Jupiter Dasha – A Study in Contrasts

By Edith Hathaway © 2022

Jupiter Dasha can vary radically, even for the same Ascendant chart.  In this study we compare the charts of two individuals, each with Scorpio Ascendant, focusing in particular on the Jupiter Vimshottari Dasha.  Both are famous people who achieved a high degree of accomplishment, celebrity and long-lasting reputation in the field of music:  George Gershwin, composer, pianist, orchestrator, conductor; and Maria Callas, opera singer.

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Rhapsody in Blue – Breakthrough Moment in American Art & Culture: Feb. 12, 1924

By Edith Hathaway ©2017

There are cultural flashpoints in every era. And since musical tastes typically take the longest to develop, flashpoints may be recognized at the time as such. But they can also take many more decades before their impact is fully understood. One such moment was on Feb. 12, 1924 at a concert in New York City, now referred to as “a defining event of the Jazz Age and the cultural history of New York City.” (Wikipedia: Aeolian Hall) The concert became known as a “jazz concert” only years after the event. It was also the world premiere of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Up to that time, Gershwin was largely unknown to the classical music world. Continue reading

PRINCE OF BROADWAY – LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA brings Alexander Hamilton to (musical) life

By Edith Hathaway © 2016

On a recent trip to the Caribbean, and while staying on the beautiful island of Nevis, I learned that Alexander Hamilton was born there – a surprise to me and perhaps to many people. So we had to visit his birthplace and the museum there. Coincidentally, upon our return to the U.S., Public television was showing a documentary film on the Broadway musical Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda. He in turn was inspired by Ron Chernow’s biography of Hamilton, first published April 26, 2004. The musical Hamilton had its World premiere on Jan. 20, 2015 at the Public Theater, New York City and its Broadway debut on Aug. 6, 2015. Continue reading

Citizenfour

Best Documentary Film Award for Citizenfour:  Laura Poitras & Glenn Greenwald

By Edith Hathaway © 2015

e_snowdenThe Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 yielded the usual Hollywood glamour and theatrics, along with some surprises. The subject of the film Citizenfour is NSA mass surveillance and Edward Snowden, now living in Russia due to a pending federal case against him as NSA whistleblower. Continue reading