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Astrology: Moon in Aries – Snap, Crackle, Pop Weekend

On the afternoon of Friday 7/30, the Moon will march into the physical, aggressive sign of Aries. (Think “Action figure”.)  This Fire sign is ruled by the planet Mars – the unofficial patron saint of warriors.  Arian Moons are great for movement rather than mental activity, but still a good time to initiate, take charge- just think it thru and go for it.

Power down occasionally so that loved ones don’t feel that they are in the presence of a bulldozer, but by all means, take advantage of the energy – get crackin’, do something different, conquer new territories, etc., etc. (Just be nice!)

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Toni Morrison – “A Mercy”

“Writing was … the most extraordinary way of thinking and feeling. It became the one thing I was doing that I had absolutely no intention of living without.”  Toni Morrison

A book reviewer in my local paper, “San Francisco Chronicle”, Joan Frank described the most recentToni Morrison novel, “A Mercy”, as “ferociously beautiful”. (Actually, that can describe many of her books this way.)

Ms Morrison has such a fantastical, spiritual approach to her characters and plot, but she’s also got “edge”. She can set a tone, paint a picture, capture identifiable feeling/emotion and describe events so clearly and with such poetry that it makes you laugh or, it makes you cry. There are some passages in her much acclaimed book “Beloved” that are so painful that your throat clutches and closes.  Her “truth”, cloaked in make believe, is sometimes difficult to handle – sort of a ground glass in the oatmeal type of thing. You feel it.
(“Beloved” won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988 and Ms Morrison was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993.)

I think she is amazing and a real gift. “A Mercy”, by Toni Morrison

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Astrology: Full Moon in Aquarius 7/25/10

A Full Moon glows in the 11th sign of Aquarius on Sunday July 25th, at 6:37PM EDT/ 3:37PM PDT. (The Leo Sun is opposite the Aquarius Moon = Full Moon.)

We will feel the influences of friendly, unconventional Aquarius more intensely than a usual 2½ day Moon transit. A stubborn, people oriented, cause infused sign, it is about the “We/Us” rather than the “I/Me”.

This Air sign is ruled by unpredictable, freedom loving, change craving Uranus.  Intellectual rather than emotional, the concern for others that is part of the Aquarian personality is authentic and matter of fact. Volunteer, find a cause, leave a place better than you found it.

As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, at “Full” phase, the Moon is “waning”, on its way to the 3rd and 4th quarters, therefore, it is a good time to clean up and finish old projects. (The best time to create, start new things is from the beginning of a “New Moon” phase thru the 2nd quarter – “waxing”.)

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Astrology: A Leo Sun 7/22!

Good day Sunshine as we all experience a little bit of Leo for the next few weeks. In 2010, the Sun moves into Leo on Thursday July 22 at 6:21PM EDT/ 3:21PM PDT

Leo’s are generous, dramatic (great actors), attention seeking, creative and full of a lion’s pride – really fun folks. (Leo = Tom Cruise jumping up and down on Oprah’s couch declaring his love – not for Oprah – a “look at me” moment)

“Regal” is the key word when that lucky old Sun, ruler of Leo, shines and heats the talent, self confidence, fun and romance factors of your life. We should be active, upbeat, and magnanimous. You don’t have to give everyone you meet diamonds or tip $100s to the hot dog vendor, just ooze that Leo charm and you will be looked at, admired, loved.

BTW: Mercury, the communications planet, will also be in Leo at this time. Great opportunity to speak, write, present with the Sun’s grace. This can be a joyful, full of yourself time!

Leo:  Color = Gold (of course) * Rules= Heart * Gem= Tiger’s Eye

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Astrology: Moving Planets – Saturn into Libra Again

Saturn will finally reach Libra again on 7/21/10. This planet went retrograde into Virgo in January and reversed course in May. It has inched its way forward back into the 7th sign of the Zodiac.

Discovered in 1610 by Galileo, I think of Saturn sometimes as the Castor Oil of the planet world.  Ancient Astrologers considered it a malefic, but recently, a more  positive spin, such as a bringer of life lessons, responsibility, etc. , has been attributed to it–like medicine that tastes awful, but does you good, eventually. (Ugh)

It is now the Libran’s turn, Birth Signs and Ascendants, to experience the planet for grownups.  Saturn (transit lasts until 2011) can change this gracious, relationship sign from an indecisive, social coquette to a serious seeker of commitment.  Everything must still be lovely and beautiful, partnerships will be highlighted, but with an underlying base of steel mesh, focus, ambition.

This is about boundaries, “reality”, discipline, karma. Yes, there is a heaviness as it transits a sign, but you can get a lot done with Saturn’s “duty bound” attitude, it just isn’t always fun.

BTW: If you have experienced a recent 30/60 year Saturn Return in Libra (the planet returns to the same place in your chart as at the time of birth every 30 years) you may notice the effects too.

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Astrology: A People Friendly Libra Moon Weekend

Friday morning 7/16, the Moon does a social dance into partnership prone, harmony loving, artistic Libra.

The 7th sign of the Zodiac fosters good feelings, people activities, beauty and creativity. Seeking harmony with others and harmony for the home are all traits of the Libra vibe. These are good things! Invite a few folks to lunch?

By Sunday 7/18, the Moon will slide into serious, secretive, stubborn, Scorpio – intense (I ran out of “S”s). Use all that heat and power to your advantage. Be aware of the tendency to be easily wounded – hold the grudge for 5 minutes max, then move on.  By the time the perky Sagittarius Moon bounces in on Monday, you will have forgotten the drama anyway.

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I Watched “The Departed” Again

This 2006 film, directed by Martin Scorsese, was just on network TV last night and I couldn’t help myself, I watched it again. Even with all the commercials and bleeps, it is a fabulous movie. (If you can, find the DVD to have a seamless experience and no bleeps – If you like Scorsese, you’ve heard the words before.)

The Departed is a violent, hard film, no sweetness here, no happy ending. A young police officer goes undercover in a local gang, just as another cop infiltrates the same gang.

Who’re the good guys? Who’s wearing the “white” hat? Who is doing what to whom? Cynical with assorted shades of grey – both cops and criminals seem to have other revenue sources, sort of a cross pollination effect.

As always, this director knows the value of a good story- a lot of blood, high suspense and one of the most explosive final lines of any film that I’ve heard.  The actors were totally committed to making the bizarre characters real and believable which is not just an example of the talent of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen and Mark Wahlberg, but it is also a testament to Scorsese’s skill.

I’ve seen most of Scorsese’s films and if this isn’t the “best” he has done, it won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director, it’s pretty close to my other favs like Goodfellas, Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, etc.

The Departed – a tough, entertaining movie!

Btw – The Departed is a remake of the 2002 Chinese movie called Infernal Affairs, directed by Andrew Lau (also on DVD)

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Astrology: Powerful Weekend – Cancer New Moon and Solar Eclipse!

Awesome weekend… We have a Saturday morning Cancer Moon (family, food, caring) and since both luminaries, Sun and Moon, are in the same water sign, we experience all the positive push of the “New” Moon on Sunday 7/11. To add to all that emotional, sensitive, nurturing power of Moon ruled Cancer, there will also be a Solar Eclipse in the same sign. Don’t be surprised if you have urges to cook, fluff pillows, press cold damp cloths on heated brows.  Friends, family are good to be around.

Moon/Sun in Cancer and a Solar Eclipse – good stuff.  New Moons are great times to “begin” something – start ups, initiatives, action, etc. With the additional power of the Eclipse, take advantage of all the positive energy, be creative and bold!  Do your elevator pitch with passion and style, launch that boat, make that marriage proposal, take a chance! (I get carried away J )

Careful not to over react during this sensitive and emotional time, but do pay attention to your heightened instincts. The universe is telling you something.

However, before you know it, the Moon will have moved into regal and happy Leo – a definite attitude change – on Monday morning 7/12. Instead of Florence Nightingale, it will be Superman or Superwoman, whichever fits. You will perform great feats just to bask in the attention that often comes with great feats. Dial down the drama, get a smaller cape and have fun.

Solar Eclipse: As seen from the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially covers the Sun as viewed from some location on Earth. This can only happen during a new moon, when the Sun and Moon are in conjunction as seen from Earth.(Wikipedia)

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Harlem Book Fair – July 17, 2010

Reminder:

12th Annual Harlem Book Fair & Arts Festival

This is the largest annual African American book fair and it’s free!

Featured on Friday, Saturday and Sunday July 17 thru July19, will be over 200 exhibit booths, there will be music stages, panel discussions and children’s activities.

Harlem Book Fair 7/17 thru 7/19, 2010

“The vision of the Harlem Book Fair is to partner with local and national leadership organizations under the banner of literacy awareness, affirming HBF as the nation’s largest African American literary event celebrating family literacy, community empowerment and community cooperation. “

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Astrology: Holiday Aries Moon – Firecrackers For Sure!

The long 4th of July Weekend begins with the Moon in sensitive, highly imaginative Pisces. Stay as grounded as you can, drill down and focus so that you can get your holiday preparations done before the Moon snaps into Aries early Saturday morning July 3rd.

The effects of the Aries Fire sign energy will be felt until Monday. Great time for activities, verbal sparring, and kinetic movement.  Use the physicality/ jettison any anger that might be lurking.  A reminder that “bigger is better“Jupiter and unpredictable Uranus are still sitting in Aries, which just adds to the power surge. A cautionary shout out for extremes and spontaneous combustion.  Stick to sparklers, leave the grenades. (Stay safe/ stay calm.)

Happy Holiday!