THE NEW MOON IN SAGITTARIUS

Welcome to the New Moon in Sagittarius. Just like the Archer this New Moon represents, you will be poised to direct your arrows with targeted precision. The arrows represent the effort it takes to clearly hit the mark. What is in your sights right now?

This lunation is fueled by fire,not a devastating inferno, but a warming one. As we anticipate the deepening coldness of winter's breath, we are defrosted by the warmth from sunny days, a roaring hearth, and the insulation of layered clothes. We delve into the deep with this New Moon to seek solace from the bruising cold. Heat regulated provides the respite we crave until spring's awakening.

The Archer of this New Moon is hunting for her heart's desire. Diana, the goddess of the hunt, depicts our New Moon mission. Skillfully she retracts the bow setting her sights on her prey. Are you hunting for that which sustains you or for that which satisfies conquest? This New Moon alerts one to the futility of blood lust.

Take comfort in knowing the strong bow, the Archer's aim, and the crafted arrows can hit their mark.

THE MILLION WOMEN MARCH

On January 21st, the day after the inauguration, women of this country appalled by the election of a serial sexual predator, will peacefully assemble in Washington and other major cities in the United States to demonstrate our solidarity. Now more than ever women of this country need to send a message to Washington that we will not allow the new leadership to deny us our fundamental rights. For too long women have endured sexual predation without justice, making less wages than our male counterparts, unequal access to opportunity, and increasingly restricted reproductive rights. Let all of us gather on this day to stand in unity. Our new Congress will have to recognize that we are a formidable voting block and will exercise our constitutional rights to fight for laws protecting women. To join your local march, just search online 'Million Women March'. 

Heil Trump, Our New Fascist Dictator

All I can say is unbelievable. What are people thinking? Is having a competent woman president so vial to the straight male status quo that a pompous, impulsive, sexual predator of a dictator be more palpable? Now I know how some of the minority German population must have felt when Hitler was first elected-sinking doom is too dire of a feeling to ignore.

America wake up. We are no longer a Christian, straight, white, male nation. For those of us literate enough to read, we have seen the historical ramifications of electing officials who spew hate and fear. Take a page from Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler. They were popular, too. Did we not see with the election of other celebrity politicians like Arnold and Jesse Ventura, that the road to hell is paved with self-absorbed avaricious stars longing for political power? For all of the ignorant anxiety-plagued electorate who voted for Mr. Trump, cheer up: you'll get your new wall (who cares about all those tunnels), freedom to 'P' grab, endless war, and global deterioration of our relationships with other countries. The American nightmare is about to begin.

Pussygate and the Presidency

It's been a bitter election season, one that exemplifies how divided our society is. Not since the sixties have I seen such contempt, rage, and vilification play out on the national stage so intensely. We are in the midst of a cultural revolution tearing at the heart of which direction we are headed. This election has forced us to look at where we stand on the future.

With every day that passes, I can't believe the cardboard comic book persona of Donald Trump could get even worse. This man does not seem to have a filter. The more he spews his uncensored rhetoric, the more he paralyzes us to believe the only choice is Hilary Clinton. I have seen this same sort of hyberbole before with Jesse Ventura and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Both of them were elected by their sound byte celebrity Q scores. Their political reigns were marked by corruption and self-serving interests. They were elected because they captured the angst and anger of people enraged at the impotence of their electorate. Their constituency had spent too much time in front of FOX television.

What the GOP doesn't realize is that their constituency is too slow to recognize women, minorities, LBGTs, immigrants, and the marginalized no longer will endure the sling and arrows of an oppressive dogma which wants us to remain silent, go back in the closet, pretend we have no color, and aren't really American. Too many women in the US have experienced making less than our male coworkers, sexual harassment, cat calls, unwanted sexual advances, and victimization at the hands of men. Sorry, Donald, you have abjectly lost touch with those of us who struggle daily in a world hostile to us. Your silver spoon philosophy does not have room for us but more importantly, you'll soon find out we don't have room for your good ole boy locker room mentality which only serves to inflate your pathetic sense of narcissism.

For years Hilary has been the object of vilification. As a women of my generation I understand why. Women are not supposed to be achievers, politically astute, intelligent, vocal, competitive, and be competent. Barack Obama is still going through the same bashing in his presidency as a black man. Hilary has proven experience as a Senator, a Secretary of State, and a politician. Hilary was highly respected as a Secretary of State and more than ever we need someone who understands global politics. She gets copious bad press because of Bill Clinton's antics but in reality none of us can control what our significant other does. I find it interesting that not much is made of Melania posing nude, having a questionable collegiate and immigration status, and enduring years of Donald's infidelities.

But there is a greater reason why I support Hilary for president: I support the Democratic platform for which she stands. I am bone tired of reading about another innocent black man shot by police, seeing immigrants assailed as terrorist threats, crying about the slaughter of gay men in a Florida bar, and having women viewed as sexual fodder by good ole boys. It is the year of the woman. For these reasons I'm with her-

THE FIERY FULL HARVEST MOON IN ARIES

"Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice the chief Indian staples are now ready for gathering. –Full Hunter's Moon or Full Harvest Moon – October This full Moon is often referred to as the Full Hunter's Moon, Blood Moon, or Sanguine Moon." The Farmer's Almanac

Gazing out the window last night, I could feel the angst this full moon seems to be raining down on all of us. There appears to be an unspoken weariness out in the universe under this moon. Rather than being fiery, this full moon might be more internal than external as we grapple with its gravitational pull. Abject withdrawal, an internalized fieriness, could be the result.

The full moon is Aries will mark its presence at 9:23pm PDT. The Aries Mars-driven punch of this lunation, coupled with the colliding balancing energy from being in Libra, makes this a transforming cataclysm. Whether the shocking force of its power transforms or challenges, the ball is in your court. This full moon spells expansion to the greater so hold on. Watch the impact this lunation has on your surroundings and notice you're not the only one affected. 

Have courage and fortitude to adjust to forces beyond your control. What is emerging could very well be what you have been avoiding. It is coming into play to encourage personal and psychological growth. As we know, grow spurts can be painful or insightful or both. Know that whatever materializes, your unconscious wants it be harvested. 

THE UNFAILING POWER OF INTUITION

For a month now, I have been dating a man who has knocked me off my feet. I am enchanted with him and his many charms. He is an extraordinary man, both immensely intelligent and sentient emotionally. I am happy when I am with him. We have been developing a close bond by learning about who we are and what we want as a couple. For the first time in more than a decade I have thought I might be able to be a couple again, really enjoying a partner who is like-minded. Then why is my intuition screaming inside my head?

My intuition is a honed instrument giving me unshakable faith in its ability to slice through facts, appearances, and 'the story', in order to siphon out the truth of the matter. Regardless how much anyone tries to obfuscate, deny, cover up or prettify events, my intuition acts as a nagging sense that all is not what is appears to be. And, it won't let go of me until I have gotten the message.

The screaming I hear when it comes to my paramour is one I know all too well. Not only is he covering up significant detrimental facts about himself from me, he is seeing another woman. My radar for this is infallible. I do not need to hire a detective nor investigate his true identity from a dirty laundry mining website. Unlike fact-based sensing people who need 'proof', my proof is in the pudding. It is in the way he cannot look me in the eye, his nervousness at discussing minor things which pave the way for a good relationship, and in his construction of reality by omission of pertinent details. There is also an overriding sense when he is with me that something is missing. The only way I can aptly describe it is like there are gaping holes in his presence. 

But like all humans, he is naked in the eyes of intuition. The emperor who wears no clothes underestimates how powerful my ability is to instinctively perceive situations. His beautifully wrapped Mr. Right vignettes are tarnished by aspects my intuition cannot reconcile. It's not what is said that makes sense to me, it is what is not being said that doesn't make sense. The shadow side of each of us is the real tell. 

In the past, men who I have dated have tried to impeach my intuition by saying I am suspicious, imagining things, too in my head, or just plain wrong. Years of living life as an intuitive has taught me to trust my gut (actually it is not my gut but a prevailing sense that something is not right). Rarely am I off base, through frequently I want to second guess the unknowable direct information being broadcast to me. My intuition will not relinquish its hold on me until I can communicate the message it is giving me. 

We are all blind to the machinations of others, including ourselves. To be fully alert, awake, and all knowing, one would have to be a saint or an evolved spiritual being. All my life I have struggled with knowing the hidden, the secrets, and unknowable. I cannot turn this off and on-it is what it is. The incisiveness of insight penetrates even the steeliest of armored defenses. Whether I tune in or not, eventually the pieces of the puzzle end up in my lap. The unfailing power of intuition illuminates what I need to know in its own time, not mine.

Finally, a Woman for President

Never did I think this day would come. Last night women all over the United States watched proudly as one of our own was finally nominated for the Presidency. Make no mistake: Hillary is to women as Barack Obama is to African-Americans. Regardless of what one's politics are, Hillary made history and gave hope to women in this country that our gender is breaking the glass ceiling. My favorite line from her speech last night was, "if I am playing the woman card, then deal me in!'. Another potent endorsement came from President Obama when, during his speech at the DNC, he looked right at Bill Clinton and said, 'Hillary is more qualified to be President then even me and Bill.' 

Women are greatly underestimated in politics. Probably because our country is run mostly by white straight men. Most of these men cannot fathom what daily life is like for women, even in a country as 'enlightened' as the United States. Every day on some level women feel the barrage of sexism in blatant and subtle ways. All one has to do is spend any amount of time watching TV to see how we are bombarded with messages that we need to be thinner, sexier, prettier, and younger looking to be a real woman. And, even if we get those powerful jobs, we must prove we are smarter and work harder than male counterparts to get 75% of their pay. Women may not talk about this, but they do quietly vote. 

As women, we can identify with other minorities, and the LGBT community, who have also felt the cruel sting of discrimination. The same politics and institutional obstacles they face, we face. Hillary was right last night when she said that standing up for human rights is a woman's issue. Until one has walked in our shoes, one cannot experience how impotent we have felt. Now we have a person running for office who understands this.

Thank you, Hillary, for your tenacity and fortitude. Like Barack Obama, you've endured unjust heavy criticism because of your liberal, service-oriented philosophy. Those misguided people who want to return to the 1950's 'Leave it to Beaver' white, straight, male-dominated world, will get a wake-up call this November that America is made up of women, members of the LGBT community, minorities, and the marginalized. We a global microcosm with a powerful voting block. 

And yes, I am with her.

"20 Minutes of Action"

 Portrait of an All American Rapist

This week shined a light of how our judicial system is skewed when it comes to white, economically advantaged young men who commit rape. The case of Brock Turner, a Stanford swimmer, jarred us with the reality of how celebrity looks, a winning smile, and a Stanford education can earn you a get out of jail free card. He was convicted of raping a an intoxicated 23 year old woman. Two graduate students happened upon the sexual assault in progress and apprehended him when he attempted a cowardly escape. In a sentence which can only leave one speechless, he received six months in prison with only three months if he behaves himself. Judge Aaron Persky handed down the sentence saying, "a long sentence would have a severe impact on him." Wake up judge, jail has a severe impact on everyone sentenced.

According to Judge Aaron Persky, if I am unconscious or do something stupid and voluntarily lose control of my sensorium, white men of privilege are entitled to rape me. After all, boys will be boys-it happens at frat parties everywhere. The message here is I automatically consent to being brutalized for not being a good girl. I wonder if Judge Persky, a self-proclaimed defender of violated women, even knows the extent of trauma rape victims endure. Did the fact that Judge Persky also went Stanford bias his decision?

The slap on the wrist sentencing of a 20 year old blond, blue-eyed American swimmer from Stanford illustrates what women have known for centuries:  rape is in the eye of the beholder. There is always a plausible excuse to rape a woman. And, even if there isn’t, most women deserve it when the engage in slut-like behavior. A clear message has been sent that men should not be punished for predatory sexual behavior when the victim is making herself 'available'. His father said it well when he wrote to the judge proclaiming such his phenomenal athletic son should not be punished for “20 minutes of action”. He went on to say his son "has never been violent to anyone" including the night of the witnessed attack. Unbelievably, the senior Mr. Turner felt his son could pay his karmic debt for necrophiliac-like horsing around with his obtunded prey by warning fellow college students of the dangers of promiscuity and drinking. He was referring to his son's victim here. The apple, evidently, does not fall far from the tree. Now we know where his son got his respect for incapacitated women. 

The rapist, Brock Turner, has never expressed remorse for his actions. His defense was he was drunk and the sex was consensual. The witnesses at his trial testified his victim was unconscious and could not have given consent. As a child of wealth, Mr. Turner believes he is above the law as does his father. Neither have insight on the makings of a predator. He really is a good kid who made a minor mistake-getting caught. For God’s sake this is a 20 year old blond, blue-eyed all-star athlete from Stanford. This will teach Mr. Turner to be more careful the next time.

The trues heroes of this story are the victim and the grad students who intervened by catching Mr. Turner as he fled the scene. This victim showed tremendous courage coming forward when most when most women would have felt overwhelmed by the odds this rarified trophy cake eater would ever see justice. Until you’ve been there, it is impossible to describe the humiliation of having your degradation paraded in court and in the media.

The grad students who interceded by capturing the assailant also deserve tremendous praise for their valorous actions. They had the emotional wits to stop the attack, ensuring Mr. Turner would face the consequences for his predation. Unlike Mr. Turner and his father, these young men were taught to respect and value women. They deserve a medal for rescuing the victim, intercepting the perpetrator, and bravely testifying in court. The actions of these two grad students has given me hope that a generation of men who delight in violent video games depicting women as folly for their pent up aggression can rise above the prevailing misogynist attitudes being spoon fed to boys and men.

Mr. Turner's Aryan looks and steely denial will not serve him well in prison. My guess is his fellow minority inmates won't be impressed with his collegiate prowess nor his cries of being the real victim. They may, however, enjoy his warnings about the dangers of sexual promiscuity and intoxication. 

A movement is under way to recall Judge Aaron Persky. To sign a petition for his recall, go to:

http://cjp.ca.gov/res/docs/appendix/complaintform%20fillable.pdf

My Date with Zeus

Most mythology buffs know Zeus would frequently come down from Mt. Olympus searching for luscious women to ravage. He was a horny god with a penchant for earthly females. I always wondered why he would choose a lowly human woman when he had a bevy of gorgeous goddesses. Like the movie, 'Too Beautiful for You', I suspect Zeus got bored with his high maintenance goddesses and preferred the company of simple, beautiful mortal maidens.

This past year I became acquainted with a Zeus who lives in San Francisco. He is a debonair, prominent, respected, and wealthy demagogue attorney whom I met online. Demagogues are not like us mere mortals-my Zeus occupies the high rise floor of a skyscraper office in the Embarcadero and lives a block away in another palatial apartment.Though I am no stranger to those with wealth, I had never dated a demagogue so illustrious, thus, the nickname Zeus.

Wealth, power, fame, beauty, and even intelligence does not necessarily impress me. Being a simple earthly maiden, I am more attracted with what lies within more than the accoutrements that come with genius, prestige, and power. But this Zeus had a certain charm, humor,and a touch of pathos going for him. More than anything, I was fascinated that he would fly down from Mt. Olympus to partake of white bread when he has his choice of nibbling on the best San Fran French pastry anytime he's bored.

My first date with Zeus was somewhat bizarre. We met at the hotel he was staying at in my city. Anxiety washed over me driving to my first potential hotel liaison. Although we'd communicated enough through email and phone conversations to ease my initial reservations about doing this, I couldn't shake the feeling that it made me feel like a hooker. No matter how liberated I feel as a woman, cultural conditioning sometimes dictates that my desires are subject to harsher scrutiny and aspersions. Being a sexual woman does not afford me the same approval men receive for their 'conquests'. This sometimes produces ambivalence in me for enjoying my sexuality and having the same sexual rights as men. Men share that ambivalence,too. Though they say they want a woman to be sexual, they are the first to condemn women as a slut and whore when they are.

Our meeting began in the hotel bar. Zeus does not drink but I had a glass of wine. He appeared in human form with his rather drab athletic wear. Considering his background as the king of San Francisco law, I would have expected something more god-like. Politely he asked if I'd like to go up to his room and I did so willingly. We talked for hours. Zeus confided to me he was dying of pancreatic cancer. Being an indomitable lawyer of high regard, he was waging a war against his final opponent. At some point well after midnight I became not just tired but totally exhausted emotionally and physically. All this added up to ambivalence of how to respond erotically to a dying man. This set off a scenario of a irresistible force hitting an unmovable object. A tense standoff ensued which had me thinking this was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. As I hastened to leave, I shot Zeus a look of abject confusion. Surprisingly, he dropped his armor and visibly softened his stance. He lightly grabbed me by the arm and asked me not to leave. I did not comply. Again, he pulled my arm and, in an contrite voice, asked me not to go. I stayed.

After the fiasco of being emotionally paralyzed, Zeus was able to assuage my emotional numbness, cut through my exhaustion, and settle me down. What ensued could only be described as Cirque du Soleil sex. For a dying man, he had plenty of libidinous energy. Who knew the power and allure of sex could bring Lazarus back to life. I'm talking about me here. The fated Zeus resurrected my ability to overcome my apprehension, teaching me that life isn't always diminished by the process of dying. Sometimes life does save the best for last.

Zeus has visited me a couple of times since our first encounter. Each time he reveals a bit more of himself, giving me insight into his 'human' behavior. His Aquarian nature lends himself to be like the Fool in Tarot: he follows a path only he can see. Almost defying description, he is a study in contrasts. His god-like attorney swagger does not intimidate me. Underneath, he is a fragile human just like the rest of us.

WHEN DEATH DOES NOT TAKE A HOLIDAY

Life When Mercury, Mars, and Saturn Are in Retrograde

POST-ECLIPSE MALAISE

Having just passed the eclipse in Pisces, one patiently waits for its effects. This was no ordinary eclipse, but a powerful one with a three month post-ecliptic punch. It is highly recommended in this week post the New Moon eclipse, not to make any major decisions. The information revealed this week can be unexpected, a surprise, and/or even a shock. Don't expect things to go back to normal because this New Moon is moving us forward, whether we like it or not. The good news is usually eclipses bring positive news. However, even positive stress is still stress.

Things to ask yourself during this penumbral period:

-How are events unfolding in my life related to a similar eclipse which happened in March, 1997? What have I completed back then so it doesn't haunt me today? What is still dogging me from that time period?

-What do I need to let go of, say good bye to, and/or finally resolve to move forward immediately? Eclipses don't generally tolerate dawdlers.

-What does a new start look like? What is emerging in my life that is coloring how I look at myself and my future?

-What will bring me joy, lightness of being, and a fresh sense of excitement?

-What fear do I need to dump, what hope do I need to shore, and what risk do  I need to take?

The Vernal Equinox is just around the corner. Sunday brings the time change across the United States. Conditions are ripe for planting a spring garden in one's soul. That's the power of this Pisces New Moon eclipse.

THE PISCES SUPERMOON ECLIPSE MARCH 8TH

Welcome to an exciting New Moon in Pisces, March 8th. Not only is it a new moon, but a supermoon and eclipse as well. With a number of planets in Pisces, this promises to be a watery, emotional eclipse especially affecting those born in Pisces and Virgo. New moons always sweep clean. This is a good time to examine where you are at emotionally as well as how stable your relationships are. For the next three months we will be under the spell of this powerful Pisces lunation and relationships will be key.

Along with emotions that could be a calm as a placid lake or as treacherous as a tsunami, comes spiritual growth. This Pisces New Moon as also connected with the spiritual foundation which encourages positive forward movement. As winter begins to shed its white coat, the lengthening sunlight inspires energetic choices. Even with Saturn, the taskmaster planet, operating at a hard angle to this eclipse, one still has some control over how one reacts to this ablution. Will you make choices that wash away being anchored to the past, unhappy situations, or depressing ties? Let the shadow of this New Moon Eclipse be the lavage that cleanses the soul. 

Virgo's Full Moon in Pisces, February 22nd- The Full Snow Moon

Full Snow Moon – February Since the heaviest snow usually falls during this month, native tribes of the north and east most often called February’s full Moon the Full Snow Moon. Some tribes also referred to this Moon as the Full Hunger Moon, since harsh weather conditions in their areas made hunting very difficult. -The Farmer's Almanac

There is something beautiful about a winter Full Moon. For those up in the north latitudes who have snow, the Full Moon casts it light on the ground giving it a warm glow. No wonder the native tribes called this Virgo Full Moon the Full Snow Moon.

A Virgo in Pisces lunation crosses the analytical Goddess of perfection with the highly sensitive fish. Working together they form an integration of keen intelligence, competency, artistic flair, and emotional sentience. Opposed, they conjure cognitive dissonance, obsession, disorientation, and lack of focus. Which will you choose?

For sun, moon, and ascending Virgos, this is a terrific time to let go of the constant need to be competent and enjoy just being. Lighten up and revel in the unexpected simple joys that will be coming your way. After all, Jupiter is also in Virgo showering anyone who has a natal sign the virginal goddess with luck and serendipity. This is an important spiritual time to heed the sign of the times and change without resistance. 

Happy Birthday Pisces!

The Dregs of January in Minnesota

 

Growing up in Minnesota, one learns the cruelest month is January. However, Minnesotans operate under a high level of denial and find amusing ways to delude themselves as a way of surviving

 the subzero weather. 

Minnesotans do not let winter in January dampen their spirits. They

 cleverly have adapted to everyday life in the frozen tundra.

   Who needs warm weather in January, when the suns rays

 are so close to the earth at this time of year!

The hardiness of Minnesotans is well respected by

 our fellow Americans.

Don't worry, Minnesota, soon it will be February.

January adds to the allure of Minnesotans. Who knew

 this makes us international sex symbols?

Au Revoir Alan Rickman

The first time I saw Alan Rickman I fell in love with him. In 1992 he starred in the marvelous movie, "Truly, Madly, Deeply". He was simply spellbinding as a ghost lover of a woman named Nina, who is in the depths of despair after months of dealing with his character's sudden death. Her gut-wrenching grief brought him back from the netherworld. This movie came out as the same time as "Ghost" but unlike this sentimental shallow tripe, "Truly, Madly, Deeply" was riveting in its intensity pondering what would it be like to have a second chance with a lost love. Alan Rickman was sophisticated enough to let Juliet Stephenson as Nina steal the show; only a confident and sentient actor would be so generous. Mr. Rickman showed this kind of mettle in all his performances. 

Many remember his fierce performances as Hans Gruber in "Die Hard", Professor Snape in the Harry Potter series, Harry in "Love Actually", and as the Sheriff of Nottingham in "Robin Hood". His presence on screen hypnotized me. Even in a bad movie he was excellent. He had a way of drawing me in, mesmerizing me with his brilliance regardless of the role. 

That voice. Who will ever forget that mellifluous voice? Here's to Alan Rickman. Thank you for bringing to life such an astounding range of characters. There are not enough adjectives to describe your immense talent. Rest in Peace.