Ready, Set, Go: A Second New Moon in Aquarius

If New Moons sweep clean, then this rare New Moon in Aquarius acts like a vacuum cleaner. This lunation is not only at the last arc in a quirky sign known to inspire innovation but also the second Aquarian New Moon in a row and is at both perigee and syzygy. Occurring at 3:47pm (PST) at the very last minute before Pisces appears, we are being readied for ground breaking initiation.

In addition to being a potent New Moon, it also coincides with Lent and the Chinese New Year (the Year of the Goat). The spiritual and intellectual energy carried within this Supermoon will resonate for months. And, because the cuspy influence, we will be experiencing both significant endings and beginnings. Don't underestimate the movement that will be generated by this important moon. Time to say good-bye, hello, and put one foot in front of the other as your new journey of a thousand steps begin.

Happy Birthday Pisces!

To Those with No Romance on Valentine's Day

Despair not, my sisters and brothers
Pining for love's tender romantic embrace.
For on this day dedicated to toujours l'amour,
Look to those who love unconditionally.

How often we overlook
The supportive caller, the sympathetic listener,
Being graced with laughter and frivolity,
By ones who carefully tend to us.

Touched by their warmth of acceptance,
Our ties grow stronger and deeper.
True romance it might not be,
Yet it satiates our souls completely.

Today on Valentine's Day,
I will recognize my non-romantic relationships,
By showering those who love me
With the affection they richly deserve.

Good-Bye Metrograde Retrograde in Aquarius

As a Virgo exalted in Mercury, I feel like I am having astrological cramps for three weeks every time it goes retrograde. Luckily for me it's at most four times a year. Articulating well in gibberish is about the best I have been able to muster navigating an airy thinking sign in Aquarius paddling backwards. Assured by the experts that this would be an easier retrograde, I walked in confidently tripping over my arrogance. I 'thought' I could believe them. 

The astro-pundits were correct in saying the emphasis this month is on work and health. Mercury retrogrades are like a pause in the struggle:  a deep breath relaxing, unwinding, and letting go. However, more of the focus was on past relationships unearthed. In the past week I have heard from three suitors. None of them wanted anything more than to say hello. We all know how innocent those 'hellos' want to be. This resulted in three 'good-byes'. The great thing about Mercury retrograde is getting the message without the drama. 

We are not quite through with Mercury's wake. March 5th will be the date the final ebb occurs. In the meantime, those awkward communiques will clear up, electronics will spring back to life, and suddenly people will 'get' you. Consider this an astrological Valentine's Day gift. 

The Pastor and the Buddhist Vixen: a Tale about the Scarlet 'B'

An esteemed Pastor of note from a large Midwestern city
Fell under the spell of a beguiling heathen from another land.
Seduced by her siren's song, enchanted by her words
His humanity hungered for what his divine aspirations could not satisfy.

What began as an innocent flirtation
Grew into an ravenous obsession
Fueling a long-suppressed desire
To consummate with the forbidden.

As a man of the the Christian cloth
An Apologist, A Doctorate of Theology,
He was brought to his knees
By the devil's mistress disguised as a Buddhist.

Intuition, he told her,
Is the devil whispering in your ear.
Jokingly, she reminded him of his delight
When she whispered her sinful yearnings in his.

Like Arthur Dimmesdale, the Pastor was above reproach.
But he could not overcome his earthly cravings.
The pale-skinned pagan was not as obedient as Hester Prynne,
As she viewed human desire as a healthy expression of God.

The Pastor pontificated endlessly about Christ
While the ex-Catholic Buddhist listened patiently.
She wrote him daily epistles on religious intolerance
Hoping to soften the Pastor's rigid stance.

Impressed with her theological knowledge,
Impeaching her veracity proved challenging.
Incited by her infidel sensuality and canny wit,
Impulsively he agreed to meet her.

The lovely inn on the island where she stayed
Could not have been more romantic.
Whether it was conscious or not, he dressed like a priest.
She looked like a goth vixen in black leather.

At the Inn the Pastor's Christian conscience panicked.
After some pleasurable kissing and frottage,
He bolted like a sinner facing hell
Off to parts unknown, aggrieved by his human frailty.

Unlike Hester, she was not forced wear a scarlet letter.
Although he was odd, the Pastor's flight did not demoralize her.
His disappearance and reluctance to communicate further
Made her feel sorry for his confining and punishing beliefs.

Then one day four months later a text came in.
Hello. Remember me? How are you?
It was the Pastor, acting as if nothing had ever happened.
Unfortunately, she had not forgotten the flight of the bumbled believer.

His tepid apology was insincere and flat.
The definition of sorry seemed lost on him.
It ended with her missive on contrition.
The Pastor went silent, back to business as usual.



















































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Inspiration for an Early February Day

"Divinely inspired, I go after my dreams.

Inspiration literally means “to breathe into.” All creation began with an idea and an inspiration. When I pray and meditate, I feel Spirit breathing divine ideas into me. Infused with a new awareness, I envision new possibilities.
Through the powers of faith, imagination, and will, I bring my ideas to manifestation and achieve my dreams. When I am inspired, I draw all the resources I need to accomplish my goal. Inspiration comes from God—it is undeterred by outer circumstances or obstacles.
As I act on my deepest inspirations, the energy of Spirit pulses through me. I embrace divine ideas and pursue my dreams with great courage, certainty, and faith." -The Daily Word

What do I need to 'breathe into' today? Being at the affect of numerous demands, I forget in the routine of life that inspiration cultivates vision. When I am stuck, at my wits end, or can't handle it anymore, I remember there is always creation. How much do I needlessly struggle against 'reality' when I could be choosing to envision instead? 

Once, when things had been going miserably my marriage, my former husband said to me, "We will solve this through the use of our imaginations." How right he was. By not focusing on aspects weighing our present down, we were inspired to a new path in our lives by changing directions.

For me, it is easy to become discouraged, feel overwhelmed, and allow negativity to overtake me. By asking for the faith, courage, and inspiration to guide me, I actively seek the higher road. Reality is not some harsh existence but pregnant with opportunities when I am receptive and my mind open. Inspired, I am in the right place, at the right time, successfully engaged in the right activity.

Thank you, Daily Word, for reminding me of this.

A Not So Happily Ever After Fairy Tale

Once upon a time there was a fair-haired prairie maiden seeking respite from her routinized life of cleaning up after her privileged step-sisters (aka coworkers). Cinderella's drudgery (work) made her pine for something out of the ordinary (fun and adventure) to lift her spirits and restore her hope in romance. Being a (tech) savvy scullery servant she placed her detailed wish list with the local town crier (a dating website), hoping to attract a charming prince. Lo and behold, he answered.

A prince of noble standing, he was. An esteemed revenue collector (investment advisor) from a far away land (Massachusetts), his bi-coastal lifestyle brought him to my homeland (California) for one of those gatherings of the wizards (a Wall Street Investment Brokerage conference) where he also has an office in a neighboring village (city). His charming response to Cinderella's posting included a request to join him at the grand ball (a evening out at a trendy restaurant followed by a private Steve Miller concert the next night).

Being a wary Cinderella, she used her honed research skills to see if this princes intentions were true. Sure enough, from what she could gather from local gossip (the internet) this prince seemed sincere, with a reputation of integrity. She now felt confident that a tryst with Prince Investor would lighten her spirit and make her of sprightly step.

He was a crafty noble, mellifluous of tongue, keen of wit, who displayed impeccable manners. His savoir faire enabled her to feel comfortable enough to don her fine garments for their first night out at the royal meal. The night was magical. Co-mingling with the other honored guests at the feast made Cinderella feel gracious, poised, and polished. She felt entirely at ease, allowing the diamond beneath her imprisoned soul shine. Her engaging repartee entertained even the most reserved. Before the evening was through, Cinderella saw her dream of being exported out of the ordinary happen. What's more, the prince seemed to take great pleasure in having her accompany him.

When they departed for his castle, Cinderella knew what lay before her literally. The enchantment of the waxing moon, along with a sumptuous repast, incited amorous stirrings between them both. The Prince was enthralled with her blond locks, black boots, and bewitchingly brilliant mind. Cinderella was hypnotized by his confidence, civility, comprehension, and conversation. Together they were alliterately swept away by their ardor. A night of passion ensued. Cinderella liked this bold and commanding Prince-he was different.

The following night the Prince took Cinderella for a private concert by well known musicians (the Steve Miller band). Because he was revered for his financial acumen, he and Cinderella were escorted to a special area where they were waited on hand and foot by a cadre of servants. Cinderella found the experience of being waited on to be delightful. The whole evening was fun, exciting, and unique. Rarely had Cinderella been exposed to this level of finery.

The next day the Prince returned to his far away land. He promised to continue to correspond and wished to see her in March. Cinderella also went back to her scullery duties daydreaming of her time with the Prince in fairy tale land, excited about what the future may hold.

But alas, it was not to be. A friend of Cinderella's who lived in the same village as the Prince sent her word that the Prince has a Princess. Confused, Cinderella sent word to the Prince inquiring about this devastating news. After all, the Prince had assured her that the past Princess had forsaken him in another land long ago. Surprisingly, the Prince admitted to his manipulation of the facts, claimed he was no longer with the Princess, but apologized for his shameful lack of transparency. He ended his correspondence with, "You are an amazing person and deserve better."

Cinderella already knew that. What is hard is that Cinderella has discovered in this emerging age of fast communication, facts are easily spun, things are not always what they appear to be, and there is no way to know who or what the truth is. She also realized how trite saying, "I'm sorry" is and how easy it is to justify shredding another's trust, stomping on their heart, and screwing with their sense of reality. As disheartened as Cinderella was, she did not let this deter her. Not all fairy tales end up happily ever after.

Full Snow Moon in Leo, February 3rd at 3:08 (PST)

"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."-Farmer's Almanac

Thanks to an incredible arrangement of planets, this lunation promises to be surprisingly pleasant. Our attitudes will be lighter, our defenses lowered, our hearts open more willingly, and the noisy chatter sabotaging us disappears. Expect the unexpected in a good way. Dancing with romance, first love's sparks, and mature love's zest are all highlighted. As we shed our disbelief, the promise of love and the sweetness it engenders sprinkles us with magic. It brings out the best in us: the stuff we haven't seen for a while, didn't think could be resurrected, or didn't believe we had in us. It would be tempting to dismiss this opportunity and equate it with foolishness or delusion. But there is a real opportunity to shed our armor to experience the grace of beneficence. So put down the sword, surrender your cynicism, and be receptive to capitulation. A truce is just the thing we need to loosen the fortification of the citadel protecting ourselves from incursions against the tenderness we desire.