Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter
AUGUST 13, 2008
FreeWillAstrology.com
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All night I could not sleep
Because of the moonlight on my bed.
I kept on hearing a voice calling:
Out of Nowhere, Nothing answered "yes."
- Zi Ye, translated by Arthur Waley, A Hundred and Seventy
Chinese Poems
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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:
RECEPTIVITY REMEDIES
Alert, relaxed listening is the radical act at the heart of our
pronoiac practice. Curiosity is our primal state of awareness.
Wise innocence is a trick we aspire to master. Open-hearted skepticism
is the light in our eyes.
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If you choose to become a practitioner of pronoia, your life
will suck. It has to suck.
Let me explain. As you cultivate the arts of gathering and bestowing
the blessings that the universe is always conspiring to send your
way, your life will suck in the best senses of the word.
First, your life will suck in the same way that you use a straw
to compel a thick milk shake to disobey gravity and squirt into
your mouth. Metaphorical translation: You'll work hard to pull
toward you the resources you need, perhaps even exerting yourself
with a force that goes against the natural flow.
Your pronoiac life will suck in a second way: like a powerful
vacuum cleaner that inhales dirt from the floor and makes it disappear.
You will have a sixth sense about getting rid of messes that are
contaminating your clarity.
Here's a third interpretation: Once you commit yourself to the
art of pronoia, you will most likely develop an unusually dynamic
form of receptivity. Whether you're a man or woman, you'll be
like a macho male with a willful intention to be like a welcoming
female. As a result, you'll be regularly sucked into succulent
opportunities you would never have come upon if you had let your
pop nihilistic conditioning continue to dominate you. Your openness
to uplifting adventures will make it easier for serendipitous
miracles to find you and draw you in.
Let's take one more poetic leap of faith as we meditate on the
metaphor. As you devote yourself to the art of making yourself
available, your life will suck in the way that movements of the
mouth and lips and tongue during close encounters with intimate
partners stimulate pleasurable feelings.
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I've tried a wide variety of meditative practices from many traditions.
I've calmed myself through rhythmic breathing; watched with amusement
as the nonstop procession of images paraded across my mind; visualized
images of deities; cultivated unconditional love; chanted mantras;
and taken rigorous inventories to determine whether the integrity
of my actions matches my high ideals.
But in my years of study, I've never heard of a form of meditation
that would ask me to go to a public place, take my attention off
myself, and observe other people with compassionate objectivity.
That's why I was forced to invent it. Hereafter known as Sacred
Eavesdropping, this meditation builds one's ability to pray in
the manner described by poet W. H. Auden: "The definition
of prayer is paying careful and concentrated attention to something
other than your own constructions."
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Here's one of the Beauty and Truth Laboratory's favorite rules
for evaluating the information that comes our way: Assume that
it's a blend of truth and falsehood and every shade of half-truth
in between. That applies equally to stories in The New York
Times and to the raving spiels of the homeless Gulf War vet
who hangs out at the local post office.
While I suspect that the Times has a much higher proportion
of accurate data, I can never be sure what distortions are embedded
in its reports. Its unconscious devotion to pop nihilism means
that it routinely ignores vast realms of human experience. And
there are odd days when the homeless guy's rants spit out gems
of poetic wisdom that give me the chills and change the way I
understand the world.
Moral of the story: Useful messages may come from anywhere.
I'm more likely to recognize them if I'm simultaneously curious
and discriminating.
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Many of the debunkers who deride astrology have done no research
on the subject. They haven't read smart astrological philosophers
like Dane Rudhyar, don't know that seminal astronomer Johannes
Kepler was a skilled astrologer, and aren't aware that eminent
psychologist C.G. Jung cast horoscopes and believed that "astrology
represents the summation of all the psychological knowledge of
antiquity." The closest approach the fraudulent "skeptics"
usually make to the ancient art is to glance at a tabloid horoscope
column. To match their carelessness, I might make a drive-by of
a strip mall and declare that the profession of architecture is
shallow and debased.
That's one reason why these ill-informed "skeptics"
spread so many ignorant lies. For instance, they say that astrologers
think the stars and planets emit invisible beams that affect people's
lives. The truth is, most Western astrologers don't believe any
such thing.
Is there any way in which you engage in behavior similar to the
lazy debunkers? What subjects do you speak about with authority
even though you really don't know much about them? Do you ever
spout opinions about situations you've never experienced first-hand?
Do you pass judgment on ideas you've never studied and people
you've never spent time with? We all do these things -- I confess
to being guilty of it myself. But there is a cure.
. . . To read the rest of
"RECEPTIVITY REMEDIES," go here:
tinyurl.com/32zwl6
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To read news and features from my book, go here: tinyurl.com/lhwx2
You can buy the book here:
AMAZON
tinyurl.com/qaj62
POWELLS
tinyurl.com/3dsx6q
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OTHER PRONOIA RESOURCES:
THE HIDDEN REALITY IS BEAUTIFUL AND INTERESTING
"The Power of Myth" series with Bill Moyers and Joseph
Campbell
tinyurl.com/566lb9
tinyurl.com/6a9a3k
tinyurl.com/5k2ch2
tinyurl.com/5b7jnp
PRONOIA REQUIRES FIERCE DISCIPLINE
The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri J. M. Nouwen
"I am not accustomed to rejoicing in things that are small,
hidden, and scarcely noticed by the people around me. I am generally
ready and prepared to receive bad news, to read about wars, violence,
and crimes, and to witness conflict and disarray. I always expect
my visitors to talk about their problems and pain, their setbacks
and disappointments, their depressions and their anguish. Somehow
I have become accustomed to living with sadness, and so have lost
the eyes to see the joy and the ears to hear the gladness that
belongs to God and which is to be found in the hidden corners
of the world.
"I have a friend who is so deeply connected with God that
he can see joy where I expect only sadness. He travels much and
meets countless people. When he returns home, I always expect
him to tell me about the difficult economic situation of the countries
he visited, about the great injustices he heard about, and the
pain he has seen. But even though he is very aware of the great
upheaval of the world, he seldom speaks of it. When he shares
his experiences, he tells about the hidden joys he has discovered.
He tells about a man, a woman, or a child who brought him hope
or peace. He tells about little groups of people who are faithful
to each other in the midst of all the turmoil. He tells about
the small wonders of God. At times I realize that I am disappointed
because I want to hear 'newspaper news,' exciting and exhilarating
stories that can be talked about among friends. But he never responds
to my need for sensationalism. He keeps saying: 'I saw something
very small and very beautiful, something that gave me much joy.'
"This is a real discipline. It requires choosing for the
light even when there is much darkness to frighten me, choosing
for life even when the forces of death are so visible, and choosing
for the truth even when I am surrounded with lies. I am tempted
to be so impressed by the obvious sadness of the human condition
that I no longer claim the joy manifesting itself in many small
but very real ways. The reward of choosing joy is joy itself.
Living among people with mental disabilities has convinced me
of that. There is so much rejection, pain, and woundedness among
us, but once you choose to claim the joy hidden in the midst of
all suffering, life becomes celebration. Joy never denies the
sadness, but transforms it to a fertile soil for more joy."
(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 August 14
Copyright 2008 by Rob Brezsny
FreeWillAstrology.com
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
Douglas Engelbart got the idea for the computer mouse in 1950
and actually invented it in 1964. But it was slow to be recognized
for the brilliant technology it was, and didn't begin to reach
a mass audience for another 20 years. Luckily, he was persistent,
never losing faith in his vision. I suspect you're on the cusp
of a comparable experience, Leo. One of your good ideas is either
ahead of its time, or beyond the capacity of your cohorts to imagine.
I'm sure you won't have to wait as long as Engelbart did, but
the fruition of your brainchild may take more time than you'd
like. Let's see how dogged and determined you can be.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
Do you believe in invisible things? No? You say you only trust
information that comes to you through your five senses? Then what's
your position on radio waves, infrared light, electricity, and
X-rays? Do you believe in them, even though your senses have no
contact with them whatsoever? It's true that scientists have developed
instruments that detect those invisible things. But what if there
are other hidden forces and secret energies the scientists have
yet to develop instruments to find? Let these thoughts be the
starting point for your meditations in the coming week, Virgo.
It's prime time for you to recognize, engage with, and benefit
from what has been concealed from you up until now.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
Twenty years ago, I ran for city council in Santa Cruz, California.
As one of my campaign promises, I told voters I would regularly
consult with the spirit of America's third president, Thomas Jefferson,
with whom I'd established a telepathic rapport. I fell a few hundred
votes short of winning a council seat, but I kept my pledge anyway:
I've been communing with Jefferson ever since. Last night I met
with him in my dreams. I told him you're in an astrological phase
that's favorable for seeking out new teachers and teachings, and
I asked if he had any advice. He suggested that you do what I
do: Have conversations, either in dreams or fantasies, with an
historical figure you deeply respect.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
The most striking feature on the planet Jupiter is the Great
Red Spot, a storm that resembles a giant unblinking eye. It has
lasted over 300 years and is wider than the planet Earth. I invite
you to regard it as your symbol of power in the coming weeks.
Think of it whenever you'd like to use your eyes to see in bigger
and better ways, or whenever you want to draw on the inspirational
power of a beautiful storm, or whenever you'd like to transform
some disturbance in your life into a long-lived source of dazzling
energy.
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LISTEN TO AN EXPANDED HOROSCOPE
In addition to the horoscopes that you read here, I create additional
in-depth audio horoscopes for your inspiration.
They're not repeats or elaborations of the stuff you find here,
but entirely fresh explorations of your astrological omens, designed
to help you tune in to your soul's code.
Try them at RealAstrology.com.
They're available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700.
They're $6 if you access them on the Web, or $1.99 per minute
over the phone.
"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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SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
For over a decade, members of the worldwide Garden Gnome Liberation
Front have been stealing garden gnomes from the yards of people's
homes and relocating them into their natural home in the forests.
While I admire their pranks, I can't in good conscience advise
you to join their ranks. Your instinct for freedom is exceptionally
high these days, true, but it would be a shame to waste it on
helping inanimate objects. Instead, please devote your tremendous
emancipatory energies to practical causes and living beings.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
It's clear to me that a part of you needs to come out of hiding.
I'm not exactly sure what that means, though. Maybe there's a
talent you've buried that's ready to emerge into the light. It
could be that a question you've been trying to ignore is finally
ripe to be asked. Perhaps you've been stoically putting up with
a tweaked situation that you really should rise up and transform.
What do you think it is, Capricorn?
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
My favorite places on the Moon are the Sea of Clouds, Sea of
Fertility, Sea of Ingenuity, and Sea of Nectar. They're not actual
bodies of water. The old astronomers who named them didn't know
they were actually dark plains formed by ancient volcanic eruptions.
But the great thing about the moon is that it piques our imaginations
and massages our dreams as much as it speaks to our rational minds.
And I encourage you to take advantage of that power now. Here's
one possible way: Daydream a story about a heroic quest in which
you acquire four magical boons, one each at the Sea of Clouds,
Sea of Fertility, Sea of Ingenuity, and Sea of Nectar.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the UK, chose an unlikely
context to propose marriage to his future wife: She was kneeling
in front of the toilet wielding a scrub brush. I expect a comparable
event in your near future, Pisces: An appealing invitation or
big opening will come your way while you're in a humble position.
The only advice I have is to put down your scrub brush before
responding.
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LISTEN TO AN EXPANDED HOROSCOPE
In addition to the horoscopes that you're reading here, I create
more in-depth audio horoscopes for your 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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ARIES (March 21-April 19):
Golden Globe-winning actress Edith Evans had some advice for
actors who were just coming into their full power: "Don't
indulge yourself by showing off; the moment that you begin to
find that you can do something well, you must control it and do
it more selectively." This recommendation would serve you
well in the coming weeks, Aries, no matter what your work is.
You have reached a higher level of self-expression; you have achieved
a degree of mastery in a skill you've been struggling to learn.
Now it's time to practice wielding your new command with enhanced
discernment and discipline. (Evans' quote comes from John Gielgud's
book An Actor and His Time.)
TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
By the time Cal was seven years old, he was lit up with a desire
to know how things work. Sometimes that caused problems. When
he dismantled the toaster to examine its innards, for instance,
his parents reprimanded him. In a working-class family of 12 kids,
losing a valued appliance caused a financial crunch. But Cal kept
taking things apart to understand them better. In time his research
led him to develop a skill for putting things back together again,
often in better shape than they were before he got a hold of them.
As an adult, Cal creates interactive robots that perform in shows
all over the world; he's a master builder. I hope you'll try a
telescoped version of his story in the coming week, Taurus: disassembling
stuff in order to ultimately make it work even better.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus advises his disciples to be "as
shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves" as they do their
work in the world. (A different translation says "as wise
as serpents and harmless as doves.") That's the two-toned
attitude I suggest you embody in the coming week, Gemini. Evaluate
every situation with all the cunning at your disposal, but don't
act like a scheming strategist. Rather, be open-hearted and humble,
almost child-like in your willingness to see with fresh eyes.
Mastering this combination will allow you to avoid the pitfalls
and reap the blessings of the paradoxes you encounter.
CANCER (June 21-July 22):
A teacher at an all-girl Japanese elementary school decided her
class would put on a performance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
But when she selected a certain student to play Snow White, the
parents of the other 24 kids went ballistic. Through a campaign
of harassment, they bullied the teacher into changing the script
so that there would be 25 Snow Whites, no dwarfs, and no wicked
witch. In my opinion, that's the wrong way to apply democratic
principles. I'm more anti-hierarchical than anyone I know, and
yet even I would draw the line at, say, no more than five Snow
Whites. Please be vigilant for the possibility that a similar
misapplication of egalitarianism will take place in your personal
sphere. Make sure there's at least one dwarf.
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HOMEWORK:
Every one of us creates something every day. Keep a list of all
the things you create this week, and send it to me. Testify by
going to FreeWillAstrology.com
and clicking 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
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including but not limited to newsletters,
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Astrology website. We reserve
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Requests for anonymity will be
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otherwise, reader names, screen
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Please be sure to note your preference
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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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