Saturn conjuncts Sun (in Scorpio): consolidate and refine

Both astrologers Elsa and Satori, on my favorite blog ElsaElsa.com point to what I'm feeling this week. The theme and feel is to consolidate and refine what and where I use the energy (power) I have. It's a collective theme, and an opportunity to recognize how best to weather the powerful shift both of seasons (deepening winter) and cycles (Saturn in Scorpio). Satori writes,"Wednesday morning the Scorpio Sun conjuncts Saturn exact. Together they sextile Mars and apply into trine with Jupiter. This is a great time to assess where you are in your current goals and work on organizing and shoring up your course of action..." Elsa asks:  Are you consolidating (Saturn) and redirecting your life energy (Sun) at this time? I left this comment on Elsa's blog "Yes Elsa. I spent the last couple of days assessing and feeling the reality of how much energy I have to spread around. I’m an aging gypsy with no less imagination, but a lot less energy. What I can do is sort and hold on to the things/people/stories of value. I do have energy for that."

In years passed, and not too many years either, we would be packing up and boarding a plane headed west across the ocean for Hawaii. Like the kolea the Golden Plover, we wintered in warm weather. Back and forth, back and forth. The migratory instinct was (and still is) strong in me. I feel it as strongly now as I have always felt it. But the truth of things is we have neither financial nor physical energy to pack up and make that west-bound journey. Saturn (time) is telling me: not now, not that way! Rather than expend the energy to fuel that gypsy instinct I am attending to the sort and consolidate process of cleaning up the writings I have done over the last six years: thousands of words, dozens of stories and a cafe (virtual turned physical) newly opened. I turn 66 in ten days and value my energy to imagine more fully now than ever! That is a very good sign; the fire still burns in my belly and I know I'm still alive and capable of journeying.

How does a rooted gypsy continue to journey without traveling? If you are one of the rooted gypsies how do you do it?

Jupiter turns retrograde, November 6, 2013

"When Jupiter turns retrograde [in Cancer on November 6, 2013], he’ll close trines with the Sun, Saturn and eventually Mercury in Scorpio.  He’ll also close a trine with Chiron in Pisces.
Further, he’ll support Mars in Virgo and Venus and Pluto in Capricorn, by sextile aspect.
Do you feel lucky yet? I do!
Jupiter expands whatever he touches. The more you give, the more you get!
This [is] excellent for families (Cancer).
We, women and mothers and anyone else who nurtures others, can really buoy people over these next couple of months, so hey!  Let’s do it!" Read the rest from Elsa P.

Every planet 'turns retrograde' but it's usually Mercury that gets the most attention mainly because it happens so many times during a year. Mercury's retrogrades are frequent and last three weeks. When Jupiter turns retrograde the reversals and ground to be recovered lasts longer ... the opportunities are there over time. Elsa's post quoted above had me thinking about family this morning. I called my brother after reading that post, he wasn't at home but returned my call a couple hours ago. We talked (he talked, I listened) for almost two hours. When I lived near him he called often and I'd listen more than talk, just as I did tonight. We don't do that as much these days -- I get to do a lot more talking these days -- but tonight he needed time. I needed to hear his voice and listened with my heart. He's been through a lot in his 64 years, much of it brought on himself because he is Sagittarius with a full quiver of arrows he shots off in all directions. A sense of humor and bravado is putting it mildly when describing my brother. It's always been just the two of us. I'm the older sister, but only older by two years.

I listened to my storytelling brother and laughed full belly laughs that only he can bring up for me. His antics and his predicaments are classic, the characters and situations change, but he remains constant. Jupiter's retrograde and Elsa's thoughts gave me a perspective to ground me in the joy of being there to nurture my only brother. "I wish you were here," he said after talking for ninety minutes nonstop. "I miss you." "I miss you too," I said and I meant it. We're older now but the years enfold every other time and his current challenges and those I didn't have a chance to express made for that expanding Jupiter energy that will be with us through the rest of the year. My brother returned that phone call while I was sleeping, I woke up and answered it. I rarely answer a call once I'm in bed. Am I glad I did? Without a doubt!

The Legend of Ko'olau

A couple days ago my son sent me this photo of the Ko'olau Mountain Range. Taken from Maunawili, Oahu on the Windward side of the island, he knows these are the mountains that live easily in my dreams and in my soul. I went searching for something to add to this 'soul candy' and found the following:

" In 1893, the cowboy Ko'olau fought a rebel militia that had overthrown the Hawaiian monarchy and now wanted to enforce leprosy laws that would have forced him and his son to the leper settlement at Kalaupapa called "the Living Grave." With more than 50 soldiers and deputies and a Krupp cannon, the militia was confident it could capture Ko'olau who had killed a deputy sheriff. But they hadn’t taken into account Ko'olau’s expertise as a marksman, nor the resolve of his wife Piilani to keep the family together, nor the vast wilderness of Kalalau Valley on Kauai...- from The Legend of Koolau blog by writer Gary T. Kubota 

This Hawaii-based play based on the story of the Hawaiian cowboy Ko'olau and his family began touring the Hawaiian Islands in October, 2012. A year later, the production company has a vision to expand the awareness of Hawaiian history, train aspiring young Hawaiian actors and allow the touring company to travel to the continental US. CLICK here to listen to Hawaiian actor Ed Kaahea pitch you and encourage your donation. Ed is an old friend from Kauai. What a grand bit of serendipity to find him, and this project. Makua o'o readers who love Hawaii, here's something worth spreading around: Support Hawaiian actors telling the truth about their history. The project is half-way there with a week to go. Kokua, help, if you can.

Notice: the first of the makua o'o's tools

a handful of blueberry leaves captured my attention: i noticed and appreciate a year of magic

Thanks to Mercury (in retrograde) as Scorpio Season prepares to kicks in

"Astrology is one of my constant navigational tools; I check my bearings regularly. Pete has come along for the astrological ride over the years and like me appreciating how he uses his box of tools and his beast-of-a-truck, my husband has an appreciation for the planetary alignments. We were chatting yesterday and he shared stories with me about his day out in the public..." Link to the rest of the story on my other blog.

How do you relate, if you do, to Mercury in retrograde?

Lunar Eclipse in Aries today

Here's the whole of my astrologer Elsa Panizzon's newsletter. I opened it up this morning. It's great news for a full moon, lunar eclipse and weekend coming up. I'm re-posting it here because it is great news, and Elsa is a source worth supporting. (If you like it, go here, look at the sidebar on the right and subscribe to it yourself.)

"There is a lunar eclipse in Aries today - I don't think it's fierce or scary!  Jupiter (exalted) in Cancer is involved.  This sounds like a fresh (Aries) storyline (Jupiter) to me!

In the new story, you should be a hero or a winner or some such thing. Wimps and losers not in vogue today - sorry! More info here.

The weekend is going to be quite pleasant. Saturday gives us a Grand Trine in Earth. This always has a calming effect on people.

It features the moon, Mars and Pluto. Think in terms of making an effort (Mars) to renovate (Pluto) the home (moon).

Er...tell your kids to clean their rooms! 

You may also want to get rid of some emotional (moon) garbage (Pluto). Either way, things should go well.

There is an enormous emphasis on the Earth and Water signs on both Saturday and Sunday. No joke! The moon, Mercury, Mars, Chiron, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto are all in either Earth or Water signs.

These elements get along. As above, so below!

Sunday, the Moon in Taurus will oppose Saturn.  You might have to come to terms with something at that time, but I still think that overall, it's looking very good.

If you want to see something scary - check out the Astrology of Halloween

If you like this letter, please pass it along. Thanks for your support!"

Another story of Ka'ala Farm and Cultural Kipuka

Yesterday I posted a YouTube interview with Eric Enos. The magic of the message was clear to me, but the language was missing something. The voice and texture of Eric's message was layered. In part, that sort of communication happens every where, every day. We adapt language to fit the 'package' or the interview. I know I do it. Adapt. There is a price and a value to adaptation: the value is many survive because we adapt or make ourselves available to the prevailing culture -- the dominant culture. The price of adaptation can be a lifetime or generations of lifetimes where true value is invisible, hidden or misrepresented. No way do I hear a misrepresentation of the message on Eric Enos's part. But in a different venue I knew his language would be different. I sought it out.

Using the example of Eric Enos' interview I found something more to listen to and consider. Using the tools of the Makua o'o today's post involves 'listening for the heartbeat of the culture.' Going deeper the link here takes another listen at the story of working with and caring for the land... malama 'aina in a talk at AHA KANE, 2012. 

AHA KANE's mission and vision in their own words is:

Our Mission and Vision

Ke Kuhi Hopena (Vision)
To nurture a healthier Native Hawaiian male population by eliminating psychosocial, health, and educational disparities founded on traditional cultural practices and building sustainability in the community.
Ka Mākia (Purpose)
To increase our awareness and empower Native Hawaiian males to fulfill our roles and responsibilities amongst ourselves, as well as within our families and our respective communities.

Ka Huakaʻi (Mission)
To strengthen the Native Hawaiian community through nurturing and perpetuating the traditional male roles and responsibilities that contribute to the physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being of Hawaiian males, their families and communities.

LINK BELOW to a video with Eric Enos as he talks with Hawaiian men at AHA KANE 2012 about the discovery and restoration of traditional and cultural practices; the establishment of Ka'ala Farm.

http://www.oiwi.tv/channels/culture/working-and-caring-the-aina/

Was there a difference in the message in the two stories about cultural kipuka? Consider it for yourself.