By Brenda Fullick

Ask anyone in the United States what Iowa is like, and you'll probably get fairly consistent answers: hard-working, honest, conservative.

To people interested in astrology, then, it may come as no surprise that both Polk County and the state of Iowa were formed under the sign of Capricorn, a stable, reliable sign that's got a reputation for working hard and playing by the rules.

But can governments be influenced by the stars in the same way that people would be? Or is the whole idea of astrology just a bunch of impractical, superstitious nonsense?

Consider this: The state of Iowa shares a birthday with Woodrow Wilson, the best-educated president the U.S. has ever had.

Polk County, also a Capricorn, shares the same birthday as country singer Trace Adkins and up-by-your-own-bootstraps author Horatio Alger.

Des Moines is technically a Libra, sharing a birthday with Chuck Berry. But the more dramatic, "Hey, look at me!" West Des Moines is a Leo, sharing birthdays with shrinking violets Ben Affleck and Julia Child.

The city of Waukee is a double Capricorn, a fast-growing suburb that means serious business. It shares a birthday with Susan Lucci and Helmut Schmidt.

Many Cityview readers peruse Rob Brezny's "Real Astrology" column each week, wondering what poetic commentary they might find about their signs. But astrologers are quick to point out that sun signs are just part of the story - that there's much deeper information to be gleaned from the exact year, date, time and place that each person came into this world.

In the realm of astrology, there is also a specialty niche known as mundane astrology. Mundane astrologers study the date a government is incorporated, in the same way that other astrologers would analyze an individual human's birth chart. These astrologers believe that by studying the way the planets were aligned when a city or other government is formed, they can learn not only the general traits of that place, but also the times when certain types of issues are likely to crop up. The belief is that cities - like humans - always have free will and can mature emotionally over time, but that the birth chart establishes an energetic blueprint that influences their personalities, issues and choices.

Cityview asked local astrologer Lenore Hamill to interpret the natal charts of the state, Polk County and area cities, based on their dates of incorporation. Astrology can be a complex science, but to simplify matters, Hamill focused on the sun and moon signs for Cityview readers.

"The quality of the sun sign in mundane astrology describes the identify of that location, the personality of that location. It can indicate the types of government or leadership that are comfortable there," Hamill explains. "The sun is always like the main character in a play.

"The quality of the moon sign in mundane astrology describes the people who live in that location - the population as a whole," she says. The moon sign would influence popular opinion and the general quality of life.

"There's a lot of Leo and a lot of Libra in these towns," Hamill says. Leo is about the arts and drama, entertainment and fun, whereas Libra is considered to be more interested in social graces.

But are these findings accurate?

Cityview readers will have to decide for themselves.

Iowa
Sun: Capricorn (conjunct Venus)
Moon: Taurus

"First, this tells me that Iowa is a leadership state," Hamill says. "Capricorn rules responsible leadership. This energy is conservative, practical, down-to-earth and conscientious. Capricorn rules government and the military. It rules corporations and business. Capricorn is always trying to improve the quality of life. Iowa lends itself to promoting government with the Iowa Caucus."

Hamill mentions the military. Coincidentally or not, the Iowa National Guard has a national reputation in the military for its recruitment and retention records, as well the quality of its Iowa soldiers.

"As a state, our organization is doing a lot of very good things to make sure we're ready as an organization to handle whatever comes our way," says Lt. Col. Greg Hapgood, the Iowa National Guard's public affairs officer at Camp Dodge in Johnston. "If that happens to be aligned astrologically with Capricorn, terrific."

Hamill says it makes sense that Iowa would be a center for finance, banking and the insurance industry. With a Capricorn/Taurus combination, she says, "It's going to be conservative. It's going to be practical."

Iowa's moon sign, Taurus, suggests that Iowans are stubborn, generous, reliable homebodies who like saving for a rainy day.

"Taurus rules farming and agriculture," Hamill says. Under the Taurus moon, Iowans would be "people who are hard-working, but like to enjoy a good quality of life. People who are concerned with finances. The general public would be calm, relaxed and friendly. However, this would be a public that is quite opinionated and dislikes rapid change.

"These are the people who will invite you in their homes for a piece of pie or an ice cold beer," Hamill says.

Comment on this story | Return to top

Polk County
Sun: Capricorn
Moon: Leo

Polk County's sun sign of Capricorn reinforces Iowa's values, Hamill says, with its emphasis on conservative, responsible leadership. "It makes sense that the state capitol and also Camp Dodge are located within Polk County."

However, if Hamill's analysis is accurate, the residents of Polk County would be much more entertainment-oriented than residents in other parts of the state.

"The energy of the people who live in Polk County is that of Leo. Leo is another sign of leadership," Hamill says. "Leo also rules the entertainment industry. Here, we find people that want to 'play' - want to enjoy life," she says. "This is where our arts and entertainment centers would be located. Leo also rules children. We find a population that is very concerned with the welfare of their offspring and wants their offspring to know the arts, entertainment and how to play."

The local arts community is, in fact, providing several educational programs for children, says Tracy Levine, head of the Metro Arts Alliance. "I don't always think it's in traditional ways, but I definitely think we are out there." Levine thinks it's crucial to provide arts for children because "it's how children can learn. Without the arts, I don't think children learn as well."

Levine also sees the arts community focusing more on individual creativity and less on institutions, which can make the area feel more spontaneous and less generic. "I think Polk County is working hard on that," she says. For instance, Jazz in July this year is adding sites where individual artists can sell their pieces, giving them more exposure while helping the public understand that the arts are about more than performing.

It goes without saying that most of the area's arts and cultural institutions are based in Polk County.

But many of Polk County's bastions of entertainment - the Des Moines Art Center, the Civic Center, the Des Moines Arts Festival, Stoner Theater, Stage West and its Fringe Festival - are located within Iowa's capital city. Is it coincidental that Des Moines has a Leo moon, too?

Comment on this story | Return to top

Des Moines
Sun: Libra
Moon: Leo

"The energy of the people who live in Des Moines is the same as that of Polk County: Leo," astrologer Hamill says. Like Polk County residents generally, the Des Moines citizens specifically would want to be entertained, she says. "They want the arts, drama, culture brought to the city. They enjoy plays, concerts, arts festivals, movies, etc. The energy of the people who live here is confident and sunny, with open generosity and a special fondness for children."

Practically speaking, Des Moines has an active citizenry concerned about the quality of education for its young people, but the school activists are frequently at odds with the Des Moines school administration. Hamill points out that the school district would be subject to its own astrological influences, which may or may not align with the wishes of the community's citizens. "The school district's a structure unto itself," she says.

The city government, too, has its own natal blueprint. With the sun sign of Libra, Hamill says, "The energy of the leadership of Des Moines is one of fairness and equality for all."

Although boards and individual politicians can come and go, the city in general would exhibit Libran traits, Hamill explains. "The administration of Des Moines as a whole is tending to be 'let's bring in a little bit of everybody.'

"Libra is concerned with 'equal rights,'" she says. That would include the interests of gays, women and minorities. "Libra energy is gracious, courteous, diplomatic and polite. The leadership would be well-rounded and sincerely take into consideration the ideas of all. This leadership would be good at negotiations."

Ironically - or not - this capital city incorporated under Libra, sign of balance, has an unusually open gay community in the East Village, which is particularly unusual by Iowa standards. Des Moines also had a minority mayor in Preston Daniels, despite the fact that the citizenry is predominantly white.

Frank Haag at the Blazing Saddle does find the city to be gay-friendly. "It's about as gay-friendly as St. Paul is," he says. He's also encouraged by the growth of Pride Week, especially with the size of the parade. "It's come a long way."

But to say the city government is inclusive - "I think it's a bit on the optimistic side," says Rick "Fuzzy" Feldman at the Blazing Saddle.

One thing that has frustrated many residents in recent months has been the Des Moines City Council's unwillingness to remove council members Archie Brooks and Tom Vlassis in the wake of the CIETC scandal. But that, too, would reflect Libran tendencies, Hamill says: If the city's going to make an error in judgment, it would rather be overly fair to the individuals involved.

Do these traits ring true for Des Moines?

City Manager Rick Clark is a natural skeptic. "I don't want to comment on astrology as a source of information," he says.

Then again, Hamill is saying positive things about Des Moines. And, frankly, Clark thinks they're actually pretty accurate.

"I do think one of the values that the city of Des Moines as an institution holds is to be fair and to treat people equally," Clark says. "In city government, you never quite get to the point where you make everybody happy. But I do think there is an ethic of value that says we are going to listen to what people have to say."

Clark also sees the Des Moines citizenry as being unusually responsive to public amenities, like the Riverwalk and bike trails. An audit shows that since Gray's Lake was developed, 1 million people per year are using the facility for walking, cycling and other activities. "That's an astounding number," Clark says.

Comment on this story | Return to top

West Des Moines
Sun: Leo
Moon: Libra

Oddly enough, Des Moines and West Des Moines have sun and moon signs that are mirror opposites of each other. Where West Des Moines has its sun, Des Moines has its moon, and vice versa. That suggests a complementary brother/sister, sister/brother relationship that would help the two cities work well with each other, Hamill says.

Ask former West Des Moines Mayor Dino Rodish, and he describes more of a sibling rivalry between the two cities. "I think it's kind of a love-hate relationship," he says, "almost like siblings can be."

Hamill says that under a Leo sun, West Des Moines city government would be "strong, determined, positive leadership that is not afraid and almost welcomes the spotlight. A leadership concerned with bringing culture and entertainment to this city.

"The leadership of West Des Moines is much more flamboyant than that of Des Moines," Hamill says. "Here we find leaders that are outspoken, dramatic, and somewhat entertaining. We find a genuine care amongst the leadership to take care of their kingdom."

The Leo energy can be generous, but on the negative side, a Leo government can be arrogant and see itself as royalty, Hamill says. "Leo believes they're the kings and the queens of the zodiac. The Leos believe everything else is meant for them."

Sometimes people who live outside of West Des Moines get a taste of that monarchy - or oligarchy - when the city tries to annex their rural land into the kingdom of West Des Moines. Gary Scott, director of West Des Moines' parks and rec department, sees how that can make the city appear self-absorbed. "Their goal is to grow," he says. "Sometimes we joke about going all the way to Omaha."

As an astrology buff himself, Scott thinks the natal signs for West Des Moines ring true. "I think there's a lot of characteristics of the government that would fit Leo. They want to be the best. They want to be the first. They want to be recognized as distinctive. Sometimes that comes off as arrogant.

"There is a definite drive in the government to be the best, to be first, to set the standard," Scott says. "Quite frankly, there's a desire to be recognized for that."
Personally, Rodish doesn't see the Leo connection with his city. "I think West Des Moines has always been more of a pro-business type leadership, versus flamboyant and colorful," he says. Rodish agrees that the city government wants to be strong and protect its kingdom, but he doesn't see any drama. Still, he says, "I think you can get things done when you're under the spotlight."

Perhaps Rodish is too close to the situation?

"I would say there's certainly members of the city council that are outspoken and dramatic," Scott says. Though "'entertaining' might be pushing it a little bit. ... When you work for the city, you don't think of it as entertainment."

West Des Moines' residents, on the other hand, would be represented by Libra, the sign of balance and beauty.

"The population that lives here is concerned with social graces, etiquette and refined beauty," Hamill says. "Libra rules the refined arts and wants everyone to be 'nice.' We find beauty, charm and grace amongst this population. There is also a concern for fairness."

Rodish says the West Des Moines community can afford to be more aesthetically refined now than it was in its early days as a blue-collar, rough-and-tumble railroad town.

Scott sees the Libra influence with the citizens pressuring the city to be more concerned with aesthetics, and to make sure the older parts of town are not forgotten as the city focuses on new development. "We've had a lot of pressure to become more visually appealing" as a city, Scott says. "There's a lot of interest in making the suburb way more unique visually."

The citizens are also very concerned about fairness and balance, Scott says. "They want to be treated fairly."

Hamill predicts a messy government shakeup in 2007 because of the placement of Saturn in the city's chart. "There are going to be a lot of changes that are going to be emotionally upsetting to people," she says.

Comment on this story | Return to top

Pleasant Hill
Sun: Taurus
Moon: Gemini

"Here we find a leadership that is practical, down-to-earth and concerned with the financial security of this location," Hamill says. "This is a leadership that will work hard but has resistance to change."

"I think that's a fair statement," says Pleasant Hill Mayor Phil Hildebrand. The council members "are hard-working people. They're very concerned about the city. But they have their goals set. I don't think they would want to change very much."

Hamill describes a population that is very different from its local government. "Here we find many teachers, salespeople, communicators of all types: people that commute, people that travel," she says. "We also find our electricians and plumbers, small-business entrepreneurs. This population likes to voice its opinions and keep the newspaper busy."

Hildebrand isn't convinced that his citizens travel more than usual, or that they're any more likely to express their opinions than the residents of other cities. "You can't really tell what the populace is thinking unless they tell you," he says. "And we would really like to know."

Comment on this story | Return to top

Windsor Heights
Sun: Cancer
Moon: Gemini

"Here we find leadership that is concerned with the home and the family," Hamill says. "Leadership that has, at its forefront, concern for the land, for the elderly, for good-quality family life. This leadership can become very attached to ideas, but is supportive and empathetic."

Mayor Jerry Sullivan sees this as an accurate assessment. One of the most important ongoing issues in his city is sidewalks, he says, because people are particularly concerned about the safety of Windsor Heights' children and elderly people.

In fact, one of the hottest battles politically in Windsor Heights erupted when some people wanted to raise the speed limit on University Avenue. Some saw the sudden drop to 25 mph as a speed trap, Sullivan says, but when the council considered raising the speed limit, residents came out with impassioned arguments about community safety.

Like Pleasant Hill residents, the Windsor Heights community is influenced by a chatty Gemini moon. "The population that lives here is concerned with learning, teaching and expressing their opinions," Hamill says. This would be a community of communicators, salesmen, travelers, entrepreneurs and people who are especially interested in expressing their opinions through the local press, she says.

All that rings true, Sullivan says. In fact, he says the death of the Press-Citizen has been a particularly hard blow for the citizens of Windsor Heights. "The people are having a hard time getting their opinions expressed."

Comment on this story | Return to top

Johnston
Sun: Virgo
Moon: Capricorn

"Here we find leadership that is concerned with the details and precision," Hamill says. "We find leadership that serves without ego and tries to accomplish perfection. This is also a placement where bickering and criticisms may run rampant."

"I think that our council is definitely very detail-oriented," agrees Mayor Brian Laurenzo. He says that although his city's government is "very, very precise," he sees surprisingly little internal bickering as the city responds to rapid growth.

"I like to think that everyone serves without letting their egos get in the way, and I think that is what has allowed a lot of progress to occur," Laurenzo says. "I think we do have some perfectionists, both on the council and in some of our city departments, which I believe is a good trait as long as everyone realizes that nobody's perfect."

In Johnston, "I think there is a concern to have a quality of life that is second to none. I think that that comes out when we look at the standards we have for architecture and our building and our planned developments, as well as the interest on the part of our citizens with respect to our parks and trails and other amenities."

On the moon side of things, Hamill says, "The population that lives here consists of many business executives. It is conservative, quiet, conscientious and responsible. There is a concern for social status."

Laurenzo worries that the "social status" comment sounds elitist. "I'm not sure about that, but I certainly think the rest of it is accurate," he says.

Comment on this story | Return to top

Ankeny
Sun: Pisces
Moon: Pisces

Ankeny is unusual because the citizens and the government are both governed by sensitive Pisces.

"Here we find a leadership that is concerned with the welfare of others," Hamill says. "Of all the cities we have discussed thus far, this would be the city that is most concerned with recycling, ecology, saving the planet. This leadership has heart and sincerely cares about the welfare of others. However, it can appear somewhat indecisive and go with the flow.

"The population that lives here is a direct mirror of its leadership," Hamill says. "Here we find a concern for the genuine welfare of others, especially those less fortunate than themselves." Ankeny residents would be particularly interested in social services, issues of homelessness, animal shelters and ecology. "There is also a concern for the arts - photography, music, dance, art galleries," Hamill says. "Pisces also rules faith. There is a concern for the religious/spiritual welfare of others."

Mayor Steve Van Oort agrees that his city and citizenry are particularly interested in ecological matters. In fact, because some of the city's development is pushing into natural watersheds, Ankeny is considering watersheds during the urban planning process.

"We're looking at developments, and how can we be conservation-design conscious," Van Oort says. In addition, a recent development in an older part of town includes pervious pavement - pavement that allows water to flow through it, to a base of sand and gravel below.

Van Oort also describes his town as a community that's particularly interested in humanitarian issues. In fact, 10 years ago the Nevelin School was slated for demolition, but a group of people raised more than $2 million to turn it into the Nevelin Resource Center, which is now home to a congregate meal site, a substance-abuse program, a Y resource center, a senior citizen day care and other community services.
Ankeny has an active art center and recently installed its first bronze sculpture on a public trail. Ankeny plans to add more art in public spaces. The city also recently created its own cultural arts board.
Three years ago, the community built a bandshell where 400 citizens watch movies on Friday evenings. The city also arranged for door-to-door bus service for its senior citizens on Tuesdays and Wednesday mornings.

"We do have to be concerned about our citizens," Van Oort says.

Comment on this story | Return to top

Waukee
Sun: Capricorn
Moon: Capricorn

Waukee, like Ankeny, is another city where the government perfectly matches the personality of its citizenry, astrologically speaking. Both would be conservative, practical and business-oriented, with an interest in social status, according to Hamill.

"This is a city that likes to 'play by the rules,'" Hamill says. "The energy here is very structured and organized. It is more concerned with being efficient and effective than supportive and nurturing."

The negative side of Capricorn is that it can appear cold and detached, Hamill says. "It's very social-status oriented. It doesn't have a lot of heart to it."
Mayor Bill Peard says he's not at all surprised to learn that his city is a double Capricorn, a very executive-oriented sign.

"I agree that Waukee has a strong work ethic," he says. Many of the residents are white-collar professionals. From the young people to the seniors, Peard says, "it's been my impression and observation that everybody has an extremely strong work ethic in Waukee. I do believe that we are driven because we're building a community."

However, Peard thinks his community does have its nurturing side, and that it shows up in the city's community organizations. Yet even in community projects, like preparations for RAGBRAI's stopover in Waukee, committee members are unlikely to drop the ball on anything, he says. "We see that same task-driven trait the astrologer said that we have."

Being responsible is a positive trait, Peard says. "We have a mission to build the best city we can, and we're task-oriented. We keep our eye on the ball and don't take it off too many times."

Comment on this story | Return to top

Urbandale
Sun: Taurus
Moon: Libra
The government of Urbandale, like the general population of Iowa, is influenced by the sign of Taurus.

"Here we find a leadership that is practical, down-to-earth and concerned with the financial security of this location," Hamill says. "This is a leadership that will work hard but has resistance to change. This leadership can be very fixed in its ideas about 'right' and 'wrong' - seeing things as black or white, with little gray."

"I think Urbandale's probably a little bit more inclined to accept change than maybe what that indicates," says Mayor Bob Andeweg. But overall, he agrees that the assessment is accurate. "I think it's indicative of where we stand on fiscal issues, where our tax rate is and where our debt rate is."

Like their neighbors in West Des Moines, Urbandale residents are governed by Libra, sign of the arts, refined beauty and balance.

The best example of that would be Urbandale's new public library, the mayor says. "The city obviously put a huge emphasis on a new library. Books and reading material are important."

Comment on this story | Return to top

Clive
Sun: Libra
Moon: Sagittarius

Like Des Moines, Clive's city government is ruled by Libra, so it would have a particular interest in equal rights, fairness, manners and diplomacy, Hamill says. "The leadership would be well-rounded and sincerely take into consideration the ideas of all. This leadership would be good at negotiations. This energy is very compatible with the city of Des Moines and the city of West Des Moines."

City Manager Dennis Henderson says he's puzzled by the reference to equal rights, since the city has never been accused of discrimination. "The issue has never been brought before us."

(Which, actually, would suggest that it isn't a problem.)

Clive has worked well with Des Moines and West Des Moines on numerous projects, Henderson confirms, and it's been a bigger player than people would expect based on its size.

"The population that lives here is very independent and likes to be on the move, traveling and learning," Hamill says. With a Sagittarius moon, Clive would be a good place for a university, she says. "This group is direct - tells it like it is. Here we find people from all parts of the world. Foreigners would find it comfortable in this energy. This population is concerned with higher learning and higher spiritual truths."

This analysis sounds right-on, Henderson says. "We have one of the highest per capita rates in the state for individuals with advanced-education degrees." The affluent citizenry is very mobile, he says. "They certainly love to travel and experience things. I think that shows they're also open to other people." CV

Lenore and her husband, Ray Hamill, are co-owners of Morning Light Bookstore, 1251 73rd St., Windsor Heights, 255-9256, morninglightstore.com. Lenore teaches astrology classes, and she offers personal and business readings by appointment.

Comment on this story | Return to top