Planet Waves Monthly - November 2007

This week in Planet Waves Astrology News, Eric explores the traditions of the Days of the Dead, visiting a Revolutionary War cemetery during the time of Scorpio. This is an unusual patriotic rant by Mr. Francis, you might want to read it. His article on Mercury stationing direct is a bold look at truth-telling in relationships. Plus the weekly horoscope!. Subscribe at this link.

Study Finds Working At Work Improves Productivity | The Onion
WASHINGTON, DC—According to a groundbreaking new study by the Department of Labor, working—the physical act of engaging in a productive job-related activity—may greatly increase the amount of work accomplished during the workday, especially when compared with the more common practices of wasting time and not working.

The Waterboarders | Psychsound by Steve Bergstein
Waterboarding is simulated drowning. The point is that the guy being waterboarded will tell all to avoid drowning. He'll tell us about the next terror attack, or where bin Ladin is hiding. Except that experts tell us that torture does not work. It creates false leads that waste resources as specialists try to confirm the prisoner's confession. It also creates blowback. We torture them, they torture our brothers and sisters in Iraq and elsewhere. Torture may sound good if you're angry about international terrorism. But it probably doesn't work. And anyone familiar with the months prior to 9/11 knows that old-fashioned detective work and administrative competence could have derailed the plot.

The Virtue of Consequences | Political Waves by Judith Gayle
For every decision we make, there’s a consequence … but not for our little Decider. No, he can just have tantrum after tantrum, pretend to be the wisest of the wise, the “Good Father” in what has turned into the silently incestuous household of a horrified, cowering nation and there will be no consequences — he has spent a lifetime avoiding them, he doesn’t have a CLUE what they feel like; it will be up to us to instruct him.

Jealousy and the Abyss | By William Pennell Rock
Relationships -- and jealousy in particular -- provide an opportunity to come to a fundamental understanding of the self. Jealousy is the eruption of attachment. It can be transcended only through awareness. As we move with awareness into the core of this phenomenon, we pass through ungrounded expectations and beliefs, projections and delusions, envy, guilt, the loss of self-esteem, and the threat to security. The core is an existential problem; it has to do with illusion and the essentially fearful nature of the ego. In possessiveness, ego defends itself against nothingness. When we come to know and accept the nothingness at the core, jealousy and the pain of obsessive attachment cease.

Where Was the Media on the Higazy Story? | Psychsound
The Higazy story is winding down. As fully described here, a few weeks ago the federal Court of Appeals in Manhattan posted a decision on its website involving an Egyptian national, Higazy, who was coerced into confessing to his involvement in the September 11 hijackings. Higazy was later exonerated when an airline pilot claimed ownership of a two-way radio which authorities thought belonged to Higazy. Steve Bergstein follows up on his big story.

The Economics of Ass | Taking Inches by Sally Sunshine
Hello my little goblins, Happy Halloween. It’s been a few days since my last confession, and I’ve been very sinful. Losing one’s soul is exhausting work. And, in true Sally Slut form, my favorite holiday did not disappoint. So, even though the light in my eyes is just a flicker and my skin is still on fire, I come bearing gifts. I’m your supplier, your dope dealer, or, should I say... sex dealer. I’ll sell myself to you for practically nothing and ask for very little in return. I’m an economist’s nightmare. I’ll offer you my ass for free. I’m the girl who won’t say no.

Dias de los Muertos | By Jeanne Treadway
Dias de los Muertos is celebrated throughout Mexico and parts of the Southwest United States. Traditions vary but generally November 1, known in the Catholic world as All Saints Day, honors dead children and is frequently called Dia de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels). All Souls Day, November 2, honors all ancestors. Some communities use October 28 to pay tribute to those who died a violent death, while October 29 can be a day to honor the unbaptized, and October 30 often serves as a day of remembering lonely souls. All celebrations include building ornate altars, extended family gatherings, bountiful feasting, storytelling, and meticulous decoration of cemeteries.

Unbroken Chain | The Astrology of Halloween by Eric Francis
These darkening days of autumn are a mysterious time, marking the waning year and filled with a sense of the inevitable. Those who follow astrology know this is the season of Scorpio, the sign associated with the death and transformation that leads to change, renewal and regeneration of life. At the center of this season is Halloween, the modern version of the ancient Celtic holiday Samhain (pronounced sa-wane). Read this Eric Francis archive classic.

The Land of the Purple Night | Book of Blue by Eric Francis
The environment of Amsterdam creates a perfect morph of dream and reality, as hot as the hottest erotic fantasy but happening as a tangible, sensory experience in waking life. The scene responds halfway between fantasy and dream; in part, it’s happening to you, in part, you’re the one making decisions, and then at a certain point, like in a good phantasy experience, you may direct the story for a while, then lose control of what happens or how you feel about it.

Planet Waves Astrology News | By Eric Francis
Planet Waves premium edition is now better than ever, with more detailed horoscopes, articles about your role in global changes, and excellent birthday reports. Learn more at the link above. Read our vision statement here, which describes our plans at Planet Waves.


The Spiral Door from Planet Waves | Now Free for All Readers!
In anticipation of the 2008 annual horoscope edition called Small World Stories, the 2007 edition is
now free to all readers. Featuring more than 15 articles, numerous resources, a sexy photo gallery,
Hindu chanting and super-extended length horoscopes, The Spiral Door is our most funnest and comprehensivist annual edition yet. Dive in and enjoy. And get ready to swipe your credit card for Small World Stories, the 2008 Annual Horoscope Edition.

Astrology as the Art of Bullshit | The First Planet Waves, by Eric Francis
Astrology is based on the idea that there is some relationship between human existence and the model of the solar system. For some people, this is a stretch longer than fitting nylon pantyhose on an elephant. For others, it's obvious that we live in one reality and that the whole show is not just connected by some ideas and theories, but that in actual fact, life is one holistic experience of planets, bugs, people, trees, computers, rocks, thought, and everything else with which we share existence.