astral meanders 18-24 april 2012

In general: On the 20^th April the Sun enters Taurus, and it’s a  prime time for getting invigorated about new ideas and projects.The New moon in Taurus  follows on the 21^st and we enter into  a strong Taurus, earthy, visceral  energy! Jupiter is still on board to help individuals (and especially those with well aspected Taurus in their chart) flourish and develop. It’s time to take a practical; no-nonsense steps forwards in life, with a firm self-reliance. This New Moon is a new start and plants the seeds of concrete success. A solid base of Earth signs combine when Moon, Sun and Jupiter all align in Taurus at the New Moon. If you are looking just after sunset you will see Jupiter setting in the west, while Venus lights up the western sky for a few hours. If you enjoy then pleasure of a birthday this week then get ready for a forward moving, hands on year ahead! On the world scene we are heading into practical action time but beware, there is stubborn hard headedness about too! Environmental issues should be in the news more than ever. Locally get out in the garden and refresh your acquaintance with nature!

Thought for the week: Man's heart away from nature becomes hard. ~Standing Bear

Aries

This week is a great time to begin building your dreams and setting up the framework to reach your goals. The 26^th is a day to be mindful of your words and this includes those written! It’s very easy to put your foot on your mouth on this day! Overall though an enthusiastic and dynamic period for you guys!

Taurus

This is an extremely forward moving time for Taureans and you should be able to accomplish a great deal this week. It’s also an excellent opportunity to consolidate relationships and business partnerships. Good news will come your way at this time too and there should be some enjoyable celebrations.

 Gemini

You are at the busy start of a dynamic cycle of growth and development. It seems incongruous after the delays and false starts of the past few weeks! It really is all systems go for you guys now and so much positive energy is supporting the process. Venus gives relationships of all types a much needed boost.

Cancer

Try to let go of any attachment you may feel towards others opinions this week and be comfortable keeping your own council! Those around you can seem more negative than is necessary and you are better off listening to your own opinions now! Finding the balance between your personal life and work can be difficult.

Leo

Enthusiasm for life runs high this week. It’s a great time to get out there and let others know that you mean business. You are able to enlist the support and help of others easily now. Progress in all money making ventures is likely now too. Career issues are also in your favour so it’s a week to smile about.

Virgo

Your intuition is working well for you now. It’s a great week in which to pursue new projects and get some financial planning done.  The 22nd-24^th can offer up a few pleasant surprises or a nice bonus for you. Your energy levels are great and you are ready to take a few calculated risks! It’s an open and expansive time!

Libra

The first half of this week is excellent for money issues.  Overall you enjoy taking a step back and relaxing a little this week. Change at a deep level is on your mind and can be the instigator of more changes in your practical world. You are more than usually diplomatic and helpful to others now which is saying something!

Scorpio

It’s a strong week for partnerships and strengthening the bonds of friendship. You have a greater than usual desire to spend time with your partner and are appreciating the little things in your life. Your charisma is at an all-time high and as a result you seem particularly popular this week! Social engagements ensue.

Sagittarius

Good energy around career and finance this week. You are taking more pride in the work you do than usual. It’s an excellent period to improve your habits, change your routines for the better and take measures to improve your health. A partner could really do with some extra attention at this time.

Capricorn

A more playful and light-hearted energy is taking shape this week and for many of you guys this opens the door to new significant relationships. Creativity is increased at this time too. The joy of this week comes from being freely able to express who you are and not worry about what others are thinking!

Aquarius

Dealings with institutions or large companies are easy this week and a project or plan you have been working on for some time also seems to stream ahead easily. You are looking for stability in your life and want to feel as if you have roots somewhere! You are trying to set up a sense of belonging for yourself.

Pisces

Financial surprises are likely this week and some reworking of the budget seems necessary once again. There is a lot of exploring and personal searching going on the moment. You do tend to worry more than is necessary at this time. Try to look at the bigger picture more and relax a little, perhaps meditate.

 

Astral Peeks:  Star signs and health

Fire Signs: Aries / Leo / Sagittarius: Fire rules the role of internal combustion or digestion—the burning up or absorption of food. Fire also purifies the system by burning off toxins, viruses, bacteria and fungi. Fire signs easily battle disease. When unbalanced to excess they are disposed to burning themselves out. Excess fire is brought back into balance by foods that are cold, moist and heavy or slow-burning foods that ground energy. When your fire is low, it may be harder to burn off or fight disease. Eat foods that are hot, light, dry and aromatic. Avoid cold foods.

Air Signs: Gemini / Libra / Aquarius: Air rules the nervous and circulatory systems and the function of movement, peristalsis, urination and breathing. Air people are effortlessly stimulated, with quick and very penetrating minds that are easily thrown off balance and overwhelmed. Too much air tends towards nervous exhaustion, dry skin, hair and mucus membranes, and insomnia and memory loss from systemic overload. Excess air benefits from scheduled windows of quiet, with minimal stimulation, to allow the nervous system to recharge itself. When the air element is low, there is difficulty with the flow of energy through the body. Eat plenty of raw foods, vegetable juices and sprouted seeds.

Water signs: Cancer / Scorpio / Pisces: The water element rules the reproductive and lymphatic systems and body liquids including blood, mucus and lymph. Water lubricates, flushes and cools the body. Water signs are sensitive to their environment, particularly to fungi, bacteria and viruses. Water sign people easily pick up negativity from others. They tend to brood on their health and imagine problems to be greater than they are. When there is too much water people tend toward lethargic digestion, poor assimilation and slow metabolism. Stagnant excess water may manifest as mucus, cysts, tumours and swellings, as well as systemic candida. Excess Water is balanced by foods that are hot, dry and light. Low Water constitutions have trouble flushing toxins from their systems, and lack lubrication to their systems. They tend to be stiff and dehydrated and have difficulty sleeping. They suffer from conditions similar to excess air, such as skin and hair dryness and difficult absorption of nutrients. Take baths, drink plenty of liquids, and live near water.

Earth Constitution: Taurus / Virgo / Capricorn: The earth element rules the skeletal and eliminatory systems. The earth element is essential for growth, reproduction and repair of tissue. They often have beautiful strong teeth. They are more resistant to transient colds and flu than fire or air signs. Excess earth is prone to heaviness in the body and sluggishness in the system, and the struggle to overcome inertia. Their digestion and metabolism are slow, increasing density of body tissue—i.e. thick skin, sclerosis, calcium deposits, tumours and increased body hair. Fruit- salads, sprouts, steamed vegetables with spices added, juices, soups and teas all help. Low earth needs grounding. These people tend to disregard their bodies and are not intuitive about what they need. They need routines that stabilize them and give a sense of security. They need more sleep than other elements, and benefit from physical contact with the earth.

Meditation Moments:  What are the origins of the word meditation?

Meditation comes from two Latin words. The first is "meditari" which means to think, or to exercise the mind. The second is "mederi" which is to heal. If you put these two together, it describes what this activity is.

Meditation has benefits that are physiological, physical and psychological. It is free and it doesn't consume much of your time. The scientific community continues to conduct research into meditation and now there is a wealth of information accessible about how meditation affects mind and body. I love this conference of science and ancient wisdom. Once you start meditating regularly I propose you will already have your own body of evidence!