via gwen’s column in CHILLED MAGAZINE:

Happy Birthday Aquarius, the most unique sign in the zodiac. Independent, unconventional, detached, rebellious, inventive, original, idealistic, far-sighted, candid, private, romantic, personable, and strong-willed are all traits of this sign.
Famous Aquarians include Christian Dior, Jennifer Aniston, Paris Hilton, Seal, Oprah, Kurt Cobain, Brandy, Shakira, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Ashton Kutcher, John Travolta, Garth Brooks and Ellen De Generes

No one can argue that Oprah is an odd bird. I love her so! Odd in a good way, as most Aquarians are. The sign of the water bearer–or in our case–the liquor bearer, is known for it’s airy, fun-loving, open-minded, friendly tendencies. But I must tell you that I have known more than one Aquarius who weren’t entirely like that description. So remember, a person’s Sun Sign is incredibly impacted by the rest of their chart! I highly recommend getting your own chart done. You can do that for free by downloading the app, Celeste, or joining AstrologyDating.com.
The other type of Aquarius–the one not so much like Oprah, despite her private nature–is rather reserved and has lots of eccentricities. I know, generalizing here… But, they really do tend to have strange yet harmless habits. Like they eat each food on their plate one at a time. Or they seem to defy logic in their thought pattern. That’s probably because their brain can run circles around yours. They are known as the analytical sign, and their wheels are always turning. There is certainly one common thread woven into the personal tapestry of all Aquarians and that is altruism. Aquarius is always empathic to other’s plights. They are true humanitarians.
Here’s some interesting tidbits about our odd Oprah: In 2006 she celebrated her birthday by purchasing her ruling planet, Uranus, from the International Star Registry, renaming it to Myanus™. She didn’t stop there, also buying her constellation of Aquarius for an alleged eight-figure sum. She decided to keep that name. On the day she announced all of this, she handed out Astrology crystal bracelets to her audience as “The Age of Oquarius™ played in the background. Oprah takes Astrology seriously and has her own personal Astrologer, like many celebrities do. All though she has lots of charities, her soft spot for animals is obvious. She has a menagerie of pets, and rewrote her will to include millions for their care in the event they outlive her. She almost put the meat business out of business with her famous lawsuit, which succeeded in waking many people up to the unspeakably horrific condition of livestock animals in America that still continues today.

Why cedar? Based on Medieval Herbal Astrology, there’s little question that the Cedar tree falls under the stern ownership of Saturn, and may hence be considered an Aquarius. Saturn co-rules this sign along with Uranus, which was discovered only recently, and after all, my cocktails are based on Medieval Astrology, not modern Astrology. Known for its formidable pest and weather-resistant properties, this tree means business. Just like its planet. Not only is the wood of this tree highly functional in modern society, but it is also steeped in spiritual tradition. Cherokees believe that the Cedar tree holds the essence of their ancestors, and wearing its wood protects against evil spirits. Cedar wood oil was used by the Sumerians and Egyptians. It is the sacred incense of Tibetan temples, and is repeatedly mentioned in the Bible. The name Cedrus is Arabic for kedron, which means power. Today, cedar spray is used increasingly as a holistic alternative in the combat of fleas and ticks, bed bugs and other such lovely creatures. Its healing oil is frequently used in aromatherapy for a myriad of treatments. A more unusual way to utilize the essence of Cedar’s strength is in a nightcap. Earthy, musky, and highly fragrant, infused cedar tips tend to make a fine spirit even finer.

HOT OPRAH TODDY:
Build in mug:
2 oz gin
8 oz boiling water
1 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 oz cedar tip syrup*
Garnish with lemon bow
CEDAR TIP SYRUP: dried cedar tips can be found in health food stores or online?(mountain rose herbs)
Toast 2 parts dried cedar tips in skillet over medium low heat. Remove from heat and crush lightly with mortar & pestle, spice mill or food processor. Add to sauce pot with 3 parts white sugar, 2 parts water. Simmer for 15 minutes. Strain for use.

my piece on CHILLEDMAGAZINE.COM,
Happy Birthday Virgo, the richest sign in the zodiac, so says Forbes in a 2006 study. If another sign has knocked them out of the top spot, I don’t know of it. If you do, please tell me! So who’s a Virgo?

Glee superstar Lea Michel, royal lad Prince Harry, bombshells Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren, top chef Todd English; designers Stella Mccartney, Tom Ford, Michael Kors and Karl Lagerfeld, supermodel Claudia Schiffer, rockers Beyoncé, Moby, Pink and Michael Jackson, megastars Cameron Diaz and Alexander Skarsgår.

Let’s talk about the latter, Alexander Skarsgår: True Blood heartthrob, immortal sexpot and Virgo of the moment:

Skarsgår and the badass vampire he plays, Eric Northman, are both privy to Virgo’s wealth. Skarsgår is said to be worth 12m. His character, Northman, has built up a sick fortune from 1,000 years of bloody pillaging.

Off-screen, Skarsgår’s most striking Virgoan characteristic is his impeccable attire. I don’t believe he owns a wrinkled garment. His outward appearance is consistently fastidious. Onscreen, his character is neat as a pin. Additionally, Northman is a clean biter. Besides the two holes in your jugular, you’d hardly know he bit you if it weren’t for that tremendous True Blood style orgasm you’d have. No dribbling at all…

Skarsgår also keeps himself in shape. His svelte bod is as chiseled and sculpted as his face. A bite a day keeps the doctor away. Health is a stereotypical Virgoan trait.

Northman’s date of birth is never revealed to the True Blood audience–I guess birthdays become a mute point once you’ve acquired immortality. But Skarsgår’s energy is so strong it seeps right through the screen, staining his character a decided shade of Virgo.

Known for his stone-faced sensuality, Skarsgår and Northman are calm, cool and collected… On the outside. On the inside, Northman is an uncontrollable monster and Skarsgår is likely a bundle of nerves. All Astrological speculation, of course!

Lastly, the sign of the Fallen Angel tends to be a hard catch. Single Skarsgår is no exception. Virgo’s standards are so incredibly high that it’s a challenge to find a person (mortal or immortal) who actually meets their criteria. If you do manage to catch a Virgo, don’t squeeze too tight, they’ll slip right through your fingers.

Now let’s tipple. The “Skarsgår” calls for a Mercurial plant, because Mercury is the ruler of Virgo. The pistachio, based on Medieval Herbal Astrology, is also ruled by Mercury. This is because its leaves are small, thin and spindly, with its fruit being rather tiny as well. Mercury is our smallest planet–this is the connection. Cheers to Virgo!

Skarsgår:
Muddle 2 char-grilled cherry tomatoes
Add 1.5 part gold rum
.5 part averna
.5 part fresh lime juice
.5 pistachio syrup*
Shake over ice. Double strain into chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with shelled pistachio.

PISTACHIO SYRUP: Lightly toast ½ c finely chopped, salted pistachios in skillet. Remove from heat. Add to 3 c sugar and 3 c water in pot. (I love Kangen water). Simmer for 30 m. Strain. Add splash vodka to preserve (I love Zodiac Vodka). Store in fridge.

this past holiday i created the cocktails for UNDER THE STARS, an astrology-themed event with famed astrologer SUSAN MILLER and celebrity chef TODD ENGLISH. both of whom, seem to be nice people, which i am glad to report : ) Todd’s head chef was even nice… he shared this culinary tip with me: “gwen, you should toast your spices to bring out the flavor before cooking with them!” oh, says me. DUH, thanks mike the scorpio : ) i have tested this since, and it really does help immensely. SUSAN gave a speech on what 2012 will bring (awesomeness for every sign) and TODD served 4 element-inspired apps, while promoting his latest book. there was a pop-up zodiac shop too, in which IZ glassware was featured. it was a fun night, and hey, now i can say that i’ve been interviewed by the wall street journal. that was cool! read all about it on heydoyou.com.

as promised, i’m putting all the recipes from UNDER THE STARS online, so now all you zodiac junkies can drink your very own sign for some extra christmas cheer this year!

check out IZ the pop-up shop: WHAT’S YOUR SIGN WINES and BAROSCOPE SHOTS and MARRIAGE SIGN SHOTS and BACHELORETTE SHOTS below.

The work of Nicholas Culpeper, the father of western herbalism, serves as a guide when i create astrology-themed drinks. His work may still be referred to in online classes at culinary arts schools today. Culpeper’s books are still in print, 300 years after he wrote detailed descriptions of which plants belong to which signs and how to use them medicinally. In Medieval Herbal Astrology, plants have Zodiac signs, just like people. In the Medieval times only seven planets had been discovered as opposed to nine today. Therefore, since these drinks are based on Medieval Herbal Astrology, the ancient ruling planet for each sign is referenced.

“under the stars” was sponsored by TYKU, perrier and jim beam, the recipes call for these fine products. cheers!

Aries’ Cocktail features CRANBERRY as its star ingredient! Aries is ruled by Mars: The scarlet, fiery, hot planet. Flavors that are very spicy or very tart are often ruled by Mars. The cranberry’s bright crimson color, underscored by its tangy flavor certainly betrays its allegiance to the red planet, and is hence an Aries.

ARIES XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz sochu, 2 oz cranberry syrup, 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice, perrier
(shake over ice and strain pour into an ice packed collins glass. Top with Perrier. Garnish with a floating fresh cranberry)

CRANBERRY SPICE SYRUP:
2 c white sugar, 3 c water, 1 c fresh cranberries, peel of half a small orange
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Taurus’ Cocktail features PEPPERMINT as its star ingredient! If its divinely fragrant and tantalizingly tasty, you can bet its ruled by Venus. This beautiful planet rules all fruit, herbs and flowers that are particularly fragrant. Hence, mint falls under the dominion of Venus and may be identified as a Taurus.

TAURUS XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz sochu, 1 oz peppermint syrup, 1 oz lemon juice
(served up with a mini candy cane garnish)

PEPPERMINT MINT SYRUP:
3 c white sugar, 2 c water, 1 tsp peppermint extract
(heat until dissolved)

Gemini’s Cocktail features HAZELNUT as its star ingredient! Culpeper lists the hazelnut under Mercury. The tree’s delicate leaves & flowers are indicative of this planet’s fleeting & wispy qualities. After all, Mercury is the fastest orbiting planet in our solar system. hazelnut is a Gemini.

GEMINI XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz sochu, 1 oz hazelnut cocoa syrup, 1 oz creamer
(served up with a few pcs of floating chopped hazelnut garnish)

HAZELNUT COCOA SYRUP:
1 c “NUTELLA” spread,2 c water
(heat lightly and whisk until blended)

Cancer’s Cocktail features EGG as its star ingredient! The egg is ruled by the Moon, as is Cancer. They share the traits of a hard outer shell and a soft, pale, fleshy inside. Cancer is known for its innate creativity, along with a desire to “nest.” What symbolizes those two qualities more than the egg?

CANCER XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz whiskey, 1 oz ‘nog anise syrup, 1 oz creamer
(served up with a floating star anise)

‘NOG ANISE SYRUP:
1 c brown sugar, 1 ½ c water, 2 cinnamon sticks, 5 star anise, 4 tsp chopped, fresh ginger, 3 tsp vanilla extract, 10 cardamom pods
(toast spices over medium low in pan first. then simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Leo’s Cocktail features CLEMENTINE as its star ingredient! The bright, round, orange-colored, life-giving star of our solar system, the Sun, rules over Leo. Because the clementine bears a heavy physical resemblance to the sun, it is given ruler ship under it. The clementine is a Leo.

LEO XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz sochu, 1 oz clementine rosemary syrup, 1 1/2 oz lemon juice
(served over ice topped with Perrier. Garnish with a slice of clementine)

CLEMENTINE ROSEMARY SYRUP:
2 chopped clementines, ¼ c chopped fresh rosemary, 2 c white sugar, 2 c water
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Virgo’s Cocktail features POMEGRANATE as its star ingredient! The pomegranate is ruled by Mercury due to its astringent qualities. Mercury is the fleet-footed planet and therefore holds ownership over anything that is fast-binding and drying in nature. That is why the pomegranate is a Virgo.

VIRGO XMAS TIPPLE:
1 oz sochu, 1 oz tyku liqueur, 1 1/2 oz pomegranate grenadine, 1/2 oz lemon juice
(serve up and garnish with 3 floating pomegranate seeds)

POMEGRANATE GRENADINE:
Equal parts 100% pomegranate juice and water
(simmer for 20-30 minutes)

Libra’s Cocktail features SUGAR PLUM as its star ingredient! Libra is ruled by the Venus, the beautiful planet. Venus holds dominion over things that are sugary sweet, succulent, attractive and delectable in nature. A perfectly ripe, juicy plum would certainly fall under ruler ship of Venus, and may be called a Libra.

LIBRA XMAS TIPPLE:
1 oz sochu, 1 oz tyku liqueur, 1 oz plum syrup, 1 oz lemon juice
(serve up and garnish with a sugar rim)

SUGAR PLUM SYRUP:
2 c white sugar, 3 c water, 2-3 chopped fresh plums
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Scorpio’s Cocktail features CLOVE as its star ingredient! The incredibly pungent and powerful clove is ruled by none other than what many refer to as the planet of war, Mars. Really, it is the planet of passion and the strength to defend and protect. In fact, clove is so strong it can be used to defeat Cancer. Today, Scorpio is considered co-ruled by Mars and Pluto.

SCORPIO XMAS TIPPLE:
1 oz sochu, 1 oz sake, 1 oz lemon juice, 1 oz clove chili syrup, perrier
(served over ice, topped with perrier, garnished with a floating clove and straw)

CLOVE CHILI SYRUP:
1 c white sugar, 3 c water, 2-3 pinches cloves, 1 small handful or approx 20 dried chili arbols
(toast chilis and clove over medium low in pan first. simmer for 15-20 minutes and strain)

Sagittarius’ Cocktail features FIG as its star ingredient The vast number of seeds in a fig makes it a fruit ruled by Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system. This huge planet is the owner of all things Ubiquitous, prolific, abundant and colossal in nature. This is why the fig is listed as a Sagittarius.

SAGITTARIUS XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz whiskey, 1 ¼ oz fig syrup, ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
(shake over ice and strain into glass. Garnish with a dried fig slice)

FIG SYRUP:
1 c fresh chopped figs, 1 c white sugar, 2 c water
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Capricorn’s Cocktail features MOLASSES as its star ingredient! Discarded as a by-product, molasses is the almost black, densely thick, mildly bittersweet syrup that is born from the dregs of the sugar cane plant. Saturn symbolizes frugality, austerity and scarcity. Molasses is ruled by Saturn due to the nature of its genesis.

CAPRICORN XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz whiskey, 1 oz gingerbread syrup, 1 oz creamer
(served up with a slice of candied ginger garnish)

GINGERBREAD SYRUP: 2 c brown sugar, 2 c water, 1 c molasses, 5 tbsp chopped fresh ginger
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Aquarius’ Cocktail features CEDAR as its star ingredient! Saturn is the slowest moving planet, symbolizing longevity and resilience. Plants ruled by this constant planet are extremely hardy in nature–take for example the famously pest and weather-resistant cedar tree. Today Aquarius is considered co-ruled by Saturn and Uranus. That’s why cedar is an Aquarius.

AQUARIUS XMAS TIPPLE:
1 oz sochu, 1 oz sake, 3/4 oz lemon juice, 1 oz cedar syrup
(served up with a sugar rim)

CEDAR TIP SYRUP:
2 c white sugar, 2 c water, 1 c dried cedar tip needles
(toast cedar over medium low in pan first. simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Pisces’ Cocktail features CHESTNUT as its star ingredient! The chestnut tree’s diameter can be as great as 17 feet, which epitomizes the grandiose qualities of the largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter. Today, Pisces is considered co-ruled by Jupiter and the more recently discovered Neptune. The chestnut is a Pisces and sheer size alone is what determines that.

PISCES XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz whiskey, 1 oz chestnut syrup, 1 oz creamer
(served up a chestnut slice garnish)

CHESTNUT SYRUP:
2 c white sugar, 2 c water, 1 c chopped and peeled roasted chestnuts
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

ROAST CHESTNUT GARNISH:
Slice each nut prior to baking with a knife, but try not to penetrate flesh. Then it will be easier to slice them for garniature.