Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter
April 22, 2020
FreeWillAstrology.com
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FORGIVE ME. I LOVE YOU. THANK YOU. I'M SORRY.
Fred LaMotte writes: Almost all conspiracy theories can be dispelled by applying the principle known as Hanlon's Razor: "Do not attribute to malice that which is more easily explained by stupidity."
However, I admit to having my own conspiracy theory, and you may feel free to use it.
For hundreds of billions of years, in fact, from the birth of time, every black hole at the center of each galaxy, the gravity of every gazing star, each hydrocarbon and chloroplast, each photon of sunlight, atom of breath, and even shy colors like brown and green in the meadow, have been conspiring to guide me to this very moment, when I have no choice but to fall in the dust on my knees, to spread toward wind and sky my arms, useless as they are as wings, and here confess: "I don't know what the fuck is going on!"
And only now am I capable of praying, "Forgive me. I love you. Thank you. I'm sorry."
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OUR TEARS
I'm pretty much breaking into tears at least seven times every day. How about you?
The most recent crying session rose up in response to this story: Farmworkers risk coronavirus infection to keep the U.S. fed. "If we’re essential, we need help, because we’re the people feeding the country,” says Eugenia Gonzales.
tinyurl.com/rhhgr9d
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HOW WE RESPOND TO THE PANDEMIC
Jason Hine writes: Some folks now are trying to design open source ventilators, some are providing food to older people, some are protecting fragile people, some are digging their gardens to grow food, some are connecting more deeply to the earth . . .
Some are going deeper into ritual to work with viruses, some are reading multiple scientific papers, some are staring down a microscope, some are engaging in activism . . .
Some are gathering herbs, some are designing new economic systems, some are struggling in difficult or painful circumstances, some are providing comfort for those who are struggling.
All of these responses are valid. What is important is perhaps this: When the time came, the world turned and things began to fall apart, did you fight imaginary enemies, or did you stand up?
Now your true character will be revealed. Did you arrive? Did you do those sacred tasks which you know you have to do? Did you do those things which were given to you by some invisible power or by your soul or by your conscience?
Did you do that which you know you have to do: did you do what you must? Did you listen to the call? Did you turn up? Did you report to do what you are here to do?
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YOUR NEW NAMES AND TITLES?
In honor of the fact that you're evolving into a higher octave version of yourself, I hereby give you the nickname of "Miracle Player," or else—if you like one of these better—"Sleek Cat" or "Giant Step" or "Fate Whisperer."
You may hereafter also use any of the following titles to refer to yourself: "CEO of My Own Life" or "Self-Teacher of Jubilance and Serenity" or "Fertile Blur of Supple Strength."
Feel free, as well, to anoint your head with organic virgin olive oil, fashion a crown for yourself out of roses and shredded masks, and come up with a wordless sound that is a secret sign you'll give to yourself whenever you need to remember the marvelous creature you are on your way to becoming
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BEGINNING IN DEEP DARKNESS
The "Kumulipo" is an old Hawaiian prayer that poetically describes the creation of the world. The word literally means "beginning-in-deep-darkness."
Here darkness doesn't connote gloom and evil. Rather, it's about the inscrutability of the embryonic state; the obscure chaos that reigns before germination.
A key word in the Kumulipo is "Powehi," a Hawaiian word meaning “the adorned fathomless dark creation” or “profound dark source of unending creation.”
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THE VIRUS IS REAL
I like to remind myself that the coronavirus is REAL. It's not just a fleck or speck in our imagination. It's not a tiny pretend gob in a movie or a simulation in the virtual realm. It is composed of actual bodies.
I've heard it said that the coronavirus is not alive in the same way as, say, a badger or a milkweed plant is alive. But I think that's misleading. Because the virus clearly has agency. It is imbued with a purpose, which is to propagate its kind and spread far and wide and be as abundant as possible.
The virus has sly mechanisms that it uses to get itself born over and over again, and it has figured out how to use people so as to travel all over the planet and increase its intense presence.
Perhaps the virus doesn't have intelligence or sentience in the same way that we usually understand creatures to possess. But how can we know whether it does or not? It certainly acts as if it does have intelligence and sentience. It is, after all, currently the most powerful force on planet Earth. Its ability to transform human civilization is unprecedented.
One of my wise mentors, Richard Grossinger, suggests the virus speaks a language we don't understand. But I wonder if some of us could come to understand it. For example, might there be indigenous shamans who have experience conversing with animals in their own language, and who might ultimately be able to extend that talent to conversing with the intelligence of the virus in its own language?
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INTERVIEW WITH A WITCH
I rarely do interviews. I'm too busy working on my writing! But recently I made an exception, when I was invited to do an interview with brilliant Amanda Yates Garcia, author of the book Initiated: Memoir of a Witch.
Listen to our conversation here: tinyurl.com/BeautifulJustice
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MY GIFT PAGE
If you enjoy reading my free horoscopes and free newsletter, or if you like listening to my free music, I invite you to make a contribution to support my work.
Visit my Gift Page — paypal.me/GiftsForRob — and contribute via the "Friends and Family" option.
No pressure, though! Whether or not you donate, I will continue to give away free stuff. And I understand that some of you don't have enough money yourself, and it wouldn't make sense for you to give some to me.
Do you know about all of my free stuff? Here's a list:
My Instagram page:
www.instagram.com/rob.brezsny._.truthrooster/
My Twitter page:
twitter.com/FreeWillAstro
My Facebook page:
bit.ly/BrezFB
My music page:
soundcloud.com/sacreduproar
More free music:
freewillastrology.com/music/listen
My website:
FreeWillAstrology.com
Excerpts from my book Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranois: tinyurl.com/FreePronoia
My entire book The Televisionary Oracle: freewillastrology.com/books/oracle
Videos of my performances:
tinyurl.com/RobVideos
and
tinyurl.com/RobAtSymbiosis
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MORE PRONOIA RESOURCES:
Good news during the Pandemic from GoodNewsNetwork.org:
Lonely From Social Distancing? Here is One of Our Favorite Videos of Humanity Hugging It Out
tinyurl.com/y7aub85m
LEGO Factory is Now Producing Thousands of Protective Plastic Face Masks for Medical Workers
tinyurl.com/yc98bcsd
99-Year-Old WWII Veteran Raises $3.3 Million for Hospital Workers Simply By Walking Laps of His Garden
tinyurl.com/sh9rb8q
How to Be Happier During COVID: Decades of Science Shows That Gratitude, Love, and Connection Can Save Your Life
tinyurl.com/ra9uo8z
Sam’s Club is Offering ‘Hero Shopping Hours’ to Healthcare Workers Regardless of Memberships
tinyurl.com/y8wtmsas
Most British Women Have Become Comfortable With Their Natural Looks While in Lockdown, Survey Says
tinyurl.com/y8a5tpb5
(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 April 23
Copyright 2020 by Rob Brezsny
FreeWillAstrology.com
TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
Renowned Taurus composer Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) completed his first symphony when he was 43 years old—even though he'd started work on it at age 22. Why did it take him so long? One factor was his reverence for Ludwig van Beethoven, the composer who had such a huge impact on the development of classical music. In light of Beethoven's mastery, Brahms felt unworthy. How could any composer add new musical ideas that Beethoven hadn't already created? But after more than two decades, Brahms finally managed to overcome his inhibition. He eventually produced four symphonies and scores of other pieces, and left a major mark on musical history. For you, Taurus, I see the coming months as a phase comparable to the time when Brahms finally built the strength necessary to emerge from the shadow that had inhibited him.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
A Gemini friend sent me and three of her other allies a poignant email. "This note is a tender apology to those of you whom I've hurt in the process of hurting myself," she began. "I want you to know that I have been working hard and with great success to eliminate my unconscious tendency to hurt myself. And I am confident this means I will also treat you very well in the future." I received her message with joy and appreciation. Her action was brave and wise. I invite you to consider making a comparable adjustment in the weeks ahead.
CANCER (June 21-July 22):
The Ojibwe are indigenous people of North America. Professor of Ojibwe studies Anton Treuer writes that in their traditional culture, there have been men who act and dress like women and women who act and dress like men. The former are called ikwekaazo and the latter ikwekaazowag. Both have been "always honored" and "considered to be strong spiritually." Many other Native American groups have had similar arrangements. Transcending traditional gender behavior is not unique to modern Western civilization. With that as inspiration, and in accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to explore any inclinations you might have to be your own unique gender. The time is ripe for experimenting with and deepening your relationship with the constructs of "masculine" and "feminine."
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
"The history of my stupidity would fill many volumes," wrote Nobel Prize-winning poet Czesław Miłosz. Wow! If a highly respected genius like him has spawned so much nonsense and ignorance, what about the rest of us? Here's what I have to say about the subject: Each of us should strive to be at peace with the fact that we are a blend of wisdom and folly. We should be tenderly compassionate toward our failures and weaknesses, and not allow them to overshadow our brilliance and beauty. Now would be a good time for you Leos to cultivate this acceptance and perform this blessing for yourself.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
Helen Traubel (1899–1972) was best-known for her opera career, although she also sang in concerts, nightclubs, and musical theater. But in her autobiography, she confessed, "Opera bored me." She reminds me of Georgia O'Keeffe, famous painter of flowers. "I hate flowers," O'Keeffe said. "I paint them because they're cheaper than models and they don't move." Now of course most of us have to do some things that we don't enjoy; that seems to be a routine part of being human. And since the coronavirus arrived in our midst, you may have been saddled with even more of this burden. But I'm happy to inform you that the coming weeks will be a favorable time to brainstorm about how you could do more of what you love to do once the crisis has abated.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
What's the current state of the relationship between your ego and your soul? Is there an uneasy truce between the ambitious part of you that craves success and recognition and the lyrical part of you that yearns for rich experiences and deep meaning? Or do those two aspects of you get along pretty well—maybe even love and respect each other? Now is a favorable time to honor your ego and soul equally, Libra—to delight in the activities of both, to give them plenty of room to play and improvise, and to encourage them to collaborate in ways that will further your well-rounded happiness and health.
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WOULD YOU LIKE FURTHER INSPIRATION?
My Expanded Audio Horoscopes offer suggestions about how you might make best use of your time as you navigate your way through our Shared Healing Crisis.
To buy and listen to your Expanded Audio Horoscope online, go to RealAstrology.com
Register and/or log in through the main page.
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The cost is $6 per sign. (Discounts are available for bulk purchases.)
You can also access the horoscopes for $1.99 per minute by phone at 1-877-873-4888.
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"Thanks for helping me to keep my anxiety at a reasonable level, Rob. Your expanded audio horoscopes give me real hope, not false hope."
—Tegan H., Albuquerque
"Sometimes I can't believe how much comfort your audio horoscopes give me. You have a knack for pushing whatever it is that's the opposite of my panic button."
—Loren G, New York
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SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Scorpio author Voltaire (1694–1778) was a crusader for freedom of thought and civil liberties, as well as a key player in the Enlightenment. He was very prolific. In addition to producing 2,000 books and pamphlets, his carried on such voluminous written correspondences with so many interesting people that his collected letters fill 98 volumes. Would you consider getting inspired by Voltaire's approach to cross-pollination? According to my calculations, the next phase of the coronavirus crisis will be a favorable time for you to intensify your communication via the written word.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
I like musician David Byrne's views on what constitutes meaningful work. It's not just the tasks you do to earn money. "Sex is a job," he says. "Growing up is a job. School is a job. Going to parties is a job. Religion is a job. Being creative is a job." In other words, all the activities he names, to be done well, require a commitment to excellence and an attention to detail. They are worthy of your diligent efforts, strenuous exertion, and creative struggle. I encourage you to meditate on these thoughts during the coming weeks. Identify what jobs you want to get better at and are willing to work hard on and would like to enjoy even more than you already do.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
At its best and brightest, Capricornian love isn't frivolous or flighty. It's not shallow or sloppy or slapdash. When Capricornian love is at its highest potency, it's rigorous, thoughtful, and full-bodied. It benefits anyone who's involved with it. I bring this up because I expect the coming weeks to be a Golden Age of Capricornian Love—a time when you will have the inspiration and intelligence necessary to lift your own experience of love to a higher octave.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
I hope you're not one of those Aquarians who regards stability and security as boring. I hope you don't have an unconscious predilection for keeping yourself in a permanent state of nervous uncertainty. If you do suffer from those bad habits, you'll be hard-pressed to stick to them in the coming weeks. That's because the cosmic energies will be working to settle you down into a steady groove. If you cooperate, you will naturally enhance your ability to be well-anchored, calmly steadfast, and at home in your life. Please don't resist this opportunity.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
I foresee the likelihood that you'll be having brilliant and evocative conversations with yourself in the coming weeks. Your heart and your head may become almost blissful as they discuss how best to create a dynamic new kind of harmony. Your left side and right side will declare a truce, no longer wrestling each other for supremacy, and they may even join forces to conjure up unprecedented collaborations. The little voices in your head that speak for the past will find common ground with the little voices in your head that speak for the future—and as a result you may be inspired to formulate a fresh master plan that appeals both.
ARIES (March 21-April 19):
In the future, when the coronavirus crisis has a diminished power to disrupt our lives, I would love for you to have more of the money you need to finance interesting new experiences that help you learn and thrive. Now is a good time to brainstorm about how you might arrange for that to happen. For best results, begin your meditations with vivid fantasies in which you envision yourself doing those interesting new experiences that will help you learn and thrive.
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HOMEWORK:
Is there any place in your life where you could do better? Testify at Freewillastrology.com.
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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 2020 Rob Brezsny
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