Mayflower Bookshop bLog

Many thanks to the many friends who came to my recent live music performances. It was great to hear so many sing along with some of the songs. The song line chorus of ‘Fly me home, fly me home; on the wings of an angel, don’t ever let go’, as well as ‘A little bit of Love’s gonna set us free’ had everyone singing! Those songs, from my new ‘WISH’ CD, seemed to be the favorites with everyone. You can hear some of the songs on Mayflower Bookshop website (http://web.mac.com/mayflowerbookshop). My little rap rants about the sacred heart and holy backyard, politics, ecology, and saying prayers before meals in a song at Memphis Smoke seems to still have some people talking. Move over Tom Petty and Bob Dylan! Thanks friends! Next concert is in Palmer Park June 28th! More concerts coming up, so stay tuned. -robert (248-547-8227) See our website and hear some music at http://web.mac.com/mayflowerbookshop 

Robert of Mayflower’s Astrological Newsletter, June 2009

Pluto, now in Capricorn, envisions the need for world concern for ecology, good healthy food to eat, and concerned governments around the world to work together for peace and prosperity. Pluto opposing the USA’s Cancer Sun Sign denotes how world dilemmas and problems are forcing us to re-imagine ourselves as agents for positive change and renewal. Pluto’s danger is letting the ‘little man,’ the unconscious libido, the desire/fear rule. Emerson - a true transcendentalist and creative imagineer of modern America’s pursuit of happiness, joy, and peace - clearly accentuates and activates our higher virtue and sense of conscience, mind, and spirit in his wonder poems and essays such as Brahma, The OverSoul, and Self-Reliance. Emerson may well be the one to read, along with Bucke’s ‘Cosmic Consciousness’ to antidote Pluto’s negative influence. Another book, ‘Secrets of the Soil’ or anything on Biodynamic Gardening will also help. If America could rekindle their intimate relationship to the Virtuous Heart and the Holy Backyard, re-awaken how important a relationship to the soil is, much good could prevail. Pluto opposing Cancer is the loss of healthy soil and good food. By cognitive organic gardening alone, we can recreate a virtuous world of peace and joy. Most of us have been severely cut off from the spiritually etheric formative forces and rhythms of Mother Nature.

 “He is asleep. Though his mettle was sorely tried, He lived, and when he lost his angel, died. It happened calmly, on its own, The way the night comes when day is done.” -Les Miserables (p. 1463)

Pluto squaring Libra reveals the end of marriage and relationship as we know it. It indicates a need to make friendship and loving kindness the core of relationship, not a dream in the sky. Happiness in helping others unfold their own talents and virtues, as well as mutual respect and co-creative spiritual striving, freedom, and honesty, will become a priority in all relationships. Staying friends after parting ways is the key proof of such attainment. Pluto square Libra reveals a need to base friendships and partnerships on the many possibilities of making the world a better place, a more virtuous harmonious place; rather than partnerships based on greed, desire, fear and egotistical attainment/acquirement alone. Pluto in Capricorn depicts the death and rebirth (controlled bankruptcies and re-making) of many a corporation and car company. It also depicts the need to have all military powers of the world to work for peace and love, rather than perpetual war and military nuclear build-up. We seem to be good at war but not peace, good at making weapons but not healthy gardens and farm communities.

“Have no fear of robbers or murderers. They are external dangers, petty dangers. We should fear ourselves. Prejudices are the real robbers; vices the real murderers.” -Les Miserables (p. 27)

Neptune in Aquarius probably signifies how many people are medicated, or ‘on something,’ also the mass hysteria produced by being continually overstimulated. The real need of meditation rather than medication, yoga rather than party togas, and gardening rather than fireworks and loud stadiums of spectator music, sports, and politics. Wrong use of drugs are a real problem both in the garden and in the human being, toilets, and our drinking water.

 “In passing, we might say that success is a hideous thing. Its false similarity to merit deceives men… They confuse heaven’s radiant stars with a duck’s footprint left in the mud.” -Les Miserables (p. 51-52) 

Neptune wants to get something from nothing, and seems to neither understand Buddha’s empty bowl, nor emptiness practice. Neptune is escape, false spirituality, maya or feverish illusory pursuits, as well as visitations and moments of great compassion, the mother. Neptune is the sea of compassion and bliss, or the sea of samsara’s illusions and false perceptions. Neptune in Aquarius calls for a real need to address drug addiction, whether in the form of sugar and coffee, TV and porn, pharmaceutical or illegal drugs. Emerson’s works, Blavatsky’s ‘Secret Doctrine’ and ‘Isis Unveiled,’ Steiner’s ‘Outline of Esoteric Science’ and his ‘Theosophy,’ Osho’s ‘Book of Secrets,’ the Tibetan Buddhist Mind Training and Meditation Techniques, Vedanta, the Bhagavad Gita all are ways of spiritually “getting high” or transcending to a spiritual reality or angelic encounter enabling a more virtuous re-embodiment, or even next moment. The metaphysical movement and health food, whole foods, movement is a real human heart conspiracy of LOVE. The human being is conscious virtue and harmonious co-creative spirit indeed. The human being, each of us, is a divine co-creative agent for either positive or negative change. Few are trained in the ways of virtuous mind training, organic gardening, musical play, or metaphysical inquiry that leaves one free. Freedom and truth, loving kindness and compassion, and creative play, are severely lacking top to bottom in this weird world of better living through chemistry, advanced technology, economic war machines, and spectator living (spectator sports, spectator sex, spectator music and entertainment). Neptune in Aquarius is also the danger of spectators or ghosts. Ghosts are all the past unfinished or undigested experiences that haunt the mind and emotions with distraction or vampirization making one feel either drained or over accentuated, exaggerated, or inflated. 

“That eternally returning specter, the past, not infrequently falsifies its passport. Let us be ready for the snare. Let us beware. The past has a face, superstition, and a mask, hypocrisy. Let us denounce the face and tear off the mask.” -Les Miserables, Victor Hugo (p. 508)

Neptune in Aquarius calls for the need for heightened awareness and a new spirituality that can heal the split between spirit and body by awakening the Soul of Knowledge in Heart, awakening the heart’s mindfulness. (See ‘Treasury of Dharma,’ or ‘Meaningful to Behold,’ or ‘The Three Principled Path’ by Gelek Rimpoche, and also Robert of Mayflower’s cd called Divine Yoga Sutras).

“The greatness of democracy is that it denies nothing and renounces nothing of humanity. Next to the rights of Man, side by side with them, at least, are the rights of the Soul.” -Les Miserables (p. 517)

Uranus in Pisces, about to go into Aries in 2010, indicates the need to catch the mind from unconscious streaming. Uranus wants something new to happen, but in Pisces it’s like trying to have a new dream rather then doing something real. Uranus in Pisces is sleep disturbances as well as events that disturb your sleep or ability to stay unconscious. Uranus is the awakener. If one doesn’t consciously, spiritually and morally, wake up to participating in the creation of a peaceful healthy holy world, one may accidently and karmically open oneself up to being shocked into growing up spiritually. It’s the carrot or the stick type mentality. Either one goes for the carrot, making oneself better, initiating spiritual (virtuous) education, or one gets hit with the stick, hit with learning lessons. Uranus in Pisces truly indicates the need to awaken a spiritual pre-conceptive awakeness, an intuitive feeling for future events, and a willingness to change the inner self, the inner mind, so to attune to meeting the future full-bodied. We live in a world where some of us have awakened the awareness that “Each of us is a child of God”. The problem is that few of us are spiritual ADULTS. Few realize their full spiritual potential. Few realize their co-creative power in creating future circumstance and world event starting with each and everything we do. The present is the child of the past, the parent of the future. Uranus in Pisces gives us plenty of forewarning of coming events. When Uranus goes into Aries and squares Pluto, much of the past will be truly thrown off and the future, like it or not, will be rushed at us. Many a new invention and cultural revolution of higher intelligence and world necessity will be thrown upon us. It will be like ‘musical chairs’ - except everybody sitting will now have to get up and dance, or do something, move.

“Liberation is not deliverance. A convict may leave prison behind but not his sentence.” -Les Miserables (p.97)

Saturn in Virgo reveals the need to insure good healthy food and water for everybody, not just “good” insurance. Healthy diet and exercise is an insurance. Saturn in Virgo is the need to find good work, job, that is spiritually and ecologically healthy for both the individual and the world. We need healthy transportation! Non-fossil fuel transportation. Job and health are the issues here with Saturn in Virgo, but if you’re not working on healing the inner life, the mind and heart, what good will a healthy animal body be but for harnessing as work dog serf-dumb? “If you’re not working on your inner self, you’re not working” used to be the slogan at Mayflower Bookshop. Being physically healthy but not virtuous is not spiritual health. Saturn in Virgo is about the wisdom of right work, right mind, right diet (intestines), and right dharma or critique. Right Fix is knowing what to fix that automatically fixes a thousand other things.

Jupiter in Aquarius is about social justice and creating healthy spiritual community. Its fall-out or shadow would include elitist exclusive clubbing and in-house clowning. It also indicates the tendency to collectivize, socialize, and herd, rather than to individualize. The most for the many, rather than the most for the few is the trend. What is best for the whole which includes each individual.

“Love has no middle term; either it destroys, or it saves.” -Les Miserables (p. 1004)

Venus and Mars in Taurus makes for some great hugs and kisses this month. Good for down-to-earth practicality and super-sensuous experience. Good for gardening, friends and backyards.

 “The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves–say rather, loved in spite of ourselves.” -Les Miserables (p. 167)

June’s Astrological Configurations of Interest include—

1. June 5th, Sun square Saturn leading into June 7th trigger of Moon square Saturn on Full Moon Day  may mean extremes in the weather along with tough realistic decisions when it comes to the economy, travel, and all big blue sky, the grass is greener over there, possibilities. Saturn makes one realistic. Mars trine Pluto on the 4th makes for aggressive but practical moves to further large stake interests and long-term securities.
2. The Venus trine Pluto on June 8th in Earth signs, makes for the need to secure one’s heart to deeper yet secure waters. The heart yearns to anchor in deeper waters of time’s wisdom and insight. Good for evaluating what really works in love, and what escapes in love. What anchors love and what flies away in such.
3. Mercury square Chiron/Neptune/Jupiter on the 9th & 10th. Great aspect for using one’s creative wits to achieve the impossible. Bad aspect for taking unnecessary risks in gambling, investments, speculation, or compromising oneself with unconscious weird appetites or desires, or wanting something for nothing. Also indicative of the need to transcend troubles with something more beautiful, loving, and full of grace, forgiveness, and futurity. The June 13th Moon conjunct Neptune/Jupiter/Chiron vibe is orgasmic insights into the future.
4. First half of June, Asteroid Pallas squares Venus/Mars making for sudden jolts of reality when it comes to love, money, and the hunt for happiness. Beware of hunting goddesses. Good for making love work for everybody. Anger is forcing one’s judgement and opinion on another denying them the freedom to come to it on their own. Pallas can be forceful. But when patient and loving, the best of lovers and friends she is.  Love is wanting the other to be happy, to bloom. Love ravishes the seed to bud, the bud to flower, the flower to fly in the air, perfume the world. Love is the paradox of becoming oneself simultaneous to freeing oneself; and perhaps, even the other.

 “They were living in that ravishing condition that might be called the dazzling of one soul by another.” -Les Miserables(p. 1004) 

5. June 4th to 12th watch the verbal sparks fly as President Obama has transiting Mars square his natal Mercury, and then by the 12th he has transiting Mars opposing his natal Neptune. The President will be quick to retaliate or react to misplaced criticisms. Also quick to address and put in check troubled hot spots. By the 12th, danger of acting prematurely or too quickly, rashly, or wrongly. With Pluto going retrograde to oppose his natal Venus again at the end of June, the President may be feeling the tight squeeze of performance tension, and/or the continued pressures and troubles due to both the war in the Middle East, and the continued threats of North Korea’s actions. Pluto/Venus can create ultimatums and strong pressures to act or react. Neptune retrograde transiting so close to his ascendent demands realistic and practical actions progressing the Presidents future plans; otherwise, Neptune can be the feeling of being lied to or misled. Positively, the Pluto/Venus transit depicts the President dealing head-on with real problems in the economy and with the poor, rather than loss of popularity due to scandal. The Neptune transit can depict the President’s strong spiritual power and virtuous idealism shared by the collectively conscious public, rather than the illusory pursuit of goals. When Uranus transit squares his natal Venus early next year, we will get the report card. Spring could be the breakthrough time for progress and real forward motion. Early next year, Jupiter will trine President Obama’s Venus in Cancer and his Neptune in Scorpio. Will everything come up roses by then, or is it the war of the roses?

6. Aquarius Jupiter going Retrograde on June 15th till October 13th portends of four months of reconsidering the Obama plan for restoring the country to world leadership in peace, environment, economy, social justice, and education. This may prove to be the critical time for the economy to prepare for many real NEW initiatives, inventions, and futuristic realities to make their appearance in 2010-12 during the Cardinal Sign Cosmic Cross of Pluto Capricorn/Uranus Aries/Saturn Libra/Jupiter Aries.

“Mayor Madeline: ‘The two highest functionaries of the state are the wet nurse and the school teacher’.” -Les Miserables (p. 161)

7. June 17th Sun trine Neptune/Jupiter and square Uranus makes for an intense need to make quick changes and adjustments. This influence for sudden shifts of direction extends from June 15th to 20th. Asteroid Juno conjuncts Uranus during this week of June 17th portending of wild Celtic Amazonian women of wonder and power, along with the usual criminals of complaint, worry, nag, and haggy dissent, dissatisfaction. Juno is mythologically associated with Zeus’s wife capable of loving wisdom, joy, and kindness, but also of rage and terroristic obsession and fascination. Men are equally included here. This may prove to be a harmonious and beautiful time, but it could also be a time of stormy weather and earthquake, as well as tempestuous political debate. The beautiful hag, Juno, is a flush rose cheeked this June.

 “She astounds at ten paces, terrifies at three; a large wart inhabits her perilous beak; you constantly tremble lest she blow it your way, and lest her nose slip in her mouth some fine day.” -Les Miserables (p. 1087). 

Jupiter conjunct Neptune on July 10th should flush out whether 19 people dying from Swine Flu in U.S. constitutes a pandemic alarm or not. Jupiter/Neptune can be highly inflated data as well as completely missing the obvious fact right in front of your face. The question most astrologers have is, is the economy really hitting bottom and making a positive turn? I tend to think the Jupiter/Neptune may be fooling us, and we haven’t quite hit bottom yet. Spring 2010 on to 2012 will be the real turn around and positive new world vibe. Or so i think.

8. Summer Solstice on June 21st on Father’s Day reveals Venus conjunct Mars in Taurus notorious for passionate love, eroticism, sacrifice, and going to no end to find satisfaction. With New Moon next day oppose Pluto, along with a Venus/Mars trine Saturn, expect many power plays and heated threats both personal weird stuff with jealousy, anger, and fear, as well as geo-political hotspot war zones. Compassion, compassion, compassion with sharp wisdom, wit, and selfless insight much needed at this time. On the 23rd, Sun opposes Pluto known for jealousy and crazy antics of selfish obsession, vanity, taking-it-personal, and downright neurosis, psychosis, and woundology psychology.  Being happy for other’s happiness is usually the missing element these daze.

 “And whatever he did, he always fell back onto this paradox at the core of his thought. To remain in paradise and become a demon! To re-enter hell and become an angel!” -Les Miserables (p. 235)

Although Venus/Mars can make for impulsive highly exciting erotic love adventure this whole month leading to June 21st and on to the July Full Moon eclipse, and on to the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction on July 10th, take care to avoid people who aren’t happy for others, who put everyone else down, who demonize others with their superior inferiority complex, and who deny others the creative freedom they demand so much for themselves. Reality check points include the highly erotic, kinky and weird, Sun opposes Pluto on June 23rd, the Ceres conjunct Saturn on June 26th through the end of June, along with July 1st, 4th, and July 21st Solar Eclipse with Venus square Saturn. (Will grains and corn and food prices rise substantially due to cold then hot weather? Or will they fall?) The weather continues to go to extremes. Here in Michigan, my hope is the cool spring will ward off the Japanese beetle bugs that love to eat corn, berries, and roses.

9. With Venus/Mars conjunct on June 21st, heading for a square to Jupiter then Neptune by the first week in July many a love life will tangle, untangle, wrangle and jingle jangle, come unglued and reassemble. Do we remember just what and why we are here for each other. To midwife awakening? Destiny or fate? To make the world a better place or just to work out bad karma? Hug; or, Huh? Or is it just a mad plunge into the future avoiding the reality of the situation? Escapism and inflationism? Or just lost at sea without a clue, dishonesty and real friends too few? Ask for anything, accept the way it is for now, and turn up the love light, being yourself true to the dream, the ideal, the highest star o’er head. Yes, that’s how to deal with this aspect.

“Love almost replaces thought. Love is a burning forgetfulness of everything else.” -Les Miserables (p. 1009)

10. Conan O’Brien’s astrological chart reveals shake-ups and dramatic changes to his show by October 2009 with Retrograde Uranus transit conjunct his natal Venus. Neptune then retrograde transits near his Saturn/Moon depicting feelings of being drained, and a need for better diet and exercise, a need to take care of health. (Isn’t Conan already doing this?) With Pluto recently squaring O’Brien’s natal Jupiter, everything is changing … or is it? The last of three Pluto/Jupiter squares hits in early 2010. If Conan makes it to then, the Uranus transit conjunct his natal Jupiter will catapult him to greater success. Till then, his tough aspects in October, along with Saturn transit opposing his Venus in September, portend of tough times and a long ride. O’Brien has transiting Pluto trining his ascending sign, Uranus and Pluto, indicating somebody in power wants Conan there. But why? Is he really that funny? If Conan can last it out, 2010 will be his time to win.

11. Susan Boyle who won our hearts by being somebody simple, miserable and downtrodden (and who doesn’t have a piece of that hidden somewhere inside us) won a place on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ by singing ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ from the play ‘Les Miserables’. Les Miserables was a book by Victor Hugo depicting a convict in prison for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread. The story is a torrid affair of poverty seeking wholeness, love, and redemption, and the heart eventually winning out over outer circumstance and fate, even death. Susan Boyle typifies that beat-up part of ourselves seeking healing and wholeness, seeking our day in the court of divine providence, perhaps even on the stage of mass attention. Somewhere inside each of us is something really beautiful, a song in our heart. Susan has a Libra Moon opposite an Aries Sun. Jupiter in Aquarius trines her Moon. With Neptune transiting her midheaven and opposing her natal Uranus, she had her day or two of fame and good fortune. With transiting Pluto slowly coming up to oppose her Mars in the coming years, and with transiting Jupiter coming to oppose her natal Pluto next year, Susan would be smart to buy a farm and stay grounded. With Uranus coming in the next two years to conjunct her Sun, and with Neptune presently high in her chart near MC, she may end up with a little TV show, but if I was her, I wouldn’t gamble. I’d take care of my heart and health, eat good food and exercise, and go for the farm, not the fame.

“Each of our passions, even love, has a stomach that must not be overloaded. We must in all things write the word finis in time; we must restrain ourselves, when it becomes urgent, draw the bolt on the appetite, play a fantasia on the violin, then break the strings with our own hand.” -Les Miserables (p. 135)

12. Plane vanishes over Atlantic as Neptune goes retrograde and Mercury goes direct. N. Korea announce more underground nuclear bombs, and more missile tests. Hard to tell exactly what’s going on with Jupiter Neptune aspects. June should flush out what’s up here. The end of June and around full moon early July also has tricky aspects for warring geopolitical hot spots on earth.

“Great perils share this beauty that they bring to light the fraternity of strangers.” -Les Miserables (p. 1101)

13. Mel Gibson recently announced he’s getting divorced from his wife, and having a baby with his girlfriend. I wonder what his ‘Catholic’ opinion was about the Opra Priest affair?! Well, it’s good they are with women and not kids, eh? Anyway, Mel has transiting Pluto squaring his natal Moon which can be really good for having a baby and a garden. You gotta be really sweet and loving with that aspect. Jealousy and psychodrama will kill ya if you are not careful with Mr. Pluto. Transiting Uranus conjunct his Midheaven portends of a huge change in his career, his looks, the roles he plays, the way he walks and talks even! Uranus may get him to write a book or do reality shows, or even journalism or reporting. Uranus wants honesty and a higher truth. His Pluto aspect wants privacy and lots of intimacy, closeness, and trust. Hey, where does that start? Assuming Mel sticks with the new love he’s having a baby with (she’s now over 3 months pregnant), his Jupiter aspects to his natal fifth house and then oppose his natal Moon may predict another baby within a year and a half. Go Mel, go go!

“Suspicions are nothing more nor less than wrinkles. Early youth has none. What overwhelms Othello glides over Candide.” -Les Miserables (p. 1041)

Robert is available for private astrological consultations. Please call the Mayflower Bookshop at 248-547-8227 or email mayflowerbookshop@mac.com for further information or to arrange an appointment. Robert is also available for in-house concerts.

Next live music Robert of Mayflower concert in the park, June 28th 2pm in Palmer Park.

“Citizens, in the future there shall be neither darkness nor thunderbolts, neither ferocious ignorance nor blood for blood… In the future no man will slay his fellow, the earth will be radiant, the human race will love. It will come, citizens, that day when all shall be concord, harmony, light, joy, and life.” -Les Miserables, Hugo (p. 1116)

Donations for this astrological spiritual wisdom newsletter are always welcome.

Two Live Music Shows Coming Up

and

Robert of Mayflower’s Astrological Newsletter

1. Robert Thibodeau plays new songs, and folk/classic rock with Bob Monteleone 

Friday May 29th at 7.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. 

at Gala Restaurant in Farmington 

see: http://galafarmington.com/

2. Robert and Bob at Memphis Smoke

at John Lamb’s Singer Songwriter Showcase

on Sunday May 31st at 8 p.m.

at 11 Mile and Main Street, Royal Oak

*****

Astrological Events for May 2009

1. May 7th - Mercury retrograde after Venus square Pluto on May 2nd. Oh this will be fun! Old arcane karma comes to hit you in the face, a heart of love reckoning, and a new approach to what needs to be done to make the future work. These may be the issues. On the other hand, it’s deep love: wanting it, getting it, and now what to do with it. Old issues of fear/desire obscure the view. Mercury in Gemini going retrograde re-enters Taurus on May 13th indicating a need to be more practical and down-to-earth than superficial genius on paper. Do yoga, meditate, re-write the script for practical genius to shine indeed. Mercury goes direct on May 30th the day after Neptune goes retrograde on the 29th. Hopefully spring warmth will arrive with Sun square Jupiter on May 15th and we won’t have to wait till the end of May when Mercury goes direct. Mercury retrograde into Taurus may make us reconfigure what is real security and savings; what is real futurity. Down-to-earth gardening, sewing, cooking, weaving friends, sharing, hands-on stuff is what works. Late Taurus is known to be a part of the Zodiac that the really rich people enjoy, so there may be a re-questioning of what it means to be rich, both inwardly and outwardly. What it means to be poor, both inwardly and outwardly; in qualities and capacities!?! It truly is a new time to spring forth by both looking deeper within, righting the wrongs of the past, catch up to unfinished business, and boldly going where your past never allowed you to go. We are spirit souls in a material world. 
2. Saturn is still going retrograde indicating more work-related troubles. The good news is that when Saturn goes forward or direct the night of May 16th, on Armed Forces Day, a shift will start to take place getting people back to work with good jobs culminating in late October when Saturn goes into Libra. At that time, we’ll be back to work but starting to ponder the workability and feasibility of our relationships and partners long term.
3. Jupiter conjunct Neptune on May 27th portends of magical times, over-the-top imaginative luminal numinous experience. Be careful of Virgin Mary sightings, UFO sightings, Elvis sightings, and Harmonic Convergence memorial services. Until Jupiter goes retrograde on June 15th, you can’t trust the future and its many possibilities and lucid dreams. When Jupiter goes direct in October, everyone will be ‘kind of’ unified in the vision and dream of how the future is going to work for everyone.
4. Venus is chasing Mars in Aries and will conjunct Mars on June 21st (Solstice), preceded by Jupiter retrograde June 16th, Moon trigger to the Venus/Mars June 19th and Sun square Uranus and Sun trine Neptune on June 21st. And it is closely followed by Sun oppose Pluto also on June 21st. Surely, this will be an interesting time when many jump ship and join the ‘other side’. Love bubbles may pop, out with the old and in with the new, as well as the myth reality workings of not putting new wine in old bottles. Or can you? This time will prove to be quite erotic and for others, neurotic and psychotic. Venus is the feminine principle chasing the male Mars energy. Should be interesting time.
5. Pluto opposing the USA Venus this month portends of more bankruptcies and bailouts, banking problems and concerns over children and mothers. Venus/Pluto always is dangerous for people with problems of jealousy, obsession, compulsive behaviour and misbehaviour. Good aspect for compassion for the underdog who is getting beat up by whoever, whatever, forever. Also good for long-term love, gardening, behind-the-scenes good workings.
6. The best thing in May will be Robert’s live music May 29th and May 31st, join us for a fun time.

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Robert Thibodeau

Mayflower Bookshop

2645 W. 12 Mile Rd

Berkley, Mi. 48072

Robert’s Mayflower Website and Music

http://web.mac.com/mayflowerbookshop

Astrological Wisdom Insights from Mayflower Bookshop and Gift Center—

April 1st to April 7th: Crime of Passion or Time of Compassion? This month is a serious time to consider and reconsider the world’s karmic suffering. Good time to find within yourself a patient contemplation of how past life karma has created the world coming at us, realizing that the way we deal with the present, creates the future. This is 101 spiritual psychology. Mental quiescence and patient calm openness to new learning goes far this month. Increased volcanic and earthquake activities, as well as melting poles and extremes in the weather have many of us pondering the idea that we are living in apocalyptic times, or at least 2012 end of the calendar time as we know it. These are difficult times, but important times, for learning deeper truths about the nature of self, the world, love and friendship. Finding truth and learning to love in a way that honors another’s truth, freedom, and spiritual love process is in high demand and order these days. Giving others the freedom to learn on their own is important, but in times like these, the time seems pressing. The lack of right understanding of the true nature of  self, karma and reincarnation, as well as a lack of knowledge of the seven states of matter and consciousness so well illustrated and revealed in the works of Rudolf Steiner and H. P. Blavatsky, or even the Tibetan Buddhist doctrine of the Mahayana Prajna Paramitas or Lam Rin, is a problem for sure for the psycho-drama ego terrorist of our divided soul. A bit more compassion, patient tolerance and gentle loving kindness now will go far to heal the rough times. Seeing the truth of many lifetimes can help position oneself to a greater destiny and good fortune. Thinking that this is our only life time here on earth is beginning to appear reckless folly for the future children of planet earth. Recycling and karmic return is a major theme this month. April is a month to come back round to yourself and to realize everything goes around and back to ourself. Change yourself and you change the world. Blame others and try to change others alone, and you may find yourself on the recycling rinse or thrown back into the old karma. May all beings find happiness and freedom within their own heart and mind shining out in blessings to the world around.

Venus square Pluto on April 3rd into Saturday the 4th’s Mars square Saturn (cold?) makes for plenty of opportunity for compassion. Watch for extremes in the weather as well as extreme emotional states. Venus/Pluto is notorious for jealousy, revenge, psycho-drama and crazy love/hate chit; while the Mars/Saturn is both taking the law into one’s own hands, as well as needing to call in the law. Needless to say, where are the hippies when we need them?! They want peace and love for everybody.

When a person learns to be able to be alone with oneself and listen to the heart beat of the world, and we are all orphans of the Spiritual World, compassion and perhaps a will to do something genuine or real arises. (See the ‘Voice of the Silence’ by HPB, or Steiner’s ‘Knowledge of the Higher Worlds’ or even Gelek Rinpoche’s ‘Good Life, Good Death’). See my cd talk, ‘Heart Meditation’.

 The first week of April calls for increased awareness of the tortured state of things, and a call for higher learning. Patience, patience, patience and compassion, compassion, compassion, compassion. But where is the light of alchemy? Buddha makes the distinction between two kinds of suffering. Suffering that doesn’t bring enlightenment, nor awakening, nor healing; and suffering that brings about healing (i.e. spiritual mind/heart doctor), an awakening of higher intelligence (such as the sacrifice discipline and study brings), and the suffering of virtue/goodness/beauty/truth to find enlightenment, freedom, happiness. Plato talks about incidental and accidental death or ‘dis-aster’. By living a virtuous life of learning and sharing, one may find true meaning in life. Destiny and high adventure in each and every moment or event can be conscious consequence, rather than accidental meaningless suffering and mindless violence. It is the hope of the author that a higher angel of learning and wakefulness be our guide and tutor during these worldwide cataclysms of change and challenge. It is in such difficult times that the Christ within, the Solar hero, the Christos, the higher self, the Buddha Nature, Buddha Mind, dharma mind (call it what you will), the spiritually divine in each of us, is called upon to rise in awareness and action, peaceful and lovingly kindness. Where there is darkness, may there be light; where ignorance and delusion, may truth and right action correct and heal; where there is suffering, may healing and insight prevail; where there is chaos, may new order and harmony arise. Om Ah Hum! So Mote it be! Amen Ra~! May we learn to see the eternal spark in all that lives!

Venus/Pluto is a call for greater love and generosity to those less fortunate. Everyone who suffers more and knows less is our little kid. No kidding. A further need for universal love/compassion with no strings attached and no clinging attachment or need for reward is now called for. Karma free loving deeds is the spirit call of the moment. Make the wish, may all beings find happy and creative heart-mind continuum.

Venus/Pluto on April 3rd may reveal many more problems as we head for the explosive Mars/Uranus in mid April. Mars is all too often associated with shooting people, guns, gunning for people or trouble, aggression and little egotism. Look for more troubles and complaints with the economy, ecology, corruption in high places, and the non-virtues associated with egotism/selfishness gone to extreme. Without an inner life, a meaningful inner awakened participation with all of life; without this inner creativity and relatedness, inner to inner; craziness obsession and chaotic emotions of jealousy, anger, feelings of aloneness, separation, and obsession occur. Realizing our oneness with all life, feeling connected to all life, is healing.

April 4th Mars/Saturn can be extremes in weather making it much colder, other places in the world may have extreme heat. Mars/Saturn is both feeling blocked or inhibited, as well as feeling forced into things. Complex frustrations. Hurry up and be patient type aspect. Here there is a need for patience when it comes to obstacles and delays. Steady sure patient work bring progress. Extra sleep or exercise may be needed. This first week in April may prove to be a very tough time to travel, or to communicate well. Other difficult travel and communication/networking days include April 14-15th, April 22nd, 26th, and 28th. Avoid arguments and anger on all these testy critical days. Yoga, meditation, eating grains and greens and chewing well, long walks, and the patience of trees and rocks (not stones) is what we need here. Look for infinity within the moment, rather than reacting to the tempest in the teacup.

April 9th Full Moon should bring a temporary, but big, breath of relief from the stress of the first week. Full Moon in Libra trines Jupiter/Neptune allowing positive dreamers and mystics, futurists, lovers, and musicians alike to emerge from their cocoons to play, pray and chant, sing peace and love songs. At any rate, you gotta love people who love, who touch and are touched by the more eternal verities and higher octaves of creativity and play.

April 15th Mars conjunct Uranus brings quick and sometimes shocking news, upsets, changes, and recalculations of direction and purpose. Here, one seizes the moment or is thrown by it. Here some pretty tough decisions need be quickly made and supplemented into action. Avoid mistakes due to haste and premature externalization, yet timing is everything. All things being equal, take the new way. Otherwise, hide.  Here the early bird quick to act, react, adapt, and re-construe can be the front runner and winner. Mars/Uranus can also be dare-devil bravery and record-breaking endeavors and feats of heroism. Scientific and computer breakthrough or breakdown. Take care not to over-do or go crazy with out-of-bounds behaviour. At all costs, avoid anger and hasty reactions not grounded in wisdom’s virtue, love and truth.

What we do that we don’t love, is what we do that is making us sick and crazy neurotic. What we do out of love gives us wings.

April 17th Venus goes direct, and love wants to go forward no matter what. What we do that we don’t love, is what we do that is making us sick and crazy neurotic. What we do out of love gives us wings. With Venus going direct, there is an impulse to follow our higher yearning for love and  truth. Banks and investments at this time may make more positive moves toward long distance future. This is a time when what we’ve been ruminating and chewing on for the last few weeks, months, or years, flies out of our lips, heart, and actions. The heart wants to speak this week.

Love tryst or love mephisto? Love’s freeing us up and karma’s tying us down is sometimes a thin line of difference. Real love has no opposites, it reconciles all opposites or goes away alone on a new path of learning and unfolding. 

April 21st Venus conjunct Mars in late Pisces signifies far out last flings at fantasy, love, and highly imaginative adventure. It can also be last call for drinks or kisses before the ship parts port. This aspect is also Circe’s Siren call for Odysseus to get waylaid and lost. It is the lure of the soul mate. It is Odysseus’s port of entry or spiral home. It is an Eros flight from Psyche’s fevered love following her accidental touch of one of his arrows precipitating her forever yearning to re-unite. It is just some of the love/hate action hero energy releasing at this time. It’s all a set up to meet and semi-complete during the time Jupiter conjuncts Neptune—May 27th. Comes again, July 10th and December 21st, completing three conjunctions of Jupiter/Neptune. It may take the whole year and then some into 2012 to conceive and deliver this new world paradigm happiness, peace, justice, healing and good economy. Jupiter/Neptune is the call for world peace, collective social justice, and personal harmony. It is the attempt to manifest the highest good for the whole of earth. On the other hand, it can be the shadow of such in seeking ways of escaping real conversations and human meetings, avoiding genuine self-authenticity, and escaping being true to oneself. Too much partying or eating? Remember, by being ‘oneself,’ God can find you and help out. Try really to be true to yourself, all the other selves will confuse your destiny and God’s calling you by name. 

April 26th Mars square Pluto portends of either intense compassionate renewal and patience, or more troublesome neurosis and quarrelsome disputes. Nasty power plays and secret maneuvering for position and take-over, as well as aggressive provocation and retaliation is the negative expression of Mars/Pluto. Good for exercise, gardening, macrobiotic cooking, renewal, and psychologizing Buddhist/Jungian style. (From April 25th, Mercury square Neptune, to April 28th Moon oppose Pluto, area time of influence.) Good time to lay back, do yoga and regenerate. Bad time to have long-winded tortuous psychodrama rap sessions unending. Good time to bite the bullet and go back to work on oneself. Pluto/Mars is notorious for needing a good counselor or becoming one. Good time to do some deep reading at the Mayflower Bookshop. Bad time for endless debate over old coffee grounds.

May 5th Sun trine Saturn should bring some renewed sense of peace and quiet, and some control on the situation. It may not be until May 16th and 17th that spring arrives for real with good warmth and loving friends here in Michigan. Blessings.

NEW BOOK at Mayflower Bookshop—worth discovering!!!

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s

‘Natural History of the Intellect’

The First Publication of Emerson’s Last Lectures.

Herein Emerson talks about imagination, inspiration, and intuition making it seem for sure that Rudolf Steiner must have read and heard of such. Or is it genius tuning into the Cosmic Mind or OverSoul? Emerson truly is an all American transcendentalist sharing easy-to-understand-and-utilize self-evident truth. 

“Every breath of air is a carrier of the soul of the world. And when once thy mind knows the law of so much as thine own body, thou hast nothing to learn from galaxies of stars. ‘Tis not diameters, but ideas and insights that make depth and vastness.” -Emerson.

p.s. Readers have pointed out the accurate predictions in past astrological monthly notes in both weather, quakes, volcanoes, etc., as well as Jennifer Aniston’s latest break-up and what’s up with late night show hosts. It is my hope to address more famous people in current events in coming articles. My work on new cd and book precludes my doing such this month. Many blessings as we enter a precarious spring.

And remember, as Pindar once said, 

“A human being doing good things forgets Hades”.

Or as Trebore Tau Bodhi so often says, “I’m too busy loving the God in all living things to fear neither devil nor hell. Love and Truth dispels chaos and darkness.”

May All Beings Find Wisdom and Joy!

-robert thibodeau of mayflower bookshop

spiritual researcher, astrological consultant, and good old friend.

Check out new CD ‘WISH’ of music and songs at Mayflower or online at website http://web.mac.com/mayflowerbookshop.

Robert is available for talks and private consultations, call (248) 547-8227.

Astrological Newsletter for March 2009 - 12 items of interest from

a Jonas Brother’s Marriage? Cockrel new Mayor? The Economy?! to 2010!

Special Notice: OM Cafe to reopen for Friday dinners!

Astro News —

1. Mercury conjunct Neptune on March 5th makes for hazy crazy blurry mistakes in thinking, directions, logic, and communications. Good for dreaming and planning for the future but needs practical down-to-earth solutions. Honesty and common sense are in demand with this aspect. Don’t make promises you can’t keep, and don’t have too high of expectations of others. No expectations, no let down.

2. Venus goes retrograde on the 6th making for great sales and plummeting prices on many items and things, but can also make for scarcity of certain items and resources. Good for yoga, health food cooking, and rethinking what love and appreciation really means.

2A. In the USA’s (Sagittarius Rising) chart, as well as President Obama’s chart, transiting Pluto is opposing Venus. This makes for further banking and financial scares, closings, bankruptcies, mortgage crises, crazy unemployment and layoffs, and stock market fluctuations.

3. With Mars conjunct Neptune on the 8th into a Crazy Full Moon on the 10th while transiting Uranus squares USA natal Mars, look for another roller-coaster ride on Wall Street. It’s a complicated array of aspects. Neptune is playing round a conjunction of USA Moon into 2010, and nobody really understands exactly what is happening. Mars/Neptune is notorious for the courage to face the truth and fight for what is right; it is also good for active imagination and spiritual experience. Negatively, it can indicate downright deception, lies, thievery, and false escapes. It is a foggy difficult time to travel. Uranus/Mars often brings sudden forced changes of policy, emergency situation quickness, and dangers of accident in travel. There can be sudden loss or change of direction. On the up, it can be wild heroics and daring stunts of wonder.

4. March 5th to 12th is a loaded time astrologically for severe shifts in the weather - storms and lightening, fires, quakes, volcanoes, flooding, extremes of hot and cold in various places of the world, depending on where you are. Unless you know what you’re doing, it is a good time to not travel and to stay out of the market. Neptune sometimes gives false notions or misleading information, and often out-and-out wrong information.

5. Saturn opposes the Sun on March 8th wanting exact information and facts. This aspect also wants to impose or fight authority. Truth, responsibility, and transparency are critical with this aspect, otherwise there is deception.

6. Sun conjunct Uranus on March 12th will once again change it all around and do reversals on the just previous Full Moon Play. The Full Moon on March 10th is closer to Uranus than Saturn, signifying many quick changes about to take place in policy (government, banking). Uranus can also signify sudden events that shock or rattle. The Uranus opposition to Saturn reveals the tension of conservative vs. liberal, as well as security vs. novelty, freedom, creativity. Often it is indicative of sudden heavy storms, quakes, fires, and such.

7. Venus retrograde squares Pluto on April 3rd, right before Pluto goes retrograde on Heath Ledger’s birthday on March 4th. Also, in the sky, Mars opposes Pluto. Holy money up in smoke Bat Man. Serious measures will be meted out for seriously deepening banking and financial problems. Expect serious extremes in the weather then. Difficult travel, difficult communications, and plain hard work. Good days for cooking, gardening, cleaning, and catching up. Difficult for new beginnings.

8. Look for real forward motion and real positive results in the worldwide economic, auto, and technology fields to take place when Uranus squares Pluto from 2010 into 2012. Uranus will then offer new opportunities while freeing us from Pluto’s dark underworld obsessive, gluttonous, greedy alluring ways. Much humility, simplicity, and social conscience learning lessons these daze.

9. Fixed Signs (Aquarius/Leo/Taurus/Scorpio) are either caught up in make-believe fantasy situations and highly creative futuristic situations, or are caught in misleading adventures which are misconceived and poorly executed. The Mutable Signs of Virgo/Sagittarius/Pisces/Gemini (especially those born on the 5th to 11th of the month) find themselves wishing they could re-imagine happiness again, or that they could fantasize and have fun and play. Mutable signs need to discover practical down-to-earth ways of progressing forward. All things being equal, take the new way to recreating and renewing self-image, job, calling, love. Cardinal Signs (Libra/Capricorn/Aries/Cancer) are digging in for the deep long run drive home in long-reaching plans and goals that also offer small moments of joy, gifts, and little pleasures along the way.

10. President Obama has Uranus opposing his natal Mars portending a need for continual security and protection, but also an ability to ever adapt and change to ever-changing situations and challenges. Transiting Jupiter is heading for his ascendent and first house (the very end of March into April) indicating good fortune in beginning to turn things around. Jupiter also gives much support and positive approval rating. Just gotta get to the end of March avoiding rash reactions or remarks, accidents or mistakes.

11. The Jonas Brothers—living the dream or living in a dream?

It’s got to be a strange dream having millions of adoring fans and buckets of money and fame. That would be the pop boy band, the Jonas Brothers, who reportedly chant ‘Living the Dream’ as they mount the stage.

11A. Nick Jonas has Sun in Virgo the Virgin and Moon in Taurus. Nick recently broke off an affair with Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus. Nick just went through transiting Pluto opposing Mars. Miley and his agent must have gone nuts on him. Nick’s about to have a Uranus transit opposing his natal Sun. Electrical sparks are in the air for sudden changes and near break-up. Will health problems or accident put Nick on temporary leave? Will an affair escalate into gossip and rumor of the ‘purity ring’ of chastity falling off? If Uranus aspects are conducted well, much creativity and change will be in the air. In September this year, a Saturn transit will conjunct Nick’s Sun making for much quick maturing and growing up, or perhaps some health problems and a need for more rest, or a break in the action.

11B. Living the Dream with secretive Scorpio Sun conjunct Pluto is Paul Kevin Jonas. Kevin just had transiting Jupiter in Aquarius square his natal Taurus Moon and Scorpio Sun along with transiting Uranus square natal Saturn. With Neptune having just squared Kevin’s natal Sun, and Neptune returning in October, it looks like this fall time of the year is for either making a movie (another ‘Lord of the Rings’?) or for troubles in the rumor mill of the brothers splitting up. Astrology works that way, free will vs. karma, as to which way aspects manifest.

11C. Joe Jonas has recently broken up with Taylor Swift. For three highly-advertised religiously celibate ‘purity ring’ boys, they don’t waste time making the rounds. Joe is a Leo with Moon in free-wheeling Aquarius. Neptune just opposed his natal Sun indicating that perhaps the recent movie did him, rather than he did a movie, and that he may not remember if he took his ring off. Jupiter is just past an opposition of his natal Moon revealing the fun play and money-making side of life. And with Jupiter conjunct Joe’s natal seventh solar house North Node in May and July, will Joe want to get married? Sex? With transiting Neptune about to conjunct his natal North Node and then going retrograde to near oppose his natal Sun again at the end of October into November, he may want to go slow on that one. It appears that Joe may feel betrayed or lied to by either his agent or one of the other brothers!? Or is this more movie-making and glamor projections that Hollywood is so good at? No matter what, it does seem astrologically that all three of the Jonas brothers have difficult astrological aspects around October 2009, indicating a bit of fall-out and loss of popularity for an eternally long minute or two. Will they throw the rings of power in the volcano as Frodo did? Will they see through Sauron’s false power and return to the idyllic shire of friends and family, no longer innocent but much wiser and mature? Or will the wiles of wild Hanna Montana whisk them away from the inner sense of innocence to the ever wilder parties and partings of life. Stay tuned. First warning signs might be as early as late March into April when transiting Saturn conjunct’s Joe’s natal Mercury.

12. With progressed Moon coming to the midheaven, and progressed Sun about to conjunct natal Venus, Ken Cockrel Jr. just may win the coming election for mayor in Detroit this May.

13. Spring Equinox is March 20th at 7.44 am EST, when the sun enters Aries. New Moon is at 6° Aries on March 26th at 12.06 pm. Spring Full Moon is April 9th at 10.56 am, the following Sunday is Easter Sunday. 

Robert Thibodeau, Astrological Consultant, Speaker, and Tarot Card Reader is available at the Mayflower Bookshop in Berkley, Michigan (248) 547-8227 

Visit our updated WEBSITE to hear Robert’s new song or two from WISH!

http://web.mac.com/mayflowerbookshop

Robert will be appearing live with new songs on March 8th at Gusoline Alley in Royal Oak, time to be determined / also appearing May 31st at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak at 8 pm. Stay tuned to website for further live performances and talks.

1. Mercury goes direct on February 1st making shake-ups and quick re-orchestrations concerning friends, money, and work. Good for catching up to yourself in right thinking, as well as practical needs and realities, over false day dreams and back-paddling. Mercury is in Capricorn and is still trining Saturn. Mercury now chases up to a conjunction of Mars on March 1st making for ‘Right Thinking’ to translate into ‘Right Action’.
2. Saturn in Virgo opposes Uranus in Pisces on February 5th early morning. This is the second of five oppositions. Saturn in Virgo wants to concentrate, stabilize, consolidate, contract, and centralize all workings, health and job; sticking to the true and tried, what works. Uranus in Pisces wants to go wild with creative zany genius, and getting in one’s last ya-hoos and orgasmic flings of fantasy and far reaching plans. Uranus wants to de-structure and re-organize Saturn. Saturn wants to stabilize and secure wild radical Uranus. Chiron, the Maverick and Wounded Healer, orbits between Saturn and Uranus. This opposition brings out the best in your maverick ways but the worse in your fears or wandering mind. Freedom and security are Uranus and Saturn needs. All mutable signs (Gemini/Virgo/Sagittarius/Pisces) especially will feel this tension of opposites. Uranus has the need to make strong changes, Saturn wants to root down and stay grounded. Wild creative people seek grounded stable ones, and vice versa. Pisces is psychic and all-feeling. Virgo is calculatingly exact and real practical. The opposition is an opportunity for one’s psychic feelings to work with one’s practical everyday health and work needs.
3. Pluto has entered Capricorn bringing very strong changes to world governments and leaders around the world. All heads or leaders of every worldly endeavor, business and political, have been facing major overhaul and transformation. Pluto opposing Cancer is also the real danger of ecological disaster destroying the oceans, air, and the ability to make enough healthy good food. The Earth is in danger of over toxicity. Pluto in Capricorn may reveal the real need for world leaders to work together to bring healing and peace to our whole planet. Otherwise, this aspect portends of the danger of a world in crisis and a possible world dictator. Clearly there is the need for benevolent compassionate leaders who can address real sufferings and needs of both people and the land ecological. It is the need for every citizen of the earth to raise their spiritual and ethical ideals, raise their participatory intelligence and world responsiveness to healing, education, and right work. Pluto is plutocracy vs. collective common sense wisdom, and the need for outer differences to learn to inwardly work together. The elites and flying towers of power in the world need to see that there is no escape from the real ground earth offers. We all need the earth to survive and prosper. Pluto presents the challenge to see the divine in every living thing. To awaken one’s own harmony maker and attunement to right thinking, feeling, willing; right listening even. The spirit of the earth is a sister to the sun, a living being, not to be worshipped, but to be honored and worked with. Our profiteering is killing the earth and starting to challenge all life on earth. Spiritual and Material values need now to meet and agree in a new harmony of intelligence and compassion.
4. Venus square Pluto on February 5th highlights one’s personal need to cut off repeat offenders, scandalous friends, or selfish interests that make one feel like a spiritual dwarf. Venus in Aries wants to strike out anew in affairs of the heart, as well as the practical business of carving out one’s own life and work. If one is ready to let go of fears and negative addictions and people, new job opportunities and opportunities for new and renewed friendships abound for sun signs Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius, Libra, and Gemini.
5. The Full Moon in Aquarius on February 9th is conjunct the Trans-Saturnian Point, Chiron, and Neptune while the Pluto/Venus square in cardinal signs on February 5th still lingers in the vibe. Personal upsets and scandals, storms and tempests, now force many to seek a new visionary way of working better with others. The collective needs or tribal/group needs work to balance personal individual needs. Full Moon’s Sun/Neptune is notorious for far flung dreams of fantasy and illusion. It is also notorious for Hollywood antics and acting, even acting up. Spiritual heroics and humanitarian deeds of valor and virtue, or is it the popped balloon of false hopes and delusional dreams and fantasies? It’s up to you. Choose manifesting your highest dream. Don’t wait for others to be yourself. Universal Mind, Higher Self, call it God, can only find you if you are being your true self. All the other selves are imposters until you are real with self. And what or who is the self? Know thyself to know the whole world, know the world to know yourself. This is the true spiritual hermetic. Turn off the TV of your mind and tune into the heart of the matter. It helped me to have spiritual teachers and learn to see myself in the rhythms of mother nature, the stars. My spiritual journey had a jump start when I discovered HP Blavatsky’s writings, then Rudolf Steiner, Tibetan Buddhism (Dalai Lama and Gelek Rimpoche, Osho, and Macrobiotics. One doesn’t need a lot of money, but one needs to inwardly be rich enough to make time for oneself to read and study, to share with others such wisdom knowledge of the self. 
6. February 15th to 19th highlights the Mars conjunction of Jupiter. This aspect is good for over-the-top heroics and quick growth opportunities. Unfortunately, it also brings out the pyramid schemers and scammers who so easily take advantage of those wanting something for nothing. This aspect is also dangerous for over-doing, over-eating, drinking, talking, and frolicking. Although it is a great aspect for good sportsmanship, it is also an aspect where there is a tendency to get carried away with oneself. For the most part, this aspect is very exuberant and positive for forward motion and shopping for a new life, adventure, or friend. Aquarius usually considers what is good for everyone is good for the self, so it is good for teamwork and associating with good friends. POSITIVE VIBE. If you still have the good vibe by the February 19th Moon conjunct Pluto, it’s real. This aspect is also notorious for crusading and grandstanding. Weather can be severely difficult and trying in some places while incredibly beautiful in others.
7. End of February, transiting Pluto opposes the United States’ natal Venus. This same aspect, as I have mentioned in past newsletters, is happening in President Obama’s chart; thus, he is now intimately connected to the many problems facing the world concerning economic and ecological troubles. This aspect in one’s personal chart depicts the feeling that one is stuck with bad apples, stuck in a bad relationship. It also depicts the level of greed and corruption in high places. This timed aspect could reveal more banks and corporations that are facing bankruptcy or being devoured by larger firms. This aspect also reveals the need to heal the earth wherever and whenever possible, and the greatest need to nourish and educate the poor and downtrodden. Pluto opposing Venus often reveals scarcity and poverty in high and low places on the economic scale. Without higher intelligence and loving kindness to all, we are all poor banksters and self-deluded pranksters of spiritual materialism and mis-concretised ideals and values. The real question here is a Bob Dylan one, “You gotta serve somebody”: Who and what do you love, serve, aspire to? Spiritually looking with a still mind at everything one does is the deal here. Can you see at least 3 life times? Seven generation ahead and behind? Can you see the thinking in things, thus dispelling the illusion appearance offers? Are you a slave to desire? Are you acting out of woundology psychology or selfless service to a higher virtue cause not embedded in fear or desire? Are you acting out of compassion and loving kindness to the spiritual spark in all? Pluto/Venus aspects are also associated with the Odysseus/Circe problems of attachment and the lure of the sensuous unconscious. The higher octave is helping to lift the awareness and spark of sun in the hearts of all those who suffer more than we do. This is the high and noble motivation of the bodhisattva dharma mind, as well the old and oft misunderstood notion of the ‘hippie’ and ‘the new age’. By the way, did anyone else notice the newly sworn in President using the words ‘new age’ a few times? Later the press and other politicians harped on the term ‘new era’. Well let’s hope they got the ‘new’ right, for too much seems ‘old hat’ to many.
8. The New Moon on February 24th brings a Mercury/Jupiter ability to articulate skillfully the ideals presented by Aquarian thinking “The Most for the Many”. In early March, the Sun and Mars conjunct Uranus and this will tell the story of what works and what doesn’t work, and what needs still to be jettisoned or thrown away, composted.
9. With transiting Neptune opposing John Travolta’s natal Pluto (death, or loss, separation) and slowly heading for a conjunction of his Sun sign (higher peace or escape) in Aquarius, look for both spiritual confusion and a spiritual translucent year to come. Neptune demands disciplined diet and exercise to avoid looking like Janet Jackson does recently. It also demands a deeper understanding of the suffering of the entire world, and much compassion and spiritual understanding to avoid further unnecessary sufferings. Jupiter arriving at the end of 2009 into 2010 to conjunct both Travolta’s Sun and then his Venus, should bring renewed happiness, much healing, love and novel adventure in Movieland to the front. Then Neptune delivers its spiritual message in 2012 when Travolta will either disappear and try to retire, or enter into playing more ‘Godfather’ roles or spiritual, magical roles to survive his own self-conceptions.
10. Howard Stern has Neptune entering his solar second house, and about to oppose his natal Pluto in the eighth solar house. I wonder if he had money invested with Madoff or someone like that? Selling off a false island in the sun, or some far flung dream melt? At any rate, we may see a sudden re-vamping of his financial situation, as well as his relationship structures. Is this a John going with Yoko, instead of the band of mates situation? Neptune opposing Pluto is also an aspect for death or shake-up/separation from someone very close close to Howard. Or, a change of crew? On the higher side of things, Neptune is wanting to make another movie, or escape to a secret island get-a-way, or the need to re-do the ‘dew’ or image look one has. I had the pleasure to be the astrologer on the Howard Stern Show while it was here on WWWW (W4) in the early days, and I know that Howard is amazingly, resiliently creative when change is in the air. Will Howard retire? No, but he may take on other projects. Saturn retrograde squaring his Jupiter in the solar fifth house in March may find him contracting from past connections so to prepare for many another adventurous heroic journey, business, or film. Many things now going thru changes for the sake of new secret projects down the road. Health, money, love, and friends all get the cold shoulder or critical squeeze until 2010 when Jupiter trines his natal Saturn/Mars in Scorpio inaugurating, once again, a new ever-renewable Howard Stern. With Progressed Sun in sextile to his natal Venus at the moment, Howard is very much in love. With the Progressed Sun to trine his natal Sun in 3 to 4 years, look for Howard to follow his love and initiative to start something totally new, and also successful, by 2012-13. By the end of Howard’s life, watch for amazing insights in the books that he will write.
11. Eminem has transiting Neptune trining his natal Sun. Is a new movie in the works? Astrologically, a movie would work better than a new cd download or another attempt at a personal love encounter. But hey, maybe that’s what “M” wants for raw material for future songs? Love may hurt, but it’s great for song-writing or even just writing. A Uranus Saturn opposition both squaring his natal Saturn bring much change in day-to-day activities and home. Moving again? With current transiting Pluto square natal Pluto there is a strong need for moral or ethical higher standards and discipline; otherwise, run-ins with authorities are in store. With natal Sun conjunct Uranus and also Mars conjunct Pluto all in Libra, this is one highly intense, struggling artist of freedom with deep thought-felt feelings. Now into 2010 may prove to be a make-it or break-it time for this rapster. Jupiter square his natal Mars/Pluto makes for doing everything either secretly or in a big way. When feeling good, this guy is super generous and lovingly giving. A Progressed Sun conjunction of natal Neptune in the coming 3 years portends of more big star movies or near drug wipe-out. This guy is strong, so I see him with the stars either way.
12. This spring into summer, Brad Pitt has Uranus squaring his natal Sun in Sagittarius. Look for surprising new moves and movies by this star. This aspect often creates the need for more freedom and even divorce. Angelina Jolie will need to be highly creative in giving Brad plenty of extra line and room to move. Great aspect for surprising us with another Oscar nomination movie revealing another completely new side to Pitt. Brad has Moon conjunct Venus in Capricorn so he’ll always be around beautiful women, and gets better with age himself. Mars conjunct his South Node in Capricorn make him strongly vocal for the long-term things he believes in.
13. Angelina Jolie has Venus conjunct her Ascending Sign in Cancer. Super-loving beautiful mom aspect. Mars/Moon/Jupiter conjunct in Aries helps too. It makes her want to do everything perfectly and right. It also gives Angelina dashing heroic zest and zap when it comes to energy. With Venus close to Saturn, others never get enough of her. Early love hurts may have made her deeply internalized and hard for her to fully come out. This may be the reason Brad is in for the long run; he knows this could take time. With progressed Sun and Moon to conjunct her Saturn in a year for a year, Angel Line may want to hold the fort down and let Brad be out and about playing the star again. No worry, 2011-12 will find transiting Jupiter conjunct Jolie’s Mars/Moon/Jupiter/Midheaven, creating and re-creating Angelina’s return to the top, playing her best roles yet on the silver screen. Jupiter trine Venus at the end of 2010 may find Angelina with yet another baby!?! Or is it just a sizzling role to play in?
14. Meanwhile, Jennifer Aniston, with transiting Neptune conjunct her natal Sun at the moment, would do well to ‘let go and let God,’ and make as many movies as she can this year. (It’s also an aspect to avoid all medications and medicating escape routes, avoid anything confusing or tainted with lies.) This, with transiting Uranus coming to square her natal Moon, portends of some serious break-ups and changes in residence. Doesn’t Jen know the Hollywood love rules? No-one wants what they can’t have. No one forgives who they hurt. You can only mind-train them on the honeymoon; after that, you can’t get them to do anything new. And lastly, Yoga and Meditation, and cooking together, go far for keeping you friends later. This is the real secret of ‘friends’ Jen. So look for more shake-ups and break-ups, maybe a few breakthroughs too. For sure, some major new acting roles will come Jennifer’s way at this time, but it won’t be until Jupiter conjuncts her Aquarian Sun later in the year that real love and marriage are possible. Marriage or baby at this time would be a roller-coaster ride. On the flip, Neptune conjunct her Sun here usually means that the guy is not faithful. Hey, what’s new? Saturn natally opposing your ascending sign can be forever ‘waiting on m’man’. The flip is to be free and not want to settle down. Let it chase you, honey. And plus, after you take off all your clothes for a magazine cover, what’s next? Look for some serious waking up of this chick’s intellect in the year to come. With Uranus aspects to her Moon, freedom is hers to take voluntarily or by force. Be free!
15. Britney Spears has transiting Saturn coming to conjunct her Mars in Virgo, while Uranus in Pisces opposes her Mars. Either this will be a total wipe-out or Miss Britney will finally discipline herself away from both drugs and vampire zombies or crocodile partyers. With Jupiter coming to conjunct her natal Moon at the end of February, it may be hard to stop the partying enough to realize what a dangerous life she leads. Well, we’ll see if Britney rises to new heights of stardom (Jupiter/Moon) or takes another deathly hit by drugs and wrong relationships. Coming soon to your neighborhood. With the Saturn aspect, Brit needs strong protection that she trusts and loves, so to secure her intense creative artistic endeavors and love of flings of fancy.
16. With Jupiter coming to conjunct Tom Cruise’s South Node and oppose his natal Moon/Venus midpoint, is he going to have another baby? An affair? Or is it all in a movie?!?
17. With Saturn in Virgo transiting the tenth house and opposing Mrs. Clinton’s natal Moon in Pisces, look to the new Secretary of State to look and act like a serious combination of Margaret Thatcher and Winston Churchill. In late 2010, when transiting Jupiter conjuncts her natal Moon in Pisces, the queen will return with Persephone’s grace and beauty charm of a more happier youthful stateswoman.
18. Although he may be tempted, look for David Letterman to retire in 2012 when Pluto will square his natal Neptune, while a Uranus transit conjuncts his natal Mars. Until then, transiting Uranus conjuncts his natal Venus and soon will conjunct his natal Mercury for witty, genius, quick mercurial zest and entertainment at its best! Will he rise in the ratings? Will he write a funny insightful book?
19. Jay Leno, on the other hand, has transiting Saturn opposing his natal Venus. He may be falling out of love with late night TV. With Uranus opposing his natal Mars, and Saturn heading to conjunct his Mars, Jay may quit! Will he take a break? Switch to making movies? Maybe with Howard!?! Now that would create lots of crazy energy public attention! Look for more changes in the plans for late night TV.
20. Like Mick Jagger, Madonna is a Leo. Unfortunately, her Sun is 7 or 8 degrees from a conjunction with Pluto, which makes her a wounded woman every 7 or 8 years. Maybe she should have been a buddhist. Her Moon is in Virgo which makes her feel that nothing is good enough. It’s also the ‘Addicted to Perfection’ and the ‘Still Unravished Bride’ Syndrome. Transiting Neptune is opposing Madonna’s Sun Sign so she, like Brit, may be a bit confused over the next move. Uranus, just having opposed her natal Saturn, has her ready to move again to new ground. Pluto coming to trine her Mercury and then her Moon in the next few years promises that Madonna will re-invent herself and come out, not only on top, but also smartly long-term. The recent Jupiter opposition to her Sun reveals her need to play with love and adventure, as if she is perpetually rich and intimately related to Peter Pan. With Pluto coming  in a few years to trine her natal Moon, Madonna is assured of making history with notable lasting value.
21. Kid Rock has Mars/Jupiter/Neptune on his solar Midheaven so he never runs out of energy and drive for future objectives and partying. His natal Moon conjunct Uranus is forever restless and creative. He has no loss of desire or need for perpetual change when it comes to feelings and to women. Rock needs a woman who changes all the time but remains quiet, deep, and true to him. Uranus gives lots of creative juices for new songs and innovative wisps of the wind adventures. Saturn will transit to conjunct his moon next year, in 2010. Will the Rock then settle down or crash land? With Pluto square his Moon, he could symbolically die and be reborn. This may just mean new appearance and a different flavor of music, but it could also be a serious need for rest and rejuvenation. Some will discover Jesus as healing friend, or Buddha as designated driver and selfless adviser. At any rate, it’s his time to settle down for real or get downed drowned out in the end zones. Compassion and ultra altruistic aims and works could save his soul at this time, but it looks like Rockin’ Kid may need a Brit Makeover soon, if he doesn’t find himself. Or so astrology says. He’s way strong, so maybe he’ll just find something to commit to for a real spell of time. A year or more break to dig deeper into his musical creative sound track. Although this will prove a good time to marry or be committed in a relationship, with Saturn aspects, one needs to not feel stuck in the relationship. It’s a question of finding work and relationships that free one by having more focus and commitment. In this world, that’s a rare thing. Rock’s rare so we’ll see what up next year as it comes.
22. Detroit’s former Mayor Kilpatrick looks to be having continued difficult astrological aspects and perhaps difficult times for himself and the law. Saturn retrograde squaring his natal Sun portends of more legal difficulties and personal contractions as he truly heads for another baptism in reality. Pluto opposing his natal Mars portends of real enemies and more economic and legal woes. Without a renewed interest and calling for honesty and self-realization, there may be more self-inflicted troubles on the horizon for the dishonored Mayor. Church confessions may not help here. Kilpatrick’s life seems to be at a  temporary end at this time, and perhaps in time, a new beginning. Jupiter opposing his natal Moon indicates untiring energy for the things and people he loves. Jupiter could indicate a renewed sense of family values, but it could also vibe to new love and business interests. Love never tires of the adventure of self. Love never tires. Truth holds us still long enough to change the tires. At any rate, Kilpatrick’s astrology is tricky and sticky for a few more years. Exercise, self discipline, healthy diet, and honesty will be the right trick to get through these aspects.
23. Johnny Depp currently has Uranus, Saturn, Sun aspects. Chit Cow A Bunga! The world is ever demanding more of him while his personal self wants to hide, meditate, or re-coup. A de-structuring and re-structuring time for sure. Either Depp is letting the worldly offers challenge him to new roles and higher callings, or once again the ship is being flooded by the underworld powers of chaos and irrational forces. Jupiter coming to square his natal Neptune promises secret escapes into never never land and far away places of joy and wonder. Sounds like my next Music CD, whew! Neptune conjunct his natal Saturn in 7th, and also squaring his natal Mercury and Venus, reveals that Mr. Depp may want to seek new counsel and drop any friends going to never never or to fantasy island, and instead work on his healthy, sane mind and the real wealth of a healthy soul, virtue mind training, and meditation. Good time to do yoga and meditate contemplate on Buddha Mr. Depp. Lovers are either liars or a bit weak for the voyage with current aspects. Look to 2010 for a short return to power and fame’s good adventure/movie, followed by a serious retrospect and return to the past future. Pluto heading for a long run conjunction to JD’s natal Moon reveals a need to not need women, but to spend the next 7 years healing and helping others to help heal the self. Redemption of the past by composting and digesting into insight and wisdom for present into future is the key here. Blessings on this major dude of magic. May gardening and shades of George Harrison overtake and project him to holy happier futures.
24. Mars midpoint Jupiter/Mercury of SUPER BOWL game start astrologically indicative of Pitts. Steelers win and high score on over/under. Neptune in 7th indicative of Cardinals mix ups. Uranus/Saturn indicative of lots of surprise turnarounds. Moon trine Pluto that favored team, Steelers, wins. Mark another notch of the astrological gun you star rangers!

“The poet being an imitator, like a painter or any other artist, must of necessity imitate one of three objects - things as they were or are, things as they are said or thought to be, or things as they ought to be.” -Aristotle, Politics and Poetics.

Astrology is the Science of Possibility, Probability, and Tendency to manifest Destiny, as well as the ascendency in awareness, virtue, and the meaning of life. -robert of mayflower

Robert Thibodeau

Mayflower Bookshop

2645 W. 12 Mile Road

Berkley, MI

48072

(248) 547 8227

http://web.mac.com/mayflowerbookshop

Check out Robert’s interview with the Celtic folk star, Dougie MacLean, here:

http://www.lasplash.com/publish/Entertainment/cat_index_detroit_entertainment/Dougie_MacLean_at_The_Ark_Music_Theatre_Review.php

Check out Robert’s interview with the great Canadian singer-songwriter, Fred Eaglesmith:

http://www.lasplash.com/publish/Entertainment/cat_index_detroit_entertainment/Fred_Eaglesmith_at_The_Ark_Music_Theatre_Review.php

Robert’s new CD ‘WISH’ is now available. Song titles include ‘Baby Let Go,’ ‘That’s Country,’ ‘U Lick’d Me,’ ‘Fly Me Home,’ ‘Gave Me The Door,’ ‘Give Myself Up,’ ‘Seen My Heart,’ ‘Kiss You Everywhere,’ ‘Love Is All I Carry,’ ‘Loving Cup,’ ‘Little Bit of Love,’ ‘Good Thing We Made Love’ and more. This is Robert’s twelfth and best CD. Many musicians are asking to do covers of his new songs already! The band and we at Mayflower are really happy with this product. Buy now for $24 and receive the goddess t-shirt and poster! Come visit us at the Mayflower Bookshop and test drive this recording, or hear Robert play it live (if you can catch him). Live performances coming soon. Band Member T-shirts with the Goddess Cover of the new WISH CD are available to the public.

“Democrats take Equality for their motto; oligarchs believe that political rights should be unequal and proportionate to wealth. But both sides miss the true object of the state, which is virtue. Those who do most to promote virtue deserve the greatest share of power.” -Aristotle, from ‘Aristotle, Politics and Poetics’

Astrology for January 2009

Compliments of the Mayflower Bookshop, Robert Thibodeau (248-547-8227) http://web.mac.com/mayflowerbookshop

1. Jupiter enters Aquarius on January 5th and, for a year, the hippie (or surf bum, party-goer, nightclubber, midnight romancer, or travel dog) in you will come out fantasizing that the New Age of Dumb Fun and Magic is here. Jupiter/Neptune/Uranus form a mutual reception giving much positive spirit and hope for change, as well as uplifting rearrangement of friends, social networking, technological advance, and escape from whatever prison of addictions one has. Jupiter in Aquarius is most positive for all signs and planets in Air signs: Aquarius, Gemini, and Libra. It also favors creative endeavors by Scorpio and Taurus signs. For the Fixed and Air signs, the main danger of Jupiter in Aquarius is over-doing or excess, laziness both spiritually and matter-of-factly, and finding oneself just talking about stuff, but not really doing anything about it. Armchair generals have never been more frequent. JUPITER/NEPTUNE aspects this year are good for gardening, poetics, art, new music and film, and higher spiritual romance and comedy. Often associated with miracles and scientific wonders, the Jupiter/Neptune aspects make for high road aspirations and novelty. The danger of such aspects is delusions of grandeur and psychic inflation, as well as wanderlust and unnecessary wanderings and dreaming. The dreams we have this year will really manifest in 2010 when Jupiter conjuncts Uranus. Expect a really cost-efficient, ecologically sound car (or form of transportation) then. Also at that time, there will be major breakthroughs and advances in communications, computers, informations systems, technology, and alternative energies.
2. The January 20th inauguration of the new President Obama has the Sun in Aquarius for the positive change vibe, but with Mercury retrograde and conjunct the Sun on that day, there will be much difficult work to do as the newly elected President faces the huge task of re-working or even reversing economic, ecological, militaristic, and social ills. With many major thinkers these days predicting the disintegration and fractionalizing of the USA by 2010-12, and with more scandals than ever in the financial quarters of banking, mortgage, sports, and politics, there are more troubles than hairs on a rabbit, and the needle of repair is not even hidden in the haystack of problems. I dare say it appears that the newly elected government officials are walking into a wild beehive astir with the frenzy of over-complicated matters, and they have little time and high pressure to amend them. The sweet honey days of high profits for many may be over for awhile. Jupiter in Aquarius often brings many new adventures and quests for the gold, new technologies and new opportunities for investment—if you can live on the edge of Uranus, Chiron, and Saturn, the rulers of Aquarius. This aspect is good for working with others for the good of others. A sense of brotherhood and sisterhood, the family of humankind is always present with Aquarius aspects.
3. Mercury in Aquarius goes retrograde on January 11th until February 1st when it goes forward from Capricorn. Here the high ideals and goals of the new year may take a step back to deal with the practical matters at hand, which are blocking forward motion. Getting the knots out of the strings before making new ties is the call of Mercury retrograde. Mercury dipping back into Capricorn demands realistic, practical, down-to-earth details in planning, as well as authoritative power plays and one-up-man-ship manoeuvres.
4. February 5th’s Saturn opposing Uranus and Venus square Pluto may find some heavy restructuring of plans laid out in January’s inauguration into the new year. Cardinal signs need to think long-term when it comes to people and things you love. Letting go of what doesn’t work is always helpful to ‘lift-off’ and ‘take-off’ with future plans. The Mutable signs continue to struggle with ever-changing flight plans and dreams, and how one’s day-to-day lifestyle and work fit into such future endeavors. Cardinal signs may find themselves coming into new strength and power, but this is dependent on the continuing ability to jettison old modes of behaviour and habit, not getting stuck on repeating past formulas nor allowing the old ghost of self (or others) to retard your progress. The breakthrough for Cardinal signs will come in 2010-2012. At the moment, some are just breaking wind.
5. If you behave yourself, and don’t slip on over-shooting the mark, mistaking a landslide for a white elephant, nor imagining this world offers something for free, January could prove to be a seemingly magical journey on the love and pleasure side of the street. January 20th to the 25th could prove for some to be a good time for high romance, spirit’d adventure and joy, and successful financial gain. With Sun in Aquarius, Venus conjuncts Uranus in Pisces (January 22nd) and then opposes Saturn (January 24th) when the Sun conjuncts Jupiter. This may well just be a week of partying during the Presidential Inauguration. It is also a week of readjusting your creative view of love and exactly what will make you happy, or not. Lots of insight into who’s who here. This will also be a week of great adventure in music, the arts, romance, new financial adventure and opportunity. Take care to not crash and burn by the end of January with dreaded aspects of weird weather and crazy people by February 5th. Lots of new economic breakthroughs, planning and structure around the New Moon on the 26th. Adjustments to such, and more crazy psychic political economic warring weather patterns by February 5th. Air and Water signs are especially applicable to the love and joy vibe this month.
6. WEATHER: Crazy psychic weather days, good for cleaning and catching up to the past and trying to metamorphose into the future include January 2nd into 3rd, 9th into 10th, 14th into 15th, 19th, 22nd into 24th, and the 27th. Be patient and cautious if traveling on these days. Good days to catch up, clean up, and ‘fess up to what still needs to be worked on.
7. With Mars cruising between Pluto and the Sun this month, and Chiron near Node/Neptune, take care to avoid people who take things too personally, are easily angered, or are a bit too forceful. On the flip side, these have really been the times for creative mavericks to have their say, stake their turf, and get their ya ya’s out. If you yourself feel the creative and wild forces of the Dionysian urge, take heart to listen to your audience a little better, between your pertinent expressions of yourself and the world you conceive.
8. Books worth reading and pondering about before winter is over (available at Mayflower bookshop) include:

a) The Philosophy of Spiritual Activity by Rudolf Steiner

b) Expanding Tonal Awareness, A musical exploration of the evolution of consciousness guided by the monochord

c) Freedom of Thought and Societal Forces by Rudolf Steiner

d) Inner Reading and Inner Hearing by Rudolf Steiner

e) The Therapeutic Eye by Selg. Reveals tips on how Steiner could read your face.

f) Good Life, Good Death by Gelek Rimpoche

g) BioDynamic Wine Demystified by Joly.

h) You can’t read it, but you can sure eat it—Yummy Good for Your Health and Tummy South River Miso is in. Great for putting in soups or even on sandwiches.

**************************************************************************************************

NEXT TALK BY ROBERT THIBODEAU AT OM CAFÉ JANUARY 25TH, NOON to 2 pm

‘The Spirit of the Times 

Astrological and Spiritual Insights 

into Modern and Future Times -

 A Metaphysical Perspective

$20 donation

For further information, call (248) 547 8227

http://web.mac.com/mayflowerbookshop

• Astrological Calendars for 2009 are in!!! Come and get it before they run out the door! 10% off* all calendars until November 8th 2008!
• MISO - South River Miso is in! 10% off sale* until November 7th 2008 to introduce new batch!
• New books in every field of discovery and spiritual adventure. The Secret History of the World by Mark Booth continues to be a best seller with its positive insights into secret societies and initiation knowledge. Graham Hancock says that not since Blavatsky’s Secret Doctrine has such an ambitious original work appeared. Colin Wilson claims it’s “the most controversial book” he’s read, and that it’s a “masterpiece”. I say it’s a gem of an esoteric journey into the creative, inspired geniuses that made and continue to make history.
• The Number One Gift for the Holiday Season is in ! Dougie MacLean’s new double disc CD, ‘The Essential Dougie MacLean’. Two hours of Scotland’s great singer songwriter. Dougie’s music is beautiful, inspiring, and always positive. Dougie makes you feel good, more yourself, and more of a connectedness to what life positively offers. Over two hours of his best songs. My friends and I find ourselves listening again and again to his music, and ever finding new meaning and musical turns. This celtic folk singer can reconnect you to your love for the earth.
• All Rudolf Steiner books are 10% off* when you mention this newsletter! This special sale goes until November 8th 2008. Steiner books are a must have for any serious spiritual scientist and researcher. Steiner has made major contributions to spiritual knowledge, and it has practical application in child development, organic gardening, medical research and healing, art therapy and the arts, color, architecture, and theatre. Steiner is most prolific and the list goes on. Steiner books only become more valuable in time, and like Blavatsky, Tibetan buddhism, macrobiotics, and Osho, the smarter you get in time, the smarter the book seems to get. Or are we just catching up to these giants of spirituality and higher ethics and mind training?

Next ASTROLOGY TALK with Robert 

is on December 7th at Noon at the ‘OM CAFE’! 

* You must mention this ad to get the special sale price.

TOP SEVEN ASTROLOGY ASPECTS for November 2008

-Robert Thibodeau, Mayflower Bookshop 

Overview

November 4th - Crazy Election Day Aspects include Mars square Neptune, and Saturn opposing Neptune. The 3 days preceding November 4th will be filled with craziness too. Mars square Neptune aspects create a very active imagination so conspiracy enthusiasts will be tickled pink. Some people will find it hard to stay awake while others can’t sleep. Mars/Neptune can be misguided, high intentions as well as the most daring attempts to reach for the sky or heights of good fortune. Most often such aspect from November 1st to 4th bring about misfortune, accident, sudden surprise events and needless to say, controversy. 

We’re about to see the results of one of the more controversial Presidential Elections in history. Who writes history anyway? (See Booth’s book mentioned above). 

It may take until November 12th-14th’s Venus/Pluto conjunction and Jupiter sextile Uranus to shake out last wranglers of everything that is wrong with society and intimates. It may take until November 21st Jupiter trine Saturn to see clearly what just happened to the world these last few months?! And perhaps even, who won!?! You or me, or them or us? These late November aspects are good for creative, positive intervention and peacemaking. The Jupiter/Saturn aspect is good for trying to bring balance to the worldwide economic crisis. Perhaps by November 21st we’ll see some stability coming to many a restless geo-political hotspot, investor, and simple homeowner. Pluto entering Capricorn can bring stronger measures of controlling things that are out of control, or is this aspect the world going out of tilt?

Pluto in Capricorn calls for a complete overhaul and reorchestration of how governments, corporations, banks, and think-tanks better or worsen the quality of our lives and the ecology of the planet. Maybe it’s time to bring back the spiritual prophetess to the profit-makers, and spiritual wisdom to more exploitative and materialistic scientist and capitalist profiteer and pirate mentality. With Pluto going into Capricorn, selfishness and control-freaking will be considered a ‘dis-ease’. Hopefully it won’t indicate a further need for severe world restrictions and shortages of the necessities of life. By the way, shouldn’t we take the profit out of humanity’s necessities of life, such as food, water, shelter, healthcare, and education? 

Aristotle thought that everyone should be allowed the previously mentioned necessities, and that to the degree that one contributes more to the betterment of society and the greater world at large, one is given more. And one is given more so that one can give more. What a splendid idea worthy of our higher-minded politicians and leaders. 

Top Seven Aspects

1. November 2nd - Neptune goes direct from retrograde. Imagine 3 times the confusion of Mercury retrograde and you’ll begin to understand. The week leading up to the elections may get really confusing and crazy weather-wise, as well as psychicly confusing with many weird dreams or fantasies to boot. If you are an actor or wanting to act up, this is your moment (Palin acting?) Neptune going direct should help all fixed signs to come out of the fog of indecision and lack of clarity about one’s life purpose and work (at least by November’s end). The confusion in the beginning of November will be: what is new fact and revelation, and what is fabrication and illusion.
2. November 3rd - Venus T-Square Saturn and Uranus, followed by Venus conjunct Pluto on November 12th calls for taking it easy on friends and lovers during these next few weeks. These aspects make for many upsets in relationships as well as money matters. Mutable signs may be affected most, but it’s in the sky for all of us to be a little more kind and considerate to those being more tried and tested in these difficult times. Venus/Saturn wants security in love and money, Venus/Uranus wants freedom and the feeling of being alive and not stuck in the dead zone of another. Venus/Pluto is notorious for taking things too seriously, feelings of rejection, or feelings of aloneness (even if you are living with someone). The positive side of these aspects is reaching for a higher knowledge, intention, and work that both makes you feel rich with authenticity and integrity, as well as with health and creative, participatory interactions with the world around you. Venus/Pluto reveals love karma (good or difficult) that goes on for many lifetimes. This is a good time to meditate, do yoga, shift your mind and diet to a lighter, healthier pattern. It’s a good time to be more patient and compassionate to everyone. A good time to investigate one’s own higher calling and needs. This November 4th Uranus oppose Saturn is the first of five such aspects leading us into the very creative, cathartic year of 2010, wherein many new spiritual and scientific impulses will emerge leading us into a bold new world of both science and spiritual/worldly discovery. The true impulses of the 21st century, along with humanity’s next evolutionary (or devolutionary) bend or trend, should clearly reveal itself then.
3. November 21st - Jupiter trine Saturn in Earth signs of Capricorn and Virgo respectively is a good time to come to a practical assessment of both the past and the future, when it comes to commitments, health, work, job, and calling. Capricorn, Virgo, and Taurus are favored the most with this aspect for positive events and opportunity for success in all endeavors. Secondarily so for Aries and Libra sun signs.
4. November 13th - Full Moon exactly squaring Neptune, while Neptune roughly midpoints Mercury/Sun/Mars and Moon, as well as roughly midpointing Jupiter/Uranus. This could indicate how many people are in the midst of creating a new dream, or a new star to follow. Many are migrating to new lands of discovery, either literally in moving out of state, or metaphorically in changing their own mind and feelings. One is called upon to either meltdown and fall weak, or to create or co-create a new star to follow, a new calling or aim in life. A new spirituality and higher dream is being called for. All fixed signs should avoid anger and over critical judgments at this time. Mars in fixed signs calls for more exercise or yoga, as well as more discipline and control of tongue and/or unwanted negative thinking. It’s good for cleaning, restoring, fixing up, and finishing off projects that may have been hanging in the wings. The Neptune aspect makes for one of the most entertaining months we’ve seen in a long time. Neptune is the number one planet for zany hollywood-type antics. It’s great for the creative imagination, but can be a bit delusional. This aspect can make for many a manic adventure, illusion, or trick of the mind and emotion. Remember, just because you feel it, doesn’t make it real. Neptune is an enabler of high spiritual achievement if one is practical in the art of manifestation. Neptune is associated with feelings of abandonment and delusional hysteria. But also associated with high adventure and many a noble pursuit of good work, passion, and artistic endeavor.
5. November 27th - Full Moon has Neptune conjunct Washington DC’s Ascendent, and it roughly midpoints Venus/Jupiter and Uranus, bringing new adventure for love and future opportunity into sight. November will prove to either sustain the thousand doubts and forebodings about one’s future tidings, or will prove to open new doors of opportunity and adventure. One may feel lost in the abyss and labyrinth of mistaken past decisions, wrong notions, and bad luck turns of events, mistakes and wrong ventures. Or, one may find oneself entering new grounds of experience never before tried or adventured, with seemingly infinite opportunities and possibilities to experience. Certainly, many people are ready for something new. One danger of Neptune is the feeling that one is stuck in an unwanted past or an unwanted precipitous future. Staying present in the moment may be one cure for such. Being present wherever one is, suffering to do one’s best in any given situation, is a good solution to Neptune’s fantasy, lack of control, and victimization repeat storytelling. Compassion, along with a will to better oneself to alter the surrounding circumstances is another positive choice. Neptune is most strongly affecting Fixed Signs of Aquarius, Leo, Taurus, and Scorpio. Indecisiveness vs. overpowering infatuation is Neptune’s present energetic. Gemini and Libra can be positively assisted by these Neptune aspects, which brings new creative impulses in career, job, finances, and cheery endeavor.
6. Craziest stormy weather days include November 1st to 5th, November 11th to 13th, and November 28th. Positive and best days for play and smooth ride include November 1st, 6th,16th, 21st, 23rd, and, for some, the 29th. November 13th is both the best and most difficult day.
7. Uranus goes direct - November 27th, perhaps creating strong earth-shaking and stormy experience. Uranus is known to precipitate shocks and sudden changes, both good and challenging. Uranus in Pisces, a mutable sign, should free many up from feeling stuck or bored in life. Pisces, Virgo, Gemini, and Sagittarius should be on high alert for potential imminent changes. Uranus going direct will positively assist and affect Scorpio and Cancer to take creative new steps in their lives.

Robert’s next talk:

‘Astrological Predictions and Future Indications’ 

Sunday, December 7th, at 12 noon at OM Cafe. 

Private readings available.

Call for further information: (248) 547-8227.

October’s Astrological Aspects and Cosmic Stellar Influences

-Robert Thibodeau of Mayflower Bookshop (248) 547-8227

Seen our website? http://web.mac.com/mayflowerbookshop

“Forewarned is forearmed.” - Ben Franklin, astrologer for Poor Richard’s Almanac

“You can’t change what you can’t see, and most of us can’t see ourselves. Try to see yourself, know yourself. You are the World.” -Trebore Tau Bodhi

“At core, everyone is spiritual; the problem is not everyone wants to see and work on it.” -robert of mayflower

1. Mercury Retrograde until October 15th! After Mercury goes direct, the Presidential Race, the Stock Markets, and Banking Bailouts will get clearer to understand. Most astrologers are superstitious about Mercury retrograde. Things go haywire, mistakes in accounting, communication difficulties, wrong or false starts, bad endings. You would think that Washington Politicians, Big Bankers and High Rollers, might want to carefully converse and debate all options and alternatives to any bailout or economic move until Mercury goes direct. Things handled with Mercury Retrograde often don’t work or get muddled and confusing, lost in the shuffle. You don’t have to believe in astrology to see this. 

Mercury Retrograde is good for going over old stuff and fixing it, not good for new beginnings. Mercury Retrograde affects all the signs of the zodiac, but may more strongly affect LIBRA, ARIES, CAPRICORN, and CANCER signs and planets. Pisces and Taurus secondarily. All these signs would do best to continue working practically, privately or even secretly on projects and big plans until Mercury goes direct or until one is ready to show or come forth with project, product, vigor, or persona. Avoid nebulous high riders and spaced-out-promise-you-sky-in-the-pie, or pie-in-the-sky people. Fairness to self and others needs fine tune Libra balancing skills. Many are now seriously questioning all contracts or previous agreements or commitments while Mercury retrograde. Work and love may be at odds. Mercury in Libra between Virgo and Scorpio. The rough square to Jupiter doesn’t help, too much exaggeration. Also, too much thinking and talking with little action that qualifies, matters, or achieves much. Choose Truth and facts then act. Try to be genuine with your own self and feelings while honoring others’ feelings, experience, and perceptions. When in doubt, be still and find some alone time, sacred or holy quiet time.

Pisces and Taurus may find themselves stuck between two directions or two people, not totally liking either option. Try getting others to come your way rather than you going theirs. Otherwise, once again, try finding yourself alone with more of a listening to the space rather than crossing the space or feeling like you have to act or do something. Mercury Retrograde good for meditation and contemplation. Probably not so good for aggressive action or debate.

“The mind is at peace when centered in the eternal truths and virtues.”  

-robert of mayflower

2. The Jupiter trine Saturn hanging around all this last year (next one November 21st in time for happy Thanksgiving and much good family community gathering of friends) has helped save the economic Titanic from sinking quite yet. Good for thinking and acting for the long term practical rather than gambling. Wisdom arises from all actions, considered good or bad, at this time. Do you think if they took the gambling and high risk stuff out of the stock market, things would fair better? If we took the profit out of war, the war machine would slow down? Jupiter trine Saturn runs a 20 year cycle of which there are 2 trines in such time. Think what was up in 1988 (give or take a year), or 1968, or 1948? Lots of tensions and releasing tensions, good vibes then, methinks. Think what was up 2001 right before 9/11 and right after. Think 1994? 1981? Jupiter/Saturn trines and conjunct aspects create energies that merge or join spiritual and material qualities and conditions into harmony and balance. It’s the wish to bring heaven on earth, and the wish to make earth more heavenly. It is a community-family-friend builder when in right understanding and harmony; otherwise it can tear the spiritual from the material body, it can break friendships and family apart. It is the attempt of both sides of the fence to communicate, talk, share. Choose love and truth and accept what happens as both learning and the way to go.

“You know you’re rich when you are rich in people, friends, and things growing; when the peace in your heart is a garden overflowing and nourishing the neighbor and stranger alike.”

-robert of mayflower

3. Aquarians, Leo, Taurus, Scorpio beware! Good time for nostalgia and dreaming, but keep a reality check going at all times. The strangest time of the month goes to Full Moon time, exact October 14th, its strong Neptunian influence will be felt throughout October 10th to 16th. Many mysterious spiritual happenings could occur at this time. Spiritual and Psychic doors are wide open at this crazy holy time. Things can be really holy, creative, artistic, and uncanny psychic. On the other time this is a bad time to be crazy or violent or full of psychodrama or obsessional emotional behavior. Strange weather and signs in the sky, along with weird comings and goings, even deaths. You might say a spiritual fog is on things to create a more future event or turn of events. All signs are affected but primarily fixed signs. Neptune midpoints Sun/Moon opposition on Full Moon 14th. Neptune conjunct Washington D.C. ascendent on both October 14th Full Moon, and November 27th New Moon!  Beware of deception, lipstick and pigs, lies, false leads and promises. Beware of flying into fantasies and dreams, high ideals with your feet off the ground. Take care that your guiding angel is real. Neptune can be false notions and projections, flooding, fire, storm, eco-disaster, inner and outer nature taking a bad turn. Mars near square to Neptune on October 28th (exact November 4th) and Venus/Pluto near midpoint of Saturn opposing Neptune. More bank problems, bankruptcies or bailouts? Further problems with the economy and bailouts? Venus/Pluto influence here now until conjunction on November 12th into Full Moon November 13th brings strange love affairs, relationships, and business deals compelled by either unconscious karmic agenda or deep rooted realizations of desperation and desire or need. The tendency to do desperate things. Compelled to action by unconscious needs. Mutable and Fixed Signs affected the most by this. The Neptune side of it is weird spiritual forces working behind the scenes for long term goals one can’t see. Neptune can also be feelings of being abandoned and set out to sea (the sea of samsara). Neptune can be food poisoning, bad water and air, weird weather reversals and storms, as well as stupid hollywood antics and over-the-top craziness and madness. Neptune is the ghosts of far past and far future. Neptune is oil, hollywood and halloween, the make-up and mask of politics and economics, cover ups and UFOs. Neptune is plastics and pretend, disembodied actions or inactions. Neptune is also, at the higher end, poetry and music, soul-mates and higher compassion, selflessness in the pursuit of higher values and virtue. Neptune is either the god of the seas or the great milk goddess of nourishment to soul and body. All the planets have a higher and lower octave that we as individuals can attune to out of freedom. Have Compassion not sympathy. Continue to learn from everything. Hold still the mind and listen with your heart for what can’t be heard with an ear. Read the Voice of the Silence by Blavatsky for further hints at spiritualizing the moment.

“Everybody is a haunted house who doesn’t realize the spark of sun in the heart. Everyone is a Buddha in the making, a star in the making. The heart of the matter is that this lack of perception of what is holy at the heart of everything living is killing us, is killing the world. In each and every heart a spark of sun shines. Wisdom, love, and truth is in fanning this spark into a flame. This is the way to a new self, a renewed self, a world conception. If there is to be a new world to be found, we need to discover the spiritual India in our own heart and mind. Christopher Columbus was looking for the materialistic India, we need the spiritual America, the virtuous America, and it is inside our own mind and heart. Love and truth is a fact, a necessity, a reality, a dream come true for every living person. This is the heart of yoga, the heart of religion, the heart of spirituality. Each of us is a walking church in which the world is either a garden or a graveyard. Choose to matter. Choose Love and Truth to shine from your heart!” -robert of mayflower

There is also a strong Neptune vibe near the end of October into November 2nd to 6th when Neptune goes direct November 2nd, then Mars squares Neptune on November 4th (Election Day) when Saturn opposes Uranus. Wow! Lots of craziness and confusion, gossip and suggestive projections; or is it all ghosts, ghosts in the machines and ma-chings, invisible pirates and hobgoblin shades of the Roman Empire? Be the truth and love you wish to see in the world. The positive side of neptune is dreaming true. The positive side of venus/pluto is loving something beyond one life time into this life time.

“You can try to change the world or people around you, but changing your self may change it all up quicker.” -robert of mayflower

4. Last time Saturn/Uranus tangled was the wild sixties (1965-’66) and right after the last big crash (1930-31), and yes, there were lots of good sales and shopping if you had the money. Saturn Uranus can be very creative. It reveals a need to break out of the old habits and ways. The necessity to try new things, to grow in new ways.

The Saturn/Uranus opposition is in Virgo and Pisces respectively affects all signs but especially affects the mutable signs and planets and house in such signs. You will need your astrology chart to see how you are directly affected. 

Pisces needs to make strong changes to self and daily environment, or they may feel others or things out of their control are forcing them through unwanted changes. Virgo may feel over-burdened and over-worked, tired and exhausted from the same old, same old, needing others not to be so erratic and crazy, and to come come out and help. Gemini needs to quit craziness, and wild things and people, and settle down more. Sagittarius need to let go of dead weight and free themselves up a bit. All the mutable signs of Pisces, Virgo, Gemini, Sagittarius need to find the right balance between long-term security, rootedness, and practical ground to the need for freedom, creativity, dance and celebration. Freedom and creativity that doesn’t rock the boat of family and work. Security and practical long-term relations, family and friends that don’t kill the joy, spontaneity, freedom and truth. Health, job, workplace, dreams and goals, cell-mates and soul-mates are all up for re-negotiation and re-newal of contract. Or so it seems with these aspects in the sky. All the mutable signs may feel the struggle between security, peace, quiet and the need for freedom and excitement, something stimulating in their life. Wisdom that only comes through time and raw youthful spontaneous excitement and freedom need to meet here.

Everyone has mutable signs in certain houses and many have planets in such signs, so we can say that many of us are experiencing all the above in this or that way these days. Think 22 or so years ago. Think 1988, 1966, 1944, 1922, 1900, and 1878. Strong times for authoritative structures to be tested and tried by radical or new ideas of growth and change. Lots of breakthroughs or breakdowns here.

“ Growth comes when understanding and creative participation brings better working creative days and harmonious nights of rest and renewal. Real security, spiritual security, comes when you realize your job is going to take you at least three lifetimes. Spiritual initiative is this deep a love affair. A real love affair is a spiritual entanglement taking as many lifetimes as it takes to bring peace to the earth, enlightenment to the heart, and a creative craziness to the mind.”

-robert of mayflower

5. A World Economy or a World Depression and Ecological Disaster? Pluto going into Capricorn out of Sagittarius will oppose Cancer and square both Libra and Aries. Pluto is at 0 degree Capricorn November 27th. It went into Capricorn last January 25th, went retrograde and back into Sagittarius around June 14th, now re-entering Capricorn and staying there for some 15 years, until 2023. 

Pluto in Capricorn can help us get it together on a global level of enterprise, community, ecological economy; or it can reveal everything that is wrong with the world along with a need for someone to take over the controls and be the boss. It can bring the final blow to democracy and freedom, or a renewed need to discover such. No matter how smart or rich, how can we live on a globally unhappy planet, an over polluted planet with bad food, water and air? Nearly every wilderness area has been plundered without love.  Animals and plants are going extinct. What kind of future will we have? Pluto in Capricorn reveals that It is high time to rekindle our love for the earth and all God’s creatures living on earth. Otherwise, our “love” is killing us. Our exclusive selfish love is killing us and the planet. Pluto in Capricorn will reveal whatever part of us is selfish, and what that’s doing to both ourselves and our surroundings. We are the world means we create or recreate the world all the time. We can destroy or re-create. We will either learn, heal, and make good in time, or we will harden our hearts and numb out to the suffering taking place within and without us. Pluto going into Capricorn is the calling of our own Higher Self to wake up before we end up at the wake.

Pluto in Capricorn will challenge our food, belly, and home (Cancer), challenge our relationships (Libra), our ways of day to day behavior and habits. Pluto can dwarf and diminish our self worth, or put us on the right track worthy of self. This aspect demands that we learn to love ourselves and our earth in renewed ways. Otherwise it’s more Plutocratic dictatorships and bad shopping. It is time the wondrous teachings of the Sermon on the Mount are put into practice. It is time that virtue lead our politicians and TV/Movie stars. When the ‘Chit’ goes down, you can’t eat money.

Positively, Pluto in Capricorn is a collective need to love one another. It is a calling to a Higher calling, a higher power, a greater virtue and dream. Many now seriously question the meaning in life and how one serves a higher cause, a higher vision, a higher love and truth. How can I be aligned with my true self, genuine authentic self. That is the question to be asked. 

“When love and play, joy and awareness, a genuine awakened interest come to the simplest of moments, then creativity arises in nothingness. A greater sense of what it is to be human arises. Everything is a happening, a novel origin of infinite possibility and happiness. Genuine play arises out of empty open awareness. The mind is witness to the heart awakening in awareness. Then unconditional love is happening. Truth and joy arise freely. Mindfulness arises upon any situation, the dharma is self revealing. Until then, date. Date spirituality, court the masters of wisdom and joy, go to bed with the books, date. Make friends with all that is holy, all that shines, all that is virtue. Make it your job to find truth and the way of the heart. Make everyday a spiritual adventure in consciousness. Make every encounter a spiritual threshold of infinite possibility and learning. Let the inner listening ear of the heart find wisdom. Look within to find the world. Look out to the whole of the world to find your self.”

-robert of mayflower

More Insights —

* Within the next 8 years, many more animals and plants will disappear. Of necessity, many new foods will emerge. Water and air purification will make more money than gas and oil.  By the way we’re going you can guess that. 2010’s Pluto, Saturn, and Uranus entering cardinal signs will bring many breakthroughs in science and spiritual realization; new energies and cars. Many will wish to live near work and walk. The auto will finally get good gas mileage, but new energies will dominate future technologies. 

* Marriage will end as we know it. Community as family will emerge as new model of relationship and identification. Meditation and Yoga will become the religion within religion.

* Prisons will become learning centers, an hospitals self healing centers. Hey, am I dreaming or what!?

* New energies from the power of seeds to grow will emerge. 

* Anti-gravity machines will change space and air travel.

* The mixing of animals and machines and humans will wreak havoc on what it truly means to be human. Weird robotics and the dream of free labor and robotic armies persist. The notion of real peace and harmony are the planet may may take until Pluto goes into Aquarius. Economic servitude continues to be a problem until one discovers working on the self as key to right job.

* Good healthy land that can grow healing foods will be at harder to find in the future. A good man or woman who loves the earth and is working for self-realization and enlightenment even harder to find. Perhaps Pluto in Capricorn trine Taurus and Virgo earth signs will help invigorate a love for earth, gardening, healthy soil, water, air? A religion where god is living in the rhythms of nature?

* On the esoteric front, health continues to replace virtue, gold replace god, prolonging life replacing reincarnation and karma; but virtue and spiritual practice and awareness will continue to be the real movie star, the real king and queen; spiritual mind training the real olympics. Real insurance is the inner assurance one is on the right track in ennobling the mind soul to encounter the eternal good, beautiful, and true in all things.

“Love is when you feel connected no matter what happens. Love for something or someone outside your self is the great motivator to action indeed. When Love is for what holds all of us, what all of us aspires to hold true, that Love creates magic, that love creates spiritual heroes, that love moves mountains, and transforms evil to good.”

-robert of mayflower

Compassion is not an ideal, it is a fact, it is the universe creating harmony. Truth is not facts, truth is the totality of who we are. Truth is your many lifetimes. Without the facts and knowledge of karma and reincarnation, Truth is unknowable. For this reason, truth is for the most part, approached in silence, in meditation, in the listening heart of reason. 

Bless your heart,

robert of mayflower

Robert’s next talk —

 ‘Astrological Insights and Prognostications for 2009 and Beyond’

will be December 7th at Noon, Om Cafe in Ferndale on Woodward Avenue.

Robert Thibodeau is available for readings and consultations by appointment.

Mayflower Bookshop is open Wednesday thru Saturday (248) 547-8227

See us on the web at http://web.mac.com/mayflowerbookshop

Astrology Newsletter for September 2008

from Robert Thibodeau of Mayflower Bookshop (248) 547-8227

(Astrology New Predictions Talk at OM on September 14th, see below)

September 1st, 2008 - Can you tell that Jupiter and Pluto are near the end of their stormy retrograde? The coming Sun/Saturn conjunction is giving many a serious reality take. Pluto is known for death and destruction, strong changes, and transformative renewal. Jupiter makes it all get bigger and out of control. Saturn wants total control. Jupiter Pluto together signify changing family and social cultural ethics and behavior. Stormy exodus and the attempt to get back home. So what’s up?  Well, for starts, this crazy time has brought—

• A million plus families displaced from their homes due to torrential rain in central Japan
• Three million people affected by flooding in Bihar, India
• Hurricane Gustav slapping the bottom of the United States round the Mississippi River basin, and is initially called, ‘the Mother of All Storms’. Two million people are evacuated, while at the northern end of the Mississippi River, the Republican Convention is quickly altered and solemnly revamped as the hurricane approached, and protesters outside the convention are beaten, tear gassed, and arrested
• China just had another big earthquake destroying more than 300,000 homes, and the statistics are still rising
• Mexican drug crime wave reaches all time highs with most citizens living in fear of violence
• McCain scales back the Republican Convention in case of the worst with Hurricane Gustav. Usually it is thought that Saturn is conservative republican and Jupiter is more social aid democratic. Sun conjuncts Saturn during the convention bringing delays and a more low-key, less celebratory atmosphere due to the hurricane. In the Vice Presidential category, it appears like McCain’s running mate, Sarah Palin, may reverse this trend, and even keep Senator McCain young, running around with such strong feminine good looks and wild juicy rumors. She’ll also keep him on his toes with the array of suggestive rumors flying around her, with transiting Neptune on her Sun that gives her amazing acting abilities and many hats and faces
• Russia aggressively continues hot and cold war-like moves in Georgia. A Kremlin internet critic is shot dead in police custody. Shades of pre-1989 as Russia flexes its military muscle and apparent dictatorship Putin style (although he blames the USA)
• In Nevada, hot dust storms wreak havoc and shake up in last days of the Burning Man desert dream festival. ‘Critical Breasts Bike Ride’ not affected. 35,000 plus people celebrating a strange festival rivaling the best and most savvy technological pagan brat. I personally don’t know what to think but somehow see that it fits with the rest of the astrological events of the moment … the concerts and conventions and dream cruises
• Austria and many another places are in serious drought. Few people garden the earth or virtuous qualities and capacities of the Psyche Soul. Most people bounce off black tops and drive on concrete, sense-bound and lost in emotional seas of desire and fear. That was a chemical vitamin and food joke … most people eat food that is cut off from the living rhythms of the heaven and earth.  People eat dead food and thoughts rather than organic earth transformative sun energy in the vital etheric spiritual or food substances. That is also why Mayflower Bookshop offers such an array of spiritual and metaphysical books and artifacts. We need a spiritual revitalization and reawakening of our minds and hearts, to be capable of loving this whole earth
• The poles are melting. Giant ice sheets are suddenly melting faster causing many a scientist to predict quickly rising ocean levels. High land may soon gain in value. Meditation is the highest inner land worth rooting in. See my ‘Heart Meditation’ CD.
• In England, economic slumps make for dire crime predictions
• Bangkok is in a state of emergency in anti-government protests. Bang Cock? Is that an English name?
• South Africa is having hundreds of bush fires that no one can extinguish
• Everything we need to survive, and everything that has quality, is costing more, as many banks are on the verge of needing a bail-out, or are in danger of going bankrupt
• The Mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick, after continuing to state a plea of ‘not guilty,’ is now trying to work a plea bargain which admits guilt. And what will then happen to the Mayor’s co-conspirator Christine Beatty? Is she stuck holding the bag? Will the Mayor include her in the deal or deal her out? Whew! Hot time panic in the pants of Detroit.

The Astrology of September may lay the groundwork for some time to come!

1. Jupiter and Pluto retrograde go direct on September 8th and 9th respectively, and strongly affect us until September 12th to 15th when the Full Moon conjunct Uranus brings its last minute changes and rearrangements to our lives. This full moon can be quite the release of tension and orgasmic ecstatic party, but it can also bring shocking changes and earth quaking shaky moments of revelation and truth. Lots of strong shake ups, wake ups, make ups and shake offs. Stormy wind-blown explosive hurricane times for sure. The weather goes to disastrous extremes, with many a turn around to its opposite at a quick pace. Strong shifts in common collective thought, collective consensus, and mass behavior. Quiet consideration, solitude, contemplation, and meditative yogic reflection are needed more than ever to ready oneself for the storm of changes that seem upon us in the coming years (2010-12).  The T-Square of Pluto/Uranus/Saturn in 2010 and the second Venus transit in 2012 can precipitate our ecological and near spiritual disastrous situation. Of course, we have freedom, don’t we? (See coming talks at OM CAFE in Ferndale.)
2. Jump starts and lucky breaks for Earth signs Capricorn, Taurus, and maybe the Saturn ridden Virgo. Late Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo, and Pisces continue to make tough rough decisions about what to keep and what to eliminate, or face feelings of persecution, torturous relationships, or money concerns. Need to think long term and simple here. Air sign Libra (secondarily Aquarius and early to mid Gemini) seem especially creative, loving and lovely, prosperous and daring this month. The Air signs are also way too busy with too many things on their plate, but that may be their way of escaping another person controlling or boxing them in too much?
3. Pluto retrograde going direct can bring huge endings and new beginnings for many. It’s a death and rebirth, born-again human type aspect. Pluto heading back into Capricorn may bring us a long-predicted pendulum swing back into much more severe cold, snowy, wetter winters. Also, renewed concern over renewable energy, quality air and food, and domestic protection from natural and mad man disasters. Pluto in Sagittarius brought many troubles and money/sex scandal in sports, travel (air/car), politics, and religion. Pluto in Capricorn will bring haunting troubles and scandals to the way we run things. Leaders, heads of state, corporate heads, governments, authority structures will be tested, transformed and updated. It’s already started with the eclipses in August. Many leaders are trading places and lowering their head.
4. August 30th New Moon conjunct Saturn and September 3rd’s Sun conjunct Saturn, brings light to those who are lost, confused, or gone astray.  ‘Dis-aster’ literally means ‘going astray’ from our higher star, our higher self. Otherwise look for a serious bottom line and the need to clean up a mess. Virgo can be over-critical and destructively intellectual or emotionally negative. Uranus opposing Venus/Saturn midpoint points to a month of ever-changing evaluations of what and who we value and why. Uranus (September into November) demands a higher truth, a higher reckoning when it comes to love and valuables. Insecurities about securities wreak havoc and chaos in the intellectual/emotional sphere. Uranus denotes wanting to break away from what restricts our freedom. Breakthroughs or break downs in love and what we value for Pisces, Libra, Virgo, and maybe even Gemini and Sagittarius.
5. Chiron conjunct Neptune/Node doesn’t help out much. Some fiddle and play ‘as Rome burns’. Some get inspired to high deeds of valor and courage. This configuration makes for mavericks inspired by high ideals and virtue, or fools rushing for dreams fraught with illusion, magic, and tricks. The Don Quixote pure fool melting of dreams and illusionary goals is the usual manifestation. Ask the ‘Burning Man’ festival goer, or the quick change of planner storm convention rider.
6. With Jupiter trine Saturn in the sky September 8th (you may feel it for a week before and after), some people (earth signs?) may seem to have it all in balance. The democrats and republicans may be running neck and neck. This will probably change a bit by the end of September.
7. Mercury/Venus/Mars are tight and cozy in Libra, squaring Jupiter in Capricorn, which makes for strange bedfellows and very interesting love affairs of the heart and mind. This affects Libra primarily, but also Gemini and Aquarius. Much talk and debate, kiss and hug. Libra (lib-bra) in astrology, are said to be doing what Scorpio is so often accused of. That is, having fun and getting away with it. Unfortunately, most people are not happy for others being happy; thus, jealousy and anger, attachment and obsession are notorious bedfellows with relationships of sex and money, both of which are 8th house death and rebirth Scorpio issues. Love is an experience that transcends sex and money, and is more associated with Libra, Venus, and Jupiter. 
8. Oh well, Mercury going retrograde on the 24th will make many of us rethink all this anyway, so it’s hard to get too serious. But there are worldwide events taking place before us that seem to have a ‘no return’ button pushed. That is, Pluto going direct and entering Capricorn in November, until it enters Aquarius in 2024. Many a political and economic face and structure will change. Water and Air will be at a premium. Truth and real love/compassion at a necessary maximum.
9. But our next major concerted concern after September will be Election Day on November 4th with Saturn opposing Uranus. Both freedom and security, individual and collective, are at risk. The rash dash for freedom and pursuit of crass materialistic happiness and wealth is wrecking Mother Nature and her true long-term ability to nourish and give secure abundance. The over-burdensome pursuit of materialistic and false security, is killing our freedom. Insurance’s false security has replaced inner assurance and sureness of spirit and Spirit Self (see my Foundation Stone booklet). Real change is fighting the status quo. Maintaining long-term security is challenging our freedom to be ourselves, to find truth, to love the land and all that lives. Novel ideas based on the wisdom of the past need to continue to prosper what is best in us, both individually and collectively. New ideas and initiatives, higher truths and revelations need to turn over the earth for new ground to grow, new ideas to sprout, new solutions to resolve age-old problems. Progressive idealists need to work with steadfast rocks of security and tradition. War must cease and transform into not only dialogue, but working together solutions. Saturn opposing Uranus November 4th poses these problems and possible solutions. The new and the old, the free and the rooted, need to find common ground, otherwise chaos and warring conflict may arise. In many ways, the United States of America is experiencing a psychic civil war. Edgar Cayce, the famous psychic, predicted the Mississippi would overflow and divide America in half. Perhaps this is psychically happening, if not literally. There is a spiritual American revolution brewing to fight off fear and egotism that separates us from others. There is a new America, a spiritual America being discovered wherein each mind and heart is co-creative and alive, participatory with the present into future., A new land in our own thinking and feeling is arising, Not Francis Bacon’s New Atlantis, but more like William Blake’s New Jerusalem and the Troubador’s Holy Grail, uniting hearts and minds in the call of Lincoln’s Higher Angel, Blavatsky’s ‘Higher Self;’ a love of land and body and the spirit that weaves and permeates all. Plato’s World Soul and Lovelock’s GAIA. The return of the Goddess and the Wisdom of God in everyday life. See my talk ‘Divine Yoga’ CD, as well as ‘Living a Spiritual Life’ CD set for more information on such.
10. John McCain’s astrology chart reveals transit of Uranus retrograde about to conjunct his natal Saturn after just opposing his natal Venus. Will he change his mind about previous moves and statements? Will his VP choice last? Will he again take the stage as compassionate leader in time of natural or mad man changes in the weather, economic, or politic? McCain was born August 29, 1936, at 8:37 am, in Cocosolo, CE. (Time may not be exact).  Will transiting Jupiter retrograde, soon to trine the Senator’s natal Sun, hold his presidential rudder firm and strong in this ever-changing rattle and war drum run for presidency? Perhaps, Yes.
11. Republican VP pick, Gov. Sarah Palin was born February 11, 1964, reportedly at 4:40 pm, Orofino, ID. (Thank you to Ray Merriman and his friend for the time.) Neptune retrograde conjuncted Palin’s Sun at the announcement of her being picked by John McCain. Neptune is close to conjunction again at the time of election. This indicates that Sarah is going for one heck of a good ride. Astrologically, Neptune rules her oil above the ground connections, as well as the insanity of modern media politics as entertainment and Roman Coliseum type gladiator, lion fighting and sacrifice.  Neptune can be deception and lies, but it can also be divine inspiration and guidance. Neptune also indicates Governor Palin’s ability to appear with many hats and many masks. She is either a really good actor or a really good politician, or both. In spite of so-called ‘lack of experience,’ I think McCain is brilliantly crazy for picking her. She will bring much youthful enthusiasm and colorful activity and play into the run for presidency, if she lasts. Pluto retrograde transiting from the 5th house of children and/or sex, close to squaring her natal Venus at 1 degree Aries, may be indicative of a few small scandalous hollywood-type rumors flying about in Ms. Palin’s biography. 
12. The Full Moon September 12-15th brings many more upsets and surprise. The Uranus Moon conjunction opposes Saturn/Sun in Virgo, both squaring Pluto. It’s a loose aspect, but presents many a scandal and rumor, many a storm or quake, fire and loss, and broken bank account. The positive aspect is that many people will be making serious changes to their life-style leaving old conditions for the new and unknown. Meditation and prayer will continue to make a big comeback, I reckon.
13. Mars/Mercury/Venus all approach a trine to Neptune giving many a positive vibe and air to positive love vibrations. Yes, when Mercury goes retrograde on September 24th, much will need review and reconsideration, but life goes on.
14. There is no fourteen, but I didn’t want you to go all superstitious on me by ending on number 13. September will seem superstitiously close to 13’s bad luck, always pretending to, or knocking on that magic Isis fragment number 14th, Osiris’ creative Harry Potter wand to magic. With so many nice aspects mixed with crazy aspects, September make many of us feel like going back to the school of 101. Election Day’s Uranus opposing Saturn will reveal a tug of war between what secures us or allows us to survive, and what frees us, fulfills us, and makes us feel alive, vulnerable, naked open minded, and in love with it all.

Love and Peace, and all that makes you feel secure, free, and happy,

robert of mayflower

the ASTROLOGY OF THE FUTURE

with ROBERT THIBODEAU

Sun signs, world events, politics and economics, famous personalities,

2012 Mayan Calendar ending, the Venus Transit, the 2010 Cardinal Climacteric, 

and other crazy smart insights into what’s happening in our world.

Sunday, September 14th, 12.00 noon, OM CAFE (23136 N. Woodward, Ferndale, MI)

Suggested donation $20. CD of talk will be made available, purchase now.

Call (248) 547-8227 for further information.

Friends,

I’ve been researching VP picks with my astrological insights and, if you didn’t make it to my talk last Sunday, I want to share this with you –

Astrologically, I think Senator Obama may have been smarter to pick Timothy Michael Kaine, Governor of Virginia. Birch Evans Bayh III … has aspects for second choice, but how could the public handle his name?  Tim has great aspects for being on a winning team.

Picking Sen. Joe Biden was Obama’s pick. Joe is a Scorpio Sun Sign with Moon in late Aries or early Taurus depending on his accurate time of birth which hasn’t yet been determined. He has Pluto transiting his Natal Moon and thus is wired into powerful military and international interests. Transiting Uranus trine his natal Jupiter and Sun in coming years will make for a very successful popular VP, and perhaps even President later.

Although my year ago prediction was that Mitt Romney would be the Republican pick for President, my second guess at the time was that Mitt could be picked for VP.

Astrologically, McCain might be smart to pick Charlie Crist, Governor of Florida. Gindal, Governor of Louisiana has fairly good aspects too.

It is possible that either Obama or McCain will pick someone from left field whose astrological chart I don’t have.  A surprise? A woman? I wish.

Or, will they pick someone no-one thought of? Of the eligibles whose astrological charts I have looked at, this is my current astrological prediction. Do they use astrology to make their picks? You’d think they’d consider it wouldn’t you? You can win on bad aspects but your term will be troubled and well-criticized, as the last President and the Detroit Mayor can testify to.

Winners aren’t always winners in this strange world we now live in. Real winners make everyone a winner. As predicted at Jewel Heart Summer Retreat talk, the race is going to be closer than originally predicted. At the moment its turning into a dead heat. Well, its summer time, its hot.

We will soon see if the politicians are astrologically wise. Speaking of astrology and politics, it looks like my November 2007 prediction about the Mayor of Detroit getting indicted and losing his job by this October at the latest … seems to be coming true at the moment.

love and blessings
and happy environment and friends,
robert t of mayflower bookshop

Robert has a talk coming up—

Sunday, August 31st at OM CAFE at noon, in Ferndale …
Dharma Mind—
Healing Insights and Meditations for Romance, Finance, and Spiritual Well Being