Why Gloria?

The name Gloria Steinem has become synonymous with feminism. Unlike many of the fads and lost causes of the 1970s, Steinem’s reputation as a media savvy journalist and icon for women all over the world has only grown with age. And after all these years, the 66-year-old finally entered into the institution of marriage and has found herself in the news again.

Why was it that this woman become so important in the era of women's rights, and why did her voice rise above all the others who were fighting for "women's lib?” That phrase may sound as nostalgic and cheesy as a white suit on Saturday night, but Steinem's work and always-newsworthy personality certainly haven't grown tired. So why did she choose this battle, or did it choose her?

In looking at Steinem's chart, several things stand out. Yes, she is an Aries (sign of forcefulness and individuality, check!) but her Jupiter (planet of good forture) is in the opposite sign: genteel Libra. We've all probably heard of Libra's association with balance and fairness, but the sign also possesses some hidden qualities that are a little trickier to pin down.

Sometimes Libra-influenced folks, being from a peace-loving tribe, are not so comfortable with anger, and so they have the tendency to induce rage and arguments in other people while maintaining their positions in a calm, cool cerebral way. (Think of Libra Charlton Heston, the National Rifle Association's poster boy. He keeps his head while causing near violent reactions from his peace-loving detractors. Tricky!) It is this part of Steinem that is actually quite lucky for her, and for us. Through calm rational talk, and a smart magazine that she founded, Ms., she was able to spark huge controversies and juicy, politically relevant, timely arguments in all the people around her.

Back in the day, when Steinem was growing up, she would've been labelled a hysterical female and locked away for asking for equal rights as a woman. Interestingly, Libra is also the sign that is most associated with beauty and partnership. No wonder Steinem was on the forefront of the women's rights struggle, asking questions about women's value outside the home and their romantic relationships with men. And her magazine Ms. was the first serious woman's magazine that wouldn't be bought off by anti-woman ads from the fashion industry.

I Am Woman

It makes sense when viewing Steinem's chart to see that her Sun (who she is in the world) and Mars (passion, sexuality) are conjunct, meaning at close degree, in Aries, the sign of aggression and archetypal "male" energy. Aries, being the first sign of the zodiac, is associated with possessing a strong, pioneering spirit. Breaking new ground culturally and politically is never easy, and calls for tremendous courage.

Steinem was able to push women into a more important position in the world, certainly a brave, "man-sized" task. Luckily, Aries is also associated with great enthusiasm and a good deal of impulsiveness. Perhaps she just couldn't wait for the future to happen, she had to forcefully push the limits. The Sun and Mars together in any fire sign are apt to make for a very charismatic leader, but in Aries, in a female, that leader will have a particular fondness for proving she can fight hard.

Her Inner Struggles

Although Steinem may present a confident (Aries) image to the world, there is a hint of depression, or at least strong ennui, when it comes to her love life, and her image as a lover. Saturn, which can be a very heavy, constricting planet, "sits" on Venus (love/beauty) in Steinem's chart. Both Saturn and Venus are in Aquarius, a sign that is very comfortable dealing with group situations (as a friend, a community leader, etc), but less at home in areas of intimacy. Steinem may feel the weight (Saturn's heaviness) of her role in the world as a feminist leader, in her personal life and especially her love life (Venus).

Why Now?

So why has she chosen this time in life to risk getting bashed by the media (or embraced—the public and reporters can be fickle) to get married? Love, certainly, for her mate, David Bale, who is Dad to none other than actor Christian Bale, but the astrological forces seem particularly at play as well.

Throughout 1999 and early 2000, eclipses in the signs of Leo and Aquarius were consistently hovering close to her Leo Moon, or opposing it. And when they weren't triggering emotional longings for romance in a big, dramatic Leo way, they were triggering controversial impulses by conjuncting or opposing her Venus (planet of love) in unconventional Aquarius.

Then, in May of 2000, lucky Jupiter hit her Seventh House (relationships and love) cusp. Progressive Uranus is also drawing close to her Venus, giving her intellectual clarity and the chutzpah to know that she is making the right decision about marriage. This babe has come a long way. Long enough to live her own life and love as conventionally or unconventionally as she pleases.