Astrology of Joy

Author: David

  • Yogi’s Corner: Compulsions

    Yogi’s Corner: Compulsions

    Compulsions are neither good nor bad in and of themselves and if we allow them to simply be with no attempt to resist or indulge them, we find that they simply play out on their own in a natural, unobtrusive, even beneficial way. We realise this when we watch very young children…

    Years ago at a yoga retreat centre in upstate New York, I walked with my toddler daughter down a stretch of silent path that meandered through a woody glen. Cut into the woods at regular intervals were small enclaves that held the statues of well-known characters from the pantheon of India. My daughter was just beginning to discover her bipedal nature and held my hand tightly as we slowly walked down the path. When we approached the statue of Hanuman, the monkey-faced deity who represents ideal devotion, she let go my hand and walked over to the base of the statue. Curious, I watched this unsteady, diaper-bottomed little girl bend over and search for something in the expanse of small pebbles that kept the surrounding weeds at bay. One after another, she picked up a stone, examined it, then let it fall back, unsatisfied. She did this several times until she finally found one that met her approval. Setting it on the pedestal at the feet of Hanuman, she then circled the statue not once, not twice, but three times. Mind you, she was only about thirteen or fourteen months old with a very limited vocabulary. After completing her third circumambulation, she wobbled back over to me, took my hand, and we continued our walk through the woods.

    What compelled this mere toddler to offer both a gift (the pebble) and her respect (three times around), an obvious act of devotion common to many cultures, especially India? She did not learn this from either of her parents and she was not present at any such events where this might be seen. Perhaps in her relatively unconditioned mind, the impetus from an unknown past seized the moment and rushed through like a rising tide onto the shores of an estuary. It simply had to be; there was no other way.

    Where does one life begin and another end? đŸ€—

  • Book Recommendation for Children

    Book Recommendation for Children

    Are you familiar with The Treasure, author/illustrator Uri Shulevitz’s multiple award-winning children’s book? A beautiful, wholesome book and proof that a child’s read is no place for ideological indoctrination: just keep it simple and heartfelt and your child will supply the rest. 😉

    Summary: A poor man named Isaac has a dream that tells him to go to the city and search for treasure under the bridge near the Royal Palace. He pays no attention to it; after all, it is only a dream. But after he dreams the same dream twice more, Isaac decides he will journey to the city to search for the treasure. Though at times someone would give him a ride in their cart, he mostly he walks. Through forests and over mountains, he finally arrives at the city.

    The bridge by the Royal Palace is guarded day and night. Isaac is afraid to search for treasure, but he keeps coming back until the Captain of the Guards asks Isaac why he is there. Isaac explains his dream and the Captain laughs at him. The Captain says if he was foolish enough to follow his dreams, he would be on a journey to the village where a man named Isaac lives, and dig up treasure under his stove. Isaac bows to the Captain and starts his long journey back home. He crosses mountains and walks through forests. Sometimes someone would give him a ride, but mostly he walks. He finally arrives at his village.

    When he gets to his home, he digs under the stove and finds a treasure! In gratitude, he sends the Captain of the Guards a priceless ruby and builds a house of prayer with the inscription, “Sometimes one must travel far to discover what is near.” and lives the rest of his life happily. đŸ€— 

  • Your Sun-sign Forecast July/August 2022

    Your Sun-sign Forecast July/August 2022

    July 23 through August 22, 2022

    Leo
    Happy Birthday, Leo! Have you ever looked closely at a busy sidewalk after a rain when the snails come out? Not a pretty sight. Confidence is not enough (for both the snails and humans); we also need clarity. But I believe in you, Leo. With your sun in its own sign this month, your outer brilliance is second only to your inner shine. Light up the world, Simha!

    Virgo
    You can be a world-beater this month, Virgo, but not with a big stick. Spend some time with yourself and you will rediscover a beautiful aspect — your ability to serve the world. Follow your charitable brilliance with your pocketbook and you will open a door you didn’t realise was there. 

    Libra
    Your ability to generate income has always occupied a significant place in your thoughts. This month, you can help make it real by spending time with successful people. If you don’t know any, that’s okay. Go to where they hang out. Rubbing shoulders, like rubbing sticks, is the first step toward a roaring blaze.

    Scorpio
    Can you put your tendency toward activity to an advantage? Yes! Where else but in right action. This month, the sun is telling you to do what’s right. And guess what, Scorpio? That means first being kind toward yourself. Then, discover a better connection to work by being honest with yourself. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life doing what you are doing? Maybe yes, maybe no… the choice is yours.

    Sagittarius
    Nature is calling you, Sagittarius! Do you hear it’s call and if you do, will you answer? It’s that wild thing inside you that speaks of ancient times dancing ’round the fire, under the stars. And who might be there dancing with you but the Lord of Abundance and Prosperity
 

    Capricorn
    Do you ever hear whispers in the middle of a warm August night coming to you on the wings of a gentle breeze through an open window? They call for you, Capricorn, but fear not for they are the cry of your own heart, the yearning to find a deeper meaning to it all. This month is your chance. You’ll find it ‘far from the maddening crowd’


    Aquarius
    The potential of relationships is seldom realised because we are too busy trying to get something rather than give. Be warned, however, for even giving can have a selfish intent behind its rosy facade. The sun in Leo shines a light on your relationships so you can see the truth to what it is you bring to others. No matter what you discover, know that your potential is unlimited beauty.

    Pisces
    Compassion and empathy have always been strong points. This month, get a sense of what you mean to others by bringing resolution to their troubles. In the process you’ll discover how health and healing form two sides of your equilateral triangle representing the world. The third side? Selfless service of which you have an abundance. This month, step out into the world and shine your light!

    Aries
    Do you feel the urge to pick up a paintbrush and create a masterpiece? What about finishing that novel you started but never finished? Never even began? No worries. But please do something creative this month, Aries. Big or small, good, bad, or ugly, you’ll find that it’s not the bark of the dog that matters, but its bite. So stop barking and take a bite. No, not out of your neighbour, Aries — out of Life! You’ll find the taste is habit forming.

    Taurus
    What’s the difference between house and home, Taurus? Simple enough: a house refers to space (bricks and mortar) and home refers to place (emotional connection). But O my! How confused we become. Let place guide you and space is sure to follow. And the place to start? With yourself. This month, you have a chance to really see what it is that makes you tick. Hint: it is not home and family. Confused? Good. Confusion is the first step toward knowing.

    Gemini
    There is a blazing fire burning within you this month, a fire of desire. But it’s a strange fire: the more fuel you add, the less it burns. Better to simply let it burn with no intention. What you will discover is that what you have been seeking is not really what you want. There in the ashes sits the object of your desire, a golden wish-fulfilling nugget that needed fire to burn away the dross. Let the fire reveal what it is you really want.

    Cancer
    You eloquence reaches new heights this month. Whether it bloats your ego or does the world a world of good depends upon whether you bathe it in compassion and season it with humility. I think the latter is your destiny for no other reason than I trust you. Don’t make me eat my words, Cancer; I have eleven other signs to dine on. ?

  • Alert! Rahu/Mars Conjunction

    Alert! Rahu/Mars Conjunction

    Rahu and Mars is a combination that should raise a yellow flag of caution. Through August 21, Rahu, the North node of the moon, and Mars will be together in Taurus. This combination indicates a general tendency to be lead astray either through distraction (Rahu) or through compulsion (Mars). Don’t think the latter is simply a matter of knowing right from wrong. We tend to rationalise our actions in order to satisfy a compulsion or craving. It’s self-aggrandisement hiding in plain sight. This happens because we falsify our real intentions, convincing ourselves that what we seek is for the good of all.

    Writing this newsletter, being inspired by the recent joyful Sufi experiences of one of you, I decided to offer some poetry by Rumi and Hafez, two giants of Sufism who lived in the 13th and 14th centuries, respectively. After a bit of web searching, I came across a wonderful poem by Hafez — only it wasn’t his. Fortunately for both you and me, I also came across an article from a Muslim scholar who said that 99.9% of the poems attributed to Hafez are not his poems. Most of what you find on the internet is the original poetry of either David Ladinsky or Coleman Barks whose many best-selling books were marketed as “translations” of Hafez’s and Rumi’s poetry though neither one knows Persian. For each, this was just a small detail. Ladinsky has professed that his books received their impetus from a dream he had in the 90s where Hafez “came to him” and told him to write in his name. đŸ€” Coleman Barks deliberately changed Rumi’s poetry from expressions of love and devotion to God and his guru to a mundane encounter with a lover. Saying the Koran is hard to read, he also removed references to Islam from Rumi’s works.

    When I discovered this, I was dumbfounded. As a society, how is it that we allow such things? Misinformation, falsification, and intentional deceit by corporations, political leaders, school councils, and the person on the street has become as commonplace as eating with a knife and fork. As a society, ‘if it feels good, do it” or, if it leads to self-gain, it must be good.

    With Rahu and Mars together this month, it’s a good idea to hit the pause button. 😉

  • Your Sun-sign Forecast June/July 2022

    Your Sun-sign Forecast June/July 2022

    (June 21 through July 20, 2022)

    Cancer
    You already know you are an emotional and sensitive being. The challenge comes in channeling high-energy emotions like anger, impatience, and jealousy into life-promoting activities. Fortunately, you get a strong boost this month to do just that as your Jupiter and Mars are influencing your work and income. Been feeling a bit under-appreciated in these departments? Now’s the time to take your stand.

    Leo
    O my! The lioness within you seems a bit sheepish this month
 or is it that she really is a lamb inside? Like the reference to Christ in Revelations:5-6, you are both the conquering spirit and the sacrificial lamb this month. No worries! It is only your smallness that is being sacrificed. Only by seeing the world with soft eyes do we discover our true greatness.

    Virgo
    Income and finances seem to be on your mind. This month, find others who share your dreams and take that next step. In the meantime, offer your time to a community project and watch the wonderful response you get not only from others, but from yourself. Watch out! It may become habit forming. 🙂

    Libra
    Libra is the sign associated with the stage of life where we seek out relationships only to discover that “finding the one” is not enough. This month, direct the energy of relationship toward your workplace. There’s a chance for you to ‘make your mark’ and both you and your colleagues will be better off because of it. Right action brings right results.

    Scorpio
    Teacher, teacher, I do declare; I see someone’s
 remember this childhood rhyme? Scorpios like you have a natural ability to see things others cannot. However, even the master was once a student. This month, look for a teacher to help you attain what you have been yearning for. You may have to travel to find it.

    Sagittarius
    Ah! The sweetness of emotion
 it brings so much! This month, open your heart to the sweetness of emotion and comb the depths of the mystical. Sagittarius is symbolised by the centaur: half human and half horse. Throw yourself into nature not as a distraction, but as a stepping stone across the stream of attachments that keep you limited. What you’ll find is what you are: Love.

    Capricorn
    There is a bell ringing in the belfry, but not the one in your neighbourhood house of worship. It’s the one within you and it’s calling you to attend the Church of your Higher Reason. This month, there is a chance of handing over your willpower to others; the more intimate the relationship, the more challenging to overcome. However, Capricorn, I trust your ability to stand your ground through your in-born ability to see through the charade.

    Aquarius
    This month, there is an uptick of possibility that you may be asked to help someone in need. This is fortunate for the other person because you are a natural healer. Just remember, healing is not always concerned with the body; a wayward mind often needs a shoulder to cry on, and a troubled heart a soothing word. You are up to the task to offer both.

    Pisces
    Romance is in the air! Or is it your artistic talents? Perhaps it’s even your inner child attracting children to you like the Pied Piper. In fact, it is all of these. This month, take advantage of your openness to explore the beauty of emotion. Smile at the neighbour! Hug a tree! Sing a song! I guarantee the birds will sing back. 

    Aries
    Aries, you have always been known for your sharp intellect and your courage, but this month, you are being asked to explore something a bit more challenging: your gentle side. Regarding the world through “soft eyes”, you will discover a hidden strength: emotion. Love, gratitude, and compassion holds the key you have been seeking.

    Taurus
    Expressing emotion has always been a mixed bag; on the one hand, the strength of your expression is second to none, on the other, it stays in a box. This month, you have the opportunity to take the bull by the horns and discover how emotion is tied to your capacity to fulfil your desires. What you’ll discover along the way is that the quality of your emotion matches the quality of what you choose to experience and guess what? This is the secret to a joyful life.

    Gemini
    Have you noticed something interesting about your life? Your capacity to fulfil desire is related to your capacity to communicate those desires not only to others, but to yourself. Make this a joyful process and you will have found the key to manifestation. It’s not the fulfilment of desire that makes you joyful, though, it’s the discovery of the power TO fulfil desire — and that makes you feel good, really good.