Author: Joan Porte

Pluto, Forgotten Women of History and Great Holiday Recipes Too!

HI!

Check out two sites today for some fun listening and reading. First, I am excited to report that we have a new podcast up on Web Talk Radio which is dedicated to my favorite planet Pluto and features a interview with the always-interesting MCV Egan. She talks about her fascinating book, “Bridge of Deaths” and how she is resolving this 70 year old mystery utilizing past life regressions among other modalities!

Listen to MCV and find out why I love Pluto at
http://webtalkradio.net/internet-talk-radio/2013/12/09/astrological-cook-producing-change-with-pluto/

Remember you can get downloads on your RSS feed by going to
http://webtalkradio.net/internet-talk-radio/category/podcasts/fun-food-pets-and-travel/astrological-cook/feed/

If you love History then you jump over to MCV’s blog “Is History the Agreed Upon Lie” and see my 7 part series on The Forgotten Women of History.”  – Remember there are 7 entries – check out all 7 women.

http://ishistorytheagreeduponlie.blogspot.com/2013/12/forgotten-women-of-history-hetty-green.html

Happy Holidays – remember there is still time to order a copy of “Signs of the Tines: The Ultimate Astrological Cookbook” for a unique gift! www.signsofthetines.com

PS! The recipe I talk about this week is my Sausage and Sage Stuffing (or Dressing) but below is a great egg and breadcrumb recipe my Mom always made.

Jean Garofalo Porte’s Egg and Bread Stuffing
Serves 6 -8
Note:  Mom had a bin full of stale bread and when full she would toast the bread and then grate it into breadcrumbs on the hand-grater that I still have. I sort of do the same although I don’t eat the amount of bread that we did back then. However, I grind up the toasted bread in the food processor – sorry Mom, time moves on as does technology!
1-tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 medium stalks celery, diced
5 large eggs
4 cups breadcrumbs
½ cup Italian flat-leaf parsley, minced
1-teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
½ cup – to 1-cup chicken stock.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a small sauté pan. Add the onion, celery, and sauté about 5 minutes until they are getting soft. (IF you are making turkey and want to dice up the giblets and add now – do so – they add great flavor.) Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Beat the eggs in a large mixing bowl then add the breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, pepper, and thyme. Combine well. Add the onion, celery mixture and enough chicken stock so it is moist but not falling apart.  You want this to be almost cake like – not crumbly like other stuffing.
NOTE: If you have drippings from a chicken or turkey or are smart enough to save them from past meals add about 1 tablespoon of drippings now.
Turn the mixture into a greased 2 quart baking pan and bake for 30 minutes or until the top is lightly browned.

Mom would stuff this into a veal shoulder and serve with a brown gravy but it will work for any stuffing need. 

Forgotten Women of History Harriett Ann Jacobs

I am so pleased to be given the opportunity to guest blog on “Is History the Agreed Upon Lie?” Check out the blog and MCV Egan’s great book, “The Bridge of Deaths.”  Today Harriett Ann Jacobs!


http://ishistorytheagreeduponlie.blogspot.com/2013/12/forgotten-women-of-history-by-joan.html


Harriett Ann Jacobs

Today we turn our astrological radar on another largely forgotten African American hero, Harriett Ann Jacobs. She was born into slavery in Edentown, North Carolina on Feb 11, 1813 to an owner who sexually abused her for years. When she turned fourteen, he built her a cabin away from the main house so that his wife would not learn of his abuse. In a desperate attempt at freedom, she took a white lover, Samuel Sawyer, who despite being a lawyer was unable to free her from the abusive Dr. James Norcom. Norcom created a convoluted “ownership” contract that kept Harriett and the two children she had with Sawyer his property.
In 1835, unable to stand the abuse any longer, she escaped and for seven years lived in a nine by seven foot, rodent infested crawl space in her grandmother’s shack where she was able to only catch glimpses of and hear her children occasionally. This is a horrible situation for any mother and made doubly so for Jacobs born with her Moon in Cancer, the sign of the mother nurturer.  (Sawyer eventually bought his own children from Norcom but never freed them.)
When she finally made her way to freedom and Philadelphia, she became involved in the Anti-Slavery Reading Room and other abolitionist programs. However, following the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act, Harriett shuttled between Boston and New York, often in hiding, until a friend officially bought her freedom for $300.
That demand for freedom despite all odds and at all costs is a quality of Ms. Jacobs’ South Node in Aquarius. (For a full explanation of the North and South Node, roles in an astrological chart see my previous entry on Ida Wells.) Coming from past lives as a freedom loving Aquarian the horrors of slavery were exceptional hard for her to bear. Freedom for Aquarians is as precious as air.
Upon learning that Harriet Beecher Stowe might use her story in a book Harriet’s Aquarius energy again demanded freedom. This time it was the freedom to write her own book. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl opened the eyes of many of Northern churchwoman to the ravages of slavery on a “woman’s chastity” and made the world aware of what few spoke about for generations – slave rape. During and after the Civil War she aided the adoption of children orphaned by slavery and worked with slave–refugee groups using her celebrity to raise money.
By writing her own book and telling her own story, Ms. Jacobs was using the talents of her South Node – her relentless quest for freedom – in service to her North Node – the sign opposite Aquarius, Leo. Leo demands attention. She had the inner strength to know that no one could tell her story as well as she, not even the revered Ms. Stowe
As a slave and then a run-away Ms. Jacobs never had a meal fit for a Leo, the King of the Zodiac. Had I the chance to cook for her from my book, ‘Signs of the Tines: The Ultimate Astrological Cookbook” I would chose a dish a designated for Leo, my Lobster Ravioli with Mushrooms and Sage Cream Sauce.” I only hope that somewhere in her later years she tasted something that luxurious. It would have suited her well.

Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday we have it all.

 Give the most unique gifts under the Sun and never have to leave the comfort of your home.

For the cook who has everything – give a signed copy of “Signs of the Tines: The Ultimate Astrological Cookbook.” Just order a copy from the website, www.signsofthetines.com and drop me an email at [email protected] and tell me how you want it personalized and who to send it to and your shopping is done!

If you are in the mood for a gift basket then why not an Astrological Gift Basket? You will get a wonderful basket from C and C Unique Gift baskets that is tailored to the recipients birth chart. AND they will receive a printed copy of their birth chart as well as a thumb drive with an audio analysis done by yours truly!

To order visit http://www.candcgiftbaskets.com/category_23.asp.

Want a gift for yourself? Take advantage of our December special. ANYONE who wants a 2014 yearly analysis chart to prepare for the new year – – can take advantage of our special. Order your birth chart under “birthday special” and save $5.

Have a wonderful holiday season!!

Thanks for all of your support this year.

Joan

President Kennedy

Today on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President Kennedy, I felt it was appropriate to look at his birth chart. For all of his faults, he was a leader who told us that public service was a great thing – not that government was bad, He told us that we could reach great goals not that we don’t want to pay taxes. He told us that we all had to contribute to the country, not just grab all we want for ourselves and damn the other guy, especially if he is poor or “different.” That is what we lost 50 years ago today and we yearn for it again. He made us feel good about America and united us toward common goals. Yes, he was a flawed man but a charismatic leader who makes us reach for the stars is something all nations crave.


It is not ironic that his South Node, his karmic identity was in Cancer in the 9th house. Cancer is the sign of the nurturer, the one who helps his people, and the 9th house is our connection to people beyond our borders. He came from lifetimes of involvement in huge, worldly issues that he tried to manipulate to help those in his care. Cancer is the traditional sign of the mother, the nurturer. No wonder that he loved international politics – he had been doing it for quite some time. 
With his North Node in Capricorn, the sign of the authority figure – the provider in the 3rd house, the house of communications it is no wonder we still hear so many of his words. He took that role very seriously – he constructed his words as much as he created his image. He took the role of leader, communicator, and thinker very seriously. In addition, the ruler of Capricorn is Saturn that is in the 10th house, the house of politics and government. It is a fair bet that he loved being the leader. Also note his Mars and Mercury in conjunction in Venus, the sign of creativity, is in the 7th house – the house of interacting with people on personal level. Mars, an intense amount of energy, conjuncting the communication planet yielded a speaking style that still inspires. Again, the words, the power behind the words and how they affect us is so prevalent in his chart.
Speaking of leader his chart is one of cardinal energy – cardinal signs are the movers and shakers, His “anchor houses” the first, fourth, seventh and ten houses are holding cardinal energy. He wasn’t about to not take the lead. (Cancer and Capricorn, his nodal axis, are also cardinal.) Sometimes this burst forward as recklessness, over reaching but he was not one to let life go by,
In his 6th house, the house of health is the sacred wound carrier, Chiron, and Vesta, the asteroid that puts roadblocks in our path. Pisces opens his 6th so we see how hard it was for doctors to pinpoint his illnesses – Pisces is very ephemeral. 
What about his notorious womanizing? (Actually, it went well beyond that and my liberal friends who bash Newt Gingrich for his sexual faults should be careful. JFK would today be classified as a predator.) Well, let’s look at his Venus in the 8th house, the house of power, regeneration, death, and rebirth. The 8th house makes it a power conquest issue and shows how reckless he could be – he dared and tempted the fates. His Venus squares the Moon and Ceres so emotion and nurturing would not natural to him and makes a trine to his retrograded Uranus- the sign of the rebel. Any Venus-Uranus combination gets me wondering about someones sexual preferences. 

Here is something interesting too. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ Venus was also in the 8th house. Both shared a Venus in Gemini. So they shared that sense of drama and shared a love of words. This was a karmic marriage and one that will repeat itself sometime in the future.

Who was John Kennedy? He is who we need him to be and he was gone too soon. 

A Few More Retrogrades Bite the Dust…

Did you feel the shift this weekend? Besides the full Moon in Taurus we had last night, this weekend saw the movement of Neptune and the asteroid Chiron into a direct motion. They had been retrograded for a good part of 2013. Pluto led the way earlier this month and Uranus will follow next month. Then once we have Jupiter heading forward things will be smoother – once we get over the horrible Grand Cross in April – but let’s not dwell on that so close to Thanksgiving.

This will be a bumpy week emotionally as the Moon makes a quick pass through Cancer on Wednesday and Thursday squaring Uranus and then opposing Pluto along the way. Moon and Uranus interactions are a time of high and changeable emotions. It is best to stay away from “jumpy” or “high strung” people at that time. Pluto will be anything but excitable and will bring on sadness and a questioning of our emotions. The good news is the Moon never tarries! So just breath and think of the big guys going direct! We need some good energy from them for a change.

Be Creative with Wild Mushroom Soup!

This week on my podcast, “Astrological Cooking” I am happy to have as my guest, Arlene Weinstock, artist, photographer, author, and all around creative wizard. 

Arlene talks about her “loosen up” method to find your creative juices and she insists that all of us are creative. Check out the programs she offers on her website. http://www.arlenew.com/.
At the end of this week’s podcast, I give the recipe for my “Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup.”  This is a great holiday soup because it is so elegant and creamy and one that helps you express your creativity. There are so many mushrooms from which to choose. I like creminis and hen of the woods but you can try any assortment to make this dish exciting.

Check this and my other recipes in my cookbook, “Signs of the Tines: The Ultimate Astrological Cookbook,” available at www.signsofthetines.com.

OK I Can Tell You Now – Jupiter is in Retrograde.

I know I have been telling you that the big invisible guys, Neptune, Pluto, Uranus and the asteroid Juno are finally going direct and all will be out of retrograde around the beginning of the year.  I didn’t lie – don’t come after me with pitchforks. However, I may have sort of let’s say – neglected to tell you about Jupiter. Yes, Jupiter is heading backwards – well it is already there  – yes Jupiter will be retrograded in Cancer until mid March 2014.

But wait there is good news. Jupiter is the planet of expansion and moving up and out and forward – constant growth and movement. However, we are headed into the time when we should be going inwards. The days are getting shorter, on December 21 we will experience the shortest, darkest day of the year. You know it is insane that we race around in November and December, shopping and doing – we should be coming in from the cold and nesting not racing to Toys R U at 1 in the morning!

Since Jupiter is in the sign of Cancer, of home and hearth what better time for it to be in retrograde? It is telling us to slow down, assess where we need to work out any issues at home. Appreciate the beauty of a roaring firing and maybe making gifts for people instead of buying something. Spend some time learning how to be inwardly expansive as the days go away and be reading to burst forth in spring. How better to follow the pattern of the seasons. Let Jupiter be your guide on your inward journey.

November Issue – Astrological Awareness – Freebies – Podcasts and Gifts

November, 2013 Welcome to the November issues of “Astrological Awareness” – this month we have several opportunities for you to get some gifts for friends and yourself! This is a great time to get a jump on 2014 with a yearly astrological chart to see what is coming up for you in the New Year. Also check out a great new E Magazine, that you can get for free and my Astrological Cooking podcast! Did you FEEL the Eclipse on November 3? Many people wanted to see it but the Astrologically attuned wanted to feel it – an eclipse is a big event – it is a catalytic event. This one was in Scorpio – the sign of change and transformation. Where did it “hit” in your chart – what areas are ready to change in your life? If you don’t know – drop me an email – we can take a look at your chart. Thanks! Joan Porte Get your free 12-month subscription to “Lean Toward Happy!” I am so excited to tell you that every month one of my recipes will be in the new Apple magazine “Lean Toward Happy.” The first edition is now out and features my yummy dish for Sagittarians. To get your free 12-month subscription to “Lean Toward Happy” go to http://www.leantowardhappy.com/gift3912. Check out my free podcast! I am so happy to tell you that my podcast, “Astrological Cooking” on web talk radio.com is really taking off. Every other week we have a new guest to help understand some aspect of Astrology’s influence on our lives. This month we have a wonderful artist Arlene Weinstock, www.arlenew.com visiting us on November 11 and tell us about unleashing creativity. November 28 will feature coach and facilitator Kate Trygstad, www.creativefacilitating.com, will show us how we can shoot our arrow in the air like the Archer, the symbol of Sagittarius and reach our goals. Never miss a podcast – get a free RSS feed at http://webtalkradio.net/internet-talk-radio/category/podcasts/fun-food-pets-and-travel/astrological-cook/feed/! Get a Jump on Your Gift Giving Give a signed copy of my cookbook, “Signs of the Tines: The Ultimate Astrological Cookbook” for the Holidays The book is available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com but to get a signed copy order a copy directly from the website and shoot me an email to tell me how the book should be signed. http://www.signsofthetines.com/ Give the most personalized gift under the stars! Whether you want to surprise someone with a natal birth chart for the holidays or want me to chart what the energy of the stars have in store for them in 2014 it is best to order the chart early! I will email it out on whatever day you want. However, since these charts are so personalized and they take a bit of my time it is best to get them started early. I wish I had Santa’s elves! To order visit my blog http://joansastrology.blogspot.com/p/get-your-chart.html Jump for Joy over Jupiter: Acorn Squash and Polenta Soufflé In my latest podcast of The Astrological Cook on Web Talk Radio http://webtalkradio.net/internet-talk-radio/astrological-cook/, I spoke of Jupiter and the joy and expansion it looks to bring to our lives. Because my interview with Lean toward Happy creator Roz Warren www.leantowardhappy.com/ went a bit long (how Jupiterian is that), I didn’t have time to give listeners my recipe for Acorn Squash and Polenta Soufflé so here it is! I made this out of leftovers a few weeks ago and it is so easy and delicious. Makes 6 -8 servings 2 medium acorn squash 1 ½ cups corn meal 2 teaspoons salt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter ¼-cup milk 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon, freshly ground nutmeg ½-teaspoon cardamom Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. NOTE if you are one of those people who hates to wield dangerous knives there is an easy way to handle acorn squash. Just bake them in a 400-degree oven for about 40 minutes until they are soft, let them cool then slice them in half, remove the seeds and the skin. It is easier that doing all that when they are hard as a rock. While the acorn squash is cooling, make the polenta. Bring 3 quarts of water to a mild boil then slowly whisk in the corn meal. You do not want lumps so keep whisking until smooth, stir in the salt and butter, and blend well. Remove from the heat. Combine the cooled acorn squash and polenta in a food processor, add the milk and spices, and blend until very smooth. Pour into a greased 1-quart soufflé pan and bake 20 minutes. Serve immediately. HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .

Scorpio Eclipse November 3 –See it or FEEL it?

OK ready or not here comes the eclipse! What does this mean astrologically? All eclipses give as a great possibility to initiate change in our lives. Solar eclipses are a new beginning – because we are seeing the coming together of the opposite forces – the yin and yang – Sun –fire and Moon – emotion. It is a great time to make plans, commitments, and decisions and say I am going to do this. It is like one big New Year’s resolution but with cosmic energy instead of ten martini’s to back it up. What I find funny is so many people want to “see” the eclipse (NOTE: watch your eyes – there are correct ways of doing that) but how many people want to feel it – to live it – to embody the energy of it? This eclipse is in Scorpio – a very transformative energy. Scorpio demands that we dig deep within ourselves, overcome our secrets, fears, and taboos, and find a new sense of power. The questions that we should be asking are where does this eclipse interact with my chart – where should I be feeling the energy of change?