Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Show me the "Beginnings"...


Libra New Moon – September 27

This new moon, joining the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Saturn in Libra brings to our personal attention a powerful time of change on our planet. Although it comes through tactful Libra, devoted to peace and happy relationships, it also squares into the ongoing "world changing" square between Pluto in Capricorn and Uranus in Aries.

This long lasting tension between the "Trans-personal" outer planets (they cross swords, making 8 exact squares between 2012 and 2015) will change life as we know it. But what it's NOT about is the knee jerk fear associated with 'the end of calendars' we hear about everywhere... but rather the willingness to open to a expanded self definition, to take on personal blocks and limits and to have the courage to approach things with a different attitude.

The new moon marks a time of new beginnings, and following on the heels of the Autumnal Equinox only a few short days ago, we are all aware of change around and within. We feel the intensity and need for conscious action, dedicated to the welfare of all involved, that is presenting with increasing urgency. We are cleaning and packing and organizing and trying to get the past in some sort of an order...feeling the push forward of a more personal and intimate New Year than that which takes place January 1st. Timely, Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) takes place tomorrow, September 28th. but regardless of our spiritual paths, we can all sense this renewal and potent opening for positive change.

My long term client called today, again facing tension at work and again finding himself at play with a dominating and critical boss - so much like the father he grew up with. After a bit of talking, he volunteered..."perhaps it's coming from within ME...the need to stay mired in power struggles rather than working cooperatively, with acceptance for our differences, toward a better united goal?" Wow~ now that's what we're talking about here...going toe to toe with oneself and deciding to just "do it differently".

The planet Uranus bring us an awareness of blocked energy and the need to break through outdated models and definitions. It's where we are rebellious, independent and willful. While it's hardly a 'team player', it's ALSO where we are humanitarian and progressive and willing to try out a new approach. It opens the doors to new experience and consciousness... thereby redefining who we think "we" are. Clearly, it's time to break free of old patterns, take risks and truly reach for the potential that is possible. And what is it that we fear we have to lose? How happy are we truly with the stalemate of life as we know it? How peaceful and restoring are our collective dreams and how content ARE we anyway, living in a world where we stay tucked in the reality of the 2% while the 98% struggle with great pain and deprivation? So what if the great "ending" we all seem to collectively fear was truly the beginning...?

What if it's true that we are all divine sparks, only temporarily restricted to the cumbersome housing of a body, and tied like beasts of burden to the limited identity of an individual ego? What if we ARE all immeasurable, unfettered and all powerful parts of a divine whole... that unfolds with us, and within us, and most perfectly all about us? What if 'ending' meant the end of a limitation that is tied to fear and greed and restriction and we could all EXPERIENCE our divine selves? What if we had first hand knowing that there is infinite abundance all around us and that to reach into our compassion and to help others was a direct and powerful way of helping ourselves; bringing us the most meaningful experience of JOY? What if we could KNOW that there is enough, more than enough, and that what we cling to in truth has no meaning or value for us? What if the material comforts we sacrifice our true selves for is only an illusion anyway? What if what we call 'reality' is in truth the ultimate 'illusion of a separate self' dancing with us in a co-created comedy/tragedy? What could we possibly fear ending or conceive of ending from that perspective?

Pluto brings us great transformations. It takes what we think is our personal power and shatters it before us; then picking us up with the pieces to show us truly the immense and omnipotent Power that flows through us, as we are able to open to it. It crumbles the structures of old, especially those based on tyrannical footing. What we think we have always depended on begins to evaporate around us, showing us deep resources within that were previously unknown. Our deepest and oldest wounds open themselves anew now, not to be worn raw yet again, but to be accepted and revealed for simply that we are 'working on'...for our individual part in the evolving cosmic journey. We are urged now, at this time of new beginnings, ever so lovingly, to turn inward, to heal, to love, and to accept our true nature in a spirit of gratitude and cooperation.


Tuesday, June 28, 2011


Sure enough, it's been a Gemini ride to the finish this last month. Being a Gemini Sunsign person myself, I have been very aware of the eclipse patterns this month. Often I feel like a 110 plugged into a 220, if you know what I mean! Also, the old Gemini curse of starting 20 things at once, without really planning out or thinking through first, has been my constant companion. But what to do? I am in LOVE with all 20 things and to throw one of them out?? Unthinkable!! Clearly, I have learned a bit about compromise and surrender in the giggling and happy month of June. Jackie of all Trades? Perhaps...but it brings to mind an sweet poem that has stayed with me since college..."My candle burns at both its ends, it will not last the night. But ah my foes, and oh my friends - it gives a lovely light!" (Edna St. Vincent Millay received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923 for The Ballad of the Harp Weaver in case you needed a new "gemini" fact for the day". :)

So the month has brought a great deal of energy and inspiration for me. In some ways I have been aware of conflicting desires (the two faces of Gemini) which often seems to boil down to the urge to be expansive and involved in new projects and ideas, and the urge to be quiet and nourish myself through connecting with the unspeakable Great Mind. And whenever I remember to find a few moments for that connection, I am greatly rewarded with positive energy and focus - a much needed gift for us Gemini types!

As the triple pattern of eclipses completes this month with the July 1st – New Moon-Partial eclipse of the Sun at Cancer 9ยบ (visible from the southern tip of South Africa, Antarctica, Tasmania, and New Zealand) we will feel the Cardinal (could it possibly be reduced to "Get 'er Done!" ??) influence and either find ourselves fried with taking on too much or able to push through with excellerated energy and drive. Either way, this is a noticeable and significant time here on planet Earth, as the New Moon and Sun form the forth corner of a Cardinal Grand Cross in the sky with Saturn (structure) Uranus (revolution) and Pluto (death and regeneration) in the sign of cancer - the great nurturer.

Having a great deal of that sign in my chart as well, I can offer this one piece of advice. We are all responsible for OUR OWN emotional well being. We love to nurture others, but must first nurture ourselves, and find the peace and clarity that is not personally draining or 'co-dependent'. As an old therapist once said, "Fill the pitcher up first, and then you have something to offer around."

Enjoy these early fireworks. Be productive, but remember to care for your inner accomplishments as well!

Happy New Moon!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Triple Eclipse Pattern Dances Around Us!


Well, if you think you were "fast dancing" before...hang on to your hats as we are starting off summer this year with triple eclipses! The first of the three is today, June 1st, with a Solar Eclipse with the New Moon at 11* Gemini. The diverse and all over the board flavor of Gemini is certainly with us now, but being flexible, trusting, and willing to adapt to changes that will arise helps enormously in finding even momentary firm footing. People born in Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces are most likely to find this a bit of a stresser today, as life is changing around us quickly.

For example, being a Gemini Sun with Venus and the Node in Gemini in the 10th house of Career...I write this as I prepare to bolt out the door to meet my obliging, if not excited, Sagittarius husband to pack and move my entire office...home to his storage area no less! Hummm. Remind me of the power of gratitude!

This series of eclipses are linked to a set we experienced about 19 years ago, in June 1992. I imagine this was a time of great flux in your life, bringing changes in your work, your jobs, your attitudes towards partnerships and meeting your own personal needs. For me, I had a new six month old baby as well as two challenging young boys to raise, and was bringing having to move my office home once again. But I will say, given how well that all worked out for me, I am confident that this change will be equally productive...only as usual I will be the last to know what Spirit has in store for me!

The second and even more intense eclipse, will be the Total Eclipse (Full Moon) on June 15 at 24° of Sagittarius and Gemini. Ever now and then I remember to appreciate being an air sign, and that I have learned to be flexible and "mutate baby, mutate". Things will be spinning fast for all of us mid June, and coming through the energy of Gemini it calls for us to be more expressive and communicative. This energy signals a good time for getting to that book you have been planning on writing, teaching workshops or seminars, going back to school or some other form of expanding your awareness and sharing ideas. Write down your intentions and a working schedule, as fickle Gemini has the attention span of a butterfly and you will want to develop enough consistency to take advantage of the powerful energy of change that is all around now.

The final eclipse will be on July 1 at 9° Cancer. Those born in the first part of Cancer, Libra, Capricorn and Aries are about to step into that transformation you have been sensing or considering for the last couple of years. This eclipse brings together forces and intentions we all have been gathering for the last two years and it's very active Cardinal nature will find us finally taking definitive action! As many eclipses don't triggers results for about 90 days you must be prepared for the changes you would like to put into place, and act in the way that you are wanting to manifest for yourself, so as to make your intentions clear to the Universe. Come October you can see what you have created for yourself in welcoming new growth and positive change. In order to have a different life, we have to live differently - and now's the time to work with the Universe in creating that!

Jupiter moving into Taurus this week, and several planets moving into retrograde may bring us to a place of inertia. Give yourself those creature comforts that you are needing now, don't put too much pressure on yourself and take it easy for a few days to let yourself catch up with these shifts in the energy field around us. Remember, unconditional love starts first with yourself...be there for yourself in the ways that only you know to pamper yourself. Sit back a moment...and enjoy the ride! Don't worry, with all this mutable energy of the eclipse pattern you won't be sitting for too long!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

True Breakthrough


TRUE BREAKTHROUGH

This is MY translation and additions to an interview with Joe Nunziata – on the site How To Fire Up Your Life. The name of this interview, done on April 2nd is “How to Remove Your Mental Barriers”. You can listen to the interview yourself at http://fireupnow.biz/funnel/joe-nunziata/

What's the definition of a breakthrough? Well, all of life is just energy, so when you learn how to shift your belief systems and to transform your vibrational energy, you don't see money or things, you only see energy. You see that you have created all that exists in your life, which is very hard to see when we are looking at the less than desirable things that exist in our lives. Stepping into the power of seeing that you have manifested all that is before you, seeing why you have created what you are facing, frees you in a way that creates true breakthrough. We create breakthrough in changing our belief systems, which is the driving force in our lives. In changing these deep and often unconscious patterns, we allow ourselves to move out of the holds of our childhood influences and experiences and into living a life that’s more about choosing the experience of our life, rather than living in "reaction" to what life presents to us.

Changing our foundation is about basically moving our energy from where we are to expanding our energy into getting bigger...elevating and expanding further into the world. Joe writes on his site:

A breakthrough is, in metaphysical terms, an expansion of energy. To move from one level of energy to another you must expand your energy. You begin to expand by moving into a new energy vibration or feeling. The breakthrough occurs when you are able to hold yourself in this new energy for a long enough period of time. When this happens you manifest a change in the external world. I call this phase holding the vibration. The bigger the breakthrough the more difficult it is to remain in this new vibration of energy.

Everything in this world is based on energy. Changes can only occur when your energy has been shifted. You can work hard, read books and set goals but none of that will work if your energy has not changed. This is the trap that many of us fall into. You keep on trying to figure out what you are doing wrong. The reality is, your energy is blocked and it will not allow you to move forward. Once you embrace this concept it is possible to breakthrough.”

We are actually creating little breakthroughs every day, and to have things change in our lives...to shift and become more aware and free, it’s about the many little steps and choices that set the foundation for true and rapid change and manifestation. As our positive movement remains consistent, it begins to build and gain momentum, and then the positive flow of energy begins to come our way effortlessly. But it’s all the little decisions, which are maybe about hard work and selflessness or overcoming ego, that create a foundation allowing us to move OUT of where we are stuck and to gain access to where we want to be. Then we are no longer trapped in that wheel of behavior, and the negative feelings we have been previously addicted to, and the doors of life begin to open themselves.

We have to move out of where we are familiar and comfortable and accept how we allow ourselves to stay stuck in places and feelings that don't serve us. A lot of the work is about NOT doing something. Action is not always good, often we have to ask ourselves if we are taking action that will move us in the direction we want to go in or if we are just acting out of fear because they think we have to DO something. Sometimes just taking a step back, which is not an easy thing to do, is the best thing we can to...to allow things to settle and come to truth for us. In overwhelm, we don't need to do more we just need to release the energy around the issue we are frustrated by. Just let it go and let it resolve itself in the way that it is moving. Go WITH the movement, and listen and trust your own truth. Do not act from emotional response, wait for clarity and the knowing of what is honestly true for you.

Those of us who came into this life to do some deep spiritual work will have the kind of challenges in our lives that allow for big movement, to realize that we chose to create big challenges for ourselves in order to create big growth in this lifetime. This understanding allows us to see others, who seem to have an easier path, in a new way. There is NO competition with others...only positive encouragement for any little steps of progress we are able to make within ourselves. All personal change comes from a deep commitment to always choosing only loving kindness towards ourselves. That’s not about NOT holding ourselves accountable, or taking responsibility for our intentions and actions, it’s about creating a climate of love and acceptance of self that allows us to SEE and accept the truth of who we are and where we are in our lives. Only through accountability combined with self-love and acceptance are we able to feel safe enough to change. The expectation that others should take care of us only creates resentment and creates weakness in ourselves. We can accept help, but need to take full responsibility for saving ourselves. Only WE can save ourselves.

How to get to the core feelings that drive the behavior is about shifting energy on the emotional level, it’s not about thoughts. It’s about allowing yourself to feel what you feel in the moment, whether positive or negative. We must be willing to go through feelings of fear, worry, panic and discomfort in order to not carry the energy that is holding us back from our proclaimed goals. Let the feelings be what they are without judgment and denial of what we are truly feeling, it’s not good or bad – it’s just how we feel. All of life is about movement and happiness is not a constant experience for any of us. Seeing that our lives are not what we want them to be is. You have to want to change, no forcing ourselves because they are “supposed” to. Do you really want to change and are you willing to do what is necessary to make the change that you desire. Be in your truth, what changes do you WANT to make and what are you WILLING to make? Focus on your life, accept where you are, and get to the truth, then everything is easy because we are not fighting or battling ourselves. We just give up the conflict in owning who and what we are. In removing the conflict within ourselves we open to the possibilities in that alignment with our true self.

When our energy begins to create consistent momentum in a more positive way, things start coming our direction and our goals begin to flow to us more easily. When our belief system becomes aligned with where we are going, and there is congruence with what we believe about ourselves, then we come together in what we call breakthrough. Knowing what to do when things come up, so that we don’t get derailed, or lose our momentum, or forget how to deal with the feelings or emotions that arise, is about having the skills and tools to accept and be with what is arising, without losing our positive direction. When we are emotionally clear, we can tap into our intuition and sense more quickly the correct direction for ourselves. This allows us to create a space of calm serenity around ourselves, so keep ourselves from being disrupted and losing our energy every time something comes up for us. Acceptance or resistance, truth or denial are very simple things and this is what allows us to move through our own blocks to make our lives very flowing. Distraction is always around us, and reminding ourselves to just begin again when we find ourselves in a place we don’t like, just like in learning to meditate, is the secret to moving forward more quickly. No judgment of the self is productive, only love and encouragement for any small piece of progress we are able to create in our lives. The key has always been the same; it’s about consistency. Holding the vibration long enough to create the new energy is critical to actually making the energy change. You have to make that commitment to consistency.

When we start building momentum we often run into the conflicts of our old belief systems, our deep unconscious family patterns. We have to let the chips fall in making the choices that we make, and allow relationships do what they will when we are acting in our truth. (This last part is my own) Relationships cannot grow without our totally releasing any fear or sense of control in being able to hold them in constancy. Find somebody whose philosophy and vibration really aligns with your own, and then trust the truth of the relationship to help you grow through the obstacles together and get to a better, easier and more committed place together. When you find yourselves not able to hear what the other person is saying or wanting, find someone to help you through with counseling and support. Every relationship needs some outside support from time to time, and getting the help you need turns things around so much easier and faster and avoids creating deep seated resentments that are harder to move.

If you would like to know more about Joe’s program, go to Fireupnow.biz/ultra If you use the code KEN you get $50 off the $198 four step program, 100% guaranteed.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

A Prayer for Japan...and for world healing...


A Japanese Monk Sent this Prayer Request

The damage of the earthquake in Japan is devastating.
Unable to cool down the reactor, we are facing a possibility of nuclear
transplant explosion.
Please join our prayer. Feel free to forward this prayer request to anyone.
It would be great if more people can pray.

Here is a translation of a message/oracle from the Ise Shrine in Japan:

After sunset we need strong power of prayer.
Please let me deliver the message to as many as possible.
We can stop this earthquake with our prayers, but right now the nuclear
plant is in danger.

Please heal the suffering, sadness, anger, worry about nuclear
plants.
Please do not think that this accident will bring justice.

Please care for each other.
The energy toward conflict and fight is also fueling the things happening
right now.
Please stop the conflict and stop the fight and change the worrying voice
to the power of prayer.
Please pray that as many people as possible can be saved.

We will be O.K.
If our hearts start connecting with each other the earth will be healed.

There are the sounds/vibrations that can release the karma of earth.
Anyone who can make a prayer sound, anyone who can do reiki,
anyone who can do long distance healing,
please direct your energy to the center of Japan .
The exact location is above the Hachiro gata, Akita Prefecture .

If you can sing, please sing.
Humming is fine too.
Let the earth listen to the sound.

Please send gratitude to the earth.
If mother earth wakes up, everything will stop.
The word Song/Sing writes in Japanese Kanji - small possibilities
support a big lack.
Please send your prayer to the Earth to wake up the Spirit.

I will be in meditation after the sunset.
I will pray for the light shining in the sky even in the darkness.
May everyone be safe.
Thank you for supporting my heart at this very difficult time.
Gratitude for our life.
Fuma

Friday, March 18, 2011


Feigning Sleep

The full moon slides through the branches in a liquid velvet night

Radiated air creeps mysteriously fresh through my bedroom window

My lungs suck healing herbs and pretend not to notice

I fain sleep but reluctantly rise, mummy like, to record my witnessed truths.


Dark and light play in the moonlight dancing across my floor, across my life

A man on the TV has told us not to worry about the nuclear reactor’s apparent failure

Reassuring in his arrogance that “our” design is superior and not nearly so vulnerable

I think of the belly laughing at the cancer in the groin…so near, yet illusively far away.


Will Japanese babies be born now without their amazing shiny black hair?

Will someone sue someone because of the rise of cancer?

Will the dead illegal immigrant’s family win their lawsuit against the murdering border patrol?

Will the young couple go to jail for beating their apparently perfect baby to death?


Answers to this and more on the 11 o’clock news fails to comfort me now

So many questions loom ominous around my fitful brain

I wanted to make a difference in this life

Does my full hearted effort at greater love even count?


My husband of oh so many years and I finally enjoy our own company

Yet defend from each other our own distracted ways

We learn patience and comfort and acceptance like birds finding twigs for their nests

All trying instinctively to do what we can without measure.


My best friend and I age together and apart quite nicely

She grows thin, I grow fat, she grows ambitious, I grow acceptance

We compete, confuse, distance, admire and draw together again and again

To polish the mirror of our own reflection, to learn to be truthful and to court silence.


Our babies take to the flight we have so intended

But not so far or so heedlessly as to leave us totally behind

Excel in all ways, but do please return home

Without judgment for all you have sprung from and hopefully perfected.


The full moon circles the earth two days away from perigee

Apparently culmination if not ruination is at hand

But my not sleeping does not signal true waking

And I am comforted only by the light dancing with the darkness.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Powerful Transformational Times


In the aftermath of Japan's terrible earthquake and accompanying tsunami, people have asked me what was held in the "heavens" during this time. Those studying astrology will note that this is not the first time we have seen a terrible earth disaster with Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto all connected. Not to mention, yesterday Uranus (the awaken-er) began a new 7 year cycle, changing signs from watery Pisces into violent Aries. In the past, I have done some very minor study of Transpluto, which showed up in the chart of earthquakes. Investigating this further, I found it was exact in an inconjuct/quincunx with Uranus yesterday. I realize this is some rather intense "astrology talk" but for those with the facility of this language, it poses some interesting questions. In researching the transit of Transpluto further, I found that unlike it's former transits into a new sign, it remains...or rather retrogrades over and back and over... 0* Virgo repeatedly for the next several years...

In psychological astrology Transpluto brings the energy of critical awareness prompting personal transformation. It is often where we see the work of a powerfully influential parent bringing a critical component to our personal evolution. The excellent astrologer, Lynn Koiner, has done some extensive work with this topic, which you can find here: http://www.lynnkoiner.com/index.php?s=search&q=transpluto which she believes is the true ruler of Virgo

In addition, Christy McKinny reports, "On March 19th, the moon will move on its elliptical orbit closer to the earth (lunar perigee) than its been in 18 years. Not only will it be closer, it will be full--hence the name supermoon. As it approaches the earth , astrologers worry there is more devastation to come. Scientists are heatedly shrugging off these forewarnings, claiming that astrology is not a science. But while astrology may not be referred to as a science, has science ever been totally reliable? Amid these latest natural disasters and continued debate, the men and women of science have admitted that, despite extensive research, they still cannot predict earthquakes. "
Previous less potentially potent supermoons have corresponded within days of earthquakes and extreme weather patterns. Here's an example:
____________________________
Last Moon perigee March 19th, 1993 - Twin main shocks displaced the Scotts Mills (March 25th, 1993) earthquake as the largest earthquakes in Oregon's recorded history.

The Pyrgos earthquake in western Greece (26 March 1993) (ML = 5.2)

March 13, 1993 Snow Storm of the Century...
50 inches - Mount Mitchell, NC
47 inches - Grantsville, MD
44 inches - Snowshoe, WV
43 inches - Syracuse, NY

So, while one person recommends moving out of an earthquake prone location (yep, that would be me) for the next 12 days or so...I personally won't be going anywhere. I WILL remember the current suggestions when caught indoors during a large quake to NOT get under anything, especially a doorjam, but rather to lie down at the edge of something, ie. the back of a couch, as if the roof should come down it's likely there will be a triangle of protection there.

Now, you know WHY I don't do this kind of astrology...mostly because I manage to scare myself silly...and I hope that I have not brought any form of negative thought to YOU (dear reader ;) but on the otherhand, I think of this blog as where I express my current thoughts...and well...'deese are dem'.

Happy Day!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Please help promote Heron Dance!


I wanted to encourage any of you out there to check out Heron Dance. I have had his lovely drawings and words for years now and was delighted to find he has an online presence, AND a free daily inspirational writing (Well, I would call it that). Here's a link and his writing for today and one small piece of his amazing art...
If you can...send him $5....as he asks for nothing and gives much... ;-)
Loving you, loving me in such a way!

http://www.herondance.org/subscribe-renew.html?utm_source=Reflections+of+a+Wild+Artist&utm_campaign=4d08a68085-Reflections_of_a_Wild_Artist3_1_2011&utm_medium=email

March 8th, from Archibald Campbell's Journal

When times get rough, when I can’t figure out how to make it all work financially, I tell myself that part of what the world looks to artists for is courage. Financial courage, courage of conviction. Faith. Belief in the value of the work. Sometimes that belief needs to transcend reality. You can’t be foolish. You can’t jump off high cliffs to see if you can fly. But our faith in our work, our willingness to go to extraordinary lengths to manifest our vision, must be outside the ordinary. Our discipline must be outside the ordinary.

People pay lots of money for the creations of van Gogh, Picasso, Pollock, because, in part, they are monuments to courage, to belief in oneself. These artists transcended the realities of their lives, they kept at their work, stayed faithful to their vision, despite rejection, despite disappointment. Their works are seen as celebrations of faith in oneself. What makes great artists great in part is that their belief in themselves, in their vision, is great.

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Heron Dance • Hummingbird Lane • 179 Rotax Road North Ferrisburgh, Vermont 05473 • 802.922.9652heron@herondance.org

Monday, March 7, 2011

Working it out from the collective...


I am struggling (joyously, it's true) to express my visions in glass. I find that I have to go through some immense personal transformation to actually get the image into manifestation. It's very easy to feel like "not talented enough" an artist... when you hear of others that just spit the stuff out. But I do know that those of us who are multi-talented have to give the universe a time to catch up with the area we're focusing on and wanting to manifest in NOW. :)

I found this excerpted piece of writing by John Lennon, from the archives of Playboy. I feel that he captured perfectly the challenge and joys of birthing creativing through you. Enjoy!



"Not really. It actually took me five years for them to come out….The physical writing was within a three-week period. There’s a Zen story that Yoko once told me—and I think I might have told it in “Lennon Remembers” or “Playboy Forgets.” A king sent his messenger to an artist to request a painting, he paid the artist the money, and the painter said, “OK, come back.” So a year goes by, and the messenger comes back and tells him, “The king’s waiting for his painting,” and the painter says, “Oh, hold on,” and whips it off right in front of him and says, “Here.” And the messenger says, “What’s this? The king paid you 20,000 bucks for this shit, and you knock it off in five minutes?” And the painter replies, “Yeah, but I spent 10 years thinking about it.” And there’s no way I could have written the "Double Fantasy" songs without those five years.

Even great artists struggle with self-doubt. And art often needs a gestation period, except on those few occasions when the gods offer you the more or less final product as a gift.

The gods generally won't arrive though until after a prolonged period of hard work. Maybe they have a academy up there that gives out Awards for Dedication.


Sometimes, I may do a painting that takes several months and when it is finished, I am exhausted. Then the very next day I will get an idea or a notion about wanting to do something, and do it spontaneously, and hit it right on the nose.
Once I was talking to Robert Frost about a poem of his that is so beautifully written, it is considered by some to be actually perfect. It is called 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.' And I asked him, "You must have worked a long time on that. It must have been done in the middle of the winter. What was your experience?" He said, 'Andy, I'll tell you about that. I'd been writing a very complicated, long-drawn-out poem, almost a story type of poem entitled 'Death of a Hired Man.' I had finished at two o'clock in the morning. It was a hot August night, and I was exhausted. I walked out on the porch of my house and looked at the mountain range. It came to me in a flash! I wrote it on an envelope I had in my pocket, and I only changed one word. It came out just like that."
- Andrew Wyeth from the book Two Worlds of Andrew Wyeth

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

I found this wonderful inspiration through a great site: Stumble Upon. It gives you areas of interest to choose from and then suggests sites you would enjoy...amazing and fabulous sites that I personally never would have found on my own. Check it out...virus free and totally enjoyable over that morning cup of tea!

This is a wonderful short piece of writing by Charles Swindall, and a FABULOUS illustration by CharlArends to go along with it. Enjoy!

The Power of a Positive Attitude

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money; than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.

We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.

And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes."

- Charles Swindoll

Art by CharlArends

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

AVOIDING VD




Now, I hate to be the traitor to my own sex and burst the bubble out there, but Valentine's Day is nothing but a setup for disaster! Ever since some other little curly haired brunette got the "BE MINE" candy in Fifth Grade, I knew I was doomed to disappointment, at least once routinely, every February 14th. Thinking I would outsmart my doomed future, I married a highly romantic man. Problem is, he doesn't like to perform on demand. And, as it turns out, I have witnessed in my counseling practice that neither do 99.5% of all other men (and lots of other women) on the planet. For that matter, my experience with gay people shows that they don't fare all that much better.

The fantasy that you have in your head for what this upcoming event should look like not only originated in the fabrications of youth but has been fed ever since by every TV commercial and cereal box you've ever seen on the subject. Over -inflated, like a giant helium balloon ready to burst, the occasion assures us that: 1. nobody has the great taste and caring attitude that you have, 2. it's clear your partner doesn't pay attention to what YOU like because they insist on giving you what they THINK you should like, and 3. clearly you aren't nearly as fabulous as you hoped or SOMEONE would rise to the occasion and overwhelm you with romantic and expensive assurances of your value in the market place.

Why so many people, women especially, pick THIS time of year to evaluate their self-worth is sad indeed. Eager to substitute just ANY body into the script, many single girls stoop to self destructive lows in assuring that they will not be alone for this all important occasion. Now, do YOU see this working out well? Going out with somebody you would NOT previously consider being with, pretending to share a bond together (and of course meanwhile sending out signals that he is really a looser and you are just desperate) does not make for a mutually empowering evening. Like I said, it's purely a setup.

So, do yourself a favor and whether or not you are in a relationship - TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF - REVOLT AGAINST VALENTINE'S DAY. Look yourself squarely in the mirror and remind yourself that you are awesome, uniquely divine, powerful beyond meaure, bright, caring, attractive, sensitive and talented 364 days of the year...and VD is no different. List, out loud, three of your most loveable qualities and decide WHAT positive treat you will give to yourself on VD. If you're in relationship, assure your partner that you love them dearly, but that you would like their support in rebelling against forced sentimentality and that you would like to agree to SKIP this quick route to stress and emotional letdown. Then look at the relief that crosses their face, and know that you have done something positive for your relationship, and for both of you as well.

Howard Bronson offers five things people can do to recreate a positive Valentines Day experience:

1)Don't bottle up all of your emotions just for this holiday. Instead, find something to celebrate about love each day, no matter how small and do something to celebrate love with a friend or partner at least once each week.

2)Don't expect another to make up for your own deficits about love. Issues of lack of love generally have to do with ourselves vs. anyone else.

3)Don't hide behind flowers, candies and other gifts. The best gift is to actually say something kind, sweet and celebratory directly to a friend or significant other.

4)Make reflection a kindly process. Examine what you yourself can do to make love work more effectively in your relationship. Criticism doesn't achieve anything. Love is an action word. Take real action that shows love. Don't try to buy your partner's affection or approval.

5) If anything, make this a time of thanks. Try to see how many things you can thank your partner for and then, do it, over and over again.

So here's a big HUG and smooch and my declaration that I think you are wonderful, and promise to love and adore you all the days of your life - and beyond. The chocolate? Well, that you will just have to provide for yourself - I'm hoarding mine! :-)

Blessings,
Jolinda

Wednesday, January 19, 2011


This full moon in Cancer Capricorn today, January 19th, is especially powerful as the moon is now so near to the earth. We bring to the surface our old emotional issues that are needing healing and it's a great time to get practical about what we want to hang on to and what we can finally release.

Pat Liles, writes the following for the Power Path (a great site) which is becoming more evident in our world every day: "With Pluto spending an extended 16-year period in Capricorn, we are compelled to look at the shadow side of this societal focus and at the systems of our culture that have become abusive of their authority. It's a painful process and the old power structures do not embrace change easily. With the help of Uranus in Aries and the unrest of the people that it represents, gradual or even revolutionary change is inevitable and to be expected. The stagnation of authority is no longer tolerable. Of course, the same is true within ourselves as well, where we are rigid and not willing to embrace change and where we stand blinded by our unexamined beliefs, this is where our power is buried and needs releasing to move us to the next evolutionary step."

Watch getting over reactive and going to battle in the next 24 hours, better to look at what deeper issues are REALLY pushing your buttons...and it may not be what you think is triggering you in the moment.
Many Blessings!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Astrology Sign Hub Bub


Fox news published an interesting story on the chatter going around that astrology is invalidated because we have been working with the "wrong zodiac". The article is worth reading and can be found here: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/01/11/age-aquarius-actually-age-capricorn-thanks-rotation-earth

One thing that’s not being said here is that there is some merit with many astrologers in working with BOTH systems. The Sidereal, or Indian or Jyotish system comes from the Indian style of Eastern thought: Life is based on a system of Karma and what you are dealt is a factor of previous lifetimes and your experiences and actions there. It’s more about seeing yourself from a Spiritual viewpoint, and it holds little in possibilities for change (although they do have some rather odd “remedy’s). Western, or Tropical astrology, is similar to the consensus of Western psychological thought: with awareness and self-help we are able to change many of the aspects of who we are and thereby live a much more enjoyable life.

And one more CRUCIAL thing that I don’t see mentioned here, that is ESSENTIALin any astrological study, is that WE ARE NOT OUR SUN SIGN alone! All this hub bub has to do with where your SUN is placed in an astrology sign; but attempting to interpret the chart of an individual would of course include the other 9 planetary bodies most commonly used. At least the two planets, Venus and Mercury, never travel outside of 30* from the Sun…so chances are if your Sun is early Gemini, there’s a really good chance that at least one and probably more of your planets will be in late degrees of Taurus. So in that way you would be more like the sign Sidereal astrology suggests for you. We are NOT just “apples” (none of us) we are “apple-orange”; which is why it takes a professional astrologer and not even a computer program to weigh in the overlapping factors of what makes our unique chart (we are all like snowflakes – no two alike) distinctly OUR OWN. Attempting to interpret someone’s astrological chart from ONLY the sun sign would be similar to a doctor diagnosing the patient by looking at the big toe! There are 10 planets, in 12 houses, making hundreds of connections in meaning between themselves…so best not to underestimate a science/art that has held value in every society that bothered recording its history since the beginning of time. On the other hand, I’m happy for the “masses” to believe that astrology is just that “silly stuff”, called “horoscopes” and found in newspapers; otherwise, my fear is that science would begin to measure the immeasurable (like measuring “love” – doesn’t compute, but still exists) or some religion would want to “own it”, or the government would decide that IT should “control it”, license it, and eventually tax it. This way, when an individual has come to a time and place in their lives, and find themselves open to self-reflection, a caring friend will share with them the meaningful experience they had with astrology and how it helped them along the path of personal awareness and growth. It gets handed from person, to person, with sincere testimony and personal care.