ASTROCHAKRAS
"Once modern science understands and validates the celestial forces that makes astrology a valid perspective, then unbelievable quantum leaps in technological advancements will become possible." (Channelled by Ron Laswell on 8 March '08)
"The universe is pervaded with consciousness; and some forms of consciousness choose to assume a physical body form." (Channelled by Ron Laswell on 10 April 2004.)
THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA: PLUTO IN CAPRICORN. For the non-astrologers "out there", it may not be so obvious that with Pluto leaving Sagittarius we will collectively be entering a new era. Years from now, I am certain that historians will look back and point to this time as being significant. In fact, I see where a group of scientists have proclaimed that we are now "officially" leaving the Holocene Era (the last 10,000 years since the Ice Age) and moving into the Anthropocene Era. Pluto in Capricorn will become rather serious and intense, and the very survival of not only humans, but whole scale ecological systems will be determined. My advice is to be brave, be vigilant, and have the strength to support yourself and others who may need what you are capable of offering.
WHAT'S HAPPENING...NOW!!
Please check the CURRENT PLANETARY EVENTS page for most recent offerings!
UNANTICIPATED CHANGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 2008-07-16 When I had written the previous entry, I had every intention of extending my thoughts further and discussing the current affect of planetary energies.
First, I want to reiterate what I had mentioned about dreams. I say this because I had a very intense episode with what had unexpectedly become a very emotionally charged, psychic dream. Around the Summer Solstice, I had a dream concerning my Tae Kwon Do master which actually transpired just within the past week. Whoa! The original dream had been very emotionally intense, but I was not prepared for the emotional intensity of what actually occurred. The events - which I will not publicly share here to secure everyone's right to privacy and confidentiality - lasted for several days, and left me, and everyone else involved as well, feeling emotionally spent and drained.
Coinciding with the URANUS RETROGRADE, and the NEW MOON, plus VENUS OPPOSITE JUPITER aspects of 2 July, things have been escalating rather rapidly. Some good, and some bad. Since then we have had MARS enter VIRGO, MERCURY enter CANCER, and VENUS enter LEO. Whenever the Inner Planets change signs in such close synchronicity, you'll notice that personal moods will change and alter just as quickly.
So, here is a quick list of some of the changes that I have personally focused upon: With PLUTO being RETROGRADE, a lot of economic woes, worries, and concerns have come forth. There has been speculation about airline failures, airport closings; business closings and job losses, like the GMC closing of it's SUV plant in Janesville, WI; gas prices unmercifully showing no sign of ending; and now, continuing struggles in the housing markets, and the "unexpected" closing of several banking institutions. With PLUTO RETROGRADE, I wish to emphasize that this is exactly the kind of energy that is currently influencing our lives, collectively. It IS very predictable! Weatherwise, we've seen how the weather has been colluding with gas and transportation costs to steeply raise the prices of groceries. Personally, I noticed how my bountiful cherry tree was devoid of blossoms and fruit this year due to the "unexpected" cold weather this Spring. Upon mentioning this fact to someone who had been listening more intently to the news, I discovered that 90% of the cherry crop in the Door County Peninsula of Wisconsin - a major source of cherries for the USA - were also destroyed. Expect anything with cherries in it to go up in price. More weather related news are the many reports and admissions by scientists that the Earth's polar regions are melting faster than expected!
Taking a quick look at Mercury, Venus and Mars: With MERCURY in CANCER, expect issues about emotions and feelings to be important for the next two weeks. This is an excellent time to be more aware of the inner realms that dominate and direct our lives. Couple that with VENUS in LEO, and you'll discover that sensual awareness, strong passions, and sex may be obsessive right now. VENUS is about attraction and how we magnetically draw others into the affairs of our lives, whether it is sexual or not. MARS in VIRGO is about health, diet, discipline, attention to detail, exercise, and focusing on the fine details that will construct a larger, practical awareness. Thus, we can see that all 3 planets are focusing on Self-evolution. Combined, these 3 planets also focus our attention upon our 5th, 4th, and 3rd Chakras.
As each of these Personal Planets moves through each sign, it not only aspects the current positions of the planets, but they may form the more complicated, and more evolutionarily stronger aspects known as transits and progressions. Such will be the case for the next 30+ days as a series of strong aspects will occur - and next month we will also have two Eclipses!
I'll leave it there for now...May you be blessed with greater wisdom and enlightenment.
IT'S NICE TO BE WANTED 2008-07-03 Have you noticed the "Inner Illumination" that appears to be occurring within each one of us? In the midst of a lot of doubts, worries, and emotional concerns that have been either in the media or expressed to me by others, it seems that a deeper, clearer, and more loving awareness towards others is emerging. There have been a lot of aspects involving Venus lately that would account for this atmosphere of love; plus, in cruising other web-sites, there has been a lot of mention about the Earth-mother, feminine energy emerging with the SUN moving into CANCER during the Summer's Solstice.
A lot of this energy was obvious to me because, one, I've been getting a lot of requests for charts; two, people close to me have been going through relationship problems and they tend to seek out my counsel even if they are not aware of the fact that I do astrology readings; and three, by paying attention to my dreams. The dreams that I have been having are extremely vivid and intense. Lots of important images and messages are coming forth. For instance, a very powerful dream that I had on the Solstice had me in the role of an angel! People around me were undergoing lots of suffering and agony, and I was called upon to intervene and apply relief. One episode involved a young child who was making a nuisance of himself, and rather than the transition occurring rapidly, it required me to apply persistence and determination over the course of a whole day (this was in a dream, however, and actually only required what seemed like a short period of time) to achieve a desired result involving emotional growth of the young boy. The dream went on to have me in car with 2 other angels, one of whom I understood to be the Archangel Michael. Little winged "buds" were starting to grow out of my shoulders.
Connected to the Source 2008-06-06 Over the years I've always mentioned that activity on the Sun will frequently presage earthquakes on our planet. An unfortunate example was the devastation and tragic loss of life in China. The day before the Chinese quake, the SpaceWeather website had posted a description and picture of a massive, volcano-like Solar eruption. Like a similar recent Solar action, sunspots were conspicuously absent for this event, also. If you archive back to 12 May on SpaceWeather, you should still be able to see this Solar activity.
The Unknown Country website also posted pictures of linear clouds formations. The odd cloud formations were noticed over Sichuan, China BEFORE the 8.1 quake. Airplane pilots have been reporting similar cloud formations occurring over Japan, and the USA West Coast.
Another tectonic event that has not received much attention was the explosive eruption of the Chaiten Volcano in Chile. Although not at precisely as the China quake, this one did correlate well with Solar disturbances, also. According to geologists, Chaiten had been dormant for the past 9400 years!
Earthquakes are not random events. If we broaden our perspectives, we can easily correlate them to activities happening outside of our own Earth! This is not to say that we should live in fear, but rather, to live in awe of how subtly interconnected our planet is with the rest of the Solar System, and the Galaxy beyond. And if you check-out other various websites, like Earthfiles, there have been a few crop circle formations reported lately,too. In my belief system, these are messages coming to us from other dimensions and intelligences. Most of those English crop circles just so happen quite near the Stonehenge formation. (By the way, I happened to watch part of National Geographic's "Stonehenge Decoded", and I was thoroughly disgusted with the unimaginative, and boring presentation of their supposed factual evidence. I resented the manner in which they portrayed those ancient people as just a bunch of unintelligent grunts. Duh! They just so happened to know more about astronomy and celestial movements than we do - without the aid of 'sophisticated' technologial devices. If our so-called 'scientists' knew more about when Stonehenge was actually built, and the dimensional forces to which those ancient people had access, they we would be more awestruck with their wisdom. Unfortunately, our current cultures are so locked into 3D awareness, that they have very little understanding of the forces utilized by the Ancients. And not just Stonehenge, notice how the Egyptian Pyramids, Mayan ruins, and all the other 'debunked' stoneage constructions are all shrouded in mystery because of our own self-imposed ignorance. 'Nuff said.)
A Bad Case of Lovin' Blues 2008-06-05 During the past month, there have been several times where I had wanted to post something relevant to what is going on here on Earth. "Then why didn't you, Ron?" It wasn't because of spring planting activities which normally takes up a lot of time, nor was it because of work. What has consumed a lot of my attention has been the number of people dealing with relationship problems. "What's going on," they ask? "Why is my 'love-life' falling apart?" To fully understand the story, unfortunately, we have to go back one month to fully incorporate all the planets and signs.
While the Sun was in Taurus, Venus also entered Taurus, Saturn went Direct on 2 May (notice how all the previously focused media attention on the housing crisis and the plummeting stock markets has now evaporated - it's still a major issue, but they just aren't focusing on it), we had a New Moon on 5 May, and then on 9 May Jupiter went Retrograde, and Mars entered Leo. "Well, that doesn't seem too bad!" Yes, but...if you are a person with strong Cardinal signs - Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn - then it could have been playing havoc with your life. Has someone unexpectedly walked out of your life during this time? I've noticed that Cancer-people are having a difficult time dealing with Pluto sitting on the beginning degrees of Capricorn opposite their Sun signs.
Also related to the above energies was the fact that the month of Taurus had no less than 2 Full Moon's. It appears that the second Full Moon, on 19 May, and occurring at the last degree of Scorpio, was the final straw for the break-ups that occurred of which I have been made aware. This is right before the Sun enters the devisive energy of Gemini. And in rather rapid sequence, an interesting correspondence of aspects occurs which magnifies and exacerbates relationship issues. In retrospect it is very easy to see why these individuals were having problems.
Right now, we are under the spell of Mercury Retrograde in it's dominant sign of Gemini. Communications of all kinds are potentially more difficult to process, understand, and clarify. In talking to people, I have made them tell me what they heard, and tell me if they clearly made their expectations known. With Mercury Retrograde, we need to listen more carefully, and in talking it might be necessary to repeat ourselves. Mercury does not go Direct until June 20th, the day before the Summer's Solstice, and the beginning of the emotionally sensitive sign of Cancer. And to repeat myself...which has the dilemma of being opposite to Pluto.
Mercury has a reputation of being a trickster (try to relate that to your inner thinking and mental processes - are you merely tricking yourself?), and creating an even bigger mess is Pluto moving Retrograde back into the sign of Sagittarius on - you got it - Friday the 13th! In fact, that is one of the things I had originally wanted to post last week, is the strange feelings that I'm getting about Friday the 13th. A few days before the 13th, while the Moon is in Libra, this Cardinal energy will be challenged and stressed. In other words, the same people experiencing problems this past month are probably not going to find a resolution of the problem, but more termination, separation, and transformation of the relationship issues that they have been experiencing.
As one person told me, "If everything happens for a reason, then knowing this person for the past year was not an accident." True. This is where we need to truly understand the energies that each person brings with them. An excellent example involves a past relationship in my life. Years ago I had a dream about a young woman that I had never met before, and lo and behold, about a month later, I actually met this young lady in real life! Because she had appeared to me in the dream, I thought there was some greater spiritual significance to the occasion. However, she did not see it that way. It was my dream, not hers. After six months we discontinued seeing each other. I loved her very much, but she did not share that sentiment. It took me a while, but I eventually realized that she had taught me "just to be a friend". I had wanted to marry the poor girl, and we had just met! No wonder I "chased" her away. Lesson learned. This is what I want to get across to people. Just because someone comes into your life does not mean they will be there forever. Live in the now, love completely, and let 'em go if that is what is required. We can't force someone to love us. (Incidently, one day while meditating recently, this same past lover "stopped by" to let me know that her tour on Planet Earth was completed. It was very gratifying to know that we still "had a connection", and that she let me know of her transition.)
The next Full Moon is 18 June, and Venus also enters sensitive Cancer on that day. I'm expecting things are only going to be more troubling for these individuals due to the composite energies of Pluto oppositions to Venus, the Moon, and the Sun. For instance, on the same day of the Full Moon, Venus opposes Pluto, Venus enters Cancer, the Sun and Moon oppose each other, the Moon will be conjunct Pluto, and the Moon will also oppose Venus. Whew, what a disruptive combination of emotional stressors! The energy of Cancer is about the past, but these forthcoming energies are attempting to get us to unify our inner sense of self. With Mercury Retrograde, this is an ideal time to understand your personal feelings - for yourself, and for others. A definite time of transformation (Pluto) is upon us, but for some of us, it is just more intense, painful, and unbearable. This, too, shall pass. If you can help a friend at this time, then please do so. Usually they just need someone to listen to them. Psychologically, this helps your friend(s) clarify their feelings, and get it together between their heart (Venus and the 4th Chakra) and the Mind (Mercury and the 5th Chakra).
And always, always remember that no matter how tough it may seem at the moment, that where you are spiritually is where you need to be at that moment. Blessings to all.A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY 2008-05-05 For a brief period of time - perhaps too brief - all of the planets, except Pluto, are currently moving in forward motion. Since Saturn went Direct on May 2nd, I've noticed a definite sense of forward momentum. But when we couple that with the usual forward progress associated with the impulse of the New Moon, which is which? It's both! Hidden within these two luminaries is the greater symbolism of healing. The Moon was in the transformative, regenerating sign of intense Scorpio; and Saturn is in the wholistic, integrative, and "bringing-it-all-together" sign of Virgo. In other words, where do you and I need to make ourselves over, whether it is inwardly, emotionally, outwardly, or physically, to create a new, lasting, and more enduring sense and awareness of who we are as people in a synchronized context with each other? If you've ever played a sport, and listened to the coache's admonition that there is "no I in team", then you can grasp the cooperative energy latent in the Earth signs. Earth signs are about the resources that we share.
So, a wonderful and powerful Lunar cycle of greater resource awareness is beginning. Listen closely to your inner self. Are you getting out more and interacting with Nature? It could be as simple as sticking your hands in the soil and planting a garden. But, rather than start out with a roar, this energy begins rather quietly - perhaps a little too quiet. Not until Friday, May 9th, does the celestial realm respond with another loud message. Jupiter, in the Earth sign of Capricorn, will reverse into Retrograde. Until September 8th, Jupiter will be asking each one of us, "What is your vision of your daily connection with Nature?" Where do each of us need to broaden and expand our awareness of how we interact with Nature, and how are we impacting the environment? In the practical, frugal, and realistic sign of Capricorn, we will need to find better ways to use our resources. The other night, for instance, William Kunstler was the guest on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He explained, and I agree with him, that our current system of "corporate box mentality" will unravel. In other words, the high prices of gas will eventually force businesses to realize that stocking and servicing all of those outlets is unfeasible. Can you imagine walking into a Wal-Mart (not to unnecessarily pick on Wal-Mart, but they are very representative of our culture's corporate mentality) and find shelves only half-full? It won't be a drastic overnight change, but slowly, regionally, I do believe the American system of economics will collapse. We are just witnessing the beginning of the process. But not to fear. If we hold onto the earlier assertion that something better can be made out of the process, then we will witness a dawning age of greater social change and renewal.
We can see this conscious awareness of inevitable change being played out within the political realm. We know that something has to change. The old ways are destroying us, and itself, in the process. We have to change - there is no alternative. BE THE CHANGE! Like that old Hopi saying, "We are the people we have been waiting for." Dare to speak your truth, even if your voice trembles.
Synchronizing with this shift of Jupiter on May 9th is Mars finally leaving the sign of Cancer - after almost 6 long months - and moving into the fiery, creative, 3rd Chakra energy of the sign of Leo. This is likely to correspond to a time of people feeling more positive, courageous, and bold. But as we know, strong individuals expressing their opinions can result in hot tempers, too. Expect some of that, also.
THE PRICE IS RICE! 2008-04-30 In my house, we do eat a lot of rice. So, when the media started saying there was a panic about the availability of the product, I tried my best to avoid acting fearfully. I did notice that my local Wal-Mart was out of large bags, and the local Hmong foodstore where I buy a lot of produce was also out of rice - except for the more highly nutritious brown rice. In talking with the young saleswoman operating the store, she said that she had talked to a relative in Thailand that knew nothing about a rice shortage! Sounds rather strange to me.
Then, just today, I was listening to NPR (National Public Radio) describing the criteria for a legitimate recession: economic indicators have to be down for 3 months in a row. Well, the media reported that our economy grew last quarter, even if it was just a lowly .06 %! So, technically, we can't say that we are in a recession! Gee, and here I thought we were. Another bit of news was that the Federal Reserve lowered their interest rate to 2%! That is the seventh consecutive percentage drop just in the past 6 months in an attempt to reduce the fears of recession, and to jumpstart the stock markets and economy in general. Oh, and did you also know that the Federal Reserve is not really a branch of our government? It is totally operated by "private sectors"!
If you happen to cruise the internet for your news, then you know that back on April 28, that billionaire Warren Buffett stated that based on his perspective, that the "current recession will be worse than people realize". So who do you believe? A philanthropic billionaire, or a media owned by self-serving millionaires? I think Warren is right-on!
In more celestial news, it was reported that the Sun had released an enormous Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) - fancy term for ionized gases magnetically propelled away from the Sun, and in this case, headed in our direction! Oddly, this usually only happens when there is a sunspot, but in this case, there is no sunspot!
And back here on Earth, the state of Nevada continues to be rocked by a swarm of minor earthquakes. (Minor earthquakes register less than 4 magnitude!) These nerve-wracking jolts started back in February, and have been an almost daily occurrence since. I'm sure it must wrack havoc with the Vegas-Reno roulette wheels! Scientists have no explanation, but that's because they don't have much imagination, and won't express their intuitive opinions. Even before Jupiter and Pluto entered the sign of Capricorn, the warning had gone out that we could expect more earthquakes while these two planets were in the sign of Capricorn. Keep an eye on Mt. Rainier, folks. If it does not erupt later this year, then it probably will in 2009. And not just Mt. Rainier, expect more volcanoes to erupt throughout 2008-2009 in the tropical areas of the world. These are signals of an impending shift that will take place, not only in our physical world, but in the hearts and minds of humanity.
During the past few days, we have been mentally influenced by several aspects of Mercury; this corresponds to our 5th Chakra of communication. Then came several aspects involving Venus - the 4th, Heart Chakra. Today, April 30th, Venus enters Taurus heightening our sense of beauty and art. May 2nd, Mercury enters its home sign of Gemini. A great time for communicating, thinking, experiencing new insights, and allowing yourself to be spontaneous - the same day that Saturn moves Direct in motion! Normally, this would signal a great time to start new, robust business ventures. And that is right - as long as you try something new, and stay away from the older forms of business as usual. Be safe, be cautious - but be optimistic! Go for the initial small steps, and don't try to jump into a large opportunity too quickly. Right now we have the Sun, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto all in practical, steadfast, down-to-Earth, Earth signs. Money - who has it, and how it is used - will definitely be on the minds of people everywhere for the next few weeks. Perhaps you are feeling a desire to bring more beauty and art into your life. Find it first within yourself. Try to connect to the natural energies of the Earth. The other day, I was reading that most people spend significantly less time out in Nature. Don't let this happen to you! If you can get outside and enjoy the weather, or perhaps plant a garden, then you are doing yourself, others, and the Earth itself a favor. Believe it or not, the Earth is alive, and rejoices when you admire her beauty.
I feel the Earth move under my feet 2008-04-15 Since the beginning of April, there have been a few seemingly unrelated scientific events which have happened. But, let us take a more broader, quantum, wholistic look at these reports, and then you will understand how they are related. First, since the Spring Equinox, there have been several large quakes of greater than 6 mag, but the only ones which caught the media's attention were a 7.1 in China, and an older quake of 5.4 which had shaken the British Isles. Normally a 5.4 quake doesn't get much attention, but the British Isles rarely experience an earthquake, and any quake striking their island nation becomes newsworthy.
Around the New Moon of Aries on 5 April, Mt. Kilauea Volcano on the big island of Hawaii erupted. Please realize that Mt. Kilauea has been spewing lava since it erupted in 1983. But this event captured the public's attention when rocks were thrown 200 feet, and a vent 15-30 feet wide opened. The national park located on Kilauea was closed to the public because of harmful sulfur emissions and flowing lava. Scientists have even detected what appears to be molten lava collecting 300-600 feet underneath this vent.
More evidence that something is brewing has been the swarm of minor quakes (less than 4 mag) which have been occurring off the coast of Oregon for about 14 straight days. OSU reports that more than 700 quakes have been detected in an ocean basin about 150 miles SW of Newport, Oregon. The largest quake was measured at 5.4, and several others have been 5 or above. Another area that has been having almost daily minor quakes is Nevada, although they have not been experiencing as many as there have been off of Oregon. A few quakes near the 4 mag level have even rattled the Yellowstone Park area since the beginning of April.
Just today, I see where it was announced that scientists are predicting a major quake will strike California sometime in the next 30 years. I will be so bold as to say that it will happen sometime in the next 2 years! Perhaps not "The Big One", but big enough to cause some serious damage. With Pluto and Jupiter now in the Earth sign of Capricorn, not only have I predicted an increase in earthquake activity, but so have other knowledgeable astrologers and psychics!
Now here is where you really need to stretch your concepts of how things are interconnected, but I will tell you that they are. Back on 4 Jan, it was noticed that a new sunspot had appeared which had the characteristics necessary to be part of the new solar cycle. Then things got quiet on the Sun, and a few more sunspots even exhibited the markings of the older solar cycle. Overlap. A new sunspot with the correct magnetic markings of the new cycle appeared on 12 April. As an astrologer with 30 years of observational experience, I have noticed that quake activity will coincide with sunspots. In fact, all the scientists are warning of a stronger than usual sunspot cycle reaching a peak around 2010-2011, and to me, this equates to stronger than usual - and perhaps more frequent - earthquakes!
Personally, I think that a drastic volcanic explosion will occur sometime between now and 2011. If we look at the older psychic predictions of Edgar Cayce and Black Elk, they both said that Mt. Rainier would erupt "unexpectedly" and cause widespread destruction. Is that prophecy still valid? Last April '07, I attended a Native American ceremonial pow-wow, and they still adhere to Black Elk's dream. I know a lot of "New Agers" who say that era is over, but is it? Much of what Cayce said would presage other catastrophic events are beginning to become evident now. Most notably for me is his assertion that the melting polar ice caps would result in quakes that will exceed our older Richter scale levels which only went up to 10. Now that claim is not only interesting, but down-right alarming. Cayce also said that a war would be in progress (Iraq?), and the troops would be brought home because of the severity of the eruption, and the amount of manpower needed to help in the aftermath. Rather than me repeat verbatim the many Cayce predictions, I would recommend that you either check out your local library, or local bookstore for more information.
It is not my intention to scare or frighten anybody. I just want to make people aware of concepts not provided to the general public, or dismissed as hoo-haw on the various "authoritative" television programs which intend to debunk a lot of these assertions as uninformed fanciful delusions. Personally, I believe that if it does happen, then it is intended to be so to raise our spiritual consciousness and awareness. And that is what I want to do - raise your awareness. It is also my belief that if we, as a species, are intended to experience a shift in consciousness, then it is not too unrealistic to believe that a corresponding physical shift of the Earth will also occur. But like I said, don't worry, we still have time to shift our awareness. Embrace the Light.
The Future Revealed 2008-04-10 While the Moon was in the sign of Taurus, a dream was revealed to me. In the dream, I was very excited about what I was learning, and realized that I needed to share this information with others. So, in this dream, I was anticipating a particular aspect involving Mars being conjunct with Saturn in the sign of Virgo. Now, I want you the reader to realize that I don't normally think about these things so intently during my daily routines, unless they seem particularly ominous, like Pluto shifting into a new sign. But in this case, I was realizing that important events were going to happen. In the dream, it seemed like it was more into the Fall season, but after waking up and consulting a calendar, I realized that the conjunction of Mars to Saturn occurs 10 July '08. Anyway...serious food shortages and agricultural losses were being felt and inflicted upon us due to the changing of the global eco-systems. And this was all just occurring at the beginning, so I was not shown too much about what will happen in the future. But I did get the impression that basic commodities were totally absent or in strict short supply. It was bringing about a wave of social panic, to those paying attention, and those not paying attention would suffer the most. It was not just food either. I had the distinct impression that oil, money, housing, and jobs were all radically and drastically changing. That was when I got all excited realizing I needed to share this info with others, and lost my connection with the rest of the dream. Unfortunately for me, I woke up at 3:30 AM and could not get back to sleep. Then I had to get up by 5:00 AM and get to work. So, here I am, a few days later, relaying this important message to everyone out there.
My advice is not to panic. If you have access to some garden area, grow some fresh foods - even if it is in containers on a patio. A 1-gallon container, for instance, is enough to grow some lettuce, or radishes. In a 2-gallon container, it is possible to get a handful of bush beans to grow along with a tomato plant. Just be sure to space the beans about 4-6 inches apart. You'll be pleasently surprised at just how many beans you get. In a 5-gallon container, you can grow a lot more. I prefer to grow highly nutritious foods like broccoli raab (it grows faster than regular broccoli); pak choi, and some cukes, or summer squash all together. It works! A larger container, like a large, oak barrel (people normally use them to display decorative annuals) can raise a veritable garden. Just space everything about 6 inches apart, and you'd be amazed at how much you can grow. With the weather changing the way it is, I would also advise you to construct some sort of small green house to cover and protect your plants when necessary. Use small trellises to get climbing plants, like cukes, squashes, beans, peas, and tomatoes to have more room to grow. Rather than me explain to you how to garden, I would like to stress the seriousness of this message I received, and further advise you to learn more about gardening. Don't forget to water your plants, as container gardens tend to dry out quicker than those in the ground. Like I said, don't worry, but I do believe that we would all be wise to be prepared.
Corporations Collapsing Into Chaos 2008-04-10 Wow! Financial devastation has been wracking the large corporate markets faster than I can keep up with the news! Just today, American Airlines has grounded 900 more flights to deal with inadequacies involving wiring, and physical inspections of their fleet for safety. Related to this scandalous disregard for airline safety, was a commentary that I listened to the other day on National Public Radio. It appears that two safety inspectors had wanted to report problems they had discovered (to be fair, it was not just American Airlines, but several others were involved, also), but because of "friendships" between their supervisors and people within the FAA, the safety reports were disregarded and silenced. Outrageous! I must commend the courage of the two safety inspectors in their willingness to ensure that what was right triumphed over just receiving a paycheck! Couple all of this with the reports of 4 airlines filing for bankruptcy, and no longer flying, and we have an airline industry in panic.
All of this hit close to home when my 21-year-old son's best friend, Cameron (currently finishing up a 15 month tour of duty in Baghdad, Iraq), was unable to come home as scheduled because his flight was with one of the air carriers which had collapsed in the recent wave of bankruptcies! As of today, he still has not made it home. Evidently, he is currently stuck in Dubai when he was originally scheduled to have been home yesterday! He anticipates that it will be another four days, at least, before he gets back, and says that thousands of other troops are scheduled to rotate back, and they have been waiting longer than Cameron has. What a nightmare! Having personally been in the military during the Viet-Nam War, I can greatly sympathize with these soldiers.
What I do find humorous out of this mess is the way that the news media jumps around dealing with each incident as if they are all separate. Look at the Bear-Stearns bail-out by our government to the tune of billions of dollars! That is our tax money, folks! If you are not outraged, then you are not paying attention! With all those billions of dollars our government could easily have bailed-out all those homeowners going through foreclosures. Nope. Instead, "They" (our illustrious government) have chosen to bail-out the financial institution funding the banks which have issued the foreclosures! More outrageousness unfairness! It would seem that the USA is not a government "of the people", but one that protects the pockets of the rich. All this financial collapsing is related. Banks, airlines, gas, and groceries. Have you been grocery shopping lately? All the prices are way up! And yet...I believe that we are just beginning to see the tip of the iceberg. And notice how the news media has drifted away from the recent concerns about the faltering stock markets. We haven't heard the last about the markets.
Right at the Spring Equinox, the Zodiacal heavens displayed a scarey sign: Pluto in Capricorn was opposite Mars in Cancer, and both were square to the Sun in Aries, Moon in Libra which had been a Full Moon during the first full day of Spring. The extremes of weather which we have endured were quite obvious at first, but the corporate collapses came swiftly as a one-two punch. All four signs involved are Cardinal in nature, meaning that they are beginning, initiating, managing, and leading. Actually, this is a wonderful time for each of us as individuals to recognize, discipline, and manage our inner selves into courageous outward expressions of who we truly are. That's why I'm not too concerned about the disappearance of the older structures, because we as people need to lead the way to a new reality that is more concerned about the real needs of the Earth's peoples. The heavenly energies are screaming - can't you hear it? - that each one of us needs to get it together. Discover who you really, truly are as a spiritual being. For what purpose did you choose to incarnate upon this Earth? Now is the time to manifest this reality and purpose! So, as we are entering this "New Age", we must now realize that it is happening now! We've arrived in the "Now Age"!
Ironically, this is the very message of Mars-Saturn in Virgo. Go slow, but be deliberate, focused, and disciplined. Make your daily routines practical, cooperative, think about and include others within the intent of your actions, live simply, plan on making some sacrifices, and follow the inner guidance that comes from your own inner guru. Learn to listen to the wisdom within yourself.
I'll be writing more later about these subjects as Spirit reveals them to me. In the meantime, be at peace, and learn to see the spirit of God within others - even if you don't like the person.
The Importance of Being Pluto 2008-03-31 If you just look at the daily news as a series of random events then it might seem rather chaotic. But if we look at the daily news and world events from an astrological perspective, then it becomes rather obvious how strongly the scientifically demoted Pluto (what!? no longer a "planet"?) is currently influencing events on the world scene. The most obvious influence, to me, is the climatic shifting. Now, just to further clarify this issue, you must realize that the Earth's weather is NOT changing because of Pluto, rather, Pluto in Capricorn aspecting all the 2008-09 Solstices and Equinoxes is merely signalling that intense transformations are now due. Pluto is a beacon of awareness getting all of us to deeply examine our Galactic heritage. As a planet sitting on the outer edge of our Solar System, Pluto acts as an ambassador for what lies beyond.
On Wednesday, 2 April '08, Pluto will shift into Retrograde motion. For at least the next 5+ months, we can expect a repeat of many of the issues we've been seeing on Earth: daily claims and counter-claims about war efforts, more climatic and environmentally severe weather forces, more political intrigue, more exposes about governmental figures abusing the power of their positions, and so on. With the environmental situation, for instance, I can see where the disrupted weather patterns are going to adversely affect agricultural patterns. As an example, the news has noted how the cherry blossoms around our nation's capital have been blooming earlier than usual. Even here in the Upper Midwest the cold weather has been hanging on longer than expected, and will delay Spring planting. Today is the last day of March, and here in Central Wisconsin, the temperature has yet to reach 50 F this year! As these former natural and cultural patterns change, it will be interesting to see how quickly we can adapt to the changing conditions.
In fact, if we consider Saturn in the Mutable (flexible and adaptive) sign of Virgo, this fits in excellently with social and individual actions responding appropriately to rapidly changing conditions. Again, this position of Saturn in Virgo is another sign - and not a demand from an outside force. (Energetically, the planets only become a "force" when we are not consciously aware of the impulse, and allow them to direct our individual lives.)
Between now and Friday, 13 June '08, when Pluto moves back into Sagittarius, I'm sure that we will witness all kinds of turmoil related to the above subjects, and more. Pluto will then remain in Sagittarius - the sign emphasizing a need for higher, broader, and greater awareness - until 26 Nov '08. Although it is not an exact correlation, this shift of Pluto does closely coincide with the Fifth Night of the Galactic Underworld (according to the Mayan Calendar) ending (12 Nov '08), and the Sixth Day of the Galactic Underworld commencing. To fully understand and grasp what may happen, please go back to my description of Sagittarius as emphasizing...higher, broader, and greater awareness. What may happen will depend greatly on how enlightened and aware individuals become. We need to collectively reject the notion that our institutions, both governmental and religious, have our collective best interests at their heart. If our national economy were to financially collapse - which is possible, and I believe that it will - then who will be there to help us? We need to rely upon ourselves, and others in our community. Whatever transpires during the Summer of 2008, we need to be hard-working, self-sufficient, have other resources for our survival besides dollars on hand, and a willingness to cooperate with others. This coming Summer '08 will become a time when those of us who are Light Workers will need to demonstrate optimistic, positive examples of how we can move and evolve through the trials and crises that may happen. Be prepared, be vigilant, be a spiritual warrior for the survivability of yourself, others, and the natural world around you. Peace be with you.
Updates on the Recent Past; and Future Trends 2008-03-17 In the past, I've emphasized how important Eclipses are for ramping-up all the various levels of energy. Now, when I say "energy", I'm thinking of energy in many different levels - both seen and unseen, and physical as well as the non-physical. Right after the 2008 New Year, I had started noticing my personal vibrations changing well before the Eclipses that we had in February. At that point I knew that things were going to get even more intense once the Eclipses actually happened. Unfortunately, I did not keep a comprehensive record of what was going on globally and nationally as I had a personal crisis that was demanding all of my immediate attention. Keagan, my 14 year-old, youngest child, was manifesting the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. (It is a very nasty, debilitating, usually life-long disease that manifests, goes into remission, but may flare up again. Kinda like a very aggravated Sun/son-spot! Rather than elaborate on the details, a quick internet search can provide you with more technical data about that disease.) Currently he is recuperating at home, but since mid-January he has had to be hospitalized for a total of 17 days. In retrospect, I can now see how the planets were colluding to propel him to transform his mind, body, and spirit! Unfortunately, I can't do it for him. He will have to do it himself.
Coincidentally, I had conversations with several other people who were also experiencing similar auto-immune disorders related to stomach disorders. Currently, Mars has re-entered the sign of Cancer (ruler of the stomach), and quickly moved into an opposition with Pluto on 8 Mar '08 - also the same day as the New Moon! Before all of this family crisis emerged, I was going to write about how Mars-Cancer symbolized one's inner expression of emotional well-being, versus Pluto-Capricorn symbolizing one's self-control in life. Although diseases may manifest within some people's lives, on a less intense level, you may have noticed the potential for healing, inner cleansing; an opportunity for reconstruction of personal habits, routines; and the ability to evolve into a higher manifestation of one's earth-bound destiny. It may sound cold-hearted, but in my son's case, this is exactly what he needed to get him to let go of his negatively charged childhood patterns, and create some more positive routines as he steps into the more responsible patterns of adulthood.
Although the astrological patterns right now are not too extreme, it is precisely these kinds of instances that may or may not creep into our lives during 2008. Pluto in Capricorn demands some hard, serious effort. This is not the kind of energy that is conducive to enjoying being a "couch-potato". The sign of Capricorn is all about dharma. That is a Hindu word describing the Vedic concept of "living one's intended spiritual purpose here on Earth". Capricorn also relates to the energy of the 1st Charka, which is basic survival. Couple that with the 2nd Chakra energy of Pluto, and globally, we are all going to see a creative transformation of how we survive upon this planet. Capricorn is all about weeding out what does not work. If our older personal, or governmental and cultural patterns are not insuring our basic survival and sustainability, then that portion within each one of us will require a change. Resisting the need to change will only bring about negative karmic dramas, like diseases, oil shortages, and collapsing economies. From my perspective, one reason the US economy is crumbling is that it is based upon antiquated concepts of dimensional awareness. It allows a select few to gain all the wealth through manipulation of 3D. Right now, we are all in a time when spiritual energies are bombarding not only the actual, physical Earth, but it will also engage our 5D intuitive awarenesses. That will allow us to create our own realities. This is why it is so important for each of us to have a clear understanding of exactly what our spiritual purpose is while we are on planet Earth. These so-called "End Times" will demand great reponsibility from each one of us. I have to sound cliche, but it is just like that saying from the Spiderman movie: "With great power comes great responsibility." Each one of us will be gaining more and more power, and with it will come more and more responsibility.
That energy - and more - was manifesting strongly with the New Moon of 8 March. Today is St.Patrick's Day, and that general mood created 8 March will mature into a more concrete realization on the Full Moon of Good Friday - the Vernal Equinox - on 21 March '08. The Sun will be in Aries, the Moon in Libra, and both will be squaring the transformative energy of Pluto that day! Duck and cover! It may be a spiritually "good" day, but on the physical level, it may be quite harsh and intense. Not only can it be stressful on personal relationships, but the sign energies involved indicate that more grumblings within the US economy will become evident. Even though it is not Friday, yet, if you are sensitive to such energies (in my case, I can actually physically feel the stress, or ease, of the major aspects involving the bigger, outer planets!) you, too, may feel it starting to manifest. Don't allow the negativity to control you! Be aware of the sensation, but allow yourself to ease into a clear conscious, and direct the energies to your benefit, or for the benefit of others! In doing so, I have found that incredible leaps of awareness will open both your heart and mind.
THIS ENERGY OF SUN SQUARE PLUTO IS ALSO NOT LIMITED TO JUST TODAY! If your birthday is near the cusp of Pisces-Aries, Virgo-Libra, Gemini-Cancer, and Sagittarius-Capricorn, not only will you feel the impact here, but all throughout 2008 as Pluto wrecks havoc upon these signs. Notice that these all involve consciousness shifting energies from Mutable, flexible and adaptive energies into Cardinal, initiating, beginning, and controlling energies. The "Time of Change" is strongly visiting your core essence, and the time for consolidation and certainty wants to crystallize your consciousness. Not only does this strongly impact those with birthdays near those cusps, but if you look at your birthchart, it will indicate where your own life is bound to experience some sort of healing - whether it is painful or pleasureable - catharsis. The best thing to do is to be forewarned and prepared for predictable changes to occur at those times.
These stressful Solar interactions with Pluto will repeat all during 2008 right on the Equinoxes and Solstices! 20 June '08 will have the Sun opposite Pluto right on the Solstice; the Fall Equinox won't be as exact, but the Sun will again square Pluto on 20 Sep; and then the day after the Winter's Solstice, the Sun will intensely conjunct Pluto on 22 Dec '08. Both 2008 and 2009 will be intensely transformative because all the Solstices and Equinoxes will involve these dramatic, destiny intended, transformative impulses for individuals, the governments and religions of the planet, and the very eco-systems of Mother Earth!
Just yesterday, for instance, scientists declared that a new species of bird has been discovered. Hmm. If you go back and read some of Edgar Cayce's predictions, he said that "new species" of animals would appear upon Earth, even while others were going extinct, in reaction for the need of physical reality to change. Even though we are now physically upon this planet, we need to realize that within ourselves, we are creating a new species of humanity. Are you up for the task? There is no instruction booklet, so we have to trust our intuition for guidance from the higher realms. Be the Light!
"Thou hast made the Moon to measure the year." Psalm 104:19Some good news, and some bad news. 2008-03-12 The bad news is that a lot of important astrological events occurred around the recently passed New Moon of Pisces on Friday, 7 March. The good news is that I was so immersed in an intense personal transformation that I did not have time to update this website. Good for me, bad for you - the reader. "Say what? You're not making sense!" Allow me to explain.
So...what was going on? To begin with, Mars had re-entered the emotionally sensitive sign of Cancer. This was an excellent time to work on inner motivations and personally creative items on your agenda. Then, Mars moved into a quick opposition with Pluto in Capricorn. This is actually an extremely healing energy - and I do mean "extreme". Whether you are willing or unwilling to change and transform yourself will determine if it is positive or negative. I find it so ironic that the political candidates, like Obama, are speaking about the need for change. The change is there lurking in the shadows. The problem is that most people perceive of change as being disruptive and unsettling. But coinciding with the New Moon, this is a time to initiate positive new beginnings, to establish a new mood within oneself. Happening in Solar Pisces, this is a wonderful time to be imaginative and creative. Let your dreams come true! Mars in Cancer is there to assist you to recognizing, fulfilling, and actualizing your dreams. Wonderful energies working in synchronicity with each other!
Hey! Check out the awesome picture of the talented students at Master Khoa Vu's Tae Kwon Do do-jang at 3509 Church Street in Stevens Point. Master Vu's is probably one of a select few do-jangs where students can also learn how to use bo staffs, kamas, nanchuk-kus, and ton-fas. Regular classes are held each Tuesday and Thursday beginning at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 PM. Master Vu does offer private sessions during other days of the week. Contact Master Vu at mastervutkd@gmail.com for fees and other info. It's a wonderful way to get some exercise, feel good about yourself, and loose weight - all at the same time! I've lost 15 pounds since starting in 2007. According to the physician that I see for annual physicals, my cholesterol level has dropped 30 points! I don't just feel good...I feel GREAT!
From left to right: Cory Shepherd, Jon Vu (Master Vu's oldest son), Mark Howard, Ron - this website's author, Chan Seng Vue, Sherri Chao, Master Khoa Vu, Peggy Wang, Yuki Chao, and Will Shin. (Note: There are many more students at the do-jang, but they did not participate at this tournament in Rockford, IL.)
