Astrology

In less than a day millions of people all over the world will be getting married. Tony Parker and Eva Longoria are tying the knot in Paris. At Sea World, in San Antonio, any couple that shows up at 7:00 a.m. can get hitched with thousands of other San Antonians.

I wonder what would happen if I showed up with a woman. Could we join in with the masses of happy heteros itching to marry in a hurry? I suppose if we do we can also join the masses of couples at divorce court in the coming months or years once we, too, realize that marriage is a farce, especially those rushed into on a whim.

What is it about tomorrow that is making so many people rush to the altar? I guess it would be nice to have an anniversary that is easy to remember. Is it the collective act of sharing in something with fellow humans? I just don’t get it.

I am bringing this up in part because I think it is ridiculous, but also in light of conversations I have been having with my friend T who is about to have a baby. She is in the hospital right now about to give birth to my niece (I’m not blood related to her, but what is blood anyway?). I have been checking my “Birthday” astrology book to determine the best day for baby A to be born. Today is the day. At first, T wanted her to be born on the 7th but once we checked the B-book we decided the 6th was by far the best day to be born this week. She would share a birthday with Frida Kahlo! And, as I explained to T, the 5th is out of the question, as is the 8th.

Is this crazy? Is my attention to astrology worse than rushing to get married on the 7th? I should note that everyone I know who has looked up their birthday in my book has been BLOWN AWAY by the description. I also have a “Relationship” astrology book that has helped me more than I care to admit.

My birthday description is uncanny. I am ruled by fate. Everything in my life is apparently set in a specific trajectory that is out of my control. Once I acknowledge this, my life is supposed to flow much more smoothly. It is true. Whenever I try too hard to make things happen (such as a relationship or a specific job offer) things get screwed up. When I trust in fate, very cool things happen. For example, when my house was on the rental market for a while (about two months) I began to get nervous. I tried to relax and not pressure the management company and trust that the right person would come along, someone who would take care of the house as if it was their own. It happened.

Right before I left for graduate school I was in the area where my house is located and an uncontrollable urge came over me to drive by my house. It was as if I was being driven to the house by the car. I stopped in front of my house and the next thing I knew I was walking up to the house. That day I spent several hours talking with the woman who was renting the house. She had cancer, just like my mother. She was a single parent with a daughter, just like my mother. I could go on and on about the similarities these women share. She asked me if my mother died in the house and I said yes. She glanced over to the living room and asked where. I pointed to the spot, the same spot where her couch was sitting. She told me that that is the place in the house she feels at most at peace. She even slept there. I believe it was fate that pulled me home that day to meet this woman.

I guess I will be staying home tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. Unless, of course, fate pulls me somewhere... I hope it is to the hospital to meet my new niece, even if she is born on the 7th. Perhaps she will be ruled by fate as well.

Update: Baby A was born on the 6th!!!