Earthgirls Work Hard

Multi-talented singer Janet Jackson has a heavy load of earth planets in her chart. In astrology, earth represents the physical, practical and material sides of life. Although many earth signs (notably Taurus Shirley Maclaine) are students of metaphysical subjects, they still need to have the unknown explained in extremely concrete terms. Earth signs are also known to be extremely hard workers. The process of working has special meaning for them, as it is important for them to feel like they have something to show for their time on Earth. In Janet's case, her music will surely live on, long after she is no longer with us to sing it.

Janet Jackson has three personal planets in Taurus, as well as her North Node. Of the three earth signs (the others are Virgo and Capricorn), Taurus is considered the most sensual and "luxurious." Taurus is ruled by Venus, the genteel planet of romance and aesthetic beauty.

In recent years, Janet has changed her image from sitcom character kid (on Good Times) to tough, boxy-suited "Michael's kid sister" (during her '80s Control and “What Have You Done for Me Lately?” phase), to ultra-sexy, soft-edged soul diva. Her 1993 self-titled album Janet ushered in a new era for Ms. Jackson, musically and style-wise. She also showed her romantic side in the film Poetic Justice, with the late Tupac Shakur. In 1997, Janet released her next album The Velvet Rope, which shocked some with it's more graphic explorations of Janet's sensuality.

Interestingly, many folks associate the sign Taurus with the gift for music, particularly voice. Taurus does rule the throat and neck, and there are certainly enough Taurean crooning legends to back up this theory (from Bing Crosby to Barbra Streisand).

Fire Down Below

Janet also has a strong fire influence in her chart, with both Moon and Venus in aggressive, passionate Aries. Her Venus (art, harmonious relationships) is conjunct (at a very close degree) Eddie Murphy's Sun. No wonder they had such terrific chemistry in this summer's big hit The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps. She even got to record a hit song for the soundtrack.

Venus in Aries is not known for its staying power in relationships. It’s passionate and enjoys the chase, but isn’t always in there for the long haul. With that in mind, it's interesting that Janet stayed in a long-term relationship for so many years (throughout much of her twenties and early thirties) and only ended it recently.

In February 1999, it was reported that Jackson and her lover of ten years, Rene Elizondo had split up. Rumors flew about Janet "secretly" eloping with Elizondo years ago, but she never stated publicly that he was her husband. The day the story of the secret marriage broke was near the day of a major eclipse in Aquarius that squared both Janet's Sun and North Node (what she is meant to accomplish in this life). Eclipses often signify the start of a major cycle of emotional growth. The cycle didn't begin well, as Janet denied that they had ever married.

Sure enough, though, in early June 2000, Janet's fib was revealed officially, when Rene served her with divorce papers. Both came clean and admitted they'd gotten secretly hitched in March, 1991. Ironically, at the time she was served with divorce papers, Jupiter (planet of luck and expansion) and Saturn (planet of hard, but necessary lessons) were both conjunct in Taurus, right on Janet's Sun and North Node. Though divorce is often painful, she will surely look back on that day as a blessing in disguise. With Venus and the Moon together in independent Aries, it's not surprising to see that Janet felt compelled to give the appearance of being wild and free, while her Taurus side craved stability.

In Need of Oxygen and Space

Janet has no planets in air signs in her chart, which suggests that she is in need of more lightness and objectivity. She is definitely a heavy, rich personality, but not the kind of person who easily goes with the flow and takes life as it comes. In love she would definitely benefit from a partner who possesses a good deal of air in his chart. Yet, because these airy qualities are so lacking in her chart, they may also be threatening to her (as what's good for us often is).

This Christmas season could be particularly full of change and angst for Janet. Another eclipse (in Capricorn) opposes her Jupiter. Often, oppositions make us realize that we are vulnerable and needy. This could be a lonely holiday time, but as Jupiter also is associated with international travel, Janet could make the best of it by taking her passport and getting out of the country for awhile.

Perhaps when Janet goes through her Jupiter return (a lucky, expansive time where we have to be careful what we wish for!) she will hook up permanently with just this type of airy character. During this period she may also finally release her Velvet Rope follow up, and it could be a lot more thoughtful and experimental than past cds. Change could be lucky for Janet, thanks to Jupiter's influence in 2001, but unfortunately Taurus (more than any other sign) hates change!