ASAD, Syrma - Al Ghafar and the transiting Sun in early Scorpio, October 25th 2009

The Sun is about to transit the Fixed Star Syrma,(at approx. 4 degrees Scorpio). It is currently reaching the approaching conjunction as I write this. This fixed star is in the constellation Virgo, and also holds place in the greater Ancient Astrological presence (Arabian/Persian astrology)- ASAD, the great LION, who is a most wonderful guardian of the ancient heavens and life on earth.

Regarding Syrma - forming part of the arabic 13th Moon Mansion:-

• [The Persian astronomer Al Biruni (973-1048 A.D.) said that the Arabs considered this the most fortunate of their lunar stations, as lying between the evils of the Lion's teeth and claws on one side and the tail and venom of the Scorpion on the other, and quoted from a Rajaz poet: "The best night forever Lies between Al Zubanah and Al Asad;"] - from Constellationsofwords by Anne Wright.

Astrology chart for 25th October 2009 (Byron Bay, Australia) www.papertv.com

On the 28th October, 2009, the Sun will transiting 4-5 degrees Scorpio, and the Moon will pass over the last degrees of Aquarius and first degrees of Pisces. This is a great time to prepare for the later CONJUNCTION of JUPITER and NEPTUNE (23-26 degrees Aquarius) over the 2009 Christmas period.
The later degrees of Aquarius, in the Zodiac have symbols connected with butterflies, violets and recharging of the spirit.

The fixed star, Khambalia - lambda in Virgo (at approx 6 degrees Scorpio*), is also soon on the "visit" list by the Sun (end of Oct. 2009), as it transits through the celestial sphere. This is a great time for penetration of secrets. And so, if something needs to be unearthed, or indeed exposed for what it really is ie. getting to the truth of the matter...... the next few days can be extremely useful.... just take care that you stay in "the light" as you search about!

And so, looking even further ahead into the Astrology of December 2009?

When this conjunction of Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron (approx 23-26 degrees Aquarius) occurs at the end of December, Mars at 19 degrees LEO Dec 28th 2009) will be opposite these three heavenly bodies. And whilst Ursa Major is far from Mars by declination, there will be correspondence between the two, via the fixed stars - Tania Borealis and Merak.

Mars will also have connections, late December with Ras Elasid Australis (Algenubi or Epsilon - LEO). Some cruelty, on the part of Authority and those of heartless disposition may be afoot.


And a final note - the world IS a beautiful place when LOVE is in our hearts, and whilst the hard-arsed devils of humanity's archtypal "monsters" appear to be on the loose, and somewhat hell bent on planetary destruction, the word of LOVE, when pressed to the wind will gather great force over the coming months. And Mass Consciousness is on the move in a way that it has not been for tens of thousands of years.

• If you find that the "ghouls" are about, try Stuart Wilde's website and purchase the Gayatri Mantra - it is a short, concise and beautiful MANTRA for banishing "ghouls" and "Honouring the Gods"

*see precession of equinoxes & equinox .
precession of equinoxes at ancient egyptians and the constellations

... we are all just exchanging stories.........
Astrology.is - for some history about modern astrology
A-Z of Astrological terms - a quick reference for terms that may be of use.
ASAD :- search results for ASAD at constellationsofwords

the above article has been written by Madison Waters for the bluecray Journey for Wisdom in the Land.

The Chart for October 25th 2009, above is from:- What Watch? - Version 3.3 Build 92 - © 1999, 2008 Robert Amlung - www.papertv.com .

Giri and the 22 Arrows of Truth - Myths for a Modern Age - Part 3

Once upon a time, high in the mountains beyond the mists of time there lived a hidden community of gifted beings.
One such gifted being was Giri.
Giri was an old monkey, blessed with magical insights, grey haired and of kind disposition.

Some years before this story is written,Giri's friends held a most excellent party.The Party was to celebrate Giri's Birthday. One of the guests who came to the party was a Magician. The Magician was now retired, but had once ruled the Fates of Time. Also attending were Giri's friends the Rat, (Giri's dearest friend), as well as all the other beings who lived up high in the misty mountains near Giri's home, including the Tiger, the OX and Dog.

The birthday party was a huge success,and Giri received some beautiful gifts. The Ox gave him a wonderful box of integrity chocolate, wrapped up in steadfastness and honour.The Dog gave him loyalty, and a most beautiful present it was! The Rat gave Giri a little pair of spectacles so that he may see into the darkest places, as he worked. And finally, when it was time for all the guests to leave, the ancient Magician handed Giri a square purple box, wrapped with a large yellow ribbon.
"This is for you, Giri", said the Magician. "I have kept this little present for you for many years, and now that you have become older, and your grey years are upon you, it is time that you received a little toy, to help you play, and re-awaken some of your childhood adventures again."

Giri expressed his deepest thanks to the Magician. Carefully he untied the long yellow ribbon, and opened up the purple box. There, inside, was a little metal wind up Rabbit. The Magician smiled saying, "The wonder of the Metal Rabbit toy is this, Giri. Before you go to sleep at night, wind up the tiny key at its back, then place it on the stand at your bedside. While you sleep, it will help to impart your dreams with some wonderful and intriguing adventures."

Giri thanked the Magician for the beautiful gift, and waving goodbye to all his friends, he settled in for the night, cosy and warm, by the fireplace.

Soon, as the day had been busy, sleep seemed to be the order of the evening. And while the owls and possums outside began to stir for the night, Giri readied himself for bed. Climbing under the warm covers, he spied the little Metal Rabbit, sitting by his bedside.
Giri reached out to the Metal Rabbit present and taking it up gently,he wound the tiny key at its back. The shining little Metal Rabbit began to hop around his bedside table with a quiet whir and slowly Giri began to close his eyes.
As he drifted into sleep he could feel himself being lured into a very different kind of dream state. Once in a deep hibernation the dream proceeded to take its hold………………..


Dark energy waited close by.

Giri, wings outstretched, lifted into the air. Flying high above the mountains he observed the goings on in a large clearing beside a forest.
Shovels worked and gardens were being tended. A Tiger walked amongst the thinning trees confidently watching for on coming enemies to devour. A White Rabbit burrowed around impatiently, whilst a Sage Rat enjoyed home making. Looking over through the bushes, Giri called to his friend the Sage Rat, who was busily sweeping out the kitchen. “Oh beautiful Rat, are you having a nice day?”


“Yes little Monkey, but my ears have been hurting me. I fear that things are not as they appear.”

The Tiger had vanished into the deep forest by now, and his glowing eyes were hidden from all except for the Rat, who could always see easily in the dark.

Quietly the White Rabbit loped up to the friends.
The White Rabbit had recently escaped from a mad hatter’s tea party full of screaming queens and smiling red haired cats. He was not feeling himself, and was trying to find peace in the garden that he was making. The White Rabbit offered tea, smiling in a benign manner. Tea went well and Giri left, a little unsettled, to go back to his home. “Strange dream” thought Giri.

As he departed the garden,night fell. The Tiger began to wail. The Tiger’s wails woke the little Rat, who had been resting and who began to despair that all was not really well.
Roaring and screaming, the Tiger’s glowing eyes became destruction.The Rat fled into the nearby forest as the Tiger’s claws lashed at her, snarling in his pain.Fleeing into the night,she cried “ Giri, Giri! Please use your magic! Help me!”
..........................................................................

Suddenly, the Rat was far from the nightmare garden, and was sobbing under a tree as Giri ran to her side. “You poor dear, the night is full of fragmented fear and despair, you will be safe here.” The evening passed quietly at Giri’s home. The little Sage Rat recuperated well from her ordeal. As the days progressed, she became less nervous, finally venturing out to find her way in the world once more, knowing she would always be welcome to rest at her friend, Giri’s, place.

The dream was starting to disturb the Monkey’s sleep by now, and suddenly, he woke up with a fright. This was no dream!

There was the Rat. Beside the fire, still slightly sobbing in her sleep, after her run through the deep forest from the Tiger and Rabbit’s home that very evening……………………...Giri gradually realised that the Rat must not return to that beautiful wild garden where the White Rabbit and Tiger lived.


“Dear Rat, put this all behind you. For your health and sanity, prepare to leave and seek you fortune in the greater world. There is much love and joy out there for you”.

Later that day, the White Rabbit sought to ask Giri’s advice as a professional magician. He quietly came upon Giri in the market place, “Oh Monkey…have you seen my friend the Tiger, or……...perhaps….. The Rat??”

“ Rabbit, you are very clever within yourself. You must know where the Tiger and the Rat are. My time is precious and cannot be taken except for the good of the whole. Be careful what you ask for, Rabbit”
“Well, the Tiger says the Rat has put him under a spell, and I am not sure of how suitable the Rat is to be near the Tiger!” exclaimed the White Rabbit, sniffing tearfully, “I am so worried about them..... um.. both”

Giri patiently tried to help, quietly hoping for the White Rabbit to depart. Then,as soon as the White Rabbit was gone, he frantically searched for the Metal Dream Rabbit, wondering if a dream might provide answers that he was looking for. Giri pondered “Now where have you hopped to?” (and why was the White Rabbit beginning to look like the Metal Rabbit?)

It was all seeming a little like a bad dream again. Giri decided that he could understand more, by asking his Magician Guide. Calling into the high mountain peaks, Giri cried “Please wise friend, help me to unravel the intrigue of this nightmare. I suspect that the Metal Rabbit is controlling my dream. He is trivialising everyone for his own ends”

Suddenly, there was the retired Magician, standing beside Giri.
The Magician Guide said “That Metal Rabbit is asking too much of your good nature, and energy to take care of problems that he himself has caused. Getting rid of the Rat seems to be the undertone of this dream, Giri. You have helped get rid of the Rat, because she has continued in search of a better life. But that is only because you, Giri, sensed that the Rat had much more waiting for it,despite her great love for the Tiger."
(Giri had some time ago, suggested that his dear friend the Rat might be better off away from the little garden and homely life that she had tended for herself and the unhappy tiger.)

Meanwhile, the Rabbit is pestering you Giri, and feigns liking the Rat.
"But Giri, wake up!!!"
"Ask the Rabbit - Rabbit you seem to dislike the Rat, yet you seem to have much control of the unhappy tiger?- Do you notice the rabbit starts to back off, and is no longer friendly to you Giri?”


Giri wondered about this. His kindly magical powers had been enlisted. But used for selfish means? Giri had only ever wanted to help,but now it was looking like a power control trip on the part of that seemingly friendly Metal Rabbit.

Time progressed, the dream continued….. Giri began to fight for sanity as the dream changed again and again.
The selfish Metal Rabbit and the unbalanced Tiger, together with other mischievous animals of the dream state. They all began to overwhelm him with more confusing stories and ever increasing demands.

The retired Magician, by this time, had enough of the dreaming.
He announced “The dream state has been suspended, and all dreaming is halted until the Metal Rabbit stops trying to control the dream. It is disturbing the Spirit World!“

The Magician then gave the Rat 22 arrows of truth in a guilded case.
"Here Rat, shoot these 22 arrows using only love as the aim. The Rat shot off all 22 arrows, with the blessings from all Great Angels of the spirit World, and as each one fell, intrigue dropped from the Monkeys dream. Finally, Giri was able to surface into the real dawn.

Finally waking, Giri looked over to the Metal Rabbit, now back in its little purple box. The tiny wind up key was no longer there, at its back. The little present that had held the promise of many adventures was now just a metal figure of a rabbit, still and shining, but just an ornament.
Feeling sad that it had needed to control so much, Giri went out into his garden. In the morning light,he counted his blessings, then, continued whittling away at the long slender arrows . “21, 22. There, Rat! Now, we’ve just begun!"

Madison Waters 1.5.01

This is the updated second edition(18.10.2009) of this story.The first was written back in 2001, as a much shorter version, and only published in a small magazine (4,000 circulation in SE QLD).

The characters are based on real persons, but given a fictional/mythological context. The Monkey, Giri, still lives in the high mountains, surrounded by wise and loving friends. The Rat did indeed leave to see the world, and is happy in her own beautiful garden now, with a loving husband. The Ox and the Dog continue spreading their gifts of loyalty, integrity, steadfastness and honour. The unhappy Tiger died a sudden death, outside his home, (where he lived, under strict control by the Rabbit.)
The last time I saw the rabbit, he appeared to have become somewhat humbled, as the consequences of his life came upon him and his machiavellian ways.

The Tiger still visits me in spirit, and I always remember his deep love for the Rat, and how he wished to escape the Rabbit and spend his life with the Rat. It was, however,not meant to be. The Ox told me of his death, an hour after the tragedy and I had to break the news to the dear Rat, who was at the time, travelling the world.
The Rat and myself have a friendship that will last beyond time and space. The events have taught me, that no matter how devious the "political" entities, the "developer" consortiums and individual power players in the world are, time will always catch up with them, and their deeds are often watched on by "powers" greater than you and I can ever conceive.

The Magician is still retired, and enjoying a peaceful life. And the arrows of truth have all been released.
"Public Enemies" at ABC Landline Archives 25th October 2009 : a story about the Rabbit in Australia and its Environmental Cost.
Giri: a Japanese Indigenous concept .
GIRI : WIKI article GIRI : Japanese definition .
Machiavellianism at wikipedia

Environmental Action and Activism - a simple perspective

Goanna (no, he isn't threatened, but his habitat is changing rapidly) Mt Warning Caldera Region, Australia
Australian Government listings for THREATENED FAUNA Species
&
Environmental Advocacy blogs - the Art of Public Engagement (with links to Melissa Merry's "“Blogging and Environmental Advocacy: A New Way to Engage the Public?”)

In the scheme of things, action (Environmental Action and Activism) to change the world can come in three forms:-

* Identifying the critical issue, passively supporting change for the better in your heart, but recognising that beyond that, you can do little else, except heal your own inbalances and heart.

* Identifying the critical issues, actively supporting the change for the better and recognising that balance, focus and the "heart" and "energy" behind those actions are to be considered as foundations to those actions.

* Identifying the critical issue, understanding the passive and the active response, then going beyond. Going to and working with, the underlying issue that has caused the initial problem is in this category. Going to the spirit of things, addressing them in a way that can help cause a massive shift in mass consciousness awareneness, thus facilitating change without really becoming involved in the individual issue.

Native Black Bee, Australia

Tolerance, love, forgiveness, redemption and compassion are powerful tools when dealing with poor land management, inappropriate land custodianship and ignorant land stewardship. These things can open up doors that anger, misdirected ego and intolerance have previously held shut.

and now a poem......

Phantom Koala and the Goanna

"Dearest PK" asked Goanna wise
"why don't the Trees now reach to the Skies-
why is the Rain so late to fall?
I know many things but with these, I stall."

PK slowly shifted to see
who questioned him so from beneath his tree
"Why Goanna, you smarty, didn't you know
The government let them clear the trees, so....
The rain doesn't come, the wind blows hard
and everyone's mowing down their back yard
They've channelled the water away from the streams
and ruined the chance of our childrens' dreams."

This disturbed the Goanna who said, "But PK, surely not everyone acts in this way?"
Well, PK just laughed and pulled at some leaves
"It's what's in ones heart - that's what to believe
Does it make sense to kill? does it make sense to steal?
Does it make sense to eat much much more than your meal?"
"Well, that is what they do - the clearers of land, they kill all the trees and they make out they're grand. Then they take all the water and pump it away
and they tell us that industries show us the way.
They hop on their jet stream and swan round the world
praising themselves with their grand flags unfurled
saying 'We have the answer - we are the best'
(though to you and me both - we know they're the pest)."
Goanna thought deeply on PK's last words and dreamily saw that it was quite absurd
"So why do they panic and call each day drought, why do the leaders still hold so much clout?"
"Oh Goanna! Dear friend, you wise brave old soul
because they can't see from their justified hole. They've dug down so deeply, their egos as spades - that the only thing left between them and the hades-

is redemption and love. We must give them a hand, to clamber back up and to save our sweet land"

************************************

The above article is taken from a lengthier one that I have written on the bluecray.org website. For more about the plight of Australian Koalas in this region, you can try bluecray's environmental search engine .

Koala Populations and their Habitats are falling sharply along the central east coast of Australia, where Urbanisation and unsustainable development practices have been the norm for many decades. Habitat clearing is one of the biggest threats currently facing Koalas. Despite the dedicated work by Koala carers and Koala advocates, the Koala is not listed as a threatened species by the Australian Government for this Region, although the NSW & QLD Governments have the Koala listed as a threatened species in these bioregions.

Astrological Predictions, Ego and the Winds of Change

The practice of fortune telling for money is a dubious process. Divination has become a methodology employed by many people to create scenarios that more than often, seek to soothe either the soothsayer's ego or the seeker's unfullfilled desires. Divination by sharmans and oracles is a centuries old practice in many cultures.

And today, there is a new breed of "prophets" and diviners creating diverse stories and predictions across the globe. Many of them have short and limited experiences. Some are authentic, many (most?) are not.

Observations, marking of the seasons by the fixed stars , and the correlation thereof with human activity, mundane or personal, can be an extremely useful tool to find timing for events, opportunities and potential developments. The insights offered by the astrologers of past eras hold a wealth of mythological stories that still hold relevance today.

Use of magic with these two above procedures of observation and correlation can create a somewhat precarious reality, that may carry with it a substantial consequence from the "fates" or "judgement from God". The use of Magic can also be a truly divine process, when used in an innocent, selfless and free from ego context.

It is best to reflect on these matters when embarking on the somewhat dubious but often modern day popular human activity of asking for a practicing occultist to intercede on the part of another, using magical spells or divinations, and creating an outcome that is ego driven or fear driven. The winds of change can come from many directions and carry upon them all types of unpredictable outcomes.

Even love driven, or what is supposedly "love driven" gain from occult practices can be a highly dubious affair.

The path that is taken by the authentic student of occult ways is necessarily riddled with tasty morsels offered straight from the "devil's" smorgasboard of "dainties". Oh, how sweet may they seem. How innocent, tantalising the choices may seem. Take care lest your ego trick you!

The student of God and pure LOVE, however, does not take these choices lightly. Mostly, they steer away from the dubious practices of foretelling the future or trying to change someone's "destiny".
The choices between the "devil" and God can be easily recognised for what they are. Best they be either ignored or "marked" for exactly what they are - temptations, little pavers to "hell", that step at a time, that will take the seeker steadily away from God and toward an ever harder to extricate oneself from hell on earth sensation. Staying with God and in the light is the ONLY CHOICE.

And so, if you feel compelled to choose? Choose wisely when seeking out an occultist or magician. The accrued magical power of occult practices thousands of years old, hold with them, the archetypal old "gods". These "gods" can be unforgiving, fearsome, mocking and ruthless.

In an earthly sense, many of these practices may be seen to hold sway..... for a while. Many seem to create a path forward for the ego encrusted "seeker". The extrication from the contract made, with regard to employing the ancient powers may not be so easy. And, after this life, there may be "fate" consequences, that are still not conceived, but relentlessly played out, in the world of spirit, beyond time and "the matrix". To be able to divine is a gift. It is a gift to be used for humanity, to help humanity, either personally or collectively. If you have this gift, use it wisely.

For myself, a general rule of thumb has been, in astrological practice, to remind the "client" that it is a story - for fun, enjoyment and personal well being. On a mundane level, I still find that astrology is best used as a creative story to help others understand patterns and processes that are reflected throughout the earth, the heavens and all the spaces in between.

There are some absolutely beautiful, authentic astrological and divination websites across the internet. They are created by caring souls who share their insights with others, give knowledge to our collective humanity's consciousness, and help awaken our own spirit to its worth. When you find a website that has the qualities of honesty, innocence and true good, YOU WILL KNOW!
a great example of an authentic astrologer is Liz Green .
other related stories in my Myths for a Modern Age series:-
Astrology Links at bluecray.org Astro LINKS .
Syrma - Al Ghafar - in Constellation VIRGO

Astrology for 9th October 2009 12.30pm GMT

The NASA Mission to the moon and the destructive measures of humanity now are linked together in a way that everyone cannot deny any more. Above is the What Watch generated Astrological Chart generated for the time of the impact. 12.30pm GMT 9th October 2009.

I am writing this, because I am wondering if anyone else, who is of an astrological mind felt the massive "shift" in what I described as a shift in mass consciousness at the time. Possibly it was the emotions of all the people who viewed the event. I wasn't aware of when this event would actually take place, but suddenly I was up and onto the computer, looking at the Astrology, because these was an overwhelming sense of change in the way I felt mass consciousness, and how it perceived itself.
I won't go on too much more, except to write down a few observations.
firstly the Sabian Symbols for the time:
(as per What Watch) What Watch? - Version 3.3 Build 92 - © 1999, 2008 Robert Amlung - www.papertv.com .

Sun
RETIRED SEA-CAPTAIN IN UNIFORM WATCHES SHIPS SAIL AWAY
Moon
DANCING COUPLES CROWD THE BARN IN A HARVEST FESTIVAL

Mercury
AN EMERGENCY CALL FREES HOUSEHOLDER FROM ROUTINE DUTY

Venus
A BOOK FOR CHILDREN PICTURES LITTLE MARY AND HER LAMB
Mars
A FURIOUS STORM RAGES THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL CANYON

Ceres
VAST MASSES OF MEN PUSH FORWARD REACHING FOR KNOWLEDGE

Jupiter
AT MASQUERADE, THE LAST MAN UNMASKS, URGED BY THE GIRLS

Saturn
BALD-HEADED MAN DOMINATES GATHERING OF NATIONAL FIGURES

Uranus
IN A TINY LOST ISLAND MEN BUILD HAPPILY THEIR OWN WORLD

Neptune
NOW FREED FROM PASSION, A MAN TEACHES DEEP WISDOM
Pluto
INDIAN CHIEF CLAIMS POWER FROM THE ASSEMBLED TRIBE

Quaoar
PELICANS, DISTURBED BY MEN, MOVE TO PLACES UNKNOWN

Sedna
A WHITE HOMING PIGEON FLIES STRAIGHT OVER STORMY WATERS

Chiron
CHILDREN REVEL UPON A SOFT NEW CARPET IN THEIR NURSERY

Pholus
A STAGE SYMBOLIZATION OF THE "GODDESS OF OPPORTUNITY"
Nessus
TO LOVE-BIRDS ON A FENCE SING OUT THEIR PURE HAPPINESS

Asbolus
MAN WITH RAKISH SILK HAT, MUFFLED, BRAVES THE STORM
North Node
MEN CLIMB A SACRED PEAK:BELOW, THE WORLD-ABOVE, PEACE

South Node
A FURIOUS STORM RAGES THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL CANYON

Lilith (m)
OLD ADOBE MISSION NESTLES IN CALIFORNIA'S BROWN HILLS
These last two are not particularly relevant to the "world at large" as at this time, every sabian symbol is rising(AC) and at the midheaven (MC) somewhere.
AC
A FLAG BECOMES AN EAGLE; THE EAGLE A PROUD CHANTICLEER

MC
MINERS ARE EMERGING FROM A DEEP WELL INTO THE SUNLIGHT

Also, the fixed STARS in conjunction with the moon when this happened (I only mention a few here, as there were quite a few at the time of the impact). You can look for yourself, at constellationsofwords.com :-

MINTAKA - a star in the belt of ORION (The Giant, The Hunter) - the other two being Alnilam, and Alnitak . Mintaka and its position relevant to the ecliptic is one of the key "locators" for half of the cycle of the Precession of the Equinoxes. (wobble of the earth about its axis as it spins, over the period of the Precession - about 25920 years, as at ancient or 25729 years under the modern data.)

Bellatrix - in the Constellation of Orion
Other Stars and constellations astrologically conjuncting the Moon would have been:-
Nihal - In the Constellation Lepus . Nihal is from the Arabic An-Nihal , "The camels quenching their thirst" or the word is derived from the Arabic for the source of water.(Constellationsofwords.com)
Capella - in the Constellation Auriga , the Charioteer.
anyway, I shall let you do more research yourself, I just wanted to mark this time as rather important for some reason.
I suspect that the many people, who have created acts of wanton and ego riddled destruction on the beautiful wildlife, plant life, ecosystems and natural heritage of our blue planet shall find that their consequences are catching up to them.
This act of "bombing" the moon (albeit in the name of science) has little wisdom, and a fair bit of foolishness. There will be people who admire, who are in awe, who are trapped in their justifications of the "plastic" world, that will just stay in denial and say how grand it all is. Forgive them, and quickly move on. Some of them are innocent. This is no longer a time to have a fight. That time has past. It is very much a time to feel remorse, then move on in love, both toward yourself, and others.
Meanwhile, the earth will keep turning, and our hearts will keep beating, but I suspect that mass consciousness will never be the same again, and like pandoras box - everything is open now, and we can't go back.
Be courageous in these times, look forward only, never back, and allow the spark of God's light and love to enter your hearts to carry you forwards.
These are times of extreme fortune, and as we know - fortune, the domain of Zeus, can be either horrific, or fantastically good, but always a double edge sword.
Take care.....
I for one, would like to say "sorry" to the Moon for the abuse that humanity is conducting on it. For our destructive Land and Water custodianship practices that we collectively exhibit- toward this dear protective and nurturing satellite of the Earth -my deepest apologies.
This reflects our collective stewardship of the Earth itself . The technology that we have from NASA that has helped the world is undeniable. I am not pointing blame at this "corporational institute". What I am saying here is our mass consciousness can now, no longer deny the consequences of our destructive behaviour towards life on EARTH.
And like the Luck of Jupiter, that is probably a good thing.

Myths for a Modern Age - second story

Industry and corporate greed has a face, so carefully hidden, that it is a sick secret, chronically denied by wealthy "corporate and political" gamesmanship. Have compassion here for those less fortunate - those people who are dragging us into extinction - those people who, at the expense of biodiverse health, spend their life weaving more and more denial into their complex lifestyles as their ego slowly eats up their spiritual credibility and worth.
Individual champions who work , often without realising it, to alert us to these issues and who have lived simple spiritually worthy lives are few and far between. ( I am not counting myself amongst these, so don't get too worked up - I am constantly working on my inner healing.) However, mostly, we follow blindly, falling prey to that human condition so well known to many Australians -
"she'll be right, mate".
Well, "SHE" is NOT right. "SHE" is very sick. The parallel of the collective earth to the individual
human health condition is astounding.
* We fill our lungs with toxic fumes just as we fill the earth "breath" with the same.

* We clothe ourselves with functionless adornments just as we adorn our society and lifestyles with functionless "stuff".

* Our inner organic systems of liver, heart, arteries and colons areas are as choked as our wetlands, habitats, waterways, and estuarine systems.

* Our skins and bones brittle, diseased and ill as are our soils, infrastructures and urban expansions.

* Our minds have become narrow, hollow and depressed just as our biodiversity has become thinned, weakened and sad.

* Our irrational minds, bent on extremities of lust, hate, greed, glory and imbalance are as extreme as the weather patterns that we greet each day. All the while our precious blue earth turns in space.
To echo the words of John Keel, "the universe does not exist as we think it exists, and we
don't exist as we think we exist"
Much of my life I have been gifted with visions. I have travelled beyond time, through the eons and watched many events and process, both past , present and future. I have been beckoned by both the "devil's" gifts of abundance and "God's" gifts of abundance,and know that love is the pathway, always through time, no matter how painful it may seem at the time, love is the only healing measure that works. Abundance - it comes from within and shines out.

Compassion comes from God and works through us. It is one of God's greatest gifts to us, if only we can unwrap this precious gift and share it with ALL. Remorse, self acceptance and the hard yards of love yield an eternity of bliss. Disdain, denial, the easier yards of hate driven anger and our ego's thoughtless actions yield an eternity of suffering and torment. Choice, through our free will, comes to us through our stories. The stories we play in our head, the stories we hear from each other.

Choice through LOVE and innocence, comes straight from God. The choice to adorn ourselves in the same clothing that our rich "emperor's wear, cut for them by those deceiving "taylors", is up to our free will. Our innocence, nurtured by love allows us to move beyond the idea of any choice and instead, walk hand in hand with God.

I have written a more in depth article (story) on these things at bluecray.org , so if you would like to keep reading and thinking about these modern stories and denials that we weave for ourselves, click HERE.

Baba, Benoit and Lucy, the Burringbar Crows grow up and leave the nursery

Baba, Benoit and Lucy, the young Crows that have grown up next door to me have now officially left the Nursery. Two days after, I took this photo of Benoit the young Crow who became my friend, the three youngsters took their final flight from the nursery area. They were about 1 year old when they left the nursery area. (August 2009)

Their Mother and Father have told them to join the Crows that fly about in the wider open spaces of the Valley of the Crows. Lucy tried to come back one day, and the Father told Lucy to go again. He flew at Lucy, and they got into a foot "lock" together, and then the father just threw Lucy into the air. Needless to say, Lucy flew off. Life seems hard for them, but that is their ways. I love the crows for how they are so strong and to the point.

Meanwhile, Benoit, Baba and Lucy have flown overhead, but very high. They are not allowed anywhere near the ground here, when they fly over. Benoit has been seen chasing hawks away from the area, but he is very high up in the sky.

And just a few days ago, about 7 young crows came flying over the area, in a group - led by Benoit. He paused to see me, whilst high up in the sky, then, as the Parents chased the young crows away, they had to leave. Sometimes I hear Benoit down in the valley. I know it is HIM, because I have an instinctive "hearing" for his voice. Don't ask me how THAT works, but somehow, I just "KNOW" it is HIM!

On the last day before he left, I showed him a fifty dollar bill, and this is what he said...........

“All it takes today it seems, is having

some money to follow your dreams.
The day comes up the sun goes down
and life goes fast in every town.

This stuff you eat that feasts on you
I’m finding it mighty hard to chew!”

"Benoit says" - at bluecray.org

The Baby Crows are ten months old

Baba, Benoit and Lucy, the young Crows living near the Burringbar Range (NE NSW, Australia) are now almost ten months old. They regularly visit the main group of Crows in the valley nearby, and often spend their nights away from the vicinity of their nesting tree, the Crow's Ash on the ridge.

Some of Benoit's images in the Environmental Advocacy Collages and Photos, (2008-2009)

Their eating skills and dexterity have greatly matured, as has their capacity to understand my directions. Their language is dramatically increased in sounds and strength of sound, but still holds the slight "huskiness" of being a young crow.

They somewhat remind me of dogs. Although when he is feeling boistrously active, Benoit has a sensitivity, that he finds hard to put to practice.  This is the time when he may peck at my ear too hard. But a word -  especially a very "sensitively put" word - more like a "feeling" expressed to him, and he then is much more gentle. 

The whole process is much like teaching a puppy or baby how to be gentle - the approach is the same. Showing the crow that gentle is "soft" and "friendly" and "loving". Benoit knows exactly how to differentiate "soft" from "hard".

Benoit and Lucy both regularly like to fly in, nearby and say hello.  I still put clean water outside, in the garden, daily, for the birds.  

The dear little crows  talk in a low language, trying to "mimic" our words. Lucy is still somewhat slower than the other sibling Crows but like Benoit, has taken to coming in to talk with me. 

Baba is still the most cautious of the three, regarding contact with me. 

They all like to garden with me, but particularly, again, Benoit and Lucy.  I am doing a small landscaping "project" outside my shed. I am making a nice flat area to put a couple of chairs, table and umbrella. The Crows have been helping me, in this task, and spend time picking through the soil that I disturb, as I create my new garden area. It is nice to work away with the little friends so relaxed, close by. 

Benoit has become so fast and smart, that at times, the parents are seen to reprimand him, as he display great gusto to trying to take everyone's food, when I throw out fruit or meat scraps for them. He is much larger than Baba and Lucy. His flying skills also show much more speed and agility. He is, in short, a superb looking youngster.

He is often away from the rest of the family, throughout the day, doing his own "crow business", and quite often, I only see him briefly, when he is coming through my way, or the others are nearby to my home, and he flies in to be with them here.  

As I write this, I can hear Benoit calling out about half a kilometer from here. His voice is still softer, like a baby Crow voice, but Benoit's voice is the loudest of the "Babies". He makes me smile, as I hear him going about his early morning.

• A few more photos of Benoit, the Crow, on the bluecray.org site
  

Back when the crows were about 7 months from their September 2008 hatching - this is what I had to say about them:-

"Baba, Benoit and Lucy have now been flying for over about 6months. This makes them about 7 months old. Their eyes show slight blue color, but still appear brown. Their vocal ability has improved strongly, and although they still are very soft in many of the louder calls, they display a great variety of language.

Due to Benoit's encouragement, the other two young Crows - Baba and Lucy, have decided to come closer to me, when they visit my garden. Benoit and Lucy have just spent the last week hanging about together, and Lucy would fly in, afterBenoit, when he comes to visit, and ask for meat or mandarines or grapes.

Lucy has begun to walk up to me, and will sit still for a long time, just looking at me nearby. Lucy has a very soft temperament, compared to Benoit, and is still clearly everyone's favourite. 

Some mornings, we all gather outside, and I garden, and pull back from the area I have dug up, and the Crows fly in and gather the worms and insects. Sometimes, I gather the worms, and throw them onto the roadside, for the Crows to eat. They quite like the worms. They love big grasshoppers, also, and fat heliothes caterpillars.

Benoit has taken to walking on the roof, and her makes great noises, as his large crow feet run across the metal roof. Benoit likes to make noise. He is, by far, the noisiest, busiest, fastest, brightest crow, of the three siblings. In fact, quite a handful for his parents." 

• Gyrating Crow   
  
• Benoit Says   
  

Astrological Stories and Myths for a Modern Age

 Myths for a Modern Age

Since the beginning of time, our ancestors have sat under the stars to tell stories. These stories have been passed down, through generations and often have an astrological component. They are a collective treasure of information about humanity. These mythologies and symbolic epics carry a wealth of insight into the human condition, here on earth, and how we relate to God and God's Creation that we are part of here.

Genomics : Christine Morris - click on this link to understand more about people and stories. 

Christine holds a wealth of wisdom in story telling and perception of the human "way".Meeting with her professionally some many years back, I learnt a number of valuable lessons (insights). 

We are all telling stories. 

That is what we do. I give you a story, you give me a story. Well, in this blog, no one is actually writing back to me, and exchanging stories yet, but I am ever hopeful!!

However, this perspective :- that we are all here on earth exchanging stories, is a beautiful view of life and human exchange with the world. 

Exchanging stories with Christine back in the nineties, also made me think very hard about my own perceptions and discernments concerning issues such as roadways.  This needless, senseless road kill and habitat devastation that comes with human settlement and movement. Perhaps the real question surrounding these issues is:-

"WHY SHOULD THIS EVEN BE AN ISSUE?"

Now of course, on the surface, this carries a very valid and practical assessment of the situation.

 

WHY this should even be an issue? 

The real issue is NOT about worrying how to help the animals in their habitats by and near the roads, not about designing roads that legally support current "environmental technologies" for aiding flora and fauna continuity corridors. These things are clearly important, and are a response to the given current environmental human condition situation .They are, however,  extremely inadequate. 

AND, it is not necessarily about putting up more signs for koala crossings and ducklings crossing the road. Although these things are clearly important too - and the tireless work of conservationists, animal welfare workers and the many people who just care for animals in their lives and love nature.

However, I suspect the REAL QUESTION TO BE ASKING is..................... 

How did we arrive at this point where we even need to consider this immense "POWER" over life and death, in our daily lives? And......

 Where does "I" or "me" fit  into all of this?  

And Where do YOU, my dear reader, fit into all of this? 

Well, ..... right now - I am madly telling stories - visual, via the environmental advocacy collages, and the stories that are in the bluecray articles. 

And hopefully, some of my stories will inspire you to go to the edge of your comfortability zone, and try a little "surrender". A little "faith" A little "humility" in all of this mad challenging world of today. 

But above all - I would like to alert you to your  individual power and your own personal stories. 

You now wield an amazing amount of power, wherever you move and live. Have respect for this. Possibly, if you are reading this, you own or have at your comfortable disposal -  a computer, a car, a home  - or at least, so many possessions that you surely cannot travel about with them - all on your back.

However,  you may travel about a fair bit also. You may be a patron and participant in your society in some way or another. You may be overwhelmingly connected to a vaste amount of paperwork, processes, bureaucratic rituals, documentation, complex communications networks. This complex matrix of events is symptomatic of ourselves, as individuals, in many ways.

Learning to re-relate to nature is one of the challenges of this matrix of human processes.

As cities and high density urban areas of 24 hour lighting and atmospheric pollution/phenomena are on the increase, the skies are often unseen by people, the world over, every night.

 

The world of Astrological stories and observations to mark the timing of the cycles of nature and the heavens is largely physically unrelated to sky observations these days. It is largely generated by machines, paperwork, the hard work of some untiring mathematical and astronomical wizards, that bless us with their precise calculations, direct astronomical observations and knowledgeable application of divination, symbols, mythology and etymology. 

We have become somewhat "disconnected" from the SOURCE:- The NIGHT and DAY SKIES.

But mostly, what is it that we end up exchanging? - it is stories.

Astrological stories are now accumulating, as more and more astrological thinkers exchange stories, ideas, methodologies and mathematical reasonings via the speed of the internet and mass consciousness exchange..

Also, many of the stories now contain components of modern thinking, reflection, philosophy and "setting", however the basic fact is still there.

We are all exchanging stories.

LINKS

• Prehistoric Astronomers (Lost Worlds) - a Documentary at SBS.com.au
  
• Constellations of Words - The Etymology and the Symbolism of the Constellations by Anne Wright
• Some interesting Works by Christine Morris and others at Griffith University - Griffith Research Online 
• The Centre for Psychological Astrology - founded by Liz Greene, the Centre provides Courses, Seminars, Astrology books and much more - take a look

The Moon conjunct Jupiter Neptune Chiron 13th June 2009

Tonight, the Moon (emotions and environmental nurturing connections) will be rather close to Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron (knowledge, vision and healing), in the night sky above Byron Bay, NSW, Australia. You should be able to see the Moon and Jupiter clearly above the horizon about 11pm tonight.  

.......................

Below is an Astrological Chart for 11.32pm AEST (Byron Bay, Australia ), showing that as the Moon, Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron conjunct, the 26th and 27th degrees of the constellation AQUARIUS become important. Also, the FIXED STAR Gienah, in the Constellation CYGNUS, is very close in longitude.

Public knowledge, vision and healing flow well with individual expression 

but there remains much to be UNCOVERED and recognised by our individual "selves". 

These planets, in their intense grouping, as they travel through their first two hours of rising, are in the twelfth house  - the domain of PISCES. 

With Neptune the ruler of Pisces, and Jupiter the traditional ruler of Pisces, this is a powerful location, during this period two hour period after rising.  Focusing on the qualities of the Moon, Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron can help facilitate institutional healing, learning from the past,and is a powerful tool to assist those who wish to uncover hidden things, so that others may see them for what they are.  The story of the Emperor's New Clothing can pertain to this astrological situation, as can the Ugly Duckling Story. 

The mind (Mercury) and the mass consciousness (Uranus) flow well together. Thus prayer and the will for transformation can flow from the individual's knowledge base, to the wider community, via mass consciousness "connections". Wonderful! 

The above chart is for 13th June 2009, 11.32pm Byron Bay NE NSW, Australia. AEST

(above chart by What Watch at PaperTV.com)

Quaoar (manifesting voice and dance) is situated close to the Midheaven, at 19 degrees Sagittarius. It is unaspected by other planetary bodies (thus giving it a somewhat elusive quality). However, if you view the above chart, you will see that there is much harmony in the planetary connections for ALL the other "planets". (blue and green lines).

This can help facilitate shifting blockages and refocusing visionary directions. Again, VIOLETS are a major symbol, as is the idea of thorough preparation for the future, particularly regarding environmental, seasonal and climatic cycles.

*********

(Sabian Symbol for the Sun today is "THREE FLEDGLINGS LOOK OUT PROUDLY FROM THEIR HIGH NEST".  So, above is a photo of Baba, Benoit and Lucy, back when they where just out of their nest. Their Father is on the left.)

Venus Mars Conjunct at 2009 Winter Solstice

The Earth - at Byron Bay, here in the Southern Hemisphere, has Winter Solstice on the 21st June 2009 (3.46pm AEST). The WINTER SOLSTICE presents many opportunities for RITUALS and MEDITATIONS. 

With the presence of Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron in conjunction, in the domain of CYGNUS (the Swan)and AQUARIUS (the Water Carrier), we can expect that "rights of passage"/ "growing Pains" and the water and emotional cycles will come into focus.

This Winter Solstice should be a tremendous experience for letting go and starting afresh. 

above chart from WHAT WATCH 

it shows Byron Bay astrological Chart for 1 minute before the Winter Solstice 2009 (3.46pm AEST). 

Some Astrological features of this year's WINTER SOLSTICE?

Venus (harmony, feminine) and Mars (action, masculine) blend in  creative partnership - (conjunct)

• With Venus and Mars (15 degrees Taurus) passing in the Cetus or whale sector of the zodiac,this concerns "monsters" being created or looked at with fresh insight- anything from discovering new forms of undersea animals to large "water" projects and of course greater understanding re the health of the planet and the relationships of whales and sea life and the sea's nature to us and the world - all these things can be possible
  

Jupiter (the wise) and Neptune (the visionary) combine - (conjunct), with the healing warrior Chiron.  

And of course, the Moon will be there, approaching the weakened Sun, for the DARK of the MOON just under a couple of days after the Winter Solstice.

Saturn (the builder) and Ceres (cereals, harvest, our "daily bread") will also be there in harmony with the SUN. 

• Saturn and Ceres conjunct at the time of the WINTER SOLSTICE.   Saturn, as the Lord of Time and the symbol of Government and Social Structures joins forces with Ceres, the symbol of harvest,grain and ritual thanks. The sickle (Ceres) and scythe symbols become particularly powerful.  Saturn as the Lord of Times carries a scythe and both these tools suggest conveying information and bureaucratic processes (AIR - CUTTING - GRAIN)
• Structures for Farming practices and issues to do with grain storage, harvest of all types and Land and Water stewardship and the associated bureaucratic processes, here in Australia, can reach new visionary proportions and practical application of vision.
•  Philosophical values can begin to work hand in hand with land tenure and land custodianship issues. Reorganising peoples' "daily bread", world wide, could be a feature of this Winter Solstice's timing.

Pluto (transformer) harmoniously joins forces with the midheaven, but is in opposition with the weakening SUN (individual spirit).

• Pluto, having some fleeting friendly moments with the Mid Heaven, can help adjust transformation, as it sits in Capricorn, for the Solstice,waiting to rise, just behind QUAOAR, the creative voice of existence. However, with the Sun approaching opposition to Pluto, conflict and tension can arise between the need for change for societys' (and the planet's sake) and the need to display self expression and individual free will.
  

THUS:-

If practical magic need be applied within this WINTER SOLSTICE period, there are some powerful astrological formations that are there to help. 

This is particularly so for the practical magic of PRAYER and the mind/spirit connection. Also for the practical magic of man creating new forms for harnessing the sun and earth's energy for power, transport & communications. 

And so, regarding the Winter Solstice for  SE QLD and NE NSW Australia 2009:-

Try to get up early in the morning of the WINTER SOLSTICE, and see JUPITER near the the midheaven (up high in the sky, slightly to the north). 

NEPTUNE and CHIRON are close by to Jupiter, but not seen by the naked eye.

You will also see, in the dark just before sunrise, on the 21st June 2009:-

VENUS and MARS together in the eastern sky (slightly north east - but well above the horizon), with MERCURY rising in the east, below them.*

*The MOON will also be there, very close to Mercury, heading towards it's "DARK" (almost two days after the Solstice, it will be the Dark of the Moon)). 

• Winter Solstice 2009 Search results at Bluecray regional Environmental News - Mt Warning Caldera
• International Year of Astronomy  "The International Year of Astronomy, 2009, will be a year-long, worldwide, public celebration of astronomy, held to mark the 400th anniversary of Galileo turning a telescope to the sky"
  
• Sydney Observatory - part of the PowerHouse Museum - more on the winter solstice + LINKS to the NIGHT SKY IN JUNE - Australia
• Sydney Observatory : Night Sky June 2009   - downloadable night sky map for June 2009

Clearing the habit of Habitat Clearing

HABITAT CLEARING : search Results for at bluecray.org search

HABITAT LOSS : search results at bluecray Regional Environmental News - Mt Warning Caldera Region

"HABITAT CLEARING" wikipedia
"habitat clearing threatened species" : search results at bluecray ENVIRONMENTAL SEARCH ENGINE .

HABITAT

H - for humanity, its history and its law

A - for Aborigines and their ancestors before

B - biodiversity - to me it spells out "FREE"

i - for the little guy - that means you and me

T - for the teacher that leads us through the land

A - for AUSTRALIANS that learn to understand

T the Trust of wildlife friends living hand in hand

CLEARING

C is for cutting and clearing their land, taking their bedding, dispersing their clan

L is for larsony, looting and lost

E is for Everything in rubbish piles tossed

A is for Arid Lands' creep from the west, and

R is remorse for failing this test

i is the little guy - that means you and me

N is right NOW. Wake up!!! LOOK and SEE!!!!

G is for Global, Gaia, God, Gift and Ground

Gracious abundance for many times round!!

HABITAT (wikipedia)

habitat relates to the technical terms (1762) in latin texts of flora and fauna; dwelling places and to hold and possess

VEGETATION LOSS (Vegetation Clearance: Position Statement by The Ecological Society of Australia)

Clear - Latin clarus - bright, clear, manifest, distinct, with later meanings of "free from encumberance (nautical) and land cleared of wood is from 1683.

Some commonly sustained myths exist, even today.

• to support high production quick yeilding monoculture
• to exploit any remaining habitat or vegetation community, when surrounding lands are already under stress/severe stress
• to clear, then clear again, then again until little seedbank is left within the locality or region
• to alter water courses and flows by many small ways or larger ways through development, infrastructure and agricultural means

These things, and many more, are sympomatic of large components of Australian Society in the last two hundred years or so. These things are well entrenched in many of our memories, daily practices, belief systems and national image.

"Land & Water Stewardship: Rescuing Remnants "
"Our Coastal Zone, Engineering for Climate Change and our childrens’ future"
"Phantom Koala and Part 3A of the NSW Planning Law"
"Endangered ecological community and Kings Forest Development, Tweed Coast, NE NSW."
"Habitat" search results at this blog (Journey for Wisdom in the Land)

Vast coastal developments stripped bare of any remaining vegetation and machined, ploughed up, dug into, reshaped and recontoured causing vast upheaval for vast numbers of animals, vegetation communities and water catchment ecosystems.

Salted water tables, acid sulphate soils exposure. Roadside, watercourses and other corridors continually, little by little, being cleared and stripped or sprayed.

This is what habitat clearance is. This is what habitat destruction is.

And until sustainable development is clearly understood in our urban / rural mythologies and self image, then we are all a little in the dark before that dawn when everything becomes a little clearer!

There is plenty of land and water, in the world for everyone to share. There is abundance of food and crops and animals all over the world, and if everyone shared, then very few would starve.

I have just been looking at some of my website stats, and it seems that quite

a few visitors to bluecray.org find it via the search term "habitat

clearing". Hence this article on habitat clearing.