New Moon in Capricorn

New Moons signify new beginnings, a fresh start.  

The New Moon in Capricorn on 27th December 2008 marks another new beginning. Capricorn, a cardinal earth sign, symbolises a respect for tradition and a responsible way of managing our resources, both personally and collectively.  

Challenges are met face-to-face, instead of running away from them. Tapping into our hidden reserves courageously to unleash our personal power could conquer possible obstacles ahead (with Mars and Pluto also in Capricorn).

It is an optimum time to release anything in your life which no longer serves you, be it a relationship, old beliefs or a situation.  The house which the New Moon falls in your personal birthchart could further highlight these issues.

'Tis the season to be jolly...and grateful

It is the time of year again to have an annual review. What have you achieved this year?  What would you have done differently?  What are your targets for the year ahead?

Often, we put so much focus on things we want - i.e. New Year resolutions, that we neglect all the things that we already have.  Perhaps before making your list of New Year resolutions, we should count the blessings in our lives.

I'm grateful for my good health, family and friends, a roof over my head, food to eat, freedom of speech, a feeling of peace, joy, and spiritual fulfillment.

What are you grateful for?

Understanding your chart - Planets

Strictly speaking, the Sun and the Moon are considered to be luminaries, not planets. In astrology, Earth is not included in the birthchart since it is geocentric, though astrologer, Cynthia L. C. Wood argues for the validity of inserting earth into our birthcharts (Earth and Taurus: Geocentric Astrology's Missing Link, The Mountain Astrologer; Issue 142 - Dec/Jan 2009).

The planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are included in a typical birthchart. Some astrologers also insert Chiron - a minor planet located between Mars and Jupiter, into birthcharts. Pluto, although no longer deemed to be a planet scientifically, still offers valuable insight astrologically. It was discovered and included in the solar system for a reason.

Here are the basic meanings for each planet/luminary:

Sun: Will power, destiny, male authority figures, what's centrally important to you

Moon: Feelings and emotions, habits, the past, mother, female figures, nurturance, sensitivity

Mercury: Communication, thinking style, dexterity, mental images, ideas

Venus: Love, charm, arts, luxury, values, possessions, relationships

Mars: Assertion, wars, weapons, courage, bravery, determination

Jupiter:  Expansion, religion, philosophy, foreign travels

Saturn:  Tradition, structure, old father time, restriction, limitation, boundary

Uranus:  Revolution, changes, groundbreaking ideas, eccentricity

Neptune:  Creativity, dreams, imagination, illusion, vagueness, lack of boundary

Pluto:  Transformation, psyche, elimination, exposure, hidden factors

The Secret

'Not another book on positive thinking!' was my initial thought when my sister recommended me the book called 'The Secret'.  Unlike all the other ones I've read though, Rhonda Byrne, the author, presents the same idea in a much more matter of fact and straightforward way.

In a nutshell, everything in the universe can be broken down to the level of energy.  Here's an extract from the book:

'Remember that your thoughts are the primary cause of everything.  So when you think a sustained thought it is immediately sent out into the Universe.  That thought magnetically attaches itself to the like frequency, and then within seconds sends the reading of that frequency back to you through your feelings.  Put another way, your feelings are communication back to you from the Universe, telling you what frequency you are currently on.  Your feelings are your frequency feedback mechanism!'

Transforming hurt into love

I had been wondering how transiting Neptune and Chiron in 7th house will manifest themselves in my life when a recent event provided a possible answer to this placement.

As a follower of positive affirmations, I believe that it is important to send out positive vibes in order to attract positive experiences into my life. However, I recently discovered that someone I had trusted greatly had been two-faced and spoke behind my back. When I first found out, I thought 'I have attracted this. I must correct my thoughts to attract more positive experiences'. To be honest, I was deeply hurt when I first heard it. But then, I surprised myself when my next thought was 'I send positive energy to this person.' This is when I realised that I can finally put the teachings of Louise Hay, Doreen Virtue, Gill Edward, Fiona Harrold, Susan Jeffers etc into practice. Yes, this 'friend' of mine had betrayed me, but I was able to transform this hurt into a valuable life lesson (transiting Chiron in 7th trine natal Pluto in 3rd; transiting Pluto in 5th square natal Mercury in 8th). Spiritually, we are all one, which means that this 'friend' is technically me (and everyone else!). So sending her negative energy in response to her betrayal would do no-one any favours. Instead, I need to transform this hurt into unconditional love. I can tell you it's bloody hard, but I refused to toy with the idea of attracting more of these negative people into my life.

Deep down, I believe in justice. I wish you well. (But thank God I don't have to work with you anymore!)

Demotivators

With Pluto in Capricorn, we see many transformational changes occurring around us, one of them being the bankrupcies of businesses. When even banks are slashing their workforce, it sure is a sign of trouble times ahead. Personally, during times of despair and unhappiness, reading inspirational quotes such as 'What doesn't kill me makes me stronger' and 'If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes' usually brings me a sense of faith and tranquility.

While businesses are failing in our midst, one establishment managed to thrive - Despair, Inc. It is an online company which specialises in demotivational products. As an advocate of positive affirmations, I was skeptical as to the moral basis of such a service. However, I discovered the Capricornian humour behind all the demotivational messages. Such as:

Some of my personal favourites:

'Not All Pain is Gain'

'If We Don't Take Care of the Customer, Maybe They'll Stop Bugging Us'

'The best leaders inspire by example. When that's not an option, brute intimidation works pretty well, too'

'If you're attractive enough on the outside, people will forgive you for being irritating to the core'

'The Secret of Success is knowing who to Blame for Your Failures'

'It's always darkest just before it goes pitch black'

'Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99% perspiration, which is why engineers sometimes smell really bad'

'Minds are like parachutes. Just because you've lost yours doesn't mean you can borrow mine'

'Some people dream of success, while other people live to crush those dreams'

As humorous as some of these skewed quotes are, there are a few I still do not believe it:

'Dreams are like rainbows. Only idiots chase them' - I'd rather chase them thank you very much, at least I have a goal to aim towards and positive affirmations work wonders!

'You aren't being paid to believe in the power of your dreams' - true, but if you're lucky/shrewd enough, you will be able to manage this easily - let's release this to the angels to take care of the finer details!

You can read more of these wacky quotes on http://despair.com/

Keep up the positive energy

In a previous post, I highly recommended Susan Jeffers' bestseller 'Feel the fear and do it anyway!' Recently, a friend of mine revived my interest in Jeffers' work and had directed me to Jeffers' website. I was pleased to find that a free downloadable booklet 'Affirmations are Powerful', was up for grabs when you sign up for her newsletter.

Jeffers shares 10 of her affirmations with her readers:

1) One step at a time is enough for me

2) Whatever happens, I'll handle it

3) I reach out and invite others into my life

4) I focus on my many blessings

5) I let go and I trust

6) I know what I count and I act as if I do

7) The quality of my life depends only on me

8) I radiate love wherever I go

9) I am drawing to me all good things

10) I am powerful and I love it!

Each affirmation comes with an explanation, discussing on the deeper meaning of each idea. I feel it is time I give myself a booster shot of positive affirmations!

http://www.susanjeffers.com/

World Peace Crystal Grids

Since 1997, the International Center for Reiki Training has placed a set of 4 peace cards in Jerusalem, the North and South poles and at the International Center for Reiki Training. These cards act as transmitters/receivers of healing energy, promoting world peace.

To find out more about these cards and to receive your own copy, please visit http://www.reiki.org/Download/FreeDownloads.html

N.B. The 2nd picture is the World Peace Pendant, not a peace card.