Astral meanders 9-15 October 2013

In general: A week of better balance than we have had for some time. With Venus in Sagittarius an inner sense of hope abides. However be mindful of Oct 11^th which sees the Moon meeting Pluto and whenever the Moon comes into direct aspect with Pluto, we can expect emotions to move into more complexities than usual. Be more reflective and meditate on how you would like to express your real influence in your world, it can be too easy to flare up over nothing now. On the balanced note though, Mercury conjuncts Saturn on the 8^th and you can go into great detail with work and goals. Thoroughness is the catchphrase and you will take things seriously, and anything instigated now will be successful. Mars enters Virgo on the 15^th.This also brings some focused and positively hard working energy to bear. If you have a birthday this week then it’s a thorough and determined year ahead for you with a much achieved! On the world scene it’s all very serious and resolute. No-one will be giving in or backing down and no-one will have a sense of humour! Expect to see more about old arguments and difficult issues this week. Locally it is great to get stuck into personal projects now!

Thought for the week: Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.
Buddha




Aries

It's not a great time to push your itinerary or personal plans forward; instead, it's a phase in which you are at your best recognizing the need to give back to someone, and to compromise in order to find some equilibrium in your life.Monotonous activity simply does not seem to satisfy you now. There is joy in anything that expands your horizons. 

 Taurus

There is increased stability for you guys now, but as Mars enters fellow earth sign Virgo on October 15th, you feel the need to take some time off to have a bit of fun. You seem to sense that you haven’t been able to do what you want to in a good long while, and you need to take a break from your work to enjoy yourself again.

Gemini

 You are above all personally charming in a spur-of-the-moment, natural way during this cycle. You are ready to achieve and to express yourself creatively. This is a very playful phase, when you are inspired artistically and emotionally. It's a good time for leisure, romance, relating to children, and appreciating the performing the arts.

Cancer

You enjoy getting work done this week, crossing things off of your to-do list, and being generally well-organized and productive. The more work you finish now, the better you feel. You will begin a home improvement project, redecorate, renovate, buy or sell property, or contemplate a move, at this time. 

Leo

Relationships flourish under this week’s aspects and you should give you much pleasure.  Mars energy will give you the drive to achieve new things with work and around the home and it can be a very satisfying week as a result! Some favourable events through work are also likely! Whatever you tackle, you will do well!

Virgo

 You guys seem to enjoy spending time at home and with your family this week. You don’t feel like being in new or prickly situations. You feel like nurturing and encouraging others and can be more understanding of your loved ones. This is a good time to revamp your home, and make it more beautiful. You want to bring more harmony and peace to your home. 

Libra

Venus offers you satisfaction this week by means of intellectual work, communication and drive.It'll help those of you with exams and interviews, meetings or negotiations. You are more diplomatic and even more charming than usual. You may become involved in new projects which are very stimulating.

Scorpio

Lots of things are going extremely well for you guys at the moment. However, little ‘disparities’ in relationships and communications, things you have previously ignored or accepted, are becoming honestly challenging. Spiritual renewal, dealing with matters that need to be put behind you, and getting extra rest and time for reflection can help. 

Sagittarius

Your energy levels are unusually good during this week. You vigorously seek out new learning experiences and have a desire to set out on new ventures.Others find you easy to be around, as you are inspiring and stimulating, and they are attracted to your obvious confidence and mettle. A fresh and cheerful friendship may come into your life!

Capricorn

This week, you're in a position to prove your value. You’re coming across to others with enthusiasm and poise, even though part of you still secretly worries about your personal performance.Contentment and fulfillment during this phase come from doing your proficient best, showing yourself as a capable person, and contributing to issues in concrete ways.

Aquarius

Aquarius, you appreciate spending time with your friends this week. You want to be with people who are of the same mind as you, and who share the same causes and beliefs.You tend to focus more on your dreams now, and feel positive about your future.You will be more hopeful about life, or come up with a helpful idea. 

Pisces

 It's a good week for research of any kind, warmly connecting with loved ones, and any type of self-improvement.Take full advantage of Mars energy now too, which brings increased energy and motivation for health and fitness related matters. It’s an excellent opportunity to quit bad habits and take up some positive ones. 

Astral Peeks: November Eclipse and Astronomers Without Borders Appeal!

Astronomers Without Borders is raising funds to get 40,000 sets of eye-saving viewers to African schoolchildren in time for next month's solar eclipse.

The eclipse on November 3, 2013, begins as an annular event but quickly becomes a total solar eclipse as the Moon's umbra crosses the Atlantic Ocean and central Africa.

Few natural events are more spectacular than a total solar eclipse.
While most Africans will not be directly in the path of the Moon's umbral shadow on November 3rd, the event will still bring a deep partial eclipse to the continent. Millions of people, unaware of the danger to their eyesight, will be tempted to look directly at the Sun.The Kenyan government has no plans to prepare citizens for the upcoming event. So Astronomers without Borders is working with local organizations and companies to try to fill the void. They have identified schools and begun to distribute glasses by the thousands.You can read about the effort — and make a donation, if you wish to — on the AWB's "Eclipse Glasses Donations for Africa" webpage.So please consider making a donation yourself!

Meditation moments: Presence

Meditation has many folk thinking of quiet or special places and set aside times…it can even create its own stress in those who feel they cannot stop their busy minds from wandering!  But the truth is that meditation at its best is part of every moment in every day! It is in the way you focus on the tastes in your breakfast, the way you watch the sunset and feel a part of something bigger than yourself, the way you let go and drop your shoulders and your stress for a moment when you sigh, the way you let the worries of the day wash away as you take a warm shower! Translating these feelings into all aspects of the day we teach ourselves the true art of meditation or relaxation and allow ourselves to be present in each moment.  When we are present, relaxed and open, we become clear, focused and more ourselves! Life becomes a wonderful adventure of the senses and we are able to see where a kind word, a smile, a look of encouragement can help another….we listen. We are truly present for ourselves and others. We have presence.