12/21/12 Winter Solstice & Mayan Prophecy

Well we're still here!
I knew the Mayans had something else in mind... just because we finished a cycle in their calendar didn't mean the Earth would explode. Here's a credible article written by E.C. Krupp, Director of the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, that gives insight into the prophecies and the Mayan calendar. Also, the Griffith Observatory is giving a live presentation called "NOT the End of the World" at 11pm tonight which examines the truth about tonight's Winter Solstice.

Here's a beautiful image from NASA of the Mayan pyramid "El Castillo", the central pyramid at Chichén Itzá, taken earlier today:

Don't Fear the Reaper: Fall 2012 horoscopes

Saturn, the reaper, is one of my favorite planets. It rules time, structure, fear, discipline, ambition, commitment and maturity. Saturn changes signs every two years and takes 28 years to make a complete cycle around the Sun - hence the "Saturn Return" or coming of age when we turn 28 years old. With Saturn, we reap what we sow.

On October 5th Saturn changes signs from Libra to Scorpio which is VERY significant. For the last two years our subtle focus has been on partnerships, balance and commitment. Now the Reaper is entering the sign of Sex and Death for the next two years. Yikes. Scorpio is also the sign of extremes. It rules how high you can go and how low you can fall. It represents death, decay and rebirth as well as sex. It is alchemy - turning a person's leaden nature into pure gold.

Both Saturn and Scorpio are intense, focused and brutally honest. Both of them represent the transformation of the individual on a deep level. Saturn's intensity will now be focused like a laser beam on personal evolution and rebirth. If you've been lacking discipline and responsibility, you're about to get a wake up call!

Onto the horoscopes! I will look at the influence of Saturn on your sign, as well as the position of your ruler. Reading your sun sign is important, but it's also good to read the sign that relates to your Rising sign. If you don't know your rising sign (also called the ascendant), you can figure it out on the Free Horoscopes link at astro.com.

Aries:  The Ram
You still have Uranus (sudden events, originality) in your sign sending you all sorts of wild ideas (this will be going on for the next ten years, fyi). With this placement you have the capacity to be shocking. Have you dyed your hair purple or moved across the country yet? It could happen. The good news is Venus (love) is about to move into your House of Romance on September 7th! It's a great time to start a romance or begin creative projects. 
Saturn's entrance into Scorpio falls into your House of Loans and Real Estate, which might make it challenging to secure credit. With Saturn you "reap what you sow", so if your finances are a mess it's time to get organized! Saturn has a way of forcing issues if you don't take the initiative.


Taurus:   The Bull
The astrological action this Fall will be transiting your House of Partnerships. It will be important for you to keep communications clear with relationships in your life. The good news is your ruler, Venus, will be moving through Leo, Virgo and Libra which are very harmonious signs for Taurus.
With Saturn, and Mars, entering Scorpio (Partnerships House) your relationships could encounter challenges and emotional flare ups. On the other hand, Mars might make you more sociable! Saturn brings up issues around security and Mars can bring a short fuse. Try to keep communications open and your side of the street clean. And take some time for reflection before committing to any partnerships - in your business OR social life.

Gemini:  The Twins

Your ruler, Mercury, is currently moving through your House of Communications which is very fortunate! Your usual mental clarity has been taken up a notch. If you have any writing to do, now is the time.
Saturn moving into Scorpio will fall into your House of Work and Health. If you feel it's time for a new job, don't hesitate to update your resume and start looking. Saturn sets people free from stagnant situations. Or if you want to renew your commitment to your job, Saturn supports that as well. The next two years are a great time to start a new work out routine too.

Cancer:  The Crab

With Venus (planet of Love) transiting Cancer, you are on easy street for the next month or so. Venus brings friends, warmth, romance and money! Meanwhile, on the other side of your chart, Pluto in Capricorn brings some powerful personalities into your life. Don't be put off by the dark, brooding types for those relationships hold the seeds of personal transformation.
Saturn entering the deep ocean of Scorpio will bring tremendous focus on Love and Creativity. Now is the time to tackle anything creative that takes persistence and focus to accomplish. Saturn will make you dead serious about dating too. No frilly affairs, laziness or procrastination for the next two years. You mean business.


Leo:  The Lion

Mercury was traveling Retrograde in Leo through your birthday season this year! That could have caused delays with projects and misunderstandings with people. The good news is its all over now! Your ruler the Sun has entered Virgo (your Money House) bringing good financial news your way. Venus will be entering Leo on September 7th boosting your sex appeal. The Fall season will be great for your love life.
Saturn's transition into Scorpio on October 5th heralds a two year focus on your foundations - namely Home and Security. You might resolve some unfinished business with roommates or strike out on your own. Saturn can bring new maturity to the personal side of your life. According to Grant Lewi, this is the time to find a direction that will spark a new rise in your life.

Virgo:  The Virgin

The Sun is in Virgo heralding your annual solar return (birthday). Your ruler, Mercury, is Direct for the next few months so it's a time of forward motion. Mercury is moving fast through Virgo, Libra and Scorpio this Fall. You will be putting a lot of focus onto getting organized and negotiating relationships.
Saturn's entrance into Scorpio (House of Communications) will bring a new seriousness and depth to how you express yourself over the next two years. Honesty, truth and trust will become the key factor in your relationships. If you can't be authentic with people they will get the boot.

Libra:  The Scales

Mars and Saturn are in the last degrees of Libra and you are about to experience a release of pressure! Saturn has been transiting your sign for the past two years forcing you to face the reality and structure of your life. Hopefully you've ironed out any lingering identity issues and are ready to take a more decisive approach to life's challenges.
With Saturn entering Scorpio on October 5th, the realistic eye of Saturn turns to your financial life. It's time to get organized and create a solid budget. If there's some area of your career that requires persistence and commitment, you will be over supplied with those qualities.

Scorpio:  The Scorpion
Scorpio will get a massive power boost. Your ruling planet, Mars, will be entering your sign along with Saturn this Fall.  It means you can put ambition together with perfect timing - a winning combination. Saturn will wrap you in a leaden blanket of support, giving you greater protection for the next two years. As for love, you will have a tremendous amount of sex appeal!
The main thing for you though, is reflection and new growth around how you see yourself. Saturn moving into Scorpio is the start of a period of self reflection and clarification of your identity and your path on this planet. Who do you want to be?


Sagittarius:  The Archer
Your ruler, Jupiter (Good Fortune and Luck), is transiting your House of Partnerships. This is a fantastic time to make connections that will bring prosperity into your life. Now is the time to negotiate for what you want! Business relationships are highlighted.
Saturn moving into Scorpio on October 5th ushers in a time to purge the situations, behaviors and negative thoughts that hold you back. Resolve the parts of your life that feel vague or undefined, because in two years Saturn will be entering your sign. This will usher in a new phase of your life. By spending the next two years on purification, you will be ready.

Capricorn:  The Sea Goat
Your horoscope this Fall is VERY interesting. Your ruler, Saturn, is entering Scorpio, while Scorpio's ruling planet, Pluto, is in Capricorn. This is referred to as "mutual reception" which means Authority (Saturn) meets Revolution (Pluto). Both of these planets and signs are extreme so there could be brilliant discoveries and brutal revolutions played out on the world stage. This is a very rare event that will effect us on a personal level too. Who has authority over us and is it time for a radical change? The last time this configuration happened was 1776 - the Revolutionary War in America.
This drama will be occurring in your House of Friendships. There might be some friendships that need a realistic assessment. You might receive a new leadership role at work, or there might be extra responsibilities involving groups of people at work. This is a time of great personal revolution for you that will lead to a more meaningful future.

 

Aquarius:  The Water Bearer
Your ruler, Uranus, is in Aries for the next decade giving you inspiration and tons of energy. Also, Jupiter (Good Fortune) is transiting your House of Romance and Creativity! There's a real chance to meet a very special someone over the next several months so get out there and socialize!
Saturn's move into Scorpio on October 5th falls in your 10th House of Career and Public Image. With Saturn you reap what you've sown, so if there's any unfinished issues or fears regarding career they will come up now. It's a good thing because it gives you the opportunity to build a solid foundation for your life.

 

Pisces:  The Fish
You have a deep connection to your creativity and imagination right now, since your ruler, Neptune, has come home to your sign. It's an incredibly fortuitous moment for you. Beware of issues around addiction surfacing too. Be vigilant about your tendencies toward escapism and keep the focus on accomplishing goals.
Saturn moving into Scorpio brings a spotlight onto your 9th House of Life Perspective and Education. You are more than willing to put in the time, persistence and hard work to make your dreams a reality. What you do now will set the direction of your life for the next five years.

Venus moves Direct in Gemini! Day of Love

Wednesday, June 27, 2012 - Day of Mercury
Sun is in Cancer
Moon is waxing in Libra AND Venus went Direct in Gemini this morning at 8:07am PST.
There's a lot of Romance and Good Feeling today as Venus stations above us and the Moon trines her in Libra. It's a great day to make agreements, talk to loved ones and conduct business.

New Moon in Aries ~ Thursday, March 22, 2012

New Moon at 3º Aries

7:37am Pacific Time

Today is significant because we begin a new astrological year. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, so the Sun's entrance into Aries heralds the beginning of Spring and the time of growth and rebirth. This is the day to look ahead and set your intentions for the coming year. What would you like to accomplish in 2012?

The next two weeks are the perfect time to start moving towards a goal. The words for Aries are "I Am". Our path and reason for being on Earth are up for review. And actually, "review" is the buzzword for the next two weeks since Mars - the ruler of Aries - is currently retrograding (going backwards) through Virgo!

Our goals are in front of us, but we will be sharpening our tools and getting ready for a big leap forward on April 13th when Mars goes Direct.

Let's look a little more at "Will" too...

Crowley (the founder of Thelema) defined our Will as: "a person's grand destiny in life" and "a moment to moment path of action that operates in perfect harmony with Nature. This Will does not spring from conscious intent, but from the interplay between the deepest Self and the entire Universe. Thelemites in touch with their True Will are said to have eliminated or bypassed their false desires, conflicts, and habits, and accessed their connection with the divine. Theoretically, at this point, the Thelemite acts in alignment with Nature, just as a stream flows downhill, with neither resistance nor "lust of result."

I think this concept is remarkable, and I try to live my life in concert with my Higher Power's blueprint. 

And then there's this FABULOUS quote I heard during the film "The Iron Lady":

“Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become… habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny! What we think we become.”

- Margaret Thatcher

She was wrong about a lot of things but that quote is SO true.

And now, onto the horoscopes! We will look at the influence of Mars and Mercury Retrogrades on your sign, as well as the position of your ruler. Your Sun sign is important, but please read the horoscope for your Rising sign too! If you don't know your rising sign (also called the ascendant), you can figure it out on the Free Horoscopes link at astro.com.

Aries:  The Ram 

It's your birthday season and the start of your personal revolution. The New Moon is shining on YOU like a spotlight. This is your time to shine so make the most of it. Some of your wonderful ideas will be on hold through April though, since your ruler, Mars, is traveling backwards through Virgo. This brings up a reexamination of issues around Work and your Health.



Taurus: The Bull

The Sun is traveling through your House of Self Undoing for the next few weeks. This could bring revelations on how you've REALLY outgrown some of your habits. Are you ready to make some deep changes? It's high time to let go of things that no longer serve you, so you can experience a rebirth when your birthday comes around next month.

Gemini:  The Twins 

There could be a lot of drama in your friendship circle for the next month. The New Moon in Aries, Mercury Retrograde (your ruler), and Uranus are all there causing sudden changes and unpredictable events. The good news is it will be going on around you, but not affecting you directly. Meanwhile, retrograde Mars in Virgo is kicking up dirt in your home life. Focus on being a peace maker and taking care of yourself. No need to carry around other people's problems.

Cancer:  The Crab

From today through much of April, the main activity in the skies will be occurring in your House of Public Image and Career. The New Moon has landed here along with Mercury Ret. and Uranus (for the next 10 years!!!), bringing huge attention to your originality but some tests for your communication skills. Try not to sign any binding contracts - if you have to double check the fine print. Beyond that, let your eccentricity shine! Unveil your wild ideas at work! You might be hailed as a revolutionary.

Leo:  The Lion
It's time for your Spring vacation! The Sun, Uranus and Mercury Ret. are traveling through your House of Travel and Perspective for the next few weeks. This is what Leos do all the time anyway, so it will be a great month. Some deep insights regarding your inner self are showing up. It's a great time to set some personal goals! Travel, philosophy and education are also highlighted.

Virgo:  The Virgin
The New Moon in Aries lights up your House of Other People's Money. New information brings positive movement regarding debts, loans or real estate. You also have Mars (Big Energy) traveling through your 1st House of Self. This stirs up and shifts how people view you. It can make you more assertive, but also a bit cranky so take some solitude if you need it. If difficulties come up in a relationship, wait until you've both calmed down to work it out.

 

Libra:  The Scales
The New Moon has landed in your House of Partnerships along with some real heavyweights - Uranus and Mercury Retrograde. The next month is a time where relationships take center stage and come up for review. Mercury Retrograde can bring back some old flames for reevaluation and/or resolution. The planet Uranus (which will be here for the next ten years!!) brings oddball geniuses. Get to know someone REALLY well before committing! And THEN wait until the middle of April.

Scorpio:  The Scorpion 
The New Moon lights up your House of Work and Health, offering a chance to reevaluate these areas of your life. Pay attention to your habits. Get enough sleep, good food and exercise. Back to the basics! With Mercury Retrograde here, and your ruler Mars retrograding in your House of Career, make sure communications are clear and well thought out in the work place. 



Sagittarius:  The Archer
The New Moon shines in your House of Romance, which is good. There's other planets there which make it a little bittersweet - namely Mercury Ret., and Uranus. The Mercury Retrograde might bring the return of old flames, while Uranus brings in oddball geniuses... and Uranus will be doing this for the next ten years. Explore your creativity through art and music. These are good ways to channel some of the Uranian chaos. Meanwhile the Mars Retrograde kicks up dust in your House of Career. Be patient with projects and recognition at work, and try to be a peacekeeper.

Capricorn:  The Sea Goat
You will receive insight and positive direction regarding your home life over the next few weeks. The Sun, Uranus and Mercury Ret. are joining you in the places where you spend most of your time. Look for some erratic (but positive) changes occurring in your home life and community. The only smudge on your plans is the Mercury Retrograde in the same area. The luck still exists it just might need some negotiation or coaxing. 

Aquarius:  The Water Bearer 

It's all about communication and learning for you this month. Your self expression will be in full bloom over the next several weeks. People will be receptive to your ideas, but remember to listen to others as well. Mercury (your ruler) is going Retrograde in the same spot, giving your path some twists and turns. Follow truth and reality and you'll be fine. Be honest, clear and truthful in negotiations with people this month.


Pisces:  The Fish   

Your new nickname is "moneybags". The New Moon in Aries has landed in your Money House bringing all kinds of opportunities your way. However, with Mars retrograde in Virgo you'll have to watch out for the hot heads facing you in all the different areas of your life. Luckily, you have Jupiter (Good Luck) and Venus (Attraction) floating through your House of Communication, which eases any friction. You will end April on a financial high note.

Why Does Daydreaming Get Such a Bad Rap?

A FABULOUS article by Christina Frank!

Why Does Daydreaming Get Such a Bad Rap?

Call someone a daydreamer and you may as well just call them a flake, a space cadet, or a slacker.

Why are we so down on daydreaming?

Many years ago I had a falling-out with a girlfriend   that proved so painful, I can hardly talk about it today. My friend (let's call her Mary) was a colorful television personality and had the world at her feet. She was engaged to a handsome European, and her face was plastered across the newspapers. I was working for 60 Minutes at the time, and we often met for lunch. Then one day her show was canceled and she asked me - casually, as though it didn't really matter...

"Daydreaming is looked upon negatively because it represents 'non-doing' in a society that emphasizes productivity," says John McGrail, a clinical hypnotherapist in Los Angeles. "We are under constant pressure to do, achieve, produce, succeed."

But daydreaming can be beneficial in many ways and, ironically, can actually boost productivity. Plus, it's something almost everyone does naturally. Psychologists estimate that we daydream for one-third to one-half of our waking hours, although a single daydream lasts only a few minutes...



Daniel Ridgway Knight "Daydreaming"

Tarot Illuminati by Erik Dunn

I just discovered this beautiful tarot deck and wanted to share some of the cards with you. The deck is in production and will be released this year.

More details can be found here at Tarot Illuminati

 

The Fool

Nine of Coins

 

Two Of Swords

Seven Of Cups

Four Of Swords

 The Empress

The High Priestess

Strength

Temperance

Death

Ten Of Cups 

The World's Largest 3D Street Painting

The World's Largest 3D Street Painting: British artist Joe Hill drew the world's largest and longest 3D anamorphic street painting in the Canary Wharf district of London.

Before and After: Portraits from a Month of Meditation

This is AMAZING! Look at the difference in these faces!

Link: Before and After: Portraits from a Month of Meditation