astral meanders 23-30 March 2011

In General: Mid week Mars and Venus conjunct making us more than usually interested in the mysterious and deep aspects of one another and life in general. Around the same time Venus enters Pisces. The elusive and the difficult to understand are highlighted and fulfillment may be hard to find as we search for more depth and meaning. On the 28th Jupiter opposes Saturn. This generational aspect, which happens once every 20 years, signals a most important social and economic struggle between the new and the old, the established and the radical. It is a time to choose with consciousness and leave those things that have outgrown their usefulness behind. Our thoughts may deceive us this week and our ideas could be unrealistic. Steer clear of arguments and watch out for over indulging in addictions of any kind. Birthdays this week are about mystery. You will want to explore the unchartered in the year to come. On the world scene the energy is unpredictable and at times volatile. Locally it’s time to get on with a new project and learn fresh things.


Quote of the week: ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way...’Charles Dickens


Aries
March 21- April 20
You are starting to get the full impact of change in your life this week. Things that have been building slowly now pick up pace and life is on a roll! Relationships are consolidating and you should feel on firmer footing at last. However it’s still a time to watch expenses with a critical eye and stick to the budget.

Taurus
April 21-May 21
This is the start of a regenerative phase for you guys. It’s a wonderful opportunity for a holiday or short break, and at any rate a good time to have a little down time. Career is highlighted nicely and those in the know will see you in a very favourable light. Chances to socialise through work are also on the cards.

Gemini
May 22-June 21
Friends are full of positive feedback and helpful hints this week! It’s a light-hearted, social and generally happy time for you guys. Others find you interesting and charismatic now and you naturally attract a good share of the attention! Others will follow your lead now, so it’s a good idea to be aware of this.

Cancer
June 22- July 23
Career matters are increasing in intensity and really require some clear thinking and decision making this week. Recognition will come your way no matter what and you will find that more responsibility is offered too. There is a lot to be happy about career wise! The home front still has a few pressures to work out.

Leo
July 24- August 23
An underlying restlessness finds you thinking of travel or escape this week. Relationships are on a great and positive cycle and there is much pleasure to be derived from intimate activity. Sorting out shared resources and planning joint ventures is also favoured at this time. It’s time to take the lead and be strong.

Virgo
August 24- September 23
Socially this is a good week. It pays off well to help and compromise with others. A little retreat and rest are in store too! Use this time to reflect and think over your goals and plans. Getting rid of bad habits is favoured and you may want to explore a new field of knowledge. Work is harmonious.

Libra
September 24- October 23
A partner or associate can surprise you early on this week; think about compromise as stubbornness will get you nowhere. This can be a busy period if you work with others on a one to one level and at the very least it’s a time for more positive interaction with a loved one. Love, creativity and art are favoured.

Scorpio
October 24-November 22
The early part of this week needs you to adjust to some changes on the work arena. Take it one step at a time. Change is not one of your favourite things but it is often very much what you need. It’s time to bring order to your life and optimise the positive. Health is good and the balance in your life is on track.

Sagittarius
November 23- December 21
Creative inspiration is high this week. You’re feeling more able to step out into the world and do the things you like to do. That feeling of being blocked or bogged down is finally passing. You are enjoying a positive and communicative time in which intellectual rapport with others is important to you.

Capricorn
December 22- January20
This is a good week to consolidate, organise and smooth over issues that have plagued you so far this year. It’s a successful time for learning and for communication. Concentration is at an all time high. Putting your energy into learning tasks and study will bring excellent results in the long term.

Aquarius
January 21- February 19
The support of others is not hard to come by this week. It’s also a great time for planning travel and taking opportunities for small getaways as they come up. Light-hearted social interaction continues to be both enjoyable and satisfying. However you are not especially focused or disciplined right now.

Pisces
February 20 March 20
Its time to take action and initiate new projects. Be prepared to take a new path or direction now. You may be fretting over finances and it’s wise to talk to others as ideas to fix problems here will come through communication. Mars is helping with your overall assertiveness and giving you a more direct approach to your world.

Astral Peeks: Meditation Classes...
In my Sunday classes I tie our meditation focus into knowledge of astrology. Looking at individual charts we begin to understand not only more about ourselves and our friends but more about the practice and nature of meditation. Finally we begin to understand our journey in the world and how to optimize it!

Following is a little taste of our classes.

The element of fire:
Fire has been an important part of all cultures and religions, from pre-history to modern day, and was fundamental to the development of civilization. Fire in ancient cultures and myths has been known to purify the land with the flames of destruction; however, it is also capable of the renewal of life through the warmth and security of those same flames. The signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are of this element.

Fire individuals can appear quite self-reliant, assertive, self-assured and even dogmatic. Fire-ruled individuals tend to put great value in positivity and warmth. Fire sign energies motivate people who are more lethargic, but often these energies overpower or exhaust the more sensitive types.

The Buddha defined the Fire element as “that by which one is warmed, ages, and is consumed, and that by which what is eaten … gets completely digested.” In other words the Fire element within is our metabolism. It’s our energy.

In meditation we can encounter the heat of the body, feel the cooler air we breathe in contrast with the warmth of the air as it leaves the body, feel the heart pumping, and call to mind the myriad chemical combustions taking place at the cellular level, sparks of electricity in the muscles, nerves, and brain.

We feed the body by taking in the sun’s energy embodied in plants. We warm ourselves in the rays of the sun. We have to keep replenishing the body’s fuel because the element Fire is forever leaving; the Fire element simply flows through us, inevitably. As we observe this energy within the body, we can be aware that it’s actually another river — a river of energy — passing through this form, that it is really not ours at all. This fire energy, the pulse of our life force connects us to all things. ( Next week water)