Joseph Campbell and Right Livelihood (finding the right job!)

I believe in this statement below with all my heart. And since Virgo is the sign of work and service, it fits nicely in today's New Moon in Virgo:

"I think a person who takes a job in order to live––that is to say, for the money––has turned himself into a slave. WORK begins when you don't like what you're doing. There's a wise saying: make your hobby your source of income. Then there's no such thing as work, and there's no such thing as getting tired. That's been my experience. I did just what I wanted to do. It takes a little courage at first, because who the hell wants you to do just what you want to do; they've all got a lot of plans for you. But you can make it happen. I think it's very important for a young person to have the courage to do what seems to him significant in his life, and not just take a job in order to make money. But this takes a bit of prudence and very careful planning, and may delay financial achievement and comfortable living. But the ultimate result will be very much to his pleasure."

Joseph Campbell, An Open Life (with Michael Toms)

"How do you find the divine power in yourself? The word enthusiasm means 'filled with a god,' so what makes you enthusiastic? Follow it. That's been my advice to young people who ask me, 'What shall I do?' I taught once in a boys' prep school. That's the moment for young boys––or it used to be; I don't know what's going on now––when they had to decide their life courses. You know, where are they going? And they're caught with excitement. This one wants to study art, this one poetry, this one anthropology. But dad says study law; that's where the money is. OK, that's the decision. And you know what my answer would be––where your enthusiasm is. So I have a little word: follow your bliss. The bliss is the message of God to yourself. That's where your life is."

Joseph Campbell, interviewed by Jeffrey Mishlove ("Thinking Allowed: Understanding Mythology")

 

Dharma Wheel

"The dharma represents the teachings of the Buddha.This mandala represents "The Four Noble Truths" and the eightfold path of right view, right intention, right action, right speech, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration."

Horoscopes for August - September

New Moon in Virgo this morning at 7:13am PDT. Today we start fresh and begin a new month long moon cycle. Virgo is about cleaning up and attending to details.

Now is when we focus on our health and start new, positive habits. Virgo contains the seeds of success! It's the first harvest sign of the year, and signals our first move towards Fall. It's time to get serious and decide what or who we want to bring with us through the Winter.

Virgo succeeds because it is practical. It attends to details and because of it's Airy nature it uses scientific thinking rather than emotional communication. Virgo is the main sign that can set a goal and take practical steps to achieve it - therefore assuring success. If there's something you want to create what are the practical, mundane things that need to occur for it to happen? Burn yellow, gold and green candles for wealth.

I think Mother Nature is communicating with us too with that huge earthquake in Napa yesterday. Virgo is an earth sign ruled by Mercury, and I found it interesting that the earth shook the day before this new moon.

The horoscopes below show the focus for the next month. Read your Sun sign, but look at your Rising sign or Ascendant too. This gives me the most accurate read for the month.

Aries:  The Ram
The Sun and Mercury are traveling through your House of Work and Health for the next few weeks. You will shine at work and it's a great time to negotiate with your boss. Try not to get swept up in other people's objectives and stay focused on your goals. Meanwhile, Jupiter, Venus and Lilith are hanging out in your House of Romance and Creativity - so that corner of your life should be getting a HUGE boost right now.

Taurus:   The Bull
This is a great time of year for you! Mercury and the Sun are traveling through your House of Romance! It's the most important part of life for Taureans. Your creativity is being activated the next few weeks too so write some poems for your sweetheart. Jupiter (luck), Lilith (equalizer) and Venus (love) are traveling through your Home, giving you the energy to redecorate the places you feel most secure - including yourself.

Gemini:  The Twins
The strong current of fortunate opportunity is running through your home life for the next few weeks. You can attract the people and resources you need to feel more secure... not just your Home but your state of mind too. It's a very powerful time for Gemini people. Jupiter (good luck) is now forging a path through your House of Communication. Expect harmonious negotiations with people.

Cancer:  The Crab
Good fortune will come to you through Communications over the next several weeks. This means person to person, but also through the computer. It's a great time to start an online business or other project. Reflect on your current path. With the Sun and Mercury here, the conditions are ripe for you to achieve a new level of fulfillment. Meanwhile, Jupiter (luck) and Venus (love) are in your Money House tossing financial opportunities in your direction for the next year.

Leo:  The Lion
You are a VERY lucky lion. Two fortunate planets - the Sun and Mercury - are moving through your Money House the next few weeks. This sends you great financial luck. September will be a great month and you will finally get some traction with money issues. Not only that but Jupiter (luck), Venus (love), and Lilith (rebellion) in your sign supercharge your life for the next year. This doesn't happen often so make the most of it.

Virgo: The Virgin
Happy Birthday! This is a fantastic time of year for you. Your ruler Mercury is in Virgo - giving you a lot of forward motion. Over the next few weeks you will go through your solar rebirth. It will touch on your appearance, how you interact with others and your overall approach to life. What would you like to see happen in your life over the next year?

Libra:   The Scales
You have some fortunate planets moving through your House of Spirituality. This brings the opportunity to undo your self sabotaging behaviors, which I think is the best gift of all. With Saturn and Mars in residence in your Money House, it's definitely time to get serious about your money goals in life. Prepare to have some obstacles cleared from your path. 

Scorpio:   The Scorpion
Good Fortune and Romance come through your social circle this month! This applies to contacts you make over the internet too. Meanwhile Jupiter (luck), Venus (love) and Lilith (bitch goddess) are moving forward through your Career House sending great opportunities your way. But the big news is your ruler, Mars (courage) and Saturn (responsibility) sitting in Scorpio. You're feeling intense drive to make solid strides in your goals. Busy month ahead.

Sagittarius:  The Archer
CAREER. PROMOTION. MONEY!! These are your buzzwords for the next month! The benefics (fortunate) planets, the Sun and Mercury, are in your Career giving you INCREDIBLE opportunities and luck! This part of your chart also rules the public face you show to the world, so it can mean a rise in status too! Jupiter (luck) is moving forward in your House of Other People's Money, so it's a fabulous time to negotiate agreements. You can't lose.

Capricorn:  The Sea Goat
The Sun and Mercury are moving through your House of Perspective and Travel over the next few weeks! You will gain new insights about your life, both in the present and where you're headed. Pay close attention to any revelations you have in September! Higher education is also enhanced so if you're heading to school you will have a blast - socially and in the classroom.

Aquarius:  The Water Bearer
The focus for September will be Banks, Credit and Shared Resources. The Sun and Mercury are beneficial influences in this area for you, so if you need a loan now's the time. If you're in the market for a new house, you will find the perfect one. Financial arrangements line up in your favor for the next month so make the most of it.

Pisces:  The Fish
Virgo is beaming some glorious relationship mojo your way for the next few weeks. It's a special time because Virgo is your polar opposite, meaning partnerships are highlighted. With Mercury and the Sun traveling through Virgo, you have strong positive force on your side. This is the month to find that special someone, or to deepen the bonds you already have with a partner. Business relationships will also be harmonious, and you can attract resources and prosperity.

Robin William's Astrological Life Chart

I'm so stunned and sad over the news of Robin Williams' passing. This is a tragedy. I grew up watching him, like all of us. I was floored by his talent and the type of person he seemed to be - so radiant and joyful. And he loved San Francisco where I've lived since 1981. I had the good fortune to cross paths with him one day and he was sparkling and friendly just as I had imagined he'd be. He was really sweet to my dog too :)

I relate to the depression he suffered from. I've struggled with it my whole life and I'm heartbroken to see how it manifested for him. It's a serious health issue and I hope people give mental health even more respect and empathy as they grieve this loss.

Below is Robin's natal birth chart. The black planetary symbols in the center houses (marked 1 to 12) are his birth chart for July 21st, 1951 in Chicago. The outer green planetary symbols are where the planets transited yesterday, August 11, 2014 in Tiburon, CA. 

First off...  I didn't know he was a triple water sign! Sun in Cancer, Moon in Pisces and Scorpio rising. Water signs are emotional signs - and to have all three at the forefront is significant. 

People with Scorpio rising often have a deep, hidden side. Scorpio represents the ocean depths, and it feels deeply. It has a secretive nature. So a Scorpio rising person will often be quite different behind the scenes of their life. I think Robin's sensitivity added to his brilliance as a performer. Mercury on his midheaven in Leo gave him a quicksilver delivery. He was born to be a performer, and came from the great generation of actors born in the 40's and 50's when Pluto was in Leo.

I became curious as to what happened yesterday that led him to this tragic decision, and immediately saw the planet Neptune was passing over his Moon in Pisces.

Neptune is the ruler of Pisces, and reflects our desire to unite with the Cosmic Whole.... it is the great Cosmic Ocean that unites all of us. It's the underlying unity of the world and all of humanity, it's God. But Neptune is the planet of illusion. The Moon rules our emotions and was right there, in a conjunction with Neptune IN the watery sign Pisces. I can see how one could become lost and overwhelmed with emotion during this transit.

AND the Moon was Full. It was a Super Moon in Aquarius, sign of the genius. It's such a bright, illuminated time to exit this world. There's nothing brighter than the yearly Full Moon in Aquarius, which comes every August.

Neptune and the Moon are also within a few degrees of Robin's North Node which represents our destiny. There must have been a feeling of fate here too.

Add to that, Pluto was in opposition to his Mars and Uranus in Cancer - bringing even more emotion erupting from deep within. Mars and Pluto create the image of a volcano erupting, while the planet Uranus brings sudden change... like a flash. Uranus is like a bolt of lightning coming out of nowhere. It brings shocking actions and insights in a flash.

It's a terribly challenging cosmic stew that was brewing for Robin on August 11, and I hope he has found peace. I pray he has united with the God of his heart, and can see and feel how much we all love him.

Full Moon in Aquarius - Supermoon!

Today is a Full Super Moon in Aquarius. Moon of the Free Agent. Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, which is currently in the sign of Aries and trining (in good angle) to Lilith (rebellion), the Sun (ego), and Mercury (thought) in Leo. The giant gas planet Jupiter (fortune) is also close by in Leo. Issues of standing out and being noticed versus blending in with the crowd are UP. Aquarius is the sign of individuality and adhering to your nature, which is important to stand out and lead others like Leo. I vote for putting yourself out there and taking some risks.

This is a time for the eccentric to turn their crazy ideas into a profession.

Be a revolutionary like my favorite Aquarian, Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols. He defines the sign. A forward thinker who took a chance, literally risked his life, and started a revolution. He was chased through the streets of London by people with knives at one point, but he did it anyway. His imagination and inventiveness changed EVERYTHING and caught the music industry completely off guard. I doubt we'll see that again.

Uranus rules vision, science, genius, change, lightning, revolution, shamanism, insight, non-comformity - but mostly Progressiveness. Uranus shakes things up that have become stale, so we can do things in a fresh new way. Odd there's been so many lightning strikes lately in the news.

The one thing to watch out for is Saturn in Scorpio. This squares the Moon and the Sun and can tempt you to meddle in other people's affairs or get caught up in their drama. Don't do it! Keep the focus on you and your work.

The "Super Moon" side of things just means these issues might be really in your face. No avoiding them anymore. We can experience different ways of seeing things regarding feelings and emotions. This is a great day to turn everything upside down and take another perspective.

Lammas, August 2: First Harvest Festival of the year

At sunset this evening we began the first harvest festival of the year. It is called Lammas or Lughnasad - named for the God Lugh meaning "light" or "sun god". The second harvest is on September 21 and the third and last harvest is Halloween. It's traditional to jump over bonfires on these days and make wishes for the year. This is the ripest, most luscious time of the year! Everything is coming to fruition, or it's high point. The seeds we planted in the Spring are ready to be harvested.

 From the School Of the Seasons site, "The Celts celebrate this festival from sunset August 1 until sunset August 2, and call it Lughnasad after the God Lugh. It is the wake of Lugh, the Sun-King, whose light begins to dwindle after the summer solstice."

They also share the ancient Celtic story of the dying king of summer as a sacrifice to the harvest to come. Be sure and check it out. 

Here are some other thoughts from this article that sum this season up perfectly:

"Lammas is a festival of regrets and farewells, of harvest and preserves. Reflect on these topics alone in the privacy of your journal or share them with others around a fire. Lughnasad is one of the great Celtic fire-festivals, so if at all possible, have your feast around a bonfire. While you're sitting around the fire, you might want to tell stories. Look up the myths of any of the grain Gods and Goddesses mentioned above and try re-telling them in your own words. 

Regrets: Think of the things you meant to do this summer or this year that are not coming to fruition. You can project your regrets onto natural objects like pine cones and throw them into the fire, releasing them. Or you can write them on dried corn husks (as suggested by Nancy Brady Cunningham in Feeding the Spirit) or on a piece of paper and burn them.

Farewells: What is passing from your life? What is over? Say good-bye to it. As with regrets, you can find visual symbols and throw them into the fire, the lake or the ocean. You can also bury them in the ground, perhaps in the form of bulbs which will manifest in a new form in spring.

Harvest: What have you harvested this year? What seeds have your planted that are sprouting? Find a visual way to represent these, perhaps creating a decoration in your house or altar which represents the harvest to you. Or you could make a corn dolly or learn to weave wheat. Look for classes in your area which can teach you how to weave wheat into wall pieces, which were made by early grain farmers as a resting place for the harvest spirits.

Preserves: This is also a good time for making preserves, either literally or symbolically. As you turn the summer's fruit into jams, jellies and chutneys for winter, think about the fruits that you have gathered this year and how you can hold onto them. How can you keep them sweet in the store of your memory?"