Daily OM for Friday, February 17th – Below the Surface

Below the Surface
Finding Deep Strength
When we look back on our lives we see that we have survived many trials and often to our own amazement.

We have all faced moments in our lives when the pressure mounts beyond what we feel we can handle, and we find ourselves thinking that we do not have the strength to carry on. Sometimes we have just gotten through a major obstacle or illness only to find another one waiting for us the moment we finally catch our breath. Sometimes we endure one loss after another, wondering when we will get a break from life’s travails. It does not seem fair or right that life should demand more of us when we feel we have given all we can, but sometimes this is the way life works.

When we look back on our lives, we see that we have survived many trials and surmounted many obstacles, often to our own amazement. In each of those instances, we had to break through our ideas about how much we can handle and go deeper into our hidden reserves. The thought that we do not have the strength to handle what is before us can be likened to the hard surface of a frozen lake. It appears to be an impenetrable fact, but when we break through it, we find that a deep well of energy and inspiration was trapped beneath that icy barrier the whole time. Sometimes we break through by cutting a hole into our resistance with our willpower, and sometimes we melt the ice with compassion for our predicament and ourselves. Either way, each time we break through, we reach a new understanding of the strength we store within ourselves.

When we find ourselves up against that frozen barrier of thinking we cannot handle our situation, we may find that the kindest choice is to love ourselves and our resistance too. We can simply accept that we are overwhelmed, exhausted, and stretched, and we can offer ourselves loving kindness and compassion. If we can extend to ourselves the unconditional warmth of a mother’s love, before we know it, the ice will begin to break.

Meditation to Meet Your Water Guide

Create a simple altar with a bowl of water and floating blue candles. Use a rain-scented incense. You may keep a chalice filled with wine or a favorite herbal tea on the altar. Take several deep, cleansing breaths. Cast your personal circle. Close your eyes. Visualize the gateway to the elemental realm of water. What does it look like? How does it open? Focus on your breath. Keep your breathing deep, slow and steady. See the gate open, and walk through it. Amazingly, you find yourself walking across the bottom of the sea, yet you can still breathe easily, encased in your own personal bubble. The sand is firm under your feet. Around you are bright coral shells, starfish, sea horses, and dolphins. Schools of brightly colored fish swim by. Walk slowly toward the figure you see in the distance. Focus on your breath. You are calm, relaxed and happy. Greet your elemental guide for the realm of water, and listen to what he has to say. When you have heard all you wish, thank him. Begin to walk back toward the gateway. Stay focused on your breath as you take on last look at the beautiful world beneath the waves. Walk through the gateway and see it close. Take several deep breaths and then open your eyes slowly. Write down what you learned in your journal. Close your circle.

A HEALING MYTH

By “Nihasa”

This story can have a powerful healing effect when read out loud (or recorded
and then played) to someone suffering from a phobia or other effect of childhood
trauma. While names, settings, and style can be varied to suit individual
tastes, the sequence which the apprentice describes, the sequence the princess
goes through, and the vagueness of the “bad thing” descriptions should remain
unchanged and no element of the story should be left out.

|—————————————————————|

Once, in another time and another place, a kingdom of magic and beauty knew a
time of peace. No armies threatened its boarders, no bandits plundered its trade
routes, no plagues sickened its people. Yet even in such peaceful times, bad
things could happen: accidents, misunderstandings, even good people doing bad
things.

The third daughter of the king was a bright and cheerful sort. She wasn’t the
strongest or the prettiest of the royal princesses, but she did have the nicest
wings of anyone her age. She loved to fly around the countryside and explore the
groves and meadows she found…they were always full of surprises.

One day she found a particularly pretty grove, with a pond glistening in a
little clearing in the middle. As she went in for a closer look, she saw images
start to form. She saw her own reflection, and as she lightly touched the ground
she saw that her reflection was watching reflections of her own…dim watery
reflections from her past.

“So you can see the pictures.” The voice from among the trees made her jump.
“Don’t worry,” continued the young man as he stepped out from among the trees,
“nobody else can see the same images, Princess. It’s part of the magic.”

“How…?” she asked, looking him up and down. He was a young man, no older
than the princess herself, dressed in the rough tunic of a wizard’s apprentice.
“Who are you? How did you know who I am, what I saw?”

“I am apprenticed to the Court Wizard. Everybody knows who you are, Princess…
and besides, I have seen you at the palace when I have been there with my
master.” He paused, glancing at the ground and lowering his voice. “As to the
images…well, at one time I had need of their magic.”

“When I entered the Wizard’s service, I had a great and secret fear.
Something… bad…happened to me when I was younger. It hurt to even think
about, and after time I didn’t think about it much. But ever since that time, I
had lived with the fear. When my master learned of this, he taught me the magic
of this pool and its stream.”

“The pool reflects images from your mind…scenes from your past, dreams of the
future, even fantasies of the present. The stream flows like time itself,
upstream into the past, and downstream into the future. If I followed the ritual
he described, these magics could wash clean the fear.”

She made a face. “I suppose this ritual involves deep magics usable only by
Wizards?”

“Not really. All the magic is in the waters, and anyone can use the ritual. Even
a lowly apprentice.” He grinned. “It’s pretty simple. After he told me about it,
he brought me here and then stood back by the trees. He said that he would
answer any questions I had but otherwise I was on my own.”

“I stood where I could see my reflection in the pool, and then thought about my
fear. As I thought, my reflection watched a reflection of my thoughts…like a
stage where dimly lit actors played out the scene against a colorless backdrop.
I looked up and saw that I was still here, in the glade.

I looked back at the water, holding on to a small part of the special feeling of
fear it had given me. As I turned and looked back upstream, I saw more
images…each earlier than the last. I relaxed and let the feeling guide me back
to the earliest image. When I had that, I turned back to the pool and found my
reflection watching the same colorless players in their dim reflection of the
memory. As my reflection watched, the image went from a time shortly before the
bad thing happened, through the whole thing, and on to a time when it was all
over. When it passed the ending that way, it stopped… like a drawing. Then the
drawing faded away, and I was just looking at my reflection. The Wizard had told
me that if I stepped into that last part of the image, it would run very quickly
backwards, with full color and sound and me living backwards through it
all…all the way through to the part before the beginning. It sounded very
strange. As I looked at my reflection again, it was watching the image go
forward again in its dim, colorless way. When it reached the drawing at the end,
I stepped into the image and was plunged into a world going backwards! It went
clear through to before the beginning in less than a second, then stopped.
Startled, I let the water carry me downstream, through all that had happened
since, with the fear gone and the memory unable to hurt me. When I reached the
here-and-now, I got out and just stood there, knowing that the fear would
trouble me no more. ” He stopped, and suddenly seemed to remember where he was,
and who he was talking to. “That was over a year ago, and the fear is still
gone. The Wizard says it is gone for good.”

She thought for a moment. “So all there is to this ritual is think of the
problem until your reflection sees it, follow a part of the feeling upstream to
my earliest memory of it, wait for my reflection to see it all the way through,
step into the ending, and live it backwards quickly? What kind of magic is
that?”

He thought for a minute, shrugged, and said “Effective? If you wish, I will
withdraw to the trees while you try it.”

“What makes you think that I NEED it?”

“Because the images only come to those who do. ” His voice faded to an embarr-
assed silence as he realized what he had said. “I’ll go now.”

“Yes, do.” She said absently, already thinking. Then: “But not too far, in case
I need you.” She was remembering an incident a few days back which had set off
her special fear, and just as the apprentice had described, her reflection in
the pool was watching a dim and watery scene of the memory. Startled, she looked
up again. Yes, she was in the clearing, with the trees all around and the
apprentice all but lost among the closer ones. She could still feel a part of
that fear, so she kept that feeling while she looked back up stream at all the
images from the past that the feeling had touched…until she found the earliest
of them all. She brought that memory back to the pool and released it as her
reflection started to watch it unfold in its dim and watery way. Her reflection
seemed to have a life of its own as it watched the pale scene start before
anything happened, run through the bad parts, and then pause at a time when it
was all over. She watched her reflection shift as she prepared for what she
would do. Her reflection settled as it watched the scene unfold again. The dim
scene passed through the beginning, through the bad time and on past again. When
it stopped, she jumped in to it. Suddenly, she was there again: back where and
when it had happened. Everything was moving backwards, and in a flash she had
lived backwards through it and past the beginning. Shocked, she let the water
carry her down stream, forward through all the rest of her yesterdays without
the bad times for company. When she got to today, she stood up. There she
was…standing, dripping in a stream in the clearing. She looked around for the
apprentice, half expecting him to be laughing at the soggy mess she must be. He
was there, by the trees…not laughing, just smiling in an understanding way.

In the years that followed, they became friends. Although they went their
separate ways…he, as wizard to one of the King’s high lords and she as wife to
a neighboring prince… they valued that friendship to the end of their days.
And from that time on, neither was ever again troubled by their great fears.

The Law of Return

by Amanda Silvers

The threefold law of return: We hear much about this, but do we really comprehend the meaning? What you put out comes back times three (or more), means unequivocally that, good or bad, you reap what your actions have sown.

How do we define “putting something out”? A thought, a deed, a word are all actions that contain energy. Think about this: If you disburse money willingly, with the focus that you are contributing to the prosperity of the community, the prosperous energy returns to you. Not always in the exact way that you want; sometimes in the most unexpected ways!

If you choose to live in lack, feel like there is never an adequate amount of anything and attempt to hoard and hold onto everything, the flow stops. It’s akin to putting a dam on the energy flow. If you are broke, give a little away, whether it’s time or energy or money. Doing so will create a vacuum effect, which will then help to get the flow started back toward you instead of away from you.

Money is only paper with numbers on it, it is used to represent energy. You expend your energy for some of it and then give it away for something someone else put energy into. Just like everything else, it goes around in a never-ending cycle; there is an ebb and flow to it. Sometimes you have more, sometimes less, but there is always a coming and going of cash; that’s why it’s called cash flow!

This philosophy also works in other areas of life, love for instance. Do you suppose that you have only a limited amount of love? Is it to be rationed out as you go through life? Will you run out? I think not. The more affection you give, the more you generate, the more you experience, the more you give! Just like that. The cycle turns the wheel.

Try this in another area. Have you ever been frightened of having something happen and then had it happen just as you hoped it would not? Or have you ever said “I will never ______ (fill in the blank)” and found yourself doing just that shortly thereafter? Magickal components are a part of everyday life. You have an intent, put emotion (energy) into it, take action and bring it into being. You begin to create with nothing more than a word or thought. It works remarkably well for those things that you say never about, because you feel intensely about them and put a lot of energy into them. What do you think would have more power: “I wish I could win the lottery!” or “I will never have enough money!”?

Your subconscious mind does not recognize the word “not”; it’s a non-word. When you say “I do not want to do that,” it is a direct command to your brain; you are basically saying that you really do want to do whatever it is. If someone says to you, “I do notwant to hurt you,” be careful!

If you sit around all the time, agonizing about your bills, your job, your health, your love life… what kind of energy are you putting out? How might that energy be contributing in a magickal sense to your circumstances? Would you do a spell to get a job you hate, or to get into a bad relationship? Of course not! So why sit around and put energy into negative crap when you could be furthering your positive wishes? The universe is a bountiful place; the Goddess is generous with her gifts. There is plenty for all. Does this ring true for you? If not, you might ask yourself, “Why not?” What beliefs that you hold to be true are sabotaging you?

“Try” is another one of my pet peeves. When a person says they will try to do something, it is just an excuse for not doing it, as in “I tried! I just couldn’t.” Think about what you say. Instead of saying “I will try,” see how much power there is in actually committing. Say “I will do it!” Also, how much power is there in saying no to those things you really don’t intend to do. Wow, what an enormous amount of energy you free up by just saying no in the first place! Then you don’t have to worry till the last minute whether you should actually do it, then have to make an excuse for not doing it – not to mention maybe having to do something you’d really rather not. You will find people will respect you more and value your energy more when you can be believed and counted upon to do what you say, as well as for your being in control of your boundaries.

Finally, be careful what you wish upon someone else, because just as positive thoughts come back to you, so do the negative ones aimed at others. Don’t wish on someone else something you would not like to have happen to you and yours. Be careful of those things said thoughtlessly or in jest. How might you feel if the nasty thought you thought when you were angry at your friend or mate were to happen?

Make your statements in the positive. Strive to be conscious of your every thought and word and the energy around them. Focus on the here and now and what’s happening. If you can accomplish this, the law of return will work in your favor and only good things will come to you.

Be careful what you ask for; you just might get it!

The Term “Fluffy Bunny” Must Go

The Term “Fluffy Bunny” Must Go

Author: Praxiteles

I believe that the term “fluffy bunny” is not only not useful or practical, but harmful, and that we should abandon the term.

So, why must “fluffy bunny” go? In my opinion, there are the five main reasons why:

1. The term “fluffy bunny” is itself fluffy bunny.

“Fluffy bunny” is defined variously, but the general notion is that of a person who doesn’t check their facts (or even care about ‘facts’, historical or otherwise); who accepts or dismisses something without critical thought; and who goes around spreading their dogma as if it is the one True Way. The usual example given is of someone who buys one book on the Craft, or several books but all by the same author, and takes this author’s approach and viewpoints as Gospel, and then goes around annoying the heck out of everyone else. When challenged or questioned on anything, the “fluffy bunny” can’t defend or explain their position, except with something along the lines of “because so-and-so says so.”

Now I agree that this behavior is rather unimpressive, and that “because so-and-so says so” isn’t any kind of reasoned response or valid argument. However, have you maybe noticed that the same people who throw around the “fluffy bunny” and “fluff” and “nonsense” labels the most are often the very people who can’t explain why a particular author or book or person is so bad, so “fluffy”? Instead of taking the trouble to back up their assertions with reasons and facts, they just slap on the “fluffy bunny” label and pour on the derision and contempt.

To my mind, this is type of behavior is worse than the behavior being criticized.

Labels and stereotypes are the tools of guilt, shame, manipulation, and domination. They bypass reason and consideration and go straight to an emotional level. No tyrant or demagogue has ever been able to dispense with these tools; no genocide, no atrocity, no war has ever been committed or fought without their help. They stop you from considering the people involved, from thinking of the person, the human being.

Fluffy bunny in drag isn’t any better than fluffy bunny. The website Why Wiccans Suck, for example, isn’t any more thoughtful or profound than that which it attacks. If someone hates someone or something because it is “fluffy bunny”, and when asked for an explanation why can do no better than say, “because it’s fluff and nonsense”, well then, I’m sorry, but I don’t see any essential difference between the behavior they are exhibiting and that which they are attacking.

And supposing that someone can articulate many good reasons why something is bad then why fall back on a crutch, on a label like “fluffy bunny” in the first place? Wouldn’t a paragraph or two of articulate and reasoned criticism be so much better?

2. “Fluffy Bunny” is a straw-man term.

Has anyone ever actually met a fluffy bunny, either in real life or online? Perhaps some people have, but I haven’t! Looking over the more serious definitions of what a “fluffy bunny” is, at, for example, Wicca for the Rest of Us, I can’t see that there could possibly be very many bona fide fluffy bunnies running around out there. And keep in mind that those people who are de facto fluffy bunnies due to ignorance, and who stop being such when confronted with the facts and better information, are not fluffy bunnies.

Fluffy bunnies, according to the definition, are those who ignorantly and stupidly cling to whatever they hold up on a pedestal, regardless of the facts. Now, really, how many of those people have you met?

So, why is this term so prevalent? Is it perhaps because its use makes people feel good because it implies that the user is not a fluffy bunny, is in fact a “real” Witch? A “serious” Witch? I think sometimes this may be the case, or partly the case, and this brings me to my next point:

3. “Fluffy Bunny” is manipulative and plays on the fears and desires of the inexperienced and insecure.

For the record, I include myself here. The stupidest thing I ever wrote online is when I asked for a definition of a “pop Wiccan” because “I didn’t want to be one, ” and knowing what it was would help me from becoming one. But, really, how could I know that I didn’t want to be a pop Wiccan if I didn’t actually know what a “pop Wiccan” was? I couldn’t. It was stupid. Or actually, it was insecure.

I greatly admired (and still admire) the person with whom I was talking, and wanted to avoid what she despised or dismissed. In other words, instead of thinking for myself, I wanted her to think for me. This is not what being a Witch is all about–quite the opposite–regardless of whether the opinion or position was right or wrong.

Witchcraft isn’t about having the “right” opinions, or reading the “right” books, or being taught by the “right” Coven–not if “right” is something you dogmatically and thoughtlessly accept from others.

The widespread use of the term “fluffy bunny” and terms like it, creates an atmosphere of negativity and nastiness, and this atmosphere tends to focus the attention on opinions and positions instead of on process and methods, which help develop discernment and skills.

It’s got a bunch of people out there wasting time trying to avoid being a “fluffy bunny” when they don’t even know what that really is, and could thus only accept the judgments of others on the subject, and hence perpetuate the fluffy bunniness of the term “fluffy bunny.”

Wouldn’t it be better to focus attention instead on learning and progressing? I suggest that maybe the best thing we can do is not to be afraid of being called “fluffy bunny”; not to be afraid of reading a book reputed to be “fluffy bunny”; not to care so much what others opine, but instead to care more about trying to find the truth for ourselves.

I think dialogue is good; discussion is good; considering the thoughts and reasoning of others is good; by all means engage in these activities (as we are right now). But I think that accepting labels and bald dogmatic assertions, even from those with more experience and skill, short-circuits all of these good things.

4. “Fluffy Bunny” is authoritarian.

It seems to me that those who use a label, a stereotype, like “fluffy bunny”, necessarily imply that they are an authority. They are asking you to take their word on something, unless or until they bother to explain the reasoning behind the judgment.

And, please! I am quite sure that there is always someone out there who thinks that you and your way is “fluffy bunny”; always some group ready to look down on the group looking down on a group just finding their way as best they can; always someone ready to point out what you are not, what you have not, where you are unworthy of serious consideration.

Wouldn’t it be better to just stop with all that? Don’t we have better things to do with our time than criticize and condemn and judge others and how they practice? We’re not monotheists! We have no orthodoxy to defend; no Tradition to keep pure and untainted. Can’t we instead use all of that extra energy to strive all the harder to live and practice to the best of our ability?

5. It will hurt your magick.

Or at least it did me. I have found that contempt and disrespect is not something that will enamor my Younger Self to my Talking-head Self. Contempt is spiritual and magickal poison in my experience. It goes hand in hand with skepticism and snobbery.

Obviously, this is only my experience. Test things out (if you haven’t already) and see for yourself. Try for a day, or for 8 hours, to bend your mind to the good in people and situations. Do not indulge in contemptuous or belittling thoughts towards others or yourself. Now cast a circle or do a pathworking or LBRP, or whatever practices you do, and see if you notice a difference. Perhaps you will find that it is easier to reach ritual or magickal states of consciousness. I certainly do.

But, don’t get me wrong here. You don’t have to go around fooling yourself into believing everyone is an avatar of perfection. You don’t have to check your discernment at the door. You just have to avoid holding others in contempt.

So those are my reasons. Perhaps you found them interesting and worth reading, or perhaps not. But either way, I do understand the problems and frustrations behind the widespread use of the term “fluffy bunny.”

I understand that there are plenty of people out there playing at being Witches; dabbling, posturing, looking for instant gratification, and I understand that many serious Witches are concerned that these people drag things down to a lower level and give Witchcraft a bad name, and so on.

I do understand that.

What I don’t understand is why we give them so much thought, and even a stereotype, when instead we could have given their opposite as much or more thought, and held it up as a shining ideal.

Fluffy bunnies are, after all, immune to criticism by definition, right?

In my opinion, it’s better to show what you think is the way forward, and the ideal, than to waste time and thought on where you do not want to go, on what you do not want to be. People will scatter from the latter in every direction. But people will go towards the former from every direction.

So shouldn’t we think about abandoning the term “fluffy bunny” and focus on the opposite?

How about the “sleek raccoon” or something?

Meditation Every Day? We Thought Not!

An Expert Offers a Brush-Up on Meditation Basics

by Dianus Blackcat

Meditation is the foundation of pagan spiritual practice, and a basic method to improve our mental and physical state in today’s often stressful and chaotic world. For most pagans, the art of meditation is one of the first skills learned in spiritual practice. Yet for many, the value found in daily meditation exercises is sometimes left by the wayside during the course of our busy lives.

Why meditate every day? Because from pressure to complete tasks at work or school, to world politics, we are bombarded with stressful stimuli every day. That stress can negatively affect both our mental and physical health. Simple meditation exercises, practiced routinely, can counter the negative impact of overstimulation on our minds and bodies.

Mental and physical stresses are experienced together, joined like two sides of the same coin. For example, think of something pleasant, such as a loved one or a sunny afternoon. Immediately we experience the pleasant feelings associated with these images. After thinking of something good, we feel good. If we think of something unpleasant, we conversely experience a negative sensation. We grimace at the news. Pressures on the job give us tension headaches. We use this same mind-body connection in ritual when we take an action in the physical plane to activate the astral. By this principle, meditation can be approached as ritual and magick.

Meditation techniques vary from person to person. Often meditation is put into a religious context. It is not necessary to do so to achieve the benefits of reduced stress, but as pagans, we find that a spiritual dimension to life leads to increased happiness and health. Some practitioners burn incense and play New Age music. Others might sit in various yoga positions and fast or otherwise modify their diet as part of their meditation routine. Despite the variations, virtually all meditation practices do have some attributes in common: a state of deep relaxation, a quieting of mental chatter and a keen awareness of either our internal state or external surroundings.

Many people find it challenging to experience all three of these common attributes at the same time. They may try to silence mental chatter with a forceful effort, only to end up negating their attempt to remain relaxed. They may become so relaxed as to fall asleep, countering their attempt to remain aware. Meditation is not always easy, but the methods are quite straightforward and simple. Even if we have mastered the techniques, like any skill, meditation becomes easier and more rewarding with practice.

Stress is experienced in the body as tension. The origin of that tension can be a mental source, such as the memory of an argument, or a physical source, such as bad weather. What many people forget is that the mental-physical link works both directions. That is, just as our body responds to thoughts, our thoughts will respond to our body. Many people become grouchy when hungry or depressed when overtired. When we reduce the physical tension, we experience a relief of mental tension. Knowing this gives us our first step in successful meditation: deep relaxation.

Step 1: Deep Relaxation

Find a quiet place were you can comfortably sit upright and not be disturbed. It is helpful to have a small kitchen timer or other alarm to keep track of the time for you, so that you are not preoccupied with how long you have been meditating. Take a moment to tense up and then release each muscle group in your body, beginning with your feet, then legs, then gradually moving upward. Twist your torso, then lift and stretch your arms. Finish by moving the muscles in your face to make exaggerated facial expressions. Wrinkle your nose; stretch your mouth. Really let go, but do not strain yourself. Remember to continue breathing deeply. When you draw in a breath, push out from your belly to expand your lungs. Doing so will increase the amount of available oxygen in your lungs, aiding your relaxation. Be sure to exhale fully to prevent dizziness.

After you stretch out and relax, you are usually aware of internal thoughts and feelings more than anything else. We might hear a little voice inside our heads or have a constant internal dialogue going on. We rehash old discussions, worry about unpaid bills and criticize our hair or clothes. This is the mental chatter that we need to quiet from time to time, for it is often the most insidious cause of stress in our lives.

We cannot always control the external events that have an impact on us, but we can do something about our reaction to those events. Silencing the mental chatter can give us just the break we need to help us to view external events more objectively. I believe that an underlying motivation for overstimulation in today’s society is the desire to escape relentless self-dialogue. When we process input, we are distracted away from our egos.

Our egos tend to consume a lot of our energy by worrying about superficial, cultural matters. By adjusting our focus away from them, it helps us to connect to that divine part of ourselves that is a great source of spiritual connection and inspiration. Remembering this gives us our second step in successful meditation: silencing the mental chatter.

Step 2: Silencing Mental Chatter

After having stretched, still breathing deeply in a relaxed way, allow your gaze to fall upon some pleasant, yet emotionally neutral, focal point. I recommend you light a candle ahead of time that you can focus on, but anything pleasing to you is fine. It can be a religious object, a flower or some scenic view. Just look at the object. Do not think about it; just watch it. A candle is useful because it will flicker and change, making it easier to observe without boredom because it changes unexpectedly. Do not make mental notes or judgments. As thoughts come into your mind, simply allow them to pass. Do not attempt to force the thoughts out of your head. You are awake and alive, and thoughts will come to you. Rather, continue to pay attention to your focal object. Watch it as if it is about to jump out at you and you don’t want to miss a thing. By focusing your attention on this single object, time will pass and you will realize that the mental chatter has stopped.

When we calm down the voice of our ego by focusing our attention, we suddenly become aware of a great deal of information that we were missing due to our focus on internal dialogue. For many, that internal dialogue is of a criticizing nature. With that internal critic out of the way, it becomes much easier to face the challenges we may have been suppressing. Facing any hidden or suppressed emotions is the best way to release them from our lives and improve our mental and physical health. Knowing this gives us our third step in successful meditation: keen awareness of either our internal state or external surroundings.

Step 3: Keen Awareness

When observing the focal object of your meditation, allow yourself to also notice your surroundings. Notice the temperature of the air around you. If you are outside, is it calm or windy? Is it hot or cold? Listen for any sounds. Is there traffic on the road outside? Is there a bird singing somewhere? Do you hear some people having a conversation somewhere else in the house? Allow yourself to simply be the observer. You may begin to feel a deep connection with the world around you. You may also have sudden flashes of images from previous or current challenges in your life. Allow yourself to view any memories as if you were watching the events of a fictional character in a movie. Simply observe. The detachment from these images may be difficult at first, but concentrate on remaining relaxed and remembering to breathe deeply.

Meditation is a skill that improves with practice. Regular meditation practice will reduce stress and lead to a happier and healthier outlook on life. For positive results, meditation should be performed every day for at least 15 minutes. Each of us can afford to take 15 minutes out of our day to do something good for ourselves. After a while, you may find that troubles in the news and in life, although still troubling, can be dealt with. When we are relaxed and energized through these exercises, we are more able to face challenges. There may be times when we are particularly upset and might feel that we cannot meditate during a crisis. When we are most upset is precisely the time when we need meditation the most. It will help.

Meditation helps us to understand ourselves because it requires us to carefully pay attention to our inner thoughts as well as the world around us. When we pay attention to the world, we can more fully interact with it. When we can interact with the world, we can change the world and cease to be helpless and fearful. Often we approach the world by talking out our opinions and thoughts, projecting sometimes false ideas on others. Meditation is a way to stop the talking. Simple meditation exercises, when practiced routinely, can counter the negative impact of daily stress on our minds and bodies. When I stopped talking, I listened. When I listened, I heard. Listen, and you will hear a world within and around you, inviting you and loving you, divinely connected.

Daily Horoscopes for Sunday, Jan. 8th

Exciting interactions complicate the day as communicator Mercury takes center stage. The messenger planet’s shift into earthy Capricorn helps us be more practical, but its fluid trine to philosophical Jupiter expands our ideas past the normal constraints of reality. Mercury’s unstable square with shocking Uranus provokes radical honesty, whatever the cost. However, the Moon’s visit to cautious Cancer makes us wary about revealing everything.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You’re trying to catch up on chores and your unrestrained optimism tempts you to take on more work than you can possibly finish. Unfortunately, your exuberance may be stymied if you reach too far. Instead of believing that you need to convert every intellectual breakthrough into tangible results, just allow your thoughts to rise and fall like the tides. Visualize yourself standing on the shores of awareness, but remember that you don’t have to capture every individual wave to make your mark.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

You feel as if you’re waiting for something big to happen, yet it remains out of reach. You want to settle down, but your restlessness lingers until you accept that the resistance comes from your own attitude. Fortunately, when you begin to let go of control, the tension begins to disperse. Forget about adjusting specific details of your day; instead consider changing your long-term goals. Ironically, aiming your attention at the distant horizon has a positive impact on the present moment.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

It’s challenging to follow through on anything that you start now, but you won’t likely be bothered about it for too long. You forget about what you were doing as soon as you get another idea and become immersed in the next activity. Your behavior might be upsetting to others today, yet you’ll probably continue scattering your energy until you can no longer keep up with everything. Ultimately, obtaining closure on unfinished business improves your reputation and raises your confidence.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

Although you may wish things were simpler today, it feels as if you built your relationships on shifting sands. Thankfully, you might be able to change the energy faster than you thought possible by just telling the truth. Don’t hold back; even if your life is turned upside down for a while, it will settle back on the solid foundation that you seek. Have the courage to throw caution to the wind when it comes to following your heart.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You think you know what you want today, but the circumstances keep changing. Just as you become comfortable with one perspective, everything shifts and you need to readjust your expectations. Your willingness to be flexible could prevent a serious headache. Pay constant attention to the interpersonal dynamics and respond with your heart, not your head. Too much thinking now can get in the way of your best interests.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Your key planet Mercury is totally buzzing today, yet it may be too much for you to easily integrate, especially if you believe you already have the answers. The more rigid you are in your thinking, the louder the static is from electrical Uranus. But your readiness for change empowers you to explore the outer limits of your imagination. However, remember that you don’t have to push your thought process over the edge; your evolving perspective is all you need.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Your mind is operating at an incredibly high speed today, yet you’re wondering if you’re capable of keeping it up throughout the entire day. You might assume that things will eventually slow down, but other people keep introducing more complications. The hectic pace is fun at first, but might become more exhausting as the day goes on. Don’t try to do everything all at once. Extending your thinking into the future can help you remain calmer in the present.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You are possessed with self-confidence today, especially if someone you trust is expressing his or her approval of your performance. Although unpredictable Uranus can set off a strike of lighting that upsets your current routine, lucky Jupiter is standing by with cosmic assistance. As long as you’re willing to change your mind quickly, you should be able to make good use of the new information that comes to you now. Letting go of old assumptions clears the way for an exciting new direction.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Your key planet Jupiter encourages you to take on more than you would on another day. Fortunately, you’re able to accomplish so much today that others might think you are a superhero. However, there’s a price to pay for your action-packed day. So many events are interrelated now that one unexpected blip can bring down the entire house of cards. But even a crisis or two won’t stop you if you’re open to starting over again and shifting your course as needed.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You may think that everything is going to calm down, but you probably won’t have time to catch your breath for a couple of days. You’re being called back into action today and you must show up ready to work or you might lose valuable ground. Fortunately, mental Mercury’s shift into your ambitious sign indicates that you’re up for the task. Accept the current challenges with a fierce determination and get started immediately; you don’t have any time to waste.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Although your thoughts are tied to your future, today’s tenacious Cancer Moon reveals your desire to stay exactly where you are now. Unfortunately, you must let go of the past as electric Uranus zaps you out of your nostalgic fantasies. Overcome your fears and face the brave new world that’s right around the next corner. You might not be able to see what’s coming, but if you’re willing to take a calculated risk the rewards will follow.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You don’t have to convince anyone that your plan is the right one today; you only need to communicate with honesty and integrity. There are no correct or incorrect points of view now, just differing ones. Even if your opinions are unconventional, others will respect you for clearly stating exactly where you stand. Nevertheless, you will appear more sincere if you are also sensitive to other people’s positions. Having an open mind is the key to making the best choices.

Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, December 28th

We may try to be rational today, but logic gives way to fantasy. Smart Mercury aspects boundless Jupiter, stretching our thoughts beyond normal limits. Although the intelligent Aquarius Moon’s trine to realistic Saturn brings temporary stability, her conjunction with mystical Neptune invites unexplainable magic into our lives. Additionally, the Moon’s entry into psychic Pisces at 6:45 pm EST encourages us to rely on intuition instead of analysis.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

It might seem as if you keep saying the wrong things today, even if your intentions are pure. You might try so hard that you lose your rhythm, yet you may not be aware that you’re out of step. Instead of spending too much time clarifying what you meant, rely on your actions, rather than your words, to get your message across. You can always revisit the issue tomorrow and explain yourself when you’re back in sync.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

Your notion that everything will go your way at work is not just a wish, since your assumptions are based on facts and your conclusions are the result of sound thinking. Nevertheless, you can still dream up a perfect fantasy based on how you want things to unfold, so pay careful attention to how you embellish the truth. Luckily, you needn’t mislead anyone if you can catch yourself in the process before it’s too late.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

Your ruling planet Mercury runs into an anxious alignment with exaggerating Jupiter, provoking you to stretch the truth. You might even believe that you’re clever enough to get away with bending the facts. But you’ll still have to deal with the consequences of what you say if others see through your story. Ultimately, you would be wiser to present your position as methodically as possible, without trying to step around any annoying facts. Being clear about your intentions right from the start prevents problems in the future.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

Although your super-sensitivity can occasionally get the best of you, it’s possible to adjust your attitude as needed instead of blindly sticking to a rigid agenda. It helps to check in with your friends and co-workers to learn what they think before jumping to any premature conclusions. Once you incorporate valid feedback into your strategy, you’ll be better equipped to go ahead with your plans for the day.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You are aware of the hard work ahead, but you’re not all that eager to jump in yet. Part of the problem is that you don’t have a manageable plan because it feels as if the current situation isn’t very stable. It’s not necessary to make long-term decisions now; instead, focus on the immediate activities and do anything you can to positively impact the present circumstances.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Your confidence returns today as your key planet Mercury aligns with optimistic Jupiter. Nevertheless, you’re still acting cautiously because you don’t want to be disappointed later on. You have faith in your analytical capabilities, but you may not know how to balance a realistic outlook with unrealistic dreams. Don’t look to others for cues; instead, pay attention to your thoughts and avoid overreacting in either direction.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You like the idea of demonstrating the power of positive thinking, but you could take your enthusiasm to an extreme. Unfortunately, you could set yourself up for discouragement today if you try to reach too far. Letting go of unattainable goals is your first step toward restoring balance. Establishing a line between humility and self-confidence can be tricky business. Re-evaluating your strengths and weaknesses helps you be more realistic about manifesting your dreams.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You’re not overly thrilled with your plans for the future, but you’re capable of balancing your fantasies with the reality of your current situation. Even if you’re tempted to escape into your own illusions, you don’t have to lose track of where you’re standing now and where you want to go. Ironically, staying connected with the bigger picture will ultimately make navigation in the present moment easier to handle.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You are being lured into a dreamy world of illusions today, but the strength of your convictions is strong enough to keep you grounded. You may suddenly realize that you don’t have as many answers as you once thought you had, but this epiphany can work to your benefit. Don’t let go of your core beliefs; instead, use them as a moral compass to help you to find your way through these confusing times.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

This season is a time of renewal for you, symbolized by the return of the Sun’s light. There’s no need to fear that setting your goals too high will set you up for failure, because you have to be challenged in order to shine your brightest. Nevertheless, your judgment might not be as infallible now as it usually is, so make sure you’re heading in the right direction before you go too far.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You could get caught up in a complex web of emotions today that feels more urgent than it actually is. Unfortunately, it may be impossible to walk away from the intensity and difficult to de-emphasize it. Thankfully, there is a simple solution; just avoid making significant decisions at this time. The drama will subside in a couple of days, allowing everything to resume its normal place in your life. Wait and see how you feel before making any major moves.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Your long-term goals may be totally unrealistic now, making it exceptionally difficult to turn your strategy into a concrete plan. You’re able to be hold on to your dreams as long as you don’t commit to a single path. But once you start focusing on what to do next, you’re confronted by the impracticality of your desires. Rather than losing yourself in an illusory world, use some common sense along the way. Paying attention to reality prevents an unexpected crash landing later on.

Simple Thoughts on Churches and Personal Spirituality

Simple Thoughts on Churches and Personal Spirituality

Author: Disciple of Oghma

I left the Christian faith this last year. After 25 years, I had became everything one seeks to become in a Christian (I still had my issues, but who doesn’t?). But I met a balanced person who gave a thought provoking life testimony. I nearly flipped when I found out this person was a dark pagan. I started rethinking my whole world.

Now I am on a new personal path with a much greater respect for others.

Once I had left Christianity, I started seeing clearly a lot of the odd misconceptions that it promotes… such as the twisted definition of ‘love’ among other things.

If a Christian’s relationship with his or her God could be put in the context of human marriage terms, then the Christian should get a restraining order on God, change his or her name and leave. A funny thought unless you find truth in it.

Anyway… after a year of thought, I have realigned my perspective of the Path.

When I first left the Christian religion, I realized all the hate and rage and condemnation that I was throwing around in the name of ‘love’. In an attempt to decide if that was ‘just me’ or the teachings of the church, I have studied the faith from a different angle.

At first, I drew the conclusion it was a parasitic organism that has been using its popularity and influence to corrupt the nations.
But an idea struck me and I no longer think Christianity is to blame for the problems with people.

I think the Christian church is a symptom of the underlying weaknesses of people not the illness itself. It’s all about our desire to have a set of black-and-white fatalistic standards to use as a system of measurement to understand our world.

So we create a system of “Absolute Truths”.

Then we create a control-based system to ‘run it’ so that we can take advantage of our own desire not to take responsibility for ourselves and to enrich ourselves at the cost of others all… the while feeling pride at our ‘humble spirituality’.

So then what do we do?

We build a large comfortable plush little shrine to an image of human perfection and greatness. The average church, not including all the zoning permits, costs an average of $3-$5 million to build. (I Googled the “cost of church building” and plucked a few sums. It isn’t an absolute number but it gives a good idea to the cost.)

Then we throw our individual responsibilities at it, pray, and ask it to do everything for us. Our only real ‘job’, it would seem, is to use it as an excuse to hate, kill, steal, and harm any whom disagree with us and our god.

Jehovah is the icon of what the average selfish lazy person would be if he or she was a god:

“Let there be “less of you more of me in your life.”

“Give me the upper 10% of your prosperity.”

“I love you if you sing my praises and enslave yourself to me.”

“I’ll help if it suits me and if I don’t, it will work to your benefit”.

(These are beliefs that were generally promoted to me in my churches. I have been through four branches of Protestantism and studied several of the “spinoff faiths of Judaism.” So if you find this inaccurate, I only mean to explain the background from which I draw my current musings).

It is possible for any faith to become in every way as ‘dark’ as we have often accused the Judeo-Christian belief and all its related spin-offs (Mormon, Judaism, Catholic, Jehovah witness, Satanism, protestant, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, etc.) as being.

It seems the only way to avoid this path is to cut the problem off at the roots.

Personal Growth and Responsibility

It seems when we face ourselves, we very often discover that all the roots of our problems stem from either bad reactions to outside stimuli or a passive/active bad decision on our part.

This includes a new growing trend I am seeing in “disorganized religion” as well: The pop up Wicca/Pagan Sunday schools and the adoption of opposing religious practices like Wiccan “CHRISTenings”.

There is a great freedom in disorganized paths but people who seeks any sort of power should exercise a measure of discretion and be assured that they are grounded. Power without responsibility is dangerous, no matter what badge one wears.

Also we must accept ourselves entirely. We must accept all of our darkness as well as all of our light. To do otherwise is to dwarf one’s growth as well as grant power to the darkness, thus leaving it unchecked.

All of the dark aspects of ourselves, in proper controlled amounts, are actually healthy things. Greed, sloth, envy, pride, etc. Without any of these things, we would never strive, never seek to achieve or grow. They are integral parts of ourselves.

It is as unbalanced to applaud tendencies of light while divorcing ones of darkness just as it is to believe only in a female or only in a male creator.

We don’t have to be destructive either. To find balance and growth, one should simply accept both the inner darkness and inner light to be whole. If you are not whole, how can you grow and stand?

When we recognize our weakness, we master it and find balance. Otherwise it doesn’t matter what the name of your faith is or what you call yourself. You will simply continue to commit acts of cruelty, ignorance, sloth, malice, strife, theft, condemnation, and pride.

If we all would seize the opportunity to take responsibility, accept ourselves, correct our own errors, love and respect everyone – including respecting their rights to their own paths and their own views — and stop trying to make a black-and-white standard in this colorful world, perhaps we can be a better people and encourage growth in a better world.

Disciple_of_oghma

Transcendence Through Meditation

Deepak Chopra

One way to develop a physiology that embodies the qualities of the unified field is to have direct experience of it.

Meditation allows the mind to experience more and more abstract levels of the thinking process and, ultimately, to transcend to that most abstract level of awareness, transcendental consciousness, which is the unified field itself. This is the state of pure awareness, pure consciousness.

Meditation has been part of the spiritual tradition of almost every culture. There are a number of scientific studies that show the beneficial effects of mediation. Blood pressure comes down. Stress is alleviated. Basal metabolic rate goes down. Insomnia, anxiety, and a number of psychosomatic disorders are relieved and disappear. Moreover, there is increased brain wave coherence, which also improves attention span, creativity, learning ability, and memory retrieval.

Also, the effects of mediation last into our daily activity, and soon our activity becomes saturated and influenced by the qualities of the unified field. This is because by experientially knowing something we become it. Once we become it, we begin to embody all its properties.

Therefore, transcending becomes a very practical procedure–to not only experientially know and understand the qualities of the unified field, but to have their values expressed in our daily life, in all our daily activities.

Adapted from Creating Affluence, by Deepak Chopra (New World Library, 1993).

Meditation on Thinking and Believing

Meditation on Thinking and Believing

In a world as fast paced and technological as this, it is sometimes hard to come face to face with something that we do not understand. Even this book is a modern miracle. It was created on a PC, typeset on a different PC, send off to the publisher where it was loaded onto still other machinery, and copied at an incredible rate of speed. Someone created the cover picture and loaded it into a form that computerized machinery could use, and it was printed off nearly as fast.

Finally, the cover and the book were bound on still more machinery and the books were packed and placed onto a truck for delivery to your local bookstore. We exist outside of natural time. Instead of rising with the dawn and working until it is dark, we set our alarms to wake us, dash off to work, come home, and continue to work long into the night under the glaring false light of technology.

We can see tiny cells that are far to small to see with the naked eye, and fall victim to high tech crime and other problems. Every day brings new discoveries of still smaller and smaller particles and creations. We analyze everything until we understand it in the smallest detail possible. Why? So that we can think we understand it. We fool ourselves into believing that everything can be rationally explained.

But what about the things that we can’t explain? What about the things we can explain but that words just do not describe well? The birth of a child is a miracle in action. Through our research, we can describe what is physically happening throughout the entire development from fertilized egg to human. Yet, those same words cannot hope to ever express the miracle of two single cells coming together to create the marvelously complex beings that we call people. It cannot describe what a soul is or how it comes to be there. It cannot describe the bond that exists between mother and child, or the wonder in the eyes of that child as it learns about its new world.

Thinking and believing have a place in the world. We could not get along without it. However, it is far from sufficient to strive to explain everything there is through this process. Some things should be left as what they are. Miracles. Faith. Mysteries.

(Meditate on these ideas for several days in succession)

Your Daily Horoscopes for Saturday, November 19th

We are encouraged to work toward the long-term metamorphosis of our lives as Mars moves closer to trining evolutionary Pluto. But the analytical Virgo Moon can bring anxiety because we want answers to big questions now. Additionally, the Moon’s early morning trine with potent Pluto intensifies our emotions while giving us the strength to process them as they evolve. Tying up loose ends is a sensible way to balance our visionary thinking.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Even if you have been planning your life in general terms, you can be more effective today by bringing everything down to a manageable size. Rather than trying to consider the enduring consequences of what you do now, limit your thinking to the immediate impact. There’s nothing to be gained by attempting to solve all the problems of the world; just make small improvements to your own life and let the ramifications of your actions ripple outward naturally.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

Although you’re eager to have a day off, your mind is probably still on your work, especially if you’re lucky enough to enjoy your job. Otherwise, you may be ready to jump into a project on the home front that allows you to express yourself in a creative manner. In either case, staying focused increases your chances of being productive enough so you can kick back and relax later in the day.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

The discriminating Virgo Moon helps you to notice all the minor details today. Meanwhile, mental Mercury and sensual Venus are traveling through uplifting Sagittarius, opening your mind to exploring the distant horizons. It’s tough to follow through with either perspective because your thoughts are bouncing back and forth. Nevertheless, attempting to make a logical decision may be an exercise in frustration now; following a hunch just might be your best chance for success.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

The amount of preparation you do now determines how much you actually accomplish today. If you have a solid plan and concentrate on the immediate tasks at hand, you could power through your chores. But if you scatter your energy by dreaming about the distant future, you might end up annoyed with how much you still have to finish. Scale back your big thinking so you can take care of the little things first.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

It’s going to take extra effort to remain focused today, yet limiting your activities should pay off. It may be tempting to express your excitement in a competitive manner or impulsively run with someone else’s bold idea. However, it’s very important to follow through on whatever you start or you could be harsh with your self-criticism later. Giving up prematurely is not a smart strategy; however, continuously bringing your thoughts back to the present moment will improve your efficiency throughout the day.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

It may feel as if things are beginning to settle down a bit now that the Moon is visiting your sign. However, you might be uncharacteristically overconfident as you think about what happens next. Don’t trust your logic today, especially if your future seems too good to be true. Your life is on the upswing, but managing the details as they surface, rather than ignoring them, keeps you in touch with reality.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You would be wise to finish up an old project this weekend so you are ready for the new opportunities that will show up next week. Unfortunately, it may not be so simple to take care of business now because you could inadvertently be working against your own success. Stop procrastinating; you can’t delay the inevitable by ignoring what needs to be done today.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

It’s fully acceptable to be as picky as you want about your social commitments because you don’t have much time to waste today. Even if you did, you would still rather choose your own activities than follow along with someone else’s. But totally isolating yourself from friends and family isn’t useful, either. Manage your time more efficiently so that you can enjoy hanging out with those who matter the most to your heart.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Broadcasting your optimism allows others to get a sense of the bigger picture as you see it. But you can become so enamored with your vision of the future that you might miss what is happening right now. Although it may be very tempting to throw yourself into the next exciting adventure of your life, it’s helpful to be pragmatic today. Toning down your enthusiasm just a notch improves your chances of reaching your goals.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You may believe that you have a workable plan in place that will enable you to fulfill your dreams, but it might not turn out quite as sweet as you wish. Your thinking is still in an inflationary phase, even if you have already narrowed your focus. However, your best ideas might lose their value if you take them too far. Keeping your expectations in check could be the most important thing you can do today.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Your friends and acquaintances could steer you in the right direction now as amicable Venus and talkative Mercury are both moving through your 11th House of Group Activities. But the Moon’s visit to your less social 8th house tempts you to withdraw and think things out on your own. Nevertheless, hanging out with the right folks can be very rewarding, so don’t intentionally isolate yourself. Aim to find a happy medium between losing yourself in a crowd and avoiding others, altogether.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You may be rethinking relationship strategies now as the Moon visits your 7th House of Others. No doubt, it’s complicated juggling your domestic responsibilities with other obligations. But, instead of bouncing around from one thing to another, pick one train of thought and follow it all the way through. When you finish, then shift gears and do something else. Staying on a narrowly defined path could bring the stability you seek in partnerships so you can apply your efforts elsewhere next week.

Thought of the Day for October 4th – 25 Truths of Life

25 Truths of Life

1. If you’re too open-minded, your brains will fall out.
2. Don’t worry about what people think, they don’t do it very often.
3. Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
4. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
5. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you’ve never tried before.
6. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
7. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
8. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
9. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.
10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.
12. A conscience is what hurts when all of your other parts feel so good.
13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.
14. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it!
15. No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
16. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
19. Junk is something you’ve kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
21. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
22. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
23. Thou shall not weigh more than thy refrigerator.
24. Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.
25. It ain’t the jeans that make your butt look fat.

N. Lellande

OH MY AGING FUNNY BONE…

Daily Horoscopes for Sunday, October 2

The philosophical Sagittarius Moon inspires us to turn little thoughts into big ideas, and molehills into mountains. Our minds are filled with a variety of bold schemes and visionary dreams. Whether we’re thinking about embarking on a new course of study or our next great adventure, we are setting a mental stage for what comes next. Meanwhile, four planets in Libra are still reminding us to balance our grand plans with a bit of common sense.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Although you may be eager for the good times ahead, something could happen that catches you off guard today. Even if there isn’t anything to do in preparation for a surprise, it’s important to remember that reacting with self-restraint is smarter than going to extremes. You might want to respond quickly, but thinking about the consequences of your words or actions first is a very wise plan.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

You may attempt to be cool now by downplaying your desires, but the Moon’s visit to your 8th House of Intimacy has you thinking about warmer things. You might just throw caution to the wind and surprise someone with your blunt approach. Your boldness may be what’s necessary to overcome the resistance, even if you hadn’t previously thought out your strategy. You might act without a plan, yet the results could be to your liking.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

Usually it’s everyone else who holds things together while you flit from one idea to another. However, you may need to shift your tactics now if others are acting indecisively or advising you to take a risk by stepping beyond your normal limits. But don’t blame anyone else for your current discomfort. Instead, be as flexible as possible; you might be pleasantly pleased when your gamble turns out in your favor.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

You may experience a breakthrough in awareness by realizing how you can improve your day without jeopardizing the parts that are already meeting your expectations. But having a good idea isn’t significant unless you put your new plan into motion. Don’t attempt to do too much today; it’s better to take baby steps toward a healthy goal than giant steps leading the wrong way.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Your enthusiasm could grow out of hand today, even if you believe that you can’t do anything wrong. You might inadvertently offend someone unless you exercise self-restraint. You may come across as overbearing, leading others to think that you’re hiding something. Although this is not likely what’s happening, it’s still smart to avoid this false impression by acting less aggressively. Remember, you don’t need to work so hard to get others to understand your intentions.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You usually prefer to take things step by step, but your current excitement may trick you into making lots of changes right away. Unfortunately, following through with your intentions can be difficult if you move too quickly. Although it sounds counterintuitive, you’ll accomplish more if you take your time today. Slow down and get it right the first time instead of having to do everything over again.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Recent decisions could be critical to your long-term plans, so reconsider your choices before they are set in stone. You would be wise to take time now to contemplate your goals and the most efficient way to reach them. Don’t try to justify your lack of productivity today or you might miss your chance to see the bigger picture. Instead of getting caught up in the excitement of the moment, keep your eyes on the prize.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Your anticipation of the next phase of your life continues to grow, but it’s still too soon to make your move. Nevertheless, big changes are already coming your way and you could see things very differently within a couple of weeks. Resist jumping to any half-baked conclusions today; there’s still more you can learn prior to making a fully informed choice.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Although you’re enjoying the upbeat energy and thinking how you could get used to things going your way, nothing is permanent. It isn’t that anything’s going to change today; it’s just that your unrestrained optimism can make you complacent and set you up for disappointment later on. Positive thoughts are powerful, but overconfidence is not, especially if you talk yourself out of putting in extra effort. Remember, if something is important to you, do it right for the sake of your own integrity.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You may be feeling pressure to expand your field of operations, but might resist because you’re not sure that you can deliver on what’s expected of you. Nevertheless, you have a few well-rehearsed tricks up your sleeve that enable you to surpass even the harshest of judgments. Unfortunately, you’re unable to objectively reflect on your own performance now. Hang tight; an energetic shift within a couple of days should clear your thinking and set you on your way.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You might be dreaming about some far-off adventure now, even if you’re challenged by current circumstances to come back to the present moment. But nothing is to be gained from indulging in self-criticism because your mind is likely to wander all over the mental landscape today, no matter what. Fortunately, your active fantasy life will settle down after a night of restful sleep.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You prefer to maintain a rational view about your current relationships, yet logic won’t tell the whole story today. Being cautious is the safest way for some people to move through unknown territory, but you Fish are naturally at home swimming in the boundless waters of feelings. However, you might feel as if you’re stranded on a desert island now without any emotional nourishment in sight. Don’t worry; this temporary drought won’t last long.

Your Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, Sept. 28th

The even-keeled Libra Moon joins sweet Venus and strict Saturn, tempting us with delectable pleasures while insisting that we postpone satisfaction. Meanwhile, the Sun’s conflicting square with shadowy Pluto reveals unexpressed motives that may trigger a power struggle in a relationship. Fear of losing control creates additional worry when cerebral Mercury squares Pluto then joins the Sun to focus our intentions and align them with what we say.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Sometimes you forget how forceful you can sound when trying to make your point. You might actually think that you’re the only person who sees the whole truth. Unfortunately, your overconfidence can frustrate your friends and associates today. You’ll get along better with everyone if you just remember that others have the same right as you to their perspectives — even if they conflict with yours.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

You may not be comfortable if you’re put in a position where you have to defend your position today. You might even try to sidestep an important issue by avoiding a direct confrontation. However, conflict becomes more likely if you don’t face the differences head-on. Fortunately, everyone will feel more relieved after everything is out in the open.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

Your mind has been racing so fast that it’s challenging to grab on to any one thought. Today, however, you are determined to follow through and discuss a creative project with someone you trust. Unfortunately, your conversation may take on a life of its own, leading you away from your original idea. Be smart and write down your thoughts so you can stay on track with your message.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

You may get angry if you cannot express yourself today, especially if others make you so uncomfortable that you are afraid to say what’s on your mind. You might feel energetically blocked, which negatively impacts your productivity. But don’t shift blame onto someone else if you’re having trouble finishing what you started. Instead, focus your energy on work and concentrate on one task at a time.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You’re excited about having so many choices today, but a co-worker probably has a very different idea about what you should be doing. Unfortunately, attempting to get others to understand your point of view now might only provoke more resistance. Keep in mind that everything probably seems more critical than it actually is, so consider relinquishing a bit of control for the sake of playing nicely with others.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Your key planet Mercury is up against a formidable adversary today as it squares powerful Pluto. You may have shared an idea or started a project in the past few days, yet now you might feel as if your task is more challenging than you thought. Nevertheless, you feel unstoppable and aren’t in the mood to negotiate. But your uncharacteristic aggression can create more problems than you realize. Take several deep breaths and think your next steps through before you swing into action.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You want to be fair about a decision you must make today, but your actions also concern others and they probably won’t agree with your choice. Heightened tensions can precipitate an emotional meltdown, especially if someone is trying to coerce you to play favorites. You may prefer to work out your disagreements peacefully, but standing up to a bully can be exactly what’s needed now to settle things once and for all.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

The peaceable Libra Sun squares your ruling planet Pluto today, driving your passions to the surface. You would like to express your true feelings, without concern about the consequences, yet the Sun in your 12th House of Secrets reminds you that someone close to you can have a totally different perspective. Relationships are already complex enough these days, so think twice before saying something that only complicates things further.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Your friends may not be a source of solace today because they could disagree with you on a fundamental issue, making it difficult for you to feel at ease. You won’t be so quick to let your guard down once you become aware of the gulf between you and others. Instead of falling into the trap of thinking someone must be wrong now, create a larger philosophical framework that can hold many divergent opinions.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You may be ambivalent about taking charge of a project today because you’re not sure about the best way to reach the objectives. Unfortunately, it might ultimately require more effort to say no than to step up to the plate and just do what’s being asked of you. You stand to better your professional status by demonstrating your competence, so think through your options carefully before selecting your route to success.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Your unorthodox approach to life usually allows you to rationalize your most eccentric ideas, but you might feel overly secretive about your current thinking today. Someone may even accuse you of being negative, but that’s just because you haven’t disclosed what’s motivating your decisions. Your intuition is steering you in the right direction; others won’t understand you now even if you try to explain yourself. Letting your unexpressed thoughts ride for a day or two is your best strategy at this time.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You want to get to the bottom of something you’ve been unable to understand, but it may not be so easy now to put all the facts into one coherent story. Even if you try to share what you know, your co-workers might not be very receptive since Pluto in your 11th House of Friends squares communicator Mercury in your 8th House of Deep Sharing. If you find yourself participating in an unnecessary conflict, quietly back away from the situation. You can always reengage the discussion once everyone’s emotions settle down.

Daily Horoscopes for Thursday, Sept. 8th

The Moon’s shift into intelligent Aquarius at 5:42 am EDT stimulates our nervous systems and increases the frequency of our thoughts. Although the airy Aquarius Moon reflects our need to find concepts that encompass our current experiences, it may be difficult to think clearly today as mental Mercury tensely opposes imaginative Neptune. Mixing the facts with fantasies may be entertaining, but can lead to big trouble if we’re not careful.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You often push boundaries without even realizing it when you get excited about something new. However, today’s enthusiasm might be more about what you say than what you do with talkative Mercury in the spotlight. The problem is that you may not be on target with your idea, even though you think it’s a good one. Don’t be so cocky that you make incorrect assumptions. Be patient, review your plans one more time and proceed slowly.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

Your career goals may seem more tangible than they actually are with the most unrealistic ones right at the tips of your outreached fingers. On the plus side, you can believe an impossible dream is so real that your legendary persistence makes it so. But on the other hand, it’s easy to become complacent by convincing yourself that you’re close to your destination when you’re not. Use your common sense before wasting any more energy pursuing a pipe dream.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

The Moon’s visit to your 9th House of Higher Education prompts you to reconsider an old plan you had to return to school. Remember, it’s wiser to study a subject that expands your mind and widens your perspective beyond your old way of seeing things. But make sure that you don’t jump to conclusions or even something as simple as a weekend getaway can turn into a comedy of errors. There’s no rush to make a final decision, so give your ideas enough time to develop before doing anything rash.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

It’s a lot safer to keep your unexpressed emotional desires to yourself now, for your surprising intensity can be unsettling to someone else. Unfortunately, you still must take a chance if you want to experience new levels of intimacy with someone that you trust. Revealing your vulnerability is not without its danger; thankfully, the benefits now outweigh the risks.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You might be afraid that something magical could slip through your fingers today, but no amount of logic can help you figure out a sensible strategy to stabilize your position. Attempts to understand a relationship that eludes comprehension can be quite frustrating. An approach based upon analysis will only bring you back around to the same old dissatisfaction that you’re trying to escape. Let go of your desire to discover any truth other than what’s already in your heart.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You have an opportunity to impact your physical well-being now by simply changing your attitude. The Moon’s current visit to innovative Aquarius and your 6th House of Health helps you focus your energy toward self-improvement. The powerful effect that positive thinking can have on your life today should not be underestimated. In fact, it just may be the key to a happier and healthier you.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You could easily fall in love today, with the Moon’s presence in your 5th House of Romance, yet ironically, your feelings may not have much to do with the people in your life. You are more open to the possibility of romance, whether or not you’re willing to express your desires. Since a current infatuation could be the result of your daydreams, you really don’t require anyone to act out your fantasy. If no one’s there, just go ahead and enjoy the fruits of your imagination.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You think you know how a domestic situation is going to play out over the next few months, especially if you have recently been re-evaluating your long-term goals. However, it’s challenging to know what to do because your future still seems like a fantasy and the details of how it will unfold are elusive. Don’t try to make up your mind now; instead, give yourself permission to dream without attempting to make anything real yet.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Communicating your plans can be frustrating today if you want others to become involved in your project. You may have a lot of information at your disposal, but most of your current data probably lacks substance. Normally you’re quite comfortable floating in the realm of abstract ideas because you’re a natural philosopher. However, your need to reach a concrete goal now is in conflict with your dreamier thoughts. Nevertheless, making a commitment to something specific will have positive consequences.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Your ego can get blown out of proportion today as others motivate you to reach for your dreams. Obviously, self-confidence is useful, but too much optimism can annoy those who might otherwise be your allies. Moderating your grandiose thinking with modesty can be a wise strategy. A healthy perspective on life can make all the difference between your success and failure.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You may have to review your recent commitments and reconsider what you can actually deliver today, for you might have promised others too much. You didn’t intend to mislead anyone; everything is just taking longer now than you expected. You may be tempted to quit, but overreacting isn’t a good idea. Take a few deep breaths, re-evaluate what is possible and let others know what they can expect from you at this time.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

It may be an uphill battle to control your dreams today because they are overflowing out of your sleep and right into your waking life. Obviously, this can be quite confusing if you attempt to rationalize your feelings when your emotions are being fed by unconscious urges. If you’re unsure about what to do, step back a bit until your path becomes clear. A temporary retreat is a better strategy than making believe that you can tell what’s real.

Daily Horoscopes for Sept. 2nd

Our desires are complicated by the power of today’s magnetic Scorpio Moon, and we may be fearful of expressing our needs if others don’t actively support our intensity. We feel driven to convince everyone that we’re right, no matter what the emotional cost happens to be now. However, our irrational worries are ameliorated by a happy Sun-Jupiter trine that rewards upbeat thinking, encourages generous behavior and spurs random acts of kindness.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You may be caught up in a complex swirl of energy as you attempt to untangle your attachments. Although you might try to be impartial in your approach to relationships today, you could have a tough decision to make now that could ultimately change the trajectory of your life. Fortunately, your clear intentions help you spin the current circumstances in a way that’s beneficial to all involved.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

You are quite determined to avoid an unpleasant confrontation today because you cannot see how it will lead to anything positive. It’s easier for you to sit on the fence now and wait for resolution than to get caught up in making something happen. But inaction will only work for so long. Ultimately, you’ll feel better after the various opinions have been aired, even if there’s no apparent common ground yet. There’s no need to force a group consensus; it will come naturally on its own.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

Your ruling planet Mercury the Communicator might appear to be no match while standing up to transformative Pluto today; but your thoughts will endure, even if your priorities change. Holding onto your vision helps you face a difficult opponent. You may feel that someone is out to defeat you, but if you’re smart enough to steer clear of open conflict now, you should be able to continue toward your destination without further interference.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

You are challenged to show your feelings with Mars now back in your sign. Your life may seem overly intense now, and it feels like there’s too much going on, making it nearly impossible to know where to start. Although overcoming your hesitation is wise, don’t share everything at once. Choose your topics of discussion carefully; emphasizing those things you can be optimistic about should help you reach your goals.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You may be feeling a bit embarrassed today if you recently went out on a limb and said more than was necessary. However hopeful you are that others can step beyond their narrow-minded thinking to see the big picture, you still face an uphill battle. Attempts to demonstrate your intellectual superiority are bound to fail. Instead of making anyone else feel like a loser, figure out how everyone can win.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Although you realize the significance of your own core beliefs, it’s difficult when someone close to you has an entirely different set of assumptions. However, it’s a trap to engage in dialogue solely for the purpose of proving you are right. Once you acknowledge that intelligent people can hold opposing views, you will be free to work on self-improvement instead of wasting time trying to change another person’s mind.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Mercury’s current visit to playful Leo makes you more talkative and increases your mental activity, but you may need to fight for your right to speak your mind. Fortunately, your creative juices are flowing directly from the source now, making it easier to be proactive. Being considerate of other people’s feelings is admirable, but don’t allow your willingness to compromise stop you from doing what’s best for you.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

The Moon’s return to your suspicious sign can raise issues of jealousy or possessiveness in relationships. You may think that someone is working against you behind your back, but it may just be your fears stirring up these fantasies. Don’t succumb to the negativity today; the choice is truly yours. Choosing self-improvement over everything else should be enough to put a positive spin on the day.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Your key planet Jupiter forms an optimistic trine with the illuminating Sun today, lifting your spirits and raising your hopes. Luckily, your cheerful attitude can positively impact your immediate future, but self-doubt could also surface and temporarily interfere with a good day. Connect with your friends because they will help take your mind off of your problems and remind you of what’s most important.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You may lock horns with a friend and find yourself in a standoff today, especially if you feel threatened by your own insecurity. But other people’s clever ideas are no match for your unrelenting persistence and strong sense of purpose. Although someone may anger you now, don’t get distracted from your ambitious goals. Your current optimism, mixed with intense concentration, is an unbeatable combination.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You have the gift of clear vision and shouldn’t let anyone dismiss your dreams today. But things get tricky fast if someone questions your authority. Your energy could shift into a more aggressive mood if you attempt to defend yourself. Don’t bother trying to justify your position now. Just keep your eyes on the horizon and continue heading in that direction.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Although everything seems quite intense, you are able to stay slightly detached from your emotions today. Luckily, your optimistic perspective on relationships enables you to avoid an unnecessary conflict with someone who fundamentally disagrees with your position. Remember that you don’t have to be right; you have absolutely nothing to prove now. Instead of stirring up trouble with a loved one, concentrate on realizing your dreams.

Daily Motivator for Aug. 30 – Power of your thoughts

Power of your thoughts

The focus of your attention enlarges and expands whatever you focus upon. That can either hurt you greatly or help you immensely.

Your complaints, for example, give more power and presence to whatever you complain about. Your love, on the other hand, gives more substance to whatever you love.

Put the focus of your attention not on what you wish to avoid. Instead, constantly direct your attention toward where you would like your life to go.

Your unceasing thoughts have great power. So frame those thoughts in a positive way that will put their power to work for you.

The more you think you are, the more you are. What you do flows surely and steadily from what you think, so keep your thoughts focused on your dreams.

Give life to your best intentions by giving the power of your thoughts to them. Make your dreams real by keeping them constantly in your thoughts.

— Ralph Marston

Your Daily Horoscopes for Thursday, August 11th

The serious Capricorn Moon fills our minds with thoughts of success, yet today’s early morning Mars-Pluto opposition may still have us locked in a power struggle where no one will win. A conflict can escalate due to a misunderstanding because retrograde Mercury forms an argumentative semisquare with authoritative Saturn. Thankfully, original thinking can precipitate a sudden resolution, prompted by an intelligent Mercury-Uranus alignment.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You may have to take a stand against a rather formidable person, but today it’s you who is the tougher cookie. Unfortunately, you might not be aware that you could hurt someone’s feelings because you are so determined to reach your goals. Nevertheless, you would be more effective if you didn’t push so hard. Soften your approach and consider how others may react before doing something you’ll regret.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

Naturally, you want to follow through on your commitments, even if your schedule suddenly changes because of unforeseen circumstances. Unfortunately, other people don’t seem to have the same level of integrity and you may become angry with someone who falls short of their promises. Instead of adding to the drama today, be as compassionate as possible, shift your focus to finishing your own work and don’t be too judgmental of anyone else.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

Your thoughts and emotions don’t mix well today. You may try to manage your desires in order to fit in socially, but you could grow resentful if you don’t say what you feel. Unfortunately, knowing what’s best doesn’t always mean that you will do the right thing. Instead of acting too quickly, think about the consequences of your actions before blindly following your impulses. You might feel differently tomorrow.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

You may be upset today if someone promises one thing yet does another. However, you might withhold your feelings because you don’t fully understand what’s going on. It’s extra challenging if you cannot trust your senses, especially if others are sending mixed messages. Accept your dilemma as a temporary situation that will soon fade, for attempts to end a conflict now will only increase your frustration.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You quickly tire of a melodrama that reignites today, but this time it’s different because the crisis has passed its peak and you feel strong enough to handle it. Nevertheless, you still must show up and combat the threat with a concerted effort or it could reappear again sometime soon. Respond to the current situation with compassion rather than animosity to help everything return to normal as quickly as possible.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You may be amazed by how fast you respond to a difficult situation today. Normally, you would prefer to gather facts and then take some time to think about your options before swinging into action. But there isn’t enough time for such a rational approach now, so you must immediately process what is happening and use your intuition to reach a conclusion. Don’t hesitate to react without your safety net of logic because any delay lessens your current chances of success.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Family dynamics weigh on your mind today, possibly preventing you from doing what you want. You may be tempted to walk away from the domestic drama, but you might be under pressure to increase your involvement. Unfortunately, losing your temper is easy now, but won’t help your cause. Instead, consider what can be done to settle the tension. Your innate ability to understand both sides of an issue enables you to be gracious in how you handle this tricky situation.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You are determined to stay on track today as you push to reach your goals, even if you would rather withdraw for some precious time alone. But solitude might not be in your immediate future, even if it’s high on your personal agenda. Being flexible is more important than sticking to your plan, since it’s impossible to know where an interaction with a colleague might lead as emotions heat up. It’s not necessary to win an argument now; it’s wiser to set a course based on compromise.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

It’s frustrating if you crave something but can’t afford to buy it. Maybe you want your partner or friend to rescue you now. But instead of getting angry when others don’t come to your aid, try a radically different approach to find satisfaction. Letting go is your best bet today, but this tactic requires some real soul-searching to detach your happiness from the current object of your desire.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Mars’ opposition to passionate Pluto in your sign dredges up intense feelings about someone or something standing in your way. Even if you are determined to reach your goals today, you need to be careful about riding roughshod over others to get what you want. The intensity of your current ambitions may create more problems than solutions now, and scaling them back just a bit might be the most sensible thing you can do.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You might be unusually ambivalent when asked about your plans today. Whether you’re considering a new path at work or in a relationship, it’s hard to make a commitment now. It isn’t that you don’t care; to the contrary, you care so much that you want to be absolutely certain about your choice. Even if you’re feeling pressure to decide, take a few more days before letting others know.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You don’t mind the idea of working today, but your ideal is far from the reality, prompting you to start planning your secret escape. But you could get into a disagreement with a friend or lover if he or she tries to coerce you into some activity that you would rather skip. Don’t play the role of a martyr by agreeing to drop your plans for someone else’s. Take responsibility for what you want and don’t give in. Prevent problems later on by being very clear right from the start.

Your Daily Horoscopes for August 4th

The relationship-oriented Libra Moon encourages us to reevaluate how our individual desires conflict with the needs of the people closest to us. Nevertheless, it will require some extra effort to communicate what we want because Mercury is retrograde, prompting others to misinterpret what we say. Thankfully, we receive support when assertive Mars forms a supportive sextile to Mercury, motivating us to try again if we miss the mark the first time.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Although something might have gone awry in a relationship recently, it simply may be due to a breakdown in communication. Unfortunately, a disagreement could arise if the other person cannot understand your point of view. You could even be accused of being negative because you want to talk about an uncomfortable subject. Fortunately, there’s no need for complete resolution now; bring up your thoughts and then let them go. You can return to the discussion when your partner is ready to engage in the conversation.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

You may not get the practical results you want today, but you’re still able to rationalize your behavior. You might need to stretch a bit, but you can learn new ways to manage a recurring situation at work. Although you would be happier if you changed how you prioritize your responsibilities, it’s less effort to keep things the way they are. Nevertheless, push through your resistance and plan for the future without looking back.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

The Moon’s visit to your 5th House of Fun and Games is dampened by her run-in with somber Saturn. Although you may be able to recover your lighthearted attitude later in the day, you could have a hard lesson to learn along the way. Thankfully, quicksilver Mercury’s alignment with assertive Mars gives you the energy to say what needs to be said. Once the air is cleared, you’ll be able to get back to business as normal.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

Your words pack more power than you realize today as warrior Mars in your sign lends assistance to clever Mercury in your 3rd House of Communication. Your mental agility, combined with a strong conviction in your beliefs, is an unbeatable recipe for success. You can sell anything now, as long as your heart is in it. Decide what matters most and then get busy asking for the support you need to make it happen.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

This is an action-packed day that can bring you closer to what you want if you’re willing to walk your talk. The words flow off your tongue easily when you tell others about your dreams. But idle chatter is cheap, so it’s crucial to galvanize your thoughts into actions. However, your current interactions must be in line with your plans or nothing will seem to gain traction; when your behavior is aligned with your passion, anything is possible.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

The Moon’s visit to your 2nd House of Resources reminds you to get your money’s worth from every financial transaction today. Unfortunately, meeting your basic needs may be more complicated than it appears at first. Look beneath the surface for a missing piece of information that could have significant consequences before signing an agreement or handing over any cash. And most importantly, be clear with your intentions and precise with your words or things could get muddled quickly.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You may have a lot of good ideas that all seem worth pursuing today, but you cannot possibly turn every inspirational flash into immediate action. Instead of trying to do too many things at once, be smart and write down your most innovative thoughts. Since they are transitory, even the most brilliant one could fade back into the depths of your unconscious. You can create a plan now and put it into motion once you have the chance.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Today you might be able to clear up a problem that has been bothering you for a while. Nevertheless, trickster Mercury still has a wild card up his sleeve, so you could inadvertently outsmart yourself by mixing up your facts. Although you’re not normally inclined toward sloppy thinking, you’re so concerned with getting the right answers that you could stumble. Watch your step; everything should work out if you pay careful attention to the difference between truth and illusion.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

The socially astute Libra Moon in your 11th House of Friends encourages you to act graciously, but unresolved issues could sneak in amidst the congenial gestures. Unfortunately, you can’t tell if a topic is significant enough to address or if it’s only a temporary frustration that intensifies a problem. Thankfully, you can take the course of least resistance now so leave the heavy lifting for some other day.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You may feel as if you’re running around in circles without accomplishing very much. You might even revisit the very same issues over and over again. Fortunately, you are able to change the dynamics by discussing your concerns with a friend. Participating in a conversation about your goals allows others to support you in your efforts and helps you break out of the vicious cycle.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Your ability to imagine the future is heightened by the Moon’s presence in your 9th House of Long-Term Goals. Your self-assuredness encourages others to seek out your approval of what they are doing. Although you like being asked for your opinion, you’re not sure why anyone thinks you know enough to offer advice now. Save the self-questioning for some other day and just help out however you can.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Your imagination is running the show now and you are eager to share your current inspiration. Although you may feel secure within the context of your life, Mercury’s retrograde still makes it tricky to say what’s on your mind. Just remember that the more generous you are with others, the better it will be for everyone involved.

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