Your Ascendant Zodiapedia: ‘The Universal Om’ Pisces

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By Eugène Carrière ‘Meditation’ c1890 {{PD}}

This is the last installment in our Ascendant series–I hope you’ve enjoyed it! All the other signs are available here on the site–just search!

We hear about how the Pisces rising person appears scattered and unfocused to others, but do we notice how often others gather round that individual, as if the very air they breathe contains some kind of creative juice? This sign rising can come across like a font of inspiration, a walking dream (or nightmare!), whatever you’re looking for, or a victim—but from the inside looking out, what they’re seeing is usually the same world you see, just either under gauzy filters or selectively perceived—that means they don’t waste their time on what doesn’t matter to them—and this disconnect from the mundane and every day is interpreted by some as being unfocused. Do they hear the singing of the spheres? Oh yes, they do, but they also hear you nattering on about household matters or politics or what happened at the grocery store—just because they’re not giving you their rapt attention, don’t make the mistake of thinking they’re absent minded or that they’ve checked out—of all the signs, Pisces may most easily hold a great number of things in their awareness at once—it’s all that practice attuned to the Collective that makes it possible.

Since Pisces rising so easily receives (without their consent) the projections of others, most people see these individuals (unconsciously, of course) as either a dumping ground or as idealized, and it’s not uncommon for them to receive the projections of the social sphere, via ancient ruler Jupiter. Having this rising sign is almost like wearing camouflage, with the exception of those times others put all their negatives on the Pisces rising person (that’s not to say, especially in the case of Pisces rising Josef Stalin, that the negative rep isn’t deserved)—then Pisces wants to get lost in a dream just to avoid the nonsense she’s being handed. Since the onlooker has the potential to see such a variety of images, we turn to the Pisces rising individual to consider what she sees from the inside, looking out.

Pisces rising sees the world as an illusion; this can be anything from the concept of Maya to the belief that everybody’s a no-good liar—whatever the beliefs underpinning it (and there will be beliefs, courtesy of Jupiter again) it’s a ‘what you see isn’t what you get’ framework. Pisces may have survived an early environment that repeatedly pulled the perceptual rug out from under her—or, the caretaker was so harsh or punitive that Pisces had to escape to a land of imagination—or caretakers could’ve encouraged creativity to the exclusion of more grounding energies, and Pisces doesn’t know how to get back to Earth. Too, Pisces could’ve been in an environment where being a chameleon, or even invisible, was preferable to being noticed, or where lies were the only shelter. This rising sign can be hyper-sensitive to the surroundings, and so the Piscean reaction may actually be an over-reaction. In positive forms Pisces rising can literally (often through reading bodily sensation) act as a bridge between the seen and unseen, and in any case can tap the Collective and channel the creative, imaginative, and what’s on the cusp of appearing as the latest thing (and unless it’s tech, often beating Aquarius to it).

This rising sign, though, may long to sink her hands in the dirt, to become truly involved in the most solid facets of reality—there will be a desire to become grounded, whether it’s conscious or not—and that’s where incorporating characteristics of the opposing sign, Virgo, comes in. Hands-on dealings with surroundings, plus a requirement to focus on details and accountability, will ground Pisces; becoming involved with what the Earth itself can produce (food, flowers, minerals, materials for construction and creation) can act to anchor Pisces and give the creative vision a solid place to manifest, beyond the purely spiritual or creative act. They are attuned to the Universal Om, the sound of the Cosmos, and that manifests as the material world, something Pisces rising needs to get to know.

21 May 2018 ‘Two Caveats’

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Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida – ‘Strolling along the Seashore’ 1908 {{PD}}

There are two–admonishments, warnings, caveats, hints–necessary today: 1) the ideals or fantasies may tempt you to compromise your actual power and position of authority–don’t, and 2) if you slow down and assess the material situation, you’ll be surprised how smart, practical, and effective you can be. Creativity and inventiveness suffer if you push or are unrestrained in execution (Neptune qnx Ceres, Uranus sxt Pallas). Also, Pallas enters Cancer, bringing a little more warmth to our wisdom–if someone corrects you, it’s ’cause they care–or because they imagine your power is theirs (Nep qnx Ceres). Welcome to the ‘Tangled Web’ Department!

 

19-20 May 2018 ‘Saying It With Feeling’

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By Henryk Siemiradzki 1883 {{PD}}

On the 19th Venus, siren of the zodiac, enters Cancer and sextiles Uranus, bringing a little bit of romantic and prosperity *zing* to our outlook and relationships. Then by the 20th she semi-squares Ceres (which is conjoined by the Leo Moon on that day), squares Chiron, quincunxes Mars, and sesquiquadrates Jupiter. This suggests we care, maybe a little too much, and may fall prey to vanity, or to the promise of Love or Money, if–if we will tie ourselves in knots to please another, do things that make us chafe, endanger our social position or defy the facts, or refuse to honor our own wounds in the doing. The trading of obedience to another’s Will for affection or remuneration is a dicey proposition, chiefly because we’re acting against our own inclinations solely because someone assured us (or maybe only implied, letting us embroider the details for ourselves) that enduring some unpleasantness will get us the big, shiny thing we want. We have to ask ourselves, though, if someone who could actually offer us Love would extract a price for it–that’s not Love then, is it?–and claiming we’ll profit off our own misery doesn’t account for the aftertaste those acts may carry. The challenge will be to allow all those feelings, all those wants, to remain open to Love and Money, and still not sell our Souls–say it with feeling, but underline that feeling with Self-respect (Merc nov Chiron, Hygeia sxt Sedna).

Also on the 19th, the Sun enters Gemini and contra-parallels Black Moon Lilith. We’ll want to look in all the dark, squidgy corners, and talk and think about what we see–or we’ll have the extreme opposite reaction, refusing to examine anything unpleasant. Best to surround yourself with those who hold a similar outlook, otherwise it becomes half the world holding a frog and chasing the other half, that runs away squealing.

By Corrado bae – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26510861

This weekend’s word image is an elephant adorned with a fancy headdress, refusing to bow down to allow a rider to climb on. It’s time to address the ‘elephant in the room’, the one that we not only try to ignore, but that has become so recalcitrant that it’s begun to interfere with our own progress. It may have suited us to pretend the issue doesn’t exist, but we’re reaching a point when we may endanger ourselves and others, simply because the problem is big, formidable, and in some way is epitomized by its strong animal nature, one that we really shouldn’t expect to tame in the first place. This thing for far too long has been contained for our own benefit; now it’s time to give it its due, to release it, to no longer expect it to settle for the benign neglect of the past.

And here’s a quick and easy summertime refresher for you

Have a wonderful weekend!

18 May 2018 ‘Round and Round’

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Mark Gertler – ‘Merry-Go-Round’ 1915 {{PD}}

We seek to express ourselves, to make others aware of (and so honor) our status or position, at least in part out of hurt; and in expressing ourselves, we cause hurt, which comes back to us, and we’re off to the races. Round and round the need that springs from hurt causes hurt for ourselves and others, and we do it again and again, caught in a loop that can only be broken when we stop insisting that others respect us, and show it by doing what we want them to. It’s not the Self-expression that’s the problem, it’s the way we believe others should react to it. Keep this in mind today. Messages are firmly rooted in reality, and we may (unreasonably) expect them to mesh smoothly with what we think we and others are creating by our way of thinking and reasoning. Not only will they not mesh, we will be given a clear indication of where our thinking has gotten off track. Use it for the informative input it can be, rather than reacting from that old loop of insisting the world see us in a particular way–that will only hold us back (Chiron parallel Juno, Mercury trine Saturn and square the Nodal axis)

Today’s word image is a wound that changes form but won’t heal. Whether physical, emotional, or psychic, a wound that persists raises a few questions: have you tried to help it heal, or have you ignored it, waiting for it to go away? Did the initial injury arise from something you did, or was it something outside your control? Do you relate differently to the injury in its original form as compared to its current form? And what does the wound allow you to do (or perhaps, to avoid facing) that you might otherwise have to acknowledge or go forward with? Now, what in your own life needs the scrutiny supplied by these questions?

Today’s outlook may seem a little harsh, but if it strikes you that way, it may be because it’s truly necessary at this time to take an unflinching look at the facts of things as they are right now. Take heart–it not only won’t last long (it breaks tomorrow, in fact!) but is the only way we can make headway right–so if you find yourself flailing, feeling like you can’t get things going, the reality picture and its unvarnished state are where you’ll find the answers–as long as you don’t take a personal stance that is powered by hurt, and goes round and round. Have a lovely day!

17 May 2018 ‘Triple Crown’

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Master_of_Palazzo_Venezia_Madonna_-_St._Corona_-_Google_Art_Project

By Master of Palazzo Venezia Madonna (Active 1340 – About 1360) {{PD}} – Creator (Italian)Details of artist on Google Art Project – lwFgCRz6ScozSw at Google Cultural Institute https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22738581

Each of three conjoined combos perfecting today has a distinct personality; if we can get all three influences to mesh in some kind of harmonious co-existence, we might see massive acceleration toward successful accomplishment of goals. They’re like three boosters attached to a rocket; each is powerful on its own, but the only way to attain balance and stay on course (that is, move straight ahead) is to burn all at once, and to a similar intensity.

We have Pluto conjoined Black Moon Lilith, which may resemble a horde of gravediggers hitting a cemetery at midnight: not only will every buried or secret thing be fair game, but what’s dug up will be used, in some way, to gain, consolidate, or re-generate power. There is also the possibility that those matters we’ve ignored or denied up to now will be destroyed–and that means an option we previously enjoyed will now be removed, like it or not.

Then there’s Venus conjoined Pallas (and novile the North Node, for good measure). The simplest formula is ‘Beauty equals Wisdom’, but it’s likely to be a little more complex than that. Maybe we find that keeping our eye on finances leads to smart choices, or that being practical is profitable, or that attention to relationships is the wisest thing to do–what is positive for the health of the interaction may be the very best course, supporting our own interests, as well. This meeting occurs in Gemini, making it something you can think or talk about, and so winkle out its particular meaning for you.

And then there’s the Sun, cozied up to Sedna. This illuminates the instincts, those things we ‘know but don’t know’, and our ‘blind spot’ material. In other words, it gives us the opportunity to see or connect with a great many things that we normally ignore, that we shy away from being 100% consciously aware of.

Now we synchronize things: we dig them up, look directly at them, and consciously recognize their worth, especially the value inherent in them that we may have been missing, and we apply the wisest (or most practical, either measure will do) approach we know. Hint: you can be too practical, in trying to implement this–go a little wild, for best results (Pallas contra-parallel Hygeia) That’s all there is to it!

Today’s word image is a dream one: a red-headed girl stands by the 2nd story window. She’s upset that she’s not getting more attention. She jumps (but more like floats) out the window. I feel responsible, and rush out to see if she’s okay. She fell on something that cushioned the fall, and seems not seriously hurt–but as I go to help her, she shrinks and shrinks and becomes a small red spider–I think I should put her in something to protect her, until she decides (this is the idea in the dream) to become a girl again, but she becomes so small I can’t see her anymore.

For me this brought to mind the phrase (which I never use) ‘red-headed step child’. This has a general meaning of Otherness, of something not favored, of suspicious origins, something that doesn’t quite belong, and yet claims some time, energy, or attention through relationship. I also have a highly positive relationship to spiders, seeing them as my allies 🙂 So, the meaning for me goes in a very particular direction, and I understand; for you, what does the dream scenario suggest? Consider it as a scene you witnessed–or break it down to its symbol components: red-haired girl, window, red spider–what would it mean to you, then? Opportunity (the window) that you may not feel you have the energy for (red hair) or are not mature enough (or have enough skills–‘girl’ status, rather than ‘woman’) to take advantage of, with ‘taking the leap’ transforming that energy or status to something adaptable, skilled–but in a completely unanticipated form. Or does it suggest some sort of red-related synchronicity?

Get hooked on this podcast–I am!

16 May 2018 ‘Listen’

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“Sabrina fair listen where thou art sitting.” From a 1922 edition John Milton’s ‘Comus’, illustrated by Arthur Rackham {{PD}}

Today our best stance is a receptive one, not as in ‘be a pushover’, but more along the lines of, ‘Shhh, there’s a message here, one that will be highly beneficial, if you can be still long enough to catch it under the wind’. Taking action or forcing choices will bring unpredictable results and cause accidents or missteps–so why take the chance? The stillness must be a mental one, and maybe a mouth one, as it’s difficult to let info in if we’re pushing it out! It’s important to know that some of these useful communications may come through serendipity, accident, surprise, or by taking an intellectual approach to something one might otherwise interpret in a different (probably emotional) light. Also, honor your priorities and remember that right now builds the future. OK, go out into the sunshine and play! (Juno trine NN, Mars sq Uranus, Merc nov Hygeia, trine Vesta, and parallel Uranus, Sun sxt Hygeia)

That state of deep, restorative rest doesn’t always look the way we think it will. ‘Meditation’ 1885 By William Merritt Chase

Today’s word image is this: meditation comes in many forms; make sure you find one for yourself, and make it a daily habit. You’ll know it’s the right form when you leave the meditative period significantly more centered and calm than when you started it. There’s no mistaking this: you will really feel the difference. Typical meditation practice never worked for me, so I’m speaking from experience: I’ve finally found an effective method for me, after many years of believing that I wasn’t doing it ‘right’. Don’t judge what works for you by someone else’s standards; it’s the result that counts.

Advice on livin’ life, over at ‘Been There, Done That’–well worth a listen!

Have a wonderful day!

New Moon in Taurus May 2018 Earthly Upset

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For ‘Our Fathers’ Godsaga’ by Viktor Rydberg, drawn by John Bauer 1910 {{PD}}

The New Moon perfects at 4:48 AM PDT of the 15th at 24 Taurus 36, within range of conjunction to Sedna, and, despite a relatively large aspect orb, we’ll count the trine of the New Moon to Mars in Capricorn, as the Warrior’s 29 degree placement suggests an assertiveness that can’t be ignored (with its’ current square to Uranus bringing in an element of suddenness or surprise). This may drive the entire NM dynamic, as a must-be-satisfied Mars forces action or decision-making that just so happens to also carry along a deep, denied, and possibly destructive undertone (slightly closer trines to Pluto and Black Moon Lilith, together in Capricorn)–and all this will be happening somewhere deep inside, whispering in the psyche sotto voce, and these may prompt responses from the instincts or those places where we ‘know but don’t know’, leading us in a way most true to our inner angels and demons, rather than in the guise of our conscious choices and intentions.

We add to this a loose semi-square to Juno in Aries, a sextile to Hygeia, and a semi-sextile to Venus; these are likely to be subtle but conflicting influences: one tide in the direction of healthy and loving action, effective moves that promote well-being and that may soothe relationships or finances, with an opposite impulse to have one’s way (originating from a sense of previously having been disrespected), taking that out in small ways in relationships or minor financial indiscretions or petty withholding in either arena.

Scenery of the pond at Shitennō-ji Honbō Park in Osaka, November 2015 Photo by Laitche CC BY-SA 4.0

The Sabian symbol for the New Moon is, ‘A Vast Public Park’. This suggests openness in material matters; Nature shared, resources mutually held, a new state related to these begins. What we hold in common, under a civilized agreement preserving something in a natural state for the benefit of all, takes a new turn. We might ask: how long will that ‘park’ remain a public resource, an environment to share? Replace the word ‘park’ with the appropriate subject related to the NM placement in the natal chart for clues as to where the ‘new start’ may show itself.

It all makes for a kind of earthly upset; could we draw connection to the way Kilauea is splitting open, discharging what’s been below the surface, re-shaping ‘what is’ and the very Earth itself, hot, ‘angry’ (though it’s a bit of a crime to personify Nature that way), spilling forth the destructive and transformative, what ’til now has been hidden, or even denied (as some built their houses amongst the old lava paths)? Sure, we can make the correlation, but for the vast majority of us, we’ll experience this New Moon on a smaller scale and in much more personal ways. The earth may move beneath our feet, opening up to reveal some fairly heady, dangerous stuff, but most likely we’ll experience the New Moon as we experience all extreme points in the Lunar cycle, as an emotional shift, a feeling revelation, a small but vital chance to start over.

And on Uranus’ same-day move into Taurus

You might want to try this, over at ‘Been There, Done That’

Your Ascendant Zodiapedia: ‘The Radical Intellect’ Aquarius

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A “Sakka”, or water-bearer, carrying water on his back in a goat-skin. Wood engraving by [G.L.S.].
Copyrighted work available under Creative Commons Attribution only licence CC BY 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Credit: Wellcome Library, London http://wellcomeimages.org
images@wellcome.ac.uk

Aquarius as the rising sign can be a lot of trouble. The combination of traditional ruler Saturn and modern ruler Uranus can send such a mixed message that onlookers may either see Aquarius as a wet blanket, as a libertine, or as someone who swings between the two! One with the Aquarian Ascendant can come to feel as if no matter what, others will simply see what they want to see, but this oddly Neptunian take on things is inaccurate; what the Aquarius rising person doesn’t grasp right away is that they really do show an array of conflicting elements of persona to onlookers—no wonder the observers, and Aquarius, are confused. Usually those with the sign of the Waterbearer rising will take a little more to one ruler than the other; inspection of the natal chart typically reveals either a Uranian or a Saturnian leaning—but all Aquarius rising individuals show at least a little of both, and it’s usual for this rising sign to identify with only one of these at a time—meaning when Aquarius is showing Saturn, he’s putting a Capricornian face on things: repressive, strict, maybe fearful, stoically working, and when he’s showing Uranus he’s spontaneous, rebellious, and often living in his head, treating life as if it’s an academic exercise—and no matter what personality is being exhibited, Aquarius believes the one they’re showing is consistent, that it’s the one they always show. Au contraire–it is not—and only time and Self-awareness will convince them otherwise.

From the inside looking out, Aquarius rising tries to process everything through the mind. This can give the impression of confidence, especially if Aquarius is naturally sharp, but the war inside Aquarius shakes whatever confidence the mental faculties offer to the core: it’s over stability and consistency and nose to the grindstone effort v. originality, ignoring the rules, and a willingness to create upheaval in the name of the revolutionary and new. The weakness here is that the mind simply isn’t equipped to handle matters of emotion, spirit, and the physical, and so Aquarius gets knocked down repeatedly and soon feels that neither approach will pay off. This all originates with the survival needs of childhood, that required Aquarius to intellectually shine (as when the parents ‘show off’ the child’s abilities and take credit for their offspring) or that generally forbid much physical play/ projects or that made emotional displays (especially displays of certain unacceptable emotions, like anger) off limits. Aquarius, in trying to accommodate early caretakers, would turn to the mental arena for activity that garnered acceptance—and sometimes they never get out of this pattern.

This Ascendant generally conveys a lively personality, one that’s engaging, entertaining, and somewhat wearing on others in its less mature forms. The intent is one of exploration focused on what’s new to the individual, to what can be learned (or to discovering all that is known about a subject), so for some their company may be a little too academically inclined. Aquarius likes to discuss things, and there’s no limit to the topics or where that talk may range. They’re brave, in their way, and don’t mind being first with something risky–they display the courage of their Aries brethren, tempered with careful calculations of the odds and of their own abilities: they’re willing to experiment, but that doesn’t mean they’re crazy!

The influence of ancient ruler Saturn encourages a continuing assessment for these individuals, trained on the suitability of the status quo and the potential need for revolution. They watch for those places where the old guard may break down, ready to propose a new order, if the group will support it (and them, possibly in the role of leader–this Ascendant likes to lead during the upheaval, then step back once things settle down).

Aquarius rising thinks about themselves in terms of the group, but always with awareness of their own individuality, measuring perpetually what they are getting, and what they are giving, to the group. Until Aquarius learns to break down those barriers, to remove the ‘me against the world’ thinking, they will continue with a kind of existential loneliness haunting the personality. Often, they’ve been taught to subsume the Self to the group, and when that becomes intolerable, they rebel, and neither response heals the problem. It’s only when Aquarius gives up the childish definition of ‘I’ for the more mature, Leo oriented one (that centers on generosity, on genuinely putting the Self first for one’s health and best expression, on treasuring the Self for talents, abilities, and the Sun-Soul Purpose, on feeling through the heart center) that this rising sign will give up the stubbornness and reactionary take on interaction and supplant it with exchange that makes the most of both the innate intellectual prowess and the original and unique qualities and point of view.

Looking for the current astro-weather? Here it is–

And you might want to try this, over at ‘Been There, Done That’

Keep Your Cool 12-14 May 2018

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Dominique Lang ‘Matin d’hiver’ 1916 {{PD}}

What fresh hell is this? On the 12th Mercury squares Mars, just as we enter the Dark of the Moon (in this instance, think of it as throwing a shadow, making it murky and hard to see). Yikes. Aggressive messages will underlay even the most benign communications–but why? We’ve all got Mars energy, and the vast majority of us have Martian impulses that are underserved, even ignored, but certainly, in any form, are refused adequate expression–and it ends up leaking out our mouths, in hostile barbs toward the barista, in passive-aggression in our child’s note to the gym teacher, and in snide observations uttered to an empty room as we listen to the news and drink our coffee. And even if we manage to subdue or harmlessly employ our own Mars (five miles on the treadmill, anyone?) we still suffer the internal hostility that pops up, unbidden, when we are frustrated in even the smallest way.

Part of this is due to the way both Merc and Mars are at 29 degrees of Cardinal signs when the aspect perfects. This layers on the tension, the feeling that it’s an emergency! But it’s not, that’s just the urgency inherent in Mars and that late degree (and spurred just a tad by the square and Mercury’s more shifty qualities), with Merc under Aries’ ‘I’ve got to do something!’ demands and Mars in Capricorn wanting to build a wall or make a difference or stop it, whatever it is. And this is prelude to Merc catching up to and passing Uranus (in the wee hours of the 13th Pacific time), also at 29 Aries, before both enter Taurus (separately, of course, not to conjoin again anytime soon).

The prevailing idea is to keep our cool over these few days as we suss out the issues presented by the environment and the asset and ‘comfort’ situation, as well as any challenges we may find within artisanal or materially creative matters (Taurus). By the 14th we may have developed what feels like x-ray vision in two important areas: we’ll see the reality situation and all that isn’t working in it clearly, even starkly (Sun sesq Saturn), and we’ll be acutely aware of where and how in the past we’ve hampered our earning ability, or our relationship interactions (Venus sesq SN). If we have been asking ourselves, ‘How have I been blocking Love or Money coming into my life?’ we’ll get some real-world, tangible answers.

Donate  —  Read  —  and have a great weekend!

This is good

And here is a very interesting discussion on being and purpose

Relax 11 May 2018

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‘Cigarette’ Pauline Palmer c1920 {{PD}}

I’ll be away from the computer for a few days. All comments and requests for service will be answered when I return, and all orders from the Press will be filled at that time as well. I’ve scheduled some posts for the coming days, and have decided for the most part to focus on just one thing happening that day, that just so happens to be the one I think will be the most prominent, startling, or exciting. Have a lovely weekend!

I’m intrigued by some of the currents that will buffet us today (especially Pallas sesq SN and sq Hygeia, suggesting we are really dumb to take up something from the past that was definitely detrimental to our health), but nothing stands out for the win so much as this cluster: Mars parallel Saturn (actions and choices, even those that seem random or impulsive, are very much under control), Venus quincunx Black Moon Lilith and Pluto (what we love, our relationships, and perhaps even our money, is embroiled in the consequences of ignoring issues and our own destructive impulses), Mercury parallel Sedna (again with restraint, this time it’s the mind that is guided by instinct, by what’s held just below consciousness), and Sun trine Pluto (we see the forces of transformation, destruction, and power–and we respond from deep within our Soul). It seems we may trip along, only half aware, in the midst of big, change-making energies, and we’ll be just fine–so long as we don’t take up smoking again, or that thing where we thought we could make a parachute from an old sheet and fly on a windy day.

Julie Demboski's ASTROLOGY

Addressing the Individual Experience Within the Universal Truth

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