The Heart of Taurus

Indulge me for a moment, as I’d like to dedicate this month’s article to the late Rita A. Jackson; my astrological mentor, my nurturing spiritual mother, and my very best friend. Rita was a Taurus who embodied the very essence of the highest qualities of her Sun sign. An exceptionally gifted astrologer, Rita could instantly recall anyone’s chart she had ever examined, even if she hadn’t seen it in years. Her passion for astrology was contagious, and she generously shared her extensive knowledge with me during the course of our 18-year friendship. She truly enjoyed this insightful science, always had a book in her hand, and continued studying until her transition in the early morning hours of March 17, 1999. Her kindness was exceptional. She was one of those rare amazing people who gently enter our lives, instantly winning our hearts and unexpectedly facilitating our transformation from sleeping Buddhas to fully awakened spiritual beings. Rita lovingly understood and accepted the timid, broken girl that her daughter brought home for dinner one night, and proceeded to mother me into the woman I would become by showing me the jewel that she saw within. I am honoured to have been chosen as her “adopted” daughter, am grateful to my own Higher Wisdom for allowing this experience, and will forever remember her with warm, loving gratitude.

Good journey, Rita…until we meet again.

The month of May begins with the warm energies of a Taurus Sun. Taurus is the second astrological sign on the zodiac wheel, and makes its natural home in the second house of personal possessions and values. The Sun moves through Taurus from April 21^st to May 21^st of each year, and signals the beginning of warm breezes and the delightful aromas of rich earth and blooming foliage. As a sensual sign, it’s only fitting that Taurus rules the time of year when our tactile instincts reawaken along with our desire to create beautiful and fragrant surroundings, and we emerge from our cocoons to enjoy the warm sun on our faces again. Our appetites for the pleasures of life are reactivated, eager to participate in the joyful reawakening of the Earth. The ancient celebration of Mayday or Beltaine occurs at this time, and the sensual energies of the day have Taurus written all over them!

The symbol that represents Taurus is the bull, likely indicating its fixed nature. While these people are generally kind and gentle, if a Taurus doesn’t want to do something, there’s absolutely no way to convince them otherwise. This can be one of the most challenging traits that they, and those who love them, will face. My eldest son is a Taurus, and I recall a humorous event from his early childhood that made this tendency glaringly clear to me. For an entire year prior to this event, all he could talk about was riding a school bus; he was so enthralled with the concept. His favourite toys were school buses, or involved them in some fashion. When we moved to a new school district that made it necessary for him to ride in one, he was ecstatic and looked forward to the experience with adorable enthusiasm. Yet on that first day when the cheery yellow contraption rolled to a stop at the curb and the doors flipped open to welcome him, his face went white. It was likely the enormity of the actual real deal that overwhelmed him, and/or the roar of the other kids restlessly waiting inside, but whatever the case, he wasn’t about to budge. Try as I might, I couldn’t motivate the little tyke to board the thing he cherished the most. The driver and I both tried everything at our disposal, including attempts to physically lift him from the pavement, but he’d set his jaw and wouldn’t have any part of it. It was like he had grown roots right where he stood and I finally had to relent and drive him to school myself. This, my friends, is a prime example of the stubbornness Taurus can display.

As exasperating as they can be when they’re not willing to waver, being fixed can have its benefits. An Earth sign by nature, Taurus is grounded and stable. If there is a lasting project that requires stamina and commitment, having reliable Taurus on board is your best bet for successful completion. While at times slow to motivate, once a Taurus gets moving on anything, the momentum is solid to the finish. As long as you practice fairness and appreciation for the efforts they expend on your behalf, and find interesting ways to kick-start their enthusiasm, you will never find a more loyal, disciplined worker.

As a feminine sign, Taurus is nurturing and patient, and can make for loving, devoted parents. I believe that it is no accident that Mother’s Day is observed while the Sun visits Taurus. Affectionate by nature, any child would certainly thrive with a parent who is positively influenced by this sign. Taureans tend to have a genuine interest in their children, and a strong desire for them to find happiness, safety and comfort throughout their lives. On occasion, this interest can take on a controlling nature, and their children may feel a bit more encroached upon than is comfortable. Taurus parents need to learn to step back a bit at these times, loosen up the reigns and allow their children to find their own paths while maintaining a distant, watchful eye. If you are the child of a Taurus, try to understand that any smothering behavior you may have experienced as a child was borne of genuine love with the best intentions for your safety and happiness.

Ruled by the planet Venus, Taurus loves to be surrounded by things of beauty, comfort and pleasure. Sensual by nature, these individuals generally make the best lovers of the zodiac; for not only are they highly in tune with what pleases them the most, they also possess a sincere desire to insure that their partners receive just as much pleasure as they do. This doesn’t guarantee that all Taureans are a shoe-in for the bedroom Olympics, and that we should all sprint to find a Taurus lover as soon as possible. Remember always that the Sun sign only partially represents our full natures, and that there’s an entire chart to consider when choosing a mate. It simply means that those lucky enough to be wooed by someone who embodies the true Taurus romantic nature will likely be pleasantly awed by the difference a deliberate, attentive touch makes in all the right places.

Taurus is generally very easygoing by nature, with a contagious sense of humour. It takes quite a bit to rattle this stable sign, and on the rare occasion when he or she does become pushed to the limit, it’s best to get out of their way. A few of the top things that could make these individuals feel edgy and reactive are unfair judgments or criticism against them, an intrusion on their relationships, and being pushed too hard or rushed beyond their own comfortable rhythm. Taurus sets their own pace, and while it may seem irritatingly plodding to us faster moving signs, trying to push them beyond this tempo could have unhealthy results – for you and them. The same holds true for interfering in their personal relationships; while very loving and gentle, they are also possessive by nature, and if they perceive that you are threatening the sanctity of their partnerships there could be hell to pay. Remember the bull when it sees red? Not pretty.

If you are a Taurus, when situations arise that unnerve you to the core and make you feel unhinged or ungrounded, go outside and sink your hands or feet into some rich organic soil. If it’s winter outside and the ground is frozen, keep a bag of potting soil on hand to plunge into when the situation warrants it. It may sound a little kooky to some of us, but nothing feels more healing to a Taurus than to reconnect directly with his or her own element. Keeping stones like malachite or emerald on hand will provide a stable sort of energy that can bring you back in balance. If you’re feeling lethargic, try holding a piece of tiger’s eye or red jasper to give you that jumpstart you need. On those occasions when you feel lonely or unappreciated from external resources, rose quartz will help inspire the loving energies within that you need in order to feel better.

If you are the parent of a Taurus child, be sure to shower them with affection and acceptance. While challenging at times, practicing patience and understanding is vital for raising a happy Taurean. They thrive in comfortable, secure environments, and require these elements in order to grow up healthy and self-assured. As Earth signs, drastic change can be very unsettling for your budding bull, so be sure to buffer any sudden, unavoidable events with offers of love and reassurance. As Taurus adores physical comfort, it’s important to get your little one outside for some fresh air and physical exercise on a regular basis, barring any serious health conditions. If a love of physical exertion isn’t encouraged from an early age, a Taurus could exhibit a modicum of laziness that could later affect their health. Unhealthy weight gain is common among our comfort-loving friends, and it’s important that they keep themselves active to stay robust and in good physical shape.

So in closing, I’d like to wish everyone a happy Mayday. Celebrate this day by connecting with someone you love, and enjoying the wonders of the great outdoors. I believe with all my heart that Mother Earth is a Taurus, so I invite you to honour her this month by enjoying the gifts she offers and doing your part to promote the healing that she both needs and deserves.

Namaste.

Spring Forth with Aries

It seems very appropriate that as we begin a new cycle of life, and enjoy the new hope of spring, our focus turns to the first sign in the zodiac, Aries; the sign of new beginnings.

The Sun makes its trek through Aries between March 21st and April 20th, inspiring a mood of adventure and enthusiasm. Aries is a masculine extroverted sign, its element is fire, and its symbol is the Ram. As a cardinal sign and ruled by Mars, Aries is the vanguard, the initiator, and way too "take charge" to be a follower. As courageous leaders, if you have an endeavour that requires fearless action right out of the gate, a self-motivated Aries at the head would be a good call. Be sure to include stable and persevering Taurus to perform the follow-through activities, however. This wisdom is inspired by Aries' restless enthusiasm which, like most fire signs, peters out pretty quickly leaving many projects undone. Taurus, on the other hand, may be plodding initially, but gains momentum and stamina as a project continues. Aries is perfect for lighting the proverbial fire under Taurus to inspire them into action, happily jaunting away in search of the next big adventure, while Taurus steadfastly sees things through to completion. I'm convinced it's no accident that Taurus follows Aries in the procession of signs through the zodiac, since they both complement each other so well!

Of course, for a well-rounded team you'll need other signs in the mix, each bringing their own brand of expertise to the project. Rest-assured I'll present my ideas for that in a future article.
For now, let's refocus on our delightfully impetuous Aries friend with a word of caution: It stands to reason that all that fiery Martian energy is likely to generate a few pretty heated moments in the life of an Aries, and subsequently those who share space with him (or her). This is often the Achilles Heel for our neighboring Rams: their scorching temper. While most firestorms are quick to set and very short-lived, the Aries brand of displeasure can be rattling at best, caustic and devastating at worst - especially to more sensitive folks. I once associated with an Aries, and can honestly say that as fun as he could be at times, when he blew I was certain a mushroom-shaped explosion could be witnessed for miles around! This volatility can obviously have several detrimental effects on Aries and those around them. Number one on the list is personal and professional relationships, which can suffer greatly from these extreme fluctuations in emotional temperament. This same Aries I mentioned has plowed right through several potentially promising relationships, both work and romantic, and always afterward sits there scratching his head wondering where the heck everybody went!

Another possible negative result of the explosive nature of Aries is in the realm of health. While Aries is naturally robust, a semi-constant barrage of passionate rage can make even the sturdiest of physical constitutions a bit on the wobbly side. Aries rules the head and brain. Consequently evidence of excess can manifest in such physical experiences as headaches, migraines, neuralgia and depression. Other physical challenges could include indigestion and nervous disorders, while accidents and physical injuries are also a strong possibility, due to Aries rashness and impetuosity.

With that said, Aries would benefit greatly by availing him or herself of constructive methods to cope with their fervent nature, such as getting involved in Martian-inspired physical activities like contact sports and martial arts. In this way, they will find an outlet for their powerful energy, enabling them to expend it in much more positive ways. While Aries is usually drawn to items that feed their insatiable passions, a truly savvy Ram will recognize the need to surround him/herself on occasion with more calming influences that will help them to create balance. Some suggestions on how this can be achieved is by using the colour blue for decor and apparel, getting out into nature and relaxing by a quiet lake, and carrying stones that have a calming energy, such as blue lace agate and rose quartz.

A little advice here for the parents of Aries children: make sure that physical activity is a part of their everyday experience. Get them out into the fresh air and sunshine, let them run until they drop, allowing them the joy of energetic self expression and they will thrive beautifully! A happy Aries is an active one who is allowed to explore, with a modicum of safety, all the wonders this world has to offer. Let them know consistently that they are loved and accepted precisely for who they are, that they have a wonderful purpose in this world, and they will then be inspired to love others with the same level of respect and appreciation.

Aries energy is that of a child; eyes wide open and full of wonderment. They want to fully experience everything, everyone, and everyplace. Restlessness in all areas of life is a common byproduct for all this innate gusto, which can come with its own brand of challenges. Learning sustained focus and commitment is one of the major opportunities in the Aries experience, and they would do well to be mindful of the benefits of staying on task. It is possible to have a well-rounded experience and get things accomplished at the same time. It's all in the attitude. The clever Aries will find adventure in seeing things through to completion, experiencing every phase of development along the way, and gifting their associates with oodles of dynamic enthusiasm. That sparkling Aries energy can make even the most routine project a bit more exciting.
Wherever Aries and its ruler Mars reside in your chart is where you expend the most energy. Therefore, everyone can benefit from finding out where Aries resides in their own chart. By understanding the area of life influenced, one can then choose the more constructive forms of Martian expression. For example, Aries in the Sixth House may indicate a tendency to switch jobs frequently, or to bring dynamic effervescence and enthusiasm into any professional environment. Aries in the Fifth can signify romantic restlessness, or the ability to create an atmosphere of newness and adventure within a committed relationship. Again, it's all in the attitude.

And so, lively Aries…I will leave you with these words of wisdom: Enjoying the journey is what it's all about. Milk each experience for all it's worth, bringing your own brand of uniqueness to every moment. It's astounding what you can miss if you walk away from something too quickly, so stick around a bit and give it your best effort. You may be pleasantly surprised at the results. Ram on!

Namaste.

A Dream of Pisces

Were you beginning to wonder if March would ever get here? I know that I'm very grateful that winter is almost ready to move along and spring approaches fast. With the last vestiges of winter upon us, we've also reached the realm of the final sign of the zodiac, the dreamily ethereal Pisces.

Pisces is the twelfth sign of the zodiac, and therefore naturally resides in the twelfth house of the unconscious mind and mystical inspiration. Its symbol is a pair of fish, one swimming upstream and one swimming downstream. It's often said that this represents the dichotomy of Pisces traits: they can either be extremely motivated and excel in the more earth-bound matters, or be somewhat ungrounded, preferring to float along through life with their thoughts and focus on more mystical matters. Either way, these individuals bring something distinctive and otherworldly into the mix. Pisces is considered a feminine sign, and the energies of most Pisceans who follow their Sun sign traits are gentle and compassionate by nature. Since the Piscean element is water and exhibits a mutable quality, these individuals tend to be intuitive, emotional and changeable.

Initially ruled by Jupiter, Pisces acquired the more appropriate affiliation with Neptune upon the planet's discovery in 1846. Since Neptune is the planet of idealism, compassion, creativity and spirituality, Pisces snuggles up quite comfortably with the eighth known planet in our solar system. Naturally playful by nature, Pisces is friendly, charming and rather enchanting. They have a mystical quality about them that is open-minded and genuine, and their eyes tend to be large and dreamy.

Being watery by nature, Pisces is emotional and naturally psychic. Because of the murkier qualities of Neptune, however, without proper grounding their perceptions may not be entirely reliable. It is important that they learn methods of discernment and practicality to avoid being challenged by their sign's less savory qualities of illusion, confusion and deception. Pisceans can often experience periods of extreme uncertainty and self-deception, and could benefit from a trusted friend or loved one to recognize when they're in crisis, and gently remind them of their need to check in and ground on occasion. The use of the stones Fluorite, Jade and Lapis Lazuli can be a soothing influence and also help bring clarity and focus on these occasions.

Because the influence of Neptune can inspire a more murky sensitivity, fear can play a large part in how Pisces perceives his surroundings. Extremely sensitive, many Pisces individuals may find the world to be a particularly harsh terrain to navigate, and some may choose to escape into alcoholic, chemical, or even spiritual indulgence as a way to buffer themselves from reality for a time when it all becomes overwhelming. As water signs, alcohol can be particularly seductive for them. As a healthier alternative, Pisceans can choose to empower themselves by engaging in more positive activities such as joining groups that promote healing and acceptance, using therapeutic methods like stone therapy or massage, and taking up daily practices such as yoga, meditation and gardening to bring energies on all levels back into alignment. One particular stone that could be of use when one is feeling fearful or worried is Lepidolite. Alexandrite is regenerative, and can also be useful in helping to restore balance, reinforce one's self-esteem, and assist one in experiencing joyful appreciation of the interconnectedness of all.

Pisces tends to see beyond the everyday, and into the mystical realms of understanding that can reside just beyond our grasp. Those who wish to enhance their innate psychic abilities can utilize the energies of Moonstone and Aquamarine in their daily meditations. Pisces creativity is remarkable, and those who harness the ability to articulate all the wonders of their unique perceptions in a way that the rest of us can understand will truly be a gift to themselves and others.

There is a quote that I've recently come across by Frederick Buechner and I'd like to share it with everyone, and particularly any Piscean who is called to read it here: "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." While I find this to be deeply inspiring on a personal level, as I'm sure many will, I feel that it could be especially poignant for those with Pisces Sun, or in a prominent position in their chart.

With that said, I'd like to end with a special message to all Pisceans: You have a place in this world, my dear, though at times you may not feel it. There is a hunger that exists now in the world for your unique qualities of compassion and insight. When you find your footing, and learn to express your perceptions in a voice that others can hear, you can be a part of the vanguard of souls who lead us into a new way of being and becoming. I believe in you.

Namaste.

The Aquarian Focus

Happy February, everyone! I especially love this month because it represents so many good things to me. For one, it contains my birthday, and I do enjoy birthdays! They present a great opportunity (and reminder) for those around us to show that they’re really happy we were born, and I am blessed with many fine people in my life who do just that. An additional benefit of February is that it’s the last theoretically wintry month of the year, which makes it the portal to spring…and who doesn’t love spring? Some religions celebrate Imbolc, Candlemas, or Brigid’s Day on February 2^nd, which is the first of three spring celebrations. I can personally see real wisdom in choosing to celebrate joyously what could otherwise be seen as a rather icky month, and I encourage us all to find every excuse to create joy during the last stretch of this wintery season.

Incidentally, this February begins with a rather beneficial, especially cool conjunction of Venus and Jupiter in Capricorn, which will be visible in the east-southeast, early morning sky beginning on the 1st. Check them out on February 4^th, about 45 minutes before sunrise, and you will be additionally treated to a planetary triangle formed by Venus, Jupiter and a lovely crescent Moon. I think I’ll set the alarm clock for this one!

So to commemorate this quirky, delightful month, my focus for this article is the equally quirky and mostly delightful sign of Aquarius. The Sun transits Aquarius every year from January 20^th to February 18^th. Its symbol is the Water Bearer, which sometimes causes a bit of confusion because Aquarius is actually an air sign, and is intellectual in nature. To clarify, Aquarius is a sign of great knowledge and wisdom, and Aquarians are said to enjoy a direct line to the Akashic Records, which can be likened to Universal Memory. Aquarians enjoy sharing the knowledge gained from such unfettered access with those around them, indicated symbolically by the pouring out of wisdom (represented by water) from the Water Bearer’s jar. Thus, the water actually represents knowledge, which is in line with the element of air.

Aquarius is the sign of harmony and unity. As the 11^th sign of the Zodiac, it naturally occupies the 11^th house of friendship. Aquarians make loyal, devoted friends and often regard their friendships as being the most important relationships in their lives. The more evolved an Aquarian is, the more likely she will create friendships within all of her relationships, be they familial, romantic, or work-related. Friendship is imperative to Aquarius in all aspects of relating. In my personal experience, the breaking up of a romantic relationship -- while potentially heartbreaking, is buffered by the opportunity to retain that person as a good friend. I choose romantic partners who have excellent friendship potential, and as a result, many of my greatest and most enduring friendships began as romances. What I find especially sorrowful is when a romance ends, and my former lover chooses to end the friendship as well. I can happily say that this has been an extremely rare occurrence. It is very difficult for Aquarians when they lose friends, as these close connections have become so much a part of their lives, that it leaves an awful hole when they’re gone. It’s a good thing that Aquarians are charming and outgoing, enabling them to make new friends so easily!

Aquarius is a positive, future-thinking sign which chooses to look at the potential good of every person and situation. If you’re looking for someone on your team who can conceptualize future trends and ideas, recruit an Aquarian. You’ll need to suspend disbelief a bit, since these intellectuals tend to think and communicate in the abstract. Fixed in nature, once an Aquarian sets her mind to do or believe in something or someone, she can be unshakeable and steadfast. If mistaken, however, an evolved Aquarian will be able to shift his thinking quickly in order to accept a different path. This will occur only after the error has been proven beyond a doubt, and being the born detectives of the Zodiac, an Aquarian will leave no stone unturned to get to the truth of the matter.

As innate humanitarians, you will often find Aquarians engaged in some altruistic passion or two in their spare time. We tend to be drawn to socially conscious, compassionate causes, as well as politics and matters of societal justice. Cruelty and unfairness are repulsive to Water Bearers, and being socially outgoing and openly honest, we tend to let those around us know when our sensitivities have been abused by bigotry and hateful statements. The more mature of us have learned to do this in a respectful manner, due to the acquired awareness that on the mundane level we are all entitled to our opinion, and at the spiritual level we are all at different stages of our own evolutionary paths. Even mature Aquarians will stand up at full volume where appropriate, however. We’ve simply learned to pick our battles wisely.

Traditionally, Aquarius was thought to be ruled by Saturn, a terribly uncomfortable alliance for the sign that insists upon marching to the tune of its own drummer. Upon the discovery of Uranus in 1781, however, it became obvious that the eccentric, unpredictable and unconventional energies of this quirky planet were more in tune to Aquarian nature. Uranus has the unusual distinction of revolving on its side, and its unique teal cloud cover is too dense to reveal anything of the planet’s physical secrets to modern science. This maverick planet is a much more fitting overseer of Aquarian energies than staunch Saturn, as it represents the qualities of personal freedom, individuality, new discoveries, and innovative ideas. To provide balance, however, Saturn still maintains co-rulership of Aquarius. This can be thought of as beneficial in that the planet of discipline and restraint helps to stabilize the otherwise erratic, uncontrolled energies of Uranus.

If you fall in love with an Aquarian, you can certainly expect a break from the norm. Aquarians are a rare breed indeed, and even the more conventional ones will surprise you on occasion with an unexpected trait that peeks out of hiding when you get close enough to really know them. Intellectual by nature, be prepared to share in your Aquarian’s love of knowledge, which they soak up like a sponge, seeking out new opportunities to learn in every moment. Life is a discovery for Aquarius, and those who sport this Sun sign are childlike in their desire to know everything there is to know. This passion for information leads the typical Aquarian down many paths in life, and they never seem to tire of shifting on a dime toward the next experience that will bring them closer to ultimate enlightenment. At times this behaviour can make your head spin, so if you’re the type that likes everything to be orderly, commonplace and plodding, you may want to just keep this interesting individual as a friend. However, if you’re looking for a break from routine, someone to stir up your pot and inspire you right out of your comfortable rut, Aquarius is the person for the job! If nothing else, it’ll be quite a romp, and Aquarians certainly love the company on their many experiential jaunts.

One thing of note to understand about Aquarian emotions: They are like Scorpio in that still waters run deep. While on the surface they can appear aloof and icy when something dramatic is happening, if you look a little deeper you will understand that they are feeling the experience every bit as much as you are. The difference is they’re just trying their best to process it while keeping their cool, in an effort to come out on the other side as intact as possible. For example, on New Year’s Eve this year, my boyfriend and I had to drive quite a distance through a snowstorm to get home. (Those of you in southeast Michigan know exactly what I’m talking about!) Some years back, I had experienced a rollover accident in wintery weather, and since then I get a little nervous being on the road in these conditions.

My boyfriend drove, fortunately, and I withdrew inside myself not wanting to panic and make the situation worse. He asked me to talk to him, and I calmly informed him that talking was probably the last thing he wanted me to do at that time! It’s true. If I had tried to talk, the fear would have escaped the carefully constructed compartment in my mind that I’d shoved it in, and the trip home would’ve been entirely different. By remaining quiet, I was able to focus on prayer, working energy for us and all the other drivers, and successfully avoided freaking out and making matters worse. Moral of the story: If your Aquarian love appears to be indifferent to your situation, look deeper. Trust me; they are totally with you in it. It is very likely that they are taking great pains to stay calm and be of better use in a rather trying state of affairs. Remember, these are intellectuals; reason and pragmatism are their tools in tough situations.

Because of the abstract nature of their thinking and communicating…especially those of us with Mercury in Aquarius…it’s very easy to misunderstand the meaning behind an Aquarian’s statements and behaviour. In suggestion for those involved with a Water Bearer, try to respectfully ask for clarification if anything seems a bit off-key. Give him a chance to shift gears and reassemble his thoughts, presenting them to you in a more down-to-earth way. I can almost guarantee that this method will prove to be most beneficial in maintaining a happy relationship! Conversely, I’d like to suggest to my Aquarian brothers and sisters to remain open to the possibility of explaining themselves, and to not take offense when asked. Most of us are aware that we’re a bit “out there” at times, and are therefore more than willing to comply to preserve harmony in our relationships.

Aquarians tend to be the “airiest” of Air signs, and oftentimes appear to be uncomfortable with this human, earth-bound existence. That’s because we usually are. My best friend calls me her “absent-minded professor” because while at times mentally brilliant, I’m often overwhelmed by some of the more mundane activities! Unless we have some strong Earth sign influence in our charts, we can float through life relatively ungrounded. Our heads are often in the clouds, and our eyes are focused on the future. One of the challenges Aquarians face is to become accepting of our purpose in this existence, and to bring ourselves more into the “Now”. We’ve decided to pay Earth a visit for a reason, and accessing this purpose will enable us to fulfill it, and move more easily along our paths.

Meditation and Hatha yoga can be quite beneficial, as well as gardening (digging your hands in the Earth is a great way to ground.) I have been blessed with two Earth sign sons, who have provided me with plenty of opportunities to ground! Carrying powerful grounding stones, such as black onyx or tourmaline, and “earthy” stones, such as malachite or turquoise will help keep us more in the present, while stones like fluorite will help us to focus our often scattered energies. We don’t want to overdo it, however, because there is a purpose for our airiness, and too much grounding can dampen our brilliance and promote depression.

Remember always that balance is the key, so enjoy your radiance and continue to shine your light on the world!

Namaste.

Capricornucopia!

Welcome to 2008! Wow! A brand-new year just brimming with possibilities! Have you determined your objectives yet for the months ahead? I’ve settled on a few reasonably joyous ones, and am holding the intention that this will be our best year yet!

Now that the Jupiter-inspired extravagance of the holidaze are finally tucked in for the time-being, January usually signifies a period of putting away our party hats, rolling up our sleeves, and getting down to the business of organizing our finances and lives for the coming year. It’s no accident that this is also the time of decidedly industrious Capricorn to be highlighted. While we can choose our approach to the aforementioned duty, finding joy in the process, Capricorn can inspire us to become quite serious, facing the task at hand with a grim, potentially overly-serious determination.

The Sun transits the sign of Capricorn once a year, usually from December 22 to January 19. Being the tenth sign of the zodiac, Capricorn naturally resides in the Tenth House of professions, public status, and how we rise above, or fall below the social or economic station that we were born into. Ruled by Saturn, the stern disciplinarian of the zodiac, it’s easy to see how your Capricorn loved one arrived at her or his sober disposition honestly. As an Earth sign, we tend to rely on most Capricorns to be stable, solid and practical -- however, I have personally known a couple of Capricorns with Sagittarius rising that will at least occasionally become exceptions to that rule! These individuals, while retaining many of the recognizable Capricornian traits, seem also to challenge the boundaries of their sun sign’s typical behaviour. Famous Capricorns who may be seen as fitting this seemingly nonconformist profile include Nick Cage, Marilyn Manson, Janis Joplin, Patti Smith, Al Capone, and Diane Keaton.

This brings me to a significant point: In reading up on the Sun sign of friends, loved ones or your current romantic interest, it’s important to remember that our Sun signs, while a major inspiration for us, are also merely a part of what is potentially a vastly diverse whole. Other factors include the ten known planets, their placement in the twelve houses on the zodiac wheel, the sign that inhabit each house, and the relationships between the planets and houses that work as important energies in signifying our complete selves. For this reason, the horoscope section in your local paper, while interesting and entertaining, may not be entirely accurate to every person sporting each sign.

Capricorn is a Cardinal sign, which denotes a character that is forceful and dynamic, initiating action and providing leadership. When Cappy is in a position of management, it’s like watching a duck in water. One of the many great qualities of Capricorn is their ability to be hardworking, shrewd and practical individuals who exhibit responsible, persevering behaviour within the workplace, as well as without. They make excellent, reliable workers, and exhibit an extraordinary stick-to-it-ness that is beyond compare. They carefully finish projects begun by the more pioneering signs, and quickly become an integral part of any company they work for.

Capricorn is a very ambitious sign, and those who exemplify its qualities will work tirelessly to climb the ladder of success. On their way up that ladder, they can become resourceful, determined managers who set high standards for themselves and others. They respect discipline from their superiors, and in turn expect it from their staff. Their ambitious nature is profound, often leading to a measure of wealth, and can inspire them to endure personal hardship for the sake of their families and careers. Business owners in need of someone who can spearhead a project, while seeing it through to fruition, would do well to hire a Capricorn for the job. As careful planners with tremendous organizing ability, they are thorough and frugal; often achieving great results with just a modicum of effort and expense, and can be quite adept at handling several projects at once.

One of the challenges that Capricorn faces is the tendency to get into a self-imposed rut. They are so steadfast in the direction they choose, that even when this path becomes challenging to their health and/or happiness, they will continue trudging along the same lines regardless of how they feel about it. I’ve actually seen this in action, and it sometimes hurts just to watch. A Capricorn in this state will fret and moan, kick the cat, as it were, and yet continue to stay in an unhappy relationship, job or living situation, rather than make the changes necessary to insure their own peace of mind. The reason is at minimum two-fold; on the one hand, the acquisition of income is vital to our goat-like friends, and many of them will endure great hardships to insure they make it to the top. On the other hand, they tend to settle into the ‘known’ so deeply, that the prospect of change, or facing the unknown, literally frightens them.

In this case, what Capricorn can choose to develop in order to grow beyond this fear-based behaviour is a healthy level of curiosity and adventure. Yes, I know; the mere thought of this is causing some Cappys out there to break out in a cold sweat. Trust me, you will survive, and even thrive, if you allow yourselves to walk off the proverbial cliff or two on occasion. I’m sure that there are many souls around you who love you and will be there to see you through; that is, after they’ve gotten over the shock of actually witnessing you doing something so uncharacteristic. I should think the stunned, gape-mouthed look on their faces would be worth at least half the price of admission for you! There is a Cappy friend of mine who I love dearly, and watching him slave away year after year in a job that he was miserable in was difficult at best. Words can’t describe how elated I felt when he gave up his security and started his own business! As an Aquarian who has walked off several cliffs in my day, I can assure you that sometimes there’s an owie waiting for you at the bottom, and sometimes the change you initiate could be the best thing you could ever do in your life, one that you will thank yourself for over and over.

Another challenge that Capricorn can face is her/his innate discomfort with emotions – theirs and others. This is likely due to Capricorn’s need to always be in control, and emotions tend to be fluid, transient, and sometimes unpredictable. This could make Capricorn’s head spin right off its axis, and cause them to run screaming for the door. I know one Cappy friend who will actually get belligerent if someone is upset about something he feels powerless to fix. With this in mind, the growth-minded Capricorn individual will choose to brave out these emotional episodes with loved ones, looking past their own personal issues and reaching out to the other in support. It’s important for Capricorn to understand that the other person’s pain and suffering is solely the responsibility of that particular person to take care of, and not up to Capricorn to fix. Once that sense of accountability is released, one can then be fully there with the person going through trauma, in support and solidarity, without adding to the stress of the situation with their own issues. Facing an emotional situation is risky for anyone, and especially uncomfortable for Capricorns. However, the rewards of extending outside your own personal comfort zones can be profoundly rewarding in so many ways, and those around you will respond well to the efforts you’re making on their behalf, and to your newfound valor!

So set your jaw, lovely Capricorn, and bravely step off that ledge into your own liberation. Taking risks is a part of our evolutionary growth, and there’s a chance that you just may learn to fly!

Happy New Year, everyone! Make it fabulous, enjoying blessings of good fortune as well as your greatest joy!

Namaste.