Our new email address is psychic@tremont-tearoom.com

 

To unsubscribe from this newsletter click below

http://tremont-tearoom.com/newsletters.html

 

Hey folks! Happy Summer from Alex Palermo and the staff of the Tremont Tearoom. I have a great newsletter for you this month. It was a lot of work, but at least I get to bash Martha Stewart and feel bad for Vanna White <gg>... here's the scoop................

 

 

Astrological News and Analysis July 2002

 

July 4, 2002 USA Solar Return

 "July 2 — Big city mayors on Tuesday urged Americans to turn out for July 4th celebrations but to also be vigilant and show patience as police step up security against any terrorist act. The preparations came as the U.S. government, while emphasizing it had no specific new intelligence about an attack, on Monday issued a new advisory for Americans traveling abroad." MSNBC
 

USA Solar Return, July 5, 2002, 7:43 AM
 
It's different, isn't it? What were we doing a year ago? Watching the networks spin out of control over the summer soap opera called Chandra Levy. This year it's Elizabeth Smart. We railed over Bush's Tax Cut at the time of last year's USA Solar Return. This year it is Enron, WorldCom, Xerox, Global Crossing and Imclone.

 

We are roughly 70 days shy of our first September 11th anniversary. CNN online polls that once asked if we supported Bush's Tax Cuts now query as to whether we'll change our travel plans because of renewed terrorist threats.

 

Last year's "Homeland Security" was Bush's busting of the trade unions in favor of big business.

This year's "Homeland Security" after "The American Patriot Act" was passed.

 

"Restrictions on personal liberty, on the right of free expression of opinion, including freedom of the press; on the rights of assembly and association; and violations of the privacy of postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications; and warrants for house searchers, orders for confiscations as well as restrictions on property, are also permissible beyond the legal limits otherwise prescribed."

[Adolph Hitler's "plan" for Homeland Security after he burned down the Reichstag in 1933.]

"The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich," William L. Shirer, pg. 194, Touchstone Books, a division of Simon & Schuster.

 

The Declaration of Independence's Solar Return Moon at 14 degrees Taurus is conjoined to the Ascendant of the Bush Inauguration Chart and is quincunx the USA's natal Saturn at 14 degrees Libra. [14 Degrees is "sensitive" as Mercury and the Ascendant were at 14 degrees Libra at the time of the First Impact into WTC. Saturn was at 14 degrees Gemini.]

 

Venus, ruler of Solar Return Moon for Bush and the USA becomes the "translator" of the quincunx aspect, along with "Messenger Mercury."

 

Venus, Located at 23 degrees Leo in the first house of the USA's Solar Return, makes a statement about "sovereignty" and the manner in which the people realign themselves with national myths during this particular "independence" celebration. Solar Return Venus, ruler of the Declaration of Independence's 9th cusp (the house associated with rituals and ritual decrees) shows the fixity of purpose behind the Pledge of Allegiance as reflected through the national myth of sovereignty. The Taurus Moon (Venus ruler) squares the 9th house cusp of the Declaration of Independence chart signifying a 9th house (legal) argument ("Establishment Clause" of the First Amendment of the Constitution vs. national sentiment). The square aspect is the "argument" and eventually one side will have to give way. As to whether the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals will reverse the ruling is yet to be known.

 

Interestingly enough, T-Venus (Solar Return Venus, that is) falls in the 7th house of the U.S. Constitution's chart and opposes its natal Saturn at 23 degrees Aquarius! Limits (Saturn) to "sovereign statements" may be the outcome of the matter. In other words, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals may uphold the original ruling in favor of the First Amendment's "Establishment Clause:"

 

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

 

Confusion (Neptune) over Constitutional limits is reflected in the Constitution's Solar Arc Directed Neptune at 23 degrees Taurus [chart not shown]. This conjoins Bush Inauguration Saturn; creates a T-square between Constitution Saturn and T-Venus; and "releases" in the Constitution's third house. The Constitution's Directed Neptune joins the Inauguration chart's T-square: Saturn square Uranus; Mars opposite Saturn in square to Uranus. Note that the USA's Solar Return Moon at 14 degrees Taurus will oppose Inauguration Mars in just over a month by progression and will land on Caput Algol, the position of Venus for the USA's 2001 Solar Return very close thereafter. It was the position of Venus in last year's USA Solar Return that was the harbinger of September 11, 2001.

 

[Solar Arc Neptune will move to 26 degrees Taurus (Caput Algol) in three years time. This is the harbinger of grave constitutional battles to come, particularly at the time when new Justices of the Supreme Court will be appointed. (Rehnquist will soon retire, leaving us wide open to Scalia and Thomas, as well as the potential for more extreme justices to be appointed to the Court)].

 

I suspect that any terrorist activity, if it is to occur again on U.S. soil, will do so around this time frame (August-September 2002), as the Solar Return Moon progressing to 26 Taurus is in orb of the Declaration of Independence's Solar Arc Saturn: 29 Taurus, or Alcyone, the Star of Great Grief. The Solar Return Moon reaching "Alcyone" may not indicate an attack so much as the grief that will re-emerge the closer we get to the one year anniversary of the WTC attacks. The sign Taurus (earth), so prominent at the USA's Solar Return, is associated with physicality; environment; opulence; big money; wildlife; campaign funds; and nature. All this takes center stage, as the Declaration of Independence's progressed Midheaven is at 15 degrees Taurus and takes the conjunction from the Solar Return chart Moon. Conservation (Conservatism), safety; pleasure; and prosperity are at issue. The wildfires raging out of control in Arizona and Colorado are significant environmental testimonies, as is the Bush Kremlin's refusal to finance the Superfund clean-up of 33 toxic waste sites across the USA. The Stock market ails. WorldCrime's (WorldCom) stock was selling at six cents a share on July 1. Martha Stewart may be in line for obstruction of justice charges. The manner in which disclosure of corporate crimes impacts the Bush Kremlin is, perhaps, a large part of what is hinted at in June 10's Solar Eclipse at 19 Gemini (conjoined to Bush's natal and progressed Uranus -- alteration of his political destiny). Although the administration continues to receive high marks for its prosecution on the war against terror, public perceptions of Bush haven't changed in connection with big business. Halliburton Oil is under SEC investigation for similar erroneous financial disclosures from 1999-2000. Veep Cheney was CEO of the corporation during that time. The SEC's inquiries dovetail with inquiries into Cheney's "secret energy meetings" where Enron was a key player.

 

The Constitution chart is under great stress drawing in the Bush Kremlin. (I call this administration "Kremlin" due to the secrecy surrounding it). The Constitution's progressed Mars and Uranus at 26 degrees Cancer conjoin Bush's natal Saturn in his 12th house of secret matters. The aforementioned planets are in opposition to the Declaration of Independence's natal Pluto at 27 degrees Capricorn in its second house of big money: the plutocracy. The Constitution's Progressed Mars, Uranus and Bush's natal Saturn are still within orb of conjunction of the Declaration's of Independence's 8th house Mercury (24 degrees Cancer). This Mercurial "articulation" results in continued disclosures of business practices that more closely resemble rackets rather than legitimate enterprise. Bush himself is not the architect of the current corporate collapse. However, Bush does have a "perception problem." Probes into Bush's past dealings with his own oil companies, such as Harkin Oil, reveal that he himself engaged in the very same "insider trading" practices as those of Martha Stewart.

 

The Constitution Chart's progressed Lunar Nodes are 17 degrees Gemini (South) and 17 degrees Sagittarius (North) -- or, a "nodal reversal" phase. The current transiting Lunar Nodes are the "reverse" of the Constitution's progressed nodes, signifying "a reversal of fortune" and "conditions which are at great odds with each other." The Constitution's natal Lunar Nodes (1 degree Capricorn North/1 degree Cancer/South) were also smacked by the Lunar Eclipse of June 24, 2002! The aforementioned progressed lunar nodes have been greatly stressed by the three Saturn-Pluto oppositions of 2001-2002.

 

Worthy of note is the Constitution's progressed Chiron at 10 degrees Gemini (the pain of truthful disclosure) which is conjoined the Republican Party's natal Saturn! Note that the GOP's natal Uranus at 15 degrees Taurus is conjoined to the Declaration of Independence's progressed Midheaven; The USA's Solar Return Moon; quincunx Bush's progressed Chiron (15 degrees Libra); the USA's natal Saturn (14 degrees Libra); and quincunx T-Pluto (15 degrees Sagittarius). The Declaration of Independence's progressed Moon at 11 degrees Gemini has just crossed over the GOP's natal Saturn and the Constitution's progressed Chiron. Issues of how much freedom vs. how much control (Uranus/Saturn/Chiron) the nation is afforded are squarely in the forefront. Whether the Constitution prevails or authoritarianism supplants it will be under strict examination for at least the next three years. There is more at stake this 4th of July than whether Americans decide to congregate in public places. It gets down to whether, in three years, we'll be allowed to peacefully assemble at all.

 

Martha Stewart's Karmic Rewards

With Martha Stewart's stock and popularity falling, she'd better start tagging her furniture. The new "Queen of Mean" (see Salon.com), who has been reviled in at least two autobiographies, may soon find herself listed as a K-Mart "Blue Light Special."

 

Her $290M empire, built on towels, sheets and 1950's dreams of blissful housewifery may find 2002's Dragon-in-June Cleaver-clothes doing a spell in the Federal Pen. She would be an ideal candidate for the arts and crafts prison rehabilitation program. However, before Martha trades in her button-down blouses for prison orange, we might want to consider the current culture. I haven't heard of one CEO yet who is behind bars as a result of rampant corporate fraud.

 

Stewart has a fitful, fateful aspect formed by her natal Sagittarius Moon in quincunx to Mercury in Cancer and to her Saturn/Uranus conjunction in Taurus in the 7th house.

Martha's 2nd house Sagittarius Moon is "peregrine" (no essential dignity) on Ptolemy's Dignities Table. It is also conjunct the Arabic Part of "Treachery" and the fixed star, Aculeus:

 

"History of the star: In the stinger of the Scorpion. A companion cluster to Acumen.

 

The Akadians called Scorpio, Girtab, the "Seizer", or "Stinger", and the Place where One Bows Down, titles indicative of the creature's dangerous character; and referring to the striking curve of stars which lies in a dark portion of the Milky Way that forms the tail of the Scorpion, terminating in the poisonous upturned stinger, as if ready for an attack. (Allen).

 

Influence of the constellation: The Scorpion is associated with the Hebrew letter Oin and the 16th Tarot Trump "The Lightning-Struck Tower". (Robson).

 

General influence of the star: It effects the eyesight and causes blindness of one or both eyes if in conjunction with an afflicted luminary, or in conjunction with a malefic that afflicts the luminaries. The opposition seems to be equally effective" (Robson).

 

Updating ancient astrology's more literal interpretation of Aculeus, blindness may indicate what Martha cannot see about her own character and that "birds of a feather" come home to roost at IMclone headquarters. The question "What did Martha know and when did she know it" becomes as relevant today as it was for Richard M. Nixon in 1973. Nixon also profited on the sly through the illegal garnering of funds -- some of which were funneled in by the super rich paranoid, Howard Hughes.

 

Martha's Moon, ruled by Jupiter in its detriment in 8th house Gemini speaks of dualities. Which way will Martha go? What will Martha's modus operandi be in relation to 8th house "big money/big power?" Jupiter receives a -10 score on Ptolemy's Dignities Table (pretty dire) and also lies in opposition to her Arabic Part of "Private Enemies." Her part of "Private Enemies," then, is 14 degrees Sagittarius. Pluto's retrograde cycle will conjoin that point in late August 2002. Stewart, who has a long history of mistreating her employees, as well as players high up on the financial food-chain, has spent a lifetime making enemies. Stewart's 6th house Aries Mars (the house associated with one's employees) shows a penchant for workaholism and heavy-handedness with subordinates. She runs her day-to-day operations like General Patton marching through Sicily. Patton was nicknamed "Old Blood and Guts." Martha's employees, one of whom she tried running down in a truck, may see her just that way. Stewart's Mars is not mitigated by any "softer" help from gentler planets. Mars sextiles her Jupiter in fall in Gemini and trines her bold Leo Sun. It is in wide opposition to Neptune in Virgo. Her expectations that others will perform "perfectly" is a projection outward of her own self-impatience.

 

Stewart's natal Sun is opposed by Neptune in Aquarius in her third house of "truth speaking." Neptune is, and will be, caught up with Stewart's cellphone records and other documentation that may be subpoenaed by the courts. The third house "paper trail," ruled by Saturn (Capricorn on her third house cusp), is caught up by transit in a Yod "boomerang,"

Her Part of Fortune at 24 degrees Pisces is in her 5th house of "stock market risks." It opposes her Arabic Part of Imprisonment (24 degrees Virgo). The part of imprisonment in the 11th house a) is conjoined to 11th house Neptune of fraudulent schemes;) b.)implicates her in Neptunian 11th house scandals connected with "others"; and c) is conjoined to her Virgo North Node ruled by natal Mercury in her 9th house of lawsuits.

 

Mercury, a part of Stewart's YOD, is conjoined to the fixed star, Procyon:

 

"With Mercury: Occult interest, minor position of management under Government, trouble and scandal through opposite sex, favorable for health and gain. (Robson).

 

General influence of the star: According to Ptolemy it is of the nature of Mercury and Mars; to Simmonite, of Venus and Mars, which is probably a misprint; and, to Alvidas, of the Moon, Jupiter and Uranus. It gives activity, violence, sudden and violent malevolence, sudden preferment by exertion, elevation ending in disaster, danger of dog bites and hydrophobia, and makes its natives petulant, saucy, giddy, weak-natured, timid, unfortunate, proud, easily angered, careless and violent. Two cases are on record of death or injury by dog bite in which Procyon and Sirius are involved. (Robson).

 

Procyon is a very fortunate star; known to the Mesopotamians as 'The Star of the Crossing of the Water - Dog', as it lies near their River of Heaven, the Milky Way. Procyon foretold wealth and renown, and in all astrology has been much regarded, giving 'Everlasting of the Right, and Good Effect'. Procyon has a Mars-Mercury nature and therefore makes people hasty, jealous, pig-headed. But it also confers will-power and ability to put thoughts and plans into action. According to tradition there is also a tendency to a hot temper and impudence. Rise and success are found with it, but fall from high position later, is indicated. Enterprises created in haste therefore do not last. People who "want to go through the wall with their head" only cause injury to themselves. Procyon gives drive and a good sharp mind. Linked with positive stellar bodies, success is made greater, but the native, in order to avoid a fiasco, has always to take care not to be imprudent. Especially dangerous is Procyon configured with Mars and Pluto. With the Sun, a valiant demeanor is indicated (Ebertin). "

 

Procyon speaks of rise and success but a fall from high position later. By way of example, note that O.J. Simpson has natal Mercury on Procyon. Richard M. Nixon's natal Neptune of scandals and fraudulent schemes is conjoined to Procyon. As noted in my Watergate investigations, Nixon's natal YOD contained a "boomerang" where his natal Pluto at 28 Gemini opposed Mars, the release point of his YOD. When T-Saturn reached the conjunction with Nixon's natal Pluto in July, 1973, the YOD and its "boomerang" were kicked off. Our current T-Saturn will reach 25 degrees Gemini, or the "boomerang" point inside Martha's YOD on July 28, 2002. At that time, Saturn will also square Martha's 11th house Neptune (25 Virgo), her natal Moon and progressed Ascendant. This time frame represents "critical mass" for Martha, as Mercury in her 9th house of lawsuits is also a part of her natal YOD. It begins to look as though Stewart is running out of free time to crochet doilies for her East Hampton, New York home.

 

Let's have a look at Stewart's Saturn-Uranus conjunction, both of which are part of her natal YOD. The two are in the 7 th house in the sign Taurus. Uranus is in its fall in the sign Taurus. Saturn, ruler of Capricorn, is relatively happy in another earth sign, but not in conjunction with Chaotic Uranus. Martha's Virgo Venus (in fall) lends no help to this conjunction and testifies to a rather pragmatic, dry, "take" on intimate relationships. Her marriage fell apart when her husband walked out on her. Again, her Sagittarius Moon in quincunx to her "marriage house" planets, ruled by Jupiter in detriment, did not bode a happy first marriage for the domestic diva. Uranus at 29 degrees Taurus is conjoined to the fixed star, Alcyone:

 

The misuse of beauty aids reminds me more of Katherine Harris than Martha Stewart.

 

Remember that her Neptune is ruled by Mercury on Procyon. Stewart either has little ability to "see" where these relationships may take her, or she is deluded into thinking that no harm can come of it.

 

An example, of Alcyone: this fixed star was on the Ascendant for the morning the U.S. Senate filed into its Chambers and signed off on the Petition to begin impeachment proceedings against Bill Clinton. Clinton's relationship with Lewinsky was one of blindness on the part of both which resulted in "great grief."

 

Stewart's progressed Midheaven at 18 Libra is conjoined to the arabic parts of "danger and peril" and "profession." Clearly it is profession and reputation that are now imperiled for the Decorator Dominatrix. The transiting lunar Nodes hit 27 Gemini/Sagittarius on December 26-27, the day she cashed in her IMclone stock via alleged insider trading. As fated points, the Lunar Nodes, were in the same degree as Stewart's Saturn-Uranus, all of which keyed directly into her natal Yod. The Christmas lunar nodes resonated with Stewart's chaotic Uranus on the unluckiest of Stars, Alcyone, presaging the loss of reputation, money and possible lawsuits Stewart now faces. Mars at 18 degrees Aries retrograde in her progressed chart shows conflagrations that upset her private life. Her Sun/Moon midpoint is also 18 degrees Libra, made more uncomfortable by Mars' square to the aforementioned points from the sign of Cancer, exact on June 24, 2002, the day of the Cancer/Capricorn eclipse. Stewart's progressed Jupiter is conjoined to the USA's Mars in Gemini associated with not only transportation issues, but clear and concise documentation. Mercury in Gemini will conjoin this degree on June 30-July 1, thus "asking" that voice be given to a great number of issues. As I never tire of mentioning, Neptune's transit through the USA's second house of "money," brings Stewart, Enron, WorldCom, et al. to the forefront of financial scandal. It is hard to believe, but we've only seen the tip of the iceberg.

 


U.S. And World Markets
We are now about to enter yet another remarkable geocosmic zone that may very well correspond to large price moves in many financial markets. Between July 3 and August 10, the Sun, Mars and Jupiter will all conjoin one another.

 

The first of these powerful signatures is Mars conjunct Jupiter, which takes place on Wednesday, July 3, at 23 degrees of Cancer. In 16 of the 20 cases observed since 1962, this 27-month planetary cycle has coincided with primary or greater cycles within 15 trading days in the major U.S. stock market indices. Thirteen of these occurred within just 10 trading days, and half of them within only eight trading days. The frequency of crests has been greater than that of troughs, but traders should not depend upon that likelihood. After all, if there is one thing we have learned over the years about geocosmic signatures, it is not that they correlate with crests or troughs, but that rather with changes in the prevailing trend at the time. And the prevailing trend as we enter this time frame has been bearish, in both the U.S. and Japanese equity markets. But it has been up in regard to almost all foreign currencies as measured against the U.S. Dollar, as well as Gold prices. For those who wish to go back in time and check it out, the last instance of this signature was April 6, 2000, just a few trading days after the all-time high in the NASDAQ and S&P index.

 

The next part of this important group of geocosmic signatures will be the Sun conjunct Jupiter on July 19, at 26 degrees Cancer. Of the three major aspects being discussed this is, perhaps, the least important in terms of its historical correspondence to stock market cycles. Still, it has correlated with primary or greater cycles in U.S. stock indices with a 67% percent frequency in the past 24 instances (it occurs approximately every 13 months). Perhaps more amazing is the fact that it has a 63% correlation with a primary or greater cycle within only six trading days. Since it is the middle aspect of the three signatures, it has a high probability of timing the next big reversal suggested by this cluster.

 

An interesting side note is the fact that these first two aspects take place in 23-26 Cancer. This zodiacal sector forms a T-square to the Moon-Saturn conjunction in Aries, and Jupiter Neptune conjunction in Libra, of the New York Stock Exchange chart of May 17, 1792. It portends something big is developing.

 

Part of this major formation of conjunctions is the Sun-Mars contact of August 10, which takes place at 18 degrees Leo, opposite the U.S. Moon. Within 27 trading days, this aspect has had a 67% correlation to a 50-week or greater cycle in the major U.S. stock indices. It requires a greater orb because these two planets move at close to the same speed in geocentric astrology. They remain within 8 degrees of one another for several weeks. And, historically, one will see a very high percentage of times when these two planets are within 8 degrees. The Dow Jones Industrials will move for a long-term high or low from which prices reverse at least 10%. I cannot think of any other aspects between two planets that have as high a correlation as the Sun-Mars conjunction to 10% or greater moves, unless you look at aspects between Jupiter and beyond.

 

All of this suggests a very interesting period coming up in the next six weeks for major stock indices in the world. And if stocks move, you can be fairly certain that major mundane events will transpire too—perhaps a drought? All of these aspects involving Mars (and the last is in a fire sign, no less) suggests hot weather, and the continuation of danger brought about through forest fires that rage out of control. It is likely to be a hot, reckless and aggressive period when many things appear to go "over the top." But this could be in terms of over-confidence as well as tempers. Enjoy it if things go your way. It can coincide with a lot of fun on a personal level, and great performances in the world of sports. But be careful of over-estimating, or over-trading, because even good things can come to a sudden end once these signatures are completed.

 

Astrological Highlights July 2002

 

The Sun in Cancer until the 22nd supports all the issues of security and emotional connections. These include homes, building, real estate, family, parenting, children, food, country, social issues, counseling, finances, income, geriatrics and genealogy. The long 4th of July weekend provides the opportunity to meet with family and support patriotism. Jupiter in Cancer all month adds the global dimension to family and can exacerbate the religious, political and territorial aspects of one country’s “family” verses another. In various parts of the world people are in conflict with their neighbors over land, religion, politics and history. While they fight with each other, they threaten to jeopardize everyone’s security, including their own. The New Moon in Cancer on the 10th indicates a new direction in any of the home, family and security issues. The President’s new idea of consolidating Federal agencies into one for Homeland Security reflects this. The Sun in Leo after the 22nd supports leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, entertainers and the appreciation of the arts and creative self-expression. Leos are also generous with children, loved ones and friends they entertain.
Mercury (communications, writing, contracts, commerce) in Gemini until the 7th supports information processing, intellectual connections, commercial interactions, negotiations, agreements, short-distance travel, early learning, working with the hands and trade. Mercury’s connection with Saturn on the 2nd is a good aspect under which to write, instruct or complete a detailed project. Mercury’s connection with Uranus on the 6th supports technical ideas and work on computers and programs. Mercury in Cancer from the 7th to the 21st supports communication with family and travel to spend time with anyone from whom we receive emotional support. Mercury in Leo after the 21st combines with the Sun and Mars in Leo to support art, performance and entertaining. Leo is the sign of the entrepreneur so this is a time to start new businesses or creative projects. Leos are generally proud of their children, generous with their loved ones, loyal to friends and supportive of their employees. On the negative side, they can be egotistical.

 

Venus (values, money, social connections) in Leo until the 10th supports social events, parties, picnics, performing and appreciation of the arts, such as art fairs and festivals. After the 10th Venus in Virgo shifts attention to routine functions at work and home. This includes maintenance and beautification of land, gardens and property as well as enhancements inside the home or work place. Venus has a social aspect which supports taking care of and appreciating those with whom you interact on a daily basis.

 

Mars (initiation, energy, aggression) in Cancer until the 13th brings energy to the security issues of home, family, finances, real estate, food and emotional support. Mars in Cancer energizes family activities, projects around the home, sharing of food and family reunions. This includes initiation of searches for birth parents and adoptees. In the global view this combination can support defense of homeland and aggression toward others when danger is perceived. Mars in Leo after the 13th supports the desire to initiate new businesses, participate in or attend art fairs, engage in or enjoy performances and to entertain or attend parties.

 

Jupiter (expansion, opportunity, optimism, travel, foreign trade, education, religion) transits 22 to 29 degrees Cancer and will not repeat these degrees. Jupiter’s year-long transit in each sign repeats once every 12 years, so you can review what was happening in your life in the summer of 1990 as well as 1978, 1966, 1954, etc., to see what Jupiter in Cancer means to you, how you handled it and what you learned from it. Birthdays most affected are from July 15th-22nd, January 13th-20th, April 13th-20th, and October 16th-23rd as well as any chart with planets or angles from 22 to 29 degrees Cancer, Capricorn, Libra or Aries. Jupiter in Cancer raises all the home, family, security and emotional issues as well as the extended home and family of the religious community, political ties and national pride. Cancer also rules home, building, real estate, genealogy and finding lost or adopted family members – interests likely during this transit.

 

Saturn (structure, foundation, responsibility) transits 21 to 24 degrees Gemini where it retrogrades from December of 2002 to January of 2003 and repeats direct February thru April 2003. Saturn in Gemini indicates that acceptance of or changes in responsibility will be experienced by all of this Sun Sign between April 2001 and June of 2003. This month’s transits will most strongly affect those born around June 13th-16th, December 13th-16th, March 12th-15th and September 14th-17th as well as those with planets or angles around 21 to 24 degrees Gemini, Sagittarius, Pisces and Virgo. Saturn’s cycle repeats every 29.6 years, so it is helpful to review what was happening 29 years ago (or the half-cycle of 15 years). Saturn in Gemini suggests restructuring in the transportation, communications, trade and information processing industries as well as commerce and the work force in general.

 

Uranus (freedom, rebellion, surprise, invention, technology) retrogrades from 28 to 27 degrees Aquarius where it was in April and May and will repeat direct in January/February 2003. Those with birthdays around February 16th/17th, August 20th/21st, May 18th/19th and November 19th/20th will need freedom, will be in chaotic conditions or will make radical changes at these times as well as any chart with planets or angles at 27 or 28 degrees Aquarius, Leo, Taurus and Scorpio. Uranus in its ruling sign has emphasized the use of computers, electronics and technology, the speed at which life moves and erratic weather patterns as well as rebellious behavior, bizarre happenings and freedom issues. It also suggests that the only way we will survive is by being humanitarian.

 

Neptune (creativity, sensitivity, inspiration, escapism, dreams, trust) continues retrograde from 10 to 9 degrees Aquarius where it was in March of 2002 and repeats in January of 2003. Since Neptune is related to addictions, while it is retrograde, from May 13th to October 20th, is a good time to give up the substance or behavior. Birthdays most affected are around January 29th/30th, August 1st/2nd, November 1st/2nd, and April 29th/30th as well as charts with planets or angles at 9 or 10 degrees Aquarius, Leo, Taurus or Scorpio. Neptune transits can indicate a lack of direction or focus, a sense of drifting or the inability to see a betrayal, disappointment or error until it’s too late. On the plus side, it can be a time of artistic, musical and creative expression, psychic development, faith and trust or spiritual insights. Under this transit, practice meditation, follow your intuition and dreams, watch your back and try to balance faith with fact to see things clearly, not with wishful thinking.

 

Pluto (power, control, resources, transformation) retrogrades at 15 degrees Sagittarius where it was February thru April 2001, in December 2001 and will repeat in September/ October of 2002. Most affected are birthdays around December 7th, June 6th, March 6th, and September 8th as well as charts with planets or angles around 15 degrees Pisces, Virgo, Gemini and Sagittarius. From December 2001 to November 2002 they will experience changes in life such as marriage, divorce, job changes, financial challenges, relocation or questioning of beliefs. During and after these transits personal or marriage counseling may be required and transformational or self awareness workshops are enlightening and highly recommended. Since the sign of Sag rules education and religion, now that Pluto has reached the middle degrees of the sign we are seeing transformation in methods of education and public awareness regarding the misuse of sexuality by the religious and the need for accountability.

 

 

Saturn and Transportation = Amtrak Blues

 

Amtrak, the nation's sole operator of intercity passenger trains, is in desperate need of $200 million over the coming week or it will begin shutting down service immediately. The Bush Administration proposed a number of reforms last Thursday designed to give states more responsibility for train service, but none of them would rescue Amtrak from its current cash crunch.

 

Astrologically, the passage of Saturn is the key planetary indicator leading to a crisis in the railroad industry. Saturn is nearly conjunct the U.S. Mars, which is located in the transportation and communications sign of Gemini. In the Scorpio Rising U.S. horoscope, Mars is in the Eighth House of corporations, so Saturn is testing corporate enterprises associated with transportation and communications.

 

In related news, U.S. Airways is trying to persuade its unions to agree to cuts worth some $950 million in order to get a loan from the U.S. government. The holdup is the pilots union, but any agreement reached will have far-reaching impact across the airline industry. Unions are ruled by the Sixth House of jobs, which in the U.S. horoscope is ruled by Mars.*

 

As Saturn approaches the U.S. Mars, the possibility of crippling strikes increases. Already in New York City bus drivers are on strike, and on the West Coast the dockworkers are threatening a slowdown which would have a ripple effect across the economy. Watch around July 1 and 2 for the most serious transportation talks and union arrangements as speedy Mercury joins Saturn, and they simultaneously hit the U.S. Mars.

 


Neptune Confuses Bush's Middle East Policy

 

Last week President Bush was widely expected to propose moving toward the creation of a Palestinian state, but suicide bombings forced him to postpone his preferred solution to the Middle East situation. Meanwhile, Ariel Sharon's government has decided to reoccupy the entire West Bank until the violence stops.

 

From the U.S. perspective, transiting Saturn to the U.S. Mars refers to the need for responsible use of military force. Historically, this 29-year cycle has coincided with taking a serious look at what to do with military assets. When Saturn was last conjunct the U.S. Mars in 1972-73, President Nixon was winding down the Vietnam War by withdrawing troops and supplies. However, the previous cycle, which took place in April 1944, witnessed the massing of the largest military armada in history in preparation for D-Day.

 

We can expect that Bush, working in tandem with the Pentagon, is similarly strategizing about the optimum use for U.S. military assets. Last week The Washington Post revealed that the CIA was given the go-ahead to dethrone Saddam Hussein using whatever means available (see NewsScope, June 11, 2002). Palestinian and other world leaders say that only U.S. troops in the Middle East could control this crisis.

 

Bush's advisers are keenly divided over Middle East strategy. Bush just doesn't know what to do here, an uncertainty reflected astrologically by transiting Neptune opposed to his Mercury (the ruler of the Eleventh House of advisers). Using the technique of Astro*Carto*Graphy, Bush's Mercury is directly associated with his Middle East policy since his Mercury line goes right through Jerusalem.

 

Vanna White Meets   -D- I- V- O- R- C- E-

 

Wheel of Fortune hostess Vanna White and her husband have reached a mutual decision to end their marriage, a publicist for the show announced last week. The couple have been married for 11 years, but separated last November because of irreconcilable differences. One hundred million viewers watch Vanna turn over letters every week.

 

Vanna White was born a cerebral Aquarius (February 18, 1957; 2:35 pm; North
Myrtle Beach, SC) with her Moon in charming Libra. This Sun-Moon blend delights in mental abstractions and is especially adept at working in partnership, something co-host Pat Sajak obviously appreciates. Her Sun is glamorously enhanced by a trine to otherworldly
Neptune, and made the object of intense fascination by an exact opposition to obsessive Pluto.

 

Venus, the Love Goddess, is found in free-spirited, independent Aquarius, and is prominently placed by virtue of her many aspects, including an exact conjunction with the asteroid Vesta. Venus-Vesta brings a devotion to beauty, and helps explain why she holds the world's record for displaying the greatest quantity of outfits on television, many of which she designed herself.

 

Venus-Vesta combinations have a downside, which is that the devotion to work and being beautiful can displace intimacy. Over the last year transiting Pluto activated her fateful Yod configuration formed with her Saturn, Venus-Vesta** and her Cancer Ascendant, forcing her to realistically deal with her disconnect from husband George Santo Pietro.< Alex will never forget how he broke Linda Evans' heart in the 80's Dynasty Era) The two separated and filed for divorce as transiting Pluto has been conjunct her Saturn.

 

 

*Aries, the sign ruled by Mars, is on the cusp of the U.S. Sixth House.

 

**Note that progressed Chiron is forming an exact, to-the-minute conjunction with this Venus-Vesta. Also her Venus-Vesta is exactly conjunct the U.S. IC, explaining why she has become such an American icon for beauty.

 

July's Report for your sign


Summer sizzle, busy airports, heavy traffic on the roads, holiday festivities and crowds everywhere. It's a jammed packed start to the month. Catch some thrills. Catch the sun's rays. Be good to yourself. Be liberal with the hugs. Energetically, the stars dish out betwixt and between. We are just out the starting gate and galloping somewhat uncertainly down the track. It's a month of transitions, reorienting, adjusting, trial and error, new strategies and aiming for the next best thing. Mars progresses into the sign of Leo mid month, generally a more fun loving, confidant and active sign. The passion planet has to work around a few party poopers until the third week of the month. Not that it's bad news. Just that we haven't got all the goodies quite yet. The month finishes at a fairly relaxed pace. Heading into August, Mars fires up into hot stuff.

 


 Aries March 21 to April 19

 

Ruler: Mars; Color: Red;  Body: Head and face, upper jaw; Element: Fire
 

 

Home and family receives top attention this month. For some, the feeling is cozy, comfy. For some, obligations bring a sense of feeling trapped. Despite high energy, enthusiasm, and your desire to light big fires, you've got sparks, not blazes. You can only go so far given the current stellar setup. Betwixt and between. Think of this month as a regroup phase. Continue to explore next steps, review priorities, tighten the loose ends. Continual experimentation will lead to new ways of seeing, being and doing. Amass ideas, enjoy simple pleasures, take more time to nurture yourself. Let the inner child come out to play. Mars, your ruling planet, moves into the fun loving sign of Leo July 13. This planetary influence offers more entertainment and romantic potential. You can look forward to the best offerings from this planetary influence next month.

 

As the month begins, you could be frustrated trying to contact people or organize projects when many of the key players are on holiday or getting ready to leave town.You may just have to leave messages and do your own homework in preparation for their return. Between the 7th and 21st will be your time to focus on home and family. The New Moon on the 10th signals a new direction in your home or a new attitude toward the family or one family member. After the 21st, sports in general or a particular sporting event will attract your attention. Being an Aries, you could take the lead in organizing an event, as long as they do it your way. Around the 17th, you are able to gather support for ideas and activities and could find one particular relationship going very well. By the 24th, you will be visible in a work or social group, giving a presentation or just being your charming self.

 


 
Taurus April 20 to May 20

 

Ruler: Venus; Body: Throat and neck, upper esophagus; Element: Earth
 

 

Vacationing? Playing more? How wonderful. The stars increase social opportunity this month. Connecting with friends and family brings good times. People from your past rekindle memories and pull on the heartstrings. It's satisfying to witness the growth curve since the last visit or review. The lengthy pressure of the Saturn/Pluto opposition is now loosening the chokehold on your survival and intimacy issues. Of course, you need to appreciate evolution as an ongoing creative process. Ambition is a worthy attitude to groom. So long as you can find more to strive for and toward, you know you are alive and well. Uranus will continue to keep you on your toes. For this month, mosey along, enjoy the traditions of summertime and let the sun brighten your days.):

 

As the month begins, you are preparing to initiate a new project or direction in your professional life. You are very conscious of how much information processing and paper work it takes to keep things organized. After the 7th, you could be involved in learning or being the trainer. Although you may not have had much experience of this kind in the past, you will find that you enjoy it and it could open a new path in your career. The New Moon on the 10th will emphasize this. If you have time after the 17th, you are in the mood for decorating and beautifying your living space so that you can invite people to entertain for whom you can cook. After the 22nd, children or other family members take over with their friends, but you enjoy them as much as your own. After the 24th you receive recognition for your recent accomplishments and you realize how many people know you and appreciate your help.

 


 Gemini May 21 to June 21

 

Ruler: Mercury; Body: Arms and hands, lungs; Element: Air
 

 

Life is definitely moving forward. Thank the heavens! New opportunities are finally peaking through. You are on the move right from the start of the month. While July may be experienced as "wobbly" with lots of adjusting to do, you have to admit great progress is being made. Insecurities holding you back? Acknowledge your feelings, don't let them stop you. Experience under your belt is all that's needed for confidence and momentum to grow. For every lack, shortfall, or shortcoming, there is an upside, a plus and an opportunity waiting to be grabbed. Focus on what's lit up, alive and buzzing. It will breeze you through the uncertainties and rough spots. Planetary influences put you happily on the upswing for the rest of the year.

You begin the month concentrating on financial, security and sharing issues. You may be considering making changes in personnel or partners but are not ready to take action. You need to take a “wait and see” attitude for a specific amount of time. Since you have so much talent for “multi-tasking,” you may not have a clear picture of how much you have taken on as compared with what others do, but lately you may be feeling the effects and wondering what to do. Around the 7th is a financial opportunity and the New Moon on the 10th in your money house relieves some of the tension affording a new direction or idea. Around the 10th you enjoy romance and/or entertainment. Around the 22nd you teach, perform or otherwise show your skills. Around the Full Moon on the 24th, you are in your element enjoying people who are interesting and intelligent and who are fun to be with.

 


 Cancer June 22 to July 22

 

Ruler: Moon; Body: Stomach, breasts, solar plexus; Element: Water
 

 

On a personal mission? Show 'em what you are made of. You have a large resource pool to draw from; some of it comes as news to you. Shooting for the moon? Recent new activities, attitudes and feelings give you more reason to get up in the morning. Allow ample margins for trial and error. The stars continue to pull you forward, just beyond your comfort zone. It will be a month of ongoing adjustments. The setup may not always be what you'd prefer. Continual improvement is shown. Still, no matter where you go or how far you get, you'll be anxious about what's around the next bend. Nothing is written in stone. Life is what you make of it. This is the gift of the current stellar patterns. You are at the start of designing your future. Make each moment count.

You begin the month with a new resolve to rearrange your priorities regarding with whom you associate and how much time you spend on various activities in and outside of your work activity. Recent events have brought more clarity to you about your own worth and opinion of yourself verses others opinions of you. Prior to the 7th, you may decide to take extra time during the holiday to remove yourself from your normal routine and spend time on your own or with those who love and understand you so that you return to work with a renewed spirit. The New Moon on the 10th in your birth sign is the beginning of your solar year – a time to set personal goals and they have more power if you write them down. By the 17th, you are focused on beautification of your home, which you value highly. After the 22nd you are conscious of how thankful you are for your talents, abilities and what you have accomplished.

 


 Leo July 23 to August 22

 

Ruler: Sun; Body: Heart, spinal column, spleen, duodenum; Element: Fire
 

 

The month of Cancer is traditionally a good time to get off the spinning wheel and take a rest. You need spiritual, psychological and physical replenishing. Honor inner rhythms. Time on your own can be inspirational, creative, comforting. Sinful temptations? Fantasizing is definitely the safer and better way to go. Coveting? If you are still in desire mode beyond a reasonable wait and take stock period, then by all means go for it. Action planet Mars moves into Leo by mid month, while the Sun re-energizes your sign by July 22. Rev up the engines now. It's full throttle next month.

 

You begin the month preparing for changes in your home and/or work routine which will be happening over the next few months. During the holiday, you could decide to travel or may be checking out places to relocate. The New Moon in your house of emotional history will bring up memories from the past which relate to current situations. If you can forgive your self as well as others, let go and go on with your life, this can be a cathartic exercise. If you do not, it could have a negative affect on your health. Take care of yourself. Around the 17th you are able to communicate your thoughts and feelings to achieve a win/win outcome. After the 22nd there is a renewed sense of self pride. You could have a new hair style or purchase new clothing. Around the 24th, you receive positive input of appreciation and support from personal partners and/or professional associates.

 


 Virgo August 23 to September 22

 

Ruler: Mercury; Body: Intestines, spleen, abdominal cavity; Element: Earth
 

 

The Saturn/Pluto opposition that has plagued you over this past year is now a receding influence. While Saturn continues to make you work harder and longer for those well-deserved rewards, at least you can read the writing on the wall. There is a destination and you have the added determination to get there, beautifully I might add. Experiment. This is a time of enormous and ongoing personal growth. Foundations/anchors you are currently building are meant to support you through the long term. You care and it shows. Find more time to enjoy socializing with good friends and family. Vacationing - nearby or returning to favorite haunts, visiting home and/or receiving visitors - ah, summer.

 

You begin the month focused on development of a creative hobby which could turn into a business. You may be receiving work as the result of a public presentation and may be trying to balance this with prior commitments. After the 7th and around the New Moon on the 10th, you have new work associates or are meeting new friends. Around the 17th, you are focused on balancing the need for personal relationships with your work life. After the 22nd, a little private time is in order. Virgos think while they clean, so clearing out a corner of the basement or organizing shelves in the kitchen is a healing and mentally refreshing exercise, which can bring clarity regarding an emotional situation. The Full Moon on the 24th would be a good time to connect with friends in a prayer circle or other support group to add energy to the personal resolutions you have made.

 


 Libra September 23 to October 23

 

Ruler: Venus; Body: Kidneys, adrenals, skin urethras; Element: Air
 

 

Put priority on personal needs/interests, stay present in the moment and you'll experience the best of both worlds. When you are happy, you simply have more to give. The stars are in okay shape; optimum is not quite available. You will have to shift a little to the left or right in order to catch the best of the stellar rays. The New Moon influence on July 9th could launch an exciting new cycle. Could be love, could be money, could be simply good fun. Try a game of chance but don't gamble your life away. Mars moves into Leo July 13, a week prior to Mercury and the Sun. These sunny influences bring increased satisfaction as the month comes to close and we head into August.

Your priority during the holiday could be to organize your home, particularly if your business is there. After the 7th and around the New Moon on the 10th your focus turns to your public or professional interactions. This could be a new job or doing the same work with new associates or leadership. If you have stuck to the previous agenda during the early part of the month, you could be wonderfully balanced (what Libras need) by the 17th. After the 22nd, you feel comfortable with the pace of the new work or social group. But be a little cautious about sharing information regarding your personal life because not everyone is as friendly as they seem. Inform on an as-need basis only. Around the Full Moon on the 24th is a good time for romantic interests, having fun with children, entertainment or a creative hobby. A friend could become a lover now or a previous relationship return.

 


 Scorpio October 24 to November 22

 

Ruler: Mars/Pluto; Body: Generative organs, nasal bone, bladder, colon; Element: Water
 

 

The concentration of planetary energies in a compatible water sign feeds your soul, your mind and your heart very nicely. What a great time to be taking a vacation. Even if you aren't lounging in a tropical paradise, your psyche feels more relaxed. Romance is thriving for some. The stars keep you growing, on the move, reinventing yourself. Take advantage of synchronistic events around the New Moon July 10th. Follow spur of the moment inspirations and you will point yourself in the right direction. Put yourself in set up mode this month. As Leo energies take over, you will be asking for more from the stars and they will be asking more from you.

 

You begin the month aware that you need to take control in communications. If you are a leader, then you must maintain order in your work group. At this time, you may also be aware that you need training in leadership or a specialty area of expertise. This may not be happy news, but try to be honest with yourself to enhance future opportunities. After the 7th and in particular around the New Moon on the 10th is a good time to begin. You could also be considering fitting in a short trip or vacation after the holiday weekend rather than before. Around the 17th, you are considering ways in which to achieve balance, more honesty and win/win outcomes with others. After the 22nd others could see a positive change in your leadership skills or professional image. Around the Full Moon on the 24th is a good time to entertain friends or family at home or to go somewhere just for fun.

 

 Sagittarius November 23 to December 21

 

Ruler: Jupiter; Body: Hips, sacral region, sciatic nerves; Element: Fire
 

 

Back to the beginning is a good place for you. Trace your roots, your ancestry, your previous steps. A review is in order. Aim to get yourself reconnected. The New Moon influence around July 9th can be a time of starting over. A new psychological, emotional, physical, or financial base is the anchor you need and desire. Whether within your soul, or in reality, a new residence is comforting. Do the inner work now. Confront your insecurities, take practical steps to getting yourself poised and settled. As planetary energies move into Leo mid month and beyond, that usual dynamic performer returns to the stage. You can look forward to what comes next with great delight.

 

You begin the month working out the details of discussions regarding finances which occurred during the previous weeks. You could be considering education or special schooling as well as a vacation, projects in the home and the needs of a partner in the budget. You also need to consider time and energy commitments as well as money. After the 7th, there is more money to work with and the New Moon on the 10th brings the opportunity for a new direction in all areas of sharing. Around the 17th, you connect with people who will work toward balance, harmony and a win/win outcome. And you can add humor to the mix. After the 22nd and in particular at the Full Moon on the 24th, you have the chance to lead, train, present information or minister to others. You should find the group intelligent, intuitive and supportive but challenging you to achieve your best.

 


 Capricorn December 22 to January 20

 

Ruler: Saturn; Body: Knees, hair, joints, bones; Element: Earth
 

 

We aren't asking for much. Just everything you have and then some. Good thing you have much to contribute and share. Immerse yourself with totality of spirit. Your heart is being opened in new ways. Along with the good stuff come insecurities, uncertainties and vulnerabilities. Acknowledge this and continue to take big steps. The New Moon around July 9th brings a karmic threshold and the opportunity to create something new. You are attracting exactly what you need, even if it doesn't always look like it in the moment. Take time to really listen and observe. Place yourself in another's shoes. Try on a new pair yourself. You are discovering and growing at a rapid pace. Keep up the good work. As planetary energies move into Leo next month you will be gaining more confidence and certainty.

 

You are currently focused on organizing yourself rather than others. This process will require that you value and appreciate yourself for who you are and what you have accomplished. Remember that as a leader and person in charge you cannot please everyone. If you have a creative hobby or means of artistic expression, spending time on that would be helpful now. After the 7th and particularly around the New Moon on the 10th, people in your life will be more supportive but also expect a lot. Around the 17th is a good time to negotiate a positive, balanced and fair outcome in a project or issue as long as no one becomes too emotional. After the 22nd, you are considering an investment or special purchase. Remember to make the decision based on what is best for you and not on what you think others need. The clearer you are on your values, the easier you can communicate your thoughts.

 


 Aquarius January 21 to February 18

 

Ruler: Saturn/Uranus; Body: Circulation, lower leg, teeth; Element: Air
 

 

Consider this month as incubation time. Think, study, research, do journal work. Write post it notes and put them in obvious spots where you continually see them. Clean your closets, weed your garden and clear your mind. Go to yoga. At the beach or in the tub, let the soothing sounds of water heal and relax you. Seek counseling, a mentor or a good friend/family member to share with. Invest in your physical, mental and spiritual health. Looking to the long road ahead? Don't let anxieties build. Let the universe keep track of the clock. Divine order is always on your side. Follow inspirations of the moment. Honor inner rhythms. Go when you feel like it, stop when you sense the signal. Action planet Mars moves into sunny Leo mid month, but give yourself a start up time frame. Stellar influences flash the bright green light as August arrives.


You begin the month assessing what happened during the holiday weekend, particularly in regard to friends and organizations to which you belong. The Solar Eclipse on the 10th falls in your house of children, entertainment, creative talents and romance requiring focus and bringing the likelihood of major change in one or more of these areas during the next year. Around the 14th you could show appreciation to or receive praise or important input from personal or business partners. Around the 21st you begin to take action toward changing your home and/or work locations. The Lunar Eclipse on the 24th occurs in your house of emotional memories. In the sign of Capricorn it relates to the need to be perfect or working constantly to prove yourself. This could send you on a journey for the next six months in which you consider who is in control – your higher self or the old parental scripts.

 


 Pisces February 19 to March 20

 

Ruler: Jupiter/Neptune; Body: Feet, lungs, toes; Element: Water
 

 

The month is saturated with potential. It's time to ask for more - from yourself, from the universe. Getting started? Self-empowerment, drive, initiative, courage, talent - you definitely have what it takes. Yes, there is a learning curve. Easy to read signals let you know how to play it, when to play it. For some, romance is budding. For some, watching the children grow is where the greatest glory lies. For some, becoming a new parent adds joy. Those in creative or performing arts have ample opportunity to strut and bask. Enjoy the simple pleasures of summertime fun. Devote quality time to loved ones. Get away when you can. Build on the present and know the path ahead is growing brighter, happier and more fulfilling.

 

You begin the month considering an opportunity for professional involvement. It is likely to involve children, sports, hobbies, entertainment or a creative interest. You may also need some education or a training course to be prepared and could take action to achieve this after the 7th or particularly around the New Moon on the 10th. Although you are very committed to your responsibilities at home and to your family, there is an increasing need inside yourself to have some autonomy and a vehicle for self-actualization. Cinderella (or Cinderfella), it may be time to buy that briefcase. Around the 17th you review what it would cost in time, money and energy to invest in yourself. After the 22nd is a good time to take on a creative project or make home improvements. Around the 24th, you could feel a new inner light begin to shine as you do something for yourself for a change.

 

 

The following section has been used, with permission, from CS ; the Psychic/NewAge Library.


PSYCHOMETRY

 

Everything is energy. Just as when we touch a glass with our hands we leave fingerprints on that glass even though we can't see them, with the right equipment these fingerprints can be detected and analyzed. In much the same manner strong emotion, feeling, the essence of who we are is often transferred into objects.

 

I have found in my years of teaching that one of the easiest ways to learn how to expand your own awareness's is to train yourself to become sensitive to the vibrational residue which is left behind by people and emotionally powerful situations. The technical word for this is psychometry. Psychometry put plainly is the art of feeling vibrations in objects and making some sort of sense of them.

 

For instance, a piece of jewelry which you wear often, whether it be a watch or a ring, even your car keys, which are often in your possession on a daily basis, becomes highly charged with the energy emitted from your auric field. It is possible for someone to hold your watch or ring or car keys and, in a meditative state of mind, become receptive to the energy in these objects. They become so receptive to the energy in these objects that they can draw conclusions from them. This is also possible with the substance of paper, especially if something has been hand written on it.

 

If you purchase estate jewelry or inherit jewelry from other members of your family, it is good to be aware that you are also carrying the vibration of that person. I remember being very confused one time when I was practicing psychometry in my early student years. I had a very lovely ring in a Tiffany setting and it was very prized by the woman for whom I was reading. I had the feeling that the owner of the ring had lost a child at about seven or eight in a freak accident, that the child had light colored hair, and I had impressions of the state of Connecticut and a man's name, Ernest. There was also something to do with books. When I began giving out this information to the woman whose ring I was holding, she could not accept any of it or understand it until I got to the part of the man named Ernest. That name triggered something within her and she said that it was her grandmother's ring which had been left to her in an estate. Her grandmother had lost a son at the age of seven who had fallen from his pony and suffered a massive hemorrhage in the brain. It was a freak accident and he was indeed blonde, the whole family was. Her grandmother and her grandfather, named Ernest, lived in rural Connecticut, and he wrote for journals and magazines. I don't know why the grandmother's vibrations were stronger than the woman who was presently wearing the ring. Perhaps because her grandmother had worn the ring for more years or perhaps because losing a child is such an emotional event that the vibrations were very loud.

 

If you work with someone who is going to do a psychometry reading for you, or if you are reading for someone else, make sure that they are the only person who wears the jewelry. If you inherit or buy some jewelry and you are not sure of the vibration of the original owner, simply running that jewelry under cool running water will cleanse the vibration and you can make the piece more your own.

 

Psychometry is often used in police work, often when the standard methods have failed to produce. Most police departments employ a psychic when they are desperate.

 

That would have been a difficult situation for a student to be in. Fortunately I knew that all the information would be there if I could be patient enough to just let it come. Patience and perseverance are two of the secrets of psychic receptivity. Another secret is the condition of your hands.

 

 

 

THE TECHNIQUE IS IN THE HANDS

 

One thing that I would like to remind you of is the fact that there are many charkas in your hands. There is a major one in the palm area but there are strong minor chakras in the tips of each of your fingers. These chakras are places of energy exchange. When you hold the object in your hand, experiment by shifting it from hand to hand and touching it with your fingertips. In this way you will be able to determine where you are most receptive to the energy coming from the object. Some people like to do this with their eyes open, others prefer their eyes to be closed, thus shutting out all distractions except the feeling of the energy.

 

Another hint along these lines is the use of a pumice stone. This is a stone which can be found in most drug stores. It is made from lava and used cosmetically to rid the hands and feet of rough skin. Regular use of this will soften your hands and increase the sensitivity. For some reason physical calluses over the areas of the chakras decrease or distort the flow of energy.

 

If psychometry is an area where you seem to have some talent, you may want to rub your hands a few times a week with a pumice stone and use a nice natural lotion to help keep your hands soft and sensitive. Especially in the beginning, I feel it is very helpful if your hands are sensitive to touch.

 

One way you can increase your sensitivity to touch is to be more aware of what you are touching. You will hear a lot in these lessons about being in the moment, or being in the now. In this hurry up world we are often on sensory overload. Many of us are in situations where phones are ringing, TV or music is playing in the background, people are talking to us about one thing while we try to accomplish another. We have learned to shut out most distractions as a matter of survival. Now we must learn to open up again. We must learn to focus on what we are doing at the moment. We must learn to notice what we are seeing and touching. It is our nature to be sensitive beings. We are especially tactile. Just see how much a baby loves to be touched if you have any doubt of this.

 

The next time you pet an animal or repot a plant or simply pick up the mail, observe your actions. Say to yourself, I am holding this envelope in my hands, what does it feel like? If there are many envelopes in the mail close your eyes and feel each one. You may discover that each piece of mail has a different texture. You will discover the difference in the "feelings" from a birthday card or a bill. Try this with your eyes closed. It is great confirmation when you can give an accurate report, especially when you can convince yourself that there are no visual clues.

 

WHY EVEN TRY ANY OF THIS AT ALL?

 

All of these are merely interesting parlor tricks which at the best teach us that there is much more to the universe than we may be aware of. The real purpose of mastering them is that they lead us to our inner spiritual guidance. All the universe is energy and that energy is constantly trying to communicate with us. It loves us. It wants to lead us to our greater good.

 

This is why it is so necessary to meditate daily. Meditation lets us slow down enough to hear when God speaks to us. One of the ways that communication could come is psychometry.

 

Psychometry has finer aspects too. It can provide a doorway into other dimensions, other planes. This is where Billets come in. A Billet is a piece of paper which is energized by the seeker. The idea of billets was made popular by Spiritualists. The classic form is to write the name of three beings from the spirit world. These beings can be either dead relatives or Spirit Guides. Sometimes personal questions are also asked on the paper. The paper is then folded up and collected for the medium or psychic.

 

If you hold the paper in a receptive way, it will speak to you. You may get impressions of spirit guides, you may get the answer to the question which was asked. With very little practice you will get something. Try it with your friends. It is good to try to practice with people you don't know well, but practice with friends is better than no practice at all. Besides, conditions in the world change so quickly these days that even good friends can hold a few surprises.

 

Suppose you are about to buy insurance or a new vehicle. Ask if you can have the contract to look over for a day or so. Then when you are very calm, sit in a comfortable place and let your mind calm down. Feel the papers. Be aware of any sensations you feel in the physical. Did you tighten up? Maybe there's a reason. Did you feel relaxed and safe? What pictures come into your mind? Do you like holding the paper? Ask yourself if the person making out this paper is dealing with you honestly. Trust yourself. Your responses will be correct 85% of the time. The other 15% you were probably unsure of and guessed wrong.

 

True and accurate psychic impressions come from a place of peace inside of you. As long as you maintain that place of peace the objects will communicate with you freely and easily. Usually what happens is you start out getting clear impressions and then you notice what you are doing. This ability doesn't fit your model of who you are. Oops! What was that last impression.....and then your id takes over. After teaching psychic development for 30 years I am certain that when error occurs, this is how it happens.

 

Psychic ability comes from the creative nature. Unfortunately creativity is not an encouraged attribute in our culture, or in many cultures for that matter. Most of us are taught that to conform is desirable. Schools, churches and families encourage us to toe the line or get with the program. Work rewards company men. However, in psychic work uniqueness is necessary. NO two psychic will read a situation or an individual in an identical way. Both may be accurate, but the subject will be approached from the psychic's unique perception.

 

HEALING HANDS

 

One of the benefits of meeting people who share your interest is that it gives you someone to practice with. Hands-on healing is often a comfortable place to start. Some of you may find that you are VERY TALENTED in this area. Over the years it has been my observation that an army of healers is on this planet. It has also been my observation that an army of healers is needed. We don't have enough, or I should say we don't have enough with the courage to use their craft.

 

In the palms of your hands are two medium sized chakras. If you rub your hands lightly together and hold them about six inches apart, gradually bringing them together until they are about two inches apart; you will feel the energy. Feel it with your sense of touch. DON'T FEEL IT WITH YOUR HEAD. Close your eyes if you need to. Use the pumice stone if you need to, but as your sense of touch expands it leads naturally to your intuitive senses as well.

 

I can't tell you why this is true. I can only say that my teachers told me it would work. I in turn have used these same techniques with my students. All I can say is they work. Perhaps there are healers out there that can tell you why. I will be the first to confess that my knowledge of Healing is limited. What I do know I will share with you.

 

First, expand your sense of touch. This can be done by paying attention when you touch things all day long. Feel the car keys in your hand. Experience the joy of touching your children or your pets. Consciously FEEL your world. This also helps you to remain in the moment.

 

After you have expanded your sense of touch and experienced feeling your own energy, find a friend to practice with. Have your friend sit sideways in a straight back chair. The idea is to have all the chakra areas open to your energy. If you start a comfortable arm's length above the head of your friend and slowly lower your open palms, you will feel your friends energy. By experimenting and slowly moving your hands through the aura of someone, you will become as sensitive to the touch of that energy as you are to the touch of something more physical. Practice produces results. For some of you the results may be astounding. For some, no matter how hard you practice the results are merely pleasant. Your talent may lie in another area.

 

The next thing that is needed is INTENTION. You have to have a desire to heal. I know that sounds simple, but it requires that you let go of the focus on yourself and focus on your friend. You have to pay attention to what comes into your mind as you are moving your hands. Your mind can't be on what you need to do next. It must be present in the moment, focused, suspending judgment and projecting unconditional love. Remember, you are the Channel of the Healing. The energy that comes through you heals. You are the vehicle of that energy. Whether or not the Healing occurs depends on the strength of the energy and the receptivity of the client.

 

Strength of the Energy depends on how well you can open yourself up to let it in. The healer works in a kind of standing meditation. The focus is on the breath and the breath breathes love to the client. When thoughts intrude that do not have to do with the experience of healing let them go, as though they were attached to a helium balloon and return to the act of opening to the energy. If you can, visualize the energy coming in the top of your head and through your heart and out your hands. At the same time imagine some of that energy going through your feet into the earth, returning up through your tail bone to your heart and out your hands. Visualization isn't necessary, but it does intensify the energy.

 

Now as to the second component, the receptivity of the client. This is an interesting factor, but one that needs to be looked at. Many who say outwardly that they desire to be healed sometimes, subconsciously, aren't ready to let go of their condition. The body is one of the ways we receive communication. Often times when the body appears to malfunction it is because it has a message for us. It may be important to understand the underlying issue before the body can let go of the problem.

 

The following are exercises that you may find beneficial:

 

Exercise One

1.Sit quietly in a comfortable chair. 2.Have a piece of jewelry in your hands (preferably not your own). 3.Follow the Steps of the Meditation exercise in Lesson 2. 4.When you are sufficiently receptive, let your fingers explore the object. 5.FEEL the object for about ten minutes. 6.Express any thoughts that came to you during this time. If the owner is present ask for feedback.

 

Exercise Two

1.Pick up your mail, but don't look at it. 2.Repeat Steps one and three of Exercise 1. 3.FEEL the mail. Let your hands explore each piece, noting any sensations or thoughts that come to you during this process. 4.Put aside any mail that has strong vibrations. 5.Open your eyes and check out what you felt.

 

Exercise Three

1.Choose a variety of objects which have different textures. 2.Sit comfortably with your eyes closed. 3.Spend several minutes exploring the difference in texture of each article. 4.Remain aware of what each article feels like.

Use of hand lotion or the pumice stone can enhance this exercise.

 

Exercise Four

1.Spread a deck of ordinary playing cards on top of a table, face down. 2.Rub your hands together to get the energy moving. 3.Slowly move your hands over the top of the cards. 4.By sensing the change in energy see if you can tell the red cards from the black cards.
Removal of the court cards can help in the beginning. Later you will be able to sense their different feel too.

 

Exercise Five

1.Rub your hands together. 2.Hold your hands palms facing each other about two feet apart. 3.Slowly bring your hands towards each other. 4.Notice any change of temperature, pressure or tingling sensation you may feel. 5.This is your own energy field.

 

Exercise Six

1.Seat a companion in a straight back chair or a stool so that their back is facing you. 2.Rub your hands together. 3.Extend your arms full above their head palms down, hands slightly wider than your shoulders. 4.Slowly lower your hands toward the head of your companion. 5.Notice any change of temperature, pressure of sensation as you lower your hands. 6.As you approach your companions aura you will feel a slight resistance. 7.Repeat this exercise as you stand facing the side of your companion. One hand at the front and one hand at the back. 8.Notice any changes which occur, especially around the areas of the chakras.

 

These exercises have been designed to help get you in touch with energy. Their are many advanced studies which will help you with techniques. I will not make any judgments as to which would be best for you. Your own Higher Self will lead you in that direction if it is for you. The best healers I have ever known have followed their hearts. Remember, this is not your first life and very probably you learned these techniques long ago, perhaps you even taught them. So if you feel inspired, trust yourself. That is the real key and with practice you will learn to recognize your own inner communications. TRUST YOURSELF !

 


CANDLE MAGIC

 

          1    One of the simplest of magical arts which comes under  the heading of natural magic is candle burning.  It is simple
          because it employs little ritual and few ceremonial artifacts.  The theatrical props of candle magic can be
          purchased at any department store and its rituals can be practiced in any sitting room or bedroom.

 

          2    Most of us have performed our first act of candle magic by the time we are two years old.  Blowing out the tiny
          candles on our first birthday cake and making a wish is pure magic.  This childhood custom is based on the three magical
          principals of concentration, will power and visualization. In simple terms, the child who wants his wish to come true
          has to concentrate (blow out the candles), visualize the end result (make a wish) and hope that it will come true( will
          power).

 

          3    The size and shape of the candles you use is  unimportant, although highly decorative, extra large, or
          unusually shaped candles will not be suitable as these may create distractions when the magician wants to concentrate on
          the important work in hand.  Most magicians prefer to use candles of standard or uniform size if possible.  Those which
          are sold in different colors for domestic use are ideal.

 

          4    The candles you use for any type of magical use should be virgin, that is unused.  Under no circumstances use a
          candle which has already adorned a dinner table or been used as a bedroom candle or night-light.  There is a very good
          occult reason for not using anything but virgin materials in magic.Vibrations picked up by secondhand materials or
          equipment may disturb your workings and negate their effectiveness.

 

          5    Some magicians who are artistically inclined prefer to make their own candles for ritual and magical use.  This is a
          very practical exercise because not only does it impregnate the candle with your own personal vibrations, but the mere
          act of making your own candle is magically potent. Specialist shops sell candle wax and molds together with
          wicks, perfumes, and other equipment.

 

          6    The hot wax is heated until liquid and then poured into the mould through which a suitably sized wick has already
          been threaded. The wax is then left to cool and once is this has occurred the mould is removed, leaving a perfectly formed
          candle. Special oil-soluble dyes and perfumes can be added to the wax before the cooling process is complete to provide
          suitable colors and scents for a particular magical ritual. Craft shops which sell candlemaking supplies can also provide
          do-it-yourself books explaining the technicalities of the art to the beginner.
                      
          7    Once you have purchased or made your ritual candle it has to be oiled or 'dressed' before burning.  The purpose of
          dressing the candle is to establish a psychic link between it and the magician through a primal sensory experience.  By
          physically touching the candle during the dressing  procedure, you are charging it with our own personal
          vibrations and also concentrating the desire of your magical act into the wax.  The candle is becoming an extension of the
          magician's mental power and life energy.

 

          8    When you dress a candle for magical use, imagine that it is a psychic magnet with a North and a South pole.  Rub
          the oil into the candle beginning at the top or North end and work downwards to the half-way point.  Always brush in the
          same direction downwards.  This process is then repeated by beginning at the bottom or south end and working up to the
          middle.

 

          9    The best type of oils to use for dressing candles are natural ones which can be obtained quite easily.  Some occult
          suppliers will provide candle magic oils with exotic names. If the magician does not want to use these, he can select
          suitable oils or perfumes from his own sources.  The oil soluble perfumes sold by craft shops for inclusion in candles
          can be recommended.

 

          10   The candles you use can be colored in accordance with
          the following magical uses:

 

                   white- spirituality and peace.
                   red- health, energy, strength, courage, sexual potency.
                   pink- love, affection and romance.
                   yellow- intellectualism, imagination, memory and creativity
                   green- fertility, abundance, good luck and harmony
                   blue-inspiration, occult wisdom, protection and devotion
                   purple- Material wealth, higher psychic ability, spiritual power and idealism
                   silver- clairvoyance, inspiration, astral energy and intuition
                   orange- ambition. career matters and the law.

 

          11   If you wanted to use candle magic for healing, you would select a red candle to burn.  To pass an exam, burn a yellow
          candle, to gain esoteric knowledge burn a blue candle or for material gain, burn a purple one.  It is obvious these
          colors relate to the signs of the zodiac and the planetary forces.

 

          12   The simplest form of candle magic is to write the objective of your ritual on a virgin piece of paper.  You
          can use color paper which matches the candle.  Write your  petition on the paper using a magical alphabet, such as
          Theban, enchain, Malachian,etc.  As you write down what you  want to accomplish through candle magic-- a                                 new job, healing  for a friend, a change of residence, a new love affair, etc.-- visualize your dream coming true.  Visualize the circumstance under which you might be offered a new job, imagine your employer telling you that your salary has        been increased or conjure up a vision of your perfect love partner.

 

          13   When you have completed writing down your petition, carefully fold up the paper in a deliberately slow fashion. 
          Place the end of the folded paper in the candle flame and set light to it.  As you do this concentrate once more on what
          you want from life.

 

          14   When you have completed your ritual, allow the candle to have completely burned away.  You do not need to stay with
          the candle after the ritual, but make sure that is safe and that red-hot wax will not cause damage or fire.  Never
          re-use a candle which has been lit in any magical ritual.  IT should only be used in that ritual and then allowed to burn
          away or be disposed of afterwards.

 

          15   If you are conducting a magical ritual which involves two people (e.g. an absent healing for a person some distance
          away) then the  second person can be symbolically  represented during the ritual by another candle.  /all you
          need to do is find out the subject's birth date and burn the appropriate candle for that zodiacal sign.  These are as
          follows-

                   ARIES                 red
                   TAURUS                green
                   GEMINI                yellow
                   CANCER                silver
                   LEO                   orange
                   VIRGO                 yellow
                   LIBRA                 pink
                   SCORPIO               red
                   SAGITARIUS            purple
                   CAPRICORN             black
                   AQUARIUS              all colors
                   PISCES                mauve

 

 

 


                                 Moon Myths

 

When people lived with Nature, the changing seasons had a great impact on
religious ceremonies. The Moon was seen as a symbol of the Goddess.
Because of this, the light of the Moon was considered magical, and a
source of energy. Wiccans often practice magick at a Full Moon to tap into
this energy thought to exist at this time.

 

Plutarch once said "Egyptian priests called the Moon the "Mother of the
Universe," because the moon, "having the light which makes moist and
pregnant, is promotive of the generation of living beings.." The Gnostic
sect of Naassians believed in a primordial being known as "the heavenly
horn of the moon." The Moon was the Great Mother.

 

Menos meant "Moon" and "power" to the Greeks. To the Romans, the morality
of the Moon Goddess was above that of the Sun God.

 

In many cultures the Moon Goddess and the Creatress were the
same.Polynesians called the Creatress Hina, "Moon." She was the first
woman, and every woman is a wahine, made in the image of Hina.
Scandinavians sometimes called the Creatress Mardoll, "Moon Shining Over
the Sea."

 

Ashanti people had a generic term used for all their deities, Boshun,
meaning Moon. Sioux Native Americans call the moon The Old Woman Who Never
Dies. Iroquois call her " Eternal One." Rulers in the Eritrean zone of
South Africa held the Goddesses name "Moon." The Gaelic name of the Moon,
gealach, came from Gala or Galata, the original Moon-Mother of Gaelic and
Gaulish tribes. Britain were called Albion, the milk-white Moon-Goddess.
The Moon was called Metra, which means Mother , "whose love penetrated
everywhere." In the Basque language, the words for deity and moon are the
same.

       

The root word for both "moon" and "mind" is the Indo-European manas, mana,
or men, representing the Great Mother's "wise blood" in women, governed by
the Moon. The derivative mania used to mean ecstatic revelation, like
lunacy used to mean possession by spirit of Luna, the Moon. To be
Moon-Touched or Moon-Struck meant to be chosen by the Goddess.

 

When patriarchal thinkers belittled the Goddess, these words came to mean
craziness.Orphic and Pythagorean sect viewed the Moon as the home of the dead, a
female gate known as Yoni. Souls passed through on the way to the paradise
fields of the stars. Greeks often located the Elysian Fields, home of the
blessed dead, in the moon. The shoes of Toman senators were decorated with
ivory crescents to show that after death they would inhabit the Moon.
Roman religion taught that "the souls of the just are purified in the
Moon." Wearing the crescent was "visual worship" of the Goddess. That was
why the prophet Isaiah denounced the wearing of lunar amulets by Zion
women.

 

Because the moon was the holder of souls between reincarnations, it
sheltered both the dead and unborn, who were one in the same. If a man
dreams of his own image in the Moon, he would become the father of a son.
If a woman dreamed of her own image in the Moon, she would have a
daughter.

 

The Moon Goddess created time, with all its cycles of creation; growth,
decline, and destruction. This is why ancient calendars were based on
phases of the moon and menstrual cycles. The Moon still determines
agricultural work in some parts of India. Indonesian moon priestesses were
responsible for finding the right phase of the moon for every undertaking.

 

The Moon was to have been the receptacle of menstrual blood by which each
mother formed the life of her child. This sacred, taboo moon-fluid kept
even the Gods alive. The moon was "the cup of the fluid of life immortal,
quickening the vegetable realm and whatsoever grows in the sub-lunar
sphere, quickening also the immortals on high."

 

The Moon was supposed to rule life and death as well as the tides. People
living on the shores were convinced that a baby could only be born on an
incoming tide and a person could not die until the tide went out. It was
often said birth at a full tide or a full moon meant a lucky life.

 

Girls in Scotland refused to wed on anything but a Full Moon.

Witches invoked their Goddess by "drawing down the Moon." It is said to be
a rite dating back to moon worship in Thessaly, centuries before the
Christian era.The moon has an elliptical orbit. This means that at times it is further
away from the earth than at other times in its orbit. It also rotates on
its own axis in the same time period as it revolves around the earth.
Because of this, we always see the same face of the moon.

 

Are You The Person You Were Born To Be?
an editorial by Alex Palermo

 

Who am I? Why am I here? What is the meaning of my life?

 

Three questions, fourteen words, a mere forty-three characters, that despite their brevity still manage to superbly frame the central enigma of human existence. They have occurred to every one of us at one time or another - sometimes as a brilliant bolt of lightning illuminating our inner sky, sometimes as a fearsome tremor that shakes the very foundations of our once safe, secure, little world, leaving behind only a gaping void. Three questions, each that sooner or later demand an answer from each of us - but offer by way of compensation the prize of a creative, revitalized, and, above all, meaningful life. Sadly, in the course of the typical life, they go unanswered as often as not.

 

Why, you ask? Spiritual insight is profoundly liberating, and sometimes profoundly disorienting. In an instant it can dramatically reshape the landscape of a life, and the landscapes of anyone intimately linked to it. And humanity is essentially conservative. Throughout the millennia, the prospect of change has largely been perceived as would an uninvited, unwanted visitor: Draw the curtains, bar the door. Consider that the oft-quoted, traditional Chinese adage "May you live in interesting times" was intended as a curse, and not an exhortation to excitement and adventure! So make no mistake: If you answer the three questions, your life, and the lives of everyone around you, will surely change. Then why bother even asking the questions at all, you may ask. To paraphrase one of my favorite movie characters, you might as well ask why we go on breathing.

 

Who are "you?" Honestly now, putting aside for a moment the facade that each one of us hides behind, can you say for certain? It's not an easy thing to know. In fact, we're not supposed to know. >From the day we're born we're molded to conform to our society's idea of who we're suppose to become. Our parents, relatives, teachers, and churches each take a hand in our "assimilation," just as the extended communities of their youth did with them. They don't mean us any harm; they doubtlessly want us to be "happy." Indeed, the goal of this process is to guarantee that we fit neatly into a larger whole and becomes a useful member of the group. By their lights, they have our best interests in mind. All in all, seen from the perspective of a group's ongoing stability, it's an eminently reasonable idea. Unfortunately, the fatal assumption being made is that these communities are themselves healthy - and therefore even remotely qualified to take on the awesome responsibility of reshaping a soul to fit an externally appointed norm. History has not been kind to societies guilty of such extraordinary hubris. Nazi Germany, imperial Japan, South Africa, the Soviet Union, and even our own United States's checkered past offer salient examples of the tragedy that results when an imperfect culture attempts social engineering. When society itself is sick, otherwise good people can be carried along by a tide of ignorance, fear and collective madness. But the man or woman who has answered the questions, who truly knows who they are, can stand against this tide, perhaps even stem it.

 

The conditioning process has its origins in very same dark corner of the human psyche that gave birth to slavery. Rather than starting from the premise that every soul choosing to be born has a specific purpose (one that might well be fundamentally at odds with the prevailing power structure of the group, yet crucial to its continuing evolution), the 'assimilating' society seeks to write its own thoughts in the minds of each succeeding generation. This is a direct legacy of the not-so-distant era (still intact in many parts of the developing world) when children were largely produced to: a) work the farm; b) take care of their parents in old age. Seen in this context, children are little more than extensions of their parents, in a sense their "property," with many obligations and few rights - and absolutely no spiritual claim to self-determination. They are strongly discouraged from deviating far from the collective norm. Those few people that do choose to rebel become outcasts within their communities;.the price of their re-integration is their psycho-spiritual death. We need only look to the plight of 20th century homosexuals in America to see that there are still powerful, coercive forces at work within our society, who ask nothing less than the amputation of one's authenticity as the price for their acceptance. Of course, the religious right's insistence on this price is understandable, even sensible. Were they not to, imagine the whirlwind - with its accompanying gust of chaos/change/creativity - that would result as closet doors swung open throughout their ranks. They do not choose to live in "interesting times," even if those times were to make them far more interesting people.

 

Seen through the lens of ideal productivity, the "assimilation" model is ultimately inefficient. Problems inevitably arise when someone is asked to play a part that they're less than ideally suited for. Even though painters and accountants both work with ruling lines, would you really want a would-be Van Gogh preparing your taxes? Certainly, some people bend better than others, managing to find fulfillment in other areas - even if their lives never quite produce the gold they were capable of. Others break and never quite recover, spending years mired in addictions, self-destructive behavior and outright mental illness. And the would-be Prometheuses among us go to their deaths opposing the collective inertia --while we shiver the whole night long without the gift of their fire. Anyway you look at it, it's not exactly a winning formula for human happiness.

 

If traditional cultural pressures weren't enough, we now have to cope with an insidious modern addition to the conditioning process -- advertising. Here we find commercial interests attempting to mold us, but in a singularly manipulative and offensive fashion. Not content to simply differentiate their product from its competitors, these skillful propagandists seek to convince us that the key to our actual happiness lies in the purchase of the right mouthwash, car or hair replacement system? Laughable, isn't it? But bombarded night and day in this assault on our judgment, we can easily swallow their propaganda hook, line and sinker -- and find ourselves responding like Pavlov's dogs to the subliminal cues of puppet masters whose sole purpose is to increase our receptivity to their product. They want us conditioned and predictable, not free.

 

Ah, freedom. Americans worship freedom. But do we really understand what it means to be free? Consider our democracy. In election after election, politicians of both parties do their utmost to play upon our fears, demonize their opponents, and ultimately rob the electorate of its right to freely choose a government. How many of us can truthfully claim that, when our time came to pull the lever, we voted the 'issues' rather than these carefully cultivated fears. I doubt this is what the founders our democracy had in mind.

 

Without conscious awareness of the influences shaping our actions, and an ability to act creatively rather than reactively, can there be any such thing as freedom, or even free will? In truth, what we typically experience during moments of crisis is a conditioned, hypnotic state that masquerades as free will, but ultimately undermines our ability to exercise choice, much less reclaim our identity -- and thus know the kind of happiness that simply cannot be purchased at any price.

 

Truly, we would all be lost if weren't for pain - whose sting, undiluted by Valium and recreational drugs of all types, still retains the ability to wake us up. In the grip of agony, we have a clear choice: To ask the three questions and consider how the lack of an answer might have brought us to this awful place. Or we can take another drink, find a more compliant lover, or buy a more expensive car or house. Choose the former and, to echo Joseph Campbell, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with all the spiritual heroes who have ever walked the earth. Choose the latter, and we slide ever more deeply into our society-induced coma, sentenced to face our ultimate moment - at our final breath, when all the events of our life will pass before our eyes - and have no other response but to sadly reflect: "I didn't know, I never understood. What an opportunity, what a waste."

 

<whew...Deep Breath>

 

 

Tearoom Events and Announcements

 

You-Turn------------- August 2 2002 8PM

 

A new monthly coffeehouse Night for healing the streets and ourselves with art.

Writers, Musicians, comics, dancers, poets, and all other performers are encouraged to perform.

Contact Joshua at 617 338 8100 to sign up.

$10 cover charge to spectators includes bottomless cup of coffee and munchies...and of course entertainment !

 

7/10/02 New Moon Circle  8 PM Sharp

7/24/02 Full Moon Circle 8 PM Sharp

 

Friday Night Pizza Party

Book an appointment for yourself and 3 friends for 30 minute readings on any Friday night in July and we will throw in free pizza !!

Call 617 338 8100 to arrange <24 hours notice needed>

 

Double gift certificate days - July 5th, 6th, and 7th ...come in and purchase or via phone order any gift certificate valued at $50 or more and receive one of the same value free ! <you just cant use either on day of purchase> Each month this is a very sucessful offer ...this is the only month it will be offered more than one day .

 

Go Ask Alex

 

Remember folks to win your free reading .....ask me a question : whether it be a psychic question, psychic/paranormal topic question, personal questions ...such as what's it like being a psychic ...or even my personal or political views ...its open game in this new column. Just send an email to psychic@Tremont-tearoom.com  with " Go Ask Alex " in the subject line if your question or comment is chosen as letter of the month you receive a free 20 minute reading by phone or in person .

 

Merry Meet Alex!

I have an excellent protection meditation I use before ritual, but it takes
about 5 minutes to go through the visualization process. Is there anything
you can recommend for an emergency or on the spot situation where
conditions for meditation are less then optional? For example, at work or
traveling on the train or bus?

Blessings!
Karris
Karris@modemac.com

 

Alex -

There are several shielding techniques that can be done in quick spots such as these ... but the best  way is to visualize something that would make you feel safe between you and that which opposes you ... such as a huge energy filter or a wall of ice.

 

Greetings Alex,
I loved the recent newsletter. So much info. My birthday is June 21 and I'm
turning 50 which is exciting and scary.
My question is: Last year you predicted that the Clintons would divorce.
Do you still see this happening?
Brighid's Blessing,
Denise

Alex-

Now I feel she needs him if she's going run for president herself ....if she doesn't or if she fails ...then I think its splitsville .

 

 

would like to know if there is a seventh (7th) sense.  If so can you explain.

Thank You

Debra Laverty

Alex- if there is it beats me as to what it is ...sorry.

Hi Alex,

Do astrological events have much of an impact on our physical health?

Thanks,

--Beth
(please don't post my email address)

Alex-

Yes most definitely . The Kepler college of Astrology offers the following courses ....

Astrology and the Health Sciences - I
Anatomy, Physiology and Astrology
(IS-331) 15 credits

  1. Study anatomy, physiology and the traditional and contemporary astrological correspondences.
  2. Explore the historical precedents in the application of astrology to the health sciences

Astrology and the Health Sciences - II
Nutrition, Disease and Health
IS-332) 15 credits

  1. Consider the fundamentals of nutrition and astrological indicators.
  2. Investigate disease and epidemiology and discern their astrological indicators.
  3. Study health and care of the immune system and the astrological indicators.
  4. Examine issues surrounding death and dying.

Dear Alex,

I want to thank you for such incredibly juicy newsletters! I always print
them out and pore over them. I feel very blessed to be one of the
subscribers because of the quality and potency of the information that you
pass on.

I used to go to the Tearoom when I lived in Boston, but I live on the other
side of the state now and don't get over to Beantown as much as I would like
to. You guys helped me through a very rough time and I am deeply grateful.
As I am currently sweating through a Pluto transit of my natal sun and
Neptune, your knowledge is of great solace.

Thank you again for your newsletters - I look forward to the next one!

Yours Truly,
Crosby Brooke

Alex-

Thanks Crosby I always love getting feedback, good or bad :) ...and in fact to show my appreciation ....you're this month's winner so call us up at 617 338 8100 to arrange for a free half hour reading by phone.

 

Dear Alex,

Thanks to you and the Tremont Tearoom for a very instructive, useful
newsletter. For several years now I have come to know the utility of
astrology as an important tool in our lives. I am grateful to have come to
know this discipline. However, when reading the newsletter, or speaking to
individuals in the practice, I can't help but think of all the basic
principals and information I still do not know. Are there any texts you and
the tearoom would recommend for this purpose? I know there are numerous
books and publications out there. It has become overwhelming to choose.
Thanks Alex.

Arthur Kazianis
arthur.kazianis@state.ma.us

Alex-

There are several great books ...but I personally recommend any by Robert Hand or Isabel Hickey .

Hi, I'm not sure who will get this, but I just wanted to say thank you.  Today is my birthday, and I was sitting here at work wondering where I was going to be able to find a good horoscope when your email arrived.  It was nice to have a horoscope delivered right to my in box and have such interesting reading material as well.  I have studied and practiced dowsing and the pendulum and ouija off and on for a while, and it was so nice to read such a thorough account of the history and practice, and Christianity's take on it.  I am also a practicing Christian and an amateur healer and I appreciate that you approach "nontraditional" spirituality from so many angles.

Thanks again, I look forward to your newsletter each month.  Keep up the good work.

Kelly

Alex-

Thank so much and your welcome !

HI ALEX,
  I HAVE BEEN TO THE TEA ROOM QUITE A FEW TIMES AND I THINK YOU'S ARE THE
BEST!  RIGHT NOW THERE IS A LOT GOING ON IN MY LIFE AND I WAS JUST WONDERING
IF YOU COULD TRY AND GIVE ME SOME KIND OF ADVICE ON HOW TO HANDLE ALL THIS
BAD KARMA!!  MY AUNT HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH TWO OF HER PSYCHICS AND THEY
TOLD HER I WAS HANDELING IT WELL.  BUT I DONT THINK I AM.  IF YOU DON'T
WRITE BACK I UNDERSTAND.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I WILL SEE YOU'S SOON.
  :)
BRIDIE

Alex-

I also feel your doing OK ...not all karma is bad...if we learn from anything, it can't be too bad :)

Keep your chin up and stay positive.

I love your newsletters

I've given the same Ouija Board advice in my life, as I know they are a gateway for spirits ill-disposed.
 I was very impressed that you shared good, cautious advice with the public.


Take care,
Laurel Kirtz

Alex-

Thank you ....and stay tuned for next month's Bigfoot article :)

Hi,

I have heard so much about spirit guides, and I have my own story. I find this wildly amusing, so I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Years ago, just as I was beginning to understand my path, I woke from a deep sleep. As I rolled over, towards the door of my bedroom, I opened my eyes and saw an old 'Brooklyn Jew' (I'm a Brooklyn girl, so it was fitting) suddenly rise from a folded chair placed next to my bed. I said out loud, "Joe, what are you doing here?" All this man said was, "Oh, shit." And he left, with the chair! I had no idea who he was, yet I knew his name was Joe. I was pretty aggravated that he was watching over me, and he seemed irritated that I caught him.  I haven't seen or heard from him since, yet I know this old guy is around, and I feel his irascible presence often. Other than that, I don't seem to have many 'spirit guides' around me. Any clue on why I would have an old man, with a fedora and wrinkled raincoat, who is from the '40's, irritably guiding me? And can you tell I'm a Virgo?! Thanks for reading this!

Marianne

Alex-

No clue as to why ...sometimes we choose them , but more often they choose us ...maybe somewhere deep inside...your just a regular Joe :)

The Last two months we gave away free readings to those chosen from signing our guestbook ....this is the last month of the contest ...so if you haven't already signed our guestbook please do so now to bew entered into the contest  here's the url  http://www.tremont-tearoom.com/cgi-bin/guestbook/guestbook.pl?menu=display

 

That's it for now ...look for a special edition newsletter around mid-July

 

Alex Palermo

Psychic at large / Psychic in charge <G>