Comments and Questions - 2008

December 11, 2008 - First Time Writer Long Time Reader

Georgia,

With great respect I ask why do you tell about shopping and spending money? Are your stars worth money? I love your columns, my mother read them to me as a teen and I still read them today. Thank you very much for your frequently accurate interpretations.

J.

Dear J.

I'm glad you asked this question. I'm not at a big shopper! I live on an island on four acres of trees with wood heat, and I'm home most of the time writing columns! (But don't get me wrong I love my goodies.)

The Moon Alert is the most important sentence in the entire column. I live by it and so does my family.

What it means is whatever you initiate during those warning times will tend not to fulfill its purpose. This means it's a very poor time to make important decisions -- and one of those decisions could be an outlay of money.

Even though I'm not pushing consumerism; nevertheless, I have millions of readers who are shopping every day (even if someone might only make a big purchase once every six months) -- it could be that day.

One day you might want to buy an overcoat, a TV set, a computer or a car or a house or a company. When that day comes I want you to be as protected as possible.

The warnings in the Moon Alert are about 80% accurate maybe even higher. If you buy something during those times, it will likely be lost, stolen, broken, ruined or it won't fit or you won't use it after one or two times.

This isn't a big deal if it just means a pair of shoes or a pair of pants stays in your closet unused. But what if it's a house? And for that matter, even if it's a pair of shoes -- why blow your money for nothing?

Therefore, I give this warning whenever the Moon is void-of-course, which happens to be every two one half days.

It doesn't mean I think people are out shopping everyday - but someone is. I avoid important decisions during those times. And with the exception of buying food, I would never would buy anything during those times.

Since I have to describe this whole process in one sentence - I'm hoping that people will get the drift when I say "important decisions" and "whether you spend $10 or ten million)".

Therefore, on the days when the coast is clear, I grant you, it sounds like I'm telling everyone to run out and shop.

That's not what I'm trying to say. I'm trying to give the daily update about warnings vis-à-vis spending your money or making important decisions.

I hope this clarifies things a bit more for you. Thanks for your note!

Happy shopping! (hee hee)

Georgia

November 29, 2008 - New Moons

Blessings Georgia!

I always enjoy your writings and am grateful you do what you do...!

I'm wondering if you will share how you honor New Moons, as in, do you make a list of intentions, do you meditate on gratitude, do you run around naked...? Do tell!!!

Thanks so very much!

C.

Dear C.

I never guessed that anyone knew I ran around naked... :)

(I'll be a bit more careful in the future. Curtains might help.)

I am aware of each New Moon and I treat it like Jan 1 each year. By that I mean I think about new intentions and resolutions to improve my life. However, in the case of the New Moon, I confine my intentions to improve myself to whatever "area" that particular New moon covers, which I generally mention in my columns.

Then I invariably forget my resolutions; but I don't beat myself up about that either. In other words, I gently try to improve but I'm lazy and forgetful. Nevertheless, I don't let that stop me from continuing to try....

And as the centuries go by - I think one does make a little headway in the right direction.

The key ingredient here is less what you do and more what you aspire to do. Motivation is everything.

All good things-

Love
Georgia

November 27, 2008 - Saturn Return

Hi Georgia:

It feels like I've been going through what my friends and I call the 'quarter life crisis' for a number of years now -- lots of transition, getting to know ourselves, understanding what's important, what we need to be happy and relating to others -- and I've recently heard that this is characteristic of Saturn Returning.  I'm going to be 28 next May and things don't seem to be settling yet...I know progress is a non-linear path but sometimes I feel like I'm moving backwards.

Can you tell me more about Saturn Returning and how that affects life, stars, and chocolate consumption (to help with all the transition/growing pains)?

Thanks for doing what you do,

J.

Dear J:

It's true you are approaching your first Saturn Return. Everyone goes through this two and a half year window from roughly ages 28 to 30 or ages 29 to 31. It can be a bummer - but only in a more dull, discouraging way.

And one often goes through something where you need to sign a legal document like getting married or having a child or getting divorced because Saturn rules the law courts.

But in the bigger picture, you will experience some kind of increased responsibility or a limiting situation so that you are forced to mature and grow up.

This is why according to astrology, you are not an adult until you are thirty - or to be more precise: you are not an adult until you have completed your first Saturn Return.

This is why people who are over thirty are different from people who are under thirty. This is also why when people of an age difference marry - if they are both over 30 - then 20 years might not really matter; but if one of them is under thirty - it is much more dicey. Capice?

I remember being 29 years old, the mother of 2 kids, living in a nice brick home in Chicago and looking out my front door one afternoon thinking - "So this is it. This is all there is. Every few years, perhaps a new car; maybe a cottage some day. But this is it - I see my whole life laid out before me."

It was very discouraging and disillusioning!

Of course, my life did not turn out that way at all. I moved back to Canada and later got a divorce and I have had a very exciting life. And still do! But as your Saturn Return approaches you feel very ho hum about it all.

Don't' worry. When it is over - you will feel like a weight is lifted off your shoulders, and you will be more mature, more savvy and more clued in to how to live your life in a way that is more richly rewarding and happy for you.

Keep the faith - sistah!

Love
Georgia

November 26, 2008 - Libra Lost Job

Hi Georgia,

I'm just reading the forecast for the Librans since I'm a Libra born on the 11th of Oct 19xx. I've just lost my job after 14 months of outstanding work out of , I don't know if you believe this, Envy.

But what I'm wondering about is this. How am I going to fix my house because this is indeed one of my main concerns since I have no money to spare? I know the predictions are general but I lost my job so now I have to wait for something to happen regarding my property?

Unless miracles happen which I don't believe anymore. By saying that I do not want to sound pessimistic. More realistic.

What do you think? Is there something to look forward to?

Kind regards
Libra

Dear Libra:

Of course you have much to look forward to!

You are dejected and deflated now because it is super depressing to lose your job - especially if you excelled at it.

And yes - I believe you when you say envy. People are easily threatened by excellence if they cannot achieve it. And I am very sorry to hear that you have had this bad experience. But I think it is an obstacle blessing - i.e. something good will come of it.

However, better to be out of a bad situation! Ideally you want to work where others want the best for you.

If you were able to do your job so well that someone was envious of your success - then you can easily get another job where you will excel once again. Don't you agree? This is only logical. You are not a loser! You are a great job candidate.

So for starters - think about another job. When you are earning money again - you can introduce changes at home that cost money.

Until then - you can still make changes for the better at home by getting rid of clutter and going through closets and drawers and cupboards and recycling or selling or giving away things you don't use. These items are "weighing" you down.

You are very affected by your surroundings. (A Libran trait.) Once you know your drawers and cupboards are organized and neat - this energy will spill over into other areas at home. You can make a lot of improvements by cleaning, getting rid of what you don't need, and rearranging furniture. Money is not the only thing that makes a home feel better. Time, effort and ingenuity can go a long way as well!

Good luck!

Love
Georgia

October 10, 2008 - Financial Meltdown

Hi

I was wondering about this Wall Street bailout and how much effect it will have since it was all conjured up during a mercury retrograde? Or does this apply to fixing "old busy-ness", since it had its beginnings some time ago? I read in one of your columns that things would be good/okay until after 2010 or so and after that you wouldn't say or couldn't cause we were headed for a fuzzy future. But I guess were all invested in the "fuzzy futures" market.

Cheers, C.

Dear C.

I don't think the Mercury retrograde is a big enuff influence to cause this meltdown. However, a few weeks ago, a reader reminded me that I said this in my 2007 Annual Forecast:

"By contrast, in 2008, when Jupiter moves from Sagittarius (where it thrives) into Capricorn (where it's not comfy) things will change drastically. Many corporations could go bankrupt. Growth will slow down. Everyone will tighten their belts and be more conservative."

(I'm so good.)

In one way, we can bemoan the disappearing middle class - but in the next breath, when you think back to previous centuries since 1000 AD - we're pretty well off in North America - although not those in tent cities -- certainly not everyone. But compared to other times, and even some other countries - we are still rich.

But of course, the rich are making a grab for everything they can get.

This means the collective voice of the people on the street will soon rally its forces.... and indeed - we are returning to another transit of Pluto in Capricorn.

Pluto rules countries; and Capricorn rules governments and the status quo. Furthermore, Pluto rules reform and always wants a superior result and Pluto will use even force if necessary to obtain what it wants. (Pluto rules crime.)

Pluto was last in Capricorn from 1762 to 1779. This was the time of the American Revolution and the French (and virtually European) Revolution. (Although Bastille Day did not take place until 1789.)

Once again we have completed the cycle, and are entering a new transit of Pluto in Capricorn from 2008 to 2023.

This means the entire history of Canada and the US was encapsulated in the last Pluto cycle. (Pluto moving from Capricorn through the other 11 signs and back to Capricorn.) The Battle of the Plains of Abraham (whereby Canada came under British Domain) was in 1759, and the US declared its independence from Britain in 1776.

We have come full circle.

Now what?

I think once again a revolutionary element will pervade the political scene demanding reform. We are already hearing it in the financial community where for example Prime Minister Gordon Brown wants to investigate "irresponsible behavior" - read: greedy money grabs of senior financial people.

We are heading into a new era.

Times -- they are a changin'!

Georgia

October 1, 2008 - More Mercury Retrograde Stories

Hi Georgia - 

Since this retrograde started:

  • Laptop - broke down - electrical problem.
  • Cell phone - SMS (send/receive) not working
  • Camera - somehow has a big star crack across the viewer - done.
  • Aquarium water filter - done.
  • Light bulbs all throughout the house over and out.
  • Power went out(!) - freezer did not turn back on - deep freeze full of warm, stinky food.
  • 2 breakers have since popped. No reason.
  • I can't sleep! 4 hours and I wake up ready to rock. This is very, very unusal for me. I have never had trouble sleeping.

This is an especially brutal retrograde for me. What gives?

Warm regards,
S.

Dear S.

Yikes! This is brutal Mercury retrograde for you! Each Mercury retrograde (about 3 times a year) occurs in a different sign and at a different degree. Some of them really hit a person according to how it hits their chart which is why some hardly affect one person and drive another person bonkers.

You have my sympathies... it ain't over till the fat lady sings!

September 25, 2008 - Premature Birth

Hi,

I love your horoscopes, thank you for these.  I have a quick question, if you were born prematurely what is your real sign?

S. F

Dear S.F.

Your chart, including your 'sign' which is really just your Sun sign (your Moon and all the other planets are in signs as well) is based on the moment when you take your first breath independent of your mother.

Georgia

September 16, 2008 - Lost Soul

HELLO DEAR GEORGIA,

I ENJOY YOU SO MUCH!, YOU ARE ARE SO WITTY & FULL OF SPUNK THAT I MUST WRITE TO YOU, EVEN THOUGH I AM BROKE & UNABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR EFFORTS TO LIFT THE SORT OF SOULS OF THE LIKES OF ME....

WHEN I AM DOWN I HAPPEN UPON YOU THAT I WONDER IF IT IS BY ACCIDENT OR BY SOME OTHER MEANS THAT YOU LIFT ME TO CONTINUE ANOTHER DAY...

I DO NOT KNOW THE LESSON THAT IS TO BE EXTRACTED FROM THESE.....

BUT I QUESTION WHY I HAPPENED UPON YOU...

PERHAPS I AM TALKING TO A COMPUTER THAT WILL ANSWER JUST AS I NEED TO HEAR BUT, I AM DOING IT REGARDLESS

THANKS NONE THE LESS FROM ALL THE LOST & CONFUSED SOULS LIKE ME.!!!

Dear Confused;

Thanks for your note. I am glad you enjoy my writing.

But ya know? - it's easy to assume others are happy; when in fact, we all feel inadequate, fearful, nervous, lonely, overwhelmed by life and at a loss at times dealing with others.

If money was the answer - then wealthy people would be happy. But we know this is not the case, right?

Furthermore, only about 1% of the world owns computers. You are literate and communicating to me via the Internet. This put you in a wealthy, advantaged tiny minority of the world population!

Having said this, I don't mean it imply that just because others are worse off - you have to tap dance and break out with "I'm singing in the raaain." What I am saying is it's easy to forget what we have to be grateful for - until we lose it.

I live on an island where the power can go out a lot in the winter. My water comes from my well and depends on a pump. When the power goes out - I have no water, no flushing toilet etc. Agghh!

Today -- did I appreciate the water to flush the toilet or make tea? Nope.

Will I be grateful for it tomorrow? Nope.

Will I be grateful the first time the power comes on this winter after it's been off - and there's been no water and electricity? Yup. For maybe 10 minutes.

A wise teacher once said the most important meditation we can do daily is appreciation.

I constantly try to remind myself how fortunate I am. And hey - we're alive - even that is something. Because life is short - and fat.

Please don't be discouraged. You are an intelligent, educated, human being. Considering how many life forms there are on this planet - you're on top of the heap!!

Love
Georgia

This is often sent around on the Internet and it is an eye-opener:

  • If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.
  • If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
  • If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.
  • If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
  • If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

September 2, 2008 - Mercury Retrograde Advantages

Hi Georgia,

Is mercury retrograde all bad? I've heard that it can also be a good time to finish up old projects, do research, and reconnect with old friends.

Your columns are fabulous.

Best, D.

Dear D.

Thanks for the compliment. It's Monday morning and I need everything I can get. "More whiskey! And fresh horses for my men!"

You are absolutely right about Mercury retrograde. It is tougher to go forward with anything -- but going 'backwards' is easier! Therefore, finishing jobs that have already begun, doing research, studying history and "looking backwards" - perhaps through psychoanalysis or tripping down memory lane is easier.

If you travel, it is better to go someplace you have been to before.

Of course, despite the above, while you're doing things you'll still suffer from misplaced papers and goofy slip-ups; but these things will be minor. Your productivity and rate of success in finishing things or researching the past will far outweigh these hangnail problems.

What you start in the first 10 days of Sept might be finished quite speedily.

Good luck!
Georgia

August 22, 2008 - Full Moon Fever

Hi Georgia,

I wonder if you could explain a bit about the full moon and why it has the effects that it does. By that I mean, why do tensions seem to increase in the build up and make everything more intense.

Thanks, I just love your columns -- both wise and witty, the perfect combination.

S.

Dear S.

A quick reply: primarily two things are at play in that great ease tensions between people. For starters, the Moon rules your feelings and emotions. So whenever the Moon is challenged, depending where it hits your chart -- you'll have an emotional reaction about this.

Secondly, by definition, every Full Moon is the opposition of the Sun and the Moon right up there in the sky. This means that whatever the Sun is highlighting will be in direct conflict with whatever the Moon is highlighting. It's as if you're pulled in two directions. Example: having mucho domestic responsibilities on the same day that your job is super important. It's like too much going on in two different camps -- and you're hung out to dry in the middle!

And of course, the classic example is tension between partners. This tension can start several days before the Full Moon and even linger for a bit afterward. The only consoling or encouraging is this Full Moon fever is temporary. Couples can be in a raging fight yelling about divorce, and a week later they're coochy-coo shopping for a new plasma TV.

You get the picture.

All best,
Georgia

August 14, 2008 - Reality Sucks

Hello Georgia;

Why is it that sometimes my life is SO completely different than my horoscope suggests it should be?  It seems that there have been many times when things are supposed to be going very well, but in reality, they suck. 

Any suggestions?

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
R.

Dear R.

I understand what you mean. I have noticed that some "bad" days are not so bad - and some "good" days are not so great! Naturally, it could mean that I am doing a poor job of interpreting the stars. But I think there is another consideration.

Our attitude about life in general, and any day in particular, is a huge influence on how we experience what's happening around us.

In fact, our attitude and our experience of life are inseparable. Our attitude colours how we see and feel our surroundings and also how we relate to others. Sometimes our attitude is affected by expectations, or feeling burdened or blessed by something.

For example, imagine a huge rainstorm. The bride who wanted an outdoor wedding is weeping with disappointment, while at the same time the farmer who was desperate for rain for his crops is crying with joy. Same incident - opposite reactions.

When you're in the fresh bloom of being in love - you might discover someone has dented your car - yet you shrug it off as "these things happen." But if you're unhappy because you were rejected, or you lost your job, or any other reason that's a bummer - then a much smaller setback will seem like the last straw and be overwhelming.

We don't really see things as they are - we see things as we are.

This is why some people in very comfortable situations are unhappy, while conversely, others in situations of meager means are happy.

Attitude is everything.

I think one of the quickest ways to promote a positive attitude is appreciation.

We take so much for granted - until we lose it. Especially our health. Daily appreciation is a wonderful 'exercise' to promote happiness.

I'm not sure this answers your question - but it is something to think about.

All good things -

Georgia

July 4, 2008 - A Fighting Libra Comments

Hi:

I am a Libra and I have a bone to pick with you.  I don't like your tone when referring to Libras.  I don't know why you think that we are always pleasing people and why you think that Libras as flip floppers because... I am the most successful person I know, I go after what  I want, I don't please anyone but myself. I am better at business than any other sign that you write about and I have more confidence.  I take from this that people are different no matter what sign they are and I see myself as an individual who have confidence and success in my life.  I don't spend on designer stuff as you accuse us of doing.  I have a nice home and wear nice clothes but believe me I shop for bargains and put the savings in my very very large bank balance.  All my mortgages are paid and all my bills are paid up to date.  I have no debt.  Let me know what sort of Libra you think I am, please, and maybe you will write about the Libra who is a fighter once in a while.

M.S.

Dear M.S.

Forgive me if I am cavalier when discussing Libra. I am Libra Rising which means I am more Libran than a person who "is" a Libra. (Just as Leo Rising is more Leo than a "Leo". The Rising Sign is always the strongest expression of that sign, especially in terms of personality and appearance.) Because Libra is so close to home for me - I might get more tongue in cheek.

I have made references to the fact that Libra rules law and that all great lawyers have Libra in them. It's also why many of them are such great dressers. But great lawyers are definitely great debaters and skilled fighters! (Pierre Trudeau was a double Libra and in many ways the quintessential Libran. He had his Sun in Libra and as well as his Rising Sign. He had a degree in law, and a Master's in Political Economics from Harvard; he also studied at the London School of Economics. He was always particular about his dress and liked to wear a rose in his lapel.)

It so happens that in astrology, Libra rules high-fashion and haute couture. I don't buy high-fashion or haute couture but I do give lots of thought to my clothes. Just because Libra rules haute couture does not mean that all Librans shop that way. Who can afford to?

What is really at issue here is your assumption that you are just one sign and that I am addressing you as if you were just one sign. We are all far more complex than that. So when you describe qualities of yourself, these qualities might not at all be attributed to your Libra Sun.

You have your Moon in a sign and your Mercury in a sign and Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto in different signs. And on top of that, your Rising Sign is your personality and how you look -- it's your packaging.

This is the great limitation of a horoscope column. When I was first approached by a newspaper to write a daily horoscope, I refused. However, now I'm glad that I do because for most people, their only interface or introduction to astrology (as mine was as a child) is a horoscope column in a newspaper.

So when I describe any sign in my columns, I am really describing it as an archetype. It could never describe a complete individual.

Of course Librans can fight for what they want! Here are a list of some fellow Librans: Mickey Rooney, Chief Justice John Marshall, Will Smith, Michael Douglas, Christopher Reeve, Brigitte Bardot, Admiral Lord Nelson, Lech Walesa, Gore Vidal, Thomas Wolfe, Charton Heston, Susan Sarandon, Vaclav Havel, Michael Andretti, Thor Heyerdahl, Jesse Jackson, Juan Peron, John Lennon, Lenny Bruce, and US President General Dwight Eisenhower, David Ben-Gurion, Evel Knievel, Jimmy Breslin and George C. Scott.

Shall we go back to our respective corners now?

All best,
Georgia

June 17, 2008 - Angry about horoscopes

I don't like that you tell people the wrong things. Horescopes don't tell anything at all! It is scientificly proven that horescopes are untrue. I am 13 years old, and even I know that.

V.

Dear V.

Please don't be angry about horoscopes. In fact, don't be angry about anything. It doesn't feel good to be angry and when you are angry other people can feel it too, then everyone is miserable.

If you don't like horoscopes then just don't read them.

You are right. It is true that many scientists say that astrology is foolish bunk. In fact, once a bunch of American scientists all signed a petition about this.

But it is also true that many scientists and mathematicians, and medical doctors believe in astrology and have written books about it.

Kepler was such a great astrologer that they named the first college in North American where you can get a degree in astrology after him (Kepler College).

Isaac Newton (Newtonian physics) was another great astrologer.

One time Isaac Newton was talking to Edmond Halley (Halley's Comet) and Halley denounced astrology, Newton looked at him and replied, "Sir, I have studied the subject; you have not."

I think you will find that everyone who does not believe in astrology has not studied it.

Before you decide what to believe in or not believe in, it's a good to know about it.

Thank you for writing to me with your strong opinion.

All good things to you

love
georgia

June 16, 2008 - Libran Changes

Hi Georgia,

When is it going to get better for Libras ? The other Libras I know are in the same situation.

I'm a libra times 6 ( sun, moon, mercury, venus, true node & rising) I know, ARGH !!!

This year was supposed to be the BEST year ever for everything. Money, Real Estate, Love etc...*

I've been out of work for 1 year now with no income at all. Am at the end of the line, and no matter how hard I have worked ( and trying to find work at a company so I can have something coming in, at the same time working on my biz which went flat, and networking to get a second biz up and running ) nothing has budged.

What is going on and when will it get better ?

Thank you & Hugs

C.

Dear C.

Librans are half way through a 2-3 year interval where they are dismantling much of what they created since around 1996. It is a time of downsizing, letting go, giving up people, places and possessions and getting rid of what is no longer relevant in their lives.

It is not easy.

But this is actually a time of preparation - of clearing the decks so to speak to get ready for 2010. (Or for some, the end of 2009.)

At that time, you will enter a new sandbox. It will be so new that some of you will change your daily wardrobe for various reasons. (Different job or climate.)

It's a major time of transition....

Hang in there and all the best to you. Your world will change quite a lot in the next few years.

Love
Georgia

May 24, 2008 - Shopping Question

Hi Georgia! I always follow your shopping warning after having a couple of real disasters years ago when I ignored it. Anyhow, I just want to clarify something. If I order and pay for something on a day that it's OK to shop, but it arrives on a day that it's not, is it alright to go and pick it up (take possession of it) on a "bad" day? I guess a similar situation could happen on ebay. If I selected something and bid on it on a good shopping day, but it closed on a bad day and I "won" it, would that be OK? Often the auction is for several days, so when I find something I don't have your warning far enough ahead to figure out if that'll be a safe day.

Thanks Georgia! You're wonderful!

W.

Dear W.

I am going to explain what I know and then you will have to make your own call because I'm not sure how to answer your question. (I have never figured out how to buy anything on ebay - yes, me duh) so I'm not sure how that wud work.

On the so called bad shopping days, what is at play is this: whatever you initiate tends not to fulfill your objective. It is not 100% but it is very high!

So if you buy a pair of shoes, or a house or a business, the result might not at all be what you hope for. These are very spacey air-head times. In fact one of them is occurring right now as I answer your question.

I think picking something up - like at the post office or whatever - is okay. There is no decision about the purchase being made - you are just following through on what you set in motion.

As for ebay, you have to decide how that will apply because I don't understand the process that well. I'm a technofeebe. (I'm thrilled I finally know how to deposit US money into an ATM machine!)

If there is no decision on your part at play during the final stage of the ebay when you "win" - it might be okay. But hey - the universe does have a sense of humour. I cannot be sure.

Good luck!

Georgia

May 7, 2008 - Dreams Bardo and Taking & Sending

Dear Georgia,

...I still miss my mother who was born November 24th who would have been 84 this November....we were so close, I just always expected to see her in my dreams....wishful thinking. I do feel she is always with me as I go about my day.

Laurel

Dear Laurel,

I believe it is definitely possible to see your mother in your dreams...

In Western science - dreams are an extension of our awakened state - i.e. this is Wednesday and I am awake, and now it is Wednesday night, and this same mind is now asleep dreaming.

However, in Buddhism (and this surprised me when I learned it) - your dream state is a completely different Bardo.

The word bardo means "between" - so there is

  • a Bardo of Birth - (the time when you start being born until you're finally born.)
  • a Bardo of Life - (the time between being born and dying.)
  • a Bardo of Death - (the time when you start to die until you have finally died.)
  • a Bardo between death and rebirth - this is what mosst people think of when they hear the term the "bardo".
and there is also a Bardo of Dreams.

[and technically there is a big bardo that holds all the other bardos.]

Many high teachers have received teachings and instructions from their own teachers in their dreams.

In the dream state, it is relatively easy for us to discover that we are dreaming... and apparently, this so called awakened state we call life is a big dream as well.

"Row, row, row your boat - gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily - life is but a dream!"

But that is harder to grasp.

I pray for my father and brother every day - they have passed on - but they are certainly somewhere! Even Western science says matter is neither created nor destroyed.

They were either reborn in this world system or in another world system... so I pray for their welfare.

And you can do Taking and Sending for your mother.

This is an ancient exercise to help others. If you have a connection with someone - you can actually help them or heal them - but either way, you will receive benefit for doing this.

The exercise of Taking & Sending works like this:

You visualize the person you want to help. And you visualize that all their troubles, pains and sorrows are like gray smoke around them.

Then you breathe in this gray smoke - sort of sucking it off of them. You breathe it in and it simply dispels in your heart and does not harm you.

Then as you exhale your breath - you visualize that you breathe out a white light of pure energy that is like an elexir - that bathes the person in a sort of test tube of white light, and this relieves their suffering, pains and sorrows.

Then when you inhale- once again you breathe in the gray smoke around them that holds their suffering - and once again when you exhale, you breathe out the while light to purify them.

And you keep doing this...

You can do this every day for your mother, and this will help her wherever she is... because you have a connection with her.

The Dalai Lama would not dispute this. In 1981, at the Hyatt Hotel in Vancouver, I personally heard him give this teaching of Taking & Sending.

Some times when I am driving in the city, and I see a poor person on the street in an unfortunate situation, I give them a few whiffs (if you will) as I go by. I breathe in their gray negativity - and blast them with some white light. I think every little bit helps...

Thought you might want to try this to be closer to your mother. I also think it will help facilitate you meeting her in your dreams...

love
georgia

April 16, 2008 - What Sign to Read

Hello Georgia , I love your horoscope.  My question is , which sign do I  resonate closer to ?  My sun Libra , Gemini Moon and Rising Sign Gemini.  I have personality traits from both.  I have lately been reading more Gemini lately, why would that be?

Thanks, K.

Dear K.

Everyone shud read both their Rising Sign & their Sun sign - one is not more important than the other...

Ironically, because in a sense we have all 12 signs "within" us.... glancing over all 12 signs for each day gives you a broad feeling for the energy of the day.. almost like a weather report.

Do not just rely on one sign. Not really.

Good luck!

Georgia

April 7, 2008 - Pisces Partners

Hello Ms. Nicols,

The Weekly Pisces write-up for Sunday April 6th says partnerships are favoured, but serious partnerships are a challenge. Wondering what you mean by serious, like marriage, or business partnerships? I know it's a niggley question so if you have a moment if not I still love your columns. Best joe

Dear Joe,

Excellent question!

In the big picture, last year, this year (and even next year) there are serious questions going on in serious partnerships for Pisces. These partnerships can be professional or intimate. Major partnerships are undergoing such a period of readjustment, that some of them are falling apart or ending, necessitating negotiations this year. (As an example.)

However, in a smaller window of time, it's also a very good time to relate to partners and close friends for Pisces. And just as some relationships are ending, new ones are beginning! The classic case would be of the dissolution of a long-term partnership which has been going on, while and new partnership is beginning. (Ah sweet new love!)

You are quite right that this appears confusing. But then, nothing in life is really a straight line, is it?

Georgia

February 18, 2008 - Mercury Retrograde

Below is what I wrote in my weekly column for February 10. Two readers have responded with their own Mercury retrograde woes. It just proves that old maxim -- "I cried because I had no shoes and then I met a man who had no laptop."

All Signs: Some Mercury retrogrades are worse than others. Why? Because each Mercury retrograde is in a different sign at a different degree and these details will impact your chart harshly or not. It all depends on the combo between you and the particular Mercury retrograde. This Mercury retrograde is 180° opposite the Mercury in my chart. So far I've had 2 flat tires, 2 missed hair appointments, and 4 missed ferries. I had to buy 4 new tires, and also (in another city) get work done on the car all of which totaled about $2500. I sent last week's weekly column to my daily newspapers which meant two cities had to go to press without it. I'm on such an intimate relationship with my Internet technical support people, we're planning to get together next Thanksgiving. (Two are flying in from the Philippines.) There's more, but some stuff even I blush to confess. Stick a fork in me Lord -- I'm done!

Here is a note from Cleo:

Not only do I enjoy your humour but take guidance from your interpretations and have for years. I am what I call a Cleo, on the cusp between Cancer and Leo, born July 23, 19xx. .. Around the end of November all hell broke loose which has carried on to present and perhaps is now exacerbated by the Mercury retrograde?  My computer crashed irretrievably with all my digital images of artwork for the past 25 yrs.(I am an artist), two root canals were needed but one tooth fell apart during the procedure and an implant is now required and just when they were adding up the stunningly brutal total of dental expenses, my dental plan disappeared forever. Then the roof blew off my studio, my land line phone crashed twice in one week due to two entirely unrelated problems, etc. etc. etc.... you get the picture.

(Cleo)

And from Anchorage Alaska

Well, that was the WORST Mercury retrograde on record for me. I cried "Uncle!" many times, but to no avail. At one point, anyone who tried to call me at home had their own voice echoing back to them!  I'm typing on my laptop right now because my computer died such a wretched death that even my computer-rebuilding husband has had to take a little break from the home computer, to avoid taking a hammer to it.

That's just two of the top ten.

I wonder if you'll even get this email. . .

I'm hoping the skies will be gentle with us for a while now. We've earned it, haven't we?

(MJ Alaska)