Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter January 10, 2018

 Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter
 January 10, 2018
 FreeWillAstrology.com

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DREAM AND SCHEME ABOUT YOUR LONG-RANGE FUTURE

with my 3-part EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES for the Coming Year:

RealAstrology.com

What new influences will be headed your way in 2018? What fresh resources will you be able to draw on? How can you conspire with life to create the best possible future for yourself?

This week, my EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES feature Part 3 of the long-range, in-depth explorations of your destiny in 2018.

Part 1 and Part 2 of your Big-Picture Predictions, which I offered the last two weeks, are also still available.

What will be the story of your life in 2018? How can you exert your free will to create the adventures that'll bring out the best in you, even as you find graceful ways to cooperate with the tides of destiny?

To listen to your BIG PICTURE horoscopes online, go to RealAstrology.com.

Register and/or log in through the main page, and then click on the link "Long Range Prediction, Part 3"

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The cost for the Expanded Audio Horoscopes is $6 per horoscope. (You can get discounts for multiple purchases.)

You can also listen over the phone by calling 1-877-873-4888.
The cost is $1.99 per minute.

Each forecast is 7-9 minutes long.

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P.S. You can also still access my Sneak-Peek at 2018. In these expanded audio horoscopes, I describe some major themes I think you'll be working and playing with in 2018. After you register and/or log in, click on "Three Weeks Ago (Dec. 19, 2017)."

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YOUR NEED FOR REVERENCE

Reverence is one of the most useful emotions. When you respectfully acknowledge the sublime beauty of something greater than yourself, you do yourself a big favor. You generate authentic humility and sincere gratitude, which are healthy for your body as well as your soul.

Please note that reverence is not solely the province of religious people. A biologist may venerate the scientific method. An atheist might experience a devout sense of awe toward geniuses who have bequeathed to us their brilliant ideas.

What about you? What excites your reverence? I invite you to explore the deeper mysteries of this altered state of consciousness.

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BENEVOLENT TEACHINGS

"Life always gives us exactly the teacher we need at every moment," said Zen teacher Charlotte Joko Beck. "This includes every mosquito, every misfortune, every red light, every traffic jam, every obnoxious supervisor (or employee), every illness, every loss, every moment of joy or depression, every addiction, every piece of garbage, every breath."

While I appreciate Beck's advice, I'm perplexed why she put such a heavy emphasis on lessons that arise from difficult events. In the years ahead, you will be proof that this is shortsighted. At least 51 percent of your teachers are likely to be expansive, benevolent, and generous -- and the figure will probably be upwards of 85 to 90 percent.

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PRACTICAL WISDOM

One Zen student said, "My teacher is the best. He can go days without eating."

The second said, "My teacher has so much self-control, he can go days without sleep."

The third said, "My teacher is so wise that he eats when he’s hungry and sleeps when he’s tired."

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USEFUL FEAR

"Fear is on old word that derives from the same roots that give us 'fare,' as in 'thoroughfare.' Although it often causes people to run away from troubling situations, at a deeper level, fear means 'to go through it.'

"The hidden purpose of fear involves bringing us closer to natural instincts for survival, but also for awakening inner resources and sharpening our intelligence when faced with true danger and the basic need to change."

- Michael Meade

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"To work with the unknown, some combination of respect, ruthlessness, courage, and cuddling is necessary"

- Arnold Mindell
 

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MORE PRONOIA RESOURCES:

YES magazine’s 10 Best Solutions Stories from 2017:

1. This Small Town Refused to Settle for Walmart When Its Last Local Grocery Store Closed

2. How Neighbors Turned Unused Buildings Into a Thriving Community Hub

3. Los Angeles Preempts Trump’s Deportation Plans By Finally Decriminalizing Street Vending

4. An Outside-the-Doctor’s-Office Approach to Health Care

5. In a Rust Belt Town Where Tuition Is Covered, Economy Begins to Revive

6. How the Neighborhood That Inspired “The Wire” Is Pulling Its Residents Out of Poverty

7. How Chicago Became the First City to Make Reparations to Victims of Police Violence

8. How an Ancient Singing Tradition Helps People Cope With Trauma in the Modern World

9. Blackfeet Researcher Leads Her Tribe Back to Traditional Foods

10. This Town Adopted Trauma-Informed Care—And Saw a Decrease in Crime and Suspension Rates

READ ABOUT THE DETAILS TO THE STORIES ABOVE: tinyurl.com/y8ua48pz
 

(Note: I endorse these because I like them. They aren’t advertisements, and I get no kickbacks.)

Please tell me your own nominations for PRONOIA RESOURCES: Truthrooster@gmail.com.
 

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
 Week beginning January 11

Copyright 2018 by Rob Brezsny
FreeWillAstrology.com
 

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):

Three centuries ago, Capricorn genius Isaac Newton formulated principles that have ever since been fundamental to scientists' understanding of the physical universe. He was also a pioneer in mathematics, optics, and astronomy. And yet he also expended huge amounts of time and energy on the fruitless attempt to employ alchemy to transform base metals into solid gold. Those efforts may have been interesting to him, but they yielded no lasting benefits. You Capricorns face a comparable split. In 2018, you could bless us with extraordinary gifts or else you could get consumed in projects that aren't the most productive use of your energy. The coming weeks may be crucial in determining which way you'll go.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):

A rite of passage lies ahead. It could and should usher you into a more soulful way of living. I'm pleased to report that this transition won't require you to endure torment, confusion, or passive-aggressive manipulation. In fact, I suspect it could turn out to be among the most graceful ordeals you've ever experienced -- and a prototype for the type of breakthrough that I hope will become standard in the months and years to come. Imagine being able to learn valuable lessons and make crucial transitions without the prod of woe and gloom. Imagine being able to say, as musician P.J. Harvey said about herself, "When I'm contented, I'm more open to receiving inspiration. I'm most creative when I feel safe and happy."

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):

The Kalevala is a 19th-century book of poetry that conveys the important mythology and folklore of the Finnish people. It was a wellspring of inspiration for English writer J. R. R. Tolkien as he composed his epic fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings. To enhance his ability to steal ideas from The Kalevala, Tolkien even studied the Finnish language. He said it was like "entering a complete wine-cellar filled with bottles of an amazing wine of a kind and flavor never tasted before." According to my reading of the astrological omens, Pisces, in 2018 you will have the potential of discovering a source that's as rich for you as Finnish and The Kalevala were for Tolkien.

ARIES (March 21-April 19):

I'm happy to inform you that life is giving you permission to be extra demanding in the coming weeks -- as long as you're not petty, brusque, or unreasonable. Here are a few examples that will pass the test: "I demand that you join me in getting drunk on the truth;" "I demand to receive rewards commensurate with my contributions;" "I demand that we collaborate to outsmart and escape the karmic conundrums we've gotten ourselves mixed up in." On the other hand, Aries, ultimatums like these are not admissible: "I demand treasure and tribute, you fools;" "I demand the right to cheat in order to get my way;" "I demand that the river flow backwards."

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):

Are you familiar with the phrase "Open Sesame"? In the old folk tale, "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves," it's a magical command that the hero uses to open a blocked cave where treasure is hidden. I invite you to try it out. It just may work to give you entrance to an off-limits or previously inaccessible place where you want and need to go. At the very least, speaking those words will put you in a playful, experimental frame of mind as you contemplate the strategies you could use to gain entrance. And that alone may provide just the leverage you need.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):

While thumping around the Internet, I came across pointed counsel from an anonymous source. "Don't enter into a long-term connection with someone until you've seen them stuck in traffic," it declared. "Don't get too deeply involved with them until you've witnessed them drunk, waiting for food in a restaurant for entirely too long, or searching for their phone or car keys in a panic. Before you say yes to a deeper bond, make sure you see them angry, stressed, or scared." I recommend that you take this advice in the coming weeks. It'll be a good time to deepen your commitment to people who express their challenging emotions in non-abusive, non-psychotic ways.
 

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LET'S IMAGINE WHAT INTERESTING MYSTERIES
  MIGHT BE COMING YOUR WAY IN THE COMING YEAR

Who do you want to become in 2018? Where do you want to go and what do you want to do? Would you like some inspiration as you muse and wonder about your upcoming adventures?

In this week's EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES, I offer you Part 3 of MY long-term, in-depth exploration of your destiny in the coming year.

Part 1 and Part 2 are still available.

To listen to your BIG PICTURE horoscopes online, go to RealAstrology.com.

The cost for the Expanded Audio Horoscopes is $6 per sign. (You can get discounts for multiple purchases.)

Each forecast is 7-9 minutes long.

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CANCER (June 21-July 22):

My high school history teacher Marjorie Margolies is now Chelsea Clinton's mother-in law. She shares two grandchildren with Hillary Clinton. Is that something I should brag about? Does it add to my cachet or my happiness? Will it influence you to love me more? No, nah, and nope. In the big scheme of things, it's mildly interesting but utterly irrelevant. The coming weeks will be a good time for Cancerians like you and me to renounce any desire we might have to capitalize on fake ego points like this. We Crabs should be honing our identity and self-image so they're free of superficial measures of worth. What's authentically valuable about you?

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):

If I were your mentor or your guide, I'd declare this the Leo Makeover Season. First I'd hire a masseuse or masseur to knead you firmly and tenderly. I'd send you to the nutritionist, stylist, dream interpreter, trainer, and life coach. I'd brainstorm with the people who know you best to come up with suggestions for how to help free you from your illusions and infuse your daily rhythm with twenty percent more happiness. I'd try to talk you out of continuing your association with anyone or anything that's no damn good for you. In conclusion, I'd be thorough as I worked to get you unlocked, debugged, and retooled.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):

"It takes an extraordinary person to carry themselves as if they do not live in hell," says writer D. Bunyavong. In accordance with the astrological omens, I nominate you Virgos to fit that description in the coming weeks. You are, in my estimation, as far away from hell as you've been in a long time. If anyone can seduce, coax, or compel heaven to come all the way down to earth for a while, it's you. Here’s a good way to get the party started: Gaze into the mirror until you spy the eternal part of yourself.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):

In accordance with the astrological omens, I encourage you to move the furniture around. If you feel inspired, you might even want to move some of that old stuff right out the door and haul it to the dump or the thrift store. Hopefully, this will get you in the mood to launch a sweeping purge of anything else that lowers the morale and élan around the house: dusty mementoes, unflattering mirrors, threadbare rugs, chipped dishes, and numbing symbols. The time is ripe, my dear homies, to free your home of deadweight.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):

When he was 16 years old and living in New York, Ralph Lifshitz changed his name to Ralph Lauren. That was probably an important factor in his success. Would he have eventually become a famous fashion designer worth $5.8 billion dollars if he had retained a name with "shitz" in it? The rebranding made it easier for clients and customers to take him seriously. With Ralph's foresight as your inspiration, Scorpio, consider making a change in yourself that will enhance your ability to get what you want.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):

In 1956, the prolific Spanish poet Juan Ramón Jiménez was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. The award committee praised his "high spirit and artistic purity." The honor was based on his last thirteen books, however, and not on his first two. Waterlilies and Souls of Violet were works he wrote while young and still ripening. As he aged, he grew so embarrassed by their sentimentality that he ultimately tried to track down and eradicate every copy. I bring this to your attention, Sagittarius, because I think it's a favorable time for you to purge or renounce or atone for anything from your past that you no longer want to be defined by.
 

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HOMEWORK:

I've gathered all of the long-term, big-picture horoscopes I wrote for you: bit.ly/YourGloriousStory2018

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Submissions sent to Rob Brezsny's Astrology 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 submissions for length, style, and content. Requests for anonymity will be honored. We are not responsible for unsolicited submission of any creative material.

Contents of the Free Will Astrology Newsletter are Copyright 2018 Rob Brezsny

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