Is it the Apocalypse?

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

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Okay. I say that a lot these days. But some mornings are so surreal I feel like I've gone to sleep in one world and woken in another. This is what I get for watching the news first thing in the morning. I should probably start with the coffee and work my way up to the news. Tornadoes, blizzards, earthquakes...

We're having "the stormiest New Years Eve in 60 years." I just heard that on MSNBC. With the Northeast still digging out from under the massive, Christmas snowfall, and the political fallout from same, fresh blizzards are now burying other parts of the country. All sorts of fun events are occurring, such as this hundred car pile-up on North Dakota. Snow, at least, is seasonal. Tornadoes, however, are not. But a freakish warm front has wreaked havoc down south, with confirmed tornadoes in  Arkansas and Missouri. At least three people have been killed.

A tornado fueled by an unusually warm winter air sliced through parts of northwestern Arkansas early on New Year's Eve, killing three people, injuring several others and knocking out power to thousands of homes and businesses.

The dead were killed at Cincinnati, a hamlet of about 100 about three miles from the Oklahoma border. Washington County sheriff's dispatcher Josh Howerton said the storm touched down near the center of the community. He said "lots of injuries" were reported, and officials in nearby Benton County said the storm injured two people and damaged five homes there.

. . .

"In the winter you don't always have the instability" that would allow tornadoes to develop, Buonanno said. "This time, we have the instability."

Cafe

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"Why Shamanism Now?" with Christina Pratt

Vitality and Life Force of Your Purpose

At the core of well-being is the cultivation of right relationship with your self. Shaman and host, Christina Pratt explains that, from a shamanic perspective, right relationship with your self involves your physical and mental health as well as your engagement with others, with your environment, and with the spirit world. And all of this is put into context by one thing-your unique genius or soul's purpose. Well-being in all of these areas can be cultivated when we feel vitality and energy. And when we don't feel our vitality, even getting out of bed feels impossible. Our vitality and life force rise and fall relative to how close or far away we are from our soul's purpose. As we set our focus on living our purpose in the coming year we draw inspiration from the words of Martha Graham, "There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action. And because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, or how valuable, or how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open."

Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 11:00 AM Pacific

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Horoscope for December 27, 2010 – January 2, 2011

Cross-posted from Aloha Astro

Aries (March 21st - April 20th)
Work may be stressful at the beginning of your week, Aries. It could be that some things slipped while you enjoyed the holidays. When you return to your routine on Monday, it may be difficult to find your flow again. Extra time or thought you spend on work that takes attention away from a mate could be a reason for some frostiness in the area of romance early in the week, but as the moon progresses through your chart and joins Venus in your 8th house of intimacy on New Year’s Eve, romance should be back on track. Watch for a tendency to allow outer forces to sway you. You still have the planets assisting you in the guidance and intuition areas of life, but there is a chance a friend or group is not straight up or something about what they suggest is not the right path for you.

Taurus (April 21st - May 20th)
Are friends and social activities distracting you from work this week, Taurus? Work on your communication skills by using friends and group activities as a means to network and self-promote. Make plans to go somewhere special with your beloved on New Year’s Eve, or consider attending a dance or party specifically for singles if you are looking for a partner. The moon will be putting stars in your eyes that night. It would be a shame not to make the most of the energy when the moon kisses your ruling planet, Venus, and gives you an extra dose of physical appeal. Those loving feelings can lead to fantasies and daydreaming on the job. It takes supreme effort for you to apply discipline and focus at work. Thankfully, the holiday energy of the week will let you get away with sliding until next week brings a more grounded energy to assist you.

Astrological Trends for December 27, 2010 – January 2, 2011

Cross-posted from Aloha Astro

The beginning of the work week is busy on Monday, December 27th. In the morning, the moon in the last degrees of Virgo opposing Jupiter conjunct Uranus in Pisces and quincunx Neptune/Chiron in Aquarius could make you feel as though you have so many things to accomplish that you just don’t know where to begin. Emotionally, you may be feeling some post-holiday letdown and are already wishing it was Friday so you could keep the holiday feeling going. Maybe you are one of the lucky ones who doesn’t have to return to the working world today. You can find plenty to do with clean-up from weekend celebrations, chores, and errands. You will still feel the weight of Mars in Capricorn square Saturn in Libra this week. Not all squares are bad, just as not all trines are good. This combination of Mars and Saturn can help you find the ways and means of getting things done and pushes you to become more serious in your thinking and firm in your relationships. Make the best of it – it is losing effect and will fade by the end of this week. The sun and Pluto conjunct in earthy Capricorn can cause you to look more intently at things and anything that you feel strongly about can seem bigger and more important than it may really be. Mercury will be retrograde in Sagittarius for just a few more days. Continue to be cautious in transportation and communication. Get your plans for new projects together so you can be ready to move ahead when Mercury turns direct on Thursday. A mild semi-sextile between Mercury in Sagittarius and Venus in Scorpio aids in pleasant exchanges and even some flirtation between people. Mercury parallel Pluto makes for strong thoughts and speech, possibly about sensitive subjects. Venus parallel Neptune makes you feel nostalgic and romantic. Around dinner time, the moon in the air sign of Libra forms a brief but annoying square to the sun conjunct Pluto in Capricorn, which can trigger some “I’m right, you’re wrong” moments. When the moon is parallel to Chiron this evening, your day will end on a peaceful and possibly romantic note.

Boar's Head Concert: A Medieval Christmas

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A History of the Boar's Head Festival

This pageant is rooted in ancient times when the boar was sovereign of the forest. A ferocious beast, and menace to humans, it was hunted as a public enemy. At Roman feasts, boar was the first dish served. Roasted boar was a staple of medieval banquets. As Christian beliefs overtook pagan customs in Europe, the presentation of a boar's head at Christmas came to symbolize the triumph of the Christ Child over sin.

O Christmas Tree: A Contemplation

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

I love Christmas trees. Always have. Many of my warmest, childhood memories are of decorating the Christmas tree and waiting for Santa to bring me a Barbie, some Silly Putty, or an Easy Bake Oven. That's because I was raised in a Christian home. Pine trees and magical, gift giving elves were beloved by the baby Jesus. Remember? In the stable when Joseph and Mary were visited by the three wise men and Santa Claus, with his reindeer, and they all sang "O Tannenbaum?" Okay... Maybe I have that wrong.

So, how did the Christmas tree come to be such an integral part of Christmas? Like so many of our beloved Christmas traditions they derive primarily from ancient, pre-Christian, pagan cultures. Historically, they have an uneasy relationship with Christianity; alternately rejected as pagan artifacts and claimed vehemently as Christian rather than secular. Many Christians would probably be surprised to learn that the ancient pagan practice of decorating tree cuttings, which occurred in parts of the Middle East long before the birth of Christ, is specifically condemned in the Bible.

"Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not." ~ Jeremiah 10:2-4

The use of evergreens has a specific symbolic appeal in the dead of winter. Many scholars of paganism and goddess worship will tell you that pine trees represent eternal life because they remain vibrant throughout the dead of winter. I read about this in far too many books when I first started exploring goddess traditions, many moons ago, for me to source and cite them all. Here is a good overview from Religious Tolerance.org.

Mr. Deity and the Eternal Fire

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

Today is the winter solstice. All over the world, throughout history, various traditions have celebrated this day by keeping the flame alive through the darkness. So I thought it fitting that I post this recent Mr. Deity about his version of the eternal fire. It's a little different and a lot meaner. Actually there are two recent videos in the player. The first one is very short. Both are excellent examples of why I love this series. Mr. Deity as played by Brian Dalton totally embodies the God of the Bible; the jealousy, the vanity, the caprice, the total lack of critical thinking skill... Of course he's decidedly more affable but I suspect it would be unwatchable otherwise.

Cafe

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"Why Shamanism Now?" with Christina Pratt

Ethics and the First Shaman

"The ethics of shamanic practice were brought by the First Shaman who was of Divine origins and not entirely human. The First Shaman brought knowledge and the skills across that broken bridge between the Creator to the humans in each shamanic lineage," explains shaman and host, Christina Pratt. "The First Shaman brings the teachings necessary for survival in all aspects of daily life, both ordinary and non-ordinary. The First shaman brought the teachings for how to live in good relationship with ones self, with each other, with the Ancestors and the beings of the spirit world, and with the physical environment. Cultures, traditions, and civilizations were all built on the knowledge brought by the First Shaman. The First Shaman taught the next shaman, a human shaman, how to work with the spirits, conduct ritual and ceremony and to serve the people. This is important for us as contemporary shamans to realize. Each shaman, though human, endeavored to walk the path of that First god-like shaman. From this effort comes the morals and the ethics of the practice as well as the continual need for personal sacrifice, cleansing, and ongoing transformation to stay on that path.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 11:00 AM Pacific

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Why Shamanism Now? on Co-Creator Network
Questions? Comments? Call: 1-512-772-1938

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Into the Dark Night of the Solstice Eclipse

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

This year's winter solstice marks a rare astronomical event. It coincides with a full lunar eclipse. So it will be a long, dark night, indeed.

As many as 1.5 billion people worldwide will be able to watch when the Earth's shadow creeps across the moon's surface early Tuesday morning, the first time in hundreds of years that a lunar eclipse will fall on the winter solstice.

With the full moon high in the winter sky, the lunar eclipse will be visible from four continents, with the best views from North America and Central America if weather permits, scientists say.

. . .

Geoff Chester of the U.S. Naval Observatory inspected a list of eclipses going back 2000 years for NASA.

"Since Year 1, I can only find one previous instance of an eclipse matching the same calendar date as the solstice, and that is 1638 DEC 21," Chester said, according to NASA. "Fortunately we won't have to wait 372 years for the next one ... that will be on 2094 DEC 21."

Horoscope for December 20-26

Cross-posted from Aloha Astro

Aries (March 21st - April 20th)
Thought followed by action occurs in all areas of your life this week, Aries. Your forecast sounds a bit broad, but the full moon in Gemini and total eclipse activate broad houses for you concerning thinking, teaching, selling, writing, and traveling. Other planets are keeping you busy with relationship and your career, too. As the moon moves through houses of your chart this week, it is forming multiple aspects with planets in houses opposite the transiting moon, so you do have a full platter. Literally anything and everything may require your attention. Not surprising, since it is a holiday week and you are likely to be doing more, seeing more people, and traveling to more places as a result. The mental stimulation and shifts the moon produces may have the greatest long-term effect on your work and career, but please read the Libra horoscope for more insight.

Taurus (April 21st - May 20th)
Personal values, money, investments, insurance, inheritance, or anything financial that looks toward the future are the important areas activated by the full moon and eclipse energy in the sign of Gemini for you, Taurus. A step toward greater responsibility and maturity with the intention of building wealth quickly is possible. The next area of your chart that is activated by the transiting moon will put you in touch with advisors who can help you attain your financial goals. Travel to visit family for the holidays is likely for many Bulls. Romance is heating up and turning serious. I think there will be a number of you giving or receiving a proposal of marriage and flashing an engagement ring this Christmas. Male and female Taureans both love precious metals and fine stones and I hope Santa remembers that well-known fact!

Astrological Trends for December 20-26

Cross-posted from Aloha Astro

Intense energy builds on Monday, December 20th, as the moon in Gemini approaches fullness and a total lunar eclipse early in the morning hours of the 21st. The mutable air sign of Gemini rules mental creativity, teaching, and learning. It is curious, playful, restless, fickle, and easily bored. I feel that the full moon and eclipse will show you areas of your life where you have been immature or not paying attention closely enough. In the evening, the moon opposes Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius conjunct the sun in Sagittarius while activating a T-square of moon opposing sun in Sagittarius, moon square Jupiter/Uranus in Pisces, and the sun/Mercury square Jupiter/Uranus in Pisces. Another characteristic of both Gemini and Sagittarius is the tendency to spin yarns or tell stories – in other words, lie. Pisces can do the same, but more through a casting of impressions or by alluding to things rather than using direct speech. It is rare for the mutable signs to lie deliberately with the intent to harm or mislead. It is their mutable, changeable, adaptable quality that leads them to shift their own energy to any given situation the way a chameleon changes colors to blend into the surroundings. It is a good defensive trait. They are all signs that love to be social, please people, and be liked in return. If that means embellishing the facts or telling a tall tale for entertainment value or to give an impression to get what they want, they will do so without a second thought. The mutable signs, in general, see the gray areas of life much more easily than the cardinal and fixed signs that see only the black and white. This full moon/eclipse/T-square pattern will ask you to look at the gray areas of your life. Where have you been too vague, misleading, evasive, or deceptive to yourself and others? Consider it a planetary game of Truth or Dare meets Show and Tell.