I Love Christopher Walkin and The Continental

Visionarnies Debate

http://visionariesdebate.com/


A great BBC site about visionaries throughout the ages. Learn and then vote!

Try the Dating Coach

From Susan Dunn, the Dating Coach:

Let me tell you, from years of experience at this, as “the holidays” approach, you better be ready for action, and to take action.

"When you sign up for dating coaching with me, your first session is ABSOLUTELY FREE. You will also receive “The Protocol,” a FREE assessment of your current online profile, and a FREE copy of my ebook DATING STRATEGIES THAT WORK.

"Email me and mention these specials and lets get to work. The holidays are coming.
GET READY, GET SET ……….. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Taking action, being prepared, and sticking with it are important parts of dating. sdunn@susandunn.cc "

My First Love

I call this photo "my first love". I am about 5 years old and demonstrating my lifelong interest in animals, particularly big animals and farm animals.

It's no wonder with a Stellium in the 9th house.

I didn't have my frst pet until I was married at 27. I was so thrilled.

Fake Smiles

From the BBC:
"Most people are surprisingly bad at spotting fake smiles. One possible explanation for this is that it may be easier for people to get along if they don't always know what others are really feeling.

"Although fake smiles often look very similar to genuine smiles, they are actually slightly different, because they are brought about by different muscles, which are controlled by different parts of the brain.

"Fake smiles can be performed at will, because the brain signals that create them come from the conscious part of the brain and prompt the zygomaticus major muscles in the cheeks to contract. These are the muscles that pull the corners of the mouth outwards.

"Genuine smiles, on the other hand, are generated by the unconscious brain, so are automatic. When people feel pleasure, signals pass through the part of the brain that processes emotion. As well as making the mouth muscles move, the muscles that raise the cheeks – the orbicularis oculi and the pars orbitalis – also contract, making the eyes crease up, and the eyebrows dip slightly.
Lines around the eyes do sometimes appear in intense fake smiles, and the cheeks may bunch up, making it look as if the eyes are contracting and the smile is genuine. But there are a few key signs that distinguish these smiles from real ones. For example, when a smile is genuine, the eye cover fold - the fleshy part of the eye between the eyebrow and the eyelid - moves downwards and the end of the eyebrows dip slightly.

"Scientists distinguish between genuine and fake smiles by using a coding system called the Facial Action Coding System (FACS), which was devised by Professor Paul Ekman of the University of California and Dr Wallace V. Friesen of the University of Kentucky."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/smiles/index.shtml
Gve it a try. I got 14 out of 20.

Why Astrology?

This is from a reader:

What can I say about astrology, astrology has help me tremendously, It has at times been a teacher and a comforter to me on my dreary days and there have been many dreary days.I have always been a seeker of truth who questions everything is existence, and never fully accept anything without wanting to find answers on my own. I have always felt different from others and at times questioned why I did not fit in with others, and astrology have given me the answers to these questions.

Astrology has embraced me when no one else has. Astrology has been honest and straightforward, no matter what the occasion. Astrology has provided me with comfort in knowing I am not alone in my quest for answers to life questions. This is why I love astrology.

I am interested in all forms of astrology, spirituality, psychology, healing and motivation.
Astrology has allowed me to accept who I am and embraced my fate no matter what it would be, because we are all here to learn on this earth plane and nothing else, without astrology I would not be strong enough to embrace my fate on a daily basis.

SHOW US YOUR KEYRING

Do men have less frills?

These are M's keys and he declined to identify any of them. Guess what? M is a Taurus.

Show Us Your Keyring!

Hey Nancy:

Attached is the photo of my key ring.

I love my Los Angeles California heart - it is my home - it is fabulous and while I am exiled to Dallas I look at it everyday and there is hope to live somewhere beautiful and energetic again. Los Angeles - where dreams are made and broken but always my home and birthplace. And yes, it is worth every dollar to live in California - I can truly speak on that.

I have my Trader Vic's surfboard because it is home - sun, beach, fun and surf and I love anything tiki and fun (food and liquor). It reminds me of summer and I am a summer person.

I have a little string with a mini sheltie dog (my dog Skotty) and dog charms to remind me that he adores and loves me unconditionally no matter what. I go out to get the mail and he acts like he has not seen me in years. He is 23 pounds and looks like a little fox and is just wonderful. Everyone loves him because he does not bark and approaches all people and dogs alike, regardless of size - he just assumes everyone is friendly and happy to see him. He loves women - not so much the men. No questions, no demands, no judgment just adorement from my furry friend.

I have my Planet Tan key card because I like the character on it and I tan (tan fat looks better than white fat) and my L.A. Fitness card. My keys go to my house, my closet, my office and unfortunately I do not know what the others are for. I have the gate opener to my current place of residence.

That is my crazy noisy key ring!

Provocative Messsage

Nancy R. Fenn, the Nation's Saturn Return Expert

According to an article in today's NY Times, India has bought several British companies lately. India has just finished its Saturn Return. Yes, countries have them too.

India's ONGC is buying Imperial Energy of Britain. India's Infosys Technologies [outsourcing and info tech] took over the British Consulting firm, the Axon Group. And Tata Motors of India bought Britain's Land Rover and Jaguar brands.

Pakistan has also just completed its Saturn Return and is falling apart.

People react the same way to Saturn Return. If lessons are learned there are abundant rewards.

Or the opposite.

Get your Saturn Return reading now if you are between 28-30 and 58-60. I am the nation's Saturn Return expert, specializing in this important life transition

Self Portrait

Lost in Others?

Question: As a sensitive, how can you take on another's perspective without becoming lost in it? That's the one issue I run into again and again with reading people's charts... I'll want to adopt their perspective and to a certain extent I will, but I always run into a fear of becoming too deeply drawn into their world view. Does that sound strange?

Answer: Not strange at all! It is a perfectly appropriate goal for that kind of reader. The true Uranians can’t do that but if you can, for heaven’s sake get completely lost in them for their two hours and walk their path – what fabulous service you can give them to see the world through their eyes, to feel exactly what they are feeling and then put it in perspective

– And then return home.


It’s that simple. Connect. Disconnect. Engage. Disengage. You may lack sufficient sense of self without doing some personal work. It’s proper spiritual training as well and it is the shamanic type of energy that can be used to great advantage, a type of participation mystique.

I begin this kind of connection with someone from the first time they hear or read my name. Some find it to my door. Some don’t. But the connection is there and the shamanic power begins some kind of transformation. I trained and disciplined for years to create this in a safe atmosphere.

You lack confidence and experience that you can throw the switch and be right back home. That’s a skill that can be learned from an experienced psychic or reader but best in person. Loook around your area. It is also going to benefit you psychologically and in your personal life and relationships.

Show Us Your Key Ring

The sad little frayed beaded "dolls" were given to me by a older Japanese lady in this wonderful store called "Things Japanese" on Harbord in Toronto...unfortunately they keep losing beads....it certainly made it easy to find my keys in my purse, though.

Of course, there is a something "jazzy" on it...a keychain from "Jazz Services" from the UK...they had a booth at the IAJE (International Association for Jazz Education) conference here in January..alas the IAJE is no more...bankrupt...everyone is very sad to hear it since it is the most amazing jazz gathering event of the year! I was tickled that they had something called "Jazz Services" in Britain to begin with...and my friend Ailsa had a number of friends from her time in Scotland here visiting...

The number 1 is from Susan and a great reminder of who is number one and reminding me to be confident.

The rest of the keys are part of condo living, large key for front entrance, entrance to my condo, mailbox key....and this year....key to the gate of my community garden.

The tag is for the War Amps of Canada which provides this tags with your name and address for a contribution. The organization was initially started to help veterans disabled from the Second World War and has expanded to children who have been injured in accidents.

The great service they provide is...if you ever lose your keys and someone finds them...they can drop them into the nearest mailbox and they will be returned to you!!

Last but not least, an angel...a token from an organization called Covenant House which provides refuge and resources for troubled teens.

It's comforting to look at it and know the angels are always with me.....

Great Video

Show Us Your Keyring

Keys of Destruction

Since being confronted by my mother with a photo of my key ring, the image of that tarnished and de-jeweled bird has been free-falling through my psyche. I was asked to write on what the key chain says about me. I knew right away what I had to say: my life has been destroyed.

Three years ago it was my husband who confronted me about my keys. There were so many of them on my ring, he was convinced their weight would harm the ignition switch when I stuck my car key in it and let the others hang. “I’m sure you don’t need those all anyway,” he said. I counted them out for him. There were four keys to my father’s house, two to my mother’s, one key for each of our three cars as well as one more to my mom’s, a key to each of two classrooms as well as their media cabinets, a key to the office I shared -- and to the office building bathroom of course, and two keys to two different mail boxes. Schooled in the sum of my responsibilities and entrustments, my husband was uncharacteristically speechless.

When I went back to law school in 2005, I had no more need for classroom keys. In 2006, my car was obliterated in an accident that also wrecked the lives of seven people. In 2007, my father’s wife died, taking with her any desire I had to enter his home. My mother, whose truck was totaled later that year, now lives with us in a home that requires only one key, my copy of which has been turned over to the maids. And earlier this year I turned over my keys to the office – and its bathroom and mailbox -- when I had a disagreement with my best friend and officemate. Voilá: a life deconstructed, one key at a time.
There were other things on my old key ring that have been lost as well: the supermarket tags and gift souvenirs that cluttered my memory and routine.

When I switched to my new key ring, I decided not to bring my club tags with me. The supermarket can identify me by my (outdated) phone number. My Office Depot tag became meaningless the day I quit teaching. And as long as I was reducing my life to its essentials, I had to admit that after eight years if I had never been able to purchase ten of the same type and size of cat food bag within the short time allotted me by Petco, I never would, and thus relinquished all hopes of earning the elusive eleventh free bag. Bye-bye Pals card. Bye-bye idealistic youth.

Other items on my old key ring were a metallic miniature Wheel of Fortune Tarot card, and two souvenir charms from Louisiana and Texas. After living through the havoc the wheel of fortune wrought on my life via its close association with my keys, I decided to stop its turning for a while. As for the other mementos of happy trips without me, they were cast aside as unnecessary, boastful in the Amish sense. What does it mean to be remembered by someone else on her vacation when you don’t have a life?

So there is my life laid bare in that photo: keys to cars that aren’t mine and one key to my husband’s garage-cum-office. They are hung together on a bird that was a gift from my mother, tarnished and missing its blue glass bead decoration. I resist all temptation to read into the bird. Is it grounded? Can it fly? Are those few keys too heavy for it to carry? It doesn’t matter. The bird was given to me by my mother and safeguards keys to things my husband owns. That says what you need to know. I have now only what I was born with: the body my mother gave me (showing its age) and a deep desire to love and be loved by family.

Show Us Your Keyring!

Here is my key ring.

My son gave me the Pillsbury dough boy for Christmas at least 5 years ago. I have 2 car keys, 1 apt key, 1 mail box key, and buzzer to the apts, and a Tetco tag. I don't know where I got the Pontiac tag or why I have it; I still have my house key from San Antonio on there, and some I don't know what they are. I guess I should get rid of some of these! The dough boy was originally white and now I tell everyone he has been toasted. I love him.

Why They are Interested in Astrology

"What do you love about astrology?" I asked some of my astrology students. These are some things my students have said. How do you feel?

Student 1: What do I love about astrology? The symbolism and archetypes, and the psychological end is pretty fascinating as well. I've only been reading people's charts for about a year and after having made such extreme differences in those people's lives, I know that astrology is something I'll be doing for a long time. I love reminding people of (or sometimes introducing them to) the great depth and meaning of their own personal value and worth. I'm an INFP, I love being able to heal others.

Student 2: my interests lie in all the areas of astrology which you cited namely, psychology, spirituality, healing and motivation. i particularly enjoy karmic astrology and the past life information gleaned from the mid-heaven. as for how i can help someone with astrology - well at this point my assistance extends to friends and particularly the staff of the coffee shop i visit every morning for my double espresso! i always relate your emails and particularly the latest position of pluto in respect to being tied to a leash till november 28th. everyone could relate!! how things work with me is that i start to study for myself and my own personal concerns and then if i have any aptitude it usually extends out to others therefore i cant say how i intend to help others from this vantage point before embarking on the course. my latest experiences of astrology have been positive - the explanation you gave me of my 'dark night of the soul' explained much of my experience in the last l8 months and helped ease the confusion around my circumstances. overall my understanding of astrology has evolved from blind belief when i was a teenager to tempered consideration in my current stage of life. i always look for relevance - if its not there i discard or put the info on hold.

Student 3: What I love the most about astrology is how very personal it is in a very impersonal way. It can certainly help us accept ourselves easier and at the same time help us overcome the areas we have yet to balance. I just love it! Even studying just the sun signs has been very enlightening toward understanding other people and their choices. As a mother, astrology has helped me with parenting skills for each individual child, having basic house rules for all is important, however, understanding the astrological differences certainly helps the mentoring process better. I also have gained some patience because of my study in astrology as I can better see that everything has time in the universe.

Student 4: I love astrology b/c it is the original study of personality that predates all the constructs we know today. While these modern ones can limit a person to strict confines if they allow it, astrology gives you the insight that life can be fractally reduced to a series of rotations and circles and revolutions that are constantly changing. As above as is below... astrology represents a natural rhythm -- and reveals a natural pattern -- of life.

I love also its ties to Greek culture. I read the following in a book recently:

"People want to forget Christ was a Jew," she said. "The apostles were Jews. Paul was a Jew. Think of all the philosophers, the writers, the poets, the actors, the film directors, the musicians, the composers, conductors who are Jewish. Western culture rests on the shoulders of the Jews. Christian faith rests on the shoulders of the Jews."

"You're counting out the Greeks," he said.

"The Greeks… The Greeks are not about suffering and redemption. The Greeks are earthbound. They're about defying fate. They're about passion and pride. The Western world may have taken on their ideas, but it's alien to us, their pagan spirit. Anyway… we don't deny what we owe the Greeks. The Jews we persecute and despise. They gave and still give. We take all – and have the Inquisition, pogroms and the Holocaust to our credit."

--Beatrice in "Before"

This captured in an interesting way for me the appeal and resonance of Greek culture and mythology on our collective unconscious. One that taps the pagan roots of grasping spirituality through the study of multiple gods and goddesses, rather than a single, male figure.


I am mainly interested in psychology and motivation.

**being my unique self, or being their unique self? Either way, I think I will help by pulling in different forms of knowing (astrology, archetypal psychology (specifically god and goddess archetypes), personality mapping, etc.) to give people unique insights into their motivations and ways they can transform.

I believe [astrology] helps people understand themselves. Everyone will hold their sign up as a telescope to their lives and interpret what they see differently-- that is a beautiful thing about astrology. If used right, it can be a powerful tool for self knowledge and development. Even those things that do not resonate, if you meditate on it long enough, you can discover how it applies to your life, giving you unexpected and deep insight.

My best, most insightful experience with astrology was at my Saturn's return, when I had ... Nancy, do my chart. That chart reading opened me up more fully to the concept of the karmic path in life (through an understanding of the north and south nodes)

I had followed astrology closely before, and continued to do so since --less as a daily guide, but more as a tool to grasp meaning in my relationships and ways I can and need to continue developing as a person. This is the power of astrology that I find most interesting... how it can help someone better understand and define their unique self.

Student 5: For more than 15 years I've studied and been involved in psychology, counselling & psychotherapy, stress management/goal setting/communications. Presently I'm a motivational guest speaker in xxx. I've found my knowledge about Astrology has helped me understand myself, family, and friends alot better. It can indeed assist people, especially when emotional issues or life problems cause difficulties/health problems.

Student 6:

What I love about astrology is....

• 
  -Its amazing correctness of individual behaviour. Incompatibility and compatibility of people.
  -The knowing of energies that can affect many people on the planet at the same time.
  -The wonder of how I can recognise and know more of who I am. At times its Like looking in a mirror when I read about my sun, birth sign
  -Its usefulness in being guidance in/to relationships, partnerships and life.
  -The understanding it can provide as to why some people may suffer moods and depression.
  -The planets, stars, universe and so much that is out of reach, mysterious, intriguing, and interesting.

• I am interested in psychology, healing, spirituality, motivation?...
  
  -I have explored psychology in areas of behaviour, the self, sociology. I found it interesting, It helped me become more positive and understanding of others and life events. It opened my life in a way. I would love to use knowledge of psychology in the working field of an investigator :)
  -My interest in healing has lead to self-healing, Reiki, and working voluntary with spiritual healing at a local healing centre. I have seen beneficial results from the laying on of hands healing, distant healing and prayer.
  -Knowing oneself from astrology, ones personality, strengths and weaknesses can be a healing strength.
  -My spirituality has grown over the past 30 to 40 years (ARGH! it makes me sound aged) and is still growing. For me spirituality has given me a greater understanding of life, nature, compassion, love, the world and myself and brought forth many wonderful unexplained interesting, mysterious and scary happenings. I have felt the power of energy and love. A force not to be abused but respected at all times.
  -Motivation! I love the feeling of motivation. Because at times I lack in energy, when I feel motivation it is to me like true self-power. Opportunities, adventure, and excitement can flow into life. I can feel alive, feel good, get things done achieve many things. Being motivated can encourage others to be motivated. Inspiration, creativity can flow when motivated.
  -Motivation can be positive or negative. Depends on what one is motivated towards. Being over motivated can sometimes create social complications or ill health.
  

Show Us Your Keyring!

My "keyring" is a little pathetic at the moment. I was using a stuffed felt miniature lime green elephant with a pink necklace that Anna brought back from Thailand primarily because it would be easy to see in my purse but it fell off.

I asked for a personalized silver and gold keyring for my birthday but I am not sure I'm going to get it.

I am tired of the keyrings I've had in the past [stars, astrology things, etc.]so I'm just traveling light at the moment.




On my keyring is a car key and a house key (front door).

What about you? Send me a photo and tell me about your keyring.

The Economist

If you would like to read a truly fantastic weekly news magazine, consider "The Economist" [l] on my coffee table. This week features Barack Obama on the cover.

It is a British magazine. The BBC is my homepage.

Are There Really Bad Charts?

A "dangerously unpredictable future"?


Roman Polanski had a horrible life, now reviewed in the recently released documentary by Marina Zenovich called, "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired".


According to Robert Ebert, film critic, "Zenovich ... achieved extraordinary access to the other still-living players in the case, and they all seem to be in agreement: Polanski is correct in saying the judge played with him as a cat might play with a mouse. The corruption in Rittenband's courtroom was worthy of "Chinatown." Polanski fled this country to avoid unjust prosecution and is still in exile.

Review the details of his life here: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008694288051


What does his chart look like? Could any of this horror have been predicted?

There are two indications of fated tragedies and loss, Moon conjunct Pluto and Mars square Pluto. Saturn in the 4th house is also difficult. It speaks of generations of outcasts (Polanski's parents were involved in the holocaust), especially persecution for being "different".



Where would it indicate his wife would be murdered? Uranus in the 7th is a sudden ending, a shocking ending to a marriage, Moon/Pluto is unspeakably tragic losses and Mars/Pluto can mean violence but people who have these planets and aspects don't all have their beautiful, pregnant wives brutally murdered.

The 11th house represents the "legal system" as against "the study of the law" which is given to the 9th house. Polanski's 11th house is afflicted with Neptune and the South Node there in upstaging Leo. It almost suggests the trial fiasco was some kind of grotesque parody of his own behavior in an important past life, a karmic payback.

The loss of his child in utero is represented by Moon/Pluto. Moon/Pluto is often the saddest of things with the least preparation or resources for coping. It is very vulnerable in his chart in Cancer right at the Midheaven. Believe me, this man knew suffering.


Moon/Pluto seems to leave permanent blight. After the holocaust and living on the streets in Poland and the murder of his wife and child, I'm not sure how to hold this man accountable for much, though of course it is morally wrong to get involved with a 13 year old. More power to Polanski for going on to rebuild his life each time, eventually directing "The Pianist" which in 2002 won academy awards for best director and best actor (Adrien Brody). This is definitely Viktor Frankl territory.


This chart shows ever present and unbearable pain and an early desire to flee "everything" as if HE at least knew what was coming. He became very detached around age 12. He has very prophetic visions and dreams so I am sure he had dark premonitions.


At the time Sharon Tate, his wife, was murdered (1969) he had Pluto ominously crossing the 12th and Saturn starting into the 8th. All the ghosts were waking up in his subconscious if not to say the very horsemen of the apocalypse. Trauma repeats itself to be understood. "Holocaust" was repeated at a very personal level.


By the time of his trial for sexual inappropriateness in 1977 Pluto was sitting right on the Ascendant. Lights out! Saturn was also approaching his Sun. It seems an act of responsibility to flee certain injustice and take care of himself when his tendencies prior to that had probably always been self destructive and suicidal.


A final observation. Polanski's Rising is 15 degrees Libra. In horary astrology, a branch which can sometimes reveal interesting additional information, Al Buruni doesn't specify which degrees of Libra and Scorpio are the Via Combustia or Burning Way, but it is now believed to be 15 degrees Libra to 15 Scorpio. This puts Pulanski's Rising sign in the Via Combustia.


In horary astrology if the Moon is found in the Via Combustia the chart is declared not radical [cannot be read] and discarded, because the future is dangerously unpredictable at this time. Perhaps it applies to Moon/Pluto square 15 degrees Libra.

This might be a good time to read Liz Greene's book on fate (Pluto). I wish this man peace.

To learn more aboout horary and Al Buruni, visit Deborah Houlding @ http://www.skyscript.co.uk/

Cat Massages Dog

The Golden Key

"Oh Nancy, [she writes]

What am I doing? I keep trying to counsel myself and trust. School starts on Monday and I have no place for xxx to go to school. Our home [is on the market but not selling]. I have a person expecting me to start work at her [place of business] in another state. My husband doesn’t want me to leave and go to the other state on my own.... We’ve put ourselves in more debt in hopes of selling our home. I’m so confused and sad. I don’t know how to fix this. "

She continues, getting more panicked and hysterical, exaggerating, going in circles.

Have you felt this way?

She wants to control when she shoud let go and let God. She's done all the work and is waiting for a demonstration. It's time for the Golden Key [scientific prayer]!!!

The Golden Key
by Emmet Fox\
Scientific prayer will enable you to get yourself or anyone else, out of any difficulty. It is the golden key to harmony and happiness.

To those who have no acquaintance with the mightiest power in existence, this may appear to be a rash claim, but it needs only a fair trial to prove that, without a shadow of doubt, it is a just one. You need take no one's word for it, and you should not. Simply try it for yourself.

God is omnipotent, and we are God's image and likeness and have dominion over all things. This is the inspired teaching, and it is intended to be taken literally, at its face value. The ability to draw on this power is not the special prerogative of the mystic or the saint, as is so often supposed, or even of the highly trained practitioner. Everyone has this ability Whoever you are, wherever you may be, the golden key to harmony is in your hand now. This is because in scientific prayer it is God who works, and not you, and so your particular limitations or weaknesses are of no account in the process. You are only the channel through which the divine action takes place, and your treatment will be just the getting of yourself out of the way.

Beginners often get startling results the first time, for all that is essential is to have an open mind and sufficient faith to try the experiment. Apart from that, you may hold any views on religion, or none.

As for the actual method of working, like all fundamental things, it is simplicity itself. All you have to do is this: Stop thinking about the difficulty, whatever it is, and think about God instead. This is the complete rule, and if only you will do this, the trouble, whatever it is, will disappear. It makes no difference what kind of trouble it is. It may be a big thing or a little thing: it may concern health, finance, a lawsuit, a quarrel, an accident, or anything else conceivable: but whatever it is, stop thinking about it and think of God instead -- that is all you have to do.

It could not be simpler, could it? God could scarcely have made it simpler, and yet it never fails to work when given a fair trial.

Do not try to form a picture of God, which is impossible. Work by rehearsing anything or everything that you know about God. God is wisdom, truth, inconceivable love. God is present everywhere, has infinite power, knows everything, and so on. It matters not how well you may think you understand these things: go over them repeatedly.

But you must stop thinking of the trouble, whatever it is. The rule is, to think about God. If you are thinking about your difficulty, you are not thinking about God. To be continually glancing over your shoulder in order to see how matters are progressing is fatal, because it is thinking of the trouble, and you must think of God and nothing else. Your object is to drive the thought of the difficulty out of your consciousness, for a few moments at least, substituting for it the thought of God. This is the crux of the whole thing. If you can become so absorbed in this consideration of the spiritual world that you forget for a while about the difficulty, you will find that you are safely and comfortably out of your difficulty -- that your demonstration is made.

In order to "golden key" a troublesome person or a difficult situation, think. "Now 1 am going to 'golden key' John, or Mary. or that threatened danger": then proceed to drive all thought of John, or Mary, or the danger out of your mind, replacing it with the thought of God.

By working in this way about a person, you are not seeking to influence his conduct in any way, except that you prevent him from injuring or annoying you, and you do him nothing but good. Thereafter, he is certain to be in some degree a better, wiser, and more spiritual person, just because you have "golden keyed" him. A pending lawsuit or other difficulty would probably fade out harmlessly without coming to a crisis, justice being done to all parties concerned.

If you find that you can do this very quickly, you may repeat the operation several times a day with intervals between. Be sure, however, each time you have done it, that you drop all thought of the matter until the next time. This is important.

We have said that the golden key is simple, and so it is, but of course it is not always easy to turn. If you are very frightened or worried, at first it may be difficult to get your thoughts away from material things. But by constantly repeating a statement of absolute Truth, such as: There is no power but God: I am the child of God, filled and surrounded by the perfect peace of God: God is love; God is guiding me now; or, perhaps best and simplest of all. God is with me -- however mechanical or trite it may seem -- you will soon find that the treatment has begun to "take." And that your mind is clearing. Do not struggle violently; be quiet, but insistent. Each time you find your attention wandering, switch it back to God.

Do not try to think in advance what the solution to your difficulty will be. This is called "outlining" and will only delay the demonstration. Leave the question of ways and means to God. You want to get out of your difficulty that is sufficient. You do your half, and God will never fail to do God's.

"Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21).

M's Concoctions

My Moroccan son-in-law, M, does things like this pickle jar on the far left. He says it will take at least 6 weeks.

He makes fabulous tagine and does well with plants and herbs too.
Those are jars from Morocco with camel hoof decoration.

LOOOOOVE to Go Hiking

I loooooove to go hiking and vastly refer inland low desert versus walking on the beach.

This is the trail nearest me and very typical of Southern Californian terrain. I love to be beckkoned by a dirt trail!!! I can never resist.
This is the entrance to the huge park. California has done such an outstanding job preserving open space. Everyone and their dog can enjoy walking out here.

This kind of thing makes my heart race faster. Where does this trail lead? I didn't know but I took it.
A less traveled side trail beckons me farther. This is late summer flora.

My favorite places are the little rare groves of trees. The shade is so welcome. I must have been an Arab in another lifetime.

This trail ended at the old mission's dam.

I dedicate this page to Odie who taught me to love hiking and went hundreds of times with me, my golden cocker spaniel.

Free eBook

Florence Shinn here was a skilled artist who lived in New York City during the early twentieth century. She also became known as a skilled metaphysical teacher and spiritual luminary. Her lectures were well-attended and her books, including the classic The Game of Life and How to Play It, have been very popular since the 1920s. Florence Scovel Shinn is widely appreciated as one of the greatest American spiritual teachers of the twentieth century.

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The Cat Whisperer - A Perfect Introvert Moment

Yesterday(08.18.08), I went to visit a friend and his spouse (he will be attending an Eastern Rites seminary to become a priest): A mutual friend was also their houseguest (he was in town and stayed with them while he did gigs).

Anyway, I was on the computer when Precious, a stray cat that has become their companion animal) jumped onto the table holding the monitor.

She then walked onto me (claws fortunately retracted) and proceded to walk up my torso and 'calm' herself.

I then placed my hands on her legs and hindquartes to balance her and I also began to slow my breathing and control my breath.

It has been known for a long time that our four-footed and winged friends are usually more 'in-tune' with our 'inner energies' than are we.

Once I had stabilized both Precious and myself, we both went into, essentially, a 90-mimute long meditation session; I stroked her carefully and slowly. Precious rubbed her head against my neck and I did the same.

The mutual friend, more extroverted than the three of us, borrowed a cell phone, stepped outside and completed his call.

For the next 90 mimutes, the four of us had complete silence (except for the piano occasionally being played and the shuffling of papers). I could hear the cat contentedly purring and her breathing matched mine.

Precious then, after several subtle shiftings, indicated that she had enjoyed the session and wished to let me get back to the computer:)

Precious then walked around for a bit and returned to the computer table. She then 'curled up' and went to sleep. I worked on the computer for another 20 minutes and she was still sleeping(in the same position).

I guess I am now a 'cat whisperer':)

It has oftern been said that if one is truly 'in touch', others will quikly see it:)

My Sisters

Two Happy Couples I'm Happy For

Fluffy Times

Fluffy has discovered the great outdoors and enjoys lush green grass in the perfect amount of warm summer sunshine.

Uranian Message

"Thought precedes action as lightning does thunder."
-Heinrich Heine

That's why introverts are so important!

Growing Your Spirituality for Nothing

There are plenty of cheap ways to get going on your spiritual development:

• Read Ernest Holmes’ “Science of Mind”


• Find a Unity Church nearby


• Visit Unity online


• Read “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill


• See if there’s a Self Realization Fellowship Temple nearby or a Sri Chinmoy Center. They both teach real meditation for free. Meditate. Meditate. Meditate.


• Yoga and martial arts are especially recommended for guys!!!!!


• Purify your diet and simplify your life (don’t waste time with frivolous people – YOU are the person you really want to get to know this lifetime) It may take some time and focus to learn to discriminate among people that are worth time and people that are not (not based on money and status but whether they are chit chatters, small talkers, negative, toxic). Developing this skill is pretty important for your overall well being.

Mutable Signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces

As one astrologer said, “If the field grows weeds, [the mutable signs] adapt themselves to them. And if the field becomes a wilderness, they adapt themselves to the wilderness. In this way they cease to make the changes necessary to keep things as they are, and allow almost any kind of change.”

Boomers! It's Your Second Saturn Return!

As children, you rode in cars with no seat belts or air bags. Riding in the back of a pickup truck on a warm day was always a special treat. You drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle. You shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle, and no one actually died from this. You’d leave home in the morning and play all day, walk to school, as long as you were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach you all day. And you were OK. Besides Mom was always back home. You only had one car.

You’re a Boomer and now you’re turning 60. You’re going to be experiencing your second Saturn Return.

Baby Boomers are turning sixty! So much to think about. So much still to learn. Yours is the generation that was conceived to heal the war weary, wounded, bereft and traumatized. Your conception after the death of over 40,000,000 soldiers in World War II symbolized a rebirth of hope in humankind. Life goes on.

Some of you were born into families in countries that were victorious to fathers who were heroes. Other were born to men dealing with the bitterness and humiliation of defeat and lost personal opportunities such as educational years and job advancement. In all countries that participated in the War including the United States, lack of essential goods continued for many years. Your families lived with want and hope as companions.

Conceived at the same time as you, the countries of India and Pakistan (founded August 15, 1947 with Saturn at 13 degrees Leo) and Israel (founded May 14, 1948 with Saturn at 16 Leo) made as controversial appearances on the world scene as could possibly be imagined, all three fighting for their lives from the moment of birth. Civil unrest broke out immediately between East and West Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands were killed. A year later, India and Pakistan warred over Kashmir. Within 24 hours of Israel’s birth, it was attacked by the combined armies of its Arab neighbors, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.

The war cry of the Baby Boomer could be, “Fight for your life!” This is because Saturn was conjunct Pluto during these years. This was the beginning of a new world order commenced when the two planets were partile on August 3, 1947, just days before the founding of India and Pakistan.

These three countries are celebrating their second Saturn Returns along with Boomers. At their first Returns around 1975, Israel and the Arabs were again at war – the Yom Kippur War. In India, Indira Ghandi declared a state of emergency after being found guilty of electoral malpractice. Nearly 1,000 political opponents were imprisoned and a program of compulsory birth control was introduced. In Pakistan, riots erupted over allegations of vote-rigging by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP). General Zia ul-Haq staged a military coup and a year later, Zia was proclaimed president. Bhutto was hanged.

The Defense Department and the CIA were created in 1946. South Korea was founded (August 15, 1948 Saturn at 28 degrees of Leo). At South Korea’s first Saturn Return, General Park Chung-hee, who assumed power in 1961 through a military coup, was assassinated. General Chun Doo-hwan assumed power. The following year, martial law was declared. In the city of Kwangju at least 200 were killed by the army, causing resentment that has yet to fade. The fifth republic and new constitution resulted.

At this point you might be wondering, “What happened to me at my first Saturn Return?” Answering this question can help predict what will happen at your second Return. Please refer back to 1975-79, when you were 28-30 years old. This can help you make sense of things in the overall game plan of life.

Many Boomers began new careers, divorced or married for the first time between the ages of 28-30. Karen Lafferty (the names are changed, the stories are true) describes it this way: “Thirty years ago in 1975, I had moved across the country, taken up residence with a nice man, and had entered college. In 1976 or 77, I did the old est Training and afterwards approached my dad about creating our relationship all over again and he agreed. I also discovered that one of my daughters had … a genetic condition…. My other daughter had decided to live with her father. So things were going on. I think I faired well through all of this and did quite a bit of maturing. It was the 70s and I was exploring all my boundaries, my intellect, my mothering skills, and testing pretty much whatever waters I could. I had no idea what I wanted as a profession and I floundered around.

Karen hasn’t experienced her second SR yet but wishes to: “… rid myself of the vestiges of emotional c--- that my father put on me. The things he pounded into me: I'm dumb. I'm not good enough. I'm ugly. I can never have what I want or be what I want. I will cause suffering to the people who are closest to me. I'm being punished just for being here. I don't deserve to be alive. I should have died instead of my brother....Just a real load of garbage that intellectually doesn't make sense, but some of which I still feel. I've worked through the worst of it, but there are still some hangers on, like I'm not good enough.

Monica Short says, “I hated my father and I remember it was especially so around 1958 to about 1974 or 75…. When I got married in 1975, it seems our relationship became softer, and after my parents moved back to Xxx in 1976, we became almost friends. I still never was able to discuss my real feelings or beliefs, or talk to him about world issues, but we were able to laugh about things. I must say he taught me a lot about electricity, about cars, about how things work, and I miss him for that. … I also think he would have loved computers and what they do.”

Monica’s sister also married that year and they began to have a better relationship. Monica is currently making a transition from management to creative writing and is pursuing a bisexual lifestyle.

Boomer Leon Tuttle explains, “My father and I had quite a problem when I was growing up. Teenage rebellion as I recall it. I did however, tell him that I hated him and he still continues to bring it up. I explained to him that I didn't hate him but didn't like the way he treated me…. In 1975 my wife gave birth to our daughter. She [had] promised to raise our children as Catholics, but when our daughter was born she took her to [a Protestant] church to have her baptized and never bothered to consult with me or to invite my relatives. This broke a promise to my father who did not want me to marry outside the church….” Leon divorced his wife. At that same time, the company he worked for burned to the ground. Leon was not allowed to see his daughter. He never had enough money to go back through the courts. He feels his life was ruined. Leon mentions several career things he would like to happen at his second Return. He is an inventor. He says, “Hope springs eternal. Perhaps the last years of my life will bring to fruition some of my dreams?”

Rory Peters was in a bad marriage and because of that she had an abortion at her first SR. She stayed in the marriage another 20 years. At her second SR she’s “overworked, underpaid and not respected” in the cosmetics field and is “currently in a relationship with a gentleman 16 years [her] junior. “He has lived with me for 4 years,” she says, “and has paid nothing for his upkeep. I’m nothing more than a mother maybe less to him. I am so in need of clear direction for my crazy life.”

Latonya Xandra lost both parents at her first SR, divorced, began a new career and started on her spiritual path. As a single parent, she had little time to date and was scarred by childhood incest issues. At her second SR she reconnected with a man she met at 30 who had always loved her. She was able to work through her sexual issues with him and their relationship has been very healing. She feels it is her reward for working on her Saturn issues. Saturn is in her 8th house of sexuality, trust and bonded relations.

As you can see, often Saturn in Leo has issues with the father. Karen Lafferty and Monica Short tried to heal relationships with their fathers, something that still troubles Monica at her second Return. Leon Tuttle’s father and ex-wife made his life a living hell. Rory Peters was affected by a bad marriage. Latonya Xandra’s father had an incestuous relationship with her which she has tried to heal.

Some famous Boomers are also preparing to experience their second Saturn Returns. Camilla Parker Bowles married Prince Charles during her second Return.

At his first Saturn Return, Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared in the documentary "Pumping Iron" which made him famous. He also met and married Maria Shriver. Near his second Return Schwarzenegger’s future as Governor of California is uncertain as he sinks lower in the polls.

Laura Bush married Dubya during her first SR. Steven Spielberg produced "Close Encounters of the Third Kind".

One of my favorite actors, Jeremy Irons married his second wife, Sinead Cusack. Mikhail Baryshnikov, who defected to America in 1974, switched to the New York Ballet at his SR to work with George Ballachine. Perhaps Andrew Lloyd Webber will have a reversal of fortunes at his second SR. At his first, he produced the hit Evita. Recently he has had many failures and lost millions.

Whether famous or still waiting to be famous, the task for Boomers at the second Saturn Return is to come to terms with the life they’ve lived. It is best to take life in two segments: From 0 to 30, how did your childhood, "past lives", karma, birth family and formative experiences contrast with and yet prepare you for the years from 30 to 60? What were the transitional events that occurred between 28 and 30 years old? What was the major life issue between 30 and 60? If the events of the first Return repeat themselves in some fashion, can we recognize this and make better wise choices with what we’ve learned?

What have we become? What did we forego in the process? This can entail an intense bit of self inquiry but the process is essential in moving on to the next stage in life ... beyond the second Saturn Return. Some may even find that they have healed their Saturn issues and are able to access the spiritual qualities of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto on an ongoing basis.

Wherever you are, whoever you have become, it's time to take responsibility. That's what Saturn is all about. Next comes healing, forgiveness and gratitude. As we gain insight and appreciation for our major life issues and the progress we made ... now it is time to come to terms with ourselves. We need to appreciate what we made of ourselves, let go of feelings like guilt, remorse and pain, lay the past to rest, find peace and turn to face the future – the years after 60 -- refreshed and energized.

Especially for Boomers, the heroic struggle is over. Now the hero/heroine turns gratefully toward home, bearing her triumph with her. Life issues may now be dealt with in terms of reflection, wisdom, art, mentoring, perfecting and mastery. Each individual is unique in the ways they can do this.

If you would like a free mini reading for help orienting to your second Saturn Return experience, please visit my website or email me with the date, time and place of your birth and any issues of concern. Please put “Boomer” in the subject line.

Who Will Win?

Source: California Psychics

The race is on! Who will be the next President of the United States will be determined in November 2008, so we thought we'd take a look at the astrology charts of presidential hopefuls Senator John McCain (Republican) and Senator Barack Obama (Democrat) to get the inside scoop on what they're really like. We're not predicting who will win, mind you, but offering an insightful analysis of the character, motivation, strengths and weaknesses of each candidate.

Shooting star: Barack Obama
Not doubt about it - the man is precocious. Obama's meteoric rise to fame on the political scene is strikingly apparent in his chart. Born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961 at 7:24 p.m. (according to his birth certificate), Obama has Sun, Mercury and Uranus in Leo, the sign of leadership - Moon in eloquent Gemini, and ascendant in unconventional Aquarius. Aquarius is the sign of progress, brilliance and rebellion. People with this ascendant are usually early starters, impatient to fulfill their destiny. Also, you can certainly see Obama's Aquarius influence in his motto, "Change we can believe in." Aquarius is the revolutionary that demolishes the outmoded status quo and fights for the equal rights of others. Aquarius is, after all, the sign of brotherhood. The challenge for Obama is having patience with those who don't share his progressive vision.

Being a Leo, this Democrat is a natural born leader. Using his power creatively within a leadership role is his main motivation. Moreover, Leo is a passionate fire sign that usually feels right at home in the limelight, and Obama is no exception. He's often described as "presidential" (Leos aren't known for their humility). However, with Sun and Mercury in the 6^th House of work and service, and Saturn in Capricorn, he's actually more humble, practical and hard-working than many Leos. He has a talent for details and analysis, which is strengthened by having Mars in Virgo. Health and service related endeavors are important to him.

Obama's most challenging influence has dogged his campaign from day one: a troubled Neptune, which afflicts his Sun and Mercury. Neptune is both the planet of divine inspiration and deception and confusion. This influence has been a magnet for misinformation about him, especially on the Internet. To battle his "Neptunian" detractors, his campaign created the website FightTheSmears.com. Additionally, his clear-thinking Gemini and Aquarius influences assist in communicating the truth of his intentions.

Best known for his soaring rhetoric, Obama can lift the roof off a stadium full of supporters. Air signs Gemini and Aquarius are known for their exceptional way with words. Having Moon in Gemini trine Jupiter in Aquarius makes Obama a master wordster. One interesting note about his Moon, which rules his upbringing: The symbol for Gemini is the twins. This influence points to Obama's double heritage of having a white mother from Kansas and a black father from Kenya. It can also make him somewhat changeable emotionally, a trait that can seem two-faced to the public.

As for his ambition for the presidency, Scorpio rules his 10^th house of career, and Scorpio is all about power and influence (and may point to having a Scorpio vice president - like Hilary Clinton, perhaps?). However, with Scorpio's ruler, Pluto, in the 7^th House of partnerships, Obama is quite capable of working in partnership with others while taking on the ultimate leadership role.

Staunch warrior: John McCain
Although known as a maverick within the Republican party, McCain is much more conventional than his opponent. He was born in Panama on August 29, 1936 at about 11 a.m. (according to his mother, who is featured in a campaign commercial, no less). He has Sun, Neptune and Venus in Virgo, Moon in Capricorn and ascendant in Scorpio. The Virgo influences give him a practical nature and the urge to be of service to others, which is his main motivator.

Moon in Cap strengthens his practical streak. It would normally indicate a love of tradition, but with Pluto directly opposing his Moon, he's had to break away from family patterns. The Scorpio influence gives him an intense focus and a desire for power. It can also indicate a vengeful streak - he doesn't forgive or forget easily. All in all, McCain is pragmatic, hard working, driven to succeed and highly analytical.

What McCain lacks is imagination and the power to inspire others. Still, his Mars in Leo gives him the drive to lead. Actually, Mars may be his most powerful influence because it's elevated in the 9^th House of foreign affairs, and conjunct the 10^th House of career. This strong placement is interesting because Mars is the planet of war, and McCain is well known for having served as a fighter pilot in Vietnam, where he was injured and captured as a prisoner of war. What's more, his Mars is afflicted by Uranus, giving him a short fuse (and a bit of a rebellious streak, much to his party's chagrin). He's definitely a fighter.

The challenge of having Mars in the 9^th House, along with Pluto, will be working with other countries. Both planets are the antithesis of diplomacy. Uranus is the willful renegade, while Pluto is out for power. Fortunately, the Virgo placements assist in strengthening the senator's patience and desire to serve.

McCain's Sun is in the career sector of his chart, adding to his leadership ability and public acclaim. His Mercury in Libra helps him communicate clearly. He strives for a balanced perspective, weighing the pros and cons of all criteria before coming to a decision - which can appear indecisive. But with such a grounded approach to life because of an abundance of earth influences, he's seldom indecisive. If anything, he can be overly focused on what's in front of him without seeing the bigger picture. For Virgo it's all in the details.

Ambition and karma are under the domain of Saturn. With Saturn in Pisces, there's an element of sacrifice tied to McCain's destiny. One monumental sacrifice was being a prisoner of war, as indicated by Saturn opposing Neptune (sacrifice, again) and Venus. Moreover, since Pisces is also the sign of compassion, part of his karma, perhaps, is to realize that war isn't the answer.

On Election Day, the current planetary lineup will have changed dramatically. A threesome of Scorpio planets - the Sun, Mercury and Mars - indicates that voters will be concerned (to the point of obsession) with the economy and healthcare as they go to the polls. Conversly, Venus and Pluto in Sagittarius will inspire a rosier view of the future and prompt voters to expand beyond their personal concerns to consider the bigger picture of where the country should be heading.

Still in effect will be Uranus in Pisces, Saturn in Virgo and Jupiter in Capricorn. Saturn opposing Uranus will greatly accelerate the desire for healthcare changes, while optimistic Jupiter will offer an element of optimism about the country's overall foundation, especially pertaining to big business.

Extreme Anxiety

Do you suffer hyperventilation, extreme anxiety, terror and psychoparalysis at times due to memories creeping back from a creepy traumatic childhood?

I strongly recommend

• phone sessions with rthe amazing Kathleen Rick karick@pacbell.net - email her for her credentials
• EMDR [Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing] - recommended by Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs for PTSS, practiced by many psycholgiss and others today www.emdr.com - find a practitioner near you by googling

The Job Iinterview

H leaves for a job interview, "office casual". It's a job she'd really like so wish her luck!! She's on her third round.

Fluffy Times

Fluffy has dreams, too.

A Poet You May Not Know Well ..... Novalis

This is dedicated to all my fellow infp poet/healers.

A character is a completely fashioned will.

A hero is one who knows how to hang on one minute longer.



Every beloved object is the center of a paradise.



I often feel, and ever more deeply I realize, that fate and character are the same conception.



Nature is a petrified magic city.



Only an artist can interpret the meaning of life.



Philosophy is properly home-sickness; the wish to be everywhere at home.

Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason.



We are more closely connected to the invisible than to the visible.



We are near awakening when we dream that we dream.



We never completely comprehend ourselves, but we can do far more than comprehend.

Historia de un Letrero

Sort of a paeon to advertising and men of letters.

"O ye men of action. If only you knew you were but tools of men of letters."
~Heinrich Heine

Gotta Love Chelsea

Enjoying a Blueberry Smoothie on My Porch Swing

My twin sister and I spent many happy hours on my grandmother Gertrude's porch swing so I am always happy in one.

H caught me enjoying a fresh blueberry smoothie this afternoon. My recipe:

1 scoop Melaleuca "Attain"

8 ounces "Vanilla Dream" rice milk

5 ice cubes

berries of choice

use the blender of course

Bon appetite!

Introvert. Heal Thyself!

It is my personal impression that introverts take a terrible beating where stress is concerned because everywhere we go, everything we do, we are coping with a world set up by and for others. We are very prone to chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and agoraphobia, conditions which, though horrible, give us the excuse we need to have time for ourselves.

It is part of my mission and consciousness raising outreach as an infp healer to suggest that if we give ourselves the time we need by ourselves, we can skip the part about chronic fatigue syndrome, etc. In the "j" and "s" type introverts it is more likely to be a skiing or other sports accident that allows us to remain in a room alone with ourselves for an extended period of time. Let's learn to ask for the time alone that we need and skip the abuse to our bodies. They serve us well :-) and we're going to be in them for a long time.

HOW I HEALED MYSELF - my letter to diane


Hi Diane,

You had asked me what changes I made to heal (chronic fatigue syndrome, agoraphobia, fibromyalgia, joint pains and eczema). There were a whole series, one supporting the other and in more or less this order.

I got a divorce, ending a negative situation that was draining and nonproductive on all levels. This was back in 1975. The rest is between then and now.

I did all the cosmetic things, lost weight, got a hot new wardrobe, began to read some self help books and noticed that the people who seemed to be really "alive" -- who had that "certain something" all believed in a higher power. Hmmmmmmmm. I tried to hang out with these people as much as they would let me. I was actually a pretty empty person at that time, though nice, polite, etc.

I found work that I loved and people I wanted to be around. I was with a successful, positive, health oriented group of individuals for the next 12 years. Wonderfully enough it was a real estate tax boutiique law firm. I found people who treated me very well, consistently. I was having so much fun, I went overboard with 10 hour work days, being a mom, projects, writing a book and commmunity involvement. One day I came home, the room was spinning. My daughter developed a nervous habit at that time. I knew it was time to look deeper. My appetite had apparently been bigger than my stomach. I was trying to do way too much!

I eliminated all nonessential activities and took a look at what really mattered in my life and how I was spending my time. This was hard for me because there are so many things I love to do but I had to strip down and prioritize, particularly as the single head of household. Someone gave me a copy of Ernest Holmes' "Science of Mind" at this time. I read it through slowly, twice. [I actually read it on a transatlantic cruise -- I sat in the library most of the time while other family members danced, gambled, saw shows and did the other extrovert things.]

Then I eliminated negative people from my life who were sucks [a term we psychics use for people who are empty and take an inordinate amount of energy from others; also called "black holes"]. I got away from people who smoked and drank. I weeded out meaningless social activities and invitations. I investigated every kind of alternative healing you can imagine. I've done them all! It was well worth the investment of time and energy.

I eliminated white sugar and quit smoking. That took awhile to adjust to :-) so I added some exercise and found sports I loved over the years which have varied. Currently you know if you read the BLOG, it's tennis and jogging. I made fitness a new priority. I got away from people who ate recreationally or used food as a drug or "sedative".

I removed elements of Type A from my personality and quit hanging around with Type A's. I quit giving that kind of orientation any validation in my own mind.

I went all the way out to lacto ovo vegetarian and back again finding out what my body liked and responded well to. I did this again by stripping down to the essentials in food and then adding things back again as I observed the results in my own body and how it felt with each new food. I would start with a juice fast, then tea, then reintroduce foods. It was fun. During this period I permanently eliminated cheese (molds) and also it was the acidity in canned tomatoes that most caused the eczema to act up. That just came to me intuitively as I held Edgar Cayce's papers in my hands. That led to a lot less spaghetti around my house (!)

I became a more committed positive thinker and spent more time with gentle, simple people -- all different sorts. I learned to meditate, or rather I became aware that I had always meditated and how to appreciate it and use it more in my daily life. Continued with all types of alternative healing and personal growth groups as time and money permitted.

I began getting therapeutic massage regularly and went to other bodyworkers. I discovered vitamins and supplements and experimented with results, mostly doing this intuitively. I feel a big part of my healing at this time was being my own authority and taking responsibility for my own healing. I discovered the staples of my diet at this time: lean ground beef, fresh green vegetables lightly cooked with a little butter, fish prepared the same way, for a snack a few potato chips maybe some unsalted peanuts (need something crunchy, carnivore memories), sometimes oat bran cereal or honey bunches of oats, oatmeal, eggs, occasionally bacon , baked potato, homemade soups of all kinds ... when eating out I will get a steak and also like beans for protein. I actually had an elaborate test at this time that confirmed I need red meat from time to time. I was sort of disappointed but it seems true. About twice a month I need that kind of protein to feel my best. By this time I had totally eliminated all junk food. Of course you need to find your own list.

I began to read up on nutrition and how the body uses food as fuel. Eliminated all the "sentiments" around eating by going on a nutritional supplement "fast" for six weeks. I chose a nutritionally balanced diet drink and had that 3 or 4 times a day, nothing but that for 6 weeks. It eliminated the fun and emotional factor from eating. I discovered what an enormous amount of time is spent on things like, "hold the lettuce, hold the pickle", "what's my next meal gonna be", "medium rare not rare", "over easy but not too easy", "iceberg not romaine lettuce", "olive oil and vinegar not Italian dressing", "I had that yesterday", etc.

It was one of the most powerful things I have ever done. I began to look at food as proper, efficient fuel. Kept socializing that oriented around food to a minimum. Took the emphasis off food and put it into other activities. Tried juicing. Loved it but too time consuming so switched to Juice Plus. Juice Plus has griped at me for mentioning their name so find an equivalent product. What's wrong with those people?

Eliminated more toxic people after giving it a huge try and seeing it for what it was ... me or them!

In spite of all of this, got fibro and chronic fatigue (just too much responsibility as single head of household with no outside financial or emotional support). Also got agoraphobic (somewhat, I'm not a whiner so I kept it to myself and under control) and had a freak accident (a bullring in Tijuana collapsed with me on the top bleacher) which loosened up memories from childhood. Spent two years getting that dealt with. Due to accident thought I would not lead a normal life again but got 2,3 massages a week and finally restored completely, stronger than ever. Now very familiar with every part of my body and the stress points. When they act up, I know to make a change. The first is my left knee. Then my neck. Then my stomach. If with a toxic person become completely incapacitated quickly -- head ache, nerves, tension, irritable, jerky, facial tics, generally feel whatever they are feeling in their body, aggressive, stomach cramps, depression, hatred, muscles aches, addictive, empty, etc. pure hell of being an empath, have to get away and clear the energy. Takes about 2 hours now. Used to take a LOT longer (a way of life). Stay away from these people, even as clients!!!

Made a career change that supported my introverted personality. I work at home and can control people's access to me. This also eliminates environmental stressors such as traffic, exhaust fumes, noise and congestion. Noise is probably my #1 stressor. These changes supported my infp personality because of my values.

Being myself, I have practically no negative stress in my life now. I live with an infp roommate who is peaceable and quiet. I am in right honest relations with every human being I know and know of. I guard my peace of mind by being kind, honest, aware and intelligent in my dealings with others. I'm an infp healer, after all. I love people. That is where my values are.I watch my stress level -- I have no choice! Sometimes I regret that I can't do "everything" but I figure there was a reason for all of this, that my introversion will turn out to be the best thing. I interact with a very large number of people every day but I am in control of the circumstances. That makes all the difference. I have found that people want to be with me so much that they will gladly cooperate with my terms and so I guess that's the way it can work for an introvert. We are such good listeners and so caring! I had one backsliding where I even started smoking again because of a series of poor decisions. I discovered how easily it can reverse itself so I am more guarded now than ever though hopefully it doesn't show :-) I think I have a relaxed, open and pleasant personality.

Presently my routine includes two hours of exercise a day, eating the way I described plus Dr. Royal Lee's supplements that I get from nutritiionist Mary Frost. I am now fond of the rowing machine and long walks.

I use Arbonne's all-natural skin products. I don't need much sleep. I have found that varying my activities gives me a whole new burst of energy. I avoid negative people and spend at least half my time by myself.

I hope this is helpful. I realize how much of a priority I made my health but it has always been of interest to me, even as a child. That's a whole 'nother story. Thanks for asking and good luck with yours!Oh I guess I should end by saying, I always trust myself, my responses to things, the information I get from my body -- even if everyone else thinks someone is "nice" and I find them toxic, I'm the law in my own land. I know myself, which is the greatest gift of all for the introvert. I never doubt myself anymore. That's very healing.


Nancy


December 2004, revised April 2007 to eliminate references to Juice Plus.
Update September 2007: I now live with two infj's. Works fine!


Update August 2008: life is great. I feel better than EVER!
© nancy r. fenn

Chart Geometrics - What's Yours?

This is what M's chart geometrics lok like. This is what I said.

"... the interesting thing about your chart is that all the lines point to the 6th and 7th houses. It looks like an origami swallow.

"Swallows symbolize similar things in most cultures but this is the description I liked best for you. The wings tips of the “swallow” are the Sun and Jupiter. All planets are contained within them between the exquisitely romantic and lovely signs of Leo and Pisces, an inconjunct.

[from wikipedia] "The swallow tattoo was a symbol used historically by sailors to show off their sailing experience. Of British origin in the early days of sailing, it was the image of a barn swallow, usually tattooed on the chest. According to one legend, a sailor with one swallow had travelled over 5,000 nautical miles (9,000 km); a sailor with two swallows had travelled 10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km). Travelling these great distances was extremely difficult and dangerous in the early days of sailing, so one or more swallow tattoos denoted a very experienced and valuable sailor. It is also legend that if the sailor drowns, the swallows will carry their soul to heaven, representing freedom and hope."

What are your chart geometrics symbolizing? Email me and I'll take a look for a small charge.