Thank you for the kind words I have received from some of you. Obviously, if you are one who checks in fairly often here you have obviously noted my absence.
I was indeed absent.
It was not pleasant.
I think I’m here again. Although, the terrain does indeed look/feel a little different.
It’s all good.
Om Shanti Om
I was cleaning out an old file drawer the other day and came across the award certificates I received during winter/spring 1993. For, me these pieces of paper symbolize a few of my most heart-felt achievements. I won three Toastmaster’s Speech Contests in a row, qualifying me to compete in a state event. It was quite an experience and the memory of it continues to provide me with confidence and courage in speaking my truth.
Speaking our truth is an activity which requires a healthy fifth chakra. Speaking our truth also falls under the practice of Satya, one of the yamas of yoga. Speaking our truth is an important function even though it is often restrained, repressed, and resistant. The obstacles can be from outside of ourselves…ie: government, authorities, etc., or the obstacles can be more internally based. It really doesn’t matter, the task remains the same……..speak truth.
My speech was seriously out of the box for such a conservative, traditional bunch of people like those who attended the regular meetings. I chose to deliver “A Call to Awaken”, an astrologer’s plea.
In 1993 the world was reeling from the multiple conjunctions of Saturn, Uranus, & Neptune. The paradigm was changing and as far as I could see, the world needed to know about this and get ready. Hmmm, I wonder if any one but me remembers that speech?
Today, we are at a major turning point that began then. Saturn is moving into the 180 degree zone with first Neptune and in the next few years, Uranus. What was birthed in ’93 is coming to fruition now.
I don’t know about you, but my life is changing in ways I couldn’t have imagined back then, and yet, I did. I spent a lot of time in ’93 envisioning, vision questing, and pondering the ‘perfect’ future and what that would ‘feel’ like. I think it worked?!?!?!?!?
At my location on the planet, Zero Degrees of Leo is on the Midheaven, the high-point of the cosmos, from here.
I don’t know what’s ‘sitting above’ you from your location.
We are all looking at the same heavens, and not, all at the same time, or not.
It can get a little mushy.
Especially right now.
The Moon is sitting up there, the power behind the throne, in the 29th degree of Cancer. It certainly is the ending of something.
Breathe.
And, it is the beginning of something else.
All at the same time…………..relatively speaking.
Are you still with me?
Take a breath.
It will take the moon about 9 more hours to connect in the most intimate of ways with the sun, a solar eclipse.
The sun’s light will be blocked out and we can all let go of our ego’s for a little while and get into the heart.
Absolutely.
Look at the other side…….what do you see? There’s Neptune, Chiron, and the North Node.
Some astrologers may see this combination as ominous……
I see it as a balancing effect.
Sometimes we need a little help to maintain our balance….like having a wall nearby while you’re in Vrikasana.
………………….(later)…………………………………….I was interrupted by a phone call just as mercury came over the mid-heaven.
It’s no longer the now of the now that was before now.
Now, it’s the now of now.
have a nice day 🙂
om shanti.
I really don’t want this to become a ‘media’ heavy blog site, however some things are just too good to pass up. Go over to my vodpod on the right side and check out The Girl who Silenced the UN for 5 minutes.
……you don’t get too “attached”.
I was perusing around wordpress today and decided to take a closer look at my stat’s. Just for fun.
Since my posting is rather random & seemingly scattered, at best, it’s interesting to see just how people get here to this site and what they like to read.
Since beginning this online adventure in Feb07, I have created 157 posts in 29 different categories.
This post has received 3,060 views, way more than this post which comes in second with 990 views.
This post is next with 922 views. #4 on the list is this one with 715, and #5 has had 687 views.
These numbers may not be enough to impress some of you, but I am blown away by the power & potential of this online medium.
Each of these 5 posts have hovered around the top-5 for a long time. It certainly makes food for thought.
Have a nice day.
This morning I turned on CNN to see what ‘news’ was being reported thru this media/channel and I was immediately dis-appointed again to discover that the bloggers and the internet had these headlines day’s ago. The ‘story’ they are telling was seeded long ago and today’s headlines are no surprise. Nor should they be! (Uh, oh…..there’s one of Those Words…..”should”.)
Sagittarius rules publishing/media/journalism as well as all the other ways & means that information reaches The Public. Ethics, morality, judicial conduct, lawsuits, our relationship with ‘aliens’ (foreign/legal/illegal/et’s/etc., etc.), how we understand foreign languages and our ability (or inability) to understand the ‘truth’ of what is spoken/written etc………………..these are all other topics that are assigned to the Sag agenda.
When Pluto was making it’s first entrance into this sign (1995ish), after many tumultuous years in Scorpio, the headlines of the day were all about OJ Simpson. This celebrity event brought together all the issues of both Scorpio & Sag and gave us a preview of what was in store for the Pluto in Sag years to come. (Oh! Did I mention scandals around athletes up above? Sag also rules those who compete in sport………….. This year’s Olympics will be held during the death throes of Pluto in Sag……pun intended.)
The headlines of today are showing us what we have learned (or not-learned) regarding all of the Sagittarian themes. We’ve only got a few more months to get it right. Otherwise we’ll have to get our selves reborn into the next cycle of Pluto in Sagittarius which will occur………….when, it’s gotta be at least 240+ years from now. Quick, anyone got an ephemeris?
Pluto stuck a toe into Capricorn earlier this year, and by October,2009 it’s manifestations will become visible to the masses. Immediately we began to see the ‘foundations’ of our society show signs of crumbling. Bridges came down. Foundations are a Capricornian word. Foundations are very important for stability & structure…….think big here, for now. (Pluto in Sag taught us how to ‘think big’, too.)
Pluto will re-enter Capricorn around the end of November, 08 and stay there until 2024. (Time for a long, deep breath.) Saturn is the ruling planet for Capricorn so you might want to check this site and others to learn better how to navigate (a sag word) these changing times to come. (Capricorn is a ‘cardinal’ sign. All cardinal signs bring Change.)
Capricorn is the leader, of the family, of the town, of the country. Whomever holds authority over others is the human representative of capricorn energy. For the past 2000 years or so, this person has frequently been of the male gender, with some notable exceptions. Capricorn is the ‘father’ role, and these days we see people of both genders assume that role. There is much to come with Pluto in Capricorn!
I’ve been around for nearly six decades and I’ve experienced Pluto changing signs 4 times. This will be my 5th (the number of transitions) time. Her orbit is widely elliptical and therefore each passing thru a sign covers a different length of time. (Check with your favorite astrologer for more). In my experience I have noticed that the time’s during the Entering and Leaving of Pluto are the most difficult. During the twenty degrees or more of substantive time within the sign, life may be intense however most of us can hold on and maintain our daily life. However, these enterings and leavings can be hard, just like beginnings and endings. (Go here)
So, during these days of tumult, uncertainty, and yes, let’s call it Fear………..remember to make your yoga practice a priority. Use this time everyday to learn how to move strong sensations & feelings through your body. Use the breath to help you. It will. Take time to calm your mind thru meditation, prayer, art, music, or other solitary pursuits. Find a class or a teacher to support you when your private practice falters. The ancient masters lived thru much of the same tumult as we did and were able to survive and thrive despite the challenges. Evidence is everywhere.
Be still, now.
Pause,
Take a breath.
Notice what’s : in your body. mind. emotions.
Take another breath.
Let it be.
Om shanti.
I visited Trinity College Library in Dublin, Ireland a few years back and had what I consider an amazing experience there.
I was standing on steps, waiting with many other people to be allowed admittance into this magnificent space.
I arrived at this moment feeling pretty calm & healthy despite the joyful vibrations of extreme anticipation. Libraries are special places for me and I was about to enter the oldest library I had ever visited.
Suddenly, my heart starting beating twice as fast. My palms became sweaty. My face flushed into a raging shade of red. It was hard to breathe.
I became frightened and witnessed the negativity of those first thoughts. Am I ill? What is wrong with me?
I frantically began to retrace (in my mind) what I had to eat, the level of physical exertion I had been expending, etc., etc., coming to the conclusion that I was still healthy. This was ‘something else’.
I watched my mind decide to view the physical symptoms as evidence of karma at work. No one was around who would challenge my viewpoint, for a change, so I began to just take some long deep breaths to calm down this body . 
Finally, I was allowed into The Room which immediately took even more breath away………..but, at the same time I became infused with a fiery impulse to investigate What Was In There For Me. I gave my feet complete permission to lead me around and within one minute of this absent-minded ‘absorption trip’ I came across this harp in a secured glass case perched on a large pedestal. As I stood there and gazed at this harp my body started calming down to a more relaxed state. My breath returned. It felt as if I had just returned …………………………………. home.
The body is a powerful antenna that picks up signals from a multitude of sources both internal & external. How we interpret these signals has everything to do with how our emotional minds process incoming information. Also, many of us have put ourselves in a position where we have relied on others (family, friends, our culture,) to define us to ourselves thereby weakening our inherent ability to discern reality clearly. Labels become words, and words can be limiting and hurtful. “You’re sick”. “You’re crazy”. “You’re paranoid”.
The information on the harp in the glass case describes it as “the oldest surviving Irish harp”, erroneously associated with Brian Boru, a high King of Ireland who died in 1014.
Before leaving for Ireland I had been practicing Brian Boru’s March. It was the very first tune I learned on my new harp.
Listen Here: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFAcgKD5InI&hl=en]
Today’s astrological transits show the moon moving thru the sign of Sagittarius with Venus squaring both Mars (2:07pm EDT) and Jupiter (9:36pm EDT). A fiery Sag moon does not bode well for practicing patience.
I don’t think today will be The Day.
Patience is a Saturnian experience and the fixed signs of Taurus, Scorpio, Leo & Aquarius probably have more of a natural affinity to remaining calm, stable, and unmoving……other aspects of being patient.
The dictionary shows the definition of patience as one who is patient. Patient is defined as:
1: bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint
2: manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain
3: not hasty or impetuous
4: steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity
5 a: able or willing to bear
Waiting for a baby to be born might be the ultimate test of patience as well as a few other tests as well! Letting go of control and surrendering to the present moment are ways to bring a spiritual practice to the frustration and endless waiting period of childbirth.
Becoming a grandparent might be another Saturn-type of event since Saturn governs things like: elders, authority, practical wisdom ( as opposed to philosophical wisdom which falls more into the Jupiter category).
So, I’m looking at all my charts and doing what I can to contact my intuition to answer the eternal question: “When??”
I don’t think today’s the day. Time to be patient.
May all beings practice peaceful patience.
OMmmmmmmmmm.
I’m supposed to be packing right now and instead I’ve gotten caught up in this website where you re-create yourself as a South Park character. The choices are many, the decisions confuse me! Anyway, this is what I’ve come up with and you can click on the picture to go there yourself. Have fun!
I need to get myself into ‘travel mode’ now. I’ll probably be offline for a few days until I settle in in sunny southern California.
May all beings live in peace.
Om
One of my favorite bloggers has ‘tagged’ me, which means that I am supposed to answer the 5 questions and then tag 5 others to do the same. Thanks Muse, (??).
These online ‘games’ are an interesting way for bloggers to get to know each other a little better. Not a bad idea actually…..there are some very interesting people out here in the blogosphere.
Today’s post are my responses to the “fluff five”…..hmmm, who picks these names? I, too, would never use the word fluff(y) to describe my blog or my self!
Nevertheless, here goes.
5 Things found in your bag. (I try to travel everywhere as light as possible, keeping clutter to a minimum…..so today I have…..
ipod
keys
loose change
mala beads
biz cards
5 Things found in your room (hmm, which room would that be? how about the one I’m in!……..I like muse’s room)
computer
the ever present cup of coffee
the overflowing bookcase
my favorite photo from Ashes and Snow
another ipod & speakers
5 Things you always wanted to do:
Travel around the world visiting all the spiritual sites on the planet.
Live in an ashram for a while
Hike the Grand Canyon….all the way down, and all the way back up
Lose 10 pounds……….
Write a book (or 2, or 3, or………..)
5 Things you’re currently into:
Cleaning up my hard drives!
Reading fiction and catching up with all my favorite authors.
Re-organizing my life to make room for grandchildren!
Expanding my teaching to new places & to new people
Learning new music on my harp
5 people you want to tag……..hmmm, this is a hard one! Please forgive the blogs that are not wordpress!
http://opalescentwords.wordpress.com/
http://constantstateofflux.wordpress.com/
http://pisces-chronicles.blogspot.com/
Hmmm. Looking over my responses I appear quite boring. Oh well…… what can I say when I’m feeling like I have nothing to say!
Sun’s out……time to bask and practice doing nothing for while.
Om shanti.