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May 18th
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Living in the House We all Build week of July 5

RisaRetrograde Jupiter conjuncts (joins) Neptune again this week in Aquarius. We actually have a triple conjunction (Jupiter, Neptune, Chiron), occurring three times along with three eclipses. Three means Ray 3—Divine Intelligence influencing our personal and world affairs. Jupiter/Neptune stimulates imagination, provides inspiration and activates the light of consciousness within humanity. We can also experience illusions and distortion.

When planetary energies reach humanity, how they affect us depends completely upon our level of consciousness. Further effects of Jupiter (Ray 2, Love/Wisdom) and Neptune (Ray 6, faith, hope, vision) as written by the Tibetan is that the veils of illusion and distortion are “rent” (torn), meaning the illusions, keeping us within the fields of unreality, are destroyed. Having our illusions (which create our beliefs) shattered can be very difficult for humanity. The challenge will be to maintain faith (Neptune) and optimism (Jupiter) understanding the destruction we are experiencing, especially in the economic sector, will release, liberate and expand us. When we are able to understanding the purpose behind destroying what is obstructing us (illusions, distortions) and simultaneously maintain hope, faith and joy, then revelations occur helping us build the new culture and civilization. There’s an Earth Share ad (earthsharel.org) that perfectly expresses the times we are in. It reads: “We live in the house we all build.” This not only reminds us we are in (sign) Cancer and that our country is Cancer Sun (home, nurturance) but that the future (Ray 7) must be created by all of us. We are humanity, the masses becoming the creative world disciple. (more at www.nightlightnews.com)
ARIES (March 21-April 20) The eclipse focuses upon home, mother(ing), nurturance, how you want and need to live. Is comfort and security found in your home? How are your family relationships and is there a feeling that you must move, redecorate, restructure or redesign? Dynamics with parents and family, a definite lifestyle change, all are assessed in order to meet emotional needs. It’s a good idea to design and build a gate.
TAURUS (April 21-May 21) Something changes in communication within self and with others. There’s much to be learned about listening and the timing of speaking and not speaking. As you learn, you will then teach by sharing what you’re reading and researching. All that you do creates knowledge about our immediate future. Your personal environments and neighborhood calls. You’re to bring about changes while asking others to help.
GEMINI (May 22-June 20) Financial stability is on your mind. In our financially unstable times, we must understand the undercurrents (reality) of our present and future economic situation. Have you read Naomi Klein’s “Shock Doctrine” yet? Do you read Catherine Austin Fitts’ (solari.com/blog) site daily? Both will bring you up to date, take you well into the future of our current difficult times and endow you with the knowledge and psychological security needed.
CANCER (June 21-July 20) There will be a great focus on self-development, self-recognition, self-esteem and self as one who is strong and reliable. There also may be an identity crisis as the old self falls away and new personal potentials unseen until now appear. Gradually self-knowledge, a new state of self-confidence leads to an enriched ways of seeing yourself. Your horizons expand and all that hinders disappears. Everyone will recognize this change.
LEO (July 21-Aug. 22) There has been much grief within you. In coming months you’ll be spiritually impressed with the fact that you are interdependent and that growing into a more joyful person is in direct relation to reaching out and making real contact with others. Keeping yourself away from others doesn’t allow your rich reservoir of talents to be expressed. Humanity needs you. Rest awhile for now. Know that emerging into the light is inevitable.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) It would be good to study history, different societies and actually the entire human race’s progression through the centuries. When we grasp this then humanity as a group becomes more interesting and significant. Then we realize we are part of humanity, too and then our sense of self-worth is renewed, anchored, established and then humanitarianism emerges and true service becomes a common daily experience. You are no longer a Leo.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) You sometimes have great pressure concerning career advancement, making money, public recognition. This creates a determination to advance, step by step no matter the obstacles, up the ladder of success, breaking any glass ceilings along the way. You also look for evidence of success through outer material resources. This is good only to a point. In coming months circumstances will lead to different realities. Whatever you do, know that your service is seen, recognized and appreciated.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Deeper and deeper you delve into abstract thoughts, intangible to most. You think about morals and ethics, religious practices, philosophical issues. You’re seeking a new foundation and structure in life. Deep study will lead you toward a great cultural expansion. Travel will too. You pursue the wisdom of the ages, the truth of all things to come. Pack your bags, include your books, open them and find a way to travel the seas.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 20) What are your thoughts on sharing of all things physical, material, emotional, intellectual? Perhaps sharing makes you feel possessive or psychologically unprotected. Perhaps you’ve never thought of true sharing till now. For our spiritual development, we must begin to share all that we have until one day we actually give all of ourselves away. Doing this depends upon our level of spiritual development. Many of us are not here yet. But you could be.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 21-Jan. 20) There continues to be a pull between work and home, self and others, public/professional and the personal. If one is emphasized then a sense of incompleteness occurs. This is difficult, as if you’re on a cross – up and down, side by side. Actually you are. It’s the fixed cross and you’re being asked by the Soul to offer yourself equally to all four areas of life. Have the intention, one by one, to solidify and bring harmony first to your intimates, then to self, then to home, then to your profession. In this order. Then it occurs.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 21-Feb. 18) There is a need to focus on your health and nutrition. It provides the basis for success in daily life. It’s essential that you reduce all things that lead to overwork and/or underwork. This includes psychological worries. Having the intention to cooperate with others creates deep and lasting psychological health. You have entered a time of great creative output and recognition by others (which you deserve). New awarenesses appear in the months to come. You will be surprised.
PISCES (Feb.19-March 20) You are being subtly urged to express affection in greater amounts. It brings joy to you; something deeply needed to strengthen your life force. Expressing true affection also develops balance and cultivates self-esteem. Often Pisces is ignored or not seen. A greater balance between things spiritual and physical is essential for Pisces to feel happy and enjoy life. We become what we give. Notice those around you who love more. Imitate them.
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    Bring Your Own Bag

    Single-use plastic bag bans are underway Shoppers in Capitola, Watsonville, the City of Santa Cruz, and the unincorporated parts of the county are, by now, becoming accustomed to the absence of plastic bags. On Sept. 20, 2011, Santa Cruz County became the first local jurisdiction to pass an ordinance that banned single-use plastic bags and implemented a fee for paper bags, which took effect last spring. Watsonville, Capitola, and Santa Cruz followed suit with similar actions: Watsonville’s ordinance went into effect last September, and, as of last month, the bans in Capitola and the City of Santa Cruz are now in place.

     

    The Maya-Ixil Move Forward

    Local nonprofit works to educate and create opportunity for indigenous communities in Guatemala In an isolated region of the Guatemala mountains called Ixil, the indigenous Maya population was devastated by a civil war between the government and leftist guerrilla factions that spanned 1960 to 1996. During that 36-year war, the Guatemalan military eradicated entire Mayan communities. In what amounted to genocide, soldiers burned Mayan farmlands and homes, raped and tortured the people, and scattered families. By the end of the war, 200,000 Mayans had been killed, 7,000 of whom were Maya-Ixil.

     

    Public Thinking

    Watsonville teens host TEDx event Santa Cruz County is no stranger to the TED brand. TED—which stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design—talks have come to the area through independently organized events 10 times since 2011. This month, the gathering returns to the county with a new twist, thanks to the Watsonville Youth City Council. TEDxYouth@Watsonville, which will take place Sunday, May 19 at the Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts in Watsonville, will feature only speakers younger than 19 years old and will traverse topics from racial stereotypes and renewable energy to traditional Mexican dance.

     

    The Tilt

    Although Jesse Malley, lead singer of the outlaw country, blues and rock ’n’ roll band The Tilt, no longer lives in Santa Cruz, she was born and raised here and this is where her love of music and performance began. “My dad worked at The Catalyst for 27 years, so I got to see a lot of music acts come through town,” she says. “Music always seemed to me to be such an incredible way to express yourself that I just stumbled upon my voice and jumped into it.” That jump eventually led to Malley heading down to San Diego to pursue a music career, and her band The Tilt has just released their full-length debut, Howlin’.

     

    Whole Lotta Blues

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    Beck to the Future

    In celebration of Beck’s solo acoustic show at The Rio, GT explores Song Reader, the alternative rock icon’s most ambitious interactive art piece yet. Here’s an odd little paradox of the digital revolution: The more sophisticated our technology gets, the more our musical milieu begins to resemble that of a bygone era, when song ideas were passed around from musician to musician, perpetually taking on new twists. Dozens of different YouTube users might try their hand at setting somebody’s rant about cats or double rainbows to music, or you might hear the Belgian musician Gotye turning the many and varied covers of his song “Somebody That I Used to Know” into a virtual orchestra (see below).

     

    Land of Lions

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    So Sleep (Pralaya) Does Not Overtake Us

    Sunday is Pentecost, a festival of the Holy Spirit (Ray 3 of Divine Intelligence). Pentecost is the name given to the descent of the Holy Spirit as tongues of fire appearing above the heads of Christ’s (Piscean World Teacher) Disciples (students) in an upper room (plane of the Mind). Pentecost is not a simple bible story. It’s an actual experience for each individual as the Light of the Soul begins to direct the personality with spiritual gifts and virtues – wisdom, understanding (all ideas, all hearts), knowledge and Right Judgment (directing the intellect), wonder, fortitude/courage and respect/reverence (directing our willingness to serve).

     

    Legal Battles Drag On

    More than a year after the 75 River St. occupation, four defendants remain embroiled in ongoing case  More than a year and a half since a group occupied the former Wells Fargo building on River Street in an act of protest, felony charges linger on for four of the original defendants and a trial may be imminent. Gabriella Ripley-Phipps, Brent Adams, Cameron Laurendeau and Franklin Alcantara were scheduled to begin trial May 13 in connection with the late 2011 protest. That trial now has been pushed back to September due to scheduling conflicts. The four face a felony charge of vandalism and a misdemeanor for trespassing.

     

    Bringing the Message Home

    Former mayor and UCSC student recap their experiences at the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women While traveling to New York for the 57th United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), seasoned local activist Jane Weed-Pomerantz had a notion of what to expect. But, with the vast scope of worldwide women’s rights violations presented at the commission, she knew she would still be taken aback at times. “I was worried because I had a feeling I would be finding out what I did find out about women and girls in the world,” says Weed-Pomerantz. “I was trying to brace myself for the knowledge of the reality, because we are really very protected in this country.”
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    May Day in the Alps

    When my daughter returns to Santa Cruz from her new home in Los Angeles, she comments on how quiet it is here. It was even more so during a trip to Ben Lomond, when we set out for a sample of her second favorite macaroni and cheese. Sitting at the front of the Tyrolean Inn restaurant, the green tarp with plastic windows kept out the chill as well as the noise of an occasional passing car. A new draft beer celebrating the German spring, Maibok ($6) was refreshing, served in a hefty glass stein, but specialty cocktails are unique as well.

     

    The Power of Conversation

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    What are you a total sucker for?

    A cold beer after a long bike ride, gossip, and fighting over politics. Kyle McKinley Santa Cruz | Lecturer

     

    Best of Santa Cruz County

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    Vine & Dine: Pine Ridge Vineyards

    Chenin Blanc + Viognier 2012 On a recent trip to Palm Springs, I came across Pine Ridge Vineyards’ Chenin Blanc + Viognier at a new downtown restaurant called Lulu. Superbly decorated in Hollywood-esque style and with a very hip vibe, this California bistro is one of the hottest new dining spots—and the Chenin Blanc was just the right wine to pair with some of Lulu’s Happy Hour tapas-style food. And eating outdoors in the desert’s warm night air makes a chilled white wine taste even better.

     

    Making Sense of Soul

    Allen Stone wants to give R&B back some of its depth Whether fairly or unfairly, R&B and soul music often get typecast. Much of the music is groove-inducing and has an overtly romantic, sensual or sexual side to it, and the suggestive lyrics only reinforce this mood. That is fine and well, but for R&B and soul singer Allen Stone, it is not enough. “I love music that’s about love, and I love R&B songs, but I also like songs that have influence on culture,” Stone says. "I believe that if you’re given a microphone you need to use it in a positive way, and I feel like pop culture, more often than not, doesn’t. I think that [pop stars] are very bad stewards of the microphone they’ve been given, and the voices they’ve been given, and they tend to talk about pretty futile and shallow things, rather than subjects which uplift the children in our culture, or the teenage culture, or the young adult generation. If you’re given a microphone, you should say something that’s deeper than, ‘I’m going to the club and I’m going to drink cognac.’”

     

    Step on up to the Bar

    Here in Santa Cruz County, we are privileged to have farm-fresh greens year-round. Making a nightly salad at home is a snap since the emergence of pre-washed greens, and vinaigrette dressing is made easily with your favorite vinegar and small spoon of Dijon mustard whisked with a bit of olive oil.

     

    Exposed

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    Do you unplug often enough? Or do you need help?

    Santa Cruz | Caregiver