Astrology and food – Joan Porte

We Need Spring!

We need the spring season. We haven’t seen much of spring but it will arrive – eventually. While those who know me know that I am a cool weather gal we have to honor the beauty and necessity of spring.

Spring begins when the Sun moves into the constellation of Aries on the equinox. Aries is the typical sign of upward and outward movement – or masculine energy looking to change paths and lead a new way. How perfect! This is the time to clean away the old growth, sow the fields and make plans for the rebirth of late spring and early summer.

In Five Element Acupuncture, spring is the time of wood – also a planning time – when Yang energy begins to awaken from a long Yin winter.

Pastina and Pesto a spring dish from “Signs of the Tines: The Ultimate Astrological Cookbook.”

The sign that follows Aries is Taurus, the most tactile sign, that which loves to feel and engage with the Earth. Taurus is considered the sign of the Ecology Movement. As the first flowers appear and the Earth is reborn we feel very close to Taurean energy.

I beg of my clients one thing – if you do nothing else with Astrology use it to be in cycle with nature. So use the Aries energy to clean away the cobwebs of winter – physically and emotionally – and then be like Taurus the Bull and run through the new grass and smell the new roses.

What Would Marilyn Monroe Eat?

Well I read that she loved steak and I believe that from looking at her chart.

Her 6th house, the house of food and the body is opened by Capricorn, the sign of goat. Normally Capricorns like good, hearty food that is no nonsense and no frills. Good old steak would appeal to that. Frankly, with her retrograded Saturn in the 4th house (Saturn rules Capricorn), I could see where she might have enjoyed the steak even more knowing that she couldn’t afford it as a child. The fourth house vibrates to ones home, childhood, roots or mother. Carrying a retrograded Saturn there tells us just how much negative karma she had to carry with her in this life in that area.

Steak too appeals to her Leo rising. It is no wonder she drank only Dom Perignon champagne. That is very Leo because the Lion, the King must have only the best. And while this has nothing to do with food – wow no wonder she had charisma to spare – the ruler of her rising sign, the Sun is up in the 10th house conjuncting with Mercury. Any Sun Mercury conjunction even not holding up the rising sign is charisma – in her case there is a double dose.

The other thing I would have advised her to eat were calming foods – Moon in Aquarius people are high strung and and her ruler of Aquarius is in Pisces – another “jumpy sign.” I wonder if anyone cooked for her nerves – I doubt it.

For more food/astrology information check out my new cookbook, “Signs of the Tines”, www.signsofthetines.com

Why Did FDR Serve the King a Hot Dog?

There has been a lot of discussion lately mostly because of the movie, “Hyde Park on the Hudson,’ regarding a party that President Franklin Roosevelt held in honor of King George of England in which he served hot dogs. The press was aghast and tongues wagged on both sides of the Atlantic. Of course, there were other things on the menu that day but the hot dogs were the talk of Washington.

What is it in FDR’s chart that would make him do something so unusual? Well, that is easy to see. He was dominated by the sign of the usual – Aquarius! FDR had Aquarius Sun, Venus and Ceres all in his 5th house – the house of fun and creativity. (The 5th house is also the house of sex but that is for another blog entry.) In addition, his 6th house the house health, is opened by Aquarius and he has his Aquarius Mercury there.

The question for me is why he only had one “odd” dinner party. With a chart dominated by the
unusual, the quirky and the never predictable Aquarius he loved the idea of being a rebel and thinking outside the box when it comes to fun, food and entertaining.

Next week – how did the king respond to the hot dog lunch?

What Would Lincoln Eat – Abe’s Foodie Chart

In anticipation of the publication of my cookbook, “Signs of the Tines: The Ultimate Astrological Cookbook,” I have asked the question that I am sure has been bugging Americans for a century or more. “What would Abe Lincoln eat?” Our 16th President was not known as a “foodie.” Although he did have a pretty decent appetite for country fare when a youth, as he grew older and a more preoccupied with life he often was seen munching mindlessly on an apple.

With his Capricorn Moon and Saturn on the cusp of his first house coupled with Pisces on the cusp of his 6th or health house, the President had almost a classic signature for a depressive personality. Saturn (which rules Capricorn) is something that always places restrictions, limits growth and can be a bit of a downer when near our personal planets and houses – like the first house and the Moon. Pisces is on the 6th should always send off alarm bells because it can bring the desire to escape due to a feeling overburdened and overwhelmed.

What would I recommend for Mr. Lincoln? My blueberry polenta – made with lots of creamy goodness to remind provide him with a comforting warm feeling and healthy berries and my salmon in parchment, he needed those Omega 3s for depression.

The recipes are – where else – in the book due out in May of 2013!

What’s for supper?

courtesy of arlenew.com

I thought I would have some fun playing with my two favorite things – food and Astrology. Now keep in mind it is silly to say all Pisces will eat this particular kind of food. Sun Signs, remember are a very minor part of our astrological makeup. We have to look at the rising sign and for something like food – see where a person’s Venus resides. Those are better indicators of whether they think food is something they have to bother with in order to survive or if it is almost a religious experience!

If you are expecting a heavily Aries influenced person over tonight reach for the spice rack. Aries like to have their food bite back a bit -nothing boring and bland. Oh and don’t waste their time with an hours long meal – they want to keep moving. Taurus on the other hand wants gourmet meals, lavish foods and the best of wines. Don’t you dare serve them a frozen dinner or the Bull could charge!

Gemini is easy – serve them a meal that is bite-sized. Remember Cher’s character in the movie, “Mermaids”? She only made meals in finger sandwich size. Now that is someone with a lot of Gemini in her! They want to be able to read, eat, and play video games all at the same time. For Moon Child, however, it is all about cozy, family comfort food surrounded by as many generations of family as possible. Think chicken-pot-pie, apple pie and macaroni and cheese when you think of Mood Child.

Leo the lion has to have a table big enough for their adoring courtiers to surround them while they dine. Like Taurus they want the best food and wine but with Leo you have to serve it in the best china you can muster. Virgo has already lived this life of Riley and their digestive systems have paid the price. Go directly to the health food store and get the healthiest organic meal and serve in on biodegradable dishes!

Libra has to be with other so break out the Leo table, take all the gold off and put it out for Libra. For food, think of things that can be shared because Libra is all about the other person – Chinese food – pizza….whatever it is – it has to be shared. Scorpio loves to delve into mystery so think of something deep dish and maybe have a surprise on the bottom!

Make something foreign for Sagittarius – or better yet take them to a part of town that is known for exotic food – like little India or little Thailand – and let them think they are travelling the world! Capricorn the goat is all about meat and potatoes and good solid veggies – all American food please!

Ok for Aquarius take all the leftovers you may have from the other signs and make one big wacky dinner. To make them even happier – serve it on the floor on a big silly blanket. Finally for Pisces keep the booze under lock and key – some of them might have an issue with that. Make sure you have some dreamy music playing and make soothing soups and soft custards.

Time to make dinner! Have fun.