Friday, November 18, 2011

Natural Fertility

Women have been controlling their own fertility since time immemorial. Hormonal birth control is a relatively new science that I have come to personally believe is unnecessary intervention into what should be a very natural process. Hormonal birth control teaches you to override your body's natural rhythms with the use of chemicals, which can be dangerous. Hormonal birth control blocks the natural production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These two hormones are integral to the proper functioning of the female body! Side effects of traditional birth control (pills, shots, IUDs, etc.) can include (but are certainly not limited to):

  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Weight gain
  • Heart attack and/or heart palpitations
  • Stroke
  • Depression
  • Irregular vaginal discharge
  • Increased susceptibility to vaginal infections
  • Breast tenderness
  • Loss of libido
  • Hypertension and variation in lipid profiles
  • Fluid retention
  • Follicular changes to the hair
  • Decreased calcium retention
  • Eye problems (increased likelihood of cataracts)
  • Gallstones
  • Jaundice
  • Increased clotting and/or thrombosis (a very dangerous form of blood clot)*
*Source: http://medicinenet.com

Why would a woman want to subject herself to these risks when natural fertility control is so possible?!

Most women believe that the "perfect" menstrual cycle is 28 days, but this is far from true. Every woman is different! Your cycle could be 25 days or 33 days...a "normal" menstrual cycle varies anywhere from 21-35 days. There is also no "normal" time for bleeding...average bleeding ranges from 2-7 days. So if you've ever thought you had a "short" or "long" cycle or bled for "shorter" or "longer" than average, you were probably wrong. You are just being you. 

This is the key to natural fertility. You must know YOU. Natural fertility involves two methods: you can either observe the physical signs of fertility, such as cervical position and mucous (if you don't know what your cervix is, it's the opening to the uterus), or you can chart your body temperature. I prefer a combination of both. 

The key to natural fertility is to avoid having sex while you are most fertile. That's it! It's that easy. You will know when you are most fertile by observing your body. As a woman, your body engages in regular cycles, just as the Moon does in nature. As above, so below. 

Regardless of which method you choose, you will have to start at the beginning of your menstrual cycle. This is the first day of bleeding. RED bleeding. Brown (old) blood is spotting and so is pink blood. Both are perfectly normal, but you must consider the first day of your cycle as the first day that you see red blood. If you begin bleeding at night (like myself), then you count that entire day as day 1. 

If you are using the cervical method, obviously you cannot check your mucous while you are menstruating. After bleeding has ceased (usually no later than day 7), it's all about the egg! Everything your body does after you cease bleeding is designed to make things as easy for the egg and sperm to dance as possible. Here's what you need to be aware of:

Cervical Fluid
  • 3-4 days after cessation of bleeding = hardly any secretions. Might be dry as a bone. 
  • Next 3-4 days = secretions are cloudy and sticky. Thick. Might look like lotion.
  • Next 3-4 days = Lots of mucous! Clear, wet, slimy. This is referred to as "egg white" cervical mucous (EWCM) for a reason. THIS IS YOUR PRIME TIME FOR FERTILITY. Your body is making your own personal Astroglide to make the trip for your partner's sperm as smooth as possible. If you want to get pregnant, you need to be horizontally mambo-ing like crazy. If you DO NOT want to get pregnant, you must abstain from intercourse during this time. Do not count on withdrawal--sperm are abundant even in male "precum" and all it takes is ONE overly enthusiastic spermatozoon to ruin your careful tracking. 
  • After EWCM is gone = hardly any secretions until 3-4 days after you stop bleeding on your next cycle. Back to step 1. That's the key word...cycle. 
Cervical Position 

The first step to checking cervical position is to know HOW to check your cervix. Again, the cervix is the opening to the uterus. The cervix is usually open unless you are pregnant,  when it remains closed until you are ready to give birth. You need to know and love your cervix!

To check cervical position, insert your longest finger into your vagina. Sometimes it's easier to do this with one foot elevated or while squatting (the same position you may use to insert a tampon). Push up and inward as far as possible until you feel something. That's your cervix! This becomes easier to do with practice. Depending on your relationship with your partner, they may be able to do it for you, but I recommend you do this yourself. 
  • Immediately after bleeding ceases, the cervix is low (easier to get to) and firm, like the end of your nose. 
  • As your cervical fluids get...juicier (for lack of a better term), it will get higher and softer. 
  • At max fertility, it is at its highest, its softest, and is MORE open! Yes, you can tell how open it is. Each time you touch it, you will feel the opening. When you get to the point that you can "almost" push a little and insert the tip of your finger into it, you are roaring to go! This in combination with the EWCM means you are super fertile. Again, do NOT have intercourse during this time if you want to avoid pregnancy.
The other method of tracking is the basal body temperature (BBT) method. To use this method, you must take your body temperature every day, at the same time each day, after you wake up but before you get out of bed. Once you begin to actively move, you will throw the readings off because your temperature will escalate. I recommend keeping a thermometer on your nightstand or in a drawer next to the bed so you don't have to worry about reaching it. 

Basal Body Temperature 
  • From the first day of bleeding onward, your BBT will be very consistent. 
  • Right before ovulation, it will drop slightly.
  • Within 12 hours of ovulation, there will be a large increase in temp. If you check your temp that morning and it has skyrocketed, YOU ARE OVULATING. If you want to get pregnant, attack your man. If you don't, avoid him like the plague. 
  • Once body temp has stayed high for at least 3 consecutive days, your fertile period is over. 
  • Your temp will stay elevated until it is time for your period, where it will drop drastically. As soon as you see the big drop, get the pads/tampons ready. Bleeding is imminent (see, there are no surprises with natural fertility). 
Note: The BBT method is best for determining when ovulation occurs and when bleeding will begin. Because you can remain fertile for up to 3 days post-ovulation, you must temp religiously. The key is high temps for 3 days. After that, you are good to go. Personally, this is why I use this in conjunction with cervical observation. Can't go wrong with all 3 methods. 

That's it! See how easy? Use your body's signals to determine your fertility, not fake methods that destroy your natural cycle and make take years to recover from if you decide to come off the hormones. Natural fertility planning is uniquely tailored to YOU. YOU are unique and YOUR natural rhythms determine your fertile times, not a book or generic definition of when ovulation occurs. 

It is not as intense as it sounds. Make a habit of temping in the morning, just like checking the alarm clock, or if you choose not to use BBT, make a habit of checking your vagina daily. This is a good habit to develop anyway. You can do it in a matter of seconds before or after you get in the shower. 

Take responsibility for your health and your fertility, and get to know your body. 

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Rose Quartz



A simple introduction to the properties of Rose Quartz.

Lapis Lazuli



A simple introduction to the properties of Lapis Lazuli.

Amethyst



A simple introduction to the properties of Amethyst crystals.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Accuracy of Transits

Welp, I wish I had some better news about the Saturn transits but as Saturn approaches my natal Pluto, let me just say that I'm getting annihalated by it.

Actually, let me rephrase. I am indeed getting annihilated, but I know it's for the best. The lessons are there. Pluto (renewal, plundering, exposing, investigating) is in its ruling 8th house of transformation, other people's money and "deep" matters, so I am going to be flipped inside out by the time this is over. Financially, emotionally, etc. My entire human experience is being redefined. Saturn and Pluto are making me grow the hell up. And it's time. As it moves through my Libra stellium, I am having to evaluate every area of my life where I've ever half-assed anything or wasn't truthful with myself.

This is bitter work. At times it feels like there's no way out. This energy will either make you or break you. But there are great rewards if you can be strong. If I can be strong. Pluto and Saturn both force you into reality checks and introspection. You are never the same after they touch you. Saturn is exalted in Libra so although I am feeling run over, in the end, it will be a good thing.

Today was also my Venus return. It was exact in the morning. Normally, this is a benevolent transit, but not when it's opposing retrograde Jupiter exact conjunct the Moon. Retrograde energy is the opposite of a planet's natural energy. Jupiter is also a very benevolent planet, usually bestowing luck and prosperity, but when stressed with a retrograde position AND a harsh aspect it can be very destructive. Conjoined with the Moon, this indicated that today would be a very bad day.

Not only this, but the opposition was squaring my natal Mars, where my energy, motivation, action and drive are housed. Truly, this indicated that today I would feel like the life was getting sucked out of me.

And I did. Still do. It sucks. Today was indeed a VERY BAD DAY. But I'm still here.

And that's the energy of Pluto + Saturn. What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger.

Blessings.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

MUST VIEW: Saturn in Libra



An excellent explanation for the meaning of Saturn transits, particularly the ongoing Libra transit.

For those who need some encouragement. Namaste.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Ancient Egyptian Alien Contact



Osiris, Isis, Orion, and Sirius...it's all connected.

Do you have any connections to Orion or Sirius?

Asteroid GIZA (5249) is exactly conjunct Sirius in my natal chart.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Adele & A Little Astrology



I love this song. For no particular reason, it just hits me though. Typical Plutonian broodiness I guess. ViS stuff (Venus in Scorpio)

Adele has Sun in Taurus conjunct Jupiter (that voice!) in opposition to Pluto in its own sign of Scorpio. Taurus rules the throat; many, many successful musicians have Taurus placements. Jupiter expands the energy of whatever it touches, thus this is an incredibly lucky aspect that broadens (Jupiter) her inate (Sun) musical talent (Taurus). Perhaps the Jupiter influence gives her the vocal strength to project the way she does but the opposition of Sun/Jupiter to Scorpio (intensity) provides the passion and transformational (Pluto) life experiences that inspire her work. She writes her own songs.

I can identify my own kind (Pluto power) almost everytime...

Christ Conscious-ness




From this day all generations shall call me Blessed;
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name...

--The Canticle of Mary

A meditation on the purity, enlightenment, and sacredness of the Christ Consciousness.

The Christ Consciousness is the consciousness of a human being who has reached a higher level of evolutionary development and who has come to know reality more accurately.

Jesus, the Christ, personifies this purity of being.

Loyalty

Loyalty's something
at which Fixed energy excels...
not everyone's fixed.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Love

Love is the only force in nature that can both kill you and bring you back from the dead...

--AT

So amazing how
impulsive decisions can
change lives forever.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Solar Returning


One critical aspect of predictive astrology is the analysis of the solar return (SR) chart. This is a chart that changes every year and is valid up to 3 months before and 3 months after your birthday. That means that events shown in the SR chart can effect you for up to 18 months.

The SR chart is a chart cast for the day when the degree of your natal Sun is at the exact same degree as it was at your birth within the current year. The rest of the planets align accordingly. Thus, if a person was born in 1980 when the Sun was at 3'00" Virgo, the SR chart will be cast for the day when the Sun is at 3'00" Virgo in 2011. My personal technique for reviewing SR charts is to view the SR chart itself alone, not in overlay with the natal chart. I find this technique to be highly accurate. Basically, we are looking at the SR chart as an independent entity. House placements will be most important using this technique, followed by aspects.

Using the SR chart above, the most important things to note are the position of the SR Ascendant and house placements for the Sun and Moon. The SR Ascendant reveals the general personality traits of the native for the coming year and the Sun defines the focus of the year, i.e. where that person will expend most of their energy. The Moon reveals a great deal about the person's emotional focus and where their "heart" will be during the coming year.

SR Venus and the 5th and 7th houses will reveal much about any relationship issues, and Mars determines where the drive and energy, or the "fuel" for the focus of the Sun's house, will originate. Jupiter, if well-aspected, can show areas of fortune, luck, prosperity, or increase.

SR Saturn can reveal challenges, dilemmas, restrictions, increased responsibilities, or commitments. Uranus will reveal areas of potential change and upheaval, Neptune can reveal areas of dreams, wishes, inspiration, or delusion and disappointment. Be very cautious with a poorly aspected Neptune, depending on house placement. Lastly, Pluto shows where the native can expect transformation. Aspects between any of the outer planets and the luminaries are critical.

The Reading

In the example above, the SR Ascendant is in Gemini, revealing a fun, highly social year for the native, and one focused on communication. This would be a good year to develop new friendships or work on writing projects. Communication and the ability to express oneself will be very important this year.

SR Sun is in the 5th house, revealing that the focus of the year will be on creative energies and/or romance. Children (one's greatest creation) are also a 5th house focus. This native may start a new project, embark on a new romance, or have a child. If children are already present, they will receive a lot of attention this year. "Giving birth to something new" is the theme. The 5th house is the Sun's natural house so this is a benefic placement. Interestingly, SR Venus and Saturn are placed here as well. With Venus conjunct the Sun, I would lean towards "romance" being very much on the native's brain. Surely the native will experience love and pleasure this year. However, Saturn's presence in the 5th house could bring some kind of limitation, restriction, or obstacle to that romance. This is where aspects are critical.

SR Venus is in direct opposition to Uranus, suggesting a deep attraction but one with unstable elements...is there something unusual about the partner, is it an on/off relationship? This could also imply a relationship that begins unusually fast or is intense/chaotic, or induces change in the native. The hard aspect to Pluto reinforces the passion and intensity of this relationship, but also adds a warning about jealousy and possessiveness. The Venus-Pluto-Uranus aspect actually forms a tight T-square, with Pluto as the apex...regardless of the final outcome, this relationship may very well change the native's life.

Again, Saturn's presence needs to be evaluated...it is possible this relationship is long-distance or restricted in some other way. However Saturn is not always bad and in this case it may lend structure...a stabilizing and long-term energy to the wildness of the T-square. One important key to Saturn is that it is unaspected. This ALWAYS reveals a lesson for the native to incorporate. In the house of romance, there will be a lot of learning from this relationship. Luckily Saturn retains its exaltation in Libra so the lessons may not be too harsh but are important nonetheless. I would add that the presence of the North Node in the 7th house of partnership and relationships further emphasizes that relationships will be highly important to the native this year.

Mercury is very strong in this chart. Not only is it widely conjunct the Sun but it also rules the Ascendant in Gemini and is in domicile in Virgo. This emphasizes how important communication is to the native this year, and Mercury in the 4th house placement of home and family enforces this. Communication is a matter of deep comfort to the native, influencing how she feels about life itself, as the 4th house represents the foundation of the chart and of our lives.

Mars is in the 3rd house of communication...energy and drive are directed there this year. Communication, communication, communication! She won't thrive without it this year.

Both the Moon and Jupiter are located in the 12th house of the mind, subconscious, secrets, intuition, and past life karma. Jupiter expands the energy of whatever it comes into contact with, so let's examine this in more detail.

The Moon in the 12th house is a tricky placement. In trine to the Sun and Venus, it is linked to the relationship energies of the 5th house. Thus, the relationship previously discussed may be secret or clandestine in some way.

As the Moon represents our emotional Self, our instincts and inner lives, it deserves a lot of attention in the analysis. Moon in the 12th house can represent fear of vulnerability or a need to be private about feelings. The Moon also represents the mother, so this year the native may address some deeply buried childhood issues or unearth some feelings about her mother. This is a deeply psychological placement, and changes in mood, psyche, and spirituality can be expected. The native can also expect an increase in intuition and emotional sensitivity this year. Dreams may be psychic, etc. The native will also be very sensitive to the influence of drugs, alcohol and medication. Use caution.

All of the spiritual energies of the 12th house Moon are magnified by the presence of Jupiter, the ancient ruler of Pisces and thus spirituality. Jupiter also serves as a protective influence here, so this is a highly benefic placement. No matter what the emotional duress, the native will make it through. Not only that, but Jupiter positively aspects Mercury, the chart ruler. Jupiter sits in this chart as a benevolent and guiding influence, indicating that the native is under protection of some sort. In the 12th house, it can even represent the angelic influence of a departed soul.

Lastly, Neptune in the 10th house reveals that the native may experience issues with concentrating on work this year or may feel restless in her job. The harsh aspect to the Moon emphasizes this, and the native should be aware that she may struggle with her work feeling fulfilling. An awkward quincunx to Mars in the 3rd reminds the native to beware of "seeing what she wants to see" or "hearing what she wants to hear" when it comes to communications from others. She should also make an effort to be precise in her communications.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Lucid Dreaming



An informative discussion on lucid dreaming.

As a lucid dreamer, I've learned some tips on how to have more effective lucid dreaming.

1. Get enough sleep. Fatigue negatively impacts the brain's ability to determine its own level of consciousness.

2. Have a "kick." I adapted this term from the movie "Inception" (great film by the way), but I knew what a kick was long before that. Basically, something happens in your dream that lets you know you are dreaming. One of mine is having to go to the bathroom in the dream. Once I start focusing on having to go to the bathroom, and weaving scenarios into the dream to make that happen, I realize that my real-life physical urge is interfering in my dream and it brings me into awareness. Another one is the presence of a lion. Once I see a lion, I usually realize that I am dreaming.

3. Record your dreams. Keep a dream journal. Consistently dreaming about the same thing makes it easier to become familiar with the dreamscape if you are entering a recurring dream. This is also just good dreaming practice in general. I will talk more about dream journaling in future blog entries.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Will

Just a brief note on willpower...

Your mind has the power to manifest the outcomes you desire. As a conscious being, the constructs of your daily existence are only limited by the force of your will. Some people call this the law of attraction, thinking positively, sending out good vibes...what have you. Whatever name you have for it, the concept is ancient, and despite recent pop culture and media marketing, is no Secret. Quite simply, mind trumps matter.

Your will is one of the most important tools of your spiritual existence, so guard it carefully. Use it wisely. When you hear words and phrases like "willful", "battle of wills"...pay attention. You may be unconsciously engaging in spiritual warfare with another person or entity and not even realize it.

Remember...Think it. Conceive it. Believe it. Achieve it.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Asteroid Karma

Asteroid Karma (3811) is a very useful asteroid to investigate in astrology. It represents positive/negative karmic connections, either for the individual (karmic astrology) or in partner astrology. Positive karma can indicate events such as sudden good fortune, chance encounters, etc. Negative karma can manifest in events such as illness, heart break, accidents, financial losses, even death. Retrograde Karma in the chart is often an indicator that there is more negative karma present in the current life than positive. 

Interestingly, this asteroid has numerological connotations. 3811 adds up to 13, the date on which it was discovered. As previously discussed, 13 is a number with a bad reputation but it holds the promise of knowledge and power if properly mastered. 

Asteroid KARMA in the signs:

Karma in Aries: Destined for balance in creative impulses, egotism, and self- absorption. Did you pay enough attention to self in the past lives? Can relate to head wounds (safety issues or a predilection to getting them), a tendency towards argumentativeness, or success with entrepreneurship. Did you undermine someone's business in the past life? Did you motivate someone to succeed?  Karma placed here can involve the native needing or supporting independence and family values reform.

Karma in Taurus: Destined for balance in establishing a family, accumulating possessions, patience in projects. Did you stifle others’ projects in the past? Did you enable others’ projects to proceed speedily in the past life? Did you enjoy creature comforts? Did you enjoy too much?  Not enough? Karma here can also involve the native reacting to family survival mechanisms and coming to terms with musical talent.

Karma in Gemini: Destined for balance in the intellectual and communicative plane. Did you talk too much in the past? Was the talk useful or harmful? Did you deceive using fast wit? Did you write enlightening literature or books of facts? This placement also indicates experiences that help the individual guide social reform. A hidden law may help many innocents reclaim dues and one with Karma in Gemini may be destined to research this data and be useful to thousands. In the past life he may have been cheated because of ignorance.

Karma in Cancer: Destined for balance in emotions, financial security and basic survival. The native may not have attained any financial security nor had a decent home life in the past. Karmic debts to the native are associated with receiving money, the home life, and emotional nurturing from the mother figure. Had he abused these, then he may have to pay others financial dues, nurture others and give emotional empathy to others because he did not do so in the past. Treating your mother well can be part of the destiny. This native in the highest level can pay his dues by initiating child welfare reforms in maternal care, soup kitchens or be a philanthropist who gives away interest-free loans.

Karma in Leo: In the positive sense, this native is very likely to have been a total pussycat in their past lives. Now it is time to roar, time to be forced into expressing some creative aspect of self, to wallow in the ego and enjoy romance and luck in gambling. However, if negatively aspected or retrograde, this means balancing experiences that cause the ego to suffer, public insults, being stifled, failure in speculation and lack of romance in life due to abuse of ego in the past lives.

Karma in Virgo: Destined to balance health issues, critical studies, and routine work. Were you a miserly boss who made your workers suffer? Did you neglect your health in the past? Did you work as a nurse who selflessly toiled? Depending on the good or bad of the past and the positive or negative of the present, this can be a very useful placement. Career success is assured for one who builds on the positive karma.

Karma in Libra: One of the most challenging placements. Destined to understand and master balance, mentally or physically. Every thought that is wrong may instantly be balanced by contradictory evidence. You may judge someone as wicked and proof may come that he is good. Watch out for guilt trips and pricks to the conscience. It is best to never judge or label anyone but instead to objectively analyze and assess with disclaimers.

Negative karmic experiences here include heart breaks owing to being too flirtatious in the past. Positive debts may mean a wonderful spouse and relationship in this life, wonderful surroundings and so on.

Karma in Scorpio: A rogue occultist or a dedicated surgeon? A black magician or a healer? A monk or a sex maniac/mass murderer? This is a challenging placement that can help fate plan a powerful destiny or a punishment of sinking to the lowest depths of despair. Emotional control is the ally for this native. Letting emotional hatred get out of control will set up a vicious cycle of karmic debts that never benefit anyone. Forgiveness is a fantastic asset. These natives must master breath control, meditation and some form of social service, at least mentally.

Karma in Sagittarius: Were you a religious fundamentalist or a social reformer? A corporate cheat or a philanthropist? Watch for experiences that balance your clumsiness, your kindness, your luck, your manner of speech and your friendships. If you are unkind in words, even if you meant otherwise, the asteroid Karma will still make you feel the other person’s emotions at your words. At the highest level, such people can become great religious reformers.

Karma in Capricorn: A very difficult placement. Retrograde and negatively aspected might indicate a corporate white collar criminal or big billionaire conspirator against the masses in a past lifeline. Greedy Ambition and status consciousness that sacrifices ethics and truth leads to humbling balances in this life. The native must practice generosity, inner and outer. He must treat all people with respect and must not be condescending to others. No misdeeds like ratting on fellow employees for promotions, for instant karmic punishment will follow. One must be wary of taxation problems and legal problems. 

The Native must balance career and affection to family, and not let career be the only objective in life. Once positive loops are set and old karmic debts erased, this placement can bring large financial rewards. This will then become the new test. Is social service funded with the rewards? Is egotistical reputation concern mellowed? Is Status still given importance or character of people? Is ambition under control or do the past bad habits of power trips raise their ugly head again? 

These natives can become Nation Builders or Global Corporate/Financial/Legal Reformers in the highest positive level.

Karma in Aquarius: Destined to balance their capabilities for humanitarian causes and to find guidance for individual reform. Were you a thinker who was too lazy? A mad scientist? An eccentric engineer who burnt his inventions because he did not get a patent? These natives will be prodded in this life with experiences that settle the old debts of neglect and inspire ideas of benefit. Negatively, they may have made many people uncomfortable with unrestrained wildness/rebelliousness in the name of individual freedom and in this life, their freedom may be curtailed. One must be wary of sudden events and accidents if there is a square to Uranus or Mars. 

Karma in Pisces: The end of the karmic wheel! The native may have transcended the highest Spiritual realms of ecstasy or crawled through life as an alcoholic or drug abuser. This placement may also indicate that the native mislead others in topics of spirituality or deceived others by misusing compassion. Positively, this can be a native who was so selfless in thought and deed that this life will give a balance in the form of true knowledge or opening of the third eye/psychic powers and higher states of consciousness. Retrograde Karma here could mean chances of psychiatric illness, schizophrenia and more drug abuse. Great honesty, objectivity and self mastery are needed in this case for setting up the positive karmic loops to enable Neptunian rewards from this Asteroid placement. 

Karma Aspects:
Karma squared by Mars or Saturn or Pluto is another typical indicator of negative karma. Karma trine Jupiter or Venus or Sun is a typical sign of positive karma. 

The Tao Te Ching

Some quotes from Lao Tzu...

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

"Simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world."

"Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich."

"A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving."

"Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know."

"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

"The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth."

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."

"Be content with what you have;
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you."

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."

"A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live."
"When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you."

"Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream. Water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success. Always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity for success. Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream."

"Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner."

"At the center of your being
you have the answer;
you know who you are
and you know what you want."

"Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love."

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

"The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself."

"Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her."

"If you understand others you are smart.
If you understand yourself you are illuminated.
If you overcome others you are powerful.
If you overcome yourself you have strength.
If you know how to be satisfied you are rich.
If you can act with vigor, you have a will.
If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting.
If you die without loss, you are eternal."

"To attain knowledge, add things everyday. To attain wisdom, remove things every day."

"Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?"

"By letting go it all gets done."

"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading."

"Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment"

"To a mind that is still the whole universe surrenders."

"Manifest plainness,
Embrace simplicity,
Reduce selfishness,
Have few desires."

"Men are born soft and supple; dead they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail."

"She does not show herself, and therefore is apparent. She does not affirm herself, and therefore is acknowledged. She does not boast and therefore has merit. She does not strive and therefore is successful. It is exactly because she does not contend, that nobody can contend with her."

"Because of a great love, one is courageous." 

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Introduction to Chakras


What is a chakra? The word chakra is derived from the Sanskrit word for "wheel." You can think of a chakra as a spinning wheel of energy residing within the body. There are 7 primary chakras and several lesser ones. The primary chakras are concerned with our emotions and spirituality, while the lesser chakras are aligned along meridians within our bodies and often used to manipulate "prana" or "chi", the energy that exists within all living things. 

The 7 chakras are the root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, brow, and crown chakras (see illustration above). They correspond with the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and indigo/white, respectively. Below is a summary of each chakra:

Root Chakra

Color: Red
Location: Between anus & genitals, at the base of the spine
 Associated Areas of the Body: Spinal column, bones, teeth, nails, rectum, anus, blood, building of cells
Emotions: Fear, attachment, letting go, clinging
Glands: Adrenals

This 1st chakra is concerned with survival and instincts. Its purpose is to keep us grounded and it deals with concerns of food, shelter, communication, clothing, and other practical things. If this chakra is blocked and we are not connected to the grounding energies of the earth, we may hoard things or be fearful of loss or letting go. To remove this energy, practice detachment. Give things away, clean up your environment, or just let go!

A root chakra that is not in optimal condition can lead to digestive disorders, either constipation (blocked chakra) or tummy upsets (overactive chakra). Surround yourself with the color RED to stimulate this chakra or BLACK to soothe it. 

Kundalini energy, "the coiled serpent" (another post for another day) resides beneath this chakra and begins to rise here.

Sacral Chakra

Color: Orange
Location: Lower abdomen, above the navel
Associated Areas of the Body: Pelvis, kidneys, bladder, liquids within the body, including urine and reproductive fluids
Emotions: Passion/Desire
Glands: Prostate, Ovaries, Testicles

This 2nd chakra is concerned with our emotional lives. Any negative childhood experiences that damaged or supressed our emotions may have blocked this chakra. This chakra is also associated with our creative and reproductive energy. Most people who find themselves in need of chakra healing work with the 2nd chakra. 

A sacral chakra that is not in optimal condition can lead to problems in relationships and relating with others. A blocked chakra can lead to inhibitions, emotional coldness, or suppression of desire. An overactive chakra can lead to promiscuity, sexual addiction, and excessive fantasizing. 

Solar Plexus Chakra

Color: Yellow
Location: Below Ribcage, Upper abdomen
Associated Areas of the Body: Digestive Organs
Emotions: Anger
Glands: Pancreas

This 3rd chakra is concerned with our power and intellect. It is the source of the term "gut feeling" as we instinctively process information through this chakra when it functions properly. 

When the solar plexus chakra is overactive, anger, hatred, and an overemphasis on power, acquisition, and validation can be present. When it is underactive, digestive problems, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and feelings of powerless are usually present.  

Heart Chakra

Color: Green
Location: Heart Center
Associated Areas of the Body: Lungs, Chest, Arms, Breasts
Emotions: Joy, Sorrow, Grief
Glands: Thymus

This 4th chakra governs our abilities of love and compassion. It is concerned with our ability to surrender to joy, to experience empathy, and to perceive and appreciate beauty.

When the heart chakra is overactive, issues of co-dependency, possessiveness, jealousy, cardiovascular problems, and hypertension may surface. When it is underactive, the person may experience feelings of shyness, loneliness, depression, or be unable to forgive. Physical symptoms may include asthma and other lung diseases.

Throat Chakra

Color: Blue
Location: Throat
Associated Areas of the Body: Jaw, Neck, Mouth, Throat, Tongue
Emotions: Faith/Truth
Glands: Thyroid

This 5th chakra is the first of the spiritual chakras and is the bridge between the upper and lower chakras. It deals with communication and inner truth.

When the throat chakra is overactive, it can cause hearing problems, excessive talking, and an overactive thyroid. When it is underactive, it can cause neck and shoulder problems, jaw issues, throat problems, an underactive thyroid, and fear of speaking, in public or otherwise.

Brow Chakra

Color: Purple
Location: Forehead, between the eyes, "third eye"
Associated Areas of the Body: Eyes, Head, lower brain
Emotions: Insight
Glands: Pituitary

This 6th chakra is associated with perception. It deals with visualization, intuition, imagination, and telepathy.

When the throat chakra is overactive, it can cause headaches, hallucinations, nightmares, and difficulties with concentration. When it is underactive, it can cause memory dificulties, eye problems, and inability to visualize.

Crown Chakra

Color: Violet/White
Location: Crown of head
Associated Areas of the Body: Upper brain
Emotions: Illusion/Enlightenment
Glands: Pineal

This 7th chakra is associated with the highest states of enlightenment and the infinite. It is the culmination of all the chakras and the gateway to higher realms.

When the crown chakra is overactive, it can sometimes cause an overly intellectual nature. When it is underactive, it can cause spiritual skepticism, apathy, and materialism. To stimulate this chakra, practice meditation and yoga. 

If you feel that you need chakra work, a good place to start is my Chakra/Aura cleansing post (see labels) or an experienced yoga or reiki practitioner.

Some information provided by www.nothingbutyoga.com

Gratitude

The Most High continues to show me great favor. Today I faced a moment of tremendous personal crisis that, had it not gone so well, could have sent me spiraling down a path of misfortune. Instead, once again I escape unscathed.

I have found myself a benefactor of these moments at numerous times in my life. I don't believe in "luck", good or bad. I do believe in the concepts of karma and providence, however. It is my hope that when we as conscious beings put forth benign energy into the cosmos, that it is returned to us in some way...the same holds true for malevolent energy.

In any event, I am thankful for the events of today, and see it as a sign that I am on the right path. My energy feels so good right now, and I will endeavor to continue doing all that I have been doing.

That said, when good things happen in our lives, it is important to express thanks and appreciation, and to acknowledge the grace we have been given.

Consider it done...

Namaste.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

HIStory?



"Only the most exceptional people become aware of the Matrix.

Those that learn it exists must possess a rare degree of intuition, sensitivity and a questioning nature.

However, very rarely, some gain this wisdom through wholly different means...
"

--The Animatrix

Always take the red pill...

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Babylonian Asteroids

Asteroids to check in one's natal chart that may indicate a past life in Sumeria/Mesopotamia/Babylon.

Babylon / Babel (old name for Babylon)
15417/ 5808

Mesopotamia
56000
 
Chaldaea
313
 
Sumeria
1970
 
Ur
22260
 
Adonis
2101
 
Ishtar / Inanna / (Astarte)
7088 / 3497 / 672

Gilgamesh
1812
 
Bal
8678

Anunnaki, Human Evolution, and Planet X Nibiru

Monday, September 5, 2011

The Seven Ancient Egyptian Universal Precepts

The Seven Ancient Egyptian Universal Precepts

Read and learn...free eBook available with site registration.

Curiosity

Curiosity is a good thing, it is the key to wisdom. Your own curiosity will be your greatest teacher, you should trust your intuition more than you trust any force to guide you. There is too much information out there for any one person to try and teach you all at once, far too many resources at your fingertips, but your curiousity is a sign that you are beginning to wake up.

Some places to start are Google, Youtube, Wikipedia, libraries, theological texts, other blogs, and like-minded individuals who are willing to answer your questions.

Questions like "What is a chakra?" "What is a pineal gland?" "What is an aura?" "How do I create an astrology chart?" "What is my rising sign?" "What is the Kybalion?" are all basic questions that I am happy to answer, but I taught myself these things or found teachers using the resources that I mentioned above. I was thirsty for knowledge and truth!

Don't be lazy...the best part of the journey to enlightment is the road you travel to get there.

Namaste.

Invisible Empire: A New World Order Defined



A full length vid all about the New World Order. Open your eyes--don't be a sheeple, watch and learn.

Kindred

In an attempt to make myself feel better about losing my Pisces rising (I used to share this aspect with one of my best friends and am mourning the loss of that tie in our synastry), I decided to look up some famous people who share Aquarius on the Ascendant.

Males
Barack Obama
Abraham Lincoln
The Prophet Muhammed
Carl Jung
Karl Marx
Auguste Renoir
Emmanuel Kant
Lucky Luciano
Matt Damon
Orlando Bloom
Kirk Douglas
Steve Jobs
Wayne Gretzky
Gene Hackman
Bill Moyers
Evel Knievel
Martin Sheen
Ritchie Valens
Jim Morrison
Michael J. Fox

Females
Catherine the Great
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Madame de Pompadour
Calamity Jane
Sylvia Plath
Nina Simone
Billie Holiday
Christina Aguilera
Lucy Lawless
Sheila E.
Sylvia Browne
Whoopi Goldberg
Alicia Silverstone
Princess Beatrice of York
Roberta Flack
Audrey Hepburn
Janis Joplin
Roma Downey

Other
United States Constitution (we share an Ascendant and a birthday--how interesting!)

Pineal Gland Activator



Wow! This actually works! Very exciting. Can confirm it works because I have a slight headache between my eyebrows at the moment. I did it several minutes ago and can still feel it pulsing and tingling. This is a must do.

Chakra/Aura Cleansing & Guided Meditation



Very powerful and effective guided meditation, totally put me in a trance, felt so good and cleansed after!

Twin Souls: When Love Incarnates

Twin Souls: When Love Incarnates

Read the article, watch the video. An excellent visual interpretation of the twin soul concept. Namaste.

Neptune Baby

So, in the search to figure out why the hell I have felt so Piscean all my life when I am in fact, not a Pisces rising, I decided to investigate Neptune in my chart a bit more, which led me to research the square aspect between the Sun and Neptune a bit further. I do believe that tells the story.

It's a fairly tight square, with a 2'43" separating aspect. That's important, since Neptune is an outer planet, and thus is generational. Thus anyone born with the Sun in Virgo or Pisces within a few years of me will also share this square, so the tighter the orb the more relevant.

From Cafe Astrology:

Those people born under a challenging aspect between the Sun and Neptune often struggle with a desire to be something special or to experience something more than the ordinary. They are day-dreamers and idealists. It is easy for these people to trust others, even (and perhaps especially) people who might seem from the outside looking in as unsavory types. They are looking to identify with something beyond what is normally expected of people.

Most have in common a childhood that didn't help the natives direct or define their lives. Perhaps the early family life was lacking in supervision or clearly defined rules. A father figure may have been absent or distant and ineffective. They might gravitate towards the "wrong people", or get in with the "wrong crowd" in an attempt to define who they are. They might be susceptible to being taken advantage of by others, especially by men or authority figures. They can be easily led astray by peculiar desires or self-destructive habits. In order to add a greater-than-ordinary dimension of experience to their lives that helps them to feel special and important, they might be attracted to Neptune-ruled behaviors, such as secret affairs, drugs, or other escapist behaviors. In some way, these people feel a strong urge to glamorize their role in the world. In extreme cases, the natives are completely deluded. However, in most cases, there is simply some confusion about the past (such as remembering childhood experiences in ways that are far removed from reality), and a tendency to daydream about being someone more "important" than they assume they are. They may struggle with early conditioning that made them feel tossed aside or neglected in some way, and certainly not directed and supported.

These people are very sensitive, especially with regards to any real or imagined blows to their ego. The natives are likely to recognize at some point in their lives that they have a tendency to engage in escapist and self-destructive fantasies and/or habits.

More...

You become involved when others lean on you and depend on you. You are sensitive to suffering, fond of animals, and more emotional than you let on. You are vulnerable emotionally.

And then I found something on the web that someone said who shares this aspect with me:

I don't have a good sense of boundary between me and others. It's always sort of blended. I take on other people's identity, pursuits or tastes on very easily without me realising doing it. Maybe that is what it means when it says you see into the heart of others easily. I don't do it to be invasive or because I'm curious or anything like that. It just happens via osmosis and it is a most natural occurrence. And most annoying too.

I'd love to have a strong sense of self but I don't. I'd love to have a better sense of what I want of life and follow my own heart but I don't. Not having a strong sense of self breeds self-doubt and discontent and all sorts of other problems, but let me not digress. Sometimes the fogginess of Neptune gets so bad that I am angry because I don't know who I am. And then when the fog lifts, I am angry because of all the time I waste in pursuit of other's interests, instead of my own. I become disillusioned with life a lot. Neptune/Sun aspects make it difficult to know your self.


That about sums it up! Yes, I think this explains the "Pisces" in me. So, I'm still a Neptune baby for sure. Just not a mermaid...

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Uranus

I figured since I dedicated an entire blog to this strange planet that I better talk about it a little, huh?

I admit I've ignored Uranus for a long time. It rules Aquarius, after all, and I'm not fond of Aquarius. Or haven't been. I guess I better stop saying that. To deny Aquarius is to deny myself. Blah. It's strikingly pretty, though, isn't it? Big and blue, floating out there in the cosmos on its side. On its side! How odd. Like me, I suppose. The first of many eccentricities.

It has some numerological connotations that I can dig. It's the 7th planet from Sol, our sun. 7 of course is a sacred number. It takes about 84 years to orbit the Sun, meaning it also spends about 7 years in each zodiac sign. It has 13 rings. 13 is another sacred number. 13 gets a bad rap in the West, but it is actually found frequently in theology, and is associated with the Divine Feminine (in Christianity it is frequently associated with the Virgin Mary). Uranus also has 27 moons. 27 reduces to 9/3, and 3 is another sacred number. It represents the sacred Triad or Trinity, between Male, Female, and the Divine, or Humanity, Earth, and Divine. Incidentally, the number 9 is my Life Path number and 3 is my Expression Number.

So perhaps this Uranus thing is for me after all...

Uranus was also the first planet discovered via telescope. Those who know me know that I have a deep interest in astronomy and own a telescope :) I don't stargaze as much as I would like, mostly due to time restraints and my location. Incidentally, Uranus is very bright in the sky at the moment in the Northern hemisphere. Perhaps I'll take a peek at it tonight.

Uranus is the Latin name for the Greek god of the heavens and Sky (Ouranos), the father of Saturn (Cronos--time) and the grandfather of Jupiter (Zeus--king of the Gods). Not only does Uranus have rings (don't be ashamed if you thought only Saturn had rings) but it also has a moon named Ariel...Ariel is one of my favorite "A" names for a female. And yes, I have loved that name ever since childhood thanks to The Little Mermaid.

In astrology, Uranus is exalted in Scorpio (which is excellent, since it is placed there in my chart). It rules astrology, the Internet, genius, individuality, new and unconventional ideas, discoveries, electricity, inventions, and the beginnings of the industrial revolution. It governs societies, clubs, and any group dedicated to humanitarian or progressive ideals. It is the planet of sudden and unexpected changes,freedom and originality. In society, it rules radical ideas and people, as well as revolutionary events that upset established structures. As it was discovered in 1781, it coincided with the Romantic movement, which emphasized individuality and freedom of expression. In medicine, Uranus is believed to be particularly associated with the sympathetic nervous system, mental disorders, breakdowns and hysteria, spasms, arthritis, and cramps. It is the modern ruler of Aquarius and the 11th house.

It is also a beautiful sort of electric/turquoise blue in color, very calming and peaceful to look at. It's growing on me.

True Chart

Well...here it is, my one true chart. Overall, it explains a lot. Most of my Libra stellium has moved from the 7th to the 8th house...including my Sun. Packed 8th house! Damn! Powerhouse. I am more than ok with that. The Sun/Leo is now my Descendant ruler and Mars has moved to the 7th house and is even loosely conjunct said Descendant...that makes perfect sense about the type of men to which I'm attracted. Be strong, baby! Be my warrior Lion, my soldier. Rawr! LOL. SMH at myself. That's going to continue to get me into trouble...moving right along. Oy.

Venus in the 9th...that's new. I thought Venus in the 8th (previously) explained SO much about me. But it will always remain in Scorpio...and square Mars. Perhaps that's enough for one life. Ha! Apparently Venus in the 9th is a benefic placement, promoting a love of art, music, travel, philosophy, religion, law, academics, scenery, aesthetics, justice, libraries, and the study of devotional matters. It may be that the person ends up living far away from the place of their birth and meets their true love in a distant land. Hmmm. All of these things except the last are true, although since I was young I have dreamt that my soulmate was a very unique person that was somehow foreign to this world. Interesting...in a lot of ways. I accept this placement.

Another change of note is the new T-square between Moon, Mars, and Venus. Bam! I knew something was up. Really, the only new thing is the sudden opposition between the Moon and Venus, the square between Moon and Mars was always there (yes, I'm a firecracker, you can say it). The Moon-Venus opposition is wide, but...there it is. New/old energy. That explains soooo much.

According to the interpretation from Cafe Astrology, Moon/Venus opposed means:

Because these people value harmony, they may find themselves giving in to others too easily, especially in the first half of life. Resentment is possible, as they feel that they are the ones who seem to do all the acquiescing. There can be a distinct tendency to become friends (and lovers) with people too readily, simply because there is a strong need for approval and a hunger for receiving affection. As such, these people may get involved with people who seem to really like them, and they don't consider whether they actually like them back! It's somewhat of a weakness, as these people are very charmed by the idea that someone seems to really like them and appreciate them. Generally, one of life's lessons for these people is to learn to discriminate more and to get in touch with what they truly want and need.  They can find themselves compromising their own emotional needs in order to find and keep love. Peace and harmony are important to these people--perhaps too much so, as they can easily be taken advantage of. Insecurity is something that these people need to deal with at some point in their lives.

Not much to dispute there at all.

Additionally, there's Uranus on the Midheaven/10th house. I've been researching that a lot.

Uranus is the planet of Change and therefore has dominion over change and the study of change such as astrology and the I Ching. It rules flight because it was discovered around the first flight done with hot air balloons. It also rules things that are new and the news. The internet and inventions. It makes you inclined to love change in your work and in your life. For example you won't like the same meal twice a day. You wouldn't want a job that is the same thing every day. Uranus also rules the world, the public, media, fame, and the famous. An excellent position for an astrologer since it is an "unusual" profession and Uranus helps an individual to put a great deal of seemingly disparate data into clear categories. Flashes of genius or sparks of intuition may be specifically felt in one's career or profession, where the person can feel quite unique and unmatched, for better or for worse.

Midheaven conjunct Uranus indicates the state of being ready to take action, coupled with a strong intuitive sense of what direction to take with one's life. When these aspects are controlled by a well trained mind, they provide equilibrium, as the individual can foresee conditions and events clearly. When they are out of control, emotional imbalances result and change controls one's life, an indication that one is ignoring some significant portion of the psyche and its messages. The conjunction indicates originality, assertive action, ability to advance in career and sudden changes of circumstance.

Success can come suddenly, like being discovered after a long period of invisibility...

Something about you seems strange and foreign, as if you were from another planet, another solar system, as if you were an alien in human trappings. This is not to say that we experience you as threatening, as a monster from outer space. But through your personality, we remember that we are all aliens in one way or another. We realise the importance of independence, of not following well-worn paths of conformity; and we see the results of willfully standing apart from others, for better or worse. We're reminded that every individual has the potential for brilliance, for connecting with a pure idea. Finally, we see how life can change completely, suddenly, without warning. We learn how security is an illusion, how we must not cling to what is seemingly safe, but must instead experiment with our lives.

...Your father was a unique person, different from other people, or different in how he related to you. He may have been erratic, or highly self-willed, but at any rate he careved out his own unique life. It's possible that you were separated from him, either literally or figuratively. In some way, you learned through your relationship with him the necessity of standing on your own two feet, depending on no-one; and that imprint formed one of the basic attitudes that will follow you into adulthood.

Authority: You want to chart your own course, to discover a new world. You are probably not especially receptive to the idea of accepting responsibility for others or for the world, preferring instead to remain apart, an island in the middle of an ocean. But you have the ability to lead when you feel it necessary. The power you wield culturally comes from the uniqueness of your personality, and the success of your authority depends upon your flexibility. Your challenge is to be a repsonsible revolutionary; and that is quite a paradox indeed.

Lastly, as always, I'm impressed by the number of conjunctions to Fixed Stars. Not much has changed, although I was a bit dismayed to see that my Nadir is now quite close to Caput Algol. It's about 1'20" away. Yikes! A little too close for comfort to such a sensitive point in my chart. Although, the divine protection afforded by the exact conjunctions to Spica, Regulus, and Sirius should hopefully override such a malevolent influence. Goodness! I also noticed that my name asteroid is exactly conjunct Vega. I'll have to look into that a bit more.

Identity Crisis

So, I'm having an bit of an identity crisis. My entire astrological life, I've been lead to believe I was Pisces rising. A Neptune baby. It made so much sense to me. My daydreaming, sensitivity, propensity to be trapped in self-delusion and escapism, a tendency to abuse drugs and alcohol, etc. Apparently all of these things can be explained away by other aspects, though, particularly the close Sun square Neptune aspect (another post for another time). Because I am forever after NOT a Pisces rising, I am an Aquarius rising. You heard it here first.

Those of you who know me best know how earth-shattering this is. LOL. I have a very shaky relationship with all things Aquarius (there's a story behind that). Quite despise the Uranus-ruled, actually. But perhaps Uranus has been trying to tell me something all along...it rules my chart after all. My new chart astounds me actually. Uranus appears quite prominently now. It is closely conjuncts my Midheaven. Eureka! That explains my interest in astrology. Actually, if I maintain my interest in the stars, it will be a blessing, as that is a prominent placement for gifted astrologers.

There is a story behind this sudden turnaround, of course. Ah. There's that word. Sudden. Uranus rules chaos, change, suddenness, and disorder. It enters my life abruptly and decides to turn everything around. Of course it does. 

I knew how important birth time was to astrology. I begged my mother to remember when I was born. "A quarter after 6" she said. Knowing the inaccuracy of times on the hour and quarter of the hour, I chose 6:11 PM as my original birth time. It "felt" right. Going by feelings. Quite the Piscean trait. That gave me an Ascendant of 3' Pisces. I carried that for a year or so until I met my "ex" (for lack of a better term). We had incredible synastry (or so I thought) but it would be so much better if I was born a only a few minutes earlier. I went back to my mother and begged her be more certain. "Are you sure it was 6:15? Could it be a little earlier? Where's my birth certificate?!" I needed 3 fewer degrees for perfect conjunction to his Sun. I wanted that so badly. I was a synastry addict! I begged and pleaded and finally my mother conceded that it may have been "a little after 6". Fine then. 6:04 PM it was. That gave me the conjunction to his Ascendant I wanted. For my first professional reading, I gave the astrologer that birth time with the justification that my parent had located my birth certificate and that's the time it said. I swallowed that little white lie with pure gumption and that's the time I've carried for YEARS. Synastry and composite readings up the wazoo with 6:04 PM as my birth time,  all in the name of love, for an "ex" to whom I no longer even speak...silly Neptune tendencies...

Part of the reason I was able to justify this behavior was because I remember seeing my original birth certificate once. My mother used to keep important documents in a briefcase in her closet and I rifled through it when I was about 9 years old. I recall seeing my father's full name on it (that's how I know his middle name was Earl and that he was born in Houston, TX--another post for another day) and there WAS a birth time on it and it DID contain a number 4. I have an excellent memory. This number "4" would be confirmed later in life, but in the meantime, I justified the 6:04 PM birth time due to this memory. That original Virginia birth certificate has long since vanished, and replacement copies do NOT contain a birth time. This is why my actual birth time has remained a mystery for all these years. One would think that I could rely on the memory of my mother but...apparently not. In her defense, it was a difficult few moments in the immediate aftermath. I would love to ask my grandmother, who possessed an excellent memory like myself and would have undoubtedly remembered such a monumental occasion (that is not arrogance speaking, my birth marked a highlight in her life) but sadly she passed away in 2006, before I developed a deep interest in astrology.

So how DID I discover my true birth time? I had a feeling that things weren't adding up. My mother just never sounded quite "sure" of my birth time and the 0' Pisces Ascendant, while lovely, just seemed too convenient and guilt-inducing. So I asked my mother for my birth time again one day just to test her and she told me 4 PM! A difference of 2 hours! That is HUGE in astrology! This devastated me and we got into an argument about it, and finally she told me to ask her cousin, Saundra, the family historian, who came to the hospital to see me shortly after I was born. Saundra is another who possesses the memory of an elephant, and can recite occassions going back to the age of 3. That is pretty impressive considering she is now in her 60s. She is extremely reliable, and can be trusted to remember events like births. I asked her, and she replied without hesitation, that I was born shortly before 5 PM. I pressed her for accuracy, and she spouted that she left for the hospital around 5 PM after having received the call from my grandmother a few minutes prior that I had "just been born", and counting backwards, allowing for a few minutes of excitement and celebration and talking on the phone, I calculated that I was born between 4:45 and 4:50 PM. Saundra concurred that sounded "perfect." Phew! That does jive with my mother's non-drug induced memory of going into labor around 2 PM and it being a VERY short labor.

Thus, I have given myself a birth time of 4:47 PM. It should be accurate within 5 minutes, and that's good enough for me. That gives me an Ascendant of 4' Aquarius with a Sabian of
" A Council Of Ancestors Has Been Called to Guide A Man." This Sabian is so meaningful to me, especially at this time in my life. Using Spirit as my guide, I feel this is my correct Ascendant degree. I will use this from now on. It changes a lot, it's very unsettling, but...I'll have to work with it. According to Lynda Hill, this degree speaks of inner knowledge, instruction, direct roots to deep sources of energy, karmic connections with the past, the place one comes from, ancient wisdom vs. "old fogies", parents and grandparents, family and family lineage, proving bloodlines, committees, boards and councils, memories of those who've gone before, the Akashic Records. I have had experiences with all of these things, including a dream as a CHILD about an encounter with Akasha. It can't get any clearer than that.

Again, I recall seeing "4" on my original birth certificate. If I'm not mistaken, there was a 4:4X. Ironic that I can remember this now and not when I was in the throes of love and desperately wanting that 6:04 PM synastry with the "ex" but whatever. If I'm totally honest with myself, I always felt uncomfortable with the fudging and my mother's drugged up recollection but I went with it.

So...to get to the crux of this post, I have gone from a 3' Pisces Ascendant, to 0' Pisces, to 4' Aquarius. Revolution. Change. Upheaval. Truly Uranian manifestations. I have been grappling with the potentiality of this new Aquarian ascendant for almost a year and finally accepted it today. It explains my distancing somewhat from astrology. It has taken me some time to come to terms with not being a Pisces rising. The Aquarian identity makes sense to me in some ways, but in others, it is totally alien. Although it does explain why I've always been an oddball...!

Here is a description of Aquarius Rising that resonates with me the most:

Aquarius Rising is all about transformation of consciousness and sharing of knowledge and information that is "truth inspired"...to bring light to the world by doing our bit to build bridges between people and communities. We continously endeavor to grow, heal, learn, explore and expand and in doing so pass the knowledge that we gain onto those that seek it.

And another, from Cafe Astrology, my favorite Astrology site:

How unique and original Aquarius rising natives come across! These individuals are just that -- individuals, and they won't let you forget that fact. Often turned to for advice, these natives possess intellectual poise and savvy. They often are curious, and quite learned, in both science and metaphysics--anything that involves advancement of the human race holds much appeal.

It's hard to shock an Aquarius rising. They've seen it all, or at least want you to think they have. In fact, they often enjoy shocking others. Not that they are flamboyant by nature, but they do like to, albeit quietly, get a rise out of others. Some natives born with Aquarius on their Ascendant can be quietly provocative and irreverent.

Most people with this Ascendant are quite friendly and likable. Their personality quirks generally go over quite well with others. They generally give others quite a bit of freedom--accepting, as a rule, people from all walks of life as equals. And, their somewhat cool and detached curiosity about all that goes on around them appeals to most. 

Curiously, Aquarius rising people can be a little standoffish while also coming across as humanitarian and kind. Often labeled as independent and original children, Aquarius rising natives often feel a little "different" or "special" throughout life. They often feel like they are on the outside looking in, and their ability to observe and deduce is often uncanny. They're also adept at getting things to work, even when the parts that make up the whole seem like a puzzle with unusual pieces--especially when it comes to groups of people. This sets them apart as managers and team leaders.

The Ascendant often reveals physical mannerisms and even choice of dress, as it shows how people present themselves to the world. With Aquarius here, natives sometimes have a quirkiness to their manner, and some dress in a slightly offbeat manner--not enough to make them stand out like a sore thumb, but just enough to express their original temperament.

Because these people seem so open to new ideas, it may be surprising when you encounter their decidedly stubborn streak. Aquarius is a fixed sign, after all. The ascendant sign shows how individuals react to new situations, and with Aquarius rising, there can be a resistance to change that seems to belie the native's generally progressive nature. There's a distinct inflexibility with Aquarian rising people, and, sometimes, a tendency to want to force their opinions on others.

With their eye to the future of mankind as a whole, some people born with an Aquarius Ascendant overlook the more personal needs of the people closest to them. They are often attracted to partners who possess self-confidence and ardor.

Much truth in the above.