Full Moon in Scorpio - May 5-6

With the Sun in Taurus representing what we cherish, and the Moon in Scorpio, what we must transform, we might view it as cherishing transformation rather than seeing it as an opposition.

If we make transformation something we seek rather than something we only do when necessary, then we can embrace this time of "dire beauty"* and constant change.

We have been living in a fool's paradise for decades. Any thinking person must realize that living on credit is
unsustainable. We were lulled into feeling we could have anything we wanted if our credit line was high enough. Anyone who came close to paying their credit cards off frequently noticed that just as they approached freedom from debt, they were given a higher limit, thus putting this or that luxury item within their reach. Many went for it, buying more, upgrading, and extending.

During the early 90's so many people re-financed their homes to remodel or add-on and now they are in debt.

I have seen people with dozens of credit cards. I have known people who have hundreds of thousands in credit card debt. Hello? Unless you plan to never pay them off and work it out so you die before it all starts to collapse (kind of like putting just the right amount of milk in your cereal so it all comes out exact at the end), you are in for years of misery. Rather than being free, you are in debt peonage. You have to keep working at that job you hate just to pay your bills. You can never retire.

Did Adam and Eve have bills? Did Moses have a mortgage? Did Jesus need the latest cell phone to get his message out? Was he tweeting day and night about what's on TV or new shoes? How did they manage?

In our modern culture we are praised for our credit score rather than our ability to live within our means. We are taught there is no limit; that we can have it all. But now, we are finding out otherwise.

To the extent that we bought into that system, we were similar to gambling addicts who believe that just because they won $10.00, they will continue to win and win bigger if they keep playing. They were lucky once and they might be lucky again, but the odds are against them.

We live on a planet with some renewable resources and with many that are non-renewable. The carrying capacity of Earth ... that is the maximum population density has been reached. We cannot stuff one more thing into that suitcase. There is no larger suitcase available. We must change our behavior.

We can do this kicking and screaming, or we can do it willingly and enthusiastically. Reframing is another word for attitude shift/paradigm shift. This means thinking and doing things in a different way and it may be unthinkable at first. We must learn to rely on inspiration (Uranus) and creative imagination (Neptune) to help us unveil these new ways of doing, thinking and being. The mind that thought up the problem is not what will find the solution. It comes from a different source.

Most people only change when they are forced to. They continue to do certain things despite the overwhelming evidence for its negative effects. I see women who are 10 years younger than me, who smoke a pack or two a day, whose faces look like dried prunes, wondering why I look so young for my age. Duh! I don't smoke. The proof stands before them and yet, they continue to smoke, cough, choke, smoke and smoke.

Whereas we may know what we don't want... what do we want? Aha!

That can sometimes be a difficult question to answer. Ask a starving child in India and the answer is easy: a meal for himself and his family. But since most of us reading this blog are beyond those basic survival needs, what do we want?

I have to admit I spend a lot to time thinking about this. If I create my own reality, I want to create something
meaningful and satisfying. This has compelled me to examine my beliefs, goals, and desires. What I have come to is this: I want to want what I have. I want to be satisfied with what is. I want to see and know that everything is already perfect.

So we come to cherish. The dictionary defines 'cherish' as:

1 a : to hold dear : feel or show affection for b : to keep or cultivate with care and affection : nurture

2: to entertain or harbor in the mind deeply and resolutely

The word is related to charity, care and cher (dear in French) and comes from Latin via French. It was first used in the 14th century.

These are all in the realm of Venus which rules both Taurus and Libra. With the Sun in Taurus facing the Moon in Scorpio, and in light of what I wrote above, we might consider learning to care for what we already have, repairing and restoring those things we purchased in the past and that with some TLC (tender loving care) might have some more life in them, or transforming them into something else.

I was thinking of quilts for example. In the past, people cut the good part out of their old clothes and patched them together to make warm blankets. They didn't go to a craft store and buy new swatches. They used what they had. Old thread-bare blankets were put between the layers of the quilt for added warmth. They didn't buy special batting in plastic bags to insert in the quilts. Quilts were made of all recycled materials and...often totally hand sewn. I still have one made by my paternal grandmother.

As for the second definition: most of us are quick to forget the past and everything associated with it. We want to live only in the present...or future. We look forward to what we are going to do this summer for example.

While dwelling on the past is inappropriate, I think we are deepened if we can cherish ie honor and value what has come before, realizing that the past is the basis for what exists now. It is our history.

At this point some of you may be saying, "She just contradicted herself. First she says act in new ways, out of the box etc., now she is advocating cherishing the past. What's up?" My response is that 1) the ability of hold two apparently contradictory views simultaneously is the mark of intelligence and this is where the synthesis occurs. Synthesis equals thesis plus anti-thesis. Synthesis is the 'third force' that comes from the reconciling of opposites. We must get beyond the apparent contradictions, the yes/no, the polarity to a third, yet unknown possibility that is lurking beyond the veil.

This powerful Full Moon in Scorpio is a portal to that place beyond the veil.

* an expression coined by Caroline Casey heard each week on KPFA. Go to her website for more.

Taurus New Moon - April 21, 2012

The day before Earth Day the Moon is in the first earth sign, Taurus. Connected to the Egyptian goddess Ma'at>matter>mother, the foundation of manifestation. It rules the sensual and all sensory experience. We connect to the outer world through our senses. We take in information through sight, sound, smell, touch, taste...then process it and interpret it.

With Neptune in Pisces we have access to other senses. How will this affect our thoughts and ideas? Perhaps we will be more able to connect with animals, plants, beings on other dimensions. We will come to understand that our dreams are perceptions from another dimension...not just fantasy...but experiences.

Taurus also has to do with our resources, talents, gifts. During these difficult economic times, we need to recognize that we are more than our stuff, that we have inner resources we can call upon and, most important, we are not alone. We are part of the Creation. We have alienated ourselves willingly or should I say willfully!

Most of us, especially the young, spend way too much time indoors and connected to electronic media of one sort or another. We have lost touch with Nature. This New Moon is conjunct Ceres the Great Mother, Goddess of the Harvest. Her daughter, Persephone, was abducted by Pluto (God of Death and Transformation) and taken to Hades, the underworld. While she searched for her daughter and mourned her absence, Ceres (Demeter) made the earth a wasteland. In her preoccupation with the loss of her daughter, she ignored her duties as Earth Mother and let everything die.

Lately, there have been many shows on KPFA radio about the nuclear disaster at Fukushima Daiichi. As far as I know, since I never listen to them and don't have TV, the corporate media have moved on, as if it's over. There are others who continue to monitor the situation. I heard yesterday that if there is another earthquake of at least 7.0, the pools that are containing the released contamination will not be able to be maintained. If they break, it will mark 'the end of civilization.'  Now you tell me, what is the likelihood of an earthquake in Japan or nearby?

Pluto released on the world. Ceres lamenting her daughter and paralyzed by grief. We need to help bring Ceres back to life so she can restore the green earth and put Pluto back underground where he belongs. No more nuclear plants. No more oil and gas pumped out of the ground. We need to implement alternative sources of energy - sun and wind, and discover others. We need to stop using so much. We are more than our stuff and if we don't finally get that...we will all perish. Dire, yes and true.

So this New Moon and Earth Day, make a commitment to use less gas, electricity and plastic and to spend more time in Nature. Plant something, even if it's just a pot of geraniums on your deck or in your window. Get closer to the green while you can.

I want to end with this quote taken from The Mountain Astrologer April/May 2012 issue:

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, were nature may heal and give strength to body and soul." (John Muir)

New Moon in Aries - March 22, 2012

Is it just me or does time seem to be moving faster and faster? I try to keep up with these New and Full Moons, but they usually go by so fast I am not able to do it. Of course, this time, the New Moon is in Aries and conjunct Uranus so that might also have something to do with it.

Meanwhile, Mercury is retrograde conjuncting this New Moon and Mars is still retrograde in Virgo making for challenging times at best. I have been having a hard time thinking straight, talking and not crashing into everything in my environment. While, yes, it could be related to the aging process (shut up you), I feel it is connected to Uranus in Aries.

Aries tends to be really good at rushing around without a lot of thought and thus leads to accidents, so BE CAREFUL!

Even though it's in my 8th house (other people's money) I sure don't want to get it from an insurance company.

An amazing thing about this New Moon is that it opposes the Super Galactic Center (SGC) at 2 degrees Libra - the black hole around which our Milky Way galaxy and many other galaxies revolve.

According to Stephanie Austin in The Mountain Astrologer "The stellar transmissions emanating from the SGC function as a spiritual beacon, triggering memories of our cosmic origins and destiny. Streaming across millions of light years, they impel us to embody the talents and tasks encoded in our birth charts." Heady stuff!

Problem is... most people have no idea what their birth charts mean, let alone seeing the 'talents and tasks' encoded there.This is where you need the 'talents and tasks' of an astrologer, trained to read that chart. I am available for in person or telephone readings. Contact me via email to set up an appointment.

This New Moon coming just 3 days after the Spring Equinox is the perfect time to set your course for the year. It is considered the beginning of the year and corresponds to New Year is some calendars.

Next week, March 28 - through April 1 is the final 5 day month (wayeb) of the Mayan Haab or solar calendar. In that system, April 2 will be New Year's Day 0 Pop. See my 2012 blog for more on this.

You may not be able to act on your goals quite yet...until we get through this Mars retrograde ending April 13, and this Mercury retrograde, ending April 4, but you can prepare for your Spring forward.

Since I teach a course on the Mayan Calendar and 2012 at a local Junior College, many people ask what will happen on December 21, 2012.

Part of my answer is, what is happening now? And how are you dealing with it? Is your life and that of those around you falling apart? Are you in denial or are you actively seeking to solve your problems? If there were 'an answer', what difference would it make? If you can't follow through on the daily goals you set yourself, can't control your addictions, can't control your behavior....you will still be at the mercy of events rather than the master of your Universe.

We are in the thick of it now folks. What you do and think moment by moment creates your reality and sets the tone for the rest of the year and even the rest of your life.

As for the 'end of the world'...well, does the world look anything like it did even a year ago? Things end and begin constantly. Life is change at all levels. Get used to it. Learn resilience. Challenge yourself by going outside your usual boundaries of behavior.

Pluto in Capricorn is in the process of destroying and rebuilding the structures of the consensus world. If you are willing to risk, you could become a pioneer in a whole different field. But it won't happen if you sit and
wait. What that will bring is loss and destruction.

This New Moon is about starting new things. You don't have to finish....just start. Experimentation, trying new ways of being. Be ready to let them go if they don't work out. Nothing ventured, nothing gained...an old adage, but still true.

Imagine yourself a little child, eager, curious, active, in wonder at the creation. Running after butterflies, picking up this and that. Not a care in the world. Delighted to be alive. New Moon in Aries.

Full Moon in Virgo March 8, 2012

Things are really jumping! Last night I happened to be watching a DVD of "Through the Wormhole", hosted by Morgan Freeman. In one segment they spoke about the effects of Solar Flares and how they could totally wipe out our electro-magnetic system, shut down all electricity and communication systems. Apparently they now have a way of predicting when they will happen, so they can prepare for it somewhat. I went to bed thinking about how our world would be affected if this happened. How would it be if all the electricity and communications were down all over the world..even for a few hours? To read about it click here.

I turned on the computer this morning to see that we did have a huge one! One of the benefits of no TV, no newspaper and very little contact with 'media' is that I don't know what's happening. I do feel things, but I don't always know what the feeling is about.

I really had a hard time sleeping last night, which is common for me during Full Moons. But this one was more difficult as I tossed and turned. My cat had strategically placed herself so that I had little room to move and when I would turn over, I would lose my blankets, so I was irritated throughout the night. Now I see why. I must have felt that flare. I am getting more sensitive with Neptune in Pisces.

About a week ago I went with friends to Mevlevi zikr. I have been a semazen (whirling dervish) for 17 years. After my mom died in 2005, I went to Konya for Rumi's Urs and after that trip, even though it was wonderful and I loved Turkey, I turned away from my Sufi groups. I felt that I needed to see what had 'stuck'. That is, what had I gotten from all the hours of teachings, practices, prayers etc. Had it changed me? Had I grown? Was any of it in me...or was I just in a habit of going? At Rumi's tomb surrounded by fellow pilgrims, I heard his words about not looking for him in the tomb but in the hearts of his followers. For me that meant it was time to move away from the teachers and groups and spend my time with 'regular' people.
To learn more about the Mevlevi Order of America, click here.

I did not 'burn any bridges,' so I always knew I could go back anytime I wanted. Last Saturday, the Mevlevi teacher from Turkey was in town and I wanted to see him and my old friends. I thought of it as a family reunion, which could include both painful and joyful moments. Now that my mother is gone, I have felt I had no more family. I have many cousins and one aunt left on my mother's side, but compared to the huge extended family I grew up in...I feel alone. These Mevlevi brothers and sisters are part of the family I created and chose for myself and I had not seen them in years.

It was more than wonderful to go back. I was able to turn despite years of not doing it. It was blissful.

I felt so much gratitude and appreciation for the teacher. What he had accomplished with Americans. The most precious things I learned from him were learned by watching and feeling. Few words were spoken, yet he guided us into a practice in which we could totally entrain with each other. Where we could begin to breathe as one, our heartbeats in sync. He taught us to see with the heart. It took being away to fully appreciate it; to spend all my time 'in the world' to truly know the difference. When I went all the time, it became second nature, but now I realize what I have been hungering for since I left.

I am not sure of my next move - whether I will get active in the group again. Right now, as Mars is still retrograde, I just want to experience things, then make my moves when out of the shadow of the retrograde.

So what does all this have to do with the Full Moon in Virgo?

Well for one thing, it is conjunct to Mars retrograde and thus emphasizes that theme of slowing down, taking time to think and feel. Time for evaluating, rather than acting. Out here on the West Coast, it feels like Spring just can't wait to burst forth, although the daily shifting from sunshine to freezing cold tells us all that we are still in winter, such as it is. Little rain, freezing temperatures.

It is important to take the time to evaluate what you're doing now while you still can. This is a time for big changes. It can be seen from many perspectives, I vote for the positive. It can only be positive, however, if you take the time to do your inner work. Then, no matter what happens, you will be fine. The key right now is to develop Resilience. That includes keeping the physical body hydrated. With Uranus in Aries, we all need to make sure we do not dehydrate. One of the effects of dehydration is that the dendrites in the brain cannot effectively function. Water conducts electricity, dissolves toxins, washes them out of our system and keeps everything lubricated. DRINK LOTS OF WATER. Try to get clean pure water, but don't obsess about it. If you think the water is less than perfect, pray over it - bless it - thank it and ask forgiveness for your role in polluting it.

I suggest you eat a little honey everyday. It will help with resilience. You can put it in tea or on toast or just eat it. About a tablespoon is enough. Eating it just before bedtime is best, since I heard that one reason we wake up in the night is that our body needs fuel. The honey can help you sleep through the night. Try it and see. Honey has many health benefits. The more natural the better.

We need to remain flexible during these times of change.

One woman I know whose landlord decided to sell the house she was renting considers herself 'home full' because she has so many friends who want her to visit or house sit, she is having a great time being free to move around. In the 60s, people bragged about being 'on the road', traveling, street people. We might think about a new form of nomadism. As Janis Joplin once said, "if you have nothing, you have nothing to lose."

In a materialist society like ours this sounds like a disaster, but if this is happening to you...think of the freedom you now have to create a totally new life for yourself. Reframing is another key word now. Change your attitude about what's happening. Try to see things from a completely new perspective. What else can you do? If you feel stuck...maybe you are. But the one thing you can do, is change how you think and feel about your circumstances.

When I was a young girl my mother used to read every book that came out about the Holocaust and concentration camps. I don't know why, we were not Jewish, but somehow she was obsessed about trying to understand what happened and why. I read the books too. One book that I read during this time made such an impression that I would have to say, it served as my spiritual teaching throughout my life. "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl. It tells of his life in a Nazi concentration camp and how people coped, died, survived. He believed that it was the mind that often kept people alive, despite circumstances and saw how powerful our thoughts can be. For me, just knowing that people could survive and then when free, thrive, even though they had lived through unimaginable horrors, showed me that probably nothing in my life would be unbearable.

 

Caroline Myss talks about developing a 'backbone' rather than a 'wishbone'. For years, we have lived in a fantasy, fed by Hollywood, media, advertising, TV, the consumer economy. We have bought into it. But just remember, all of this comes from the mind of man/woman. Someone created all these things. It is not part of nature. It is only as real as you allow it to be.

 

This is the perfect time to plan and strategize. Dream a new world into being. Develop your imagination then use it to see that new world manifested. Don't worry about how....think only of what and why. Focus on what is meaningful, beautiful and inspiring. With Vesta conjunct Uranus right now.... what you focus on, you can manifest. Vesta the Goddess of the Hearth. In Roman times, the hearth was the center of the home - the focal point of family life. The Latin word for 'fireplace' is 'focus'. So...Vesta is the Goddess of Focus. She was the one who kept the sacred fire going. Her followers, known as vestal virgins, kept the fires in the temples. Put another way, they kept the attention focused on the sacred aspects of life.

 

Some say, that Vesta should rule Virgo rather than Mercury, because of its emphasis on the sacred nature of service. Rather than wallowing in your own misery....go volunteer somewhere. They always need people to put books away at the library, pet cats or walk dogs at the shelter, distribute food or clothing at foodbanks and homeless shelters. There is plenty to do. How can you be unemployed when there is so much work to be done? Don't worry, "Dios le pagaré," (God will repay you) Spanish. Trust me.

Pisces New Moon - Feb. 21, 2012

New Moons are times of new beginnings, but with Mars retrograde in Virgo, this is not the best time to start anything. Rather, it is time to work on things that have already been started and to complete things.

That being said, I think this is a good time to make progress in healing your spiritual connection to the earth. With this New Moon conjunct Neptune and Chiron and other bodies (see below), we have a unique opportunity to heal deep wounds regarding spirituality and the deepest one...that affects all of us and may lead to our ultimate destruction,
our alienation from Mother Earth.

Sometime in our history we severed our connection to Nature, other people, and ultimately to ourselves.
By making Earth an 'it', we thought we could do anything to her and we did. Now we face total destruction due to environmental degradation.

Despite the statement in the Bible: "From dust thou art, to dust you will return", we seem to have forgotten our origins and the necessity to stay connected. In addition, we dismissed those who did not forget: native tribal peoples from every land, as ignorant savages and heathens damned to the fires of hell.

Now we are paying for it.

Depression is one of the most prevalent maladies in the industrialized modern world. Prescription drugs are so common, they are now one of the largest polluters of water, as they pass through the body and end up in the water supply. Some even recommend Prozac for 4 year olds. What's going on?

Alienation from Source and disconnect from our earthly roots.

Rather than following the celestial bodies across the sky, staying in sync with the seasons, knowing the life cycles of the animals and plants that are part of our environment, we follow strangers on Twitter, watch every move of 'celebrities' and take our cues from 'the rich and famous'.

We are shocked by the deaths of these icons from drugs and alcohol, wondering how this could happen, not realizing that they have been unconsciously carrying the weight of our projections. We have been willing to settle for 'the toxic mimic' to use a phrase from Caroline Casey. The illusion rather than the real thing.

This New Moon is conjunct Neptune, Chiron and Pallas Athene. Mercury and Vesta are also in Pisces right now, supporting us in our healing relation to Source, the Earth and each other. The veils are thinning between the dimensions. We may find ourselves with increased access to wisdom keepers of all kinds.

Stephanie Austin in The Mountain Astrologer writes about an additional celestial guardian conjunct this New Moon - Fomalhaut - a fixed star which was the first one seen by the Hubble Space Telescope. It has an extrasolar planet in orbit. Traditionally one of the four royal stars of Persia it was used in navigation for
centuries. It is associated with the Angel Gabriel - the angel of Incarnation and Consolation who instructs the souls before their arrival on Earth. He is also the angel who appeared to Muhammad (pbuh) and urged him to "recite", resulting in the oral teaching that became the Qur'an.

This a sacred time for healing and reconnecting to the deeper aspects of life. Take the time to meditate, pray, or do whatever spiritually based practices you engage in. If you don't have any....find one that gives you peace and helps you connect to yourself, the Earth and others.

Aquarius New Moon - January 22-23, 2012

In general, New Moons are times of new beginnings. This is doubly true with this one since it is also Chinese New Year - a Dragon Year at that!

One of the qualities of Aquarius that you might find helpful right now...they can be VERY objective...even about themselves. They have the ability to change their lives in radical ways and not look back. This might be a useful thing to keep in mind these days. Learn to reframe 'loss' into 'making room for something new'. Learn to regard 'change' into something to look forward to and embrace, rather than something that upsets your apple cart.

With Uranus in Aries and Mars stationing retrograde in Virgo, the energy is challenging: full speed ahead/slow way down at the same time. This could lead to a very frustrating situation especially those with a lot of fire in their charts. Don't burn up your motor!

Rather take this Mars retrograde time to strategize and plan, so that when it goes direct April 13, you can leap ahead. You could make more progress in a shorter time, if you act with precision - one of the greatest qualities of Virgo. With laser-like focus, all your energy is put to its best use. No waste. So slow down to accomplish more.

Let this New Moon show you where you want to focus that laser in your life. The new beginning that you want to manifest in the next phase of your life.

This New Moon forms a T-square with Jupiter and Saturn which are asking you to check-in with your moral compass when you set your intentions. We are in a time when everything that you do and say has an effect on the future. Karma no longer takes lifetimes. We get it back in minutes now. Therefore, don't think you can get away with anything anymore. You must walk your talk; be the person you strive to be now; and get real.

While we may have the tendency to complain...and there's a lot to complain about... open your 'magic backpack' (another clever invention of Caroline Casey) and look for solutions... to your own problems and those of your 'peeps'. See how resourceful you can be rather than waiting for someone to rescue you.

Don't waste any time on fear or worry. Stay in present time so when the solution comes (and it will) you are paying attention and can recognize it.

Remember that old Chinese proverbs offer this blessing: "May you live in interesting times". That is putting it mildly. These are indeed, interesting times.

Full Moon Eclipse Dec 10, 2011

Coulda, shoulda woulda.. written this earlier, but in the FLOW of NOW which the power of entrenched paradigms to control our perceptions of reality while the NEW dimensions are shimmering right below the surface ready to bring forth a new way of being.

The importance of not succumbing to the illusion of 'no way' is becoming so clear to me. To the extent of my ability to walk my talk and practice what I preach (do I preach?)...things work.
I would love to be able to get up early to see this eclipse, but as cold as it is right now, I don't know if that will happen.

Eclipses open portals for souls to come and go. They are also times for reprogramming. This one is no different.
The Universe has been demonstrating indisputably to me lately that we have infinite power to create the world we want to live in. If you are like me, you get loads of emails about seminars to help us deal with our blocks to abundance, blah, blah, blah. Don't you get sick of it? Everyone talks about how are natural state is happy, loving, living in abundance etc. but the news is all about lack, anger, frustration, and fear. So what's the problem?

We all know at least one thing we could do that would improve our lives...lose weight, stop smoking, meditate, talk a walk, the list goes on and on. But do we do it? At the same time we complain about this or that. We want something to change, get better, whatever, yet we don't do the ONE THING that would make it better. The fact is, if we did that one small thing, everything else would be different too. I KNOW THIS IS TRUE!

The amazing effect of doing that one small thing that we know about is that other things improve as well. The reason is that by doing that one small thing, we are both strengthening our will power and working against self-sabotage. We change our energetic makeup completely. The other seemingly unrelated changes we want to see are thus available to us. We change our image of ourselves as this person who does not follow through to a being with integrity. The block is our self-image - as a person who does not follow through. The Universe responds to our self image. When we stop self-sabotage, the Universe responds.

Consensus reality is still operating from the old paradigm: hard work=success. What the Occupy Movement is about is that the old paradigm does not work anymore. They are only dealing with part of it and if I may say so, only the surface of the issue. We have to go deeper than whether someone has a job or not to the concept of having a job in the first place. Questioning the paradigms is about much more than that. Why are we here in the first place? To get a job? Buy a house? Pay our bills?

These are the REAL QUESTIONS the Occupy Movement is never going to ask because it, too, is just part of the existing paradigm - the other side of the same old coin. To make real change, each individual has to do the inner work. The work you only can do alone. Only a few people are going to do that. The real 1%!

We can get so used to "struggling, fighting" that we have no idea how to function in its absence. What would we do if all our dreams just came true overnight? Could we handle it? Or would we still see the old situation? Isn't it just possible that the world we want is already here, but that we just can't see it?

On Dec. 10, Uranus, the Awakener goes direct in Aries, then 3 days later, on Dec. 13, Mercury goes direct in Sagittarius, the Truth Seeker. We are living in amazing times, when the veils are being lifted. Are you ready to see the truth?

Dec. 13 is also Feast of Santa Lucia, patron saint of the blind. Lucia, who lived from 283-304 AD in Sicily, was a Christian who refused to marry a pagan. She had her dowry distributed to the poor.
Her name means "light" and it is believed she can bring sight back. May Santa Lucia shine her light and help us to see the truth of who we are and why we are here.

2012 is the Year of Astrology

Time to get a reading to see what is in store for you for the coming year! There are so many significant transits going on, there is no way you will not be affected.

Pluto in Capricorn forms exact squares with Uranus twice next year.
Uranus (revolution, rapid-unexpected change) will be in Aries (god of war, pioneer, explorer), for the next 7 years.
Neptune (dreams, spirituality, mysticism) in Pisces (Source, unity), it's home sign.
Pluto (god of death and rebirth, transformation) in Capricorn (government, economics, corporate control).

So while there will continue to be upsets in the world, there also will be the opportunity for spiritual awakening and connection to the Divine and inspired creativity on a grand scale.

Your chart represents the sky when you were born. It is like a map of your life showing past influences, present circumstances and directions for future growth and progress towards your mission.

With a focus on Pluto (soul's purpose), the lunar nodes (past and future), Neptune (your spiritual nature) and Uranus (past-life memory and unresolved issues), my readings help you see the big picture of your life - helping you write or if necessary, re-write the story of your life.

To support intentions you set for the next year, I can make you a personal flower essence blend, for an additional charge.

An astrology reading is a great gift for the 'person who has everything', if you know anyone like that. I sure don't but...everyone can benefit from an astrology reading. An unusual gift for those odd balls in your life!

Pay in advance through Paypal leaving your email or phone # and I will contact you to schedule either an in-person reading or a phone reading.

I highly  recommend the new Pluto book by Mark Jones, "Healing the Soul: Pluto, Uranus and the Lunar Nodes". See sidebar to order. Mark Jones from the UK combines his psychotherapy practice with astrology, hypnotherapy and other modalities. He was part of the Evolutionary Astrology conference on "Astrology, Reincarnation and the Soul", which took place in Denver, 2010. His work on identifying trauma signatures in the chart was paradigm changing. My practice has been raised to a higher level after receiving this information. My increased understanding of myself and the effects of past-life trauma has been healing. I am now writing a book on the transformational potential of trauma. Get this book!

New Moon Eclipse in Sagittarius - November 24-25

This is a very powerful celestial event for a number of reasons.

1) New Moons are seen as times for beginning new things. The days of darkness when the moon is not visible can be times for gestating that which wishes to be born. It is birthed at the New Moon.

2) Eclipses - alignments of Sun and Moon - are portals through which souls enter and leave this dimension. Our alignment with the ultimate portal - the Galactic Center further emphasizes the potential of this alignment. This Eclipse is 25 degrees from the GC, considered to be too far to be a conjunction in astrology, but not that far to have an effect. So.. the portal created by the alignment of our Sun and Moon is connected to the portal (black hole) at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy which was seen, by the ancients Mayans, as the place of death and rebirth adding further power to this New Moon Eclipse. See my 2012 blog for more on this.

3) Venus is only 1 degree from the GC during this New Moon Eclipse. The cultures of ancient Mesoamerica saw Venus as the god of war. They timed their 'star wars' according to the cycle of Venus. This particular transit of Venus will pass right in front of the Sun, a very rare alignment.

4) The sign of Sagittarius represents the Spiritual Seeker, the one who searches for higher meaning and truth. The Archer aims its arrow at the highest potential available to each one of us no matter our current circumstances.

5) In Evolutionary Astrology, a system brought forth by Jeffrey Wolf Green, Sagittarius and the ninth house represent what is called 'natural law' as contrasted with man-made law.

Since many of the man-made institutions are collapsing during this time, this New Moon Eclipse in Sagittarius might be the ideal time to DO something that is in alignment with the life you want.
Alberto Villoldo says:

"The only way to end this dreadful reality is to awaken to the fact that it, too, is a dream, and recognize our ability to write a better story, one that the Universe will work with us to manifest. The nature of the cosmos is such that whatever dream you have about yourself and the world will become reality."

We need to focus on the world we want to live in then dream it into being by keeping the vision before us.

The Occupy Movement seems to be focusing on what is wrong and needs to change. Unfortunately there are few goals. One of the things that bothered me in the 60s when I was actively protesting the Vietnam War
etc, was that few had suggestions about what we would do if we won our battles with the system. What would we replace it with?

I see a similar problem now. We have gotten so dependent on the infrastructure, the system, even the government. What do we actually want to do? Is the goal merely to be allowed to have tent cities in
every town? I doubt it.

Because we have been encouraged to seek solutions outside ourselves, we don't realize we have to look inside first. The shift has to happen inside before you will ever see it on the outside. If we withdrew our
participation - stop spending your money at corporate-owned businesses, we would have more effect than camping out in the street. Every time we buy stuff at big box stores we fund the corporations.

People are frustrated, angry, scared. We are living a life of projection and blame. In some ways it is easier to yell at someone than to change our own behavior. If everyone quit smoking, that would put the tobacco companies (among the richest and most powerful influences in the world today) out of business. But instead, we want to keep our habit and make them pay more taxes. We expect the system to go against itself and do things against their self-interest.

How many of the Occupy people are using cell phones? Are they thinking about all the electro-magnetic pollution they are causing? or how the people who make the phones are living at the lowest economic levels in the world? Are they thinking about the risk to their own health? the possibility of brain cancer? Who will they blame if it happens? They want their cell phone and to end economic exploitation too.

The fact is... I hate to say it...but most of the people yelling the loudest are angry because they want it all. They want to be part of the 1% and are pissed off because they just found out the American Dream is not true anymore. Actually, it never was. It was always a way to get people to buy things. "You too can own a home, drive a new car every year, have it all...." It was a marketing scheme folks. Dreamed up by Madison
Avenue. Speaking of which, why is no one occupying Madison Avenue? That is the real culprit. Madison Avenue invented the American Dream. Much more so than Wall street. The money made on Wall Street was used to buy stuff promoted on Madison Avenue.

I challenge everyone to not buy anything this Christmas from anyone except a local craftsperson. Or better yet, make all your own gifts. Make homemade jam, cookies, or flavored vinegars. Package and decorate yourself. There is plenty of time before Christmas if you start now. Take all that pent-up anger and frustration at the system and use it creatively. That way, you will manifest beauty with your energy rather than destruction. Use the money you saved when you quit buying cigarettes, coffee at Starbuck's, a new cell phone.

Nov. 10, 2011 Full Moon in Taurus

One day before the 11.11.11 date. Personally, I don't understand what that is about, but there are those who consider it extremely significant. Is this another doomsday? or another chance to ascend? Whew, with all these major transformations possible...you'd better get it together. That's the message I get from all this and what this Full Moon is all about.

If found this online and it seems to sum 11:11:11 up fairly well, so I am quoting it. It comes from a website featuring newspaper articles from Ontario, Canada.

"According to Ancient Secrets Revealed, 11 is a master psychic’s number that means spiritual truth, intuition and ideals. It is viewed as a conduit to higher vibrational energy and wisdom. For that reason, there will be a tremendous number of ceremonies and celebrations around the world on November 11, 2011 or 11.11.11 including a major event in Toronto, Ontario.
The number 1 by itself can mean either the positive aspects of self-awareness and consciousness or selfishness, arrogance and aggression. The number 11 in astrological terms means you should pay attention to your intuition. Then the 11.11 connection suggests living as a more evolved person and taking responsibility for your actions.
When it comes to 11.11.11, which when added equals 6, it relates to home, family and stability as well as making the correct decision, being a good role model and viewing the world with an open mind. It also denotes getting rid of old thoughts and feelings that are detrimental emotionally, physically and spiritually."

I also like this article on Ancient Secrets Revealed

Be that as it may, the day before is a Full Moon in Taurus. Taurus encourages us to live in balance on the plane of matter. Taurus is concerned with survival, the realm of the senses (and the sensual), land, and values in relation to material wealth among other things. VERY IMPORTANT right now. And definitely 'up'. The Occupy movement is a rebellion of the 'people' the 99% against those who own most of the wealth. A classic struggle between the haves and those who want more. I won't call them the have nots because that is not really true. Few of the people protesting are have nots....they are people who want more. For more on this see my post on one of my other blogs.

Back to this Full Moon. Three important celestial bodies go direct around this one: Neptune, Ceres and Chiron. Ceres and Chiron go direct in Pisces, Neptune in the last degrees of Aquarius repairing for its ingress into its home sign.

Neptune in Pisces for the next 14 or so years is the real harbinger of spiritual evolution. I have discussed this in relation to 2012 on my CD program for sale on my 2012 blog.

During the next 14 years, transcendental experiences will be happening to everyone - even if just for a few moments. Everyone will have the chance to awaken - at least a little.

I think this quote sums it all up:
"The meaning of life is to find your gift, the purpose of life is to give it away." (Pablo Picasso)
taken from The Mountain Astrologer, Oct/Nov 2011, p.105

I think this Full Moon on the axis of Taurus and Scorpio, asks us to examine our values and what we value. Do we value relationships or possessions? Do we determine what is important in our lives or do we follow the beliefs or dictates of others. Are we self-affirming or do we need feedback from others to establish our self-worth?

This Full Moon happens to be in wide conjunction to my natal nodes. It is also coincident that I am currently in a mode of re-evaluation and examination of my talents and abilities in relation to the needs of those I hope to serve. Lately, I have been feeling that no one wants what I have to offer. Should I change what I do to correspond to the market? or should I maintain my own goals. It boils down to - should I change my 'product' so that people will buy it? Interestingly, as I write this, the answer is clear. If I am truly following my heart's desire, it doesn't matter if anyone else values it or not. I am inspired by God/Goddess who provides for all my needs.

What is success? It depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If you are on a spiritual path, success may look very different from a person who is a Wall Street trader.

We are all being asked to examine our values and this Full Moon highlights that process.

Signs like almost everything, exist in a world of polarity, thus they have 'light' and 'dark' sides. Rio Olesky would call this 'centered' and 'uncentered'. Sometimes it is easier to see the 'centered' aspect by looking at the 'uncentered' side. Rio has a great new book called A Manual for the Modern Mystic: How to Practice Being in the Presence of God. (see sidebar to purchase) I highly recommend it. This is how it is described on his website:

"This book discusses 12 universal laws, each one associated with a sign of the zodiac. Rio uses stories and personal anecdotes as well as quotes or references to mystics throughout history. He discusses ways of working with these laws to enhance spiritual growth and consciousness development."

He will be one of the speakers at Astrology Day March 17, 2012 in San Francisco. His talk entitled: The Upside of Downtimes sound fascinating. The website is http://ncgrsanfrancisco.org/IADSF2012.html

The uncentered, dark, or shadow side of Taurus is materialistic, simplistic and unwilling to change. I would add stubborn.  Uncentered Scorpio is manipulative, obsessive and unable to trust.

Perhaps it is time to see how our society has been operating from the Dark side for quite a long time. This Full Moon, thinning the veils between the visible and invisible can help us see the truth and then perhaps we can change it.

Scorpio New Moon October 26, 2011

As often happens, I don't remember in advance, then something comes up and I don't post the "moons" until they are over. But... what also often happens is that I get an inspiration during the "moon" that relates...so here is the New Moon download...

Went to see the most recent Harry Potter movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows II, which I think is the last one. I saw it at the bargain show which features films that are no longer in the main theater around the corner (for way too much money), but still sought after. But the timing was perfect, of course...New Moon in Scorpio! Something ends (after much drama of course) and you are left standing, bloodied, in the rubble ready for a new life. But what shall you do now? Indeed. Have you ever felt like that?

I sat up close, which I normally don't do, but this time I wanted to be totally immersed. When I walked out of the theater, I was dizzy and feeling like I was in an altered state. The sky was dark and light at the same time. It was around 5:15 pm and there was an imminent luminescence to it...kind of like a solar eclipse. I had the feeling that indeed, Lord Voldemort was dead and a new world was possible. I felt hope! A heaviness I had been carrying for a long time was suddenly gone. I felt a new world was/is possible.

My mind immediately edited "wait a minute, that was just a movie!" Or was it? The first Harry Potter book came out June 30, 1997. As they were released, they were a publishing phenomenon. Bookstores scheduled huge events anticipating the next release. People lined up in the street for hours to get them. There were religious leaders who banned them. Schools designed curricula around them. They had a huge effect on the collective psyche.

While in Salt Lake City in 2004, I read a headline story in the newspaper about how a local teacher had been having more success with his students after re-designing his curriculum in terms of Hogwarts. Chemistry is much more interesting when renamed "Potions".

Knitting became the latest rage...and has since diminished.

And how does this relate to Scorpio? The major theme of the series according to J.K. Rowling, "My books are largely about death. They open with the death of Harry's parents. There is Voldemort's obsession with conquering death and his quest for immortality at any price, the goal of anyone with magic. I so understand why Voldemort wants to conquer death. We're all frightened of it."

I would add power. Death and power, two major Scorpionic themes.

Read more about Harry Potter at the wikipedia entry here.

So just like Harry and his friends, here we are, the world is in ruins around us (literally true in much of the world) and this is a new day. What does the world you want to see look like? Do you want to reconstruct what has been destroyed? or create something totally new. It's up to you.

In general, New Moons are times of beginnings. The Fall Season is a time of completion, moving toward the time of going within. So how can we integrate these two energies? With the New Moon in Scorpio, sign of death and rebirth, deep process and transformation, we can begin a process of reviewing the recent past to determine what progress we have made in our personal goals, investigate ways we could improve our 'performance', then develop a strategy for making changes.

We might realize we need more education or training, or that we need to start an exercise program, or change our eating habits. This process could take the next few months, but by Spring, we should be totally on board with it. This might seen as a 'retrograde' time in which we review, re-evaluate, re-frame.... integrating what worked, releasing what doesn't, so that we are ready for 2012.

It is very important that we listen for guidance and with Neptune going direct in two weeks, Spirit is readily available to provide it. The veils are thin and getting thinner. Many societies honor this time of the year with ceremony and ritual. All Soul's Eve, Halloween, Dia de los Muertos are just a few. This is the time when the Shadow dances in the street.

According to Stephanie Austin, "Our shadow holds not only our less desirable qualities, but also anything that has been repressed--our gifts, our truth, our light. When we identify with one side of a polarity, we unconsciously project its opposite outward, imprisoning ourselves in separation and suffering."

Time to work towards wholeness by embracing and accepting all parts of ourselves. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. What this means to me is that our past traumas may become the source of our highest inspiration.

I have been called to write a book. After many years and suggestions by many friends and acquaintances, I have surrendered to doing it. Many topics have run through my mind... my interests and travels, but the one topic that probably has most value is the one I have avoided talking about. Few people who know me, know this part of my life, but.... I think it has therapeutic value, so I am going to do it.

Just today, I had another message from Source that this is the topic. It concerns healing from the trauma of domestic violence. Still a taboo topic, even here in the 'enlightened' west.

With my Sun in Gemini in the 10th house, and my South Node in Scorpio conjunct Chiron in the 3rd house...North Node in Taurus in the 9th, I feel that my ultimate healing from this part of my life, will come with the telling of my story.

Dr. Christiane Northrup says, "All healing comes from the story you tell yourself." But, I also think you have to tell your story to others, both to heal yourself, and to help them heal themselves. Silence resulting from shame or fear of rejection, causes trauma to fester becoming more damaging. It becomes more and more toxic.

Out in the light of day the trauma has less power over us... like bringing the vampires into the sunshine. They shrivel and die, losing their hold over their victims and finally being put to rest. Our hidden secrets of abuse, like vampires which come out at night and disturb our sleep, keeping us hyped up and stressed out, cannot live when brought into the limelight of Truth.

Full Moon in Aries - October 2011: Learning from the Slime Molds

This Full Moon lies on the 'relationship' axis - Aries/Libra - first/seventh houses. The first house and Aries, represents our relationship to ourselves ie our self-image whereas the seventh house and Libra represent relationships to others. Much of the discontent that is occurring in the world today is due to issues of self-image and relationship.

How so?

Capitalism and consumerism, which have led to destruction of the planet, flourish when people become convinced that they need something outside themselves to be okay. I want to emphasize SOMETHING. We DO need each other to survive. No question of that. BUT we don't need a new cell phone, car, pair of designer shoes.

By convincing us that we need stuff to be happy and acceptable, the advertising industry, at the service of corporations, has succeeded in making us weak, numb and/or addicted, so that we seek fulfillment by buying whatever they decide we need.

This is not by accident. It was by design. The advertising industry was employed by the government after the Great Depression to bolster consumer confidence, so that rather than holding on to their money, people would begin to spend again. Our economy and that of the world now in a 'global economy' depends on constant growth. Much like cancer, it cannot live unless it continues to expand.

Prior to the Depression, they worked on the hearts and minds of recent immigrants. Rather, they worked on the children of immigrants, encouraging them to buy stuff in order to appear modern and more American. Those teenagers, like those of today, were susceptible too. They were taught to reject their parents, traditions: religious and cultural, and thus become more part of the 'melting pot'. In other words, lose your history and individuality to 'fit-in better'.

This trend led to alienation from the matrix of family, religion, culture, resulting in 'the nuclear family', an isolated, independent entity that does not exist anywhere in the animal kingdom. Oh yes, did we forget that we, too, are animals? We cannot live in isolation. The nuclear family led to increased domestic violence, child-abuse, incest and many of the psychological traumas that we suffer from.

While we are encouraged to think in terms of 'abundance' especially in New Age movements, many of the resources of the Earth, such as water and land, are finite. There is a lot, but it is not infinite. Use it up, poison and pollute it and it is destroyed for centuries, perhaps forever. Constant growth is unnatural. Nature manifests in cycles of birth, growth, death and decay. Each part of the process leads to the next. Even decay feeds the next cycle - the rationale behind composting.

So, back to this Full Moon. Relationship is among the lessons we are here to learn on planet Earth. Libra is usually considered the sign of balance and harmony. What it really means is that these are the lessons to be learned. Balance can only occur between equals.

Our Bill of Rights says: all men are created equal. A condescension really. What it doesn't say is: while you may be created equal, the State, its policies, and the system that results from those policies, will make sure that you are neither born equal nor that you will ever have an equal shot at the brass ring.

While we are taught that this country was founded on religious freedom, make no mistake, this country was actually founded on the ambitions of the growing capitalists who wanted the freedom from the old entrenched social systems of Europe where kings and traditional elites, including those of the Church would not allow merchants turned capitalists to prosper beyond a certain level. Those who created this country wanted to freedom to exploit the resources of the newly discovered lands, without taxation or regulation by kings, etc. They sugar-coated it by including 'religious freedom'. The new religion of the founding fathers was capitalism.

So here we are. Occupy XXXXX! For the first time ever, people are realizing that we are unified on an issue that affects us all...or at least 99% of us. WE are all suffering the effects of the economic meltdown. All except the 1% for whom there is nothing going on. They are not even experiencing a blip. Rather than red states, blue states; radical or conservative; Christian or Pagan...We are seeing that we are ALL losing.

With Saturn conjunct the Sun in Libra right now, we are changing the structure of our consciousness to include the Other, realizing that we are all ONE - even in our diversity.

Even slime molds know this. Composed of individual cells which can exist completely on their own, they unite when necessary for survival. Once they have solved their problems, they revert to their separate existences. They have survived threats that resulted in mass extinctions for most other species. Can slime molds be more intelligent that US the great human race? Let's use this opportunity to go beyond the "distinctions and differences that divide" to unify behind the banner of 'Occupy Wall Street' and any other street that keeps us in fear, separation and despair.

A Time for Deep Listening - Fall Equinox

At the beginning of September, I spent a week in the Catskills at the Deep Memory Process Level 1 training with Patricia Walsh and Kim Marie (Evolutionary Astrology Network). Patricia wrote the incredible book: "Understanding Karmic Complexes: Evolutionary Astrology and Regression Therapy". (See book in sidebar)

Planned months in advance, it was almost cancelled due to flooding in the town of Windham, NY and nearby areas. The river that runs through Windham was swollen to flood levels by Hurricane Irene and the breaking of a dam. The town received 15 feet of water and many homes and businesses were destroyed. They had cleaned up the roads enough so that we could get there.

The Windham Retreat Center was spared since it sits up on a hill above the river. The whole time we were there investigating and re-experiencing our past lives and the traumatic deaths we had suffered which had left
scars on our souls, emergency vehicles, National Guard, FEMA personnel and all the able-bodied local men, worked day and night to restore order around us. There was an 8pm curfew, but nowhere to go at night anyway, since it had all been either destroyed or seriously affected by the water. We were isolated. I saw it as an oasis of the light of consciousness in a desert of the darkness of ignorance.

While we screamed and kicked ourselves out of the restricting cocoons of past life traumas, trucks filled with
debris whizzed around us down on the roads below. One night thunder and lightning echoed our wails and shouts. High drama!

While most of us at the training are moving toward creating a new world, those around us were doing all they could to restore the old. Clearly, life as we knew it was over, but rather than embracing the changes and seeking new solutions, people were trying to re-establish what they knew - security.

I kept hearing these words:

“Sit, be still, and listen,
because you're drunk
and we're at
the edge of the roof.” ― Rumi

I wanted to tell people it might be better to sit down and contemplate building a whole new world, rather than to rush into reviving the old, worn-out paradigm. They were merely prolonging the life of something bound to die, like putting someone on life support for an indeterminate amount of time who had suffered brain damage. Why? because of fear of the unknown. I could imagine them just sitting down amidst the rubble realizing that things were never going to be the same, and being okay with that. Taking the time to think about how they could truly change their lives rather than rushing ahead to rebuild the cage of consensus reality.
A new world is possible, but not if we spend our time shoring up the old.

Full Moon in Aquarius - August 13, 2011

Full Moon again. Didn't we just have one? Seems like things are going faster and faster. Does that mean I'm getting old? With all that is going on... I'm late in posting this. However, since the effects of the Full Moon operate for awhile, it is still relevant.

This Full Moon in Leo is especially potent. Venus and Mercury are conjunct the Sun, while Neptune retrograde is conjunct the Moon. In addition, Mars opposes Pluto, which is square to Uranus, making a T Square and ultimately a Grand Cross is you bring in Saturn. Whew!

Now tell me this, there is nothing going on here on Earth that mirrors all this activity in the Sky. The sky picture indicates huge, transformational changes which any look at the news will validate. Uranus (revolution/freedom) square Pluto (transformation/rebirth) and Mars (the will to make it happen).

All these changes are not only happening 'in the world' but also inside us. Although many of us tend to focus more on the external than the internal, I suggest you take the time to see what is going on 'in your world'.

I have a strong sense of optimism that many would see as foolish. I truly believe and am living from the perspective, that anything is possible. I refuse to be dragged down by the forces of doom and gloom, because the more we buy into what they are saying, the more we strengthen them. We feed them when we
accept what they say as the truth. I choose to feed joy, optimism, creativity, imagination. I feel happier than I've been in a long time and see my world improving day by day. Since 'my world' radiates out from me...I see everything improving.

Now, more than ever, your capacity to imagine the world you want to live in is crucial. See yourself living the life you want for yourself and others. Rather than worrying about dire circumstances, use the power of your thought to manifest the positive. What have you got to lose? At least you will be generating positive energy rather than negative and that in itself produces better outcomes.

The 'revolution' within, known in Islam as the Greater Jihad, is more difficult because it requires that you first imagine that another way of thinking and being is possible. We think we are stable and that the world around us is changing. But notice how different YOU are when everything is going the way you want, when you are in love, when you receive good news etc. then contrast that with how you feel when you are afraid, jealous,
angry, tired, sick. You are not always the same. Your thoughts and emotions are constantly in flux. In fact, your inner state is more changeable than anything else in your life.Gurdjieff said that in fact, there is no 'I' inside you but hundreds of 'I's' competing for the stage. Spiritual work such as meditation and observation helps you see the many 'I's' so that at least you can know who is speaking at any given time.

Don't believe this? Just try to quit smoking. The 'I' who wants to stop smoking doesn't know the one
who needs a cigarette right now and in fact, thinks you deserve to have one because you have been so good and have not smoked for a whole day. Or you start dieting, then because you lost 2 pounds, you think it is okay to have 'only a small bag' of chips as a reward.

This happens to everyone all the time. Observation is the first step and a very important one. It is also true that once you begin to see the chaos within, you could get depressed about it. But remember, this is the human condition.

With the Sun conjunct Venus and Mercury right now, we have the added benefit of Love, Harmony and Beauty (Venus) and the Messenger of the Gods (Mercury) to bring our dreams into focus and send them out into the world.

Have a Happy Life!

New Moon in Leo - July 30, 2011

Once again we are in the time of the New Moon - a time of new beginnings. With things changing as rapidly as they are, some of us are not necessarily wanting anything new...Let's just keep what we have for awhile!

Yet, this New Moon in Leo conjunct Venus, trine Uranus - combines Creativity and Love with Values. Innovation and Courage to put our Creations out into the world. We have the energy now to create what we love and care most about. Take some time to think about what is most important to you, but don't just think about it - DO SOMETHING!!!

For me, one flower can brighten my day, or the sound of a certain bird that only sings early in the morning and at dusk and only during the early Summer. I don't know where that bird goes the rest of the year, but it is only here at these specific times.

I know this because I have lived in the same house now for 17 years and am finally becoming familiar with the beings I share this land with. Recently I have been thinking about selling my house, using to money to
improve my daily life. But then I heard that bird. I knew that I would lose that if I moved into town. What is the value of that bird song to me? It soothes my heart, brightens my soul. Priceless.

Can I create what I need right here so that I don't have to move? This New Moon in Leo conjunct Venus challenges us to find ways to create what we love and value. If not now, when? We have nothing to lose. we need to just go for it.

Today it seems that we base our self worth on not who we are but what we have..how much money, how much stuff. we feel we are failures if we have not 'succeeded' in achieving financial stability or wealth. With all that is occurring with the economy these days, there are few who are 'successful' or stay that way for long. Even those who once had it all are losing it.

The challenge is to not take it personally....one way or the other. We forget that 'we' are a drop in the ocean.. no better or worse than any other drop.

Often our success or failure depends on the decision of another person over whom we have no control. We get the fantastic job or we get laid off and our lives are affected deeply. We think we 'did' something.

The shadow of Leo is taking credit for everything. Thinking we are all powerful and that we are entitled to special treatment. The Pluto in Leo generation, now seniors, is really having a hard time with this. Some of us think that we deserve to have it all even if we did not put in the effort to have it. I am so grateful for the social security check I get each month. I marvel at it really. At the same time, I look at my circumstances and ask myself "How did this happen?" It's like I woke up one day shocked at my situation.

For me, this is the 'proof' of karma. There is no other explanation. Our past lives DO affect our present.
However, I have also found that any work done in the present to heal the past, has repercussions forward and backward in time. We heal not only our present life, but all that has come before and all that will follow.

The healing occurs in an instant. The work to facilitate that healing can take years. And yet it is worth it.

In September I will begin the training in Deep Memory Process (DMP) created by Roger Woolger, facilitated by Patricia Walsh. I have sacrificed a lot to be able to do this training.

Right now I am searching for ways to pay for the airline ticket. I have paid for the training in New York and need to fly there in one month. As of this moment, I don't have the money for the ticket.

Some would say this is an extravagance I cannot afford. I have prayed and meditated over it and I am certain that I am called to do this work. My entire life has been leading me to this. Like all pilgrimages, there are
challenges and dangers. I was recently diagnosed with Lyme Disease and am currently in treatment for it. I was experiencing the worst pain of my life. I knew it was part of the shamanic healing process and that it is 'now or never'. I must heal my past life traumas. I must finally deal with my issues so that I am totally available to help others through these difficult times.

More and more people are coming to me for answers. My astrology and flower essence practice is growing. I cannot afford NOT to go to this training.

I am seeking donations for my airline ticket.If you are wiling to donate, go to Paypal, enter my email address and give a personal gift. Any amount would be appreciated. I must raise around $800.00 in a week. I trust Spirit to take care of it for me.

I love this quote from Clarissa Pinkola Estes taken from the Mountain Astrologer, June/July 2011 issue:
"One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times. The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires, causes proper matters to catch fire. To display the lantern of soul in shadowy times like these--to be fierce and to show mercy toward others; both are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity."

Priceless!

Capricorn Full Moon July 14/15, 2011

Capricorn, ruled by Saturn represents slow, deliberate and planned action. Representing paternal energy and naturally opposed to maternal - Cancer...this Full Moon is a sort of reversal. That is, the Moon (ruler of Cancer/mother) is in Capricorn, whereas the Sun (another 'male' symbol) is in Cancer.
No wonder we are confused!

In Evolutionary Astrology, this axis is featured in gender shifts... the idea being that through time we will all experience both the genders so as to achieve balance.

While I long awaited the summer light and heat after what seemed like an endless wet and cold winter under the redwoods, I find myself so lethargic I can't get anything done. I see myself lying on a beach chair next to a swimming pool, with an umbrella'd bright pink cocktail on the low lying table beside me. I know some people actually get to do that. Not a care in the world.

Capricorn also represent authority. Who has the authority in your life? The word authority contains the word 'author'. So we can say it this way - who is the author of your life story? You or someone else? The shadow side of Capricorn is domination and control.

By contrast, the other side of the axis, also highlighted in this Full Moon, is Cancer. Cancer is a relational sign dealing with home and family ties, nurturing. The shadow side of Cancer is over-dependence on others and blaming others for the failures in your life.

Do we give others credit for our successes? We tend to think we succeed by our efforts alone, but others ruin us. Interesting. We need to work on balance. Realizing our connections to others and how we need each other, but also taking responsibility for our actions and have the courage to act alone when appropriate.

The Capricorn/Cancer axis truly reflects the relationship between outer and inner worlds. Our life in the world - career (10th house Capricorn) and our inner life - home (4th house Cancer). With the Sun in Cancer and the Moon in Capricorn, this theme is highlighted.

In this culture (a Cancerian word) we tend to be oriented to the outer - who we are in the world, how others see us, what we do, etc., but this reversal - Moon in Capricorn/Sun in Cancer might be a good time to see that they are connected. One reflects the other. 'Right livelihood' is grounded in a healthy relationship to one's inner nature.

For too long, we have been encouraged to 'leave our feelings at home' when we go to work. This allows people to do inhuman things while on the job. We are seeing the effects of that all around us. I have often asked myself,  "Don't the guys who manufacture weapons ever wonder if their own children will be harmed by them? Don't the polluters of water and air think they will get cancer? Do they think their money and profits will save them?" The excuse: "I was only following order" is no excuse anymore. When I was a child and told my mother I wanted what other kids at school had. I wanted to fit in. She would always say,"If they jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, would you want to do it too?" This is another way of saying, "I was only following orders."

Who's is in charge here? Isn't this YOUR life?

More and more we know that our world is interconnected. "We are all Japanese" is something Dennis Bernstein on KPFA has been saying since the nuclear disaster in Japan. We are all suffering the effects of the radiation that is being released from all these nuclear disasters going on. To think otherwise is foolish.

Everything is moving faster and faster. We need to stay centered within our own being. There are many techniques we can use to do so: meditation, yoga, breath practices, tai chi, or even long distance running. It is not only recommended, it is crucial if we are to navigate these times.

We can see that the so-called 'authories' have no idea what they are doing. They are neither experts nor competent. Why listen to them? Time to be the author of your one precious life.

Stephanie Austin in The Mountain Astrologer refers to the Sabian symbols for this Full Moon in this way: (They) accept the need for both cooperative efforts and individual courage. For the Sun at 23 Cancer: "The meeting of a literary society." For the Moon at 23 Capricorn: "A soldier receiving two awards for bravery in combat." We live in extraordinary times, which call for exceptional courage and compassion. If you are feeling overwhelmed or exhausted, spend time in nature -- by water, woods, wherever you feel nurtured or inspired.


We are in the midst of a collective spiritual initiation: "If the initiation holds, we never go back to the old forms or the old reality; we are now incapable of doing so. We have been reconstituted so that we can live now in this different universe, or entire system attuned to a different set of laws." (Deena Metzger)"

July 1, 2011 Cancer Solar Eclipse

Here we are in the midst of another eclipse. July 1, 2011 a New Moon Solar Eclipse and a Grand Cross involving Pluto in Capricorn, Saturn in Libra, Uranus in Aries and the Sun and Moon in Cancer.

Cancer is the sign of home, family, nurturing, the cultural matrix in which we currently live and the one we were born into. Natural ruler of the fourth house and ruled by the Moon, it is generally associated with the Mother or the primary nurturer in our childhood, which may have been our Father or even another male.

At the 'bottom' of the chart, it is the basis of our consciousness: foundational, innate and often unconscious.
I am feeling paralyzed with exhaustion. It is blazing hot and although I was supposed to be at the Rohnert Park Farmer's Market, the thought of getting in the car and driving one more place became overwhelming, so I decided to nurture myself and stay home.

I have been working with more and more people lately and often self-nurturing is something they neglect. Somehow we feel that we must force ourselves to do things because of someone else, but what about us? Who will take care of us if we don't do it ourselves?

Sometimes we have not learned self-care because of the selfishness of those who raised us. They dragged us around with them on their shopping trips, socializing, etc., when we would have preferred doing something else. If we rebelled, we got punished. We were not allowed to be ourselves or express ourselves, so now as adults, we don't know who we are. We are lost unless someone is 'directing our play'.

Yesterday I decided to go to the de Young Museum in San Francisco to see the Balenciaga exhibit, which ends this weekend. I knew it might prove to be exhausting and it was, primarily because it took 3 hours to drive home. I forgot that for most people, this is a holiday weekend and everyone was headed out of the the Bay Area/SF to destinations north.

It was worth it, however. It was marvelous to see all the gowns, suits, hats etc. that were popular when I was a young woman. Most of those at the exhibit were women - my age and older and it was fun to listen to their stories about the prom dress they had that was like this or that dress in the exhibit. Two unrelated women told me how they used to make their own clothes (as I did) and that their favorite fabric was pique. I, too, loved pique. They don't even make it anymore.

I realize I was honoring my Venus in Cancer which is currently conjunct this Eclipse! My natal Venus went
retrograde by progression when I was around 4 and direct when I was around 47! No wonder my 'love life' was so challenging. In the past year, I have reconnected through Facebook with some of my former partners.

It has truly been a healing experience. An opportunity for me complete karma and move into Present Time.

With Pluto opposing this eclipse moving into a square with Uranus in Aries we are in for even more challenges. Eclipses are portals between dimensions. This portal in Cancer provides us with insights about what we need to nurture ourselves and those around us during this time of intense transformation.


Do we need to sleep more, change what or how much we eat? Drink more water? Spend more time with loved ones? Or do we get our nurturing in nature? Living in the woods as I do... near to a vacation destination, I watch the cars driving in on holiday weekends, realizing "I don't have to go anywhere. I live here!" While this area has its challenges.... possible flooding, long periods of being damp and cold etc. I am blessed to see green out of every window all year round! I know that I need green.

Take this opportunity to find out what you really need. What nurtures you, renews you, enlightens your being.

Sagittarius Lunar Eclipse - June 15, 2011

So here we go into another eclipse, the second of three during this season. This one is a lunar eclipse the other two are solar eclipses. It will be in Sagittarius on June 15.


Some astrologers say that the eclipses that occurred while one was in the womb affect the entire life. For me, there was a solar eclipse just 3 weeks before I was born - in Taurus, close to my North Node in Taurus in the 9th house.I have devoted my life to the study of languages (Gemini Sun), cultures and religions (Pisces Moon).

I was ordained as an Interfaith minister through the Sufi Ruhaniat International after lifetimes of training. I have been on my pilgrimage journeys with spiritual teachers to Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Crete, Mexico and India and in each place experienced past-life memories.

In general, eclipses are portals through which souls come in and leave the planet. But they are also portals for those who know how to use them, moving to other dimensions at will. This is increasingly available now with Neptune in Pisces and as we approach 2012.

One of the requirements for 'time and space travel' is that we are able to be totally in the present. Fantasizing or reminiscing indicate that our minds are out of control. While they both can be pleasant (or terrifying depending on what we are imagining), they are most often passively achieved. That is...they happen to us. It takes some effort to stay present. You have to learn to control thought.

A daily practice of meditation can assist in developing the mind-control muscle. Learning to stop thoughts (written about by Carlos Castaneda in the '60s book: The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui way of Knowledge) is a very effective way to stay in the present, in gratitude and out of fear.

The Maya, too, saw eclipses as powerful times and in the Dresden Codex there is a perpetual eclipse table that has been shown to be incredibly accurate.

A significant feature of this eclipse is that it is within 3 degrees of conjunction to the Galactic Center, the Black Hole at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy...the ultimate portal. What we have then is a lining up of portals on at least two dimensions.

Mercury is conjunct the Sun and South Node in Gemini. As the messenger of the gods, Mercury (which is associated with our state of consciousness, communication and 'lower mind'), assists us in moving between dimensions. Often called the 'trickster' which I feel has a negative connotation, I see its role more as a shape-shifter, able to adjust to circumstances as needed. In order to communicate with beings on different dimensions, we may need to alter our form. This is not a bad thing, it is an accommodation for the sake of being better able to understand.

It is not enough to just speak louder when talking to a person who speaks a different language than ours...we have to speak their language. This often means we have to change our mindset. Some things are just not translatable. It is true that the categories of meaning are different in each language. The world view of someone living in dense jungle must necessarily be different than someone raised in the Sahara. Think about it! This is why travel is so enlightening. You find out that not everyone thinks like a person from San Francisco, California, USA. Ha ha!

The North Node is also within orb of the GC and the eclipse and shows us where we collectively need to be moving. Where it occurs in your chart shows where you can be aiming the centaur's arrow for yourself.

North Node in Sagittarius - in general represents Higher Mind, Truth with a big T, and the search for it. Philosophy, Religion and Spirituality. Higher Educations. Ruled by Jupiter, the grand guru of the universe - the teacher. It also represents travel on long journeys inner or outer, pilgrimage, foreign lands and cultures.

I think we are coming into a period where we see all earth beings as part of one family of man/woman. Diverse and united. The many and the one. We are called to travel on different dimensions now - the macro and the micro. Perhaps beyond this Universe.

It is time to stop fighting and learn to work together for the good of all. Otherwise, we will all go down.

The numerous natural and man-made disasters we have been experiencing lately should be waking us up to the dire situation we are in. The corporations keep us distracted from what we really need to focus on so that they can continue making money as the ship goes down. With Jupiter in Taurus we need to find what is really important and work to nurture and sustain it. Jupiter in Taurus for the next year will be teaching us what really matters for the survival of the Earth and its inhabitants. We have to start looking at our kinship with animals and plants, without whom we cannot live.

Taurus an earth sign is ruled by Venus. It deals with the earthly comforts: food, shelter, clothing (as protection from heat and cold), pleasure, love, and other resources we need to sustain life. Many of these things have been taken for granted here in the West and now that they are threatened by the economic downturn, we realize that we cannot live the way we want without them. "It's hard to be spiritual when you are worried about paying the rent."

Many of us are being forced to whittle down our lives to what is absolutely necessary. The challenge is to see that we are more than our stuff and that our 'value' as a person is more than how much money we make. In Alice in Wonderland the caterpillar asks Alice "who are you?" and so I (as the resident caterpillar of this blog) now as you the same question: "WHO ARE YOU?"

Full Moon in Scorpio - May 17, 2011

Last weekend I was supposed to participate in a Health Fair Sampler with Songbird Community Healing Center. I was going to offer flower essence readings and promote my classes and readings.

I woke up with a lot of resistance, my knee still aching, and my energy low. I thought about how little money I have been making at shows and events lately as people seem less willing to part with their declining funds.

On the other hand, I had not paid for the booth and so would lose nothing, except the gas to get there, even if I made nothing. I went through the usual inner conversation of 'yes and no' - which doesn't seem to get better, despite my efforts.

At some point, a new idea popped in, probably because I have been meditating more lately. Why not see it not as a chance to make money, but rather as a time to have fun. View it as a party I was invited to, a chance to see my friends and meet new people. This way, I didn't need to make money because it was a social activity.

Amazingly, this gave me renewed energy to get ready and go.

Let me say that this was the most financially successful day I have had in months! I scheduled and was paid for a reading and sold aromatherapy products. Effortlessly, I had made 4X what I had hoped I would make! I felt like a miracle had happened. In a sense, it had.

This showed me something very important which relates to this Full Moon in Scorpio, which asks that we shift the way we do things. By viewing the show as 'work' it became drudgery like many of the jobs I have had in my life.

I got into making herbal products and giving astrology readings because I loved it. I had made into to a chore by "needing to make money" at it. When I shifted my attitude, my energy changed. This, of course, is related to the Law of Attraction. People were willing to give me their resources (money) because they liked the energy I was radiating.

Many agree that things are falling apart and shifting. Rather than scrambling to rebuild the old and replace the outworn, let's use this as an opportunity to create and manifest our bliss.

Many years ago I worked at a women's shelter. Despite the fact that every one's life had been led them to their current circumstances, all were doing everything they could to restore that dysfunctional life minus their abuser. No one saw the whole pattern, their role in the dysfunction, the fact that it was their attitudes about themselves and the world that had, in part, created the scenario they found themselves in. No one saw they had to change everything, including themselves. I used to encourage them to see their stay in the shelter as the greatest opportunity they might ever have to totally change their lives. Some wanted to believe me, but feared the unknown. They opted for the security they knew, despite the fact that it led to misery. Of course, some did manage to make improvements, but most just changed the particulars, not the causes.

Let us not make the same mistake. If you find yourself with more time on your hands, why not use it to do inner work? Read, meditate, walk, work in your garden. Change your patterns. What else do you have to do? Perhaps, with this opening in your life, you will create something even better than that job you resented every day. One thing that all this proves is that there is no such thing as 'security' except that which comes from within.

I love this quote Stephanie Austin offers this month from Joseph Campbell:
"The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the Universe, to match your nature with Nature."

By the way, my class Ek'Waynal, the Galactic Center and 2012 is now available on CD. This narrated slide show connects the end of the Mayan calendar, the alignment with the Galactic Center and astrological events. How does the ingress of Neptune in Pisces relate to 2012? Go to my Maya and 2012 blog to purchase.

New Moon in Taurus May 2011

New Moon in Taurus. Five planets in Aries including Venus, how might we look at this combination? Aries initiates, Taurus makes it real. Fire and Earth. Active and Passive.
Business as usual is not an option anymore. Whether we like it or not, our lives are changing. Better to let go than to try to cling to the past. Discomfort is actually lessened by 'going with the flow' than by resisting stubbornly.

I was speaking to a woman yesterday with a stellium in Cancer, opposed by Pluto in Capricorn. She indicated that her life was falling apart and that she had no idea what to do, and yet, she was closed and dismissive. It was one of those 'yes, but' situations.

She would ask for my thoughts on her situation, but would not listen to my response. After a few exchanges of this nature, I decided to stop playing her game, seeing how much I was attached to 'trying to help'. I asked her how she had dealt with issues in the past and she said she had never had any difficulties until now.

On the one hand I thought her fortunate that her life had been so perfect until now, but I also saw that she had no practice in dealing with challenges.

If you feel your life has always been difficult, consider yourself lucky. You know how to survive tough times. Your survival muscles are well-developed and you know options exist, even if you can't yet see them. Just that knowledge puts you ahead of the game.

Aries advises that we DO something rather than thinking too much. As for what to do, Taurus New Moon suggests that we act in accordance with our values. What do you love? What brings you joy? What do you care about?

We have been made to believe by society that money is of utmost importance and that without it we are powerless. Remember that human beings lived for millenia without money.

Stephanie Austin in the Mountain Astrologer asks the question: "If you had one year to live, how would you spend it? What were your childhood dreams?"

I suggest you take a little time during this New Moon to consider these questions and then move forward on the path that reveals itself.