Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter
November 4, 2020
FreeWillAstrology.com
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"Election" — a poem by Alfred K. LaMotte:
I voted.
I voted for the rainbow.
I voted for the cry of a loon.
I voted for my grandfather’s bones
that feed beetles now.
I voted for a singing brook that sparkles
under a North Dakota bean field.
I voted for salty air through which the whimbrel flies
South along the shores of two continents.
I voted for melting snow that returns to the wellspring
of darkness, where the sky is born from the earth.
I voted for daemonic mushrooms in the loam,
and the old democracy of worms.
I voted for the wordless treaty that cannot be broken
by white men or brown, because it is made of star semen,
thistle sap, hieroglyphs of the weevil in prairie oak.
I voted for the local, the small, the brim
that does not spill over, the abolition of waste,
the luxury of enough.
I voted for the commonwealth of the ancient forest,
a larva for every beak, a wing-tinted flower
for every moth’s disguise, a well-fed mammal’s corpse
for every colony of maggots.
I voted for open borders between death and birth.
I voted on the ballot of a fallen leaf of sycamore
that cannot be erased, for it becomes the dust and rain,
and then a tree again.
I voted for more fallow time to cultivate wild flowers,
more recess in schools to cultivate play,
more leisure, tax free, more space between days.
I voted to increase the profit of evening silence
and the price of a thrush song.
I voted for ten million stars in your next inhalation.
—Alfred K. LaMotte
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REJOICE!
"I rejoice to live in such a splendidly disturbing time!" said Helen Keller. She was a smart activist who worked hard in behalf of women's equality, labor rights, anti-militarism, and a fair and just economic system.
Was she being sarcastic or satirical in saying she loved being alive during a time of upheaval? Not at all. She derived excitement and vigor from critiquing injustice. Her lust for life soared as she lent her considerable energy to making life on earth more sustainable and enjoyable for more people.
I invite you to consider adopting her attitude: Generate personal power by taking practical action in behalf of your high ideals.
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THE LIBERATED IMAGINATION VERSUS THE SHACKLED IMAGINATION
We really are at war right now. It's a war of the liberated imagination versus the shackled imagination.
It's a war of empathy and compassion against bigotry and proud selfishness.
It's a war of love and beauty against the ugly forces of grotesque, vacuous heartlessness—against the dismal, stupefied enemies of empathy.
There's a time for everything, as the ancient Chinese book of oracles, the I Ching, would say. And now is the time to fight and struggle with practical fervor in behalf of LOVE.
But in the midst of the conflict, it's our sacred duty to invoke the spirit of celebration. For our own sake and the sake of those we want to help and serve, we should express joy and excitement and curiosity and tenderness. We should cultivate an ecstatic sense of connection with all of creation — which, after all, fuels our passionate commitment to the powers of love.
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"The only war that matters is the war against the imagination. All other wars are subsumed in it." So said poet Diane di Prima.
That idea has been a cornerstone of my creative, spiritual, and political work for decades.
Read Diane di Prima's whole poem: tinyurl.com/WarAgainstImagination
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You can listen to or read more of my meditations on the holiness of the imagination here:
tinyurl.com/YouAreAProphet
tinyurl.com/FearVersusIntuition
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SHADOW SCHOOL
You're a gorgeous mystery with a wild heart and a lofty purpose. But like all of us, you also have a dark side -- a part of your psyche that snarls and bites, that's unconscious and irrational, that is motivated by ill will or twisted passions or instinctual fears.
It's your own personal portion of the world's sickness: a mess of repressed longings, enervating wounds, ignorant delusions, and unripe powers. You'd prefer to ignore it because it's unflattering or uncomfortable or very different from what you imagine yourself to be.
If you acknowledge its existence at all (many of us don't), you might call it the devil, your evil twin, your inner monster, or your personal demon. Psychologist Carl Jung referred to it as the shadow. He regarded it as the lead that the authentic alchemists of the Middle Ages sought to transmute into gold.
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Astrologer Steven Forrest has a different name for the shadow: stuff. "Work on your stuff," he says, "or your stuff will work on you." He means that it will sabotage you if you're not aggressive about identifying, negotiating with, and transforming it.
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The shadow is not inherently evil. If it is ignored or denied, it may become monstrous to compensate. Only then is it likely to "demonically possess" its owner, leading to compulsive, exaggerated, "evil" behavior.
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"The shadow, which is in conflict with the acknowledged values, cannot be accepted as a negative part of one's own psyche and is therefore projected -- that is, it is transferred to the outside world and experienced as an outside object. It is combated, punished, and exterminated as 'the alien out there' instead of being dealt with as one's own inner problem."
—Erich Neumann, Depth Psychology and a New Ethic
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The qualities in ourselves that we deny or dislike are often the very qualities that we most bitterly complain about in other people.
So for instance, an old friend of mine named Mark had a special disgust for friends who were unavailable to him when he really needed them. But I was witness to him engaging in the same behavior three different times, disappearing from the lives of his friends just when they needed him most.
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"Whatever is rejected from the self, appears in the world as an event," said Jung. If you disown a part of your personality, it'll materialize as an unexpected detour.
Everyone who believes in the devil is the devil.
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TO READ THE REST OF "SHADOW SCHOOL," go here: bit.ly/wGN3iM
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WE ARE ALL AFFECTING THE WORLD
Remember, we are all affecting the world every moment, whether we mean to or not. Our actions and states of mind matter, because we are so deeply interconnected with one another.
Working on our own consciousness is the most important thing that we are doing at any moment, and being love is a supreme creative act.
—Ram Dass
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WHAT CAN YOU ELIMINATE?
What do you need to kill off in yourself in order to tune in to the beauty that's hidden from you? What worn-out shticks are blinding you to the blessings that life is conspiring to give you?
Which of your theories may have been useful and even brilliant in the past but are now keeping you from becoming aware of the ever-fresh creation that unfolds before you?
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BE A WEAVE
What if there's no contradiction between being your idiosyncratic self in love with your life and serving others with the best gifts you have to give?
What if exploring your inner world to activate your personal genius dovetails perfectly with fighting to recreate the soulless culture we're embedded in?
What if working on your own salvation makes you a more effective force in liberating others from their suffering?
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PEOPLE WHO HATE ME
Last week's newsletter provoked very strong angry emotions in some readers. Read the newsletter here: bit.ly/TimeToMakeBigChanges
I haven't been on the receiving end of such unmitigated spite and spleen and vituperation since I informed my fourth grade class that I liked Kit Kats better than Mars bars.
After reading my endorsements for the election, 310 people unsubscribed from my newsletter, and about 50 of them wrote me enraged foul-mouthed emails telling me what an idiotic, misinformed, ignorant, delusional, misguided dirtbag I am.
36 of the incensed emails were from Trump supporters and the rest were from QAnon folks and "spiritual" people who have inexplicably glommed onto Trump.
I confess I was surprised to learn that I've had ANY Trump and QAnon readers. In my mind, it's obvious to everyone that I am and have always been a Feminist Tantric Qabalist Democratic-Socialist Poet Musician Astrologer.
For the last 30+ years, I've been expressing my passionately progressive political ideas quite frankly and frequently. Read more about that on my Facebook post here: tinyurl.com/y4or4olx
In any case, this newsletter had 61,115 subscribers before last week's uproar, and it now has 61,190. Yes, 310 unsubscribed— about 0.5% of the total—but 385 new subscribers joined. Thanks!
And the gratifying reality is that far more of you readers expressed support for me expressing my political views than didn't.
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I did notice that fewer people than usual bought my Expanded Audio Horoscopes last week. Revenues were down a bit. So maybe I did get punished somewhat for expressing my passionate ideals.
That's too bad, in a way. Like everyone else, I need money, especially because I give away my horoscopes and newsletter for free, as well as all my music. Plus major portions of all of my books are available to read online for free, and at libraries.
But I wouldn't have done anything different in last week's newsletter. We are in an emergency situation, all of us here in America. The stakes are as high and dire as they have been in my lifetime.
And of course, since I love you all, and I love us all, I'm going to speak out strongly about what I see as the best ways for us to emerge healed from the dangerous predicaments we're in. I want the best for us all.
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If you'd like to donate to my cause:
1. Visit my Gift Page — paypal.me/GiftsForRob — and contribute to me now and then via the "Friends and Family" option.
2. Commit to offering me a regular donation through my Patreon page at Patreon.com/FreeWillAstrology
3. Send checks or cash to me at P.O. Box 4400, San Rafael, CA 94913.
4. Buy my Expanded Audio Horoscopes and/or Daily Text Message Horoscopes. Go here: RealAstrology.com
P.S.: No pressure, though! I understand that some of you don't have enough money yourself, and it wouldn't make sense for you to give some to me.
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MORE PRONOIA RESOURCES:
Get your minimum daily requirement of beauty:
tinyurl.com/nrqtxn6
The "Alternative Nobel Prizes" celebrate courageous people who are helping people and solving global problems.
www.rightlivelihoodaward.org
From the annals of pronoiac history: A British Man rescued 669 children destined for death camps from Nazis, arranged for them to have homes, and smuggled them to Britain.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Winton
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For a lot more pronoiac resources and ideas, read my book Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia: How the Whole World is Conspiring to Shower You with Blessings
Available at Barnes & Noble: tinyurl.com/PronoiaBN
Available at Amazon: bit.ly/Pronoia
A free preview of the book is available here: tinyurl.com/PronoiaPreview
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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
Week beginning November 5
Copyright 2020 by Rob Brezsny
FreeWillAstrology.com
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
"At every crossroad, be prepared to bump into wonder," wrote Scorpio poet James Broughton. I believe that's stirring advice for you to keep in mind during the coming weeks. Broughton's words inspired me to come up with a corollary for you to heed, as well: "At every turning point, be ready to stumble into an opportunity disguised as a problem." I've got one more clue for you. Last night in my dream, my Scorpio poetry teacher offered a thought that's well-suited for you right now: "Whenever you want to take a magic twisty leap into the big fresh future, be willing to engage in one last wrestling match with the past."
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
Actor Gary Busey is quirky and kooky, but his peculiar rants sometimes make good sense. Here's one that I suspect might be useful for you to consider during the next two weeks: "It's good for everyone to understand that they are to love their enemies, simply because your enemies show you things about yourself you need to change. So in actuality enemies are friends in reverse." I don't mean to imply that your adversaries and nemeses are totally accurate in their critiques of you. But there may be a thing or two you can learn from them right now that would truly improve your life.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
Musician John Coltrane described one of his life goals as follows: "There are forces out here that bring suffering to others and misery to the world," he said. "But I want to be the opposite force. I want to be the force which is truly for good." Even if that's not an intention at the core of your long-term plans, Capricorn, I recommend you consider adopting it during the next few weeks. Being a vigorous and rigorous force for good will be especially needed by the people with whom you associate—and will also result in you attracting interesting benefits.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
Known as "the bad boy of bridge," Aquarian-born Geir Helgemo is a champion in the card game of bridge. At times he has been the top-rated player among Open World Grand Masters. But in 2019, he was suspended from the World Bridge Federation for a year because he tested positive for taking testosterone supplements that are banned. Why did he do it? He hasn't said. There is some scientific research suggesting that testosterone may boost cognitive function, but other evidence says it doesn't. I'd like to use Helgemo's foolishness as a teaching story for your use, Aquarius. According to my astrological analysis, you're approaching the peak of your competence and confidence. There's no need for you to cheat or sneak or misbehave in a misplaced effort to seek an even greater advantage. In fact, righteous integrity will enhance your intelligence.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
"I might really have gone round the bend," confessed Botswana author Bessie Head. "I mean people who get visions and see a gigantic light descend on them from the sky can't be all there, but if so I feel mighty happy. If one is happy and cracked it's much better than being unhappy and sane." Although I don't expect your state of mind in the coming weeks will be as extreme as Bessie Head's, Pisces, I do suspect it will have resemblances to her dreamy cheerfulness. If I had to give a title to this upcoming phase, it might be "Wise Folly." And yes, I do think your "craziness" will generate useful insights and fertile revelations.
ARIES (March 21-April 19):
Aries poet Charles Baudelaire championed the privilege and luxury of changing one's mind. He thought it was natural and healthy to always keep evolving beyond one's previous beliefs and attitudes, even if that meant one might seem inconsistent or irrational. "It is lamentable," he once proclaimed, "that, among the Rights of Human Beings, the right to contradict oneself has been disregarded." I bring these thoughts to your attention, dear Aries, so that you will feel at peace with the prospect of outgrowing rules, strategies, and approaches that have worked well for you up until now—but that have outlived their usefulness.
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YOU ALWAYS HAVE MORE HELP THAN YOU IMAGINE
Both people whom you know and people you don't know could very well come to your assistance and offer their support if you meet two conditions: 1. you believe you deserve their assistance and support; 2. you seek out and ask for their assistance and support.
There's a higher part of your brain that will also provide you with insight and guidance if you turn to it in humility and seek its input.
Whether or not you actually believe in spiritual beings, they, too, are ready to offer unexpected help, support, blessings and resources. If you don't believe in their existence, I invite you to pretend you do for a while and see what happens. If you do believe in them, formulate clear requests for what you'd like them to offer you.
I may also be able to provide you with compassionate guidance, both through the written horoscopes I provide in this newsletter and the Expanded Audio Horoscopes I offer online and via telephone.
To listen to your Expanded Audio Horoscope online, go to RealAstrology.com
Register and/or log in through the main page.
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The cost is $6 per sign online. (Discounts are available for bulk purchases.)
You can also listen over the phone by calling 1-877-873-4888. The cost is $1.99 per minute. Each forecast is 4-5 minutes long.
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"Your audio horoscopes help me love myself better, and I mean that in a non-narcissistic way."
—Deva Paramaus, Indianapolis
"I'm really grateful for the way you pick up my telepathic requests and answer them in your expanded audio 'scopes."
—Marion Houseman, Birmingham, AL
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TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
The horoscopes I write are my love letters to you. As I compose them, my goal is to celebrate your beauty and strength even as I discern what's lacking in your life and what confusions might be undermining you. In my philosophy of life, that's how love works at its best: remaining keenly aware of the good qualities in the beloved while helping them deal with their problems and heal their wounds. I suggest that in the coming weeks you adopt my approach for use with your own close relationships. Your allies are in special need of both your praise and your rectifications.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
When Charles de Gaulle was 15 years old, he wrote "General de Gaulle," a short story in which he envisioned himself, many years in the future, as a general in the French army. Thirty-five years later, his imaginary tale came true, as he became a general of the free French army fighting against Germany in World War II. In the spirit of de Gaulle's prophecy, and in accordance with current astrological omens, I encourage you to compose a comparable tale about your own destiny. Have fun as you visualize in great detail a successful role you will play months or even years from now.
CANCER (June 21-July 22):
In 1903, archaeologists digging in a cave in Cheddar Gorge, England found the fossilized remains of "Cheddar Man," a person who had lived there 9,000 years earlier. In 1997, DNA tests revealed that a teacher named Adrian Targett, who was living a half-mile from the cave, was a direct descendant of Cheddar Man. I propose that we invoke this scenario to serve as a metaphor for you in the coming months. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, your ancestors are likely to play a bigger role in your life than usual. Connections between you and them will be more vivid and influential and worthy of your meditations.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
According to the film Amadeus, composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) and Antonio Salieri (1750–1825) were adversaries who disliked and undermined each other. But there's evidence that this was not entirely true. In fact, they collaborated on creating a cantata that was performed by Nancy Storace, a famous singer they both admired. It's unlikely they would have cooperated in such a way unless they had a working relationship. I suspect that a comparable correction is due in your world, Leo. It's time to dissolve a misunderstanding or restore a lost truth or fix an old story that got some of the facts wrong.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
The coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to ask for help and seek support. I urge you to be forthright in doing so! Resources that have been inaccessible before may be more available now. I suspect you will be able to capitalize on the luck and skill of allies who have benefited from your favors in the past. Their successes could bring you blessings and their breakthroughs should inspire you to instigate breakthroughs in your own life. Be straightforward: Ask them to lend their influence in your behalf.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
In the 1970s, an Englishman named Stephen Pile founded the Not Terribly Good Club. It was designed to be a gathering place for mediocre people whose lives were marked by inadequacy and incompetence. To organize his thoughts about the club's themes, Pile eventually published a book entitled The Book of Heroic Failures. Unfortunately, it sold so many copies that he got expelled from his own club. He had become too successful! I suspect that in the coming months, you may have an experience akin to his. The odds are good that you'll find interesting success in an area of your life where you have previously been just average.
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HOMEWORK:
At what moment in your past were you happiest about the person you were? Can you recreate that experience? FreeWillAstrology.com
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Submissions sent to Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter or in response to "homework assignments" may be published in a variety of formats at Rob Brezsny's discretion, including but not limited to newsletters, books, the Free Will Astrology column, and Free Will Astrology website. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length, style, and content. Requests for anonymity will be honored. We are not responsible for unsolicited submission of any creative material.
Contents of the Free Will Astrology Newsletter are Copyright 2020 Rob Brezsny
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