astral meanders 22-28 February 2012

In general: February 22nd is a Pisces New Moon. Since Neptune has only just arrived in Pisces to stay for 13 years, this New Moon is a strongly influenced one. At its idealistic best in Pisces, the new moon offers us a chance to improve our spiritual insight and meditation and observation methods blossom. This New Moon is also conjunct both Neptune and Chiron and so brings with it the aspect of spiritual healing. This will be the time to fix any hurts whether they are physical, emotional or mental. Our last problematic days of February, 2012 will be February 23nd and 24rd, with a battle between Mercury and Mars. There may well be more verbal disputes than we would like, and there might be some clash between the sexes. If you have a birthday this week then expect the year ahead to offer you some cognizance of your deeper journey, a small revelation could change your life. On the world scene we could witness a clash of the sexes and some news regarding spiritual practices. Locally it might be a good time to take up relaxation or meditative practices.

Thought for the week: Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love. Mother Teresa

Aries
Anything new and exciting takes your fancy this week and keeps you firing! It’s hard to deny yourself anything and self-indulgence can become a problem! It’s also a good week to contemplate your present attachments and routines and consider which of these is bringing you down?? Renew and rejuvenate.

Taurus
It’s a happy and light-hearted week where dreams can come true and great things can happen for you! You can see your goals more clearly and are being supported and encouraged in your pursuit of these. It’s an excellent time to follow your visions and make those wishes come true! Stay positive and optimistic.

Gemini
Career, public image and personal standing in your circle of friends are all highlighted this week. Recognition and a little bit of limelight will come your way now whether or not you are seeking it! It’s impossible for others to ignore you now so do your best at everything! They will notice all!! Watch for conflict on the 23rd.

Cancer
You do not wish to beat about the bush this week but rather you are keen to come straight to the point and you want others to do the same! You are ready to learn new things and gain some deeper self-understanding now and will take the risks necessary to do so. Double check appointments as mistakes are too easy now.

Leo
You are drawn to retreat from all the hustle and bustle right now and spend some time in personal reflection. Getting rid of bad habits and clearing out baggage can all be a part of the picture now. New health regimes and diets and exercise are also highlighted. A partner can worry you in some way now.


Virgo
Sharing with another is very important to you now. Bouncing ideas off another will support you to better comprehend yourself. Your abilities for cooperation, communication and harmony are increased now. You are also more diplomatic. Single Virgos may find themselves ready for commitment to a partner.

Libra
New health regimes are on the agenda and you are happy to be proactive about looking after yourself now. It’s a good time to get order back into your daily life and focus on all the details that make up the big picture. You will strive for perfection in all that you do, but don’t be too harsh or critical with yourself.

Scorpio
You are coming out of your shell now, ready to express the more creative you! At work you are more than usually appreciated and some social activity is likely around the work scene. Intellectual stimulation is very important to you now and will look for new things to learn or different puzzles to solve.

Sagittarius
You want to feel as if you belong and are likely to spend time connecting with family and researching family history now. You have great concentration now and enjoy a heated debate or two. At home it’s a busy time and you may feel as if there is little time for rest and recuperation. Work may bring delays and hold ups to the fore.

Capricorn
A general busy-ness surrounds you guys now. Your intellectual prowess may be in demand and you can really put yourself in someone’s good books by helping out. You are also eager to explore new things or learn original things. A level of restlessness also exists and this can make you a little tense or fidgety.

Aquarius
Your heart felt self is dominant this week as Pisces energy takes dominance and you are less inclined to follow your head! Just be careful of miscommunication, muddle and misinformation now as it’s easy to get the wrong idea about things! You may be called upon to help friends and/or family this week too.

Pisces
The New moon is a great opportunity to clarify your goals and get clear about what you want and where you are going. There is a very special energy about this week and if you are honest with yourself and have a vision for your future almost anything can be possible! Projects begun now have an excellent chance of success.


Astral Peeks: What kind of humour??

Each astrological sign has a personal way of approaching humour….Aries like big bold jokes and obvious practical jokes, Taurus enjoy a good romantic comedy just don’t let the jokes get personal, Gemini have an intellectual wit, Cancer like looking at the everyday funny side of life, Leo like to be the ones telling the jokes, Virgo will remember and tell the longest most complicated jokes, Libra are happy to laugh at themselves, Scorpio have a dark and very smart sense humour, Sagittarius are often the funny men/women at the party doing wonderful impersonations, Capricorn have a black and very insightful humour, Aquarius are up for a practical joke or two or three or four or…Pisces have a sensitive sense of humour, mimicking the little idiosyncrasies of friends!
The best thing of course is that we all can laugh and laughter is so good for you!

Meditation Moments: Music of the soul....

Music affects brain at different levels. Our moods alter with diverse types of music. At a very profound level its effect is similar to that of deep meditation. This is no doubt why Great religions have used music and chanting as a means for praying and meditation. Meditation and certain types of music will produce a sense of wellbeing and happiness. Profound meditation stimulates the pituitary gland, which gives the sensation of wellbeing. When we hear emotion stirring music, we again get a feeling of wellbeing. Thus, soul stirring music and deep meditative thought have parallel characteristics.
Studies have shown that meditation and yoga cause an increase in alpha wave activity in the brain; these alpha waves are connected to feelings of well-being. Meditation music may have an effect on alpha wave activity, and the University Of Maryland Medical Centre notes that gentle classical music has been found to reduce anxiety during challenging tasks, and to decrease heart rate and blood pressure. The power of music to affect memory is also quite intriguing. Mozart's music and baroque music, with a 60 beats per minute beat pattern, have been shown to activate the left and right brain. The simultaneous left and right brain action maximizes learning and retention of information. The information being studied activates the left brain while the music activates the right brain. Also, activities which engage both sides of the brain at the same time, such as playing an instrument or singing, causes the brain to be more capable of processing information.
An Australian physician and psychiatrist, Dr. John Diamond, found a direct link between muscle strength/weakness and music. He discovered that all of the muscles in the entire body go weak when subjected to the "stopped anapaestic beat" of music from hard rock musicians. Dr. Diamond found another effect .He called it a "switching" of the brain. Dr. Diamond said this switching occurs when the actual symmetry between both of the cerebral hemispheres is destroyed causing alarm in the body along with lessened work performance, learning and behaviour problems in children, and a "general malaise in adults." In addition to harmful, irregular beats in rock music, shrill frequencies prove to also be harmful to the body.
Next time you pop on some music think about what kind of effect you want to create!