Tuesday 28 July 2009

Chasing Our Tails

The path of self-development and transformation is a rocky one. Some may feel it is paved with gold and glittering with gem stones, with fluffy pink clouds floating around for good measure, but the reality for most of us is that it is – for the most part - an uphill climb over rocky and unknown terrain.

This is not to say that it is all doom and gloom, because it isn’t. At the end of the day it all comes down to belief. If we believe that an uphill climb is hard work, without joy and full of challenges then that’s what it will be. However, if we believe that an uphill climb is challenging but highly rewarding and satisfying, and the key to our inner strength and sense of purpose; then we are likely to have a very different experience.

Think of explorers and sports men/women. They visualise themselves in the place they want to be. They are aware of the time, dedication and hard work required, but they never lose sight of their goals, they just KNOW that it will come to pass. They often overcome obstacles with relative ease, as they don’t let anything cloud the image of their destination.

Therefore if we think that life will be tough, it will be tough. If we think that life will be hard, it will be.

I have written about the power of intent before, but in this current climate where challenges seem to be coming out of the woodwork, and it feels like chaos is reigning on all levels. It is important to take a moment to stop, take a deep breath and to get the destination back into focus again.

It is all too easy to get lost in the detail, and to struggle to keep our heads above water. But faith and positive intent are our saviours. Struggle only makes us tired, it rarely achieves anything, but most of us continue to struggle, why?

I guess that’s because we are human, and that’s what we do. However, we can change our thought patterns and mind set – all we need to do is to have faith/belief that we will be taken care of, and to have an unbending, positive intent to see us through.

So why struggle, when you can sit back on that lilo and just glide along with the tide, enjoying the sunshine and a nice G & T at the same time? I guess that it comes down to choice.

Tuesday 21 July 2009

New Moon & Solar Eclipse Part 2

The New Moon and Solar Eclipse are but a few hours away now...

As I mentioned yesterday, the New Moon is in Cancer (for the second month running). Cancer is a water sign and so strongly connected to the emotions. In addition, when we think about the crab we can see that there is a tough almost impenetrable exterior, with a soft and very vulnerable interior.

This is a time of great inner change and transformation, and this New Moon marks a turning point within each of us to face our vulnerabilities and fears, and to breathe deeply into them as we acknowledge that it is often these fears that are the true source of our strength and resolve.

We are all fallible, that is part of the human condition. But we have a choice whether to give up in defeat or to find strength from these fears and move forwards with more wisdom and knowledge than before.

This New Moon is a time to honour the belief in our gifts, and ourselves and to give thanks for our vulnerabilities and fears for the strength that they can give us. It is time to realise that we all have soft, vulnerable interiors, and each of us has a choice whether or not to embrace these now and allow the transformation process to continue through to completion, to allow the chrysalis to burst open so the butterfly can emerge.

The aim is not to build up an impenetrable, protective shell, but it is to live a life feeling safe to bare all, to strip away the frills and stand in the truth of who we are.


"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom"

Anais Nin - Risk

New Moon 22nd July at 02.35 GMT (03.35 BST) – this is the time of totality of the Solar Eclipse.

Monday 20 July 2009

New Moon & Solar Eclipse Part 1

We are building up to the New Moon on the 22nd July – at this time there is a total eclipse of the Sun, visible in SE Asia and the western Pacific. Although many of us will not see this event, it is still significant as it marks a time of great inner change and transformation (yes, more!).

Solar Eclipses were thought of as harbingers of doom by our ancestors (who put out the light?), and whilst we now know more about astronomy and such events, we still know that eclipses are of great significance…

The New Moon is once again in Cancer, and so those with strong Cancerian influences can expect to be most affected by this event, although it is likely to touch all of us in some way or another. Just out of interest, the eclipse on the 31st December this year will also be in Cancer…

The following quote by astrologer T Marks fits very well with the energy of this new moon.

‘Vague insights are floating through my consciousness. I can barely grasp them, and can only intuit some essential change within me, which may have the power to alter who I am…. Slowly, vaguely, deep within me, I sense that new foundations are being laid now and I want to take advantage of what seems like a very potent and fertile time for change…’

More on this tomorrow…

New Moon 22nd July at 02.35 GMT (03.35 BST) – this is the time of totality of the Solar Eclipse.

Saturday 18 July 2009

Running on Empty Part 3


Abundance

Abundance is a word that many new age philosophers love to use. Yet aren’t we suffering as a result of too much abundance in our lives, isn’t the earth buckling under the pressure of our human demand for abundance?

Abundance means plenty, and of course we all want to have plenty in our lives, yet in this age of consumerism and materialism, maybe we have lost sight of the real meaning of abundance?

The Oxford dictionary states that abundance is ‘A very large quantity of something’. So when we simply ask for abundance in our lives, are we asking for a lot of everything? Do we need everything? Do we want sorrow in abundance? Do we want pain in abundance? Do we want anger in abundance?

Many of us are guided into seeking abundance in our lives, yet do we really think this through? Maybe joy, happiness, love and contentment in abundance would be more appropriate?

The dictionary also refers to abundances as Plentifulness and Prosperity. Plentifulness seems a more appropriate word as it suggests enough for all to share – there is plenty to go around. Most people equate prosperity to financial security, which narrows the scope. So, maybe we need to focus on plentifulness in our lives?

The sacred dance of Neptune, Jupiter and Chiron is a time when dreams come true. All of us are looking for something in our lives, and it is quite a ‘new age’ ideal to seek abundance, yet does the Universe truly understand the meaning of abundance? Does it know that when we ask for abundance, we only mean positive abundance? Of course the Universe, the Divine is all knowing, but surely the idea of prayers and affirmations is to call to us those things that we hold dear?

So, a word of caution in these magical times – be careful what you wish for, as you might just get it.

Thursday 16 July 2009

Running on Empty Part 2


Forgiveness


Forgiveness is a powerful gift, many of us find it hard to truly forgive and let go of past hurts. Yet at a deep level, being able to forgive sets us free. Anger or bitterness feeds more anger and bitterness: it becomes a repeating negating and destructive cycle. But to rise above this, to forgive, to truly forgive allows healing at a very deep and core level. It not only heals ourselves, but each other, and the Earth.

There are many events in history, which shock us even now – massacres, tortures, destruction and war (not forgetting the Crusades). Some of those events are now so far back in history we struggle to connect to the emotion of them. It is easy to connect to more recent horrors as the memory of those events is still carried in the eyes of survivors and family members.

Watching eight young servicemen being carried along in their coffins yesterday provoked a great deal of emotion for me. On one level, the war in Afghanistan is so far away and out of sight; that it almost seems like someone else’s war. Yet these young men died for their country, and whatever I may feel about the concept of war, it is hard not to feel the pain of their families, to connect to the compassion of their tragedies.

It is hard to understand the forces they are fighting, the threats that they face. Yet with all wars, at some level both ‘sides’ must believe that what they are doing is right. How can we forgive someone who takes away all those young lives? Yet without forgiveness, how can the situation ever truly end?

The idea of forgiveness is a powerful and somewhat provocative one. Yet, Chiron – the wounded healer, Jupiter – the philosopher, Neptune – the dreamer, Pluto – the transformer and Uranus – the truth seeker, have invoked a feeling deep within that in order to truly find peace within ourselves, we need to find it in one another as well.

Food for thought:

In the beginning: 'to err is human; to persist is of the Devil'." Seneca, Roman Philosopher

Then came: ‘to err is human, to forgive Divine’ Alexander Pope

And then: ‘to err is human, but it feels divine.’ Mae West

Continues Tomorrow...

Wednesday 15 July 2009

Running on Empty

The energetic effects of all the recent planetary activity really seems to have left many of us feeling lethargic, tired, confused, forgetful, exhausted and forgetful. There is so much transformational energy about at the moment, it can be hard to establish exactly what is going on. Some days it is overwhelming, other days underwhelming, but most of the time simply whelming.

The best way to describe it is a feeling like we are running on fumes. The energy reserves are at an all time low to enable us to reach that deep space within to allow the transformation to complete, yet at the same time, life is busy and full and active, and without those essential extra energy reserves, it is hard to function in the real world.

Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron continue their sacred dance, but with Pluto and Uranus also retrograde, the full power of this is a great deal more potent than many people realised.

Two key themes seem to have arisen from the confusion:

Forgiveness
Abundance

To Be Continued...

Tuesday 14 July 2009

Words for Today...

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
"Pooh!" he whispered.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you."

AA Milne

Saturday 11 July 2009

The Cracked Pot

I just love the following story, it always makes me feel better knowing that there is a greater and higher purpose to all my flaws...!

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole, which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."

"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts." The pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the Pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pots side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them. So, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers.

Cracked Pot Author - Unknown

Thursday 9 July 2009

No Compass Required?

I have often wondered if my inner compass doesn’t point in the same direction as everyone else’s. I wonder if us ‘spiritual, new age’ types maybe see the world from a different perspective, and it is this ability to see differently that gives us a different magnetic north to everyone else?

Maybe this is something that we will never know, yet it seems significant at this time that so many people are seeing their lives turned upside down so that they can see things from another viewpoint.

Whether it be healers, mystics or bankers, the world is changing. Maybe more people are seeing a different magnetic north, maybe not. Maybe we are all slowly shifting towards the same ultimate destination?

One thing for sure though, life would be a whole lot easier if it came with an instruction manual, compass (or GPS) and map!

Of course in many ways it’s not the destination that’s important; it is the journey. And by getting lost, taking wrong turns and meeting dead-ends, we learn so much more about ourselves, our paths and our inner strength. So in some ways, not having the benefit of foresight or a compass is our greatest gift?

We seem to be in a time of great change and transformation, both on a personal and global level. Some of our deepest held beliefs and comforts are being challenged as we see great institutions tumble and fall away. It can be all too easy to get lost in the grief and turmoil of this, yet it is only when things come to an end that the new can be re-born.

Maybe, just maybe, humanity is beginning to learn some lessons that despite our best efforts, nothing is permanent, nothing is guaranteed. Sometimes, we have to go with the flow of change, to accept that things end so that new things can begin. Clinging on to outdated or outmoded beliefs serves us no purpose. This is not to say that we should shun tradition, but sometimes traditions come to a natural expiry date.

We are on a path of great change. Some call this Ascension, some call it the path to enlightenment. I prefer to call it evolution. It is the nature of humans to grow, change and to develop. It is our nature to question, to challenge and to invent. We are thinkers, philosophers and innovators. This is not to say that everything we do is for the good of all and for the good of the planet and all those other beings that dwell on her. Life is a learning curve after all. Yet we are reaching a point where burying our heads in the sand just isn’t acceptable anymore, we have reached a point of knowing, which means we have to take the responsibility for our actions and choices, and face the karma associated with them.

This current upheaval has started to expose money, power and control as false gods. Instead a simpler, more sustainable way of living is starting to resurface. Maybe this is the way ahead? Living in harmony with the earth and one another? Living without judgement, prejudice or hatred?

Maybe once we are all pointing in the same direction, then we can start to make the world a much better place for everyone who lives here? We all have an inner compass, that part of us that guides us through life, that part of us that comes through as intuition to keep us on track or to let us know we have stepped onto a ‘wrong’ path. Maybe once we all start to use our inner compasses again, we will start to unify, to come together? Or maybe we should just throw away our compasses and use our Faith and Trust in the Divine to guide us? Maybe though, these are one and the same thing…

Monday 6 July 2009

Full Moon & Lunar Eclipse

The Full Moon occurs in Capricorn at 09.21 GMT (10.21 BST) on the 7th - so tonight is the best night to see it. There is a penumbral lunar eclipse at 09.39 GMT (10.39 BST) tomorrow. Before I go on, I will attempt to explain what a penumbral eclipse actually is!

A penumbral eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the earth’s penumbra. The outer or penumbral shadow is the zone where the Earth blocks part but not all of the Sun's rays from reaching the Moon (which at Full Moon is behind the Earth). As not all of the light is blocked from reaching the moon, the appearance of the moon does not change a great deal, and so Penumbral eclipses can be very subtle and often impossible to see.

There are lots of good websites with diagrams if you want to find out more...

The Sabian symbol for today (20 degrees Capricorn): A Relay Race

Short and to the point. I must say though, that my life has been feeling more and more like a relay race – just one continuous circuit going round and round and round…

Take some time to think about the symbol, and do try to meditate with the Full Moon.

Just for Information:

There are 360 symbolic images, known as the Sabian Symbols, associated to each of the 360 degrees of the zodiacal circle. They were given birth in San Diego, California, in 1925 by Marc Edmund Jones and Elsie Wheeler, an extraordinary clairvoyant. Today, the 360 symbols are widely used in astrology in order to gain a deeper understanding of the influence of a planet located at that degree.

I find them an extremely useful tool for meditation and to gain a deeper understanding of events in life…

Sunday 5 July 2009

Chiron and The Shaman

Chiron has always been known as the wounded healer, and many of us with a ‘calling’ have ‘chosen’ the path of the shaman (the healer). There is debate whether we choose the path or if it chooses us, but that is a whole other discussion.

Looking at the wounded healer, it seems clear that many of us on the path of healing have our own wounds to face and deal with. It is believed in fact that the true path of the shaman is in facing challenges such as loss, abandonment, grief, neglect, pain, or depression…

It is only once a shaman has faced one or all of these challenges, and found the path of self-healing that they are prepared enough to heal others. Now some people would not agree with this, but traditionally this was the way of the shaman.

Shamanic work (like all other forms of healing) is about energy. We live in a vibrational universe, everything is energy and so everything is interconnected. Working with energy therefore enables the healer to work in flow with the universe and to trust the natural guidance of the universe.

Coming back to Chiron, it was through his suffering that Chiron turned to healing others. He made his incurable wound his gift. And so, like Chiron, we too can turn our suffering into our greatest gifts. It can be hard to see at the time, but very often we see healers helping others who have been through similar trauma to themselves – think about ex-addicts helping addicts, cancer survivors helping those still battling the disease and so on.

Once a shaman has faced his inner demons and journeyed within, he/she knows the terrain, they know every lump, swamp, and obstacle. This enables them to navigate the terrain for others, to help others to heal and overcome the challenges in their lives.

The Shaman or healer listens to the whispers of Spirit or the Divine and these whispers enable the healer to heal themselves and to discover the key to healing others. So it is important to have quiet moments to listen to these whispers, to seek guidance from the Divine.

Understanding Chiron in our birth charts can enable us to see to the core of our healing gifts or powers. He can help us to understand our wounds and to find ways of not only healing ourselves, but in healing others as well.

Chiron is currently in retrograde in a sacred dance with Jupiter and Neptune in Aquarius, which means that this is a time to understand our ‘wounds’ and to start to use our ability to listen to the ‘whispers’ to gain guidance and direction about our paths ahead.

It is a time to embrace Chiron the wounded healer, Chiron the Shaman.


If you are interested in finding out more about Chiron in your own birth chart, why not have an e-reading with me? Just go to The Planet Whisperer website to find out more.

Friday 3 July 2009

The Plight of the Bumble Bee

Two good friends of mine also on the ‘path’ were recently visited by a large swarm of bees. These bees are now safely in a new home thanks to a local beekeeper.

It made me start thinking about the humble bumble and the other bees that seem to be struggling to survive in the 21st Century. The reason for their decline is still unclear – disease, GM crops, mobile phones and pesticides have all been cited. I am not sure, but it is clear that without the bee we will be facing some very bleak times, as they are responsible for pollinating the crops, they are the true providers of life.

The Bee has been honoured throughout time - a 13th century cleric claimed, "The bee is more honoured than other animals, not because she labours, but because she labours for others."

Each Bee works for the common good of the hive, and through the unity and diligence, true happiness and prosperity (the sweetness or nectar of life) can be found.

Bees represent creativity, prosperity, community, teamwork and harmony. They also represent fertility – the honey of life. They are often considered a symbol of the Goddess of the Divine Feminine (In particular Venus) because Bees are ruled by Queens and because part of their labour is the indirect fertilization of flowers – part of the dominion of Venus.

The Bee is also sacred to the goddess Venus because, according to mystics, it is one of several forms of life, which came to the earth from the planet Venus millions of years ago. Wheat and bananas are said to be of similar origin. Venus is currently visible in the pre-dawn sky – the morning star (check out any of the good astronomy websites for details).

Bees represent hard work and industriousness, and through this they can help to illuminate problems and give us the skills to implement the solution.

Think about the honeycomb – the hexagon. This is a symbol of the heart and the lifeforce within, the Sun, our inner life spark. Think about the way in which Bees communicate – through dance and vibration. We all dance the sacred dance of life, and we are all connected by the energy that vibrates within and without all there is. The Bee is sacred and a blessing.

So Bee reminds us to extract the honey of life and to make our lives as fertile and abundant as we can. Like the Bee extracts the nectar from the flower, we can extract the nectar of wisdom from everyday life.

Bee shows us that no matter how big a dream we may have, there is a way to find fulfilment if we have the courage to pursue it. Nectar is often seen as the elixir of life (as carried by the water carrier Aquarius, who is currently hosting the major celestial bash of the year with Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune). The elixir of life is as sweet as honey, yet many of us never taste this through fear or caution. Yet Bee gives us the opportunity to drink the nectar, to have a life of joy and fulfilment if we have the courage and self-belief.

So we have a lot to be thankful to Bee for, yet this humble hardworking insect is in decline. Maybe we need to give a little nectar back and offer healing to the Bee? Bees shows us that it is possible to work together for the common good, so maybe we need to work for the good of our humble little friends?

June Horoscopes

Aries

Life has been something of an uphill struggle for you over recent weeks. You have been working hard, but as yet have not seen the results you might be hoping for. The good news is that June heralds the end of this struggle, and you will finally be able to see just how much progress you have made, and just how much fruit there is to harvest now in your life.

This is not a time to rest on your laurels though, as a new chapter is opening in your life and your confidence is re-awakening as a result. You have managed to build yourself a firm and stable foundation through all your hard work, and now you can enjoy exploring some new interests and directions as a result. A word of caution though – don’t try to run before you can walk – bide your time until the moment is right…

It’s not all work, work, work though and you will find the time for a little rest and relaxation. Spend some quality time with those close to you, and above all, find some time for you. In fact, you would be wise to find a regular space in your life for some ‘you time’, as life looks set to get a whole lot busier for you as the year progresses.

Taurus

You are one of the most giving, generous and self-sacrificing people around. You will help anyone close to you who is in need, and you think nothing of giving your time to others, even if you need it for yourself. This is a part of your genetic cosmic make-up, and nothing is likely to change this about you. However, there are some people close to you who know this about you, who are taking advantage of your good nature and warm heart.

June is a month where you need to indulge yourself a little – and take some quality time out for yourself. Those grateful souls around you will welcome this and allow you to embrace this quality time. However, those – shall we say demanding – types who do take advantage are likely to stamp their feet and get angry that you are not at their beck and call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By the end of the month, you will have a very clear idea of whom the culprits are that drain you. It is ultimately up to you how to deal with this, but learning to say ‘No!’ would help. In fact, the more assertive you become (practise makes perfect!), the easier this will get. This does not mean you are being selfish – just human. Don’t feel guilty either, it’s not your stuff, it’s theirs!

Gemini

You have been feeling a little confined and restricted recently, and this has been having quite a stifling effect on your creativity. This has left you feeling frustrated, self-doubting and quite lethargic (particularly intellectually and creatively). You are one of life’s free thinkers, and need space to explore and create. You have struggled to find the source of this restriction, but it seems that you have been digging a little too deeply and stopped seeing the wood for the trees.

You are often so focused on the detail, that you lose sight of the bigger picture, and you seem to have missed a more obvious drain on your energy, which is staring you right in the face! You! Yes, you are the one holding yourself back, doubting your potential and fearing that you are not good enough. That perfectionist side of you is paralysing your life through fear, and the result is inaction. It’s time to let this go now, and to face your fears and embrace your life. You have so much to offer, shame you are the only one who can’t see it.

June is also a month to spread your wings and to explore some new horizons. Try to find a retreat where you can re-charge your batteries and get your life back into perspective once again…

Cancer

Well here we are, the high-energy point of the year – the Summer Solstice. This is the moment when the Sun enters Cancer. This year, June looks set to be a month of growth and expansion for Cancerians. You have been plodding along with your life for a while now, holding your head bowed low, just keeping on keeping on. It’s almost as though you have retreated back into your safe space, and don’t want to come out again for fear of what you might have to face.

June is your time – your moment to assert your dreams and ambitions, and to let go of all of your uncertainties and doubts. Life carries risks, of course it does, but to avoid living life to the full just to avoid the pitfalls isn’t serving you that well as you seem a little empty, lost and unfulfilled. You are a talented, gifted individual, with so much to offer – don’t you owe it to yourself to shine?

The cosmic winds are blowing favourably in your direction, and life looks set to be plain sailing in June. So why not make the most of this opportunity to shed your cautious, negative – even pessimistic - edge and to embrace life, your gifts and the unknown. Only you can decide, but listen to your intuition and believe in yourself. Good luck.

Leo

Lee Marvin once sang about being ‘born under a wandrin’ star’, quite how these lyrics could just appear in anyone’s mind is puzzling, even stranger for someone who has never seen ‘Paint your Wagon’! Yet, in June, you are likely to be feeling quite nomadic, so maybe this soulful muse does make sense. There is a strong sense that whilst you will be busy, you will also be looking for distractions and ways to escape the routines in your life. Life feels free and easy, and you will be keen to go with your ‘self-directed’ flow as much as possible.

At the same time though, your wandering experience this month has a deeper and more significant meaning, as it seems that you are at some level looking for your ‘home’. This is not to say you will be moving, or are looking for your ancestral roots, but this is more connected to you finding a space within you and your environment where you feel truly at peace and at one with yourself. This is not something you can go hunting for, but you will know it when you get there. You will feel calm, and be able to take a deep breath and feel content. So, look out for the subtle signs and you could end the month in a very special place in your life.

Virgo

June is a month to take care of ‘number one’ – that is, you! Maybe you have been neglecting yourself a little or not taking care of health matters? If so, now is the time to address this and to get your self back on top form. A driving force in this matter is connected to how busy you have been lately; when did you last stop and have a true rest? Hmmmm…

So, try to prioritise some ‘you time’, switch off the phone (ok, leave it on silent if you must!), turn off the computer and do something just for you. When you do get a chance for some reflection, you will see just how much you have been running around after others. But to what avail? Is this really serving a positive purpose in your life? This is not to say just drop all your commitments and promises to others, but rather have a good think about your motivations. Once you get things into a little more perspective, you will begin to sort the wheat from the chaff, and get your life back on track once again.

An amazing opportunity is coming your way this month, and in order to take advantage of it, you need to have ‘space’ in your life - blink and you’ll miss it, so be prepared.

Libra

Hopefully by now last month’s forecast of Taoist philosophies and letting go of worry will be making far more sense to you, and you seem much more centred and calm as a result. In addition, your calmness is allowing you to access your deep inner well of creativity this month as you start to explore just how far your talents can take you. This is not a month to charge ahead, but the perfect time to subtly network and mingle, and know that you will meet just the right people at just the right time.

As a Libran you have mastered the fine art of weighing up all the pro’s and con’s of just about every situation in your life. You are not really indecisive, just thorough. The downside of this is that you like to calculate the likely outcomes of a situation, and you can hold back unless you are sure it will work out. This can result in inaction through the fear of uncertainty, and it will get you nowhere fast.

Sometimes though, however much you analyse a situation, the answer doesn’t get any clearer and you need to act on instinct alone. This is easier said than done for you, but trust that you are being guided, and that if you listen and believe, your intuition will let you know when the time is right.

Scorpio

You are very good at observation, and are usually aware of just how well (or how badly) those around you are doing. As a result, you often compare your own progress to this, and can sometimes feel hard done by when others seem to be storming ahead. Well, if you put as much energy into moving your own life forwards as you put into your observational ‘sport’, then you would be miles ahead of the crowd. In other words, focus on yourself a little more this month, who cares how well others are doing anyway? There is no need for you to keep trying to prove yourself or to ‘get ahead’ – what does this achieve at the end of the day? Surely for once you can concentrate on yourself?

If you can channel all your energy into your own life, you will see that you are on the doorstep on a wonderful new phase of your life, and success is yours for the taking. This is not a success to compare to others, but success in your own right. Life doesn’t always have to be about where you ‘fit’ in with others or how well you are doing compared to others. So try to relax, let others have the stress if they want it, and enjoy the ride. You have earned it, so try to enjoy it.

Sagittarius

You seem to function best when life is frenetic and a little chaotic. You thrive on the challenge and the thrill of the ride. Others may find it tiring to merely watch such highly tuned action, but not you, it actually seems to energise you! June brings another such phase in your life, but this time the fruits of your labour are within your grasp, so you are extremely motivated to work hard to achieve your desired result.

The only possible fly in the ointment is connected to those close to you expecting more of your time than usual. This is likely to leave you feeling rather frustrated and possibly even a little neurotic that there is a sub-plot to undermine all your dedication and hard work. Before you spin off wildly rebelling against this outside influence, calm down, and try to think about this rationally. The likelihood that others are trying to sabotage your dreams is very unlikely; it’s just that they would like a tiny piece of your attention once in a while.

And of all the people you know, you are the one who can handle this and still achieve your dreams. You are multi-talented and able to multi-task for a reason. So, you can still please yourself and those around you at the same time. Have fun!

Capricorn

There is a lot to be said for you Capricorns, you are realists and very worldly aware. Little, if anything really shocks you, as you are so prepared for most eventualities. You are quite cautious as you move through life, thinking, planning, assessing. There is a downside to this though: where is your spontaneity, your sparkle, and your enthusiasm? Life seems to have become a little too routine and planned recently, and as a result you have been full of nagging doubts about once again taking a chance on life and following your instincts.

You will never be able to truly let go of your realism and caution, but at the same time, you need to be able to prove to yourself that you have what it takes to achieve your dreams and to push your boundaries. If life stays too routine and ordinary, your energy retreats and you lose your sense of purpose in life. You have been through a long period of indecision, but June brings with it a wonderful chance to be spontaneous, creative and assertive, and to let go of the indecision and replace it with certainty, focus and determination. Sometimes life gives you opportunities within opportunities, and whilst on the surface you may not feel excited, try to see the bigger picture. You are on a roll – go for it!

Aquarius

The celestial party continues in Aquarius this month, with Jupiter moving retrograde on the 15th of the month. This is likely to stir up some significant and powerful inspirational ideas within you as you start to think more creatively about what you want to do with your life. You are a great one for lateral thinking and thinking ‘outside of the box’ – so make the most of this to find the perfect solution for taking your work forwards.

Luck is on your side, but this doesn’t simply mean that success will just drop into your lap. Luck is something you create yourself, so make the most of this opportunity to meet new people, explore your potential and to be noticed. Your destiny is in your hands, and opportunity will come knocking if you want it to. Just believe in your Self and your potential, and use that wily intuition of yours to make the most of your life.

As you will know, you are going through a fairly rapid transformational phase this year, and the pace of change steps up a gear this month. It will become clear that you need a little more space and freedom to be at one with this process, so if you can escape from the rat race for even a short time, this should be time very well spent.

Pisces

As a Piscean, you love to be free and fluid in your life, moving along as the flow takes you, trusting your intuition and instinct. Over recent weeks though, you have felt more like a goldfish in a bowl, than a fish in the ocean. There is a sense that you are feeling a little blocked, trapped and running round and round in circles. This has left you feeling quite disenchanted with life and with the people around you. The good news is that June brings with it an escape route from that fish tank, and a clear path back to the open water.

This news is likely to re-ignite your inspiration and passion for life, as you think about moving freely through the currents of life once again. However, do contemplate for a moment the lessons you learnt whilst in the goldfish bowl – sometimes however hard you persevere with something, at best you will only ever end up going round and round in circles. Sometimes, you have to listen to your instinct and know when it’s time to focus on something new or different, or maybe seek an alternative solution. June is one such time, and so go within, trust your inner guide and you will know what to do. This is an amazingly positive and golden opportunity, so make the most of it.

Wednesday 1 July 2009

Does Lightning Ever Strike the Same Place Twice?

The somewhat erratic and eclectic Uranus moves retrograde today (the 1st July 2009). Uranus joins a plethora of other celestial bodies already in retrograde including Pluto, Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune.

Uranus stands alone in uniqueness though. Uranus (originally Ouranus) translates as ‘the sky crowned with stars’. Uranus was the oldest of the Gods; he conceived the idea of the Universe, before the Universe came into being.

Uranus represents illumination and the light of consciousness. Many believe that we are afraid of the dark, but Uranus helps us to see that often our biggest fear is the light. Unless we are ready to receive truth, we will shun it in every way we can – burning, crucifying, and stoning… Uranus is not about judging humankind for these actions though, for this is part of the human condition. Instead Uranus shines the light of illumination, consciousness and Truth for all to see. If we try to see too much, the electricity and current might burn us, so we take it in small doses. Slowly building up our awareness until we reach Nirvana or enlightenment – a state of all knowing.

Linking in to the electricity image of Uranus, it is easy to see why he is often seen as the Lightning Strike – the bringer of Truth. Truth can strike right at the heart of an issue, it can burn, it can kill, and it can illuminate and bring change. It is in those lightning strikes, that flashes of brilliance, ingenuity and great insight often come. Yet Uranus is always ahead of the flow, and for that reason new ideas are often challenged and resisted.

So Uranus lights up our ability to see truth, but the truth of what? When we think about the other Uranian traits this becomes a little clearer. Uranus represents the bohemian, the hippie, the rebel, the humanitarian, the individual, the innovator, and the anarchist. Uranus destroys outdated and outmoded beliefs and ideologies. He awakens our 6th sense, and our intuitive gifts.

So, what relevance does the retrograde movement of an ageing, new age, rebellious hippie have on each of us? Well, he might be the man that we all often walk past, thinking that he is on drugs or in another world, yet Uranus is the oldest of the Gods, he is the Creator. It is all too easy to have a lack of respect for this hippie, but without him humans would not evolve, life would not develop.

Uranus is a free spirit, he is unique and individual. No two people are alike, and Uranus loves this. So, when you see that wise man, don’t judge him by how he looks, judge him on what he says, thinks and does.

There are some of us who have strong Uranian characteristics. These are usually the eccentric inventors, the mad professors, the artists and astrologers (!) of this world. Uranus brings the ability to see the bigger picture, to see the pattern of things to come. For true Uranian people, what lies ahead is much clearer than the now.

In retrograde, Uranus enables us to see the Truth of who we really are, to see our own uniqueness and individuality, and to have the self-belief to stand up and be proud of ourselves and our achievements in life.

Going deeper though, Uranus in retrograde helps each of us to look into the very heart of ourselves, to have the ability to stand up against the inner establishment of ‘should’s, ought’s and must’s’ that we all build up within. Uranus challenges our inner dialogue to allow us to be the free spirits that we all are.

Uranus is a little beyond the realms of the emotional, it can feel a little cold and detached. The reason for this is that Uranus looks ahead to the future, to the collective, to evolution. This can seem hard and unemotional, challenging and fearful. Think about a career change as an example, the fact that we might know a change is required and necessary; it does not stop the inevitable fear, worry and anxiety that follows…

Remember that Uranus is the humanitarian, the revolutionary. In retrograde, this is likely to stir up these archetypes within each of us. We will start to push for change not only within, but collectively as well. It is through the ingenuity of Uranus that great change comes for humanity.

With all the other celestial activity at the moment, Uranus in retrograde is likely to highlight those core issues within us that we fail to move beyond – those repeating patterns that we all have in our lives. Uranus has stirred this up before, and he will again, his lightning bolt will continue to strike the same place until we face both the light and dark of our own realities.

Uranus remains retrograde until the 1st December 2009, so there is plenty of time for this electric little hippie to throw lightning bolts, to challenge our comfort zones and to help us to see Truth. Let the good times roll…