Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter http://ezezine.com
Rob Brezsny's Free Will Astrology Newsletter
is brought to you by the words of the Chinese poet Chuang Tzu:
"I am going to try speaking some reckless words,
and I want you to try to listen recklessly."
(Thanks to translator Burton Watson)
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April 7, 2004
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www.freewillastrology.com
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He who would do good
to another must do it
in Minute Particulars.
General Good is the plea
of the scoundrel,
hypocrite, and flatterer;
For Art and Science
cannot exist
but in minutely organised
Particulars.
-- William Blake
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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
Week of April 8
Copyright 2004 by Rob Brezsny
www.freewillastrology.com
Grammar key: Asterisks equal *italics*
ARIES (March 21-April 19): If forced to decide between having a bigger
penis and living in a world where there was no war, 90 percent of men
would pick universal peace. So says a poll conducted by Glamour magazine
and MensHealth.com. I predict that fate will soon ask you, Aries, to choose
between two possibilities that also seem to represent a showdown between
self-aggrandizement and altruism. If you play your wild cards, right,
however, you may not have to pick one at the expense of the other.
According to my reading of the astrological omens, you can have both.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): "We are attracted to people who express the
qualities we deny or repress in ourselves," says creativity expert Shakti
Gawain. Using this idea as your hypothesis, Taurus, take an inventory of
the people you're most drawn to. Ask yourself whether they have talents
and dreams that you secretly wish could come fully alive in you. If you
find this to be the case, consider the possibility that it's time to
transform your secret wishes into definite plans.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Seeing as how you're at the peak of your
popularity and in the harvest phase of your yearly cycle, why not suggest
to your friends that they organize a celebration in your honor? A parade
could launch the festivities, with you riding in a red Cadillac convertible
followed by floats depicting the turning points in your life. When you
arrive at the banquet hall, you'll be carried on a litter to a throne. You'll
eat a gourmet dinner featuring your favorite food while a series of allies
comes to the microphone to describe what they like most about you. To
conclude the party, a band will play a set of songs written especially for
you. These are merely suggestions, Gemini. You may have different ideas
about how you'd like to be glorified. Just make sure you communicate
them clearly to the proper people.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): I'm a direct descendant of Genghis Khan
(1162-1227), the Mongol leader who controlled an empire stretching
from Hungary to Korea. The funny thing is, you might be one of his
progeny, too. Geneticists have determined that there are millions of us
worldwide, owing to our forefather's prolific sowing of wild oats over an
extensive area. Of course it's natural if we have mixed feelings about him:
He and his troops did all the nasty things a conquering army usually does.
But he was also a good manager who codified laws, advanced religious
freedom, and promoted ethnic diversity. Even if Khan isn't officially your
ancestor, Cancerian, you're now primed to imitate his more enlightened
side. As you expand your territory and authority, fantasize about the ways
your new clout will allow you to give greater gifts.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): I never take drugs. If I were a Leo, however, I
*might* travel to Britain this week and smoke some pot. (Possession of
the stuff in small amounts is no longer illegal there.) If that's impossible
for you, find other ways to gently blow your mind. Go on a three-day
meditation retreat, make love for six consecutive hours, and read the
poetry of Mary Oliver while swinging on a swing. Or make atonement to a
person you once wronged, assume that everything you think you know is
only half-right, and give away money to someone in need. Or all of the
above.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The Indian activist Gandhi lead many peaceful
rebellions against oppressive governments, first in South Africa and later
in British-controlled India. At first he called his strategy "passive
resistance," but later disavowed that term because it had negative
implications. He ultimately chose the Sanskrit word *satyagraha,*
meaning "love force" or "truth force." "Truth ('satya') implies love," he
said, "and firmness ('agraha') is a synonym for force. 'Satyagraha' is thus
the force which is born of truth and love." According to my reading of the
astrological omens, Virgo, *satyagraha* should be your word of power in
the coming weeks. Your uprising against the forces of darkness has got to
do more than say "no." A fierce, primal YES should be at the heart of your
crusade.
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In addition to the written horoscopes you find here, I create longer, more
in-depth audio horoscopes. They cost $6 a pop if you access them on the
Web via RealAudio or $1.99 per minute if you want them over the phone.
For Web access, go here:
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From the United States, call
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If you have a 900# block on your phone or prefer to pay by credit card,
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Call 1-877-873-4888 to buy the amount of time that best suits you.
If you live in Canada, call 1-888-499-4425 to purchase a Block of Time
with your credit card.
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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): By 2005, you'll be enrolled in a new School of
Life, beginning a fresh course of study that will delight the innocent,
open-hearted kid in you. But much of 2004 will be like taking a long final
exam based on material you've studied forever. On some days the test
questions may bore you into a stupor, while on other days they may
electrify you into a state of red alert. Here's a clue that could help you
keep those extreme states to a minimum in the coming months, as well as
ensure that you'll ace the exam: Leave your normal routine and get away
from it all as often as is practical. While you wander in the great
unknown, you're likely to attract the exact experiences you'll need to
solve the toughest riddles.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Let's do a check-in, Scorpio. What progress
have you been making in your work on this year's biggest opportunity? As
I suggested last December, 2004 will be an excellent time to build the
kind of network you've always wanted. New alliances will be yours for the
asking. Existing collaborators will be extra receptive to deepening your
connections. You'll tend to get lucky whenever you try to interest people
in helping you express your talents for the good of all. If you've been
lagging behind in cashing in on this trend, step up your efforts
immediately. You now have the power to make up for lost time.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): April is Feedback Month. In the coming
weeks, everyone from your best friend to the janitor at work may
barrage you with hints of what they think about you. A few of the reports
will be fairly accurate representations of you, while others may
resemble the reflections you get from funhouse mirrors. If you just relax
your ego muscles and watch the mad rush of images as you would a comic
movie, however, the overall experience will be rejuvenating.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): "Free will is there for the taking, like
wild blueberries," writes poet Ellen Doré Watson, "-- a trifle more sour
than we remember." In other words, Capricorn, your mouth might pucker
and your eyes may squint when you first sample the ripe crop of free will
that you'll come upon this week. But once you've experienced the sensation
for a while, it'll start tasting sweeter. By this time next week, you'll be
amazed at how delicious it is.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In my astrological opinion, you now have a
sacred duty to cause *good trouble.* Please carry out at least two kinds of
benevolent mischief from the following list. 1. Break taboos that serve no
useful purpose. 2. Circumvent rules that are rotten or harmful. 3. Expose
the manipulators who are trying to get everyone to buy into their
delusions. 4. Trick people into rebelling against influences that are bad
for them. 5. If you see friends or loved ones who are running on autopilot,
give them lessons on how to wake up.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Piscean actress Mercedes Ruehl won the
Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 1991
movie, "The Fisher King." Taking the stage at the awards ceremony, she
exclaimed, "I shall never waitress again, and you are my witnesses!" She
was almost 43 years old at the time. I foresee a comparable breakthrough
for you in the coming months, Pisces. It may not be quite as dramatic as
Ruehl's, but it will definitely free you forever from a task that has stifled
or demeaned your spirit. And you can lay the groundwork for this victory
now.
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HOMEWORK: What's the weird thing you do or think that's too strange to
reveal to your friends and loved ones? (Your secret's safe with me.)
Testify by going to www.freewillastrology.com and clicking on "Email
Rob."
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WANT TO GET YOUR CHART DONE?
I'm not doing charts these days. In addition to writing my weekly column
and expanded audio horoscopes, I'm also working on a book and CD.
But I can recommend a colleague whose astro-aesthetics closely match my
own. She's RO LOUGHRAN.
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. In addition to over 20 years
of astrological experience, Ro is also a licensed psychotherapist, allowing
her to integrate psychological insight with the cosmological perspective
that astrology offers.
Ro is based in California, but can do phone consultations and otherwise
work with you regardless of geographic boundaries.
Ro's website is at
http://www.astrology-psychotherapy.com/
She can also be reached at roloughran@comcast.net
Namaste,
Rob
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Contents of the Free Will Astrology Newsletter are Copyright
2004 Rob Brezsny
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