COMICS & HOROSCOPES
HOROSCOPES
Messages from the Oracle in New Orleans Dan Beck, #1 Astrologer in New Orleans dan@innermakeup.net Y’all have been reading this column since its inception last August. Inceptions are important, as they are the beginning of something *hopefully* special. I’ve always written this column with the intent to entreat you, dear reader, to stop, observe the moment in which you find yourself, and participate in a ritual with your horoscope. This is not much different from what I do with clients, as I believe astrology is an interpretive analysis and divinatory art. There is no stopping you from partaking in such activities, whatever your spiritual level. I don’t write these words to abstractly consider the philosophical underpinnings of astrology, rather to emphasize why astrology is so critical and immediately applica-
ble at this moment. Many of you might read this column seeking answers to what your future holds. If the future is preordained, do you really want to know the future? Maybe. But the more radical approach to divination is to acknowledge that we have some say over our future and perhaps much more free will than we might imagine. Thus, fate and free will clash. There is fate, but what we do with fate might be free will. It’s a paradox, and reminds me of the two-headed god Janus whose heads face in two directions—one to the future, and one to the past. It is easy to rationalize the past and say things “were always meant to be that way” i.e. they were fated. If you
look back, however, like one side of Janus’ head, there were probably some moments where you could have done something like read a horoscope or at least thought before you acted. Those turning points at opportune moments hold the keys to a different, hopefully brighter, future. So which deity can help you choose the best door, like the TV show Let’s Make a Deal? Ops. Ops is the Grandmommy of astrology. Recall that Ops was the wife of Saturn, and after a prophecy foretelling the overthrowing of Saturn by his children, Saturn began to eat his progeny. Ops saved Jupiter and tricked Saturn into swallowing a rock instead of Jupiter, allowing her to clandestinely raise him. Later, mother and son got togeth-
er to free the rest of the kids, Neptune, Pluto, Juno, Ceres, and Vesta. Ops not only symbolizes hope, but the Latin translation of this Goddess’ name means “riches, goods, abundance, and plenty.” Ops is a timely symbol of facing harsh realities while embracing optimism and ultimately coming into abundance. I’ve talked quite a bit about Saturn in this column, on my website, and most succinctly on my Inner Makeup Astrology YouTube page. Working with Saturn can yield great results, but for the purposes of this column, and because of the saturnian, restricting, malefic influences we’re feeling this year, I’m focusing solely on Ops. Ops’ journey through the second half of the
18 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · June 2 – 15, 2020 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com
