Saturn has moved into the sign of Scorpio, where it will remain until 2014. Saturn is the planet associated with life cycles that involve discipline, lessons to learn, karmic rewards. It is set in the context of the sign of Scorpio, known for it's zero tolerance for bs, for expressing the truth, and for purging that which no longer serves us. The last time this cycle was afloat was in 1983; there may be similar themes circulating in your life, concurrent with new ones.

Saturn in Scorpio wants to cleanse and purge; it gives us the discipline and foundation to be able to follow through with these needs and goals. This is an excellent cycle for deep growth. You may wish to try this exercise: let the Universe know you wish to purge that which no longer serves you. And then, step back to watch what happens. Under this cycle we may see or have supported the clearing of our physical forms, release of trauma, purging of family karmic tendencies that no longer work, and just generally letting go of old stuff. This is necessary before the seeding for the next cycle can occur.
     And this is an interesting planetary/sign mix, as Saturn is all about a slow pace, patience while achieving goals, and Scorpio is not the most patient sign. We may find ourselves needing to rectify our motivations and our expectations.

Please know and understand that there is something beyond this cycle of purging and releasing! This is a great time to look at what serves you, and what needs to be dismantled. The planetary energies right now support this letting go. As something from the last two year cycle completes and integrates, thus the next phase of the journey begins.

     This blog would not be complete without talking about ways to buffer this deep and meaningful cleansing cycle. I highly suggest becoming familiar with some kind of comedy that supports your mood: there are many films that can do so! As well, support the body through bodywork such as acupuncture and massage. This cycle occurs in concert with a shift in the energies on the planet due to the winding down of the Mayan calendar. So please be gentle on yourself. Namaste.

On November 13, 2012, the earth will again align itself with the Sun and Moon, in a way that is has for perhaps millions of years, and completely without our control or input. Occurring mostly in pairs, this eclipse in the sign of Scorpio adds to the already heavily influenced Scorpio energies in our midst.

What is truly awe-inspiring is that these astrological and astronomical events occur completely without our interference - in fact, they occur despite our existence! When an eclipse occurs, I feel humbled by this realization, and by that fact that it impacts all humans and animals on the planet earth, as it has influenced and impacted our ancestors since the beginning of time. 
     Scorpio is a fixed water sign; it loves exploration, detective work, exercising it's curious nature, delving into interests such as archeology, ancient architecture, undersea mysteries, and other such adventures of depth. It is not a sign content with the status quo and pushes us toward growth at the deepest levels....whether we are ready for it, or not!
     Working in alignment with this energy will yield the best results. Preparing your own 'Spiritual First-Aid' kit may be a proactive and creative way to prepare for this energy and how it may manifest in your lives. 
     For more details on how this particular eclipse may impact your daily lives, consult with your local (or distance) astrologer. 
     As a human race, united on this one earth, may be continue to unfold and express with our deepest possible expressions, mindful always of the interconnectedness of us all.....

Boynton Canyon, Sedona

If you have ever hiked in your life, you know the restful sense of release that comes at the completion of a long trek. Taking in the imagery, the sights and sounds and smells, they linger in my being long after the hike is done.

Not long ago, I had the pleasure of hiking Boynton Canyon. It strikes me that this is a profound space, one which struck awe in the hearts of the natives who lived her for so long. One gets the impression that it holds secrets, is a sacred place, and one that has long been protected.

My feeling is that Boynton is a hike that will call to you; it is not intended to be a 'fitness hike,' but one to be treated with respect and as part of a spiritual journey. I attempted to capture some images from my walk; the beauty of the red rocks is apparent in every movement, but also, there are so many other tones to be felt - sacred trees, the canyon itself, the dirt on the floor much like talc powder - so soft.

Perhaps when you are in Sedona, the Canyon will call to you also. In the meantime, here are a few pictures that I hope will inspire you. Nature contains such profound, unadulterated beauty, just 'there' for the soaking.

Macys and Coffee

Getting through a cold winter calls for the pursuit of pleasures, mostly in the form of coffee and treats. Lo and behold, in the midst of my temporary stay in the non-civilized world, I came across my now-beloved Macys Coffee. But let me be clear: it is not, as my daughter thought, Macy's department store with a coffee bar. This is a rare treat altogether.

Nestled high in the mountain town of Flagstaff, Macys hearkens to European style coffeehouses. Entering into the store, clunking across the old rickety boards, the shop looks much like it may have if it were around 100 years ago. The place is often a mix of tourists, students, and browsers. And the coffee is worth the one-hour drive from Sedona.

Wintertime requires special care of one's soul and perspective. It is too easy to get lost in the day-to-day, or to forget that some folks get the winter blues, AKA seasonal affective disorder. Good self care begins with knowing how to find out what lights up for you in this life, so that it can be enjoyed....yes...even in winter. I encourage you to ponder of this topic of what pleases you, makes you happy, nourishes your soul.

For those in the area, I highly recommend the chocolate espresso croissants with a cup of Americano.

http://macyscoffee.net/

Hello 2012!

So, my last blog was about my re-commitment to write more in this blog. Right. About that. I was apparently distracted. New Year, new beginnings. And it's time to share, people! And what could be more important as a subject matter than GOOD COFFEE?!

Living in Tucson in the past, I discovered the much-revered Cartel Lab as a coffee source. What made this spot unique was not just that the coffee was high-quality, but that each cup was made individually, just for you. Imagine my joy to discover another Cartel Lab, this time located in Tempe!

On the edge of Universityland, aka ASU, near Mill Avenue, and carefully tucked away behind the liquor store at Ash and University, you have to be actually looking for this place to find it. And I mean looking...hard. It's quite incognito with a very tiny sign to surreptitiously mark it's identity. Either that or look for people that look blissed-out and are carrying unmarked cups of what could be java. The vibe is trendy and supports creativity

If you go there, I highly recommend the coffee.

http://www.cartelcoffeelab.com/