With a split family lineage that draws its culinary influences from Sicily and Louisiana's Cajun country, celebrity chef Rachael Ray blends Old and New World cuisine in her popular series of cookbooks. An effervescent multimedia phenomenon, Ray also has successfully penetrated the radio and talk show markets.

An animal lover, Ray has evolved into a provider of chow for our furry friends, with the profits finding their way to Rachael's Rescue, a charity for at-risk animals.

Ray was born in Glens Falls, New York, on Aug. 25, 1968. Her chartwheel depicts Earth as a circle in the center surrounded by a sky divided into 12 Houses. The 1st House starts at the eastern horizon, with the western horizon starting the 7th House. The 10th House cusp is the point directly overhead. Lacking a birth time, I created a sunrise chart, placing the Sun on the 1st House cusp.

The two zodiac signs that produce a significant number of persons whose life work focuses on nutrition, food preparation, restaurant management, gardening or farming are Cancer and Virgo.

Cancer and its planetary associate, the Moon, are tied to the stomach, digestive processes, insulin-producing pancreas, breasts and elbows.

Virgo and its governing sphere, Mercury, influence the intestines, abdominal region and the appendix .

Ray has an extraordinarily large number of solar system members -- seven out of 10 (Sun, Jupiter, Mercury, Moon, Venus, Pluto and Uranus) -- in the sign of the Virgoan Maiden, making her a natural talent in the kitchen.

Following a 30-year cycle, ringed Saturn (career, parents, obstacles) is half way through its two-year spin across Virgo's celestial territory, offering Ray both challenges and opportunities that currently face all natives of this health-and-foods oriented sign.

Grace your platter with foods fit for life, and know that love is the brightest star!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. Ted PanDeva Zagar, an East Chicago native, is a pioneer in Wellness Astrology, a prevention-over-remedy approach to overall wellness. For an archive of herbal and dietary recommendations for each Sun sign, log onto www.wellnessastrology.com. He can be reached at PanDeva@aol.com to receive a free copy of "Zodiac Signs and Healing Plants."

DISCLAIMER: The author's comments are not intended to serve as medical advice, and he urges his readers to seek qualified wellness professionals to resolve matters of health. Direct your wellness questions with exact time, date and place of birth to Ted PanDeva Zagar at PanDeva@aol.com.