Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter May 28, 2008

Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter
MAY 28, 2008
FreeWillAstrology.com

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"To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else."
- Emily Dickinson

"God speaks to each of us as he makes us, then walks with us silently out of the night. These are the words we dimly hear: You, sent out beyond your recall, go to the limits of your longing. Embody me."
- Rainer Maria Rilke, Rilke's Book of Hours: Love Poems to God, translated by Anita Barrows and Joanna Macy

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My book
PRONOIA IS THE ANTIDOTE FOR PARANOIA:
How the Whole World Is Conspiring to Shower You with Blessings
is available for sale at
tinyurl.com/qaj62

Here's an excerpt:

REAL LOVE POETRY

Early in his career, Robert Bly rarely wrote love poetry, though he studied the work of others who did. As he aged, he stopped reading the angst-ridden ruminations of modern poets and sought out the ecstatic love poetry of mystics like Rumi and Kabir. Increasingly, forgiveness and compassion became central aspects of Bly's emotional repertoire. His rage about his own past romantic disappointments dissipated.

In his mid-40s, Bly wrote Loving a Woman in Two Worlds, his first collection of love poetry. Critiquing it for The New York Times Book Review, Fred Chappell said it wasn't a real book of love poems, because there wasn't enough hatred and anger in it.

On Bly's behalf, we offer a response to Mr. Chappell: We love you, goddamnit.

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To read news and features from Pronoia, go here:
tinyurl.com/lhwx2

You can buy the book here:

AMAZON
tinyurl.com/qaj62

POWELLS
tinyurl.com/3dsx6q

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My docu-fiction memoir
THE TELEVISIONARY ORACLE

is available for sale at tinyurl.com/2ftyq6

and can be read free online at tinyurl.com/3c2j4x
(Scroll down the page to find the link to Chapter 1)

Here's the first part of a review, published on the PopMatters.com site at tinyurl.com/6qfs76

This Isn't Your Father's Anti-Patriarchal, Quasi-Pagan, Mediastrological, Neu-Age, Goddess-Loving Dreammobile
By Patrick Schabe

There has been a lot of publishing ink devoted to the idea of post-feminism. But like so many concepts that evolve from a locus point of radical change, post-feminism is but one branch of the tree of the progressive feminist movement. Another branch of the feminist movement, albeit a highly tailored and personal one, is to be found in the works of Rob Brezsny. He calls it "macho feminism," and if it sounds a little funny, maybe even a little hokey, that's because it's supposed to.

In the world of New Age-y, utopian-iconoclast writing, such humor is a two-fisted approach. On the one hand the humor is meant to disengage the reader from taking things too seriously, to show that the author has a sense of fun and his or her own silliness. On the other hand, this humor is meant to draw our attention to the oxymorons, paradoxes, and incongruities of language which force us to think about what terms mean and how incompatible terms create phrases that reveal our own predispositions.

For Brezsny, or at least for one of his incarnations, "macho feminist" is a self-descriptive term. He is both silly and serious, the collusion of masculine and feminine, and a crafter of mutated memes.

Rob Brezsny is the essence of the contemporary Renaissance Man. He's a big-time astrologer, a small-time rock star, and a novelist of post-patriarchal idealism. He also moonlights as a quasi-pagan trickster god, and as a communal husband. Given that only a small fraction of the population actually believes in the veracity of these ideas and vocations, it's likely that Brezsny will seem like a kook. In reality, Brezsny is merely holding his own place next to other cultural shamans such as Robert Anton Wilson, Timothy Leary, Reverend Ivan Stang, William S. Burroughs, and Ken Kesey.

Although Brezsny's current fame might not be as extensive as that of some of his counterparts, it seems to be growing exponentially. Brezsny is most well-known for his work as an astrological columnist. His weekly "Free Will Astrology" (formerly "Real Astrology") is currently syndicated in 124 newspapers internationally and claims a readership of nine million. Brezsny's column sets itself apart from other astrology blurbs by its reliance on creative problem-solving through mythical, literary, and cultural allusions. Rather than a by-the-numbers, fortune-cookie-style take on astrology, Brezsny creates a column that is actually fun to read and, more often than not, educational.

Brezsny has also spent a number of years as a musician. His band, World Entertainment War, was signed to CBS Records, managed by Bill Graham, one of the most famous names in rock history, and one of their albums won the California scene's equivalent of a Grammy. And now there's The Televisionary Oracle, which, with any of the luck that Brezsny has created for himself, will only further his reputation as a carnival barker of positivity.

The Televisionary Oracle is both a light read and a complex tale. Difficult to describe in summary, it is buttressed by being more than a little autobiographical. In fact, as a novel by and about an iconoclast, it succeeds by creating a narrator/focal character while at the same time redefining the author himself. In excellent form, it makes the boundary between history and fiction inscrutable.

Essentially, The Televisionary Oracle tells the story of the narrator, who is never directly acknowledged as Brezsny himself, but is instead only referred to through the nickname Rockstar. Rockstar is the co-lead singer of a small but devoted rock-funk-punk band, World Entertainment War.

While our narrator, Rockstar, is mostly successful in his life, there have been setbacks that have kept him from ever fully realizing his own dreams outside of his Santa Cruz home (also Brezsny's home). For every major success there has been a major disaster, and this has carried over to his love life as well. While Rockstar is a devoted feminist, yet a "macho feminist," he seems to have had as many bad relationships with women as any patriarchal slob.

Then he meets Rapunzel. Rapunzel Blavatsky is The Televisionary Oracle's co-narrator. Raised as the Goddess reborn/savior of a matriarchal secret society, Rapunzel is destined to destroy the chains of oppression synonymous with two thousand years of rampant patriarchy and restore the balance of masculine and feminine to the world. Of course, Rapunzel is also a young woman, and the weight of such preordained responsibilities is as much of a burden as a blessing.

TO READ THE REST OF THIS ESSAY, GO HERE:

tinyurl.com/6qfs76

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OTHER PRONOIA RESOURCES:

YOU'RE MORE CREATIVE THAN YOU REALIZE
The Creative Fire: Myths and Stories About the Cycles of Creativity by Clarissa Pinkola-Estes
tinyurl.com/5mubyj

AS AN EXPERIMENT, LET'S TRY THINKING BIG AND POSITIVE INSTEAD OF SMALL AND NEGATIVE
Wind could provide 20% of the nation's energy
"This is the equivalent of taking 140 million cars off the road"
tinyurl.com/4gyulx

AS AN EXPERIMENT, LET'S TRY THINKING WILD AND FUN INSTEAD OF PINCHED AND SERIOUS
More about wind power
"For under 2 cents a day per household, Americans could get 300 gigawatts of wind by 2030. That would:
Reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation by 25 percent in 2030.
Reduce natural gas use by 11 percent.
Reduce cumulative water consumption associated with electricity generation by 4 trillion gallons by 2030.
Support roughly 500,000 jobs in the U.S."
tinyurl.com/3g9twf

RAW BEAUTY UNVEILED
Photos from above and below the sky
tinyurl.com/37u3ft

(Note: I endorse these because I like them. They are not advertisements, and I get no kickbacks.)

Please tell me your own personal nominations for PRONOIA RESOURCES.

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
Week beginning May 29

Copyright 2008 by Rob Brezsny
FreeWillAstrology.com

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):

Do you realize that you now have a great potential to instigate ringing surprises? Your knack for healing the seemingly unhealable is at a peak, as is your ability to accomplish the impossible, get insight into the incomprehensible, and feel equanimity amidst the uncontrollable. What do you plan to do with all that mojo, Gemini? I suggest that you act like a character in a fairy tale who has been given three wishes. Not two or four, but three.

CANCER (June 21-July 22):

"Dear Rob: My mother tells me I'm fat but feeds me pork rinds. My strongest supporter is a person I want to wrap up like a mummy, put in a canoe, and push out into the middle of the lake. My exuberant imagination has taken me hostage, violating its own principles. I'm so completely ambivalent and indecisive about everything that even my addictive nature can't figure out what to be addicted to. I'd embrace my contradictions if I could, but I can't because they've got me surrounded like a pink-haired, cross-dressing SWAT team frothed up on Red Bull. Can you point me in the direction of the exit from this circus-like hell? - Crazy Crab." Dear Crazy: I detect a lot of wit and style in your meditations. Maybe that's the purpose of this limbo you're temporarily lost in: It's an opportunity to build your skill at being lively and feisty and smart no matter what your outer circumstances are.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):

I love this excerpt from "The Seeker," a poem by Rilke in his Book of Hours (translated by Robert Bly): "I am circling around God, around the ancient tower, and I have been circling for a thousand years, and I still don't know if I am a falcon, or a storm, or a great song." Here's my own personal variation: "I am circling around love, around the throbbing hum, and I have been circling for thousands of days, and I still don't know if I am a wounded saint, or a rainy dawn, or a creation story." Please compose your own version of this poem, Leo. It's an excellent time to fantasize about what you're circling around and what force of nature you might be.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):

Your role model is Tilly Trotter, a blind, 74-year-old grandmother who lives in the UK. She took up archery two years ago despite her handicap. Recently she pulled off a rare feat, shooting her arrow so precisely that it split another arrow already lodged in the target. Among archers, this is called a Robin Hood. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you now have the power to do something similar, Virgo: overcome a disadvantage in order to accomplish a riveting triumph that would be difficult even for those who don't have to deal with a limitation like yours. You're primed to carry out your personal version of a Robin Hood.

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LISTEN TO AN EXPANDED HOROSCOPE

In addition to the horoscopes that come to you in this newsletter, I create audio horoscopes for your inspiration. They discuss themes and cover material that I don't have room to deal with in the written horoscopes.

They're $6 if you access them on the Web, or $1.99 per minute over the phone.

Try them at RealAstrology.com.

By phone: 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700.

"Your audio horoscopes help me love myself better, and I mean that in a non-narcissistic way."
- Deva P., Indianapolis

"I'm really grateful for the way you pick up my telepathic requests and answer them in your expanded audio 'scopes."
- Marion H., Birmingham, AL

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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):

Here's transpersonal psychologist Roger Walsh, writing in the December 2001 issue of IONS Review: "This is the first time in history that publicly acknowledging that you follow two or more distinct spiritual traditions would not have you burned at the stake, stoned to death, or facing a firing squad. We tend to forget what an extraordinary time this is, that for the first time in history we have the entirety of the world's spiritual and religious traditions available to us, and we can practice them . . . without fear." I advise you to take full advantage of this extraordinary freedom, Libra -- especially now, while you're in a phase of your astrological cycle that's conducive to expanding your spiritual repertoire. Think about adding some ideas and practices and magic from outside your established belief system.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):

In her natal horoscope, Icelandic chanteuse Bjork has the sun, moon, and Neptune in the sign of Scorpio. Here's how she describes what it's like being her: "I have to re-create the universe every morning when I wake up, and kill it in the evening." Sound familiar? That's a pretty good summary of the temperament of your tribe, and especially so right now, as you navigate your way through the astrological House of Resurrection.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):

Most astronomers are irrationally prejudiced against us astrologers. They typically deride our ancient art without ever having read any of the masters whose work articulates the core principles of astrology. It's the equivalent of speaking about the theory of relativity without ever having studied Einstein. Despite their disdain, I don't hate them back. On the contrary, I celebrate their efforts to understand the universe, and I make abundant use of the information they've gleaned. Be like me in the coming week, Sagittarius. Appreciate those who don't appreciate you, especially if they are doing good work that can benefit you and others.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):

This would be a good week to celebrate failure -- to laugh about the comic horror stories of your past defeats, to gain a new appreciation for the prickly lessons you learned, and to let go of any regret, shame, or anger you might still be lugging around. I'd even recommend that you and your friends stage a Brag About Your Failures party. Try to outdo each other as you render in ignominious detail the things that went wrong, the mistakes you made, and the people who let you down. I think you'll be amazed at how effectively this will dissolve the karma left over from those misadventures -- and help free you from their ghostly clutches.

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LISTEN TO AN EXPANDED HOROSCOPE

In addition to the horoscopes that you're reading here, I create audio horoscopes for your amusement and inspiration. Find out more at RealAstrology.com.

The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700.

"The best part about your audio horoscopes is that they pat me on the head and kick me in the ass at the same time."
- Rita L., San Diego

"Your audio oracles go beyond helping me find the truth -- they inspire me to find the WILD truth."
- Patrick K., Montreal

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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):

Maybe you've conceived a child at some time in your life. Maybe you never have or never will. Whatever the case, even if you're a man, I invite you to visualize the experience. Imagine that a force of nature has germinated, and that you are carrying another life within you. Try to approximate the uncanny twinge that a pregnant woman senses when her fetus first moves. This exercise will be a simulation of and rehearsal for the psychic quickening you will soon enjoy.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):

In her journals, Sylvia Plath said there are two different ways to be free of desires. The first is when you are "dead and rotten inside and there is nothing in the world." The second is when you are "so full and rich and have so many inner worlds that the outer world is not necessary for joy, because joy emanates from the inner core of your being." In the past, Pisces, you have had a few encounters with the dead and rotten state. But I believe you are now in a phase when the full and rich condition will prevail. During this grace period, you will not really need anything beyond what you already have. My advice? Start the celebration!

ARIES (March 21-April 19):

Ernest Hemingway said that his best work was a very short story consisting of six words: "For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn." Alan Moore's brief masterpiece of fiction is, I think, just as good: "Machine. Unexpectedly, I'd invented a time." Here's another gem, written anonymously: "The last man on earth heard a knock on the door." Your assignment in the coming week, Aries, is to be as pithy as these terse geniuses. Proceed on the assumption that your effectiveness will thrive in direct proportion to your brevity and conciseness. Assume that you will be most likely to get what you want if you use the fewest words and the most minimal actions necessary.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):

"Too bad 90 percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation," said Henry Kissinger. I'm tempted to draw a similar conclusion about physicians, cops, lawyers, performance artists, and a host of other professionals with whom I've had direct contact. Whether or not you agree with me, please be very picky in the coming days, Taurus. As you seek out "experts" to help or counsel you, make sure they are at the top of their respective fields. Do background research, get personal references, and try to experience them when their guards are down.

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HOMEWORK:

What's the best possible mess you could stir up -- a healing mess that would serve the cause of liberation? Go to FreeWillAstrology.com and click on "Email Rob."

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WANT TO GET YOUR CHART DONE?

I'm not doing personal charts, but I highly recommend my astrological colleague, RO LOUGHRAN. Her approach closely matches my own. In our many discussions about astrology over the years, we've had a major influence on each other's work.

Ro utilizes a blend of well-trained intuition, emotional warmth, and a high degree of technical proficiency in horoscope interpretation; she is skilled at exploring the mysteries of your life's purpose and nurturing your connection with your own inner wisdom.

Ro is based in California, but can do phone consultations and otherwise work with you regardless of geographic boundaries.

Ro's website is at YourSoulJourney.com

She can also be reached at roloughran@comcast.net

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Submissions sent to the Free Will Astrology Weekly Newsletter or in response to "homework assignments" may be published in a variety of formats at Rob Brezsny's discretion, including but not limited to newsletters, books, the Free Will Astrology column, and Free Will Astrology website. We reserve the right to edit such submissions for length, style, and content. Requests for anonymity will be honored with submissions; otherwise, reader names, screen names, or initials will be used. Please be sure to note your preference when sending to us. We are not responsible for unsolicited submission of any creative material.

Contents of the Free Will Astrology Newsletter are Copyright 2008 Rob Brezsny

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