Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter http://ezezine.com
Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter
February 27, 2008
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http://FreeWillAstrology.com
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"The capacity to blunder slightly is the real marvel of DNA. Without this
special attribute, we would still be anaerobic bacteria and there would be
no music."
- Lewis Thomas, *Lives of a Cell*
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My book
*PRONOIA IS THE ANTIDOTE FOR PARANOIA:
How the Whole World Is Conspiring to Shower You with Blessings*
is available for sale at http://tinyurl.com/qaj62
Here's an excerpt:
FURTHER EVIDENCE
In our quest to insinuate pronoia into dinner table discussions taking place
all over the world, we bring the following pieces of evidence to your
attention.
*
Exhibit A
The bible of the mental health community is a 943-page textbook called
the *Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth
Edition,* or *DSM-IV.* Published by the American Psychiatric Association,
it's a standardized catalog of psychological disorders that therapists use
to evaluate and treat their patients. Surprise! This ultimate word on the
state of the human psyche describes countless pathological states, but
there's not a single entry referring to good mental health.
You might imagine that shrinks would be mildly interested not only in
fixing what's wrong with their patients but also in helping them cultivate
what feels good. But how can that happen if the feel-good states aren't
even recognized as important enough to name?
*
Exhibit B
David G. Myers and Ed Diener authored an article called "The Science of
Happiness," which appeared in the September/October 1997 issue of
*The Futurist.* "What causes happiness?" they inquired. "This question
not only went largely unanswered during psychology's first century, it
went largely unasked." They note that from 1967 to 1995, essays on
negative emotions far outnumbered those on positive emotions in the
psychological literature. The ratio was 21:1.
*
Exhibit C
Even those supreme perpetrators of pop nihilism, *The New York Times*
and *The Washington Post,* have a better ratio than the psychological
literature. They average only 12 negative stories to every one that might
be construed to be non-negative. Most other daily newspapers maintain a
similar proportion.
Many of their non-negative stories, however, cover success in two specific
fields: finance and sports. For example: NASDAQ is up today; the Atlanta
Braves won their eighth straight game. Remove these feel-good stories
from the equation, and the media's Curse Quotient rises closer to that of
the psychological literature.
*
Exhibit D
In his book, *Omens of Millennium,* Harold Bloom hints at the "reductive
fallacy" that serves as a shibboleth for intellectuals. Picture yourself, he
says, in conversation with a bright, literate acquaintance who asks you
about someone you know well: "Tell me what he or she is really like." You
reflect a moment and give a brief description of your impressions, but
your acquaintance isn't satisfied: "No, I mean really like." And now you
grasp the actual question: "What is the very worst thing you can say
about him or her that is true?"
*
Exhibit E
Thousands of amazing, inexplicable, wondrous, and even supernatural
events occur every day. And yet most are unreported by the media. The
few that are cited are ridiculed. Why? Here's one possible reason: The
people most likely to believe in miracles are superstitious, uneducated,
and prone to having a blind, literalist faith in their religions' myths. Those
who are least likely to believe in miracles are skilled at analytical thought,
well-educated, and yet prone to having a blind, literalist faith in the
ideology of materialism, which dogmatically asserts that the universe
consists entirely of things that can be perceived by the five human senses
or detected by instruments that scientists have thus far invented.
The media is largely composed of people from the second group. It's
virtually impossible for them to admit to the possibility of miracles, let
alone experience them. If anyone from this group manages to escape peer
pressure and cultivate a receptivity to miracles, it's because they have
successfully fought against being demoralized by the unsophisticated way
miracles are framed by the first group.
At the Beauty and Truth Laboratory we're immune to the double-barreled
ignorance. When we behold astonishing synchronicities and numinous
breakthroughs that seem to violate natural law, we're willing to consider
the possibility that our understanding of natural law is too narrow. And
yet we also refrain from lapsing into irrational gullibility; we actively seek
mundane explanations for apparent miracles.
*
Exhibit F
Wes Nisker wrote a book called *If You Don't Like the News . . . Go Out
and Make Some of Your Own.*
*
Exhibit G
If you have encountered examples of the following evidence, tell us about
it. Send your testimony to the Beauty and Truth Laboratory at
uaregod@comcast.net or P.O. Box 150628, San Rafael, CA 94915:
1. bliss that flows toward you because you've made a habit of expecting
it and cultivating it;
2. good news that's really interesting; fascinating stories that provide an
antidote to the media's obsession with hardship, anguish, deterioration,
and death;
3. states of emotional wealth and psychological health: raw material for
the manual that will be the corrective for the *DSM-IV;* the missing half
of the story;
4. mirabilia: mysterious revelations, rejuvenating prodigies, ineffable
breakthroughs, beguiling ephemera, sudden deliverance from boring evils;
5. plain old everyday miracles;
6. the good news you've gone out and created.
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To read news and features from my book, go here:
http://tinyurl.com/lhwx2
You can buy the book here:
AMAZON
http://tinyurl.com/qaj62
POWELLS
http://tinyurl.com/3dsx6q
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OTHER PRONOIA RESOURCES:
FUTURE BLESSINGS
http://tinyurl.com/3cloun
"We shall have the power of gods"
FIGHTING REALITY?
"How I Learned to Stop Suffering" by Byron Katie
http://tinyurl.com/2k8kl2
PRACTICAL PEACE-MAKING
*Nonviolence: 25 Lessons from the History of a Dangerous Idea*
by Mark Kurlansky
http://tinyurl.com/22ehrt
(Note: I endorse these because I like them. They are not advertisements,
and I get no kickbacks.)
Please tell me your own personal nominations for PRONOIA RESOURCES.
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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
Week beginning February 28
Copyright 2008 by Rob Brezsny
http://FreeWillAstrology.com
Grammar key: Asterisks equal *italics*
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In the coming week, you should try to
experience, or at least visualize, scenes like the following: an apple pierced
by an arrow that's lying on a bridge near a half-crumpled Valentine card;
wind rattling through an old tree in such a way that you hallucinate there
being an angel perched in its branches; an accordion floating down a
stream trailed by two quacking ducks; a stranger who's simultaneously
crying and laughing in a cafe while writing frenetically on white paper
napkins. And why is it important to commune with scenes like these?
Because they will energize your soul in ways you can't rationally
understand. They will remind you that deeply meaningful events can be
utterly mysterious.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): What's the opposite of a freak out? Let's call
it a freak in. I suspect you're about to enter into this state. That means
you will have at your disposal all the intensity of a hysterical fit, but you'll
be able to express it artfully as you accomplish acts of amazing grace.
Time may even seem to expand for you as you slip into a wildly relaxed
perspective that unleashes exuberant insights with practical applications.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): People close to you have been transforming.
Be alert for the possibility that they are not who they used to be. Your
ability to shape reality creatively in the coming weeks depends on you
being able to recognize that some of the old truths about them have
been replaced with new ones. Now study this passage from T. S. Eliot's
*The Cocktail Party*: "We die to each other daily. What we know of other
people is only our memory of the moments during which we knew them.
And they have changed since then. To pretend that they and we are the
same is a useful and convenient social convention which must sometimes
be broken. We must also remember that at every meeting we are meeting
a stranger."
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Whether or not you consider yourself a
storyteller, it's time to do the best you can at practicing that art. I say
this for two reasons. First, the people you encounter will have a special
need to hear about your adventures in redemption, the riddles that have
fueled your quest, and the mysteries that have pushed you to the edge of
your understanding. Second, as you talk about those adventures, riddles,
and mysteries, you will give yourself the exact boost you need to open
fully to the next great story of your life.
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AUDIO LOVE LETTERS
In addition to the horoscopes that come to you in this newsletter, I create
more in-depth audio horoscopes for your inspiration. I think of them as
my love letters to you. They're $6 if you access them on the Web, or
$1.99 per minute over the phone.
Try them at http://RealAstrology.com.
They're available by phone at 1-877-873-4888
or 1-900-950-7700.
"Your expanded astrology thingees help me remember who I really am." -
Gareth N., Toronto
"I never knew it was possible to get my butt kicked and my head patted
at the same time -- until I listened to you, Rob." -Kristi P., Portland, OR
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CANCER (June 21-July 22): "Never play cards with a man called Doc,"
said Nelson Algren in his book *A Walk on the Wild Side.* "Never eat at a
place called Mom's. Never sleep with a woman whose troubles are worse
than your own." Whether or not you generally heed cautionary advice like
that, I suggest that you adopt a more freewheeling approach in the
coming weeks. In fact, given the frontier-prowling, rules-breaking, fun-
erupting nature of your current astrological indicators, you may benefit
from experimenting with a host of exploits that at any other time might
seem iffy or dicey or itchy.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Many people who understand the workings of the
subconscious mind use their knowledge to manipulate us. Their insights
into the nature of the deep psyche give them an advantage as they try to
sell us their products, ideas, and personalities. Personally, I try to do the
opposite, harnessing my understanding of your subconscious mind so as
to help you tap into your unique genius, free you from your suffering, and
awaken you to the transformative power that comes from expressing
your love with smart generosity. It's prime time for me to inspire your
efforts in these tasks. It also happens to be a perfect moment for you to
upgrade your relationship with your own subconscious mind.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Read this joke, told by Jeff Thredgold in his
book *On the One Hand: The Economist's Joke Book.* "An economist
returns to visit her old school. She's interested in the current exam
questions and asks her old professor to show her some. To her surprise,
they are exactly the same questions that she answered 10 years ago.
When she asks the professor about this, he says: 'The questions are
always the same. Only the answers change!'" The professor's reply should
be your guiding meditation in the coming week, Virgo. Your most enduring
uncertainties are inviting you to seek new solutions. Questions that have
tormented and tantalized you for a long time will respond revealingly to
your fresh probes.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Will the coming week feature encounters with
drunken judges, passive-aggressive spies, semi-repressed cat people, and
codependent enablers? Perhaps. I'm not sure. But I can state more
authoritatively that you will have to deal with at least some of those
characters in your dreams. And that means there may be aspects of your
own psyche that resemble a drunken judge, passive-aggressive spy, semi-
repressed cat person, and codependent enabler. If you find that's the
case, I suggest you open up a dialogue with them. See if you can get
them to pitch in and lend a hand to your long-term goals instead of
undermining you the way they are now.
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AUDIO HOROSCOPES
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
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SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Actor Cary Grant said he didn't necessarily
advocate making love constantly. "Who can do it all the time?" he asked.
"Though I do try." Your assignment in the coming weeks, Scorpio, as
revealed by the astrological omens, is to attempt what Grant aspired to:
Do the wild thing as much as possible. Get busy before breakfast on the
kitchen table and on your mid-morning break in the closet. Duck out of
work early so you can get your freak on. Get a hundred more strokes and
licks and kisses in before bedtime. Et cetera. And if you don't have a lover
to help you out in this noble cause, then boink the wind, screw the sky,
hump your dreams, make love to the universe.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Although dolphins are among the
smartest animals of the sea, they get pretty stupid when they're on dry
ground. This is according to a report by the world's finest news source,
*The Onion.* Researchers found that when bottlenose dolphins were
transferred from their water-filled tanks to lab tables, they flunked 11
different tests designed to assess their cognitive skills and reasoning
abilities. Let that be a lesson to you, Sagittarius, as you navigate your
way through the challenges of the coming week. As much as possible,
make sure you're on your home turf or in your natural habitat when
you're working to solve knotty dilemmas.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): "Often the truth needs to be packed in
great illusion," writes medical intuitive Caroline Myss, "to protect it from
the carrier of that truth." Your job in the coming week is to chip off some
of the illusion that's hiding a precious truth you're shielding yourself from.
You're getting closer to being able to handle the whole truth, but you're
not completely ready yet. That's why I suggest you preserve a bit of the
protective illusion as a buffer. The dramatic revelation will best occur in
stages.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A century ago, human life expectancy was
47, the speed limit on most roads was 10 mph, and the average wage
was 22 cents an hour. Only one out of six homes had a bathtub, while one
out of ten had a phone. Women washed their hair once a month and often
using egg yolks for shampoo. Coca Cola contained cocaine. I predict that
between now and 2028, life on earth will change as dramatically as it did
in the last 100 years, and no other sign of the zodiac will be better
positioned than you Aquarians to thrive on the transformations. What can
you do to fully capitalize on your natural advantage? Create a 10-year
master plan and a 20-year master plan, envisioning what you'd like to be
doing in 2018 and 2028. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to
write out these documents.
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HOMEWORK: Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to make
nonsense noises for at least two minutes straight every day this week.
Testify by going to to http://FreeWillAstrology.com and clicking on "Email
Rob."
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WANT TO GET YOUR CHART DONE?
I'm not doing personal charts, but I highly recommend my 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://YourSoulJourney.com
She can also be reached at roloughran@comcast.net
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P.S. I totally respect your privacy. I'll never sell or give away your address
to anyone.
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Submissions sent to the Free Will Astrology Weekly 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
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Requests for anonymity will be honored with submissions;
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Please be sure to note your preference when sending to us. We
are not responsible for unsolicited submission of any creative
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Contents of the Free Will Astrology Newsletter are Copyright
2008 Rob Brezsny
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