Showing posts with label Neptune. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neptune. Show all posts

Monday, February 20, 2012

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.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

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!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Astrology Day 2011 SF

Despite the pouring rain, the early hour and the fact that I still had a cold hanging on...I made it to the 2011 Astrology Day event in San Francisco. Thankfully, I had made arrangements to get a ride, so I didn't even have to drive and sharing expenses 3 ways, bringing my lunch and the fact that they had no books for sale (ha! ha!) made it even better.
My favorite talk was the keynote address by Steven Forrest titled: "Bring on the Human Future" He covered Uranus square Pluto, Jupiter opposing Saturn, the Cardinal Cross and as usual, did not pull any punches. Said it straight, but as also usual, with humor and humanity. Forrest is a master of saying even the hardest stuff in a way that makes it palatable, even funny.

He said that with all the hard astrological challenges, its easy to forget Neptune, which will go into its own sign, Pisces on April 4. Neptune is one of the BIG PLAYERS in the astrological game too! But Neptune's message is so different from all the rest that is happening.

Neptune's cycle is 165 years long, so Neptune remains in a sign for 13/14 years. Forrest said that during this transit, "escapism will be raised to an art form" and that "virtual reality will provide an easy escape from a
worsening reality". On the other hand he said, "there will be a massive leap in consciousness", and that "the angels will notice that even the most hard-hearted people will have moments when they are gazing at a rose
in wonder." We will be in the "collective well of magic", and that we will all have greater metaphysical experiences," no matter who we are. This sound great to me!

He went on to give a brief history of Neptune in Pisces in human culture, saying that typically during Neptune in Aquarius, "the magic drained out of the metaphor" and the old systems were dry and empty. Because the people were starving, the ground was fertile  for a new message. The Qur'an speaks of this in the same way. "We sent a messenger from among you..."

When Neptune went into Pisces, what often happened was that there was "a visitation of energy" and a new "(spiritual) teacher appeared with the juice bringing in magic and transformation". He equates this to returning
"back to the Well of Life". But he also quoted someone as having said: "Religion makes good people better and bad people worse." So there you are.

According to the Dalai Lama, "the world is drunk on anger", and Forrest says there is one thing on which ALL people of the world including Sara Palin (not sure if it's spelled right and I don't really care) and any terrorist would agree: "everything sucks and it cannot continue like this!" ha! ha! so true....I love Steven Forrest!!

We can certainly see that we are at a log jam, everything seems to be falling apart and most of us feel a loss of meaning in life. Forrest says that at times like these, the Universe will answer and there will be a spiritual renewal.

He says that this past year when the movie, Avatar came out, correlated to when Jupiter made a short ingress into Pisces before going retrograde back into Aquarius. It reminded people of the time when we were connected to Nature and to each other on a deep psychic level. It touched that memory within us. Forrest mentioned an article in Psychology Today, January 2010, (which I have yet to read, but will look for) that says there was a high incidence of suicidal thought reported in the population as people realized what they had lost and thought gone forever.

This was a taste of what is coming. Forrest said that Neptune's ingress into Pisces on April 4 for four months, before it turns retrograde then direct again, will give us a preview of what we will be experiencing for the next 14 years.

I think we will go through a period of deep grieving - which has already begun - for the death and destruction that has been wrought by our human greed, ignorance, jealousy, possessiveness and insensitivity. We need to
do this. We need to mourn the dead. We need to cry out in anguish. We cannot stuff it and cover it up with drugs, alcohol or any other pain-killer. We need to feel this pain so that we will know we are still human
beings with hearts. As the Sufis say...."the Sufi is the one with a broken heart". Only when we have admitted what we have done, will this thing be over and we can begin to heal and change. This is the basis of all therapy, AA groups, confession etc. We have to take responsibility for the pain we have caused others.

Another presenter at Astrology Day, Ralfee Finn, got us all in tears when she showed the picture of that little dog who stayed with his dog friend until he could get help. She labeled the picture "The Hero", showing us
the model of what we need to aspire to - love, service, - whatever it takes to help our fellow beings in need. Here's link to that video. Not sure if will work, but you can try.

Neptune's 'power' on the collective and on the personal level is most potent when it is in it's own sign. If you have Pisces in the your 12th house, lucky you! You will get the maximum benefit of Neptune in Pisces!

In general, Neptune dissolves whatever it touches.... often leading to confusion and a sense of being lost.
Neptune deals with the realm of the invisibles and connects us to the Infinite, the Source of being. It is the planet of mystics and artists, musicians, poets, dreamers. It rules the imagination, the dream world.
For those who love this part of life, it is delightful. For those who fear it, it is strange, uncomfortable and unreal.

It is amazing to me how this corresponds to the end date of the Mayan Long Count calendar period of 5,125 years. In the Popol Vuh, the Creation myth of the Maya, the world has been created and destroyed by the Gods, who originally created beings so that they could be praised. Each creation failed to do so, partly because in the form they were in, they could not. It can be viewed as a set up because they were destroyed due to something they were incapable of doing: could not praise because they could not talk for example.

However, our form has the ability to praise and yet it does not, because it 'forgets' or 'looses interest', 'gets
distracted by life', whatever. So...we could be destroyed. Perhaps we, too, are not capable of praising God.

By the way, the Aztec stories say this creation ends by 'movement' that is, earthquake.

If what has been going on in the world has not gotten your attention, you are indeed beyond the pale. How many people have prayed lately who have not ever prayed in their lives? How many have cried at the sight of dead people, whales, birds, dogs, children? God/Gods are doing whatever they can to wake us up to the spiritual side of life, which actually lies at the base of everything.

Another interesting thing in the Mayan story is that Creation comes from the 'watery world below' which is seen at the night sky when the worlds are reversed - and is often depicted as the sea and its creatures. This
corresponds to the first presentation entitled "2011 and Beyond: A Brave New World Emerging from the Sea", by Dale O'Brien.

Last, but not least, the one text we have which speaks directly about the up coming completion of 13 baktuns (12/21/2012) says that the nine gods (the nine lords of the night) will descend (from the night sky - read watery world - read ocean) to the place of transformation (a type of sweat house). The rest of the text is either missing or destroyed.

My guess is that we will have a visitation from beyond that will assist us in our evolution to the next level.  As Ralfee Finn said, "not everyone succeeds on the hero's journey. Some don't survive the descent. Some are
dismembered."

My feeling is that ultimately, we will all make the hero's journey, survive it and come back with our gift. Maybe not in this lifetime, but eventually, just because we were created. That is the proof. There are
those who don't want to do the inner work this time. That's okay. This is where FREE WILL comes in.

For more on 2012 go see my Maya blog

For more on the conference and healing go see my herb blog.

A great explanation of Neptune Transits through the houses can be found at Cafe Astrology

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.

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.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Capricorn New Moon - December 27

The New Moon is a conjunction between the Sun and the Moon. It resembles other conjunctions in that it represents the completion of one cycle and the beginning of another.

What is most noticeable about this New Moon is that in addition to the conjunction between Sun and Moon, there is a conjunction between Venus (the feminine principle)and its higher octave: Neptune; and between Mars (the masculine principle) and its higher octave: Pluto. Venus and Neptune are exact in Aquarius, Mars and Pluto are 1 degree apart in Capricorn, within 5 degree orb of the New Moon.

The two planets and two lights in Capricorn address the issue of our relationship to the physical world, the material plane. Clearly we need to come up with new ways of interacting with these aspects of life. For the last X number of years (some say 8,000) we have approached the Earth and her resources from a 'masculine' viewpoint, which is said to be aggressive, mental, opportunistic, destructive, exploitive....

These terms tend to be regarded as 'negative', but without the so-called masculine way of being, we would still be living as hunter-gatherers. I won't comment here on whether that is good or not. But ask yourself, would you prefer that? Be honest. No computers, no cell-phone, no microwave, no latte?

The 'problem' is that we have gone out of balance. We have focused on one type of energy at the expense of the other to the extent that we are now on the verge of destroying the Earth completely.

Mars and Pluto represent levels of the Will: Mars personal will; Pluto divine or collective will. Perhaps we are ready to summon our will, both personal and collective, to change our course, modify our direction.

Since Venus and Neptune, also conjunct, are 'ahead' of Mars and Pluto, in Aquarius, I see this as a sign and symbol of the re-emerging 'feminine' values: nurturing, intuitive, compassionate, resourceful, sustaining.... By the way, the Obama administration will be the first ever to have a First Grandmother in the White House! How's that for a re-emerging of the feminine!

The Sabian symbol for this New Moon at 7 degrees Capricorn is: "A veiled prophet speaks, seized by the power of a god; the ability to act as a mouthpiece for the revelation of a transcendent will and truth determining future action."

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Full Moon in Pisces - September 15

This is traditionally called the Harvest Moon, because the light of the Full Moon allowed farmers to work into the night harvesting the bounty of the summer growth season. Also, it is the Full Moon closest to the autumnal equinox. We are reaping now what we sowed at the spring equinox and have been cultivating since then.

This is a most interesting Full Moon for a number of reasons. First, the moon is conjunct Uranus, second, the Sun and Moon form a wide T square to Pluto and third, Neptune is semi-sextile to the Moon and quincunx the Sun. In short, all the outer (transpersonal) planets are involved in this Full Moon.

The intensity of this Full Moon is enhanced due to the influence of Pluto and extends the effects for at least 8 days - from Sept. 12 to Sept. 20. At that time, the square between the Sun and Pluto will be exact. Pluto offers two options: change or be changed. We are directed to release what is dead or dying. Since it retrograded back to Sagittarius, what needs to go is our beliefs and limiting views, because they are holding us back.

Uranus, the great awakener, shows us where we have fallen into deadening conformity and where we are primed for a great breakthrough. Uranus urges us to march to the beat of our own drummer.

Neptune, whose realm is dreams and the imagination, can either inspire us, or lead us to despair and addiction. It takes courage to dream and follow your dreams. But think of the alternative. Without our dreams, our lives can be dull and not worth living. Sometimes we fear taking chances that may make our lives change. We may say we want change, but on our own terms. We fear we will end up alone, if we venture out and follow our bliss. But when you really think about it, what do you have to lose. What do you really have? As we see more and more everyday, nothing is permanent. People are losing homes, jobs, retirement packages they worked for their whole life. The effects of fires, floods, storms, earthquakes all over the world also show us - here today, gone tomorrow. It is frightening. What do we have to hold on to? From one angle, nothing. From another, our inner life, our consciousness, our connection to God. Increasing our trust in God and the Divine Plan is always available to us. We don't know how all this will turn out. So.... we might as well be ready for the best possible outcome. What would that be?

The transpersonal planets are affecting the collective right now. It is a powerful time for change, growth and increased awareness and compassion. We are all being asked to dream big because 'we create our reality.' If we settle for limitation and fear (lower octave of Saturn) that is what we will have. If we want a world where understanding, acceptance, compassion and caring abide, Saturn's higher octave will assist us in building that. Saturn is the planet which mediates the personal planets and the transpersonal planets. Whatever is imagined, dreamt, inspired etc. via the influence of the outer planets, is made manifest through Saturn.

Another facet to this complex kaleidoscope is that the Virgo/Pisces axis is concerned with service and sacrifice. As we come to the end of the Age of Pisces, symbolized by Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross, our beliefs are being challenged all the time. One big question is: Is the Christian God the same as the Muslim God, the Jewish God - you name him/her/it. If there is only one God, then.... fill in the blank.

Do we have to give up our lives to take care of others? What is the nature of service to our fellow human beings? What does real aid look like? With so many opportunities to give these days (there is always a disaster fund to send money to), what can we do day to day to change things so that there aren't so many disasters? Maybe changing our shopping habits can help prevent some of the problems. Just a thought.

The gift of this Full Moon is an enhanced ability to connect head and heart, effort with faith and dreams with reality. May your dreams come true.

Witchy Mama has an beautiful blessing
prayer for this Full Moon

Friday, August 15, 2008

Eclipse, Trip to Fez and a Give-away, What More Could You Ask For?

Saturday there will be another eclipse. This time it's a Lunar eclipse. Although it will not be visible here in Northern California, its effects can still be felt.

Caroline Casey on her Visionary Activist show this past Thursday at 2pm on KPFA, said that since the Moon will block the light of the Sun, we can see the reflected light of the Earth on the Moon's surface instead. (If you want to hear this show or any other, go to KPFA.org where they have all the shows archived)

I was thinking about that. Over the centuries the reflected 'Earth light' has gotten brighter and brighter, especially in the northern hemisphere. What could be the significance of this? Something to ponder.

Stephanie Austin in her article on the eclipse in The Mountain Astrologer, gives the etymology of the word 'eclipse' as being a combination of the Greek verbs ecleipo "to cease existing" and calypse "to cover".

She advises that since Neptune conjuncts the Moon and therefore opposes the Sun, that our right brain will be dominant, "amplifying our intuition and our capacity to envision our highest hopes and dreams." She goes on to say that "Neptune enables us to feel our interconnectedness, as well as our infinite potential."

The Sabian symbol for the Sun at 25 degrees Leo is: "A large camel is seen crossing a vast and forbidding desert; self-sufficiency in the face of a long and exhausting adventure."

For the Moon at 25 degrees Aquarius: "A butterfly with the right wing more perfectly formed; the capacity to develop the rational and fully conscious aspect of the mind ahead of normal evolution."

Austin suggests "watch your day and night dreams closely. Envision the world you wish to inhabit. Hold it in your heart. Share it, live it, be it. Remember: 'The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn, the bird waits in the egg, and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities.' (James Allen)"

So in 'light' of this, I would like to announce two things.

First: an upcoming tour I will be leading to Morocco. Next May 2009, we will be going to the Fez Sacred Music Festival, touring Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Marrakesh and Essaouira, the shrine of a famous Sufi saint and an ancient Roman city. We will stay in the heart of Old Fez in the midst of the festival. We will have herbal footbaths, rub downs at the hammam and feast on the delicious Moroccan cuisine. If you want more information please leave a comment with a way to contact you. (the camel)

Second: a giveaway. To the first person who writes a comment with their name (can be a pseudonym), date, time and place of birth a free Day Watch calender by email. This is a 25.00 value. (the butterfly)

Last night I dreamt I discovered rock-climbing and loved it. The thought occurred to me that it was to be my next endeavor. That I enjoyed it and that I could do it.

Many years ago, a friend of mine did a give-away for Thanksgiving. He offered a rock-climbing experience to a small group. I went and I did it. It was a 40 or 50ft. rock. Just enough to get the challenge, the thrill and the rush. I learned that when you are stuck in a crack wiggling like a snake can get you out.