Friends, Readers:
Mercury stationed direct today at 9:13 am EDT (New York daylight savings time), with a surge of activity in the world. A typhoon devastated the Philippines, killing 240 people, and is now headed for Vietnam (thankfully, in reduced form). For that region it’s the worst flooding in a generation.
Apropos of Virgo — the sign most often associated with healing — Dr. Joe Mercola published an article this morning reporting data confirming that cell phone use is involved with brain cancer, something we’ve known for a while (as little as half an hour a day over 10 years can cause tumors; the new information is from a master study reviewing many other studies). Let’s see how many news organizations report this information.
To me the more meaningful issue is: if cellular phones cause brain tumors, what do they do before that happens? The human body is an electrical device; a subtle one. A cell phone must be capable of sending a microwave signal three miles in any direction, right through your brain and nervous system first. Years ago, I read an article wherein the author warned that we should carry cell phones like a loaded gun; leave them off when not in use; and suggesting many other precautions that now seem warranted. But really; leave your phone off? What about all those text messages that have to come in from moment to moment?
Another story likely to disappear into the mists of forgotten environmental news is an Associated Press article yesterday that indicated a ‘new’ source of PCBs in schools: window caulking. This is not actually a new source — it’s a very old one, extant in buildings built between 1950 and 1978 or so. PCBs were used in many industrial processes, particularly things that needed to be supple. I’ll come back to this, but in essence we have potentially a New Paltz-like problem in (taking a rough guess here) about half the schools in the United States. If you have a kid in the United States attending a school built during that timeframe, I suggest you call the principal and arrange to email him or her this article (the top link, on window caulking).
(Here is a link to an article on New Paltz taking you to an article in The Ecologist that I wrote this year. At the time, a Planet Waves subscriber was the editor, and she invited me to contribute this to the last print edition. Therefore it will be on the stacks of actual libraries, for anthropologists to find in a hundred years from now explaining why we are collectively such whack jobs when it comes to environmental issues.)
Here is the story that jumped out yesterday, on the theme of “the truth comes out.” Over the weekend, Facebook published a member-produced poll asking: “Should President Obama Be Killed?” The item was first reported Sunday by the blogger Gotta Laff, at the progressive website called The Political Carnival. The writer sent a screen shot of the poll to the Secret Service.
The item caught the attention of bloggers at other political websites Monday morning, including Pam’s House Blend, Daily Kos, Talking Points Memo and the Huffington Post. The item was up on Facebook for over twelve hours before it was taken down by site administrators. Facebook temporarily disabled its poll application at the site. The Secret Service called Gotta Laff to thank her for her tip, but could not divulge the next steps they plan in their investigation of the incident.
There seems to have been something of a national uprising about this. Two of my own staff members took it on themselves to phone the incident into the FBI. There must have been thousands of calls and emails to the FBI, the Secret Service and Facebook.
But what exactly was the nature of “the truth” that came out? I mentioned it in Friday’s edition.
Speaking to the United Nations last week, President Obama informed us: “No longer do we have the luxury of indulging our differences to the exclusion of the work that we must do together.”
I could see this making a lot of people nervous. Not only do many folks have to come out of what is literally a comfort zone of a living room and remote control, people they consider beneath them would supposedly be the primary beneficiaries. From Friday’s edition:
This gave me an instant aha as I saw him say the words: exploiting differences and conflicts is a way to avoid the important work that we as humanity have to do. This is the game of stopping the conversation about health care reform by accusing someone of being a socialist; on one level, all of our red herring arguments amount to the admission of being too lazy to do anything, or too invested in another values system but not willing to admit it outwardly.
In my view, if you fancy yourself conservative (truly, a meaningless word if there ever was one; we need a new word), you are mostly likely experiencing yourself as selfish, lazy and/or scared. Of course, this is not just about “conservatism,” it’s about Western-styled capitalism, which is never friendly to social progress unless it can be turned to temporary profit. But when my father, who has the best health insurance available, paid for by the taxpayers, says he objects to other people having the same thing because he might have to pay for it, that is selfish, lazy and scared. And this is a commonly held viewpoint.
We are headed into the awareness of being in challenging times (we’ve been here quite a while) that require all of us to grow, devote our resources and work together. We are in high times for anyone who is willing to work to solve the problems we have inherited from ourselves. This is going to take a lot of effort; beware all arguments that amount to, fuck it, it’s easier to leave things the way they are.
Summing up the rest of the sky: the Moon is in Aquarius, about to conjoin Nessus and work its way over the triple (really, quadruple) conjunction in Aquarius. Nessus, Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune are spaced out across the second half of that sign between 14+ and 24+ degrees. Mercury, now direct, is precisely quincunx Eris in Aries and very nicely quincunx Neptune. This makes it a focal point, which we knew.
We might ask ourselves, how smart are we, really? Is the issue intelligence, or whether we are willing to put our brains to work?
Yours & truly,
Fe,
Boy, do I remember the African Queen; it WAS scary, even for the viewer. I admire your Cap!
Picturing your bosses coming to your office one-by-one, or picturing late night chats with mom made me smile. Now I feel like this is not just Ceres but a touch of Vesta too. I remember you telling us about how your own mother cooked from an oven made of stones and that also had the essence of Vesta. Even using the word “vestiges” makes me wonder if she isn’t speaking to you subconsciously (Vesta OR your mother).
On the other hand, Ceres in Cap in the 10th would keep the dialogue (with bosses) within the proper bounderies of a business relationship. Nourishment comes in all flavors and textures. And a warm cozy Moon placement never hurt either!
bk:
as for partners and the same-old-same-old, looks like we’re making headway there–its a long slog.
But I am dealing with a Cap and they’re riding some tremendous waves and inner upheavals. Thinking of Bogart riding the white water rapids in “The African Queen”, scared but steady. They know its going to be like this for a while.
BK:
My Venus is in the 10th House, so its all for public display. Fortunately I’m in theater, so I’m good to go there.
as for this:
“The caution would be that Venus, not noted for hard labor, might skip double checking that info, as Makemake can be deceptive depending on who your sources are. But that doesn’t sound like you one bit. Not to worry.”
I have been known to make a few fact errors or mis-namings from time to time, so, particularly around this last retro, that has been known to happen.
Generally though, my Ceres in Cap in the 10th also makes me hyper-aware of things out of place and putting them back into place. This goes from theater to writing to catering and to advising others on career-and-life- building. There are places in my life I know that aren’t picture perfect.
My Mother-nurturer nature is that of an organized executive in the public arena. Or I am a mother nurturer in the public sector in the guise of an executive. All my bosses come to my office for a brief stint almost like the analyst’s couch or the kitchen table for a late-night chat with Mom.
I can’t tell you how often those two vestiges of my Ceres has been spinning around in my mind these days.
Fe,
Maybe we are on the same wave length, what with Sisyphus coming to the fore.
Regarding and in relation to your Venus in Sagittarius I would think the wealth of data Makemake must be forcing on your Venus, would create the desire to make it “pretty”, as in appetizing and appealing. Not knowing the house she’s in I will assume that your Venus loves to write, so a big picture (Sag) with lots and lots of clever nuggets of info would be one way it would manifest. The caution would be that Venus, not noted for hard labor, might skip double checking that info, as Makemake can be deceptive depending on who your sources are. But that doesn’t sound like you one bit. Not to worry.
As for Sisyphus transiting trine to your Venus, maybe the “rock” is a labor of love (for the time being). If not, then let Sisyphus do the grunt work I say. Would he not be opposite your Sun also? Are partners getting weary of the same old same old, or do they appear to you to be doing the same thing over and over without any success? Are you partner to the Senate? (kidding)
Please let me know when and where to find your new article when finished!
BK:
What would Makemake be at 25 Virgo (sq. to my natal Venus at 25 Sag) and Sisyphus at 25 Leo (trine to natal Venus) mean?
BTW – Started an article for another website with references to Sisyphus last night.
s’cuze me,
Makemake is at 25 + Virgo, not 25+ Aquarius in the equinox chart (a mistake I made while Mercury was rx). However, Sisyphus IS at 25+ Leo today, so was surely square the Moon at last week’s equinox.
But so far, my day has not been dampened. . . not even another earthquake (someplace other than where I am) is going to get me as down as yesterday. Will just turn the tv off and do some laundry instead.
Interesting – I have just been noticing over the past few days how on a personal level, I get ‘short-circuited’ when I am with certain people. I have been paying attention to it, and your article raised my awareness about the pattern on a larger scale. Yesterday was a rough day for me, too. I get the concept of ‘mercury storm’ much better now.
Thanks Be, for the ‘Cosmic Optimism’. After yesterday’s chaos, I am clearer about how various energies are affecting my body electric. I will begin holding space for cosmic optimism, huge rainbows and great blue herons (I saw all 3 on my short walk this morning) and see if I can temper the toxic energies within and without.
This is corny, but comforting in a late-’70’s kind of way:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKWKDh2Cq5Y
Patty,
I’m so sorry about your brother losing his home that way; no wonder you and your family are so concerned about your mom’s estate. Listen, I know there is a way to protect her home because my brother got a lawyer to write up something to protect my mom’s home before she died. She was on Medicaid at that time too. I will check with him and find out what it’s called. We were able to sell her home after she died and cover all the expenses with some $$ left over. She lived in Missouri, and I hope it is a loophole that is applicable in all states.
And you’re right. . .didn’t hear a single mention on ANY news channel about the cell phone data re: its relation to brain cancer. How can they DO that?
be
Dear Len,
What would we do without you? I do feel better after a good night’s rest. You are right, there’s energy to be had, it just has to be unlocked, right? You inspired me and guess what. . .I found some positive stuff.
Like, for instance, you know how we automatically think Eris is going to cause problems, but we shouldn’t jump to conclusions because she’s just getting us to face certain things we don’t want to face sometimes. Well, in that chart, the equinox chart, she’s in a degree that has the symbol of “The Gate To The Garden Of All Fulfilled Desires”. Wow. Rudhyer calls it “Cosmic Optimism”.
So I keep looking and guess what….yeah, another YOD! No kidding, she’s the focal point of a yod between the sextile (that I was too depressed to see) between the Moon in Scoropio and the tight, tight conjunction of Saturn, Mercury and Pallas (and there are others I won’t mention now) in Virgo. So if she’s the focus and she’s in Aries and she’s sitting on some cosmic optimism, maybe I should get busy and look for a transit that would coax her to cause some positive discord! Like maybe getting the Olympics to Chicago. . . that seems sort of impulsive to some. I’ll check it out later. Anyway, thanks for your support and good cheer Len. You and everybody out there. . .have a great day!
BK – not a bad day at all. Just many things need to be well considered before being brought to fruition. Weather comes and goes and at least the Samoans got a tsunami warning.
On a personal level, we are trying to settle some issues to do with estate planning – like what if mom dies and the farm goes to the state because 2 of the heirs are unemployed and in bankruptcy and the 3rd is in a nursing home on medicaid? Is that a selfish consideration? I have a brother in a nursing home who lost his home because he is on medicaid – it went to the state who sold it for next to nothing. It was resold by the buyer for a 30,000 profit at a time when homes weren’t selling!! Bastards. There are laws that prevent family members from repurchasing!! I have said it before and I will keep saying it – be careful what you wish for. I’m one of the believers that thinks that every war is planned to bring wealth to a few people, and that every recession is for the same reason. They are saying it is a good time to buy property – well duh! So the rich get richer isn’t that how it has always worked? That is exactly why we have a federal reserve, so the power to print money could be removed from the hands of congress. All you need is cnn and msnbc to get everyone’s tit in a wringer over non-issues. Bet you won’t hear them talk about cell phones, but by God all of our teens will get shot up for HPV so the drug companies can make even more money. How long will it be before they mandate the aids vaccine? Oh yeah, it is just around the corner now – but why, when the WHO has as its main goal population control? Well first they have to get our money, and health care seems to be the new oil.
Not only do many folks have to come out of what is literally a comfort zone of a living room and remote control, people they consider beneath them would supposedly be the primary beneficiaries.
A related thought appeared in my email box today, courtesy of Tricycle’s “Daily Dharma”:
“Compassion is not condescension, but a leveling of the playing field, a recognition of yourself in others and an acceptance that their stress is your stress, that their happiness is your own. The gulf between us all is imaginary, born of insecurity and fear.” (- Stephen Schettini, from “What to Expect When You’re Reflecting,” Tricycle, Fall 2008)
I have really struggled with this teaching today. And actually, a lot of days before today. I guess ridding myself of the illusion that I’m compassionate would be a step in the right direction. [moue]
Thanks Eric and lots of love to you. I know a couple people who care. They may not read your writing, but they care about what you’re saying. They are also capable. I believe like steel that that counts for a lot, counts for more than the sum of it’s parts. On a side note, your next horoscope for Leo should include the question: “Does it seem like every important person in your life is an alcoholic?” I’d have to answer “no”, but it seems like it.
bkoehler – if only i could offer you a hug right now. Yes, quite the day, but do not let it take your heart away. For most of us there will be another day. Together we can go on in mutual support. You should know i support you, my teacher, master of the yod.
The positive thing about uphill battles is that the direction is right even if the effort is more. We are not Sisyiphus. His fate need not be ours. We can make our own myth from this that we are given We have an opportunity to show what we are made of. Let us embrace the opportunity to move uphill.
There is energy in them there aspects and transits. Like the energies of the natural world, they are indifferent but often accessable. We can often find a way to ride them. Let us dwell on how to do that to the common good.
Rest and Re-ignite your brilliant light.
Len
This might have already been discussed here and I just missed it. With typhoons and earthquakes, and flooding and healthcare improvements shot down by the senate, I tried to remember what the Autumnal Equinox chart looked like. Okay, that explains it.
Not only is the Sun square Pluto and the Saturn/Mercury/Pallas conjunction in Virgo opposite the Uranus/Juno conjunction in Pisces, but the Moon just happened to choose to be at 22 Scorpio 23 for the Autumnal Equinox this year. This puts her square the Aquarius lineup mentioned above. That would be:
Nessus 14+, Jupiter 17+, Pandora 19+, Chiron 21+, Neptune 24+ and Makemake 25+
Considering all the “harsh” planetary activity in November and December, it looks like an uphill battle for the rest of the year. Oh sure, Ceres is trining the Aquarian group, but she opposes Eris who sextiles the Neptune gang. And Vesta and Pholus will cooperate with each other in the Fire signs, I suppose, but by and large, this will not be a walk in the park. If we think we are going to get any good news we will have to make it ourselves. Just one big fat uphill battle. Where IS Sisyiphus? Still in Leo? Probably squaring the darn Moon.
Sorry, it’s been a bad day.
on health care reform: one conversation with friend stumped me. I voiced concern about being forced to purchase health insurance – any health insurance at any cost is currently outside of my reach, which is why I do not have any. Free is the only “affordable”. So, the prospect of being fined (?! debtors prison?) or thrown in jail for not having it does not sit well with me. The “stumping point was when friend said he was pro this provision – because homeless, penniless people should not be given health care for free (emergency room policy). Say What?
on brain tumors: really – hasn’t everyone known this for the past decade? We are amazing adept at Selelctive Listening in our culture (that’s a phone joke). My daughter thinks her cell phone automically goes to “sleep” on a regular basis because the company who makes them is concerned about our health. I think it’s because the cell call transmission companies need to keep those waves free for other callers, that is, using auto-sleep functions on phones to maximize usage of cell towers/transmission devices. (Cause it’s spelled “profits”, not “health”.)
And that guy who was stalking me at/during/after church? I dediced to open my big mouth and “tell”. Will the church take my suggestion that he be counseled to seek therapy? Hm. I’m not betting on it. Opening my mouth on such things in the past has cost me dearly, indeed.
But Change is at large in this world right now – who knows what might turn around? Hopefully it’s not just all our internal cell structures frying inside-out. Alright, sorry, amuzing myself a little there….
Love,
Linda
Thank you Eric.
I turned off my cell phone. And I promise to put my brains to work henceforth, instead of fry them.