I am wondering how you felt about the Bill Herbst article I put up for you last week? Some people said it was a little grim and not very optimistic. I agree but remember that astrology is just a tool, like a pair of glasses you look through at reality. And then it is up to the wisdom, values and life experience of the person to come up with a valid interpretation and proper use of the information. So it is up to you to make good use of the overall information and hold the vision of the world you want to live in and contribute your part to it.

Yes, we are all tired of hearing about all the negative things in our society, government and environment. I think we can agree that change is needed desperately and we would like to live in a world where there is no hunger, poverty and abuse of people for the sake of greed and power. We all long for a world of equality, love, material security and abundance based in our true nature of oneness.

So here is our chance! The old structures are not working anymore, great! Humans have proved again and again that they are ingenious in finding solutions if there is enough pressure and incentive for us to do so. In the Abraham teachings of the Law of Attraction the first step is the asking, which means facing the problem, wanting something different then what is.

The second step is not up to us. We are handing it over to the universe so to speak. The universe is holding the field of potentiality for us. The third step is that we have to come in alignment to that new level of being with our energy or frequency, which means our thoughts and feelings need to be focused on the goal - not on the problem. After the first step is done you only want to keep oriented towards your aim and work on feeling good and in a place of joy. Abraham uses the term of being in the vortex with divine creation.

One way to do that is to ask yourself what you have to contribute to life, to your friends and family. Everybody has something to contribute! When you find a way to do that you can feel gratefulness for what you have to share, you will feel joyful and happy because you feel already abundant. Neale Donald Walsch in his Conversation with God book puts it very simple and says you should give what you want to receive. If you want more love in your life, be more loving. If you want more money give to people who have less then you.

The trick is to always finding ways to feel good. Have a moment of appreciation with your cat on your lap or take your dog for a walk. Make time out of your busy life for your friends and family, smell the roses. Whatever it is that works uplifting for you milk it as much as possible, bath in appreciation and good feelings.

“If you intend to be of assistance, your eye is not upon the trouble but upon the assistance, and that is quite different. When you are looking for a solution, you are feeling positive emotion— but when you are looking at a problem, you are feeling negative emotion.”  Abraham

This is your job; this is what you have signed up for if you are reading this page.

Astrologically we still have 4 planets in Pisces with the emphasis on tuning into the field of oneness and a larger purpose in life. In Pisces it is all about oneness, unconditional love, compassion, and connecting with the divine. It is a wonderful time for healing, cleansing the body and mind and reconnecting with our higher truth and spirit. Realign yourself with what is truly important to you with time on your own where you can meditate and set new intentions.

The highlights for this week are:

• Mars in Leo Turns Direct on Wednesday 10
• Venus Opposition Saturn (Aries - Libra) on Tuesday 9
• Venus Square Pluto (Aries – Capricorn) on Thursday 11Mercury Conjunction with Mercury Conjunction with the Sun in Pisces on Sunday 14
• Moon is Moving through Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces

Mars in Leo Turns Direct on Wednesday 10

Mars is representing your life force, desires, your ability of strength and focus of will. He discriminates and gives us the energy for new beginnings. With a retrograde Mars all actions and initiatives tend to be hampered or slowed down. The good thing is a retrograde Mars forces us to really get clear about what we want and why. And when the god of war and action turns direct our penned in passions can flare up high and might need some time of adjustment before a normal flow of integration is achieved. Again now is a good time to get clear about your intentions and putting them into writing is the first step towards manifestation.

Venus Opposition Saturn (Aries - Libra) on Tuesday 9

Venus, the goddess of love, beauty and harmony is challenged this week with two hard aspects with Saturn as well as Pluto. Remember challenges in life and your relationships are good because ultimately it brings you to a place of deepening with more appreciation and intimacy and who wouldn’t want to have that. Just the way to get there is the openness to be vulnerable, to keep open the lines of communication, the willingness to take back expectations and projections and to take responsibility for your own happiness. We can not expect our partners to change to accommodate our desires and our happiness. Of course being in a relationship does require compromises but you need to take responsibility for your own feelings and needs.

Saturn challenges us with facing our fears and anxieties, making things hard initially. But then when we do the work we will be rewarded with depth, clarity and wisdom.

Venus Square Pluto (Aries – Capricorn) on Thursday 11

Pluto is always the one who prepares us for deep inner changes and transformation with whatever part he is touching on. You can use this Pluto Venus connection to be really honest with yourself and your partner and talk about areas in your relationship you need to talk about.

Both – Pluto and Saturn hard aspects with Venus can either create a troublesome week for you in your relationship or it can start you on a whole new level of relating and loving from a deeper place of honesty, creating the deepened intimacy you have been longing for.

Mercury Conjunction with the Sun in Pisces on Sunday 14

We still have 4 planets in Pisces this week when Mercury lines up with the Sun in Pisces. Mercury in Pisces is a very intuitive, feeling approach to the world. We can connect deeply with our deepest dreams and visions. We can connect with the unlimited potential of the not yet manifested before we then take steps toward accomplishment and manifestation. Mercury in Pisces can connect us with deep universal wisdom and collective knowledge.

Meditation is the best way to tune into that rich, abundant creative source of life and get inspired and fueled. It is also a proven way to lower your stress level, to quiet that monkey mind, release resistance and put things into a different perspective. An easy way to meditate is to lie on your back and put some crystals on your body and on your third eye. Because of the perfect balanced vibration and frequency of gemstones and crystals it is one of the easiest ways to drop into a deep relaxation and meditation. You can read more about meditation in my article Neptune and the Art of Meditation.

Moon is Moving through Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces

We start into the last quarter of the waning Moon this week with the Moon in Capricorn. It will intensify our relationship issues brought to the surface but it also deepens our commitment and willingness to confront our stuff and bring light into the dark corners. When in Aquarius the Moon will give us more of an objectivity and overview from a higher perspective and in Pisces we will have the potential to relax into the unknown and allow the divine spirit to guide us.

All in all this is an intense week and you might as well get ready for it by getting out your journal and start to do some brain storming about things that come to mind after having read this article today.

I hope you enjoyed this article. If you like to stay informed on the daily astrological events in the heavens you can sign up for my free weekly newsletter, the Astrological Signs Weather Report and pass this on to your friends. I discuss the actual astrological qualities of the moment and inspire you to use them wisely for a life full of success, joy and inner growth.

Enjoy the deepening journey into the center of yourself, aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author
1135 Makawao Ave. Suite 310
Makawao, Maui, Hawaii 96768
Phone: 808.878.8182

Shakti Carola Navran has written the book: Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul and  many articles about the healing properties of gemstones and their use in daily life for meditation, balance and meaningful jewelry making. She teaches you about true Birthstones which are based in astrology and their possible application for Soul Jewelry.

Beginning of this week I have written a post about the bigger picture and a more global use of astrology to explore the major changes in society we are facing. Today I want to give you the chance to read a newsletter of Bill Herbst I enjoyed about his astrological point of view for the next 10 years. He looks at the outer planets constellations with the T square I have been talking about as well as the Grand Square in relation to the chart of the US and compares the 1930s to 2010s and the Big Depression.

It is a little more technical then you are used to with my writing, but I think it gives a great overview. Consciousness is the key for change and alignment with what is happening. I believe strongly that this is what we all have signed up for. We incarnated to be part of a revolution of consciousness and we are in the middle of its unfolding. The much talked about raise in consciousness in the year 2012 is also just a part of the bigger picture. And my mission is to help you to deepen your understanding and find tools and ideas available for you to ease the transition into the new for you personally.

I am curious to hear back from you how you liked Bill’s article and what your thoughts are about those earth changes.

Enjoy and have fun, aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author
1135 Makawao Ave. Suite 310
Makawao, Maui, Hawaii 96768
Phone: 808.878.8182

Shakti Carola Navran has written the book: Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul and many articles about the healing properties of gemstones and their use in daily life for meditation, balance and meaningful jewelry making. She teaches you about true Birthstones which are based in astrology and their possible application for Soul Jewelry.

Living on Maui and being part of the Civilian Emergency Response Team on the island I had an exciting Saturday with the big tsunami threatening our islands. After all it wasn’t so bad, our harbor and airport which is the lifeline of our island and connection to the outer world with food and gas was spared of major destruction. Yeah…somebody has built the airport close to the water to make sure a bad tsunami really cuts us off.

It was an amazing and sobering feeling driving down the hill to my place of assembly to wait for orders of the Civil Defense Department. Even if I have been trained how to respond to emergency and disasters – a little- it seemed like those things always happen to others in China or Chile. I have never been touched by total destruction myself in this life. My adrenals were working over time and I was prayer that we would be spared by the worst, which we were - thank God.

It made me realize how interconnected we all are and we are all facing  challenging changes and forces beyond our control. And beside the celestial dance of the planets representing the ruling forces of the universe I am commenting on every week, I thought it was time to take a deeper look this week into the bigger picture of what the heck is going on. It is called the big T-square and it has been going on for quiet a while now.

There is much talk in the astrological community about the T- square between the planets of Saturn, Uranus and Pluto because of its deep and transforming impact we feel it already has for all of us.

The Saturn opposition to Uranus with 5 exact contacts

•    on 11/04/08 at 19 Virgo (Saturn) -Pisces (Uranus)
•    on 2/5/09 at 20 Virgo-Pisces
•    on 09/15/09 at 25 Virgo-Pisces
•    on 4/24/2010 at 29 Virgo-Pisces
•    on 7/26/2010 at 1 Libra-Aries

This will be intermingled with a square to Pluto who is in early Capricorn and in the process of squaring transiting Saturn three times.

•    The first square occurred on Nov. 15, 2009, at 1 Libra
•    The second was on Jan. 31, 2010, at 4 Libra.
•    The third is on Aug. 21, 2010 at 3 Libra.

There is a global impact of all this which shows as a major cultural turning point, challenge and start into an unraveling of structures in our society we all have dreaded since the financial markets meltdown started and the economy started to fall apart on us. It has become obvious that the manipulation of the economy for the advantage of a few has started an avalanche and revelation of dysfunction of our corporate world and politics. But it is also the environmental issues and earth changes we are not able to ignore anymore with El Niño, earthquakes, melting of the ice at the poles, changes in the magnetic field and weather pattern around the world.

This has a very personal impact on each one of us as an individual and we are called to action with adjustments in our personal lives. We are living in a time of tremendous potential of change for the better because the old is obviously not working and each one of us is called to be part of that transformation of the Phoenix out of Ashes.

Your personal power lies in your own choices and adaptation with circumstances and the answer to the question:

What Can You Do for Your Own Balance?

Wherever the early degrees of Libra and Capricorn fall in your chart and the connecting aspects to your planets you will feel personally challenged and called to grow into more clarity (Saturn) while building and re-negotiating your place in relation to others (Libra), allow rebirth (Pluto) of a new YOU with the dissolving of old beliefs and values (Uranus).

Consciousness is the key to keep your own balance and works as an antidote to fear and anxieties. You can find ways to focus on solutions instead of problems, you can use proper tools helping to raise your personal frequency and align with the highest potential of the astrological constellations.
There are many tools which are appropriate to help that inner process and I believe the use of Quartz Crystals and the Herkimer Diamond are especially beneficial for the current astrological trends.

Astrology Gives You an Advantage

In ancient times the planets were perceived as gods and goddesses which is a perspective I find very helpful. Planets are symbolizing the universal laws and principles that shape life in a wide variety of all its expressions. In your personal quest of finding forms and implementing those principles into your life you usually become more and more versatile, flexible and successful in finding more joyful ways of higher expressions of those principles.
For me astrology is an elegant way to become more conscious of myself in the magnificence of life in its ever changing cycles and rhythms.

Saturn: The Conservative Pragmatist

Capricorn is a feminine earth sign ruled by Saturn. Their home is the 10th House—Public Image, Career, & Destiny.

As you move through the zodiac you will notice that the qualities of the signs reflect a process of evolution from self-centered toward greater social consciousness and responsibility. Saturn is associated with social order (rules, laws), duty, concrete reality, and the material world.

Capricorns or people with a strong Saturn influence seek to be in visible positions of power and prestige in society. Their high degree of organization, discipline, ambition, and intelligence make them perfect as leaders of organizations of all types, in government, business, and the military. Their conservative values and black-and-white thinking can make them inflexible with respect to morality.

The Dark Side of Capricorn and Saturn

Because Capricorns are so driven, self-disciplined, and controlling, it is hard for them to relax into the benevolence of life, trusting the flow of life and its ultimate goodness. Due to the rule of Saturn, there is an element of contraction and fear that urges to be continually in action and in control. With Saturn it is important to take time out of your busy lives and allow time for relaxation, introspection, and inner peace. This is even more important with Saturn transits because they challenge our status quo and force us into introspection to gain clarity to enable us to take clear action and make enlightened choices.

Bringing Light into the Darkness

It is especially helpful to support yourself during Saturn transits with practicing some form of meditation, Tai Chi, or yoga to slow down your mental activity and anxiety. Meditation with gemstones, especially Crystal Quartz are appealing in their practical nature—it’s simply a matter of lying down and placing one or several stones on your body.

Healing Gemstones

Gemstones can by your allies for healing and balance because they represent the most balanced, light filled, highest vibrational representative of the planetary principles we have easy access to. They touch us through their beauty and perfection, their radiant colors, magically born in the womb of unimaginable heat and pressure within Mother Earth. They are ancient beings filled with consciousness of the Mineral Kingdom.

Crystal Quartz Is a Saturn Stone & Your Guide to Higher States of Consciousness [1]

Crystal Quartz is the perfect stone to bring consciousness and light into our lives, helping us to gain clarity, insight, and a higher perspective on life. It is an amazingly versatile stone and can be used as a container and enhancer for inner work with visualizations, affirmations, raise our frequency and inner connection to the divine.

Crystal Quartz is one of the true birthstones of Capricorn and the Herkimer Diamond of Libra. Quartz is one of the most common and well-known crystals in the world, found virtually everywhere on the planet.

Crystal Quartz: The Manifestation of Light

Crystal Quartz is the manifestation of light, clarity, concentration, and perfect crystallization, a metaphor for our own search for perfection. If you examine a single crystal you will see that as it grows it becomes more and more clearly developed and defined toward the tip. You can also see the six sides of the crystal, corresponding to the first six chakras in the body, with the tip of the crystal corresponding to the crown chakra. In this way Quartz is a perfect mirror for our own process of growth as we move from confused or unenlightened to a state of increasing awareness and clarity on our path to higher consciousness.

I have written three other articles about crystals and their amazing qualities:
1. Using Quartz Crystals and the Law of Attraction
2. Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Crystal Quartz and Its Practical Applications
3. The Herkimer Diamond – a Double Terminated Crystal

The Herkimer Diamond – Saturn, Uranus and Pluto

I have suggested the Herkimer Diamond before because it is one of the most amazing gemstones able to support our inner growth towards balance between the polarities because it is a double terminated crystal. I believe the Herkimer Diamond is a must have gemstone in these turbulent times because of its pacifying qualities for Saturn’s, Uranus’ and Pluto’s turbulent energies.

With the Herkimer we can find an easier way towards inner peace and balance in our own heart. He helps raising our frequency and consciousness finding the Middle Path. This stone is also keeping us safe from electro smog weakening our energy field in front of the computer, which we are all exposed to. Because it is made of crystal it is enhancing our consciousness with more clarity, focus, concentration and brings white light into our aura. It is a stone of true wonders and you can read more about it in other articles I have written.

As people we need to focus on what we want, more then onto what is wrong. What is wrong is just the starting point of where we want to go. Keep that vision as a guiding light in front of you. We are the creators of our own reality and that is where our power lives. Energy goes where your focus is. Keep that better world in your mind, heart and soul and align yourself with that the best way you can.

As you can tell, I am very passionate about the potential of healing gems and all the different applications of those enchanting allies to raise your frequency for more balance and joy.

I wish you an enchanted journey into the mysterious world of healing gemstones and looking at them in a new way! If you enjoyed this article and my perspective on things, you can sign up for my free weekly newsletter on my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog where I discuss the actual universal astrological forces and the special powers of gemstones and inspire you to use them wisely for a more successful and joyful life.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author
1135 Makawao Ave. Suite 310
Makawao, Maui, Hawaii 96768
Phone: 808.878.8182

[1]Shakti Carola Navran has written the book: Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul and  many articles about the healing properties of gemstones and their use in daily life for meditation, balance and meaningful jewelry making. She teaches you about true Birthstones which are based in astrology and their possible application for Soul Jewelry.

Last week additionally to the New Moon, we had four other planets in Pisces infusing the week with Neptunian spirit and an invitation for a deepening inner orientation and focus. I have discussed the general qualities of Pisces and the spiritual dimension of the 12th sign in the evolution of the zodiac. This week we still have the Sun, Venus, Jupiter and Uranus in Pisces as well as Neptune conjoining Mercury. You could say the stars are in perfect alignment for us now to tend to the healing dimension of Pisces as well as the spiritual dimension. The temple of your soul- your body needs attention!

Neptune rules Pisces and, with Jupiter, the 12th House (the Personal Connection with the Divine & the Invisible Realms). In the body Neptune rules the feet, pineal gland, thalamus, psychological neuroses, and unresolved illnesses.

Neptune

Neptune is the Roman god of the sea (Greek Poseidon), reflected in the deep blue color of the planet. This is not a very literal or concrete planet. It is associated with many non material, sometimes nebulous and transcendent principles: religion and spirituality, fantasy, imagination, creativity in art and music, idealism, compassion, love, higher states of consciousness and connectedness to the divine, mysticism, and psychic phenomena. And it is also representing poison, drugs, toxins, gases, addictions, and degenerative, the life force diminishing influences.

Individuals under the influence of Neptune may be drawn to careers and activities that afford withdrawal into the self, such as monks or nuns. Neptune at its best supports our striving toward inspiration, service and insight, but its negative influence is associated with addiction, weakness, illusions, and deception.

Highlights of the week:

• Mercury Neptune conjunction in Aquarius
• Sun joins Jupiter at 9 degrees Pisces
• Moon is in flexible Gemini, moves into emotional Cancer and then into analytical Virgo

Your Body is Your Temple: And it is High Time for Some House Cleaning

Last week after a month of delay in the postal system I finally got the book Detoxify or Die by Sherry Rogers, M.D. I had ordered, probably because it was just the right time for me. I read it twice in 5 days. Having accumulated many symptoms over the years starting with debilitating migraines and headaches on a regular base, arthritis in my hands, severe allergies, skin problems, Candida and other things I have tried on and off different approaches to detox and clean out my body. I have experimented with all kinds of healthy diets and cleansings which have not provided me with a break through experience of getting much better. I even did colonics for 10 days ending with a profound liver cleanse, okay I won’t get into that right now… (If you like to read a real fun description of a liver cleanse Arjuna Ardagh did a great article on his liver cleanse)

Let’s just say I am still motivated to find easy ways to get better and improve my health. Reading the book Detoxify or Die has been very inspiring and got me into action. I often have been very frustrated in the past with reading health books because just realizing the extent of our environmental pollution and toxic exposure through air, water, food made me feel very helpless and angry. And the offered solutions seemed to be very expensive, hard to do and often made me go through major activations of my symptoms. I often ended up in that place of overwhelm and frustration; I knew I should detox more in depth but felt unable to follow through with the offered solutions. Have you ever been there?

When I read this book many bits and pieces of information I already had were falling into place for me.

The Far Infrared Sauna Offers Hope

This is not just another book about how bad our toxicity level is because of our life style and toxic exposure we cannot avoid, it actually gives a pretty simple way to detox and clean out the temple for our divine soul. The message is to use the new technology of the Far Infrared Sauna and sweat it all out. (You want to read the book because you need to replenish your minerals and nurse the process along with supplement.) It is a long term approach for deep detox without overloading the detox organs like liver, kidneys, lymphatic system and blood and reactivating drug symptoms or stimulating healing crisis. It elevates your mood (raising your endorphins) and makes you feel very relaxed and so clean… I love it!

What Makes the Infrared Sauna Different?

Infrared Sauna contains the lowest end of spectrum of wavelength with the longest and most healing rays. This sauna works on a significantly lower temperature then normal sauna, between 100-150 F compared to dry or Finnish Sauna at 160-200 F. It induces 2-3 times the sweat volume then the regular sauna. It slips in through the backdoor and pulls chemicals out of subcutaneous fat layers under the skin. It lowers lactic acid, kills bacteria and parasites, penetrates tissues, reduces swelling, improves lymphatic flow, attracts calcium to cell membranes, detoxifies by vibrating ionic bonds and reduces the size of water clusters by creating a resonance dance between water and chemical molecules; it facilitates water in moving stored toxins out of the cell and into the sweat.

In research done at the Mayo clinic it has improved the cardiac status of people who were at the end of their therapeutic ropes. People who have not been able to even tolerate a hot bath were able to slowly detox with this sauna. As you know I am not a doctor but I thought this information is worth to be shared and looked into.

I am on the sauna program for 4 weeks now, since I heard from a friend about the book. I am doing it 3 times a week and my arthritis feels much better. Otherwise I cannot say much yet beside it really feels good and right to do it. I will give you report later on and would love to hear about your experiences as well.

I just thought how very fitting this is to all the Pisces activities this month.

Mercury Conjunction Neptune in Aquarius on Saturday 27

In Aquarius we have the availability of new technology, with Neptune we have the theme of unresolved drugs, illnesses and toxicity and with Mercury we put our mind in gear and in line with our deepest intuition and inner guidance reflected in the outside world. I think it is a no brainer to see the connection between toxicity and the inability of an overloaded body to function for optimum wellness.  The real question is: what can you do about it?  The answer is: BE SMART!

You cannot leave your health in the hands and responsibility of doctors and the medical system which leans towards putting more drugs into your system, with more overload and many side effects. I don’t even want to get into the financial interest of the pharmaceutical industry, their greed and power plays. But it is obvious that you have to be wise, educate yourself and take action steps accordingly.

Wellness and health is a journey in progress, you have to constantly adjust your thinking, your emotions, learn new ways and fine tune appropriate steps of action for yourself. Meditation, relaxation, wholesome food and the right exercise program for you have to be custom tailored for you and your needs. And you are the only person who can really do that!

Sun Joins Jupiter at 9 degrees Pisces

When we have the Sun Jupiter conjunction on Sunday 28 we will feel the enthusiasm and positive outlook we will need to step up to the plate. Jupiter is well known for his overview and way to put things into a higher perspective. He represents the principle of expansion and growth and you can use this for your health. Get started! Take a first step, read the book, make yourself smart and think about your own personal wellness program you want to implement this month. If you have real health issues you want to talk to a doctor or health practitioner and get additional support from an expert with this.

Make Your Health Your Priority!

The Moon’s positions this week work very well for this. Gemini loves to read and get informed. Cancer likes to eat well and turns more inwards then usual. And Virgos are health oriented and pay close attention to the details of it.

I suggest you take some time for yourself with your journal and do some thinking and decide on some new goals. Ask yourself some questions like:

•    Are you happy with your state of health?
•    Do you feel fresh and energized when you wake up in the morning?
•    Do you have any symptoms of pain?
•    Is your thinking clear and your memory sharp?
•    Do you exercise?
•    How is your digestion?
•    Does your body smell? Do you need to use deodorant?
•    How much processed food is in your diet? Sodas, Cokes…
•    Do you eat fresh unprocessed food like salads and fruits on a regular      base?
•    Do you drink 2 quarts of water a day?
•    Do you do a yearly cleanse to pamper your body and help him to recharge?
•    And many more…

Don’t get frustrated! Use the answers to these questions to motivate yourself and decide right now what you want to do. Decide on 3 action steps you will do this week. The state of your health is something you have the power to improve and change in your life. I personally love the sauna detox process because it makes me feel good. I found a spa close by with a Far Infrared Sauna and I spend quality time with my girlfriends hanging out together sweating.

Or as Abraham-Hicks puts it: “There is no state of physical decline or damage that you could not recover from–none–not any, if you knew it… If you wanted it and knew that you could. And that’s those miracles that they talk about every day. They’re not miracles at all, they are the natural order of things. But because they are rare, people think they are miraculous. They’re not. That’s the way it is supposed to be. You’re supposed to thrive.”

I hope you enjoyed this article. If you like to stay informed on the daily astrological events in the heavens you can sign up for my free weekly newsletter, the Astrological Signs Weather Report and pass this on to your friends. I discuss the actual astrological qualities of the moment and inspire you to use them wisely for a life full of success, joy and inner growth.

Enjoy and have fun, aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author
1135 Makawao Ave. Suite 310
Makawao, Maui, Hawaii 96768
Phone: 808.878.8182

Shakti Carola Navran has written the book: Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul and  many articles about the healing properties of gemstones and their use in daily life for meditation, balance and meaningful jewelry making. She teaches you about true Birthstones which are based in astrology and their possible application for Soul Jewelry.

This week we have 4 planets in the sign of Pisces, the last step in the evolution of the zodiac, inviting us to relax, retreat and rekindle our connection with the divine spirit and what is truly important for us. Pisces is the sign of contemplation, meditation and transcendence. You could say it is all about the invisible dimensions behind the physical appearances of the world.

I don’t know about you but I feel often quiet overwhelmed, my life has speed up tremendously with all the demands I feel, as well as all the ideas and projects I love to get to. I always feel like I am behind and am reminding myself constantly to enjoy the journey and that things will never get done. I remember a documentary I have seen about aging and that the brain’s perception of time really changes with growing older. That makes total sense to me. Imagine the duration of an hour for a baby must seem like eternity and I remember being a teenager I could not wait to get older and it took forever. Now it seems like time is flying by with lightening speed.

I strongly believe we need the qualities of Pisces to tune into timelessness and eternal qualities of our soul to stay sane.

Each month with the Moon moving through Pisces you get an invitation for a mini vacation from spirit to get your priorities straight and realign with your true needs and soul purpose. With the Sun transiting through Pisces for a month each year you are given more time to regroup and fine tune your spiritual aspirations. If you like to partake in a meditation or healing retreat this would be the best and most powerful time of the year to do so.

I like to invite you into a contemplative posture and ask yourself some questions right now! What you can do to add that inner divine connection on a regular base to your life. Do you spend time with yourself allowing that busy mind to unravel and quiet down? Do you have a meditation practice? Do you just sit and smell the roses? Do you allow down time without filling your mind with reading, computer, TV or conversations? I have written an article about Neptune and the Art of Meditation if you like to get more inspired.

As you might know I love to use the specific healing properties of gemstones for meditation and jewelry purposes. Gemstones are such beautiful allies to harmonize your body, mind and soul. Allow yourself some time to play around with Amethyst who comes in so many beautiful forms as crystals, wands, clusters, faceted and cut stones. Amethyst has been called a spiritual vacuum cleaner because of his personality and his mediating qualities.

This week’s highlights are

• The Sun Floats into Peaceful Pisces (February 19–March 20)
• Loving Venus Joins with Extravagant Jupiter in Pisces
• Moon in Pisces, Aries, Taurus and Gemini

Pisces: The Sign of Fantasy and Creativity

Pisces is a feminine water sign ruled by Neptune. It rules the 12th House—the Personal Connection with the Divine & the Invisible Realms. Pisces is the last month in the astrological year, and in this sign we see some of the best qualities of all the other signs, representing an accumulation of learning.

Pisces are gentle and have sensitive souls, well developed both spiritually and in their relationships. They care much more about matters of the mind, heart, and spirit than about practical or material things. They enjoy a rich fantasy and dream life, which may be expressed through creativity in all of the arts. Pisces are idealists rather than realists.

Connections to the Universe

Pisces do not see themselves first and foremost as individuals, but as connected to others and to the universe. They would rather experience this connection than protect their own ego. This spiritual sense of connection guides all that they do, from their relationships to their choice of career and their spiritual expression. They seek to elevate their consciousness beyond the confines of the material world. They are highly intuitive people. Their exquisite sensitivity to the world around them can even rise to the level of psychic abilities.

Relationships

Pisces’ gentle side leads them to be very sensitive, loving, and trusting. They seek harmony in their relationships and will do whatever they can to avoid conflict—winning a fight is not meaningful to Pisces. They approach everyone in a friendly manner that draws many allies to them, but they are intimate only with a small group of friends and family. They are romantic, need to be with a partner, and commit themselves for the long term.

Compassion is a trait that stands out in Pisces. They are born care takers. Pisces people very often chose careers that allow them to give to others, or engage in volunteer work. They are very aware of the needs of others and devote themselves to helping others wherever they see the opportunity, even to the point of self-sacrifice.

Challenges

As a water sign, Pisces people have a preference to lead “fluid” lives, going with the flow rather than pursuing a specific life plan. They are more fantasy bound than reality bound. One of their biggest challenges is to carve out a successful life that takes reality into account. They also need to seek more balance in their relationships by placing their own needs on par with the needs of others. Being very sensitive, they need to take care to protect themselves from other people’s negative emotions and manipulation. They are gullible and easily taken in by ruses.

Career

Pisces are drawn to the helping professions—medicine, psychology, social service, teaching—and to spiritual work. In their choice of profession and their commitment to their work, they are led more by their deep personal values than by ambition. Water is also a common theme in Pisces careers—fisherman, marine biologist.

How Gemstones Can Enhance Your Pisces Experience

Gemstones are the perfect way for Pisces people to focus and balance their energy in order to be successful in their endeavors and to maintain mental and physical equilibrium.

Gemstones have both physical and metaphysical qualities that can enhance all aspects of your well-being. The perfectly aligned crystal structure of gemstones creates an energy field that interacts with our own when you hold it or wear it on your body. In this way, the gemstone can be used to calm you, bring you mental clarity, increase your energy, enhance your creativity, and much more.

Astrology and Gemstones

Astrological principles manifest at all levels of creation, from the largest bodies in the cosmos to the tiniest particles of atoms—all are part of the same network of universal energy. Based on the hermetic principle “As above, so below,” those universal principles allow us to read relations among the planets and extrapolate those principles to things here on Earth, to events in our lives, as well as to our natural environment. The universal principles that govern the planets are also seen on the much smaller level of gemstones, crystals, and metals.

The Signature of Gemstones

Each gemstone is associated with specific planets. You are already aware that each planet has its own personality in astrology. And each gemstone has a personal “signature”—specific metaphysical qualities, different for each stone, that arise from the stone’s association with its planets.

How to Make Gemstones Work for You

By considering the individual signature of gemstones, you can select the right gems for very specific purposes, according to their astrological qualities.

Gemstones can be used in three different ways:
1. They are precious objects of beauty that may hold a special meaning for us. We enjoy their beauty by giving them a special place on a shelf, desk, or altar.
2. They can be used in meditation by tuning into their frequency for the purpose of balancing our energy field.
3. They can be made into jewelry pieces for our pleasure, enhancing our individual expression of beauty and sense of empowerment.

You can learn more about the metaphysical properties of gemstones through my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery. In my book I teach you how to find your true birthstones based on your horoscope.

Amethyst: A Pisces Stone to Connect Us to the Divine

“Amethyst is one of the true birthstones of Pisces. It is a very common six-sided, pale- to dark-violet-colored crystal of the quartz family. It originates most commonly in Brasilia, Uruguay, and Madagascar. The quality and depth of color of the stone vary widely. The most desirable and clearest material will be cut as facetted (cut along flat faces) or cabochon (dome shaped, polished) stones.

Amethyst is an excellent stone to begin with to introduce yourself to the subtle energies of crystals. It comes in huge clusters large enough to contain your hand. In fact at gem shows I have seen bathtub-shaped pieces that were large enough to lie in! When you put your hand into one of these clusters, you feel a pulsating sensation similar to an ultrasound device. I used to have a huge sample of Amethyst in my studio in Germany that I used to provide my clients with an immediate experience of crystal energy.

Large amethyst clusters function as a sort of “spiritual vacuum cleaner,” cleansing rooms with a lot of traffic passing through. They are also perfect for cleaning other stones or jewelry by simply laying them in the cluster.

In olden times Amethyst was known as an amulet against black magic and homesickness, and as a bringer of good fortune. I see Amethyst as Merlin, the old sorcerer who looks harmless enough but in fact wields great power. In the myth he was the spiritual teacher and magician of King Arthur.

Amethyst can become our individual teacher as well. This gem’s greatest gift is its ability to open us up to higher realms of reality, higher states of consciousness. It enhances meditation, connects us with our higher self and the supreme reality.

The meaning of the Greek name for Amethyst is “not drunken” and it is considered to aid sobriety When we access higher planes of consciousness, where we feel ourselves held, comforted, and nourished, our longing for the anesthetizing effects of substances such as alcohol and drugs slowly dissipates as we become open to a more enjoyable and beautiful experience.

When there is a strong influence of Neptune in our chart, there is an ever present yearning for a higher realm of consciousness, a longing for God, a search for something more than our daily reality. People who fall under this astrological configuration are often tempted to take a shortcut to that plane by using chemical substances to escape reality. But their efforts fail in the long run because they are disappointed by the false world of chemical highs.

By uplifting our consciousness, Amethyst becomes the messenger who reminds us of our eternal connection with God. It is the bringer of bliss and understanding, of expansion to our being. It helps to clear the mind and to transform our limiting beliefs about who we are. It is our guardian and ally who accompanies us on our visionary quest to find greater truth and meaning in life.”

I wish you a very enchanted journey into the mysterious world of healing gemstones and looking at them in a new way! Have fun! If you enjoyed this article and my perspective on things, and if you like to stay informed on the astrological events in the heavens you can sign up for my free weekly newsletter, the Astrological Signs Weather Report where I discuss the actual astrological qualities of the moment and inspire you to use them wisely for a life full of success, joy and inner growth.

Have a wonderful inspired week, aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author
1135 Makawao Ave.Suite 310
Makawao,Maui, Hawaii 96768
Phone: 808.878.8182

We have some very special days coming up with a New Moon, the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Tiger starting, as well as St. Valentine’s Day ~celebrating love and connection.

In Western Astrology this week is all about the energies of Aquarius with five Planets in this innovative sign. If you remember the song from the musical Hair: “This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius”, you know that Aquarians are such original thinkers, revolutionaries and nonconformists that they reshape the world for the better. They are not interested in how things have always been, but in a world of freedom and equality for all. They always have their eye on the future, not on the past. The cultural revolution of the 1960s and 70s epitomized the Aquarian need to rebel against the established order and bring forth a new vision. I loved that musical as a child! It was somehow mysterious and uplifting, that was all I was caring about.

Aquarius is the elevens sign in the unfolding of the zodiac. It is thought of as masculine and representing the element air even if it is depicted as woman carrying water. That might seem weird at first glance. But Water is associated with nurturing, and Aquarians are fundamentally nurturing humanitarians, with a deep interest in and genuine concern for other people. They readily volunteer their time to service organizations of humanitarian interests because they truly care.

Get ready for a new orientation within your mind (Mercury), some impatience (Moon), and new ideas about who you could be in your highest potential (Sun), open for new healing technology or a new angle for your personal well being or healing (Chiron) and deepen your feelings of oneness and connection with life and others (Neptune). This is a handful to digest and obviously this will last longer then a week, just consider it as a kick off into a longer period of encountering the Aquarian Spirit inside of you. You can take advantage by aligning yourself consciously with this flow and find that rebel inside of you. Think about where your life has gone stagnant and needs some shaking up…These are the specific constellations for this week:

• Mercury sails into Aquarius with a quincunx to Jupiter
• Mercury opposition Mars
• Venus enters into Pisces
• New Moon in Aquarius
• Sun, Chiron and Neptune conjunction in Aquarius
• Moon in Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius
Uranus Rules Aquarius

Uranus rules Aquarius and, with Saturn, the 11th House (Friends & Vision) and enacts the Aquarian values and qualities in his outrageous, unrestrained ways. In the body Uranus rules the nervous system, mental disorders, and pituitary gland.

While of course order and balance are important in the world, the other side of that coin, change and evolution into greater love, freedom, and well-being for all, is just as important. Human society could not evolve and expand unless there are individuals who challenge the established order. We need them! Uranus is a progressive humanitarian and visionary who has no special respect for authority whatsoever; he exerts his will over authority in his idealistic quest for freedom, justice, and opportunity for weaker members of society.

Uranus is the opposite of Brother Saturn: where Saturn is concerned with limitations, Uranus rules our expansive, creative intelligence, calling us to inspired thought and action, and to uniqueness rather than conformity. Those qualities derive from our connection with the universal intelligence. Change is a keyword for Uranus, always change for the better, and the faster the better, toward an expanded life and the higher realms of consciousness. The Uranus principles describe our greatest leaders and role models.

As you can see, Uranus and Saturn make a strong couple and somehow belong together in their seemingly opposing roles.

The Big T-Square

It sounds a like the Big Bang and some people expect it to act a little like that. We are in the middle of some serious shaking up of the old which will continue throughout this year.

And of course our friend Uranus as well as Saturn is involved in the so called T-square which is much talked about in the astrological community because of its wide reaching implications for our present time of change. The opposition of Saturn with Uranus is happening five times between November 08 and July 2010 and is activated by a square with Pluto into the T-square 3 times between November 2009 and August 2010.

There is a global impact of all this which shows as a major cultural turning point, challenge and start into an unraveling of structures in our society we all have dreaded since the financial markets meltdown started and the economy started to fall apart on us. But there is also a very personal impact each one of us is facing as an individual and we are called to action with adjustments in our personal lives and this week is a good week to get more in alignment with it.

Mercury Sails into Aquarius with a Quincunx to Jupiter

Uranus and Aquarius are representing a very strong intellect, and intellect combined with ingenuity makes for great discoveries in the sciences and the most impressive artistic creations. But with Mercury settling into the very intellectual and detached sign of Aquarius we could end up with “turning into brilliant but cold blooded Mr. Spook” as astrologer Jeff Jawer put it. If it wouldn’t be for Jupiter’s optimism and the loving Venus making her new home in Pisces, we might get lost in the righteousness of the overall revolution and kill off our own children and bright future as it happened in the French Revolution which was ending in a big blood shed of everybody killing everybody.

Uranus is not for sissies and can get easily carried away thinking the end justifies the means.

Mercury in Aquarius in Opposition to Mars in Leo

The Mercury Mars opposition can fuel the impatience of the New Moon and make us more easily frustrated, irritated or angry then usual. But their connection also carries the potential of immediate action and implementation of new ideas. The solution can be found where Aquarius and Leo meet in the balance of the ego need for self gratification, applause and admiration of Leo with the integration of considering others, the bigger group, family, or society of Aquarius.

Venus Enters into Pisces

Venus, the goddess of love is exalted in Pisces which means she feels quiet at home in the all encompassing, transcending sign of Pisces. Loving Venus smoothes the raw edges of the week with all the impatient Aquarian energy and helps us to keep an inner contact with what life really is about, our inner connection with all that is, life in all its forms. Venus in Pisces points us towards our vision and dreams of oneness and true love and that is the first necessary step to ever get there. I love this quote by Abraham-Hicks: “Sometimes people say, ‘Well, Abraham, shouldn’t I face reality?’ We say, no, you never do that! Never face reality unless it is perfect in every way.”

This is for sure different then what I have been brought up with. But think about it. Nothing ever has been created without the idea or vision first. Every house had a blueprint and architectural plan first before it was built. How can you expect to ever live a fuller, more satisfying life in any way if you don’t allow yourself to dream about it first and then take action steps towards it? The trick with the manifestation business is to keep your attention on the vision and not get hung up on the missing of the manifestation which has not happened yet. Be patient in the constant flow of unfolding and endless creation process you will never be done with. You might as well enjoy the journey and keep your eyes on the prize. And use any excuse to be happy and feel joy along the way.

New Moon in Aquarius

The New Moon each month is traditionally a magical time when the old ends and the new is ready to emerge. It is a time to go inside and take a look back at your month and how it has been for you and from your realization to envision your next month cycle. I think of the New Moon space a little like the New Year resolutions. The New Moon is on Saturday and you might be able to make the time to sit with your journal and do your inner work. Write down your wishes and where you want to go, have or achieve this coming month. Be specific.

When I do vision work I use a crystal to store my visions into and keep it on my altar or I meditate with the stone. It works as an anchor, multiplies and strengthens the energy of my visions and keeps me more focused and grounded with it. If you like to read up on exactly how to use crystal quartz for manifesting your dreams I have written a whole article you can find on my website about that.

The New Moon in Aquarius might make us more impatient then usual. My natal Moon is in Aquarius so I will be especially in tune with this New Moon. I am planning accordingly and will have time with my girl friends doing some fun stuff together. We will go dancing and then have a spa day with infra red sauna, steam and hot tub, just the thing to do with your heart sisters.

Cleansing and preparing yourself physically as well as emotionally and psychically honors the spirit of the New Moon.

Sun, Chiron and Neptune Conjunction in Aquarius

This conjunction widens our horizon again to include others into our considerations, feeling part of something bigger then our own little individuality and ego. We can find satisfaction and fulfillment in being a useful and contributing member of the circle of friends we move in, the people we work with, or society. We can heal the estrangement and anxieties we might have with groups and learn to relate to our community in a new way.

I am looking forward to hear how you spend your New Moon and Valentine’s Day. If you like to stay informed on the daily astrological events in the heavens you can sign up for my free weekly newsletter, the Astrological Signs Weather Report. I discuss the actual astrological qualities of the moment and inspire you to use them wisely for a life full of success, joy and inner growth.

I hope you enjoyed the article, have a wonderful inspired week, aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

If you would like to find out more about the metaphysical properties of gemstones and how to use them as uplifting tools, please see my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul. To read more of my astrological ramblings come and see my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog where I discuss the actual universal, astrological forces and inspire you to use them wisely for a successful and joyful life.

I watched an interview with a Wynonna Judd last night and she was talking about how the gift of her singing and her music has always been pulling her through hard times in her life because it nourished her. That got me thinking…How is that for me? What is my gift and what do I enjoy doing most?

I have Venus in my first house and this lady has always been one of the strongest guiding forces in my life. I have been a jeweler for over 30 years (creating beauty) as well as an astrologer (with an eye for potential and fulfilling joy) and a teacher and coach with many healing modalities like gemstones, colors, NLP, breath work, oneness blessings and meditation. I could say my gift is my eye for beauty and a passion for love.

What is Your Gift?

What are you good at? Are you a good listener? Do you like to create beauty and order around you?  Are you compassionate and loving? Are you good with numbers? Or do you have a clear and practical mind? It seems like that what you are good at gives you joy and satisfaction and therefore the eternal quest to find out who you are is essentially a quest for more joy and happiness in your life.

For some people it seems so easy to establish what their gift is if they are musicians, sport players, actors or if they have found some kind of recognition, success and fame with their inner calling. Then it is obvious. But how about us “normal people”? If you would know about your special gifts would you feel more certain and inspired to pursue your dreams and hopes through hardship and challenges?

I believe that would be the case and astrology might play a supporting role to find out more about yourself and changing your hope into some form of expectation how well things will have to turn out for you. I assume you have found your way to this article about astrology because you are interested in who you are and how you can align yourself with the cosmic universal forces for some kind of personal gain. It could be for more understanding of yourself and your place in this mysterious universe or you think you might be able to read the future and be better prepared for it.

Your Horoscope is Your Guide

Your personal horoscope is a map of your potential gifts, qualities and shows the direction your journey in this life will take. You can use it to trust your own abilities and keep believing in yourself in hard times. You can also use it to motivate yourself and expect only the highest manifestation of the astrological principles in your life and then allow the law of attraction to bring it to you.

You could compare your chart to a seed of an apple tree. The potential of the apple tree is already there; all the information which is needed for the seed to grow into a big apple tree is in the seed. But for the seed to grow into a healthy big tree it needs more then that. It needs a fertile ground, enough water, the right amount of sun and shade and ample nutrients.

It is the same for us. We are born with a specific blueprint and potential of qualities which we might manifest or not throughout our life. We might not have had the proper and ideal conditions growing up to tap easily into our full potential. But as an adult we can consciously choose the right nutrition and support we need to grow and unfold into our highest potential and find the gifts in there. We can grow into the most beautiful big apple tree when we become our own gardeners.

And the gifts and qualities you have might unfold in different ways and take different forms at different times in your life. Consciousness is the key to unlock your highest potential and guide your steps towards the joyous experience of living your best life. So go and get a reading with somebody you trust and give yourself that gift of expanding your self image and support consciously your inner growth process. Even if you already had an astrological reading you might get another one from a different astrologer and a different view point. Use the reading as a mirror of where you are in your process of unfolding and as support for that. If you like my approach to astrology I do readings on Skype which is a lot of fun and a way to visit me here on Maui for a short time. Or go and find somebody else you trust to help you with the ancient wisdom provided by astrology.

The Time Quality of the Moment of Now

And then we can use the astrology of the current moment to bring awareness of the time quality and its infusion of specific energy into our personal situation.

This week’s astrological highlights are:
•    Saturn square Pluto
•    Jupiter sextile to Pluto
•    Venus conjunction with Neptune and Chiron
•    Moon in Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius

Saturn Square Pluto

I discussed this constellation last week because it was exact on January 31 and we will be talking about it for some time because this is the second conjunction of these powerful players. The first one was in November 15 last year and the third and final meeting will be August 21, 2010.
This conjunction is of high significance because both of the most feared and unloved astrological principles are involved with each other in a hard aspect. We experience the structures (Saturn) dissolving (Pluto) around us and most of the time that is painful and scary. It plays out in our society, government, economy and corporate world.

Even if we know that in the bigger picture it is good to renew and regenerate out of the old it is not a process we usually enjoy. The earth quake in Haiti is another manifestation of structures and form dissolving and crumbling and the people involved certainly didn’t enjoy that one.

Jupiter Sextile to Pluto

The Jupiter sextile with Pluto on February 6 is bringing new hope and insights about how we can turn loss into gain and give some meaning to the pain. We are invited to broaden our perspective with wise Jupiter in compassionate Pisces. And we can decide how we want to help others to lighten their burden. I think the willingness of people to help the victims in Haiti has been amazing and is an expression of this higher perspective and the inner knowing of connectedness of all life.

Venus Conjunction with Neptune and Chiron

Sweet Venusian love is inspired with this Neptune and Chiron connection. It is not just reserved for the significant other; it evolves out of that human oneness of spirit and all life. Feeling love is what we are all after and we can use any imaginable excuse to feel that expanded state of being. If you feel love when you sit with your cat on your lap or walk your dog that is wonderful. You can feel love making love with your partner, visiting your family for a weekend or having your girlfriends over for a clothe swap event; it does not really matter how you get there.

The healer Chiron is bringing soothing and healing energies to your heart and its wounds. Self love and compassion is a crucial ingredient to be able to let that love flow and come into other manifestations in your life. Be selfish this week and be in love!

Moon in Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius

The Moon is our emotional filter and orientation in the world. We are in the waning quarter of the Moon turning us energetically inwards. With the Moon in Virgo we can filter out the most important pieces for our well being and put things in perspective. With the Moon in Libra but in conjunction with Pluto we might feel challenged and knocked off balance in the middle of the week. The Scorpion Moon goes right ahead with psychological acuity and may help to uncover hidden secrets or overlooked aspects. The last quarter square between the abstract Sun in Aquarius and the deeply emotional Moon in Scorpio will underscore the tense relationship between the real and the ideal vision we are striving for.
And then the Sagittarian Moon will lift us up into a wider perspective and help to put our worries behind us and focus ahead with optimism.

I hope you enjoyed this week’s musings and this little journey into the mysteries of the universe. If you like to stay informed on the daily astrological events in the heavens you can sign up for my free weekly newsletter, the Astrological Signs Weather Report. I discuss the actual astrological qualities of the moment and inspire you to use them wisely for a life full of success, joy and inner growth.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author
Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul. My book will teach you about astrology and how to read the blueprint of your own chart. If you know where your challenges are, you can then take steps to support and balance yourself with your 12 personal healing gemstones. Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas about Soul Jewelry— how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul.

I believe our relationships and the experience of love and connection are the most relevant in our lives right beside food and shelter. Babies will die if they are not touched and loved, no matter how much food you offer them. In the history of humankind we have lived most of the time in tribal or extended family situations. The single life style we know nowadays seems to be so normal to us but is not fulfilling for our soul and deeper layers of our human nature.

A whole industry around love and romance has evolved to nourish that part in us but often leaves us empty and with an unrealistic expectation that if we only find the ONE we will be happy and fulfilled. All our longing for connection and love is projected onto that ideal of the perfect lover. And we all know how well that works out most of the time.

Maybe we need more then the ONE. Maybe we need a network of close friends, family, room mates and other tribal like connections for a healthy spirit. The question is how well do you take care for yourself and make an effort for that connectedness and feeling of oneness? I would love to hear your thoughts about this.

The Inner Man and Inner Woman in Astrology
And we do carry an inner image of an inner man and inner woman inside of us with very specific needs and desires. You can determine through the position of Moon and Venus for the feminine, and Sun and Mars for the masculine and their position in your horoscope what it is your soul needs. Our first relation with father and mother is represented by Sun and Moon and obviously is the most important and revealing patterning and conditioning we will ever have. In a way all later relationships will be somehow in reaction to that first experience.

It is not necessarily true that as a woman we marry our father or the other way round. For example I married a man who is presenting me with many structures which are familiar to me through my mother. An astrological reading can give you deep insight into your inner dynamics around love and relating and that higher awareness will make your friendships and love relationships more fulfilling for you. Most people I have met in my life have some painful or even traumatizing experiences in their childhood and in our maturation process throughout our lives we all have to deal with that to achieve lasting joy and happiness.

As humans we are on a spiritual journey of raising our awareness to higher levels of consciousness and to do that we use what ever history and conditioning we got in the best way possible. Or as my spiritual therapist once said to me: You don’t like your problems? Would you like to have a different set? It just cracked me up. I convulsed into laughter.

In Neuro Linguistic Programming we say that everybody always acts on their best choice available. So if those available choices suck we need to raise our consciousness to find a different perspective and therefore different choices. A problem is never solved on the level of the problem. It is always from a Meta level, that higher perspective we need to find so solutions can arise. Astrology is a fantastic way for you to gain that higher perspective and therefore better choices. And a personal astrological reading can open unimagined doors for you.

This weeks highlights with a Full Moon in playful Leo and the Venus Mars opposition it is an invitation to take care for your inner child and its needs as well as more awareness for your relationship dance.

• Full Moon in Leo
• Venus Opposition Mars
• Sun Opposition Mars
• Saturn Square Pluto

Full Moon in Leo on Friday & Sun Opposition Mars
A Full Moon is always a Sun opposition Moon and this month it is happening in proximity of the Mars opposition. The Sun is shedding light onto our emotions and life force drive, our assertive nature. Leo is a fire sign where it is all about the self expression, creativity, self image, joy, play and romance. The opposing sign of Aquarius brings the qualities of the well being of the collective, the supporting qualities of friendships and connection with like minded souls to the table. The contrast between passionate intimacy and independence as well as individual desires and the collective good wants to be examined.

The sign of Leo and Aquarius both have a strong sense of individuality, need for independence and freedom in common. Both can take care for others from that place of inner strength in a higher expression of their qualities. Leo can be the gifted leader who takes charge and guides. Aquarius known as the rebel directs towards the higher vision of a society based on equality and freedom. Both signs can be very involved beyond their own ego gratification.

The Full Moon in Leo also invites the inner child to come and play more. The closeness of Mars fuels passionate emotions and desires which brings us to Venus and Mars the eternal lovers.

Venus Opposition Mars
Venus the goddess of love and harmony, Mars the warrior and lover are in the opposing signs of Aquarius and Leo as well. The opposition in astrology is a hard aspect which carries the most exposure of the differences of the involved signs. I like to see oppositions in Synastry charts because they carry the potential of integration and acceptance of the otherness. Oppositions are exposing the problem and challenge us into finding the connecting point of oneness in the middle. Both signs have something valuable to offer in finding that place of balance in the middle.

Saturn Square Pluto
This constellation will be with us throughout the year and is the culprit for all the economical upheaval and restructuring we are facing.

Whenever Pluto is part of an astrological constellation we are confronted with a powerful, potent, extremely forceful and transforming influence. Pluto known as the God of the underworld is a very mighty God who forces us into change and deep processes of transformation. Whenever there is a connection with this culprit of death, unrest and alteration we are forced to deepen our self awareness. Unresolved issues of desire and control are exposed and without our attention could trigger strong reactions and backlash onto us.
Pluto in Capricorn is questioning the validity of hierarchy and governments and judges on the ground of what works for the majority of people. Societal Structures that won’t work for the highest good of all will not survive Pluto’s transit through Capricorn.

The movie AVATAR is showing the relentless violence of corporate greed and the extent it is willing to go and extinguish other cultures and lives for profit. The movie shows that it only takes a few who change their state of consciousness to make a difference. We all can make that difference. I loved that movie!

The exposure of the worst manipulations in power structures of all kinds, in politics, concerning our government, corporate America and the stock market; we will see more of that. This is a time of exposure of the worst and with that there is the chance to acknowledge our deficiencies, to truly change and start anew. We are living in exciting times.

In times like these it is important to keep our own balance and as an antidote to fear and anxieties we can center in our compassion and sense of oneness. When we rise in consciousness and approach life from an awareness of what we have to offer and contribute to others around us, we can make a significant difference. When we come from a place of an open and flowering heart we will feel full and abundant. If we approach life from that abundance the law of attraction will bring more of the same to us.

And you can use gemstones like Rose Quartz, Rubellite or Ruby for the heart to recover from emotional trauma and support your personal inner journey towards healing.

Rubellite Has the Frequency of Mars, Venus, Sun, and Neptune
“The Rubellite, the pink Tourmaline, represents a lover of mankind, one who loves unconditionally and teaches us self-love. Self-love is often difficult to achieve. We know our weaknesses and dark side all too well and thus we are often most unforgiving and hard on ourselves. Beginning in childhood we learn to reject and negate a large part of our nature, especially our need for love and acceptance within the family. We resign ourselves to making do without those deep needs and we give up vital parts of ourselves.

The Rubellite heals and strengthens us, helping us to recover those lost aspects of our nature. With its help we learn to love ourselves as we are, in our individuality and beauty.  Rubellite helps us to grow and nourish our own needs. As adults we have the ability to care for ourselves in ways we were not able to do in childhood. We can express our wishes and needs in alignment with our whole being. From that place of self-love and alignment we want to share and give to the world. The Rubellite opens us up to the abundant love that flows through us in all that we do. Our heart is open to joy and exaltation.

Venus and Mars rule the Rubellite in all their different facets. Venus is the goddess of love, harmony, and beauty. She is the muse to artists in all their endeavors. Mars is the pioneer, the warrior who is called to action. Together they help our creativity to be manifested on the earthly plane. They give us the courage and self-esteem to dare to be creative.

Venus and Mars are also eternal lovers. They help us through difficult times in our relationships. They remind us that the bond of love endures beyond all the difficulties that inevitably surface when two personalities merge. It is through our relationship with our intimate partner that we are challenged to grow and examine our behavior and our beliefs. With the solid foundation of love and friendship with our partner, we have the potential to rise out of difficult times like the Phoenix arising from the ashes.” (Taken from my book Jewelry & Gems for Self Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul)

I hope you enjoyed this little journey into the mysteries of the universe. If you like to stay informed on the daily astrological events in the heavens, I like to invite you to sign up for my free weekly newsletter, the Astrological Signs Weather Report. I discuss the actual astrological qualities of the moment and inspire you to use them wisely for a life full of success, joy and inner growth.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

You can learn more about the metaphysical properties of 67 different gemstones through my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul. My book will teach you about astrology and how to read the blueprint of your own chart. If you know where your challenges are, you can then take steps to support and balance yourself with your 12 personal healing gemstones. Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas about Soul Jewelry— how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul.

How was your last week with the Solar Eclipse and all the astrological action we had? I got together with some of my girl friends and created a really terrific vision board for my next book. It was so much fun and so stimulating that I had a hard time to go to sleep that night. I kept working with colors and forms all night. I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as I did. It is very powerful to do that in a circle of friends and share this exhilarating process!

This week the biggest event is that two planets are moving hand in hand into Aquarius, the Venus and the Sun. The Sun in Aquarius will set the tone for a whole month and Venus for about 225 days. The Sun as the center of consciousness and life giving entity for our planet can be seen as one of the male planetary principles. Venus on the other hand is the goddess of love and harmony, rules relationships and defines how open we are in our hearts and what we are looking for in love. A conjunction between Sun and Venus is always depicting the yin and yang balance between the forces and the need to come to some form of equilibrium between the two.

Aquarius might be a sign of personal freedom but still is an individual looking for a place within the context of a relationship, a group or society. For relationship matters this is a month to have a fresh look into the balance between autonomy and intimacy in your relationship and maybe ask yourself some questions.

• Do you have the balance between autonomy, freedom and intimacy you like to have in your relationship?
• Or do you feel stifled or suffocated?
• Can you talk about and share your visions of life and specifically about your needs in your love relation?
• What are you willing to commit to?
• Maybe you like to do something spontaneous together, take a weekend off and have a little honeymoon somewhere?

If you have planets in Aquarius in your personal chart you can expect them to be more activated this month and pushing into the foreground. You might be willing to take more risks and receive sudden inspiration or insight. Let us have a deeper look at the particularities of Aquarius and how we can support ourselves with the birthstone Aquamarine.

The Age of Aquarius
Aquarius is a masculine air sign ruled by Uranus and belongs to the 11th House—Friends & Vision.

If you’ve heard the song from the musical Hair—“This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius”—you know that Aquarians are such original thinkers and nonconformists that they can change the world. They are not interested in how things have always been, but how they can reshape the world. They always have their eye on the future, not on the past. The cultural revolution of the 1960s and 70s epitomized the Aquarian need to rebel against the established order and bring forth a new vision.

A Sign of Change
Aquarians have a rich personality—a mixture of many traits—that can be hard to pin down, making them unpredictable. And that’s how they prefer it as they are always open to new ideas and new ways of being—as long as they initiate those changes themselves. They need the freedom to express their individuality. They can be very impulsive and act according to their own established values on a moments notice. Sudden changes belong to Aquarius.

Great Humanitarians
Water holds great importance for Aquarians, as depicted by the symbol for this sign, a woman carrying water. That seems to be a contradiction at first glance because it is a sign of air. But water is associated with nurturing, and Aquarians are fundamentally nurturing humanitarians, with a deep interest in and genuine concern for other people. They readily volunteer their time to service organizations of humanitarian interests.

An Inventive Problem Solver
Their original way of thinking allows Aquarians to see solutions to problems that others don’t see. They pursue goals and challenges with great determination, but they have the flexibility to change course in midstream when they see a new solution or a better way of doing things.

Relationships
Aquarius is a highly sociable sign. Aquarians are very likable, quite interesting, and great communicators. Many people are drawn to those qualities of Aquarians, and they tend to have a great many friends and associates and to join a lot of clubs and groups. Because of their need for individuality and freedom, and their mental approach to life, they can appear to be somewhat emotionally distant in relationships. When you meet Aquarians for the first time you may reveal quite a bit about yourself but you might not learn as much about them. Although they have many relationships, they only disclose themselves to a small group of trusted friends. Even with their chosen partner they might be uncomfortable and dissociate when confronted with too much intimacy.

Work
Aquarians are valued as employees and coworkers for their great social skills. They work well on group tasks. They enjoy new technologies and they make great scientists and inventors. Their communications skills and humanitarian values draw them to careers in service organizations and the media. Their creative side makes them innovative artists.

The Shadow
Aquarian people can get lost in contrariness, eccentricity or rebellion and loosing their inner connection with being part of the whole of humanity and society. It is essential for them to find their chosen family and circle of like minded spirits to share their innovative thoughts and actions.

How Gemstones Can Enhance Your Aquarian Experience
Gemstones are the perfect way for Aquarians to achieve balance among the many different aspects of their personality and to support their unique life vision. They can help to align you to the true purpose of your soul for this life and help to stir you towards your evolutionary journey which must counter your social conditioning and old beliefs.

Gemstones have both physical and metaphysical qualities that can enhance all aspects of your well-being. The perfectly aligned crystal structure of gemstones creates an energy field that interacts with our own when you hold it or wear it on your body. In this way, the gemstone can be used to calm you, bring you mental clarity, increase your energy, enhance your creativity, and much more.

Astrology and Gemstones
Astrological principles manifest at all levels of creation, from the largest bodies in the cosmos to the tiniest particles of atoms—all are part of the same network of universal energy. Based on the hermetic principle “As above, so below,” those universal principles allow us to read relations among the planets and extrapolate those principles to things here on Earth, to events in our lives, as well as to our natural environment. The universal principles that govern the planets are also seen on the much smaller level of gemstones, crystals, and metals.

The Signature of Gemstones
Each gemstone is associated with specific planets. You are already aware that each planet has its own personality in astrology. And each gemstone has a personal “signature”—specific metaphysical qualities, different for each stone, that arise from the stone’s association with its planets.

How to Make Gemstones Work for You
By considering the individual signature of gemstones, you can select the right gems for very specific purposes, according to their astrological qualities.

Gemstones can be used in three different ways:

1. They are precious objects of beauty that may hold a special meaning for us. We enjoy their beauty by giving them a special place on a shelf, desk, or altar.
2. They can be used in meditation by tuning into their frequency for the purpose of balancing our energy field.
3. They can be made into jewelry pieces for our pleasure, enhancing our individual expression of beauty and sense of empowerment.

You can learn more about the metaphysical properties of gemstones, their application for jewelry and the true birthstones for all the different signs reading my articles in the birthstone series.

Aquamarine: An Aquarian Stone
The Aquamarine is one of the true birthstones of Aquarius. It is found around the world, with the most important sources in Brazil and Madagascar. It crystallizes in a long six-sided prism. Its name derives from the Latin for “water of the ocean” because of its color, which may be light blue, medium blue, or blue-green. The most expensive and desirable color is the darkest blue.

Uranus infuses Aquamarine with some unusual qualities and a vision beyond our
usual limited mind-set, making Aquamarine the rebel among the gems. This is the gemstone of visionaries fighting for a better life, supporting goodness and necessary changes. It urges us to seek freedom and independence and to express our uniqueness. Aquamarine is the stone of innovators, ahead of their time in many ways. It encourages us to always question our limiting beliefs with an open mind and to be willing to grow beyond them. It can help us to find our own vision and purpose in life and the courage to live them.

This unique gem connects us with the unlimited aspect of being that is found in the ocean, symbolizing the vastness of existence, the unlimited space and horizon that we experience standing on a beach or on a boat.

Aquamarine also has a female aspect, represented by the Moon. The Moon symbolizes our unconscious mind, our emotions, and our past memories. It reflects our emotional needs and wants, our ability to give and receive. Through its female aspect, Aquamarine supports and nourishes us, as if with mother’s milk. Feeling full and nurtured, we are able to share from the abundance of our own heart.

Aquamarine also sharpens our mind and our powers of discernment and helps us tap into the collective unconscious mind with all its creative resources.  In so doing it helps us develop our intuitive creativity and objective knowledge.

Aquamarine opens and balances the throat chakra, which helps us to express our personal truth, including our true feelings. The throat chakra is an area where we all have many blocks; thus we often feel limited in our self-expression.

Iron gives Aquamarine its color and energizing element. It is said to help balance iron deficiency. With its high energy level Aquamarine restores equilibrium in over energized people who are impatient, always rushing about, overstressed, and tense. Those individuals may be at high risk of accidents!

Aquamarine also represents Mother Mary. When we strip away two thousand years of male Christian tradition, we discover that Mary was not only the mother of Christ but a strong and highly evolved being in her own right and thus a role model for us today. Her strength also relates to the tradition of the Black Madonna that is found all over the world. The Black Madonna stands for the destructive and creative female principle of the universe, called Shakti in the East Indian tradition.

Thus versatile Aquamarine represents the qualities of freedom, growth, moving beyond limitations, a sharp mind, creativity, self-expression, and balance. Drawing on these qualities, Aquamarine helps women to grow into a new dimension of their womanhood and helps men to balance their own inner woman. A man who integrates these aspects of Aquamarine is able to enter into a balanced and equal relationship with a strong woman without fear of losing himself or his position.

As you can tell, I am very passionate about the potential of healing gems and all the different applications of those enchanting allies to raise your frequency for more balance and joy. I have even written a book about my over 30 years of experience in the fields of healing gemstones, meaningful jewelry, and astrology.

I wish you an enchanted journey into the mysterious world of healing gemstones and looking at them in a new way! If you enjoyed this article and my perspective on things, I would like to invite you to sign up for my free weekly newsletter where I discuss the actual universal astrological forces and the special powers of gemstones and inspire you to use them wisely for a more successful and joyful life.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

You can learn more about the metaphysical properties of 67 different gemstones through my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul. My book will teach you about astrology and how to read the blueprint of your own chart. If you know where your challenges are, you can then take steps to support and balance yourself with your 12 personal healing gemstones. Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas about Soul Jewelry— how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul.

With the Solar Eclipse right in front of our eyes, we do know something auspicious is going on and we might feel touched by the magnificence of the universe and its mysterious ways of working. I live on Maui and when I look up at the night sky I am actually able to see the stars. I love doing that! A girl friend of mine loves to travel with her husband to Solar Eclipses around the world; he actually proposed to her on one of their first trips! Is there something magical going on with Solar Eclipses? Why is it obviously touching our human soul and spirit?

When you imagine how much radiation we receive daily from the electromagnetic energy output from the Sun it is easy to understand that the interruption from that energy stream of radiation from the center of consciousness in our universe will have an impact onto our consciousness and lives. Twice a year, the Sun, Moon and Earth align exactly the way that the constant stream of radiation from the Sun is blocked and there is partial or total darkness. This is bound to have an impact on us.

Think about it. We are energy beings made of energy swirling around on sub atomic levels creating our physical bodies. It is not hard to realize the intricate and fragile balance our life as we know it, needs to continue. Of course every shift in the magnetic radiation through Sun Flares and Eclipses will have an impact.

Therefore it is said that the Solar Eclipses are altering our consciousness with fresh energy. It is like rebooting your computer after the electricity has been down. Solar Eclipses are therefore extremely powerful New Moons and this time it is all happening in Capricorn along with four other planets beside the Sun and Moon. The last time this Solar Eclipse has happened in Capricorn was nineteen years ago in January 1991. I do not remember anything specific happening for me so long back; my memory will not do that. But I am a different person now anyway and the surrounding astrological constellations are very different.

We had a quiet beginning the first two weeks of this year. But now the heavenly stars are making up for it with a big bang.  The year is gearing up to a new level of consciousness with the Solar Eclipse on January 14 - 15, 2010. This is accompanied by a close conjunction with Venus and two planets changing direction around this eclipse; Saturn is turning retrograde and Mercury direct.

Astrology Gives You an Advantage

For me astrology is an elegant way to become more conscious of myself in the magnificence of life in its ever changing cycles and rhythms. I feel embedded in the safe knowledge of accountability of the movements of the stars throughout the skies and have the reassuring feeling of participating in an orderly functioning and therefore secure universe. As an astrologer I know about the specifics and particularities of the planetary constellations and their meaning which helps me to align myself with the universal forces and use them to my benefit. It is easier to release struggles and resistance against the irresistible and it also puts a time frame onto hard times. Understanding and a higher state of consciousness always gives me more of a choice and thus a chance to influence and set the stage to my advantage.

The highlights of the plentiful activities in this week are:

• Sun Conjunction Venus on January 13
• Saturn Turning Retrograde January 13
• New Moon/ Solar Eclipse in Capricorn in Conjunction with Venus on January 15
• Mercury Turning Direct on January 15
• Jupiter into Pisces on January 17

Sun Conjunction Venus on January 13
The Sun is reflecting our consciousness, our self identity and self image. It is one of the male representatives in astrology and thus can be seen as authority or father. Venus, the goddess of love and harmony, one of the female players softens the edges and brings kindness and compassion. This is a nice lead into the Eclipse for conscious alignment with greater kindheartedness and well intentions.

Saturn Turning Retrograde January 13
Saturn always had a bad reputation in astrology till astrologers like Liz Green shed new light and a different perspective onto the much needed qualities of Saturn. She was breaking new ground in looking at Saturn as a deepening and truly beneficiary actor in the chart. Saturn is playing a tremendously important role for us right now through February 2010 with the square to Pluto within 2 degrees.

The Outer World Reflects the Inner World!
When Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn turns retrograde we need to reassess the inner dimensions associated with Capricorn. We have to redefine our goals, coalitions, and roles to clarify our values and where we want to go. Usually we are easily ready to assign blame to outer structures; the failing economy, the corrupted government and the machinations of the corporate world. With Saturn retrograde till May 30 we are assigned to take a look into our own stuff inside. The outer world reflects the inner world! With that we have the responsibility to gain as much clarity (Saturn) as possible, mature and decide on new ways and implement them in our life. And that is a very powerful place. We can change the world, one step at a time within our reach.

New Moon/ Solar Eclipse in Capricorn in Conjunction with Venus on January 15
Again this Solar Eclipse is special because of the Venus conjunction and the two female players, Moon and Venus hand in hand. If the feminine principle in general is one of giving and nourishing life this Eclipse sets the tone of a very encouraging and soul enriching direction to embark on.

Mercury in Capricorn & Conjunction with Pluto is Turning Direct on January 15
With the short term Pluto conjunction squaring Saturn we have a jump start of true inquiry and inner realization. With the help of Mercury, the mythical messenger in his forward motion we have more skills in implementing insights and lay the groundwork for new and transformative real solutions. No more scapegoats and band-aid solutions are acceptable. We need true and honest assessments of what is and act accordingly for the greater good. You might ask yourself:

• What does that mean for you?
• What has ripened in the retrograde motion of Mercury for you to be exposed and acted on now?

Jupiter into Pisces on January 17
Jupiter moves into Pisces shortly after the Eclipse and will remain there till June 5. 2010. Jupiter rules Sagittarius and is the largest planet in our solar system. He represents the principle of expansion, the search for truth, wisdom, deeper meaning and understanding of the bigger picture. Pisces on the other hand is the twelfth sign of the zodiac and deals with the subtle, the non physical realm, the metaphysical, meditation, dreams, imagination, art and the oneness of our true nature.

Jupiter in Pisces can guide you into expansion in all these areas and enhance qualities as compassion, forgiveness, reconciliation and enhance your inner connection with the Divine. Out of that miracles are possible!

The Moon’s passage on Sunday over healing Chiron, then over Neptune is enhancing the potential of a new understanding with its brief conjunction with Jupiter in Pisces. All these discussed planetary constellations are somehow tied in with this Solar Eclipse and raise hope for another step in the right direction. True change and evolution happens in miniature steps invisible to the human eye. Astrology is just one way to gain the overview and a deeper understanding over the dynamic of the unfolding of events and history, but a very valid one.

This week’s astrological potential sets the tone for the coming year and ignites hope and a new light of consciousness for the truth of our oneness and divine origin.

I hope you enjoyed this little journey into the mysteries of the universe. If you like to stay informed on the daily astrological events in the heavens, I like to invite you to sign up for my free weekly newsletter, the Astrological Weather Report. I discuss the actual astrological qualities of the moment and inspire you to use them wisely for a life full of success, joy and inner growth.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

Shakti Carola Navran has been an astrological coach, jeweler, spiritual teacher and healer for over 30 years. She has studied with many different spiritual teachers. Her practice spans hypnotherapy, meditation, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and healing with gemstones. She creates beautiful jewelry for the soul and spirit at her studio on Maui, Hawaii, and is the author of Jewelry & Gems for Self Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul.