Saturday, December 19, 2009

The Perfect Gift - Tools for Self-Knowledge

Why not order an astrology report for someone you love this Christmas? Or better yet a Day Watch Calendar which will show the transits in relation to their unique natal chart. UNTIL THE END OF 2009. Order a Day Watch Calendar and receive one of the following reports FREE - Opportunities, The Sky Within, or Asteroid Report.

Order by clicking the buttons in the side bar where you pay through PayPal. I will send you the report via email.

Mars Retrograde - Streetcar Named Desire

On Sunday, December 20, 2009, Mars goes retrograde in Leo. Since the cycle of Mars is around 2 years, it usually remains in any sign around 2 months. Mars goes retrograde every other year. The complete retrograde cycle, including stationing points and 'shadow' periods, makes it so that Mars will stay in the sign of Leo for around 8 months. Mars went into Leo on October 16, 2009 and will stay in Leo until June 6, 2010.

Mars represents the archetype of action, the instinct to become and go after what we want in life. In western astrology, Mars is the god of war, although in mythology, Mars never killed anyone.

The sign of Aries, ruled by Mars is a fire sign that has an instinct to act and speak without thinking. Like a child, Aries is pure, no ulterior motives. Aries people need a lot of physical activity and have a hard time staying still. They need to move and because of their impulsive nature, can be accident prone, especially when out of balance.

Mars/Aries needs complete freedom to be who it wants to be and shape its own reality. This is increased when in Leo, another fire sign.

Mars in Leo has an incredible urge for creative self-expression. There is a need to be the center of attention, no matter what the consequences. By any means necessary... so that the person may resort to clowning or acting out, just to get the attention that is craved. The behavior is without malice however, and the person who blurts out the secret they promised to keep, did so naively, not wanting to cause harm, just wanting to have something to say or to be noticed.

Retrograde... all this external expression is frustrated... stopped even. Depending on the person, this bottled-up energy could become toxic if there are not ways to let it out. For those who have a regular exercise routine or spiritual practice, there will be an increase of energy to channel and work with.

In general, retrograde periods are times to review, reflect, revise and I would add, rest and restore. Thankfully, this retrograde is occurring in the winter when most people are not as active anyway. The weather and the holidays tend to keep people indoors. It is very important that we find suitable outlets for the pent-up energy or we may find ourselves in conflict with others over minor issues.

This is a good time to do some strategic planning for projects to be launched in late spring/early summer.

In Evolutionary Astrology, Mars represents conscious desire, while Pluto represents unconscious desire. There are two directions for the manifestation of these desires - one is separation from Source (manifestation on the Earth plane), the other returning to Source. This is part of our nature and the cycle of Creation. We are supposed to separate fully, then return. Only when we have satisfied all separating desires, can we be ready to return.

This is one of the major problems faced in religion and spiritual groups. There is a tendency to discredit and even demonize earthly existence. People want to transcend this level of existence in favor of 'higher' dimensions, reunion with God, bliss. But the whole intent of Creation is that you BE HERE NOW! You were born to have a human life which includes relationships, work, emotions, etc. There is a purpose to this, even if we cannot see it. You cannot pray away your separating desires, you must exhaust them. Which means, they must be acted upon and expressed and... the results must be faced as well. All of it: the good, the bad and the ugly. This is part of natural law. At our current level, things appear to be divided into polarities that we call 'good' and 'bad'. This is the level of manifestation on the Earth plane. The more we try to deny it or ignore it... the longer it will take to complete and harder to accept.

Just look at all the so-called spiritual and religious leaders who end up in prison (or who should end up in prison). The natural expression of sexuality if repressed becomes evil, toxic and criminal. The natural expression of the desire for material possessions, if denied, becomes embezzlement, theft.

So during this long period of Mars retrograde, deliberate and well-thought out action - while slower - will be well-rewarded. Take the time to think about what you really want to create for the rest of your life.

For many of us baby boomers, this Mars retrograde in Leo will conjunct, at some time in the next 8 months, our natal Pluto. At that point, unconscious desires may become conscious. Some of you may be surprised and shocked at what you find out about yourself.

Take these revelations as gifts. Your unconscious, which usually manifests itself in dreams, will be more available to you during this period. This can be very helpful, because you may find out that, in fact, you have competing desires. Part of you wants success in the world while the other part wants to be hidden in a monastery. Part may desire wealth, whereas the other part took a vow of poverty. This will be a time to re-evaluate then, possibly, take new vows. But remember, you always get what you want - eventually. The trouble is that we have not yet mastered time and space and so... when the thing we wanted comes along....the timing is wrong. Or, more often, we did not ask for enough. When you are broke, 10,000 seems like a lot. But 10 years later when you get a windfall, it is not enough. It would be better to want prosperity, which, of course, is relative.

We tend to 'want' specific things. During this time it is can be useful to think about how you want to feel - this need not be dependent on circumstances. Believe it or not, you can 'feel' gratitude any time... all the time, no matter what.

This may be a time to release some of the separating desires... to see that we really don't want to party all night anymore. We are really done with that. And it is okay. Or to see that we have gotten into habits due to the circumstances we are in and that certain things just do not fit anymore. When we are in social relationships, we may find it difficult to change because of the expectations of others. But...using the courage of Mars...the adventuring spirit of Mars...what do we have to lose to find out? Maybe the other person/persons want a change too. We have to have courage to be ourselves, even if that means we are alone.

One of the aspects of Leo is the need to be loved and admired by others. Fearing rejection, we conceal our true nature. A life spent like that, is a life not lived. It is a life controlled and owned by others. No one should be the author/authority of your life but you. Don't worry about who will love you. Who will you love? Love yourself first.

"This above all: to thine own self be true,/And it must follow, as the night the day,/Thou cans't not be false to any man" from Hamlet by Shakespeare. You know Hamlet, he's the one who said, "to be or not to be, that is the question." Indeed, that is the question. Do you want to live your life or not and how do you want to live it?

If you want be loving, honest, compassionate, forgiving - start with yourself. How can you be honest with others if you lie to yourself? Living someone else's life... saying you are doing it to keep the peace or whatever the reason, is the act of a coward. Blaming others for your cowardice is (to me) a crime of the spirit. It takes courage to live your own life, but if you do, it is worth it. Remember the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz? He wanted courage. He wanted to know that no matter what, he was loved. But he had to take a chance in order to find what he really wanted. There are no guarantees.

Take this time to slow down and look inside to find out what you really want. When Mars turns direct at 0 Leo on March 10, it will be time to begin to act. Mars will be completely out of the shadow May 17, 2010 and you should be launching your new life at that time.

For an astrological reading, contact me by leaving your email in the comment section. I will not publish it.

To learn more about Evolutionary Astrology click here.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Lighten Your Load, Enlighten Your Soul - New Moon December 16, 2009

The upcoming New Moon in Sagittarius at 24°39' on December 16, 2009, is conjunct the current location of the Galactic Center at 26°55'.

An enormous Black Hole was discovered at the center of our Milky Way Galaxy through the huge amounts of electromagnetic energy pouring out from it. Gamma, x-ray, infrared and radio waves coming out of the Galactic Center affect the electromagnetic fields of Earth and all its inhabitants.

This upcoming New Moon (conjunction of Sun and Moon) is conjunct the Galactic Center. Occurring just 5 days before the Solstice on December 21, I believe this is a very significant New Moon for seeding our intention for the next several years.

In general, New Moons represent new beginnings. A time to set your intention for the coming month. In many cultures, the month begins with the New Moon. The New Moon is actually the first sighting of the Moon after 2/3 days of Dark Moon - not being able to see the Moon at all.

Since we are only 3 years from December 21, 2012, I plan to set my intention on this New Moon because it is conjunct the Galactic Center and, significantly for me, conjunct my natal Jupiter and opposing my natal Uranus. This New Moon seeds my life for the next three years.

In my last long post on my 2012 blog, I wrote about the importance of focus. Interestingly, Stephanie Austin in her article in the current issue of The Mountain Astrologer, reiterates that theme saying "This New Moon in Sagittarius urges us to look deeply at our lives and the choices we are making. It reminds us of the power of focus -- just as a laser can do much more than a scattered beam of light, so our consciousness is vastly more powerful when we concentrate on our life purpose and what really matters."

Sagittarius, the ninth sign in the astrological cycle is represented by a man with the body of a horse. He holds a bow and aims his arrow high, seeking the answers to the BIG QUESTIONS.... What is the meaning of life? Why am I here? What is my purpose? Where did I come from? Where am I going?

While many people content themselves with job, family, home and recreation, some of us (like me) have been motivated to seek the answers to these questions. Since I have been on Facebook, I have been reuniting with many old friends and lovers. I was curious to see "how they turned out." They did the usual things... married, got jobs, had children, bought a house.

I have sought none of those things. Instead, I have been studying, traveling, sitting at the feet of spiritual teachers, meditating and contemplating the meaning of life, for as long as I can remember. Learning that my natal Jupiter conjuncts the Galactic Center and my natal Uranus opposes the GC, have helped me understand why I was so driven. Although we all have the GC at the same degree of Sagittarius in our natal charts, we vary in our house placements and planetary aspects. For a Galactic Center reading, please contact me.

The GC is located in my 4th house, which represents 'where you are coming from'. This can mean your home and family background, cultural conditioning, traditions you grew up with. I can also mean your soul's origin, the place you came from... in the larger sense. By contrast, the 10th house is who you will be in the world - your 'career' and what you will achieve while on planet Earth. You are born from the 4th house, you mature into the 10th and when you die, you return to the 4th.

With my Sun and Uranus in Gemini in the 10th house and Ascendant in Virgo, I see that part of my 'reason for being here' is to serve as a spokesperson for this time of cycle ending. Only after my many years of study, my travels and my experiences am I able to fulfill my mission.

I see my mission as twofold: 1) teaching the writing system so people can read what the ancient Maya said or did not say. 2) assisting people during this challenging time of transformation/transition through plant-based modalities such as flower essences and aromatherapy.

I teach courses on Maya Hieroglyphs, the Calendar and 2012, so, I read whatever I can find on these topics. As you can imagine, the quantity of material is increasing as we approach the date of December 21, 2012, the end of a cycle of 5125 years. There is very little that is original. Most is a rearranging of what others have said. I admit, it is difficult to have original ideas about this, because the 'data' is so limited. By data, I am referring to what the ancient Maya actually wrote. What we mostly have is New Age interpretation of the meaning of this upcoming event.

From time to time, I find something in this perusal of the literature that I believe can help people navigate this time period. Two concepts are crucial at this time and one might consider them especially during this New Moon.

The first is that of releasing and letting go. Lately many of us are being 'forced' to let go. Our lives may be more about loss than anything else right now. The secret then is to be okay with it. Mourn and grieve for a time, but move on. See yourself as on a journey where holding on weighs you down. You need to be free to move forward. Like refugees who start out with huge packs on their backs, then shed them as they go, leaving piles of stuff along the road, drop your baggage. It is weighing you down and where you are going, you won't need it. There is no way to fully prepare for what is coming so don't encumber yourself with packets of food or extra clothes.

The second is focus your attention and intention on the light up ahead. Make yourself into a laser beam which will connect you to the Light that is being directed towards us at this time. The more concentrated your light, the faster and easier it will be for you to move.

The word 'focus' is from Latin and it means 'hearth, cooking fire'. Traditionally, this was the center of a home or community. It later became symbolized as the place where the sacred fire was kept - an altar.

Mayan Cosmology, as reflected in the sky, posits the 'hearth of heaven', the 'three stone place' as composed of three stars, while the hearth of Earth is the traditional cooking fire in the home. The 'three stone place' is the place of creation. It is marked by Alnitak (one of the three stars in the belt of Orion), Saiph and Rigel)(Alnitak is in the position which corresponds to the Great Pyramid at Giza.) At the center of this triangular 'hearth' sits the M42 nebula which often appears 'smoky' due to clouds. One might ask themselves how the Maya could see this with unaided vision.

Sufis see the heart as the center of the human being. Cultivating the fire in the heart has to do with compassion, acceptance, forgiveness - Love. Many of the spiritual practices of Sufism have to do with removing the rust that coats the heart and prevents us from truly seeing each other as the sparks of the Divine that we truly are. Our hearts have become armored through betrayal, disappointment, and fear. Our job is purify ourselves by letting go of the pain - dropping our burden. We don't have to hang on to it. We need to move forward in Trust that all our needs will be taken care of. Lighten your load, enlighten your soul.

Now is the time to begin. Each moment offers another opportunity to begin again. The more times you begin the more chance you have of continuing. It is significant that this New Moon occurs the day before the Urs of Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi (Urs means the reunion with the Beloved, the wedding day - death.) One of his poems says:

Come, come, whoever you are.
Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving.
It doesn't matter.

Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vow
a thousand times.
Come, yet again, come, come.

~Inscribed on Rumi's Shrine in Konya, Turkey

Four years ago at this time, I was there along with pilgrims from all over the world. Another saying written in his tomb is: "Do not look for me in the tomb. I am not there. I am in the hearts of the Believers."

Friday, November 13, 2009

New Moon in Scorpio - November 16

There is a lot going on in the heavens right now and as the title of this blog... from the Emerald Tablets of Hermes Trismegistus say.. As Above, So Below, there is a lot going on here on Earth.

Most people I know are going through huge changes. It seems everyone in is flux.... moving, major changes in income (mostly going down), dealing with health challenges. There has been a lot of death of people and pets, among my acquaintances.

In addition to the New Moon, which is a conjunction of Sun and Moon, there are other significant transits occurring - the New Moon squares the ongoing conjunction of Juptier, Chiron and Neptune in Aquarius. If that weren't enough, Pluto squares Saturn the day before this New Moon. Whew! Can we find any stability in times like these?

Scorpio is a complex sign and one that is not easily understood, even by natives. They are often unable to understand themselves throughout their entire lives. Because of the depth and hidden nature of their ruling planet, Pluto, Scorpios who are not 'into' self-analysis or reflection, opt to live very material, externally motivated lives. Thus they can appear superficial. While this may be an unattractive, unexamined life that people reading this blog may want to avoid, it can give us a clue as to how to navigate this time of upheaval. Whatever is going on... don't take it personally. It is not your fault.

If you find that you are not able to figure out what to do next or what is going on....take a hint from the Scorpio/Taurus axis when it is 'unevolved'. Focus on the superficial. Huh? What I mean by this is... spend more time doing the small daily tasks. Cook your own food, rather than buying pre-made meals or going out. Can't cook? Learn. Start simple. Fix small things around the house, do crafts, wash the floor. Rather than adding to frustration and confusion by 'thinking' too much, stay grounded in mundane activities. Work on tangible things like...your yard, cleaning the closet, painting the bathroom.

This may appear to be 'denial' but by keep your mind and body occupied with tasks that are useful, practical and might save you some money, you will actually allow the intuitive function to kick in. Have you ever 'tried' to have a transcendent experience (without artificial means like drugs)? Did it work? But have they not just come to you while you were doing something else? - like walking in Nature. By keeping the mind and body busy, there is more space for the metaphysical to arrive. Inspiration often comes when you are not looking for it. I get a lot of ideas while washing dishes.

One of the metaphors for the transformational process is the butterfly. It begins as a caterpillar - an unattractive and, to some, disgusting creature. Certainly it is 'mindless' right? But....this so-called ignorant creature makes a cocoon around itself, goes to sleep and emerges as the extraordinary and magical creature we call a butterfly.

Does the caterpillar know what it is doing? Preparing an incubating chamber for its eventual transformation into a 'light being'? For all it knows, it is merely finding a twig, attaching itself then spinning the goo that comes out of its body into a home or a bed. The caterpillar/butterfly is 'programmed' to do this. It can no more say "No, I don't want to do this" than it can say, "I want it now, I don't want to wait, why do I have to bother with the cocoon?" "Why am I doing this?" It cannot stop its destiny.

Let us take our cue from this. Are we not also programmed to transcend, to ascend, to become light beings? Can we control the timing of it?

One of the lessons of now is that we are being asked (some would say forced) to surrender. We are being shown in many ways something that Gurdjieff said decades ago "we cannot do", which means that we live under many levels of laws of Nature etc. No matter how much we want the weather to be great on the day of the party we planned, we cannot control it. Our inability to control our circumstances, to make anything happen, to understand what is going on, to know what to do next....FRUSTRATING! A solution? Stop trying and just BE.

For those of us who subscribe to astrology, the planets also impose 'laws' on us. Saturn is the god of time. As long as we live at this level, we are subject to time. That includes timing. Sometimes the action is right, but the timing is not.

If you don't know what to do next...follow the teaching of Rumi: You are drunk and on the roof. Don't move or you will fall off. Just sit down where you are and be there. Learn to wait, be patient. (My interpretation)

Meanwhile, do what you CAN do...work on your cocoon. There is nothing you need to learn. You have it all already. It is part of your programming. Just take care of business on this plane as best you can.

Fifteen years ago, on November 12, 1994, I went to my first Sufi Dance in Sebastopol. Being involved in Sufism has been a very satisfying experience. I thank all my teachers. One of the teachings of Sufism is "die before death". I have often compared this to the teaching of Don Juan (Carlos Castaneda) who says to let death be an advisor.

If you died today, (no this is not morbid - it's Scorpionic) what would matter about your life? Who are you? asks the hookah smoking caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland. WHO ARE YOU? Are you your house, car, job, bills, material possessions? If they were all gone, would you die? If they.... who is 'they'? took it all away and you were standing there naked, what would you do next? Scream? Cry? Faint?

Stephanie Austin in her article for this New Moon in The Mountain Astrologer gives the following quote: You only really discover the strength of your spine when your back is against the wall." (James Geary).

I learned this lesson on the physical plane the Thanksgiving after getting involved with the Sufis when one of the group took some of us rock-climbing. First we paired off - one person blindfolded, the other the guide, climbing up a hill on the way to The Rock. An extremely valuable experience. I was blindfolded. My guide was so concerned about my getting hurt, she was not able to give me any direction. We barely moved up that hill because she was paralyzed by concern. Finally, I started moving by intuition. I used my inner sight, feeling my way up the hill to the point where I was leading her. As it turned out this experience bonded us and We became fast friends. She couldn't understand how I had done it. By conquering fear with my body, not my mind. Feeling my way up the hill through my body.

Once we had gotten up the hill, those of us who wanted to take the challenge, climbed up a 40ft rock with an experienced person up top holding the rope attached to our harness. We had to go up a crack. I got stuck. The space got too small to raise my knee to get my foot up to the next foothold. My arms were not strong enough to pull myself up. I was caught in the crack, hardly able to move. I started to panic. I thought about all the ways I could not do it - all my limitations. Halfway up (halfway down) almost ready to yell out to be 'rescued'.

I remembered to breathe, calm my mind, get still. Suddenly I felt all of my body, not just the parts that did not do what I wanted.... feet, legs, knees, arms, hands, but the rest as well. Not strong enough, no room to maneuver....stuck. But I also felt my back against the rock. I started to slither, like a snake. Pushing up against the rock, using the rock as my friend, rather than my enemy. My back against the wall, I slithered my way up those few inches that made the footholds accessible. I got to a place where I could function in the ways I was most accustomed to, but I did it by finding a new way to use my back (my weak point). Since I have always had 'a weak back' this was an amazing discovery. I had not used my back for carrying, but for slithering. A new use for a bad back. It felt miraculous.

I suggest you reassess everything in your life. Find new uses, be creative. Rather than look at what is not working in your life... turn it all upside down. See how the obstacles can be turned into foundations for new activities. Question all your assumptions. Better yet, get rid of your assumptions. Don't take NO (or yes, for that matter) for an answer. If you feel like your world is upside down use that as an opening to a new way of being.

The Universe is supporting our transformation despite what you think about it. Trust that.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Saturn in Libra - Buy One Get One.

To celebrate Saturn's change of sign I would like to make the following offer: purchase any one of the astrology reports offered in the sidebar.... go down to find the links, and I will send you a second one of same or lesser value FREE! To honor Saturn in Libra, you might want to get the FRIENDS AND LOVERS, then a second one, like Opportunities, FREE. Take advantage of this offer until the end of November.

Saturn went into Libra today and I can already feel the change. Libra seeks to please and I can feel the cosmos asking me back into more accommodating relationship than we have had for the past 2+ years.

Saturn in Virgo was a task master for me. I already have plenty of Virgo is my chart with Ascendant conjunct Mars in Virgo I am really good at self-criticism. I really did not need the added weight of Saturn. When I am sat upon, I just go limp. It does not motivate me to do more. I don't fight back. Resistance is futile so why bother.

I feel a softening, a letting up of some of the pressure I've been under. I feel like I want to communicate again. For the past few months I have been questioning the meaning of life and my purpose in a very big way. Many deaths, including my 'big girl' Grace (cat). I went deep inside to process. Now, as we move into Fall and Winter, the traditional time for going inside, I want to express what I've found.

It's true that Libra can be critical and judgemental as well, but not right out of the gate. It tends to keep the negative stuff out of sight, like shoving it in a closet. If you want to fight and things get out of hand, believe me, Libra is right there with all the stuff that was in the closet right in your face, but it takes awhile before that happens. Libra can use the big guns, but prefers not to.

For the next couple of years or so, the job (Saturn always shows you the work to be done - in case you don't already know) will be in the realm of relationships. In Libra, this would be partnership, both intimate and business.

Saturn will ask us to define our relationships and to be clear as to who is doing what to whom. No more projection (a favorite past time of Libra). Are we clear about what we want from another person? Are they willing and able to give it to us? If not, how will be deal with that? If we decide to 'stay' anyway, we cannot blame the other person if they made their limitations clear to us. If they are vague or non-committal, are we going to accept that? If so, then, again, we cannot blame them.

Libra, as an air sign, seeks communication. But, let's face it, there are other ways to communicate besides talking. Facial expression, energy level, body language etc. communicate too. Rather than assuming that we understand each other, we might want to step out of our comfort zone and ask for an explanation.

Libra avoids conflict at any cost, but make sure the cost is not too high. Keeping the peace might feel good at one level, but are we going to be satisfied with that in the long run?

Sometimes we find out that all that silence and peace was actually a lack of caring or even an inability to care. It was not that they did not love you, they do not love anyone. Maybe cannot love at all. That is certainly not your fault. Nor was it your fault that you did not see it. There might be no one there behind the smile.

We have a couple of years to work on this. For those of you who have Pluto in Libra, you will have a Saturn/Pluto conjunction some time in this period. That should 'be fun'. Saturn might insist that something be done in the transformation department.

I feel there will be a lot of changes in the relationship department in the next couple of years. For those relationships that survive this transit and for those that are formed during this transit, there will be a lot more clarity and that is definitely a good thing.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Where Does Your Fortune Lie?

Last night in Rio Olesky's 'Tuesday Night Class' a participatory astrology class that he has been holding for around 30 years, we discussed the Part of Fortune.

The Parts or Lots were used extensively in Arabic astrology and therefore are often referred to as the 'Arabic Parts', but they were developed in the Hellenistic period around 100 A.D. The origin of the technique is unknown, but many theories abound. You can read a brief overview on Wikipedia.

Not much is known and very little written about the Parts. Rio referred to the work of Martin Schulman and Dane Rudhyar with emphasis on Schulman's book: Joy and the Part of Fortune which can be purchased at:

Martin Schulman Karmic Astrology
Joy and the Part of Fortune


Apparently one can experience joy through the Part of Fortune and its house placement, but only if one has earned it. There is a karmic element to it. And it is not automatic.

It relates to one's goals in this lifetime and whether one is moving towards or away from them. This sets the parameters of what is good or bad for any particular individual. Schulman says that each of us has a 'pot of gold' waiting at the end of our own rainbow. What is in that pot is related to the Part of Fortune and thus differs for each of us.

The part of Fortune includes the personal recognition and privileges that accrue when one succeeds in their purpose.

Rio said that the Part of Fortune is not guaranteed. You must do the work. He referred to it as a compost pile that has a lot of potential but must be tended and worked on. Like a garden, you must plant the seed, nurture it and attend to it so that it grows to its maximum potential.

Calculating the Part of Fortune is different if you have a nocturnal or a diurnal chart. A nocturnal chart is one where the Sun is below the horizon, a diurnal chart one where the Sun is above the horizon.

So...

Diurnal - Ascendant + Moon - Sun
Nocturnal - Ascendant + Sun - Moon

To find out what's on the schedule for Tuesday night class, see Rio's website: Wholistic Astrology

You can purchased recordings of any class.

Contact me for a reading of your Part of Fortune, by leaving a comment with contact information.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Follow Your Heart - Leap into the Lunar Eclipse August 5-6

My Summer class at Santa Rosa Junior College is complete and so I am free to post again for awhile. I taught a course on Mayan Hieroglyphs for six weeks. It went really well. I will be teaching it again in a month. The new class starts September 3. This time it won't be as difficult since I have already made the PowerPoint presentation and my ankle is healed, so I won't have to teach from a wheelchair with my friend Steve serving as my chauffeur.

Another eclipse is coming up in a few days. This time a Lunar Eclipse. Stephanie Austin in The Mountain Astrologer says that during the eclipse, solar energy is blocked by the Earth and that this in turn opens a portal in hyperspace.

Well, this got my attention since I am getting more and more into portal technology. Preparing to teach the hieroglyph class this time, I re-read all the old books and read many new books. I was struck by the fact that even though there were books I have read several times, each time I review the material, the meaning evolves as my level evolves. Passages I didn't notice before were jumping off the page and I wondered "How come I never noticed this before?"

It's about evolution. Funny how things we 'know' with our brain take on deeper significance when our state has evolved - even a little.

I see it as a spiral. While we may revisit certain areas of our lives or certain subjects, as we move upwards in the ascension process, we understand more.

I have taught this course several times in the past, but this time, I learned so much more myself that I would have liked to pass on to my students. Perhaps it is time to create an advanced class.

For me, these eclipses signal the fact that we are in extraordinary times. We all have the opportunity to make quantum leaps in our development. At the same time the pressures in our Earthly existence are so extreme (job loss, home loss, financial ruin, health challenges) if not to ourselves then to our loved ones. It is difficult to see that this is an attempt by the 'dementors of doom' (as Caroline Casey says) to take us off our path and stop us with fear. Huge distractions designed by the powers of stagnation and decay to keep us hooked into believing that what our hearts yearn for is impossible.

Yet, these 'dementors of doom' are not external. We cannot point a finger at 'them'. They are us. They are within us. They are projections of the saboteur that we all have.

Caroline Myss' work on archetypes that I find invaluable claims that everyone has 12 archetypal energies that form a type of 'board of directors' in our life. We created this board before the current incarnation to help us accomplish the task of this lifetime. While each of us has 8 that are unique to our individual selves, we all share 4. Each age has a different set of 4.

Currently we all share The Saboteur, The Prostitute, The Child, and The Victim. These archetypes have many facets which you can learn about in her major opus (in my estimation) Sacred Contracts (see Amazon add in sidebar). So, we each have a Saboteur whose task is not really to prevent us from evolving, etc., but whose task is to show us where we ruin our own lives. Where we 'get in our own way'. (A strange expression I never really understood.) Caroline Casey played a wonderful talk by Reverend Ike called "Get Your But Out of the Way".

When you hear yourself say, "Yes, but...." you are on your way to learning about your Saboteur. Since most of us (at least in the West) are so obsessed with money, we usually 'can't' do something because of money. So now money REALLY IS a problem. Or is it? Isn't that just an illusion? What were we thinking when we created that one. We thought not having $100,000 in our bank account was a problem. Now we are lucky if we have $100. It's like they said: "You want to complain? Complain about THIS!

The challenge here is to see that it is not money that makes something happen or not, it is intention, desire, 'love'. No amount of money in the world will make something happen if there is no desire for it. These things come from the Heart.

So.... stop complaining. Stop making excuses... Just DO IT! Or not, but don't blame anyone but yourself. Or... even better, don't blame anyone, especially yourself. Do or don't do, then let it go. If your Heart is not in it, let it go.

So what does all this have to do with eclipses? and especially this eclipse? Another opportunity to make a leap into the life you dream for yourself and humanity. We must all begin to dream a new world into being. Then when we have the image firmly established in our hearts, to leap into it whenever there is a portal.

Austin quotes Norman Vincent Peale at the end of her article: "Throw your heart over the fence, and the rest will follow."

Let your heart lead the way. Not your little heart, that loves so-and-so and hates so-and-so or want this-or-that and doesn't want something else. No. the big huge heart that is wise and connected to the Oneness of Creation.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

The Value of Contraction - Less is More

Pluto in Capricorn is about maximum contraction. Since we have just gone through the opposite, that is, Pluto in Sagittarius, maximum expansion, this is particularly painful. Just like trying to squeeze into those jeans you wore in your 20s after two kids and gaining 20 pounds. Can't be done. Gotta shed some pounds. So that's where we are, all of us. And it feels awful. Depression is 'widely available'.

Liquor and fast food sales are up, even though more and more of us know the dangers of both. People want a quick fix for the psychological pain. People want to 'feel better,' if even for a moment.

I myself am grappling with this daily. Since I cannot go outside to my garden (due to my broken ankle), I have to dig deep into my inner resources. Meditation, chanting, repetition of mantra/wazifa is very useful since it helps you train your mind. Stopping thought is useful at this time, when what we are doing is not necessarily working at solutions with our thoughts, but rather beating ourselves up with self-sabotaging recriminations.

Flower essences, essential oils and tinctures have an incredible ability to soothe, heal and inspire. All very important at this time.

It is not about 'not feeling'. Among the tasks of Saturn and Capricorn is to evaluate what works and what does not work. To have the courage to admit that we don't like our life and then to change it. This requires feeling the pain. Pain is a message. Something is wrong. Don't mask it (of course if it is overwhelming and paralyzing, you have to manage it). Take the time (Saturn/Capricorn) to review your situation.

The next step which is so aptly put in the Serenity prayer adopted by AA.

"God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference."
Attributed to the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr.

This is one of the most useful messages that has been delivered to humanity in the last century.

About 18 years ago, while working at a domestic violence shelter, I was doing research on addiction. I read a series of books by Anne Wilson Schaef about the addictive society. Her best known one, When Society Becomes an Addict, opened my eyes to the role our culture has in making us all addicts in some way, so as to encourage consummerism.

Before we can stop our addictions we must 'admit we are powerless'. We must stop thinking that we can live forever, do anything we want, anytime. In a sense, the New Age Movement that expanded in the mid 80s, and promised us that we can have it all as we create our own reality (which usually included more stuff), has been co-opted (as the 60s were). Yes, even Michael Jackson died. Didn't you think for a moment that if anyone could figure out a way to live forever, he would? He could certainly afford to pay for whatever technology could come up with. For those who consider themselves 'spiritual' there are now millions of books, DVDs, CDs and catalogs full of all the accoutrements required to be 'on the spiritual path.' "Have you seen the latest yoga mat?"

Among the gifts of my recent 'confinement' is seeing what I actually NEED. Now that my ankle is nearly back to normal, I see that I am beginning to WANT again. The wanting is what causes me discomfort. About halfway through this confinement, I arrived at a state of contentment. A time when just being was all I could do and it was enough.

I hope to retain the lessons I learned. The gift of a broken bone (bones ruled by Saturn/Capricorn, ankle ruled by Uranus/Aquarius). Currently Chiron, shot in the ankle, is in Aquarius (natally in my 6th house of health). In my Solar Return chart for this year, it is at my midheaven (conjunct the 10th house cusp. The 10th house traditionally ruled by Saturn/Capricorn. Try to tell me that astrology does not work.

If you are feeling depressed right now, take it as a sign that you are alive and awake. You are not numbed out. Take the time to review your life. Feel what is not working anymore and try to understand why. Change what you can. If you can change nothing about the external situation, do an attitude adjustment.

One way this can be done is to invite the 'problem area' to tea. With friendship and kindness, ask it what it wants from you. What it wants you to know and learn. What is the lesson in this? is an extremely useful question to ask yourself on a regular basis.

Try to avoid 'why me?' because that is a victim stance. Instead I suggest you look for the lesson. I have found that when I can do this, I may come to value the 'problem' for the gifts it has brought - the 'virtues' of patience, humility, compassion, surrender etc. As soon as I 'get it', the 'problem' often goes away.

We can use plant guides and messengers in the form of flower essences and essential oils to support us in our own process. They work on a subtle level. They don't do the work - we still have to do it, but they can help us focus and have more clarity. They can take the panic away so we can think. See my herb blog.

If you wish assistance, I am available for astrology readings and flower essence sessions. Leave your contact info in a comment.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

July 7 Eclipse - Portal Between Worlds

As we approach the upcoming Full Moon eclipse on July 7, we may feel contraction. For some, this will be experienced as fear leading to panic.
The circumstances of the outer world which seem real - money issues - may cause us to put the focus of our energy in the wrong place.

While a contraction is called for, it is not a 'bad' thing. Since we live in a world where only expansion and growth are valued and sought after, we feel something is very wrong with contraction and must be 'forced' into it. Rather we should submit to this contraction willingly for it is part of the cycle. Observe your breath. It goes in and out. Observe the tides, they go in an out. All of it is a rhythmic cycle. Neither can exist without the other.

With Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron conjunct right now, I feel that after the contraction, the 'in-breath will bring more healing, greater intuitive capacity and an increase ability to manifest our dreams. But we must first be willing to let go and release on a grand scale.

Have you ever been told to take a deep breath? What is the first thing you do to prepare to do that? Breathe out more than ever. So, now, get ready to take a deep breath.

Rather than clenching up in fear which is usually accompanied by holding your breath, let it all go. Don't try to hold on to whatever goes with it. Don't grab on to anything. Before we can manifest the new life we want, we have to make room for it. Right now we also have access to creative imagination on a grand scale. Dream big. Dream into reality the next phase of your miraculous life.

The Moon in Capricorn 10th house and Sun in Cancer 4th forming this eclipse, open the portal between birth, death and rebirth.

The ancient Maya saw 'life' as starting with death. Life comes out of death. The 4th house is both the house of death (where we come from) and the house of birth. The 10th house is the life in between. This eclipse has the Moon (the ruler of Cancer) in Capricorn. To me this means that the nurturing energy of the Moon/Cancer is on both sides of the portal.

Go to your emotions to see what needs to change. My doctor recently advised me to "let pain be my guide" in regards to the physical therapy I must do after my broken ankle. At first I thought "what? Why would I want to do that?" But after thinking about it I saw the wisdom in it on a larger scale. To determine what is not working anymore in your life, let pain be your guide.

Often in order to continue to function, we avoid the pain in any number of ways. Distraction, medication, numbing out, sleeping, staying busy - are common ways. But in order to see what needs to be changed/healed and when we are not going in the right direction, we need to experience that pain.

Remember that game where someone hid something and the other person had to go look for it? We said warm, hot, boiling when the searcher approached and cold, freezing when they were far away? Well, be sensitive to the subtle emotional changes that accompany different parts of your life. Pay close attention to your stomach, your aches and pains, your mind, your energy. Does your body respond positively or negatively as you go through your day. Your own body can give you clues your rational mind hides from you.

Let emotional or any other kind of pain, be your guide to what is no longer working in your life and what needs to go. Then, imagine the new life you want. Get ready, breathe out, then breathe in deeply and move through the portal into your new life.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Jupiter and Saturn - Creating Reality

Each month, as a student in the Evolutionary Astrology school with Kim Marie, we participate in a telephone conference call on various topics. This month it was the planetary pair of Jupiter and Saturn.

The Evolutionary Astrology (EA) method is unique in that it begins with Pluto which represents the soul's purpose. The nodes of the moon are significant because they show the soul's history and the intent in this life time.

Unlike traditional astrological methods, the Sun, Moon and Ascendant are not the primary focus.

In addition to aspects, house, and sign of each planet, the phasal relationship between all planets is significant. As far as I know, this way of looking at planets is specific to the EA method. So, even if planets are not aspecting each other, they do have a phasal relationship.

What this means is that, like the phases of the Moon in relation to the Sun, planets form phases between themselves. The faster moving planet determines the phase. Ultimately, all are in relation to the Sun.

Since both of these planets are 'personal' planets, we have access to them consciously. We can easily see the archetypes operating in our life, unlike the
'transpersonal' planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto which operate on unconscious levels.

Jupiter and Saturn are very important in one's life because they have to do with manifestation. Jupiter is concerned with belief systems and truth. Saturn about form, structure and society. All of us act from our belief systems, whether personal beliefs about ourselves, beliefs about what we should be doing or beliefs held by the society in which we live. These beliefs affect our values, goals and actions. Saturn helps us ground our beliefs in reality - or not.

Many of those who say that 'we create our own reality', never see the fruit of that belief because, in fact, they really don't believe it. Or, their belief about themselves, say, is so contrary to their stated belief that they 'sabotage' themselves. Sometimes the new belief has not fully been integrated or conflicts with deeply held beliefs from childhood.

Jupiter's cycle is 12 years, Saturn 28 or so. They form a conjunction every 20 years. Currently they are nearly opposing each other, which means that collectively we have been re-examining the belief systems that have been the foundation of society. Each of us, in our own way, has had our beliefs challenged a lot in the past few years. On nearly every level, the beliefs that we have operated under, have crumbled or betrayed us and we have had to re-think, re-assess and re-evaluate. This process of breaking away from everything we have believed in before and coming up with new paradigms will reach its maximum when Jupiter and Saturn are in opposition. Then, the new ideas will begin to be integrated into society and create the new models of action. We are still at the creation point, so it is very important that we set our intentions for what we want to manifest in society in the next 10 years.

As we are all aware, what happens in the next 10 years will determine if there is a future for life on Earth.

One of the fundamental concepts of EA is that we are all evolving. It is important to know where we are at any given time on that path and to understand the best ways we can move forward from there. There is no judgement since we are all going to get "there". And, in fact, there is a concept, similar to that of Buddhism, that some have already gotten there and have returned to help others, so you never know.

The belief in Reincarnation is implicit in this system and so is the idea of karma. Some of our current life is the result of karma.

Of all the systems of astrology I have looked at, this one has the most answers for me. To find out more about it and get a sample DVD free, click here.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Solar Return in the Underworld

I'm coming to my solar return (Saturday, May 30), and just ran my chart to see what's ahead. Turns out my Sun is in the 12th house and my Moon and Saturn are in the 4th house! Now try and tell me astrology does not work. Hidden Gemini stuck in the house with a broken bone.

I broke my ankle a month ago and have not been out of my house for a month. House bound, I rely on friends to bring food, do my laundry and my dishes. I am hobbling around on crutches. Since I have been very sedentary for the last couple years, my physical stamina and strength are minimal, so I am having a lot of trouble getting around.

All my activities have been affected. I have not been out at all. All my club and group activities have been halted. I have had to miss the fairs that I signed up for to sell my herbal products (see my herb blog).

I am not my usual 'bubbly, talkative' Gemini self. Or rather, I am going through a metamorphosis. Sun now conjunct the ascendant (also now in Gemini), I am completing a cycle of transformation and will come out a different person. Well, that's for sure. I feel like I went into the Underworld a month ago. I know that when this is over, my life must change.

Friends have suggested 'there is something to learn from this.' Boy, have I heard enough of that! Actually, this time it made me angry. I feel like my entire life has been nothing but lessons. When do I get to just have some fun? I might become a total hedonist after this.

In fact lately, I find myself unable to analyze or even think for that matter. I feel I am totally living in the NOW. I have to. My day is about survival, that's it. Of course, this will not be permanent, but it has been making me think about how dependent I am on others.

Meanwhile, with no cable available, I watch Netflix. I got the series Jericho and it is affecting my consciousness as well. I dreamt about Jake last night. But....the show is a metaphor for what we all face. Not nuclear destruction or terrorist attack, but the end of services, the lack of supplies, power etc, that we all face with Global Warming, Peak Oil, the End of Food, pollution of water and air etc.

I have become even more aware that in one moment one's world can change completely. While I am not a vegetarian, I normally eat a very healthy diet. Now, since I can't cook, I have to eat frozen pre-prepared meals, (full of bad stuff), heated in the microwave. I get pre-made salads which cost a fortune, just to get my veggies. Meanwhile all the seeds I started in my greenhouse are way beyond ready to transplant. None of the people who are coming to help me are into doing this, so the veggie garden I planned will probably not happen. I realize how vulnerable I am. But I know that we all are.

We must begin to grow our own food! Grow what we can, trade with others for what we need. We must find ways to get around without gasoline. We must learn to do with less, be happy in the moment and be more flexible.

If you want a reading send me a comment and we will make an appointment.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

New Moon in Gemini May 24

New Moons represent beginnings. It is a unique New Moon because it squares a rare triple conjunction of Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron.

While Jupiter and Neptune are conjunct every 12-13 years, and Jupiter and Chiron conjunct every 13-20, Neptune and Chiron conjunct between 57 and 80 years! Thus they may conjunct only once in a lifetime.

Perhaps this explains my recent accident, where I slipped, fell and broke my right ankle. Prior to the accident, which occurred while I was attending a Plant Spirit Healing Apprenticeship workshop, I had been slightly spraining both ankles for about a month. It was very disturbing and worrisome. I couldn't understand what was going on. Each time it happened, it was worse than the last. I live alone in a semi-rural area, with only one neighbor, who would never hear me if I were screaming for help. So, instead, I was among a group of healers-in-training when I fell and sprained my ankle so badly, it broke.

The significance was not lost on me. Nor was the 'luck' of being with a group of wonderful people, who were prepared to help me in so many ways. Thanks to the healing that was given to me by my friends.

I had just returned from communicating with a plant and talking to the chickens in the garden. The workshop was definitely operating on the Neptunian principle of the Unity of Creation. We were learning to enhance our relationship with the natural world by opening up to a different way of perceiving it. It was a shamanic journey. I got to be 'dismembered.'

Chiron was wounded in the ankle and because he was immortal, could not die, but rather suffered endlessly until a bargain was made among the gods so that Chiron could die. He became the constellation Sagittarius.

This triple conjunction is occurring in my 6th house, the house of healing, work, talents, and service. I feel that Chiron has given me the 'nod' and accepted me as a healer. I got initiated by Chiron.

The triple conjunction will go retrograde in the next two week period. Chiron will go retrograde on my 61st birthday, May 30!

Of course, the 'gift' from Chiron is not always appreciated. I am somewhat immobilized, since I can't drive or go outside. I must rely on others to help me. I must accept whatever help anyone can offer. Since I like my independence, this requires Surrender (another attribute of Neptune.)

When I had my Chiron return several years ago, it was just prior to being ordained as a minister of the Universal Worship. My mother took me on a trip to Crete where we went to an incredible tour called "Chiron, the Wounded Healer." She had no idea what that meant, nor did she know it was my Chiron return, but she thought it was something I would like. We had some incredible mother/daughter healing occur on that trip.

We also have a square to the triple conjunction from Mercury! It will station direct on my birthday as well. Now, there must be a message in all this for me. Since, as a Gemini with Virgo rising, Mercury is my significator planet and Pluto is opposing my natal Mercury.

The way I see all this? It is time for me to define, refine and then put out my message. The intention I stated at the beginning of the Plant Spirit Healing workshop was Surrender. Surrender does not mean 'giving up' or 'giving in.' It is setting the course - orientation to one's true purpose in life. It is more like Allowing What is Real and True to manifest.

I have a lot of time to think about what is next in my life. With the help of this New Moon and the influence of the powerful squaring planets, I see a path unfolding.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Full Moon in Libra - April 9

Clearly, this Full Moon is strongly influenced by the recent retrograde of Pluto on April 4 and the retrograde motion of Venus which started March 15. At this time, Venus retrograde is square Pluto retrograde. I'm kind of glad I am in a relationship with someone who is following his bliss on his boat in Mexico right now. Otherwise, who knows what the fireworks might look like. LOL

On top of that, Saturn is still retrograde in Virgo. What all this means for me is that first we examine our values, then rather than rebuilding the things that are falling apart, we let them fall. We don't rebuild things that didn't work. We take this opportunity to build new structures. We need a whole new way of doing things. The time is perfect to let it go and start a whole new, sustainable, green way of doing things. How much more evidence do we need that the Earth is encouraging us to change our ways? Of course, the institutions that exist (for their own sakes) will do everything they can to justify their existence and keep themselves going. That is the nature and the problem with institutions. They are calcified fossils of ideas which were once new and fresh and alive. They are dead now. Bury them. Jesus said "let the dead bury the dead." Let us take this opportunity to create a new, vital world.

It does not take an astrologer to tell you that we are in challenging times. What astrology can tell you is that there are forces larger than any government, bank, insurance company, or other man-made institution at work now. Astrology provides a way of seeing cycles and patterns that are transpersonal. They affect everyone on this planet albeit in different ways depending on their awareness and connection to spirit. I do believe that one suffers less if they have an active spiritual life. Formal religions don't seem to provide much support these days because they tend to externalize and project, rather than encouraging people to take personal responsibility for their own thoughts and actions.

This Full Moon in Libra ruled by Venus opposes the Sun in Aries ruled by Mars. Traditionally, these are the archetypes of female and male. Thus, spring (in the
northern hemisphere) corresponds to the period when the fecundity of Nature surrounds us Christians celebrate the former ancient pagan rites of fertility through the holiday of Easter, represented by the risen Christ. The miracle of rebirth. The return of the life-giving light of the Sun.

Stephanie Austin in her article in The Mountain Astrologer, suggests we "take a risk" and "do something radically different" wherever 20 degrees Aries falls in your chart and "get by with a little help from your friends" where 20 degrees Libra falls in your chart. She also offers the Sabian symbols for these positions: Sun at 20 degrees Aries - "A young girl feeding birds in winter: overcoming crises through compassion." Moon at 20 degrees Venus - "A rabbi performing his duties; the ability to draw on the power of an ancestral tradition in order to serve and inspire one's fellow men." She asks what you yearn for and what is holding you back?

"Prosperity is a way of living and thinking, and not just money or things. Poverty is a way of living and thinking, and not just lack of money or things." (Eric Butterworth)

Monday, March 9, 2009

Full Moon in Virgo - March 10-11

As if Venus retrograde weren't enough, this Full Moon is conjunct the Saturn/Uranus opposition. Yikes! Hold on to your... or is it better to let go?

According to Stephanie Austin in The Mountain Astrologer, this is one of the most importantFull Moons of 2009 because it amplifies the Saturn/Uranus opposition which she calls an 'evolutionary imperative.' Ah, that's what they are calling it. I thought it was 'my life falling apart.' This so-called imperative is operational until 2010 folks, so I guess we have no other choice but to evolve or .....?
Austin suggests we 'embrace inventiveness.'

What we see is the breakdown of of outmoded structures and rapid cultural change. The retrograde Venus can be useful here since it assists us in determining what is of value and thus what we should keep or at least work on rather than just totalling tossing it.

As you may have read in my 2012 blog, I am really getting into Nassim Haramein and it just happens to relate to this Saturn/Uranus thing. Saturn representing the laws of classical physics and Uranus the 'quirky' realities of quantum mechanics.

Other contrasts that Austin makes that relate to this Saturn opposing Uranus transit are: hierarchy/democracy, status-quo/progress, and fear/freedom. Duh, I wonder which to choose? The difficulty is that there are few models out there because we are being called to create new ones.

But on to the Full Moon. The Sun will be at 21 degrees Pisces conjunct Uranus at 22 degrees. The Moon will be at 21 degrees Virgo with Saturn at 19 degrees Virgo. Austin says that each moment we have a choice between standing in love or collapsing into fear, between staying asleep or waking up. She says that where the Sun at 21 Pisces is in your chart is where you must trust your intuition and do something out of the ordinary; where the Moon at 21 Virgo activates your chart is where you need to discern your priorities and honor them.

Those with Uranus in Virgo and Pluto in Virgo are being given an especially loud wakeup call to own and express their power. Austin suggests we all use the power of this Full Moon to take the next big step on your path and remember: If we are facing in the right direction, all we need to do is keep on walking. (Buddhist proverb)

As for me, lately I have a lot of trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. I am filled with an intense energy but must really focus to accomplish anything. I feel there is something really important I must do, but don't always know what it is. When I am focused, I can get a lot done in half the time. I can be very efficient. But when I am not focused, I feel I am spinning my wheels.

One way I ground myself is by literally saying: "Stop! What are you doing?" This can snap me out of the whirr of my mind. I also need to go outside a lot and smell the flowers or work in the greenhouse. I am learning to listen to my intuition and act on it.

Over the years through meditation and other spiritual practices, I have learned how to distinguish between my intuition and other 'voices' that pass through my mind. My work with flower essences (see my herb blog) has moved up to another level. I can feel it. When I am with a client, I get 'downloads' from the plant spirits and find staying grounded both essential and extremely difficult. It is definintely an interesting time and I feel excited about what is happening.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Venus Retrograde - Let the Beauty We Love Be What We Do

Venus goes retrograde 5 times in 8 years - every year and a half or so. It stays retrograde for 45 days. The retrograde pattern over an eight year period, forms a pentacle in the sky. Perhaps this is the source for the symbol. Being related to the retrograde pattern of Venus in the sky - when Venus may be challenging the status quo - may have led to its identification with 'women's magic'.

Venus will station retrograde March 7 at 15 degrees Aries, go back into Pisces April 12, then station direct at 29 degrees Pisces April 17.

Venus retrograde asks us to review, refine and redefine our values, social behavior and relationship needs. We need to look at how we express love and affection. Time to focus on our aesthetics - taste and style. During this time of economic downturn, we might want to find more frugal and creative ways of dressing and decorating. Another way to approach this is to realize that beauty serves a real purpose in our lives. We need beauty to inspire and heal. But having beauty around us need not be expensive.

Last week, I visited a friend in Oakland. His home was magical and delightful. A true Libran (ruled by Venus), his home was comfortable and inspiring. He had told me earlier it was cluttered. On the contrary, it was a tribute to his full and interesting life. He opened the door and I stepped into another world. Bird song and blooming tropical flowers, wood carvings and paintings, color and light. He had created his own altar to Venus. Part of the magic was the way that each item was placed and arranged with intention. Carefully and lovingly selected.

I realized the influence that such a space can have on the psyche. We truly flourish amidst nature and beauty. It is a need, not just a luxury. It can be accomplished in many ways - flowers, plants, cherished items from our life, stones.

Another thing we can do during this retrograde period is to seek balance between the sacred (spiritual) and the profane (mundane) in our lives. Preparing food can be viewed as a ritual where we are preparing nourishment and sustenance to the temple of our bodies and those of our loved ones, rather than a task or chore. Smelling, tasting and feeling the texture of the food,l rather than just gulping it down.

During this time we have access to undeveloped personal characteristics which will be more available to our view. The house where Venus currently resides may be where you will have revelations. The challenge is to own whatever you discover about your needs and whether or not you are actually communicating or expressing them. Don't blame your partner, family or friends. Don't point your finger about "what they are doing to you". Take responsibility. No one can hurt your feelings and you can't hurt anyone else's. Sometimes the truth hurts. I found it interesting that people are finally seeking a Truth Commission in relation to the activities of our government for the past 8 years, because during this time political leaders can fall from grace.

Venus retrogrades also signal reversals in the stock market, but they can be totally erratic and frequent. So.... it can go up one day and down the next. I am not predicting anything here, so please don't gambol the farm.

In terms of money, you should review your spending patterns (like you haven't already been doing this). By reviewing your values - what you want vs. what you need. And as I wrote above, we all need love and beauty. By examining our values, we might find that we wish to make changes. I suggest you wait until after Venus goes direct to make some of those changes. This is not a good time for major purchases, remodeling your house, getting married or divorced, because your choices right now might actually be the opposite of those you would normally make.

You could end up with an orange house with purple trim that you will only love 45 days every year and a half. But you will LOVE it then! Maybe that's better than never loving it. LOL!

Since Venus is in Aries, it's a good time for new beginnings. Astrology and flower essences are tools that can help you can gain insight as to what is next in your life. Contact me for a reading.

'Let the Beauty We Love Be What We Do' is from a poem by Rumi.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Discovery of Pluto - Harbinger of the Coming Shift?

While doing my EC drops, yesterday, I found an interesting post about the discovery of Pluto at The Modern Historian. That occurred on February 18, 1930.

Astronomers demoted Pluto last year to a planetoid. But as anyone who has ever gone through a significant Pluto transit will testify, Pluto is no "toid" anything. In fact, after working with the Evolutionary Astrology method brought forth by Jeffrey Wolf Green, which focuses on Pluto in our charts, I believe no other planet has as much influence and power in our lives. Indeed, the EA method teaches that Pluto reveals our Soul's Purpose. What could be more important than that?

I have been thinking about the fact that Pluto passed over the Galactic Center in recent years. The "Event" at the core of 2012 is the alignment of our solar system with the GC. What is the significance of this transit? (which happens every 248 years or so.) The last time Pluto was in Sagittarius was a decade or so before the American Revolution. Why was America settled by the first colonists? We have been taught that it was because of religious persecution. Another reason was that people wanted to be free of the economic control of the King and the aristocracy. The 'common' man wanted a chance to make his own wealth. The emerging concept of Capitalism wanted free reign. Entrepreneurs and merchants wanted to out from under the tax system of the Crown, that's why we had the Boston Tea Party.

So here we are, one Pluto cycle later and that American Capitalism gone rampant threatens to destroy the global economy.

Some astrologers say that a planet is discovered when the collective is ready to understand and work with, its energy. So... what was happening in 1930 that relates to us today?

In the Qabbalah, the "non-sefira", lying in the central pillar between Tiferet and Kether, known as the Daat, the Hidden Teacher, is equated with Pluto,. There are some schema that equate it with Saturn "God of Time" because they were established before the discovery of Pluto. And there is significance to this reading as well. I believe that when Pluto passed over the GC, it served to remove the veil and open the way to the teaching from the Galactic Center. The Hidden Teacher in the sign of Sagittarius (the Teacher, the Spiritual Leader) opened the teaching of the meaning of the 2012 event.

Sagittarius represents the Teacher, but is also the "Seeker of Truth". So Pluto "God of Transformation and Death", in the the sign of the Seeker of Truth, went over the Galactic Center, The Source. Our entire Solar System is now within the area of the GC and will be exact on December 21, 2012, the end of a 5125 year cycle in the Mayan Calendar.

Many people alive today lived during the Great Depression. Many of us are children or grand-children of those "Depression Survivors" and have heard the stories and received the 'teachings' although we have dismissed them and not followed them. In the West, we have had abundance compared to the rest of the world. We have become complacent. Unless we were 'back-to-the-land' hippies in the 60s, we have lived an affluent life. The current economic down-turn will be changing that for many people.

I would like to suggest that rather than thinking about what we are losing or having to do without, we shift our attention to what is of real and lasting value. I suggest we develop our inner wealth, utilizing our inner resources to optimize our connection to Source. If you have a meditation practice, a program of prayer or other spiritual methodology, this is the time to dust it off and get with it again.

"Every breath we take is our prayer" I just heard that on the Caroline Casey radio show on KPFA and it seemed totally relevant to this post.

Think of all that you might be losing on the material plane as Sacrifice, which means to 'make sacred'.

Monday, February 16, 2009

In the Shadow of Retrograde

The Valentine's Day Special continues until the end of the month.
Since we are still in the 'shadow' period of Mercury retrograde, I have not yet sent my computer in for service. It still needs repair and is under warranty, but so much has been breaking down this retrograde period, I want to wait another week before I send it.

I have been working on my course for this summer and on my 2012 blog. I have gotten to point where my laptop is like a part of my body and am not looking forward to having it gone for two weeks like the last time.

I can definitely feel the acceleration that is part of the Shift. In some ways, I feel writing is redundant, that all that is required is thought.

I am getting very interested in the work of Nassim Haramein. I went to a presentation by one of his 'emissaries' in Sebastopol, CA and have not been the same since. My mind was blown and I am not interested in 'getting back to normal'. I feel a 'new normal' is emerging for me. I'm not sure what it is but I do know I need to be as fluid as possible.

Personally, transiting Pluto in the 5th house is opposing my natal Mercury in the 11th house and so it is totally appropriate that my mind is being transformed. I am both able to access memories better and having deeper understanding. I am able to vision then manifest at a higher rate than ever before.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

February Valentine's Day Special

Are you in a relationship or considering getting into one? The Friends and Lovers Astrology report (see sidebar) will show you things about the relationship that you might like to know. Both the positive elements and the challenges.

For the entire month of February, if you purchase 1 Friends and Lovers Report, I will give you a choice of 1 FREE report from the following: Opportunities, The Sky Within or Asteroids.

Friends and Lovers and The Sky Within are both available in English or Spanish. Please indicate which language you want.

Just follow the links to purchase Friends and Lovers and put the name of the FREE report you want as part of your "name". You do not have to give the real names of the people, but the other data has to be real, or the report will be worthless. For example: Mary Smith Asteroids

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Back in a New Way

So I am back. To see the story about my computer, go to first blog. I plan to wait until the shadow period of the mercury retrograde is over, because technology continues to malfunction around me and I don't want to take any chances. Besides, I have a lot of catching up to do with my blogs and various projects.

Things have changed a lot in the last 3 weeks. I have a new blog on the Maya and 2012 and am "on fire" with ideas and projects. My own chart is being activated. I have the Pleiades on the cusp of my 10th house and my Jupiter is conjunct the Galactic Center in my 4th house opposing Uranus. I have wondered about the meaning of this for many years and recently I have begun to understand what it is about.

Our Sun and Solar System are currently conjuncting the GC and things are indeed cooking.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Limited Internet for Next Two Weeks

To all my readers, my computer is in the shop for two weeks and I don't know if I will be able to post during that time since I have to use the Internet in the county library and so I have a short time limit each day. See you all soon! I might actually be forced to clean house....

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Karmic Astrology by Judy Hall

Just read an interview with Judy Hall from UK in The Mountain Astrologer Dec/Jan 2009. Her specialty is "Karmic Astrology".

Her work sounds fascinating and includes determining the karmic cause of illness, which has often led to healing and finding the karmic connections between people in relationships. She also works extensively with crystals.

You can go to her website and download many files on karmic astrology, crystal healing and other interesting subjects including her 119 page dissertation for her M.A. in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology. She has written many books including novels based on her own past lives (see the Amazon Carousel in the sidebar for some of her titles). If you are curious about her other titles, you can search in the Amazon Search box. She has many more books, but you can only put 10 on the Carousel.

I am fascinated by her work and plan to find out more about her. She does workshops on relationships and writing in the North of England. Maybe it's time for a trip! You can sign up for a reading online at her website.