A family weekend of book signings: Gone from These Woods

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It's a big family weekend here as my niece, Donny Bailey Seagraves, enjoys her first Borders book signing, plus a hometown celebration thrown for the release of her book Gone from These Woods, a middle-grade reader for the 9 - 12 age group.

Since I pre-ordered my copy from Amazon it has yet to arrive, but the early reviews are excellent concerning this gripping story of a young boy who must face the kind of loss that we all must face at one time or another in our lives.

Donny has been a published writer for years but Gone from These Woods is her first novel and is published by Random House, so do check it out!

Yes, we're very proud of Donny, but just to keep her head from over-swelling, here's a private view from the late 1950s of Donny with her brother Mike sittin' on the sofa - without a manuscript or editing thought in her head!



Visit Donny's blog Winterville Writer where she'll be featuring other authors, too, as well as updates about her own work.

Congratulations, June Bug!

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Updating 'Blog Art': Helga Prepares 2 Dance

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Just to let you know that an icon cropped from one of my drawings (a brand new rendering, in fact) is now placed in Two Hours' sidebar in lieu of Perry Presenting which was there. 'Perry' has left the building.

In her place, my wish is to update a small image in this blog's sidebar column once a month (or more often if time permits) so that One Click on the image will take you to view the full image.

Not all drawings will be from Cosmic Persona Designs, a collection intended for those art viewers 17 years of age and older due to its saucy Boudoir Blossoms and Chiffonery Art imprints; some images will be from other Art Blogs as the mood inspires, and since I have Moon~Cosmic~Fairy~ Children's~Botanical~Fish Portrait collections to pick from, I'm fairly certain that variety shall ensue.

So please scroll a little and Click to View because at the moment, Helga Prepares 2 Dance awaits you! You do dance, don't you?

Update 9.7.09: Don't Scroll to view Helga!

Unless you want to see a different image there now...here's a direct link to Helga Prepares 2 Dance if you want to check out her moves...

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Thomas Paine on punishment and oppression

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"An avidity to punish is always dangerous to liberty. It leads men to stretch, to misinterpret, and to misapply even the best of laws. He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself."

Thomas Paine

You know that June 8th of this year was the 200th anniversary of Thomas Paine's death, so click the article's link where you'll be hooked up to the text of Common Sense, in case you'd like to refresh yourself

There's a smidge of Astrology, too.

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Critiques of Scotland over prison release of Lockerbie bomber

Assuming that it's not a case of a wrongful conviction finally righted as I've read here and there, criticism of Scotland's recent release from prison of the only man incarcerated for the 1988 airplane sabotage of Pan Am Flight 103 that killed 270 people over Lockerbie, Scotland has their Braveheartiest hackles up to defend the Scottish justice system which is seemingly more merciful than the US justice system.

Given the harshness of overcrowding and other problems in US prisons, this I can believe, and yet...

Do you think sending the cancer patient home to Libya to die sends a cozy message to terroists everywhere, as characterized in, and promoted by, the media and FBI Director Robert Mueller? Considering the low level of trust in the US gov by the people, one must wonder if they are afraid the man will be given a soapbox on which to speak out.

Now the BBC has picked up Admiral Mike Mullen on CNN chiming in with a 'political decision' critique.

And here are some 'secret oil deal' accusations turning up after Gaddafi's son let the cat out of the trade bag to roam free as...as a caged bird released from prison and ready to sing.

And do you think, as discussed on Stars Over Washington in Comments by Scottish astrologer Anne Whitaker and myself, that the practice of compassionate early release of terminally or seriously ill inmates may be cynically viewed as a cost-saving measure thinly disguised as humanitarian gesture?

Yeah. That's what I thought. It seems to be another of the chaos-creators' and shock-doctrinaires' attempts to undermine yet one more of the world's governmental systems that has worked reasonably well for generations.

Those dang'd Utopians - always on the verge of sending mankind back to the garden from whence he came so he can wander about, scratching and grubbing for meager existence! Tsk tsk.

And with Halloween on the way, we may wish to recognize one of Utopia's many guises: a one-world-government. And it won't be as fun as it sounds.

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You may wish to read a few brief details on Pluto's current triggering of the Lockerbie Bombing chart's Sun and Uranus.

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How's your supply of Health and Wellness?

It's been simply eons that I spent time on the Associated Content website where I've been known to write a little, but have not since Garfield was president (practically.) Not that Garfield. The other one.

Well, I just returned from a brief sojourn with AC and my browser carrying a link for you. It's an article by Laura Brady concerning Health and Wellness which you may find very useful.

And one of the best things about Ms. Brady's article is that it makes absolutely no mention of health care reform or the current deform we're limping along with now.

So go along and check it out, for who can ever have enough health and wellness?

And as a wise man once said, Consider the spine.

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image: a pencil portrait of Self-Heal, moseyed over from Secret Moon Art if you're in the mood for more visuals of the Botanical, Fairy, Moon, Cosmic, and Children's varieties of artwork...all pencil, all the time. Followers heartily and publicly welcomed! jc

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Wedding Day Astrology: Gwyneth Paltrow m. Chris Martin

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Continuing my 'Wedding Day Astrology' series, I have just posted an entry on the 2003 wedding and the partnership of actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin of Coldplay, if you'd like a not-too-naughty astrological peek into their relationship dynamics.

And how about a cool video from Coldplay's Viva la Vida tour from a few nights ago?

Herning 16.8.09 from Coldplay on Vimeo.

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Update 9.7.09: having just discovered a fascinating blog with two Coldplay videos, I add its link here primarily because it asks a intriguing question: Is Coldplay Illuminated?, a reference to the theme of their latest album - the Masonic-Illuminati-engineered French Revolution, and to song lyrics which are supplied there if you don't know them already.

When I Ruled the World, hmm?

One of my favorite tunes but until now, I actually assumed he was saying, 'For some reason I can't explain, I know St. Peter will call my name.' But Mr. Martin says, '...St. Peter won't call my name.' Double hmm.

If Mr. Martin and perhaps other members of Coldplay are 'illuminated' we might think that talented people who mind their rituals and spells are raised to the pentacled heights of fame, stardom, and wealth - which could explain why other very talented performers barely get the time of day while they're being shooed out the door.

And this makes it a modern-day version of selling one's soul to lucifer in exchange for world tours full of adoring audiences, and a well-stocked limo waiting at the curb for your exalted self.

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Astrologer Lynn Hayes on Health Care Reform

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In 2005, when I first began blogging on Politics reflected through the lens of Astrology, one of my very first online Astrology friends was the gracious and expert astrologer, Lynn Hayes.

Well, now I'm posting this shout-out to Lynn's article of August 19, We need real healthcare reform not more insurance, a sentiment I share, and one which would seem to be a given, now wouldn't it?

At least a 'given' in a normal world with less political opportunism and a ban on the cynical use of people's easily swayed emotions, that is.




Image is an illustration of 'Jimson weed in bloom' from an Associated Content article on avoiding the Deadly Nightshades in your diet, which is a very good thing to do if you're sensitive to them.

If you have any itchy skin conditions or your tummy grumbles against you, you may wish to check out the possibility that regular nightshade consumption may be part of the problem. That's a valuable health hint from me to you, if you'll take it!

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Pea Flowers in Moonlight: a pencil portrait

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Pea flowers don't cease to exist just because the sun goes down, y'know...

Pea Flowers in Moonlight, by Jude Cowell 2009+, from my Secret Moon Art Blog, now updated for your satisfaction!

Plus, my Art Storefront hosted by Lulu is also available for browsing.

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Woodstock 1969: Sun Leo--Moon Virgo, Libra, and Scorpio

Solar Navigator has information about the Woodstock Music and Art Festival of August 15 - 18, 1969.

Living in Washington, DC at the time, a road trip in a van didn't appeal, so I opted out of the fan roster and listened to Edgar Winter and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young in a basement on Dupont Circle while awaiting my friends' returns and reports. The reports were glowing, as you might imagine.

But what of the universal As Above, So Below model?

If the muddy musical melee was 'happening' in an alfalfa field of Bethel, NY, then what planetary energies were playing harmonious tunes overhead revelers' noggins and floating 'all around us' like...love, man?

For a quickly peep at the Suns and Moons from the morning of August 15 and extending to the evening of August 18, 1969, we have these Images for Integration, a blending of the Sun/male energy and the Moon/female energy of the siren's call...transiting Circe conjuncts sexy Pluto in Virgo, both conj South Node.

And one planet was out-of-bounds, lusty Mars 10Sag13 - 12Sag05 (which conjuncts US natal ASC in our Sibly chart.) Jupiter and Uranus in early Libra, sign of Partnerships, Love, Beauty, and the Arts, are in process of finishing their triple Great Conjunction/s of 1968 - 1969. In fact, their last 'hook-up' at 00Lib40 (conj US natal Mc, Sibly) occurred just prior to Woodstock on July 20, 1969, so blissful realizations and high enthusiasms echoed across the fields between the cow patties!

8:00 am edt, August 15 -- August 18, 1969, 9:00 pm edt, Bethel, NY:

Sun ranges from 22Leo28 to 25Leo53; Moon begins @ 18Vir07 and ends @ 3Sco21 (conjunct Cupido whose keywords include: The Arts, The Family, The Tribe, Corporations; The Syndicate.)

So here is a 'Luminary Timeline' of sorts, my attempt to describe the Festival (40 years later) using Sun-Moon blends for clues which The Rest of Us Who Did Not Attend (or perhaps you weren't born yet!) might want to consider - kind of a progress report on the celebration after the balloons have all floated away, the babies have been born, and the van's flat tire remains long-changed:

Sun Leo-Moon Virgo: After the ball, Cinderella polishes the floor until its shiny surface perfectly reflects her happy, contented face.

Sun Leo-Moon Libra: Jeeves the butler welcomes Bertie home with a jolly party of artists, important personages, and eccentric friends...A monarch discusses poetry with a visiting diplomat...The Actors' Guild stages a political rally.

Sun Leo-Moon Scorpio: The conception of a divine child takes place during a total eclipse of the Sun...A fateful, passionate love affair between the queen and a mysterious wandering peasant. (Sun Sign-Moon Sign, Charles & Suzi Harvey.)

And another quick look: Woodstock Festival's Pre-Natal Eclipse is of the 7 North Series ('27Pis' on 3.18.69), with a flavor that includes: deep passions long-hidden that surprise with their intensity; sudden sexual passions and procreative drives; very sensual. (Brady's Predictive Astrology.)

Last occurrence of a Solar Eclipse in the 7N Series: '19Ari' on April 8, 2005; next: '30Ari' on April 20, 2023.

Well, that's my take on Woodstock 40 years later. Meanwhile, our Peace, Love, and Understanding movement bogs down in the mud of Politics one more time.

Should we turn up the volume to 11, oh people of Woodstock Nation?

Your Bubbles-In-Waiting Tutorial

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Pausing to blow the world's bubbles is like stopping to smell nature's roses. Yet in today's busy world, it often takes a three-year-old to spare the time and concentration needed to get the job done right!



The world is full of a myriad of bubbles-in-waiting, needing only air directly focused



Dedication is its own reward. But bubbles sure are nice



A bubble in captivity at sudsy mitt's command...Bravo!

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~:~photos by Maya. ~:~

US Mars Return in Gemini: Wednesday 8.12.09

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About every two years, Mars returns to the precise degree, minute, and second of his natal position, whether in the birth chart of an individual, an event, or a nation.

We'd be nothing but limp noodles in a corner without the action, energy, desire nature, and the impulse to be of planet Mars, says Astrology. Bad analogy that, since someone would have to fashion the noodles in the first place, but you get my point.

The US has had approximately one-hundred-sixteen Mars Returns to date, give or take (233 years old divided by 2-year-cycle = 116.)

Well, this Wednesday, August 12, 2009, is just such an occurrence when America experiences her Mars Return 2009 so check it out, if you may.

A Mars Return indicates the universe's cosmic clock timing a new cycle of activity starting up - when the two-year cycle begins depends on when it first began in the radix (natal) chart. Thus, any return chart issues from, or is based upon, a natal chart. In my post, I'm using America's Gemini Rising chart, aka the 'Franklin' chart, with Uranus ascending.

Having our natal Mars in Mercury-ruled Gemini, an Air sign, indicates much mental energy, which I think describes America to a T. And Mars placed in the sign of multiplicity/duplicity gives Americans a tendency toward working two or more jobs which is mighty handy these days under the economic circumstances - if you can find or keep them.

Two-Car Garage = Mars in Gemini!

Both Mercury and Mars relate to transport, automobiles, and other modes of transportation. If there are still two cars parked in your garage, congratulations.

Aggressiveness is also part of the Mars-in-Gemini picture, and I suppose we-the-people can admit to resembling that remark, along with our love of debate, and a talent for resourcefulness.

Yes, we're a restless bunch of dudes and dudettes, aren't we?

Plus, Gemini is the sign of Eternal Youth glorying in his love affair with his own reflection. Uh oh! Bellybutton gazing is being performed as I type, and every time I study an Astrology chart relating to...America!

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Solar Eclipse in Capricorn Jan 15, 2010

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Perpetual War for Perpetual War

By Jeff Huber

The American warmongery, a confluence of Big War, Big Energy, Big Jesus, Big Israel, Big Brainwash, and Big Brother, is trying to entangle us in a state of constant armed conflict that will carry on into the next American century. There's no need for anyone to challenge our hegemony; all they have to do is sit back and watch us collapse under the weight of our own stupidity.

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Now that's why I've been saying these last several years. America is the biggest bully on anybody's block. And if we don't have an enemy, we'll create one or two.

Puts me in mind of one of my favorite (no longer together) musical groups, Crowded House, when they sang, Chocolate Cake which was about American greed, overeating, and about our 'sinking like a stone.'

And stones are from the realm of Saturn, ruler of Capricorn, so perhaps you'd consider reading my just-published article-with-chart-image concerning the Solar Eclipse of Jan 15, 2010 at '26 Capricorn' - it conjuncts US natal Pluto, planet of power and wealth.

What you won't see there are the midpoint pictures I neglected to type into the post, so I'll type them for you now. They're part of a prominent YOD pattern ('Finger of God') in the chart, and as such relate to crises, major adjustments, and potentially to health issues...all involve the Solar Eclipse and Venus, which is conjunct the Eclipse.

Sun/Uranus = Mc: major events in support of big plans; hopeful triumph for the ego; an excitable or restless person with far-reaching plans; reformers, inventors, technicians; sudden events or emotional upheavals.

Moon/Uranus = Mc: great excitement and energy; ambitious aims; readiness for action; taking a hand or interfering suddenly; determination; potential gains; sudden change of plans.

Venus/Uranus = Mc: an affair breaking open to view; getting involved with someone quickly; artistic success; engagement.

Health All Over the Place - and in the Chart:

With asteroid Hygeia (health) Rx at Midheaven, the previously mentioned YOD pattern having a health connotation, and wounded healer Chiron at Ic, we may think of Health Care Reform, yet the 12 North Eclipse itself may relate more to a prominent person's health failing in some way - at least on one level.

And with Capricorn being the sign of law, business, and government, the 12N Series will be keeping the White House busy and the citizens well-disposed toward the administration, for the most part. (Sour-grapers notwithstanding, that is.)

Actually, you may wish to read the Sun Cap-Moon Cap blend info, too, and find out the names of a few famous persons with this ambitious combo in their natal charts.

Well, there are many more details to be found by clicking either or both link/s above, so I hope you do. The posts are written in reasonably good English, so you mustn't over-fret if you don't speak astrologese.

After all, I don't spend these hours studying horoscopes and blogging about them because I have nothin' else to do, ya know. But that's just how practical Capricorns roll - we have a need to be useful!

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