Category Archives: Welcome

Danielle Voirin’s Photo of the Day for 03.11.16

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Come visit us in our brand new web store. Rumor has it the pixels are really faerie dust.


"When remaining in awareness itself, every thought movement, no matter what kind, is like a drawing in air." Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche.

“When remaining in awareness itself, every thought movement, no matter what kind, is like a drawing in air.” Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche.

Paris-based photographer Danielle Voirin travels the world and documents her experiences in photographs. She takes street photography and photojournalism a shade beyond even art, to the level of mysticism. You may see more of her work on her website DanielleVoirin.com, or her alt website, DaniVoirin.com.

Must Be the Season of the Fish

It’s always a pleasure to see how astrology works in the realm of popular culture, be it sports, politics or the arts. We know this quite well here at Planet Waves. Thanks to the wonder of the Aquarian Internet, we can marvel first-hand at how the Sun and the planets work in our day-to-day lives at any given moment.

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For those of you who aren’t into sports, here in the San Francisco Bay Area is an athlete by the name of Stephen Curry. He plays the position of point guard for our basketball team, the Golden State Warriors.

To say Steph is an athlete is like saying the Dreadnoughtus schrani is a lizard. Mr. Curry, who is six feet tall and 180 pounds, leads a four-man front nicknamed “the Death Squad,” which no major contending team in the National Basketball Association has been able to beat. Witness Curry’s shot in last Saturday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder — Golden State’s biggest league rival and a playoff contender.

At the last three seconds of the game, he calmly lobbed a perfect arc of a shot from field goal range — thirty-five feet away from the basket — breaking a tie at the last ten seconds of a game already in overtime, earning three points. When the ball fell gracefully into the net like a hot, crispy biscuit, the Warriors won a game they were previously losing all night. Did I mention Curry is a Pisces? He’s a Pisces with Mars near conjunct Pluto in Capricorn, but a Pisces nonetheless.

Fish know no boundaries. In fact, they dissolve them. Previous sports records don’t matter. What the elder statesmen of the NBA say to discount his achievements on Twitter doesn’t matter. Even his own season record of 288 nearly impossible three-point shots — which surpasses his previous death-defying, heart-stopping tally of game-winning shots in the last two seasons — doesn’t seem to matter at all. Here is an example of how our suppositions about demure and unassuming Pisceans are shattered. Curry is a reality-dissolving magician.

The Sun in Pisces also seemed to help Scorpio Hillary Clinton take the state of South Carolina convincingly. As much as I still have deep reservations about the possibility of her winning the Democratic Party nomination for the Presidency, she was at once maternal, strong and in command at her victory speech Saturday.

I felt watching her that she made a strong case for herself as a person who simultaneously cares and can take command. We know this to be true of Hillary regardless of this victory — which is probably why she appears as such a threat to the male-dominated power base that has had the stranglehold on the country for three centuries. She was doing that as First Lady while Bill was President, which is why Republicans continue to despise her to this day.

They will throw more stuff at her no doubt; but for Pete’s sake, the woman is a freaking Scorpio. You know, the kind of water that bears down hard and hot on ragged rocks, wearing them smooth. She also — as we in government here in San Francisco describe it — has 657 sharp knives waiting in her coat pockets that she can use on you at any given moment, as was the case in the congressional Benghazi hearings held October of last year.

And of course, what better way to end this paean to the season of Pisces — the fishes — than to focus on the Oscars: the annual awards in the US for the best illusions created for our national and international consciousness. A winning day for another Scorpio — this time it was Leonardo di Caprio — for his performance in The Revenant.

I have to hand it to Aquarian Chris Rock for taking and running with the #oscarssowhite meme that hung over the Academy of Motion Pictures all night. In fact, I heard the show was peppered with uncomfortable moments for its mostly white and affluent audience of stars, starlets, producers and directors.

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I am sure the Academy knew they had to take their lumps, on the next-to-last day of Black History Month no less. The optics of the awards ceremony were not looking too good. The absence of black nominees in performance and production was remarkable.

Rock saved their Academy’s collective asses by his ribbing. Maybe because of this, well-done and earnest films like Creed and Straight Out of Compton won’t be passed over. One can hope they pay attention to what they did, and to what just happened, and will do something about it.

Film is a fluid art form, flowing with the ease of the waters that Pisces swim in so effortlessly. What better medium to begin changing minds and hearts? Let that water flow.

Super Tuesday is coming tomorrow, so you can count on Judith Gayle and me to lend a hand in analyzing the next big wave that’s about to move over us. Stay tuned and chime in. See you in the comments below.

How do you read these things, anyway?

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No matter how many books about the tarot you read, that does not assure being able to read them. Then people who have never read a book can come up with amazing interpretations.

The tarot is a visual language. But reading the cards is a ritual, whether you’re doing it for yourself or for someone else. In my first online tarot class, this coming Saturday, I will introduce that ritual and how to work with it. Information is being conveyed long before the first card is read. Merely sitting with the client begins to address their question; if you’re working alone, the choice to make an inquiry begins to invoke the response you need.

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Pisces and Virgo: The Art and Craft of Astrology

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By Eric Francis

Astrology has been explained using many different astrological metaphors. The usual one is “Uranian,” after the planet Uranus, since astrology tends toward the inventive and scientific and surely qualifies as a bit rebellious these days. Another common metaphor refers to Sagittarius, the 9th house, or Jupiter, since astrology deals in bodies of knowledge, philosophy, international subject matter, and religion and spirituality. (It can also be expansive, expensive, and blustery — all Jupiterian enough.)

Solar analemma with the Erechtheion (407 BC), Athens, Greece. An analemma is the figure-8 loop that results when one observes the position of the sun at the same time during the day over the course of a year. Capturing one takes great technical skill and practice; doing so as beautifully as this takes imagination. Photo by Anthony Ayiomamitis.

Solar analemma with the Erechtheion (407 BC), Athens, Greece. An analemma is the figure “8” loop that results when one observes the position of the sun at the same time during the day over the course of a year. Photo by Anthony Ayiomamitis.

These metaphors tell us something, but I would propose that considering astrology from the Pisces–Virgo experience gives us a practical model that we can pass along to less-experienced students, to help them grasp two of the basic aspects of the work we do as astrologers. That is, we work with both intuition and reason in a way that is mutually beneficial and strives for integration.

Maybe you’ve run into the frustration of knowing all the rules and cookbook meanings of an aspect, but you’re unable to interpret that aspect in a given situation. Or, you may have a feeling for what certain astrological significators represent, but you lack either the language to express the feeling or the confidence to do so because of a technical point you want to check before verbalizing your interpretation. In the first example, a dose of Piscean creativity would help to bridge the gap. In the second, a little research that could give you the language you’re seeking would likely do the trick and support your intuition.

That creativity may pose something of an ego risk; the research may require you to pause a session and check a few commentaries from astrologers who have come before us — something many astrologers might not want to do, because it would (in theory) reveal that they don’t know their stuff. But guesses often work, and they’re okay if you remind the client that this is your take on the matter.

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"Engagement"; photo by Rob Moore.

The Dreaded Talk About Our Sexual Needs (Minus the Dread)

Note: Rob Moore has contributed articles to the Planet Waves annual editions this year and last year. This piece is the first in what will be a regular Saturday column by him on sexuality, astrology and relationships. — Amanda P.

It’s an awkward sexual situation we’ve all likely faced at one time or another. Sexual activity that could best be described as ‘pleasant’ could easily explode into a passionate display of sensual gratification — if only. If only our partner would do A, B, and C. Hell, just A or C would probably do the trick.

"Engagement"; photo by Rob Moore.

“Engagement”; photo by Rob Moore.

As the muted message center in my own brain has frequently put it, “I mean, seriously, man… you’re freaking right there. Just do it. C’mon… do it, do it, do it…”

Or the conversely related, “Oooooo, don’t do that, don’t do that, please don’t do that…”

With a whole lot of Pisces in my chart, I tend to pay close attention to what’s going on in that sign. In addition to the Sun entering Pisces a day or so ago, there’s an interesting dynamic Eric recently described happening on the Pisces/Virgo axis. It suggests the wind could be at our backs to chart a course to getting what we’ve been fantasizing about.

To paraphrase Eric, the how-to qualities of Virgo are presently in Pisces, while the creative imagination of Pisces is residing in Virgo. Add to that an exact opposition from Jupiter in Virgo to Chiron in Pisces on Tuesday, and the topic of healing comes into view; not the least of which includes our sensual selves.

What this says to me is it’s a great time to place on the table what we want in the sex department, with a view to achieving real-world gratification. Provided, of course, all involved stand there long enough to get clear about what we’re looking at. And then stick with it while we map out a path to its ultimate fulfillment.

But this is where the dread often comes in. No one enjoys dropping a bucket of cold water on an encounter to discuss what our partner isn’t doing. Nor do we want to pause the movie credits to tell them where we need to be touched tonight, lest we just merely go through the motions for yet another weekend. Well, no such scenarios need to happen. There is a loving, playful, and seamless way to approach this.

Let me assure you I am no stranger to this situation. Matter of fact it’s part of my life path. Several years back I had a birth chart cast with a focus on the outer planets. The very first thing on the list was Chiron conjunct Moon, my Moon being in Pisces. Among the key descriptions of this influence was to assume that others have no clue what nurtures or feeds me. Basically, if I want people to know what rocks my world, I’ve pretty much gotta spell it out for them.

Oh, how true this has been. Before the Internet — and my understanding of this Chiron influence — sex was a disappointing affair more often than not. When someone did come along who pushed all the right buttons, I then tried to cling to them; and that usually didn’t work out very well.

Internet dating/hook-up sites and later apps have made it possible to spell out exactly what we want to happen when we connect. I found in the early days that this worked splendidly. Then as the info age mushroomed into incomprehensible levels of stimuli, people’s brains started shutting things out. Just as it rapidly became okay to stop responding to emails, the idea of actually reading an online profile — and certainly the idea of completing one — looks to have fallen totally out of favor.

And so that has certainly brought me back to square one, needing to literally inform partners what’s gonna help crank the heat up while we’re getting down. Among the discoveries I have made is that once I open the communication and demonstrate that this is really not a big deal, partners in turn usually feel the way is clear to express what they want, too. And it is! Yay for us!

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All right: let’s look at ways of doing this that possess vibes of deep regard and loving intent through every part of the process.

I think the main thing to keep in mind is that this is indeed a process; a process of teaching and learning for each of us. So although the indication of what we need can frequently be accomplished in one simple step, I sometimes find the need to stick with it long enough to enable partners to understand the subtleties involved, i.e., pressure, rhythm, duration, etc., and how to achieve those qualities.

It’s important to note that this approach, which has worked so well for me so many times, assumes that a dynamic of mutual understanding and trust is in place. And that’s whether we’re talking about a long-term partner or someone who’s over for an afternoon romp. If you’re not perfectly at that place yet, then for sure it is a process that needs to be completed first and foremost.

Speaking for myself, what I often need partners to get on board with is a little on the freaky side — if not very much so. Yes, I’m a totally kinky fuck. But more importantly, I’m far more a sensual fuck. And herein lies the problem. It’s as if society has been programmed to believe loving, mutually gratifying sex involves only certain key activities as outlined in some list from 1783.

I do hope that in this age on a site of this nature that it’s not too difficult for any of us to wrap our brains around this idea: Anything that brings genuine gratification to partners that is within our scope and willingness to give, is a deeply intimate gift. And in this instance, in the giving is the receiving. In every meaning of the phrase.

The greatest news you may hear all day is that, in my experience, detailed conversations are not needed. They can be counterproductive, even. What I find works best is just at that moment when things aren’t exactly flowing between us, I gently and sensually take their hand or lips or whatever and place it on the magic spot. Or with a gentle but firm grasp indicate that I’m about to go somewhere on them that may take them by surprise. And then follow through.

Over the course of many years, the most I’ve usually needed to softly utter is, “That’s the magic button. This makes that go crazy.” From there, they begin to see for themselves. And then our energies feed off each other. And then things escalate to exciting new places. And then everybody’s wondering why the hell we waited so long to do this.

There are times when a partner new to an activity will go at it too wildly or, in the other extreme, as if they’re going to break us or something. In these instances, more detailed demonstrating may be needed. Same as before, I take their fingers or mouths and sensually demo exactly how far or how hard or how deep. And, hey, I think sharing a little playful laughter during this weird little surreal moment between us can be the most encouraging and endearing thing we could do for ourselves.

These days, it is a high priority for me to familiarize partners with my needs right out of the gate. I know from experience how challenging it can be to overcome our own fears of freaking out long-term partners who thought they had it all down pat. But something else I have found is that those with whom I have shared a genuine bond for a significant time are almost guaranteed to share my levels of consciousness. In other words, ideas brought to the table that may have never been verbalized most often reveal themselves to be things on both our minds, to one degree or another.

And here’s the thing about genuine bonds: If they are indeed bonds and are indeed genuine, any effort to make that connection more deeply gratifying will only enhance what’s already there. There really is no time like the present to reveal what you desire. Now is the perfect time to let your partner in on what they can do for you. Consider how gratifying it will be when ‘if only’ becomes ‘what actually is’.

Rob Moore is a published author and has a strong background in art direction and image work. Ever seeking to identify the truths recurring through his own life and that of others, Rob continues to express his findings via writing and imagery. Please visit r0b1.com to learn more.

Pope Francis Beatifies Catholic Justice Antonin Scalia

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VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis today beatified the late Antonin Scalia, who died Saturday in Texas at age 79. According to Roman Catholic canonical law, a deceased person can be beatified if they have one documented miracle to their credit.

“He had many,” said Pope Francis, speaking from the Vatican balcony, where millions had gathered below. “There were a good few. He was already a saint in the minds of the people, even when alive. Kind of like Amma.”

Scalia’s incorruptible body will lie in state in a glass case under the rotunda of the Supreme Court beginning Wednesday for 1,000 years, until Feb. 18, 3016, according to a statement from the court.

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Despite the fact that he was out shooting quail the previous day, no foul play is suspected.

Scalia needs just one more miracle to be canonized, which was expected to be shortly. Until recently, it took three miracles to become a saint, but there is now a 33% discount, on which basis St. John Paul was canonized recently.

“If Trump gets elected, that would count as a bona fide miracle,” said Archbishop Timothy Dolan of the New York Archdiocese. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, reached for comment Sunday, said she agreed.

Scalia — a native of New Jersey who grew up in Queens, played stickball and married his elementary school sweetheart — had nine children, none of whom ever smoked marijuana. As of Sunday, a cathedral was being built in his honor on a vacant lot where his former elementary school was located.

And in Trenton, 500 units of affordable housing were bulldozed Saturday night to make room for a memorial plaza in Scalia’s honor, according to Gov. Chris Christie’s office.

“It remains to be seen whether Scalia will have been more dangerous in his body or out of it,” said Chuck Schumer, the senior senator from New York State.

Meanwhile, a mob had gathered outside 30 Rockefeller Plaza, where NBC Universal is located. Upon investigating the situation, they turned out to be all the video archive researchers reporting for work on Sunday at the Rachel Maddow Show.

Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, today announced that all further Republican debates would be suspended till further notice, to make room on the airwaves for the TV specials honoring the life of St. Scalia.

“The RNC will never have a chairperson,” Priebus added.