Happy New Year!

Here we are on the eve of another year - where did the 365 days go? I'm thankful for all that I have achieved and am looking forward to another 'clean slate', where I can make a new list of targets for 2011. On that list, I should begin with 'I will put more time in astrology and update my blog more regularly'!

What are your hopes and dreams for 2011?

Mercury Retrograde in Gemini

A month ago, Susan Miller, one of my favourite astrologers, wrote in her monthly horoscopes that the Mercury retrograde in December would cause havoc in anything related to communications. Therefore, she recommended that Christmas shopping should best be completed by the end of November. Watching the news today, I totally agree with Susan. Christmas deliveries are being delayed due to the heavy snow across the UK. Not to mention countless travellers facing the prospect of spending their Christmas at the airport.

It is interesting to note that Mercury is currently retrograding in the sign of Sagittarius - foreign travels. This planet of communication has just come out of a conjunction with the Sun, which opposed the Moon in Gemini just yesterday (i.e. Full Moon & lunar eclipse). This is a time when a culmination point is reached and we are faced with a need to clear away all the things that no longer work, and to make room for a fresh start. The full moon in Gemini, a sign ruled by Mercury, may denote a time to take an inventory of our lives (an apt time with the approach of 2011 just coming round the corner), and to let go of any emotional attachments which may be clouding our rational judgement. Perhaps an injection of objectivity and logic could help to stabilise our emotions and to help us think more clearly.

I hope the airport staff will be able to overcome their stress (Moon) and put on their thinking caps (Mercury) in order to ease the congestions in the airport lounges across Europe.

Astrological aspects on a painting

Besides the plaques showing the zodiac signs, I also came across another painting with an astrological association:

Can you see it? Let take a closer look:
Let's zoom in further at the tower:
Can you see the twelve glyths of the zodiac within the circle? Also the different aspects in the next inner layer:
Conjunction is show by the new moon; square by the square shape; trine by the triangle. However, opposition looks more like the sextile symbol.

Here's some background info on the painting:

Astrology inside V & A (1)

It's been a long time since my last post (again!). I've been meaning to share my find at Victoria & Albert Museum during my summer visit to London. I managed to squeeze in a trip there with a friend and was surprised to find traces of astrology in some of the exhibits.The first exhibit was a set of twelve roundels depicting the agricultural year.

On closer inspection, I noticed that besides showing the length of daytime and night-time (upper light blue and lower dark blue arcs respectively), each plaque also has a zodiac sign on top of the sun:
January - Aquarius:

February - Pisces:

March - Aries:

April - Taurus:

May - Gemini:

Astrology inside V & A (2)

June - Cancer:

July - Leo:

August - Virgo:

Astrology inside V & A (3)

September - Libra:

October - Scorpio:

November - Sagittarius:

December - Capricorn:

Quotes from Wild Love

'Wild Love' by Gill Edwards:

'Any negative emotion is an opportunity to grow. It is to be welcomed...[........]...It is a sign from our deep Self that there is work to be done, that we are not currently aligned with our desires. We need to choose new thoughts that move us into more positive emotions - beyond fear, beyond judgement...[.....]...If we reach inner peace, we are attracting what we want much more easily. And if we are vibrating at the level of unconditional love and joy and freedom, the world is our oyster!'

'If it feels good, we can simply enjoy it. If it feels bad, we can learn and grow from it - and perhaps help others as a result. Whatever happens, all is well.'

'Whenever we try to be good, or try to please others, or see anyone else as bad or dangerous, we disconnect ourselves from Source. We disconnect from who we truly are - which is love.'

'The deepest darkness can elicit the greatest light.'

Words from Beyond

I've always been fascinated with the reincarnation stories uncovered under hypnosis. In 'Many Lives, Many Masters' by Dr Brian Weiss, the patient under hypnosis was able to relay messages from the wise masters, appearing in between lives. I found a few of the messages very insightful and would like to share them here:

'Everybody's path is basically the same. We all must learn certain attitudes while we're in physical state. Some of us are quicker to accept them than others. Charity, hope, faith, love......we must all know these things and know them well. It's not just one hope and one faith and one love - so many things feed into each of these. There are so many ways to demonstrate them. And yet, we've only tapped into a little bit of each one...'

'Patience and timing....everything comes when it must come. A life cannot be rushed, cannot be worked on a schedule as so many people want it to be. We must accept what comes to us at a given time, and not ask for more. But life is endless, so we never die; we were never really born. We just pass through different phases. There is no end. Humans have many dimensions. But time is not as we see time, but rather in lessons that are learned.'

'Energy.....everything is energy. So much is wasted. The mountains......inside the mountain it is quiet; it is calm at the centre. But on the outside is where trouble lies. Humans can only see the outside, but you can go much deeper. You have to see the volcano. To do it you have to go deep inside.'

'We go through many stages when we're here. We shed a baby body, go into a child's, from child to an adult, an adult into old age. Why shouldn't we go one step beyond and shed the adult body and go on to a spiritual plane? That is what we do. We don't just stop growing; we continue to grow. When we get to the spiritual plane, we keep growing there, too. We go through different stages of development. When we arrive, we're burned out. We have to go through a renewal stage, a learning stage, and a stage of decision. We decide when we want to return, where, and for what reasons. Some choose not to come back. They choose to go on to another stage of development. And they stage in spirit form.....some for longer than others before they return. It is all growth and learning.......continuous growth. Our body is just a vehicle for us while we're here. It is our soul and our spirit that last forever.'

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Summer Time

I had the shock of my life when I discovered that it has been almost two months since I last updated my blog.  Tsk tsk, I've allowed my lazy bugs to overtake me again.  Since my last blog entry, Jupiter and Uranus have finally entered into the realm of Aries.  I wonder if anyone is feeling this energy shift?  I certainly do, otherwise I wouldn't have the urge to change my blog to a pink background!

Arian Energy

In my last post, I pointed out that Uranus is about to enter Aries next Friday.  As the cloud of confusion lifts from my mind (I blame the previous Mercury retrograde, which we are still under the influence of since we are yet to come out of the shadow period), I noticed another astrological movement - Jupiter is also due to enter Aries in a few weeks' time.  

With more than one outer planet in Aries, I would expect the Arian energy to activate the 'me first' attitude, a time to think about who you really are and what you really want to achieve.  You may feel courageous and want to try something new.  The exact nature of how this Arian vibration may affect you would depend on where Aries is in your chart.

Personally, I feel the Arian energy as pure anger.  It doesn't help that my part of the world is getting hot and humid - not a good combination for me as I get highly irritable when the temperature rises.  My temper flares up and my patience is almost non-existent.

Uranus in Aries

Since becoming an avid astrologer, I have been keeping a close watch on the planetary movements above and so any planets going retrograde (appearing to be moving backwards from earth's viewpoint) I would be fully aware of .  However, I had a shock when I discovered Mercury went direct on 11th May - when did it go retrograde?!  How did I miss it?  I vaguely remembered one was coming, but this is the first time I actually missed it totally.  Accompanied with this revelation was the realisation that transiting Uranus is a degree away from conjunct my natal Mercury.  How did I miss that too?  This then made me pick-up my paperback ephemeris and found that Uranus will soon leave Pisces and will enter Aries in two weeks' time.  Uranus has been in Pisces since 11th March 2003 with an interlude in Aquarius between June to November 2003.  Therefore, for the past 7 seven years, the planet of sudden change and unpredictability has been residing in Pisces, a rather soft and gentle sign and is now approaching towards the more feisty and energetic Aries.   It will be under the influence of this bold and courageous sign from 28th May until 15th May 2018.  

With Uranus, expect the unexpected.  It is easier to go with the flow and be flexible.  Uranus is about shaking out the old and welcoming the new.  Depending on your house cusps and planetary placements in your chart, Uranus in Aries will carry a different message for everyone. But here is the general focus for the next 7 years:

Aries:  Uranus passing through your first house of physical appearance may bring on a sudden desire to have an image change, or to start a new exercise regime.  You may be forced to change the way you see the world.

Taurus:  With Uranus tucked away in your 12th house of secrets, hidden talents and the Universal unconscious, you may discover a side to you that you didn't know existed. Feelings of instability may arise without knowing the reason.  Old problems may resurface,  requiring you to clear them away from your system.

Gemini:  Uranus in your 11th house of friends, community and hopes may denote a period of reaching out and joining forces with those in society who are not afraid to challenge traditional values.  New goals, new lifestyle and new friends are likely to be the main theme during this time.

Cancer:  Uranus stomping into your 10th house of career and public status is likely to be accompanied with some radical changes in your profession.  You could change your job or a change in your social status is likely.  During this period, you feel empowered with the energy to trot down the unbeaten path and stand up to authoritative figures.

Leo:  Uranus in your 9th house of higher learning and foreign travel may denote opportunities to travel.  Having an open mind could help you to accept and incorporate a new way of viewing the world.

Virgo:  With Uranus in your 8th house of shared resources, sudden changes in your joint finances with your partner is likely.  Intense and fateful events may open up past wounds; deal with them face-to-face and release them from your psyche.

Libra:  Uranus in your 7th house of partnership may signify unexpected changes in your existing relationships, from starting or ending a partnership abruptly to having more arguments and conflicts with others.

Scorpio:  With Uranus spending the next 7 years in your 6th house of workplace and daily routine, you are likely to find yourself with new challenges and responsibilities in your job, or even totally change your place of work, possibly to acquire more freedom.  You may adopt a new attitude to how you work.

Sagittarius:  With the planet of sudden change transiting in your 5th house of self-expression and creativity, you may be inspired to be more adventurous with your romantic relationships.  In general, you tend to be drawn to new experiences and may take on a new approach in your creative work.  Your children, if you have any, may be going through a rebellious stage.

Capricorn:  With Uranus bounding into your 4th house of home, family and ancestral roots, you may be planning on a change of scenery in the home front, e.g. moving house, renovating your existing home.  Changes may also occur with your family members. 

Aquarius:  With Uranus in the 3rd house of communication and mental attitudes, changes are likely to occur in your way of thinking.  This may also be the time where you break away from old habits.  

Pisces:  Your finances may go through a period of instability with Uranus in your 2nd house of material possessions, earnings and self-values.  This is likely to be the time when old values are thrown out of the window, particularly on how you view material goods.

External World Versus Internal Space

Since becoming acquainted with New Age spiritualism, 'The Secret' in particular, I have wondered how to accommodate two areas of my beliefs which appear to be at opposite poles.

As an astrologer interested in various teachings of divination (e.g. palmistry, face reading, Chinese astrology etc), I have wondered how positive thinking could turn one's life round when it is not 'written' in your life contract to begin with.  The art of free will plays a huge part, in that, something that is 'pre-destined' can be overridden by one's free will.  However, if something is meant for the highest good, then one will continue to encounter that on one's life path, i.e., we have the power (or free will) to push it away, instead of embracing it, but it will keep on coming back to you.  For example, if being a fashion designer is your natural talent, opportunities will be thrown your way to explore and expand that potential.  If this individual is tempted by other reasons, (e.g. money, status) and decides to stray from this path, then s/he has the free will to do so.  However, true happiness awaits those who are following the path which is for their highest good.  

The other day, I was watching a fortune-telling TV programme.  The Chinese astrologer was asked if one undergoes plastic surgery, would the person's fortune be changed?  The answer is no, not unless it is accompanied by internal changes.  Facial features (and also lines on palms) are a reflection of one's internal world. For example, for a female to have a raised bump on the bridge of her nose denotes someone who tends to have turbulent relationships because of her paranoia towards her partner/spouse.  If this person removes the bump, would she become more trusting of her partner?  No, not unless she makes a conscious effort to self-reflect and then cultivate trust in her partner.   This is the link I have been seeking.  So just because we are 'born' with certain facial features/palm lines/patterns in birthcharts, we are not destined/doomed, we still have the power to exert conscious control.  Through your own choice of spiritual faith (or not), erroneous thinking can be corrected, thus achieving a cleansed internal state.

Life Analogies

Often, I hear people around me complaining about their wishes not coming true.  They have 'sent' their wish list to the Universe and eagerly await for the results to deliver.  Besides the fact that the wish may not be for the highest good, there are other factors to consider.

While listening to Doreen Virtue's radio show last week, I picked up some useful analogies which I want to share them with everyone here.

Telling the Universe what you wish for is like sending a letter.  You must letter go of the letter in order for it to be delivered to its designated recipient.  If you hold onto the letter (i.e. not letting go), then the letter won't get delivered.

Communicating your wishes with the Universe is also liken to ordering in a restaurant.  You make your order then sit back and relax while you wait for your food.  You do not give your order to the waiter, then march into the kitchen to tell the chef how you want your food cooked exactly.  Just like you do not tell the Universe in specific details how you want your wish to be granted, perhaps a few general criteria could be helpful, e.g. for the highest good, to feel happy, so in the restaurant analogy, it would be like requesting to have your steak served medium/rare/well done.

Give the Universe time to set your wishes in place.  Your wish may involve another person, and unless that individual is ready, the wish cannot be fulfilled.  Divine timing is the key.  Having patience is another important factor - I'm the worst person to preach this being such an impatient soul!  But this is like gardening, where the seed has germinated in the soil but our eyes cannot detect this minute growth.  I remember back in primary school, everyone in my class was given a seed by our teacher.  She told us to get a pot, water it as necessary and bring it to school in a few weeks to see how everyone had done.  Being impatient, I dug up the seed everyday to check its growth!  Needless to say, my seed did not germinate at all because I was not able to let it do its own growing.  We simply need to have the patience to wait for the shoot to push through the soil and into the light.

Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Coco Before Chanel

I find it rather amazing that the same stimulus could elicit a myriad of responses in different individuals.

You and I may smell the aroma emanating from the wooden furniture in our bedroom or the woods by our house and thought nothing much of it.  Perhaps we would feel relaxed to breathe in those scents? But who would have thought to capture and transfer that smell to a perfume bottle?  That was one of the interesting facts I acquired from my recent invite to a perfume exhibition courtesy of Chanel.

Being an astrologer, I couldn't help but wonder the astrological factors possessed by Coco Chanel.

Using my Solar Fire Gold program, I discovered that Chanel was a Leo with a Pisces Moon and Sagittarius rising.  This interesting fire-water mixture is likely to create an individual with an urge to express one's individuality and put oneself under the spotlight (one of her quotes being 'In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.').  Life is like one big adventure, waiting for brave souls to explore ('Success is often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable').  There is a conflict between asserting one's identity and striving for personal recognition, and wanting to be gentle, feminine and selfless.  Her Sun conjunct Venus is also another factor which allowed her to stitch her name into the bible of fashion.

Liberating women from tight corsets by introducing 'comfort' into garments for ladies, Chanel made her mark with her signature 'little black dress' and 'Chanel suit', bringing out beauty without discomforts.  Being the first perfume to bear the name of the designer, the olfactory creation 'Chanel No. 5' perfume endowed Chanel with timeless fame.  These achievements certainly had satisfied her Leo Sun.  Her Pisces Moon could also be glimpsed by the fact that her textile products allowed women to show-off their femininity without physical discomfort and restriction.

Chanel remained unmarried in her 87 years of mortal life but had numerous affairs with influential and powerful men (Sun conjunct Venus in Leo in 8th; Jupiter in 7th).  When asked why she did not marry the Duke of Westminster, her replied was 'There have been several Duchesses of Westminster, but there is only one Chanel!'  

Be the Change

My recent trip to my local hair salon endowed me with an entertaining concept.

Six months ago, I finally had the urge to invest time and money on revamping my appearance (not the permanent kind!).  I changed my wardrobe and even attended make-up classes.  On consulting my chart, I discovered that my first make-up class coincided with transiting Mars conjunct my Ascendant in Leo.  So I expended energy on 'me', in particular, my appearance.  I also spent a lot of my time exercising to tone up my body (the first house rules our physical body and appearance).  With Mars in retrograde, the effect of my egocentric focus was prolonged  (and currently still in effect). 

Practice makes perfect.  As a student, I focused my entire energy on my academic work, therefore, I was less than a novice when it came to beautifying myself.  Being an all or none person, I decided to speed up my learning process by giving myself plenty of opportunity to practice by waking up an hour early every morning to put on make-up (this 'mask' is also a first house symbol!).  My current work colleagues noticed the change and some of them disapproved of me wasting my time on 'painting' my mask.  Instead, I was advised to spend that time in bed.  'Who are you trying to please anyway?'  

'Me,' was my reply, come to think of it, that is also a first house concept! Not to mention very Leo too.  I explained that I did not like what I saw in the mirror and besides, I just felt the urge to do it.  It felt right.  I have learned long ago to follow my heart.

I shared this with my hairstylist.  The first thing he said to me was 'Don't let your environment influence you.  Be the one to influence your environment.'  He then shared a psychological experiment involving the placement of an expensive car in a deprived area of New York and in a more affluent residential area.  The car was completely taken-apart in the former setting but was left unscathed in the latter.  The psychologists then repeated the experiment by replacing the cars with a cracked window.  The same outcome occurred in the former case, i.e. dismantlement of the vehicle.  However, in the latter case, having a crack in one of its windows caused a different result - the car was disassembled as well.  This simple experiment illustrates that one can influence one's surroundings.  You can be that change.  My hairstylist commented that instead of listening to my colleague and be affected by her advice, I should continue to do what I do and begin to notice changes in them instead.  Thinking back though, I think they also played a part in changing me - I remember feeling like a rag initially, so perhaps I was affected by my environment after all?

Happy Easter

It is too easy to forget the true meaning of Easter, hidden behind all those chocolate eggs and fluffy white bunnies.  In the Christian faith, Jesus died on the cross for all us sinners.  His resurrection three days later symbolises hope and rebirth.  Perhaps after indulging in all the goodies, we could spend a moment to ponder on things we could release/give up, just like Jesus had given up his mortal life for us.  Life is cyclical, as one door closes, another opens, what do you need to welcome into your life?

Bad Astrology

I remember over a decade ago, a friend of mine received a complimentary astrology report which brought tears to her eyes.  She claimed that the recount on her childhood was spot-on.  She even contemplated on ordering the extended version, which required a fee.  Curiosity got the better of me and I requested my own free report.  After reading it though, I regrettably informed my friend that it was identical to hers and it certainly didn't bring tears to my eyes.  

It's such a shame that there are unscrupulous astrologers giving astrology a bad name.  

http://www.astro.com/astro-databank/Bad_astrology

Image: David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Caterpillar & Tadpole

The other day, a colleague of mine shared an entertaining story she had read from a children's picture book:

Once upon a time, there was a tadpole that was in love with a caterpillar.  They were practically joined at the hip.  All was well until one day, Caterpillar vanished from the face of the earth.   Tadpole was heartbroken.  Unbeknown to Tadpole, Caterpillar had hidden herself away in a cocoon.  Tadpole focused so intently on searching for his love that he was unaware of the physical changes occurring to his body - the gradual disappearance of his tail and the growth of limbs.  

Eventually, a beautiful butterfly pushed her way out of the cocoon and soared into the air.  She had not forgotten about her great love.  She flew around the forest, asking all creatures great and small if they had seen her Tadpole.  


'No,' came the answer.  Feeling distraught, she continued on her quest and encountered a frog.  

'Excuse me Mr Frog, I'm looking for my...'  Butterfly did not get the chance to finish her question as the frog captured the butterfly with his extended tongue and swallowed her.

I laughed when I heard the ending.  But then, I had a thought.  Essentially, Tadpole and Caterpillar's love for one another had not diminished.  The only obstacle was their transformed external shells.

What about us?  Would we get so caught up with external appearances that we fail we recognise our soulmate?


Image: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Being a Lightworker

Becoming good friends with a fellow reiki practitioner in Hong Kong was a miracle to me.  However, we all have our destined paths to follow.  My newly-found soul sister soon returned to her home country with her husband.  I was gutted when I first heard about her decision - I am a human being after all.  As a believer of positive affirmations and a fan of 'The Secret', I began to send out my cosmic order for more spiritual friends to enter my life.  

With Mercury and Mars in retrograde at various times during the past few months, I've had my emotional ups and downs.  I originally attributed them to the fact that I had too much time on my hands during the major breaks (e.g. Christmas and mid-term) to feel sorry for myself.  But then, even as I resumed my usual work routine, I felt something was amiss.  A few individuals around me noticed this change and invited me along to meet their friends as a way of expanding my social circle.  As grateful as I was to their kindness, I still felt something just wasn't right.  I couldn't explain it at all.  I knew meeting these people may even exacerbate the situation so  I declined their offers.  I knew I was happy with my work, that for once, I am in the right place doing the right thing.  It wasn't until I finally met another spiritual soul with similar interests to me that I realised what was missing in my life - a circle of friends in my vicinity to really share my spiritual beliefs with.  I don't just want to 'preach' but to really discuss and appreciate the teachings with like-minded individuals, and to provide support for one another.   The heaviness in my heart finally lifted and the spark within me re-ignited.  I feel this is another 'booster shot' to my belief system; that however strange and unacceptable my New Age beliefs may appear to other people, I am to stand by those teachings because I am a lightworker and nothing will change that.  

The Art of Freewill

When I first began my blog, I used the same title and wrote about one of my experiences of freewill.  After a couple of days though, I deleted the entry because I felt it contradicted with my spiritual beliefs.  In my initial post, I discussed that a fortune-teller friend of mine advised me to cancel my 2-week trip around Europe during the winter of 2003, the reason being that her calculations showed unfavourable conditions awaited me in the direction of my travel.  Practically, I had already paid for the trip and was looking forward to it.  Moreover, my best friend from school organised it and we knew it would be a long time (if ever) before we would be able to travel together again.  I couldn't let her down but at the same time, I felt pretty distraught with the negative piece of advice.  I then sought a second opinion and it was a lot more positive.  In the end, I went along with it and had a fantastic time, though there were aspects which I found rather challenging to my self-esteem.  Nevertheless, I returned home in one piece.

So what's the point of mentioning this again?  Everyday, I check Doreen Virtue's oracle card reading on YouTube.  The reading for tomorrow is 'Positive Expectations'.  Doreen mentioned that the final outcome of the situation currently on our mind is still not set in stone and that with our positive expectations, a happy result awaits us.  The key is not to give the Universe an 'outline' of our wish, that is, it is unproductive to tell the Universe the specifics because life will bring us an outcome which exceeds our mortal 3-dimensional thinking.  Just merely ask for an outcome for the highest good and hold the jubilant feeling as if the wish had already been granted.  I guess I subconsciously did just that 7 years ago for my trip - I visualised coming home in one piece.  

This brings us to the 'Freewill versus Fate' debate.  As a practitioner of astrology, I see certain sets of 'life paths' mapped out in one's birthchart.  Does this mean our lives are truly written in the stars, with no room for negotiation?  Yes and no, I believe that we choose to incarnate into our present physical body for a particular sets of 'lessons', as depicted in our birthchart. However, there are more than one way to learn our life lessons.  The possibilities are endless.  We are merely choosing the path at a particular point in time in order to experience a certain lesson. Therefore, we have the 'freewill' to choose within our given sets of 'fated' life paths.

Oh Su Jung Versus Karl

I managed to catch a glimpse of some daytime TV during my mid-term/Chinese New Year break.  One of which was a Korean drama called 'Oh Su Jung Versus Karl'.  

Karl is a heavily obese man who is deeply in love with the charming Oh Su Jung.  Unfortunately, Oh Su Jung is only looking for a man who can give her financial security.  The couple is due to be married when Oh Su Jung discovered that Karl has failed his exams and so is unable to become a court judge - Oh Su Jung's reason for marrying Karl.  In the end, the bride walks out on the groom to take up another man's offer - all expenses paid to fly, business class, to New York and attend a course to become a diamond expert.  At the airport, Oh Su Jung summons up the courage to call Karl, justifying her reasons for ditching him at the alter.  She compares his ex-fiancee to pedigree dogs.  With a certificate, one could sell a pedigree dog at a high price, but without that piece of paper, the value drops - even if the 'product' is truly a thoroughbred.   Oh Su Jung explains that even though Karl respects her a great deal and is a man of integrity, he doesn't have the piece of paper to raise his status to earn more money.  On the contrary, the guy she chooses to run away with has enough credentials to give her material comforts.

How important is that piece of paper?  Naturally, one would trust a certified professional to carry out the required procedures, but to use that piece of paper to gauge one's character?  Unfortunately, this is happening as we speak.  This is something I've been struggling with for the past few years, in that, I don't judge others by what certificates they possess, but rather, I do that to myself.  I even went through a phase where having that piece of paper still didn't bring me any security or confidence.

Self-esteem is something which exudes from the inside.  I remember feeling like a fraud despite possessing the external approvals, i.e. in the form of a certificate and praises from people around me.  But funnily enough, I only come to recognise my own abilities and talents when I was challenged by individuals whom I felt had no right to pass comments on me!  Saturn retrograding in my 2nd house is definitely re-highlighting my life lesson on self-worth and values.

Happy Chinese New Year

This year's Chinese New Year coincides with St. Valentine's Day, which will occur again in 38 years.  The year of the tiger ushers in a vibrant air of independence, and since it overlaps Valentine's Day, it reinforces the message of love - not just the romantic kind, but that love begins with loving yourself and fully accepting the self.  

'How could you expect others to love you when you can't love yourself?'  I'm sure you have heard this being uttered numerous times before, but besides this handy piece of advice, loving life itself is equally important.  When you wake up every morning, do you groan because it's the start of another day or do you rejoice because it's the start of another day?  You may feel the former because life is getting dull and monotonous, perhaps you have set yourself in a lifeless routine? An injection of surprise could do the trick.  You could consider trying something different from normal, no matter how simple, from wearing that piece of jewellery/garment saved for a 'special occasion' (though I personally believe that everyday is special) to trying a new kind of food.  To be honest, I'm still not doing the latter 100% but I'm working towards it.  I like to give my gratitude to the Universe for another new day.  I find it energising to give thanks to the simplicity of life, which most people overlook and take for granted.  Watching the news, we see reports of people losing their lives in train crashes, earthquakes etc.  No man is an island, the lost of these lives have repercussions on the loved ones they leave behind. Their lives are hitherto altered completely and utterly. Therefore, every morning, I find it a great blessing to wake up to a safe environment.  I also like to list out all the things that I'm grateful for in my life, e.g, my home, my family, my friends, my job, and then I wrap it all up with Louise Hay's affirmation 'I'm open and receptive to all the good and abundance in the Universe, thank you life.'

Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree, Tai Po, Hong Kong.  What is your wish for the new year?

Jupiter in Pisces

Jupiter, the planet of expansion, luck and overindulgence, entered into the sign of Pisces on January 17th and will remain there until 5th June; its retrograde motion will take us back into the terrains of Pisces from 8th September to 22nd January 2011.  During these periods, the Piscean energy is magnified under Jupiter, pushing issues of spirituality and the seeking of truth and wisdom to the fore.

Aries:  With Jupiter tucked away in your house of hidden talents and Universal wisdom, it is likely that during the next six months will be a time of quietly reflecting on your beliefs on what life is all about.  

Taurus:  During the periods mentioned above, you may find yourself joining groups or meeting individuals who are on similar spiritual paths as you.  Perhaps they may inspire you to explore ways to give back to the community.

Gemini:  You may get the opportunity to receive spiritual enlightenment through your career.  Authority figures you encounter in your profession could bring you insight into life's mysteries.

Cancer:  You may toy with the idea of furthering yourself in a higher education setting.  It is likely that teachers or gurus you meet could shed light on issues of compassion and forgiveness.

Leo:  This may be the time to dig deep into your psyche and eliminate beliefs which no longer work for you.  

Virgo:  Watch out for people you encounter in the next six months, especially romantic or business partners; they are likely to bring you wisdom on what life is all about.

Libra:  Look out for people at work or in your day-to-day life, they could bring you some insightful messages.

Scorpio:  This could be a time where you have the urge to show the world your compassionate heart.  Bringing yourself to forgive others and yourself is not as hard as you think.

Sagittarius:  You do not need to travel to the four corners of the world to gain wisdom and enlightenment, spiritual insights could be gained in the comfort of your own home.

Capricorn:  You may find yourself more tolerant and open-minded to matters of spirituality and the less tangible aspects of life.

Aquarius:  This could be time when you deeply question yourself on your spiritual beliefs and values.   What really makes you tick?

Pisces:  Your outlook on life may take on a more philosophical approach.  You are likely to put more emphasis on more deep and meaningful aspects of life.

A Change of Perspective

I arrived at the bus stop this morning, finding it completely empty.  Drats!  I turned to look in the opposition direction and found the bus zooming down the road.  I missed it by only a few seconds.  Oh well, life goes on!  I thought to myself as I took up position at the start of the bus queue.  The line then began to grow and before I knew it, I saw the next bus approaching our stop. All of a sudden, it dawned on me that I was first in the queue - i.e. I get to have first pick of my seat. Instead of focusing on the negative side (in this case, missing the bus), we should turn our attention on the positive aspect of the situation (i.e. being first in line for the next bus!).

Happy New Year!

The start of the new year is the time to take an inventory of 2009 and to embrace the new year with a set of New Year resolutions.  This neatly coincides with the lunar eclipse in Cancer on December 31st.  This is a time to release all that no longer serves you.  What have you learnt in 2009?  What objectives would you set yourself for 2010?  Eclipses are also times when secrets are being brought to the light.  You may uncover secrets being kept from you or vice versa, your secrets could rise to the surface.

This lunar eclipse in Cancer oppose the Sun in Capricorn.  Where the Moon falls in your chart is the area of your life that needs illumination in order to achieve your goals.  The house the Sun occupies is where you need to focus your energy.  I highly recommended you read your Sun and Ascendant signs.  You can discover your Ascendant by clicking on one of the links on the right to get your birthchart drawn for free.  For this, you will need your birthtime - as accurately as possible.

Aries:  It appears that your career is in the foremost of your mind and it is where you would like to exert your energy.  You may feel this emphasis skews the home-work balance and so spending time at home and with family is indicated, or at least, on your wish list.

Taurus:  Dedicating your time and energy to higher learning is indicated.  This may take the form of classes in a further education setting, or joining a spiritually-related group and gaining wisdom on the meaning of life.  You are likely to inject practicality in what you learn from those settings.  Changing the way you think could help you get closer to your heart's desire.

Gemini:  You may like to focus your time on building-up resources with a business partner or a significant other.  Achieving material success could be on your mind.  You may feel external influences are questioning your own values and beliefs.  You may even equate your earning power to your own self-worth.

Cancer:  Relationships and matters of the heart are likely to be on your mind; perhaps you would like to take action on reaching out to that special someone?  You may feel forced to come out of your shell and to greet the world with a mask.  A caring sign, you are likely to give your time and energy to help others.  However, it is important to achieve a healthy balance of give and take.  Accepting help from others is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Leo:  Everyday life may seem mundane but wisdom can be derived from these routine interactions.  A co-worker or someone you meet on a routine basis, e.g. postman, milkman, could bring you an insightful message, making you aware of something about yourself which you have never realised before.  Perhaps a hidden talent.  This is likely to be a time to have some quality 'me' time and to delve deep within to do some soul searching.

Virgo:  There appears to be a focus on self-expression and commitment related to children, either your own or other people's - perhaps you work with them?  If you are a parent, this may be the time where you may like to spend some extra quality time with your children, or for non-parents, spending time in the presence of children - your friends' children or children in your community.  Often, children come out with the funniest and wisest comments - perhaps these could inspire you and allow you to re-acquaint with your own inner child.  

Libra:  Home life is likely to take up the bulk of your time.  This may be the time where you may become interested in tracing your family tree or just learning more about your family history.  It may be that you are striving for a balance between your home and work life.  Achieving career success is high up on your agenda.

Scorpio:  It may be that you have set yourself a goal to learn more about the meanings of life and to follow the great teachings of your favourite gurus.  Let's not lose sight of practical matters and ground yourself in the here and now.  You are learning to apply your spiritual insights into your immediate surroundings.

Sagittarius:  This may be a time where you may feel the need to release old beliefs and anything which no longer works for you.  A significant other could instigate this transformation.  This could lead to the development of a new set of values and beliefs.  There appears to be a focus on material possessions and money in general.

Capricorn:  A kind and caring partner could help you to achieve your goals, or a lesson in relating to others could bring you closer to what you want to achieve.  You may focus much of your energy on building a new vision on how you approach life in the new year and how you present yourself to the world.  Perhaps you would like to be portrayed as someone who is organised, diligent and responsible.

Aquarius:  During this time of the current lunar eclipse, you are likely to turn your attention away from the spotlight and focus on things which are more hidden from the world.  You may like to go deep within and search within your soul for any talents which you have forgotten about or you don't know you possess.  Achieving success in the workplace is likely to be on your mind, or that you may feel forced to react to circumstances occurring at work.

Pisces:  You may invest time and energy into reaching out to your community, joining charity groups or just spending time with your friends.  Striving for a balance between helping others and helping yourself is indicated.  You may set yourself goals to focus on yourself through engaging in activities you enjoy or spending time with people you love.

Magnetic Wave Therapy

While sauntering around the stalls at the 44th Hong Kong Brands & Products Expo on the last day of 2009, I came across the following poster:

I was rather captivated by the mapping of the human body onto the hand - similar to reflexology but on the foot.  I began to snap away with my camera when a sales assistant came and gave me a leaflet with a copy of the poster on it.  She then offered us a free consultation by a magnetic wave device - a small machine with a metal probe for delivering mild magnetic waves to the hand.  If the part of the body is weak, then a numbing sensation can be felt.  If the part of the body requires medical attention, then pain can be felt.  For more information on this product, please visit http://aculifeuk.com/index.htm

My diagnosis is that I need to pay attention to my appendix, neck and to relax more (yes, the machine worked out that I have a nervous disposition!).  Also some slight hormonal imbalance - probably comes with the stress!