Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter http://ezezine.com
Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter
May 15, 2013
+
See a pretty version of this newsletter: http://bit.ly/17ofbby
+
My book
*PRONOIA IS THE ANTIDOTE FOR PARANOIA*
is available at Amazon: http://bit.ly/Pronoia
or Powells: http://bit.ly/PronoiaPowells
Here's an excerpt:
THE MYSTERY OF YOUR THIRST
Imagine this scene. You're really thirsty -- so dehydrated that you're
feeling faint. Yet here's the weird thing: You're walking along the bank of
a wide river that's so clear you could see the bottom if you looked.
But you're not looking. In fact, you seem oblivious to the surging force of
nature just a few yards away.
Is it invisible to you? Are you so preoccupied with your suffering that
you're blind to the very source that would end your suffering?
Up ahead you see a man. As you approach, you realize he's holding a
bottle of water. You run to him and beg him to let you drink. He readily
agrees. Gratefully, you guzzle the precious liquid, then thank him
profusely.
As you walk away, he calls after you, "By the way, there's a lot more
water over there," and he points to the river.
Do you hear him? If you hear him, do you believe him? Or do you keep
walking, hoping to find another person with another bottle somewhere up
ahead?
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
My book *THE TELEVISIONARY ORACLE* has been reprinted and is also
available as an e-book:
Hard-copy book: http://bit.ly/Televisionary
Kindle edition: http://bit.ly/12791ba
Read the first four chapters here: http://bit.ly/y6br6D
See the cover: http://bit.ly/yHbHHF
Read the review in *Rain Taxi*: http://bit.ly/x7yMoT
Excerpts from that review:
"*The Televisionary Oracle* is a powerful example of how ancient
mysticism may just be the best tool for revolutionary action, both for the
individual and the society."
"What's amazing is how Brezsny's prose remains invigorating in the
transition from weekly astrology to larger scope writing. The prose is still
poetic, circular, almost dancing, combining the narrative voices of Anais
Nin, Tom Robbins, David Ignatow, and a host of ancient mystics."
"Other New Age, spiritualist novels lead the reader to take a fresh look at
the world by ignoring the economic and corrupt nightmares of capitalism
and its pollution of culture. But instead of looking away and pointing to a
daisy field or deities seated upon fluffy clouds, Brezsny alternates his
world-as-an-illusion, 'utopia ahead' narrative with insightful cultural
critique."
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
MORE PRONOIA RESOURCES:
PRONOIA IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS
It's official: Paying decent wages and treating your employees properly
makes better business sense and leads to higher profits. Costco's most
recent quarterly earnings report showed an 8% rate of growth in year on
sales, a 5% rise in same-store sales, and an almost $70 million rise in
membership fees.
http://tinyurl.com/bqvo44b
Costco also audits the companies it buys from to see if working
conditions are good.
http://tinyurl.com/cacksyk
SLOWLY BUT SURELY, CLEANER ENERGY IS COMING
Researchers have identified a new mechanism to convert natural gas into
energy up to 70 times faster, while effectively capturing the greenhouse
gas carbon dioxide (CO2). This could make power generation from natural
gas both cleaner and more efficient.
http://tinyurl.com/btftvdv
PRONOIA CELEBRATES DIVERSITY
The nation of Nepal now officially recognizes a third gender, allowing
anyone to check that option on their passports. India, Pakistan, and
Australia have already made this same upgrade.
http://tinyurl.com/d987rdz
(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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
Week beginning May 16
Copyright 2013 by Rob Brezsny
http://FreeWillAstrology.com
Grammar key: Asterisks equal *italics*
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You have arrived at the edge of reality. Or
rather, to be precise, you have arrived at the edge of what you *think of*
as reality. Here's where things could get very interesting. Just on the
other side of that edge you're brushing up against, there is much, much
more reality -- a vast territory you have barely imagined, let alone
believed in or explored. Are you feeling brave? If you're willing to find out
about stuff you didn't even realize you would love to experience, I
suggest you slip across the border and wander around on the other side.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): A character in Neil Gaiman's graphic novel *A
Game of You* delivers this speech: "Everybody has a secret world inside
of them . . . No matter how dull and boring they are on the outside, inside
them they've all got unimaginable, magnificent, wonderful, stupid worlds.
Not just one world. Hundreds of them." As a Gemini, you are not, of
course, dull and boring on the outside. That may have something to do
with why your secret inner worlds are often even frothier and sparklier
than most people's. But lately, I'm afraid, some of those secret inner
worlds of yours have gotten a bit shabby and dank. It's time for a deep
cleansing. To be thorough, don't just wash your own brain. Wash your
wild heart and funky soul, too.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): "You begin saving the world by saving one
person at a time," said writer Charles Bukowski. "All else is grandiose
romanticism or politics." I invite you to make that thought one of your
guiding principles in the coming week, Cancerian. Translate your high
ideals into actions that make a practical impact on particular human
beings and animals. Instead of merely talking about what good things you
want to do, actually do them. As much as possible, be sure that every
detail of your daily life reflects your vision of ultimate truth and beauty.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): If you were a fledgling savior, now would be a
propitious moment to begin your messianic mission. If you were a
musician hoping to leap to the next level of career success, this would be
prime time to plan an extensive tour. If you were the inventor of the Next
Big Thing, I'd suggest that you get your marketing campaign in gear. And
if none of those descriptions fits your personal situation, regard them as
apt metaphors for your use. How can you spread the word about what's
most important to you?
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): As frontman of the band Queen, Virgo singer
Freddie Mercury made use of his four-octave range with flamboyant
showmanship and breathtaking technique. Many critics regard him as one
of the greatest vocalists in the history of pop music. Freddie joked that
he was perfect except for one glaring flaw: his overbite. Because he had
four extra teeth in his upper mouth, his top jaw protruded. But he chose
not to alter his appearance with surgery because he suspected it might
change his singing voice in unpredictable ways. Is there a comparable
situation in your own life, Virgo? A so-called imperfection that seems to
be entwined with a beautiful asset? I urge you to be like Freddie. Accept
the paradox -- embrace it and celebrate it -- and move on.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The 14th-century poet Dante was a major
influence on 20th-century novelist James Joyce. "I love Dante," wrote the
author of the epic novel *Ulysses.* "He is my spiritual food." And yet
Joyce felt he had to absorb Dante in small doses. "Dante tires one
quickly," he said. "It is as if one were to look at the sun." Is there any
influence like that in your own life, Libra? Judging from the astrological
omens, I'm guessing it's a fine time for you to get as much sustained
exposure to that glorious source as you can bear.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
YOU NEED MAGIC EVERY DAY
Every day, you have to wade through a relentless surge of soul-less facts.
The experience tends to dampen your sense of wonder.
Every day, you're overexposed to stories that have been sucked free of
delight and mystery. That's why you have to make such strenuous efforts
to keep your world enchanted.
I like to think I can contribute to the sacred cause of feeding your sense
of wonder and enchantment. In fact, that's one of my prime motivations
for offering you the free weekly horoscopes you read here in my
newsletter.
If you ever want more of that good stuff, and think it's worth paying for,
consider trying my EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES. They're four-to-five-
minute meditations on the current state of your destiny and where you're
headed.
Go here to register and log in: http://RealAstrology.com
You can also listen over the phone by calling
1-877-873-4888
"Your expanded horoscopes get more personal and intimate with me than
some of my closest friends. Thanks for the loving reflections."
- Ari S., Ann Arbor, MI
"Your audio 'scopes have a knack for waking me up from whatever
random dream has sneaked into my brain and rendered me half-blind."
- Teresa F., Boston, MA
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Greek poet Sappho was renowned in
antiquity. The nine books she wrote were so esteemed that the historian
Strabo wrote, "in this whole span of recorded time we know of no woman
to challenge her as a poet even in the slightest degree." And yet little of
Sappho's work survives. As of 2004 there were just 264 fragments and
three complete poems. But then a fourth complete poem emerged. Its
text was written on papyrus that had been wrapped in the casing of an
Egyptian mummy. The mummy had been stored for years in a backroom
at Cologne University in Germany before someone discovered its hidden
treasure. Your assignment, Scorpio, is to seek an equivalent recovery.
Search for a part of the past that's still beautiful and useful, even if that
quest leads you to unlikely and obscure places.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): When I turn my psychic attention in
your direction, I smell smoldering smoke. Here's how I interpret that: Your
internal fire is burning with less than maximum efficiency. Do you agree,
Sagittarius? If so, do you know why that might be? Did you not provide
enough kindling? Is the wood too green? Is the ground wet? I urge you to
find out what the problem is. You can't afford to have sputtering flames
and sooty light and spotty warmth. You need a steady blaze that radiates
brilliant light and strong heat.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Very few of us are completely uninhibited
about expressing who we really are. Most everyone is shy about revealing
at least one facet of his or her identity. Why? Maybe because we're afraid
that people will judge us harshly for being different from what they think
we should be. Or maybe our secret side is at odds with our self-image,
and we hesitate to acknowledge it even to ourselves. What is this part of
you, Capricorn? In what sense are you still in the closet about a truth or
quality or event that's central to your character? I urge you to have a
conversation with yourself about it. You aren't necessarily ready to tell
the whole world about it, but now might be the right time to start
considering the possibility that you can give it more room to play.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I absolutely forbid you to be a slave of
happiness, a victim of pleasure, or a prisoner of love. Wait. Sorry. I take
that back. What gives me the right to forbid you from doing anything?
It's your life. You're the boss. So let me reframe my previous advice. Dear
Aquarius, I beg you not to be a slave of happiness, a victim of pleasure, or
a prisoner of love. None of the good things in life will give you what you
need if you make yourself crazy or sick while pursuing them. That's the
cautionary news. The encouraging news is that in the next five weeks, I
think you will have a knack for cultivating a graceful relationship with
happiness, pleasure, and love.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Don't be like the ducks that are floating on
Phoenix Lake a short distance from where I'm sitting. They're feeding
entirely on the surface, happy to skim a few insects from the top of the
placid waters they're drifting on. No, Pisces, be more like the frogs that
are diving to probe for morsels down below. This is a phase of your
astrological cycle when the quest for more variety can deepen your
perspective and provide better nourishment.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In the alternate universe created by Marvel
comic books, there is a mutant superhero called Squirrel Girl. She has the
magic power to summon hordes of cute, furry squirrels. Under her
guidance, they swarm all over the bad guy she's battling and disable him
with their thousands of tiny chomps and thrashing tails. She and her
rodent allies have defeated such arch-villains as Dr. Doom, Deadpool,
Baron Mordo, and Ego the Living Planet. Let's make her your role model
for the coming weeks, Aries. The cumulative force of many small things
will be the key to your victories. As in Squirrel Girl's case, your
adversaries' overconfidence may also be a factor.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Homework: Do you allow your imagination to indulge in fantasies that are
wasteful, damaging, or dumb? I dare you to stop it. Testify at
Freewillastrology.com.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NEED TO CHANGE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS?
To join or leave the email list for this newsletter, or to change the address
where you receive it, go to:
http://www.freewillastrology.com/newsletter/
Once you do join, check all the below points to make sure you'll actually
receive the newsletter:
1. Add my address, televisionary@comcast.net, to your address book so
that the newsletter won't be treated as spam and filtered out.
2. Adjust your spam filter so it doesn't treat my address as a source of
spam.
3. Tell your company's IT group to allow my address to pass through any
filtering software they may have set up.
4. If my newsletters don't reach your inbox, look in your "Bulk Mail" or
"Junk Mail" folder.
5. The problems may not have to do with anything you do, but may
originate with your email provider. It may be using a "content filter" that
prevents my newsletter from ever reaching you at all. If you suspect
that's the case, complain. Tell your email provider to stop blocking my
newsletter from reaching you.
P.S. I totally respect your privacy. I'll never sell or give away your address
to anyone.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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
2013 Rob Brezsny
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++