I am on the road traveling in Phoenix under radiant blue sky. It is hot, hot with temperatures around a 100 degree Fahrenheit. When we go outside it is like walking into a sauna. We are staying in Flagstaff and I am having a ball with all the nice restaurants, malls, museums and the nice architecture.

I prepared this article last week for you and maybe I am going a little missionary. If so I hope you will forgive me. With the constellation of the stars for focus on health I couldn’t help it but put a little in depth info in.

A Full Moon

A Full Moon is receiving the full light radiance from the Sun and gives you a chance to become deeply conscious of usually more hidden areas in your lives. The Sun represents life force and consciousness and the Moon the emotions and deeply hidden feelings. A Full Moon is a magical time and turning point before the fullness starts to loose force moving towards the New Moon. You can use this moment in time for your own magic in creating the life you desire. Let me ask you:

What is most important for you in your life? Is it you, living your love with family and friends? Is it your spiritual growth? Is it success and wealth? Is it having time for adventures and fun? Or is it your health?

When you start thinking about it you can appreciate how all these areas of your life are interconnected. To me it seems that when I have health I have a better chance to deal and create satisfying results in all the other areas. Of course you can be spiritually fulfilled and live a life from the high frequency of love and feel pretty good with that. But if your body is in pain and not in balance, all the other areas will not show up as full and gratifying as they could be.

Last week with the Neptune opposition to the Sun and Mercury starting his retrograde mission we got started on observing our health needs. This theme is deepened throughout this month with Sun in Virgo the classical health sign with attention to details of nutrition and health issues. Also the Full Moon in Pisces, home to Neptune is the complementing opposing sign to Virgo and needs to be integrated for full spiritual and physical health.

Alignment with the Stars

Throughout the year there are special times to do specific things and turn your attention to for more success and fulfillment. Each month the Sun is in a different sign, the Moon moves through the whole zodiac waxing and waning between Full Moon and New Moon and there are all the additional other planetary positions in the heavens to consider. Some planets are faster then others who might be impacting us for longer periods of time like Saturn and the outer planets. With the help of astrology you can be more aware of the time quality and become more aligned with the universal laws governing the cosmos. Let us have a look at Pisces.

Neptune at Home in Pisces

Pisces is the last sign in the unfolding of the zodiac and is ruled by Neptune. It is a sign where the physical is transcended. Neptune is thought as the Roman god of the sea (Greek Poseidon) and is associated with many non-material, sometimes nebulous and transcendent principles. It relates to religion and spirituality, fantasy, imagination, creativity in art and music, idealism, compassion, love, higher states of consciousness, our connection to the divine, mysticism, and the healing arts.

Neptune at its best supports our striving toward inspiration and insight, but its negative influence is associated with addiction, weakness, illusions, and deception. And it is also representing poison, drugs, toxins, gases, addictions, and degenerative, the life force diminishing influences we call diseases.

Full Moon in Pisces August 24

A Full Moon in Pisces might make you feel more vulnerable or fragile as usual. You might wake up from heavy dreaming activity in the middle of the night. You might feel moments of deep love, compassion and oneness. Experiences of ecstasy and bliss belong here.

Pisces knows about the interconnectedness of all life and dimensions. Pisces understands that our individual personality is just skin deep and just a momentary expression in the world of form. Our soul is eternal and a part of the whole.

But the spiritual connection of Pisces needs to be anchored into the physical world and that is the chore of the opposing sign Virgo. Virgo is ruled by Mercury and is very much matter of fact and practical in analyzing the world and adjusting accordingly. Virgo uses logic, recognizes what is working and what is not.

I like to inspire you this month to use those underlying qualities and have a discerning look into your health.

Many Challenges for Your Health

The other day I saw this documentary on a German channel about plastics. I was interested to see how much information and awareness about the health damaging properties of phthalates (plasticizer) is made public and if they have anything to offer in the way of solutions. I was very disappointed about the report but not surprised. They did point out the severity of the situation for all life forms on the planet, but besides the recommendation to take recycling more serious and changing our long term production to biodegradable plastics there were no real suggestions given concerning our individual situation and how we can deal with it.

In the film they showed how much of all the plastics we use in every area of our lives end up in the oceans. There are islands of plastic waste piling up and just keep circling around. The plastic does not really break down but into smaller pieces which are additionally loaded with other chemicals like DDT and pesticides. These smaller particles are eaten by fish and birds and end up in your stomachs. But that is not the only way that stuff is ending up in your system.

Plastics are everywhere. We package our foods with plastic covers on Styrofoam trays or plastic containers, we drink from plastic water or soda bottles; everything is leaching out and accumulating in our system. It slowly stockpiles over a life time and has been proven to be the culprit in many fatal diseases. The chemistry of phthalates resembles that of many hormones especially estrogens. Those fake estrogens occupy the bodily receptor stations for our natural, hormones like testosterone, estrogen and progesterone and screw up the whole system. In the film they talked about an epidemic of sterile men because of the overload of fake estrogens as well as babies been born with genital deformities.

The point is besides the plastics and pesticides the list goes on and on to non-biodegradable detergents, dioxins, PCBs, DDT and others we do not even know how to spell. All these are widely distributed and totally unavoidable in day to day’s life and they wreak havoc with our hormonal systems, accelerate aging and trigger cancer and many other diseases. Pretty bleak, huh?

There is Hope and Something You Can Do

Astrologically poison and toxins are attributed to Pisces and are at the bottom of many mysterious diseases and unexplainable pain. This month is a great time for you to get started on your own personal detox program with Mercury and Sun in Virgo and the Full Moon in Pisces. Start with educating yourself.

According to my favorite author on the subject Sherry Rogers, MD there are two underlying causes for any disease: toxicity and deficient nutrition. Having found her own way through a life threatening disease she has done extensive research and published numerous books on different health subjects. I love her work and think she is really a big blessing with her efforts and contribution to reformation of regular medicine. Our health system is mainly driven by big drug corporations pushing poisonous drugs to manage diseases (And create new ones with their side effects). Healing can only happen through finding the underlying causes and for that we have to take our health into our own hands.

I recommend starting with the book “Detoxify or Die” and moving on with “Wellness Against all Odds”. You can find more titles of hers on my Book Treasures page. She recommends extensive cleansing with Infra Red Sauna and coffee enema with specific tests and many supplements to support the process. Check her out and I believe you will find it very beneficial.

Yes, it takes time, effort and money but if you want to stay or become healthy there is no way around educating yourself and taking responsibility for your own health. But since nobody else will do it for you there is not really a choice.

As you can tell my heart is really in this. I see so much suffering and pain around me because of health issues. I think we can only win by taking our health into our own hands and act accordingly. I am on the sauna and enema program for 5 month now and I can report that my arthritis has gotten much better and my psoriasis spots have disappeared. I still have ways to go and have resigned myself that this is a long term effort to keep battling the odds to keep myself in shape as much as possible and support my own inner healing process. I hope I have motivated you enough to get started on your own healing journey,

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.

Astrological fireworks are stirring the pot of the collective psyche this week. There is the Sun moving into the sign of Cancer on June 21 with the Summer Solstice. There is a Lunar Eclipse on June 26 and there is a Grand Cross also called a Grand Square happening along with it.

I read a great quote in an article by Stephanie Austin which seems to cover it: “There’s good news and there’s bad news. The bad news: Civilization, as we know it is about to end. Now, the good news: civilization, as we know it, is about to end.” (Swami Beyondananda)

Deep Changes Awaiting Us

I believe that we as souls have chosen consciously to incarnate into these exciting times to be part of the most outrageous changes possible. As divine creators we chose this time to live new dreams on earth after millenniums of suffering in the old Darwinian paradigm of survival of the fittest. As newer research is pointing towards survival is actually more secured for individuals as well as communities in relations based on interdependency and mutual support. This does make a lot of sense of course, don’t you think?

I also believe that the changes we are facing are mainly originating in our collective consciousness and the individual realization of oneness with each other and all what is.

Many people nowadays have had enlightening moments and experiences which have changed their lives and their perspective. You can read the book by Arjuna Ardagh called the Translucent Revolution where he interviewed many “normal” people or “wise ones” we have heard about. This is not only happening to a few of us. Many spiritual teachers like Edgar Tolle, Abraham-Hicks or Byron Katie talk and teach about the changes in consciousness and how to tune in deeper and integrate them into daily life.

Collective Wake-up Calls

In the Oneness movement we perceive the year 2012 as a highly charged opportunity to enter a new area in human consciousness. Astrologically speaking this already has been starting more noticeable last year and continues with different astrological events while we are moving towards the year 2012.

We have been talking about different sign posts for that most recent development: the T-Square, Uranus and Jupiter moving into Aries, the five oppositions of Uranus and Saturn, Saturn moving into Libra, Pluto into Capricorn and the currently happening Grand Square including the Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn. You can find those articles through my search application in the side bar under the search terms.

Where do we go with all this? Is it good news or bad news for you? Usually we get into trouble when we get caught up in a place of resistance and suffering with what is. If we are able to ride the wave it is actually exhilarating and tremendously joyful. If you try to fight your way against the tide guess who is going to win out anyway?

So the questions of most interest are how can we as individuals prepare ourselves to go with the flow of the moment and keep our head above the tumultuous waters. And how can we be a force for good instead of part of the problem?

Astrology Is a Way to Raise Your Consciousness

I truly believe in good preparation. A hundred percent of preparation usually gives you excellent results if it concerns a speech you have to give, an article to write or any other project on the level of doing on the physical level of manifestation. But to truly achieve joyful contentment, unconditional love and true feelings of success we also need to consciously work on our state of consciousness. We need to raise our consciousness to higher levels in order to stay in the flow of creation and personal evolution. There is no standing still and remain happily ever after. Life is made up out of continuous change and impermanence.

Astrology is a very elegant way to pave the way for expanding your consciousness through a deeper understanding of the time quality of the moment, allowing you to use cosmic windows of opportunities and ride the wave joyously. If you are interested in astrology you are a person who is processing the world around you mentally for a deeper understanding of yourself and your surroundings. You like to ask unusual questions and you are open for answers coming from a field of knowledge and wisdom beyond the narrow main stream ideologies.

That is an excellent requisite for personal growth into unknown possibilities. You are more available for the universal intelligence to use you as a conduct to move along the collective consciousness. Your personal changes will impact the bigger picture and do change the world! This is your personal power! You can be the change you want to see in the world! Having said all this let us have a look at the above mentioned constellations:

Summer Solstice: Sun Moves into Cancer

June 21 or 22 depending on where you are on the planet marks the Summer Solstice and this is the longest day of the year. Most people in the Northern Hemisphere love this energetic time of year, when they can enjoy the light and the outdoors until late in the evening. Summer is at its high point and we feel nourished by life, full and energized and uplifted by the exposure to lots of sun energy.

Cancer is considered a feminine water sign. All life on Earth depends on water, and all land animals, including humans, are thought to have originated in the oceans. So Cancer is closely associated with giving life, and hence motherhood and a protected family environment.

The personality of Cancer people is fluid with a broad range of personal traits all based in the rich inner emotional landscape. Home and family are always an important theme for this sign, for both men and women. They make loving, protective parents and family values are highly important.

They are also very generous, giving people and often find ways to express their nurturing nature in the healing and caring professions. They tend to be ruled by their roller coaster of emotional ups and downs. They can also be quite artistic and make good artists, actors, and musicians.

There is a fullness and richness associated with Cancer. Sun and water together are essential to fuel life and make it even possible to thrive on this planet. Without neither of these energies there would be no life.

It is the time of the year to give and receive out of the abundance of life and creation. It is a good time to revel in the goodness of life and find ways to expand it in your personal expertise of self expression.

Capricorn Lunar Eclipse

On June 26 we have a Lunar Eclipse, which is a Full Moon covered up by the alignment of the Sun and earth in relation to the Moon. This happens every 6 month and interrupts the normal galactic cosmic flow of energy reaching us. It facilitates change and reconfiguration of consciousness big time. And it works on a very subconscious level beyond your conscious mind and screening system. Be open for some surprises this week and time coming. It sets the tone till the next Lunar Eclipse in half a year.

This Lunar Eclipse is very significant beyond the usual because it is so shortly after the Solstice and because of the involvement in the Big Square participated by Pluto, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mercury, all within 5 degrees of the four cardinal points. (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) This will greatly intensify all the individual qualities and demands inherent in each sign and planet heralding a crucial turning point in human history.

I like the way Stephanie Austin describes it: “The Jupiter Uranus conjunction in Aries awakens, emboldens, and spurs us to see and do things differently. The Sun and Mercury in Cancer sensitize us to our real feelings and needs. The Moon and Pluto in Capricorn demand that we be responsible and claim our power, while Saturn in late Virgo drives us to focus on what is most necessary and feasible.” (Article in The Mountain Astrologer, issue 151)

Maybe it is all about a balance between your heart, integrating your mind and your emotions connecting deeper with your eternal, divine soul. For me it seems to be about trusting my own inner guidance system which leads me through good or bad feelings. Maybe it is all about trusting that guidance and learning to find relieve from bad feelings moment to moment. Life has a way of confronting us with areas we still have resistance and unresolved business. But we cannot really go wrong in this endless dance of an ever changing existence. We will never be done or finished with our process. So why not enjoy the ride?

I love the work of Abraham-Hicks who is such a force for good and helping so many people with realigning themselves and integrating higher consciousness into their daily life. Their book The Amazing Power of Intent is designed to help you with that reinvention of yourself and might be helpful for your process. And of course there is always your own inner connection with higher wisdom and consciousness available to you through tuning in with meditation and contemplation.

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 this article 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.

Geminis are thought of as the most versatile and flexible sign in the zodiac because of their intrinsic curious nature which leads them into new territory all the time. They love to travel to assuage their need for stimulation and inspiration. They love to read and usually have a big pile of books beside their bed where they are able to pick one up, read a chapter or so and then move onto the next one. They might come back to the first one a week later, moving back and forth between the interests of the moment. In the end they will have read the whole pile but usually not one after the other from front to back as others might prefer.

Geminis are very well informed and make very pleasant conversation partners. They are thought of as the butterflies who move from one object of interest to the next in short time because of their ability to take a fresh look and their genuine interest into their surroundings and other people. An integrated Gemini will be able to put all those different pieces of juicy information into the bigger picture where it makes sense and integrates with the wider perspective of the opposing sign of Sagittarius. Each sign is only complete when it has integrated the complementing opposing sign.

Without the context of a deeper meaningful connection of the single pieces to each other the Geminis efforts of collecting data will fall short of a deeper relevance. It would stay superficial and without deeper satisfaction.

I am Gemini rising and can certainly relate. Having just come back from my 5 weeks trip to Germany I am still sorting through all my experiences, the events, meetings and talks with friends. It became very obvious to me how much my Gemini enjoyed the constant change and stimulation I experienced traveling. Very different to my usual very laid back life style on the beautiful island of Maui.

There were so many beautiful churches to look at in Cologne. It seemed like every time you turned your back you were looking at one. The museums with their high caliber of art were exhilarating. The discussions about the oil leak were depressing and engaged. The German perspective onto alternative technologies and conscious preserving of resources were uplifting. Many Germans are now building houses with alternative heating directly from the heat of the earth and are very conservative about using energy in general. I had fun watching all the small cars zipping around downtown like the Smart car made by Mercedes. They are so easy to park in the city and don’t use much gas.

Living on Maui I am missing that buzzing beat of a big city so I have to go traveling once in a while to satisfy my thirst for adventure and new ideas.

With the astrological constellations of this week you also will have a little taste of Gemini qualities especially with Mercury in his own sign Gemini:

New Moon in Gemini on June 12
Mercury in Gemini June 9
Mercury Square to Neptune and Mars June 9-11
Jupiter Conjunction Uranus June 8

New Moon in Gemini Squaring Saturn

The new lunar cycle of the Moon starts off in Gemini and will be guiding us through a lively month. Yet the New Moon is squared by Saturn in Virgo which will be bringing in more intensity and need to test new ideas and speculations for their true usefulness. Often we experience Saturn energy first as a damper onto our enthusiasm. But if we hang in there we will be gratified by more clarity and focus of vision.

You could say that New and Full Moon are representing potent times of magic and were hold in high esteem by many cultures. Even if the magic is just the potential it holds for the astrological student or master in setting their intentions according to the universal flow as represented in ancient astrological signs. Astrology promises to help you to lift your consciousness to higher levels and align yourself with the universal flow for your own benefit.

Mercury in Gemini

Mercury is the ruler of Gemini and therefore coming home into its own sign. Mercury is representing our mental stand, the way we think and communicate. In Gemini he is at his best: flexible, interested, amusing, entertaining, funny, intellectual versatile and always up to discuss and dissect new topics. This is a good month for you to sharpen your interest, expand your social life and enjoy new connections. Saturn might help to make good use of this more light hearted time so it might have lasting impact onto your life.

Mercury Square to Neptune and Mars

Also Mercury’s square to Neptune might fuel your imagination and bolster your courage to dream big, but you might also get lost in illusions and projections of your own mind. Take yourself with a grain of skepticism and amusement and you will be fine.

Mercury squaring Mars always invites the possibility to be very rash, impulsive and even aggressive. Sudden sparks of temper might surprise the heck out of you if that is not your usual mode of operation.

Jupiter Conjunction Uranus

When Jupiter joins with Uranus there is the potential of truly genius thoughts and ideas. Jupiter who is always looking for a deeper meaning and expansion of thoughts and beliefs is in league with the visionary, rebellious spirit of Uranus who wants to drastically change society for the better no matter what the costs. There is an explosive quality with those both planets coming together. Better get clear what your priorities are and where you are heading with your life:

Where do you want to go in your life right now?
What are your dream goals, long and short term?
Where do you feel change is looming just waiting to happen?
Where do you want change to happen?
What can you do to allow the process?

The Gemstone for all this Gemini Energy is Citrine

If you want to support yourself with a gemstone to help your alignment with the present moment you could choose the Citrine. You can find them as crystals or faceted pieces depending what you personally like best. Citrine can be used in big chunks for jewelry because it is not such an expensive stone and you can afford a big stone if you like that.

Citrine  has Sun and Mercury Qualities

“Citrine is a light yellow to gold-brown colored Quartz. It crystallizes in hexagonal prisms with pyramids on the top of each crystal. Most Citrines that are found in shops are heat treated Amethysts or Smoky Quartz. The treated stones will be more golden or brownish, while natural Citrine is more of a pale yellow. A heat-treated stone will need some kind of healing ritual to restore it to its natural energies.

Citrine is a stone for the second or third chakra, depending on its color. It brings in the energy of the sun and opens our mind to higher thoughts beyond fears and doubts. Citrine gives us the patience and endurance we need to focus our mind on details such as writing, planning, and putting things in their proper order.” (Taken from Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul)

You can use the stone for your meditation by placing it onto your third eye lying down on your back. You could take your questions with you and allow answers and inspiration to pop into your mind. Or you can charge it with an aim you are taking and place it in front of you at your work place to keep you on track and focus better. More about how to use gemstones for meditation, how to clear and charge them you can find in other articles I have written.

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.

I wish you a wonderful week and enjoyment of the Gemini sparkles,

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 still traveling in Germany and enjoying myself. I have my notebook with me tending to my emails and my blog as you can tell. It is truly amazing how technology enables us to be flexible like that. Twelve years ago I didn’t even own a computer and now look at me.

The Lunar Cycle

The cycle of the Moon is the fastest changing heavenly body circling around us. We can detect the changes with our own eyes and often feel very connected with the Moon. I remember as a child trying so hard to see the Man in the Moon and my interest in the changes I could observe.

The Moon’s influence always has been obvious to us with the ebb and flow of the oceans. The farmers used to plant at New Moon and harvest at Full Moon and I know that medical plants are still harvested that way for optimal medical benefits.

Following the changing Moon through out the month can help us greatly to develop more self consciousness and self understanding for the spurts of emotions and feelings moving through us. It might help that way not to be too identified or attached to the way we just feel. One thing is for sure that whatever you feel will change soon enough.

Full Moon in Sagittarius on May 27

Another month has passed and the Moon is full again in Sagittarius. With this Full Moon there is lots of energy around, our emotions are extended and at the surface. Sagittarius is an enthusiastic fire sign, full of energy, ideas and opinions. You might want to watch your need to be right in discussions and overloading others with your vibrancy and tendency to lecture. Not that there is something wrong with that, just be aware! Enjoy yourself! If you cannot sleep at night, just meditate and enjoy the state. You will still feel rested the next morning.

The Moon is moving through the whole zodiac every month. The signs in their position in the wheel of the zodiac can be seen as an endless unfolding into another level of evolution.  Life is breathing in and breathing out; it is contracting and expanding; one sign coming out of the one before. There is always growth, change and evolution.

After the inward motion and intensity of the Moon in Scorpio the last two days we are ready for the more expansive nature of Sagittarius.
The gregarious nature of Sagittarian people is hard not to like! They are idealistic and care about the state of the world, leading them to take up vocations in medicine, education, religion, and politics. They are high energy people, always involved in one project or another, adventures of spirit, in search of universal wisdom, full of openness, generosity, and have a sociable nature. They posses a lot of energy, passion and are full of ideas as a fire sign. The Moon in this sign will help us to find that part in ourselves!

Sagittarians are ruled by Jupiter who is considered a very fortunate and joyful energy in astrology. This is the time of the month to expand, review our dreams and goals and widen our perspective. Whenever we expand, learn something new, get excited and passionate about something we feel good!  Growing as humans into our fuller potential is one of our basic human needs. If we stop growing we will feel bored, stagnant and very unhappy with ourselves.

Saturn Turns Direct again at 28 Degree Virgo on May 30

Saturn is finally moving forward again and is getting ready to leave Virgo to step into Libra for good. Virgos can feel some relief after those years of heavy transits with Saturn tied into the T-square with Uranus and Pluto depending on where their Sun is positioned. A friend of mine described it as “having a black cloud hanging over her…” Now is the time of integration and resolution of the challenges you might have had the last 2 years.

The demands for freedom, fairness and accountability are the themes here and hopefully clarity and appropriate choices are standing at the end of the process.

I have written several articles about the t-square and how you can support yourself with gemstones in the process, especially Opal,  the Herkimer Diamond and the Crystal Quartz. The Herkimer Diamond is one of my favorite gems because of his balancing and protecting energies.

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.

Over time I have published several articles about the bigger picture of the celestial heavens then possible with just the discussion of the weekly astrological updates. The slow moving transits of the outer planets are the one who are mirroring the fundamental changes in society and can help us gain deeper understanding and personal alignment with what is going on. So I will be keeping throwing in some articles about different thoughts then just what is going on in the moment and time frame of a week.

I am partaking in the astrological writer’s event of the international Blogathon, yes – this is a new word in cyberspace now… where 50 different astrologers have written their point of view about the T-square between Saturn, Uranus and Pluto. (See one of my two articles on that subject, the other one follows this week) This current main event in the celestial heavens is one big piece of the puzzle marking the time of the big changes we have been waiting for all our lives. We are part of this transformation and we are the transformation! I believe we are living in a most exciting time and will be witnessing a major change in the overall state of consciousness towards a higher level of oneness and evolution in our humanness. And I am very excited about this!

My interest in writing about astrology is the potential of raising our consciousness which is the antidote to fear and depression. We are living in a time of information overload at our fingertips on the keyboard of our computers. We need to ask the right questions to get onto the journey for the right answer. I say that because there is no objective truth to anything. There is only our very limited, personal subjective place of understanding. Finding your own inner truth is therefore a very personal process and unending journey.

Have a look at the bigger picture and check out different perspectives from different astrologers at the Blogathon. This event is happening now from March 19-21.

This week we are experiencing the beginning of a very different energy flow and the astrological start of the zodiac with the Sun moving into Aries. After all the introverted and dreamy Pisces energy of the last month with 5 planets inviting us deeper into our inner world and spiritual connection, now we start a new cycle of learning and experiencing life in a new extroverted fashion through action.

Highlights of this week are:

• New Moon in Pisces March 15
• Mercury enters Aries March 17
• Spring Equinox with the Sun entering Aries March 20
• Moon moves through Aries, Taurus to Gemini

New Moon in Pisces

This New Moon in Pisces is especially powerful with its closeness to Uranus and Mercury. It will be influenced by new ideas and understanding with intuitive guidance.

New Moon and Full Moon are turning and culmination points with almost magical potential in the waning and waxing of the Moon throughout her approximately 28 days cycle. The New Moon is a new beginning, it is the time to consciously plant the kind of seed we want to see flowering in the time to come. It is also worthwhile to consider where the New Moon in happening in your chart. That is the area in your life in which you can set new intentions and take steps accordingly.

For me this New Moon is in my 12th house and gives me a chance to deepen my inner spiritual connection as well as heal and detoxify myself in deeper layers. Some weeks back I shared with you some thoughts about detoxifying with a Far Infrared sauna program and colonics. Since then I have embarked on a program of studying the books of Dr. Sherry Rogers and implementing some of her suggestions. I am deeply committed to make my physical and spiritual health a priority in my life right now.

I am so lucky to have a dear girl friend who is my buddy on this journey to share my thoughts, insights and frustrations. Teaming up with somebody keeps you committed, on track and is just more fun.

Mercury Enters Aries

When Mercury moves into Aries we are mentally ready for some implementation and action to take. Aries energy needs to move and take form in some ways. We feel inspired and motivated to go after our needs and desires.

Spring Equinox with the Sun Entering Aries

The beginning of the new cycle of growth and life is the Spring Equinox and it starts the astrological year. Aries is the energy of new beginnings, fresh starts and commitment to life. We feel hopeful and receive more life giving sun energy to replenish and rejuvenate after a long, dark winter. Often we feel like spring cleaning our house, decluttering the piles and corners in our home, setting new intentions for our physical health and making new plans for the year.

Have a look which of your houses is harboring Aries in your horoscope and you will have more of an idea where you want to put your deep cleaning and renewing energies towards. Also take note where your Mars as the ruler of Aries is located. For example my Mars is in Gemini in the third house which indicates a great time for research, new learning and implementation. I am devoting at least one hour every morning to studying Sherry Roger’s books about taking charge about health and detoxifying.

The transiting Mars is in the beginning of Leo, a sign of fire and creative expression. The house that Mars is in and the aspects this mighty warrior is having with personal planets might give you another piece of understanding the changing of your initiative energy and focus of your will power. Enjoy the freshness and innocence of this new moment of now and make it your own by setting your conscious intentions and goals.

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 please 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 always 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.

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.

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

This week’s planetary constellations are very energizing and uplifting and will stimulate and inspire you. You can read this article to prepare yourself better for this week or you could just read up on the different constellations out of the timely context of this week.
The highlights of discussion are:
•    New Moon in Sagittarius
•    Sun, New Moon and Venus in Sagittarius squaring rebellious Uranus
•    Mars in going retrograde
•    Sun sextile to Jupiter and Neptune
•    Moon starting out in Sagittarius, getting more settled in Capricorn and   breezes fresh air in Aquarius

Inspiration and Guidance is in Your Chart
With all the professional insecurities we are facing these day, wouldn’t it make sense to remember what you are really good at? Wouldn’t you want to find out more about your true calling, strength and potential? Let us think about this for a moment!

What were you dreaming as a kid of what you wanted to do when you were grown up? What did you want to do when you finished school and entered “real life”? It is really interesting and revealing to look back into your early dreams and compare to your journey through life and see where it has brought you.

As an example, my earliest dream was to become a doctor and really make a difference for other people in their life. Then one of my school teachers and mentor talked me out of it with pointing out that the education would take too many years and I might want to do something I could be finished with before I turned 30. Real life knocked at my door with good, practical arguments.

Still wanting to make a difference and contribute something of importance I decided at the age of 19 to become a journalist. I wanted to teach and educate others, influence and raise consciousness. I applied at a very good journalist school in Cologne which offered an education in combination with economical studies at the university. The test and application process took 3 days and I made it through with excellent results. Ten month later the program started and that left me too much time to change my mind. I did move to Cologne to start the journalist school but life took a different turn.

I decided I wanted to do something with art, create beauty and become a goldsmith after all. I also liked the idea of being self employed and making my own decisions.

Now you probably wonder where I am going with all this. I want to make the point that we have many different choices for our potentials to take form in our life. I am Gemini rising, with many interests and skills for communication and writing. That would have given me plenty of potential for the professional choice for journalism. With a Neptune trine to Mercury and the Sun in the twelfth house the interest for healing and caring for others could have guided me into a healing profession.

Practical Taurus Rising with Venus in the first house won the contest and I learned the craft of goldsmithing as an apprentice and then studied art. During my art studies I became interested in deeper layers of meaningful jewelry, in astrology and started on a life long journey of learning about alternative healing modalities and the evolution of consciousness. (Moon in Aquarius)

After over thirty years the circle of all these different ambitions has been closed with my first published book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul where I teach 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. 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. And you can see how it  has grown out of all these different interests and very specific set of skills of mine.

When I look back I can see how all my motivations of my early dreams have come to fruition over time and have culminated in my book.

This week’s heavenly potential can serve you well to do a little walk back your own memory lane and inquire what your dreams and aspirations were and what has come out of it. I suggest you take a cup of tea and sit with your journal or note book and write out your childhood dreams. It is also fun to ask your friends and find out about their life’s journey.

Mars in Leo Turning Retrograde on Sunday
Mars in Leo wants to express its creativity and shine from an inner place of self confidence and success.

Retrograde planets always turn our focus out of the normal onward directed flow. Things don’t flow as easily as we would like and it takes more determination and clarity to manifest and implement ideas. Therefore it is a wonderful time to go back and become more aware and conscious of forgotten motivations and gain more clarity, a new focus and intention out of that.

Mars is known as the warrior, presenting our ability to do things and direct our life force energy into action and results. It might not be easy to start new projects successfully right now till Mars turns direct again on March 10. But you can be wise and use this retrograde direction for insights into what has brought you into the present moment of time and make new plans for the future.

Sun, Moon and Venus in Sagittarius Squaring Rebellious Uranus
Whatever your life looks like today is very much connected with your childhood dreams and ambitions. When we are kids we are more in touch with our essence and not so corrupted by practical considerations of having to make money. If you are not happy and content with where you are in your life, if you feel like you are not living your fullest potential, I suggest to get an astrological reading, an update and feedback on where you are in your process.

This is indeed a good time for an astrological reading. A good reading can be a delightful process of self discovery and be a quantum leap in your understanding of your inner dynamics. It is a process of finding your own inner truth and guidance more consciously. Even if I am living far away in Hawaii, I am available for you for readings on Skype if you want that. When I give a reading I am always looking into the present transits as well to see where you are in the moment in relation to your basic blueprint.

With three planets in Sagittarius this week is about expanding beyond your limitations. This is a sign of adventure and escapism. It spurs interest in education, religion, finding inner meaning and join political just causes. It is driven by fiery energy expanding in constant motion and unfolding. Uranus is the rebellious visionary wanting to change the world for the better by revolutionizing the old hierarchic structures. With all this we have a potent mixture for finding answers and fulfillment we have been looking for a long time.

New Moon in Sagittarius on Wednesday
The New Moon is the time of the month for contemplation and meditation. It is the best time of the month to reorient yourself anew for the coming month with new intentions and goals. The New Moon is this moment of darkness cleaning the slate from the old, starting a new cycle colored by the sign it is in. With the New Moon in Sagittarius it is all about your own sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, the meaning you give to life.

Sun’s Sextile with Jupiter and Neptune
There is the additional harmonious flow of Jupiter energy as well as Neptune this week. Jupiter is the ruler of Sagittarius and will deepen your ambition to look for deeper meaning, answers and guidance in your life. Neptune is the master of dreams and connection with the divine and universal wisdom. Their connection with the center of our consciousness, the Sun will be inspiring, uplifting and insightful.

Many of you are very busy with pre Christmas preparations. This is a busy time of the year not only because of Christmas but because of the Sagittarius influence stirring things up. Enjoy this week and ride the wave as best as you can. Next week we enter a whole different energy with the Winter Solstice preparing us for the change from the longest night and the shortest day towards the strengthening of light and life force.

I hope you enjoyed my musings, aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author