Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter http://ezezine.com
Rob Brezsny's Free Will Astrology Newsletter
March 7, 2007
http://FreeWillAstrology.com
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"To his mind, most of what secularism gets wrong about the world can be
summed up in the phrase 'the Materialist Superstition.' By this, he means
the idea that the world is composed only of physical matter, and
whatever else may arise--love, religious feeling--is a product of matter and
reducible to it.
"Included in this mistake is any sort of economics that imagines industrial
development to have a momentum of its own apart from the genius of
individual entrepreneurs; any psychology that conceives of consciousness
as a side product of the brain; and any biology that understands evolution
as a purely bodily process spurred by carnal need and random mutation.
"He believes that quantum physics has confirmed his view: the discovery
that matter is, at its base, composed not of inert, solid articles but of
waves, fields, and probabilities means that matter is, at base, intelligence
or spirit."
-Larissa MacFarquhar in *The New Yorker*
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ROB PERFORMS IN SAN FRANCISCO
Wednesday, March 28
The Marsh
1062 Valencia Street (near 22nd Street)
8 pm
When my book *PRONOIA Is the Antidote for Paranoia* came out, I
developed "Sacred Uproar," a show crammed with pronoiac memes. I've
performed parts of it 20 times, from New York's Chapel of Sacred Mirrors
to the Oregon Country Fair.
Now I finally get to do the complete show, and in my hometown, and in an
actual theater. I'm extremely stoked, psyched, and also ecstatic for the
chance.
The March 28 "Sacred Uproar" will be about 80 minutes long. I'll be joined
by the fantastic five-woman team, the Shamanic Cheerleaders (check out
their website at http://shamaniccheerleaders.com). Also performing with
me will be Jessica Rice, a world-class singer with whom I've been singing
since Burning Man in 2001.
To buy tickets, go here: http://digbig.com/4rrdm
More info about The Marsh is here: http://themarsh.org
For a review of one of my New York shows, go here:
http://digbig.com/4rsqx
I'll also be giving away five free books on March 28. To be eligible, look for
the secret word I'll be providing in this week's newsletter, as well as the
next three newsletters. This week's secret word: yabyum.
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Most of the stuff below is excerpted from my book
"PRONOIA IS THE ANTIDOTE FOR PARANOIA:
How the Whole World Is Conspiring to Shower You with Blessings"
available at http://tinyurl.com/qaj62
or find out more at http://www.freewillastrology.com
MIRRORING THE HORRORS
Many creative people seem possessed by an urge to mirror the horrors
they witness, making art that is as desolate as the experience it
represents. Greek poet Odysseus Elytis mourned this phenomenon. He
believed that artists in the grip of it are like those with healthy legs who
choose to limp along with broken crutches.
"During the years of Buchenwald and Auschwitz," he said, "Matisse
painted the most charming flowers and fruit that were ever made. That's
why today they still speak more eloquently than the most macabre
description of the period. Their creator was faithful not to the tragedy
but to the reaction that tragedy kindled in his conscience."
-Source: Odysseus Elytis, translated by Theophanis Stavrou: *Books
Abroad,* Volume 49, no 4, Autumn 1975
*
THE TREASON OF THE ARTIST
"The trouble is that we have a bad habit, encouraged by pedants and
sophisticates, of considering happiness as something rather stupid. Only
pain is intellectual, only evil interesting. This is the treason of the artist: a
refusal to admit the banality of evil and the terrible boredom of pain. If
you can't lick 'em, join 'em. If it hurts, repeat it.
"But to praise despair is to condemn delight, to embrace violence is to
lose hold of everything else. We have almost lost hold, we can no longer
describe a happy man, nor make any celebration of joy."
-Ursula Le Guin, "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas," *The Wind's
Twelve Quarters*
*
BETTER STORYTELLING
"We need to get better at storytelling . . . We've got to get better at
telling the success stories of Africa in addition to the horror stories."
-Bono
*
DON'T SUFFER FOR YOUR ART
"I mistakenly glommed on to the idea that I had to suffer for my art.
Acting teachers love to promote the idea that in order to really get into
character, you've got to put yourself through emotional hell. Now I'd say,
'Don't suffer for your art.'"
-actor Christian Slater, quoted in the *San Francisco Chronicle*
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To read other news and features from my book, go here:
http://snipurl.com/l9o3
You can buy the book here:
AMAZON
http://snipurl.com/krjj
BARNES & NOBLE
http://snipurl.com/krjn
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OTHER PRONOIA RESOURCES:
MUSIC
*Orientation* by Thione Seck
http://digbig.com/4rsqr
"Thione Seck, who is regarded as Senegal's most poetic songwriter and
greatest singer, travels eastward to Egypt and India and returns home
with a masterpiece."
PODCAST
Matrix Masters: "Our aim is neither to recruit members nor to mobilize
troops for the achievement of specific goals, but rather to inform,
agitate, educate, emancipate, provoke, inspire, offend, scandalize, tickle,
and excite."
http://digbig.com/4rrxt
Podcasts available:
"Aliens, Elementals, and the Daimonic Realm" by Daniel Pinchbeck
"Cancel the Apocalypse" by Daniel Pinchbeck
"Cracking the Code, Picking the Lock, and Removing the Door to the Vault
of Heaven" by RafaelO Aisner
"How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Dimensional Shift" by
Daniel Pinchbeck
"The Day the Universe Becomes Conscious" by Bruce Damer & Galen
Brandt
"Waking Up from the American Dream" by Michael Brownstein
BOOKS
*The New Scientific Theory of Evolution: Intelligent Life Is the Architect of
the Universe* by James N. Gardner
"Why is the Universe bi-friendly?"
http://www.biocosm.org/
(Note: I endorse these because I like them. They're not advertisements,
and I get no kickbacks.)
EVENT
Ambiotica
New Edge Salon for Evolutionaries
Friday, March 9
8:30 pm - 3:00 am
1286 Folsom Street and 285 Ninth Street
San Francisco
http://cyberset.cc/ambiotica/
featuring
-R.U. Sirius, techno-countercultural iconoclast
http://www.mondoglobo.net
-Dusty Park, creator of Astrology 3D
http://www.astrology3D.com
-Bruce Damer, the world's top expert on avatars and shared online virtual
spaces
http://www.digitalspace.com/AVATARS/
-as well as DJs, an art gallery, showing of the film "The Secret",
alchemical rhythm trance, and performances in the dream theatre
Please tell me your own personal nominations for PRONOIA RESOURCES.
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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
Week beginning March 8
Copyright 2007 by Rob Brezsny
http://FreeWillAstrology.com
Grammar key: Asterisks equal *italics*
ARIES (March 21-April 19): "Dear Rob: As an experiment, I've been trying
to soften myself--to see what it's like to stand in a room and not always
take the lead, not assume that no one else knows what they're doing
except me. It's had an interesting effect so far: People seem more eager
to play nice and offer me their good energy. But I don't know if I'm willing
to give up my take-charge instincts for much longer. Do I have to resign
myself to either being strong or being loved? -Assertive Aries." Dear
Assertive: Could you add a little more love to your take-charge ferocity?
And be more softly aggressive? And be open-hearted in your
assertiveness?
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I'm betting on the imminent arrival of at least
two of the following climaxes: (1) You'll culminate a task or goal you've
been working on for months. (2) You'll remember an important intention
you'd forgotten for a long time. (3) You'll graduate from a crash course
you've been taking since October 2006. (4) You'll be reunited with a lost
sheep or forsaken dream that's ready for another chance.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): If given three wishes by a fairy godmother, as
in the heroes of old fairy tales, you probably wouldn't ask for the ability
to fly or the power to turn invisible or the gift of a golden carriage pulled
by eight white horses crowned with white ostrich feathers. But what
*would* you choose? Something like "I wish I could solve my relationship
problems"? Or maybe "I wish I could find my direction in life," or "I wish I
had enough money to do the things I love to do"? This is an excellent
time to get clear about your three wishes, Gemini. If you do, I can almost
guarantee that at least one of them will come closer to fulfillment in the
coming weeks.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): When Emperor Joseph II heard Mozart's opera
*Abduction from the Seraglio* in 1782, he remarked, "Too many notes,
my dear Mozart, too many notes!" Sound familiar? I suspect you are
exuding so much complex beauty and mysterious intelligence that, like
Mozart, you may elicit responses akin to the emperor's. Don't take it
personally. Though it is possible you'll get a bit excessive, what's more
likely is that you'll be as deep and rich and concentrated and emotive and
vivid as you need to be in order to express what's true for you right now.
Will that make some people feel nervous or overwhelmed? Probably.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This weekly newsletter, which includes my written horoscopes and
excerpts from my books, is always free.
Here are the services I provide that cost money:
My EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES are weekly spoken-word reports on
your destiny. They're three to four minutes long, and are available at
http://RealAstrology.com.
The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or
1-900-950-7700.
My DAILY TEXT MESSAGE HOROSCOPES are short, sweet bursts of
illumination delivered seven days a week to your cell phone or other
mobile device. You can sign up for them at http://RealAstrology.com.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The time is ripe to sign a new contract with
yourself. Put it all in writing--I mean the promises you want to make to
your future self. Describe the ideals you intend to live up to, the freedoms
you want to fight for, and the changes you want to make in the world
around you. There's no need to sign it in ink made from your blood, but I
do suggest that you dab some of your sweat and tears on the document.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): While riding my bike along a route I've often
traveled, I spied an unexpected sight: Standing amidst a twist of vines
was a red signpost that said "Cherry Blossom Lane." How could I not have
seen that before? I pedaled over and found the beginning of a narrow
road that had previously escaped me as well. I felt like I was in one of
those dreams where you discover a hidden magic room in the attic of a
familiar house. My heart filled with an irrational, child-like anticipation of
imminent delight. I pedaled up a steep incline, disappointed to see there
were no cherry trees in bloom. But as I reached the end of a cul-de-sac, I
spotted a glint of gold in the mud. It was a statue of Jesus and Buddha
holding hands, and there was a $20 bill taped to the bottom. Everything I
just described is a metaphor for what I predict you'll soon experience.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected President of
the United States four times, but he never won a majority of the votes in
his home county of Duchess in New York. There is something comparable
going on in your personal sphere, Libra: You're getting more appreciation
from outside your circle than you are from inside. Is there anything you
can do about it? I think so. You now have the power to raise your
standing among those in your immediate environment. Give them a vivid
demonstration of what you're really worth.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): I foresee a time when women's earnings will
match men's and when women will compose half of every governmental
body instead of a measly ten percent. I predict an awakening that will help
men understand that the global conspiracy to cripple and demean female
power damages them as much as it does women. Until the coming of that
happy day, I recommend that you celebrate International Women's Day
every day--and especially during the next three weeks. Your health,
wealth, sex appeal, and wisdom will flourish in direct proportion to your
efforts to give female intelligence more room to be expressed.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In his poem "Treasure Island," Keith
Althaus describes this scenario: "the tireless lighthouse flashes its
ambiguous message: equal parts safety and danger." What's the
equivalent of that in your life, Sagittarius? Is there a person, situation, or
symbolic thing that is both warning you of a potential problem and telling
you how to find sanctuary in a specific solution? Whatever it is, deepen
your relationship with it so you'll be finely attuned to the guidance it's
offering.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AUDIO LOVE LETTERS
In addition to the horoscopes that you're reading here, I create more in-
depth audio horoscopes for your inspiration. Find out more at
http://RealAstrology.com.
The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or
1-900-950-7700.
"You told me the truth when no one else in my life would." -Darren H.,
Minneapolis
"Your wake-up calls keep me from getting stale." -Arris T., Aspen, CO
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): [Editor's note: This week's horoscope was
written by one of my readers, Artstar. It's entitled "How to Be a
Capricorn."] Be a workaholic as you build a beautiful life for yourself and
those you care about most. Love as hard as you work; be a loveaholic. In
fact, be doggedly devoted to becoming the best you can be in every way-
-not just in your career but also in your marriage and in your roles as
friend, parent, community member, and all-around ethical person. Be
stubborn in your insistence that we humans are capable of more and
better, and prod others into being their best and most beautiful selves. If
they refuse, end your relationship with them, but keep wishing them well.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Sports franchises sell the naming rights to
their stadiums. Baseball's San Francisco Giants play at AT&T Park, for
instance. Then there are the parents who've sold the naming rights to
their unborn children on eBay. Inspired by these precedents, I'm thinking
about selling the naming rights to the astrological signs. Instead of just
"Aquarius," I could maybe convince Nike to invest in calling it "Nike's
Aquarius." Better yet, maybe I could hawk the rights (at a lower rate, of
course) to organizations whose cultural influence I actually respect:
Burning Man's Aquarius or Greenpeace's Aquarius. Given your current
astrological omens, you should entertain an idea like this. Maybe you
could add a corporate sponsor as your new middle name or as the name
of your blog or your pet or your genitals. Consider it, Aquarius. It's the
perfect time to think outside the box in regard to bringing more money
into your life.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Molecular scientist Robert Bohannon knows a
way to cram even more obscene gratification into a doughnut. He has
discovered the secret to infusing pastries with a non-bitter version of
caffeine. If his innovation is adopted by bakers, a doughnut would not
only be able to have its usual sugary kick, but could also deliver the punch
of two cups of coffee. Judging from the current astrological omens,
Pisces, I'd say you'll soon be able to find a healthy metaphorical
equivalent to this pathological marvel for your own use. In other words,
you'll intensify your enjoyment of an already fine pleasure.
*************************************************
HOMEWORK: What were the circumstances in which you were most
dangerously alive? Testify by going to http://RealAstrology.com and
clicking on "Email Rob."
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WANT TO GET YOUR CHART DONE?
I'm not doing personal charts these days, but I highly recommend my
favorite astrological colleague, RO LOUGHRAN. Her approach closely
matches my own. In our many discussions about astrology over the years,
we've had a major influence on each other's work.
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.
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.YourSoulJourney.com
She can also be reached at roloughran@comcast.net
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to anyone.
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Contents of the Free Will Astrology Newsletter are Copyright
2007 Rob Brezsny
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