Chiron and the Masters of the Universe

 “Be vulnerable enough to let yourself know the truth, 

even if you don’t know what to do about it.” 

– Iyanla Vanzant

So, we have ourselves a New Moon on December 30th aka the Black Moon in pragmatic Capricorn.  The portal is currently open and will remain so until New Year's Day.  This coming new year marks the completion of a nine-year cycle.  With that, a new chapter will unfold along with a huge shift in energy.

The star of the show is Chiron or Χείρων [pronounced in Greek as HEE-rown], "The Wounded Healer".  It is likely during this period old wounds, traumas, and hurts will surface.  At face value, it appears that we have stumbled upon misfortune.  What we thought we have put behind us is now coming up again with greater intensity.  We may even feel that we are peddling backwards.

However, it is simply a mirror that we must look at, if we want to heal and move forward.  Without this, it may prove profoundly more difficult to achieve our goals, than if we reconciled with the past.  We may feel quite emotional, as the whole hot mess seems so damn chaotic.  There could be some method to the madness, as our growth through this experience will be a valuable asset to creating success.

The good news is, is that we are also in the energy of Capricorn [structure] and Saturn [discipline].  Here we can make concrete and practical plans to carry out with regimented focus.  Our efforts and intentions are best served for the long haul.  What do we want later down the line, and what's one step we could take TODAY that'll move us closer towards the big vision we have for ourselves?  This is a time where we can dream, while diligently applying a sound strategy; perhaps through trial and error.

Happy New Year, Everyone!  See y'all next year!  :-)

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night. 

Tabula Rasa: Welcome Winter Solstice!

 "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."

- Casey Kasem 

For the Northern Hemisphere, today marks the Winter Solstice.  As the name suggests, it's the shortest day of the entire year.  Moving forward, we will have longer ones.  This is our transitioning from the darkness into the light.  Hence, we now have greater clarity on what it is that we want to achieve.

Simultaneously, we kickoff the season in pragmatic Capricorn.  This activation will offer structure to our intentions.  The quote at the beginning of this blog entry essentially means that we need to stay grounded and centered, while dreaming and working towards our highly inspired goals.  While Casey Kasem wasn't a Capricorn, he was still an Earth sign [Taurus].

As we close this chapter and approach the new year, we must also do the same with our lives.  To make progress, we need to let go of what no longer serves us.  This means forgiving everyone who has done us wrong, regardless if they intended to or not.  In addition, we might also require to dig deep in our introspection for discovering old patterns that are holding us back.

When we release as much negativity as we can within ourselves, we create space for good things to enter into our lives.  This is known as The Law of Vacuum.  However, holding onto disempowering beliefs and resentment keeps us stuck in the past.  With that, we are incapable of opening ourselves up to solutions.  How can anything wonderful ever happen to and for us if we are hording "old junk" in our mental and emotional "garage"?  

It's time for us to Let Go and Let God!

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.

Zeus and the Getaway Gateway

 "Don't let your mind take you out of the game."

-Master Sri Akarshana

Today marks the completion of a 12-year cycle that began on December 12th, 2012 [12/12/12] and ended on December 12th, 2024.  I did an article about cycles back on December 20th, 2012 entitled, "Memo: Doomsday Tomorrow! Is That Pacific Standard Time?"  This one currently is about new beginnings, as well as new possibilities.    

Incidentally, the number 12 has significance in our collective.  For instance, there are 12 months in our Gregorian calendar, 12 years for Jupiter to orbit the Sun, and a 12 year-cycle for the Lunar astrological system.   

We start this new cycle with the 12/12 portal that will last approximately 10 days.  This coincides with the Winter Solstice at its closing.  So, what does that entail for us?  

Firstly, this is a high-powered manifestation gateway.  In numerology, "1" symbolizes change and transformation, and "2" embodies amplification of our manifestations.  

The energy of this duration will be more balanced, bringing a bit of order to the chaos. Remember, we are still in the grip of Mercury Retrograde for a couple more days.  We can't afford to get distracted, especially now.

We also have the last Full Moon of the year, dubbed The Cold Moon on December 15th.  This lines up with the end of Mercury Retrograde [also known as "Mercury Going Direct"].  It is at present, possibly even before, that we may have an inner calling to do something perhaps we've never done prior.

Providing clarity with the Full Moon's illumination of the truth, we must trust in our intuition, as well as cultivate confidence in ourselves, our worthiness, and our ability to co-create what we truly want with the Divine.  Remember that God is not our "cosmic butler", as Jordan Peterson once said.  

Therefore, it is our job to work together with the Universe to bring that which we desire into fruition.  This is obviously given that what we want is aligned with the greater good.  We need to cultivate and strengthen our sense of optimism, so we can see and act on opportunities as they present themselves.  If we are negative and even cynical, we will miss them altogether.

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.

When Shift Hits the Fan!

"You do not have to earn love. You are lovable because you exist. 

Others reflect the love you have for yourself."

-Louise Hay

No, the title doesn't have a typo.  And yes, a shift is happening right now!  While we are still in Mercury Retrograde, the New Moon portal in optimistic Sagittarius is open for another couple of days or so.  In addition, we are in Sagittarius season.  Along with the sign, the whole phenomenon can be summed up in one word: FREEDOM.

This means questioning and breaking through old beliefs and patterns, whether inherited or imposed on us from society.  Maybe it's that long standing family tradition of a scarcity mindset that has limited us from achieving what we truly want.  It's almost like we're just pissed off enough to courageously take action already!    

Scripting what we want will give us both clarity and emotional content, by which will fuel our drive to succeed.  It'll also be a good idea to script in terms of health, wealth, relationships, and our life's purpose.  Writing it down in present tense like "I have" or "I now am" is better than "I want" or "I wish".  This allows us to really FEEL the feelings of having it now.

If you're like me, when I first starting doing this, I was quite clueless.  It helped to simply think about all the things I DON'T want, so as to discover many of the things I DO want.  This is because I grew up with that scarcity mindset, meaning that I believed that there's not only not enough to go around, I had also accepted the idea that I didn't deserve the good things in life.

The inquiry of WHY that paradigm was never really challenged until recently came to light .  In addition, I asked myself the big questions like, "What is the purpose of my life?", "Why am I here?", and "What's the point of it all?"  This is a common theme in the collective to do some sort of introspection during this time.  There is a saying, "With questions, comes answers."  

Let's do our best, and TRUST in the process!

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.

Edargorter Yrucrem

"No weapon formed against you will succeed."

-Isaiah 54:17

It's that time again.  We are officially undergoing the infamous Mercury Retrograde.  For those who don't know, it's the three week period where Mercury appears to be orbiting backwards.  The dates are approximately November 25th - December 15th.  Right now, we have it in optimistic Sagittarius.

While I'm no astrology expert, I write about it because it simply interests me.  Plus, much of what is studied is empirical; showing both sensible everyday applicability and scientific validity.  

Having said that, Mercury represents communication.  Since the planet is in retrograde, this means that our conversations could get strained, as our message gets "lost in the sauce".  [Side note: See what I did with the play on words?  We strain pasta and toss it in sauce lol.] 

Emotions are now heightened, so we need to be very discerning in our interactions with others, especially those who have malintent toward us.  Me personally, I'm reducing my engagements to what is absolutely necessary.  I'm going into to "hermit mode" for the next three weeks.  Fortunately, I have the luxury of doing this, due to how I have my life set up.  

However, there are those of us who will be traveling to join up with family and friends for the Holiday Season.

This brings me to my next point of what could happen:

• Travel delays
• Misunderstandings that lead to drama [e.g., jumping to conclusions about something said or done via our TRIGGERS]
• Technology malfunctioning
• Things done in emotional haste [e.g., sending a provocative text to the wrong person or frantically replying to an email that bears negative consequences]
• In addition, signs most affected are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces [Air, Earth, Fire, and Water, respectively (all Mutable)]

Aside from keeping human contact to a minimum, it's probably a good idea to back up all important stuff on our computers, allow more time to travel in anticipation of delays, observe what is said or done without reacting right away, and take a moment to pause to collect ourselves before sending any sort of text or email.  Also, let's make sure we do some introspection.  That could make all the difference!

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.

P.S. It's also most likely better to just work on the projects we already have, instead of taking on new ones.  Same goes for investments and big money decisions.

Leave It to Beaver: The Last Supermoon

“If there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can do no harm.”

-African Proverb

So, tonight we have ourselves a Beaver Full Moon, that is also a Supermoon, in epicurean Taurus; the last of the year.  During this time, we could experience a heightened sense of awareness.  It's as if we are called to "level up", and shift into our upgraded version of ourselves.  Sounds great, right?  It's not all that potentially pleasant when in the process.  

We have to remember, previously we've been dwelling or ruminating on what we don't want.  That frustratingly showed up in a jiffy, right?  And when it showed up, we got more frustrated; thus, creating a little energy manhole that we temporarily fell in.  What happened is just an echo of what we thought about before, that's all.

The truth of why this happens has a sinister reason: We are addicted to drama, misery, and negativity.  Why else are we glued to social media and the news?  As far as watching the news, we say we do it in the name of staying informed.  I say if we curb this behavior, we will greatly improve the quality of our life; automatically and immediately.   

If we focus back on what we can control, namely our minds, we are likely to be better off.  Hey, no judgement here.  I'm working through all this like everyone else that's willing is.  Let's turn our energy to at least being open to getting less triggered, and do our best on working towards what we want.  

Our EGO will try its best to keep us stuck, because for us to improve, it needs to die.  Why?  It's because by becoming a better version, the current ego must no longer exist.  Guess what?  It doesn't want to die.  However, the ego itself isn't the enemy.  It is designed to protect us from harm.  We just need a new one that will serve our new selves.  The alternative is that the old one becomes a horrible master.

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.   

11 11 Portal: Welcome to the Concrete Jungle

"Manifestations happen in unpredictable sequences."

-Master Sri Akarshana

So, today the 1111 Portal is open for the next few days.  Its energies will last for a while longer.  However, the intentions we set during this window will likely manifest sooner due to its high emotional energy.  We just need to be careful about what we are focused on.  See, what appears in our reality can also be good or bad.  That is the consequence of what is called a "high speed railway"; what we want AND what we don't want can appear and FAST!  It is also said that when emotions are high, intelligence is low.  I know personally, I've already been triggered lol.  Hey, it's ok.  We're all human, right?  Just know people are going to do some stupid shit, ok?  We need to focus back to what we want, let go of what doesn't serve us, and work towards what we want.  Easier said than done, of course.  Let's try anyway, yeah? 

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.

P.S. I added asterisks and a footnote to the previous blog entry, as well as some clarifications.  This is to mitigate any possible confusion and/or misinformation as to what I wrote.   

P.P.S. This blog entry is officially the 200th post.  :-)

Photo Copyright: Claudio Schwarz

E-Day 2024

 "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."

-Socrates

E-Day of course refers to the US Presidential Election.  We could speculate all day long as to who might win.  Despite the division currently in this country, it appears that the old way of doing things is collapsing.  The evidence of this is clearly visible in the candidates that are running.  

I mean, one of them is a woman.  Not only that, a non-White woman.  Also, there were females from both parties that ran for the position of Commander-in-Chief.  If we were to tell someone just 20 years ago that a non-White woman would be in the primaries, we might have gotten laughed at.  Now, it's a reality, whether we like it or not.  Should this person win in an unlikely turn of events, we will yet to see if she can do the job.  The fact that it's even as close of a race as it is, is quite impressive and deserves accolades, regardless of outcome.*  

On the other hand, we have the other candidate that has given us the "gift of exposure".  What does that mean?  That is, this person is like a flashlight beaming on a dirty floor in the dark, revealing all the "cockroaches" running around for cover.  In other words, the sentiment has been made blatantly clear of many individuals, who would have been otherwise well-mannered towards their neighbor with a different point of view, now feeling compelled to boldly act out their opinions against the opposition.  

When done right, this could lead to a revolution for the betterment of all in this country and the world, but only IF such opposition is oppressive and corrupt.  However, it seems that what has happened is the opposite overall.  We all remember January 6th in the last election, right?  Yeah, not good.  

Could things truly change under either administration?  And if so, are these changes going to really make our country better or worse?  Perhaps the most obvious and important question is: How will our individual lives change as a result of who won?  The answer: Not much.  We're caught up in this drama of what is just a "popularity contest".  Many will lean on whoever is elected to solve all their personal woes.  That's not just not taking responsibility, it's also immature at best!  So, no matter who wins, we must keep calm, and carry on.

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.   

* This blog was written at the time when both the electoral and popular votes were much closer according to the Associated Press or AP [EC: Kamala 210, Trump 230], and is not reflective of the final result.

111: Operation Manifestation

"To keep going in baseball, you have to learn all the time.  I love to play.  When I can't get outs, I'll stop."

-Fernando Valenzuela

November 1st marks the 111 New Moon portal in intense Scorpio.  It is likely that we have already experienced that pull to take action, as this sign, like ambitious Aries, is also ruled by Mars.  This means we've taken on a "warrior's mentality", and are given that essential boost of morale to take on what we've been holding back on.  Whether it's a engaging in a new project or undertaking steps towards changing life circumstances for the better, such vibrant energy is just the encouragement we need.  The portal is due to stay open for another couple of days or so.  Even with it closing then, our inspiration will continue to burn on, so as long as we close the chapter of our past, and venue forth moving forward.  It's time for us to forgive ourselves and others, and take ownership of what we can control; which is our thoughts, feelings, and actions.  Never mind what the "other" guy is doing.  What are WE doing?

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.

P.S. Today is also Fernando Valenzuela's birthday (November 1, 1960).  He would have turned 64.  That World Series Championship Parade today in LA was for you, my friend.  There are no accidents in this Universe.  Rest in Power, "El Toro".

Photo credit: W+G Creative (top) Sanja Balkjas (middle).  Should they ask for their removal, I will replace them with other photos.

Hunting for Europa

"Avoidance of conflict becomes a habit, and you lose the taste for battle. Feeling guilty is pointless; it is not your fault you have enemies."

-Robert Greene

So, the Hunter's Full Moon portal is now open until the approximately the 20th, with the actual full moon happening on the 17th in ambitious Aries.  The motivation and courage to move forward will get sparked during this time, thanks to this sign.  Also, in characteristic Aries fashion, this one will be a Supermoon.  It's as if there is a sudden burst in energy that calls forth our very best!  

Also, Venus is entering optimistic Sagittarius.  This could increase positivity in all types of relationships, whether romantic or platonic.  Having difficult yet candid conversations is key, while maintaining that balance of diplomacy, drawing power from the Libra season.  If we are a fire sign (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius), we must take extra care to navigate through this highly energetic period to optimize our results.

Now, I do want to mention the Robert Greene quote that I have at the start of this blog entry.  Yes, handle hard topics with others, but do so with as much grace as possible; especially if we are possibly in the wrong.  

In this case, we'll be the adult here, and admit fault with a sincere apology.  This is what I believe he is referring to.  I doubt he alludes to engaging in conflict just for the mere sake of not avoiding it.  Bottom line, it is required, regardless of the situation, to always "read the room".  Sometimes, it could be tactful to practice the art of silence, where speaking will only prove to escalate the situation.  Remaining silent at the appropriate time, can say much more than anything we could ever utter.

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.

I do not own these images.  If upon the owner's request for removal, I will do so and replace them.

New Month, New Moon

"If you fear making anyone mad, then you ultimately probe for the lowest common denominator of human achievement."

-Jimmy Carter

The new month of October has already been greeted by the first former US President to reach the coveted age of 100!  While he's been heavily criticized by his opponents, many will still agree that he has added value to the world as a humanitarian, particularly post-presidency.  

On October 2nd, we will experience the New Moon in diplomatic Libra; along with the couple days leading up to it, as well as a couple of days after.  This is known as a portal, and it is currently open.  It is crucial to invest in self-care during this time.  Spend time in nature, and rest when needed.  If we've been feeling a bit fatigue lately, it is perfectly normal.  Also, learning to say "no" to requests obligating ourselves is vital to protect our energies, when necessary.

AMOR FATI 

Thank you and good night.

Hail Autumn Equinox!

"As long as Autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see." 

-Vincent van Gogh

I would have to concur with Vincent van Gogh.  For me, autumn is my favorite time of the year.  The weather is just the best!  It's the perfect balance of warm and cool, with just the right amount of sun.  We can identify such harmony with the sign of diplomatic Libra.  I'll be shopping for attire to fit the fall fashion for sure!  

As the name suggests, the equinox is when the amount of daylight is equal to the amount of nighttime within a 24-hr period.   It's a period of moderation, where we allocate time for all areas of our lives: health, work, leisure, family, friends, introspection, etc.  I'll bet Goldilocks was a Libra lol!  When it comes to health, we must take care of it, without getting too obsessed with it.

Today, I cleaned Speedie's turtle tank, all the while allowing her to run around the place.  She's pretty fast!  Hey, that's her namesake!  I did some house cleaning, before heading downtown to get some good eats.  Went with the softshell crab dinner, since it's seasonal thing and about to get phased out.  I also had a good conversation with the guy sitting next to me.  T'was great!

I hope everyone had a great day on this transitional period of the Autumn Equinox!

Let's also finish up our goals that have their deadline at the end of this month.  We'll be SO glad we did!  Yes, have balance while continuing our ambition towards what we want. 

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.

"9-1-1, What's Your Emergency?"

"Stay with those who illuminate your being.  Run from those who diminish your light. Protect your energy by surrounding yourself with positivity." 

-Rumi

So, as we all know, on September 11th, 2001, the World Trade Center in New York City, USA was destroyed.  Of course, in new "American tradition", a controversy encompasses whether or not it was terrorists from afar or an "in house job".  However, we can ALL agreed that what happened DID happen.  

Look, the Twin Towers that were a proud landmark to many of New Yorkers were wiped out in an instant on that day.  Yes, that day was also tragic, as many of humans lost their lives.  Whether it was from a plane that would crash into the World Trade Center (WTC), or those in the building that didn't make it out alive.  The footage reported was truly disturbing [many choosing to jump out of the twin skyscrapers to their doom below, as their bodies crashed into whatever awaits them.  This sort of desperation is haunting] .  My heart goes out to those who lost loved ones during this time.  Anniversaries of this nature will always hurt and the wounds of loss may never heal... 

As the Full Moon [that occurred on the 17th] still has its effects for what could last until the end of the week, we are in an emotional period right now.  If there have been feelings of anger, frustration, depression, anxiety, disrespect, and despair during this time, knowing that these feelings are due to be heightened ahead allows us to be better equipped mentality for such an encounter.  

We may even be in a situation where it requires courage to press forward towards what we are looking to achieve.  It won't be easy, but come October [which is just around the corner] the fruits of our labor will present itself in its infancy.  We must remember to focus on what we CAN control and to ask for God's help for our frustrations of things we CANNOT control [like another person's behavior].  We are all at the last stretch.  In my own words, we can all say, "Relax, JUST DO IT!"  This means thinking about it appears to be the real hard part, whereas doing seems to reduce stress.  Plus, progress is good for us!  It makes us feel amazing!  After all, what's ultimately more important than the way we feel?  

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.

P.S. Please pardon any grammatical errors, as I wrote it as a first draft without editing or any possible revisions yet.  When this message has been deleted, it means that I have done some "clean up".

 I do not own this photo.  Should the owner request to remove the cool photo, I will do so and replace it with another one.  Thank you if your letting me display your art!  :-) 

Lion's Gate, Part III: The 888 Portal

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." 

-Galatians 6:9

The 888 Lion's Gate Portal is open!  We will feel its effects for the rest of the month.

When it comes to our goals, we need to remember to focus on the very next step ahead.  Once completed, go onto the next, and so on.  This keeps us from getting overwhelmed during this highly emotionally charged period; where on one hand, we may feel like we can accomplish a lot, and on the other, we may also feel like we are on the verge of collapse.  Also, while taking action, we must also be mindful to relax yet remain alert.  This is that "flow" state that many high performing professionals attribute to their success.  Stress and worry will only slow us down, while giving us a false sense of power.

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.

P.S. Let's continue to focus on what matters in our minds.  It's simply mind over matter; what we don't mind, doesn't matter!

Lion's Gate, Part II: You Cannot be Sirius!

"Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one."

-Bruce Lee

We are now experiencing growing pains leading up to the zenith of the Lion's Gate on the 8th (8/8/2024: 2+0+2+4 = 8 for 888); an event that only happens every nine years!  With the New Moon in courageous Leo that passed on the 4th, the dichotomy of positive creativity and seemingly negative interactions has surfaced.  This is with the understanding that there is always immense chaos before prominent order.  Keep in mind too that this period is the hottest part of the year.  We may feel drained physically and emotionally during this time.  We could also simultaneously undergo a surge in innovation and the drive to succeed.  The most important thing to do, is to focus on the step in front of us towards our goals.  After that, focus on the next step, and so on.  Everything else that is not aligned with enriching our lives is a mere distraction.  This is our key to manifestation.  How else do we plan to get to where we need to go?

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night. 

P.S. I didn't misspell "serious" in the title.  :-)

Lion's Gate, Part I: A Quarter Century Mark

 “Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different." 

― Oprah Winfrey

Today is the birthday anniversary of Truffie, our family's beloved German Shepard.  He would have been a quarter century old or 25 years young.  While I do miss him from time to time, it's this day that my heart feels that void the most.  I couldn't have asked for a better friend in this lifetime.

Still, I made sure I did my best to make this day both productive and fun.  Going to the gym after long daily deep work sessions has been crucial, not just for my physical health but for my mental health as well.  So today, after the gym, I thought to go and visit my favorite local pub, as a regular on Thursdays.  

It was an enjoyable time, with great food and company.  I had a blast having a conversation about the rock group Rush with a German couple.  I didn't "connect the dots" to my GSD until just now!  In other words, what had happened was a cool and unusual synchronicity.

With the Lion's Gate portal open [about to reach its peak on the 8th (8/8/2024: 2+0+2+4 = 8 for 888); an event that only happens every nine years!], it truly is a good time to socialize.  Of course, we are to balance that with solid work.  I've noticed when I get into that deliberate extreme of only deep work, my mind isn't as effective as when I find a way to decompress and even have fun.  

In fact, I admittedly made that mistake of working too late last night, and my results suffered.  Not only that, it somewhat carried over to the next day, where I had find a way to regain my energies.  Luckily, that came in the form of those outlets described previously.  We also have a New Moon in courageous Leo on the 4th, that will boost our confidence to boldly move forward with what we want to achieve. 

AMOR FATI 

Thank you and good night.

P.S. Don't be too surprised if people from our past suddenly appear, and may even reach out to us.  Remember, it is our choice who we want and who we don't want in our lives!

P.P.S. Truffie is spelled T-R-U-F-F-I-E (The last two letters stand for "in essence").

Fortune Favors the Bold!

"Your big opportunity may be right where you are now."

-Napoleon Hill

We currently have the Buck Full Moon portal that will last another couple of days.  This one is in the sign of pragmatic Capricorn.  What we know about this sign, is that it longs for structure and a clear path for which to climb.  

In addition, we're in the cusp of empathic Cancer going into courageous Leo.  During this time, we may experience memories long forgotten coming to the surface.  As with the Full Moon, its job is to illuminate everything we must deal with in order to move forward.  Depsite the discomfort, it is here to serve us.  We need to solve our issues in order to gain higher ground.

Regardless of our fear and negative beliefs, it is best to venture forward.  This is quintessentially the definition of courage; to boldly trek the path towards one's true desires, even if we may dread it won't pan out.  The support and guidance from the spirit of Cancer, along with the sure-footedness of Capricorn, and the braveness of Leo are truly a winning combination!  Pretty cool, right?

We just need to hang in there just a little longer to realize our vision!

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.

P.S. No matter what's going on in the world, we must stay focused on our goals, if we want to go anywhere good!

Photos are subject copyright by their respective owners.  Upon their request, these photos may be taken down, and possibly replaced by others.

77

"Misfortune tests brave men."

-Seneca

They say luck is an acronym for "Labor Upon Correct Knowledge".  Another way of looking at it is that being lucky is simply when proper preparation meets ideal opportunity, and we act on it.  Action is where the magic happens.  Because, we can have the right opportunity and the best preparation possible.  But without capitalizing on the moment, we get nothing.  Even if we fail, we gain experience.  Through that experience, we acquire confidence.  And with that confidence, we will do better.  This is all because we've become better.

AMOR FATI 

Thank you and good night.

Summer Solstice: Strawberry Fields Forever

 "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." 

- Martin Luther King Jr.

Hope everyone around the world enjoyed the first day of summer!

As we all know, it is the longest daytime of the year.  This also symbolizes optimistic energy at its peak, illuminating all that is possible for us during this time.  

With high vibrational energy comes high emotions, as we now enter the astrological season of empathic Cancer.  This is where we all need to be very aware, and not get too caught up in anything because we are too emotionally charged.  For the next several days, it might be a good idea to limit our time spent in crowded places; avoiding them altogether, if possible.

Luckily, we have a Strawberry Full Moon portal in pragmatic Capricorn.  This will help to ground our energies, so that we may see what we want in actionable steps, and not just whimsical wishes.  Having a plan (it can be good enough to start; we don't want to spend too much time here without action) and executing that plan is key during this time.  

Given we have the nuturing energy of Cancer, as well as the rational energy of Capricorn, it's a good time to take massive action toward our goals, while simultaneously engaging in self-care.  This involves self-compassion and patience with ourselves, as mistakes and adjustments will be made going for what we want.  Like world renown self-help author, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Louise Hay once said, "Be there for yourself."  

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.

New Moon in Gemini: Dichotomy Au Courant

 “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” 

-Joseph Campbell

It was once said by the late business philosopher and millionaire Jim Rohn, that the prediction of the future will always be the same: opportunity mixed with difficulty.  If we are going through a challenging time, as if it was hell, it is best we keep walking through.  The alternative is that we stay there; in self-imposed damnation!  

To reach higher ground, we must understand that what is placed in front of us is a blessing in a very ugly disguise.  We will become stronger and better people for what we accomplish during this New Moon portal in spontaneous Gemini and moving forward.  Don't be surprised if things seem to come up out of thin air.  It is either a test from the Universe or God, or a preview of life's coming attractions.

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.  

P.S. Happy Dragon Boat Festival in The Year of the Dragon!  This combination only happens every 12 years!  端午節快樂!

Video: How to Grow From Your Pain by Mark Manson

Photo credit: Maverick Paradox Magazine

Twin Tower Twofer

 "We can choose courage, or we can choose comfort, but we can't have both.  Not at the same time." 

-Brené Brown

It can be hard to believe that we are at about the halfway point of the year!  

We recently had some cosmic events, like the Full Moon in optimistic Sagitarrius, along with the alignment of fortutious Jupiter and romantic Venus. Currently, we have the Sun in spontaneous Gemini.

While there is a fun-loving nature in the air during this time, we can't take it too seriously.  In fact, we can see it as adding a glimmer of light to our lives versus the darkness currently in the world.  Much like the twins that make up Gemini, we now have the extreme dichotomy of intoxicating bliss and crippling sorrow.

Regardless of what is going on with us, perhaps even if we are in a situation in desparation to stay alive, luck is on our side to manifest what we are working for.  This is given that we are intuned with the optimism of Sagitarrius, the willingness to accept the benefit of Jupiter's support, and channel the intellectual curiosity of Gemini.

It's ok if we are afraid.  That's what courage is all about.  It's doing what's right for us, regardless of fear.

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.

[P.S. I don't own the rights to the above images.  This means at the request of the owner, they could get taken down. Credits: SoulKu (top photo), CNN (bottom photo).  I may also change them up if I see something I think is a better fit for the blog entry.]

¡Feliz Día de la Madre, a Todos!

"Her reverence for the divine, her generosity, her inability not only to do wrong but even to conceive of doing it. And the simple way she lived—not in the least like the rich."

-Marcus Aurelius 

[Referring to his mother in his journal, "Meditations"]

Happy Mother's Day, Everyone!  

Well, we survived crazy April!  There a couple of events, the big one being the Pink Full Moon in enigmatic Scorpio.  Hope you all had your seat belts on!

Now, we are in a calmer energy in the month of May and in the season of methodical Taurus.  Along with staying more grounded, this time of year tends to be a little more flirtatious lol.  It's of course a great occasion for manifestations.  

Also, let's appreciate all those we love and the life we have, while simultaneously going for what we desire.  Arguably the last great Emperor of Rome, Marcus Aurelius professed in his journal, Meditations, he wouldn't be the person he was without the profound guidance of his mother.  

With that, we must all cherish our mothers, particularly on this day.  Let's be present with our moms; embrace them, kiss them, and always say, "I love you, Mom."  May we do the best we can here, even when things get rocky.  Try to make amends while they're still here.  We don't know when it will be the last time, before we finally also say, "Goodbye, Mom."  

I love you, Mommy.  Happy Mother's Day!

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.

5150 vs. Area 51: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

“Some lose all mind and become soul, insane.

Some lose all soul and become mind, intellectual.

Some lose both and become accepted.”

― Charles Bukowski

Sorry for the delay in writing this blog.  I'm currently having difficulty getting my site to appear on Google.  If you type my URL there, an "Error 404" may still pop up.  I've spent all evening trying to resolve this.  Luckily, I'm still able to write using other search engines.  Hopefully, the issue gets resolved soon.

Anyway, today is my birthday!  I have officially turned 51.  I was trying to come up with an interesting title.  I thought about "5150", since I'm a rock guitar player and a fan of Van Halen.  Then I thought about "Area 51", since I love sci-fi (e.g., X-Files, Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, etc.).  Finally, I just said, "Fuck it!  Let's have both."  So, 5150 represents rock music and Area 51 is that highly classified USAF facility, that is a hard place to access.  Couldn't decide between them.  Hence, the idiom.  Get it?

I did have fun today, despite the URL hiccup.  It's one of life's curveballs that we roll with.  My motto when shit happens is: "Seriously?...Of course."  They come in Divine timing, for reasons that we sometimes can't fathom at the moment; if at all.  Whether we like it or not, they present themselves to make us better.

So, yesterday I went to the beach on a clear sunny day to meditate and exercise.  One of the things I did was Shavasana ("Corpse Pose") directly on the sand near the shoreline, secluded away from passer byers.  It was one of the most blissful experiences I ever had.  It would be the last time, for the rest of my life, that I'd be at the beach as a 50-year-old man.  Tomorrow, it will be the first time in my entire life that I set foot onto the beach as a young man of 51.  

Today, I cleaned my turtle's tank.  I proclaimed today is her birthday as well.  My mom had rescued her (on a rainy day from falling to her doom on the edge of a sidewalk drain) when she could fit in the palm of my mom's tiny hand.  Because of this little one's surprising agility and quick wit, mommy named her "Speedie".  When asked how old Speedie was a couple of years back, my mom immediately said, "22."  That makes it easy, because the suffix of this year and the age of the amphibian are both 24.

After cleaning the tank, I went to get my first Michelada ever.  I had it with the Camarones Costa Azul (Blue Coast Shrimp).  It was some of the best Mexican food I've had in a while.  Wait, I did have an amazing Mojarra Frita at a different place a couple of weeks back lol.  Still, when you compare it to a year or even an entire lifetime, it sure has been a while.  It truly is a matter of perception.  After that, since it was such a nice clear sunny day, I walked around for a bit and picked up a couple of avocados and kiwis before heading home.  

It was a good birthday.  I'm grateful for all the birthday wishes from those that remembered.  Muchas gracias!  Disfruta tu fin de semana, Todos!

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.

P.S. I share the same birthday with the late Jimmy Kim (1988 Olympic Gold Medalist - Taekwondo - Men's Heavyweight).  We also went to the same school (Cal).  I'm honored to have met such a kind and wonderful human being.      Rest in Power...

Wikipedia: Jimmy Kim

The Total Eclipse: A Cosmic Reset Button

"You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen."

-Paulo Coelho

So, tomorrow April 8th, 2024 will feature the globally much anticipated Total Solar Eclipse.  Let's take a moment and appreciate just how awesome it is that the Sun, Earth and Moon are at the right distance and positioned in the right order for us to witness this thing we call an "eclipse".  If that's not mind-blowing, I don't know what is!  

 

The eclipse will be in ambitious Aries, in alignment with Chiron or Χείρων (pronounced "HEE-rown"), a small solar body named after the centaur in Greek mythology (son of Cronus: God of Time [Roman: Saturn], mentored by Apollo, and teacher to Achilles), who is also known as "The Wounded Healer".  This means that anything significant that remains unresolved will likely rise to the surface of our consciousness.  

Don't be too surprised if people whom we haven't been in contact with suddenly reach out during this time.  If there is anything that needs to be addressed, either with that person and/or within ourselves, this provides a great opportunity to let go of any remaining negativity, if it still exists.  We can choose to enhance our path to healing this way.

With this new chapter, we must make space for the arrival of positive abundance.  This means letting go of the attachment to things and people that we have outgrown and/or have said goodbye to.  When one of our dogs would die, my mom would always say that our time with them has concluded.  They were in our lives to enrich us and teach us, but when the purpose of that relationship has been fulfilled, then either they will pass on or we will or both.  

The same goes for our possessions.  I lost my garnet stone necklace of many years last week; its purpose to booster my confidence.  With my recent growth and self-discovery, along side the help of my therapist, the garnet stone simply vanished.  Its job was done, so it had to be no more.  Of course, I'm both puzzled and upset that I lost it, but those are the facts.  I'm learning to let go.  Life is so transient.  Why waste time with the life I have remaining fretting over something now gone, that I would've lost anyway when I die?

We certainly can draw parallels to our lives and the eclipse.  There is no real separation between us and what happens in the Universe.  Hence the name, "Universe" ("One Song").  Our attachment to what no longer serves us is the darkness (like the Moon covering the Sun), because it can be scary to detach, even though it keeps us from the enlightenment of our true greatness.  When we do let go and take that step out of our comfort zone, that now becomes our shadow behind us; as we walk towards the light that is in front and ahead of us. 

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night.

Happy Spring Equinox!

"Do the best you can until you know better.  Then when you know better,            do better."  - Maya Angelou

Happy Nowruz, Everyone!  

مبارک نوروز

(Mubarak Nowruz)

This marks the official astrological New Year 2024!  

With the recent New Moon in intuitive Pisces, guiding us in introspection for what we really want to manifest, we are now moving into the season of ambitious Aries; seeing those desires come to fruition through right action.  It's a time for new beginnings; whether that be new projects, new ideas, new adventures, new relationships, or even rekindling current ones.  We must understand that with things blossoming anew, that which no longer serves us must depart.  It can be easier said than done, especially if we have attachment to that which is required to let go of, in order to have a better life.  

AMOR FATI

Thank you and good night. 

P.S. The Spring Equinox happens to fall on a Taco Tuesday this year!