wish for success, love, money, friends morphs into a source of bitterness, consternation. At worst, our wish turns dark and we become a nightmarish version of our former self.  Now that’s truly witchy or b***** as it may be. Read more

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