Pimpin’ Pals : Big Sky AstroBlog

Oct

6

My San Diego colleague Terry Lamb has a new political blog, and her inaugural (get it? it’s a pun!) post takes an astrological look at tomorrow night’s presidential debate. (Spoiler: advantage, Obama.) And don’t miss her October forecast, full of interesting commentary about the current Mercury retrograde, the election, and all the rest.

October 6, 2008 | 1 Comment

Jul

28

leaving First things first. My friend Robert McDowell has just released his new book Poetry as Spiritual Practice. I don’t know much about poetry, and what I do know, I mostly don’t like; but Robert’s a wonderful soul and a soulful writer who has made a believer out of even a poetry curmudgeon like me - so join me in celebrating his achievement. And if you buy a copy of his book online from Amazon or B&N, you can participate in his special promotion and gain access to fab bonus gifts from participating partners such as moi-self. More here.

Secondly. Lisa Finander, the fine soul who, as an acquisitions editor, helped me midwife my book and get it to the publisher, has launched her new website. If you’re struggling with a writing project and looking for an enthusiastic coach to help you bring it all together, Lisa’s your gal.

And finally, yes: I’m finally leaving for vacation. But naturally enough (because yes, the upcoming eclipse falls in my 9th house - quel delight!), the road to good intentions has been paved with hell. Getting ready to go on vacation is always so ghastly that it makes one doubt the veracity of the entire premise. Irony alert: Nervous traveler that I am, I chose Qantas for our flight because of their excellent safety record. And of course on Friday… this happened. And today, this. Thanks, guys. Helpful. (As if I weren’t nervous enough about that transiting Uranus opposition to my natal Mars.)

But you’ll never hear an unkind word from me about the Passport Office.

Last week I realized that my passport - which would not actually expire until two weeks after we’re due to return from our trip - needed to be recharged, since New Zealand (and most countries, apparently; who knew?) insisted I have at least three months left on my passport after my intended date of return. My nerves already on edge about this trip (did I mention that I really hate to fly?), this put me into a tailspin. A couple of hours later I determined that I could in fact trek to the regional passport office in Los Angeles and do the renewal in person, and actually be able to make this trip.

So off we schlepped to LA the following day, and everything at the passport office went amazingly well. The lovely little Lisa Loopner look-alike who processed my application looked at my departure date, then at my San Diego address, and then at me. “Well, I want to get this processed for you today.” And bless her, she did: by 1:20, after killing several hours in Westwood, I picked up my fresh new passport.

In any event, tomorrow is given over to packing and last minute madness, and on Wednesday we finally leave. So tonight the auto responders go on my emails, and the next time y’all hear from me I’ll probably be writing with a New Zealand accent. Send good energy and safe wishes my way! And if you should find yourself in Auckland on August 3 (a lecture) or 10 (a workshop), you can catch up with me through these nice folks.

July 28, 2008 | 5 Comments

May

12

Mars in Leo I don’t know about y’all, but Mars finally entering Leo last Friday - after that looooong, sulky passage through Cancer - certainly seems to have kick-started my energy level. Last week nearly did me in; much work to get finished, guests to get ready for (including the divine Kelly), and a lecture to finish preparing for the San Diego Astrological Society. It’s not that I don’t enjoy speaking; I was a friggin’ Communication major, after all. I just don’t do it often enough to be as smooth as I’d like, and I’ve had to prepare new talks for the purpose of promoting this book. So, it’s a lot of work. And I wasn’t getting a lot of sleep, which added to the delight.

But Kelly’s visit was a real treat. If you ever get a chance to meet this lady or, in particular, to see her present a lecture or class, don’t pass it up. She knows her stuff, she’s poised and articulate, and on top of all that she’s fun, fun, fun. So we goofed off and ate chocolate and pizza and I gave her a three point whistle-stop tour of San Diego, and basically it kept my nerves from getting over-jangled for the Friday talk. In the end, the lecture (just hours after Mars switched signs) went well, I sold some books, and a good time seemed to be had by all.

The divine Kelly left us on Saturday, en route to UAC, and yesterday Jonny and I spent the day shopping, hiking by the river, and taking the trolley downtown for an impromptu lunch. Thus relaxed, restored, and fortified, I greet the week ahead with more energy than I’ve had in ages. Good thing, too: I’ve got lots of catching up to do, a workshop to plan for next month, and the next round of guests arrives on Friday.

How about you - feelin’ frisky?

May 12, 2008 | 4 Comments

Jan

20

Help astrologer Bill Herbst Just found out today, via the ISAR e-newsletter, that astrologer, writer, and all around great guy Bill Herbst has suffered a debilitating stroke. According to his website, things have been damn rough. Bill has set up a recovery fund to help defray the nightmarish medical expenses while he gets back on his feet; I hope those of you who have appreciated Bill’s contribution to astrology over the years can kick some help his way, if you’ve got a little extra cash.

Don’t get me started on the sorry state of health care in this country. If like Bill (and many, many other astrologers) you dare to pursue the American ideal of self-employment, lots of luck getting individual health insurance. Especially if you’re over the age of 50 and/or have any preexisting conditions or are five or ten pounds overweight. Before my husband took his present job (with full benefits) our bare-bones, catastrophic-coverage health insurance cost us $300 per month. We switched to that when the policy we had through the City of San Diego (as business owners) more than doubled, skyrocketing to $1200 per month.

Last year another friend of mine - fully insured through her employer, mind you! - had to declare bankruptcy and move in with her mother after her husband’s cancer-related medical expenses wiped them out.

Anyway. Please help Herbst, if you can. Guys like him are astrology’s treasure.

January 20, 2008 | 4 Comments

keep looking »

Sign of Pisces

Moon conjuncts Uranus at
5:54 am on Oct.12, 2008

Moon trines Venus at
11:27 am on Oct.12, 2008

Moon squares Pluto at
10:02 pm on Oct.12, 2008

Moon goes void of course at
10:02 pm on Oct.12, 2008

Moon enters Aries at
12:07 am on Oct.13, 2008