Astral meanders Feb. 26 - March 4 2014

In General: On the 28^th Mercury Stations Direct. The unexpected changes, irritations and delays are on their way out and a return to smoother sailing is in the works. Although several of these delays may have been annoying, the resolutions they have brought will have resulted in some positive long term changes for many of us. Now we can and should tie up loose ends and get organised for things to move forward in the weeks to come! A New Moon occurs on Saturday, March 1^st at 3:00 AM EST. This New Moon is particularly creative and artistic with its conjunction to Neptune, trine to Jupiter, and sextile to Pluto. While we are going to feel very inspired about life and love, we should check into reality from time to time! Also, on March 1^st Mars goes retrograde in Libra. With Mars turning retrograde, we can feel like we are rowing upstream and energy levels are low. The healthier use of this time is to wait, plan and where needed compromise. This is an excellent period for going back over recent developments in our lives with the aim of revising goals and general approach. This is the phase in which to germinate the seeds of ideas and fertilise projects with new concepts and plans that can be instigated later. Mars signifies strength and this is a time to gather our strength rather than burn up our reserves. If you have a birthday this week then the year ahead is an excellent time to lay foundations for an even better future! On the world scene things can take on what seems to be a slow and problematic momentum. It seems harder than usual to resolve difficult global issues. World leaders will be forced to deal with issues from the past that are resolving into bigger problems now! Locally don’t push yourself too much, give yourself time to reflect and plan.

Thought for the week: I have often noticed that when chickens quit quarrelling over their food they often find that there is enough for all of them.  I wonder if it might not be the same with the human race.  ~Don Marquis


Aries

Natural endings, in general, may be part of the picture now. Your limited energy is largely applied to personal and private affairs. Tell yourself its ok and even positive in the long run for you to be introspective now. Allow yourself to rest and reflect, and prepare for a more outgoing cycle in a few weeks.

Taurus

You don’t seem to have as much energy as usual to get your work done and as you lose steam you easily become irritable. You have less patience at work, with coworkers, and with your work in general so prepare to count to ten or be accountable for your temper! Time to take up meditation.

Gemini

You feel less focused and this can play havoc in the work arena! You are moody and tired and less patient with those you love! You need a break from your everyday grind and should attempt to give yourself one if you possibly can! The more you go outside of the usual fences surrounding your life, the more you will enjoy yourself.

Cancer

This week you may feel that your home and family drain your energy more than usual, and you want to disengage from them, but you can’t. Pent up emotions can cause you to have little accidents and mishaps. Try to relax more and give yourself moments of time out where you can, listen to soothing music, watch a funny movie!

Leo

In relationships you can be more romantic, fight less, and are more willing to compromise at this time. However, you can also be tired this week, easily drained, and unfocused, and can have too much mental energy and not enough to do to use it beneficially, and this leads to unwarranted outbursts and difficulties.

Virgo

You need the energies, friendship, and support of other people, and they may also seek out your backing and companionship. It's vital to include others rather than to go solo for the time being. Details are more significant to you now. It's time to bring order to your life by concentrating on the little things that make up the whole.

Libra

This new moon brings you energy to begin a new work project, start a fresh job, or shine in your work. You can also do something positive to improve your health now and expect great results. You can be more romantic and delightful than usual (and that’s a lot for a Libran!), and want more love in your life.

Scorpio

You want and need more harmony at home now, and without that, you can feel lost. You are likely to begin a new creative project, be more romantic, or take up a new hobby now. You are more than likely to be feeling good in general this week and you tend to spread the happiness.

Sagittarius

With the mars retrograde you have a hard time focusing on anything that requires you to be disciplined and dedicated for a long period of time. You can struggle with your past, your subconscious problems, your personal baggage, and with letting go in general. Take some time for reflection.

Capricorn

You can find it hard to focus and goals seem to escape you now causing some frustration. Hang in there! Community projects and group activities are where you shine best right now! Sharing ideas with others can bring out the more optimistic you, but trying to go it alone will not!

Aquarius

You can make an important financial decision, transaction, or create a new budget this week. You may even acquire something of value. As a result you’re more confident and sure of yourself now. Do be extra careful with travel of any kind as you can have problems in this area.

Pisces

Something that you hold deep inside of yourself could be the main source of a general irritability now, and you may need to face it in order to keep yourself from blowing your top and causing yet more problems for yourself. You may want to run away and be free, but know you can’t.

 

Astral Peeks: Did you know…..

Heavens-Above.com provides free customized information for your location including whole sky star charts, predictions for the visibility of the International Space Station and other satellites (including Iridium flares).

Parkes Observatory, just outside the central-west NSW town of Parkes, hosts the 64-metre Parkes radio telescope, one of the telescopes comprising CSIRO’s Australia Telescope National Facility.An icon of Australian science, the Parkes radio telescope has been in operation since 1961 and continues to be at the forefront of astronomical discovery thanks to regular upgrades.

Some Aboriginal people use the sky as a calendar to tell them when it's time to move to a new place and a new food supply. The Boorong people in Victoria know that when the "Mallee-fowl" constellation (Lyra) disappears in October, to "sit with the Sun", it's time to start gathering her eggs on Earth. Other groups know that when Orion first appears in the sky, the Dingo puppies are about to be born.The stars are also law-books, telling people how to live on Earth. The Yolngu people of Arnhem Land say that the constellation of Orion, which they call Julpan, is a canoe. They tell the story of two brothers who went fishing, and caught and ate a fish that was forbidden under their law. Seeing this, the Sun sent a waterspout that carried the two brothers and their canoe up into the sky where you can still see them.

A TEAM of scientists at the Australian National University (ANU) has discovered the oldest known star in the universe.

The discovery of the heavenly body, which formed about 13.6 billion years ago, has allowed astronomers for the first time to study the chemistry of the first stars. Lead researcher Dr Stefan Keller of the ANU's Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics called the find a "one in a 60 million chance".

Meditation moments: Meditative first aid!

Here are a few relaxation techniques that you can use to quickly relax in order to get through the day as a happier individual. You can do these exercises anywhere, anytime.

Several times a day, stop, sit in a relaxed position, and breathe deeply and slowly into your abdomen for two or three minutes. If your mind wanders, just gently bring it back to your breathing. Slow, deep breathing has been shown to promote relaxation. In addition, focusing on your abdomen has a calming, centering effect.

Project a protective bubble around yourself. Imagine that there is a kind of force field surrounding and protecting your body. This protective bubble can create a calm space that outside events can’t penetrate.

Wriggle yourself into a comfortable position - sitting upright in a padded chair is probably best. Notice your posture and how your body feels, and let go of any unnecessary tension. You might like to tune into your breathing and sigh gently a few times to loosen it up.

When you're caught in a train of thought, you can literally lose contact with reality. Have you ever been driving or walking somewhere, and realize you don't have a clue where you are? This exercise takes you back into the world of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Two or three minutes is usually enough.

Ask: What am I seeing?

Ask: What am I hearing?

Ask: What am I touching?

Ask: What am I smelling or tasting?

Slow down and go deeply into any sensory data. Move from one to another as you wish. Notice when you inadvertently slide back into thought. Notice how still and focused the mind feels when you return to sensing.