Musical Monday for the Chinese New Year - The Dog Days Are Over

The Chinese Dog year ends today. Tomorrow is the New year of the Pig.
This seemed the perfect song to celebrate that fact.

Bridging Worlds

Years ago a friend sent me a link to Mayan astrology. For fun I popped in my birth date and came out as... White World Bridger. At the time the write-up amused me, because it fitted my personality so well. I am and always have been a world bridger. In fact... I even won a blog award for it!

 As a long-standing member of Blog4Peace I've recognised the vital need for our planet to build bridges... between the divides of countries, races, religions, and political aspirations. We can accomplish nothing unless we work together.

On the surface that might make my recent stand on voting Yes for Scottish independence seem strange. You would think the alternate side slogan of "Better Together" would fit a world-bridger better. In theory... it should, but bridges can only be built when both sides are strong. You cannot bridge a divide when one bank is weak and crumbling. It just won't work. Plain and simple - your bridge is going to collapse. The truth, sadly, is that the United Kingdom is not made up of equally strong and respected sides. Most simply summed up by the coat of arms...

Ever notice that the Scottish unicorn is chained? I never did until recently, but I've certainly felt it since I've lived up here. There are words for partnerships where one side is chained up... and none of them are good! 

And that is why I voted Yes, because I believe bridges between equally strong sides will do more to unite this planet than simply ignoring the issues and trying to hide from them. Our planet is divided. We are never going to be all the same. We are of different skin colours and language groups. We worship in different ways, or not at all. We have issues special to our particular cultures. We will never all be the same and why should we? We glory in the diversity of Nature, don't we? We don't want a planet with only one bird species... so why do we try to enforce a world with one humankind? One religion? One political viewpoint? One country?

In a strange twist of fate, Mayan astrology links this fortnight back to that White World Bridger symbol. 

Action for Transformation... forgiving the other side in order to build the bridge. Letting go of the illusion that there is no hope of changing things for the better. Bridgers see the bigger picture, I think. We see the fact that you can work together and still keep your independent unique identity. It's all about building those bridges of mutual respect. 

And this brings me back to the recent referendum in Scotland. Whether Scots voted Yes or No, most of them voted with a passionate hope in a better future. Now comes the tricky part - building the bridges between those two sides. Both are equally strong, since the voting was an almost equal 45-55%. We can build across that easily, with determination. We can create a better future. 

What would you like to do?

Thoughtful Thursday ~ In the Stars

"When he has evolved to the point where he can feel the rays of Uranus, the passion of Mars gradually turns to compassion; there the love of Venus which is only for one particular person, becomes all inclusive so that it embraces all humankind regardless of sex or any other distinction, for it is the divine love of soul for soul which is above all material considerations of whatever nature." 

The Message of the Stars ~ Max and Augusta Heindel

Me and mew - The Cat Meme

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Mimi posted an irresistible meme this week:

1. Do you have a cat?
2. What is your cat's name?
3. What makes you love cats?
4. If you are not a cat person, why not?
5. What is the funniest thing your cat has ever done?
6. Do you think cats have feelings and can talk to their owners?
7. The Rainbow Bridge is the place where cats go when they pass away. I think it's a lovely idea. If humans could have a bridge of their own in the afterlife, what would you name it?

BONUS POINTS! Post a picture of you and your cat.

Now, I don't own a cat. I have never owned a cat and I never will own a cat. Why? Because I am hugely allergic to them. As a child I could seize up with asthma just having a cat walk past me on a veranda (true story). Of course, cats being cats - they all adore me, because I can't touch them they dash to me to be hugged, wrap and ooze their furry love around my ankles.

So why am I doing this meme? You'll see....

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1. Do you have a cat?

Yes... kind of... you see...

some people say I remind them of a cat. Something about my smile?

personally, I can't see the similarity.

As a Leo it always irked me that I seemed to lack big cat personality, but then I discovered that my Chinese astrology sign of Rabbit can also be a... Cat! And the world made sense. :-)

2. What is your cat's name?

On good days I have lots of names, all nice. On bad days they just hide...

3. What makes you love cats?

I'm going to dodge the self-love ego thing by answering with what (I think) are the most lovable traits of a Chinese astrology Cat person.

We love listening to music.

We love holidays and traditions.

We try to always be there for those we love...

...which can lead to burnout.



4. If you are not a cat person, why not?

When I'm not a cat person, I'm just human. I've learnt to accept this burden.

5. What is the funniest thing your cat has ever done?

Funniest thing... in the last hour? Day? Lifetime?? Like how long do you have?

6. Do you think cats have feelings and can talk to their owners?

Owners... OWNERS? Oh please!!! No-one ever owns a cat!

...but we do have feelings.

7. The Rainbow Bridge is the place where cats go when they pass away. I think it's a lovely idea. If humans could have a bridge of their own in the afterlife, what would you name it?

Personally, I think cats would be willing to share their bridge with humans.



BONUS POINTS! Post a picture of you and your cat.

I already did that with my first photo. ;-)

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The Pain of Fame

Last night I was talking to my husband about the pain of fame... or to be exact my brief moment of being a "somebody" and how it messed with my head, quite literally.

I mentioned how I once had a writing job (advice column) on a newspaper. When they told me I needed a photo for the column, I was surprised and thrilled. 'Me in the paper? Me?? Wow!'

I must have spent two days figuring out what to wear. That was really daft since the picture was just my head, and you never saw what I was wearing anyway, but (typical woman) I needed to wear something that made me feel good. When it was done, I took my photo in to the newspaper offices. Feeling Very Important I handed it over with a flourish and told the guard it was needed for the next run.
Next day there I was, near the back, lower left page... ME smiling back at me.

Wow. What a rush! What a head swelling ego-smug moment. I wanted to roll in the paper like a cat in catnip. I wanted fireworks and champagne. Reality set in somewhere between having breakfast and going to the local supermarket. Yes, my photo was in the paper… now everyone would see me. It was a small newspaper in a small town, which means any gossip moves at light speed. It would take a very short time for the entire town to know who I was. Everyone would know ME, everywhere I went, all the time.

All the time?

 

Suddenly I felt as if the universe had placed a flashing sign above my head with a big arrow pointing at me. I felt incredibly visible and the feeling was not good! At the shopping centre, a few people seemed to stop and stare at me as I walked by. I could feel their eyes burning my skin. The unspoken thoughts of, "she looks familiar? Isn't she the one in the newspaper?" seemed to scream in my ears.

I grabbed a trolley and made a dash for the entrance, thinking furiously…

'Try to keep cool. Breath in. Breath out.
They aren't staring at you. No-one is staring.
Oh my GOD, they are STARING at me! I am VISIBLE!
I am this new huge neon-glowing ME and it feels horrible!
I want to be small, invisible ordinary me just browsing the shops. Not this person with the LOOK AT ME arrow above her head.'

At the supermarket entrance there was a turnstile with a hole in the railings next to it where you pushed your trolley through into the shop.

'Quick, quick! Get in there, get the food and get out.
Be cool. Be calm. Don't look stupid. People are watching…
DAMN. There's a fat lady wedged in the turnstile, moving slower than a sea turtle.
Ok, don't panic. You can get through this. You are cool. You are in control.
Push the trolley through the gap, duck down and follow the trolley.
Simple! You are short, the trolley gap bar isn't too low. You can do this…'

That's the last coherent thought I remember before someone picked me up off the floor. Yes, I am short. Yes, the bar across the top of the area where you pushed through the trolleys wasn't that low. No, I didn't duck down far enough. In my blind animal panic to get in fast and inconspicuously, I ducked at the wrong moment of dashing forward and smashed my forehead into the metal bar, falling backwards flat on the floor while my trolley happily drifted off into the supermarket without me...

and EVERYONE stared.

The pain of fame going to your head is indescribable. ...

White Rabbit Rabbit Wishes

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Rabbit Rabbit!

Best wishes for the Chinese New Year. :-)

The Chinese year starts on the 3rd of February. It's a Rabbit year, and also Metal year in the 60 year cycle of animals and elements. If you want to find out which of the 60 signs you are you can find a rough guide on my blog HERE. Do remember that the Chinese New year is a lunar calendar, so if you're born in January or February you may fall into the sign for the year before.

The colour for metal is white, making 2011 the Year of the White Rabbit.

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Alice followed her White Rabbit into Wonderland... will our White Rabbit year be equally surreal, I wonder? Goodness knows last year was unusual enough for me to expect anything of 2011, including Jaberwocks and Cheshire cats!

I went around the web looking for more info on this White Rabbit year:

The Rabbit will bring stability and will give you a chance to catch your breath and calm your nerves. Think of 2011 as a time for negotiation, discussion and debate. Don’t try to force issues aggressively - use diplomacy and quick wittedness to bring about your desires.

2011 is a time to focus on home, family, security, and relationships. This year you must rely on your sense of intuition, but don't be impatient or in a hurry, for in the Year of the Rabbit impulsive actions fail.

Sounds good to me, especially after last year which was a Tiger year - wild, chaotic and ferociously active.

I was amused at some of the Chinese websites translations:

horoscope 2011 presents the year of the white metal Rabbit like a period with less changes that take over our real world and mass changes in every sphere of life that stand on an inner level. In other words a lot is going on behind the scenes and we shall open up our eyes widely to these changes and find out how we managed to live with all this new, bright and fascinating.

Huh? :-\

I also found this bit about how each sign relates to Rabbits.

Rabbit is very friendly and attractive animal. Rabbit has good relations with other animals. When the other animals have an attraction with Rabbit, they all fall in love with Rabbit wholeheartedly. They will give way to Rabbit all the time.

Rabbit contains pure Wood. Rabbit and Tiger together form a strong force of dry Wood. Rabbit and Dragon together form another strong wet Wood. Rabbit and Pig together make Wood stronger. It's the same with Rabbit and Sheep; together they can make Wood stronger too. Rabbit and Dog together form a strong force of Fire. This is the love relationship. That implies that people born in year of Dog will have good people social relationship, good romantic time or good marriage life.

As a Rabbit myself I'm really delighted to discover my marriage (to a Dog) is "a strong force of Fire." :-)

The only other famous White Rabbit I know is from an old movie I love, Harvey. Harvey was an invisible 6 foot tall white rabbit who was the best friend of a human. But Harvey was actually a Puca - a Celtic magical creature Shakespeare based his character Puck on. Puca's aren't what they seem.. they're shapeshifters and imps, given to teasing humans a lot. Rabbit's are good at teasing too. Look at Bugs Bunny and Brer Rabbit... and those four hundred drunken ancient Aztec Rabbit gods! I'm wondering if a White Rabbit year might also hold some "teasers" and surprises.

Maybe that Chinese website is right about "a lot going on behind the scenes." Given the quirky humour of all those famous Rabbits I can't help thinking we might just, "open up our eyes widely to these changes and find out how we managed to live with all this new, bright and fascinating"after all! ;-)

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A Most Remarkable Woman.

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photo courtesy of clarita

Shastri sent me a link to some wonderful photos he took recently of Navagrahas statues, the planetary gods. Their names triggered a memory I'd forgotten - how the hands of Fate led me to meeting a most remarkable woman.

In 2001 I was working as an astrologer (birth charts for advice and career guidance) and had a small column in a local newspaper. One day I answered the phone to a most unexpected caller.

A woman, with a beautifully elegant Indian accent, told me that she had been informed that I was "the one" and would I please come visit her to pick up my books.

My books?

In the course of conversation she explained that she had a large collection of astrology books that she had decided to donate to a worthy astrologer. Unsure who to choose to inherit them she had torn out the photos of all the local astrologers, from papers and magazines, and dowsed them with a pendulum. The pendulum had chosen me.

And that is how I first met Siromani. I thought, at that stage, that the story could hardly get more strange and wonderful, but how wrong I was!

A few days later I made my way up stairs to the flat where Siromani lived. I rang the doorbell... and a tiny woman came to the door. Small in stature, clearly quite elderly, and very much NOT Indian. Her faded hair still showed traces of the pale blond it had once been and her remarkably bright eyes were a clear sparkling blue. I thought there must be some mistake, but the moment she started to talk I recognised that lovely voice from the phone call.

How does a blond blue-eyed elderly lady in Africa come to have an Indian accent? By living a very adventurous life. Over a cup of tea Siromani told me how she had been born in India, of Scandinavian parents. She had spent her childhood and early adulthood in India and that was where she had studied astrology and dowsing. After marriage she had moved to Africa, where she had worked as a building constructor, an engineer and a water dowser.

Now, a month before her 90th birthday, she felt it was time she started studying something new and more challenging. So she was getting rid of all her old books and focusing on books on herbal medicine and alternative healing.

How many people decide to start a new study/career at the age of 90?

I spent a magical afternoon listening to her stories of India and Africa, discussing astrology and books in general. She was one of the most vibrant and alive people I have ever met. I went away with a box load of antique astrology books and ephemera, but the gifts she gave me that day went far further than that.

As I was leaving I noticed a book tucked into her chair next to her. It was the same book I was reading and I commented on that fact. A book on archeology. I was actually finding it a bit boring, but she said it was well worth the effort and that I should go back home and finish reading it.

I did finish the book and it was worth the effort, but not in ways you might expect. The book led me to pottering on Google looking for more information on some of the ancient civilisation. That in turn led me to joining an archeology forum...

... and that was where I met the Highlander who became my husband.

Coincidence, luck, or Divine intervention through the stars? Who can say? All I know is that gaining a husband was a truly unexpected gift from a most remarkable woman. :-)

photo courtesy of Kevin Rosseel

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Bloggers Building Bridges

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Twilight has awarded me the International Reach Out Award (Bloggers Building Bridges)

This award was created by Tessa of An Aerial Armadillo. She writes:

The International Reach Out Award is for these special people who have all, in their own unique way, done exactly that – they’ve built bridges:

It is to acknowledge the depth and breadth of the warm open-heartedness from bloggers all over the world who reach out and touch their readers with their words.

“It has been my experience that whenever one human being reaches out to another in compassion, a bridge is built. A bridge which leads out of despair, into the light of hope and the possibility that tomorrow will hold a few less tears than yesterday”

Dr. Maithri Goonetilleke - the Good Shepherd Hospital and Baylor Clinic in Swaziland.

I feel twice honoured, to receive an award like this from Twilight, an intelligent perceptive bridge-building blogger herself, and to receive an award that links me back to Africa.On the funny-quirky side I've been dealing with the topic of touching people with words recently and, to add to the irony (which Twilight, as an astrologer will enjoy), my Mayan birth day name is... White World Bridger!

Thank you Twilight, for a lovely award. It has always been my wish to be a world-bridger, long before I knew it was my Mayan destiny. *grin* I even wrote about bridging world's in my introduction post when I first started blogging.

Now to decide who to pass this award on to. Bloggers who build bridges, who reach out and touch others. My choices are:

1. Tint of Tint's Meanderings, for building a friendship bridge between Brazil and the world.
2. Andy of The Black Bus Company, for bridging the worlds of those who settle and those who wander.
3. Kerry of Jade Gryphon's Tavern, whose photos bridge continents and remind me what a marvel this planet is.

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The Planetary Awards

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Twilight, inspired by the Oscars, has created her own blogland award ceremony. Being an astrology enthusiast she has called them "The Planetary Awards."

I was thrilled to be selected for The Venus Award "for beautiful writing style." Thank you Twilight! :-)

I am passing this one on, as I just love the different categories. So... *drum roll as the velvet curtain slowly rises* ...here are my choices for The Planetary Awards, with quotes and links for each blogger:

The Sun and Moon Award

for finding inspiration and beauty in the balance of Nature.
I'm awarding to: Rima (a deep Moon artist) and Vita (a warm Sun artist) ;-)

The Mercury Award"for enabling communication and learning" though their blogs.
I'm awarding to Shastri and Grace

The Venus Award
"for beautiful writing style."
I'm awarding to Guyana Gyal and Emma

The Mars Award
"for fighting spirit and unflinching opposition to the wrongs of this world."
I'm awarding to: Amias and Mimi, for her Blogblast for Peace.

The Jupiter Award"for volume, quality, and quantity of excellent, thought-provoking content."
I'm awarding to: Cliff and Amel

The Saturn Awardfor dark humour or the ability to weather life's woes with a wry smile.
I'm awarding to: Andy and Nick

The Uranus Award"for reaching beyond the obvious, putting a new twist on ancient materials."
I'm awarding to: Jeff, for Druid Journal and Sadiq

The Neptune Award "for imaginative, creative content linked to photography."
I'm awarding to: Kerry, Genie and Tint.

The Pluto Award... "for penetrating insight, occasional dips into darkness, a tinge of the mystical."
I'm awarding to: derik and Hayden
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How now, Brown Cow!

Yesterday was the first day of the new Chinese year. We've finally left the frantic finance-obsessed Rat year and have entered the year of the Earth Ox, or Brown Cow, to be more traditionally correct .

To celebrate I'm posting pictures of my favourite bovines - Highland cattle... called Hielan' Coos in Scotland. I suppose that makes this a broon Coo year? ;-)

These are photos of mama and baby coo and baby coo's nose. He looked like a teddy bear, but petting him he felt like straw.

HAPPY NEW COO YEAR!

Mayan Musings

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The Mayan readings are proving to be very thought-provoking and I thought I might go into it a bit deeper, especially since Jean-Jacques has posed me some really interesting questions on the topic.


He said:

I get the idea that in fact our "destiny" is the combination of all of these 'aspects' of our 'selves' - all the 'shields' in our oracle. According to the readings:(my interpretation in brackets)

The only way I can think to answer those questions is to use myself as the "guinea pig". I came out as WHITE SOLAR WORLD-BRIDGER.

*The Middle Shield is your Conscious Self - who you are and who you are becoming. (Your "centre" - real/cosmic personality)

For me this is White World-Bridger. The portion that surrenders. So this would be my centre - surrendering. I've already done an entire blog post on that one so I'll jump to the others.

*The Left Shield is your Challenge .This is what you desire to learn in this lifetime. With maturity and awareness this challenge will turn into a Focus.("The dragons you have to slay in your lifetime" - J.)

Mine is Yellow Warrior. Yellow Warrior's challenge is *"a lack of trust in your inner voice."

So my dragons are those of self-doubt and not trusting my own inner voice. OUCH Very true! I question my psychic abilities constantly - checking and rechecking anything I get, constantly worrying that I might be "just imagining it". Even though I am far more confident lately I still am secretly blown away every time someone replies to any reading or message I give them that proves I told them a truth I could never have known.

*The Right Shield is your Compliment - something that comes naturally to you. (A prominent skill or talent you don't really think about, its just part of who you naturally are -J)

Mine is Red Skywalker. This one is doubly interesting to me as my husband's conscious self is this one and his Compliment is White World-Bridger, same as my conscious self! But getting back to me... this one is the talent or skill that comes easily to me. Red Skywalker is *"the time/space traveller who can jump dimensions to assist you in realizing heaven on Earth. ... You are the one whose expression of the light assists in drawing the pillars of heaven to Earth."

Well.. that's a pretty hefty talent/skill to lay claim to! At this stage I'd say I definitely recognise it within myself and that it is something I have constantly strived for. So, yes - it fits.

* The Bottom Shield is your Subconscious Self and Hidden Helper. (The part of yourself which is hidden - getting to know this part of yourself brings you closer to yourself/helps you to understand yourself better. J.)

This one for me is Blue Eagle. So, the hidden part of me I need to understand myself better is, * "whatever furthers your personal evolution and the evolution of global mind. You are an awakener, a transformer, an empowered global visionary. ... The greatest gift you can offer to the planet is to simply be the love. ... Remember your special gifts, your path of service on Earth, your promise to serve the light. Believe in your dreams."

This seems to connect well with my challenge of self-doubt! It's certainly a very nice and uplifting message. :-) I made my promises to serve the Light a long time ago, one way and anoter, so I'd say this hidden inner me has never really been hidden, although it certainly sets some high standards for me to strive for.

* The Top Shield is your Higher Self & Guide. (Your higher consciousness /spirituality and your spiritual guide - working with this brings you closer to the universal centre/god -J.)

This one for me is White Wind. *"White Wind represents spontaneity and simplicity. White Wind also embodies the concept of presence. ... It has to do with being wise in your simplicity. From simple beingness, your true identity emerges. Presence is being open, aware, and in the now. Presence is 'being there' for whatever is."

LOL This one makes me laugh because in Western Astrology my Mid-heaven destiny is... to create simplicity! The wisdom in simplicity has always impressed me more than any other kind. I love this idea! The portion I do struggle with is Presence. I'm a day dreamer type. I'm rarely "aware and in the now"! That is something I'm going to have to think about and work on.

So, we are a combination of all of the above, right? What's interesting to me is the challenge aspect - if this is what we are meant to focus on - to learn or accomplish in our lifetime - does our challenge not eventually become our destiny? Any thoughts?

Jacques, my challenge is to trust my inner voice and yes, I'd say that definitely it has to become a part of my destiny. I think you probably do have to work with all five of those Mayan portions to get the complete "picture" of who you are and why you're here on the planet.

To sum it all up: I surrender to serving the Light and to trusting my own voice. I do this standing in simplicity and Presence. In doing this I bring Heaven to Earth and transform through Love.

That was fun, Jacques - thank you for setting those questions. :-)

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All excerpts were from the book, "The Mayan Oracle - Return Path to the Stars" by Ariel Spilsbury & Michael Bryner

Welcome to the Brown Rat Year.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Welcome to the Year of the Brown (Earth) Rat.

The Rat is the first sign of the Chinese zodiac. If Pig years bring the theme of death-rebirth then Rat years bring us new cycles and fresh beginnings. Rat years are times of change, usually favourable. Rat people are smart, sociable, ambitious, energetic and born survivors and Rat years echo these traits.

It won't be a year for quiet contemplation, but it will be productive, especially anything related to relationships, career or finances. Rat years bristle with energy and activity. Rat people love to experience new things and travel to see new places so this year should see a very high number of people travelling: holidays, business trips, but even more likely changing jobs or towns, moving home or even immigrating. Socialising will be another theme. Rats love to talk, entertain and meet new people, so this year will see more interaction, more visits and more communication. Rat years are lucky, but only to those who are prepared. If any year will hand you that once-in-a-lifetime job offer or chance to seize your dream - it's a Rat year!

This Rat year is Brown – an Earth element year. Earth years are slower and more “grounded”, but Rat tends to speed up every element. There will be exciting opportunities, but you will need to be prepared as well as patient. This will be a year for planned progress and worked-for rewards rather than instant success. A full busy year of socialising, networking, moving, doing and being active in every way.

What the Year of the Golden Pig Meant to Me.

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In December Amel tagged me to do the meme "What did 2007 mean to me?" Since I’m way behind posting this for the 2007-2008 new year I’ve decided to base my reply on the Chinese New year instead.

Today is the last day of the Chinese year of the Fire Pig, the Golden Pig. It’s been an interesting year, but then Pig years always are. Although the Chinese see Pig years as lucky, they are also seen as a time of extremes. In Chinese astrology the Pig is an animal of culture and strong appetites. Pigs love the good things in life - good food, drink, possessions and friends. Pigs want quality... and quantity. Everything is more intense in a Pig year (especially for those born in a Pig year: 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947..)

These extremes can be very good, or very bad, but they are always tremendous rites of passage. This doesn't mean Pig years are bad, but it can feel that way! The Chinese Pig Year is a bit like the Black Sow of Samhain - the Celtic symbol of death and rebirth. In old Celtic legends the Black Pig eats up the physical body to set free the soul. Pig years, just like the Black Sow, kind of devour and destroy you, but all in order for you to be reborn.This past year was "Golden" - a Fire element year. (Chinese years follow a 60 year cycle based on 12 animals and 5 elements) Golden sounds good, but once again it means that things were bound to swing to extremes. As one Chinese website put it – in Pig years the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. that's the kind of extremes you find in pig years. Things are magnified. Basically if you have any hidden problems, secrets or minor ailments you were avoiding getting sorted... they will blow up so big they cannot be ignored in Pig years.

In my case that was quite literally when I was rushed to hospital last February and had to have an operation in March. Typical to Pig years, this small “death” brought several births and rebirths for me. Two of which actually started in hospital. The first was the idea to start writing again and have my own blog. The second was discovering my psychic abilities had made a sudden and unexpected leap forward.

Of course, being a Fiery year, none of my plans for this year went as expected. I’d intended to start a blog to get into writing more professionally and go back to being self-employed. Neither happened, but instead I discovered a whole new world of wonderful blogs and blogging friends. With my psychic leap forward I’d hoped it meant I would find a few answers, help people more. Instead I’m ending the year with new questions and the realisation that everything is connected – that I cannot help others without helping/taking care of myself first.

On a larger scale I’ve also noticed this year has held many death-rebirths for my friends and family. I have never known such a year for the death of outworn ideas, old prejudices, dated dreams and outgrown relationships. So many people I know have been scoured bare by this year, both mentally and emotionally. So what does the future hold? What rebirths are lined up to fill the empty spaces left by this devouring Pig Year? I have a few hunches, but I’ll leave that for my next post on what the new year holds. ;-)

A Good tradition of Love and Hate.

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"There's a good tradition of love and hate staying by the fireside.. "
Sung by Tanita Tikaram

There's a good traditional belief that love and hate between people can be predicted by astrology. I disagree with those good traditions. I don't think love can ever be completely based on the stars, or any other tabulated system. Astrology cannot make you fall in love, nor make the person of your dreams love you. Astrology cannot create love, nor can it promise perfect happiness - that is up to you. Even when you do find that "perfect match" person it is still up to you. Love is not the end of a fairy tale, it's the beginning of an epic saga.

Personally, I don't think astrology should be used to pick your friends and lovers. For me the attraction of astrology is how it can be used as a way of making already existing relationships work better, rather than predicting "love" or "hate" for the two people involved. As anyone who has ever been in love can vouch - the border between love and hate can be remarkably foggy at times!

Astrology's gift is not the fact it can tell you who is right for you, but rather the fact that it can point out the potential problems and weak spots between people. It can show you the areas of your personalities where you both need to adjust in order to make the relationship "fit" better. Because ultimately all relationships, from parents and partners to friends and family, only thrive when they are based upon good communication and the willingness of both sides to compromise when necessary.

In Western Astrology many publications focus solely on Sun signs, which is rather like basing your whole choice of partner on what shoes they wear. Western astrology is far more complex than Sun signs alone. Any good astrologer will tell you that you need to know the person's entire chart, as well as your own, in order to make any kind of evaluation. You need to be able to compare the other major planets.

To give a very brief example:
Moon signs will show up how you both react to life and each other on an intuitive-emotional level. Do you "connect" without words or do you both struggle to get your personal feelings understood by the other?
Mercury signs will show if you both think alike, or have very different ways of thinking and communicating. Could you work together or do you both need separate careers?
Venus will show your attitudes to love and what you want from a romantic relationship. It also governs money so Venus can also point out who is the miser and who is the spendaholic. Venus can tell whether
you should both be considering separate bank accounts!
Mars signs govern energy and aggression. They will show how you react in anger as well as why one of you wants to be off mountain climbing at dawn while the other prefers to sleep in late and watch TV all weekend. Mars will show who enjoys fighting and who prefers to give into keep the peace.. or sulk in seething silence.

Chinese astrology is equally complex and, once again, you need to know both the animal symbols and the elements. The relationship between the elements is particularly interesting. Remember that children's game of "Rock, Paper, Scissors"? The Chinese Elements follow a similar concept. Each element has the ability to conquer, or be conquered, by another element. These are the elements that are seen as hostile towards each other. But unlike that childhood game the Chinese elements each have the ability to nurture another.

Water makes plants grow and creates life
- Water people nurture and are good for Wood people
Wood burns to create fire, warmth and protection
- Wood people nurture and are good for Fire people
Fire dwells in the depth of our Planet and gives it life
- Fire people nurture and are good for Earth people
Earth gives us our ores, minerals and precious stones
- Earth people nurture and are good for Metal people
Metal (to the Chinese) creates steam and water
- Metal people nurture and are good for Water people

BUT..

Water puts out Fire
Water people dominate Fire people
Fire melts Metal
- Fire people dominate Metal people
Metal saws and axes are used to cut down trees
- Metal people dominate Wood people
Wooden tools dig into the Earth
- Wood people dominate Earth people
Earth absorbs Water
- Earth people dominate Water people

Although these are seen as "bad" compatibility connections it is possible to have a happy relationship between a dominant and weak element - provided the dominant person does not take advantage of their "power". It also should be pointed out that a dominant person who becomes a bully runs the risk of forcing the weaker element person to survive in the relationship by resorting to underhand tactics, such as emotional blackmail and manipulation.

Ultimately both Chinese and Western Astrology are only a means of understanding ourselves and others better, not Harry Potter's magic wand. The truth is that every relationship is made up of two ordinary people who bring with them all their "baggage" of past history, flaws and phobias. Since there are no perfect human beings so there cannot be any perfect relationships. There are only wonderful, miraculous, horribly complicated flawed real people. If you can accept that fact, and learn to rejoice in those horrible yet wondrous complications, you will find love and you will have that enduring relationship.

Are you the Black Sheep of the family?

...
This is an adaptation of a longer article I wrote in 2003. All the pictures were on transparent backgrounds, but for some reason they went a bit weird once I went beyond "preview" to "publish post".

The first thing you need to know about Chinese astrology is that there are actually 60 year signs, not 12. There are 12 symbolic animal signs and 5 elements that together form a permutation cycle of 60 years. (There are also day and month signs, but we'll just stick with the basic 60 year signs here)

So how do you figure out your complete year sign? Well, the Chinese new year is a complicated event based on the first new moon at the end of winter/beginning of spring. If you're born in January or February you need to check with a good Chinese calendar to see which year you fall into.

To list all 60 sign combinations here isn't practical, so I'm simply going to give the 12 animals and the 5 elements and the basics on how those elements affect the signs.

The twelve animals, in order of appearance to Buddha Himself, are:


Rat - Intelligent, charming, ambitious, hard-working and hyperactive. Think Mickey Mouse combined with Bill Gates. Rats are born to achieve.



Ox (also called Buffalo) - Patient, persistent, clear-thinking, stubborn and powerful. The original "immovable object." Oxen are born hard-workers.



Tiger - Courageous, charismatic, Impulsive, generous and persuasive. All Tigers are restless at heart. Tigers are born to rebel.



Rabbit (also called Cat) - Diplomatic, intuitive, friendly, sensitive and peace-loving. Like Brer Rabbit, they can be cunning. Rabbits are born to adapt.



Dragon - Fearless, irresistible, idealistic, and self-sufficient. Dragons think they can conquer the world. Dragons are born to blaze ahead.



Snake - Sophisticated, sensual, wise, efficient and self-contained. Mesmerising and unique. Snakes are born to charm.



Horse - Cheerful, noble, energetic, unselfish and temperamental. Think of the wild mustangs of America. Horses are born to be free.



Goat (also called Sheep) - Creative, peaceful, imaginative, eccentric and disorganised. The "arty" types. Goats are born to be creative.



Monkey - Entertaining, likeable, witty, and resourceful. These people ARE the barrel full of monkeys! Monkeys are born to scheme.



Rooster (also called Chicken or Bird) - Honest, flamboyant, generous, thoughtless and critical. From the proud peacock to the strutting cockerel, Roosters are born to survive.



Dog - Loyal, idealistic, individualistic, faithful yet wary. Dogs are champions of the weak. Dogs are born to protect.



Pig (also called Boar) - Cultured, determined, trusting and kind-hearted. Sometimes excessive, Pigs are born to want the good things in life.

The elements and how they affect the 12 animal signs:

Water - called "Black" - this gives extra creativity and sensitivity. Combined with strong or forceful animals Water makes them more gentle and adaptable. Combined with mild animals Water makes them more creative, but more indecisive.

Wood - called "Green" - this gives warmth and humanity. Wood people enjoy working with their hands and are happiest when busy. Wood makes all the animal signs more caring and co-operative.

Fire - called "Red" - this gives energy and inspiration. Fire is more emotional and excitable than the other elements. All signs are more forceful with Fire as their element.

Earth - Called "Brown" - this gives patience and common-sense. Earth makes all signs more practical, but also more stubborn. Earth people are faithful and loyal, but demand praise and loyalty in return.

Metal - called "White" - this gives power and strength. Metal makes the signs bolder, but also more stubborn and intolerant of new ideas or change.
...

To use myself as the example. I'm born in 1963. So I'm a Black/Water Rabbit. A double combination of creative and sensitive with a strong tendency to drift off in mid-conversation. Water Rabbits aren't exactly "solid", but we are nice. :-)

~~oOo~~

1930~White Horse. 1931~White Goat. 1932~Black Monkey. 1933~Black Rooster. 1934~Green Dog. 1935~Green Pig. 1936~Red Rat. 1937~Red Ox. 1938~Brown Tiger. 1939~Brown Rabbit. 1940~White Dragon. 1941~White Snake. 1942~Black Horse. 1943~Black Goat. 1944~Green Monkey. 1945~Green Rooster. 1946~Red Dog. 1947~Red Pig. 1948~Brown Rat. 1949~Brown Ox. 1950~White Tiger. 1951~White Rabbit. 1952~Black Dragon. 1953~Black Snake. 1954~Green Horse. 1955~Green Goat. 1956~Red Monkey. 1957~Red Rooster. 1958~Brown Dog. 1959~Brown Pig. 1960~White Rat. 1961~White Ox. 1962~Black Tiger. 1963~Black Rabbit. 1964~Green Dragon. 1965~Green Snake. 1966~Red Horse. 1967~Red Goat. 1968~Brown Monkey. 1969~Brown Rooster. 1970~White Dog. 1971~White Pig. 1972~Black Rat. 1973~Black Ox. 1974~Green tiger. 1975~Green Rabbit. 1976~Red Dragon. 1977~Red Snake. 1978~Brown Horse. 1979~Brown Goat. 1980~White monkey. 1981~White Rooster. 1982~Black Dog. 1983~Black Pig. 1984~Green Rat. 1985~Green Ox. 1986~Red Tiger. 1987~Red Rabbit. 1988~Brown Dragon. 1989~Brown Snake. 1990~White Horse. 1991~White Goat. 1992~Black Monkey. 1993~Black Rooster. 1994~Green Dog. 1995~Green Pig. 1996~Red Rat. 1997~Red Ox. 1998~Brown Tiger. 1999~Brown Rabbit. 2000~White Dragon. 2001~White Snake. 2002~Black Horse. 2003~Black Goat. 2004~Green Monkey. 2005~Green Rooster. 2006~Red Dog. 2007~Red Pig. 2008~Brown Rat.