Live Your Life The Pisces Way - Live Now

I am a Pisces - the last sign of the Zodiac – a little bit of this and a little bit of that.  Who am I?  On some days Pisces is like a proud Lion, on other days, like a chatty Gemini.  On some days you might feel like the world class traveler – Sagittarius.  All of the signs combined, Pisces closes the circle of the Zodiac.  It encompasses all of the signs; it can act like a chameleon.  My Pisces friends you can see I am poking fun at my own sign.  To tell you the truth it took me some years to finally embrace the idea of Pisces.  Many times I have asked myself the same question – who am I?  Pisces is supposed to be free spirited, careless, gypsy like traveler of the world.  Although I have long acknowledged my life’s direction on the path of Pisces, I have struggled a lot to embrace the idea of some kind of carefree, foggy, intangible sense of freedom.  I am growing, or better yet, becoming Piscean and honestly, I love it.  Growing pains?  Yes!

No other sign (except maybe for Scorpio) gets so much bad press.  The story goes like this.  Pisces is having a pity party tonight; vodka and absinth are being served.  Everyone will eventually pass out or drown themselves in their own sorrow.  Pisces is vague, non-communicative, and escapist, martyr like sign.  Even the thought of Pisces makes me tired.  Emotionally, at least.   Delusional, hiding from the reality freaks, suicidal, mentally weak individuals – that is Pisces.  Compassionate but selfish friends - that is also yet another description of Pisces.  These are hard to decipher kind of people and mostly the weeping willows of our society.  They say that there are two kinds of Pisces swimming in the ocean.  The low tide ones are what the world considers to be the scum of our society (please forgive me for saying this) and the high tide Pisces are the artists, the psychics, the healers and the saviors.  Hmm - I am not an artist, neither a psychic nor a healer - a savior perhaps?  How about the low tide fish?  Where are you?  Can’t decide?

Here is my take on it.  There are many of us Pisces.  There are the minnows, the whales, the sharks and the goldfish.  Which of these fish are you?  What good do we Pisceans bring to Earth?  Taurus brings beauty and stability, Capricorn has work ethic and reliability, Cancer encompasses caring.  Well, I think that Pisces can teach us about their ability to go with the flow.  To let things evolve, to let things just happen.  As a Taurus Rising, I had to learn to embrace it.  Being a Pisces means that you are embracing the Piscean, you are becoming a Pisces.  In my case, I have been embracing the constant change, the evolution on one’s life, the changing times and the changing life.  Once I have realized that it is my life and ultimately I am the one who has to live it and love it I became aware of the true nature and the very own meaning of this sign. 

Bon Jovi’s song It Is My Life sums it up.  

Jon Bon Jovi (born John Francis Bongiovi on March 2, 1962) is an American musician, philanthropist and the lead singer of the rock band, Bon Jovi.  With Libra Rising, Jon Bon Jovi’s dominant planet is Venus - the planet of charm and seduction.  People with dominant Venus generally follow their heart and their passion.  They love the world, they love life.  Moon is another dominant planet in his chart and that gives the native emotional and imaginative nature.  As far as the dominant signs, Jon Bon Jovi’s most important signs are Aquarius, Pisces and Libra.  Aquarius is the futuristic voice, the humanitarian.  This voice can be heard in each and every song by Bon Jovi.  Ranging from simple observations on life to revolutionary undertones, the songs are for sure going to grab you and make you wonder – what is good, why is life the way it is, why we have suffering, inequality, sadness and all of that.  The songs have become the hymns of my generation, expressing our frustration, dreaming our dreams, painting the mosaic of our life.  Pisces is the artist, yes, but it is also the compassionate voice that wants to be definitely heard.  Libra is the gentleness of Jon Bon Jovi’s presence.  He is not only an outstanding artist but also a notable philanthropist.  Artists usually come and go.  Spice Girls were created seems like out of nowhere, then they went their own way, we forgot their songs.  They reappeared again.   Jon Bon Jovi’s Sun and Venus are both in the Fifth House.  Bon Jovi’s light still shines on.  Jon Bon Jovi radiates through his love of life, his quest for individuality and fairness, his altruistic mind.  

Living your life the way you want is what will ultimately bring you happiness, a sense of freedom.  You only have one chance, right?  Go with the flow but also go your own way.  Be flexible in the unpredictable sea of changes, be fearless and don’t shy away from troubles.  The future might not be the brightest my friends, but if you live your life to its fullest, if you risk a little, have fun a little and not worry so much, you may enjoy your life more.  What I learned from Pisces is really what the song It Is My Life is all about.   Just trying to live day by day, live to the fullest and live your life. 

“It's my life, it's now or never
  I ain't gonna live forever
  I just want to live while I'm alive
  It's my life
  My heart is like the open highway
  Like Frankie said I did it my way
  I just wanna live while I'm alive

  It's my life”

So my Pisces and non-Pisces friends - live your life.  Regardless of what others say, regardless of Neptune in Pisces, or Pluto in Capricorn, Vatican in the middle of a huge crisis, sequester cuts in the U.S. , regardless of the fact that the economy is in shambles, that there is no security left for folks out there anymore.  Live your life whether you have a fat savings account or nothing at all.  You have one life to live.  Live your life.

Happy Birthday Jon Bon Jovi!  Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to my Pisces friends!

Don’t forget the Margaritas.

Until next time!

My Sweet Valentine

Yesterday, many people celebrated Valentine’s Day.  No matter how you spent your day I am pretty sure that your e-mail, Facebook, Twitter or perhaps even your mailbox had some kind of Valentine’s Day message.  Whether it is love towards others or cultivating self-love, the messages I have received ranged from serious to funny.  One thing, however, I expected the least.  When I read the news as I usually do as a part of my morning mantra, I surely did not expect to find in the headlines this truly sad, conflicting and confusing Valentine’s Day story gone wrong.  In this story something went just wrong, really wrong.

Oscar Pistorius, a South African athlete, the “Blade Runner” has been charged with murder of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp who used to be the sweetheart of South Africa .  She was, according to people who knew her a ‘beautiful, sweet soul.’  She was shot four times at the home of Oscar Pistorius, 9-mm pistol was found at the scene and a lot of questions are still unanswered.  This is, indeed, a very confusing story.  This happened in the early hours of February 14, the day we often say - My Sweet Valentine. 

Ever since Neptune entered Pisces, we have been given stories that resemble a labyrinth, with many possible endings, information missing, not enough facts and stories that just seem distorted and unreal.  What is real?  The manhunt for Christopher Dorner, Navy Vet and ex-Cop was like that all the way to the end.  The story of Christopher Dorner and his final ending perhaps opened the doors for us as we look into racism and the extreme use of force that is often employed in today’s police work.  Then there is the resignation of Pope Benedict XVl.  Did he really quit?  What do we know and what don’t we know?  Well, there are many stories like these.  We simply don’t know.  Things are not right or wrong anymore.  When we hear something, we need to weigh all the possible outcomes and views.  We need to see through Neptune’s smokescreen.  This is the way Neptune in Pisces works.  As I mentioned in my previous blog entry – Hush Little Baby – I am not a fan of Neptune in Pisces but if anything good comes of it – it may be the fact that we need to listen to our own instincts and learn to navigate our own ships in the see of information and the overload of messages. 

So what really went wrong for Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp on the doomed day of February 14?  I can’t make any conclusions so what I did instead was a chart analysis of the couple.  I am working with very limited information so I know it may be not as accurate as I would want it to be. 

Oscar Pistorius was born on November 22, 1986.  He is a Scorpio.  He has a large predominance of Water signs in his chart indicating the fact that he is prone to high and lows, ups and downs.  There is very little Earth in his chart and that often symbolizes the need for being grounded and the need to “calm down.”  The Fire is also pretty dominant in Oscar’s chart and that really tells us about the energy, self-confidence and courage.  Someone with this kind of element placement is also enthusiastic and able to go forward and achieve their dreams and goals.  Fire and water, however, often make quick decisions; can be hot headed and highly emotional.  Were the emotions of Oscar Pistorius just too up and down that day?  Were they distorted and confused?

The planet that is dominant in Oscar’s chart is Pluto.  If I have his birth time right then Pluto sits right on his MC, in the Tenth House in Scorpio.  People with Pluto in the Tenth House do achieve great things in their career.  Their career becomes their life.  It seems easy, but it comes with a scary price that they have to pay.  Their career can often be filled with people that do not want them to succeed, with people that deceive them, that think less of them and that belittle them.  Any other sign might be great, but for some reason Pluto in Scorpio in the Tenth House brings out battles, highs and lows, beginnings and ends.  Scorpio Tenth House brings out the wounds from the past, deep emotions, past hurts and pains.  A person with this placement will have to prove over and over that they are worth it.  One of Scorpio’s Totems is the Phoenix, the Fire Bird that rises from his own ashes.  You make your own conclusion.  With Pluto being so dominant in Oscar’s chart, one can’t help to think that it is a chart of someone who will be having tough lessons in life over and over again, as Pluto works slowly and it will not leave us alone until the transformative work is done.  The Tenth House is prominent, it represents career, public life and the fact that the dreams of success will be often realized at an early age.  The Sixth House focuses on work and health.  This house can often mean health battles, perfectionism, training and working. 

Aquarius Rising people are often very flexible, they are adaptable to live in different conditions, different cultures, they have many friends and often become the sweethearts of people.  They love the limelight which is interesting, because as a Water element person and a Scorpio, Oscar Pistorius is more of an emotional introvert but yet, he acts like a guy next door and presents himself as a very public persona.  With his Moon in Leo there is a deep desire to be recognized and admired.  There is a desire to be nurtured.  But let’s not forget one thing – Scorpio Sun, and even more so, Scorpio and Pluto dominant people have one big flaw – jealousy.  Oscar’s Sun, Mercury, MC, Pluto and Venus are all in Scorpio.  For Venus in Scorpio, love is either all or nothing, love is possessive and love craves constant attention.  The feelings of person with these planet placements can be excessive, intense and they may lead them to an extreme - the need to control their partner.  If the love is quiet and transcendent all is fine but if the other person deviates from their controlling way of life, well, we all can probably picture the outcome. 

Reeva’s chart shows absolutely no Water Elements.  Reeva Steenkamp was born August 19, 1983.  She was the Sun person, a person with fire, intellect and ethics.  So what was she doing with a person so different from herself?  People still say, the opposites attract, but at the end, they may have a very unfortunate ending.  Not everyone wants a partner that is “a me too” type of a person, but when there are too many opposite energies, things are not going to run smoothly.  I would say that according to Reeva’s chart, she was an independent, life loving, hard working person with extremely high work ethics and restless fire energy.  My guess would be that perhaps she was often drag down by Oscar’s high and lows and not having any water element in her chart, she just did not feel comfortable in the sea of his watery emotions.  Reeva’s Sun is square Jupiter.  This aspect creates a person that is extremely charitable and helpful, generous with their resources and time.  They can, however, overextend themselves leaving no money or time for themselves.  She was law school graduate, successful model and an activist.  Her Sun in Leo gave her a warm personality; her Capricorn Moon represented her hard work and patience, her Mercury in Virgo perfectionism.  Reeva’s Venus is in Virgo as well and Venus in Virgo people can be helpful and always trying to perfect their partner.  They may appear distant but it is only because they are trying to make sure that everything around them is good and perfect, so they can enjoy their partnership and there are no distractions. 

The Synastry of the charts of Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp shows the conjunction of Sun and Moon.  Carl Jung in his lifelong interest in astrology looked at over 500 married couples and found Sun Moon conjunctions.   It is often referred as the Yin and Yang conjunction.  The Moon person (Oscar Pistorius) is often there to help the creativity of the Sun person (Reeva Steenkamp), the Moon person is often living in the past and the Sun person is looking towards the future.  Traditionally, the Moon represented the feminine and the Sun represented the masculine.  The Moon man can often feel like he is being domesticated, the Sun woman is basking in the rays of the Sun and often, the public eye.   There can be clashes more often than not; the Sun can’t feel Moon’s emotions and the Moon does not understand Sun’s plans and direction.  The Sun and Moon are one of the most powerful personality indicators in one’s chart, in Synastry conjunction they do experience some power struggles.  Learning to live with each other differences is the key. 

Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp had a short lived relationship.  With too many variables and different planet energies in their chart, I can only point to some struggles and ups and downs.  I believe that every relationship can work if we allow it to work; it does not mean it has to be a romantic one, but every relationship can be a like a spring board for learning more about life.  If we absolutely can’t stand someone, it is better to acknowledge it and walk away.  It is easier to say, however, as we often get pulled into karmic circle of relationships that don’t even make sense to us.  As far as Oscar Pistorius and whether he is truly guilty or not, you can try to make your own conclusions.  We may never find out.  Isn’t it how Neptune in Pisces works after all?  We can only be sure of one thing – more confusing and blurry stories are on their way.  Stay the course, don’t get sidetracked.  It is only your own opinion and gut feeling that counts after all.   

Hush, Little Baby

The Sun is in Aquarius – the sign of the Water Bearer.  In German, this sign is called Der Wassermann and that means literally The Water Man.  It is kind of like the milkman.  You need milk; the milkman can deliver it directly to your door.  You can have your water delivered to you too.  So what is exactly my point?  You pay for your water.  

The planet Neptune entered the sign of Pisces on February 3, 2012 and will stay there until 2025. Neptune takes about 164 years to make a complete cycle, spending about thirteen years in each sign. Neptune is considered the modern day ruler of the planet Pisces so it will have truly come home after its long journey around the Zodiac. Dreamy Pisces is watery, intangible at times, delusional.  You get lost in its world, you dream, you can experience feelings that are not yours, voices that come from nowhere. Neptune is the illusionist.  Personally, I always had a hard time with Neptune.  Deciphering lies, lying and deceiving was as far from my comprehension as you can get.  What you see is what you get.  That was me.  The older I got, the more I understood Neptune.  Still, at times I felt like I wanted to run away from this trickster but then I realized that it is exactly what the Neptune wanted me to do – the Lord of the Underworld wanted me to hide.  And so here I was, ready to face Neptune’s illusions, trying to decipher the Neptunian codes I thought to myself - we can decide to swim in the school of fish or we can go our own way and discover the truth.

Here we are, it is the year 2013 and the U.S. the economy is supposedly getting better.  Unemployment is down to 7.9 percent.  The Dow is up and new jobs are being created.  While we are happy smoking weed here in Washington and Colorado, wondering what the Kardashians are up to, wondering if Lance Armstrong is telling the truth or not, the Neptune is playing his favorite game.  In the midst of all these good news about the economy we can’t still stomach the fact (or we simply don’t know) close to half of Americans live below or at the poverty level.  American officials have deemed the current poverty line to be at around $22,000 for a family of four, but the new category just about doubles that figure to $45,000 and places those that fall between the numbers as low-income. The unemployment rates do not reflect the real unemployment as people not claiming unemployment and the underemployed are not accounted for.  The jobs that are being created are extremely low-wage, the cost of living is rising, and the expenses are exceeding the comfort level of most.  The new wave of foreclosures is to blame for the overly optimistic numbers in our real estate markets.  Yet, we are made to believe that “things are improving”.  This is our fantasy world.  The economy is great and here in the U.S. we live in an illusion of a peace.  There is no war, is there?  We will be marking the tenth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.  Neptune and its illusions is nothing more and nothing less.

Neptune rules the sea.  It rules the water.  During Neptune in Pisces we will witness increased flooding; perhaps more storms like the Hurricane Sandy.  Water will be everywhere but yet we will see the biggest water shortages ever.  Mainland China, for example, will be struggling with water shortages by the time we reach the end of the Piscean cycle of Neptune.  Other countries and places will follow.  We are facing a real water crisis.  Water is the liquid gold.  Every time I turn on my kitchen faucet I think twice.  I remember when my son was just only seven, a small Pisces boy; he would always try to shut the kitchen faucet because he was convinced I was wasting too much water.  Every time I wash my dishes now I think of those moments and smile.  I also wonder if his generation is the one that will face the fact that water will be more precious than gold.  Neptune rules the oil too.  We are in the middle of oil wars.  We have damaged our environment because of oil.  If there are other ways to generate energy, why is oil still dominating the world?  The answer is clear to many.

During the time that Neptune is in Pisces we can dissolve the old order, we can heal, cleanse, purify.  We can also sink into denial, illusion, despair, resentment, delusion.  Those with strong Neptune, dominant Twelfth House or those with heavy influence of Pisces can be acutely sensitive and experience life through their feelings during this time.  These people might feel overwhelmed, may feel the urge to escape, to shut down, to find their inner nirvana.  There is a catch to that.  While we all might feel more relaxed, more sensitive, more in tune with our feelings during the time that Neptune is in Pisces, there is something larger going on. 

We are told to take a chill pill, to nurture and pamper ourselves more, to meditate, to globally change the world, to believe in The Secret, to believe in the law of attraction and to believe that we really have a choice.  What is our ultimate choice?  So while we are quietly being put to sleep, the corporations are fully alert, acquiring access to every possible water source they can get.  Why?  Well, they are not asleep.  To overcome the coma of Neptune we must rise up.  We should try to protect our water sources; the idea that water is “communal” and belongs to everyone is no longer.  At times I feel that it is too late to put up a fight, too late to try to figure out who is the real boss.  Once the corporate world takes our water, they will be able to decide who is and is no longer in the game.  It is like the Hunger Games.  When we wake up one day and see that our own well has a barb wire around it and a sign “Private Property – Keep Out!” -  perhaps we will wake up from our Neptunian and Piscean dream.  

Whether you like it or not, now is the time we can all rise up and defend our rights as we are all equal inhabitants of this planet.  We all need water to survive.  Let’s not be lulled to sleep by Neptune’s sweet lullaby.  Der Wassermann makes me think of all of this.  This is the time we can all help the Water Bearer carry his water jug.  It is ours to use.  Let the Neptune sing you a song – “Hush little baby, don’t say a word.” Let this be a wake up call and not a lullaby.  Let me tell you, the rewards will be great. 

In the Midst of Winter

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.

And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.”

Albert Camus

 

This quote by Albert Camus – a Scorpio – made me think of Capricorn.  On January 11, 2013 we had five planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Pluto) in Capricorn, a beautiful Earth sign Stellium.  It was the night of the New Moon.  We have set our goals for the New Year and whether we keep up with these goals or not, fulfill these dreams or not, will be solely up to us.  For those of you that are born under the Zodiac sign of Capricorn and for those who have a strong Earth element in your chart, January 11^th was a good vibration day.  Although I am a Pisces, my Ascendant is in Taurus, I felt the comforting energy of the planets in Capricorn and felt the grounding of the Earth elements that once again proved to be so soothing. 

Sun in Capricorn is quiet.  Sun in Capricorn people do not crave praise, accolades and their spot in the limelight.  Sun in Capricorn people are trustworthy, dependable, hard-working, patient and persistent.  I sound like a Sunday Horoscope in a trashy magazine don’t I?  Sun sign description is very general but in many cases, it does apply if we keep an open mind.  One of the definite traits of Capricorn people is, that they are often the teachers of the Zodiac.  Their ruling planet is Saturn, the misunderstood “devil” in Astrology.  Yes, Saturn has been given many bad names and it has a bad rep.  If we look at Saturn as the planet that symbolizes the teacher, the one that does not let us fool around, the one that pushes us to thrive for better and climb higher – then, I think, we found the true meaning of Saturn.  Saturn is my worst and strictest math teacher.  Because of that I have always understood math and loved it.  Who is your Saturn?  

Capricorn people get younger with age.  As children they are serious and task oriented, as adults they are less rigid and as they get older, they play more.  They love life.   Often described as cold and calculating, task oriented and career hungry creatures, Capricorn people are serious, devoted and reliable but they are far from what the stereotypical old fashioned description of this sign is.  Reading in between the lines and opening our heart towards many possibilities, we see that as in the quote from Albert Camus, there is a great warmth that radiates from these people; there is an invincible summer, great passion and love.  No matter how the world pushes against them, the people with Sun Sign in Capricorn push right back.  Capricorn symbol is the sea goat.  It is a mythical mountain goat creature with dolphin like tail.  Therefore, Capricorn connects the highest of the mountains and the deepest of the seas.   It is an Earth sign that encompasses it all, our Mother Earth’s beauty from one spectrum to another.  Capricorn reaches from the highs of the Earth to its lows. 

The Full Moon in Capricorn represented out unfulfilled dreams.  Putting these dreams in a more concrete form was what we felt compelled to do.  Prioritizing our tasks and our dreams and plans is essential.  If we felt certain peace during the time of Capricorn Full Moon it is probably because we are on the right track.  If we felt out of balance it only means that we have a lot of catching up to do. 

Mercury in Capricorn reflected how we communicate with others.  Mercury was in Capricorn until January 18 and with Mercury in this sign there is a chance that we may feel old and tired when we talk to others, when we interact with people.  Perhaps it is the others that make us feeling worn out.  Some quiet time would be helpful to all of us so we can recharge and refresh.  Even socializing has its boundaries.  With Mercury in Capricorn it is time to make some serious commitments and plans whatever they might be.  Capricorn will sure keep us on task. 

Venus will stay in Capricorn until February 1.  Capricorn is a masculine sign and the sign of authority, Venus is the Divine Feminine.  Venus in Capricorn brings change to all women issues, to what women stand for and fight for.  Capricorn Venus is no longer going to be just an observer.  Women are taking the issues that affect them into their own hands.  In the United States of America, the 113th Congress has 20 female senators, the most ever in U.S. history.  And this is just the beginning.  The merging of the masculine symbolized by the Capricorn and the feminine that is represented by Venus has begun.  Feminine and masculine are just like yin and yang - two parts of one whole.

As I write this blog, it is January 11 and we have five planets in Capricorn – Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Pluto.  The energy around is grounded and still.  It is the beginning of a New Year, new hopes and a new start.  More people are set to stick with their new year’s resolutions.  Capricorn is the task maker of the Zodiac so get out your note pads, your planners or tablets and set out some goals to keep you on track this year.  Welcome to the New Year, the new future as we don’t know it. 

If you do lose sight somewhere along the way, if you begin to doubt yourself and feel like there is just too much of this “restricting” but calm energy and that it is pushing you down just remember the quote by Albert Camus.  It is an old one and maybe it has been overused by many, including me, but it is true.  I don’t know exactly why, but it has always reminded me of Capricorn.  

On a final note, Mercury and Sun left Capricorn on January 18.  Sun entered Aquarius.  So here we have it – as we are thinking about our future and future plans we are still grounded by a solid and calm energy of Capricorn.  What a perfect combination of dreaming and doing, future planning and being cautious and careful at the same time.  We all can allow both of these energies to gently flow through us and show us the way.  

Until next time.