Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter http://ezezine.com
Rob Brezsny's Free Will Astrology Newsletter
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April 6, 2005
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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
Week beginning April 7
Copyright 2005 by Rob Brezsny
http://www.freewillastrology.com
Grammar key: Asterisks equal *italics*
ARIES (March 21-April 19): "Some people weave burlap into the fabric of
our lives, and some weave gold thread," says Cosmo Doogood in his
*Urban Almanac.* "Both contribute to make the whole picture beautiful
and unique." I would add that there are certain people who on some
occasions weave burlap into the fabric of our lives, and at other times
weave gold thread. You are such a person, Aries. At this particular
moment, though, you're in one of your gold-thread phases. Honor your
natural tendencies, please. Save your rougher gifts for later so you can
concentrate on giving your grace and beauty now.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Green Day recently won a Grammy for best
rock album, but their future was in doubt a few years ago. The band's
three members weren't getting along, record sales were declining, and
they no longer felt aligned with the bratty punk attitude that had
originally been the core of their identity. They tried a variety of
experiments to shake themselves out of their funk. Their best idea was to
rebel against their signature style by recording a bunch of silly songs like
polka ditties and dirty Christmas carols. A similar approach would be a
good prescription for you right now, Taurus. Whether you're suffering
from a mental block or emotional constipation, one possible cure is to
play at being what you're not.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): "Always and never are two words you should
always remember never to use," said semanticist Wendell Johnson.
Though I almost always agree with his advice, I have to make an exception
for you Geminis this week. This may be one of the most bigger-than-life,
no-strings-attached interludes in many moons. Even the ordinary could
become epic; the last might become first and vice versa. In the midst of
blockbuster special effects and melodramatic plot twists, you might find
that invocations of "always" and "never" are downright reasonable.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): "I used to have superpowers," the bumper
sticker says, "but my therapist took them away." Does that describe you?
Have you been overly normalized by the bland conventions of what
constitutes psychological health? Has your spunk been sapped by the
pressure to behave yourself in a civilized manner? If so, I have two bits of
advice. They'll have a sickening effect if you apply them too liberally, but
they'll be a wonderful tonic if you use them in small doses. First, here's
some medicine from Thoreau: "Do not be too moral. You may cheat
yourself out of much life. Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be
good for something." Now try this inoculation by Rumi (as translated by
Coleman Barks): "Forget safety./ Live where you fear to live./ Destroy
your reputation./ Be notorious./ I have tried prudent planning/ long
enough./ From now/ on, I'll be mad."
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): There are a number of organizations whose
specialty is dreaming up new holidays. With their inventions added to the
old standards, you now have the chance to goof off as you celebrate
something or other on every single day of the year. I'll mention a few
upcoming festivals that are perfect for you and your astrological needs.
First there's No Housework Day on April 7. Avoid all humdrum domestic
chores during that 24-hour period, and don't feel a trace of guilt. April 8
brings Take a Wild Guess Day, when you should entertain sudden
inspirations and out-of-the-blue hunches. April 9 is Rebel against Your
Past Day. Refuse to be controlled by what you used to be. On April 10,
observe Fantastic Fantasy Day, a time when you should let your
imagination run wild. April 11 is Wear Someone Else's Clothes Day, and
April 12 is Be Big and Loud Day.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Though much of Iceland is covered with snow,
glaciers, and lava plateaus, the town of Hveragerdi is graced with
greenhouses where geothermal energy is harnessed to grow bananas. You
remind me of this oasis, Virgo. Though you're surrounded by what might
be described as a barren wasteland, you yourself are a warm, nurturing
source of fertility. No matter how inhospitable it might get outside of
your circle in the next two weeks, you should just keep growing.
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EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES
Every week, in addition to the written horoscopes you get in this
newsletter, I offer Expanded Audio Horoscopes.
They tend to be soothing and meditative, though now and then I invite
you to kick your own ass, too. My intention is for them to be healing and
inspirational at the same time.
The Expanded Audio horoscopes cost $6 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:
http://www.relationshipnetwork.com/horo/index.asp?client_id=50700
From the United States, call
1-900-950-7700
or if you prefer to pay by credit card
1-877-873-4888
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): When people need a major alibi to get out of
work or explain their absence from an event they're expected to attend,
one of the most frequently used excuses is "I had to go to my
grandmother's funeral." While I'm definitely not predicting your
grandmother will die this week, I am prophesying that you'll need an
equally plausible reason to skip out on an unexciting task in order to enjoy
a very pleasant adventure. A good surprise is coming, Libra, and you
should do whatever it takes to make sure that a previously scheduled
duty doesn't get in the way.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Inmates at a penitentiary in Washington have
created *The Convict Cookbook.* Normal prison fare gets pretty boring,
so they've improvised recipes that can be cooked in a jail cell using
radiator pipes instead of a stove and plastic bags in place of bowls.
Proceeds from the book's sale go to a children's museum. Judging from
your temporary astrological omens, Scorpio, I think *The Convict
Cookbook* could serve as an inspiration. While you're in nowhere near as
tight a spot as those criminals, your style has definitely been getting
cramped lately. Why not have fun while you're indisposed? Maybe you can
even turn a profit and contribute to a good cause as you do.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): English poet William Wordsworth said
that "Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings." By that
definition, Sagittarius, you'll be a fount of poetry this week. For best
results, though, don't immediately translate those spontaneous feelings
into action. Let them have their way with you for a while before you
decide what they all mean. It's one of those frothy, dazzling times when
you have no more important task than to honor your emotional riches
with your reverent, patient attention.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Mahatma Gandhi said that "Happiness is
when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
You are maybe as close as you've ever been to achieving that mythical
state. I'm tempted to say that there's a cosmic conspiracy working to
unify elements of your life that have long been at odds. Fragments are
weaving themselves together as if directed by a power that's beyond
your conscious awareness. Contradictions that have at times threatened
to make you feel like a hypocrite are tantalizingly close to melting away. I
urge you to drop everything, Capricorn, so that you may give yourself
fully to an intense collaboration with this cosmic conspiracy.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Anne Sullivan (1866-1936) was a miracle
worker who taught the deaf, dumb, and blind child, Helen Keller, how to
communicate. Through Sullivan's efforts, Keller grew up to become a
renowned author and public speaker dedicated to social reform. I believe
most of us are visited at least once in our lives by our own version of
Anne Sullivan--a teacher who offers us dramatic help in overcoming our
limitations. For you, Aquarius, 2005 could bring the arrival of such a
person. Will you respond or will you turn away, retreating to your
comfortable ignorance? What happens in the coming weeks may be
crucial in answering that question.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I came across an interesting meditation in a
*New Yorker* analysis of the film, *The Assassination of Richard Nixon.*
Describing the main character, Sam Byck, played by Sean Penn, the
reviewer observed that "Sam wants to be treated as an individual. But,
living in a competitive and utilitarian society, he doesn't have sufficient
talent to be treated as an individual." Do you agree with this statement,
Pisces? Is it your belief that the more talented a person is, the more
deserving he or she is of being treated as an individual? Think it through
thoroughly. In the coming week, you'll be dealing with variations on this
theme, and how you respond could have a big impact on your ability to
express your own talents.
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HOMEWORK:
Imagine a bedtime story you'd like to hear and the person you'd like to
hear it from. Testify by going to http://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
2005 Rob Brezsny
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