Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter http://ezezine.com
Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter
May 28, 2008
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http://FreeWillAstrology.com
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"To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else."
- Emily Dickinson
"God speaks to each of us as he makes us, then walks with us silently out
of the night. These are the words we dimly hear: You, sent out beyond
your recall, go to the limits of your longing. Embody me."
- Rainer Maria Rilke, *Rilke's Book of Hours: Love Poems to God,*
translated by Anita Barrows and Joanna Macy
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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:
REAL LOVE POETRY
Early in his career, Robert Bly rarely wrote love poetry, though he studied
the work of others who did. As he aged, he stopped reading the angst-
ridden ruminations of modern poets and sought out the ecstatic love
poetry of mystics like Rumi and Kabir. Increasingly, forgiveness and
compassion became central aspects of Bly's emotional repertoire. His rage
about his own past romantic disappointments dissipated.
In his mid-40s, Bly wrote *Loving a Woman in Two Worlds,* his first
collection of love poetry. Critiquing it for *The New York Times Book
Review,* Fred Chappell said it wasn't a real book of love poems, because
there wasn't enough hatred and anger in it.
On Bly's behalf, we offer a response to Mr. Chappell: We love you,
goddamnit.
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To read news and features from *Pronoia,* go here:
http://tinyurl.com/lhwx2
You can buy the book here:
http://tinyurl.com/qaj62
or here:
http://tinyurl.com/3dsx6q
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My docu-fiction memoir
*THE TELEVISIONARY ORACLE*
is available for sale at http://tinyurl.com/2ftyq6
and can be read free online at http://tinyurl.com/3c2j4x
(Scroll down the page to find the link to Chapter 1)
Here's the first part of a review, published on the PopMatters.com site at
http://tinyurl.com/6qfs76
This Isn't Your Father's Anti-Patriarchal, Quasi-Pagan, Mediastrological,
Neu-Age, Goddess-Loving Dreammobile
By Patrick Schabe
There has been a lot of publishing ink devoted to the idea of post-
feminism. But like so many concepts that evolve from a locus point of
radical change, post-feminism is but one branch of the tree of the
progressive feminist movement. Another branch of the feminist
movement, albeit a highly tailored and personal one, is to be found in the
works of Rob Brezsny. He calls it "macho feminism," and if it sounds a
little funny, maybe even a little hokey, that's because it's supposed to.
In the world of New Age-y, utopian-iconoclast writing, such humor is a
two-fisted approach. On the one hand the humor is meant to disengage
the reader from taking things too seriously, to show that the author has a
sense of fun and his or her own silliness. On the other hand, this humor is
meant to draw our attention to the oxymorons, paradoxes, and
incongruities of language which force us to think about what terms mean
and how incompatible terms create phrases that reveal our own
predispositions.
For Brezsny, or at least for one of his incarnations, "macho feminist" is a
self-descriptive term. He is both silly and serious, the collusion of
masculine and feminine, and a crafter of mutated memes.
Rob Brezsny is the essence of the contemporary Renaissance Man. He's a
big-time astrologer, a small-time rock star, and a novelist of post-
patriarchal idealism. He also moonlights as a quasi-pagan trickster god,
and as a communal husband. Given that only a small fraction of the
population actually believes in the veracity of these ideas and vocations,
it's likely that Brezsny will seem like a kook. In reality, Brezsny is merely
holding his own place next to other cultural shamans such as Robert
Anton Wilson, Timothy Leary, Reverend Ivan Stang, William S. Burroughs,
and Ken Kesey.
Although Brezsny's current fame might not be as extensive as that of
some of his counterparts, it seems to be growing exponentially. Brezsny
is most well-known for his work as an astrological columnist. His weekly
"Free Will Astrology" (formerly "Real Astrology") is currently syndicated
in 124 newspapers internationally and claims a readership of nine million.
Brezsny's column sets itself apart from other astrology blurbs by its
reliance on creative problem-solving through mythical, literary, and
cultural allusions. Rather than a by-the-numbers, fortune-cookie-style take
on astrology, Brezsny creates a column that is actually fun to read and,
more often than not, educational.
Brezsny has also spent a number of years as a musician. His band, World
Entertainment War, was signed to CBS Records, managed by Bill Graham,
one of the most famous names in rock history, and one of their albums
won the California scene's equivalent of a Grammy. And now there's *The
Televisionary Oracle,* which, with any of the luck that Brezsny has
created for himself, will only further his reputation as a carnival barker of
positivity.
*The Televisionary Oracle* is both a light read and a complex tale. Difficult
to describe in summary, it is buttressed by being more than a little
autobiographical. In fact, as a novel by and about an iconoclast, it
succeeds by creating a narrator/focal character while at the same time
redefining the author himself. In excellent form, it makes the boundary
between history and fiction inscrutable.
Essentially, *The Televisionary Oracle* tells the story of the narrator, who
is never directly acknowledged as Brezsny himself, but is instead only
referred to through the nickname Rockstar. Rockstar is the co-lead singer
of a small but devoted rock-funk-punk band, World Entertainment War.
While our narrator, Rockstar, is mostly successful in his life, there have
been setbacks that have kept him from ever fully realizing his own dreams
outside of his Santa Cruz home (also Brezsny's home). For every major
success there has been a major disaster, and this has carried over to his
love life as well. While Rockstar is a devoted feminist, yet a "macho
feminist," he seems to have had as many bad relationships with women as
any patriarchal slob.
Then he meets Rapunzel. Rapunzel Blavatsky is *The Televisionary
Oracle's* co-narrator. Raised as the Goddess reborn/savior of a
matriarchal secret society, Rapunzel is destined to destroy the chains of
oppression synonymous with two thousand years of rampant patriarchy
and restore the balance of masculine and feminine to the world. Of
course, Rapunzel is also a young woman, and the weight of such
preordained responsibilities is as much of a burden as a blessing.
TO READ THE REST OF THIS ESSAY, GO HERE:
http://tinyurl.com/6qfs76
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OTHER PRONOIA RESOURCES:
YOU'RE MORE CREATIVE THAN YOU REALIZE
*The Creative Fire: Myths and Stories About the Cycles of Creativity* by
Clarissa Pinkola-Estes
http://tinyurl.com/5mubyj
AS AN EXPERIMENT, LET'S TRY THINKING BIG AND POSITIVE INSTEAD OF
SMALL AND NEGATIVE
Wind could provide 20% of the nation's energy
"This is the equivalent of taking 140 million cars off the road"
http://tinyurl.com/4gyulx
AS AN EXPERIMENT, LET'S TRY THINKING WILD AND FUN INSTEAD OF
PINCHED AND SERIOUS
More about wind power
"For under 2 cents a day per household, Americans could get 300
gigawatts of wind by 2030. That would:
Reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation by 25
percent in 2030.
Reduce natural gas use by 11 percent.
Reduce cumulative water consumption associated with electricity
generation by 4 trillion gallons by 2030.
Support roughly 500,000 jobs in the U.S."
http://tinyurl.com/3g9twf
RAW BEAUTY UNVEILED
Photos from above and below the sky
http://tinyurl.com/37u3ft
(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 May 29
Copyright 2008 by Rob Brezsny
http://FreeWillAstrology.com
Grammar key: Asterisks equal *italics*
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Do you realize that you now have a great
potential to instigate ringing surprises? Your knack for healing the
seemingly unhealable is at a peak, as is your ability to accomplish the
impossible, get insight into the incomprehensible, and feel equanimity
amidst the uncontrollable. What do you plan to do with all that mojo,
Gemini? I suggest that you act like a character in a fairy tale who has
been given three wishes. Not two or four, but three.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): "Dear Rob: My mother tells me I'm fat but
feeds me pork rinds. My strongest supporter is a person I want to wrap up
like a mummy, put in a canoe, and push out into the middle of the lake.
My exuberant imagination has taken me hostage, violating its own
principles. I'm so completely ambivalent and indecisive about everything
that even my addictive nature can't figure out what to be addicted to. I'd
embrace my contradictions if I could, but I can't because they've got me
surrounded like a pink-haired, cross-dressing SWAT team frothed up on
Red Bull. Can you point me in the direction of the exit from this circus-like
hell? - Crazy Crab." Dear Crazy: I detect a lot of wit and style in your
meditations. Maybe that's the purpose of this limbo you're temporarily
lost in: It's an opportunity to build your skill at being lively and feisty and
smart no matter what your outer circumstances are.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): I love this excerpt from "The Seeker," a poem by
Rilke in his *Book of Hours* (translated by Robert Bly): "I am circling
around God, around the ancient tower, and I have been circling for a
thousand years, and I still don't know if I am a falcon, or a storm, or a
great song." Here's my own personal variation: "I am circling around love,
around the throbbing hum, and I have been circling for thousands of days,
and I still don't know if I am a wounded saint, or a rainy dawn, or a
creation story." Please compose your own version of this poem, Leo. It's
an excellent time to fantasize about what you're circling around and what
force of nature you might be.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your role model is Tilly Trotter, a blind, 74-
year-old grandmother who lives in the UK. She took up archery two years
ago despite her handicap. Recently she pulled off a rare feat, shooting her
arrow so precisely that it split another arrow already lodged in the target.
Among archers, this is called a Robin Hood. According to my analysis of
the astrological omens, you now have the power to do something similar,
Virgo: overcome a disadvantage in order to accomplish a riveting triumph
that would be difficult even for those who don't have to deal with a
limitation like yours. You're primed to carry out your personal version of a
Robin Hood.
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LISTEN TO AN EXPANDED HOROSCOPE
In addition to the horoscopes that come to you in this newsletter, I create
audio horoscopes for your inspiration. They discuss themes and cover
material that I don't have room to deal with in the written horoscopes.
They're $6 if you access them on the Web, or $1.99 per minute over the
phone.
Try them at http://RealAstrology.com.
By phone: 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700.
"Your audio horoscopes help me love myself better, and I mean that in a
non-narcissistic way."
-Deva P., Indianapolis
"I'm really grateful for the way you pick up my telepathic requests and
answer them in your expanded audio 'scopes."
-Marion H., Birmingham, AL
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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Here's transpersonal psychologist Roger Walsh,
writing in the December 2001 issue of *IONS Review*: "This is the first
time in history that publicly acknowledging that you follow two or more
distinct spiritual traditions would not have you burned at the stake,
stoned to death, or facing a firing squad. We tend to forget what an
extraordinary time this is, that for the first time in history we have the
entirety of the world's spiritual and religious traditions available to us, and
we can practice them . . . without fear." I advise you to take full
advantage of this extraordinary freedom, Libra -- especially now, while
you're in a phase of your astrological cycle that's conducive to expanding
your spiritual repertoire. Think about adding some ideas and practices and
magic from outside your established belief system.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In her natal horoscope, Icelandic chanteuse
Bjork has the sun, moon, and Neptune in the sign of Scorpio. Here's how
she describes what it's like being her: "I have to re-create the universe
every morning when I wake up, and kill it in the evening." Sound familiar?
That's a pretty good summary of the temperament of your tribe, and
especially so right now, as you navigate your way through the astrological
House of Resurrection.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Most astronomers are irrationally
prejudiced against us astrologers. They typically deride our ancient art
without ever having read any of the masters whose work articulates the
core principles of astrology. It's the equivalent of speaking about the
theory of relativity without ever having studied Einstein. Despite their
disdain, I don't hate them back. On the contrary, I celebrate their efforts
to understand the universe, and I make abundant use of the information
they've gleaned. Be like me in the coming week, Sagittarius. Appreciate
those who don't appreciate you, especially if they are doing good work
that can benefit you and others.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): This would be a good week to celebrate
failure -- to laugh about the comic horror stories of your past defeats, to
gain a new appreciation for the prickly lessons you learned, and to let go
of any regret, shame, or anger you might still be lugging around. I'd even
recommend that you and your friends stage a Brag About Your Failures
party. Try to outdo each other as you render in ignominious detail the
things that went wrong, the mistakes you made, and the people who let
you down. I think you'll be amazed at how effectively this will dissolve the
karma left over from those misadventures -- and help free you from their
ghostly clutches.
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LISTEN TO AN EXPANDED HOROSCOPE
In addition to the horoscopes that you're reading here, I create audio
horoscopes for your amusement and 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.
"The best part about your audio horoscopes is that they pat me on the
head and kick me in the ass at the same time." - Rita L., San Diego
"Your audio oracles go beyond helping me find the truth -- they inspire
me to find the WILD truth." - Patrick K., Montreal
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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Maybe you've conceived a child at some
time in your life. Maybe you never have or never will. Whatever the case,
even if you're a man, I invite you to visualize the experience. Imagine that
a force of nature has germinated, and that you are carrying another life
within you. Try to approximate the uncanny twinge that a pregnant
woman senses when her fetus first moves. This exercise will be a
simulation of and rehearsal for the psychic quickening you will soon enjoy.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In her journals, Sylvia Plath said there are two
different ways to be free of desires. The first is when you are "dead and
rotten inside and there is nothing in the world." The second is when you
are "so full and rich and have so many inner worlds that the outer world is
not necessary for joy, because joy emanates from the inner core of your
being." In the past, Pisces, you have had a few encounters with the dead
and rotten state. But I believe you are now in a phase when the full and
rich condition will prevail. During this grace period, you will not really need
anything beyond what you already have. My advice? Start the celebration!
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Ernest Hemingway said that his best work was
a *very* short story consisting of six words: "For sale. Baby shoes. Never
worn." Alan Moore's brief masterpiece of fiction is, I think, just as good:
"Machine. Unexpectedly, I'd invented a time." Here's another gem, written
anonymously: "The last man on earth heard a knock on the door." Your
assignment in the coming week, Aries, is to be as pithy as these terse
geniuses. Proceed on the assumption that your effectiveness will thrive in
direct proportion to your brevity and conciseness. Assume that you will
be most likely to get what you want if you use the fewest words and the
most minimal actions necessary.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): "Too bad 90 percent of the politicians give
the other ten percent a bad reputation," said Henry Kissinger. I'm
tempted to draw a similar conclusion about physicians, cops, lawyers,
performance artists, and a host of other professionals with whom I've had
direct contact. Whether or not you agree with me, please be very picky in
the coming days, Taurus. As you seek out "experts" to help or counsel
you, make sure they are at the top of their respective fields. Do
background research, get personal references, and try to experience them
when their guards are down.
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HOMEWORK: What's the best possible mess you could stir up -- a healing
mess that would serve the cause of liberation? Go to
http://FreeWillAstrology.com and click 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
Astrology column, and Free Will Astrology website. We reserve
the right to edit such submissions for length, style, and content.
Requests for anonymity will be honored with submissions;
otherwise, reader names, screen names, or initials will be used.
Please be sure to note your preference when sending to us. We
are not responsible for unsolicited submission of any creative
material.
Contents of the Free Will Astrology Newsletter are Copyright
2008 Rob Brezsny
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