My Favorite Soap: Herbaria

Hi Everyone

I have a lot of people ask me my 'favorite' this or that. I guess being a writer makes me an expert on things--but it doesn't. Not really. I do know what I like and don't like. Now THAT, I can share with you!

And I take great pleasure in sharing my most favorite soap in the world with you: Herbaria. I found these folks when I was at the St. Louis Missouri Botanical Garden two years ago.


Here is a lovely photo of their Almond-Green Tea soap. Another one I ordered. I love the fragrance of almond, so felt this would be a 'healthy' bar to buy!

They had a table set up in front of the gift shop and of course, I love hand made soap! I love anything that is home made and hand made. I'm from the old school where appreciation of people's efforts mean something important to me. Probably why I love quilts so much, too--(and I'll share my favorite quilter and her website with you in another blog!). People who put their HEART and intent into what they are doing are sending that energy into whatever they are creating and making. THAT is the world to me because when people make something they usually love what they do. And they put that loving energy into their product, no matter if it is a book, a quilt, a bar of soap or whatever.


Here is CHOCOLATE SOAP!!! What a sinful, delightful soap to have! I can hardly wait to get mine!!

When I went up to the Herbaria table, I met LeRee and Ken. Talk about good vibes and wonderful, soft, loving energy. These two folks had it in spades. And of course, if they had it, I knew they were putting it into their delightfully different, interesting soap they made! I bought six bars on that trip. The next year, I bought a bunch more for me and my family and friends for Christmas. I always like to give gifts you can USE!


This is one of my favorite soaps because I simply adore the odor of spices!
That's just me: Miss Practical, haha. And their soap is unique. They use organic ingredients and they care about what they're doing--not to mention, the inventiveness of the different scents they put into their soaps. Wow. This year, they have CHOCOALTE! Needless to say, I bought some!! Can you imagine lathering up with CHOCOLATE SOAP? The fragrance? Yum. Probably good enough to eat....but hey, let my skin pores absorb it, chuckle.


I saved the best for last. This was the soap that got me at the Missouri Botanical Garden. And I just realized, I forgot to order it! Yikes!! Gotta call and get thta order in!!


If you are looking for a wonderful gift that keeps on giving, I highly recommend LaRee and Ken's Herbaria Soap. You just can't go wrong. And they got great holiday season deals right now, so toddle over. And your friends and relatives will thank you....gift certificates allow them to pick their special soap and fragrance, too.

There's ways to get clean, and then, there's great ways to get clean!

In Spirit....

Moon Shots with my new 300mm

Hi Everyone

Well, I've finally gotten around to starting to work with my 300mm lens. It is a Tamfor because the Nikon I have on order via Amazon isn't due to send to me until mid-January 2007 which was a real bummer. They shouldn't try to sell something six months ahead of time and then keep changing the date that it is ready to ship to you. That's ashamed.

Anyway, the Tamfor has no inner stabilization,which makes it really tricky to work with. It means tripod or a monopod. I can't hold it still enough by hand, without blurring each and every photo. I believe the Nikon lens will be different--but I'll get a chance, eventually, to compare them side-by-side.


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
This shot is with my new Nikon 70mm to 200mm lens. It's a little 'big' to be taking indoor shots. For a week, we took care of our friend's dog, Phoebe, a black cocker spaniel. She and Rocky got along famously and Rocky, being the gentleman that he is, allowed Pheebers (Dave calls her "Wiggles") to sleep on his bed. I thought this was a sweet shot. Rocky loved having company for a week! The owners of Phoebe own Java Dog Gallery in Cottonwood. Ramona Stites is a famous artist (we own 4 of her paintings) and her husband Dick, is also an artist and just happens to be my Mac Consultant, too. If you love beautiful Southwest paintings, check out Mona and Dick's artwork. We think it's wonderful. They have a website at: www.javadoggallery.com.



I started by taking some shots of the moon because with my other Nikon lens which is 18mm to 70mm, it was a white blob and that was that! By the way, I sent my poor, scratched Nikon lens to the Nikon factory. Got a repair of $178.00 to take out the scratches on my beloved lens. Considering this lens costs about $450.00 new, it's worth getting it repaired and save some money. So, it's in the factory being worked on as I write this.


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
And here's a shot of a beautiful red Cardinal at our feeding station. I used the 200mm Nikon lens to photograph him through the kitchen window. Not great, but at least you know what kind of bird it is, even if a lot of the cleaness and details are missing. He makes for a natural "Christmas tree bulb" because of his crimson get up.


Back to the Moon...and the Tamfor 300mm lens.


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here's a daylight shot of the first quarter moon. Wow! You can actually see DETAILS with this 300mm on a tripod. I was sooooo excited!


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
This was a 'night' shot. I ran into some confusion and figuring out how to work my Nikon D-70. I shot long and night positions but they came out like white blobs. I went back out with my camera on the tripod and shot 'close-up' with the flash going off. I didn't think I'd get anything but a white blob figuring out I really need some help in learning how to take night shots. But....this is a very blown up version of the shot--and it turned out fine. Except, this shot is a bit blurred because I blew it up too much magnification-wise. Still, I learned a valuable trick to photographing the moon at night--use close up with flash. Go figure...


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here's the same night shot but not magnified as much--and you can see the difference from more clear, defined detail. I just love seeing the Moon with all her craters and lumps and bumps!


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
I decided to try my 300mm through my kitchen window to our back yard where we feed the birds. Understand the 'softness' or blurriness around the Mourning Doves is because this lens is shooting through window glass! Still, our sweet doves...which i dearly love to hear calling, were enjoying a winter repaste at the feeding station.


And last, but not least...I'm going to TEASE YOU....

Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
And here it is...the GRAND CANYON! It was a terrible day because the haze/smoke from the Navajo Electric station was flowing into the canyon and whiting out so much detail and dulling the gorgeous colors. Still, it was an overcast day, in the 50's and perfect for my D-70 and the 300mm Tamfor. What do you think? Did the 300mm pass the test?

I'm working on 2 blogs regarding our friends, Jean Pierre Jansen, MD and his wife, Marina van Halen, from Groningen, Netherlands who came for a visit Thanksgiving week. We had lOTS of fun that I want to share with you. On Thanksgiving Day, we took them, as a birthday gift to both of them (they had their birthday on Nov. 22nd/Jean Pierre and Marina on Nov. 27) a train trip to the Grand Canyon. And what a trip it was! Stay tuned. You can enjoy the above photo as a little bit of what is to come photo-wise in the next two blogs :-)))

In Spirit....

ASTROLOGY: ARIES and Medical Assignments

ARIES Health Considerations
by Eileen Nauman

Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
All Rights Reserved

Permission given to email this article to your friends or relatives.

WEBSITES or WEBPAGES or BLOGS: must email me first for permission to put on your blog or webpage or website/

Contact:
docbones224@earthlink.net
http://www.medicinegarden.com
http://www.whatflowerareyou.com
http://talesfromechocanyon.blogspot.com

Hi Everyone

Since the New Year 2007 isn't far away, I thought it might be interesting to share some medical astrology about the Sun Signs. Over the next year, probably once a month, I'm going to put up a sun sign so that you can see what potential health symptoms you are prone too. We’ll start with Aries because it is the first sign of the zodiac and Aries loves to be first anyway!

This does not mean I'm going to tell you that you're going to die or get cancer. Quite the opposite. As a medical astrologer since 1970, I've accrued a lot of experience from many clients over the years and would like to share my base of knowledge with you in hopes that you might find it helpful or educational in content.

If you read anything below in this article, please consult with your physician first. Any alternative medicine suggestions are strictly that. Without the approval of your doctor/health practitioner FIRST, do NOT attempt to utilize any of the below suggestions. People who are presently on prescription drugs and should never try a flower or gem essence without asking their pharmacist and doctor FIRST. Drugs have adverse side effects and can often not get along with alternative medicine--so ask FIRST!

If you do not know if you have Aries in one of the planets in your chart, you can go to a professional astrologer to find out. Best is to have a reading by a medical astrologer who can give you the total picture of your health or potential weaknesses. They will also provide information on alternative medicine health practitioners that may further your path to the best health possible.

At the bottom of this article will be people you can contact for medical astrology consultation, plus other alternative venues that I know to work and have helped others.

This information comes from my book, MEDICAL ASTROLOGY by Eileen Nauman. For more information on it, go to: https://ssl.bizhostnet.com/us734827/store/mgstore_books.html

If you do not know your natal chart planet in zodiac sign placements, you an get a FREE natal chart done at: http://www.astro.com/. Or, go see one of our medical astrologers--their information is below at the end of this article.

MEDICAL ASTROLOGY 101


The Signs, Crosses, and Houses and Our Health

The zodiac signs help pinpoint what part of the body is potentially suspect of dysfunctioning. Of course, not all signs with planets within them will represent malfunction. In medical astrology the most important planets are the outer ones - Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Mars also needs to be carefully examined. Although the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter should never be disregarded, a higher percentage of medical ailments stem from the action of the five other planets when they are in hard aspect, particularly if there are three or more inconjuncts to a specific planet.


Alternative Considerations

Even though we all have a medical doctor as part of our over all health plan, alternative medicine gives us “preventative” measures and tools as well to help us stay vital and vigorous. Here are some of my favorites. Plus, places where you can purchase flower, gem or imponderable essences:

1. Naturopath: They have a broad knowledge of diet, vitamins,minerals and herb treatments for you.

2. Doctor of Osteopathy and/or a Chiropractor to do cranial manipulation on the plates of the skull, or manipulation of the back and other bones of the body.

3. Homeopath who can take your constitutional case. They can also suggest a specific remedies for specific symptoms you might be experiencing. For general knowledge of homeopathy, go to: http://www.homeopathic.org. There is also a DIRECTORY of HOMEOPATHS at this website, by state (and provinces in Canada), so that you can contact your nearest one to where you live.

4. Acupuncture/Chinese medicine: See your local Oriental Medical Doctor. Often, acupuncture can open up a blocked nadi in the energy system and dissolve symptoms.

5. Flower Essences: https://ssl.bizhostnet.com/us734827/store/mgstore_fe.html

6. Gemstone Essences:
https://ssl.bizhostnet.com/us734827/store/mgstore_ge.html

7. Combination Flower Essences:
https://ssl.bizhostnet.com/us734827/store/mgstore_formula.html

8. Imponderable Essences:
https://ssl.bizhostnet.com/us734827/store/mgstore_impond.html





Aries


Aries Rules:

Bones: Cranium and face.

Muscles: The frontales, occipitals, attolens, deprimens, articularum, zygomaticus, temporalis and buccinator.

Arteries: The temporal and internal carotids.

Veins: The cephalic veins.

Cell Salt: Kali phosphoricum.


Aries rules the head in general, specifically the motor centers of the brain and the circulation of the blood through the skull region. The action of Aries is said to show epilepsy and sleeping sickness (encephalitis) that may infect the brain through virus. Aries is also involved with inflammation of the brain that may cause delirium, frenzy, vertigo, dizziness, sharp pains in the head along the course of a nerve and congestion. Those people with planets in Aries may suffer from frequent headaches caused by clogged or sluggish kidneys (Libra) that have a reflex action to the head, digestive disturbances (Cancer), resulting in headaches and sluggish gallbladders (Capricorn) – other Cardinal Cross diseases. And various skin eruptions affecting the head or face as well as baldness plague some Aries people.
Other diseases influenced by Aries are various forms of toxemia. By a reflex action to the kidneys toxemia may induce skin ailments, usually caused by poor diet. Uremic toxemia is also a possibility in pregnant women. A more subtle and insidious form of toxemia can also invade the blood and cause havoc in many ways.

Sun in Aries

This placement might result in an unusual amount of blood congestion, causing headaches, migraines, brain fevers, cerebral meningitis, sunstrokes or heatstrokes (apoplexy) or the inability to express oneself properly through speech patterns or loss of verbal comprehension (aphasia). There is also the possibility of an imbalance of the sodium-potassium exchange, with too much sodium causing weight gain and edema. There is a further probability of acidosis because Aries people tend to eat a lot of meat, high in acid. Thus the acid-alkaline exchange may be out of balance, especially if Libra is involved. Acidosis can also bring on tension and headaches.

Naturopath: For vitamins/minerals and herbs. Diet for acid-alkaline imbalance.

Homeopath: Have your constitutional case taken.

Flower Essence: Colville’s Columbine (to smooth out emotional dramas), Cottonwood (for general tonic for the entire body and aura).

Gemstone Essence: Apatite (to destress), Agate (protects from stress), Lepodolite (to soothe nerves and calm).



Moon in Aries

The Moon in Aries can mean weak sight and eye strain since Cancer, ruled by the Moon, governs the sac containing the eyeballs. Migraine headaches are also possible because of emotional strain and tension. And there can be insomnia from a lack of potassium (Moon) in the body.

Naturopath: For vitamins/minerals and herbs for insomnia, eye strain, migraines or headaches.

Homeopathy: Have your constitutional case taken.

Flower Essence: Pansy,yellow with black mask (eyesight, black spots in--do not put drops in eyes--take by mouth only), Colville’s Columbine (to smooth out emotional dramas), Cottonwood (for general tonic for the entire body and aura).

Gemstone Essence: Apatite (to destress), Agate (protects from stress).

Homeopathy: Cineria martima (eye strain--See Similasan products at your local health food store), Migraine (see: homeopath). Insomnia (see: homeopath)


Mercury in Aries

Headaches caused by nervous tension or strain may result from this configuration. Brain disorders are also possible because of a lack of proper nerve synapse release: muscle coordination problems or speech/thinking impediments could occur as a result. In addition, neuralgia or shooting pains in the head may come about because of the nerves. And there is the potential for Bell's palsy, wherein nerves are inflamed and paralysis sets in, as well as spells of vertigo or delirium.

Naturopath: For vitamins/minerals and herbs for stress.

Homeopath: Get your constitutional case taken.

Flower essence: Colville’s Columbine (for destressing in general), Desert Marigold (for mental stress and calming tight nerves), Yellow Evening Primrose (to clean out mind/brain for clear thinking)

Gem essence: Leopodolite (to soothe high strung nerves and reduce stress), Blue Tourmaline (helps clear mental congestion to think clearly)

Cell Salt: Kali Phos (for ‘brain fatigue’ or overworking your brain, school work, test taking).

Other: Take up the practice of Yoga to reduce stress and learn to breath properly.

Venus in Aries

Venus in Aries may affect mucus congestion in the head and nasal passages. There can also be eczema of the head and face as well as gastric headache from overeating carbohydrates or other rich foods.

Naturopath: For vitamins/minerals and herbs for indigestion, sinus congestion, and diet considerations.

Homeopath: Carbo veg, Nux vomica or Lycopodium for gastric indigestion (see your local homeopath for which remedy you might need). For headaches and sinus congestion, get your case taken.

Gem essence: Flint (to ground yourself).

Other: Take up the practice of Yoga to reduce stress and learn to breath properly.

Mars in Aries

This placement may produce violent pains in the head, rupture of the blood vessels in the brain, stroke, extreme restlessness, blows, cuts and wounds or surgery to the head and face, cerebral congestion and a tendency toward headaches.

Naturopath: For vitamins/minerals and herbs for headaches.

Homeopath: Get your constitutional case taken.

Flower essence: Colville’s Columbine (for stress), Crimson Columbine (for extreme restlessness), Comfrey (for any bone related injuries), Bellis Perennis (for bruising and swelling related to injuries)

Gem essence: Aquamarine (to soothe high strung nerves and reduce stress)

Other: Take up the practice of Yoga to reduce stress and learn to breath properly.


Jupiter in Aries

Excess blood in the head, causing stress on vessels, may result from Jupiter in Aries. The placement also presents the potential for aneurysms if the veins and/or arteries do not remain flexible and elastic.

Naturopath: For vitamins/minerals and herbs for headaches as well as checking for deficiencies that can cause veins/arteries to weaken.

Homeopath: Get your constitutional case taken.

Flower essence: Colville’s Columbine (for stress). Bellis perennis (for any old injuries to the head), Coreopsis (to curb appetite and cravings)

Gem essence: Aquamarine (to soothe high strung nerves and reduce stress).

Other: Take up the practice of Yoga to reduce stress and learn to breath properly.

Saturn in Aries

With this placement constriction or lack of blood to the head may cause strokes or mucous buildup in the ears, resulting in earaches and deafness. Saturn in Aries can also signify apathy, listlessness or dullness because of a lack of blood supply to the brain.

Naturopath: For vitamins/minerals and herbs for headaches and long term care to avoid strokes. Also for earaches.

Homeopath: Get your constitutional case taken. Silica possible for earaches but see you local homeopath to confirm this.

Acupuncture: See your local Oriental Medical Doctor.

Flower essence: Cottage Pinks (for extra vitality and energy), Cottonwood (for general tonic and rebalancing aura)

Gem essence: Citrine (to clear mind, think clearly and great for test taking and remembering), Black Lava (if feeling very weak and tired), Emerald (as a general cleanser for body and aura).

Other: Take up the practice of Yoga to get your energy balanced.

Uranus in Aries

Uranus in Aries may indicate sharp, shooting pains in the head, sudden headaches, pain in the eyes or spastic constrictions of the blood vessels of the eyes. By reflex action to Libra spasms of the kidneys might result in cyclical albuminuria.

Naturopath: For vitamins/minerals and herbs for headaches and kidney consideration.

Homeopath: Get your constitutional case taken.

Acupuncture: See your local Oriental Medical Doctor.

Flower essence: Cottonwood (for general tonic and rebalancing aura), Bellis perennis (for shock, jolts, and upsets), African Daisy (for rage and anger).

Gem essence: Petrified Sequoia (for detachment so you don’t get so stressed out in emotional dramas), Flint (for grounding to stop impetuous acts or leaping before you look).

Other: Take up the practice of Yoga to get your energy balanced. Walking if older or jogging if younger.

Neptune in Aries

This placement may mean weakened adrenal gland function, mucous buildup in the head area in general, causing mental fatigue, allergies involving the sinus cavities and weakened kidney function by reflex action to Libra. The blood vessels in the brain may be weak and unable to take high blood pressure; thus a stroke may result.

Naturopath: For vitamins/minerals and herbs for adrenals, blood vessel strength and kidney consideration. Diet to strengthen self.

Homeopath: Get your constitutional case taken.

Acupuncture: See your local Oriental Medical Doctor.

Flower essence: Cottonwood (for general tonic and rebalancing aura), Calendula (for gentle cleansing of physical body), Cottage Pinks (for energy pick up), Rumex crispus (Curly Dock) to clean blood and give added vitality), Primrose Combination (for cleansing of aura and chakra systems, getting rid of toxicity in the body), Goldenrod (for a positive, uplifting outlook on life that gives one hope)

Gem essence: Black Lava (for energy boost), Ruby (for super energy boost...warning: if you have cancer do NOT use this gem essence).

Other: Take up the practice of Yoga to get your energy back.


Pluto in Aries

Since Aries rules the general site of the head, where the pituitary gland is located, and since Aries is ruled by Mars, which in turn rules the adrenal glands, there can be a possible malfunction of the pituitary hormones that directly affects the adrenal secretions. Depending on Pluto's aspects to other planets, the adrenal glands may be sluggish, hypo- or hyperactive. Aneurysms in the head area are also a possibility.

Naturopath: For vitamins/minerals and herbs for Pituitary, Adrenal gland support. Diet to strengthen blood vessels of body.

Homeopath: Get your constitutional case taken.

Acupuncture: See your local Oriental Medical Doctor.

Flower essence: Cottonwood (general tonic and rebalancing aura and chakras), Meditation Formula (to bring you into balance on all levels), Primrose Combination (over-all body tonic for cleansing on physical, emotional and mental levels of yourself).

Gem essence: Black Lava (for energy boost), Ruby (for super energy boost...warning: if you have cancer do NOT use this gem essence), Green Tourmaline (to cleanse body in general) and Lepodolite (to calm, feed and soothe entire nervous system so you can destress).

Other: Take up the practice of Yoga to get your energy back and to rebalance your extreme actions.




CONTACT A MEDICAL ASTROLOGER


1. Rosemarie Brown is a natal and medical astrologer counselor. Just contact her at: starrose@sedona.net. Her website is: http://www.rosemariebrown.com

2. Gail Carswell at rockdoc@mindspring.com.
http://www.owlswebnest.com, for more information, plus on all the other metaphysical services they provide.

3. Michael Foltz at solardoc@mindspring.com.
http://www.owlswebnest.com, for more information, plus on all the other metaphysical services they provide.

I'm sure one of these three professionals will be able to shed considerable light in what is going on in your life and the many choices you have available to you to institute and use.

MENTAL and EMOTIONAL HEALTH

NEED A “Coach”, some serious therapy that gets to the “heart” of your angst or what you’re wrestling with? We recommend Rosemarie Brown. Please contact her at: http://www.rosemariebrown.com or by email at: Rosemarie Brown

VOICE ANALYSIS--THE MISSING NOTE

I’ve had my voice analyzed by Ani Williams and I can tell you from personal experience that we all have a “missing note” in our life. So what? Well, consider this. Without this missing note back in our life, we aren’t working off of 8 cylinders. We’re working on 6--or less! Please go to Ani’s website for more information. This is a life-changing “tool” that you should include in your personal Pluto transformation kit. http:// www.aniwilliams.com or contact her via email at: songaia@earthlink.net

SPIRITUAL UPKEEP RENOVATION: NEED A SHAMAN?

Gail Carswell (rockdoc@mindspring.com), Michael Foltz (solardoc@mindspring.com), Grace Verte (GraceVerte@Netsedona.com), Karen David (KDMystic@aol.com) and Rosemarie Brown (starrose@sedona.net) are all trained shamanic facilitators who can help you through your spiritual transformation. If you are overseas you can find more trained individuals. For more information on Soul Recovery and Extraction, go to: http://www.medicinegarden.com/SRE/SREchapter.html and then contact one of them for further help!

FOR CARE OF BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT: HOMEOPATHY

My favorite classically trained homeopath is Yolande Grill of Cave Creek, Arizona. She does long-distance case taking by phone and I consider her one of the best we’ve got in the USA. So, don’t delay! She is also a shamanic facilitator, as well. Get a hold of Yolande at: y.grill@att.net. However, if you can find a homeopath in your local area, go to them, instead. You can find a DIRECTORY of homeopaths at: http://www.homeopathic.org.

QUESTIONS?
Contact:
docbones224@earthlink.net
http://www.medicinegarden.com
http://www.whatflowerareyou.com
http://talesfromechocanyon.blogspot.com

KINDNESS: A world changing choice

Hi Everyone

I’ve been working on this piece for quite awhile. And why not unveil it on Thanksgiving Day. After all, it was the Native Americans who, by their own act of Kindness, fed the starving pilgrims who landed on their shores and prevented them from dying. Of course, their Kindness was not reciprocated. But the moral of this story is that kindness is something we should all practice daily. Not only is it uplifting to the person on the receiving end, it also makes you feel good that you did it.


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here is an Oriental Poppy called "Patty's Plum" that I grew this year. I love the violet colors of the paper-like petals.


I’ve been pondering this for a long, long time. What one act can change a situation from tense to relaxed? Take the wind out of anger? Unwind someone who is anxious or worried? One act that can do all these things is being kind to that individual.

Kindness is compassion in a form that neither judges nor demeans either individual.

Kindness is thoughtfulness in action.

Kindness is letting another person know that they are valued and well thought of

Kindness dissolves barriers that little else can at a moment’s notice

Kindness conveys that not only are you sensitive about the other person’s dilemma, place, animal or thing, and that you are aware of more than just yourself

Kindness shows you are not a selfish, self-indulgent, me-first, narcissistic kind of individual

Kindness foils every attack coming your way

Kindness turns down the volume in the other person’s voice

Kindness soothes another’s pain, no matter how severe

Kindness dissolves tension between two people

Kindness shows that you care about that person, place or thing


I often wondered how we could bring peace to our Earth, no matter the color of our skin, our gender or what we believed in, or what country we came from. After all, we all own a heart, have a brain and our blood runs red when cut. We are more alike than unalike.

I pray for peace daily--first, to take seed root in my heart, and also peace for the Earth by these seeds being planted in every person’s heart around the globe. But how do you actually catalyze such a thing in a practical way? In a way that anyone could do? I pondered this for a long, long time, stumped.

Finally, it came to me through another individual’s book. Dan Millman has written many books, all of them good. The one that you may be familiar with is his first: Way of the Peaceful Warrior. I can’t remember which of his books I was reading, but his characters were talking about spiritual evolving and how to do it. The sentence that caught my attention and took my breath away was when one character said that acts of Kindness transcended all paths and was the quickest route to spiritual transformation. Wow. THAT was the one ‘tool’ that I knew everyone use and had the ability to use if they chose to do so!

Let’s feel our way through this through examples because they serve us best. When I had read this from Millman’s work, I decided to be fully conscious of being kind to everyone I met in some way or another, if Spirit allowed it to be so.

For example, I was at Walmart the other day. A woman seated in a motorized cart, who was grossly overweight, was behind me. I turned around and asked her if she’d like me to put the goods in her cart basket up on the counter for the clerk. She said no, but thanked me for being so thoughtful. I could see that she perked up because someone saw her condition and cared enough to reach out and help her if she wanted it. The result of this simple, every day kindness I extended was more enriching to her than me just putting her canned goods up on the counter for her. It mean someone cared about HER and her condition. It is always a good feeling to know that you are loved, thought of or cared for--even by strangers. And on a bad day, that one act of kindness can translate and multiplies and become far more powerful than it was intended.

I was at the post office standing in line like everyone else. I noticed an older woman up at the counter and she had a cane. I got to go up to the counter next to her and I mailed my envelopes. In the meantime, the postal worker came out carrying this fruit crate sized box and set it in front of the woman. She asked if he could carry it to her car. He said he couldn’t. I turned and said I’d carry it to her car for her. She gave me a grateful look and then a dirty look at the postal worker. I’m sure the postal worker wanted too, but he was bound by laws that didn’t allow him to do it. I picked up the box and slowed my step to keep pace with her as she hobbled toward the front door. She talked of how hard it was to get around with a bum leg and was very frustrated by it. I agreed it would be tough. At the door, I moved ahead and pushed it open for her. She eventually got to her car, got it open and I placed the box in the front seat. She thanked me for being kind. I walked away feeling ten feet high. And she was shown that help is always there.

In the Safeway grocery line, a man came up behind me. He had two items. I had a cart full of goods. I turned and told him to go in front of me. He had such a surprised look on his face. I smiled and told him that he had so few items that it wouldn’t cost me that much time. The grateful look on his face said it all and you could almost see that he was in a hurry. And I’d stepped aside to allow him to move a little faster.

An elderly woman in Fry’s grocery store was looking up, moving her glasses off and on her eyes. I came over and asked if she needed any help. I’m 5’9” and can reach all the grocery shelves, but she was only about five foot tall. She said she was looking for a particular product, but her eyes were so bad she couldn’t see it and secondly, even if she could see it, she couldn’t reach it. I found it and brought down the can for her. She was grateful.


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here is a lovely Spiderwort.

I was standing in line for my mother’s prescription at the drug store one day and an elderly man came up and you could tell he was tired and probably in pain. I asked him if he’d like to go first and put his prescription in. The look on his face was incredible; such gratefulness. He croaked out a thank you and I almost cried. I went over and got a chair and brought it over for him to sit on to wait for his prescription to be filled. I then gave the clerk my Mom’s prescription. I went back over to the elderly gentleman and smiled down at him. He started talking, telling me his wife had died only a month ago and his whole life was in shambles. He said he’d fallen and hurt his back and since then, been in nonstop pain. I stood and listened without interrupting. I believe that just being a witness, someone who cared to listen, helped him. He looked better by the time his prescription was ready to be picked up. He thanked me. My lesson with him was: life can be gone in an instant....appreciate those you love every moment and don’t take them for granted. It was a kindness that doubled back and gave me even more awareness than I had before.


This fall, our apple trees had a bumper crop. We gave apples to our neighbors and I drove into Cottonwood, to an elderly fixed income apartment complex. My mother used to live in Tuzigoot Apartments and I knew that those on social security had very little. Many lived on much less than a thousand dollars a month. And I knew from my mother staying there, that many could not afford fresh fruits or vegetables--they were just too expensive on such a tight, unforgiving budget. On the second floor was a ‘free’ table. People could put anything on that table and it was free to the people living at this apartment complex. I put ten apples in each plastic bag, knotted it and had about thirty of them by the time I was done. I drove into Cottonwood, a twenty minute one-way drive, and began unloading my bags of apples. In no time, people were poking their heads out of their apartments and looking down the hall because of the noise. Pretty soon, I had four residence standing there looking admiringly at the sacks of apples. I told them my Mother used to live here and I told them that they were gifts to all of them. Every resident was grateful and thanked me and asked me to thank my Mother, who now lives with us at age ninety. I had a warm, happy feeling in my tummy as I left those thirty bags of organic, fresh, sweet apples on the free table. I knew they would be cherished by each person.

When I go for my two mile hike every night, up and out of the canyon, I always bring along some small doggie Milk Bones and stuff them into my pocket. Sometimes, my neighbors, Mark and Sue, ride their ATV with their two pooches, Carly and Prancer. We usually meet up at Sunset Point where I’m shooting the sunset with my Nikon SLR camera. The dogs ride in a couple of plastic milk crates that Mark has attached to the back of his ATV. They gently take them out of the crates and put them on the ground so they can run around and snoop and poop while we admire the sunset. I always give each of them a couple of small Milk Bones that they love.

I was at Walmart (I’m there a lot!) and a middle aged woman was looking at the fifty pound sack of birdseed in the middle of the aisle. I could see she wanted and couldn’t lift it into her basket. I went over and asked if I could be of help. Being so tall and medium boned, fifty pounds wasn’t going to kill me to lift. She looked relieved and said she had birds to feed, but Walmart makes these heavy bags no one can lift. I put the bag in her cart and she thanked me. She said she cares for sick and injured birds. I thanked her for caring for our feathered friends.

Sometimes, just an understanding smile or choosing to be patient instead of impatient is a kindness in and of itself. I was at Safeway and this harried mother with four young children was trying to shop. They were running around (all boys--very active) and she was trying to keep tabs on them without success. One of the boys, a five year old, latched onto the front of my cart and held on to it hoping for a ride. The young, fatigued mother ran up and pulled her boy off my cart, offering all kinds of apologies. I smiled gently and told her I understood. I said, “Gosh, how do you do it? I’d be so tired I couldn’t keep them corralled, either.” Just making a light joke and also letting her know that I knew she was trying her best, made her feel relieved. And then she told me her husband was over in Iraq and it was so hard trying to do everything without him. I agreed and I told her thank you for being who you are and thank you for your husband allowing us to have our freedom we enjoy here in our country. Tears came to her eyes and she couldn’t speak. It was a beautiful, healing moment. She walked away looking less harried. And her kids seem to sense the change in her and stuck close to her cart for the rest of the time I was in the store.

Sometimes we take our loved ones for granted. I go out of my way to thank my husband, Dave, at least once a day for doing something around the house, to make it a better place for us to live in. He’s a natural putterer, and always fixing something. I believe in thanking the people I live with--and not take for granted--that I recognize his work, his care and expression of love for me and us.

When it thunders and lightning, our Golden Retriever, Rocky,who is seven years old, cringes. He’ll come whining into my office. Now, I could ignore him and keep on working. Or, what I choose to do, because I know he’s afraid,is stop working,turn and allow him to come and lay his head in my lap. I’ll then gently pet him and soothingly tell him there’s nothing that’s going to hurt him. And then I ease him behind my chair and ask him to lay down. He does,and he stop whining and he’s okay. It is always a matter of choice as to how we handle things or react to them. I could be irritable, snarl back at the dog and tell him to go away. Or, I can be kind, give him solace and let him know that it’s going to be all right.


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here is a pair of Pink Water Lilies


And remember, these acts of Kindness aren’t done because you think you’re on the spiritual fast track. Nope, this is about coming out of your heart, selflessly, for someone else without thought of reward. This is something you should want to do for the right reasons.

If we all practice ONE act of Kindness day for someone else--think about the ramifications of this. It would be akin to throwing a pebble into a still pond and watching the rivulets of concentric circles keep moving outward and touching so many others.


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
On a hike into West Fork, above Sedona, I came upon this unidentified bush near Oak Creek. Might be a Mock Orange or for sure, a member of the Rose family.




Kindness is Kontagious.

I hope we can start a Kindness Epidemic!

Choose your target and whip out that tool call Kindness!

Actions speak louder than words. Just remember that. Be caught in an Act of Kindness.

Please share your Act of Kindness in COMMENTS below. The more we show others about Kindness, the more creative ways we can utilize by reading about one another’s feats (of kindness).


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
A beautiful orange iris on our property.


I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving if you live in the USA. And if you don’t, just consider this holiday of ours in a smaller, more focused way: what are you thankful for in your life? Followed by an Act of Kindness. It doesn’t get any better than this.

In Spirit....

300mm Camera Lens try out

Hi Everyone

Well, since Nikon isn't releasing the 300mm I need until mid-January, that just won't do. So, I bought a Tamfor 300mm lens in the interim. Nikkor lens are known to be one of the best in the industry, which is why I bought a Nikon D-70 when they came out (the new one, D-80 just came out and I'm salivating but I'm loyal to my hard working, wonderful Nikon D-70....). The Nikkor lens (made by Nikon) have a stabilization inside the lens casing and it helps when you are shaking a little (and most people do when they snap a photo). And that was, in part, why I have always bought the best: Nikon and Nikkor lenses. I like the stability quality they build into their lenses.

Anyway...this lesson in cameras has a point:-).


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
On the road to my right, on our property are a number of Cottonwood trees that are now turning a bright yellow. I loved the contrast of colors with this shot. The canyon wall is behind them.


Dave and I are going on our firt vacation in over 2.5 years. We're going to take Holland American Lines Zaamdam from their home port of San Diego, California to Hawaiian islands and back. It is a 15 day cruise and I gotta tell you--we've EARNED this vacation in spades.


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here's the Cottonwoods at a longer, more vertical shot. I like the colors of gray, black, yellow and the red sandstone sandwiched in the wall of the canyon.


But...back to the camera. We live on January 5, 2007 and so the 300mm Nikkor lens that has been on order, it seems forever though amazon.com, won't be released or sent to me until mid-January, 2007. Which means I'll be on the ship IF it arrivs. There as already been two postponments on this new lens which is really frustrating me.


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here's a very late flying Katydid. Usually, they are all dead by now with the cold weather, but we've had an unusually warm November. As Linda and I were walking, it flitted in front of us and landed on the rock wall on the other side of the road. I took its photograph--3 shots--and two were blurred but this one was the best of the lot--and still not 100% clear as it should be. Once I'd taken it's photo, the Katydid flew off and continued its journey across the vineyard. It's a beautiful insect! I love the color of it.

I had to have a 300mm for that cruise. There's a lot of birds and flowers and scenergy I want to shoot in the Hawaiian islands but wouldn't have had one for it thanks to Nikon postponments.

Desperate, I bought the Tamfor 300mm lens. It does NOT have the stability quotient that Nikkor/Nikon has. So, tonight was my first use of the lens with non-stabilizing ability as me and Linda Metzler did our two mile hike up and out of the canyon and back. I wasn't sure just how good I could photograph with a much longer lens without stabilty. So, I shot a lot. And bummer....without the stability, I'd say about 70% of my photos were in some part, blurred. Without that stabilization in the lens, it's a real crapshoot in my opinion.


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
This may end up being a historic shot. This is Senator John McCaine's home where he grew up in Hidden Valley, which is about half a mile away from Echo Canyon where we live. I hope he doesn't become president because that means all of us living in Echo Canyon will be stopped every time we have to come and go out of our canyon--because these two places share a single road to get in and out of -- Hidden Valley Road. And if McCaine makes it to that office, the Secret Service will card us, check us every blasted time and I'm not thrilled at all about that. Not to mention, a damned helicopter bringing him to and from his home in Cornville where the homestead is located. And that's such a joke. Every time McCaine has a news conference--he goes eight mils north to Sedona to have the Red Rocks behind him as back drop. When in reality, he lives in CORNVILLE (his actual postal address) and NOT Sedona as he says he does!! I guess presidential running material doesn't consider CORNVILLE a very inspiring word to give to the American Public? That Sedona is much more mystical and well known tourist stop? Anyway, this is his family's homestead and this is where McCaine grew up--playing in Hidden Valley and I'm sure, climbing the walls and investigating Echo Canyon as a kid. What I like about the shot is the color of the Cottonwoods in the valley around the well hidden home.

So, I'll be sure to bring my tripod and mini-pod with me--but carrying that stuff around just to shoot gets old real fast. Still, it's better than nothing. And I'll wait for my beloved Nikkor 300mm with the stability built into it. Makes me really appreciate what Nikon does to raise the bar for photographers :-).


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Now, this is why I bought a 300mm...look at the difference in being able to see things at a distance more close up! These are the same Red Rocks of Sedona, eight miles away, that I've shot before and they always look like red blobs in the distane. No more! This 300mm brings them up with excellent detail. I loved the fact the sun was setting and making them 'glow' as they do. And, this is the best of about four shots I took of it--without a tripod. Next time I walk, I'll bring my unipod (a one legged aluminum pod that you put your camera on to steady it) and see if I can't get more clarity and defnition. I'm in the middle of experiementing with this Tamfor lens without a stabilizer in it.

Below are the best photos, without stabilization,that I took tonight. Still, from my eye, I can see they aren't as crsip,sharp and clear when taken 'by hand' vs. using a Nikon/Nikkor camera lens and doing the same. Enjoy them anyway--Fall is a fantastic time to shoot drama and color!


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
And last, but certainly not least, here's an official sunset photo!


In Spirit....

CAMERA WOES

Hi Everyone

Well, with Mercury retrograde--what a time! When I was up at Mount Fisher picking up quartz crystals on the surface, I had laid my Nikon D-70 camera into my red plastic bucket where I had some crystals in the botton. I had been careful and put a terry cloth towel over them so that when I put my camera in there, the lens would be okay.

I did a couple of really stupid things. First of all, I didn't have a protective filter on my lens. That was the biggest mistake I made. Secondly, I did have a camera lens cover and I thought it was on the lens. But it was not. When I laid my camera into the bucket, little did I know that lens came in contact with several quartz crystals and it SCRATCHED the surface of the lens real good. So good, in fact, that I didn't know it until Ingrid Kropf, on our boat ride with Gail and Mike across Lake Quachita in Arkansas, spotted the lens scratches. And I was heartbroken.

The first photo here is with my 'old' lens that is scratched. I have since sent it off to the Nikon repair in California in hopes they can sand it off....but I doubt that will happen. Either way, I want the lens back. And in ithe meantime, the Nikor lens I had ordered from Amazon.com has been, once more, delayed. It won't even come until mid-January 2007 now. I can't go without a lens, so I went up to Rollie's Camera in Sedona, who is a Nikon dealer to see what they had. I ended up buying a $269.00 Tamron 70-300mm lens instead because they didn't have what I needed. They had it--but it was attached ot a camera body (a brand new D-80...sigh) and I didn't want to spend the money. I didn't need a new camera body--I needed a new lens.

The Tamron lens is nice and I'm learning how to 'handle' it and cope with it--much longer lens and pretty awkward to carry around. Not like my nifty 17-170mm Nikor lens I scratched. But, boy, can I see far away at 300mm. Wow. The only problem there is all the birds I want to shoot are gone for the winter. Ah well...patience...

So, the photos below, with the exception of this first one, are all the Tamron lens 70-300mm lens. Enjoy!



Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here is the full moon with my poor scratched lens and only 170mm. Still, it's a pretty picture!




Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
I couldn't resist another Ash tree in our orchard and the green and blue surrounding it--Fall always has such dramatic colors. This is with my new lens, the 70-300mm and no scratches on this or any of the photos below--which are all taken with the Tamron lens. Wow.




Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here are our 'feathers' looking so silvery and silky in a sea of yellow, blues and greens surrounding them.




Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
And here is Rocky doing his dog thing of sniffing around--with his lovely Fall coat.




Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here is our Ash tree vying for attention when our bright red Cana Lilies are just strutting their stuff in mid-November!






Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
And here is a different yellow leaf from our lovely three year old apricot tree.




Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here is one of our Ash trees that glow this incredible bright yellow color in the Fall against that 'autumn' sky where it gets to be a deep, breathtaking blue color.





Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
The Monsoon season is gone--boo hoo--but here are some clouds from a front that came through about a week ago--pretty impressive as it moved across Echo Canyon.




Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
And yet, another sunset! I'm on a roll! Love these late fall and early winter sunsets.



Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here's a sunset! A winter sunset!

In Spirit

AUTUMN PHOTOS

Hi Everyone

I'm on deadline with a book, DARK TRUTH, for Silhouette Nocturne, so I don't get much chance to get out of the chair and stop staring at the computer day in and day out. Such is the life of a writer and I'm not complaining. I love the book and think it's fantastic--just hope my readers think so!

I do get out of the chair to stop the 'dead butt' syndrome all writers get :-) And I took my camera around the house and here's what I shot. I hope you enjoy them and they lift your spirit.



Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
One of the last flowers to open is our Aconitum napellus. This is definitely a fall flower. It is one of our greatest homeopathic remedies and is highly poisonous. I planted this tuber on the north side of the greenhouse where it gets shade and protection from the Arizona sun and it seems to be happy there. I love the "blue" (as the botanists would refer to this color--but I call it 'purple') coloration.



Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here is some of the last of our courageous Coleus that definitely does NOT like cold, not even cool nights. It is one of the first to bow its head and start losing its gorgeous, bright colors.


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here is our magnificent Pyrocantha bush! The red orange berries ripen in the late fall and become "migration" food for the many birds that come through our area on their way to Central and South America. One of the first migrations is the robins, which are with us right now. Next will be the incredible Bluebirds; the flash of their bright blue feathers just takes your breath away!



Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here is our Indian tree from India, a Catulpa and it has lovely heartshaped yellow leaves in the Gazebo area near our greenhouse. It also has long string beans that are over a foot long!


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here's Eileen's Arabian mare, Cinnamon, in her Fall coat looking pretty and getting a little shaggy coat in preparation for the coming winter



Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here is a yellow Mum bush at the side of Mom's trailer. She'll be 90 years old (Mom, not the Mum bush!) on 11.17.06 and we're planning a huge party for her! 90 years old..wow...anyway, Mom's favorite color is yellow. And the way this Mum got planted there was on one of her birthday's about five years ago, I gave her a potted Mum. And afterward, I planted it here, for her. It's a birthday gift that keeps on giving....





Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here's the last of the Fall blooming Cosmos in our area. They wild seed all over the place, but are particularly heavy on one hill near Mom's home. They are so bright and pretty, nodding their heads in the autumn breeze.




Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here are some bright red Cana Lily that just don't know when to stop blooming! These tough tropical plants,unlike the fragile Coleus, will bloom and grow until a major freeze occurs.





Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
Here is our stalwart Fig tree that isn't supposed to live in our environment--but it does! Here is its bright yellow leaves. It makes the sweetest green-yellow figs in the late summer. What we don't eat, the Flicker, Woodpecker, Finches, Orioles and Robins do eat. And what is left, the gorgeous emerald green Scarab looking beetles finish them off. A little of something for everyone.





Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
And here is Oak Creek looking from our sundeck toward the East. To the right is Grandmother Arizona Sycamore, her white barked skin smooth and showy. A perfect Fall photo.

In Spirit...

Praying Mantis Story by Linda Skiba

Hi Everyone!

Every once in a while my students, who are all graduated and practicing as shamanic facilitators, have an incredible experience. Linda Skiba has such a story and has given me permission to share it with you.

A Praying Mantis Story by Linda Skiba

Copyright 2006 Linda Skiba
All Rights Reserved




All summer long, I had the normal butterfly that would land on my hand or a damselfly. I usually (not always) can put my hand out and they will land on my hand, but this summer I noticed a lot of praying mantis in my yard. Some were green and some brown – I was so excited each time I saw one.

When two of my shamanic sisters, Cora Moore ( www.metteeka.com) and Marianne Fransen from the Netherlands were here, I was telling them about all the praying mantis I saw in the yard this year and that I had been reading up on them metaphysically and what they meant. Also, I found a website that talked about how they make nice pets and how to care for them. It was already pretty cool outside and I hadn’t seen one at this point for over a week so I figured I wasn’t to bring one in. The website said you can keep them in a jar or something small – I wasn’t sure it would be happy with that, but no worries, I couldn’t see one to bring in anyway.


Copyright 2006 Linda Skiba
Here is the praying mantis molting





Not ten minutes later I am drawn to walk out my sun room door to a pot that is next to it and lo and behold, there sits a praying mantis looking right at me!

I called Marianne and Cora out to see him and began to pick him up. Marianne took over and put him in her hands as I ran off to get a camera.


Copyright 2006 Linda Skiba
A second photo of the Praying Mantis on Linda's Hibiscus bush. Notice that the shell is on the bud of the flower!


I’ve had him loose in my sun room on my hibiscus plant (the one I did the journey on that you published on your website). I had to learn to get it bugs to eat because it is a predator. This alone was an amazing experience for me because I don’t kill bugs and it was hard to put bugs in the mantis sights for him to eat. Two weeks ago he ate two meal worms and two box elder beetles in a flash!, but nothing since.

Last night I went to try and feed him again and he would walk over the worms and want to just sit in my hand. I was saddened by how thing he became and felt he was dying. I have just finished taking courses in Hospice to be a volunteer and remembered in the class that we aren’t to force anyone to eat or drink while they are in the dying process, so I just let my new little friend know I loved him and released him to go on about his new journey.

This morning I woke up and looked into the sun room from my family room and saw a “blob” hanging from the hibiscus, where “Buddy” was last evening.

I went in to get a closer look and holy cow!!! He molted! I was sooooo excited – he did die to his old form and took on a new, beautiful, magnificent form!

This praying mantis has been magical for me. I am continually (as we all do) have to let go and step into my new form -- he is a living example of the magic that takes place. I am attaching photos for you to see – he has grown larger and is gorgeous!


Copyright 2006 Marianne Fransen
Here is another angle on the Praying Mantis. Notice the molted body (light brown) hanging off the Hibiscus bud.


SECOND EMAIL FROM LINDA:


Yes, you are welcome to use the photos! I am attaching a one of him when he was on Marianne’s hand. I do have others if you are interested – brown, green, etc.
From what I have read on web sites, they live 6 months to a year. I can not find the website now, but if memory serves me correctly, the male has five segments on the body and the female has 7 – 8. I swear “he” had five previously and now he has 7. So I have to do more research on this – I didn’t read anything that said they morph from male to female or vice versa, so I may have counted the segments wrong originally.


Copyright 2006 Linda Skiba
Here is Marianne Fransen holding the pre-moulting Praying Mantis in her hand shortly before Linda put her in her sun room to stay and live.

In Spirit....

ASTROLOGY: URANUS goes Direct November 19, 2006

URANUS GOES DIRECT November 19, 2006 conjunct a New Moon
by Eileen Nauman


Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
All Rights Reserved

Email: docbones224@earthlink.net
Website:
http://www.medicinegarden.com
Blog:
www.talesfromecocanyon.blogspot.com


Permissions:
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2. Anyone else--you must contact me first. You do NOT have permission to hang this article on ANY webpage or website without my authorization first




WHAT IS GOING ON UP THERE IN THE COSMOS?

Uranus went retrograde on June 19, 2006. It is now moving slowly out of that position, and we’re in the “shadow” of it right now (the shadow period is two week before it turns, so from November 5 through November 19th, we are in “it”), and it turns direct on November 19, 2006, at 10 Pisces 48 minutes. What makes this one so impactful is we had, two days earlier, Mercury go DIRECT on November 17, 2006! Phew! Further, Uranus is part of a greater Cosmic Play in the sky. This lightning bolt planet is going direct on a New Moon 28 Scorpio, on November 20th; so get your seat belts on, strap in--there a lot of NEW things going to take place and take off!

Talk about changes in NEW directions--that’s exactly what we will be in. And with URANUS trine the New Moon at 28 Scorpio, this is going to be a highly emotional, shocking, impactful time frame from for many, many people. Not only are Pisces/Virgo people at the Eye of this Hurricane, but so will Scorpio/Taurus people, as well. And this will be felt globally and affect everyone in large or small ways as a result of a crisis or series of crisis that is set into motion by these cosmic characters. And crisis does not mean anything ‘bad’ will happen. Rather, for example, if you have been working hard on a project you pitched early this year; perhaps summer time, then you’re going to hear about it for sure and it’s gonna be BIG! This is a huge moment where what you asked for and have planned and held the energy on is really going to come true--in spades. So, be prepared to suddenly be thrust into the limelight or a managerial or project manager sort of position--one that you’re probably not used to taking on--but you’ll be able to do it now. This is NOT the time to hesitate, either. If you get offered a job, a responsibility or something NEW--take it! You wouldn’t be offered the position unless the Cosmos thought you could do it.

WHOSE AFFECTED BY URANUS TURNING DIRECT?



If you’re a PISCES born between February 26 through the March 4th (with March 1st being the most affected) then you are going to feel the New effect of Uranus pulling direct. By opposite polarity, any VIRGO born between August 31st through September 6th, (with September 3rd the most affected), are going to see direct, definitive action from this direct motion, as well. So hang on! Those with birthdays on March 1st or September 3rd, your world is going for a shakedown cruise...so sit back and enjoy the ride!

And you have someone to blame for the unexpected, lightning-like chaos that is presently running your life for you: Uranus is being conjunct the New Moon when the emotional tides of our body at their lowest ebb, this is going to be a super tense time frame for you. But at least you’ll be in control of your feelings for the most part which is good news!

For those of you who have a planet or ascendant, Midheaven or midpoint at 10 Pisces or by opposition 10 Virgo are in for a lot of change of a sudden nature. But it doesn’t end there--it STARTS there because the real focus of Uranus is in Pisces and by opposition, Virgo. All of you will be on a wild roller coaster ride for the next several weeks.

COSMIC CHAOS IS SUPREME

We are going to experience two days of absolute chaos on November 17th when Mercury turns direct (See my article: Mercury goes Direct on November 17, 2006) and less than forty-eight hours later, Uranus snaps direct on November 19, 2006. It can happen around us or to us, or a combination of both, depending upon our sun sign or aspects. The key to riding these chaotic times is remaining flexible, adaptable and not getting stuck in an attitude. Bending with the flow of energy is very necessary here, but those who can do it, will be very well off. Only those who stubborn resist (and fixed signs of Taurus, Scorpio and Leo and Aquarius) may try this, but it won’t be a happy outcome.

Every once in awhile we get too comfortable in our own little fixed rut or niche in life. Uranus has a job to kick us out of it to remind us that Change is the only thing we can really count on.


AN EXAMPLE OF URANUS GOING DIRECT

Want to see Uranus going direct? During the shadow period of Uranus going direct in 2003, California, was literally burning up. Over 3,600 homes were destroyed. Over thirteen lives were lost. One fire, for sure, was set by arsonists and I’m sure the others were as well...plus a stupid hunter to set a fire in Southern California because he was lost....where was his compass???? He sets a fire to get attention and help. And then this fire blows out of control and one firefighter dies thanks to this idiot who can’t read a compass and get himself out of the woods like a good hunter would know how too. Talk about the insanity of it all. This is the craziness of Uranus. Completely unpredictable. Not thinking. Shorted-out thinking processes (A does not follow B....).

The New Moon is going to exacerbate Uranus turning direct. People are going to feel the power of both primarily as NEW things entering their life rather unexpectedly. Uranus is going to have a powerful impact because of the Scorpio New Moon surge of energy behind it. Look for Monday, November 20th, to set the standard for the next entire year. It’s a wowser. And what’s even nicer.....the hard, jagged edges of Uranus which are always present, will be somewhat ameliorated and declawed. Why? The New Moon is trine Uranus, for starters. And...because this New Moon on Monday ends the day with a conjunction with Jupiter--the god of luck, fortune and GOOD NEWS coming your way! Not to mention, money. Everyone should be looking forward to November 19th. And then, when transiting Sun conjuncts Jupiter on November 21st (Tuesday),there is going to be a ‘stream’ of good news coming for several days in a row--so stand by! Isn’t it nice to know there’s something good coming your way instead of something that requires so much effort and grit? Enjoy November 20 and 21st....it’s not gonna get any better than this for the year 2006!

So, all you Pisces/Virgos quaking in your boots, this isn’t going to be such a rough ride after all for you. Finally! Poor little soft, fragile Pisces has been getting shafted regularly and routinely by Uranus--those who are in the 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 degree range have been having their lives chewed up by the tank treads of Uranus for nearly two years. Enough is enough! This New Moon trining URanus is going to give all of us who have been in our foxholes dodging and ducking the bullets of the Cosmos on a too regular basis,a break and hey--even a GIFT if we’ve earned it! Christmas is coming early for a number of you....and I must say, you have EARNED the hard way--you’ve worked for every ounce of this gift you’ll be receiving.

SHADOW PERIOD OF URANUS

When a slow moving planet (they are considered, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) goes direct, lives can turn from a well known, fixed rut to utter chaos. Usually, it is about two weeks before the actual 'turn' that things begin to happen. With Uranus, it gets WILD! and we are going into that ‘shadow’ period with Uranus beginning November 6th through November 18th.

You don't need a planet exactly at 10 degrees of any mutable sign (Pisces/Virgo/Gemini/Sagittarius) to be 'hit' by this Mack truck that is careening out of control right now. Anyone with something three degrees either side of this, are also under the gun. That means the following degrees are involved: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, respectively. And those of us who have "hard aspects" (conjunction, square, inconjunct and opposition) may be finding that Life is a fist to the jaw instead of a nice, unexpected pat on the back.

For those fortunate enough to have 'soft aspects' (sextile or trine) to Uranus turning direct, you're having some pleasant surprises come into your life--or if they haven't changed yet, they sure will by November 19th! Good things will be coming your way shortly because of your hard work and application (the sextile's premise and promise) you've already put into a project or situation. It will yield out favorably and with a surprise, in your direction. A raise isn’t out of a question. A boost up the corporate ladder may happen.

NEW MOON ENERGY IS SANTA COMING EARLY THIS YEAR!

From a numerological standpoint, the number 19 is a ‘1’. So, when all done and said, it is a “1” is about Beginnings. Think of this as a ‘seed’ month where you have an idea--speak up because receptive ears are listening. Do not be afraid to pitch your idea or product--it will get a thumb’s up or a budget to move it ahead. A One is a powerful leap forward. Just think of it as a jet going Mach 3 and you get the idea. This is a time to confront, be assertive, stand up and fight for your idea because you will win. Other adjectives or examples of One Energy are: Becoming a leader. Pioneering. Seed being planted.
New ideas. Forging ahead. Impulsive. Decisive. Restless. Temper.Independence. Wants to work alone. Bossy. Arrogant. Aggressive. Warrior. Take-charge. Narrow minded. Focused. Intensity of focus or vision. Original. Self-reliance. Direct.

Of course, to get the most out of the gift of this New Moon riding the lightning bolt of Uranus going direct, be smart and don’t get aggressive, arrogant or pushy. Nor do you want to turn into a bully, either. This is a time to hold the energy of some new idea you’ve been wanting to take on or do--and dreams do come true under this one-two punch of Uranus and the jazzy, good luck New Moon! Just be ready for the deluge of goodies when it comes your way!

Karen David (http:// www.kdmystic.net), can set up a numerology chart for you to help you understand how this energy will impact you.

A New Moon makes people less sensitized and they get less irritable and out of sorts. Tempers won’t fray and flare, either. “Losing it” does not apply here.

At the same time, the New Moon energy, as does Uranus, allow a conduit between our conscious and unconscious to open up. We can have life-altering dreams, we can discover some deep facet of ourselves and will feel like a miner who has struck gold. It is a time of powerful and far reaching personal inner growth and transformation. We will find our Shadows during this period and be aware--finally--of how we project one of our wounds on others. This is a huge awareness to make and it is possible during this eclectic and electric time frame.

People are going to have more clarity than usual, too. One of the many good things about Uranus is opening our eyes to the truth or that ‘aha’ moment that changes us forever.

Emotional upheaval is a fact during this period. Just adjust to it, know its going to happen and try to deal with the blows or events in an adaptable, flexible way. Try not to allow your emotions to overwhelm and rule you.

Any attachment you have to anything (spouse, job, idea, ect.) is going to be tested during this period. Is is a healthy one? A good one? A positive one? Or not? You’ll find out.

Being an individual is going to stand out in bas relief as never before. You have the capacity to appreciate what you bring to the table of Life in all ways. Appreciating yourself for who you are is the focus. Some people may feel absolutely like aliens during this five week period; as if they were on a strange planet among strangers and wish to go ‘home’. Others will feel a deeper connection to Mother Earth as never before and become a peaceful warrior on her behalf. This sense of belonging or not is going to be clearly demarcated. Those who belong will shoulder the responsibility of making changes and being held accountable for them.

This sense of being different is either going to drive a wedge between you and yourself or others or both. If you feel alien, this period gives you the opportunity to look at how you can feel as if you belong to this people/place and time. It will help you define where you feel out of synch or alien to the culture or people. And it will help you see how you can change your attitude so that there is more comfort in being here or not.

Many people may feel as if they are being swept along by a force that is outside their control; as if riding a surf board on a Tsunami. This creates the impression of being destabilized and unbalanced--and yet--you ARE heading some where. You just don’t have the whole picture; yet you are being DRIVEN to continue on that path in that direction. This sense of being an actor/actress in a greater play is being felt by all. And indeed, we do stand at a fulcrum point in November. What people decide to do is how the reality will be shaped. When you stop and think about that--that’s pretty powerful concept. So, do your part and make positive, healthy changes for yourself during this time because it will turn around and be shared with the world.




WHAT DOES IT MEAN WITH URANUS TURNING DIRECT?

First, let's look at what Uranus rules or symbolizes. It is about lightning bolts. "Out of the blue." The unexpected. Coming out of left field. Surprises. Jolts. Trauma. Accidents. Surgery. Airplane crashes. Electrical shocks. Bizarre/weird accidents (think of accidents sky diving, paragliders, bungee jumping, tanker truck New of hazardous material driven by terrorists into a USA target, etc.). Sprains and strains. Stress. Nervous tension. I can't take it any more. Explosions. Explosiveness felt inside one's self (and no place to 'blow it off'). Trembling. Shaking. Jerking. Spasms. Epilepsy. Seizures.

Revolution and fanaticism (look at the current global attacks by terrorists on democratic countries around the world). Fanatics. Zealots. Shattering (think of the sniper killings on the East coast of the USA that has played out under the shadow of this planet going direct several years ago.... Out with the old guard, in with the new. Sudden shifts in the making up of Congress due to the November 7th elections--out with the old, in with the new. Uranus always favors the underdog so I predict Democrats are going to make huge gains politically in this country. Sudden. Shock. Attack of some kind--asthma, a robbery, terrorists, etc. Computers crashes. ISP problems. Server hiccups. Spam deluge that will hose the Net. Net viruses are spread at this time--by terrorists is a good bet right now. Or worse, by spammers. Electrical connection foul ups. Hard disk crashes. Net upheaval or breakdown. Machinery failure of all kinds (including computers, servers, or other computer hardware). Blowing the lid off something--an conscious awareness made about some person or thing--and it comes as a huge shock and/or surprise. Roller coaster. Upheaval. Unsteady. Broken routines. Fixed patterns destroyed or changed suddenly.

WHAT IF I’M AFFECTED BY THIS DIRECTLY?

If you have a hard aspect presently, it may not be the most pleasant of times for you. My advice is: watch how you drive your car, fly your plane, use a piece of machinery--pay strict attention to what you are doing--do NOT allow your focus to be torn away--if you allow it to happen, you are ripe for an accident. If you don't have to fly in an airplane during this time--don't do it (unless you have soft aspects--then it's okay). My advice is: Do NOT be in the air on a plane between November 15-20, 2006. Be on the GROUND). If you aren't sure about this, contact your astrologer in your local area. We have Rosemarie Brown on core faculty at starrose@sedona.net. If you get a bad feeling about traveling somewhere, or flying--then don't do it. Wait. Reschedule after November 20th.

COMPUTER WARNINGS

Back up your computer from your hard drive--and don't say you weren't warned beforehand. Those dealing with servers--look out--take EVERY precaution to keep your machinery online and not take an unexpected "zap" from a power surge from your electric company.

Depending upon what house or houses are involved in your natal chart, this is where the action is going to take place. Again, a professional astrologer, numerologist or dowser can tell you much more about this focus of activity.

For those of us who have hard aspects you can envision the following: A lead glass crystal glass. A sixteen pound sledge hammer. The hammer shatters the glass. THAT is what it is like for us.

Those who have soft aspects don't get the shattering. They get the breakthrough without the sudden, unexpected destruction, tearing down, tearing away, explosiveness, of having it revealed to us in a more shocking manner.

BE FLEXIBLE IN A TIME OF CHAOS AND YOU’LL BE OKAY.....

The best thing you can do is “go with the flow” and be just as flexible and bendable as you can be--if you are--you won’t get nailed with this “put-up-or-shut-up” energy. Those who try to resist, fight or dig your heels in...well, I’ve got news for you. If you want to be blasted out of your rut, you will be--in no uncertain, in-your-face terms. It’s your choice: be a willow, not an oak in this situation or suffer or gain from the circumstances accordingly.

For instance, Uranus rules insurrection and revolution--look what is going on in the presidential election, for example. Expect more conflagration issues between nations. “Going postal” is a real possibility, too. And road-ragers are going to be out in force; so just use sound judgment around this hot heads who are going to lose it. A mass killing by a pissed off male ASU student in Phoenix, Arizona, took the lives of three women professors days before Uranus went direct in 2002. He went ballistic and shot them with a rifle. Stay safe. Stay alert. Stay smart in your choices.

All I can say is: this energy, which feels like a huge implosion of energy that we're having to walk around with on our shoulders, inside ourselves, etc., will end after Sunday, November 19, 2006, and then things will settle down--but the pattern of our lives, particularly those who have hard aspects to transiting Uranus going direct--it ain't gonna be the same. There will be CHANGES. Count on it.

TERRORISM TAKES NEW AND GREATER TWISTS AND TURNS

Uranus rules terrorism/revolution/anarchy/rebellion. This isn’t just a US “thing” at this point. Every democratic country in the world is involved with acts of terrorism any more. No one is safe anywhere when Uranus goes retrograde or direct; it is simply a time of high instability globally speaking. And of course, the USA had its own home grown terrorists too--the snipers on the East Coast wreaked havoc for weeks in 2002, as another example of this planet in action. Saddam’s verdic will create immense upheaval in Iraq; as if Iraq doesn’t have enough of it--it will get more unfortunately.

Those people who have planets at 10 degrees of Pisces and Virgo (7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12 and 13 Pisces and Virgo, too) need to be especially careful. So, stay alert and stay ‘smart’ about your activities between now and November 19th.

WHAT DOES URANUS RULE?

These are the areas where people may be getting either pleasant or unpleasant surprises from November 3rd to November 18th--understanding that as Uranus gets closer to turning direct, you will see these events unfolding more powerfully:


URANUS KEYNOTES

aliens (off world type)
aliens (from another country)
brotherly love
chaos
computers
derelict
eccentricity
electricity
flying
freedom
genius or madman
homeless person
ideas (brilliant/pioneering)
independence
insomnia
insubordination
inventions
left-brain thinking
liberation
nervous disorders (parasympathetic nervous system)
nervous person
the Net
new/futuristic
original thinkers
radical
rebellion
stressed out
sudden changes
surprises (pleasant/unpleasant)
technology (science)
tension
terrorists who unleash chemical (sarin, VX gas) or biological (Anthrax, plague, smallpox, botulism, tularemia, etc.) agents at us
UFO's
uprooted/turned upside down
upset
urge for free self-expression
vehicles in general

HOW TO MAKE URANUS WORK FOR YOU IN A POSITIVE MANNER DURING THIS TIME

This is a great time to try and stay centered. Meditation is a wonderful way to accomplish this. Take time out from all the stress around yourself and remain calm and quiet. Visualizing Mother Earth in pure, clean colors that are meant to heal her, are very needed right now. Praying for peace has never been more necessary than right now. Let’s hope that our prayers for peace outweigh the warmongers desire for more killing around the world.

Take a walk with your spouse or your dog in between rainstorms or snowflakes. Ride your horse. Go winterize your garden. Do things that ground you and bring your life back into a simple focus. While the world will change for some, for the rest of us, it won’t. We need to provide the stability that is very needed right now, by remaining in our fixed routines that give us a sense of that essence.

HELP TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF URANUS GOING DIRECT


I don’t believe we have to SUFFER (at all) through a retrograde or direct period. The people below are, in my opinion, the best in their particular business and are skillful catalysts to help people to help themselves. Utilize the eclipse in the BEST and most healthy of ways....check out this group and choose which tools resonate most strongly with you and contact them. You won’t be sorry you did! And, with this November 19, 2006 coming up, this is an OPPORTUNITY to off load our wounds, get in touch with what is strong or weak within us--and fix it. So, this is a fix-it-up time. Take advantage of this enlightening period of time!


ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELORS:

You can engaged the services of the medicinegarden.com’s professional astrologer and find out. Our own Rosemarie Brown is a natal counselor. Just contact her at: starrose@sedona.net. Her website is: http://www.rosemariebrown.com

If you are wanting to move and aren’t sure where or you have a place in mind, but aren’t sure if it’s “right” for you, they have locale information available. If health is your consideration, both are trained medical astrologers. Or, Gail Carswell at rockdoc@mindspring.com. Or, Michael Foltz at solardoc@mindspring.com.

I'm sure one of these three professionals will be able to shed considerable light in what is going on in your life and the many choices you have available to you to institute and use. Better yet, visit their website: http://www.owlswebnest.com, for more information on all the services they provide.

DE-STRESS YOURSELF

NEED A “Coach”, some serious therapy that gets to the “heart” of your angst or what you’re wrestling with? We recommend Rosemarie Brown. Please contact her at: http://www.rosemariebrown.com or by email at: Rosemarie Brown

VOICE ANALYSIS--THE MISSING NOTE

I’ve had my voice analyzed by Ani Williams and I can tell you from personal experience that we all have a “missing note” in our life. So what? Well, consider this. Without this missing note back in our life, we aren’t working off of 8 cylinders. We’re working on 6--or less! Please go to Ani’s website for more information. This is a life-changing “tool” that you should include in your personal Pluto transformation kit. http:// www.aniwilliams.com or contact her via email at: songaia@earthlink.net

SPIRITUAL UPKEEP RENOVATION: NEED A SHAMAN?

Gail Carswell, Michael Foltz, Grace Verte (GraceVerte@Netsedona.com), Karen David (KDMystic@aol.com) and Rosemarie Brown are all trained shamanic facilitators who can help you through your spiritual transformation. For more information on Soul Recovery and Extraction, go to: http://www.medicinegarden.com/SRE/SREchapter.html and then contact one of them for further help!

FOR CARE OF BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT: HOMEOPATHY

Our favorite classically trained homeopath is Yolande Grill of Cave Creek, Arizona. She does long-distance case taking by phone and I consider her one of the best we’ve got in the USA. So, don’t delay! She is also a shamanic facilitator, as well. Get a hold of Yolande at: y.grill@att.net



In Spirit....

ASTROLOGY: Mercury goes Direct November 17, 2006

MERCURY IS GOING DIRECT on November 17, 2006: A Surprising Turn of events Occurs in Mid-November

by Eileen Nauman





Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
All Rights Reserved




http://www.medicinegarden.com
http://www.whatflowerareyou.com

BLOG: www.talesfromechocanyon.blogspot.com

Email: docbones224@earthlink.net

Permission to share with friends.

Permission must be gotten from me to post on any website.




HOW DOES THIS MERCURY GOING DIRECT AFFECT ME?

Mercury is the ruler of communication. I would strongly urge all of you to go the http://www.medicinegarden.com and find useful articles in our ASTROLOGY DEPARTMENT.


WHO IS AFFECTED DIRECTLY ON November 17, 2006?

Mercury goes direct on November 17, 2 006 at 9 degrees of Scorpio 05 (opposite sign is 9 Taurus ) at 4:25 p.m., PST. This means SCORPIO people with birthdays October 30th through November 5th are active with November 2nd the most affected day, are involved in this planetary movement.

By opposite sign, TAURUS, those most affected are born between April 26th through May 3rd are involved with April 29th, being the most affected.

WHO ELSE CAN BE AFFECTED IN THIS DIRECT MOTION?

Anyone with planets between 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 degrees of any sign, are affected by this. Or if you have your ascendant or midheaven is at one of these degrees, you will be affected. The most affected degree is 9, and that is the degree that Mercury goes direct on.

MERCURY DIRECT AT AN IMPORTANT TIME IN THE COSMOS

Usually, Mercury turning direct is pretty ho-hum. There’s little impact seen outside of those directly affected by it from a degree/sign standpoint. However, this November , 2006, is a horse of a different color and you may want to take advantage of this seemingly chaotic month. November is, no question, Pandora’s Box. But, the box is open and we might as well look at what’s in it!

There is a highly unusual Cosmic Event taking place on November 19, 2006. It is Uranus going direct at 10 Pisces less than forty-eight hours after Mercury goes direct; so we ought to see some incredible breakthroughs and sudden turn of events and surprises as a result. See my article: Uranus goes Direct November 19, 2006 and Thanksgiving is full of surprises. Suffice to say, Mercury going direct and then this Cosmic Gift on November 19th, is important. It means we all need to be focused, grounded, aware and prepared to be flexible and bend with unexpected circumstances that may sweep through our personal or collective lives no matter where we live at in the world. Uranus going direct on November 19th is going to RELEASE at lot of pent-up tension and its going to fly everywhere. Of course, if you’re a Pisces or Virgo, this means major changes in a heartbeat. Others will be less affected, but still can find major transitions in their lives by aspect to this erratic and shocking planet.

I see that Mercury going direct shortly before this event is preparing us. The elections will be over but you can bet that when it was done under a retrograde, the underdogs won the day. And there’s a lot of fall out from underdogs suddenly becoming top dawgs and the top dawgs falling far below. You will see a major change in politics and the House may well go Democrat, finally wresting control away from dictatorial President Bush. Further, there may well be computer voting glitches and this may DELAY the accounting and many races and their outcomes won’t be known until November 17th through 19th. And if this does occur, you can bet there’s going to be huge, unexpected surprises and people who weren’t thought to have a chance--win the election. So, stand by for a groundswell from the American public that will more than likely leave Bush and his super conservative chums gasping.

Mercury direct requires we be grounded. And if you don’t know how to ‘ground’ here’s a quick, easy way to do it on the day that this Eclipse occurs so you can take full part in it: Visualize beautiful silver tree roots gently entwining a couple of times around each of your ankles. Visualize or see the tip of the tree root going down through the center of each of your feet. See this tree root then moving 100 to 200 feet down into Mother Earth.

Now, that’s easy enough to do! So be sure to do it. Take time out on November 19th to be quiet, meditate, use your Vesica Pisces circles (see my Eclipse article or my article: PREPARING FOR THE GLOBAL SHIFT and moving to the LIGHT from the DARK: How to Do It by Eileen Nauman, DHM(UK).
http://medicinegarden.com/metaphysics/globalshift2006.html


We are having a lifetime event occur at the middle of November. There’s no accident Mercury is going direct days ahead of time for all of us to be ‘here’, in our body, awake, conscious and taking part in this cosmic fairy dust filled with the magic of the magical and unexpected Uranus initiation if we want it.




WHAT MERCURY DIRECT MEANS TO US

Here's a list of some of the things you can expect from a Mercury going DIRECT. Keep in mind that they won't all happen to you! Just one or two, usually. However, if you have a natal Mercury in conjunction with the transiting (daily motion of a planet) Mercury, then your life is going to be strongly affected by that retrograde!! The only way you can find this out is to contact an astrologer and have them look at your transits to determine this. Rosemarie Brown is our core faculty astrologer and you can "hire" her to do this for you. Just contact her at: starrose@sedona.net or http://www.rosemariebrown.com.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?

First of all, any LIES, DECEPTION, FRAUD and trying to hide pertinent and lifesaving information to the public, is going to be EXPOSED. Particularly watch the ‘shadow’ week before Mercury goes direct. This would be November 9, 2006 through November 17, 2006. Lots of information will bubble up to the surface between now and then. More ‘truth’ will show up.

Any type of transportation, which falls under Mercury, can be a target during the time it was retrograde; subways, busses, planes, trucks, and trains. We all need stay watchful during this time; especially the last seven days before it goes direct. We are in the ‘shadow’ time shortly, and that makes it more intense than usual.

WHAT OTHER THINGS CAN MERCURY DIRECT DO?

1. Expect to be decisive on your part--or on the part of others. People have been muddling around, hesitate, or won't be sure of themselves under a retrograde. Making a decision during a Mercury. direct transit--whatever they decided to do will remain as such. It will not change. Men and women will no longer be miscommunication. One is speaking Chinese and the other, French!! Well, now they at least will be speaking the SAME language. Partners have had to really work at saying what they really mean because assumptions will no longer abound during this time and what you say is how how you meant it. Big-time communications snafus will no longer complicate your life on a personal and professional level. No more foot-in-mouth disease as Mercury turns direct!!!

2. Signing a contract, agree to something, buy a car/boat/house/animal or start up a new project under a Mercury Direct is fine. I would advise you to wait at least a WEEK until after Mercury is direct to do this. The contract will be honored. The car you bought will turn out to be fine (no lemon)!! The boat will not have problems, structural or otherwise. The house you bought will not be a "money pit" and the owner did not reveal all the problems the house had--but you inherited them!! The animal you bought (dog/cat/horse or whatever) will not have some real 'hidden' problems that you could not see upon first perusal or inspection.

Projects begun after Mercury turns direct will turn out as expected. No hidden surprises or changes--but with Uranus going direct soon after, there MAY be some changes, so be expecting it!

3. You can buy mechanical things, appliances, computers, software or anything else like that during this period--they will work right!

I might add that this a time when mechanical failures finally stop happening. DISK CRASHES which were commonplace will stop. Thank goodness!

4. It's okay to travel long-distance during a Mercury direct because Mercury is the ruler of travel by any conveyance. There will not be delays, equipment (like a plane or car) will break down during this period. Travel won't try your patience during this period. Equipment failure is finally ebbing away. ANY type of equipment--not just computers.

5. Mercury rules our thinking processes. Believe me, folks, we are finally going to be able to think clearly or coherently. We become less forgetful. You won't get lost in traffic or lost in a shopping center, and you'll remember where you put something. Things that got LOST and MISPLACED big time, will suddenly and inexplicably--show up! Our orderly thinking returns. Our minds quiet down. Insomnia is no longer rampant.

6. Delays--on everything, are finally over! You're not late for an appointment. And no one is going to lose your appointment! The company promised it would be there on a certain day--and it will be there--on that day! Under a Mercury. D, it will be there, when promised. People will show up at the right time. The punctual schedule is back in vogue. You'll be on time--there won't be unexpected delay on the freeway/turnpike, or the other person arrives on time.

7. Your mind is returns from La La Land and else the nuts and bolts of everyday life/demands/things, returns. Your concentration returns and you don't have to struggle to focus, concentrate, retain or remember.

Gemini and Virgo sun sign people are ruled natally by Mercury, tend to get more upset over Mercury Retrograde periods because they're such picky perfectionists and they really do expect their lives to go like clockwork and God forbid they be late for an appointment--HORRORS!! For them, it's a major crisis if that occurs. For them, Mercury retrograde periods are discombobulating because they can't be perfect or strive for that near-perfection for three weeks, three or four times a year. If they can 'get over' this need to be perfect or always on-time, then it's not such a stressful period for them :-).

Now, Virgo’s and Gemini's can rest, take a deep breath and stop feeling like someone stole half their brain. Even though they are not affected directly by this particular Mercury going direct, they still get influenced by it “just because” it is their natal planetary ruler.

WITH MERCURY GOING DIRECT YOU WANT TO...

1. Finish up on something--Mercury Direct is a wonderful time to wrap up projects, attend to details, and yes, clean up your messy desk, reorganize things, it will all fall into magical place now, shortly after the retrograde motion is over. Your telephone starts ringing, email flow increases, faxes are more numerous , and generally, a period of quiet is over and the frantic activity replaces it.

2. If you have a project that has lain around a long time and you just never got around to it--now is the time to look at it more closely and decide if its worth your investment in time and energy--if it isn't, during this time, you'll more than likely drop it permanently--or get serious about resurrecting it or completing it--successfully!

3. Lies, deceit, cheating and sneaky actions by others or yourself, will come to light during a Mercury Retrograde period. It's the the long arm of Karma unveiling such negative things. If you think you duped someone--wait--during this period is when it will come to light and boy, will you be caught 'red handed'!!! Or, if someone said something behind your back--it will get back to you during this time frame. Or, if you were in some way cheated, duped or lied to, you will find out about it now. All these possibilities came to light; now with Mercury going direct you have a clean slate, so to speak. Anything hidden, has come to light and now it's time to get on with the forward motion of your life once more. It is interesting to me that Haggard, the head of the Evangelical movement, lied and now is being ‘outed’ by his male lover and being called a hypocrite by him. Such is the way Mercury turning direct works.

4. Your daily routine is back-so, "go with the flow". You'll be less day-dreamy, less spacy, more....of 'something'--so just go 'there.' This is a great time for outer/external experiences. It's wonderful for doing external work. You're a lot less inclined to want quiet, to be alone, or do meditational types of things (which are internal work and energy)..

5. This is a great time to start new projects of any kind--big or small. Wash the windows! Paint that cabinet! Start that brainchild project that has been there silently asking for completion. Dust that room! Take down the spider webs!

Best of all, life gets back on a more or less “normal” routine or “rut” that many of us cherish. When Mercury is retrograde, it all goes in the toilet and gets flushed. Now the Cosmic Toilet of Life is back on line and we can breath a deep sigh of relief at least in that quadrant of our lives! Routine is back. Constancy will return. So will our sanity for those of us who feel like our rut got ripped out from under us. Let’s hear it for the humdrum of life. We get it back on November 17th up to a point--we still have an incredible New Moon Eclipse, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, coming our way on November 29th!

OTHER HELP, OTHERS TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR YOU....

We do not go through life alone, although I know, many times, it sure feels that way. If you could realize that Great Spirit is always with you, and that you have an army of guides (guardian angels to some) that are there, too, you aren’t alone. There are many ‘tools’ out there to help increase your evolutionary rate and to take advantage of such a special release of energy that is coming our way shortly. If you are drawn to one of these ‘tools’ by these counselors, please take advantage of their services before the eclipse and initiation.


HELP TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF MERCURY GOING DIRECT


I don’t believe we have to SUFFER (at all) through a retrograde or direct period. The people below are, in my opinion, the best in their particular business and are skillful catalysts to help people to help themselves. Utilize the eclipse in the BEST and most healthy of ways....check out this group and choose which tools resonate most strongly with you and contact them. You won’t be sorry you did! And, with this November 17, 2006 coming up, this is an OPPORTUNITY to off load our wounds, get in touch with what is strong or weak within us--and fix it. So, this is a fix-it-up time. Take advantage of this enlightening period of time!


ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELORS:

You can engaged the services of the medicinegarden.com’s professional astrologer and find out. Our own Rosemarie Brown is a natal counselor. Just contact her at: starrose@sedona.net. Her website is: http://www.rosemariebrown.com

If you are wanting to move and aren’t sure where or you have a place in mind, but aren’t sure if it’s “right” for you, they have locale information available. If health is your consideration, both are trained medical astrologers. Or, Gail Carswell at rockdoc@mindspring.com. Or, Michael Foltz at solardoc@mindspring.com.

I'm sure one of these three professionals will be able to shed considerable light in what is going on in your life and the many choices you have available to you to institute and use. Better yet, visit their website: http://www.owlswebnest.com, for more information on all the services they provide.

UN-CONFUSE YOURSELF DURING THIS ECLIPSE

NEED A “Coach”, some serious therapy that gets to the “heart” of your angst or what you’re wrestling with? We recommend Rosemarie Brown. Please contact her at: http://www.rosemariebrown.com or by email at: Rosemarie Brown

VOICE ANALYSIS--THE MISSING NOTE

I’ve had my voice analyzed by Ani Williams and I can tell you from personal experience that we all have a “missing note” in our life. So what? Well, consider this. Without this missing note back in our life, we aren’t working off of 8 cylinders. We’re working on 6--or less! Please go to Ani’s website for more information. This is a life-changing “tool” that you should include in your personal Pluto transformation kit. http:// www.aniwilliams.com or contact her via email at: songaia@earthlink.net

SPIRITUAL UPKEEP RENOVATION: NEED A SHAMAN?

Gail Carswell, Michael Foltz, Grace Verte (GraceVerte@Netsedona.com), Karen David (KDMystic@aol.com) and Rosemarie Brown are all trained shamanic facilitators who can help you through your spiritual transformation. For more information on Soul Recovery and Extraction, go to: http://www.medicinegarden.com/SRE/SREchapter.html and then contact one of them for further help!

FOR CARE OF BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT: HOMEOPATHY

Our favorite classically trained homeopath is Yolande Grill of Cave Creek, Arizona. She does long-distance case taking by phone and I consider her one of the best we’ve got in the USA. So, don’t delay! She is also a shamanic facilitator, as well. Get a hold of Yolande at: y.grill@att.net


In Spirit....