Astrology and Me

Queer Astrology

Introduction

For Him:

The Twelve Sun Signs

Doing Him

Getting Rid of Him

For Her:

The Twelve Sun Signs

Doing Her

Getting Rid of Her

About the Author

Dearman Astrology and Me
How We Found True Love (and How You Can Too)!

By Jill Dearman

Like tasty cakes and good, hard sex, astrology can be addictive. But just like those yummy substances, astrology can put you more in touch with your desires and your dark side. More in touch than you ever thought you could be! Just be careful you don't become a slave to the stars. Save that for your safe, sane, and consensual dungeon antics. I'd hate for you, dear readers, to put your free will aside and take any astrologer's insight or advice as the gospel, even if it's someone as fabulous and eerily accurate as I am!

As a young Scorpia lass growing up in the progressive and open minded borough of Queens, New York (you know: Archie Bunker's 'hood) I read my older sister's copy of Linda Goodman's Sun Signs with great interest. I wanted to learn more about this ancient and often controversial craft. I read as much as I could on the subject and like many apprentice astrologers I practiced my divining skills on my family and friends. Once in college, my dear roommate, Deborah Taylor asked me to write a column for our school paper, of which she was editor in chief. The column was an instant hit, and I felt instant pressure to learn more and more about the stars and their effect on human nature.

I consulted with a highly respected astrologer on a regular basis, read the works of the best men and women in the field (Liz Greene, Martin Schulman, Melanie Reinhart) and also read a great deal of Carl Jung, the famed psycho-analyst. Practically every astrologer worth her salt is aware of the fact that the groundbreaking analyst was a believer in astrology himself. Although, naturally he was given hell in his own time when he asserted these beliefs. Check out his writings on synchronicity, archetypes and the collective unconscious and you will see that we who "believe" in this ancient art and science are not crazy. Merely, uh, eccentric.

Still, even though there is a lot of wonderful material written about astrology, there is very little that is directed at a gay audience. I mean, sure, I have my butch days when I don't mind filling in an image of myself when reading about how an Aries woman (like my lover) gets along with a Scorpio man (like me?), but it's a little degrading when I'm feeling more girly. For years I have wondered, shouldn't there be queer identified (and queer in style) books on a subject as queer as astrology?

About a year after college in 1990 I wrote my first "lesbian astrology" column, for Les (aka Linda) Simpson's groundbreaking 'zine, My Comrade/Sister! Leave it to a drag queen like Miz Simpson to put hideous headshots of girls from his high school yearbook, above my racy prose. In 1993, I began writing a gay astrology column for HX then later HX For Her, New York City's premier "politically incorrect party papers."

During this time I also began pursuing my other passions: writing (I wrote several plays which have been performed at PS 122, Dixon Place, The Westbeth and various other NYC venues) and counseling. I also got gigs writing for other papers and magazines including Mademoiselle and Twist. At the same time I continued to give in depth chart readings to New Yorkers of all stripes. By talking in depth to folks about the influence of all the planets in the charts (not just the sun) I found that I became a more knowledgeable and well rounded astrologer. So, many thanks to those who have come to me over the years.

Finally, in 1997 I pitched my ideas for two gay astrology books, one for boys the other for girls to my agent, the lovely and talented Ralph M. Vicinanza. Mr. Vicinanza secured a deal with St. Martin's Press, and here we are.

I'm happy to report that the books continue to top gay best sellers list since March. At present, I am working on a couple of other projects, a futuristic novel and the story of a magician who falls in love with her assistant. Magic and psychic abilities are always subjects of major fascination for me.

In closing, I really hope you enjoy the books. Remember, Queer Astrology For Men and Queer Astrology For Women focus on Sun Signs, which are a small but significant part of every individual's chart.

For information on in-depth chart readings, or to send comments, contact Astrojilly@aol.com.