Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter http://ezezine.com
Rob Brezsny's Free Will Astrology Newsletter
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April 20, 2005
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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
Week beginning April 21
Copyright 2005 by Rob Brezsny
http://www.freewillastrology.com
Grammar key: Asterisks equal *italics*
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong tells this
story: "A guy walks up to me and says, 'What's punk?' I kick over a
garbage can and say, 'That's punk.' So the guy kicks over a garbage can
and says, 'That's punk?' And I say 'No, that's trendy.'" Keep this tale in
mind in the coming week, Aries. There's no need and no excuse for you to
be like the trendy guy. You should be like Billie Joe, the one who kicks
over the garbage can the first time.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Traditional astrologers say Tauruses are
rampant materialists. While it's true that members of your sign often have
a robust relationship with money, I find that many of you also have a
refined and vigorous appreciation of beauty. In fact, I think an
aesthetically pleasing environment is crucial for your mental and spiritual
health. In the coming week, you should devote extra time and care to this
need. Purge ugliness from your surroundings. Introduce elements that
excite your eye and stimulate your imagination. Your symbol of power:
the thousand-year-old rose bush that grows next to the wall of Germany's
Hildesheim Cathedral.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): For one week, try this exercise: Each night
before you fall asleep, review the day's activities in your mind's eye. As if
watching a movie about yourself, strive to be calmly objective as you
observe your memories from the previous 16 hours. Be especially alert for
moments when you strayed from your purpose and didn't live up to your
highest standards. If you're feeling adventurous, I also recommend that
you spend a day doing a review of all of your life's highlights since your
last birthday. Pick a time when you have a few hours to spare, lie back
and close your eyes, and watch with compassionate gratitude as the
amazing plot lines unfold.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): "Creativity is like driving a car at night," said
E. L. Doctorow. "You never see further than your headlights, but you can
make the whole trip that way." I would add that life itself is also like
driving a car at night. You're pretty much in the dark all the time except
for what's right in front of you. Or at least that's usually the case. But for
a few shining hours in the coming week, Cancerian, I believe you'll be able
to see the big picture of where you're headed. It will be as if the whole
world is suddenly illuminated by a prolonged burst of light; as if you're
both driving your car and also watching your journey from high above.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Actress Lara Flynn Boyle was recently accused of
acting oddly on a British Airways flight from Los Angeles to London.
Witnesses have said nudity and extreme lack of inhibition were involved.
When Boyle was confronted by reporters with the rumors, she refused to
elaborate, noting simply, "My job is to entertain, and not to explain." I
hereby declare that to be both your motto and mantra in the coming
week, Leo.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): My friend Kathleen traveled to Maui with her
nine-year-old daughter Ariel. They checked into an ocean-side condo. At 5
a.m. on their first morning there, Ariel crept over to Kathleen's bed and
repeatedly whispered, "Let's go see the sea turtles." Rising out of the
depths of sleep, Kathleen was torn. Part of her was peeved at the
intrusion because she wanted to luxuriate in bed till late morning. Another
part of her longed to glimpse the turtles, which only appeared in the cove
once a day at dawn. Kathleen decided to join Ariel, conquering her
annoyance and putting aside her desire for comfort. The payoff was
worth it. Seeing the turtles while in a dreamy state was an unforgettable
joy. I predict you will be faced with a comparable situation in the coming
week, Virgo. I suggest you choose as Kathleen did.
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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): One of my ex-girlfriends had heart surgery
when she was an infant. They opened her tiny chest, fixed the problem,
and sewed her back up, leaving a two-inch scar on her skin. By the time
she became an adult, the scar had grown along with the rest of her,
stretching to eight inches. I regard this as a good metaphor for the way
our early psychic wounds expand as we mature. Having said that, though,
I'm happy to report that you now have an excellent chance to
dramatically dissipate the lingering pain of an old trauma, as well as to
shrink the scar it made. Please take maximum advantage of the healing
energy available.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): While mountain biking, I spied a white horse
engaged in odd behavior in a meadow. Over and over again, it took two
steps forward and two steps back. Was it neurotic or distraught? I
decided to sit and watch. Five minutes went by. Ten. Still it continued its
routine. Finally I got inspired to pray for it. "Dear Goddess," I said, "please
at least let that poor horse go *three* steps forward and two steps
back." Moments later, the creature started doing exactly what I'd prayed
for. Slowly, it made progress across the field. Now I'm saying a similar
prayer for you: "Dear Goddess, please help Scorpios escape their
treadmill-like pace, and go at least three steps forward for every two
backward."
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Actor Vin Diesel was describing the work
required of him in the film, *The Pacifier.* "The hardest stunt I ever had
to do was allow my ear to be gnawed on by a duck," he said. I fully expect
that among the many stunts you will be asked to perform in the coming
weeks, Sagittarius, none will be more dangerous or uncomfortable than
Diesel's. I won't mind if you bitch about them the whole time, but please
bear in mind how innocuous they will all turn out to be.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Drugs don't give Indian holy man Mangal
Das a buzz. Maybe he has meditated too much to be affected by mere
chemicals. In his quest for experience that takes him outside of his usual
awareness, he has also arranged to be bitten by snakes and scorpions.
Unfortunately, that doesn't give him a kick, either. He even tried drinking
elixirs made from toxic herbs, but there was no bang to be had. Finally he
found an intoxicant that worked: touching live wires. Now he enjoys
getting an electrical shock every day. I wouldn't be surprised if you soon
embarked on a comparable quest to expand your thrills, Capricorn. But
please limit your search to things that are really good for you. Avoid the
shock and poison options.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A Bengal tiger at a zoo in Burma killed one
of her two-week-old cubs. Zoo officials decided to separate her from her
other two cubs. They did so reluctantly because the Bengal tiger is an
endangered species and these were the first cubs born in the zoo in 16
years. Putting out a call for a surrogate mother, the officials were relieved
when a 40-year-old woman, a mother of three children, pledged to breast-
feed the cubs until their teeth grew in. Although your pressing need has
arisen from very different factors, Aquarius, you, like the cubs, should be
open to receiving nourishment from exotic sources in the coming weeks.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Centuries ago, the sight of a Viking ship on
the horizon cast dread into the hearts of villagers who lived on the east
coast of what's now Britain. Rightfully so: The Norse raiders were
infamous for plundering and killing. Today, though, the Vikings frighten no
one. The loss of their status as a symbol of fear is epitomized by the silly
replica of a Viking ship that a Dutchman named Robert McDonald is
building out of 15 million lollipop sticks. This transformation is a good
analogy for the process that should unfold in your life during the coming
weeks, Pisces. Something that has always scared you is ready to be
reduced to a harmless cartoon.
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HOMEWORK:
Buy or make yourself a present that encourages you to be more
generous. Report results by going to http://www.freewillastrology.com
and clicking on "Email Rob."
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Contents of the Free Will Astrology Newsletter are Copyright
2005 Rob Brezsny
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