Libra is moving swiftly toward Scorpio, sign of money and resources held in common. Libra prepares for Scorpio by providing us with the ability to see and choose between two realities –the past, old habits and desires, or the future, new values, structures, archetypes. What direction will we choose, which Path? Humanity rarely has free will and very little choice. Until we work primarily within the mental and intuitive planes, until we have perspective (above, below, side to side), until we understand “love underlies all happenings” and until desire no longer controls, we’re led entirely by desires, habits and instincts (the past). But in Libra, once a year, humanity is given a choice. With Venus retrograde, we are assisted in this choice by viewing the past, surveying resources, finances, values, emotional desires, possessions, relationships. We ask what of these will enter the future with us? What attitudes, habits, relationships will we keep or leave behind? What is the value of our money and finances?

Plus Letters to Good Times
All Wet?
The Climate Plan
It’s Week two for Open Studios so get out there and savor some of that great eye candy. This week, we do just that in our cover story, where several writers explore significant new works and one exhibit that is sure to standout—the “Visibly Invisible” exhibit at Cabrillo Gallery. The show explores transgender themes, among other issues, and features photography, paintings and other inviting pieces. Curated by Cabrillo’s Tobin Keller, it’s a feast for the eyes if not thought-provoking. Learn more about the artists, as well as other noteworthy works featured in this weekend’s Open Studios. Congratulations to all.

In the meantime, take note of News this week, where one intrepid writer reports on a spiritual tent revival that may also turn heads. How that came to be may capture your interest. There’s some more news on the Green Ways To School program, too.

 

Travel the world, take care of my bills and all my family’s bills. Also create an institute that would give back to everybody, like an art or a culinary institute.
Keeli Blackman
Santa Cruz | High-end Retail

 

 

I stood in line to vote behind a 30-ish couple who appeared to be on a first date, judging by the small talk: “I’m more of a dog person.” “Middle children, yeah! High five!” “I’ve never seen a baby pelican either! Weird!”

I didn’t want to eavesdrop, but she had a tag sticking up from the back of her shirt and I’ve always found that to be really distracting. When is it OK to tell a stranger her tag’s up? To me it’s like a little flag that says, “Help! I have trouble with details!” Can’t I just reach out and ...

“So how do you pick your peeps?” she asked. A cagey way to get some insight into his politics, I thought.

“Throw the bums out. Fresh start.”

Friday, Venus, the brilliant yellow-white star Morning Star, retrogrades in Scorpio (13 degrees) till Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010 (27:44 Libra). Venus retrogrades every 584 days (19 months) making five retrograde points around the Sun. After eight years, Venus forms a five-pointed star in the sky. Esoterically, the five-pointed star represents the Soul. Everyone has a Soul, suspended six inches above our heads. It waits for us to awaken. Venus influences money, possessions, values and relationships (lovers & friends). Scorpio represents things held in common (world resources). When planets retrograde we turn inward, the past reappears, decisions are delayed, plans set aside for the purpose of assessment and all areas associated with the retrograde must be reviewed in order to either renew, revitalize, find new value, or place them aside forever. Scorpio is the sign of transformation, regeneration after a death (physical and/or metaphorical) has taken place. Scorpio reorients us from things in matter (from solar plexus) to a more spiritual focus (to the heart), creating a sense of responsibility toward the needs of humanity, as we build the new culture and civilization based upon the new Aquarian principles. We bring forth into form and matter our part and work into the world, carrying out our part with skill. Venus calls us to unite heart and mind. Scorpio calls us to Discipleship.

Plus Letters to Good Times

A great human encouraged me to take flying lessons, so last weekend there I was, up in a small Cessna, flying at 3,000 feet above the bay. A fascinating experience. We forget sometimes how beautiful this area actually is when we’re walking and moving around on land. From the air, it truly does look like paradise. But the flying lessons also became somewhat of a mirror for real life, too—especially when you’re learning how to land that damn plane. I found it very metaphoric in an odd looking-for-significance way. The bottom line: It never hurts to see the bigger picture. Next up: Skydiving. Anybody up for it?

 

Worst is preconception about how you’re supposed to act and behave
of your gender. And the best is you get to wear great clothes.

Catherine
Bonnie Doon | nurse

 

 

This was the scene at the recent Capitola Art and Wine Festival. Wine was selling as briskly as ever (one of the few truly recession-proof commodities). But many artists, especially among the stalwarts who do this show every year, had to depend on smaller items—cards and prints instead of original art, earrings instead of more elaborate pieces of jewelry—whose sales added up to a show that was good, but not as sensational as in palmier days of yore.

Despite sluggish sales at outdoor shows or in galleries, however, there's a slight uptick in commissions, mostly from private collectors who know exactly what they want and aren't afraid to ask for it. By "collectors," I don't mean philanthropic billionaires cruising in stretch limos, or swanky nobles, à la the Medicis, throwing around purses of gold (not that every artist alive wouldn't love to have a patron like that, but let's try to stay on track, here). In real life, especially here in Santa Cruz, collectors are ordinary working folks with mortgages, families, and property taxes, just like the rest of us. In tough economic times, an artist's best friend can be the collector who already knows and appreciates his or her work.

In Washington, Saturday, Sept. 18, President Obama spoke to Congressional Black Caucus leaders saying, "I need everybody here to go back to your neighborhoods, and workplaces, to your churches, and barbershops, and beauty shops. Tell them we have more work to do. Tell them we can't wait to organize. Tell them that the time for action is now.”

President Obama is correct. We know astrologically change and transformation are everywhere with a simultaneous powerful resistance to those changes by the forces of retrogression. So not only the Black Caucus leaders but all of us are called to action and to (safe)“guard the change.”

Plus Letters to Good Times

Fall has arrived and so, too, has an increased tempo that will take us toward the end of 2010, and into another new year. Not so fast—there’s a lot to explore between now and December. And this week, in our annual Fall Home & Garden issue, we do just that. In crafting this year’s issue, we were particularly  impressed with gardens, and “growers” for that matter. As we move into an abundant time of harvest, take note of a few locals spotlighted this week who’ve mastered the art of generating lush gardens, particularly Cynthia Sandberg of Love Apple Farm (page 16). There are a few garden-related events taking place in the coming weeks that stand out, too, so it’s a bonanza out there. Check out more H&G stories online at goodtimessantacruz.com, as well exclusive tips for your home and garden by a well-known local designer and grower. Dig in.