We are having a quiet astrological week and I will use the lull to celebrate with you the one year anniversary of my blog: The Astrological Weather Report & Healing Gems.

Wow, that was quiet a ride this year; so many things to learn, so many ways to be challenged to grow. The technical problems and things to learn have been the most difficult for me. But I had good support with my webmaster I am very grateful for. I have managed to write 122 posts till today,  at least one every week and I am very proud of it.

Of course the format of the blog has changed over the year and has evolved in its own way and fashion. In the beginning I was leaning towards more basic astrological teachings; now it feels like the ground has been laid and there is all that information at your fingertips to find through the search option.
In the beginning I have written a lot about the Moon astrology because it is such an important way for understanding and becoming more conscious of our emotional inner tides. But over time things became very repetitive and I got bored. So I needed to change my writings so it would be joyful and interesting for myself again. Now you can always see the exact Moon position on the blog roll and just go back and find the article about the specific Moon position in the archive if you want.

Nowadays I am more interested to discuss the astrological highlights of the week to inspire you to contemplate their potential and stir you towards a life with deeper meaning, in a healthy body with a joyful spirit. I believe I have become a better writer in the process.

What my Blog has to Offer for YOU

• Free weekly astrological forecast of the heavens
• Unique Information about the healing properties and astrological  signature of gemstones and their application in personalized soul jewelry
• The Gemstone Profile describing your 12 main healing astro gemstones
• A vast library of articles and posts in my archive with a search option
• Astrological education for beginners as well as for more experienced  readers
• Inspiration based on the Law of Attraction & the Art of Allowing
• Information about my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery
• Well written astrological reports: Birth chart, love compatibility,  relationships, harmony and transits
• Access to me for personal astrological readings or feedback

What is YOUR Deepest Interest?

I like to hear back from you about what you appreciate about my blog and what you would like to read more about and changes you would like  to see.

• Is it the astrology you are most interested in?
• Or is it the healing properties of gemstones or soul jewelry?
• Or are you mostly interested in the inspiration and application of  the Law of Attraction for a higher life quality?

Thanks for your feedback! That means a lot to me! It will help me to fine tune my writing for you.

Here is the first article I launched my blog with on April 29th, 2009 and I still love it. This article has set the tone for my blog and the spirit of it. It has been written by my friend and editor Margaret Copeley, I have worked together with for so many years:

YOU ARE INDISPENSABLE TO THE UNIVERSE

“The most basic governing principles of the entire universe—and certainly of astrology—are that everything consists of energy and that it is all interconnected. From the tiniest subatomic particle to the largest star systems, all of the matter and energy in the universe belongs to one immense web of existence.

Every part of that web is essential to the whole. You could compare the universe to an ecosystem on earth: if you add or subtract a plant or animal, such as by altering the climate, eventually the entire ecosystem is affected. Or think of an atom: remove just one infinitesimal proton from an atom, and you have an entirely different substance. If hydrogen were changed to helium, the entire known universe would be profoundly changed. Everything is held in a delicate and exquisitely beautiful balance.

The principle of interrelatedness means that although you are only one of billions upon billions of energy beings in the universe, you are far from insignificant! The universe cannot do without you! If you were not here tomorrow, the echoes of your absence would reverberate out across the universe. Those closest to you would suffer your loss immediately. Your loved ones, coworkers, and the people you serve in your work are connected to dozens of other people, and they are in turn connected to hundreds, to thousands of others. This is not to mention your relationship to animals, to the natural environment, and so on.

If you doubt your importance, please stop reading this right now and make a list of 10 Ways I Impact the World. I guarantee you, you won’t want to stop at 10 ways and you will easily list 50 and even 100 ways that you impact the world. And then imagine all the repercussions of each way that you impact the world—all the ripples that are sent throughout the world because you are loving, caring, competent, devoted, or skilled.

Because you are here in this world, you have a chance to send out waves of joy, love, and comfort that will be transmitted from one place to another way beyond your imagination.

Because you are indispensable, it’s important that you make your mark on the universe by living a life that is rich and fulfilling, and that brings something of value to the world. That is your role as a Giver. But you are also meant to be a Receiver. Looking at the incredible world that has been given to you as your Earthly home, it’s clear that you are meant to partake in all the beauty and abundance in the world and to live a life based in joy and love and success.

That’s where the art and science of astrology comes in! The purpose of astrology is to help you gain a deep understanding of the workings of the world and your place in it—just where you are situated in this vast universal web of existence, how you relate to things as small as insects and as large as the planets, what unique role you are called to fulfill with your skills and talents, and how to maximize your success and happiness.

Astrology calls you to a path of learning and perfection. As you embark on that journey of discovery, you will soon feel that it fulfills the longing of your heart and soul for peace, wisdom, inspiration, and right action. So step up to the plate and take up your indispensable place in the universe! Never doubt for a second that you are a vital part of all that exists.”

If you enjoy my perspective on things, please come back or 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. I would love your support and if you feel like passing it on to some of your friends that would be wonderful. Thank you so much!

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

Bio:
Shakti Carola Navran has been an astrological coach, jeweler, spiritual teacher and healer for over 30 years. 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. She has written many articles and is the author of the book Jewelry & Gems for Self Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul.

In her book she teaches you about astrology and how to read the blue print of your own chart. If you know where your challenges are, you can then take steps to support or balance yourself with your 12 personal healing gemstones, those enchanting allies to raise your frequency and experience more joy. Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas about Soul Jewelry; on how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul.

This is the forth show down out of five oppositions of these strong players. It all started in the fall of 2008 when the economy started crumbling around us and leading to the election of Barack Obama and his visionary view and promises for a better future. The fifth opposition will culminate in July 26 and hopefully help to integrate what we learned and set the course in alignment with better values and new structures of control for the financial markets. You can read more about Saturn in my article about the Saturn Return Cycles and the T-square.

Trouble with Airplanes in Europe

The trouble with the planes in Europe not being able to fly safely can be counted as a manifestation of Uranus in Pisces in opposition with Saturn. Uranus is symbolizing airline travels and high tech and in Pisces there is the added challenge with toxicity. Sudden eruptions like the volcano going off in Iceland are displaying the sudden changes we know from Uranus.

If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans… I had planned to go to Germany last week and had to postpone my trip. At least I got stuck at home and feel very lucky about that. For all these earth shaking transits we are facing with the big T-square happening on and off between the big players Saturn opposition Uranus squaring Pluto we better be patient and flexible these days and except change of plans and adjust our attitude the best way possible.

Adjusting to the Moment

With big changes pushed upon us in our personal life, professional life or economical well being the question is how we can deal with situations like that? How can we adjust our emotions and thoughts to feel better, less helpless and frightened?

I believe we always have to start from where we are. Whatever the situation is you want to become very clear and as conscious as possible about what is going on by evaluating the problem. But then most people keep at it; their thoughts keep constantly circling around the problem like pushing with your tongue against the hurting tooth and we know that does not change a thing. Solutions come to us when we are able to relax into the moment and open our unconscious mind with all the resources stored there to give us sudden ideas or impulses to guide us forward. Dreams are one way to reach into that unconscious potential. Remember even Einstein got his defining clue through a dream helping him to devise his relativity theory.

The Benefits of Meditation

There is another way besides dreaming to relax your brain waves into alpha or delta and stay conscious to reap the benefits of the more creatively functioning brain and that is meditation. No matter what meditation method you are using they all have in common that they change your brain wave, relax and center you. There have been studies done with Transcendental Meditation and the many benefits people have been receiving from it. They even found a correlation with crime rates dropping in cities with a specific amount of people meditating. Which makes sense and shows how interconnected we all are through the morphogenetic field you could also call the collective unconsciousness. (Read more about meditation techniques)

Right and Left Brain Working Together

I remember a meditation teacher friend of mine from the Gurdjeff path who was a doctor of physics and had his own laser company in Holland. He used to do business with installing his software around Europe with all kinds of laser driven modems in hospitals and other industrial applications. He was often called for trouble shooting when something wasn’t working properly. If he couldn’t figure it out otherwise he would go to the installation and meditate in front of the computer and always find out what the origin of the trouble was. Pretty cool isn’t it? At least I thought so. That seems to be the optimal application of right and left brain working together.

Using your Mind to Control Your Emotions

What often scares us the most is the feeling of helplessness and loss of control. But the only control we have is in guiding our thoughts and feelings into a direction where we will feel a little bit better, step by step. You can do that by changing the meaning you are giving to a situation you are in. Like people being stuck in transit in the airports have been reported to be remarkably calm assuming that being stuck was better then falling out of the sky with an airplane.

In Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) we call that re-framing. Re-framing is putting your experience into a different framework which changes your perception. Being stuck in an airport is preferable to loosing your life which is quiet a successful re-framing of the situation.

Focusing on Where YOU Want to Go

And then you can also be in control of your thoughts and emotions by guiding them towards your dream or goal, aligning yourself with your energy. Imagine yourself how it will be and feel arriving at that point in your future. Imagine yourself already being there. Get excited and hopeful and you will be moving towards your aim and you will have the added benefit of feeling good along the way.

Full Moon in Scorpio on April 28

This month we are having the Full Moon in Scorpio which will be powerful and provides us with extra intense emotional responses in all areas of our life. The opposition of the intense Full Moon in Scorpio with the more laid back Sun in Taurus might bring some conflicts around ownership of assets, control issues in relationships and intense reactivity in general.

Mercury in Conjunction with the Sun in Taurus on April 28

Our thinking might be a tad bit stubborn and not very flexible on this day. But the inborn optimism of Taurus might help to save the day and ease the intensity of the opposing Scorpio.

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. I would love it if you feel like passing it on to some of your friends.

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

Bio:
Shakti Carola Navran has been an astrological coach, jeweler, spiritual teacher and healer for over 30 years. 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. She has written many articles and is the author of the book Jewelry & Gems for Self Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul.

In her book she teaches you about astrology and how to read the blue print of your own chart. If you know where your challenges are, you can then take steps to support or balance yourself with your 12 personal healing gemstones, those enchanting allies to raise your frequency and experience more joy. Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas about Soul Jewelry; on how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul.

We have another quiet week in the heavens with only Saturn moving back into Virgo on April 7, this is his final sojourn before he picks up his journey into Libra on July 21 for good. I thought this is a good time to look at different aspects and possibilities Saturn is offering to us.

Saturn and the Concepts of Aging and Time

What are your thoughts about growing older? Are you ever thinking and planning for that? Are you scared to grow old, to become sick, dysfunctional, alone and to end up as a bag lady or beggar on the streets? I think many people have obscure fears around aging and loosing control over their health and life that way. Living in a single unit culture and not in family tribes anymore, it is definitely up to our own planning and envisioning how we want to live our “golden years”. Saturn is the planet in astrology that is representing the concept of time and old age, of planning and harvesting.

Transits with Saturn are invitations to find more clarity and set plans into motion. Fear and anxiety can only be countered by holding to our highest visions and keeping our frequency up to the best of our abilities. Taking action steps towards our dreams and visions will keep us in alignment with the conscious use of the Law of Attraction and will help us to find every day little ways to feel good.

Different Life Choices are in Your Hands

I believe we can create a fully satisfying life as being part of a bigger community of our choosing; a circle of family and a network of friends throughout all different stages of our live. I met this elderly man in the spa the other day who told me of his grand parenting children throughout his life together with his wife. I became very interested and curious about his life story and found out that they had grand parented a total of 6 kids throughout their lives who were not from his blood lineage but obviously children of his heart. They had supported single moms in trouble and their kids, housed them on their property and helped guiding them along. They had decided early on in their marriage not to have children on their own but helping with the ones already there in dire need of parental support.

Wow, I was really blown away by his story and feel very inspired to share this with you. Do you think this is a man who will end up on the streets one day? This man has lived his life with a vision of sharing and contributing from a place of abundance and wisdom. This man has created a potential of uncountable riches in so many ways that his life will bring him manifestations accordingly. I felt very grateful just by having this little glimpse into his life and felt very enriched by it.

The Bad Reputation of Saturn

Saturn, for the greater part in astrology, has been viewed as a daunting presence and challenge to face obstacles, anxieties and limitations in a person’s horoscope. The sign, house position and aspect connection clues us in to where we need to pay special attention to on a regular base. But Saturn has many different aspects and dimensions and has also been viewed as time keeper and teacher to guide us with consciousness through all the different phases in our life.

Astrologers like Liz Greene and Stephen Arroyo have been true visionaries in adding a whole different psychological dimension to the interpretation of the role of Saturn for personal growth and human evolution going beyond the old idea of being malefic and unfortunate.  Saturn is now seen as a symbol for reaching a level of self responsibility and maturity in finding our place in society and some form of self definition as a grown up.

Usually we all go through certain times of saturnine challenge at least with the first and second Saturn return around 29 and 58 years of age. But then we have to add in the squares and oppositions to its own position as well as other planets in our chart. So we get ample opportunities to establish and reevaluate our plans and choices throughout our lives.

The Potential of Transits

The art and science of astrology gives us a magnificent tool for self reflection and insight into deeper layers of the surrounding world and its machinations and laws. It can help raise our consciousness and enable us towards greater wisdom and its application for a full and abundant life. Understanding the impact of transits in actualizing poignant lessons in our horoscope at specific times in our lives can be extremely helpful in reflecting back to us the bigger picture and the overall potential in that. The most helpful is of course a personal reading with an astrologer but you can also get very good written reports, giving you the overview and direction.

The First Saturn Return

Our first Saturn return happens between the age of 27 to 29 and a half and represents a time of deepening and questioning our sense of who we are in our identity and setting the course for the next round. Around that age we make decisions about having a family, or leaving the one we are in, maybe reorient ourselves professionally by becoming part of the work force after years of preparation and studying or deciding to go back and deepen our education. With the first Saturn return we look at the unfolding of our life and evaluate if we like what we see so far. Most of us have achieved some kind of identification with our position in society and our achievements. But is that who you are? Are you just a doctor or janitor? This is the first time we will ask deeper questions about our role in life and our destiny as a human being. Out of that we decide where we want to go next, who we want to be for the next 30 years, in the most potent, active and most professionally contributing times of our lives.

The Second Saturn Return

The second Saturn return happens around the age of 58 and is traditionally associated with retirement and enjoying the fruits of our lives. That almost seems to be a foreign concept now with our savings dwindling away in the stock market crashes and manipulations. But nevertheless we are asked to bring unfinished business in our live to a conclusion and plan for the next 30 years ahead.

I saw this movie the other day about centenarians in different cultures in the world. What they all had in common was a simple and active life style with a mostly vegetarian based diet, embedded in a community where they were valued and still contributing members. For example there was this 80 years old lady getting up at 6 every morning to work her little garden and selling her produce on the market till late in the evening. She had her social life and connection all day long happening all around her. She was part of a group of elders playing cards on a regular base to “keep herself sharp”. She had a family with great grand kids and enjoyed being the Old Crown, the Wise Woman. That was a picture I could deeply resonate with and the deep humanity in it.

I believe that with the second Saturn return we are asked to ease into that role of a loving and compassionate elder passing on from our life experience to the younger generation in whatever capacity we are able to. It is your choice and orientation now to set the tone for the last part of your life.

Health is Paramount

And of course to be healthy is the major stepping stone for all your activities. You need to adapt a life style minimizing toxic exposure in your household, eating organic food, eliminate processed food as much as possible, exercise regularly and clean and detox the temple of your soul, your body on a regular base. I have become very excited about the possibilities of detoxifying with the Far Infrared Sauna, you should check that out. Part of my excitement is that it makes me feel so good.

The Third Saturn Return

Actually many of us may reach this third Saturn cycle of life because nowadays with longer life expectancy and medical improvements at our fingertips people do grow old. But obviously the quality of our life at this stage has a lot to do with how healthy we feel and how independently we can still function and take care for ourselves. How good will it be to grow old, lying in a bed in a senior home vegetating?

We need to hold an inner picture of growing old in good spirit, healthy and vibrant. We can learn from others who have gone before us like the centenarians of different cultures. And then when we are done we are just moving on to the other side, maybe getting into line for a new body…or Nirvana depending on your beliefs.

Crystal Quartz is a True Saturn Stone

I have written several articles about how we can support ourselves in hard times of transits through meditation with crystals and Herkimer Diamonds if you want to read more about that. Obviously this is the stone of choice with his exquisite light and translucency, teaching us the lesson about reaching into higher and higher states of consciousness and clarity.

Saturn Will Return to Libra

When Saturn finally steps into Libra, we are done collectively with bringing light and clarity into health issues and focusing on the details of our personal and professional live to some extent. (I am so glad we got Obama’s health plan approved this was our last chance for that) Depending on how this Saturn was impacting you personally some of your continuous health troubles the last few years might be clearing up now and you are moving on to bring clarity into your relationships, marriage and connection with others in general.

We will have ample opportunities to discuss the potential to deepen our ability to love unconditionally and see our own reflection consciously and appreciatively in others. The next 2 ½ years can be a continuation of appreciating our oneness and sameness as humans and making our choices accordingly. We live in exciting times and it is in our personal touch, in our hands to make the world we are living in a little better place.

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. I would love it if you feel like passing it on to some of your friends.

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

Bio:
Shakti Carola Navran has been an astrological coach, jeweler, spiritual teacher and healer for over 30 years. 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. She has written many articles and is the author of the book Jewelry & Gems for Self Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul.
In her book she teaches you about astrology and how to read the blue print of your own chart. If you know where your challenges are, you can then take steps to support or balance yourself with your 12 personal healing gemstones, those enchanting allies to raise your frequency and experience more joy. Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas about Soul Jewelry; on how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul.

Astrologically we are having a quiet week! I hope you have been able to check out some of the articles part of the 1. International Blogathon about the T-square and relate the activities of Saturn, Uranus and Pluto to your personal horoscope. The articles will still be available on line for further use as a library.

We talked a little about the Sun moving into Aries last week on the 20th. This week there are no new ingresses of planets into a new sign or other significant events beside the slow moving long term transits. What is of most interest is the Pluto square to the Sun pushing on us for transformation. So we will have time to focus and read up on the slower transits.

You Personal Involvement is Key

Of course we are always most interested and motivated to invest our time and energy when we are personally triggered and touched upon. Self growth seems to be pushed upon us most of the time, but looking backwards those hard and difficult times often turn out to be very fruitful and changing our lives for the better. We feel forced to examine our values, life style, unconscious and conditioned responses to life, our choices and goals we are striving for. Without those times of challenge we would be stagnant and not growing into a fuller potential of our being.

Wherever the early degrees of Libra, Aries, Cancer and Capricorn or late degrees of Pisces and Virgo fall in your chart and the connecting aspects to your planets you will feel yourself very personally challenged. You will feel 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).

Keeping a Visionary Focal Point

And we have to do the WORK as individuals as well as a society. I refuse to watch the news. I only snatch glimpses here and there when my husband watches them. It can make you very sad, angry or even depressed to watch. So don’t! News in America are very lopsided, negative and manipulative. Not much good comes out of it beside frustration. Change has to begin with each of us and holding the vision of a world based in a consciousness of oneness and humane ways of doing business and interact with each other starts with you and me. I am on board with Abraham in holding my conscious focal point of attraction where I want it to be, not with my observation of what is or my immediate circumstances.

“One who is mostly an observer thrives in good times but suffers in bad times because what he is observing is already vibrating, and as he observes it, he includes it in his vibrational countenance. As he includes it, the Universe accepts that as his point of attraction and gives him more of it. So the better it gets the better it gets. Or the worse it gets the worse it gets. While one who is a visionary thrives in all times.”— Abraham

Ways to Feel Good and Upgrade your Frequency

So your work is to find ways to uplift your frequency and feel good. Find out what works for you! Maybe just watching your cats can be an inspiration! For me the requirement to be able to feel good seems to be as a first step wanting to be out of pain. Having so many health problems I take it as a constant invitation to find little ways every day to improve my condition a little. As I have shared with you before I have embarked on a new journey for more well being and that encompasses many different aspects of detoxifying and dealing with physical limitations as well as making more time for contemplation, sauna and meditation.

Deeksha or Oneness Blessings

To have a spiritual ever deepening awareness of your connection with the Divine is nourishing your soul and gives deeper meaning to your life. There are so many path to take!

In my life the experiences with the Oneness Blessings or called Deeksha blessings and my involvement with the oneness movement have brought so much grace and have changed my spiritual path forever. I have been in India to the Oneness University twice and had tremendous inner changes and experiences. As a result I feel very connected with my inner being on a constant base and there is no grasping for any other teachings or something out there I need to be or do in order to feel better about myself.

It is the moment to moment awareness of reorienting myself towards the truth and joy which keeps me on track. If you have not had the experience of a Deeksha blessing you can find out on line where you can get one. By now there are Deeksha blessing givers everywhere in the country. I can promise you it is a worthwhile experience. Arjuna Ardagh has written an excellent book about this phenomena.

Meditation with Gemstones and Crystals & Astro Gems & True Birthstones

And then there is the way of uplifting your frequency with crystals and gemstones through meditation or supporting your personal energy field through hand picked gemstones according to your personal needs and imbalances with your true birthstones. Astrology is one way to describe those imbalances and then choose the most potent astro gemstone for you. I have become an expert in that over the many years of practicing my craft of astrology, making soul jewelry for people and guiding many students through their process of inner growth and meditation with gemstones and crystals.

After all these years I still love it because it is such a gentle and soothing way. You can just lie down and put some gems onto your forehead and body and feel uplifted. I call it the lazy meditation, because it doesn’t require a specific sitting pose or breathing technique. Or you can experiment with putting one stone under your pillow at night and see how that impacts you. You can find more articles about meditation with gemstones and crystals on my site. I am always happy to hear back from you and give feedback if you feel a need for it.

Find Out More about Your Specific Needs

• If you want to find out about your personal, 12 main healing astro gems based on your chart you can have me do your Gemstone Profile as a start.
• Or you can start with one of the written, excellent and reasonably priced reports we offer including birth chart, relationships, harmony, and your transits.
• Or you can have a personal astrological consultation with me.

You want to have choices in your life and good choices come from a ground of good information. I hope you will take advantage of the rich wisdom and guidance astrology has to offer for you – one way or the other- with me or somebody else you feel drawn to.

Take Time for Yourself

I am putting aside at least one hour a day, every morning to read and expand my horizon. In the moment what interests me most is to read about wellness and ways to detoxify and support my body on his healing journey. But of course I go through phases and different themes of interest. And I journal regularly what helps me to keep focused on my visions and makes me more honest and accountable to myself. What is your focus in the moment? What is your area of learning and expansion?

I wish you an enchanted journey enjoying all the help and tools you can find for your support. 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

Bio:
Shakti Carola Navran has been an astrological coach, jeweler, spiritual teacher and healer for over 30 years. 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. She has written many articles and is the author of the book Jewelry & Gems for Self Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul.

In her book she teaches you about astrology and how to read the blue print of your own chart. If you know where your challenges are, you can then take steps to support or balance yourself with your 12 personal healing gemstones, those enchanting allies to raise your frequency and experience more joy. Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas about Soul Jewelry; on how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul.

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.

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.

We are heading into the finish line of 2009. With Mercury retrograde we are supported to review and tie up loose ends of unfinished business. This last week of the year is an excellent time to look backwards into your year, take inventory of what happened and evolved for you throughout the current year. You are a different person now then you have been a year ago or two years ago and you are planning now who you want to be down the road and welcome the new!

These are the highlights of this week:

• Partial Lunar Eclipse and Full Moon in Cancer
• Moon Squares Saturn and Opposes the Sun, Venus and Pluto
• Four planets and the North Node are in Capricorn

Time for Introspection
With four planets in Capricorn, the cosmic spotlight is turned on the tenth sign of the zodiac where it is all about clarity, focus, organization and commitment. With Capricorn we learn the lessons of maturity and responsibility. We can now successfully sit down and draw up the vision and plans for the coming year. We learn to be the stewards of our own fate and choose our destiny.

Mercury is turning direct again on January 15, 2010 and with that we will be able to truly move forward into the next year with first steps to implement our dreams. Use the next 3 weeks before this turn around for introspection and planning so you are ready to move ahead with the universal support in the middle of January.

This is the time to plan your year and brainstorm about all the different areas in your life: your professional life, you in your relationships and community, your spiritual life, your health and your long term goals of wealth and abundance. I suggest you sit down with your journal and just work with the different topics and let ideas and thoughts flow onto the paper.

You also could make it a real fun project and get together with a friend and create a vision board for the coming year. That is what I am going to do after pre-planning with writing out my ideas. I will meet with 2 girl friends of mine; we take a Sunday afternoon in January to work with colors, words and collage and put a visual feast together, my vision board for the wall over my desk to keep me aligned and inspired throughout the year.

The Four Planets in Capricorn are Sun, Mercury, Venus and Pluto as well as the North Node
The Sun is representing the center of your own individual consciousness and your self identity. First it is about reflection and clarity of purpose and then we can move into action.

Ask yourself: Who are you?

“I am a mother, wife, friend, artist, lawyer, doctor…”
What are your specific qualities and virtues?

“I am very reliable, I walk my talk, I am compassionate, I am creative, I am curious, I am social, I have a sense for beauty, I love to grow and learn, and I like to move my body…”

Where do you want to go, grow and expand?
“I like to learn how to do design work on the computer, I like to learn another language, I like to travel to Europe, and I like to create a writer’s network…”

Mercury is our mental capacity and ability to communicate, write, speak, learn and perceive the world. Ask yourself questions deepening your self perception and understanding. Use the mental clarity and focus of this Capricorn Mercury for this process and ask yourself.
What is my highest vision for myself in these different areas?
“I like to establish my own publishing company this year; I will finish my astrological life planner book…”

Venus brings the need for love and harmony into the mix and makes sure you consider her requirements for nourishing relationships and a supportive network of friends.
“Where am I going in my intimate relationship? Is there a magnificent other or not? How does my ideal relationship look like? What are my true needs? What do I have to give?”

Pluto stimulates transformation and over due changes and asks:
“Where do I need to implement changes into my life? What do I need to let go off? What is really not working in my life?”

Partial Lunar Eclipse: Full Moon in Cancer on December 31
This Full Moon which is also a Lunar Eclipse squares the Saturn in Libra and opposes Sun, Venus and Pluto in Capricorn. The Full Moon itself is always a significant culmination and climax point of the month. The Moon in general is your emotional make-up and coloring of your perception of the present moment. Especially the Full Moons of the Lunar Eclipses are calling us towards the new and expansion of life. In order for that we need to release and let go of the old and out grown structures of thoughts and emotions. The Moon in Cancer illuminates what we need for emotional and spiritual nourishment in order to guide us into the overview and maturation of Capricorn.

With the Full Moon squaring Saturn and opposing Sun, Venus and Pluto we are put to the task. We need to be impeccable in our commitments and as clear as possible to be able to chart the map and stir the course for our boat over the wavy waters of the present times.

Moon Will be Moving from Inquisitive Gemini, to Emotional Cancer, through Creative Leo, and Thoughtful Virgo
If you are interested in the particularities of these Moon positions you can look up older posts with the search box and find out more.

I hope I have given you some thoughts for a meaningful and fun transition into the New Year. I love to hear from you and wish you a wonderful start and Happy New Year!

If you like my astrological musings you could sign up for my weekly forecast and have it send to you regularly.

Much 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.

If you have a Pluto Moon in your chart you will feel really activated in this moment of time when the current Moon is moving into Capricorn and briefly contacting Pluto. We will have a look into the overall picture of September 25 to 27, 2009 and what it might bring up.

Pluto Moon
If you have a Pluto Moon connection of any kind in your chart you are very familiar with the challenge of constant renewal, growth and a certain emotional depth you bring to your life. Pluto is the ruler of Scorpio and wants to transform everything he touches to a new level. In astrology the sign of Scorpio is bound to the gravity and rules of the earth and the instinctual level of our being. The transformed Scorpio is the phoenix out of ashes, the bird enjoying the freedom of flying the heaven unencumbered by gravity. Pluto is always on the cross between the earthly and heavenly polarities. Because there is this black and white, all or nothing attitude Scorpios are not the easiest people to be around.

But they have experienced their own dept and learned to accept human nature in its shadow side and that might have brought them to a place of deep surrender to the mystery of life with compassion in their heart.

Moon in Capricorn
If the Moon is in Capricorn, she brings out our practical aptitude and a gift for the bigger picture and overview. People with Moon in Capricorn are good friends to have because they are committed and reliable. It takes them a while to make friends and develop trust, but when you have made it into their inner circle of friends you have a good chance to stay there for a life time.

Capricorns are not the most expressive communicators when their feelings are concerned. Rather then telling you that they love you, they come and fix your car when it has broken down. They do things to express their feelings for you and you better learn to appreciate that if you have a partner like that.

Teaching Self Mastery
What is self mastery? What does it mean for us if we have achieved it? For one it is the inner place of acceptance and surrender to what is. We do not waste time with resistance and struggle with what is. We take it as a place to start our next part of our journey from. We feel the present moment and then move on to where we want to go.

Also we have given up trying to control or manipulate others. We then can find stillness in the midst of crisis because we do not rely on others to make us happy or circumstances to be a specific way. Yesterday I listened to a beautiful song of Jan Garret and JD Martin, some of my favorite singers where it says:– I expect the best and bless the rest.– I love that perspective.

Abraham Hicks, the originator of the Law of Attraction talks about the three steps necessary for manifestation.
1.    You experience something you do not want or like and send out the request to the universe of something better then your present experience.
2.    The universe hears you and holds your desire in a field of potentiality.
3.    To be able to receive the manifestation of your desire, you need to let go of beating the drum of your deficiency and scars city. You then have to align your frequency, your emotional pattern, your thoughts and beliefs to a place that allows you to receive your request.

That means you have to find a way to be happy and radiant before you can get the stuff you think will make you happy. That is when you are in the flow and things will fall easily in place for you wherever you turn your attention to. This is what true self mastery is about, learning to master your own thoughts and emotions.

Crystal Quartz can be a Tool to Focus and Anchor your Intentions
You might know by now, that I am this passionate gemstone lady who likes to use the metaphysical properties of gems to balance and enhance specific frequencies. It has been a life long love affair for me because of all the different dimensions and uses the gemstones have to offer. You can use gemstones to balance friction in your personal horoscope, to beautify yourself with soul jewelry, in meditation for a peaceful mind or just having them as objects of beauty in your home.

As a NLP practitioner (Neuro Linguistic Programming) I also have used gemstones and especially crystals as anchors for specific intentions for many years. In NLP we use specific anchors to help recreate states of empowerment to align with resources when needed. Like you could set an anchor for a feeling of confidence, centeredness and a calm mind into a small crystal you carry in your pocket for your job interview. Just holding your crystal in your hand will evoke those emotions and will help you through your interview with a sense of assuredness.

For example I have a crystal sitting in front of me at my computer to help me stay focused, concentrated and open to the universal creative force to help me with my writing. In a way I only have to get my body to the computer and allow the flow.

Crystal is one of the birthstones for Capricorns and will always help us concentrate, focus, and bring the light of consciousness into areas of shadow and darkness.

Crystal Quartz
–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.– (This is taken from my book: Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones That Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul, published by Llewellyn)

I hope you enjoyed this article and you like my astrological musings. I invite you to come back to my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog for a regular update on the universal flow in the heavens and guidance how to use our allies the gemstones for balance and joy in your life.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

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.

After the excitement of last week with many relevant aspects and transits we will start into a new round of adjusting and reorienting ourselves with Sun in Libra. This is the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of spring below the equator. Days are getting shorter and the general energy is turning more inwards. We will discuss the planetary color for September 21 and 22, 2009. This discussion of the planets and their dynamics is also applicable whenever you have those planetary constellations in your own, personal chart.

The equinox is one of the pivotal points of the year and being in Libra it asks us for choices in the direction we want to take for the rest of the year. Let us have a look at the qualities of Libra and what it brings to the table for us.

Libra: The Judge and Harmonizer
The ruling planet of Libra is the goddess Venus and the time of the year for the Sun in Libra is September 23 to October 22. Libra is attributed to the element air and the masculine gender. With that we have a sign which is mentally oriented and that shows in how the Libra will approach life and love.

The symbol for Libra, a scale, indicates Libra’s strong need for balance. Libras are very oriented toward other people and skillfully tuned into their needs and emotions. Their preference in relationships is for harmony and love—they are peacemakers. Others are drawn to them for their sociable charm. Putting together those qualities, they make wonderful psychologists and mediators, as well as friends and partners. But because they have the ability to see both sides of things, it can be very difficult for them to make decisions. It would be good for them to remember that sometimes it is better to just decide on a less then ideal choice and get moving instead of staying on the fence of indecision.

Their love of harmony and balance draws them to beauty in the arts and wherever else they can indulge their aesthetic sense. Libras in general are good with people and they are artistically inclined. These are the two areas they excel in.

Moon in Scorpio
The Moon position in Scorpio is one of the most intense ones of the year. It is about getting real, knowing who you are including the areas of shadow and denial. The gift of this Moon is to be really honest with oneself. Only with that kind of honesty we will be able to move forward with clarity and purpose. Scorpio people are always reinventing themselves and are not allowed to stay in one place or indecision for very long. They are asked to allow deep transformation to happen, to be the Phoenix out of Ashes and soar out of the burning fire where the old structures of the self are burned and deeply transformed.

In the two and a half days the Moon is in one sign every month, we get a taste of the potential and challenges the signs are representing. If we know what astrological Moon position is active we have the ability to consciously choose how we want to use it to our advantage and we can tell how it will fit in with the rest of our personal horoscope. I see the Moon position as an emotional spot light helping to bring awareness into the inner world of feelings.

Moon in Scorpio and Sun in Libra
The combination of Moon in Scorpio with Sun in Libra is putting us to the test. We have to develop a willingness to let go, get ready for profound changes and make good decisions. I know that is not the easiest task and we have been asked to adjust to changes in our society and tightening the belt for some time now. We constantly have to monitor our thoughts and fears in order to stay in balance. And this is exactly what we need to do now with total clarity and determination. Scorpio is not a timid one and will help the Libra energies to a good, honest and more profound start into the rest of the year.

Suggestion
As usual you might sit with a cup of tea and your journal for your inquiry. I always say that because it creates a little ritual for your inner connection with your higher self. This is a good time for you to take inventory in your relationships and ask yourself how you are able to deal with changes and challenges to the status quo. Are you growing in your relationship? How are your communication skills? Is there an area with your partner which needs to be addressed with honesty without attacking your loved one? How is your balance between intimacy and autonomy? Would you like to be more autonomous and free or are you yearning for a deepening of your love?

In relationships we are asked to learn tolerance and respect for the differences we have. Our intimate relationship is usually the most profound area of spiritual teachings to help us grow out of our childhood traumas and conditioning. In relationships we are the most vulnerable and unconsciously reactive to outer stimulus. We usually are very emotional, tend to be righteous and truly think if just the other person would change in that and that way, we would be happy.

Of course we can not expect to change our partner — we can only learn to adjust our own expectation to a level of a more harmonic togetherness. Most struggle and fights in relationships are our desperate trying to fix something in the outside in order to feel better inside. Has it ever worked for you? It never has for me!

All your power and freedom is inside of you and how you adjust your thoughts and feelings without the dependency on outer circumstances. That could mean that you keep focusing onto the parts of your partner you love and pull your attention away from the parts you are reacting to. Abraham Hicks, who is a wonderful teacher on the subject of Law of Attraction, puts it this way:

– By My Attention to Things, I Am Making Choices…
What people do not understand is that you do not choose something by looking at it and shouting Yes, I would like some of that! You make your choices by your attention to things. In this Universe that is based on attraction, when you look at an unwanted thing, your attention to it causes an activation of the Vibration within you, and then the Law of Attraction brings more like it into your experience. – Abraham- Hicks

Find an Anchor for the Quality you Want to Achieve in your Life
When I want to focus onto something I love about my husband I focus onto his love for our cat Angelito. Angelito came to us 8 days old and we bottle feed him around the clock. It was an amazing time to care for such a vulnerable being and was a big gift for both of us. Even if we both were his caregivers he bonded more deeply with my husband. His mother was dying at that time and he was in a very vulnerable place. The tiny kitten would sit on his chest, on his heart and they had that special sweetness and melting. The cat is now 2 years old and the first thing it does coming into the house, is running up to him and sit on his chest for a minute. I look at them having that bonding communion and it never fails to touch my heart. That quality of being one with each other and deeply loving for that moment in time has become my anchor for the love I desire to manifest deeper and deeper in my life and with my husband. I want to inspire you to put some thought to this in your own life. Find something to focus on and to direct your attention towards.

The Gem for the Day is the Herkimer Diamond
In Vedic and Western astrology using gemstones is recommended for pacifying difficult astrological constellations. The Herkimer Diamond is a stone for balance and will serve the general situation of intense Scorpio Moon energy and Libra needs. The Herkimer Diamond is one of the true birthstones of Libra. It is a wonderful ally for meditation and can also be made into jewelry.

– Found in Herkimer, New York, this is a double-terminated rock crystal with such clarity and brilliance that it was named after the most reflective and brilliant stone there is, the Diamond. A handful of Herkimer Diamonds are as dazzling as real Diamonds. The most common material on earth, silica, becomes a sparkling little gem in the Herkimer Diamond.

This stone grows in small air pockets in the mother matrix rock material. It starts as a small seed crystal and grows outward from the center. Some collector’s pieces are displayed still embedded in a pocket of air in the mother matrix.

This stone is amazing in its beauty, clarity, and perfection. Unlike the Diamond, which must be cut and polished to bring out its beauty, the Herkimer Diamond is perfect in its natural state and requires no cutting or polishing at all. It is untouched by the human hand.

Balancing the Aura and Stabilizing Our Energy
The Herkimer Diamond has a very special place among the gems because of its superior qualities. It is worn most beneficially over the heart. Sitting on the heart chakra, which is the middle one of the seven, it balances the whole energetic system. Thus it is able to strengthen our auric field against all kinds of radiation, including electro smog and negative thought projections. We are constantly targeted by radiation in our daily lives, especially in urban areas. It is known that sitting in front of a computer for several hours can lower our white blood cell count, which inevitably impacts our health. The Herkimer Diamond in its perfection and balance between the negative and positive points can balance us and strengthen our own energy field.

This stone also strengthens our auric field against negative emotional or mental projections. I have made many Herkimer Diamond pendants for people who work in the healing professions to help them stabilize and treat their clients without picking up their imbalances. The more sensitive you are the more likely you are to pick up on disharmony in your outer field. The Herkimer Diamond is your ally in maintaining your own balance and strength.

Balancing the Brain
This stone also balances the right and left hemispheres of the brain, the creative and logical, the female and the male sides in us. Most of us tend toward one side or the other. The Herkimer Diamond balances us out in the middle between the two. The creative mind and the logical and scientific mind are enhanced by each other’s qualities: the creative mind benefits from greater focus and logic and the scientific mind draws on more creative and intuitive resources. The two hemispheres join forces, resulting in inventions and discoveries beyond the known.

Stimulates Creativity and Inspiration
The Herkimer Diamond’s brilliancy stimulates our inspiration and connection to higher truth and wisdom. Clarity of thought and a peaceful mind are a matter of balance.
The Herkimer Diamond can be worn very beneficially over your heart or as earrings close to the brain. For jewelry seek the clearest and most perfect crystals. For meditation or even under your pillow you may choose a larger crystal, which might not be quite as perfect as the smaller ones. The larger stones have inclusions and rainbows that make them very beautiful nonetheless. The Herkimer Diamond is a gift in its perfection and balancing qualities, a visual reminder of God’s perfect creation.

[Adapted from my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones That Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul © 2008 by Shakti Carola Navran. Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. 2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125-2989. All rights reserved, used by permission of the publisher.]

I hope you enjoyed the discovery of this truly magnificent stone! I wish you a very enchanted journey into the mysterious world of healing gemstones! If you enjoyed this article and my perspective on things, please come back and visit my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog where I discuss regularly the actual, universal, astrological forces as well as 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
As you can tell I am very passionate about the abilities of the healing gemstones as healing agents for our journey. I have even written a book about it and the connection with astrology: Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul. In my book I teach you how to read a chart and recognize your main subjects and challenges. If you know where your challenge and friction is, you can then take steps to support or balance yourself with gemstones, if that is something that appeals to you.