Santa Cruz Good Times

Wednesday
Jun 19th
Text size
  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size

Jupiter Retrograde & Full Harvest Moon

RisaNewSJupiter, planet of all things generous (at times, over the top), turned back (retrograde) this week (at 10 degrees Taurus), remaining retrograde until Christmas day, Dec.  25 (at 0 Taurus). Jupiter is a social planet (along with Saturn), concerned with businesses, things of the world. Jupiter is the Lord of Fortune and the ancient god of gods in mythology. As planetary ruler of Sagittarius (Sag & Jupiter are "colleagues"), Jupiter represents integrity, honesty, spiritual values, spiritual goals and justice. Represented as a woman blindfolded, justice doesn't prevail in our world yet. With Jupiter retrograde we ask, “Do we practice the virtues of honesty and justice
in our lives?”
Jupiter, working with Sag, is concerned with hope, promise, enthusiasm, expansion of philosophies and religions. We deepen philosophically & religiously. We also review adventures not taken, hopes unfulfilled, study, education and travel curtailed. We reassess what we have not completed and revive what, due to lack of attention, is failing. Our perspectives change.
With Taurus representing finances, resources and possessions, we assess (in this turbulent financial time) the value of our money and possessions and prepare for the unknown future. Do we tithe and share? Or is our money used for self-gratification. This latter (self-gratification) defines the thralldom of materiality, being controlled by the forces of materiality and materialism. The new culture and civilization, with Jupiter at its heart, is about the Principle of Sharing.
Monday is the Full Moon (September’s Corn, Harvest or Wine Moon). It is the Virgo solar festival, 19 degrees Virgo/Pisces. Join the New Group of World Servers by reciting the Soul and Great Invocations.

Esoteric Astrology as News for the week of Sept. 8–14, 2011 For Sun and Rising Signs

ariesAries-March 21–April 20
Through autumn you will consider many things related to Taurus—comfort, your value system, finances, resources and earning power. An interesting (perhaps fleeting) thought may concern worthiness—are you worthy to seek what you don’t yet have? It’s a good time to create a system of saving, of appropriate spending that prepares for an unusual future, and to seek those in need to share your wealth with. You are wealthy in multiple ways.

taurusTaurus
April 21–May 21
The past is no longer viable, available or even of interest. Only the present/future is important. However, as the present changes moment by moment and the future isn’t formed yet, your focus is to create an attitude of freedom so that you can be completely adaptable to any situation. This allows you to create community anywhere.  Put food and water aside for the many coming to you for stability and aid. Your environment needs ordering.

geminiGemini
May 22–June 20
For several months you stand behind the scenes perhaps seeking spiritual protection or refuge. You know that true refuge is only found when we raise our personality to the Soul (and later to the Will of God). For now, notice your compassion, empathy and sensitivity deepening. You also might consider a gluten-free diet. Help others more, serve them more. You’re the carrier of joy. Distribute it.

cancerCancer
June 21–July 20
Your inner self begins to formulate long-range goals. Consider what you want to accomplish before you die and enter into a greater spiritual realm of reality. Are you aware that state of mind, when we transition, is how we will continue when we return (rebirth) to Earth? This is a broad and deep level of thinking and planning … creating goals for our next lifetime. Understanding this, many turn to you for help.

leoLeo
July 21–August 22
The integrity and honesty you bring to your work holds you steady in the light as others assess your virtues and qualities for the purpose of a later promotion, new work opportunity, award or credential. You’ve gained through experience, service and study. Be in “everyone’s corner” so everyone’s in the limelight, everyone’s recognized and rewarded. Assess career goals and praise others who have helped you along the way.

virgoVirgo
August 23–September 22
You become intellectually curious (more so), desire further education and travel. A feeling of optimism surrounds all that you do. Write more (or begin to write), describing your days and nights in ways only an observant Virgo can write. Tolerance creates a deeper understanding. These virtues gestate within you till Christmas day. Your health is strong.

libraLibra
September 23–October 22
You know the difference between power-over and power-with. You share power as much as possible, seeking to include others, always creating balance, sharing resources. Having left manipulation behind, you are able to be emotionally vulnerable. Startling revelations begin to occur, providing you with psychological understanding leading to personal transformation. New things come to you. You are happy.

scorpioScorpio
October 23–November 21
Very quietly you begin to seek a deeper intimacy. If already committed to another, you establish more solidity and expand depth in your relationship. Partnerships, negotiations and contractual agreements become your focus. Different cultures and people are of interest. All interactions are successful. Challenges from the past are settled. You become an advisor eventually, and stand before the public.

saggSagittarius
November 22–December 20
Jupiter, your ruler is retrograde. What does this mean for you? The introduction says a lot. But of course there’s more. A certain joy will be experienced. You’ll see the outcome and benefits of your work and know your work is exceptional. You seek to serve others differently. Small tasks become important. You have true pride in your work and your integrity increases. A small animal may find you irresistible.

capricornCapricorn
December 21–January 20
You’re quite imaginative. Self-expression, creativity and a sense of inner freedom are felt throughout the rest of the year and well into the next. A foundation is being built that later leads to recognition and reward. A hidden talent, one you’ve known about yet didn’t quite use, comes forth again and you discover a new aspect and gift of self. Sometimes all you think about is travel. Soon.

aquariusAquarius
January 21–February 18
Your thoughts center on home, family, property, land, community and things domestic. You ask yourself what is most comfortable in terms of your living situation. You consider what security and safety means to you and how to create a home that provides these. You have an inner stability and you want that to manifest in your outer living situation. Nurture others. A sense of well-being pervades.


piscesPisces
February 19–March 20
Experiences you are having in life, especially with the world at large, are providing you with increased knowledge that turns into revelations that change your psychological beliefs. Knowledge is expanding you at the speed of light. Tend to your bicycle or car carefully. Equally tend to messages from others. Expand technologically. New friends are made. They are ancient (friends), actually. You’re seen as a gift.


Risa is Founder & Director of the Esoteric & Astrological Studies & Research Institute, a contemporary Wisdom School in Santa Cruz, CA.

More at nightlightnews.com. Risa's email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Facebook: Risa's Esoteric Astrology
Comments (0)Add Comment

Write comment
smaller | bigger

busy
 

Share this on your social networks

Bookmark and Share

Share this

Bookmark and Share

 

Silent Dilemma

An inside look at body image and eating disorders. PLUS: Why ‘fat’ is not a feeling. My earliest memory of “feeling fat” was when I was about 12 years old. Up until that time, I was not all that aware of having a body; I was pretty much just in my body, doing the things that kids do. I had not yet learned that I was supposed to look differently than I did. I had not yet downloaded the program that some foods were “good” and others were “bad.” I did not yet have exercise and movement linked up with calorie burning or self-worth.

 

Field to Vase

Open house provides opportunity for residents to meet their local flower growers Valentine’s Day is a high point of the year for those in the cut flower business. So when, one year in the late ’90s, the bouquet-riddled holiday failed to deliver for Kitayama Brothers Farms, the family behind the decades-old rose-growing business knew something was wrong.  “It was the writing on the wall,” recalls Stuart Kitayama, operations manager for the Watsonville-based company. “Those of us who had been hoping things would just get better finally said ‘it’s time to change.’”

 

The Price of Safety

The city's proposed budget addresses public safety needs The City of Santa Cruz’s pocketbook has come a long way since 2009, when an $8 million shortfall loomed. According to City Manager Martin Bernal, the proposed general fund budget for 2013-2014 is healthier than it has been since the beginning of The Great Recession in 2008. Armed with this returning stability, the proposal puts one of the community's top concerns—public safety—front and center.

 

Community Studies 2.0

After a controversial suspension, a new incarnation of the unique UC Santa Cruz major is reinstated The UC Santa Cruz community studies lounge is a great place to have a conversation.  Housed on the second floor of a faculty building in Oakes College, just down the hall from a whiteboard that reads “COMMUNITY STUDIES LIVES,” the room has a big round table, couches and chairs, and shelves stacked with past senior “capstone projects.”

 

North Pacific String Band

Jeff Wilson, who plays banjo for North Pacific String Band, loves being part of original music experiences. “What I like about the music we play is that it’s fairly unique and kind of hard to put your finger on,” Wilson says. “We’re not just trying to do bluegrass or country or folk. It’s a mixture of those things and we try to add in a lot of musicality to all of that.” Originality and musicality aren’t ideas which are limited to the band’s exploits either.

 

Peace in the Middle East

New dance-concert explores Palestinian-Israeli conflict Inspired by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, local choreographer Karl Schaffer’s “Mosaic” is a dance-concert featuring Jewish Diaspora and Arab music from the women’s choral group Zambra, singer Fattah Abbou and a troupe of local dancers. In between rehearsals for the show, which runs June 21-22 at Motion Pacific, Schaffer shared the story behind its creation.

 

Muscle-Bound

Valiant cast battles loud, ugly action for the soul of 'Man of Steel' Early in Man of Steel, fourth-grader Clark, the boy who will be Superman, is cowering in a broom closet at school, eyes screwed shut, hands clapped over his ears. He can't control his super powers: his X-ray vision shows him the skulls and skeletons under everyone's flesh; unfiltered noise—dogs, traffic, heartbeats—assault him from all sides. Rushing to school, his mom kneels outside the door and asks what's wrong.

 

CYNDI

On the eve of Cyndi Lauper’s Mountain Winery gig, we dissect the woman, the icon, the creative beast. Plus: Her thoughts on the music industry, equal rights and those sparkling ‘Kinky Boots’ Few performers possess the kind of fierce, she-bopping tenacity Cyndi Lauper has become famous for. Equal parts free spirit, civil rights activist and Grammy-winner, Lauper is one of the few creative artists able to successfully marry her cutting-edge verve with a heart-of-gold panache. It certainly has helped fuel the remarkable career resurgence she has been experiencing lately.

 

Making the Grade

The quest to identify sources of high levels of bacteria at Cowell Beach continues With straight As on Heal the Bay’s annual “beach report card” for 10 out of 13 Santa Cruz County beaches—Main Beach, Seabright, and even Cowell Beach at the Stairs, to name a few—it would seem that Santa Cruz boasts a high coastal GPA. But in recent years, one Santa Cruz beach just can’t seem to pass: Cowell Beach west of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf.

 

Summer Solstice, Full Moon, Mercury Retros

Early morning Wednesday Mercury, star of communication and conflict, turns stationary retrograde (23 Cancer). We all know by now what not to do. And what to do—through July 19.
Sign up for Tomorrow's Good Times Today
Upcoming arts & events

Latest Comments

 

A Sustainable Culture

The popularity of old world yogurt is surging, and it’s easy to make at home Yogurt is a product of the ages. With a name originating in Turkey and probiotic benefits touted by the health food industry. A fondness for Greek-style yogurt has taken the country by storm, resulting in a tripling of the number of yogurt factories in New York State, and a $2 billion a year industry. What sets this Mediterranean yogurt apart is straining. Other cultures refer to the product as “hung” yogurt. Stirred yogurt is placed in a fine mesh strainer which has been lined with cheesecloth and suspended over a deep container. Watery whey seeps out, resulting in a thicker, denser yogurt with more protein by volume. It makes a lovely base for a stiffer tzatziki cucumber-garlic dip and spread.

 

The Power of Conversation

Local author Cecile Andrews emphasizes importance of community engagement in newest book Cecile Andrews, author of the new book “Living Room Revolution: A Handbook for Conversation, Community and the Common Good,” probably wouldn’t get along too well with Larry David’s character from HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, known for hiding his face and avoiding communication with anyone he runs into on the street. Andrews is a longstanding part-time Santa Cruz (part-time Seattle) resident who says something that’s struck her about this town over the years is people's willingness to participate in a practice she’s dubbed the “Stop and Chat”—which is exactly what it sounds like.

 

Is Edward Snowden a patriot or a traitor?

He's a patriot. Anyone who stands up for the rights that we stand for as a country, that is real democracy. That would be in my book—somebody who is a patriot. Leah WeissSanta Cruz | Therapist

 

Best of Santa Cruz County

The 2013 Santa Cruz County Readers' Poll and Critics’ Picks It’s our biggest issue of the year, and in it, your votes—more than 6,500 of them—determined the winners of The Best of Santa Cruz County Readers’ Poll. New to the long list of local restaurants, shops and other notables that captured your interest: Best Beer Selection, Best Locally Owned Business, Best Customer Service and Best Marijuana Dispensary. In the meantime, many readers were ever so chatty online about potential new categories. Some of the suggestions that stood out: Best Teen Program and Best Web Design/Designer. But what about: Dog Park, Church, Hotel, Local Farm, Therapist (I second that!) or Sports Bar—not to be confused with Bra. Our favorite suggestion: Best Act of Kindness—one reader noted Café Gratitude and the free meals it offered to the Santa Cruz Police Department in the aftermath of recent crimes. Perhaps some of these can be woven into next year’s ballot, so stay tuned. In the meantime, enjoy the following pages and take note of our Critics’ Picks, too, beginning on page 91. A big thanks for voting—and for reading—and an even bigger congratulations to all of the winners. Enjoy.  -Greg Archer, EditorBest of Santa Cruz County Readers’ Poll INDEX | Shops | Food & Drink | Arts & Entertainment | Health & Fitness | Professionals | The Rest |

 

Serene Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

There’s always an upbeat vibe going at MJA’s tasting room on the Westside. On a recent visit, the very sociable owner Marin Artukovich was busy pouring for a roomful of oenophiles having a good time. With the help of staff members, Artukovich makes sure that nobody waits too long to sample his fine wines, while also keeping track of every person’s flight.

 

Paying it Forward

Pianist Benny Green wants jazz’s past to continue to inform its future I can honestly say I’m still learning.” Hearing such an admirable, humble statement from someone like Benny Green—a jazz pianist, arranger, composer and band leader whose 30-plus year career includes performances and recordings with jazz luminaries like Oscar Peterson, Art Blakey and Betty Carter—might be surprising at first. But Green’s insatiable desire to keep learning has served him well. That desire—and his deep love of jazz—is something he wants today’s younger musicians to feel, too.

 

Good Morning Maui

Goodness, righteousness, virtuousness and fairness are some of the four-score English words that attempt to describe the Hawaiian essence of pono, whose use in the state motto translates to “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”

 

Exposed

David Cay Johnston’s new book explains how big companies rob us blind In his late teens David Cay Johnston started to ask questions. “Why do we have these guys in uniforms with guns driving around in cars all day?” “Why is the Santa Cruz County Courthouse being built in such an unusual shape?” He wrote an article, while still living in his hometown of Santa Cruz, proving that the off-kilter courthouse building, which officials had promised would save money, actually cost more than a conventional building.

 

What’s your secret to avoiding the summer swarms?