Dear Planet Waves Reader:
The other day I had an idea for a practical joke, which was to find a place that does low-run quantities of business cards, and have one for every possible activity I might say that I do professionally (publisher, medieval prognosticator, artist, poet, musician, photographer, astrologer, writer, reporter, consultant, dog nibbler, naughty boy, and so on).
Democracy Now! broadcasts live from inside COP 21, the U.N. Climate Change Conference, and from outside in the streets and activist centers in Paris, France. We are honored to offer this broadcast as part of our affiliation with the Pacifica Network.
Today’s broadcast looks at the growing fossil fuel divestment movement; a new report from Oxfam entitled Extreme Climate Inequality; and the situation in the Maldives.
Dear Planet Waves Reader:
In my most recent letter, I promised to discuss some of the deep space points involved in Saturn’s transit through Sagittarius. These will factor prominently into Vision Quest [learn more here]. I’ve consulted my colleague Alex Miller, one of the most trusted authorities on these points. First, a bit of housekeeping.
Artist’s conception of a quasar. There is one in Pisces, to which Neptune is currently forming a conjunction. Shown is quasar 3C 279.
You can still get all 12 signs, for less than a third of what you would pay to purchase them individually. Purchasing all 12 allows you to have information about your Sun, Moon and rising signs, as well as those of your children, and significant others. Vision Quest is one purchase per household, so you may share it with them. My friends the Daniels (Grimsland and Sternstein) are coming over for regular recording sessions on the theme music for the project, largely done on drums and synth.
Those who purchase all 12 signs get the full complement of recordings, samples and experiments, which will be offered separately to everyone else.
These include meditation music, drum dialogs, grooves and some really good guitar and bass.
I am very happy with how the writing is coming out. Thanks to Amanda Painter and Len Wallick, who are covering for some of my other writing duties for a few weeks, I’m finally getting to relax and do this work at a slower pace in a low-stress environment. You will see and feel the results of this rather helpful advance.
Now that we are part of the Pacifica Radio Network, Planet Waves FM can offer you Democracy Now! as part of our coverage. Here is today’s edition, hosted by Amy Goodman, who is in Paris for the next two weeks covering this crucial climate summit and the accompanying protests forging ahead in spite of the ban. We could not wish for a better ambassador for independent media, and will be hosting more daily episodes as they are published.
Activists formed a human chain of 10,000 Sunday along Boulevard Voltaire, ending at the Bataclan. The two miles it stretched had been the route planned for the march. Image: John D. Sutter/CNN
We have fun, healing and insightful astrology for you. Planet Waves FM is sponsored by…YOU. We are presented without commercial interruption. Become a Planet Waves Reader at $7.77 a month or a Core Community Member at $14.97 a month. Want more? Get our Backstage Pass. If you’re a Scorpio Sun or rising, you may order your 2015-16 birthday reading here. If you’re Sagittarius Sun or rising, you may pre-order your birthday reading here.
The Weekend Tarot Reading will be published tomorrow, Monday, November 30.
In the meantime, Sarah suggests that you go back to the past four readings as a way of framing what’s currently happening in your life — both inner and outer.
Dear Planet Waves Reader:
This is the latest in my series of short astrology bulletins for Vision Quest, the Planet Waves 2016 annual readings. Last time I covered Saturn square Neptune.
Recently, while doing some charts, I was pondering Saturn square Chiron, one of the defining aspects of 2016. I thought to look back at the first thing I ever read about it. I selected an old edition of Chiron: Rainbow Bridge Between the Inner and Outer Planets by Barbara Hand Clow and took it down to the cafe. (I collect old editions of that book and have just about all of them.)
Aah, the good old days, back when you could put crystals on the cover of an astrology book. This work is still in print. I count it as a bestseller (here in the post-Linda Goodman age).
I opened to that chapter and started reading, and it all came rushing back to me: This is the authority issues aspect. It’s a really, really interesting setup because it describes the ways that issues with parents can morph into those with partners, the government and the church.
One theme seems to be switching from one form of authority to another, but not necessarily resolving the question and finding a degree of true independence.
I would say that the goal of that aspect is to use Chiron’s quest for awareness and balance and truly internalize Saturn. That means being one’s own authority, or said more plainly, making one’s own decisions.
For readers living now, the aspect first heats up starting in 1946, through the early 1950s. There are a lot of people born with this aspect. The patterns are hot and high pressure, often involving Mars or Pluto as well. (Equally potent and deeper yet, Chiron square Pluto then picks up the thread.)
The aspect then returns in the mid-1970s. Now it’s back; it will build gradually all year and peak in late 2016 and early 2017. Before we go there, we pass through the initiation of Saturn square Neptune, which is truly the ‘vision quest’ aspect because it will demand so much clarity. The most likely way that Saturn square Neptune will announce itself is as confusion, and if you notice that, then you can take the next step.
Dear Planet Waves Reader:
Last week I sent an introduction to 2016’s astrology and my Vision Quest project. I am inviting you, personally, to join me on a quest to find your vision.
In that letter I mention one of the defining aspects of 2016, Saturn square Neptune. Saturn is in Sagittarius and Neptune is in Pisces; this is a potent meeting of energies.
I would caution you, though, that many astrologers will take a negative view of this aspect. It’s a kind of interpretation trap; this often happens with difficult to understand, challenging aspects. If you read anything negative about this aspect, I suggest asking yourself if there’s not a better interpretation possible.
Here is how I see it. Saturn square Neptune represents the dissolving of established thought forms. There’s a lot of talk now about doing something about the patriarchy — this aspect is close to that. It’s about how nearly all firm, solid or inflexible thought forms are going to melt like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Dear Planet Waves Reader:
Among the many thank-yous I have to offer, one stands out prominently: Planet Waves is still here. Earlier this year, after a major website overhaul and making many other improvements and after seven consecutive years of growth, Planet Waves encountered some financial trouble.
With my new American-made G&L bass — an authentic work of musical art. I am writing Vision Quest in this office, which is next to the music studio.
I sent a letter to my readers called The Art of Asking. And many of you responded. Seeing the urgency of our situation and feeling as strongly as they did, a number of readers made donations of up to $1000 to keep us going.
You know who you are — but I want everyone else to know that thanks to you, we pulled through. It was a squeak and a stretch but we did it. The generosity of many of my readers and listeners made that possible. Thank you.
Here is why. Every time I sit down in front of my monitor or in front of the microphone to connect with you, I am grateful to have this space to offer what I consider to be a sane, compassionate viewpoint on what seems, at the moment, to be an increasingly insane world.
I have the skill and experience to walk into any mainstream media outlet and get to work; if I did, we both know that I could not speak to you the way I do, about the things that I do.
Planet Waves brings to our reportage of the world the very things that most other places ban outright — such as actual meaning. The human context. The connection to your evolving worldview.
With Planet Waves, the medium is very much the message. I do what I can to hold the door open for other writers, artists, broadcasters and musicians to be able to offer something humane and sensitive as well. That is what we do.
And this is fragile — that is, “content” not being filler padded around drug and car ads. What that means is, we get to be real, and we get to be direct with you; that means vulnerable. I want to thank the people who appreciate our work and who recognized that vulnerability and who came through — so that everyone else can have Planet Waves.