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What the Karmapa Said
Dear Friend and Reader:
The translator was laughing so hard he could not speak. He seemed to have heard the funniest thing in his life. We were all waiting for the English version of what Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the Tibetan Buddhist leader known as the 17th Karmapa, had said.
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Lama Yeshe Gyamtso, the translator at right, cannot contain his laughter at a comment the Karmapa has made about the weird things people bring home from Tibet. It seems he's seen some of those suitcases get packed. This and all photos below are courtesy of Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism; photographer credit is given where known. |
The monastery up in Woodstock, New York, is the Karmapa's North American base. He was here on his second visit to the U.S. on April 18.
The translator, Lama Yeshe Gyamtso, tried to compose himself, but without much success. He finally seemed to find his center, then after taking about two breaths, he burst into laughter again.
Laughing like the Buddha himself, wrapped in his bright red robe, which the color of his cheeks now matched, sitting at the Karmapa's feet in his headset with pad and pencil still in his hands. Not your average stone-faced interpreter.
Dorje, for his part, was placidly watching this scene, mildly bemused. By this time the audience was getting the giggles. I am one of those people who notice moments of actual transcendence and this was one of them. You never see scenes like this in the presence of an international dignitary -- well, hardly ever.
Finally the Lama Yeshe could speak. "The sad part is, it won't be as funny when I translate it." Still, everyone wanted to know.
One persistent theme of Dorje's talk was urging caution around religious traditions, especially if they're adhered to mindlessly for their own sake. In that context, he was explaining that there are certain traditions that don't help the cause.
For example, if you visit Tibet and come home with a souvenir skull and put it on your altar, it might frighten your family and make them think you're into something really weird. They would not have an accurate notion of your practice. So you don't have to do that kind of thing.
That, for whatever reason -- the teacher's inflection, or some reference into his personal experience -- is what the Lama Yeshe just could not contain himself over, because of how funny it was. You can only imagine why that tickled his funny bone. He's probably seen a few people bring home some really weird things from Tibet.
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His Holiness Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa, greets the audience before the refuge vow ceremony at Ulster Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 18. Photo by Robert Hansen-Sturm. |
Dorje is known as a young, up-and-coming Tibetan leader who is actually with it. He's just 29, he follows and talks about current events, and as far as I could tell, he has a clue what people are facing at our time in history.
There is a tradition in Tibetan Buddhism of offering practical information that one can actually use, rather than complex, abstract spiritual theories that seem neither to have feet nor touch the ground.
Dorje had a lot to say about the difference between religion and spirituality. This seemed to be the dominant theme of the day's teaching.
As he understood the terms as currently used in the United States, he explained, religion is what you do because it's handed to you by tradition or by your family. You don't necessarily know why you do it, or what it means.
Spirituality, by contrast, involves a process of personal exploration and direct experience of life. It's not about following the choreography of tradition; rather, you dive into a journey, make discoveries and actually learn what works for you.
People who have unusual spiritual experiences often get the attention of others, but then their direct experiences are typically codified into religions, and the seed experience is typically forgotten. He offered what he called an imperfect metaphor.
Imagine that the Buddha is in a hall, speaking to his disciples. He finishes speaking and says that the only way out of the hall is to his right. Then he leaves, to the right (experiencing what in context seemed to be a Tibetan word for enlightenment). His followers, though, stay behind in the hall, for hundreds of years.
They remember what the Buddha said about only exiting to his right, and that he walked out of the hall that way. What they don't know is that he said that because there wasn't a door on the left.
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Lama Yeshe Gyamtso, one of the Karmapa's two translators, is a beloved figure among Tibetan Buddhists of his lineage. He could be Buddha. Photo by Robert Hansen-Sturm. |
Now, many years later, there is one, but nobody is paying attention to the original intent of the teacher's words. First "exit to the right" becomes a rule, then a religious dogma. Nobody uses the left-hand exit, but they don't understand why.
I took the metaphor on the surface level, though it also seemed to apply to the "right" and "left" paths indicated in many traditions -- those of purity and passion, respectively. (In my frame of reference, these align with the white and red paths of tantra, also illustrated in the Hierophant tarot card.)
You can experience your Buddha nature either way. Yet to experience the left-hand exit, you would typically have to break a tradition, rule or dogma. But those are the only things that are stopping you. The door is there if you want it. Remember it's there. Remember it's open.
This is a radical teaching. It may not sound like it, though part of the message comes through who the teacher is. The teacher doesn't make the message more correct, only more compelling. What he's saying, as I understand it, is to remember that passion and worldly experience are valid teachers. You don't need to take a conservative monastic path in order to learn and grow. You can live, and live consciously, and also grow, and express your soul's intent.
Early on in the day, he urged his students to be extremely cautious around spiritual teachings; to scrutinize them like someone discerning whether gold is real before purchasing it. Again and again, his message was pay attention and think for yourself.
Another theme introduced early in the day was fear. Most spiritual teachers will tell you that you need to feel less fear. Dorje has a different spin. He first explained that fear is what biological instinct intends people to feel in the case of immediate danger. If there's a tiger about to pounce on you, fear is a natural response. He called this existential fear.
Yet there are things in our current environment that we need to be fearful about, but which typically we are not. One example is climate change (a persistent topic for him). We really should be concerned about that, but for some reason it doesn't register. He likened it to being told that in three months, a tiger will cross your path; most people would not worry, because it's not going to happen for a while.
Concern about climate change requires thought and analysis. And this, he said, most people are not bothering with. This is the kind of fear you really need. What he did not say, though maybe he's said it elsewhere, is that many people experience constant anxiety, which is a form of abstract fear that's based neither on actual danger nor on a reasoning process. My impression is that anxiety is taking up most of the time, space and energy that would be better devoted to analysis.
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"Meditation is not just about relaxing or helping us de-stress." So said the Karmapa during a recent talk at Googleplex. Photo courtesy of Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. |
Instead, people cut themselves off and don't feel much of anything. He likened this to a particular kind of lack of love he called apathy -- the idea that, "It's not my business, I'm not involved, this isn't my responsibility."
These become excuses for acting in unloving ways toward our neighbors. It's not the overt kind of unloving, but rather refusing to be present or helpful when you're needed.
It's a big problem in the world where people tend to look after themselves and their immediate family, and look for excuses not to offer themselves to the wider community.
Then people see one another not caring. The next level of excuse becomes, "I don't care because you don't care," and we end up with the world we have today. This is the logic of a world where love is severely lacking, and where we've limited our capacity to love.
Everyone "understands" this, because the excuse has a certain benefit -- they don't have to go out of their way, or take the time and energy required to help. And as a result, the world spirals into a dark place where compassion is often missing.
Later he returned to the theme of religion. One of the teachings of the Buddhist path is not worshipping what he called "mundane gods." These he described as powers with whom we cut deals, make offerings and presumably receive protection from our misdeeds. Mundane gods get in the way of your connection to spirit or source -- the Buddha within.
But he also was cautious about doing what he described as externalizing the Buddha. Whether you worship the Buddha as outside of yourself, or a mundane god outside of yourself, what you're really demonstrating is lack of self-confidence.
Self-confidence is the most basic, useful kind of faith. When you lack that kind of confidence or faith, you're likely to project it onto some external authority or object. That will in turn further weaken your self-confidence. So if you want to strengthen your confidence or faith, withdraw your worship of external gods and focus on your true inner nature. I would consider that a practical teaching -- the best I've ever heard on the theme of confidence.
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"We need to learn not to cling to temporary states of pleasure or happiness, but continue to seek absolute and permanent happiness. And since we cannot achieve this through material means, we must seek it within our own minds." -- H.H. the 17th Karmapa. |
Part of the day's program involved an introduction to what are called the three jewels of Buddhism -- the three core concepts that compose the heart of the philosophy. These are Buddha, Dharma and Sanga.
Like all his other teachings, the Karmapa reinterpreted these somewhat, making them more accessible. Buddha is the teacher, the awakened one -- which can refer to the guy himself, or to the Buddha nature within. You could think of the Buddha nature as loving self-awareness that embraces the world. Said another way, it's being awake.
Dharma is your process along the journey; it's what you actually do. Sanga is the family of your brothers and sisters already on the path. That could be quite a few people. In fact it could be everyone, so it may as well be anyone.
More traditional forms of Buddhism define these a bit more rigidly. For example, Dharma is sometimes defined as following the teachings of the Buddha. The Karmapa said that following the teachings and correct action are the same thing. Sanga is traditionally defined not as the community but as the priesthood. He expanded the idea a bit. The implication here is that we are all ministers of compassion; we are all teachers; Sanga is the community of those who are helping.
The afternoon session involved what Buddhists call the taking of refuge vows. I've been involved in my community as a kind of messenger or teacher for a long time. It was amazing being in a room of 1,500 people all of whom were promising to be more helpful.
Taking a guess, I would say that about half of us there were locals from in and around the Woodstock area. Imagine if all of those people really took that vow to heart; imagine if there really were a focus on loving self-awareness, love-in-action and honoring the family of those who are helping.
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The 16th Karmapa, H.H. Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (1924-1981). |
It would take far fewer people than that to completely transform a community -- even a large one. Teaching through action (Dharma) has a way of spreading the light, slowly though it may seem.
Apathy deepens the darkness. Dharma is the correct response. It was very encouraging both to hear this and to know that the idea was being given a credible endorsement.
The thing I don't understand about apathy as a choice; that is, about pretending that everything is someone else's business, is that it's so painful.
I may have to go out of my way in order to help someone, but I feel better when I do it. I would feel no better if I chose not to; personally, I am helpful to be helpful and because it feels good to do so. Helping, or acting in a loving way, spreads the positive energy. If someone has helped you, you're more likely to help someone else.
Typically we get caught in the negative expression of this principle, the logic "Nobody wants to help me and I don't want to help anyone." We get this message a lot -- it's the very core of the neoconservative, Ayn Rand-based social theory that altruism does not exist. Take note that in fact altruism is self-serving because it makes you happier and helps you feel less isolated. Also, the real meaning of self-serving has a lot to do with your definition of self, which you might define as our collective existence.
The thing is, in our world, it takes a spiritual master on the level of the Karmapa to point this out, if anyone is going to believe it. We think we need a reincarnated expression of the Buddha himself to tell us that our lives will be better if we're more willing to open ourselves up and offer our goodwill.
Hey, whatever it takes.
Lovingly,
Planet Waves (ISSN 1933-9135) is published each Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon in Kingston, New York by Planet Waves, Inc. Annual basic subscription rate: $97/year. Core community membership: $197/year. Editor and Publisher: Eric Francis Coppolino. Business Manager: Chelsea Bottinelli. Web Developer: Anatoly Ryzhenko. Office Manager: Lauren Gdovin. Client Services: Amy Elliott, Lisa Gatto. Astrology Editor: Amanda Painter. Copy Editor: Jessica Keet. Research, Writing and Editing: In addition to those listed above, Planet Waves is produced by a team consisting of Fe Bongolan, Judith Gayle, Kelly Janes, Amanda Moreno, Casey Smith, Carol van Strum, Len Wallick, Lizanne Webb and Chad Woodward.
An Astrology Class, and a Reading for Young People
Hello Cousins,
I want to remind you about two teaching projects now underway. The first is an astrology class for beginners. It's focused on the Sun, Moon and rising sign. I'll start with the very most basic element of that -- how to actually spot those elements of the chart. Then we will talk about how to consider them by house and sign.
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False-color image of the Earth's moon -- a/k/a the Moon. Scientific photo art by NASA. |
Reading astrology is less like reading a book, and more like entering an environment. There are many ways into the environment. Easy ways to start include any of these three chart elements. Once you're in, you're in -- and you can deepen your understanding. My goal for this class is to get you into the door.
The class comes with a copy of your natal chart; once you are signed up you will get instructions on how to get that into your hands before the class.
As for the specifics: the class is from 11 am EDT to 1:30 pm EDT on Saturday, May 2. Tuition is $97. You will get a recording of the class and get to participate in a discussion list for as long as the discussion lasts. All-Access Pass holders get a discount and will be emailed that product code.
Reading for Millennials is Underway
Yesterday I began recording my reading for young people -- also known as Millennials. I did the first section, an introduction that sums up the astrology and historical events between 1981 and 2001, the approximate timeframe we are talking about.
There are not many young people who read Planet Waves. We're working on that, and part of the process is to offer them something helpful.
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Millennials arrived with the Baby On Board sign. |
I keep hearing that people in this age range need guidance, and I've heard over and over that astrology is a great way to get that guidance.
So I am counting on you to get this into the hands of your children and your grandchildren.
The reading will be in several sections, the first covering astrology and history. Then:
-- Work, work skills, apprenticeship and the value of education, including the issue of college debt.
-- The impact of the digital era on consciousness, self-concept and social life. What is all this digital technology, and people's obsession with it, doing to our ability to communicate?
-- Love, sex and relationships. I will look closely at the impact of what some call "pornography" and what it means to know an awful lot but not have a lot of experience.
I plan to have this done next week. You may pre-order the reading here at the lowest price. The reading will be appropriate for teens and older. I've written additional information about it here, if you're curious.
Thank you for your business.
With love and Chiron,
PS, My next planned generation project is called Born in the Fifties, followed by Born in the Sixties. Stay tuned!
Barnardo and Francisco, two sentinels, bring Horatio to witness the ghost of Hamlet's father in Act I, Scene 1 -- to the tune of The Sound of Music's opening number. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the film adaption of this Rogers and Hammerstein hit, and it seems to have legs. How much do you want to bet people will still be singing about "a problem like Maria" in 400 years? Image by Mya Gosling.
The Play's the Thing
By Amanda Painter
Today is the 399th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death -- and, curiously, also considered his 451st birthday. See, while there is no record of the Bard's birth, we do know his date of baptism: April 26, 1564. And tradition of the time was to baptize a newborn three days after its birth; hence, Shakespeare holds the rare distinction of (very likely) being born and dying on the same date.
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Small section of the Sonnet Project homepage, indicating released and unreleased films in the series. You can also search them by the borough where they were shot.
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To celebrate, here's a creative Shakespearean two-fer for you. First up: The New York Times wrote earlier this month about the Sonnet Project, an ambitious endeavor to film each of Shakespeare's 154 sonnets throughout the city.
Ross Williams -- producing artistic director of the project and of the New York Shakespeare Exchange theater group, from which the film project emerged -- has tried to match the "imagery and rhetorical arguments" of the sonnets with their locations. Each film features different actors (most of whom are not well-known) and directors; the project began in 2013 and recently released its 100th film in the series (Sonnet 27).
"We're always looking for new ways to reach audiences that go beyond the restrictions of a live performance in a small theater," said Williams.
Added Billy Magnussen, an actor in Sonnet 108, "It brings Shakespeare to people who might not be in touch with it, and we can use social media like Twitter and Instagram to spread the word."
Internet social media is also the point of discovery for Shakespearean Treat #2: Mya Gosling, the cartoonist behind the Peace, Good Tickle-Brain blog, has been hard at work this month on a multi-part mash-up. In a stroke of brilliance, she's set scenes from Hamlet -- the source of what may arguably be the most famous of Shakespeare's soliloquies ("To be or not to be…") -- to the infectiously fun songs of The Sound of Music.
So far, Gosling is up to seven installments with 12 parts. She's taken this week off to celebrate Shakespeare's birthday today, but plans to be back with more "Rodgers and Shakespearstein musical goodness" next week.
Bet you can't read these without singing along. Go on -- you know you want to!
All Things Taurus, and a Conversation About Masturbation
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Elisa in Book of Blue. Photo by Eric Francis. |
I begin this week's program with a tour of the new Taurus sky, including the planets spanning from Pisces to Leo. But I focus on what's happening in Taurus -- Mercury conjunct Mars and the Sun conjunct 1992 QB1. Then you're in for an adventure -- a conversation between me and Sarah Taylor on the topic of masturbation. You may know her as our weekend tarot reading columnist each Sunday; she's also studying sexological bodywork, which you will hear about. And you'll hear about its emphasis on masturbation. Planet Waves has long advocated exploring self-sexuality as a tool for consciousness-raising, growth, healing and better sex.
Your Monthly Horoscopes -- and our Publishing Schedule Notes
Your extended monthly horoscopes for May are published below in this issue. We published your extended monthly horoscopes for April on Thursday, March 26.
We published your Moonshine horoscopes for the Libra Full Moon Tuesday, March 31. Please note, we normally publish the extended monthly horoscope on the first Friday after the Sun has entered a new sign.
Planet Waves Monthly Horoscope for May 2015 #1046 | By Eric Francis
Aries (March 20-April 19) -- Pull your mind into focus and set your priorities. This will give you a sense of direction. As you move through the next few weeks, you're likely to revise your plans many times, or more likely, rework the language you use to describe them. I suggest you not get lost in the sauce of thinking that the words you pick to describe something are more important than whatever they are designed to illustrate. Focus on your central idea and you'll find it a lot easier to be clear. Stay close to your subject matter. At the same time, keep shifting your viewpoint, so you get a fuller panorama. Notice when your perspective gets stuck. When it does, move around and look from another angle, or through a different lens. If you find yourself arguing, argue the other side of the case as well, and then weigh and balance what you learn. Language is always a matter of experimentation, of revision, and of getting the best approximate fit between a concept and how you sketch it out. Think in terms of improvement rather than perfection. Remember that good writing is not merely about clear words but rather about expressing clear ideas. And it can take some time to get there. If you consider that you're describing something that already exists, this process will be much easier.
It's Your Birthday, Taurus!
Venus Retrograde, and Three Conjunctions to Mars
If you're Taurus or Taurus rising, your astrology this year is sending a message about specific projects, goals or healing missions. Specific is the opposite of general. That means it's time to refine and focus your agenda.
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True-color rendition of Venus, a planet similar to Earth.
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There is a crucial issue of how you handle self-criticism -- particularly of your creative endeavors, and of yourself as a lover. The usual options in this world, which are blaming oneself for everything or letting oneself off the hook for everything, don't count for much now.
What matters is that you recognize the extent to which you critique yourself unfairly, that you discover how that developed, and that you make some adjustments to your psychology.
This is all designed to give you an easier time living within your own mind (which you and I know is a very busy place). Taurus is one of the most mentally active signs of the zodiac. It's just that, unlike Gemini, you don't always express yourself.
This year's Taurus astrology has several distinctions. I'll go over these in some technical detail (not too much!) and then add additional interpretation.
Venus Retrograde from July 25 through Sept. 6
First, Venus, the planet associated with Taurus (its 'ruling' planet) will be retrograde between July 25 and Sept. 6. Venus is retrograde the least of all the planets. It happens for about six weeks every 18 months. For this reason, every Venus retrograde is always a significant turning point.
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Venus of Willendorf, more than 25,000 years old, was discovered during excavation in Austria in 1908. |
Venus will station retrograde in the very first degree of Virgo, then back up into Leo, where it will be for the duration of the retrograde. Venus will spend much of its current cycle in Leo -- approximately five months, from June 6 though Oct. 8.
That puts a Leo emphasis on the next year and a half of your life. But in the midst of that, Venus will spend three weeks in Virgo. And it will be conjunct a slow-moving point that is about focus, overfocus and unfair self-evaluation.
So in the midst of a lot of Leo -- seeing your beauty, taking pride in yourself and loving who you are and what you do -- there is this three-week pause to reflect on the details. Notice them; see what you've been missing. This really is about observing the obvious.
Three Conjunctions of Venus and Mars
The other interesting factor for Taurus this year is three conjunctions of Venus and Mars. Mars is the planet symbolic of your relationship partners (whether you're male or female).
One has already happened, in early January (in Aries). The next two are on Sept. 1 (in Leo) and Nov. 2 (in Virgo). This is the story of a relationship. It describes a series of phases that an encounter with someone is going through, on the way to arriving in a place of mutual understanding.
The relationship may go through ups and downs during that time. The thing to be cautious of is competition. Even beauty- and comfort-loving Taurus can be a fierce competitor. That would only complicate matters, where love and intimacy are concerned.
In many ways, doing something other than competition would answer just about any scenario or impasse you arrive at in a relationship. That could be on any level, such as scorekeeping, money, sex, sex appeal, success, whatever. Do your best to foster cooperation, and a sense of mutual assistance, not just with important partners but with everyone.
I will go over these and many other themes in the Taurus birthday reading, which is available now for pre-order.
PS, here is the Taurus reading for last year.
Gemini (May 20-June 21) -- Think of yourself as a weaver. You already know that fibers that are woven into fabric are much stronger, with more integrity, than a collection of loose threads. Therefore, collect the loose threads and, one at a time, gather them into the fabric of your life. Weaving is a conscious act. It's based on an idea and an intention. You may at first need to trace the threads back to their origins, untangle them and place them where they belong. This is of course a mental process, and you may be sorting through some complex ideas about who you are, how you feel and how you feel about others. There would seem to be some scenario from the past that is calling for a careful review. You're likely to notice interconnections between people and events that you might have missed, though you saw the clues many times before. You don't need to look for the connections, merely to notice them. I also suggest you pause before you judge the intentions of others, especially on events in the past, because much information is going to come to the surface. The timing extends into mid-June, because Mercury is retrograde in your sign (beginning mid-May). Other chart factors say you may be in a rush to get to the bottom of things, or experiencing some other form of impatience. Give yourself time to untangle and weave what you learn into a coherent story.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- If you've ever wanted to reveal all your secrets to yourself, this is the time. With this I would include deep,
unspeakable desires, which you may find are more easily translated into words over the next few weeks. You may discover that you can see viewpoints that are opposite what you typically hold. This doesn't mean you're changing how you feel, but rather that you're open to considering different perspectives. Notably, you don't have to share this information with anyone yet. In fact you will be working out a diversity of inner contradictions, and you won't know for a while where you really stand with yourself. It would probably be better if you kept what you're working through to yourself, or perhaps only a trusted confidant, at least through the end of Mercury retrograde on June 11. The real gift seems to be getting to the bottom of your anger. This would be especially true if you feel you don't have any. And it'll be helpful if you're aware that you struggle with forgiveness in any way, especially in a world that seems intent on doling out insults and injuries on a regular basis. There's plenty you can do about this, at least in terms of cultivating your own peace of mind. Understanding really is the most significant precursor to compassion, and within a short time you will understand a lot more than you do today.
Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) -- Many mysteries will reveal themselves over the next five or six weeks; that seems to be written in every corner of the sky. Your own personal discoveries are likely to surround your sexual history. The fact that sex is exploited, commercialized and joked about does not lessen its significance. In a clear and sober state of mind, just about everyone would agree with that statement. You now have a rare opportunity to focus on a dimension of your healing that you may have been trying to see clearly for years. There's a factor you first encountered during childhood that may make itself known. The result of that event or experience seems to have been accelerated maturity, but you paid a price for that; you left behind an aspect of the child you once were. Information about this may come from any direction, though I suspect that a series of interactions you have with people in your community or circle of friends are going to help you figure out how you feel and what you need to do. Pay attention to any conflicts that arise, particularly with people you thought you trusted. Be aware when someone reveals another side of their personality, or when you notice that it's there. Look for the other side of every story. This will guide you closer to the truth that you seek. Then take that information in and contemplate it quietly.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) -- You seem to be fixating on the question of why you struggle with insecurity to the extent that you do. It's a good question, though if you look around at the world and notice how much is teetering on the brink of disaster, you would feel better about yourself. We in the 21st century often think of ourselves as being so much better off than the pioneers or the settlers or assorted primitives who came before us. But is that really true? There's so much more that can go wrong today. For you, though, the question is where you place your focus or, as may be the case, your over-focus. Because the things that concern you and consume your energy so rarely go wrong, you can read your own thoughts like a tarot spread. You don't actually need to worry about what you tend to worry about, though it will tell you a lot. There really is a root cause to your worries, and from what I can see you're in an excellent position to figure it out. I can give you a clue, which is that it's likely to be a variant on something that troubled your parents and perhaps their parents but is no longer a factor in your environment. Once you understand that their problems are not your problems, you will feel so much better.
Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) -- You now have the blessing of being seen, and even better, being seen for who you are. While it's true that your focus is often on making sure that others are taken care of, you're not always recognized for that. If you are who you are, it will be obvious who you are. Under this astrology, you have extra freedom to reach for goals that may have seemed distant or impossible, and actually get a result. Just make sure that you don't talk yourself out of that possibility. Surround yourself with supportive people, and gather a few new ones. Make sure you take care of yourself and that you're taken care of by others; your state of mind is nearly all that matters now. Therefore, if you have a crisis of faith, I suggest you speak with those who are in a position to help. You might even decide that it's better to leave certain concerns to others whom you trust, so that you can keep your mind free to take care of other things. Under the current astrology the best thing you can do is be visible, show your face in public and stay on the radar of those you respect or want to work with. All of that, and remember your goals. Know what you want and don't forget.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) -- You certainly seem to be walking that fine line between fear and desire. Yet your fear, in some ways, seems the larger of the two, as you contemplate all that could potentially go wrong. That's not really an issue, though if it is, ask yourself whether you're using your power correctly. Consider carefully, and if the answer is yes, then move on. What really may be the thing making you nervous is the passion you're feeling for someone, or that they feel for you. In that way, intense desire can come across as fear, though I would ask: fear of what? Aaah well, fear of the only thing that seems to get anyone's attention, which is the potential for change. Change in this scenario means experiencing actual feelings, and meeting someone who has the potential to match or even exceed your energy. Remember the many ways you've invited this into your life. Remember that if someone seems to be just a bit difficult to understand, it would be helpful if you were to note the context in which you're seeing and experiencing them. You may have a way of taking things very personally, which would be natural enough. Yet I suggest you pull back your vision and look with a wide perspective. See all the contexts that are involved. And then take every opportunity to share, and to feel, as fully as you can.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) -- You don't need to argue with your emotions, or block them, though you would be wise to notice them and treat them as real. You seem ready to step out of a corner that you somehow let yourself get backed into, and the issue appears to be whether you really can trust someone. Looked at more closely, though, the question is whether you can trust yourself. If you can manage that much, you will be able to make more sense of the potentially erratic thinking and/or conduct of someone you're close to. I suggest you hold open plenty of space for them to go through their gyrations, and to express everything they want to express, including and especially their contradictions. As they do this, if you're paying attention, you will have all the information you need to figure out exactly what's going through their heart and soul. Just be aware this could take a little while. You may have reasons to change, radically shift or end the relationship; I would urge patience and forbearance. Act like you have all the time in the world. While you're doing this, you're going to learn a lot -- and I do mean a lot -- about some inner questions and issues you've been wondering about forever. The tolerance you offer to others is the same as what you offer yourself. The truth is organized in layers -- therefore, patience really helps.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) -- It would help if you believe the information you're given, especially if you recognize that it's associated with your personal evolution. Your charts suggest you might not recognize as true something that is indeed true, even though you have evidence to support it. One hint is that you've figured this out before, and it didn't quite register. Now the pattern is easy to see. You don't need to make the same mistake again, especially if it involves a relationship and what you're learning and exploring there. You have by this time figured out there is some internal issue that's preventing you from fully trusting this situation, or in truth, many others. It's as if you can see this scenario as it is only when you don't look directly at it. Now, however, a constellation is aligning that is allowing you to enter a direct dialog with this issue. One theme is whether you feel you can accurately express yourself. This in turn has a way of
making you feel the only option is silence. But that's not really a viable route; not now, anyway. The more
progressive way to go is to enter into a direct dialog with every taboo. Put the subject matter into words, whatever that takes. Strive for clarity day by day and please don't be deterred by the small effort it can take to get there.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Keep scratching out your niche in the world, the one where you belong. If it often seems more difficult than necessary, remember that you're doing something original. You may also be doing something that contradicts the many prevailing beliefs of our time. But what it doesn't contradict are the prevailing needs of our time. Rather than focusing on beliefs or on what is supposedly acceptable (or not), stay close to the necessities you're responding to. Know what they are, and when in doubt, come back to the egg. That's the thing to speak to. Remember that people are hurting, that they often feel dispossessed of the world, and that they have less energy and often less ability to reason than you do. Plus, very often you're willing to take chances they are not willing to take. Therefore, don't try to convince anyone of anything. Rather, speak directly to their needs, and demonstrate what you can do for them. It's true that this puts you in a nurturing role, though in truth that is what's required for both your own progress and for that of the planet we all share. Remember too that the solution to any problem is most often born of creativity. That in turn requires an experiment, which is exactly how your chart is describing your life at the moment. So keep at it, one day at a time.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Consider all the possible combinations of work, wellbeing and healing, and experiment with them. I don't mean the words, I mean what those words represent. This is where you can find benefit in your life, for yourself and for others. Many factors may seem to be unpredictable or unstable, at least for the moment. What is dependable is that there's work to do, that you have some important healing processes going, and that wellbeing is the core theme of your life. Your greatest productivity and strongest relationships will come from the place where these things meet. Focus on those relationships and you will strengthen them, and come into a new state of balance. The world may be stressed out, and people may be struggling to find time to check all their devices. You have abundant energy, you have a clear agenda and a sense of what matters to you. You can trust your perceptions about these things. While you're here, I suggest you focus on one longterm plan that you know is going to improve your life. If you must lean on others to create (or claim) the space and energy for this special project, that's why they're in your life. Allow yourself to be supported by your environment. If it helps, remember the abundant benefit people get from your presence. Take care of yourself and remember that your priorities actually matter.
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