IMPORTANT INTRODUCTION - PLEASE READ

If you seek an insight into the future of your love life, why not do as they did
in ancient Greece - and consult the Gods of Love. I'm delighted, today, to
introduce a special system of celestial self knowledge which is based on a
classical tradition, thousands of years old. It involves a potent mixture of
ancient astrology, modern psychology and Greek mythology. Simply look for your
zodiac sign in the list below. You will see two names; one representing the
goddess you most usually have an affinity with and the other representing the
one who is currently having the biggest influence on your life.

ARIES
Usually
Artemis
Currently
Hestia

TAURUS
Usually 
Aphrodite
Currently
Artemis 

GEMINI
Usually
Athena
Currently
Aphrodite

CANCER
Usually
Demeter
Currently 
Artemis 

LEO
Usually
Hera
Currently
Aphrodite

VIRGO
Usually 
Artemis
Currently
Demeter

LIBRA
Usually
Hera
Currently
Athena

SCORPIO
Usually
Athena
Currently 
Persephone

SAGITTARIUS
Usually
Artemis
Currently
Athena

CAPRICORN
Usually 
Hestia
Currently
Athena

AQUARIUS
Usually
Athena
Currently
Persephone

PISCES
Usually
Persephone
Currently 
Hera

Begin by looking up your 'current goddess' but then go on to read about your
usual goddess. When you do this, you may need to translate my words a little -
but if you convert them from a 'prediction' to a description of a 'personal
habit pattern' the effort will reward you with a very revealing insight into
your past. If you happen to know your Moon sign or your Venus sign, take a look
at the goddesses these lead you to as well. Indeed, ideally you should read
about all seven because they all exist as influences somewhere within your
personality. The ones you can easily relate to are the ones you can learn
something about your past from. The goddesses that you look at and say 'that's
not really me' are the ones that you may just find, if you decide to summon and
explore them, help make your future more fulfilling. Next, take a look at your
man's usual and current goddesses. How do these compare and contrast with your
own? Can you become more like his 'dream'? Can his 'dream' be deepened to the
point where it encompasses your reality? Can you meet each other half way? The
answer to all these three questions is yes... if you're both prepared to learn
and grow.

IF YOU ARE A MAN: You are reading, today, about the 'woman of your dreams'. Try
neither to get too excited - or too depressed if you feel she's a million miles
from anyone you know. The idea is simply to understand more about her - so that
you can begin to resist the usual 'big mistake' which so many males
inadvertently make; of projecting this dream vision onto a real human partner.
All too often, we fall in love with 'who we want our partner to be' and not' who
she actually is'. Then, as time goes by and the real person fails to measure up
to our own, imaginary 'inner goddess' the relationship turns sour. Look up your
wife or girlfriend's date of birth. See which goddess she most closely
identifies with. Learn to respect or even (dare I say this?) 'worship' that
goddess and you'll find you automatically, in the process, imbue your real life
partner with the confidence to be more like her own true self. How will this
help you fulfill your fantasy? Well, every woman, when she's really
feeling free to be her own true self - and not 'obliged' to act out a role that
matches her partner's expectations, will automatically manifest the best
qualities of all seven goddesses... including the one you secretly yearn to be
embraced by. Thus, in accepting that your loved one cannot be, all the time,
what you want her to be... you will be helping and encouraging her to be what
you want her to be SOME of the time!

ARTEMIS

INTRODUCTION:

Artemis, known to the Romans as Diana, was the goddess of the hunt and of the
Moon. Tall and lovely, she lived a glorious outdoor life, accompanied by her own
pack of dogs and band of nymphs. Though she wore a short tunic, this was not to
attract male attention but a symbol of freedom (a long dress would have
restricted her movement). Artemis was an accomplished archer but though she
hunted fierce boars, she was known as a healer and protector of animals - and
also of young girls whom she frequently rescued from 'a fate worse than death'.

Like Athena, Artemis was a daughter of Zeus. Though she was born by more
conventional means, the legend tells that the moment she was born, she began to
help her mother deliver her twin brother Apollo. This took nine painful days,
during which the new born Artemis earned her reputation as a healer. At the age
of three, her father gave her a bow and arrow, a band of nymphs to keep her
company, the freedom of the woods and fields and 'eternal chastity' - which we
might, in modern symbolism, translate as the ability always to choose her lovers
and never to fall victim to force, persuasion or misplaced guilt.

Though Artemis was ever a symbol of strength, she also came to represent victims
of tragedy and betrayal. She fell deeply in love with the handsome Orion, to
whom her twin brother Apollo took a strong dislike. Apollo tricked her one day
by pointing out a distant object and betting her that she could not hit it with
an arrow. Never one to resist a challenge, Artemis let fly - only to discover
too late, that she had killed her lover. Inconsolable ever since, she at least
arranged for Orion to live on forever in the sky - and gave him one of her own
dogs (Sirius - the dog star) for company.

MAIN TEXT:

You've just about had it up to here! Slowly, over the past few months, the
spirit of adventure-loving Artemis has been welling up within you. As you begin
to look at your current situation through her eyes, you're feeling less and less
impressed with what you can see. You've already started to do something about
this but you're very aware that there's a lot further to go... and you
definitely don't intend to stop until you've gone all the way.

The question is though, all the way to where? Ideally, you want to go all the
way to somewhere a very long way from where you are. You want to jump on a
plane, a boat - or a very fast motorcycle and just head for the hills. Or the
desert. You feel an almost overwhelming craving for space and freedom. You want,
in the immortal words of Marlene Dietrich, 'to be alone'.

And yet, sadly, other circumstances probably make this all seem like an
impossible dream. You've got commitments you can't just turn your back on. The
spirit of Artemis within you is getting mighty fed up with these. She's champing
at the bit, she's climbing the walls and she's absolutely determined to bring
about a sense of liberation. How well does this bode then, for joyous news on
Valentine's day? If you're single, it's hopeful. There may be no suitable man on
your immediate horizon but in your current mood, you're rather glad of this. You
really don't want anything more than a 'light' relationship at the moment... or
at least, you don't want anything more substantial with anyone who doesn't truly
represent a worthy catch. Catch, by the way, is very much the keyword here.
Artemis, as goddess of the hunt, enjoys pursuing her dreams as much, if not
more, than she enjoys fulfilling them. Already, you're casting your eye around
for someone special to pursue. Over the next few weeks, if no suitable candidate
emerges naturally, you'll simply start seeking out new hunting grounds;
deliberately placing yourself in social positions where you
can meet a different type of guy.

There's no doubt you'll be successful in your quest. There's no doubt, either,
that you've got a very exciting, active time ahead - and not just on the
romantic front. There is though, some doubt about quite how well all this visit
from Artemis is going to work out if you now happen to be in a committed
relationship. Please don't misunderstand. You're not going to experience some
tremendous urge to have an affair. Artemis is a very loyal lover. It's just that
she hates to feel trapped, enclosed or 'obligated'. Your spouse, no matter how
understanding he may already be, is going to need to be even more understanding
and accommodating over the next few months. He's going to have to appreciate
that you badly need to be left to your own devices. He's going to realize that
though you're both very close, you have grown more like a brother and a sister
than a pair of lovers. It won't do - and in order to get back together properly,
you're probably first going to have to get a little further
apart. You've got to shake off the stale atmosphere that has grown up (through
no particular fault of anyone) in the situation as it currently stands. A change
of scenery really could make a difference. Contemplate a move to the country if
you live in the city - or a move to the beach if you live in the country!
There's not much point in just hoping you will grow out of this yearning for
space. Artemis is not used to losing. She simply won't depart until at least
some of her demands have been met. If, therefore, a total change is out of the
question, you'd better spend as much time as you can outdoors, riding, walking
and generally burning off the excess physical energy you seem to have so much
of. Your partner, if he's lucky, will also feel the benefit of this... but only
if he keeps out of your way or has the good sense to make himself a little
unavailable - so that instead of feeling hunted... you end up feeling like the
one with the whip hand.

ATHENA

INTRODUCTION:

Athena was the beautiful warrior queen who stood guard over the ancient city of
Athens. Though she was a brave swordswoman and an inspiration to the military
forces, this graceful goddess of strategy and intelligence was also closely
associated with arts and crafts. Her pronounced, piercing eyes were said to gaze
fondly on the city's weavers, goldsmiths, potters, shipbuilders and dressmakers.
She came to be the symbol of all 'great inventions' and practical discoveries.

Legend has it that the great Zeus was once plagued with a terrible headache. In
the throes of agony, he persuaded Hephaestus, god of the forge, to strike him on
the head with an axe. The blow was duly delivered and moments later, Athena
emerged from the wound. As she proved to be a full grown woman in golden armor,
clutching a spear and yelling a dreadful war cry, it is no wonder his head hurt.
Zeus, instantly healed, turned to embrace his new found daughter and, from that
point on the two were inseparable.

When Perseus killed the snake haired gorgon, Medusa, Athena watched the battle
from on high and helpfully whispered into his ear, the idea of using a mirror so
he would not be turned to stone by her gaze. Athena assisted Jason and the
Argonauts to build the ship with which they sought the Golden Fleece. All the
great warriors, including legendary Achilles and mighty Ulysses turned to wise
but tough Athena for inspiration.

MAIN TEXT:

Are you the woman who knows no fear? You'd like the rest of the world to think
so at the moment.

Athena, the warrior goddess has been influencing your outlook on life and love a
great deal lately - and she's due to become even more of a dominant influence
between now and the middle of the year. For as long as you're under her spell,
you'll be manifesting her persona; trying, as hard as you can, to be a tough,
independent, clever and resourceful woman with little time for frippery,
frivolity or foolish things like 'feelings'. It's not that you'll be immune
to emotion. Athena herself is by no means incapable of loving - or of longing.
It's just that, while you are responding to the cosmic call from the queen of
courage, you'll be more inclined to summon your strength than explore your
weaknesses.

You're likely to decide that the best way to do this is to declare that for now
at least, the things you feel, deep down inside, are nobody's business but your
own. You don't want to share them with your partner or would-be partner, no
matter how much you love him. You feel that he's got his own business to take
care of... and you've got yours. Your love may involve a two way flow of respect
and support but if it is to survive the next few months, it has to be based on
mutual encouragement not consolation. You simply need to know that he loves and
admires you for your strength - and that he trusts you to make the right
choices. If you need anything from him, it is his insight and judgment not his
constant concern. The crisis now brewing (and when Athena's in action, there's
always one on the boil) is one you both must face together. Neither of you can
afford, even for a passing moment, to feel sorry for yourselves or concede the
possibility of defeat.

This year at least then, you therefore have little interest in the traditional
trimmings of Valentine's day. Lovely though it is to be showered with gifts or
flattering remarks, all you really want is to know you've got a battle companion
you can rely on! If your lover complains you're not being especially romantic,
explain to him that the time for whispering sweet nothings or indulging in a
thousand slow sensual pleasures will, if he's patient, come round again. Right
now though if he wants to excite your passion, he's got to stop treating you
like some voluptuous Aphrodite and recognize that you're a woman with a mission.
All he has to do is support (or even join) you in waging the war you're so
determined to win and he'll soon discover there's plenty of heat behind your
cool facade!

The fact is that you're feeling pretty excited by the pressures you currently
face. They are stretching your mind, helping you learn new skills, allowing you
to plan great enterprises and creating chances to give plenty of people their
orders!

There are moments when everything seems to be on top of you - but each time you
conquer another difficulty, you feel on top of the world.

Romantic problems are only likely to emerge in the next few months if your
partner fails, somehow, to show sufficient faith in you - or worse, undermines
your own faith. If, in this way, he triggers your secret fear of failure - or if
you allow the fact that you currently have no partner to do the same, you may
end up playing out the Persephone syndrome.

This typically involves meeting a man who is deeply, desperately unsuitable yet
finding yourself falling head over heels in fascination with him - because he
'seems to know something that you don't'. For a while, he becomes able to
manipulate you as nimbly as a suave playboy might hypnotize a teenage girl. You
eventually outgrow the obsession... but not before it has done some serious
damage to your pride... and wasted time you could have spent far more
profitably.

If however, you watch for that - and make sure you keep your eye on the
battle... you'll not only emerge from your current worldly struggle with a sense
of triumph, you'll also emerge from it with the kind of love life you really
want!

DEMETER

INTRODUCTION:

Demeter, known to the Romans as Ceres, the goddess of the grain, will always be
known as the goddess of motherhood. This is partly because both are symbols of
fecundity - but also because of the myth of Persephone, Demeter's daughter...
which must also be read in order to truly understand the 'protective spirit'
that this goddess represents.

Demeter, like Hestia and Hera, was a daughter of Cronos. She too married Zeus.
This though, was several thousand years before her sister did the same. The
Greek gods may sound like a strange, incestuous lot but, when you live for all
eternity, presumably, you play the game of existence by somewhat different
rules. Certainly Demeter, as a symbol of dedicated motherhood, remains every bit
as 'alive' as she did all those thousands of years ago.

The tale of poor little kidnapped Persephone tells us a lot about Demeter's
determination. We understand even more about the sacrifices that a good mother
has to make once we understand that, in her long quest to find and free her
daughter, Demeter neither ate nor slept. She roamed land and sea and refused to
give her up for lost - even when advised to do so by Zeus himself. For the sake
of finding her daughter, she later suffered poverty, abuse and eventually, went
berserk. She refused to be a goddess of their grain any longer and thus caused
all the crops to fail. But it all paid off in the end - as truly devoted
motherhood always does.

MAIN TEXT:

If you don't have children, you may be wondering whether this article about the
goddess of motherhood can really apply to you. Perhaps, you're not so much
wondering as worrying. This can't mean what you think it means can it? It may...
or, it may be that your maternal instincts are going to be triggered in a less
obvious way. All I'm prepared to predict is that, while you're under the
influence of Demeter, you can expect your nurturing, caring spirit to come to
the fore in a very big way.

If you do have offspring (of any age) it IS most likely to be through your
child(ren) that this surfaces. It could though, be a project, plan, promise,
passion or even a person that you come to see as 'your precious baby'.

You'll know what it is soon enough, if you don't already - for over the next few
months, you are going to be all but taken over by a very powerful need to
protect someone or something. So intense is this emotion likely to be that you
will feel willing to sacrifice almost anything for the sake of your protégé's
well-being. You'll take on almost any task, consider almost any offer, be
willing to go to almost any lengths. This will not necessarily be because the
object of your adoration is in any actual danger; physical or spiritual. It will
be because you tend to 'perceive a danger'. It is very important that you check,
at regular intervals, whether this is real or imaginary.

Even if it is real, you have no need to worry. Whenever Demeter, the ultimate
protective spirit is at work, the outcome of every saga can only, eventually be
a happy one. What we cannot say with any such certainty though, is whether you
will be protected from the vulnerability that your own intense desire to protect
someone else gives rise to.

Valentine's day is coming up fast. The big question is, who do you want to
receive a gesture from - and why? It's almost impossible for you, at the moment,
to separate your own true feelings from your instinctive sense of duty towards
the person, cause or situation you so much yearn to secure a better future for.
This is noble but it's not necessarily sensible. You must be on the lookout for
manipulative people, especially men, who are anxious to offer you the wrong kind
of help for the wrong reasons. You need to check whether you're misdirecting
maternal energy towards a partner who really needs to face up to his own
responsibilities instead of getting you to pick up the pieces for him. Even if
that's not the case and the situation you're trying to sort out is a cause truly
worthy of assistance, you must ask yourself if you're not
smothering, as opposed to mothering, the 'child' you feel so responsible for.

You're going to find the goddess Demeter a very fulfilling force to have on your
side provided you don't let her lead you to extremes of panic or anxiety about a
matter that's best seen in a more philosophical light.

If your urge to be totally responsible really does run away with you, it is
likely also, to run away with your ability to feel like a whole person - and
thus your ability to enjoy a whole love life.

Please therefore, take the time to read about some of the other goddesses in
this feature. Take a look at Artemis and consider how she might suggest attack
as the best form of defense in the situation you face. You can probably do a lot
more to help whatever or whoever you so much want to assist by taking an
assertive, dynamic stance rather than an all but helpless one. Athena, too, can
teach you a lot about how to place more of an emphasis on strategy and thus less
on stubborn determination. Remember too, that Aphrodite can be a great source of
balance in a topsy turvy scenario. No matter how much you care about what - or
whom, or why, things will not get any worse if you stop every so often and have
a little fun. Indeed, through relaxing more, you could find you discover a way
to make matters a whole lot better.

PERSEPHONE

INTRODUCTION:

Persephone, known to the Romans as Core, was the maiden goddess. She symbolized
innocence, beauty, vulnerability and served as a warning of the danger of
temptation. Because of her association with the Underworld however, she also
came to be known as a figure of depth, mystery and dark desire. Persephone was
the sweet only daughter of Zeus and Demeter. One day, while out gathering
flowers, the sinister figure of Hades appeared from nowhere, hauled poor
Persephone aboard his chariot and hurtled off back to the underworld. There, he
made her his bride. While her distraught mother searched the earth for her in
vain, Persephone made the best of her lot and came to secretly enjoy her life in
the world of darkness. Eventually, her mum tracked her down and, through Hermes
the negotiator, secured her release. The deal between Hades and Hermes allowed
Persephone to go free provided she had eaten no food whilst in the underworld.
Later, Persephone confessed that she had indeed, eaten some pomegranate seeds.
She claimed she had been forced to do this - but nonetheless, this transgression
obliged her to divide her time, from then on,
between her protective mother and her hypnotic lover. Interestingly though, when
she grew older, she returned to the underworld of her own free choice.

MAIN TEXT:

Oscar Wilde once said 'I can resist anything... except temptation.'. That's
pretty much your own cri de cour at the moment. You're just a sweet, pure well
intentioned harmless thing, to and around whom the most outrageous, wicked or
shocking things keep 'happening'.

If the wrong kind of men, or the wrong kinds of opportunity keep hurling
themselves at your feet, it's definitely not because you are in any way inviting
them to. All your problems are either someone else's fault - or the result of
wicked circumstances beyond your control. You're not enjoying the trouble you're
in one little bit. That's absolutely not a smirk on your face. It's a grimace.
How on earth dare anyone suggest otherwise? Maybe, just maybe, you're prepared
to concede that you've played some small part in letting your current situation
develop as it has done... but then, what choice have you had?

Persephone, the dark Queen of the underworld, is currently at work in your life,
naughtily corrupting your normally impeccable judgment and leading you, on
what's beginning to seem like a daily basis into ever deeper hot water. There.
Don't you feel better already, just for reading that 'excuse'?

The truth is though, that you do have the right to resist her - and the power to
do so to. The thing is, secretly, you're not so sure you want to. If you didn't
think so many people would 'disapprove' you'd be quite willing to confess that
you're actually rather enjoying much of the drama and intrigue that's currently
taking place in your life.

There is, for example, the slight matter of who you're expecting to get a
Valentine's card from tomorrow. Actually, he's probably not going to send you a
card. He's not that kind of a conventional character. Nor do you want him to
send you one anyway - because a) it might create damning evidence of something
you'd prefer to keep a very private secret and b) you already know just how far
you've got him wrapped around your little finger and you don't need that kind of
proof.

Best then, for the sake of your virtuous reputation, that you come the raw
prawn. After all, it seems to be working a treat so far. You've got all sorts of
people, tying themselves up in all sorts of knots in an urgent attempt to help
you out of the mess they feel you've got yourself in. The trouble is though,
they don't know the half of it and you don't intend to tell them the rest.
They'd be shocked!

Needless to say, none of this bodes well for the future health of a key
'official' relationship. Even if your little secret has nothing to do with
another man, it certainly isn't the kind of thing that you can really tell your
sweet, kind and totally trusting current companion about.

Assuming, of course, that your companion is sweet and kind. Another variation of
the Persephone syndrome involves the tendency to find yourself embroiled with a
partner who makes Atilla the Hun look like Postman Pat. This of course, is not
your fault either. He wasn't like that when you first got together. We wonder
why!

If you're still reading, there's hope. The very fact that you are still reading
suggests you're ready to do something constructive. I have been a little harsh
on you. It's really NOT all your fault. But half of it is. A proper recovery
from the confusion and turmoil you're now caught up in IS possible. But only if
you are honest enough to take your half of the responsibility for having caused
it in the first place. Only half mind you. Yet another variation on the
Perspephone syndrome involves not so much wallowing as fully luxuriating in
guilt. You allow yourself to feel so bad, you grow quite convinced that nothing
you do can possibly come to any good. That won't wash either. And nor will
simply waiting till Persephone becomes less of a dominant influence. Like a
stubborn stain that ordinary soap just won't shift, you'll wear her mark until
you come completely clean, with yourself and everyone else who matters to you,
about everything. YES. Everything.

HERA

Hera, known to the Romans as Juno, was the goddess of Marriage. She had big
beautiful eyes - purportedly with which to watch errant husbands like a hawk.
She is traditionally linked to cows, lilies and peacock feathers (because of the
'eyes' on their tail feathers). Cosmically, she is associated with the Milky
Way. Because, back in ancient times, just as now, marriage was always a
difficult business, Hera is associated with both the joyous hope of happy union
- and the agony of marital dispute.

Hera, like her sister Hestia, was a child of Rhea and the mighty Cronos. Legend
has it that her father swallowed her as soon as she was born - and regurgitated
her later as young girl. We can perhaps translate this as having had an
extremely close bond with her father - which may explain why she grew up to be
so determined to stand by her man.

Hera grew up to be courted by the mighty Zeus - but she refused to be seduced by
him and insisted on marriage. In the end, he gave in... and the honeymoon lasted
300 years... though the next few hundred were not always so sweet. Eventually,
as with so many women who live for the ideal of marriage and can't quite adapt
to the reality of it, she began to feel her husband had ruined her life!

MAIN TEXT:

There's got to be some way to fulfill your dream of a perfect relationship.
Because you're under the influence of Hera, the marriage goddess, you're half
dreading and half hopefully dreaming of Valentine's Day. In your nightmare, he
(and you already know exactly who HE is) gets a card from HER. (you're pretty
sure you know who SHE is too). He thinks you don't know - but you're not so
easily fooled. The lack of hard evidence hardly counts. She's probably left her
card in a secret, pre-arranged place. He's probably done the same with his gift
for her. You refuse to be taken for a fool - though in another way, you cant
stop hoping that you are a fool and that it actually is all in your mind. Just
in case, you won't give up completely on him... or, at least, not yet.

This brings us on to your hopeful dream. Tomorrow, he's going to make the
gesture that proves he really cares. He's going to say the one thing, make the
one move - or suggest the one idea that lets you know he really does listen -
and that he wants you more than he wants any other woman in the world. After
all, you and he were born to be together. That's why you fell for him in the
first place. It can surely only be a matter of time before the two of you stop
falling out or failing to communicate clearly and start living in the blissful,
idyllic world of perfect understanding and trust that so you yearn to
experience. And, considering how much time (and effort, and sacrifice and
compromise) you have already given this relationship, it's all simply GOT to
start happening any day now. Hasn't it?

Er... Well maybe. And maybe not. It depends, not on him... but on you. You've
got to stop seeing yourself as a victim of circumstance or a helpless puppet in
the hands of your man. You've got to stop wondering and worrying about 'her'
(whoever she is, if she exists at all) and start deciding that you're the most
beautiful gorgeous desirable woman in the universe. You are, indeed, so lovely
that, if he actually IS daft enough to spurn you, your life will be filled in
seconds flat, by hundreds of other admirers. Actually you DO know this already.
It's just that you've gone and got it into your head that, as none of those are
HIM, they're all no good to you. This may be a slightly better excuse for
martyrdom if 'HE' actually is someone you've already given years of dedication
to but it's still an excuse. So too, is your concern for the future of the kids,
the pets, the house, the bills or the business. All these will, actually,
ultimately be just fine whether you stay together or move apart. But you'll be
left without a reason to suffer, without all those annoying habits of his to
contend with - and without all those totally unsatisfactory conversations to
hold. And then, where will you be?

I say this so confidently because psychologists know that whenever the spirit of
Hera gets a grip on a woman, she can think of nothing else but her relationship
- regardless of how long it's been going on. You'll notice, if you read the
other goddess interpretations in this feature, that they all have a little
section dedicated to single readers. You won't find one here because nobody
under Hera's influence ever IS single. Even the ones who 'look like they are'
are yearning to be with one person so badly that they're practically having the
relationship already... or hanging on so tight to their last partner that it
might as well not be over.

It's not healthy but the good news is... it's not going to last. You're not
going to let it, no matter how long it's been going on. Nor, once you do grow
out of this phase, are you ever going to be daft enough to get yourself into a
quite such an emotional, needy pickle again. You don't even have to wait till
Hera's influence diminishes. Instead, you simply need to summon another goddess
to your aid. Read, please, the pieces here today about Athena and Artemis.
Decide which one you can most relate to and determine to take a leaf out of her
book. If you really can't find the courage, emulate Hestia. But don't assume
there's any mileage to be had in becoming more like Demeter or, worse,
Persephone. They're not your key to success. Even Aphrodite isn't your key. You
do need to become sexier... but you'll automatically do that, the moment you
make up your mind to be much more self possessed.

HESTIA

INTRODUCTION:

Hestia, known to the Romans as Vesta, was the goddess of the hearth and temple.
Unlike all the other goddesses, she was traditionally never depicted in female
form. She was a 'presence', a feeling; a spirit of warmth and protection.

Though Hestia was a prominent goddess, daughter of the powerful Cronos, there
are few legends about her. She is not so much a figure of mystery as an
expression of such a simple, beautiful, essential energy that no great complex
tale needs to be told to explain it. Hestia represents purity and sincerity,
sanctity and safety. Those who come under her influence get the greatest
blessing of all; a straightforward, contented life.

Though Hestia was a symbol of celibacy (her roman equivalent, Vesta, was the
goddess who governed 'vestal virgins') legend tells that both Apollo the Sun God
and Poseidon (the sea god) fell in love with her. To be influenced by Hestia
certainly doesn't guarantee a 'U Certificate' Life - but it certainly points to
a desire to place spirituality above sensuality.

MAIN TEXT:

All you want, right now, is a quiet life. You've got a host of personal projects
that you want to pursue in peace. You want a chance to sit quietly, be still and
'find yourself'. You also want a break from the dramas and traumas which, sadly
tend to be so much part and parcel of daily life in this modern world. And no,
you really don't want romance - or at least not romance in the superficial,
exciting sense of the word. Candlelight, you're quite happy to enjoy. You are,
after all being influenced by the goddess of fire. Flowers too, you'll willingly
welcome. Hestia's home-making influence extends to a deep appreciation of all
things natural and earthy. Anyone intending however, to sweep you away in a
private jet to a sun kissed tropical island can hop right back in their plane
and find some far more lightheaded lady to take instead. You wish her luck. What
you want, far more than that, is just to stay in a familiar place and feel
comfortable. It's not that you're in an unadventurous mood. It's more that the
journey you're currently keen to undertake is one of inner exploration. You want
to meditate or practice yoga - or slowly tend your garden.

And do you want to do this WITH anyone? Only if that person is as committed as
you are, to a simple, steady way of being. If there's a man in your world who is
currently in the midst of some major adventure or stressful saga, he can
certainly count on your for support and gentle re-assurance - but he'd better
not be expecting you to get as worked up about it all as he is. You're quite
prepared to talk things though - indeed you relish the intellectual challenge of
solving people's problems, crossword puzzle style, from a detached distance.
You're also prepared, indeed more than willing to empathize deeply with those
you care for and even strangers. As soon though, as you actively step into their
world, you lose the ability to lead a placid, self contained existence in your
own.

The same 'refusal to be drawn' is the reason why you're not likely to end any
existing relationship, no matter how unsatisfactory, while Hestia is your
guardian. Nor though are you going to suffer or set about trying to solve a
hopeless problem. You're simply going to retreat into your shell, occupy
yourself as productively possible and see what happens when a little more time
has passed. In so far as this can hardly be anything other than a wise course,
it's sure to bring the best result. But then, Hestia never leads anyone to
follow anything other than a sensible plan.

And if you're currently single? .What you really need right now is a bright,
witty man with a deep understanding of life's more complex spiritual and
psychological aspects. He needs to be successful (not necessarily in the
financial sense though you do find 'wheeler dealer types strangely attractive')
and most importantly, he needs a great sense of humor. There's no guarantee that
you'll change your status over the next few months at least... but if you do,
you can be sure that the person you're getting involved with is a genuinely
compatible partner. Hestia won't let you fall for anyone else. And if there's no
such candidate in the offing? Hestia will keep you so still, comforted and self
possessed that frankly, you really neither mind nor care.

APHRODITE

INTRODUCTION:

Aphrodite, known to the Romans as Venus, is the goddess who needs no
introduction. We only have to hear her name to see, in our mind's eye, a vision
of total loveliness in a seductive state of undress. Aphrodite is though, far
more than just a siren. She is a goddess of doves, swans, roses, apples, arts,
crafts and all things graceful, inspired and creative.

Boticelli's Birth of Venus, commonly called 'Venus on the half shell' accurately
reflects the myth of Aphrodite. She emerged as a nymph from the waves and
immediately drove almost every male god wild with desire. A half sister of
Hestia and Hera, her father was Cronos and her mother (depending on whether you
believe the poet Homer or Hesiod) was either a sea nymph or a daughter of a
rather complicated act of union with the ocean itself!

Aphrodite was very much a free goddess. She suffered no great traumas nor did
she ever feel obliged, for long, to restrain her appetites - which by all
accounts, were as impressive as her looks. It is wrong to take all this too
literally and judge her as amoral. Her free and easy lifestyle is far more
appropriately interpreted as a symbol of the way in which the passion and
fulfillment of artistic creativity is eternally available to everyone!

MAIN TEXT:

If you're not currently having the time of your life... you can expect it to
commence any day now. The goddess of love and beauty is at work in your life -
and soon, your world is never going to be quite the same again. You don't
consider yourself beautiful? You're all too painfully conscious of certain
'imperfections' in your appearance? Think again. We are not talking here about
the kind of artificial, skin deep beauty that make up artists excel at.
Regardless of your shape or size, you're beginning to exude a magnetic charisma
which, if you allow it to express itself fully, will make you more attractive
than any Supermodel and a more desirable conquest, in the eyes of most men, than
all five Spice Girls in one fell swoop.

A conquest however, is the one thing you're most definitely not going to be.
Nobody, but nobody, ever talks Aphrodite into anything she doesn't want to do.
Nor do they attain her love by playing on her weaker emotions - like guilt or
sympathy. Indeed, if you're a man reading this about your partner and you want a
red hot tip, resist like crazy that urge to fall at her feet, smarten up your
act and start playing 'just slightly harder to get' double quick. Don't be too
elusive... and don't insult her intelligence by making a promise you can't
fulfill but do be yourself and show some respect for her strength and judgment.
Single women under the influence of Aphrodite are willing to be 'invited' but
determined not to be manipulated. They'll go, not necessarily for the most
handsome man in town, but for the one with the most talent, wit, charm and joie
de vivre. And they'll get him. Every time.

Women in a committed partnership however, can have a problem when Aphrodite
reaches into their lives. They fall deeply in love with the notion of freedom
and may, or may not become unable to resist the urge to claim that freedom. This
depends, not on the history of the relationship or even on its potential for
long term compatibility - but on the willingness of the male to respond to the
challenge, stop taking his wife for granted and treat her like a new found mate,
all over again.

While Aphrodite is the dominant influence on your life, you can expect to feel
'red hot' and highly wanted, almost all the time. You're bound to want to flirt
and, as you're guaranteed to remain in control of the consequences, there's
really no reason why you shouldn't. Other perhaps, than the paranoia of your
partner. If there's the slightest chance that he'll have that reaction, show him
this article and remind him of one crucial point. He's only in danger of losing
you if he starts to panic about losing you and thus tries to hem you in during
the one phase of your life during which you most need to feel free. He can do
better than that. And, if you encourage him, he will!