Practical Astrology for an Imperfect World 1.5
June 28, 2009 by
Filed under Reflections From Friends
Practical Astrology for an Imperfect World 1.5
Jupiter conjunct Neptune, transiting and retrograde, has been going on for a month now. The effects are manifesting in each of our lives, but may be easier to notice in someone you know well. A long-held fear or weakness is accentuated. Situations arise that they usually try to avoid.
Think about what is happening in your own life. What problem, or problems, are you facing that seem overpowering? That touch a raw nerve? That you dwell on in the middle of the night? That you wish would just go away?
This retrograde conjunction is a gift: an opportunity to deal differently with a recurring problem or fear. You can take the advice of friends who see the situation without your blinders. You can do what you’ve long muttered you’d like to do as you walked away in defeat or hurt. You can stand up for yourself. You can let go.
Two weeks ago, I recommended that you contemplate the house in your horoscope that hold Aquarius 23 to 27. Now look at its opposite house (1st and 7th, 2nd and 8th, 3rd and 9th, 4th and 10th, 5th and 11th, 6th and 12th). With some contemplation, you should be able to hone in on your specific opportunity for growth.
1st House: Turn a dream into a reality. Let go of a fantasy that will never be, and replace it with a new dream. Quit hoping you’ll be a size 2, and love your size 12. Or eat well and exercise until you slim to size 10.
2nd House: Believe in your skills and values, and others will recognize them. Do not think you need other people to validate your worth. Be practical with money. Do not inflate the importance of your possessions.
3rd House: You are seeing when others are being deceptive or manipulative. You can speak your truth without beating around the bush. Strive to speak plainly. If someone misunderstands, review what was said. Apologize without fear, if appropriate.
4th House: Look for what makes you feel secure. Don’t mistake trappings for grounded-ness. Embrace your crazy relatives. Be one yourself.
5th House: Unchain your talent. Let a child be less dependent. Love is blind; don’t let it blind you to reality—and the advice others may be giving you.
6th House: Accept what you do not like about your job, or find a constructive way to phase into a new job. Do not expect to be paid for work that you do not do well. Medicines may not work as they are supposed to. Check prescriptions when they are filled; mistakes are likely now.
7th House: Demand as much from yourself as your partner. Look at your spouse as if you were recently met and discover new qualities, or aspects that you (or he) have forgotten to celebrate. Do the same for yourself.
8th House: Seek professional advice in matters of legacies, taxes, settlements. Your expectations may be too high, or too low. Discuss joint finances with your partner and agree on how funds are allocated.
9th House: Education and training are all around you. Don’t be too set in your expectations or you’ll miss opportunities. Travel in your mind, if not with your body.
10th House: Create the opportunity for a career change. It won’t be handed to you. Do not seek attention. Don’t forget to attend to details.
11th House: Hopes and wishes are attainable. Don’t impose old limits on yourself. Friends are able to offer insight, especially if you are going through a mid-life crisis. Vivid dreams.
12th House: A deep-seated weakness can be converted into your greatest strength if you don’t let yourself be overrun by discouragement. Things are brighter than they seem.
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FOLKWAYS by Ann MacGregor
June 25, 2009 by
Filed under Reflections From Friends
Ann MacGregor
The Summer Solstice campfire was built and lit. Our chairs snug around the fire ring, we sat in silence with the flames, honoring the longest day and the beginning of the slow journey to autumn and winter. The loons occasionally laughed at their own jokes, and the nine-member goose family paddled against the river current to their home for the night. The reeds at river’s edge moved with the snuffling and splashing of the wee folk going for a solstice swim. It was a glorious Solstice night as we offered our reflections, blessing, and intents for the coming months. In commentary to our thoughts, a distant owl hooted her final words on the matter of the Solstice.
We closed our Solstice ceremony, and began to prepare the additional fire ritual, which we perform at any quarter or cross-quarter, and often, in-between. But, we realized we had closed our ritual too soon. Late as always, the Mosquito family flew in. All of them, Mr. Mosquito and his lovely bride Mrs. Mosquito, and their 12 children. They were delighted to see us, and were thankful they had arrived in time for the SMORES ritual. Immediately, we began flailing about in irritation, as they flew around us with joy and happiness. Mr. Mosquito landed on my piece of Hershey chocolate and announced he had a story of his ancestors he would like to tell in honor of the Solstice. This is what he said.
In the time of Long-ago, in Njambi’s Town (In far away Africa), Mosquito and Ear went out to take a bath together. After taking her bath, Ear began to rub an oil substance over herself, while Mosquito did not. So Ear said to Mosquito, ‘Why do you leave your skin so rough? It is better to rub on a little oil.’ Mosquito replied, ‘I have none.’ So Ear said, ‘Indeed! I did not know that. I will give you part of mine, as I have plenty.’ Mosquito had to wait the while that Ear was rubbing the soft wax over herself. But, as soon as Ear had finished, she put back the wax into her ear where she usually kept it, and did not fulfill her promise to Mosquito.
When Mosquito saw this, that the oil was put away, he came near to the door, and said, ‘I want the oil you promised for rubbing on my body.’ But Ear took no notice of him, except to call on Hands to drive Mosquito away. So, to this day, Mosquito is not willing to cease making his claim for the unfulfilled promise; and is always coming to our ears, and buzzing and crying. Always Mosquito comes and says, ‘ I want my oil, Bz-z-z-z-z-z-.’ But Ear remains silent, and givens no answer. And Mosquito keeps on grumbling and complaining, and gets angry and bites.
From Where Animals Talk; West African Folklore Tales, by Richard Badger, published 1912.
Practical Astrology for an Imperfect World A Perfect Opportunity
June 19, 2009 by
Filed under Reflections From Friends
Practical Astrology for an Imperfect World 1.4 A Perfect Opportunity
Transiting Neptune in Aquarius went retrograde on May 29th. Transiting Jupiter is also in Neptune in Aquarius, and turns retrograde on June 15th—within a degree of Neptune’s position. The effects of this stellar phenomenon are potent—once you know to pay attention.
Neptune can suppress your ego or inspire you to perform great acts of selflessness. It is the bringer of dreams and illusions. Where it is in your chart shows where you can lose your sense of reality, or where you find/create peace, beauty and inspiration.
Jupiter is expansive. It makes things flow more easily, and often brings success. It is concerned with the social “glue” that holds society together. By transit, it highlights the area in life (house) in which you are trying to grow. It can prompt people to overdo, overreach, or take more than their share.
The retrograde conjunction of transiting Neptune and transiting Jupiter will affect everyone. Like all stellar aspects, it brings an opportunity to see things more clearly, and to act more positively. The things we need to see more clearly, and act upon more positively, are (naturally) things we fear, misunderstand, mistrust, or generally tend to get wrong.
To understand better what these are in your life, look at your natal horoscope and find the house that contains Aquarius 23 – 27 degrees. This house describes the facets of your life that are being activated by transiting Neptune and Jupiter. Correlate the description of this house (posted last week) with what is happening in your life right now. You should find some notable events.
Then look to see if the degrees of Aquarius 23 – 27 conjoin or oppose any planets in your chart. These planets are stimulated by the transiting Neptune and Jupiter. You will face fears and healing with the planetary energies and the people in your life who represent these energies.
Finally, if you can, calculate a secondary progression chart for June 1, 2009. This is your natal chart progressed for now. Identify the house that contains Aquarius 2 – 27. This house describes how the transmutation of energies will work out.
Jupiter goes direct on Oct 13, 2009. Neptune on Nov 4th: five months to take advantage of this incredible opportunity for personal growth. Don’t miss out.
Are reusable bags hazardous to your health?
June 4, 2009 by
Filed under Reflections From Friends
Have you heard the latest word that eco-friendly bags are bad for your health? Before you make the switch back to plastic, please consider the source – the plastics industry! To learn how common sense will keep your reusable bags user-friendly, please visit HERE.
Practical Astrology for an Imperfect World: Mercury Retrograde OVER!
June 1, 2009 by
Filed under Reflections From Friends
Practical Astrology for an Imperfect World 1.2
Brigid’s House invites you to submit questions about astrology. Questions may be general or specific, but please do not use personal names. Watch for your answer in the next week’s astrology column.
Mercury went direct yesterday, after being retrograde since May 7th. Mercury goes retrograde at least three times each year and bears watching. Mercury retrograde is good for research or study. It confuses communication between people and computers. It bodes ill for major purchases and car repairs. Avoid signing major contracts that involve making payments until Mercury goes direct, if possible.
This Mercury retrograde occurred in Gemini. Think back. Did you blurt out something that you have held in check for a while? Did your computer develop a glitch that fixed itself a day or two later? Did you learn, during an unexpected (non-routine) conversation, something new about a relative or neighbor? Have your young children been bouncing or jumping up and down a lot? Mercury retrograde.
The next retrograde of Mercury will occur Sept 7 to Sept 28th, 2009.
An Eco Approach to Lawn Care for the Earth-friendly Soul by Tara Troge of EcoSisters
June 1, 2009 by
Filed under Reflections From Friends
With summer rapidly approaching, it’s inevitable that the majority of us will begin to suffer from obsessive compulsive lawn disorder. But before you touch one blade of grass, consider this: Did you know that approximately five percent of the world’s air pollution comes from gas lawnmowers? And that the average American uses 20,000 gallons of water each summer on their grass?!
From how to collect rain water to non-toxic fertilizers and pest control, here are some tips on how to leave the earth a little better than you found it and still have a beautiful, healthy lawn to enjoy all summer. The earth (and all its little critters) will thank you!
Practical Astrology for an Impractical World 5.24.09 1.1
May 26, 2009 by
Filed under Reflections From Friends
The economic crisis has people fearing job loss, cuts in paychecks, or sluggish sales. Many feel helpless and desperate. It would appear that the stars have turned on us, but they have not!
The retrograde of transiting Saturn in Virgo, which began on December 31, 2008 and ended May 17, 2009, blessed us with opportunities to reclaim self-awareness and self-honesty.
Where do the degrees of Virgo 14 to Virgo 20 fall in your natal horoscope? This house is where Saturn has been shaking things up.
For example, transiting Saturn in the 6th House triggers situations where the quality of our performance, or the professionalism of our services, will be challenged. At first, we will feel we are being treated unjustly. However, the truth is that Saturn is reminding us to do our fair share of the work without expecting, waiting for, or demanding, a pat on the back.
Our bosses, co-workers, or customers (who all represent Saturn) are really helping us to see where we need to polish our act. They pushed, and hopefully, we got the message and start pushing ourselves.
The 6th House also represents health. Saturn transiting the 6th can trigger a health crisis that forces us to pay more attention to how we treat our bodies. Do we continually eat fast food on the run? Alternatively, do we respect our bodies by sitting down occasionally to a lovingly prepared meal? Do we refill that painkiller prescription, or do we take charge of our health by digging deep and re-embracing suppressed hurts that create the condition to have an aching back.
I dislike articles wherein the astrologer does not discuss the planet, house, or aspect that I have. So I vow to not do that.
Transiting Saturn in the 1st House focuses our attention on our inner needs. It is a time to reassess who we are and what we need. If we shy away from this sort of introspection, Saturn comes to our rescue and creates a situation in which we have to contemplate ourselves. We may feel tired all the time. We may be fired from a job that we do not like, so we really have to reassess who we are and how we can update our methods of self-expression.
Transiting Saturn in the 2nd House forces us to question our values. What is really important? Are we clinging to ideals that we have outgrown, or no longer serve us? This may manifest as financial insecurity. The remedy? Pare down expenses so you do not have to pay as much attention to them. Cut up that credit card. Do activities that do not involve the spending of money.
Transiting Saturn in the 3rd House prompts us to examine our day-to-day, routine activities. What do we do out of habit, and not need? How do we talk to the people around us? Does something happen that makes us interact with the neighbor whom we have never spoken to before? (Think of neighbors in Fargo/Moorhead during the flooding.)
Transiting Saturn in the 4th House brings opportunities (challenges) to deal with problems in your home and domestic life. A parent may need extended assistance for some reason. The home may need some unexpected repair. You are shoring up the base from which you operate.
Transiting Saturn in the 5th House brings challenges through children, love affair, gambling and speculation. If you participated in a get-rich-quick scheme, think about the clients of Bernie Madoff, and the former employees of Bear Stearns. Speculators are exposed and discredited. Children will need extra attention. Creative expression becomes a need, rather than a wish.
Transiting Saturn in the 6th (see above)
Transiting Saturn in the 7th House highlights your one-to-one relationships. A marriage partner may demand more time and attention. If you are used to waving at each other as you dash to evening meetings, Saturn may create situations where you are snowbound and get to rediscover each other. If you like what you see, you may rekindle a romance.
Transiting Saturn in the 8th House bring stresses to joint finances and possessions.
Short paychecks may force families to finally deal directly with how income is allocated. If an adult adds a part-time job, do children contribute by helping with housework? Each of us makes promises of what we will do. This time can be a reality check.
Transiting Saturn in the 9th House can bring an unexpected change in the rules of life. When we become too vested in things staying the same, Saturn knocks down our assumptions. Old career not working well? Maybe it is time for retraining for a new job.
Transiting Saturn in the 10th House tests how honorably you have conducted your public and business affairs. If you have been overly focused on your career, public life, status, etc., your personal life may suffer stiff challenges.
Transiting Saturn in the 11th House offers opportunities to merge your goals with that of a group or organization. You will need to prove that you can work in a team-like manner. Your hopes and wishes will be put to the test. If they are valid, Saturn will deliver the determination to give them life. You may turn a hobby into a business. Turn forced retirement into an opportunity to embark on that new lifestyle.
Transiting Saturn in the 12th House brings a period of solitude that can serve as a needed rest period, or as the perfect time to start writing that best seller. You can use this time to offload what is not working in your life, to clean your mental or physical house so new ideas and projects have a place to occur.
As always, retrograde Saturn transits function on a personal level—and on a planetary level. Reflect on the past five months. Saturn will not retrograde again in 2009. We have had our time to reassessing. We have made our course corrections. Now we can get back into action.
Game on!
Anne Morgan
astrologybyanne.com
Exploring Shamanism: Journeying into Non-Ordinary Reality and the Healing Process.
May 21, 2009 by
Filed under Reflections From Friends
Jeanne Troge presents her new teleseminar series…In this four call class you will learn the shamanic process of journeying through the three different worlds of the shaman.
The first two calls will concentrate on this process. Learn to access spiritual information for yourself to empower your life. The second two calls will discuss shamanic healing and the techniques that are used. We will look at western medicine vs shamanic healing.
The classes will include workbook pages that you can download. The four calls will be recorded so if you miss a class you will be able to listen to the recording.
The four calls will occur on May 7th, 14th, 28th, and June 4th. Cost of all four calls is only $30—a first and only time special! You can pay online using paypal. Click HERE to sign up.
