asttal meanderss 15th-21st June 2011

In General: On June 16th the Full Moon is in Sagittarius and is augmented by a Total Lunar Eclipse which is aligned with Moon’s Nodes. We will be able to see the Moon move through the totality stage of the eclipse when it gradually becomes blocked of sunlight and appears reddish in colour, from about 4:23am in NSW. This is a very deep and long eclipse, lasting 100 minutes in its darkest phase, so it will look quite good. The event will end at Sunrise.WA gets the best views, with the full eclipse seen from there. Astrologically we see this moon as heralding a strong time for letting go of unrealistic ideas and attending to more down-to-earth goals in our daily lives. This eclipse pattern demands we take a closer look at our lives to determine where a personal cycle is ending or one is beginning. We should spend out time and energy evaluating where we are on our path and the direction we want to take in going forward. Do be prepared for hold ups and little mishaps too. Mars leaves Taurus, on June 20, the day before the Winter Solstice for us in the Southern Hemisphere. This could bring about more movement in our lives and the ability to budge from rigid habits of behaviour and grow to be more flexible. During June 15 to 18 a Venus/Saturn connection sets in motion the real possibilities of emotional commitment. For those with a birthday this week the year ahead should be progressive and holds much promise with career and money. On the world scene its time for many governments to get practical and focus on what can be done rather than what might be done, shake ups, disruptive negotiations and general frustration are likely! The danger with this pattern can be found in bad weather patterns and in the war-like intensity of energy, in other words the way some may choose to get things done will not necessarily be gentle. Locally it’s a time to dig deep and learn a bit ourselves.

Quote of the week: You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake.
Jeannette Rankin

Aries
This week is a power week for Aries. You begin to understand not only yourself and where you want to go in life but you are also made more aware of those around and more sensitive to their desires. Help and support are easy to come by now as others are more than willing to stand by you.

Taurus
Money issues will be highlighted this week and they require you to be bold rather than to hold back. The key is to respond and not react; thinking things through and letting go of fear will give you a head start! This is the start of a period of very good fortune for you guys so prepare yourself to smile!!

Gemini
This period signals a new start for Gemini! Many things are coming your way now and you must be open to them. Do not let a difficulty or two within relationships make you say things you will later regret. Get in touch with your feelings for a change and act from the heart instead of the head.

Cancer
This is a challenging but potentially life changing week for Cancer. New paths are opening up to you and your choices may surprise you just as much as everyone else! The challenges lie in the fast pace of changes in your life and you must let go and go with the flow for the best results.

Leo
New career opportunities and options are available to you guys now, but it’s best not to rush things! The latter part of this week and into early next week will reveal the information you really need in order to make a good decision. New commitments are also likely to show themselves this week.

Virgo
You can feel as there are way too many demands on you at the moment and this week continues the pattern. Try to re-organise your schedule and make some space for relaxation if you can. The 15th and 16th are this weeks best days for you and should bring a pleasant surprise or two your way.

Libra
Used wisely this period can help you learn more about yourself and the world around you. You are growing inwardly now and the troubles others are experiencing are your learning tools. All you need to do is to be there for them and keep that cool tactful head on your ever balanced shoulders.

Scorpio
You main concern this week is that touchy over sensitive nature of yours! Be extra careful to tuck that Scorpio sting away or it will hurt someone in a way you will regret. Let others know that you are there for them and try to let go of judgement. You can learn a lot by listening and watching.

Sagittarius
This Lunar eclipse can be the beginning of realising a long held dream! Its all systems go for the good stuff so just smile and enjoy! It’s a great time for romance too and Venus is really on your side. Connecting and communicating will be more satisfying then ever before so get out there and make the most if things.

Capricorn
You are ready to get moving and make things happen and if you are bailed up with obstacles then a little frustration might arise. Expect the 20th and 21st to be such days and play it low key! It is an overall imaginative and progressive time but so9me days just have to move slower than others!

Aquarius
It’s a good time for innovative ideas and general progress but you are apt to spend too much time in your head and not enough looking after your body!! By making sure you get plenty of rest and that you eat well you will optimise your energy levels. Otherwise it can be a tiring and draining week.

Pisces
This is a key week for your understanding of self and your perception of the world around you. The full moon will focus you on the benefits of a balanced life and will bring family closer too. If you wait just a little a renewed love of life will be yours and then your prospects know no bounds!

Astral peeks: SKA Path Finder Telescope...

THE FIRST SIX ANTENNAE of CSIRO’s Australian SKA Pathfinder telescope in Western Australia have in a ceremony on the 3rd of this month, received names in the local Wajarri language. The names, chosen by the Wajarri people, were imparted by representatives of seven Aboriginal families at a ceremony at the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, about 315 km northeast of Geraldton.
Name plaques will be fixed to each antenna. Further naming will take place as more antennae are installed and eventually all 36 of ASKAP’s antennae will have a Wajarri name.
The antenna names are: Bilyarli (which means “galah”, and is also the name of a past Wajarri Elder, Mr Frank Ryan); Bundarra (stars); Wilara (the Moon); Jirdilungu (the Milky Way); Balayi (a lookout, as this antenna looks down westward to others); and Diggidumble (a nearby table-top hill). “These names will be a permanent reminder that this is the land of the Wajarri people,” said the Chair of Wajarri Yamatji Native Title Group, Gavin Egan.
Roads and other significant structures will also be given Wajarri names.

Meditation moments: Winter Solstice meditations.
In the Southern hemisphere we are celebrating the Winter Solstice on the 21st of June.
Yule marks the sun's ‘birth’ day. The longest night of the year will pass and at dawn when the sun next rises the year will once again have moved towards longer days. It is this passage from the darkest point, back into the light, that we are focusing upon. In meditations and ritual we give energy to the turn of this tide within the earth. We give energy to our experience of the ' little death ' as a letting go of what is perceived of as unnecessary to our higher good and a birth in our new and ' lighter ' selves. In a literal sense we are getting the soil ready to plant new seeds, in a metaphorical sense the seeds are the goals and dreams and wants that we desire to grow in our personal lives in the spring and summer ahead. At the Solstice these seeds are like tiny candles being lit and bringing illumination. They bring the possibilities of beginnings.

• One thing you can do to honour this process is meditate on the sun. Use an orange or gold candle and place the candle in a holder in front of you. Light it.
• Look steadily at the candle, and take five deep breaths, one after the other. While you are doing so, look straight at the flame - note its colour, the shape, how it moves and flickers. Then gently close your eyes.
• With your eyes closed, keep the image of the candle flame in your mind's eye, still breathing in and out, and so releasing tension.
• Imagine you feel the warmth of the candle entering you like an all embracing hug. Be happy, be at peace.