More Astrology Book Recommendations

Just wanted to pop by to recommend a couple books that are worthwhile reading. These are excellent resources for learning about the people you are in relationships with. Learn how to communicate better and enhance your life with astrology.

Astrologically Incorrect: Unlock the Secrets of the Signs to Get What You Want, When You Want by Terry Marlowe

The Astrology of You and Me by Gary Goldschneider

Essential Oils and the Signs

Recently, I was introduced to Essential Oils at a library community event. There, I was given the opportunity to learn about the history, production, and usage of essential oils and their benefits in supporting health. I'm rather obsessed, in all honesty. In order to merge my two passions: astrology and essential oils, I am going to create a guide for those who wish to find oils to support attributes of the various zodiac signs!

Each sign is associated with a part of the body, as well as specific emotional attributes, so I've put together a presentation of oils that promote health for each of these variants.  I've included a link at the bottom of this post if you're interested in acquiring these oils for yourself. These oils are sourced through Young Living. I only obtain my essential oils through YL because of their Seed to Seal promise, guaranteeing the purity of their oils. YL is the ONLY brand I trust to use for myself and my home; it's the only source I recommend.

Aries - The Head

Peppermint

Applying to the head and neck or diffusing Peppermint oil uplifts the spirit while reigniting the mind and senses. It's a great pick-me-up to any dragging day. Goes excellent with any Aries who is on the go! Great for post-exercise massage, mixed with a carrier oil. I like to add the Vitality version to my water bottle each morning to refresh my spirit and my breath throughout the day.

Additional oils to try: Brain Power, Clarity, Peppermint Vitality, Eucalyptus Globulus, Eucalyptus Blue

Taurus - The Neck & Throat

EndoFlex Vitality

When applied directly over the throat in the morning, you can expect your day to start with energy and clarity. I personally apply this daily to support my energy levels. It's an excellent way for a slow moving Taurus to start the day off right! This dietary oil blend can be mixed with a morning beverage, promoting overall wellness and balance!

Additional oils to try: Thieves, Eucalyptus Radiata, Tea Tree, Oregano, ImmuPower

Gemini - The Arms, Hands, & Shoulders

Cool Azul

For a light aromatic experience and cooling sensation that is excellent post-physical exertion, Cool Azul takes the cake. Excellent when massaged onto desired areas with a carrier oil! This will get your day back on track with its grounding, peaceful aroma.

Additional oils to try: Wintergreen, PanAway, Aroma Siez, Relieve It, Vetiver, Helichrysum, Myrrh

Cancer - The Chest & Breasts

Clary Sage

Clary Sage provides an aroma that calms and relaxes. Excellent to diffuse while meditating or to apply on tense spots on the body with a carrier oil.

Additional oils to try: SclarEssence Vitality, Lady Sclareol, Dragon Time, EndoFlex Vitality, Frankincense

Leo - The Back & Heart

Peace and Calming

Leos are often on the go, but when they're home it's time to relax! When inviting people over, they want to be the best hosts and completely welcoming. Peace and Calming oil promotes these feelings and is lovely for the whole family, another value that Leos can't live without! My Leo mom enjoys this in the diffuser at night.

Additional oils to try: Rosemary Vitality, Ylang Ylang, Thyme Vitality, Mandarin, Aroma Life, Valor, Stress Away

Virgo - The Nervous System & Stomach

DiGize Vitality

DiGize is the number one meal companion oil! It can be added to a dish, diluted in water, or taken in a vegetable capsule. This will enhance the impact of any meal. The fennel seed oil found in this blend was used as an after meal delicacy in Ancient Egypt! I use this every evening in my water at dinnertime.

Additional oils to try: Peppermint Vitality, Trauma Life, Lavender Vitality, Valerian, Patchouli, Valor, Fennel Vitality, Ginger Vitality, Carrot Seed Vitality, Tea Tree, Thieves Vitality

Libra - The Lower Back & Bottom

Oola Balance

As the name implies, this oil helps to balance emotions, thoughts, and health, allowing further focus and peace of mind. Be sure to check-out Oola's tea blends and books on finding balance.

Additional oils to try: Myrrh, Helichrysum, Cypress, PanAway, Stress Away

Scorpio - The Bladder & Genitals

Light the Fire

I think this speaks for itself.

Additional oils to try: Fennel Vitality, Rose, Myrrh, Valerian, Lavender, Melrose, Thieves, Tea Tree, Cypress

Sagittarius - The Thighs, Hips, & Liver

Carrot Seed Vitality

Carrot Seed oil, like the plant from which it derives, promotes general health and well-being. Excellent pairing with nutrient rich foods to take your wellness to new level! This is also an excellent oil to support healthy skin.

Additional oils to try: German Chamomile, Celery Seed Vitality, JuvaCleanse Vitality, GLF Vitality

Capricorn - The Knees, Joints, & Bones

Wintergreen

Not only is the name appropriate for these Winter babies, but also the oil is excellent to support Capricorn health and overall well-being. The aroma is invigorating, which can propel one forward while working. This oil makes a phenomenal additive to lotions, especially those intended to be applied after physical activity.

Additional oils to try: PanAway, Aroma Siez, Cool Azul, SclarEssence Vitality, Idaho Blue Spruce

Aquarius - The Circulatory System & Lower Legs

Helichrysum

This oil promotes focus and concentration with its sweet aroma. It's excellent for times of thought. It also is great for applying to wrinkles, to reduce the signs of aging. Aquarians are notorious for early signs of aging. This oil is only farmed in its native land of Croatia!

Additional oils to try: Cypress, PanAway, Aroma Life, EndoFlex Vitality

Pisces - The Feet

Idaho Blue Spruce

The feet are home to many pathways to the body's vitality. Applying oils directly to certain areas of the feet is often the best way to reap the benefits of the various oils. This oil is highly exclusive and creates a lovely aroma. Accessing this scent can facilitate an elevated state of relaxation.

Additional oils to try: Egyptian Gold, PanAway, Frankincense, Myrrh, Patchouli, Vetiver, Wintergreen, Sacred Sandalwood

For additional information about oils and their uses, I highly suggest reading Essential Oils Pocket Reference.

If you're interested in ordering trustworthy, natural Essential Oils, please click here. Shop as a member by selecting a Starter Kit in order to receive a 24% discount on every order, access to a treasure trove of member benefits, and join a community of fellow oil-lovers, who will support you on your individual wellness journey!

Book Recommendations

Because I haven't had much time to post anything lately, I thought I would provide a list of useful astrology books!  These are the ones I consult most frequently.

The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk

Momstrology by Ophira Edut and Tali Edut

Bad Birthdays: The Truth Behind Your Crappy Sun Sign by Sarah Christensen Fu

The Secret Language of Birthdays by Gary Goldschneider and Joost Elffers

The Secret Language of Relationships by Gary Goldschneider and Joost Elffers

Power of Birthdays, Stars, and Numbers: The Complete Personology Reference Guide by Saffi Crawford and Geraldine Sullivan

Astrology for Writers by Corrine Kenner

Ancient Astrology by Tamsyn Barton

Just An Update About Things to Come

I apologize for not making very many posts anymore.  College has been keeping me very busy, so time to create innovative topics for my blog is limited.  I did however finish reading the fourth book in "A Song of Ice and Fire" series (aka "Game of Thrones") over Winter break.  Currently, I am about half-way through the fifth book; but this will take me a while now that classes have once again begun.  After I've finished the fifth book, I will write a review on the fourth and fifth book combined.  I've also been busy (at least mentally) in preparing new fictional character analysis to add to my work-in-progress post about the astrological signs of fictional characters.  Also, I intend to talk about first semester this academic year as well as the start of my second semester and the declaration of my major sometime soon.  If there are any astrological topics that you would like to be discussed on my blog, please leave a comment!

"Lieutenant Nun" in Review

I'm in a class this Semester called, The Historical Imagination. It's a bit tedious, though I do understand why it's required for History majors (I have yet to declare a major).  Essentially the class is about the history of studying history.  It delves into the problem of sources and how history is perceived and how the perception of history has changed over time and to fit in different places.  I would consider the main book we read to be "Silencing The Past" by Michel-Rolph Trouillot.  Truly, the book is a textbook though it does not look like one to perceive.  If you have the Internet regularly available, you can get through the readings by Google searching every other word, but if not, you'd have to have a pretty large vocabulary or an amazing dictionary to get through the text.  Once you understand the big words, most of the points made throughout the book are well-founded and make sense.  However, most of the points made in the book are made everyday in my other history classes by the professors in a ways that are much more easy to understand; therefore, I do not really understand why the class is required if not to merely stress the point that history is not concrete.

Anyway, we were required to read a book called "Lieutenant Nun" for this week.  On the cover of the translation we were assigned, it titles the book "Memoir of a Basque Lieutenant Nun Transvestite in the New World".  My personal understanding of the word "transvestite" is someone who identifies profoundly with two sexes or was born with both sexes.  Now, I may be wrong, so I'm going to Google it right now and put the Internet's definition for it:  a cross-dresser.  That's what the first three website blurbs told me about what a transvestite is; so I was wrong.  According to one of the blurbs, it is often confused with someone who is transsexual or transgender; perhaps that is what I was confusing it with.  Okay, so going with the Internet's definition, the modified title is correct.  However, I think that adding that word to the title makes the book seem extra statementy (I know I made that word up).  However, reading the text, the author never really seems like she's trying to make a statement; but I don't know her motives.

The book is short (it's only 77 pages) and really easy to get through because it describes action scene upon action scene.  I really did enjoy reading it because it was quick, I also found it fascinating.  What really intrigued me is that the woman was so devoid of emotion in her writing.  This is almost a masculine thing, but yet I don't even know that most men are that devoid of emotion.  The woman, Catalina de Erauso, murdered so many people, and it was as if death meant nothing to her!  It was very strange.  At one point, after she sort of accidentally murders her brother, she does briefly point out that it did pain her a lot, especially while she was hiding out in a church for a good period of time.  But other than that the only time she makes slight reference to emotion is when she speaks of discomforts she has or opinions; like when a kind woman takes her in (thinking she was a man) and tries to marry her to her dark skinned daughter.  This particular event brings up another interesting point that it would bring her little pleasure to marry an ugly girl because she wasn't her type apparently.  In a way that could be taken as a hint towards bisexuality or lesbianism, but it's hard to tell for sure and may have only been a translating issue.  I find it hard to believe that she would have been well-accepted, especially by the King of Spain and the Pope, if she professed what would be considered sexually unusual at the time, being the earlier 1600s.

Well, all in all, I really do recommend the book as a quick read to anyone.  It's interesting.  It seems so fictional for a life to be as such and sort of accepted and celebrated at the time.  I was very surprised.

Now for a bit of Astrology:

The only possible astrological sign for Catalina is Sagittarius. She desired nothing more than to travel and not be tied down.  She did not resent learning in the slightest.  She maintained the mentality that more money can always be made.  She was selfish in an unconscious way.

I don't think it's very possible, based off of her story, for her to be any other sign.  I tried to place her as maybe Taurus or Virgo, but she was too able and not attached enough to her possessions to be a Taurus and she certainly was not a people-pleaser, so she couldn't be a Virgo.

"Book Three: A Storm of Swords" in Review

This book was just a continuation of the second.  That brings me to agitation because THIS SERIES WILL NEVER END.  I've been talking to other readers of this series and apparently, the author, George R.R. Martin, plans to add yet another book to it (and if he got away with it would add even more!).  I get that the books go very in depth into each character; but, I think that's the problem.  Rather than continuing to complicate things to make the characters more dynamic, give them identifying traits and wrap the story up.  Also, stop adding characters and stop adding developments to the characters.  At this point, there is no identifiable direction to the story.  To the author:  Satisfy your readers by ending the series.

Astrology:
Aries:  Ygritte

"Book Two: A Clash of Kings" in Review

The second book in the series, "A Song of Ice and Fire" by George R.R. Martin, was much more eventful than the first.  Although the prologue was more relevant to the book than the prologue in the first book, it was a little difficult to get through, as most of the first book actually was.  However, I enjoyed the second book much more thoroughly than the first even though my favorite characters seemed to be described less frequently and were perhaps even nonexistence, as they perished in the first book.

I find myself more into the series and more intrigued, I can't wait to start the next book; however, I have to admit, I was disappointed with some of the occurrences in the book.  Stannis, as a character, was very disappointing.  I don't believe he was actually defeated at King's Landing, but I am very disappointed with him.  In the first book, Stannis isn't really characterized as anything but boring, just, and stringent.  The second book portrays him as being almost cruel and stupidly stubborn.  Even Stannis cannot actually prove that Joffrey is a bastard, so he has no honorable claim to the throne.  I'm also frustrated that Arya isn't a little more settled than she was at the start of the book.  It also would have been nice to have more insight into what Robb is doing.  I thought the narration additions of Theon and Davos neutralized each other; Theon was somewhat interesting, while Davos was boring, excluding only the account of Stannis' shadow being born.

I'm very interested to find out what Bran will do next and what will become of Rickon.  I believe Bran is heading to the Wall and may go beyond that eventually.  I don't know where Osha is taking Rickon and I'm surprised Rickon hasn't fussed more about it.  I assume Arya will try to take her friends to Riverrun, but will most likely be stopped and diverted by something yet again.  I get the impression that Lord Tywin isn't actually Lord Tywin, but is rather either Stannis or Melisandre.  I don't know what Magister Illyrio has in store for Dany, but I don't really trust him.

Astrological additions:
Gemini:
- Theon Greyjoy
Libra:
- King Renly Baratheon
Aquarius:
- King Stannis Baratheon

"Book One: A Game of Thrones" in Review

Initially written (and perhaps even written in another context before) in 1996 by George R.R. Martin, "'When you play the game of thrones, you win or die.'"  Now it has become a go-to topic.  A Game of Thrones, the first book in "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, tells a sci-fi tale of kingdoms at war within themselves.  There is the major/main kingdom in the West, the Free Cities, the Dothraki Grasses, and the kingdoms in the East (which based on the first book seem to be under-developed compared to the West). The main kingdom is mostly divided into two parts, The North and The South; typically they don't get along very well.  Also, above The Northern portion, there is "the land beyond the Wall", which is not ruled by man; it is a land of magic and mystery (at least in the first book).

Until the above quote is said more than half-way through the book, it isn't the prevalent theme of the book(forgive me if this literary term isn't being used correctly).  You don't even really know where the book is going until that point.  The book is a little hard to get into because it jumps around and you don't necessarily care what's going on in each place until you get to the actual theme, then you can't put the book down, but that's 408 pages in!

Now, you either win or die.  There is no single victor in this book...  But the book doesn't end with the end of the game either; the throne has yet to be won.  Eddard dies as soon as he begins to play the game because he honorably reveals to Queen Cersei that he knows that her children are not actually the king's.  Nobody wins the game with honor, only deceit.  Khal Drogo dies after he agrees to take back the throne for his wife and future son.  King Robert obviously dies as he is unable to truly hold/keep/control/protect the throne.  Rhaegar's family is all eventually killed, excluding only Daenerys and Maester Aemon.  However, Daenerys did not decide to play the game truly until essentially the end of the book (on another note, notice that a total of three lives were lost in order to create her three dragons; her son, her husband, and the maegi).  Maester Aemon isn't playing the game because he stays out of it entirely, guarding the Wall.  Lord Arryn dies when also trying to crown the "true" king, while his wife and son live as they flee from the politics of the kingdom, hiding away in their mountain castle.  Lord Stannis doesn't die, but he stays out of it all at Dragonstone.  This leaves Daenerys, Queen Cersei and her family, and Lord Renly, plus the confusion of Lord Baelish and Lord Varys, to fight it out.

My prediction is that Daenerys will team up with Lord Stannis.  She has her three baby dragons; Lord Stannis is staying at Dragonstone.  In my oppinion, Lord Stannis does not believe himself to be the rightful heir either; I believe he believes that Daenerys is the true heir to the throne.  Daenerys also represents magic, the Free Cities, the main kingdom, and the Dothraki through her connections and experiences.  However, I don't know that it really matters who takes the crown in the end until the land beyond the Wall is taken care of...  Just based off of the titles of the other books, we've begun our game and the pieces have been narrowed down and have moved forward; Kings Renly and Joffrey and Robb will clash in the next book, leaving out Daenerys for now; swords will bring chaos with the problems on the Wall and beyond, plus the storm of swords that Daenerys will bring with her; crows will feast in the North when the Wall fails/falls (poor Bran!); and finally, Daenerys will win the crown with Lord Stannis' help and a new age of dragons will begin.

And now for my observations about how annoying the resemblances are in random details between A Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games.  For starters, both "A Song of Ice and Fire" series and "The Hunger Games" series call each of their installments "Book #".  With regards to titles, do I really have to say anything?  Another resemblance, is "the girl on fire".  Daenerys emerges from flames unharmed other than her burnt hair with her three baby dragons hanging on her, symbolizing her true entrance into the game and igniting rebellion against the norm of Dothraki customs while gaining the undying loyalty of the "underdogs" of society.  Katniss was set on fire and came out unharmed by it at the opening ceremonies before she literally steps foot in the games; she ignites rebellion and gains the loyalty of supporters through her fiery actions while in the Hunger Games.  In both games, you either win or die.  At the end of the Hunger Games, two victors emerge; at the end of this game, a few temporary victors emerge.  Lord Petyr Baelish's, the man in love with Catelyn Stark (think about the names...Katniss...Mellark...Peeta), who also cannot have her because she had to marry a Stark, sigil is a mockingbird.  He also is a great speaker and deceives others easily.  And just to mention the foil, Lord Petyr Baelish is the master of coin, while Lord Eddard Stark (Catelyn's husband and Lord of Winterfell) represents snow (bastards from the North are given the last name "Snow" and he does have a bastard).  On page 427, Lord Petyr Baelish is described as "clad in a blue velvet tunic with puffed sleeves, his silvery cape patterned with mockingbirds" just before Eddard begins the rebellion in the kingdom (book cover of Mockingjay?)  Lord Varys has his "little birds" who tell him secrets and information of the goings on in the kingdoms, much like the jabberjays.  Lord Varys also is initially described as "plump, perfumed, powdered...wore a vest of gold thread over a loose gown of purple silk, and on his feet were pointed slippers of soft velvet...flesh was soft and moist, and his breath smelled of lilacs" (pages 145-146).  Lord Varys is also described on page 161 as "smelled as foul and sweet as flowers on a grave."  Both quotes are similar to descriptions of President Snow in "The Hunger Games" series.  Also, in the main town where the Red Keep is and the king lives, the courtly people dress much more lavishly than anywhere else in the country, but I suppose that just may be more of something expected than something overly similar to that of the people of the Capital in Panem.  During the jousting tournament, a young knight dies and Eddard declares, "'This was needless.  War should not be a game'" (page 256).  I don't think that needs more explanation.  Eddard gets a leg wound that greatly debilitates him, like Peeta in "The Hunger Games" series.  As indirectly stated by Lord Varys on page 531, there are no scruples against killing children in this game.  Birds called "snow shrikes" warn in a line of calls from one to another of the impending attack on page 583.  Birds are essentially the main form of communication and warnings throughout both series.
*since reading further in the series and rereading this blog post, I have discovered that another similarity between Katniss and Daenerys is their braids.

And finally, Astrology:
Aries:
- Arya Stark
- Jon Stark
Taurus:
- Gendry, King Robert Baratheon's bastard
- Ser Kevan Lannister
Gemini:
- Jeyne Poole
- King Robert Baratheon
Cancer:
- Daenerys Targaryen (Capricorn Rising)
- Lady Lysa Arryn
- Lord Robert Arryn
Leo:
- Lord Jaime Lannister
- Mya Stone
- Queen Cersei Lannister
- Ser Rodrik Cassel
Virgo:
- Lord Tyrion Lannister (Gemini Rising)
Libra:
- Magister Illyrio
- Lord Walder Frey
Scorpio:
- Khal Drogo
- Lord Petyr Baelish
- Lord Roose Bolton
- Prince Joffrey Baratheon
Sagittarius:
- Rickon Stark
- Ser Jorah Mormont
Capricorn:
- Lady Catelyn Stark
- Lord Eddard Stark
- Lord Robb Stark
Aquarius:
- Bran Stark
Pisces:
- Sansa Stark
- Ser Brynden Tully

A Better Ending

If you've read The Hunger Games series, and were distraught and dissatisfied with the ending like I was, then you should read this story.  It has a much more satisfying ending and focuses more on the romance between Katniss and Peeta while also following the necessary guidelines of Mockingjay and Catching Fire politically.  You will most likely find yourself frustrated about halfway through because of the similarities to Mockingjay, but trust me, keep reading.  It is wonderful.  Also, unlike most fanfiction, this author is an excellent writer and almost captures the entire style and feel of Suzanne Collins' actual writing of the series.  READ IT!!!


In case you didn't catch the little link to the story, here's another link:  Alternate Ending.

"The Hunger Games" Series in Review

I never thought I could ever be so depressed and affected by a series of books in my entire life.  I am disgusted by the lack of humanity and hideously confused as to why anyone would recommend reading the series.  Book 1 (The Hunger Games) isn't so bad, though all the characters, perhaps only possibly excluding Peeta, lack humanity and morals.  Book 2 (Catching Fire) isn't too bad either until the last chapter, which is full of anguish and misery.  Book 3 (Mockingjay) is horrific and spews misery from page 1 to page 390 (aka the entire novel); don't read it, stop with the first book if you desperately feel the need to read any at all.

Part I
"The Movie"

Going in to see the movie Wednesday, March 28, I knew that if I was even somewhat impressed by it, that I would read the series, though, as usual, I kept this quiet.  I don't like people to think they can influence my decisions by recommendations.  Needless to say, I was beyond impressed with the movie, although it kind of gave a Spy Kids 3D vibe, leading me to begin reading the series.

The movie was entertainingly and beautifully constructed.  I was impressed with the story and the costumes.  Before viewing the film, I remember hearing about someone being upset over racism in casting, but after reading the book, I noticed that the complainers are not justified.  Rue and Thresh are described as having dark brown skin, so people need to get over it or harass the author over racism.

Of course the movie lacked some details in the book, but it was just as moving, and mostly grasped the overall concept.  In the movie, it is easier to sympathize with the characters, I think, because in the book they lack identifiable personality and humanity (except Peeta), which is of course brought on by society.  The movie does not fully portray the importance of tricking the Captiol and how life threatening the act is when Katniss suggests the berries.

Also, I think it's very weird that they chose a twenty-two year old actress to portray Katniss, who, except in the two-page epilogue, is only between the ages 16 and 17.  The actress, though skinny, is also too full-faced, you would expect someone extremely gaunt and thin to be playing a girl who was nearly starving to death.  The actress did portray Katniss well, but I think Dakota Fanning (with dyed dark hair) and her little sister would have been perfect for Katniss and Prim.

Part II
"The Books"

I don't understand why people are so into the series.  It has never been explained to me.  So many people talk about it as if they're talking about Twilight or Harry Potter.  These books are nothing like either of those series.  Twilight is a strange romance and Harry Potter is a fight between good and evil.  The Hunger Games is a sci-fi horror series, portraying what could happen to the world.  It isn't fantastical at all.

After watching Suzanne Collins in interviews, I am skeptical that she wrote the story, or at least that she has any idea what she wrote.  She seems to underplay the atrocious nature of the books, and prefers to look at it as simply a story that she tells.  This is confusing.  Watch one of her interviews, maybe you'll see what I mean.  I'm also surprised that she is happy and excited that her books are becoming movies.

By an "atrocious nature", I mean that the society of Panem either enjoys and exploits the Games or allows them to go on.  I don't even mean that it's worse that children are forced into the Games than adults being forced into them, if that were the case.  The part about it being children just opens up an audience of teenagers and makes the series more marketable.  No one tries to stop the Games in the books, not even Katniss.  When President Coin suggests the idea of hosting another Hunger Games with the Capitol's leader's children, the majority votes for them to continue.  No humanity.

The society of Panem also seems extremely confused by the idea of humanity.  Katniss considers her reasoning for using the berries to save herself and Peeta during Book 2 on page 118, "If I held them out to save Peeta because I knew I would be shunned if I came back without him, then I am despicable.  If I held them out because I loved him, I am still self-centered, although forgivable.  But if I held them out to defy the Capitol, I am someone of worth."  Katniss doesn't even consider the idea that she may have held them out because she couldn't fathom taking another human's life without it being in absolute defense.  It shows how backwards and inconsiderate her society is.

Another interesting observation I made while reading is that there is no mention of a God.  Katniss never considers her reason for living and doesn't even respect her own life.  The books are flowing with her determination to commit suicide.  They never really explain why she doesn't actually do it.  Katniss never discusses the "why am I here" idea that most people would do at some point in their life.  No one really tells her that she is a special individual either.

When Prim dies, I am surprised that Katniss didn't immediately think, "why did I do all of this".  The whole reason the uprisings began was because of her act of taking her sister's place.  Katniss never intended to cause the rebellion, though she never really defines anything particular that she wants from life except to be left alone.  When her sister dies, you would think that Katniss' world would have just ended, but instead she takes her revenge on Coin, which brings me to my analysis of Coin and Snow, the two major "Presidents" of Katniss' society.

Coin is the President of the infamous District 13, while Snow is the President of Panem.  Coin represents efficiency, greed and plainness; while Snow represents perfection, purity, and the sugar-coated.  District 13 is the opposite of the Capitol, where Snow presides, in that everything is rationed strictly and frivolity is absent.  Snow presides over the sugar-coated Capitol, as if a layer of pure, white snow covered a disturbing creature, vile inside.  Think of all the evil witches in Disney Princess stories that transform themselves into something beautiful, like in The Little Mermaid.  Snow's mouth is full of sores and blood, while his outside is inviting and beautiful.  By this, Snow maintains his power.  Coin represents herself plainly.  Coin, like money, symbolizes greed; she is greedy for power.  She is willing to wipe out anything in her way in the swiftest and most efficient manner.  Coin determines that her loss in healers and Capitol children is a necessary cut to make a quick end, whereas Snow realizes that it would be a waste and would prefer to find a different way.  Snow, at least, is worthy of some sympathy in the end, but Coin is almost worse.  Coin hides behind the rebellion to gain her power, it was her investment, but Snow works for his power sneakily.  Perhaps this is a little too obvious.

I will probably at some point think of more to say (I know I have more to say, but now's not the time).

Part III
"Astrology"

I don't have much to say about Astrology in this book.  Technically Katniss (birthday May 8th) is a Taurus and Prim (birthday late May) is a Gemini.  I don't know that either of them necessarily fit these classifications.  Gale is probably an Aries because he supports an aggressive attempt at destroying the Capitol and Peeta is probably a Capricorn because he is so deeply in love with Katniss and for so long.  I don't think that any of the characters can be accurately classified by an astrological sign because none of them have enough personality.  I suppose this is because of the society they live in; their personalities are seriously dulled.


Reading complete at 5:07am on Friday, April 6, 2012.

"Jane Eyre" in Review

I just finished reading Jane Eyre Tuesday (3/13/12) at about 2a.m. for school.  I really did actually enjoy this book and it falls under one of the few books in high school that I have read cover-to-cover. From what I knew of the story (from the movie versions, preferring the BBC mini-series), I would have never wanted to read the novel, but I actually enjoyed it!  Jane and Rochester are both very complex characters that could be developed even more.  They are like real people.


My favorite thing about Jane Eyre is that it is the ultimate love story.  Rochester is a total creep, spider, and vampire by trying to trap the pure Jane in order to gain the purity and redemption he so longs for, but he does truly fall in love with her.  Although many would argue that the point of the novel is to make some sort of feminist statement, I really disagree.  Jane's personality propels her to act as she does, and Jane as a real person would have acted the same way even with the societal constraints.  She longs for independence because she does not want to be obligated to those who don't truly want her, not because she does not want to be obligated specifically to a man.  Jane seeks love for happiness and does feel that marriage and God are the best ways to find this happiness.  That is a very normal thing for a woman to wish for at the time.  Because of Jane's human personality, it is not unnatural or spectacularly feminist to want true love.


Now for my astrological point of view:  Jane is a Capricorn, Rochester is a Scorpio, St. John is an Aquarius, Bessie is an Aries, Georgiana Reed is a Libra, and Eliza Reed is a Gemini.  Those are really the only characters with enough description and depth for me to accurately characterize by an astrological sign.  Jane, although not apparent to me at first when reading about her childhood years, is the most stereotypical Capricorn woman there possibly is (intriguingly enough, in my favored BBC version, Jane is played by a Capricorn, Ruth Wilson, who's birthday is 1/13/82).  Jane is a dutiful and happy audience to those who wish to talk to her.  She is nonjudgmental, but curious about others.  She doesn't present many apparent emotions to others.  Rochester is a typical Scorpio in that he is possessive, jealous, and mysterious, as shown through countless examples throughout the text.  St. John is one of the most determined and domineering people, and for me was very difficult to figure out.  I placed him as an Aquarius because he is too aggressive for a Virgo and too docile and ambitious for an Aries (although he is "disturbed" as many Aries men seem to be).  Bessie is an Aries because she responds well to forwardness and isn't afraid of speaking her mind and being abrupt.  Georgiana is a Libra because of her constant need for an untroubled surrounding as well as lots and lots of flattery.  Eliza is a Gemini because she feels a great amount of agitated obligation to her family, is extremely selfish, and has her own mindset on the exact steps to do everything.


And now for my book to movie comparison:  I don't remember the 2011 movie version very well, though I remember in some ways it was more accurate than the BBC version.  However, since I own the BBC version, I know it more thoroughly and will compare the novel to it.  I believe that the movie is not an accurate portrayal of Jane as a character, though it portrays Rochester very well.  Jane has way too many complex thoughts to easily portray her on camera, but I think they could have developed her more by at least accurately portraying her childhood and how she got from many point A's to point B's.  I also think that Bertha is drawn out too much in the movie, focusing less on the love between Rochester and Jane.  The movie focuses on the Gothic feel, but not the love story.  The novel is not very Gothic and focuses much more on love and Jane's quest for happiness.


Favorite quotes:

• "This room was chill" pg. 8
• "nestling in a wreath of convolvuli" pg. 16
• "Broughton Brocklehurst" pg. 32
• "'onding on snaw'" pg. 36 - not even kidding
• "each bearing a tray, with portions of something" pg. 42 - yum
• "Brocklebridge Church" pg. 60
• "could I ever rise more?" pg. 69 - probably actually important for the essay I must write for school...
• "'if others don't love me, I would rather die than live'" pg. 70
• "she breathed a little fast, and coughed a short cough" pg. 71 - foreshadowing
• "'Continue to act as a good girl, and you will satisfy us.'" pg. 71 - more foreshadowing
• "'add nothing and exaggerate nothing'" pg. 72 - important life lesson
• "Then her soul sat on her lips, and language flowed, from what source I cannot tell; has a girl of fourteen a heart large enough, vigorous enough to hold the swelling spring of pure, full, fervid eloquence?" pg. 74 - perhaps a little feminist?
• "Mr. Brocklehurst and his family never came near Lowood now" pg. 79 - hope surfaces that Brocklehurst will no longer be mentioned in the novel
• "'No - I have no family.'" pg. 100 - Jane should have felt more comfortable with Mrs. Fairfax
• "took the cat on her knee" pg. 100 - Mrs. Fairfax is a cat person
• "Twilight and snowflakes together thickened the air, and hid the very shrubs on the lawn." pg. 125 - good to know that British people have always been fascinated by the shrubbery
• "'She began by feeling my horse.' 'Sir?' said Mrs. Fairfax." pg. 129 - Mrs. Fairfax is just as creeped by that statement from Rochester as the reader
• "There was a reviving pleasure in this intercourse, of a kind now tasted by me for the first time" pg. 378
• "substituting peace for war, freedom for bondage, religion for superstition" pg. 405 - 1984 reference?
• "'They are coming!  They are coming!'" pg. 427 - sounds like a quote in HP7P1
• "'St. John is a strange being'" pg. 451
• "I heard the front door open and St. John pass out." pg. 458 - such weird word choice...

Things I learned:

• &c. = etc.
• foreshadowing is much more obvious than I could have ever otherwise realized
• "Rasselas" was a typical read of the time
• imadversions is not a real word
• adding "Brockle" to a name before identifying the thing was a very popular practice of the time
• British people automatically know what -shire you're talking about without actually naming it
• knowing French is important
• knowing German is important
• commas are necessary for life
• "'ing' and holm" is a folk phrase of the time
• I do not know what "'Resurgam'" means
• spelling things the "British" way is best, like "colour", pronounced "cul-lore"
• it takes about an hour and a half to go six miles in a carriage...I think it takes less time to walk that distance...
• hot negus was an important staple of the time
• people did not merely have a globe during that time, instead they had a "pair of globes"
• alliteration provides comic relief for a reader after reading for 3-5 hours straight
• translating all the French in margins of Jane Eyre is totes tedious
• irascible = rascal-like
• choler = irascible temper, but not drippy snot
• sometimes Charlotte Bronte got bored and pulled out a thesaurus so that she could make paragraphs full of vocabulary words that make no sense
• "cadeau" is certainly not pronounced "Caillou"
• Bronte really needs to modify her word choice in many instances
• ribaldry is a funny word
• "sententious sage" means very wise
• Céline is pronounced "say-lean"
• Rochester saying "refresh me" means that he wants you to let him suck your blood
• when referring to "a chicken in the pip", you mean that there is a respiratory illness or something of the sort
• I am way too entertained by this wonderful novel
• "'she looks such a tinkler'" does not mean that she looks like she needs to go potty
• "'nichered'" means "laughing snickeringly"
• Janet.
• "surmises" is a good word

Finally, I shall point out some of the Twilight references:

• Edward = Edward
• Jane's appearance is similar to Bella's appearance; both are totes plain and quite small
• Edward's description is Edward's description, just less beautiful; "how like quarried marble was his pale, firm, massive front at this moment!  How his eyes shone, still watchful, yet wild beneath" pg. 312
• "He stood between me and every thought of religion, as an eclipse intervenes between man and the broad sun." pg. 295 - Eclipse is the book where Edward and Bella are engaged...Jane and Edward have just become engaged at this point
• "ice glazed the ripe apples" pg. 319
• I'm pretty sure that Jane is 19 when she gets married to Rochester (Edward)
• Jane and Rochester's children would most likely be called, Ednet and Janward

Did I mention that I can't believe I managed to read the whole thing?

"World Without End" in Review

When I read a book, I am looking for a story, something fantastical.  For the most part, I cannot stand teen fiction.  Twilight is okay, but it should have never had a sequel.  I despise (for the most part) realistic fiction, which is the typical teen novel.  I absolutely adore historical fiction written for either adults or children.  My favorite books include The Other Boleyn Girl, The Queen's Fool, The Pillars of the Earth, and now World Without End.  The first two are written by Philippa Gregory and the last two are by Ken Follett.

I love Ken Follett's writing because it is direct and not overly descriptive (I would consider Jane Austen and Charles Dickens (my least favorite writer) as the most descriptive authors I have read from).  The two novels I have read by Follett both are exemplory in that they are direct to the point, suspenseful, truly stories, and epic in proportion.  I admire Follett's ability to write such well-developed books.  I am intimidated by his ability, quite frankly.  He tells the entire lives of multiple characters and manages to find endings to the stories without cutting them off short.  I am also fascinated by his ability to write a sequel in which the characters are completely varying from the original characters in The Pillars of the Earth.  I don't know how Follett is able to come up with solutions to so many problems the characters are presented with.

The most amazing thing about World Without End, that I did not find quite as much in The Pillars of the Earth, is that I became completely immersed in the story; I lost all consciousness with the world around me.  I felt like an immediate observer of the events unfolding in the novel.

I also am astounded by Follett's ability to understand the workings of the human mind, especially for the female characters.  I have never met a soul who understands people so well.  Very strange for a Gemini, which, through my biographical stalking, I have discovered Follett to be.

I am also very intrigued by the depth of historical accuracy Follett gets into with this novel.  I especially like that it is centered around the plague.  I feel like the concept of the novel began with plague outbreak in Kingsbridge when it was written rather than with the letter the novel is supposed to be centered around.  I think that the letter was just added to create a beginning and introduce an importance to the characters and a point to the story.  By the end, I really didn't care about the contents of the letter, nor what was done with the letter.  Also, overall the bridge was not that important nor was the cathedral's tower.  Building was definitely not the defining ingredient in this novel.

Now about the ending of World Without End: I suppose everything is wrapped up because everyone is put in their rightful places.  I have to admit, as well, that the ending surprised me, as did the ending of The Pillars of the Earth, but not quite as much nor in the same way.  At first it seemed almost weak, but as I reread the last paragraph, I realized that it is actually very satisfying, although somewhat stereotyped.

Overall, I believe this to be one of the best stories ever told, and I would suggest this epic novel to anyone who is willing to take on the challenge of its proportion!


P.S.
Because of my obsession with astrology, I of course found myself making astrological archetypes of most of the characters, so here they are:  Merthin (who I consider to be the main character) is a Capricorn, Caris is a Taurus, Godwyn is a Taurus, Thomas Langley (Brother Thomas) is a Virgo, Gwenda is a Gemini, Wulfric is a Leo, Petranilla is a Taurus, Edmund Wooler is a Capricorn, Elizabeth Clerk is a Capricorn, Mother Cecilia is a Libra, Sister Mair is an Aries, Ralph is a Sagittarius, David is a Capricorn, Annet is a Gemini, Samuel (Gwenda's son) is an Aries, Philemon is a Scorpio, Earl Roland is a Gemini, and Bishop Richard is a Libra.  That's all I've got though, the rest I'm not sure how to determine which astrological sign they belong to.

From the soundtrack of The Pillars of the Earth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quo2EIFQLhE