American Idol Astrology: Melinda Doolittle, Blake Lewis or Jordin Sparks?

Picking a winner in this year's 'American Idol' is more difficult than usual because there are two different published birthdays for Melinda Doolittle, who demonstrated her vocal superiority early on and has remained a leading vote getter ever since. A birth date of October 6, 1977 makes her a people-pleasing Libra with the Moon in caring and cautious Cancer, which seems like a good fit. 

American Idol Astrology: Melinda Doolittle, Blake Lewis or Jordin Sparks?

The other date, December 1, 1977, gives her a Sagittarius Sun with a Leo Moon, two outgoing fire signs that don't seem to match her reserved personality. Still, we do encounter quiet Sagittarians from time to time, so we can't be completely certain which chart is correct. Libra Melinda has the best single astrological transit on the night of the show's finale, with Venus -- the planet of the arts, pleasure and appreciation -- aligning favorably with the position of Venus in her birth chart. This generally doesn't indicate a life-changing event, but it's the only positive planetary action for any of the contenders on May 24, the show's final night.

Blake in Peril

Blake Lewis was in the bottom two on the May 9 show, which puts him in a perilous position. The beatboxer from Washington State was born on July 21, 1981, with the Sun in Cancer and the Moon in Pisces -- both sensitive water signs. Sweet and talented as Blake is, though, he's not getting much planetary support when 'Idol' crowns the next champ. The mood-setting Moon will be in Virgo, opposing his own Moon, while assertive Mars will be slinging arrows at Blake's cuddly Cancer planets. He's got plenty of solar support to his chart on May 26, but that may be too late. However, Blake fans needn't worry about his future, as his talent and personality will surely earn him a recording contract.

Jordin Has 'Star' Power

Jordin Sparks is a very mature 17-year-old born on December 22, 1989. It's no surprise that her Sun is in ambitious and practical Capricorn, as she's shown steady progress throughout the competition. Capricorns don't need to be fast starters to win the race, because their persistence and ability to learn as they go makes them powerful finishers. Jordin has the strongest astrological patterns as the show winds up, but they aren't easy ones. Active Mars stresses her Jupiter, planet of expansion, on May 23, and the Sun opposes her birth Mars on May 24. If sheer planetary force is the key to success, then Jordin should be the favorite. She certainly has what it takes to deal with the pressure.

Melinda on to victory, the astrological choice

But going strictly by the numbers, Melinda's the astrological choice to win. She may not be the most likely hitmaker of the group, but 'Idol' fans' previous choices -- Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard -- show that being young and marketable is not required to win. The winner will probably be Melinda barely ahead of Jordin, with Blake coming in third.

Jeff Jawer is the co-author of Barnes & Noble's 'Your Astrology Guide 2007.' A professional astrologer since 1973, his articles have appeared in astrology journals, magazines and Web sites around the world. He holds a B.A. in The History and Science of Astrology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and teaches and lectures both in the United States and abroad.