Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter
Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter
April 22, 2020
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See a pretty version of this newsletter:
https://bit.ly/DivineUncertainty
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FORGIVE ME. I LOVE YOU. THANK YOU. I'M SORRY.
Fred LaMotte writes: Almost all conspiracy theories can be dispelled by
applying the principle known as Hanlon's Razor: "Do not attribute to
malice that which is more easily explained by stupidity."
However, I admit to having my own conspiracy theory, and you may feel
free to use it.
For hundreds of billions of years, in fact, from the birth of time, every
black hole at the center of each galaxy, the gravity of every gazing star,
each hydrocarbon and chloroplast, each photon of sunlight, atom of breath,
and even shy colors like brown and green in the meadow, have been
conspiring to guide me to this very moment, when I have no choice but to
fall in the dust on my knees, to spread toward wind and sky my arms,
useless as they are as wings, and here confess: "I don't know what the fuck
is going on!"
And only now am I capable of praying, "Forgive me. I love you. Thank you.
I'm sorry."
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OUR TEARS
I'm pretty much breaking into tears at least seven times every day. How
about you?
The most recent crying session rose up in response to this story:
Farmworkers risk coronavirus infection to keep the U.S. fed. "If we’re
essential, we need help, because we’re the people feeding the country,"
says Eugenia Gonzales.
https://tinyurl.com/rhhgr9d
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HOW WE RESPOND TO THE PANDEMIC
Jason Hine writes: Some folks now are trying to design open source
ventilators, some are providing food to older people, some are protecting
fragile people, some are digging their gardens to grow food, some are
connecting more deeply to the earth . . .
Some are going deeper into ritual to work with viruses, some are reading
multiple scientific papers, some are staring down a microscope, some are
engaging in activism . . .
Some are gathering herbs, some are designing new economic systems,
some are struggling in difficult or painful circumstances, some are
providing comfort for those who are struggling.
All of these responses are valid. What is important is perhaps this: When
the time came, the world turned and things began to fall apart, did you
fight imaginary enemies, or did you stand up?
Now your true character will be revealed. Did you arrive? Did you do
those sacred tasks which you know you have to do? Did you do those things
which were given to you by some invisible power or by your soul or by
your conscience?
Did you do that which you know you have to do: did you do what you must?
Did you listen to the call? Did you turn up? Did you report to do what you
are here to do?
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YOUR NEW NAMES AND TITLES?
In honor of the fact that you're evolving into a higher octave version of
yourself, I hereby give you the nickname of "Miracle Player," or else—if
you like one of these better—"Sleek Cat" or "Giant Step" or "Fate
Whisperer."
You may hereafter also use any of the following titles to refer to yourself:
"CEO of My Own Life" or "Self-Teacher of Jubilance and Serenity" or
"Fertile Blur of Supple Strength."
Feel free, as well, to anoint your head with organic virgin olive oil,
fashion a crown for yourself out of roses and shredded masks, and come up
with a wordless sound that is a secret sign you'll give to yourself
whenever you need to remember the marvelous creature you are on your
way to becoming
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BEGINNING IN DEEP DARKNESS
The "Kumulipo" is an old Hawaiian prayer that poetically describes the
creation of the world. The word literally means "beginning-in-deep-
darkness."
Here darkness doesn't connote gloom and evil. Rather, it's about the
inscrutability of the embryonic state; the obscure chaos that reigns
before germination.
A key word in the Kumulipo is "Powehi," a Hawaiian word meaning "the
adorned fathomless dark creation" or "profound dark source of unending
creation."
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THE VIRUS IS REAL
I like to remind myself that the coronavirus is REAL. It's not just a fleck
or speck in our imagination. It's not a tiny pretend gob in a movie or a
simulation in the virtual realm. It is composed of actual bodies.
I've heard it said that the coronavirus is not alive in the same way as, say,
a badger or a milkweed plant is alive. But I think that's misleading.
Because the virus clearly has agency. It is imbued with a purpose, which
is to propagate its kind and spread far and wide and be as abundant as
possible.
The virus has sly mechanisms that it uses to get itself born over and over
again, and it has figured out how to use people so as to travel all over the
planet and increase its intense presence.
Perhaps the virus doesn't have intelligence or sentience in the same way
that we usually understand creatures to possess. But how can we know
whether it does or not? It certainly acts as if it does have intelligence and
sentience. It is, after all, currently the most powerful force on planet
Earth. Its ability to transform human civilization is unprecedented.
One of my wise mentors, Richard Grossinger, suggests the virus speaks a
language we don't understand. But I wonder if some of us could come to
understand it. For example, might there be indigenous shamans who have
experience conversing with animals in their own language, and who might
ultimately be able to extend that talent to conversing with the intelligence
of the virus in its own language?
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INTERVIEW WITH A WITCH
I rarely do interviews. I'm too busy working on my writing! But recently
I made an exception, when I was invited to do an interview with brilliant
Amanda Yates Garcia, author of the book *Initiated: Memoir of a Witch*.
Listen to our conversation here: https://tinyurl.com/BeautifulJustice
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MY GIFT PAGE
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like listening to my free music, I invite you to make a contribution to
support my work.
Visit my Gift Page — https://paypal.me/GiftsForRob — and contribute via
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Excerpts from my book *Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranois*:
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My entire book *The Televisionary Oracle*:
https://freewillastrology.com/books/oracle
Videos of my performances:
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and
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MORE PRONOIA RESOURCES:
Good news during the Pandemic from GoodNewsNetwork.org:
Lonely From Social Distancing? Here is One of Our Favorite Videos of
Humanity Hugging It Out
https://tinyurl.com/y7aub85m
LEGO Factory is Now Producing Thousands of Protective Plastic Face
Masks for Medical Workers
https://tinyurl.com/yc98bcsd
99-Year-Old WWII Veteran Raises $3.3 Million for Hospital Workers
Simply By Walking Laps of His Garden
https://tinyurl.com/sh9rb8q
How to Be Happier During COVID: Decades of Science Shows That Gratitude,
Love, and Connection Can Save Your Life
https://tinyurl.com/ra9uo8z
Sam’s Club is Offering ‘Hero Shopping Hours’ to Healthcare Workers
Regardless of Memberships
https://tinyurl.com/y8wtmsas
Most British Women Have Become Comfortable With Their Natural Looks
While in Lockdown, Survey Says
https://tinyurl.com/y8a5tpb5
(Note: I endorse these because I like them. They aren't advertisements,
and I get no kickbacks.)
Please tell me your own nominations for PRONOIA RESOURCES:
Truthrooster@gmail.com.
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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
Week beginning April 23
Copyright 2020 by Rob Brezsny
https://FreeWillAstrology.com
Grammar key: Asterisks equal *italics*
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Renowned Taurus composer Johannes
Brahms (1833–1897) completed his first symphony when he was 43
years old—even though he'd started work on it at age 22. Why did it take
him so long? One factor was his reverence for Ludwig van Beethoven, the
composer who had such a huge impact on the development of classical
music. In light of Beethoven's mastery, Brahms felt unworthy. How could
any composer add new musical ideas that Beethoven hadn't already
created? But after more than two decades, Brahms finally managed to
overcome his inhibition. He eventually produced four symphonies and
scores of other pieces, and left a major mark on musical history. For you,
Taurus, I see the coming months as a phase comparable to the time when
Brahms finally built the strength necessary to emerge from the shadow
that had inhibited him.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): A Gemini friend sent me and three of her
other allies a poignant email. "This note is a tender apology to those of you
whom I've hurt in the process of hurting myself," she began. "I want you
to know that I have been working hard and with great success to eliminate
my unconscious tendency to hurt myself. And I am confident this means I
will also treat you very well in the future." I received her message with
joy and appreciation. Her action was brave and wise. I invite you to
consider making a comparable adjustment in the weeks ahead.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): The Ojibwe are indigenous people of North
America. Professor of Ojibwe studies Anton Treuer writes that in their
traditional culture, there have been men who act and dress like women and
women who act and dress like men. The former are called *ikwekaazo* and
the latter *ikwekaazowag*. Both have been "always honored" and
"considered to be strong spiritually." Many other Native American groups
have had similar arrangements. Transcending traditional gender behavior
is not unique to modern Western civilization. With that as inspiration,
and in accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to explore any
inclinations you might have to be your own unique gender. The time is
ripe for experimenting with and deepening your relationship with the
constructs of "masculine" and "feminine."
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): "The history of my stupidity would fill many
volumes," wrote Nobel Prize-winning poet Czes_aw Mi_osz. Wow! If a
highly respected genius like him has spawned so much nonsense and
ignorance, what about the rest of us? Here's what I have to say about the
subject: Each of us should strive to be at peace with the fact that we are a
blend of wisdom and folly. We should be tenderly compassionate toward
our failures and weaknesses, and not allow them to overshadow our
brilliance and beauty. Now would be a good time for you Leos to cultivate
this acceptance and perform this blessing for yourself.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Helen Traubel (1899–1972) was best-
known for her opera career, although she also sang in concerts,
nightclubs, and musical theater. But in her autobiography, she confessed,
"Opera bored me." She reminds me of Georgia O'Keeffe, famous painter of
flowers. "I hate flowers," O'Keeffe said. "I paint them because they're
cheaper than models and they don't move." Now of course most of us have
to do some things that we don't enjoy; that seems to be a routine part of
being human. And since the coronavirus arrived in our midst, you may
have been saddled with even more of this burden. But I'm happy to inform
you that the coming weeks will be a favorable time to brainstorm about
how you could do more of what you love to do once the crisis has abated.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): What's the current state of the relationship
between your ego and your soul? Is there an uneasy truce between the
ambitious part of you that craves success and recognition and the lyrical
part of you that yearns for rich experiences and deep meaning? Or do
those two aspects of you get along pretty well—maybe even love and
respect each other? Now is a favorable time to honor your ego and soul
equally, Libra—to delight in the activities of both, to give them plenty of
room to play and improvise, and to encourage them to collaborate in ways
that will further your well-rounded happiness and health.
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WOULD YOU LIKE FURTHER INSPIRATION?
My Expanded Audio Horoscopes offer suggestions about how you might
make best use of your time as you navigate your way through our Shared
Healing Crisis.
To buy and listen to your Expanded Audio Horoscope online, go to
https://RealAstrology.com
Register and/or log in through the main page.
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The cost is $6 per sign. (Discounts are available for bulk purchases.)
You can also access the horoscopes for $1.99 per minute by phone at 1-
877-873-4888.
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"Thanks for helping me to keep my anxiety at a reasonable level, Rob.
Your expanded audio horoscopes give me real hope, not false hope."
—Tegan H., Albuquerque
"Sometimes I can't believe how much comfort your audio horoscopes give
me. You have a knack for pushing whatever it is that's the opposite of my
panic button."
—Loren G, New York
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SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio author Voltaire (1694–1778) was
a crusader for freedom of thought and civil liberties, as well as a key
player in the Enlightenment. He was very prolific. In addition to
producing 2,000 books and pamphlets, his carried on such voluminous
written correspondences with so many interesting people that his
collected letters fill 98 volumes. Would you consider getting inspired by
Voltaire's approach to cross-pollination? According to my calculations,
the next phase of the coronavirus crisis will be a favorable time for you
to intensify your communication via the written word.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I like musician David Byrne's views on
what constitutes meaningful work. It's not just the tasks you do to earn
money. "Sex is a job," he says. "Growing up is a job. School is a job. Going
to parties is a job. Religion is a job. Being creative is a job." In other
words, all the activities he names, to be done well, require a commitment
to excellence and an attention to detail. They are worthy of your diligent
efforts, strenuous exertion, and creative struggle. I encourage you to
meditate on these thoughts during the coming weeks. Identify what jobs
you want to get better at and are willing to work hard on and would like to
enjoy even more than you already do.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): At its best and brightest, Capricornian
love isn't frivolous or flighty. It's not shallow or sloppy or slapdash.
When Capricornian love is at its highest potency, it's rigorous,
thoughtful, and full-bodied. It benefits anyone who's involved with it. I
bring this up because I expect the coming weeks to be a Golden Age of
Capricornian Love—a time when you will have the inspiration and
intelligence necessary to lift your own experience of love to a higher
octave.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I hope you're not one of those Aquarians
who regards stability and security as boring. I hope you don't have an
unconscious predilection for keeping yourself in a permanent state of
nervous uncertainty. If you do suffer from those bad habits, you'll be
hard-pressed to stick to them in the coming weeks. That's because the
cosmic energies will be working to settle you down into a steady groove. If
you cooperate, you will naturally enhance your ability to be well-
anchored, calmly steadfast, and at home in your life. Please don't resist
this opportunity.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I foresee the likelihood that you'll be having
brilliant and evocative conversations with yourself in the coming weeks.
Your heart and your head may become almost blissful as they discuss how
best to create a dynamic new kind of harmony. Your left side and right side
will declare a truce, no longer wrestling each other for supremacy, and
they may even join forces to conjure up unprecedented collaborations. The
little voices in your head that speak for the past will find common ground
with the little voices in your head that speak for the future—and as a
result you may be inspired to formulate a fresh master plan that appeals
both.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In the future, when the coronavirus crisis
has a diminished power to disrupt our lives, I would love for you to have
more of the money you need to finance interesting new experiences that
help you learn and thrive. Now is a good time to brainstorm about how you
might arrange for that to happen. For best results, begin your meditations
with vivid fantasies in which you envision yourself doing those
interesting new experiences that will help you learn and thrive
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Homework: Is there any place in your life where you could do better?
Testify at Freewillastrology.com.
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Contents of the Free Will Astrology Newsletter are Copyright
2020 Rob Brezsny
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