The Aspen Institute has selected Santa Cruz Mayor Ryan Coonerty for a 2008 Rodel Fellowship, making him one of 24 elected officials from across the country that comprise the...
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Esoteric Astrology as news for week Nov. 11-17, 2008
Early morning Thursday is the Full Moon at 21 degrees
Scorpio/Taurus. The NGWS invites everyone to the festival by reciting
the Great Invocation. We are in Scorpio, sign, along with Taurus, of
resources, money and finances. Scorpio creates a battle (Mars) in order
to reorient (turn upside down, a Ray 4 process) the lesser values to
the higher. Scorpio (humanity) is always the triumphant warrior. Thus
the meditative Full Moon seed thought for Scorpio: “Warrior am I and
from the battle I emerge triumphant.” Humanity is in battle at present
to reorient our financial reality, from materialism (personality) to
world sharing (Soul). Which leads to the concept of Financial
Permaculture, two seemingly contradictory terms but actually quite
compatible and necessary during these present financial times.
Permaculture is a design system based upon observing how ecosystems (or
any systems) interact. Its purpose is the formation of sustainable
habitats (whether human, agricultural, cultural, financial,
governmental, etc.). Permaculture principles are based upon core values
or ethics (Earthcare, Peoplecare, Fairshare). From these bio-diversity
(variety) and sustainability are created. The word permaculture
combines the words permanent (perma) and (agri) culture. Understanding
this definition, we can apply permaculture to all systems and human
endeavors.
Financial Permaculture looks at our accepted financial structures,
sees that they are unsustainable and thus dissolving, and, through
observation and study within groups, seeks sustainable financial
structures in line with the emerging new culture and civilization.
Google permaculture for more information. Permaculture is also at the
core of the new Transition Towns emerging all over the world. Is your
town (village, city) a Transition town? Santa Cruz just became a
Transition Town. What is a Transition Town? See transitiontowns.org.
ARIES: All areas of finance and resources, both personal and with
others, stands in a light in front of you. Tend to them with care and
concentration, efficiency, economy and strength. Accomplish this in
time increments. You may uncover more resources than you think you
have. So many things are hidden. And so it’s time to uncover them.
Remember others who have much less. Share and tithe. It creates great
abundance.
TAURUS: You want to sail swiftly into the future with new ideas and
plans but there are so few who are able to help, few with your same
vision, and even less with your stamina. Strive for poise during these
transition times and while you’re at it storm heaven with requests for
those who can ably, intelligently and financially assist you to appear
on your doorstep. Your prayers will prepare them.
GEMINI: Deep feelings, perhaps unresolved and from the past, emerge
and play themselves out in your present life and relationships. Careful
what you think and say and do. Careful that you don’t become part of
the difficulty. You may feel vulnerable. Don’t hide this for everyone
will be vulnerable, too. Showing yours breaks down any barriers
obstructing heart-felt communication and contact. You want love. Make
those contacts first.
CANCER: You may experience rebelliousness - the result of stress and
the constant changes occurring to everyone everywhere. The pulse of
humanity and the country courses through your body. This calls for
stabilization within even as impatience flares. Some immediate sense of
purpose keeps you no longer within the safety of home. Make changes in
small ways. Don’t look at the big picture lest you swoon with
overwhelm. The full moon brings blessings.
LEO: It seems you want both stability and freedom, both all at once.
This week should bring heightened intuition so observe your thoughts.
Their brilliance forms the nucleus for creative activities you long to
bring forth. Is your work stultifying while also serving financial
needs? We come back again to your need for stability and for freedom. A
sudden revelation occurs concerning these.
VIRGO: Small changes are occurring in your personal life in small
ways. They are the seeds of the future which will be life-changing.
Have the intention to break free from restlessness so you can move
toward emotional independence. It feels hard to move forward sometimes.
Allow your inner spiritual intentions to hold you in the present.
Transformation is coming for a long visit.
LIBRA: You are called to a past situation and then to a
present-future one. The past holds and keeps you within the realms of
emotionally risky behavior. The present/future creates optimism and
true realism. One contains judgment, the other love. One keeps you
spiritual lonely. The other shifts you into a loving community. Can you
identify the two sides and where you’re positioned? Forgiveness is
alchemy.
SCORPIO: You’re anticipating change and it’s almost here, coming
with a revelatory impact. Since you live within this field constantly,
it won’t surprise you. You’ll find your usual resiliency intact and a
model for others. Being the warrior of the zodiac, you’re preparing for
the coming times where the death of the old will happen in the blink of
an illumined eye. You’re strength will be called upon. Begin to
exercise more now.
SAGITTARIUS: You become a paradox. Restless yet tied down
(psychologically), responsible yet rebellious, seeking security yet
craving freedom, pleased yet dissatisfied and stimulated with
conflicts. If you allow these contradictions to work with you, new
insights will occur. So don’t push them away. They are part of the Ray
4 (Harmony Through Conflict) that Sag works within and through to bring
new consciousness forth. Don’t rock the boat too much.
CAPRICORN: Do you feel you’re on a seesaw between structured
responsibility and rebellious freedom? Are your radical ideas beginning
to challenge and upset the apple cart of everything everyone else in
your world accepts? As you continue to have newer world visions, others
will have to reorient to your ways of thinking or be left behind. But
sometimes you simply want to be like everyone else and go back home and
rest awhile. But you remember home never was like that so you forge
onward. We’ll walk with you.
AQUARIUS: Out and about in the world you go meeting with important
people, experiencing your own particular type of honor and popularity,
building your social and business reputation and career, tending to
financial responsibilities, developing new business criteria, knowing
you’re climbing the ladder of success, and doing more than you’re
capable of yet succeeding no matter what. It’s time, isn’t it? Keep
going, keep planning.
PISCES: You’ll want to escape the disruptive influences that may
well intrude into your plans and daily agendas. You’ll need flexibility
in great amounts as interruptions and unexpected events occur. You
cannot prepare for what will happen. You can only soothe the waters
with knowledge that what occurs is redesigning your professional (and
personal) life in ways you could never have created yourself. You’re
lucky, sensible and smart. And being looked after.
Esoteric Astrology as news for week Oct. 30-Nov. 5
November 4 is the day most of us have been waiting for. On that day, here in the United States, humanity rises up (off the couch) and, using its voice, chooses the next president. I remind all of us that everyone on Saturday Night Live votes and that voting is a responsibility, right and a privilege. Voting is easy – just see rockthevote.com . As mentioned in previous columns, voting day is not only v/c but has the major transit of structural (Saturn) upheaval (Uranus) or the first of five Saturn in Virgo opposite Uranus in Pisces transits in the sky. Some seers say the vote will be close, especially the first half of the day. We all know the best choice for president during these times. We all know who is capable of leading humanity, with firm loving understanding, into the Light “that leads the Way.” And we all know who would best represent our country to the rest of the world. Thursday, voting day, is v/c till 3:41 p.m. (west coast), 6:41 p.m. (east coast). Friday is Halloween. Glam gloom, urban warrior, rags to riches, or Amy Winehouse (ratted hair, tight skirts, etc), sad and tattered seem appropriate costume choices for our disastrous unknowing times. Make an All Hallows bonfire and make s’mores with gingersnaps (instead of graham crackers). Halloween is a good day and evening. Nothing’s lurking in darkness or shadows. Except candy. Sunday Daylight Savings time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday is moon in Capricorn, the sign that rules time as we know it. Monday’s very difficult. Tuesday we vote. Wednesday’s Aquarius moon informs all of us all what the future in the United States will be like. Ohm…
ARIES: The issues you’re facing have to do with shared things with another – like money and possessions and belongings. The issues are also about things close and intimate, financial things like taxes and loans, serious things like knowing you need a change from the usual. It’s been a long year and you’ve been busy. The work isn’t letting up, but you can take a few days away. Try to.
TAURUS: You feel so deeply compelled to do the work of multiple people. Even when the situation is unbearable you find a way to push right through. There are health concerns. Are you tending to them and giving yourself the same (or more) care you’re showering on others. I think not. I want to engage you in a discussion about your health and ask that this become a primary focus for a while. We’ll help you.
GEMINI: Three realities seem to converge upon you these days…relationship issues, health and work issues and then, feeling that the changes on the planet are deeply significant and wondering what your position, place and actual work will be in the future. A clue is the answer to this question. What inspires you these days? There’s a revolution occurring with all that’s green. Find out all about this.
CANCER: Are you finding everything both hard and soft, high and low, inward and outward, simple and yet so complex? Changes in the way you think are occurring due to input of new and vital information not many people know about. You may think you’re not retaining this information but you actually are absorbing it through your body. Later it will make more sense. Tend to what hurts.
LEO: There are so many tasks at home, and perhaps some very internal issues need tending. What is occurring with relationships? As you attempt to move forward, there are deep deep feelings and emotions and then several wounds erupt and they play cat and mouse…they’re here and they’re gone only to reappear again later. Feelings of vulnerability occur with others. Maintain a bit more solitude. Eat well.
VIRGO: If you feel you’re lost in daily routines even while walking from room to room, if you can’t seem to find anything and don’t know where you’ve placed important objects, it’s because your usual direct and focus mind is being influenced by the god of the waters, Neptune. Things dissolve in order that they later can be refined and spiritualized. As you talk realize you communicate so you can understand yourself more clearly.
LIBRA: You try to be in more control and discipline yourself because so many times you simply feel in a state of chaos and conflict. Know this is so you can move forward with more clarity. These conflictual states are like rainstorms. They wash away the constantly gathering dust. You want to communicate about something but find it difficult. So you’re silent. This isn’t easy. Find something quietly creative to do.
SCORPIO: You are vitally busy. So many realities call to you that it’s difficult to decide how you can accomplish it all…and you simply can’t. So the reality is you’ll have to choose what actions to focus on, who to be with, where to go and what you truly expect of yourself. It’s not easy, you’re conflicted (which isn’t new), but you’ll find your focus and this focus provides you with added self-identity.
SAGITTARIUS: It’s possible you’ve come to the end of a long road where transformation was the only road sign you could understand and you railed against it but if you think back to your life 10 or more years previous, you’re a completely new and different person. You’ve been considering new forms of work and income. Within the year these will manifest. These issues are so big it took them a long time to form. While you’re waiting, be charismatic. It’s an attractive force.
CAPRICORN: Continue to build, construct, architect, formulate, plan and craft your artistic and creative endeavors. Secret out solitary time where with no interruptions and a long flow of time to accomplish great amounts of work. You remain both in the world and yet a bit hidden both of which are good for you at this time. Be careful with activities. You could hurt yourself.
AQUARIUS: Your career and presence in the world move swiftly forward. You’re happy and enthusiastic, thinking about more projects. Keep thinking about this future yet remain very careful with the present goals. You’ll find both sides of your mind working overtime in the coming weeks. One side says you can have everything. The other side hears Saturn saying, “Maintain discipline and discernment with desires”. Neutrality emerges at week’s end.
PISCES: There may be difficulty with close intimates or partners. A new paradigm and archetype need to be created between you. A rebalancing and a new bottom line. You could feel separate and alone or the issue of marriage may come forth. You are changing and although you attempt to communicate the issues, they are either not heard or understood. Tend to your grief with Ignatus Amara and don’t lose confidence.
Esoteric Astrology as news for week Oct. 23-29, 2008
If you didn’t see Naomi Klein at the Rio last week, get her book “Shock Doctrine”. The UN is 63 years old Friday, Oct 24th. And the Declaration of Human Rights, written by Eleanor Roosevelt, is 60 years old this year. The inner esoteric groups within the UN are working together to bring focus upon the spirituality and values of the UN through talks and meetings (http://www.csvgc-ny.org/ ) and there’s even a birthday cake on Friday if anyone’s on the east coast visiting Manhattan (a spiritual inlet) that day. The UN, with its 180 flags flapping in the wind, sits on international territory overlooking the East River. With Scorpio Sun, the UN’s purpose is often misunderstood.
In Santa Cruz Friday night (Oct. 24th), the local United Nations Association hosts a UN birthday dinner (J. Schultz as chef). Tickets are at the UN gift shop inside Coffee Roasting. Join me there, everyone.
New Moon at 6 degrees Scorpio is Tuesday afternoon. Join the NGWS by reciting the Great Invocation. Wednesday at noon, I’ll be on the radio (from Los Angeles, heart center of the U.S.). For details see http://www.blogtalkradio.com/awakenings . (Read more at www.nightlightnews.com )
ARIES: It is time for a new course of study and intellectual discipline. It is most important to be practical, to think ahead about what may be needed, to research and plan. This is where the intellectual discipline comes in. Your Aries gifts and talents initiate new realities and projects. Your Aries mind (on the Soul level, Mercury ruled) sees the big picture, the one that creates the new culture and civilization. Your tasks concerning the future are many. Know this.
TAURUS: You are becoming more and more aware of subtle realities. This is because your purpose is to use your senses, desires, aspirations, mind and finances in service to others, creating ways of life that sustain. As you offer constancy and substances that meet the needs of others, calmness appears amidst uncertainty. You will lead the way with the Light within your mind, which contains very important information. Know the money needed will come.
GEMINI: Be observant of close and intimate encounters (not necessarily sex). Intimacy means a depth of perspective may be found with one or more close relationships. A quiet and private atmosphere of friendship may occur due to knowing someone or from a long association. You may speak or private things and/or feelings, feel familiarity perhaps with a stranger, sense confidence and love, seek actions that create a state of being cherished. All these occur in fleeting moments. Seek them, observe them, be grateful.
CANCER: Your thoughts are concerned with choices you must make to effectively and efficiently create your daily life according to your needs, hopes and wishes. You want to make every action count and have your mind clear in order to discover the best way to proceed. Another consideration is your connection with a larger group than family. You must think on this. Meanwhile, tend to all health concerns immediately.
LEO: So perhaps you’ve brought up past family issues. Now you want some fun and playfulness to balance the serious waters family memory brought forth. You can do just that. But what for you is play, what is serious fun, where would you find pleasure and with whom? Later a series of creative ideas will appear. But only is you’re rested up which arises hen the fun part is completely fulfilled.
VIRGO: Creating an ecological and sustainable environment and garden seems to be a next step for you. Since you are a most important earth and plant steward, it would be good for you to begin the study of permaculture. A design revolution is needed in our world today. Your detailed mind can create this. It means a new way of thinking and being in the world – a new life support system. Saturn will help discipline and change you now.
LIBRA: Your communication skills enter into a new realm of kindness. It would be good for you to through your neighborhood, observe the flora and fauna, listen to early morning bird sounds and calls. Did you know bird sounds assist in the opening of the flowers? As you contact the nature kingdom, you will connect with your inner self and calmness emerges. The plant kingdom is the most perfected kingdom. It is summoning you.
SCORPIO: Generosity is something you begin to ponder upon. When one gives (and gives some more) one’s life turns around, it’s an activity of the Soul, and there’s less thought of how to tend to the self and more on how to tend to others (humanity). When one gives, there’s a one hundred-fold return. So the giving can increase and the joy of giving overcomes (fulfills) the need to have. This is a paradox. Try it on for a while.
SAGITTARIUS: A benevolence seems to befallen you in quiet and subtle ways. An inner light containing intelligence and love is emanating from you. People seeing it and want to emulate and stand in your presence. You are like a hidden lighthouse at the edge of a river, beckoning small boats into the harbor, giving them safety and hope. This is, as I said, very subtle. Be aware, tend to, acknowledge and keep it safe. Others need it. You have it for only three weeks.
CAPRICORN: Each day you feel several aspirations. While responsibly tending to errands you also share information about your professional skills and talents. Then you scurry away to be safely alone with your artistic efforts. Barely do you want to leave the solitude and privacy of your inner creative life. The solitude you seek allows your imagination to flourish. And then you thrive and your gifts increase. In and out you go. Balancing all the way.
AQUARIUS: Attend all parties and group gatherings. Create your own. It’s a good time for socializing, discussions, creating group plans and agendas, for seeking more resources (and distributing some, too). Be with like-minded others, ask them how they envision the future. Take photos of friends and your present life and write a journal of experiences during this time. These will be valuable in the future for various important and preparatory reasons.
PISCES: You may meet new people and have experiences directing you toward new spiritual tasks. These may occur unexpectedly, but upon seeing them you’ll recognize a life expansion is occurring that you’ve been preparing for. This will be a happy and deserving occasion. You will take over from someone a task that you will be excellent at. There is much work to do. Schedule, plan, accept, follow up and continually have gratitude.
Esoteric Astrology as news for week October 16-22, 2008
This is the last week of Libra, the last week of interlude, rest and the choice "that leads between two great lines of force" -- learning more of form and matter (Virgo) or preparing for discipleship (Scorpio). With heart-felt intention the right choice and path appear. Thursday is comforting with Taurus moon. From Aldabaran and Alcyone, two stars in the Pleiades, we receive the lights (carrying information) that illumine our minds. Friday, 3:25 a.m., is Gemini moon with lots of talk and interaction seeking to make contact. Then love sweeps in - Gemini's Soul task. Saturday, 11:31 a.m. Venus (Ray 5) enters Scorpio (Ray 4). Intelligence and love are brought into the crisis that leads to harmony. It's the feast day of St. Luke, one of the Bible's four New Testament authors (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John). Sunday, 6:15 a.m., moon enters Cancer. Families are called to be together. Nourishment is needed. Monday is the last day of Sukkot; the temporary dwellings (Sukkoth) are dismantled for another year with the words "Next year in Jerusalem!" Tuesday, 7:35 a.m., Leo moon begins. Everyone needs praise and recognition today. Wednesday evening we bid farewell to Libra (Ray 3) as the Sun enters Scorpio (Ray 4). A secret door swings open and the season of mystery begins. We are now under the sign of Discipleship and Mars brings us the nine tests.
ARIES: Did I tell you about the nine tests of Mars to assess whether we're accomplishing our tasks well and if so we then advance to the next level? The tests will be physical, emotional, and lower mental. They will penetrate your days and nights. You will encounter power (in people, events & yourself). Should you seek advancement learn the ways of the true Warrior and summon all virtues. For assistance call upon Archangel Michael.
TAURUS: You feel extreme tension. It can exhaust or actively direct you. There may be conflicts and you'll need to act within Right Relations. Doing this teaches others how to work with differences. The purpose of conflict is to produce greater harmony. You know this for you are directed by Ray 4 (Harmony Through Conflict). Work with and through partnerships both intimate and professional. Then life adjusts itself properly. Tend to legal matters.
GEMINI: Hard work has entered your daily life and you're proud of how much you can accomplish. Usual pleasures are difficult to find these days. You simply don't have time. Tend to your health, especially inflammation. It could be subtle or painful. Turmeric is an excellent natural anti-inflammatory. Work alone, however, give credit to others if they have helped or introduced you to information. Although solitary, there's an entire group - the NGWS - working with you.
CANCER: It's best to keep very busy. Perhaps you're tending to children or infants. Or helping others recognize their creativity. When you have a thought, an idea or impression you want to act immediately, fast and furiously! If you feel held within too many boundaries your impulse is to flee. You just might do that. "I am!" and "This is me!" you say over and over. Yes, we see definitely see (and appreciate) you.
LEO: You may need to bring up family matters not usually expressed. Deep feelings could emerge concerning daily life as a child, patterns instilled from parents and family, events that hurt deeply and never understood. On the other hand, you may need to play, take up a new sport, find ways that allow complete freedom and self-expression. Desires are strong, love even stronger. Tend to children and don't worry about too much self-discipline.
VIRGO: Try not to have conflicts with neighbors, siblings, family members. Try not to criticize yourself, thinking you don't know enough. On the other hand don't exhaust yourself by trying to learn something too quickly. Try not to disagree or defend, try not to argue or take a difficult position on some matter. Try not to feel insecure or go on the attack. You most likely will do none of the above. Study and identify yourself as an intelligent being.
LIBRA: It is important now to define your values. Do you feel what you have (or don't have) and/or your ability to make (or not) money define you? Is your life ruled from childhood beliefs? There's an abstract psychological identity occurring and from this identity your life choices are being made. Perhaps you can reassess these beliefs and feelings. You need freedom from the past more than anything.
SCORPIO: Vedanta means the completion of knowledge. All Scorpios seek the mysteries that will enlighten them. Scorpios must gain knowledge for later discipleship and leadership phases. Everything you're doing and all that you've done is preparatory to a future inner call making you stop you in your tracks and leading you to assist humanity. Till then, enjoy yourself, have fun, play (try), and do what you love. This is your main discipline.
SAGITTARIUS: What is within us, things hidden and repressed can emerge subtly in forms of irritation and uneasiness. This may occur for several weeks. Allow it to wash over you like an autumn rainfall you're unexpectedly caught in. Don't try to hide from how you feel, don't push anything away. Simply stand still, as still as possible, and that which disturbs you will disappear like the grass, which Rajneesh always said, "grows all by itself."
CAPRICORN: Your day to day is filled with future goals, hopes and wishes. You look to friends that belong to you for support, interaction, and assistance in achieving tomorrow's aims. Notice that your individual self wants to do most things alone and that your interests alone are most important. This is important. At times, attempt to coordinate your needs with others but only if there is commonality, harmony, and like-minded thinking. Then you can accomplish anything. Make sure to include daily exercise. Your hair needs something, too.
AQUARIUS: Achievement, climbing the ladder of success, being recognized for your gifts (different that others) and abilities are what you feel at home with now. An independent project is forcing you to see many aspects of your life. All effort you're putting into this project will create the independence you need, the authority you always possessed and the initiative waiting to be released. You're your own boss. Let no one challenge you on this.
PISCES: Experiences occurring in your life are expanding your sense of time and sense of self. New dimensions of reality are literally walking or knocking at your door, seeking to be let into your already interesting reality. Careful each day. Follow the letter of the law. You influence people in ways you are unaware of. They follow your lead even though you usually feel like a fish out of water (you are). The asteroid Vesta asks you what your changing values are. Make a large Vesta box.
Internet Killed the Instrument Store This is an excellent and timely article. Thanks so much. When I moved to Santa Cruz last year, I vowed to shop locally whenever possible. Only when seeking some obscure publication or vintage item hav...
Arboreal Angst The world could stand to have more of these sort of news reports. Very good and Bruce Willey gets the Pulitizer prize for such inspirational and insightful journalism.
Same-sex marriages continue despite ban I guess it will be a real low blow when same sex marriage becomes legal in all 50 states. I wonder who will be left to hate then?
Internet Killed the Instrument Store A refugee from San Jose, one of the reasons I came to live in Santa Cruz was because of these great music stores. I have spent so much time in them, buying and selling amps and gear, looking for the p...
Internet Killed the Instrument Store I do go out of my way to shop local so the money stays here. It usually means I pay more than I would online. Local businesses need to figure out that good customer service will bring me back. When I ...
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