KC Location Astrology

Kansas City - A Mythic Place At the Bend in the River
By Astrologer Debbie Keil-Leavitt
Photos by Arielle Guttman, except River Fountains & Jazz District Photos – D.Keil-Leavitt¨

"We grew up at the water's edge.
A wondrous city carved into the bluffs overlooking the mighty Missouri.
A sprawling city that was to become rich with history...and myth...and a great spirit
captured in marble and granite and water..."

from the video "Kansas City, City of Fountains," –
Margaret Pernicone Lincoln; ©Poppycock, Balderdash & Pshaw, Kansas City. Executive
Producers, J. C. Nichols Co.

Fountain of Neptune  
1911 - the Bromsgrove Guild Studio in Worchestershire, England, was created for the estate of Alba Johnson in Philadelphia. In 1946 it was sold to the New Sharon Convent in Rosemont, PA, which closed a few years later.  In 1952, it was to be sold for scrap.  Miller Nichols bought the sculpture for the price of the scrap.

One of the Loveliest Cities On Earth  “Who in Europe, or in America for that matter, knows that Kansas City is one of the loveliest cities on earth?” – Andre Maurois, “From My Journal” (French intellectual who spent several months in the area during WWII)

Neptune is the ruler of Pisces, god of the sea, music, art, the movies and mystical experiences.  He rules the geodetic ascendant, or “rising sign” of Kansas City.  In the birth chart of the City, Neptune is in its “home” sign of Pisces, in an harmonious water trine to Venus, the goddess of beauty, the arts, and love, in Cancer – certainly an aspect that could produce “one of the loveliest cities on earth.”  The arts, particularly arts involving those things mystical, full of music, fantasy, and water, would be treasured in this place.  (Note:  The internationally respected Kansas City Star newspaper was once known as the “Evening Star,” a term for the planet, Venus.)  

Neptune is in exact conjunction with Athena, the daughter – the strategist, the politician - and opposes Jupiter, the beneficent god of the sky, and over-indulgence, particularly when opposing Neptune, as it does in Kansas City’s chart.  Jupiter rules Sagittarius, on the geodetic Midheaven of Kansas City, emphasizing this planet, as well.  This aspect implies strong religious ideologies seeking expression.  The Venus trine would desire to bring harmony to relations between separate faiths.  

On October 13th, 2002, Neptune was conjunct Athena and opposing Jupiter once again.  Venus was now in square aspect, indicating addressing a crisis in this realm.  This was the day the CBS Series, “Open Hearts, Open Minds – An Interfaith Response to 9/11” aired, focusing on the wonderful work and accomplishments of the Kansas City Interfaith Council.  This group took action to address any backlash toward ethnic groups following 9/11.  Vern Barnet of the Council offered the quote, “He who knows one religion knows none.”  This group offers a “Passport Program” issuing “visas” to those who experience events offered by a variety of faiths.  Mayor, Kay Barnes (an Athena figure) was among those completing the program.  

This broadcast covered the first anniversary of 9/11, when this same group commemorated the tragedy with leaders of 13 faiths intermingling the waters from Kansas City fountains, and from rivers around the world, in a special ceremony (appropriate to Kansas City’s mythology).  While Kansas City experienced some backlash from 9/11 there was little actual violence.

River Myths
J.C. Nichols (1880-1950) Memorial Fountain

The four horsemen in the J C Nichols fountain were sculpted in Paris in 1910 by Henri Greber. It was installed in 1960. In the 1920’s J.C. Nichols imported over $1 million in art to the Plaza. 

The JC Nichols fountain is an allegory of the 4 rivers - The Mississippi (Native American riding a horse, fending off an alligator), the Seine, the Rhine and the Volga (horse with bear). The original Fountain of the Four Rivers (1648-51) is by Bernini (1598-1680), and resides in the Piazza Navona in Rome.  This fountain mythologized rivers of the four known (then) continents:  including the Nile (with its head covered, as its origin was unknown to the Western world at that time), the Ganges in Asia, the Danube in Europe, and the Rio de Plata, depicting the riches of the Americas.  An indication that Bernini’s humor and precision may have matched his artistry, is shown in one of the statues in the Four Rivers Fountain, as the figure has his face contorted in horror, as he looks directly at a building designed by a competitor to Sr. Bernini.  Kansas City and Rome share the heritage of beautiful fountains and statuary, and a sense of humor in their respective artists.

A Jupiter-opposite-Neptune aspect indicates great optimism, along with experiences of “deflation” once the bubble has burst.  Count Basie once described Kansas City as, “A Cracker Town, but a Happy Town.”  It is a City of people who survive through their spiritual expression and their wit and humor…

It Takes a Sense of Humor…

Neptune active in a chart can bring peculiar happenings, and Kansas City has some wonderful quirky stories full of imagination, humor and adaptability.  The building of the home of Dr. Thomas B. Lester in the city’s early years would qualify.  “To create an uptown section accessible from the rock levee, streets were carved out of the north bluffs.  Cuts up to forty feet were required, and the resulting canyons earned Kansas City the nickname ‘Gully Town’…(Dr. Lester) had maintained an office in his cottage on Main Street between Second and Third.  When the city fathers graded Main down ten feet in front.  He underbuilt a second story to keep his business quarters at the street level.  They then excavated another twelve feet.  Whereupon, the good doctor, nothing daunted, put a third floor beneath his original house, thus ending up with a three-story building, constructed literally from top to bottom.”  

Statue of Mercury
The God of Wit and Humor

The bronze figure of the Roman god of communication and travel was sculpted by Kansas City artist Paul McGovney.

"The City Came This Close to Being Called “Possum Trot”…but for Mercury, the Name-Giver, Ruler of this “Gemini Twin’ City…The “Town of Kansas” was born on June 1, 1850, with the Sun in Gemini, ruled by Mercury, with Mercury in his dignity in Gemini.  This indicates the strong Gemini Twin theme that keeps arising in Kansas City. (Gemini and Mercury are also at the IC angle in KC’s geodetic chart, indicating home and heritage).   Kansas City Missouri’s twin city of the same name is across the state line in Kansas.  The City itself is bisected by the Missouri river.

Even weather phenomena seem to respect the twin theme, with the famous “Tonganoxie Split,” where storm systems tend to split into twin systems at this Kansas town just west of Kansas City, often passing north and south of the City itself.  Continuing the theme in modern times, the most prominent man-made structure that is visible in the nation’s midsection as a landmark to high-altitude transcontinental aircraft is Kansas City’s twin football/baseball stadiums.  

Mercury is the Roman equivalent of the Greek Hermes.  Mercury/Hermes is also known for style, charm and mischief.  He may have been the first cattle rustler in history.  After he brazenly stole the Sun god Apollo’s cattle, he was “acquitted” by the great god Zeus for his youthful cleverness and charm.  Many a charmer and cattle rustler must have roamed Kansas City, and the spirit of these gentlemen is surely still arising in some modern-day citizens.

In ancient times, Hermes was the sorcerer who “created” through the power of language – he gave life through “The Word.”  So the naming of Kansas City proves to be the favorite story of its founding, as opposed to its less entertaining incorporation.  It was both an act of creation and a true expression of Mercury’s mischievous style that a great city would be born in such amusing circumstances.

“In the words of historian Darrell Garwood, after the Kansas Town Company had bought the Prudhomme farm at auction, ‘…they immediately retired to discuss their plans before a hickory fire in a place kept by a lanky, cadaverous character known as ‘One-Eyed Ellis.’  Gathered in his cabin near the levee, the founders selected their host to preside over their meeting.  Ellis was not a member of the Town Company, but he sometimes acted as a Justice of the Peace when a sale of livestock or other transaction requiring a signature was completed on the levee, and this faint connection with legal procedure seemed to make his chairmanship appropriate.

“The chairmanship of the first meeting of the founders caused One-Eyed Ellis to become associated with the story of Kansas City.  Otherwise he would have remained obscure in his cabin under the bluff, where he gained his living in part form the illegal sale of firewater to the Indians.  From the door of his cabin, with his one good eye, he kept a sharp lookout for Indians and squatters with whom he might trade a tin cup of whisky for a coonskin – a very profitable trade, since a coonskin was worth about fifty cents in St. Louis, and the whisky he dispensed was wholesaling at fifteen cents a gallon.  He also augmented his income occasionally by catching a stray horse or steer.

“As chairman of the meeting, One-Eyed Ellis got out a blue-backed Webster’s spelling book and leafed through it in the hope of coming upon a word that would make a good name for the new town.  He apparently found nothing that appealed to the founders in the general discussion which followed.  Certain of the founders later recalled that Abraham Fonda, one of their number, who wore a tail coat and liked to record his occupation as ‘gentleman,’ was insistent that the town should be called ‘Port Fonda’; and that someone else said he would prefer ‘Rabbitville’ or ‘Possum Trot.”  But finally, after a good deal of bantering, they chose the name ‘Kansas,’ an Indian word which meant ‘smoky wind’ and was used to designate prairie fires.  It was also the name of an Indian tribe native to the vicinity.’”  

Quicksilver Mercury as god of transportation, is also visible in Kansas City, which has served as a transportation hub since its inception, as reflected in the Pegasus statue.

Statue of Pegasus
Bronze by Paul McGovney of the mythological winged horse that caused a fountain to spring with a blow of his hoof.  Pegasus is a symbol of flight and poetic inspiration.

Fountains evolved from the Greeks and Romans decorating horses’ troughs.  Kansas City’s beautiful fountains arose from its days as outfitter to the people and horses carrying a nation’s inspired dreams of going west, through its “iron horse” days of serving train traffic with its beautiful Union Station.  Kansas City was also there to serve man as he truly took flight like Pegasus, as the home of the great airline, TWA.  The Airline History Museum at the Downtown Airport has preserved, in perfect flying condition the marvelous machines of commercial aviation’s early days, a Martin 404, DC3, and a beautiful Connie, as stunning as Pegasus in flight.  Aviation is also indicated by KC’s Aquarian Moon (Uranus rules Aquarius and aviation), and by the chart MC angle at the longitude of the Galactic Center, a point in deep space associated with aviation by galactic and aviation astrologer, Philip Sedgwick.

When the original Pegasus, by Wheeler Williams was moved to 47th St. near Broadway, it was redesigned and now has a gas jet that produces flames - appropriate to Kansas City’s geodetic angles – Pisces (water) rising and Sagittarius (fire) at the Midheaven. Mercury, the alchemist, manages to mix fire and water in this work, and allows Pegasus to fly to the realm of inspiration and delight.

Fountain of Bacchus
(Dionysus in Greek Mythology), Chandler Court. 

Bacchanal - Completing the Kansas City Mythic Experience…  The Music “Standin’ on the corner, 12th Street and Vine, with my Kansas City baby and a bottle of Kansas City wine…”  – Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller

 This Roman god, associated with the Greek god, Dionysus, is the patron of wine, spirits and fine parties.  Chandler Court is where jazz is played for summer crowds.  It is also known as Pan Fountain, purchased in 1960 by the Nichols family.  This photo shows nymphs and satyrs surrounding the elevated Bacchus/Dionysus.  These ancient “groupies,” known as Maenads, were the ecstatic followers of Dionysus/Bacchus.  Bacchus was “born” at the Bromsgrove Guild, Worcestershire, England in 1911, like the Neptune Fountain, another lover of fine wine, celebration and music.

Inspiration in Kansas City took a magical form during the 1930’s when it was the Mecca of innovative blues influenced jazz.  An energetic black community had developed around the area of 18th St. and Vine (the vine is a symbol of Dionysus), deeply devoted to family, music and sports.  While the rest of the budding young recording industry was succumbing to the Depression, and the resultant mass commercialism, Kansas City was the place to be for young musicians seeking free expression of their talents.  

Count Basie’s band was the most famous of the remarkable artists to develop and be showcased in Kansas City.  The Count was described as having the greatest rhythm section in jazz history, expressing Kansas City’s Gemini Sun associated with great timing.  The Blue Room and the Reno Club were among the great venues where outstanding musicians could be heard jamming on any given evening.

Basie’s musicians were among many other great artists, including the marvelous Mary Lou Williams who broke the jazz gender barrier with her fine work.  Kansas City was the also the home of renowned jazz genius, Charlie “Bird” Parker.

KC musicians played a key role in the evolution of be-bop and boogie-woogie piano, and, most certainly rock n’ roll.  Big Joe Turner is noted to have directly influenced 50’s rock n’ roll, and Leiber and Stoller’s famous song, “Kansas City,” paid appropriate tribute to the KC Jazz District.  The song Kansas City was one of the major records that awakened the Beatles to rock n’ roll, and has been performed by Paul McCartney in his solo tours.  It is also featured on his “Paul Is Live” CD, with this particular cut being recorded in Kansas City.  

To complete the experience of the energy and magic of mythic Kansas City, listening to the music of these artists is part of the greatest enjoyment.  The American Museum of Jazz at the beautifully revitalized Jazz District at 18th and Vine provides a unique place to enjoy the music of these great artists with interactive displays, the largest library of “soundies” in the world, and a “living museum,” named after the famous Blue Room of the 30’s, where today’s gifted young artists jam in the evenings on a regular basis. The Gem Theatre, which is across the street and a part of the museum, is featuring such artists as Harry Connick, Jr., Patti Austin and the Yellowjackets.

This project also includes nurturing the talents of school age children and young adults as they are provided with the opportunity to develop and express their musical talents and learn about their jazz roots, reflecting Kansas City’s birth chart Neptune.

Kansas City’s natal Neptune will be experiencing a rare transit (a 171 year cycle) over 2004-5, when Uranus comes into conjunction, indicating breakthroughs.  This offers the opportunity for Kansas City to create a new renaissance that could revive or reflect the 1930’s jazz scene.  This City, born of spirit and imagination, is bound to experience the joys and challenges inherent in breakthrough periods, and should cope with them with creativity, viewing its history.

Kansas City – Committed to Food for the Soul and Body
From Dionysus to Demeter… Wine and Song to the Bread of Life

Pomona Fountain
By Italian sculptor Donatello Gabrielli of the Marinelli Studios - cast in Florence.  Erected in 1969. The original, in marble, is in the King's palace, Bangkok, Thailand. 

Dionysus and Demeter, according to Greek myth, arrived on the shores of Eleusis (near Athens) from the rich and abundant Crete.  Dionysus, rules the vine and Demeter rules grain.  In mythic astrology Demeter/Ceres rules Virgo, on another key point in KC’s chart, the descendant – part of the “cross of matter” comprised also of the ascendant, midheaven and IC.  

The lovely Roman goddess Pomona descended from the Greek myths of Demeter.  Pomona is the protector of gardens and all “cultivated” nature, as was Demeter. 

Pomona beautifully reflects the agribusiness that flourishes in Kansas City, and the wonderful richness of the land in this area. The Board of Trade has its bas-relief of the Seven Basic Grains associated with Demeter.

Ruth
Holding a Sheath of Wheat

The statue of Ruth is an original by Pasquale Romanelli of Florence, in Carrara marble.

Ruth is a biblical figure with widely disparate variations in interpretation.  Her tie to the goddess Demeter is revealed in the wheat sheath she holds.  The Hebrew and Christian version of the story of Ruth is one of devotion (a Demeter theme, although her devotion was to her daughter) and conversion to the ways of Judaism.  Feminists see the story as a powerful statement of women banding together to survive in a man’s world.  Ruth teamed with her mother-in-law, Naomi, to maintain their lives after losing their husbands/ male family members.

These two interpretations share the most important theme, one of loving kindness and peace that knows no borders.  
 
Faith - The statue at the top of the Giralda Tower, the tallest in the Country Club Plaza, is "Faith” by Bernhard Zuckerman. The Giralda Tower is about half the size of its namesake in Seville.  The Spanish tower allowed a horseman to ride up a ramp on the inside and point "Faith" toward any invaders approaching.  She was also used as a weather vane, more appropriate to her role in Kansas City.  

Faith, who overlooks the wonderful mythic statuary and watery fountains of the Country Club Plaza, holds three Kansas City symbols aloft.  Her wheat sheath and shield symbolize the nurturing and protective Demeter/Ceres.  At the same time, she feeds the rest of humankind through the riches of the surrounding land.  With Mercury’s swift “delivery system,” reflected in Kansas City’s Gemini Sun on the geodetic chart IC, she has the ability to share these goods with the world.  

KC’s Sagittarian midheaven is symbolized by her spear pointing toward the heavens’ weather phonomena, bringing the nourishing rains.  The spear is also symbolic of piercing illusion.  It beautifully reflects the spirit of this City seeking physical flight, while it seeks spiritual, cultural and religious harmony.

This spiritual seeking is also reflected in the watery realm of Neptune (ruling Kansas City’s Pisces on the Ascendant) shown in the many fountains of the Plaza beneath her.  The magical sound of the falling water is joined by the beautiful music that flows through this area, as it flowed through the City’s great musicians to the entire world to assist in giving birth to today’s popular music.
 
Kansas City lives and expresses its mythic role through its wonderful fountains and statuary, its amazing musical heritage, its spirit of innovations and adventure, and the riches of its adjacent farmland.  The City’s spirit most certainly lives in the hearts and souls of these people in the “Heart of America” who created this mythic place at the bend in the Great Missouri River.  
 
Information regarding fountains and statuary was obtained from the Kansas City – City of Fountains Foundation
http://www.kcfountains.com www.kcfountains.com  http://www.countryclubplaza.com

Kansas City, An Intimate Portrait of the Surprising City on the Missouri, ©1973, 1980
by Hallmark Cards, Inc. Kansas City, Missouri. Pg. 39. Ibid. Pgs. 31-2.

“Bird Lives” Monument to the jazz genius, Charlie “Bird” Parker, with Kansas City Skyline – American Jazz Museum”

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