Mayflower Bookshop bLog

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.

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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

Astrology Aspects for August 2008 and Three Talks Coming Up

Robert Thibodeau of Mayflower Bookshop (248) 547-8227

1. August 1st, Lammas - New Moon Solar Eclipse at 9° Leo - strongly affects Leo, Aquarius, Scorpio, and Taurus. Eclipses are good for cutting things out of our life that do not serve our higher purpose and virtuous calling. Eclipses call for cutting things out that block us from success. Otherwise, eclipses are often associated with being cut-off, quick sudden loss, or change. People tend to be over-sensitive and occultly (secretly) aware, almost psychic at times. Eclipses can eclipse things out of our life. People in the public with a high profile can take sudden turns for the better or worse. Weird experiences, both good and bad, cause us to ponder our own mortality and karma, our destiny and dharma, or the open road ahead. This should prove an amazing month for for world politics, weather, and reinventing one’s ego direction. Many people are at that make-it or break-it point, and something is about to give. It’s breakthrough or breakdown time for those born mid September, December, March, or June. Those born the near the 1st of August or April, or at the end of April or January may feel the need to cut something out, or they will be cut out or separated from something or someone. Those born mid January, April, or September seemed to be spared from the crazier aspects in July. In helping others to help themselves and in sharing and overflow, good karma protects, nourishes, and prospers.

Dropping out or rising up is the vibe. It’s a bottoms up, top down kind of month. 2010 is the real breakthrough year for new technology in autos and computer software, so be careful of false starts, false promises, premature maturity, risky bets or investments, and smooth talking salesmen who promise the moon. It’s eclipse time, and what’s more, while every summer dream seeks fulfillment, all the clowns and charlatans of circus and scam are here with Neptune aspects. So throughout August dream and play, but take care to keep your eye on the practical and long term, at least until the New Moon on August 30th, when the nearing ‘Jupiter trine Saturn’ brings grounded practicality and sound earth and heart back into play.

The good news is that if you know what you are doing, and the fire of creative imagination is on your side - ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN this August!  Besides a million concerts and the ‘Dream Cruise’, there is the heavily loaded and political Olympics in China, and the Democratic Convention, which is followed by the Republican Convention on September 1st. This will be an amazing historical month in the making. It’s the best and worst of times for awakening to higher consciousness, spirituality and transcendental vision.

Feelings of urgency to shake off the old and start anew in certain areas of life, fashion, and friends may affect you. With Venus opposing Neptune in the sky, take care to stay practical when it comes to new purchases and new flames. The coming Mars oppose Uranus affects mostly Virgo, Pisces, Gemini, and Sagittarius, and it gives one the urgent feeling to act quickly, to act now. Watch out for this hastiness, and also mindlessness, anger and over-critical judgement. Beware of irrational wild behavior, quirkiness, quick sudden actions, and rash change.  Avoid accident-waiting-to-happen people, anger issue people, sudden power surge aggressive people, and sudden knee jerk reactions. Take care not to make matters worse by stirring the bees nest, rattling the cage unnecessarily, or being over-aggressive in critical attack or response to others. If you have your accurate astrology chart, find which house 9° Leo is in to see how it more exactly affects you. Remember, you have eternity to get enlightenment and self-realization, but the best time is now to take real steps toward inner development and spiritual growth. All eternity, yet not a second to spare. Act now. Seek the eternal in each moment. Each moment can become a prayer, and a holy encounter with the sacred. This is the secret of secrets. It’s here now if you can see it, if you can listen with your heart to the inner voice within all that lives. Love without this higher seeing and listening is like a flower. With mindful listening, prayer and meditation, love is the ground and ever-changing sky, the root, flower, and seed of the present into the future. (See Steiner’s ‘Way of Self Knowledge’, or Osho’s ‘Zen Manifesto,’ available at Mayflower Bookshop.

With Jupiter in Capricorn, all cardinal signs (Libra, Aries, Cancer and Capricorn) decided to sit back this month and watch the mutable ‘jumping bean’ signs go through changes. Actually the cardinal signs, mentioned above, seem to have it easier this month. They are busy with work, career and calling, or just hiding out with friends in a cozy home - theirs or yours. Next year is their money and manifestation year. Yet, Capricorn and Cancer are also caught between the midpoint of Pluto/Neptune and can’t decide if it’s apocalypse time, or ‘just about to make it’ time. Perhaps they are dreaming of being a vagabond hippie or returning to nature or outdoor life, or of becoming a virtue reality of self by being locked in a little room with a hard drive and screen periscope, dreaming of the big world out there. If this last bit did not make sense, stop all drugs and medications, and re-read slowly after a bowl of brown rice and miso soup. Avoid escaping reality by continually escaping in your work. But, yes, this year and next are good years for cardinal signs who are rightly attuned.

Virgo/Pisces and Gemini/Sagittarius are feeling that the hard work needs to pay off or they are near the breaking point. 

Aquarius, Leo and Scorpio may still feel the pinch of the past that is not quite redeemed, and the future that is not quite present. Scorpio slowly working on who are working friends, who are friends that last through time, stuck in time, and those who are timeless. Leo working on what is lasting in value, and what values are lasting, along with money concerns, loss of others and how it affects one - death, endings, new beginnings. Scorpio has Uranus in solar 5th causing lots of ups and downs in relationships. Taurus concerned over lover or children and how to sustain long term security, trust, and responsive reliableness. 

Taurus and Capricorn feel all this but they don’t let anything bother them as they slowly but surely trek to what they perceive as the new land of peace and prosperity.

August 1st Solar Eclipse is conjunct the Washington DC chart’s Ascending Sign, signaling the coming season of change in politics. It also suggests many a new impulse and idea coming out of Washington DC to deal with the failing economy, falling dollar, inflation of anything that matters in quality, and ego postures for future positioning. This aspect also portends of lots of ego and ego demonstration this month. The pride of Leo and the colorful strut of the Peacock is back.

2. Mars opposing Uranus influence is especially strong August 4th to 6th (in effect until August 19th). Stormy crazy weather and shaky times for sure! Difficulties with traveling and impatience with idiots and whacky people. Quakes, rash acts of violence, accidents, Olympic upsets and breakthroughs, danger around travel, machines, workplace, and hospitals. Mars Uranus wants to be a dare devil and break records, win at any cost, go beyond boundaries and rules. Mars this month makes for zany crazy men acting like Paris Hilton and friends in showing off, taking off, getting off, and being off color. Mars/Uranus opposing is also aggressive in action and reactions. It is the feeling of being attacked and the need for quick response. Definitely a time to play it safe and avoid conflict. Many think the drums of war may resound this month. Or is it just protective reactionary moves? Where are the peace makers and poets when we need them?

Coupled with the coming Mars/Pluto aspect, August is full of danger, adventure, heroics, and powerfully suggestive moves in politics and sports, money and finance, markets and foreign policy. Danger of weird explosive actions, accidents, quakes, fires, weird storms, loss and rejection. Mars/Pluto is weirdly associated with the ‘good guy vs. bad guy’ thing. Its best use is gardening and ecology, healthy diet and exercise, remaking oneself to be fit and healthy, virtuous and moral. Its difficult side is endless mind games and psycho drama theatrics, and forced play. It is also associated with being stuck in negative emotions, the past, false projections, jealousy attachment issues, and being unable to move on to the next higher level in relationships, both personal and at work. Solution is down time, quiet time, meditation and contemplation. Giving the freedom and love your yourself want, and being more patient and generous in tolerance. This is definitely an aspect where one may need to pull in one’s unconscious habits or instincts, re-channeling and redirecting oneself into healthy channels of love and prosperity, healing and wakefulness. Check out my bible in the kitchen, ‘Self Healing Cookbook,’ a Mayflower Bookshop favorite.

Mars/Uranus/Pluto times call for a need to assess who and what we love. A need to give others the love and freedom, compassion and wit that we wish for ourselves. It’s about trying to find power through others, not over others. Openness to what, and who, others really are. A willingness to be open to continual learning about ourselves and others will help here. Patience is needed to see the truth and how it works out in time. So take your patient time in any particular situation. Extra patience and compassion is needed. Take extra care for others who don’t see things exactly your way. It’s a great time to take on new spiritual studies. The book ‘Meaningful to Behold’ is a great Tibetan spiritual psychology book dealing with virtue and non-virtue and how to deal with such. Also see Osho books on emotional awareness, sexuality, and enlightenment. Steiner’s ‘How to Know the Higher Worlds’ also speaks of this mind training in virtue and enlightenment. 

On a positive note, remember: ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN, so think positive. Keep your feet on the ground, be practical, don’t take risks—and be expectant, alert, aware, and ready for a miracle to happen, for the flower of your heart intelligence to bloom, for a greater presence or spirit of understanding and depth to enter.

3. August 13th Venus conjunct Saturn sets the stage through to the August 16th Full Moon Lunar Eclipse conjunct Neptune. Jupiter/Pluto is also on the Washington DC Ascendent indicating a strong political awareness of the changing times and need for more efficient, less polluting cars, and safer loans, mortgages, and banks. Many individuals now take a stand on their beliefs. This aspect is preceded by Moon/Pluto on August 12th which possibly triggers the coming event on August 17th Mars square Pluto. 

Venus trine Jupiter coming in September will balance things out, but there’s much rattling of swords and debate over direction and procedure in politics, crime, economics, pollution, heat and pole-melting, ecology, and lifestyle this month. Not much patience for mistakes and wrong-doings, so take care. Wisdom and compassion, patience and a willingness to keep learning what life is teaching, can be a strong protection and heart compass for this month of August into September. 

***

Many a heartbreak, heart-wake, and heart throb this month - August 2nd, 5th, 13th, 16th-18th, 23rd, and 29th-30th are the take-it or break-it love daze craze days.

***

4. Early August sees Saturn midpoint Uranus/Neptune indicating the need for discipline and patience in the face of many changes. The last part of August 30th sees Sun/Moon New Moon midpoint Uranus/Neptune giving one a new sense of purpose and direction for the present into future. Watch for ever-changing weather, hot to cold, cold to hot, and storms here. Also, the need to settle down and realize summer dreams is over - get ready for cooler down to earth weather. August will prove to be a month to remember for some time to come, make it a good one! May loving kindness and generosity show you the way. May all beings find happiness and co-creative mind!

5. September 8th - Jupiter trines Saturn, and Jupiter and Pluto go direct. Big decisions now made that influence future for the good. Strong go ahead, go for it energy. Future security and happiness now takes positive steps.  August is the bake and shake out, make it or break it, or break up or break out, out of time crazy aspects. It sets up September’s sure steps to long term good fortune. September is slow but steady Jupiter/Saturn energy. This aspect makes for balance between the spiritual and material goals. August all to often reveals the pinch to grow an inch, as well as the pinch of unresolved issues from the past rearing their ugly head. Sept. good for long-term planning, new enterprise, and long lasting friendships in business and loving friends. Good time to shake off the past that’s stuck in the past, and plunge into the future assured of world, self and friends.

6. August 1st - Eclipse hits hard on both Presidential Candidates. The VP Pick will be most notoriously important. Its definitely a difficult month for the economy, thus international politics, domestic security, the dollar and home price drop. Many people fo power will have to make some tough decisions. Many an ending and new beginning in the field of romance and business.

The eclipse also hits many a celebrity. See my article in Splash Magazine for more information on the celebrity list. More on celebrities, politics, and economy soon, so stay tuned. The eclipse also triggers the Detroit Mayor’s Moon affecting his ever-changing moods concerning the women around him. Will one cut loose? His aspects are challenging in August through October. More troubles to weed through astrologically speaking.

Other stars that get hit by the eclipse include Dick Cheney. The eclipse opposes his Sun - ego, job, and health issues. Uma Thurman has the eclipse square her Sun - shifting perhaps the way she relates to men again. Will the marriage not go through? David Letterman has the eclipse near his natal Pluto - private family matters, loss of money or insecurities about love? The world? We’ll soon see. Conan O’Brian has the eclipse conjunct his Mars. Will his way of love shift? His way of speaking? He’ll need to watch out for anger, or offensive or over assertive speech, even reckless driving or drivers. Mick Jagger has the eclipse on his Pluto/Nadir/Mercury indicating a much needed rest and hide out. Mick may be changing roots and home, brandishing new songs and/or a new look? Miley Cyrus continues to remake her image escaping capture as she meta-morphs and shifts her girl into a young sexy woman. Now more self-made and itching for more freedom, the Full Moon in August may bring more crazy and wild revelations about this young miss with hits.

Robert Thibodeau is available for private consultations and lectures by calling the Mayflower Bookshop (248-547-8227), on the web at http://web.mac.com/mayflowerbookshop/.

Robert has 3 talks coming up—

“The Mystery of the Christos - Self Realization and Heaven on Earth”;

And How the Divine Feminine fits into the picture

Part 1 on Sunday, August 17th and Part 2 on August 24th at noon to 1.30 pm at the ‘Unity of Lake Orion’, 3070 Baldwin Road, Lake Orion Mi. 48329.

Feel free to come to Pastor Greg’s service and talk beforehand.  See unitylakeorion.org.

Call Mayflower for more info (248) 547-8227

Also -

Sunday, August 31st at OM CAFE at noon, in Ferndale …

‘Healing Insights and Meditations for Romance, Finance, and Spiritual Well Being’

Astrological Events for August 2008

Robert Thibodeau of Mayflower Bookshop

1. New Moon in Cancer, July 2nd (10:19 PM EST), is conjunct Ceres, the earth mother, the largest astroid, as well as Sirius the Dog Star. Beware of biting the hand that feeds you. Also of overdoing a good thing. Otherwise, this is good omen for entertaining, nourishing, and educating others to higher spiritual views and virtues. The Dog Star always portends of threshold crossings to the higher or lower worlds.  It is connected with overdoing or overflowing. Whatever is happening, there’s too much of it. New Moon is new beginnings or wishes. Hopefully an end to bad tidings, and a new breath of futurity. With Moon conjunct Venus opposing Jupiter into the 3rd July, lots of love and receiving of pleasures to go round.  People helping each other is stressful times.

2. Mercury square Uranus on Saturday, July 5th puts an intellectual spin on things. Tongues and minds may be spinning too fast. Avoid rash words or actions leading to argument or accident. The flash of ego must be the flash of genius, otherwise the Leo Moon pride is quickly followed by a fall. Quirky weather.

3. July 6th - Mercury trine Neptune and Venus trine Uranus puts an adventurous joyride on the day. Good for dreaming into the future, creative imagination, and amour. Love for family and friends throughout the day, with a late afternoon Moon conjunct Saturn cooling down and quiet snuggling in energy. Good time for bold creative moves in both love and creativity, music and business.

4. July 10th - Gemini Mercury opposes Pluto in Sagittarius along with a strong Mars conjunct Saturn in Virgo may put an aggressive damper on the day. Weather gets nasty and goes to extremes, either hot or suddenly stormy cooler. Mother Nature may be trying to reek as much havoc as is man made pollution and warring. Gosh, what if the old Sufis were right and stormy, bad weather is a reaction that Earth has to our own negative emotions and ill will? Mercury/Pluto is serious decision-making and dark thoughts. Good for research and scholarly work, also thoughtful gardening. The need for truth, wisdom and compassion, has never been higher.

Saturn/Mars is control-freaking militarism, and sometimes just hard, hard work with little or no reward. Feelings of reaching a dead end, or being caught in a very long slow turn of events. If you are selfless, good for strong relationships with others.  Powers that be, struggle to bring law and order to disorderly factions. Strong protest or criticism needs to be constructive and on higher positive vibe. Patience and strong determinism, wisdom, compassion and right view antidote feelings of depression or obstruction. Weather and politics are severe at this time. Tendency to draw lines of tension and separation. Making rules, finishing work, constructive critique, delays, long term commitments are all part of Saturn/Mars. Take care not to be overburdened with others’ problems. Compassionate diligence.

Much perseverance and spiritual tolerance are called for here. Stagnation and stalemates, one-up-man-ship and power struggle. Many issues are difficult to diagnose or hard to swallow in sports, politics, banking, housing, education, health issues, religion and science. AVOID OVER-CRITICISM!! Remember, ‘Negativity is its own reward’. Patience in unwinding the threads of Persephone’s Worldly Labyrinth. Adhere as Plato to Homer’s Golden Chain of chance events linked by the willing heart surrendering to learning. Learning to grow and know more of who ‘I AM’. When crossing Samsara’s Seas, keep the imagination of the other shore in the heart’s mind. Quick look for the wild berries. If you can’t make it and feel that you’re faking it, be Zen. Take a break for something new, new view, new you. Osho’s ‘Zen Manifesto’ is back in print at Mayflower Bookshop for those seeking solace wisdom and mental stress relief.

5. JULY 17th-20th - FULL MOON, most likely the best weekend of the month for controlled craziness and partying, courting a wider circle (no this doesn’t just mean over eating and gaining weight), socializing, dreaming and working for a better future for all of us. Moon in Aquarius makes for much socializing and merry making with higher minded goals and aspirations. The peasant and king meet, perhaps even the queen and warrior. And although this proves to be a great weekend for having summer fun and socializing, Pluto opposing the ascendant, and Saturn/Mars on the nadir in the Washington, D.C. chart reveals importance of keeping your right mind on for safety, caution, and moderation in all things. This combination of planets often brings about events of a national mourning or something similar. Let’s hope for a national celebration over newly made plans and events that are positive for us all.

Will Mitt Romney, as previously predicted, be the republican VP pick? Will McCain seek a woman VP? I’m sure he’s thinking about it! Would Obama dare such? Or go for money and male votes? We may see what direction the compass points. With Pluto opposing Washington D.C. Full Moon chart, lots of secret and not so secret power plays, even possibly scandalous plays are at work now.

6. In Dane Rudhyar’s USA Chart (Sagittarius Sun), progressed Moon quintile Pluto in the 2nd house portends of continued troubles in the housing and credit markets. High price of oil continues until everybody screams ‘Uncle Sam,’ and we make ecologically sound, gas efficient cars. Progressed Moon heading for trine later. Progressed Sun trines USA Venus and, in 2 years, it will trine Jupiter. By 2010, look for the USA economy to bounce back along with much more ecologically sound, highly efficient automobiles. 2010 brings many worldly troubles with Capricorn Pluto more or less midpointing the Saturn Uranus opposition in Libra/Aries. World Dictator or just World Dick. Pluto in Capricorn will fully realize the need for good clean water and air, and will be willing to make the rules and laws incorporating the green view. The question is, will the poor get good education? Much more on this critical year 2010 later.

With Neptune transit so close to conjunct the natal Moon, is everyone going crazy? Getting Enlightened and Wizen’d up? Going into deep sleep? Meditating? Medicated? Or all five? It seems either a new sense of harmony with mother nature is arriving and/or we are losing our collective natural mind and common sense as we watch internal movies.

Real visualization is seeing spirit and science within all living things, seeing their harmonious relationship. It is not, spiritually speaking, seeking one’s own separate reality, escape, or billionth reason for not showing up for the world’s sake.

7. By late August into September, Jupiter retrograde comes near trine Saturn giving many a solved problem or at least, temporary solution. ESP especially for earth signs, Capricorn/Virgo/Taurus. Perhaps for all. Good for problem solving and taking the right steps to insure a better future. People from different walks of life and backgrounds tend to work well together with this aspect. 

SHADES OF ROBERT F. KENNEDY and June ‘08’s Astrological Love Fever, along with Red Wings prediction

I met Robert F. Kennedy many years ago. I shook his hand, looking deep into his spiritual and worldly wisdom eyes. His voice alone revealed his compassion and loving kindness. He was a genuine human being. His was the first aura permeating and surrounding a human being that I had ever seen, and I didn’t even know what the word ‘aura’ was yet. I thought Senator Kennedy to be a living saint at the time. He was a ‘Rock Star’ of the political world, meaning that he was bigger than life. He was also a man who saw suffering in the world and wanted to do something about it. In practice, he was a true christian, as depicted in ‘The Sermon on the Mount’. To listen to his speech, ‘Mindless Menace of Violence,’ given following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.  and calling for America’s need to move towards love, compassion, and wisdom, not only brings one near to tears, it inspires a deeply moving spirit of goodness and virtue within us. Both Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy were bodhisattvas of social justice, love and truth.

Scary Comparisons, now and then.

Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. died with Uranus/Mars aspects. Strangely enough Barack Obama shares such aspects making for exciting popularity, but also scary times. This strange synchronicity takes place particularly this June 2008 into July, having eery coincidence to the past. Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated June 5th, 1968, forty years ago exactly. Presently, Pluto’s transit at 29 degree Sagittarius is mid-pointing RFK’s natal Sun/Moon highlighting this tragedy in today’s news. The transit of Uranus is conjunct Kennedy’s natal Uranus (approximately an 84 year cycle), and Mars is conjunct his natal Neptune at the end of June, while Mars opposes Uranus on August 2nd. All of this gives us a haunting historical perspective on today’s popular Barack Obama, who presently shares some of the aspects which made both Kennedy and King so popular. Unfortunately, such aspects also portend danger.

On June 25 or so, Obama, with a Scorpio Rising Sign, has transiting Mars conjunct Uranus, and transiting Uranus square natal Uranus. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated when transiting Uranus squared his Mars and opposed his natal Uranus. Obama has a conjunction and square vs. King’s square and opposition, but the point is that Uranus/Mars and Uranus/Uranus aspects make for both popularity and outspokenness, as well as for danger. These aspects portend danger of physical harm, aggressive acts or words, verbal attacks, as well as travel mishaps or troubles. Positively, it can reveal bold new action, bravado, courageous speech, as well as a constant need to re-adjust oneself to new circumstances or new approaches to political attacks. Politics can be scary stuff. Astrologically, these are, of course, tendencies or probabilities.

I mention this because Presidential Candidate Senator Clinton mentioned staying in the race longer and referred to RFK’s demise. Many people, prior to Mrs. Clinton, compared Kennedy and Obama in a more positive spirit in that both offer change, both appeal to the masses and popular vote, and both offer hope to the poor, education, and a need to stop the war; then it was Vietnam and now Iraq.  After researching Kennedy and King’s charts, I can only wonder who Senator Clinton’s astrologer is?!  She must assume something may drastically change in Obama’s camp, be it health, crisis, status, etc. Astrologically speaking, there is a need at this time for further protection and security for all the candidates, especially Obama; I assume that everybody knows that, even non-astrologers. It will be interesting to see how all this political psychodrama and high media theatre will play out. With Uranus now conjunct Senator Clinton’s natal Moon, one would think that big changes are in the air for everyone. Will she drop out or suddenly be put in the front (or back) seat? It’s all in the cards, I mean the stars, for this June into July. Then again, it may just be some other crisis in the economy or world that suddenly shocks or shifts their individual awareness. It is a wisdom of esotericism and spirituality, that one can change one’s own inner mind to change outer circumstances. This is the secret of positive thinking. Let’s hope it’s this. With transiting Mars conjunct Senator Clinton’s Mars/Pluto in early June, and then conjunct Saturn in mid June, she won’t go up or down easily, and in all probability is vying for any shot at presidency, even if VP for now. Needless to say, it is an historical ground-breaking event for a woman and an African-American to be running for President. Astrologers around the country in the last few months have been declaring new birth times for both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama, justifying mistaken past predictions; now proclaiming Barack Obama to be the next President. This may very well be true, but the times are ever-changing. Robert Kennedy’s warning of the ‘mindless menace of violence’ is always a threat, and I wish Robert Kennedy was still here. Perhaps Mr. Obama is picking up where Mr. Kennedy left off. We can only hope for the day truth and love, compassion and wisdom enter not only the White House, but every house in America. The difficult aspects in all the candidates’ charts preclude a rough ride to the White House. Astrologically there is much more surprise to come just around the corner. 

Speaking of craziness, even Presidential Candidate John McCain has difficult aspects: transiting Uranus opposes his natal Venus now (June), and transiting Saturn conjuncts his natal Sun in July. Health troubles? Friend difficulties? Shake ups and changes? His power will be in holding steadfast and sure. At this point, people will like anyone who isn’t changing with the wind. His downfall will be appearing old and feeble or too crystallized. Uranus opposing Venus oft reveals affairs of the heart and unsettling sexual matters. It could also just be him watching the fireworks on the democratic side of the fence.

Look for June 12th-13th, for sudden breakthroughs and break downs. Quakes and shake-ups, thunder and lightening moves. (Watch out you mutable signs.) Good aspect for taking daring leaps of faith in love and creativity. June 19th-20th-21st and 23rd may portend sudden leaps back from faith to practicality. Venus/Pluto is often feelings of being betrayed or cheated. Mars/Neptune feelings of being misled or lied to. (Watch out you fixed signs). Look for these crazy zany aspects to bring stormy weather and foul play in both politics, economics, relationship, money matters, and the heart, as well as rough, ever-changing weather - storms, upsets, reversals, sudden leaps of faith, and going where angels fear to tread. June definitely has aspects for jumping ship, changing allegiance, retreating or escaping, spiritual escapade or getting lost in space. Extremes in the weather continue to pester natural growth cycles. Bad time to go on a crusade or start a war with the neighbors. Bad time for psychodrama or emotional theatrics. Good for gardening, outdoors activities, music and wondrous acting out of freedom and spiritual purpose or virtue.

The Full Moon June 18th into the 21st will be haunting. The Venus opposing Pluto in the sky on Full Moon is clearly reminiscent of Bobby Kennedy’s natal Venus opposing Pluto. It is an aspect calling for much compassion and loving kindness and wisdom. Avoid jealousy, and any kind of anger and psycho-drama. Many interesting endings and new beginnings at this time. With Mars opposing Neptune in fixed signs (Leo/Aquarius/Taurus/Scorpio), avoid any get-rich-overnight or gambling schemes. Avoid far-fetched dreams that may land you with a reality bump on your head. Good for artistic and gardening pursuits, creative design and music. Tendency to be spaced out and day dreaming. This is an aspect related to those who have crossed the threshold into the spiritual worlds and their reflection back into the physical worlds. Often this aspect associated with UFO and Alien sightings, as well as ghost sightings or visitations from the dead. Strange dreams difficult to interpret, or confused psychic readings. Miso soup and good long walk or physical exercise is good antidote to Neptune’s spaced-out side.

Early Cardinal Signs (Capricorn/Cancer/Aries/Libra) and late Mutable Signs (Gemini/Sagittarius/Virgo/Pisces) are dealing with the Venus/Pluto opposition and need to love and appreciate what you already have. This is an aspect of sweet sorrow, loss, and learning to value what has lasting value and higher purpose or meaning. 

Mercury direct from retrograde on June 19th heightens awareness and need for better communication in the future in order to avoid mistakes. The further Mercury direct message is to keep moving, growing, and going forward in truth and higher reasoning. July 10th Mars conjunct Saturn as well as Mercury oppose Pluto may give further lessons in learning, to find a seat when the music stops, or to find new ways to plow through the stormy weather.

June 9th, the Sun conjunct Venus is a loving reminder that from 2004 to 2012, we are in the envelope of the VENUS TRANSIT across the face of the SUN happening twice every 107 years or so. It’s not just about the end of the Mayan Calendar or Lazlo’s ‘entry into the Chaos Point’, it’s about whether or not our minds can awaken to the Spirit and Virtue in nature, and learn to love the earth once again before Mother Nature either dies - making it very difficult to sustain human life on the planet - or Mother Nature storms, quakes, and volcanoes humanity out of here. Let the scientists and profiteers debate what common-sense and simple observation permits. As Robert Kennedy so aptly phrased it, “the Mindless Menace of Violence” is a problem that is not easily going away. Only a new mind for what unifies us and makes us all brothers and sisters to all of life can be of help here. For most, the ways of love, compassion and wisdom either wither on the vine, or find themselves severely weathered from the try. Alice Bailey said that we would continue killing each other until we discovered that which cannot be killed. This is the unifying golden thread of Spirit (God) within each of us tying us together as One Humanity with One Earth. It is the goal and heart of every religion, every true spirituality.

Looks like the Pluto retrograde back into Sagittarius (higher learning) foretells the continuing drop in book sales as Border’s book chain lays off more employees and continues investigating selling itself. Book sales are down worldwide and ebooks have not really taken up the slack. Books are becoming more a quaint momental art object, than a novel learning experience or research adventure. As Pluto enters Capricorn again later in the year into 2009, look for ‘Self Help’ books to continue to grow in popularity.

Why do i keep thinking the Red Wings will take it to 7 games before winning the Stanley Cup? So everyone will make more money? And why doesn’t the search for the HOLY GRAIL CUP that mythologically will feed all the hungry attract as many customers? O Well !

Blessings this June ’08,

May all beings find happiness and creative mindfulness and joy,

Robert Thibodeau

Ps.

My favorite new Cd just acquired ! Check it out. It’s from a friend of mine in Canada. When I last saw him before his last concert here at the ARK in Ann Arbor, a bit of a ways back, he told me he just found Gelek Rinpoche’s book, ‘Good Life, Good Death,’ at an airport bookstand and read it overnight saying, “He’s the real thing!”. This was just after me telling him that he may want to check Rimpoche out while he was in town. Synchronicity.

Check it out–

Fred Eaglesmith CD “Tinderbox” - 

also check out 

RFK’s moving speech on the mindless menace of violence, 

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_Vll-t0H6A&feature=related)

Robert Thibodeau is available for talks and private astrological consultations.

Call Mayflower Bookshop for an appointment (248) 547-8227.

Astrology Predictions, Currents, and Possibilities

May 2008, Robert of Mayflower Bookshop, Berkley, Michigan.

1) Spring is Here! Last days of April and first days of May good for long term love and investment. Venus/Saturn/Pluto all trine in earth signs. Good for new long term beginnings. Good for settling old affairs and setting in new long term plans. Good for pay back planning and long term investment. Good for paying off old karma. Good for starting new gardens and friendships of lasting value. Good for catching up to the present, making good, making sense, of the past. Values relating to what perseveres in time and has lasting value. This aspect may also indicate how many people are getting along with less money and resource, seeking happiness in the little things of life, the traditional values and simple joys of life. Wisdom from the past plans for the future. Meditation and Yoga is in.

2) Taurus in long term love and security. Virgo and Cap worried about such?!

Venus/Saturn/Pluto in Taurus/Virgo/Capricorn respectively make an interesting grand trine in earth signs. This is long-term strengthening for love and money for TAURUS SUN SIGNS. Virgo and Capricorn may find themselves more dependent on outer circumstances and other people more than wanted. Great aspect for working in the earth and fixing up the homestead. Great aspect for healing through massage, diet, yoga, meditation (as well as whatever else you’re doing). 

3) Saturn at 1 degree Virgo goes direct from retrograde. Look for continued concern and renewal of concern with all things relating to Virgo such as health care, medicare, hospital care, airplane fares and service, health and quality of kitchenware, elderly care, prison reform, and fairness to the under-privileged. Saturn in Virgo reveals that the next year or two will be concerned with health and worker care. Many people will be reconsidering the quality, or lack of quality, of their job.

4) Attention Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo ! Jupiter goes retrograde May 9th to early September giving the earth signs yet another chance for happiness and success when it comes to family, friends, money, job, career, calling, vocation, aims and goals. Jupiter is the santa claus of the zodiac. Jupiter’s dangerous side is in over-doing and going to extremes, gluttony and waste. The positive side is user-friendly social grace and sharing, community, and joyful partying, as well as joyful partings. Jupiter in Aquarius next year favors the Air Signs as well as the green eco-friendly.

5) Mars leaves Cancer and goes into the tropical sign of Leo. The good news is Mars leaving Cancer’s ‘argue-mental’, feisty, antagonistic fight then flight and hide-away. Mars in Leo influence brings the shiny sunny side out. Look for the return of the peacock pride and colorful, summery, creative colorful aristocratic ways. Here, everybody wants their moment of stage, light and sound. Cardinal Signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn will now not feel aggressive or defensive and can relax a bit. Leo, Sagittarius and Aries will feel more assertive and positive in conquering new ground. Aquarius be on guard and a little less reactive. Scorpio and Taurus need find the right balance between going with the flow and surrendering to the way it is, and pushing harder for what you want or need for self, from others. 

6) New Moon, May 5th, with Uranus Square DC Ascendant brings stormy weather, quake, major ups and downs in market, extremes in manic behavior. Sudden changes. Mutable signs affected the most; Pisces, Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius.

Full Moon - May 19th puts Sun/Venus in Taurus squaring both Saturn in Virgo and Neptune in Aquarius, while Sun/Venus also trines Jupiter in Capricorn. The Full Moon for the second time in a month is in Scorpio (April’s full moon was in Scorpio too). Burn pure or burn out, meditate or vegetate. 

This is a good lusty spring full moon (and days following) loaded with Scorpionic Plutonian intrigue and fluctuations in the stock market, price of food/grains, and extremes in the weather with some parts of the country experiencing extreme wet cool weather, and other parts extremely hot.

With Pluto near the ascending sign of Washington DC Full Moon chart there is a sense of mourning, or perhaps funeral of famous person, giving somber mood. Pluto makes for increased need or sense of security, pressure to act or perform, and even paranoia. It often indicates big mergers, bankruptcies, and a sense of gloom and doom. On the positive note, it is a strong aspect for compassion, loving kindness, and the need for wisdom in one’s actions.  

7) With crazy aspects in the Middle East charts, look for May/June battle rattles and war drums with further concerns with Iran, Syria, North Korea, and more. 

Crazy Uranus aspects in many a political figure, including many a chart for the USA, may very well portend sudden events precipitating immediate action or reaction. May may prove to be a dangerous month for storm, earthquake, violence, and sudden loss or change of direction for many a prominent person. Lots of babies conceived this month is my prediction. 

May Flowers bring Squeezed Dollars at the Pump of Fame

9) Tom Cruise may have divorce aspects, but it won’t be until 2010 into 2011, when progressed Sun conjuncts natal Uranus, and transiting Pluto nears opposition to Sun (this aspect can make your secret weapon, your Venus, fall off scandalously). Uranus also enters the 7th House opposing Ascendent, notorious for divorce or partner having affair. With transiting Saturn conjunct his Ascendent at this 2010 time, it would seem she (Kate) leaves him, and he’s bummed down and out in Saturnian depression; or is it divine melancholy? Don’t worry, in another bit of time Uranus will trine Tom’s natal moon bringing healing and renewed vigor for the opposite sex. The secret to keep his marriage is to avoid all anger. Tom has a Mars squaring Uranus natally, notorious for anger as well as action hero dynamics. His Neptune square Venus natally makes him hot in love when inspired, otherwise missing in action or vacant. When inspired, he can do anything. When not inspired, nothing works.

10) Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise’s wife has her own astrological dyna-mania. With transiting Neptune opposing her Ascendent, she may not really quite know what’s going on, or even where Tom is all the time. This aspect may offer one a spiritual or platonic friend, but rarely anything real. Katie may also feel that Tom has let her down in his promises to her. With Uranus in Pisces coming in 2010 to Square her natal Sun (divorce aspect) as well as Saturn in Virgo squaring her Sun, the marriage may well be on the way to divorce. Pluto conjunct Katie’s Mars makes for much obsessive behavior from both sides. Pluto (secrecy) retrograde all summer going back within few degrees of her 26 degree Sun in Sagittarius reveals weird emotional problems, as well as the distinct possibility for either divorce or another baby, or both. Phew! Much gentle loving care and patient compassionate understanding is called for from both parties. With Katie’s Sun/Neptune conjunct, and her Moon/Jupiter conjunct, if I was Tom, I’d avoid all anger or jealousy or psycho drama, and keep Katie as a friend for life. Whether the marriage lasts or not.

11) See my last few Astrological Newsletters for review of the many events predicted for Presidential candidates, including Hillary’s new rise. Also for predictions as to Detroit’s notorious text sex message Mayor’s court case and media trial.

12) With Jennifer Aniston, transiting Uranus squares her natal Moon, thus her dating John Mayer is at best a flirtation and short-lived affair. At worst, she continues to have a roller-coaster ride in relationships. Off and On, Hot and Cold. With Pluto transit squaring her south node at the moment, she’s hot for something secret and deep. With Pluto coming in next few years to square her natal Uranus/Jupiter, Jennifer would be smart to stay independent and single. Let them chase her. Otherwise further loss and separations on the horizon. Her Libra Rising makes her think she needs a partner whether for good or bad. With Pluto going retrograde to square John Mayer’s natal Venus, look for John to feel rejected in love. Gosh, this may be what dooms both their relationships; they want what they can’t have.

13) Miley Cyrus now has transiting Saturn in Virgo (criticism) retrograde about to square her natal Sun in playful Sagittarius, keeping her in check and a bit diminished in size and grandeur for many. As midsummer comes, transiting Jupiter retrograde on her natal Neptune should balloon miss hanna montana back into giant size me up movie glamor again. Watch for the years 2012-13 with transiting Pluto conjunct her natal venus, and transiting Saturn conjunct her natal Moon, to either squash her youthful dreams or settle her down. Right now Hanna Montana is maturing her witch’s brew and melting imaginations (transiting Neptune square her natal Pluto).

14) Jimi Hendrix, though dead, has Jupiter going into his second house of money, and with the release of some secret sex video, he’s still making money. With Pluto just in his first house, it’s porn related and a bit negative. With critical Saturn in Virgo squaring his natal Sun, a negative shadow is cast upon poor Jimi. With Saturn coming to square his natal Venus in late July, we may see more unfavorable light thrown on this amazing rock star of the 60’s, who pioneered the guitar rhythm rock solo.

15) A quick look at Michigan’s Governor, Jennifer Granholm’s chart, reveals transiting Saturn in Virgo (intestines/HEALTH issues) conjunct her natal Pluto (serious), while transiting Pluto is conjunct her natal Saturn (takes time to heal and sense of insurmountable work and burdensome tasks slow to accomplish), shades of being weighed down with too many futuristic blocks and undigested pasts. Jennifer G. just had emergency surgery for bowl obstruction reported to be connected to complications from past car accident injury. I’d watch out for that political  ‘fudge’ and ‘fast food’. None-the-less, by November election time, transiting Jupiter will be conjunct the Gov.’s natal Moon portending many a good turn of events in health and success (this is good). By then, the Mayor’s text sex scandal will be out of her hands and the Michigan economy will be half back on track. Will Saturn/Pluto aspects sway JG to dream of retirement or back seat politics? Will Hillary Clinton Win and Jennifer go to Washington? Probably the latter.

16) END OF APRIL INTO MAY, SPIRITUAL MEETINGS AND ENCOUNTERS. With the North Node in Aquarius at midpoint between Jupiter in Capricorn and Uranus in Pisces, now quickly heading for conjunction with Neptune, look for May to be a wild ride of sudden fortune for some, misfortune for others. The Node brings in sudden unions and meetings of the mind and body. The Neptune factor makes it way high spiritual or just way high out of body. Expect strange weather around the states; mystical, watery, misty, almost metaphysical. On the other hand, Neptune can bring flooding, fires, weird mishaps and misfirings, crazy UFO and Angel sightings, ghosts and psychic phenomena. Neptune is an aspect where high spiritual and moral intention and purpose is called for; otherwise, one can feel let down by others. Neptune brings about high spiritual perceptions or dreams, however one may find it hard to manifest or realize the aims of these dreams. Neptune is ‘other-worldly’ events, crossings of the threshold (death) of prominent political or hollywood types, and even mass hysteria or collective dreaming. May’s North Node/Neptune aspect strongly influences the signs Aquarius, Leo, and then Taurus and Scorpio. Capricorn and Pisces feel the good vibe and electricity of this aspect. Libra and Gemini Sun Signs might just play and have fun through it. Where Neptune is involved, one can be inspired to great heights, followed by the hard work needed to incarnate such aspirations and inspired insights. Inflation is often followed by deflation. Certainly May will be a month with many acts of God, along with a sense of, “Its Nature’s Way of Telling You,” in a song.

Robert Thibodeau is available for private readings and speaking engagements. Inquire, Mayflower Bookshop (248) 547-8227

Astrology and Metaphysical Insights for April ‘08
- by Robert of Mayflower Bookshop

1) A new Tibet? Dalai Lama Astrology - The Dalai Lama’s chart reveals Progressed Sun trine natal north node in seventh house, along with transiting Jupiter conjunct that same natal north node. Great time for his sharing spiritual teachings and attempting peaceful solutions to the Tibet dilemma. Progressed Moon trine natal north node in coming six months, within range now, all go to denote that the Dalai Lama is at his best moment for negotiating and conversing with China about the freedom of the Tibetan peoples to rule themselves. Jupiter transit bodes well for diplomatic, peaceful solutions from now into the first week of May, when Jupiter goes retrograde to return to node conjunction late November into December, when matters of negotiating a more peaceful solution with China may succeed. With transiting Mars on the Dalai Lama’s Sun, he is in a strong moment of decision making, as well as teaching, speaking, and sharing his spiritual wisdom and compassion. With Neptune transit so close to opposing his natal Venus, and Saturn transit coming to conjunct his natal Moon and Neptune in September and October, the Dalai Lama will have to be careful of Chinese smoke and mirrors, deceptions and delays, while Olympics are in play. September and October may also bring minor health concerns, or is it ‘spiritual retreat’ time? Pluto trine his natal Moon and Jupiter conjunct natal Saturn in 2010-12 may yet be the best timing and historical moment for a New Tibet.

2) CHINA STARS — With transiting Uranus opposing China’s natal Saturn recently, electrifying changes may be called for by the world, but China persists in its Saturnian, authoritative, non-democratic user unfriendly ways. Neptune transiting (putting on the good face) has been opposing China’s natal Pluto in recent years, signifying giant global economics and big money making, but at the cost of much pollution to their country, as well as making a new dichotomy of rich/poor. Oh, what money can do! Uranus now approaches an opposition to China’s natal Sun in 2010-12, while Saturn conjuncts natal Sun and Pluto squares it. This last set of aspects may reveal a much bigger concern in world economics and politics than the end of the Mayan Calendar. Saturn/Pluto/Uranus all transiting natal Sun will be a historically defining moment for China come 2010-12. Will China crystallize and harden in its authoritative (Saturn) totalitarian ways, becoming dictatorial and warring to the world not conceding to their will? Will Uranus bring new freedoms and a sense of democracy? Will Uranus bring incredible scientific invention and breakthroughs, or break downs? Will Pluto bring a renewed sense of ecology and love for the land, the earth; or will it bring ecological disaster and poverty? China may yet, at this time, experience their own form of the wild 60’s. Many changes are in store. At the moment, Mars in Cancer transits their Sun/Mercury/Neptune conjunction making for aggressive tactics and cold shoulders when it comes to handling Tibetan protesters. Pluto transit presently opposing natal Uranus (exact 2009-10) also adds to aggressive responses to anything or anyone perceived as threatening their authority. With the crazy intense aspects coming up in the next few years, one would think that China would want to be making more friends than enemies. Perhaps they will yet learn to share new freedoms and power decision-making with the rest of the world, starting with Tibetans.

3) Hillary Clinton’s chart continues to amaze and bemuse the best of astrologers, who now claim her time of birth to be off, and now corrected, giving minor change to her midheaven and progressed aspects. Transit wise, the first few days of May with Saturn retrograde going forward near square to her natal Jupiter makes it tough going. With Uranus conjunct her natal Moon later in May, times are thunderously changing. If she makes it through May without dropping out, she may yet prove herself to be a super woman heading for election. Uranus/Moon aspects usually bring about huge changes in one’s life and direction. Will Hillary surprise us by dropping out or by pushing ahead in the polls? Stay tuned for this most exciting month in the election.

4) Barack Obama’s chart in May doesn’t fair much better. Uranus transit opposes his Mars portending of sudden changes and upsets, along with the need for protection and increased security. Saturn retrograde to direct transit squares his Moon, while Pluto transit still lingers in opposi