New Year Resolutions: Make Them Reality!!

December 31, 2005 By


There’s something powerful about the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one. A sense of opportunity abounds, and there is a feeling that the slate can be wiped clean and a new beginning can take root. To accomplish that, we often set new year resolutions for things that we like to change, but we often lack the tools and motivation to really make those things happen. We may end up frustrated and with a sense of failure at not having achieved what we set out to do.

This year, go beyond resolutions and take some extra steps to create your new reality. Language is so important here; it’s not enough just to list those things you want to change, but instead create affirmative statements as if those changes have already taken place. Often we don’t believe that we CAN accomplish our goals, so stating them affirmatively helps to imprint our message into our neurological system which then begins to make real changes in our attitudes. In creating your statements, try to determine what has kept you from making these changes in the past and incorporate these reasons into your affirmative statements.

Some examples would be:

Instead of saying “I want to lose 10 pounds,” say: I enjoy preparing and eating just the right amount of delicious foods that nourish and satisfy me completely.

Instead of saying “I will exercise every day,” say: My daily workouts fill me with energy and vitality.

Instead of saying “I will spend more time with family and friends,” say: My friends and family are a valuable source of support for me and spending time with them is a priority.

Instead of saying “I will quit smoking,” say: I am a non-smoker because my health is very important to me and I love the way my smoke-free life feels and the new energy that I have as a result.

Instead of “I will get out of debt,” say: I feel safe and secure knowing that I am debt-free and that there is plenty of money in my bank accounts to save for the future.

Instead of “This year I will get organized,” say: I am easily able to maintain my focus and effectively organize all of my tasks at home and at work, knowing that there is plenty of time to do everything that I want to do.

Once you’ve created your list, read it every day. The daily imprinting of your new reality into both sides of your brain will help to make these changes a reality! Plus you will remember daily what you desire, and will be better able to make the small changes that will help make your desires your reality.

peace and best wishes for the new year!!

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Mars Square Saturn

December 30, 2005 By

Although this aspect didn’t culminate until yesterday, it’s been in effect for some time as part of the Grand Cross so it hasn’t received the attention from me that it deserved. Mars square Saturn is often described as “driving with the brakes on” – Mars wants to go, to take action, and Saturn is the brakes that doesn’t allow motion to happen. Mars often represents willful behavior, arrogance, aggression, and Saturn is the paternal scolding voice. We can see this at play in the escalation of tension in Iraq, in the increased outrage over the National Security Agency spying scandal, the pending Tube strike in London and the standoff between Russia and the Ukraine over gas supplies.

The Mars/Saturn combination can offer a productive flow of energy if properly utilized: Saturn requires hard work and discipline, and if the energy of Mars can be harnessed and put to work great things can happen even in the challenging aspects between these planets.

As discussed in other posts below, the tension of the Grand Cross builds until there is a release of energy that is a catalyst for change. Although all four planets are no longer in tight formation, they continue to dance around each other and we are likely to see a continuation of this tension over the next two weeks as Mars moves towards a stressful aspect with Jupiter and the ideological (Jupiter) battles (Mars) become louder and more strident, with Neptune entering the picture to mystify and confuse the issues. Neptune rules martyrdom and self-sacrifice, and we may see an increased number of suicide bombings in mid-month when Mars, Jupiter and Neptune are in tight formation.

The Sun is approaching a conjunction with Venus in Capricorn over the next few days, usually a beneficial time (Sun/Venus) for getting things done (Capricorn). Hopefully the negotiation (Venus/Capricorn) possibilities of this time will help us to see the more positive results of the Mars/Saturn square!

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New Moon December 30

December 29, 2005 By

The New Moon this month is in Capricorn on December 30 at 10:11 PM EST. New Moons occur when the lunar principle of emotional mind fuses with the solar principle of conscious mind (the sun conjunct the moon). New moons are times of beginnings, of clearings of old baggage and making a new start. How appropriate that this New Moon occurs just before the New Year, and in Capricorn, the sign of discipline and focus. This is the perfect time to create intention for the new year, to go beyond setting mere resolutions, but hone your focus and intent to create that which you desire in your life. This New Moon makes a trine to Mars, making the physical energy available to make it happen. Mars is square Saturn, so there is some blockage of the energy, but consistent focus will help to break through any blocks you encounter so that you can begin to manifest effectively.

Also in play during this New Moon is a conjunction of Mercury with Pluto in Sagittarius. Mercury represents mental function and Pluto is power and regeneration. Mercury/Pluto periods can help sharpen our focus even more, like a laser with precision and intensity. In Sagittarius Mercury is optimistic and buoyant, and offers the confidence required to believe that all things are possible.

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The Seven Times Seven Meme

December 28, 2005 By

Jill tagged me with this, and while I’m not sure what it is I’m going to play anyway:

Seven things to do before I die:

  • Spend a month in the English countryside.
  • Appreciate my husband 24 hours a day.
  • Buy a little country place with a sunset view over a rolling meadow and pond.
  • Finish and publish my astrology book.
  • Take a long trip through Ancient Egypt and Greece.
  • Be a foster mom to Golden Retrievers.
  • Learn the art of living without doing.

Seven things I cannot do:

  • Spend a day without turning on the computer.
  • Watch the entire LOTR movie in one day.
  • Sing like Sarah McLachlan.
  • Sleep late.
  • Play the hammer dulcimer (but lessons begin this year!)
  • Watch George Bush speak on TV if it’s not on the Daily Show.
  • Run five miles.

Seven things that attract me to blogging:

  • I can ramble as much as I want and I can’t tell if the readers are bored.
  • I have a reason to write about George Clooney.
  • It helps me to demonstrate the effectiveness of astrology in everyday life.
  • It gives me a good excuse to be on the computer.
  • It forces me to write every day (maybe I’ll get to that book soon…)
  • It gives me an opportunity to participate in meaningful discussions.

Seven things I say most often:

  • “I know this is difficult right now, but really it’s an opportunity…”
  • “Call me back when you remember why you called me.”
  • “It might be a good idea even if it IS mine.”
  • “I’m running a few minutes late.”
  • “Help! My site isn’t working.”
  • “Cut it out Katie!!”
  • “We’re having leftovers again.”

Seven books that I love:

  • The Secret Life of Bees
  • The Mists of Avalon
  • All the astrology books by Liz Greene
  • A Wrinkle in Time
  • The Perelandra Space Trilogy
  • Be Here Now
  • Who Dies

Seven movies I watch over and over again:

  • Local Hero
  • Excalibur
  • Barry Lyndon
  • Splendor in the Grass
  • Days of Heaven
  • 2001: A Space Odyssey
  • La Grande Illusion

Now I’m supposed to list seven bloggers I’d like to join in, but I’m new in the blogging game and don’t know any well enough to ask them. Instead I’ll list my seven favorite blogs:

Brilliant at Breakfast
Pop Occulture
The Green Knight
One Good Move
Andrea’s Blog
Middle Earth Journal
Comments from Left Field

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Update on the Grand Cross

December 28, 2005 By

(For more information, see these past articles discussing the Grand Cross of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune in effect for the next few weeks.)

For the past month or so, four planets have been dancing in a “Grand Cross” formation, with two sets of two planets opposite each other and square to their neighbors. Since early November, we have seen a face-off with Mars (god of war and aggression) in a square (90 degree angle, within 5 degrees) to Saturn (restriction and limitation). Saturn has been opposite Neptune (the hidden or mysterious, confusion and illusion). Jupiter (god of philosophy, religion, theology and meaning) joined the party in early December, and the so-called War on Christmas became the focal point for some of the tension evident in American culture. In other parts of the world, the Iranian president denied that that the Holocaust ever took place, and in Iraq the historic election demonstrated the obvious fact that the Iraqi people self-identified along cultural lines.

These planets will continue their dance through the end of January, culminating in the middle of the month when the formation between Mars, Jupiter and Neptune is exact at 15-16 degrees. Saturn will have retrograded backwards to the point where its influence falls out of the picture, which will soften the effect somewhat. Saturn is rigid and creates tension which often results in an explosion that instigates change, where Neptune is soft and fuzzy and creates mostly confusion. With Mars and Jupiter there is a lot of spiritual ego and self-righteousness, with little possibility of compromise. However, the fiery drama we’ve seen over the past month is likely to subside.

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Merry Christmas and a Cool Yule!

December 26, 2005 By

The celebration of Christmas at the Winter Solstice is one of the more recent celebrations to mark the longest night of the year. Today as we celebrate the return of the Sun and the birth of the Sun God, I thought I’d share this good article about the origins of Christmas.

However you celebrate the season, I wish you all the love, peace and joy that life on Earth can bring.

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Surprising Discoveries About Uranus

December 23, 2005 By


In astrology, Uranus symbolizes radical change and eccentric behavior, it is the revolutionary of the zodiac. Astronomers have long known that Uranus possesses unusual features such as the fact that it is tipped nearly on its side relative to the sun with its south pole pointing towards the Sun. This gives it the strange orbit pattern of rolling about as it travels around the sun. New discoveries by scientists at the SETI institute demonstrate that the orbits of Uranus’ inner moons and ring structures have dramatically changed over the past decade. The rings appear to be constantly replenished by fresh material (just as Uranus serves in the birthchart to constantly slough off old tired habits and patterns to replenish them with a new way of looking at our lives), and the orbits that the moons make relative to each other has also changed dramatically.

This erratic and unusual behavior typifies the way Uranus operates in the birthchart of an individual and as it travels through the solar system and affects us by transit. Uranus rules revolution, it defies the status quo and seeks to remove from our lives anything that is tired and oppressive or which no longer serves us. Uranus has a tendency to coax out of us our secret longings to be our own completely unique individual. If we resist these impulses for too long, we may experience sudden urges to completely change our life, to walk our own path and break free of any restrictions that hold us back.

Unlike the rings of Saturn which are more permanently defined signifying the structures that Saturn creates, the rings of the Uranian moons appear to be in constant flux. Astrologically, Uranus seeks to create an environment within us where there is adequate space and freedom to adapt and change as our evolution requires, and once again I am amazed at the synchronicity between the astronomical nature of the planets and their symbolism in our lives.

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Venus turns Retrograde and Conjuncts Chiron

December 23, 2005 By

Venus, traveling through Aquarius, turns retrograde on December 24. When Venus is retrograde we are often forced to pay more attention to our dealing with others and our own sense of connectedness and how well we manage our connections with those around us. At the same time, Venus has been moving into a conjunction with Chiron, the wounded healer. What a perfect time for this to happen as many of us regroup with our families at the holidays!

In Aquarius Venus tends to be less emotional, more concerned with matters of fairness and equality and ensuring that everyone is given fair treatment. Connected to Chiron, however, old wounds and damaged places could erupt in a process that can ultimately be healing for all involved. The key to successfully navigating Chiron events is to pay attention and try not to hide from emotions as they attempt to make themselves known.

During this period watch for there to be greater consideration of others in the public eye as well as in our personal lives. Venus will remain in retrograde motion through February 3, and the conjunction with Chiron will remain in effect for most of the holiday week.

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Bush Update and This Month’s Grand Cross

December 21, 2005 By

Thanks to Jill for posting an article by Peter Daou from Salon about the dynamics of a Bush scandal. This corresponds very precisely with the Grand Cross occurring right now between Mars (aggression), Saturn (law/rules/restriction), Neptune (confusion and illusion) and Jupiter (philosophy, expansion):

1. POTUS circumvents the law – an impeachable offense.

Mars/Jupiter brings a sense of disregard (Mars) for established law (Jupiter), or being too self-important (Mars) to follow them.

2. The story breaks (in this case after having been concealed by a news organization until well after Election 2004).

Hidden stories (Neptune) erupting (Mars) into public consciousness (Jupiter) after being blocked by the media (Saturn).

3. The Bush crew floats a number of pushback strategies, settling on one that becomes the mantra of virtually every Republican surrogate. These Republicans face down poorly prepped Dem surrogates and shred them on cable news shows.

At least this part of the process is breaking down under the Grand Cross standoff. Aggressive Republican talking points (Mars) are being challenged by a strengthening opposition (Saturn) and the delusions imposed by the White House (Neptune) are being revealed.

10. The story starts blending into a long string of administration scandals, and through skillful use of scandal fatigue, Bush weathers the storm and moves on, further demoralizing his opponents and cementing the press narrative about his ‘resolve’ and toughness.

Unfortunately the planets are saying that Bush may in fact weather this storm. Although he has a string of difficult Saturn transits earlier in the year, he is currently affected by Jupiter influences that are causing him to be more arrogant (Jupiter/Mars in his chart) than usual, and to care even less for established power structures (Jupiter square to his natal Pluto through next August). More importantly, Pluto (transformation) is making a harmonious aspect to the cusp of his career house, showing that he is likely to achieve success during this period.

We can only hope that through this process he begins to learn from his errors and begin to become a more productive president.

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