Our Dark Embrace... Venus squares Pluto

Venus is currently challenged by Pluto. In Astrological terms, Venus is SQUARE (a 90 degree angle of conflict, tension) Pluto.

Venus = Love, Relationships, Beauty, Harmony
Pluto = intensity, power, darkness, rebirth

So we're in a sort of 'Fatal Attraction' time - relationships intensify, we end up meeting people who drive us so crazy we enter The Dark Realm - we become jealous, envious, we feel suspicious, we go through peoples pockets, sniff out their secrets or just THINK they are out to get us. We feel with such intensity now, that we end up seeking out things perhaps better left alone. Yet every stone turned now can lead to healing.

Relationships of all kinds now become intense. We meet people who pull on us, who force us to transform or try and force us to change when we don't want to.

Since Venus is what we enjoy, we enjoy the darker aspects of life - the taboo, the evil, the shadow, the malevolent. Rental of horror movies is sure to skyrocket this week. And so are the number of stalkers out on the streets. Is your door locked?

No, I'm kidding (ish). But it's worth considering how obsessed you are becoming or are about a certain someone. Or a certain relationship or partnership. Or something you find attractive. Is it really good for you? Under this current alignment, the dark chocolate gateau may be laced with cyanide. Either that, or it'll give a seriously bad case of the runs the next day.

If anything, let what you love die. Let it fly free because you are secure. Let it change form (which is a death) and allow it to be itself without trying to corrupt or force it into a way YOU want.

The way we relate to each other and ourselves is going through a radical alteration now. It may not be easy, but the rewards are worth it.

In short, whichever relationships survive these storms, are made to last. Because they respect the need for change, for tearing down old ways of relating an sharing, and dealing with the ugly sides of love. And those that die, weren't strong enough.

Abuse is still abuse, so we must decide to walk away from unhealthy patterns. What we want, may not really truly be in line with our changing values.

Which is which in your life? Are you ready to let some relationship habits die so you can release old attachments? Or are you dying by refusing to change?

Love is Love.

Everything else is an illusion, or a lie masquerading as the truth.

Stalker-free (except for these email updates!) Love,

Neil

Apr 5: First New Moon of 2008: Are you ready?

The Aries New Moon - the first of the New Moons of this year (in the true Astrological Calendar) is always a special one. it's the STARTING point for us, where we get to truly enter the 'spirit of spring' no matter what weather you're currently experiencing in your corner of the cosmos.

The Ram, the Easter Bunny, the sap rising - the spirit of Aries is a fresh start, the pioneering and perennial childlike naive openness of which miracles are born.

Somehow, somewhere, life is offering you a fresh start. A new beginning. A clean slate.

When you woke up this morning (chances are you'll read this blog the day after if not the day of..it lasts all month so don't worry) something inside has shifted. maybe it's just a new desire, a new bravery, the energy to get up, stand up and change something, look at something anew or else turn a page (and a corner) with new determination.

Aries is the sign of war and fighting (also weapons of war - this time last year we were witness to one of the worst school shootings in US history. I am sure we'll bear witness somewhere of both facets of the Aries energy this year on cue). War will erupt now - but only in places and pockets of society (and our psyche) where we feel stuck, trapped, repressed.

Mars is the planetary ruler of this particular New Moon but he's currently in Cancer, a water sign in conflict with Aries, giving us wake up call to how insecure we may truly be, how our emotions are often the cause of much conflict in our lives and how domestic unrest (feeling ill at ease at home, without our own four walls or families or within our skin - our true spiritual home in this lifetime) is truly the cause of all conflicts worldwide.

You can do your part to ease the global conflict situation - by resolving your OWN conflict. Your own internal disputes and resolve your own domestic discord. That's a small point with major RAM-ifications, this Aries season.

In Cancer, Mars says 'I want to demonstrate how I feel', I want to repair my home defense system, I want to secure the door, and make sure the dragon in the moat is fed and happy and alert. The US of course is a Cancer country, and we've seen so much of Saturn's past transit through Cancer as a time of 'home-land security'. With Mars here, if we're not secure, we're over-defending our spaces and igniting wars where there truly is no need to. Are you passive aggressive or overly protecting yourself now?

There is no reason to let the Aries energy go to waste on such silly things (in the eyes of reincarnation and the philosophy that we are connected) as killing people, or even getting into a fight. This New Moon, channel your energy into a battle, yes. It's good for the soul. Conquer something. A project. The Gym. A new project. An old project that needs new life. Beat a wall down. Run a marathon. Sure, go to a shooting range. Shout, buy a punchbag and let it out. Have it out with someone who did you wrong - whether in person, or just in thought.

We don't need a physical presence before us to effect massive change. Aries is pure energy - the first of the fire signs. We need only think of someone, bring them to mind, and they are 'in our space'. So if you need to get pissed off at someone, do it in this safe and secure energy-space. It will create a change, guaranteed, if it comes from the heart. They too shall feel it. And some form of release will be afforded you.

Aries New Moons are all about choosing our battles.

Some battles lead to something created.
Some battles lead to something destroyed.

In the simple act of choosing creation, we choose destruction. But we end up with something to show at the end, that we can be proud of. The only thing we destroy is the void, the waiting, the nothingness that was there before. Our product has been birthed by the energies of spring - be it a poem, a new home, a relationship, a baby, a novel, a painting, a portfolio, a presentation, a driving test.

Conflicting Alignments

The New Moon is challenged by Mars in Cancer as we mentioned. As it's a separating aspect, can we MOVE ON from past emotional and domestic conflicts? Can we forgive, forget and wipe it from our memory or will the past be reflected in each new conflicted situation we move into now? It's time to use the past memory of conflict resolution or retribution release us from repeating past errors. Each old recurring emotion can lead us somewhere new.

The New Moon is challenged by Jupiter in Capricorn. How can we be carefree if we're still trying to overdo our climb to the top? How can we be free children if we're carrying the baggage of status, reputation and the worry that we won't make it? What is success? Are we overextending ourselves? In Business or pleasure, make sure work and play are balanced. Don't overdo it - moderation is hard to come by now, if anything slow down on your bid for More, Higher, Better!

Helpful Alignments

The New Moon is aided by Chiron in Aquarius. The more universal we can be, the more healing we can find. Rally the group around. Continue starting new practices - here in Los Angeles, my partner helped the building receive the Blue Bins, a free recycling program you have to ASK to be included in. Finally our area can now continue to recycle and help the environment. Small starts go a long way. All you have to do is initiate and implement it now.

Chiron in Aries says help your friends out, help them start over and allow them to get YOU out of a rut. Stay alert to NEW ways of doing things. Try a radical approach. Chiron in Aries finds a way off the beaten track. Be Unique or Don't Bother!


START what you want, desire and dream of. This is WISH DAY in the Astrological Calendar. Wherever Aries falls in our charts is where new seeds will be planted. Doing so consciously is the way to go. To help you in this process, I have created a new series of New Moon Ritual Readings, each one dedicated to the unique New Moon possibilities and potentials each month.

If you sign up for one of these unique Readings now I'll let you know what it means for you personally based on your own Birth Chart (if you order the special 45 minute Past Life, Present Path Reading that I have brought back again this year I'll throw some info in at the end for you too on this, look under the SPECIALS tab at the main site NewWorldAstrology.com) and I'll give you pointers on how to best make use of this time.

For those of you who know Astrology, it falls at 16Aries.

This New Moon period:

Bang something - anything except someone else or your head on a wall
Avoid bruises, cuts, burns and fights by re-channeling energy and slowing down when necessary
Get the ball rolling
DO some sports or hit the gym
Do it NOW
Stop procrastinating
Find a new look - define yourself in new ways
Have a haircut, tweeze hairs, have cosmetic surgery
Launch a new product
Be courageous - no more pussyfooting around
Stand up and be counted
Be active and assertive, not passive/passive-aggressive and annoying
Be impulsive but don't run a red light
Give slow people lots of leg room
Save yourself a headache by moving AROUND obstacles fast

It's a very masculine time. "Men's" issues are major now, just watch the news. Aries is war remember, so fighters are well starred. The army will love this period. So will athletes, firemen, cops and anyone who has to show a test of courage and strength. Women too aren't immune to this - testosterone hits them, and we'll see the posse of aggressive women hit the screen again - Alias or Buffy style. The old 'kick ass women with a gun' routine. Don't laugh, just you watch.
Women get to test out their masculine sides. Yee-haa..

Spiritually this is a time to define the self. Since it all comes from you, and comes back to you - who are you?

Work out what makes you tick,
and your body clock will happily
keep on tocking.

Forward March, this April!


Love,
Neil

Mind Your Mouth: Mercury enters Aries (April 2)

The groggy, confusing, mystical mind-meanderings of Mercury the messenger in watery Pisces is coming to an end. Hopefully, though, we can all keep what we learned with us - that sometimes, we're not being very clear, that we may need to repeat or re-read, that we may not be getting enough 'switch off' head space to do nothing but dream or meditate and that there IS more to life than meets the eye.

We'll need to keep these in mind as our minds enter a new phase of development as Mercury moves into fiery Aries tomorrow.

Prepare for a sudden rush of energy - our mouths, our minds and our motors are whirring. Cars suddenly speed, emails whizz out faster, we have more to say, more ground to cover and we don't feel we have as much time as we did last month.

Stand your ground, have your say, be firm and forceful, but know when to back out. You know what they say about winning the battle but losing the war...

Better yet, why fight at all? Everyone has a say. Have yours and listen to someone else's. Right now, it's less about agreement and everyone being heard.

Get writing, get moving, get thinking and get sharing your ideas. Tis the season.

Remember, w-o-r-d-s are s-w-o-r-d-s.


Love,
Neil

Lights out tonight - 8pm your time

TOnight is Earth Hour night - an idea spawned on the Internet that seems fun. Between 8 and 9pm tonight, everyone is asked to turn off their lights. Big Businesses are doing it as a sign of good will. It's to highlight the 'energy crisis' but I think it's just plain good fun, so I'll be joining in - we may get some great satelite photos from it if nothing else.

Read more about it here.

See you in the dark tonight!
Neil

Astro-Find in Israel

This interesting article crossed my desk this evening and I thought I'd share it. For those in religious realms who 'believe' Astrology to be a negative practice (the "devil's work" and so forth - yes there are still some), I found it beautifully poignant that this 2005 article of an ancient find at a prison site in Israel of a hidden 'church' - actually uses the sign of Pisces as the mosaic floor tile design.

Pisces, the two fish swimming in opposite directions, symbol of the soul's earthy downward direction and swimming upstream to spiritual enlightenment and our 'true' nature. Pisces was, of course, elected as the symbol for Christians/Christianity and is still widely recognized today.



Since then, we've progressed into the Age of Aquarius, whose new symbol, I believe is the Internet (symbol of Aquarius technology, humanity and its connections, electricity and 'brother/sister-hood ...and sites like MYSPACE and FRIENDSTER (friends and space being Aquarius symbols) another reflection. Also, the WWW of the internet, reflects the symbol of Aquarius (seen above).

Here's the article from 2005 about the hidden church and the picture above is of those two Pisces fish revealed.

You can sweep it under the carpet, but you can't hide the truth forever. Beautiful eh?

Love,
Neil

Update:Transit Report

The Transit Report I offer has now been updated to include specific date periods revealing your personal cycles - when they begin, when they peak and when they are over. So you can now chart the changing cycles and seasons of your own life, with ease.

You can see a sample at the website and order your own. It's currently on special as a new introductory offer of $30.

I hope it helps you understand what's currently happening and what lies ahead for you and how you can best respond to the changes tides of your own life.

Enjoy - it's a great report that I use myself when I need a handle on where I am at.


Get your own here.

Love,
Neil

Which House is Your Sun in?

So you know you're a Leo, or a Gemini. That's your SUN SIGN. But which HOUSE does it fall in, in your Astrological Chart.

Here begins our first 'lesson' in Astrology - as we peel back the layers of our own Birth Charts. You can get one free at my website under the FREE TOOLS or if you already know then you can go straight to the audio and listen to the Sun in your particular house.

There are 12 Houses. Our Sun in a specific house shows a need to "shine Light" into this area. Some say it's where we didn't have too much focus in other lives, and now it becomes an important focus. Some say it's where we're in the dark and need to learn something. I say it's some of this and more - it's a place we must assert our true selves if we're to ever feel strong and truly alive, while on Planet Earth.

So if you're ready to explore further, and discover a little more about yourself, grab your Chart, find the symbol of the sun (shown above) and then listen to what I have to say about its particular unique placement in YOUR Chart.

Feel free to share your comments or experiences. The clips are only a couple of minutes long so we can't cover everything but these are some of the main aspects of your life according to the Sun position (and remember there are a whole truckload of other placements!)


Listen to your Sun-House position here.
Enjoy!

Love,
Neil

Your Escape Key or Key to Escape (March 27/28)

On May 27 and 28 we have some interesting planetary alignments I thought you'd like to know about:

Mercury joins Uranus followed by Venus joining Uranus.

A quick synopsis - Mercury shows where our mind is, how we seek and share information. Communication and the flow of people or ideas.

Venus shows our likes, our enjoyment, our relations, our artistic styles, our way of interacting with others.

And Uranus? Wild cards - unpredictability, fresh freedom fields and the REAL story behind what we say (Mercury) and what we enjoy (Venus). In short - being so yourself, there is no room for anything else.

If you're in a relationship, look out for this one. You need closeness (Venus) but my goodness you'll need space (Uranus). Couples would do well to tune into both sides of the equation. Love IS freedom - freedom to be yourself while sharing life and the road with another. In any relationship. So respect that. Or watch the fireworks erupt.

And with Mercury also joining the wild planet, prepare for some outrageous media stories, comments, ideas and proposals. Inspired to some, sheer madness to others. Grab a pen and keep a notebook handy - you could just download the next greatest invention. That's if you can tune out the multitudes of 'noise' and 'nonsense' filling the airwaves right now.

Can we sleep? It depends if we can switch off our brains. Watch for sudden traffic and travel snarl-ups - people have a habit of turning into your lane at the last minute under this one.

And new romance and current dates? Don't hang your hat on them. Relationships struck up now, are likely to be fiery fanfares that end in a similar bang. Nothing stays the same with Uranus.

But if you like change, and feel you need to break out - then this is your week.

Find your freedom, and live it to the max - but be prepared to let others do just the same.


Neil

PS For those who have their charts - find out where 19 Degrees Pisces falls and this is the house where you'll find your greatest escapes and surprises. If you need help, let me know, or schedule a Reading.

Confrontational Cooperation: The Libra Full Moon

Every War is a Tug of War.

Since war implies conflict you can't have one unless one side is battling against another side.

They're the folk who will be excited with the Libra Full Moon on March 21 (for two weeks).

Libra is the midway sign in the Astrological Circle, implying a middle ground, a dividing line. "Me" and "you" for instance. Libra is the sign of partnership (we know the rumor about single Libras and their inevitable depression).

Since Full Moons are a completion, a release and a peak emotional time, and Libra is the sign of the "other", then it's a sure sign of an emotional tug of war in some area of our lives.

Is a relationship about to change? They always are. Will it end? That depends on many factors. What is certain is that when one end releases their end of the rope/bargain/deal the game is up.

Since every fight is a fight with ourselves (nobly brought to us by an outside who plays their role with amazing dexterity to help us "get through it", and every "other" (friend, lover, parent, boss, stranger, enemy, business client) is "us" (us in another form), then this is a funny old time. We get to incestuously play off with another in either a fun and feisty way, or buy into the illusion that there is a "me" versus "them" situation to fight, in which case we're lost chasing illusions.

Remember, as long as we take one side (I'm good, she's bad, I'm right, he's wrong, I am a happy person, they are sad people) you automatically must bring in its polar opposite to balance out. Nature loves balance. Night/Day, Dry/Wet, Hot/Cold, Male/Female. Play one side, you bring someone in, somewhere, to play its opposite. You have to. You can't help but. It's the Nature and Law of this 3-D physical dimension on Earth.

The Polarity Dance on Earth has always been a fun one, but it's time is waning. As the Full Moon shines in this particular Libra phase, we're tested on how fulfilled we are with the people we're bringing in - but it goes deeper, how fulfilled we are in ourselves, is determined by how much peace we bring in from the outside (in the form of helpful people) or how much conflict we bring in (because we're torn and divided inside).

I know I chase these demons daily (I was born with my North Node ((the lesson I'm meant to learn and the sign I'm meant to become more like)) in Libra - and the issue of manners, etiquette, politeness and fairness all weigh heavily on my karmic path.

To claim we're fully at peace would be a pretty amazing and surprising thing to say these days. It's not impossible, but I guess that most of us are in conflict with at least one person, situation, event or encounter.

Getting off the see-saw, letting go of the rope, ends the game. Remember that, the next conflict you are Just about to step into. Even the one with yourself "is it right to do A, should I have said this instead, should I open Door 1 or Door 5, should I stay or go etc etc. Give up the indecision. When you choose, reality adjusts around your decision and opens up new doors. But you must decide. And be happy standing by your decision or standard set.

What happens now will help you work out which partnerships you want and which you don't. They're all helpful (in aiding you to come to some sort of truce or resolution inside) but which ones are you enjoying? After all, I believe the quest for enlightenment, should be a fun one.

Growth doesn't HAVE to be painful!

This Full Moon has a few planetary archetypes hammering it, or clashing with its usual energy. We have Mars, the planet of initiation and aggravation squaring off against the Full Moon and we also have Pluto, the total destroyer and reformer in defiant opposition to Mars as well as squaring the Full Moon).

This is all astro-speak for a time when Anger would be a most likely manifestation. How many people are TRULY working on clearing up their inside "crap"? How many people are truly wanting to open their eyes to their part to play in all conflicts going on around them, in some shape or form? How many people are trying to overcome their lower desires (Mars) and reach for a higher transmutation of those energies, in the cauldron of alchemical change (Pluto)? I wonder.

For everyone, whether the relationship issues are small or large, it's ALL ABOUT US. It's deeply personal. You choose whether to stop or go. You can cut someone off if it's unhealthy or you can sign a new contract because you want to grow with someone. We're dancing with many partners and whoever said we only have one soul-mate, is mistaken.

Each person we meet on the path is a soul-mate. Whether we're single or committed to someone, we're all in relationship - with life, with pets, with strangers, with lovers, with family, with friends. No one is alone. Even the relationship with our mind is a strong and lifelong union. Each person outside of ourselves though, is a bud who's here to help us get closer to ourselves, through the intimate moments spent with another.

Whether we choose to spend most moments locked in an embrace of conflict, or an embrace of mutual respect and sharing, it's a personal choice only we can make.

Since you can never escape the Art of Sharing:


Who are you dancing with
and why?

If you get stuck, or need some help with current events in your own life, I have created a series of special Full Moon Readings that I'll make available at the Full Moon (the two week period) each month. Relax. I'll help you see the bigger picture. You can check out this month's here.

Love,
Neil

Zzz

Let's play a game, you and I. Let's see how many people we meet, cross paths with or someone wind up sharing space with this week who are either Drunk, Stoned, High, Oversleeping, Missing appointments, Losing their Keys or something equally as important, going swimming or to buy extra choc/cigarettes/dessert, totally lost to their addiction, a dancer or poet, sleep-deprived, available only at night or generally Out To Lunch.

Let's see the results. Mercury just moved into Pisces, which means most minds are cloudy, confused and awash with anything but logic.

If you're right brained its a dream come true. indulge.
If you're left brained, have someone drive you to work (preferably a right brainer who can daydream and drive with a spanking clean record).

Let the games begin!

P.S I overslept yesterday morning. Strike 1.

Monthly New Moon Readings & Ritual

Each month, the New Moon falls in a new House in our personal Astrology CHart, highlighting key issues, bringing key events and key people (and emotional changes) into our awareness and experience.


The New Moon is a power period, a time of New Beginnings, a window each month to plant seeds of intention. By working with the lunar tides, we begin to manifest around key lunar periods.



The New Moon Reading and Rituals series will repeat each month - highlighting a unique New Moon each time, and its personal relevance to You & Your Chart (and life experience).


Find out more about these special readings here.

Love,
Neil

Drifting Dreams: The New Moon in Pisces (March 7)

Felt the urge to zone out, tune out, switch off, knock off, quit, let it slide, go with the flow, run away, hide, deny, take drugs, down a BIG stuff drink, eat five chocolate cakes, stay up all night, smoke a bowl, dance dance dance, cry, write poetry, walk by the ocean, listen to the rain, leave the planet, sleep 80 hours?

Or are you resisting the urge to?

We're in the flow of Pisces energy right now - which, for some of you, is music to your ears, magic to your soul and a beautiful thing in your life. To some of you, it's a truly terrifying time when you feel lost, dazed, confused and swimming in circles, or nowhere in particular.

Whether you're lost, or just cruising on autopilot, the deepest need at this time is to REMEMBER OUR SOULS VOICE. By escaping from physical reality for a time, we refresh our spirit, we wash away the woes of the day and have a chance to go back 'home' - to our true selves, not our bodies and bills, relationships and repairs.

The New Moon on March 7 gives us all a prime opportunity for a moment to get away. To celebrate our souls and renew our relationship to ourselves and to all of our own lives, but reminding us that fantasy is fantastic, that escapism is enjoyable, that magic is marvelous and that reality is but a dream and that dreams create our realities.

So - firstly, celebrate the fact that things don't seem that structured right now. They're not MEANT to be. We get to creatively coast a while under a Pisces New Moon. To sleep longer, dream deeper and to let things take their course.

Old karmic patterns are sure to surface, as Pisces is the sign of karmic completion, the last stop on the soul's journey 'around the wheel' of the zodiac. And in aspect to Uranus, the planet of Liberation, this new Moon allows us to find out what old patterns we're addicted to, so we can free ourselves from being at the mercy of them.
True freedom now comes from freeing ourselves from unhealthy, addictive escapist paths that lead nowhere but to a feeling of being drained and depleted.

So you can stay on track now by knowing you're in a karmic loop when you feel you have no control, you're 'cracked out', 'amped up', or drifting into a victim role or just lost and hopeless or running away through less healthy channels (eroding your body and energy supplies) - and you have a chance to play it out one last time before you let it go for good. What are you addicted to that no longer serves you?

Find an alternative - fantasy, creative visualization, music, mystery, fantasy - anything that takes you out of yourself and gives you a chance to connect something deeply moving. Meditation. movement. Music. Candlelight. The Ocean. Romantic Music. Sad stories. Charitable work. Even just sitting and letting yourself feel.

Feelings are everything now - whatever comes up has relevance. So let it be there. The hopelessness, the void. All part of the human story and drama of being on planet earth.

Pisces New Moons are about learning to continue charting a course, while simultaneously (the two Pisces fish swimming in opposite directions) letting things take their course.

"Let it go" - keep doing that right now, and you'll be spiritually lighter.

This New Moon, enjoy the Great Letting Go - and read up on the previous blog I wrote on this New Moon period from last year for extra insight, on what to do, what to expect and what it all means.

Relax - you're in the flow of the current of your own life. You always were, you always were. There is no control, just a moving. A flowing. Stop fighting the tide, by letting go we always float again, eventually.

With you all the way - after all I'm a Pisces Sun and Mercury (with the Sun square Neptune and Mercury square Neptune) so I'm over-qualified to help you out with this enchanting and strange period, so call me on whenever you need.

Love,
Neil

The effects of the Sun on Telecommunications...

For those who wonder of the validity of the effects of planets and celestial bodies on events and activities down below here on Earth, this article should prove insightful. If Sun transits affect telecommunications on earth, how are we humans affected?


Sun transits to disrupt northern telecommunications
Last Updated: Monday, February 11, 2008 | 6:23 PM CT
CBC News

Radio, television, phone and internet services across Canada's North will be disrupted for a few minutes every day, thanks to brief sun transit disruptions expected over the next few weeks.

The disruptions, which occur every spring and fall, are expected to affect communications satellites that service the North between Feb. 22 and March 6, according to a release issued Friday by telecommunications company Northwestel.

Sun transits occur when the sun crosses the Earth's equatorial plane during the spring and fall equinoxes, aligning it directly behind satellites for a few minutes each day.

That can cause satellite signals to become overwhelmed by the radio frequency noise being produced by the sun.

Radio, television, long-distance telephone, data and internet transmissions will be affected, the company says.

Cosmic Colonics: The Virgo Lunar Eclipse (Feb 20)

Eclipses shake up the psychic, spiritual, physical and emotional dust inside and around us.

We're currently on the verge of the Virgo Lunar Eclipse which holds a distinct message affecting us all. So if you're wondering why you're questioning your career path, wondering if you're making any progress, about to quit a job or find yourself laid off, heavy and depressed, overly obsessive-compulsive and turning into a control freak in certain areas of your life, feel stuck in muck or overdoing your cleaning sprees, you're already under the vibes of the Eclipse.

Relax.

Remember that every manifested event you come into contact with or experience or witness, holds a message for you regarding where you're at with yourself. Everything mirrors. And during the Lunar Eclipse - when the Moon mirrors perfectly back the light from the Sun, we get to really SEE where we're at, usually because our FEELINGS tell us something important. It's hard to disguise frustration, reluctance, fear, joy. Emotions are the fuel on our life's road.

However, during the Lunar Eclipse, the light we're normally we ready to see all by is obscured, momentarily blocked by the shadow of the Earth - and the shadow of our earthly obligations (obligation here means "those things we decided we'd be focusing upon when we arrived here but subsequently forgot and now complain about because we KNOW they are important and thats why we get ultra-stressed when we either don't focus on them as we should, but also because we feel that by missing them or missing out (failure)

Talk about stress.

Saturn is the planet that relates to our Life Work, a major part of our Mission, which many of us turn into our career to give ourselves an excuse to Get It Done, and it's also the planet that relates most strongly to the earth plane - the things we have to achieve and feel we accomplished during our time here. Yep, even lazy people have a Saturn placement. And even they are hounded day and night by an unresolved feeling, a sense they aren't doing what they need to do.

This Lunar Eclipse is conjuncted (joined) by Saturn, who's currently retrograding - giving us all amply time (he relates to the clock ticking) to go back and resolve issues we have with ourselves and our cosmic To-Do List. In Virgo, this Eclipse along with Saturn gives us a major marker or milestone on our earthy/spiritual progress.

First up is a sense of Job Insecurity for those who aren't in the right place just yet to satisfy that inner need to accomplish something specific.
Some may suddenly find Job Fulfillment (or both of these things) and land the Job of Their Dreams (which is basically another way of finding a way to fulfill your life path and life's work). There are no surprises here, though it may seem like it. The Lunar Eclipse makes us feel lost, as our emotions are without an anchor, and then we have a chance to feel our way ahead back on track to what we know we should be doing.

What should we be doing?

Someone once said to me, "to find out what your Life Mission is" just look at what you've been doing your entire life. No, not losing yourself in the bottle, but things like 'always passing on advice to help people in their relationships' or 'cleaning up around me' or 'passing on what I know about remedies' or 'looking after people'. Often what we reach for is what we really always did as a child. Our souls know what we want before we're all confused by 'adult stuff'. What were you playing mostly as a kid?

After a career shift, we may experience a need to clean up our acts or environment in a number of ways. Filing cabinets, a clear out, boxing up work stuff or general junk. Maybe we're switching offices, moving out, being asked to clear out. Maybe our home space is so cluttered we can't move or breathe.

Our bodies may begin to feel the burn if we're off track or pushing in a direction that really doesn't belong to us in this lifetime. Look to Saturn/Virgo issues such as bone, teeth or joint problems. Arthritic issues. Sore knees, ankles, elbows. Digestion ickiness, or being clogged up.

Yes you're in need of more rest, stretching and a cosmic colonic. Try a detox. Try not letting work consume you (or the search for it).

In short - are we over or under-doing following and fulfilling our life's work?
All work and No play and all that jazz. If so, what will we have at the end but a fat check, a huge trophy and no personal life or healthy body to enjoy this "success".

And on the flip side, if we give up or just don't bother, then we only put off the lessons for another day, or wind up with it coming full force at us on one fell swoop because we avoided all the little challenges that (due to delaying matters) has now become One Giant Thing You Can't Avoid.

SO the simple checklist during this Eclipse is:

1. Do what you know you need to do
2. Do it the best you can.
3. Let it go, move on and have some fun.
4. Repeat steps 1-4.

Trying any other approach may work short term or it may send you to the hospital or psychiatrists couch, but it needed be so difficult.

To aid you in this emotional period of transition (because things WILL change and you WLL be faced with some pretty big emotions at this time) I have prepared some special Lunar Eclipse Readings, that will take you through YOUR journey during this period and reveal to you where and how this Eclipse is likely to be felt in your own life story.

You can sign up and find out more here.

Feel free to share your stories here, and remember - if it's not broken, don't "fix" it. And if it is broken, maybe it's better to let it go and move on. Because the things that are truly ours in this lifetime, never leave and always have a way of working out. Since this Eclipse sends beautiful aspects to Pluto (planet of death and rebirth) it's time to stop clinging to the old/useless/wasteful/unhelpful - people, addictions, places, lifestyles, jobs, friends, family patterns, diets, projects (etc) and make room for a New and Improved ________.

The Lunar Eclipse fills in the blank. All we have to do is allow.

Be Receptive to Change!

Love,
Neil

Change cannot be avoided during an Eclipse. We're not meant to stay the same or remain in the same place. Lunar Eclipses inspire great feeling, to reflect great progress on the path, or great potential to get back onto a path more to our liking, and our own personal needs, as opposed to what we think we need, or what others dictate for us. Follow the feeling.

Mercury Goes Direct (Feb 18)

On February 18 at 7.57pm (PST) Mercury ends this current run in retrograde.

Expect a shift. A decision made, an offer coming. A green light or a red flag that what you THOUGHT was correct is riddled with typos, loopholes or something equally unsavory.
Mercury Direct is often the escape clause to a contract you want no part in, a way to break a lease, or any other way to weedle out of something that turns out to be different to what you originally thought.

When Mercury ends retrograde suddenly the phone rings and you get the message you've been waiting for. The friend or date who dropped off the planet, materializes with a story of why they vanished. Your phone and computer suddenly speed up after weeks of churning, grinding snail-pace performance.

There's still old ground to cover as we continue on from where we left off - but REAL progress doesn't usually come until Mercury exits its shadow period (and finally gets back to where he was before he started turning retro) by March 14.

Don't worry though, you don't need to wait for then to get ahead. You may break even, or you may (if you've aligned yourself with the theme of Mercury Retrograde) find that the past, the old, the things you tossed aside, the things you'd given up on, actually flare up and come back to life and aid you during the Shadow period. Either way, you're not technically out of the old woods and into new ones, until March 14 when new vistas await you.

I find it funny that 'retro' always seems in fashion, yet Mercury retrograde isn't.
For a country like the USA (born with Mercury Retrograde, and a Cancer country - a double whammy for being 'stuck' in the past and repeating history (and historical moments, birth dates and events - "Never Forget!" etc) it's amazing that going back during Mercury Retrograde is so difficult. Perhaps most of us prefer looking back, than actually revisiting. The idea of going home, when you know home is no longer there, is a sobering and often sad experience.

Now that the traffic is flowing once more, where are you going to put your mind?

Steering towards your bliss?

Perfect.

Love,
Neil

Valentine's Week Specials (and something for the singles!)

Who cares if you're single, engaged, married or separating, Valentine's Week is another one of those "holidays" we get to enjoy ourselves, and whoever else we share life with.

No one is really single. We all have an ongoing relationship, somewhere. With a boss, parent, coworker, friend, even an enemy!

There seems to be two main kinds of relationship connections (and I'm sure a vast array of variations within these) - Soul Mates and Karma Dates.

Soul Mates we feel a certain vibrational 'hum' with, a sense of comfort (from knowing them before), safety and familiarity (while still being encouraged to grow and push yourself).

Karmic Dates - those we feel a stomach-pull with, whom we may experience love-at-first sight with, those whom we get entangled and embroiled in intense and addictive patterns that aren't altogether healthy - but necessary for our karmic lessons.

To get a handle on the ins and outs of your connection, I'm offering a specially discounted Relationship Report (you can choose Love or Friends) and if you order, you'll receive two FREE Naughty Natal Reports (they're not yet on offer to anyone else) - which dish the dirt on you (and anyone else you choose) in a fun, lighthearted yet astrologically sound way.

Now thru Feb 17.

Valentine Special: Three Reports for $25!

Your New Chapter: The Aquarian Eclipse

The LA Times truly was in tune with the Aquarian Eclipse that fell on the first day of their new issue, with a headline that sums up everything about this particular celestial event.

Eclipses shake up the psychic, spiritual, physical and emotional dust inside and around us.

We're currently under the influence of the Aquarius Solar Eclipse, so if you're wondering why you're suddenly questioning something or feeling an urge for a major makeover somewhere, life has thrown you a curveball, or you're at a crossroads and suddenly have to take a sudden turn into a totally new area of life, this is why.

Change cannot be avoided during an Eclipse. We're not meant to stay the same or remain in the same place. Solar Eclipses are specific to certain types of growth, as are Lunar (more on that kind in 2 weeks). Under a Solar Eclipse, our light is eclipsed, our perspective, our ego focus, our sense of self is shaken, albeit momentarily so that we may glimpse a new way, a new path, and something new inside ourselves.

So,firstly,welcome the unknown, the question mark, the feeling you don't quite know what you should be doing, or where you should be going. In Aquarius, this particular Eclipse is teaching you to access the independent side of yourself,the part that loves surprises and the part that breaks free from anything limiting or defining.

How can you define yourself during a time when the Universe is helping you to break free of definition?

You can't. All you can do is explore new facets of yourself, your nature, your desires and your ego. Try on a new hat. Notice the new people you're suddenly around right now - they're a sign of the new you emerging. Access a new part of yourself and the Universe will always mirror it with new folk outside - new friends, new strangers offering new perspectives, new groups working to the same purpose.

Suddenly you're a team-member of another group, or you're going your own sweet way now, perhaps in a direction totally off the beaten track, or off the plan you nebulously created for yourself one foggy day way back when.

Be new. Be unique.

Just Be You.

That's the message of the Aquarius Eclipse. And perhaps, you'll find out who that really is, by first experiencing who that isn't.

Enjoy!
Neil

New Site Specials!

The Solar Return and Year Ahead Reports have now been combined to give you the most extensive and in-depth look at your year ahead from birthday 2008 to your birthday 2009!

Charts your new themes, patterns, people, challenges, opportunities, options and others aspects of your new annual cycle.

Read more and get your own here.



Clients now have the option of pre-booking a Reading Package at discounted rates. Pay in advance and keep a few readings under your belt to use when you need them.

Check out the options here.

Turn it Around

The yoga studio where I began taking classes in September introduced a new pose recently, though I wasn't there to try them. But I thought they were pretty prefectly timed to enter my life right now to symbolize Mercury's retrograde about-face.

With Mercury, the mind, going in reverse in Aquarius it's time to take a new view of things - to reimagine and reenvision our life, selves and possibilities.

In short, turn it on its head.

This week's headstand is a salute to Mercury's message. And yes, I'll be trying it out soon.

!yojnE

Neil it

Special Mercury Retrograde Readings

A Special Reading designed to help you navigate
each unique Mercury Retrograde period
in your own Birth Chart & Life Experience.

Mercury Retrograde is perhaps one of the most widely known Astrological Cycles, even amongst those with no further knowledge of Astrology. Each period is unique but all share something in common.

It's a time of repeating, reviewing and re-negotiating the past, which always, without fail, returns to us in some form or another.

These Readings will cover this special period from Your Perspective - Your chart, Your life, Your options and how You can harness the potential inherent in this special period.

Mercury Retrograde Reading
30 minutes
$60.

Find out more and sign up here.

Inventive, Insane or Insightful?: Mercury goes Retrograde in Aquarius (Jan 28 - Feb 18)

At 1.31pm PST on Monday Jan 28, Mercury goes retrograde officially at 23 Aquarius.

Are you ideas unique enough? Is your thinking a little TOO crazy? What is crazy and how do you know? Is sanity a good thing? Is it time to rethink your rebellious strategies or possibly time to break free further and stop towing the party line?

Are your friends really your friends? Are YOU a decent friend? What IS a friend? Is your social circle smothering you or championing your cause - and is your cause something that champions everyone else? Are you being a team player or a team hater?

Is society backwards, or should you be moving backwards to make sense of and contribute to where society currently is?

Is it time to reevaluate your goals? Where did you want to be this year? Where do you want to be now? Are your goals in line with who you REALLY are, or are you questing after something you no longer want?

Are you free of your own mental loops or are you victim to your own incessant "monkey-chatter"? Can you calm your mind and still be open to 'downloading' some amazing ideas?

Is logic helping or is it time to leave yourself open for a flash of insight, an intuition and a lightening bolt from the blue?


In Aquarius, Mercury is on hyper-speed, and overdrive, and it's a great thing we're moving into Retrograde before we suffer burn-out. Technology can only do so much and we can only expect so much of technology before we crash and burn, or drive ourselves mad. Does speeding up help, or does it make us even more impatient when we don't receive the email, don't get the returned call or don't hear the news NOW NOW NOW.

Mercury Retrograde is ALWAYS about slowing down, backtracking, having a mental time out and letting ourselves catch up with ourselves. We all get inundated with ideas, media, stories, news, possibilities, thoughts, conversations, text messages, emails, letters, snail mail, paperwork, computer files, technology issues. On and On.

Retrograde Mercury helps us to let it all catch up with itself - everything you have said, thought and dwelt upon, is still out there, flying through the air, thoughts with wings, lingering around, still finding their targets. We can do nothing right now but let it all unravel, unfold and settle.

The Great News:

Mercury Retrograde begins in harmony with the Moon - to help us to decide if something is what we really NEED right now. Rearranging our home spaces seems inevitable as we seek more comfort, and a place to rest our heads. Play with Feng-Shui. Family talks and heart-to-heart chats with anyone near and dear to you run smoothly now if you allow yourself to go BACK and talk over unresolved issues as they reappear now.

Mercury Retrograde begins in harmony with Mars - to help us work out if we're really acting in accordance with what we're thinking about. Actions speak louder, and there's no need to shout to be heard. Are you walking your talk? Acting on what you keep mentioning? Moving towards what you keep thinking and chatting about? Getting your head in gear with your feet and moving forward, comes when we take a look back and decide what should continue on with us, and what we can leave behind. A parting of the ways is imminent.

The GOOD OR BAD NEWS (depending on how you see it, how you act on it and your general personality type)

Mercury Retrograde is tied to Neptune, the planet that dissolves things, blurs and blends, confuses and creates chaos so we can forget, and lose our place, so that we an find our place in the bigger scheme of things.

Mercury loves logic, yet with Neptune, all thoughts risk becoming tangled up in fantasy, illusion, lies and deceit. Fantastic for poets, writers, advertising campaigns, politicians and anyone who wants to use beautiful words to move us, inspire us, make us feel something or generally pull the wool over our eyes.

Losing keys (Mercury rules), forgetting where we parked the car (Mercury ruled), losing our map or bus schedule or paperwork (all Mercury ruled) all seem distinct possibilities when your mind is full of fluff and you lose track of the details.

Create a spare key, back up computer files (as always under retrograde) and realize you may be more SPACEY than usual. Allow for this - time outs, when you sit and stare at the sky, light candles, drift to your favorite music, doodle/draw/paint/sing, take extra baths/showers or go swimming, eat chocolate or ice cream or sip your favorite drink and disappear off into another realm. Creativity runs high, so does psychic intuition, but keep a trail of breadcrumbs scattered so you can find your way back to 'reality'.

Mercury Retrograde is also tied to Chiron - the soft spot. Is no one listening? Are you not being heard? Why do you have to repeat yourself? Why do you need to re-write it, or re-sign or re-evaluate or re-discuss what was already completed?

You may have to go over old ground - and you may NOT be speaking as clearly as you think. Double check. Speak slower. Especially over the computer, lines get crossed, people mistake what was said. Clarify. Be logical, but don't think you have all your bases covered. Don't expect to be told the truth automatically, truth is relative to the teller right now. Listen. Ask questions if need be. And clarify with a follow up.

But each one is different - this one relates to the questions I asked at the top of this post. It's worth answering each one. Get perspective. Gain clarity. Then slow down and let things take their natural course. There'll be changes again once Mercury goes Direct and back on track.

In the meantime, watch for clues, spot the signs and yes - expect a REVISIT WITH THE PAST - the things you've said, the things you wrote, the things you didn't say and didn't write, old flames and old connections that aren't finished or which ARE finished on one end but not on the other.

DO we repeat the past or write ourselves a new script?

Seek completion, and resolution, INSIDE first before tackling the issues on the outside.

And remember...

It all comes back to HOW YOU THINK about the subject or issue at hand. It's how you see it, view it, talk about it (to yourself and others).

IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD.


Special Mercury Retrograde Reading: 30 minute special, $60. Find out more here.

Love,
Neil

The Current and Coming Crumbling: Pluto enters Capricorn (Jan 25)

Today marks the end of an era - or at least the first official whisperings of what is to come, now that Pluto - the manipulator of matter to create the loss of what is no longer needed, the rebirther who takes without mercy that which blocks us from our true natures, the destroyer - who brings death and destruction to annihilate outworn methods and modes of operation in order that a better way may be found (a healthier, saner, more productive and spiritual orientation is found) is changing signs.

Pluto, not long ago demoted in a ridiculous bid to control a name (yet of course finding ourselves unable to control an essence or energy) is a marker of society in a specific generation, and outlines where the biggest Changes, the most intense shifts, and the most final endings are experienced.

Pluto just moved out of Sagittarius (since January 1995) clearing, cleansing, destroying, rebuilding and digging up dirt in the fields of Education, Religion, Foreign Connections and Policies, Law, The Travel Industry amongst other Sagittarian fields.

What can we expect during this new era as Pluto marches into Capricorn TODAY?
Pluto takes 284 years to travel around the zodiac, bringing slow change, but definite change - simmering beneath the surface, ready to reveal itself in a moment when EVERYTHING shifts and nothing remains the same, no one escapes the feeling that something has ended, a new chapter has begun.

Pluto in Capricorn "Predictions":

GOVERNMENTS, HIERARCHIES, THE POWERS THAT BE:
Will desire further control, exercised as more borders and border patrol possibly, or the tearing down of barriers and borders to shepherd and police a greater area with ease. The move to centralize power - a central bank, a central technology branch, micro chipping, quarantines. Capricorn relates to structures such as laws and walls - these will become immense or fall - possibly both.

Pluto type people will be elected (Hilary Clinton is a Scorpio so she's the likely candidate for President 2009 (When Neptune (the actor planet) was in Capricorn, Ronald Reagan (the actor) was elected. In other countries, Scorpionic or Plutonian people will be elected to bring massive change and shocking shifts to the world and the countries they 'rule' over.

Assassinations within governmental bodies - more intrigue, secrets, yet shadows revealed and the shock of the public and the desire to 'bring down' (Pluto) those who have had too much control.

TIME:

Capricorn rules time - watches, clocks, time-travel, calendars. A change in the way we measure time - transportation that gets you there 'in under 5 minutes' where it once took 12 hours. More talk on time travel. The speeding up or slowing down of time. A calendar or time zone shift or solar storms that create a new system of time (due to changing light on the planet).

PARENTS:
The history of child abuse within families and governmental and other bodies of power may surface showing a web of intrigue that spans the globe and has been kept secret for quite some time. Abusive families are brought to task. The "Father" figure is a focus - in movies, in the media, in talk shows.

RULES AND REGULATION:
What works, what doesn't? A lot of talk on new policies and the wiping out of old ones that seemed to make sense.

WORK WORLD:

The biggest mergers we have seen to date - and the biggest crashes and bankruptcies we've ever heard of. Bank closures, foreclosures and a LOT of talk on debt - as countless people suffer the backlash of living outside of their means.

CLEANING UP THE CONSPIRACIES:
Those who have long talked about the corruption and conspiracies at work will be given a greater voice as we begin to see the unraveling and revealing of long-held plans to control, dominate. As society begins to purify itself - a lot of crap hits the fan and a lot of puss oozes from our collective wounds. The darkest point before the dawn that we need before we can see the way ahead clearly.

COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY:

No more excuses - we begin to see the "reality" behind how we've been living and major recycling campaigns continue or step up - as people are asked to re-use and not waste - or face heavy fines. Everyone begins to step up to the plate and realize their big part to play in the world's collective need to clean up the mess. Heavy policing is balancing by people policing themselves and holding THEMSELVES accountable.

A DISPLAY OF FORCE
More military presence, more uniforms and more bullying tactics out of a fear of loss of control. People in power fear they are losing their hold and so step up their own campaigns to keep people in the dark, or under control or in fear. If they're smart, citizens of the world will see through the ongoing scam and realize all control stems from fear, and that fear must be resolved inside each person, for the control on the outside to subside.

BOSSES:
People who own their own company, are bosses or in positions of power and control -
will face tests of power - if they abuse their position they will be stripped of their title, or fall from grace. Pluto takes without mercy. People will lose their reputation, respect in the eyes of the world, their social standing, and everything they have spent time building to date if they abuse their position and responsibility and trust, entrusted to them.

THE SYSTEM:
Faces an overhaul - no more polluting of peoples minds (via media), no more brain control, fear tactics or rules that keep people disenfranchised.

NEW WORLD RECORDS:
Some outstanding and astounding people "getting to the top" (either physically with mountain climbers or those who scale to great heights in the physical world or those who do so by making a comeback or rags to riches stories from people who appear from nowhere). As Capricorn is achievement, Pluto could bring some surprising and profound people to the top.

UNIFORMS, LOGOS, SYMBOLS OF POWER
Institutions may reveal new logos or symbols of their new desire to conquer or climb. New 'power clothes' or 'power names' to dominate the field.

Fashion moves into a more conservative phase - covering up, blacks, browns, more chaste, more serious or sever. Work clothes. Clean, plain and simple.


On April 2 Pluto goes Retrograde, slowing change down and asking us to back track and work out if things need to be re-worked before we bring int he 'big guns' to annihilate something that may still be useful. Is something unresolved? Do we need more information before we plunge into something?

On June 13 Pluto moves BACK into Sagittarius (reigniting old questions and issues regarding religious institutions, belief systems, truth versus untruths, education systems, the travel industry and other Sag fields.)

On Sep 9 Pluto goes Direct again and we experience a move forward again and a release from reliving the same old nightmares. Progress at last. Watch for final decisions and resolutions of legal matters at this time.

Pluto enters Capricorn on Nov 26 again for its long term run in this sign and the issues we talked about earlier, kick off and up into a new level. We truly have entered a new era!

Souls at Center Stage: Leo Full Moon (Jan 22)

January 22nd 6.34am, PST: Full Moon at 1 Leo

<

In Leo, the King or Queen energy of the zodiac family, and within each of us - remember we have ALL the signs within us in various areas of our life, as shown in our Birth Chart - emotions are always pretty obvious. They're either out there in the open, or else we're polluting rooms by withdrawing our Light (Leo rules the Sun) and we're known for the dark clouds we bring in our wake. Either way, our Light is felt by its very presence or it's lack.

Leo is pure Joy, pure self-expression, creativity and PLAY - the need to pour your heart out into something, Anything as long as you can put your personal stamp on it.

During the Leo Full Moon, we're reminded of both this - the measure of our "Light" and the "darkness", or lack of light. And that there never is truly ever complete darkness in the world, as the Sun is always shining somewhere. Just as we cannot forever remain shrouded in cloud, when within us is a burning, creative center, or urge to live.

Maybe that's what we should bear in mind at the Leo Full Moon when we're bursting at the seems with Leo vitality that screams to be heard. If we don't receive the applause and respect our Leo side needs (where is Leo in your chart?) then we risk sulking, withdrawing and sitting on it, becoming the cold, calculated Aquarius (Leo's opposite sign).

At the Full Moon we always face a conflict to resolve - on the one hand the Sun shines in the opposing sign, this time, Aquarius saying BE AQUARIAN! Detach. Support a good cause. Help Society. Be a great friend.

The Moon shines in the opposite sign of Leo saying I NEED RECOGNITION. Can you be a creative and lovable politician? Can you use your stage presence star-status for the greater good? Are you just as good off stage in the supportive audience as you are lapping up the attention from your adoring fans? If you're ignored, what then? If someone heckles you, do you despise humanity? Is your audience limited and are you seeking the wrong people for the recognition you feel you deserve and desire?

We're ALL prima-donnas. We each want a bit of the Leo Sun. Watch American Idol to see how big 'anyone can be a star' ideologies have become. Though, these have had their day, I feel. When we all feel special (Leo) in our own unique way (Aquarius) we won't seek to become 'generic' factory-produced stars with a pre-packaged label of success from the media machines.


No matter what, no matter where, no matter how we MUST release our Leo sides now - it's a NEED, a primal urge asking us to:

Get on Stage and Scream our Emotions
Let it rip! Dance your socks off, dress up, show off
Bring color back into your life!
Get artistic - paint a wall, a mural, make a birdhouse, stare at your reflection
Go to Vegas - live it up, go 5 Star to the best restaurant
Give up your childish ways but still remain childlike
Be generous NO MATTER who accepts it or who you think "doesn't deserve it"
Be proud of what you've done. You'll shine for it.
Stop seeking an audience. Be your own number one fan.
Finish up a painting, song, poem or some creative project you've been working on
Release your babies into the world (sell your work, find an agent, put on your show)


In Short - give your gift of your Leo side to the world. Your job. Your humor. Your ability to have a good time. Your smile. Your wink. Your flattery. Your musical/artistic/leadership talents. You're brimming full, under the Full Moon and trust me, there are few things worse than a Leo who has (temporarily) lost (or forgotten more like) their Light. That's Leo's job. To shine. That's it.

Where's your Leo? Find the symbol above in your own chart and find which House it begins in (counterclockwise). If you need help, leave a message after this posting, and I'll show you how to do it.

In my own Chart, Leo shines in the 9th House, the house of Knowledge, Adventure, Teaching, Philosophy, The Bigger Picture. And my work, (sharing this information with you) is where I shine, and love to pour out my own creative energies. What about you?

And the final point is this: to shine, to truly be a beacon and a Sun, sometimes our only job is to be ourselves, and not to try. Isn't one of the sun's main job to brighten dark skies?

So whatever shadows appear now, dispel them by turning up your own Pride, your own Self Respect, your own Self Love. Have you learned yet to remain Loving no matter what, to remain Giving no matter what, to retain our Life Force - and not to get depleted or drained by life's vampiric nature? Because this is the gift to yourself.

Give back.
Empty your creative genius.
It's the only way to keep refilling.


Love,
Neil

Trouble Talk:? Mars is still Retrograde

We have until January 30th for Mars to end its Retrograde Rumblings and move direct and business-as-usual.

He's currently stomping backwards through the sign of Gemini. How is it manifesting for you?

Angry words, irritable emails, arguments, nasty conversations, and old issues dragged up to be thrown at you, seemingly out of nowhere?

Impatient drivers, car accidents or issues with the car/computer/telephone that forces you to take it in AGAIN (it's not the best time for buying a new car, computer, telephone etc) to be fixed or fiddled with?

Re-running errands and re-contacting people who won't return your call or who seem to vanish or say they'll do something and who end up not doing it?

Re-viewing old writing, journals etc, and going back over old ideas and re-working them? The Writer's Strike here in Los Angeles continues under Mars Retrograde in the sign of Writing.

Clearing the air by going back to talk over old grievances, or just dwelling on them by replaying old thoughts over and over and over and over?


There are many ways Mars Retrograding in Gemini can manifest in your life and the greatest ones to encourage are the fine-tuning of your thoughts, the getting off your chest of things you've wanted to say, to work on better communication between people (and yourself) and finding better, more efficient ways to connect with people around you.

Life is communication and without it, everything breaks down. What you say now is less important than HOW you're saying it.

Use this Retrograde period to lessen the negatives where possible, and work on establishing a better space for YOURSELF by allowing an open door, an open mind and a sign over your head that says 'You can connect with me, but only if you are respectful enough to be honest, say what you want, and then to listen while I do the same'.

Gemini is a sign not only of speaking but also of listening. How well are you hearing others?

Keep it clean and keep it clear.

Most of the time we forget, that in reality, there's no one "out there", and we're really talking/arguing/fighting with ourselves.


Love,
Neil

Aquarius Season!

Finally, we transition out of the Winter Sign of Capricorn - and the hard slog and wear and tear on our bodies, of hard work, of saving for the cold season, of hibernation and dark mornings and early nights...into the fresh air of Aquarius, the final Air sign of the zodiac wheel.

Now we get to focus once more on the energy of our current Age - the Aquarian attributes within us all of uniqueness, innovation, zany and wild wackiness, total individuality, humanity/brother/sisterhood, equality and the breaking of the rules and regulations (capricorn) that have passed before us and have passed from use.

Each day, each week, each minute, our life calls for something NEW from us. Why do we spend each day reacting the same, doing the same things in the same ways?

You are a totally new being right here, right now, reading this. There ARE no rules on how to live, except the ones you give for yourself. And chances are, you're living by some pretty hard and fast written-in-capricorn-stone ones.

Ditch 'em.

It's EXPERIMENTATION TIME.

Now, you get to join the paradigm-busters, who are dispersed across the globe, breaking the rules in order for a new way of life to burst forth - a way that incorporated all of life, does not exclude and champions Freedom, Liberation, and Equality for all. We are One, shouts Aquarius.

Wherever Aquarius falls in your own chart (Grab your free copy here NOW if you don't have one!) - whichever HOUSE it falls in, shows where these attributes are ready to shine within you and your life.

If you have planets in Aquarius, you're a key player in shaping a new society in these current years of unrest and tribal transition. Stop hiding in the shadows.

All of us could do with tapping into the current pulse of rebelliousness, recklessness (we all need a dash of this to offset becoming boring, rundown and listless).

Change is a way of life, and it's time to let some fresh air into your own life. It's the season. When all else are going East, take a look West. If everyone says No, try raising your hand with a Yes. Progress happens when you risk leaving the safety of the familiar behind.

Experiment!

Love,
Neil

P.S The symbol above this blog is the Aquarius glyph, to help you find it in your own Chart. Leave comments if you need any help. Or if you'd like to show off just how Aquarian you are in a specific area of your own life: To start you off, I have Mars (how I act) in Aquarius, and Aquarius lies within my Third House of Writing, Speaking. I'm a spokesperson for this Age, and technology (Aquarius) is one of my tools. Voila!

I've been slimed

Where have I been for the past week and a half you ask?

It's been quite a ride. What started out as the mere symptoms of a usual cleansing cold (my once a year (max) experience of detoxing naturally), deteriorated into what I discovered was something doing the rounds here in Los Angeles (and elsewhere) that consisted of violent and unstoppable coughing up of Ghostbuster ectoplasm (otherwise known as mucus), feeling absolutely wiped out, sleepless nights, pounding headaches, and more unbelievable coughing and obscene amounts of Ghostbuster goop.


For someone who prides himself on ordinarily being as fit as a fiddle it's been trying to say the least. I have been unable to sit at the computer for the entire duration, making it here briefly to notify those who are expecting readings soon, of the situation. After things worsened I have had to lay low with a steady diet of amazing TLC from my partner (who has made homemade soup, shopped for groceries, tucked me in, got some Emergen-C fizzy vitamin drinks which were awesome, and otherwise been an absolute Angel (truly) each step of the way, all the while working his way through his own demanding First House Sun Cycle Rebirth period in his own life.

I am a firm believer in the human body healing itself, without the heavy use of chemicals and medicines, so I did make it through the hellish point without any help, but broke down nearer the end and took some liquid syrup to break up mucus, alleviate headaches and coughing. It helped to a point, along with a few ibuprofens to take the edge of headaches and enabled me to sleep a little easier.

A very gentle session of Restorative Yoga (lying in set positions for 10 minutes at a time) taught to me by my partner the other night has helped me strengthen, and although my cough is still lingering, and the Ghostbusters are still on duty I have made a wonderful recovery.

From an Astrological point of view, and for your possibly interest, Mars rules my 6th House of health and was Retrograde at the onset of the virus (retrograde slows healing and often, when going stationary direct again, it's usual direction, reactivates symptoms one last time) and in the sign of Gemini (the lungs).
In my Natal Chart currently, Neptune (liquids) is transiting my third house (lungs) which would add to the theme of fluid issues here. I haven't explored any further as I don't need to, but these points, came to mind that often, we will manifest and play out certain patterns at certain points in time.

What did this do for me?

I had the rest I needed (in 15 years doing this work I have never had to go AWOL for a week and a half - not bad!). I was able to regroup and not spend so much time wired into the static electricity of the cyberworld - something I cannot completely avoid with my occupation.

I have downloaded a few inspirational new ideas as well as healed my body and cleansed other toxins from my system that ordinarily would not have had such a prime chance to exit. The turbulent conditions of certain viruses proves a marketable opportunity for our bodies to purge on every level.

So I have also (Saturn is in Virgo at the Midheaven - the very top - of my Chart right now) cleaned up my health act (minimal dairy and less sugary food and a LOT more water) and more rest between work assignments. More fresh air and walks and more sunlight.

So I am thankful for the horrendous virus I had to contend with this past week and a half, and I look forward to being back up to full speed soon to talk to you. With my work being entirely governed by my ability to SPEAK, an unstoppable coughing fit isn't a very aesthetically pleasing thing to listen too during a Reading or subsequent listenings on your audio copy. Even with an accent, trust me...

It's great to be enjoying being back in a workable body. If you or anyone close to you is experiencing any of the same symptoms I recommend:

Breathing in over a bowl or saucepan of steaming water
Regular baths (rub towel dry afterwards to boost immune) or showers to clean off sweated out toxins
LOTS of water or water with lemon juice (electrolytes and cleansing)
Fruit (cleansing, feeding)
Lots of rest, even if you're just lying down
Propped up pillows to ease congestion
Vicks vapor rub (or other type) on chest to ease breathing
Echinacea (at the ONSET if possible if not still use) A Great Immune Booster!
Natural Homeopathic.
Scrape your tongue to remove toxins daily.
Gargle with salt water.
Rub/massage feet daily - helps all parts of the body.
Eat soup and other liquid foods - natural as possible.
Drink Fruit Juices.
Vitamin C or Emergen-C packet fizzy drinks

Hope this helps. I'll be scheduling by the end of this week, (for the next couple of weeks) as the last of my cough subsides.

It's good to be back. Here's to sharing the next leg of the adventure with you in 2008 - with a new pair of lungs and a lot of fresh air!

Love,
Neil

Must See Meteor Shower - Friday morning

If you're up late on Friday night or until the wee hours of Friday morning, see if you can catch the Quadrantid Meteor Shower, claimed to be possibly the best of 2008. Let me know if you catch it!

Love,
Neil

A New Year Gift to you!

A 20-minute Personal Reading of your Chart to
discover your new focus in 2008, just $40.

Whether you're new to Astrology or have your Chart under your belt, this Reading is the ideal way to start your year off on the right foot, set your intentions and zoom into what YOUR 2008 will be all about - with a focus on specific important events and focus points to keep in mind and make '08' a year to remember!

Now through Feb 13. Spaces limited.

Just $40.

Reserve a space here.