Did Jesus’ Sacrifice Make a Jewish Ritual Unnecessary?

Posted on January 11, 2025 by cdsmiller17

Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)

When the scapegoat was selected on Yom Kippur to symbolically carry the people’s sins to the desert, a crimson cord was tied around its horns. While the practical purpose of this cord was to distinguish the scapegoat from the goat which was to be slaughtered, it also symbolized the sin which the scapegoat was carrying away. Isaiah 1:18 promises that if the Jewish people repents, “if [their] sins are like crimson, they shall become white as snow.” According to tradition, in some years the scapegoat’s cord would miraculously turn white to indicate that the people’s sins were forgiven and purification achieved in that year.

Wikipedia

I’ve written about the scapegoat before. I wondered about its effectiveness to wash their scarlet sins away, after watching this YouTube video:

Hmm.

Posted in history, spirituality | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Hot Off the Press:

Posted on January 10, 2025 by cdsmiller17

Merchan Sentences Trump… (January 10, 2025)

To an “unconditional discharge.” That’s a best case scenario for a convicted felon.

Note the transiting Saturn of the Pisces Rising chart. This is as soft a judicial rebuke as is humanly possible. But now, Trump is ‘free’ to appeal his conviction.

Trump should be thankful that this case was brought to trial because it helped to re-elect him to the Presidency.

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Some Flames Burn Brightly Even After 11 Years

Posted on January 10, 2025 by cdsmiller17

Missing You (2025)

I’ll admit it: I’m a pushover for Harlan Coben’s works. I’m not even sure how many of his shows I’ve seen on Netflix, but I’ve read three of his novels. Every one of them has had a twist I didn’t see coming.

The clever thing is that a significant song is featured as the title of each of the five episodes, as is the name of the series itself. That makes it perfect for anyone who grew up on 80’s rock tunes.

As with all Coben stories, they were intended for American audiences, set in New York City. Why they’re adapted for British settings, I’ll never know. It takes some of the grittiness away, I guess.

We’ll watch the final two episodes tonight. I hope it’ll turn out ‘all right on the night’. We’ll see.

Posted in showbusiness | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Is the US$ Financial Supremacy Coming to an End?

Posted on January 9, 2025 by cdsmiller17

BRICS (June 16, 2009)

You’d be hard pressed to find much about this ‘new’ powerhouse financial alliance. Americans are so secure in the almighty dollar being THE gold standard of foreign exchange markets that nothing else comes close to it. That’s delusional, at best. But I guess it helps them sleep better in their beds at night.

Trust Ellie to point me in the right direction, yet again.

I set the clock for noon, but it could have happened any time before or after. So, at least, this is a snapshot of the energies of that day in 2009. There is one inconjunct, which would have been in operation for the entire day, so I think we can trust it to be true.

Mercury Inconjunct Pluto

This aspect can mean that at certain times in your life you will go through tremendous psychological changes. All your thoughts and opinions will change completely. These stages may seem difficult, but you will be much better off if you let go of the past and welcome the new ideas.

Planets in Youth (page 172) by Robert Hand (1977)

I’m familiar with this aspect: I have it, too.

Hmm.

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

It’s the Longest Unprotected Border in the World

Posted on January 8, 2025 by cdsmiller17

The 49th Parallel between Canada and the United States of America

I’m bemused by the fact that Donald Trump wants to make Canada the 51st state. Does he not realize what a hornets’ nest he’d be taking on? Canadians have regional identities which are not easily united politically. Now that Justin Trudeau has tendered his resignation as Liberal leader, the dominoes may fall quicker than initially anticipated, and we could be looking at a government run by Pierre Poilievre.

But it’s not just the 49th parallel that divides our two nations. Even a small town like Derby Line, Vermont is partially in Canada. Okay, maybe the artificial barriers need to be removed, but the Great White North will be a greater thorn in the American flesh than they could even imagine.

President (elect) Trump: you have been warned.

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Mrs. Northern Cardinal, Today

Posted on January 7, 2025 by cdsmiller17
Posted in personal | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Final Skirmish of the Revolutionary War

Posted on January 7, 2025 by cdsmiller17

Battle of Monmouth (June 28, 1778)

To be honest, I don’t have an encyclopedic knowledge of American history. By watching the latest episode of “Outlander” I learned a few new things. Last night’s episode (Season 7, Episode 15) focused on a battle that is significant for being the last skirmish of the Revolutionary War of the Americans trying to gain independence from Britain. Neither side could claim victory in the end.

That Yod pointing at Pluto seems significant. We are so used to thinking that the USA began with the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Words are one thing, deeds are another. In my humble opinion, the end of this battle represents the true beginning of the United States of America. Why? Because the British retreated back to Sandy Hook in order to return to New York.

History lesson learned.

Posted in history, showbusiness | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Irony? This Singer Liked to Perform in Blackface

Posted on January 6, 2025 by cdsmiller17

Al Jolson (May 26, 1886 – October 23, 1950)

I was casting about for the person Luther Vandross might be the reincarnation of, yesterday. I scanned a listing of singers who died before 1951. Al Jolson stood out in that list. Could it be true? Or am I mistaken?

The timing of this birth chart is randomized. It had a similarity to Vandross’ that made me think, “Wow!”

The North/South Node axis seems in the same sign as Vandross’. This could be karmic, for sure.

I’m not going to make a meal of this, but the coincidence is startling, and ironic. Does the Universe have a sense of humour, or what?

Posted in history, showbusiness | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

This Man is What Musical Genius Looks Like:

Posted on January 5, 2025 by cdsmiller17

Luther Vandross (April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005)

Susan said it best while we were watching this documentary last night on CNN: “We heard his name, we heard his songs, but we never really knew who he was.”

Guess what: no one knows what time he was born, so his birth chart is going to be a bit iffy. In order to recognize his first #1 hit at age 30, I have set the clock at 3 pm, so that Jupiter is highlighted for that age.

There are no inconjuncts! What you see is what you get. The North/South Nodes on the Ascendant/Descendant axis tells me that he did this before in a previous lifetime. I wonder which one.

The Moon/Neptune conjunction in the 2nd House (of Prosperity) shows us that he kept his private life secret so as not to upset his lady fans. That Libra conjunction is trine to the Gemini Midheaven. There are elements of mystery here, but the Saturn opposition to Jupiter explains so much:

If you’re interested, his music has been re-released to coincide with this documentary.

Worth a look, folks.

Posted in history, showbusiness | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

“Neither Snow nor Rain nor Heat nor Gloom of Night…”*

Posted on January 5, 2025 by cdsmiller17

“The Six Triple Eight” (2024)

The full quote is:

“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds“

Wikipedia

We could add, “nor World War II.” This Netflix film seems to reflect the US Postal Service’s motto,

Tyler Perry is using his studio as a way of rewriting the wrongs of the black American experience during WWII. It reminds me of “Hidden Figures” with regards to the Apollo Moon landings. This time a battalion of WACs are posted overseas to sort out a backlog of 17,000,000 pieces of mail that had overwhelmed the US Army in Europe. “No mail equals low morale” (paraphrased by me).

It’s a feel-good story (if one can call any WWII story that) which will have even the most hardened cynic in tears. The double whammy of racial and sexual inequality is tackled here. And, to top it all off, this battalion actually existed and this is based on the true story as remembered by the women themselves. I suspect Kerry Washington will be up for an Oscar this spring.

The 6888 successfully straightened out the backlog of two years or 17 million pieces of mail in just 90 days, despite the challenges.

Posted in history, showbusiness | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment