The astrology of April 2014

The ethers seem replete with planetary alignments that support change, coupled with the strong need to slow down and center as often as needed. The energy of Aries dominates the air for the early part of the month. Being the start of the zodiac and rules by Mars, Aries is all about the beginning of things, the energy to start things up. At times, things may need a boost or massive amount of energy to get rolling or to create needed changes or a wave of energy on which further changes can ride. At times, Aries has been called the me-first sign, but that's a misnomer. We must begin somewhere - whether it be a project, relationship, job, new home - and beginning with centering the self as deeply as possible is the best way for a positive and grounded outcome.

This month the headlines have been replete with unusual a stories. A friend once suggested, for every 'negative' news story, they should cover at least five minutes of a life-positive story, to balance things out. This is a great suggestion or starting place - perhaps the media will take heed!

Tuesday will bring an eclipse in the sign of Libra; this is part of a larger context of planetary conversations called a Cardinal Cross. Basically, the signs are forming a pattern in the sky, and creating a conversation if you will, that at times may be challenging but will definitely clear the air and set a foundation for later work to be done. I think of planetary relationships like conversations - they can be easy, they can be made of fluff, they can be challenging and hurt our feelings, or they can challenge us in ways that help us grow. With Libra reverberating in the airwaves, this is a great time for socialization, relating to others, focusing on relationships, give and take, sharing.

Enjoy the month of Aries for the blast of fresh air that it brings! Namaste.

Adventures in the Riparian Preserve

This week, reeling from a Mercury retrograde cycle that claimed the life of my beloved computer, I opted to take solace in the comfort of nature. As the weather was a cooperative 78' and very sunny, it was a perfect hiking day in Arizona, Valley of the Sun. I came upon the Riparian Preserve in Gilbert, and yes, I had to look that word up in the dictionary (uh, internet) too. Also known as Water Ranch, this area is home to numerous varieties of birds and plant species. There are walking trails and photo opportunities at every turn. The Preserve is also home to the Riparian Institute (http://www.riparianinstitute.org/).

It's not unusual to see hikers, birders, and folks on horseback, as well as well-positioned photographers, when exploring Water Ranch. As well, there is a large telescope on the grounds, and it adjoins the local library. From what I understand, the telescope is open on Friday and Saturday nights from Sunset to 9:30. http://www.riparianinstitute.org/riparian.cfm

New Year, New Moon, New Beginnings...

Happy New Year, everyone! Well, I suppose I could be dramatic and say I had a near-death experience today, but to be fair, I simply over-exerted my middle-aged self on the hiking trail! I am on a quest for adventure and this coming year my desire is to challenge myself to doing things that are outside of my normal comfort zone. I have joined up with a site you may have heard of called meetup.com as one possible venue of engaging new activities and meeting new people. As such, today we met up and hiked what I believed would be the beginner trail.

Mind you, when I say I want to hike, what I found I really mean is I like to stroll along a flat surface and be done with it in 30-50 minutes. Today, I found myself over hill and dale for many hours, but it was worth it. In fact, it was just what I needed, body mind and soul!

Our leader is all about not just the physical activity, but also the social connections. This group was easy to be with and the trail was very worthwhile, showing off some of the desert's best views. We could practically see Phoenix from the top of one mountain we climbed! The visual was stunning and the air was crisp and clear.

Best wishes to you no matter what you New Year goals or activities may be. We are all of us together on this planet, sharing time and space. May our connections be clean and clear and steady and our relationship to the earth respectful.

Helpful Hints for Surviving the Holidays

Well, the holidays have come around again, ushering in times of joy and times of stress. The holidays are not always easy and thus here are just a few words that may offer help if you find your stress level soaring. Having experienced holidays that are packed with family gatherings, and having had the experience of creating and raising a now-grown and gone family, I now contrast those lively days with a quieter existence. Life has taught me to be flexible with the various cycles of growth; there are always opportunities for service and connection if you are willing to take the risk.

Thus, if you find yourself at odds with how to spend your time, or simply crave new traditions, here are some suggestions.

1. Volunteer! There are always social service agencies looking for help, not just on the holidays but year round. There are even agencies that will assist you in finding a good match for your volunteer talents. It was through such an organization that I came across an equine rescue group in need of assistance. www.volunteermatch.org.

2. Play tourist! I have been fortunate to live in several tourist-towns, such as Sedona and Scottsdale. Both have travelers year round and thus there are fun events and places to visit. On one holiday I found myself sharing a table at a coffeehouse with an older gentleman who seemed to just not want to be alone on that day, and we were able to connect over small talk.

3. Reach out! It can be fun to assemble an array of your friends for a day of fun. I did this one year with my significant other at the time, and we collected an unusual array of individuals at our home for a Thanksgiving dinner. The memory of that unique ensemble stays with me still, even though it is many years later.

4. Join a group! I have discovered meetup.com, an online group organizing service that collects like-minded individuals together over such diverse interests as ghost hunting, healing arts, playing board games, even hiking. And what is great about this resource is that it seems to be pretty much everywhere! This year I tried a hiking group with good result.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2014, a year filled with radiant good health, nurturing friendships, and creative work that you love. Namaste,
Jane

I've always been fascinated by all things ancient, not explained, mysterious....including old maps. When I was little I would avidly watch a television show called "in Search of..." They tackled many mysteries, such as the Bermuda Triangle, the Nazca Lines, Bigfoot, many times without reaching an answer. I was captivated. It led me to a sense of awe and a brief experience, I guess, of a deeper sense of Awe that I would tap into in later life. I would fall asleep to a sense of deep wonder. To my youthful way of thinking, I could not figure out why these mysteries were not front page news, instead of the jarring crime and other things that were covered nightly. I'd much rather dream of ancient sunken cities and to wonder about people that used to exist. How did those pyramids get built? and why are they found all over the globe, and in alignment with certain star patterns?

Today while lingering at Sky Harbor Airport, I came across the work of an artist that blends two of my favorite and inspiring things: picture of the west, natural and raw, and maps. Termed cartography, Deborah Springstead Ford has managed to create the same type of awe I felt as a child as she blends magic and mainstream in her artwork. The link to the photos can be found here: http://aridjournal.com/cartography-and-the-cultural-terrain-deborah-springstead-ford/

Diving Deeper into Coffee Adventures

The Bold Roost Coffeehouse in Gilbert, AZ, brings an eclectic vibe to an otherwise sleepy end of town. Replete with images relating to roosters for some unknown reason, the Roost offers a haven of caffeinated beverages in the midst of an otherwise desert town that is missing just such pleasures. The vibe is creative and upbeat.

For your eating and drinking pleasure, this coffeehouse is stocked with fresh coffees and outstanding sandwiches. The baristas are always especially welcoming and friendly. It is easy to feel at home in this mecca of cappuccino and cake.

A stage sets the scene for musical events, there are lots of books and activities, including wifi, and best of all is the chalkboard, where you can draw or write to your heart's content.

http://www.boldroost.com/

We are soon approaching the end of 2013; the last eclipse is complete, Mercury is now rolling forward, and the astrological climate supports the gathering of friends, nostalgic celebration and emotional release. Myself, I am feeling much in the way of deep gratitude for the lessons and gifts of this year. 2014 promises to bring much into play regarding building upon foundations recently set, putting structures beneath dreams and ideas, and continuing to connect with like-minded people on projects and pleasures.

As we write, a comet is preparing to dive into the sun in the next two weeks. This feels to me in alignment with Hopi prophecy and much like an punctuation mark at the end of a very, very long sentence. The earth has existed before we erected a Starbucks on each corner and placed an I-phone in each hand. I feel many good things with this comet; there seems to have been a flurry of them in quick succession, along with more solar flares helping to support change and release.

The eclipses of 2014 will continue to strengthen us by urging us to clarify our relationships and to stand up for justice (Libra), to venture out on our own and create our own happiness and bliss through work or other projects (Aries), to increase within our beings our own sense of self-love and self care - even to the point of pampering (Taurus), and finally we will find and express our depth through our daily lives (Scorpio).

Did you know that there is a group of people that actually 'chase' or follow/document each eclipse as it occurs? They call themselves the eclipse chasers, as in http://www.eclipse-chasers.com/SEC2014.html. What a wonderful thing to do: build relationships around capturing the essence of the awe-inspiring moments surrounding these celestial events.