Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter http://ezezine.com
Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter
December 8, 2010
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See a prettier version of this newsletter: http://bit.ly/hvFOZA
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Dear Free Will Astrology Community:
I've got a favor to ask of you. There's no pressure! If you can't help, it's
perfectly fine and I'll still love you.
The favor: Buy the revised and expanded version of my book, *Pronoia Is
the Antidote for Paranoia* at Amazon, Powells, Barnes & Noble, or your
local independent bookstore.
Amazon: http://bit.ly/Pronoia
Powells: http://bit.ly/PronoiaPowells
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/PronoiaBN
If you can't afford to buy the book, there are ways for you to read a lot
of it for free because I've put much of it online. Here are the links:
Start here:
http://bit.ly/PronoiaFree2
Over 45 pieces from the book:
http://bit.ly/PronoiaFree3
Peruse 20% of the book on Google Books:
http://bit.ly/PronoiaFree
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Excerpted from *PRONOIA IS THE ANTIDOTE FOR PARANOIA*:
LET'S EXPOSE THE OBVIOUS MIRACLES, Part 4
In my book *PRONOIA,* I'm arguing against the grain, compiling evidence
that the cynics' hypotheses about the state of the world is a delusion. I'm
insisting that we are most decidedly not pitiable actors in the most hellish
chapter in history. I'm even inclined to entertain the possibility that the
reverse is true: We may be living in the best of times.
Consider the following evidence.
Noble Prize-winning economic historian Robert Fogel is a meticulous
scholar not given to hyperbole. But his work provides ample evidence that
in some ways, we're the luckiest humans of all.
His landmark book is *The Escape from Hunger and Premature Death,
1700–2100: Europe, America and the Third World.* Its clout is rooted in
his specialty, which is the painstaking quantitative analysis of the way
people have lived. Some of his data is drawn, for example, from the
medical records of soldiers who fought in the Civil War. Other information
originates in historical documents gathered from Norway, France, Britain,
the Netherlands, India, and Ghana.
According to Fogel, human biology has changed dramatically in the past
three centuries, and especially in the last 100 years. People in the
developed world live twice as long as they used to. They weigh more and
grow taller. They're far hardier and healthier and smarter. When sickness
comes, they're better at defeating it than their ancestors were, and
they're not as likely to contract diseases in the first place.
"We're just not falling apart like we used to," Fogel says. "Even our
internal organs are stronger and better formed." What has occurred is
"not only unique to humankind, but unique among the 7,000 or so
generations of human beings who have inhabited the earth."
(Sources: "The Human Equation," Lydialyle Gibson, tinyurl.com/2x3u7o,
and "So Big and Healthy Grandpa Wouldn't Even Know You," Gina Kolata,
The New York Times, tinyurl.com/rban6.)
We're talking about a revolution. In the mid-19th century, Americans of
all ages were much sicker than they are now. Child mortality was almost
25 percent, and of those kids lucky enough to survive into adolescence,
15 percent more expired before age 15. Chronic malnutrition was a
horrendous curse, compromising immune systems from birth.
During the Civil War, one-sixth of the teenagers who applied to serve in
the Union army were rejected because of chronic ailments like malaria,
tuberculosis, arthritis, cardiovascular problems, and hernias. As for the
older folks, the average ex_soldier in his 60s had at least six health
problems, four more than a sexagenarian is likely to have today.
What happened between then and now? First, we harnessed electricity,
made it universally available, and used it in a myriad ways to improve our
lot. All of the other boons I'm about to name -- improvements in our diet,
medicine, sanitation, and workload -- were organized around this fantastic,
unprophesied new resource . . . .
TO READ THE REST OF THIS ESSAY, go here:
http://bit.ly/ObviousMiracle4
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READ PART 1 OF THE SERIES "Let's Expose the Obvious Miracles":
http://bit.ly/ObviousMiracle1
PART 2: http://bit.ly/ObviousMiracle2
PART 3: http://bit.ly/ObviousMiracle3
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MORE PRONOIA RESOURCES:
DO YOU KNOW ALL THE WAYS THAT LAUGHTER CAN IMPROVE YOU?
There may be a lot more for you to learn about the healthful art of
laughing and smiling.
http://tinyurl.com/5hcace
GET YOUR MINIMUM DAILY REQUIREMENT FOR BEAUTY
21 Insanely Gorgeous Valleys around the World
http://tinyurl.com/2ag2cxb
GENEROSITY RUNS AMUCK
Nicest Canadian couple in the world doles out lottery winnings
http://tinyurl.com/23tuxyk
EVALUATE THE ACCUMULATING EVIDENCE FOR YOURSELF
An antidote to paranoia
http://pronoiaresources.com/
(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 December 9
Copyright 2010 by Rob Brezsny
http://FreeWillAstrology.com
Grammar key: Asterisks equal *italics*
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You've arrived at a delicate yet
boisterous turning point when one-of-a-kind opportunities are budding.
I'm going to give you seven phrases that I think capture the essence of
this pregnant moment: 1. wise innocence; 2. primal elegance; 3. raw
holiness; 4. electrifying poise; 5. curative teasing; 6. rigorous play; 7
volcanic tenderness. To maximize your ability to capitalize on the
transformations that are available, I suggest you seek out and cultivate
these seemingly paradoxical states of being.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): For years I've had recurring dreams of
finding treasure amidst trash. I interpret this to mean that I should always
be alert, in my waking life, for the possibility that I might come across
beautiful or valuable stuff that's mixed in with what has been discarded or
forgotten. Recently I heard about a literal embodiment of this theme. A
sewage treatment plant in Japan announced that it has been culling huge
amounts of gold from the scum and slop -- so much so that their haul
outstrips the yield at the country's top gold mine. I urge you to make this
your metaphor of the week, Capricorn. What riches might you be able to
pluck out of the dirt and shadows?
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Should you store up your energy, postpone
your gratification, and withhold your full intensity for a more opportune
time? Hell, no! Should you await further data before making a definitive
conclusion, fantasize dreamily about some more perfect future, and
retreat into a self-protective cocoon? Double hell, no! And if thoughts like
those have been poking up into your awareness, exorcise them
immediately. It is high time for you to grab the best goodies, reveal the
whole truth, and employ your ultimate schemes. You are primed to make
a big play, call on all the help you've been promised, and transform the
"what ifs" into "no doubts."
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In Taio Cruz's mega-hit pop song "Dynamite,"
he describes how excited he is to go dancing at his favorite nightclub. "I
throw my hands up in the air," he exults. "I wanna celebrate and live my
life . . . I'm wearin' all my favorite brands." In advising you about the best
ways to ride the current cosmic rhythms, Pisces, I'll use Cruz as both a
role model and an anti-role model. You should be like him in the sense of
being eager to throw your hands up in the air. Right now it's your sacred
duty to intensify your commitment to revelry and find every possible
excuse to celebrate your life. On the other hand, it's crucial that you
don't wear all your favorite brands. To get the full benefits from this time
of festive release, you will need, as much as humanly possible, to declare
your independence from corporate brainwashing and escape the
intelligence-sapping mindset of consumerism.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In the coming weeks, life will beguile you with
secrets and riddles but probably not reveal as much as you'd like. I think
this is an opportunity, not a problem. In my opinion, your task isn't to
press for shiny clarity, but rather to revel in the luxuriant mysteries. Let
them confer their blessings on you through the magic of teasing and
tantalizing. And what is the nature of those blessings? To enlighten your
irrational mind, stimulate your imagination, teach you patience, and
nurture your connection with eternity.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Butterflies recall at least some of what
they've learned during their time as caterpillars. The metamorphosis they
go through is dramatic, turning their bodies into a soupy goo before
remaking them into winged gliders. And yet they retain the gist of the
lessons they mastered while in their earlier form. I see something
comparable ahead for you in 2011, Taurus. It's as if you will undergo a
kind of reincarnation without having to endure the inconvenience of
actually dying. Like a butterfly, the wisdom you've earned in your old self
will accompany you into your new life. Are you ready? The process begins
soon.
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FREE SAMPLE OF MY AUDIO OFFERINGS
If you'd like to get an idea of what my EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES
sound like, tune in to my free podcast "You Are a Prophet."
http://bit.ly/YouAreAProphet
"You Are a Prophet" is a meditation about how your imagination is your
greatest resource and treasure.
Find out more about the EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES at
http://RealAstrology.com.
The weekly forecasts are also available by phone:
1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700.
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GEMINI (May 21-June 20): What nourishes you emotionally and spiritually,
Gemini? I'm not talking about what entertains you or flatters you or takes
your mind off your problems. I'm referring to the influences that make
you stronger and the people who see you for who you really are and the
situations that teach you life-long lessons. I mean the beauty that
replenishes your psyche and the symbols that consistently restore your
balance and the memories that keep feeding your ability to rise to each
new challenge. Take inventory of these precious assets. And then make a
special point of nurturing them back.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Two-thirds of American elementary-school
teachers spend their own money to buy food for their poor students.
Meanwhile, there's a 50 percent chance that an American kid will, at some
point in his or her young life, resort to using government aid in the form
of food stamps. Those facts make me angry and motivate me to
volunteer to distribute free food at the local food bank. I encourage you,
my fellow Cancerian, to summon your own good reasons to get riled up in
behalf of people who have less luck and goodness than you do. It's always
therapeutic to stretch your generosity and spread your wealth, but doing
so will especially redound to your advantage in the coming weeks.
Unselfish acts will bring profound selfish benefits.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): According to some sources, the ancient Greek
philosopher Socrates practiced the art of sculpture as a young man. But
he abandoned it early on, deciding that he wanted to "carve his soul
rather than marble." Can I interest you in turning your attention to that
noble, gritty task, Leo? It would be a fine time to do some intensive soul-
carving. Soul-scouring, too, would be both fun and wise, as well as soul-
etching and soul-emblazoning and soul-accessorizing. I highly recommend
that you enjoy a prolonged phase of renovating and replenishing your
most precious work of art.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In her haunting tune "One Blood," Virgo singer
Lila Downs confesses that "the deepest fear [is] my desire." I personally
know many Virgos who make a similar lament. How about you? Is there
any way in which you are scared of the power of your longing? Do you
ever find yourself reluctant to unleash the full force of your passion,
worried that it could drive you out of control or lead you astray? If so, the
coming weeks will be prime time to face down your misgivings. It's time
to liberate your desires, at least a little.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Here are your words of power: hybrid,
amalgamation, composite, aggregate, medley, alloy, ensemble. Now here
are your words of disempowerment: welter, mishmash, jumble,
hodgepodge, patchwork. Strive to accentuate the first category and
avoid the second. Your task is to create a pleasing, synergetic
arrangement from a multiplicity of factors, even as you avoid throwing
together a hash of diverse influences into an unholy mess. Be calculating
and strategic, not rash and random, as you do your blending.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): On my Facebook page,I posted this excerpt
from a Pablo Neruda love poem (translated by Stephen Tapscott): "Our
love is like a well in the wilderness where time watches over the
wandering lightning. Our sleep is a secret tunnel that leads to the scent of
apples carried on the wind." In response, a reader named John F. Gamboa
said this: "I once found a well in the desert. There was a rope and a
bucket. The bucket had a small hole in it. While pulling up the bucket of
water, about half of it drained. But I suppose a decent bucket would have
been stolen. So a bucket with a small hole was perfect; I got what I
needed!" I'm here to tell you, Scorpio, that like Gamboa, a bucket with a
small hole is probably what you need right now.
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HOMEWORK: What's the situation in your life where it's hardest for you to
be loving? Practice being a master of compassion there in the coming
week.
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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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Contents of the Free Will Astrology Newsletter are Copyright
2010 Rob Brezsny
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