Wild Iris News

May 2013 Astrology Forecast

Breakdown or Breakthrough

We are entering an eclipse month. Eclipses are game-changers, speeding up life, throwing curveballs, and forcing you to improvise or adapt.  Time can seem to jump ahead and what didn’t seem possible a few short months ago is suddenly not only possible but water under the bridge.

We start off May with Mars, the planet of action, opposing Saturn, the planet of delay and caution. As you might guess, this can produce tension, a bit like a motorcycle trying to move a house. Here’s the thing to keep close: just because you know where you want to head doesn’t mean you should take off without a plan.  If there’s a battle between Mars and Saturn, my money goes on Saturn. It’s a bit like the fable about the hare and the tortoise: Mars is quick out of the gate, but Saturn tends to cross the finish line.

We are also heading into another Uranus-Pluto square, so tensions will continue to rise, especially starting around mid-month and into the full moon eclipse on May 25th.  In short, for some this month will be a bit of a pressure-cooker: keep breathing and keep your head.

May 9, 2013 – New Moon Solar Eclipse, 19 degree Taurus

The dynamic duo of Mars-Saturn is involved in the solar eclipse of May 9thas well. What does this mean for you? Watch your irritation and frustration: with fast-acting Mars in slow, deliberate Taurus pressure can build. The emotional temperatures of those around you can steadily move toward the boiling point during the month. The tension is between safety and risk, the known and the unknown, comfort and passion.

Given the energies, it’s easy fro situations to escalate, for us to act out of anger or frustration where we otherwise would not.  Don’t let pressure build: let off steam in non-destructive ways. If you’re not conscious, you can easily push too far and burn bridges you might rather have kept. Even if you personally aren’t feeling the tension, those around you will be, so proceed with caution.

As these are fixed signs, avoid digging in your heels or getting entrenched in a position. It’s hard to negotiate when you’re backed into a corner, so remain open and give yourself maximum flexibility and mobility.

Rather than relying strictly on instincts, this moon asks us to line up our proverbial ducks.  So set your sights on what you want but put together a practical plan before you charge forward. Tests of courage and perseverance can show up, as well as situations that trigger your fear of fighting or incline you to fight authorities in your life.

If you become triggered, the questions to ask yourself are these: are you accessing your inner authority and wisdom? What purpose does your intended action serve? You’re aiming to move ahead judiciously and cautiously, and your motivation must be grounded in integrity. You need to be able to look back and say you did the right thing for the right reasons. If you find yourself in the role of whipping boy/girl or dominator, recalibrate your position.

With the Scorpio/Taurus axis activated and it being a south node solar eclipse, we are asked to free up energy by releasing old attachments. To access your greatest sense of aliveness and passion, what might you have to give up or risk? This could be a financial risk, such as walking away from a regular paycheck to work for yourself, or emotional one, such as purging yourself of a toxic or deadening relationship.

This solar eclipse is a good time to evaluate if your security and comfort – emotional or financial – have become a golden cage.

May 10, 2013  – Venus enters Gemini

Venus leaves its love nest in Taurus for curious, adventurous Gemini.

May 16 – June 2: The Uranus/Pluto Experience

We’ve discussed this dramatic, intense pair previously. As a review, this planetary duo was a driving force behind the raucous social revolution we saw in the mid-sixties. Though easy to romanticize in hindsight, for many it was a chaotic, wild ride.

You will feel the stress along the fault lines in your life: wherever you feel too confined or feel your life isn’t an authentic expression of you; wherever you feel oppressed or disempowered; wherever you are bored with how things stand. If the foundation is shaky, the house will fall.

The call is to break free before you breakdown. Holding onto the status quo for safety will not bring you the stability you hoped. Reaching out for the new thing, the thing that speaks to you wholly, authentically, is the pathway to take.

The square between these two heavyweights becomes more intense all month until it is exact on May 20th.  Be aware.  Consciously pay attention to the building stress within yourself and with those around you and choose a breakthrough. Breakdowns occur when we either 1) hold onto an old way of being despite all the evidence to the contrary, or 2) where we need a shock from the outside to awaken us from our complacency.

May 16 – Mercury enter Gemini

Finally, Hermes returns to his own sign after a shaky few months. Welcome home. All of us gain a little clarity, boost our ability to reason without letting passion and emotion color our arguments, and increase our mental flexibility.

May 18th – 20th  – Uranus square Pluto exact at 11 degrees Aries/Capricorn

Energies are reaching a peak. If the center cannot hold, focus on breaking free.

May 25th – Lunar Eclipse at 4 degrees of Sagittarius/Gemini

The week leading into a full moon tends to be one of heightened emotion and sensitivity – for good or ill. This full moon, also being an eclipse, will be especially so. Add to the mix a stressful connection to Neptune and keeping ourselves centered may become especially challenging.

Neptune is connected to spirituality, inspiration, and compassion, but also confusion, illusion/disillusionment, and uncertainty. Its sensitivity can decrease our ability to cope with stress and unpleasant realities, so it tempts us to numb ourselves with alcohol or indulge in escapist pursuits.

At best, we have an opportunity to increase our spiritual and creative vision and anchor ourselves in something larger than ourselves, be it art, service to others, or the divine.  At worst we can feel anxious, disoriented, vulnerable, and victimized.

Being gentle with others and ourselves this week is a good first step. Remember, everyone is feeling a little more fragile than normal. If you do creative work, set aside ample time in your week for yourself to explore your ideas and let inspiration soar.

Meditation, prayer, chanting, and other contemplative forms such as yoga, qigong and tai chi also make the most of this full moon’s energies.

As the full moon falls over the Gemini/Sagittarius axis, a productive line of inquiry will be exploring how well your day-to-day thought and speech aligns with your larger moral frameworks. In short, does your mental chatter reflect your guiding Truth(s)? If we are what we say and think – and action and form follow – how might you infuse more benevolence, generosity, and kindness into your mental habits?

Aries

Your fault lines fall in the area of identity, vitality, and public role. Reclaiming your sense of self, your autonomy, and ability to influence the world around you position you for your breakthrough. Your deadweight? Old values tied to money, security, and ancient doubts and worries. Set yourself free. Gemstone: Tourmaline

Taurus

Your fault lines fall in the areas of self-sabotage, selfless service, moral frameworks and beliefs. Your breakthrough lies in deepening your faith, aligning to your highest truths and actively alleviating the suffering of others. Release limiting self-concepts and renew your commitment to those closest to you will restructure your relationships for the better. Gemstone: Selenite

Gemini

Your fault lines fall in the areas of your long-term goals, friendships, and endings. Breakthroughs come in the form shifting your dreams for the future and connecting with a tribe of likeminded others. Find your allies. Releasing old guilt and anxiety frees up energy for you to restructure your health routines and daily work habits.  Gemstone: Smoky Quartz

Cancer

Your fault lines fall in the realms of career and relationships. Fostering greater freedom and authenticity in your work and transforming and empowering those around you is your path to a breakthrough. Old associations and goals must be released to lay the foundation for greater self-expression and creativity.  Gemstone: Amazonite

Leo

Your fault lines fall in the realms of day-to-day work routines, health, and your moral/philosophic frameworks. Your breakthrough hinges on your spiritual truths liberating you (rather than limiting you) and using the freed energy to transform your daily work and health routines. Releasing attachments to more public roles frees you to commit more deeply to your family of choice and home.  Gemstone: Moonstone

Virgo

Your fault lines fall in the areas of creativity, children, romance, and endings. Breakthrough depends on you relinquishing old concerns and self-doubts and embracing play and joy.  Rigid codes of conduct or black-and-white truths must be released so that you can restructure what you know from a place of deep, intuitive insight.  Gemstone: Labradorite

Libra

Your fault lines fall in the realms of home, family, your roots, and your relationships. For a breakthrough, you need to be willing to let go of the past, re-parent yourself based on your current needs, and liberate old patterns of relating to others. Releasing old psychic material tied to money allows you to start anew and on firmer ground financially.  Gemstone: Malachite

Scorpio

Your fault lines fall in the areas of communication, community, daily work and health. Revitalizing your work and health routines enables you to breakthrough your way of seeing and thinking about your immediate environment. Releasing relationships or patterns of dysfunction enable you to access your inner authority and come into your own. Gemstone: Chalcedony

Sagittarius

Your fault lines fall in the areas of creativity, romance, finance, and personal values. Breakthrough hinges on your ability to free your personal expression and transform your sources of income and resources. Relinquishing unsustainable work or health routines unleashes energy to squelch ghosts from the past, bringing new discipline and focus to your spiritual path. Gemstone: Turquoise

Capricorn

Your fault lines fall in the arenas of home, family, personal identity and vitality. To position yourself for a breakthrough you must liberate yourself from the past and empower yourself to be exactly who you wish to be. Calcified self-expression and numbing patterns connected to romance/pleasure need to be released so you can restructure your dreams for the future.  Gemstone: Peridot

Aquarius

Your fault lines fall in the realms of communication, community, and self-sabotage.  Liberating your speech and thinking help transform old patterns of self-undoing and prime you for a breakthrough. Releasing conditioning that keeps you anchored to the past safety nets frees the energy you’ll need to restructure your career.  Gemstone: Carnelian

Pisces

Your fault lines fall in the realms of income, values, and your long-term plans. Your breakthrough hinges on your ability to liberate or innovate your personal finances and transform your dreams and aspirations into a genuine direction for your future. Release old mental baggage that weighs you down. Now is the time to deepen and define your primary truths so they provide a foundation to support new life. Gemstone: Jade

Since we have a new space, we will be selling all new merchandise!

Check out these amazing bumper stickers we’ve designed! Decorate your car or bike with these cute, clever, and powerful statements. Not only will you be proudly stating your ideals, you’ll be supporting your favorite local feminist bookstore.

We will be shipping the bumper stickers the last week of April! So order now, before they’re all sold out. All you do have to do is click on the picture to go to the store!

Your Heart’s Desire

April picks up speed and is full of fiery energy. Use it to get yourself going in the direction you wish to head. By the end of the month we all will need to ground our passions in the dense material of reality, so use the momentum at the start of the month to push through resistances and land on solid ground. This month is very busy astrologically, so expect a lot of action – around you and within you. Stay anchored in yourself to keep your equilibrium!

April 6

Mercury leaves its shadow period. Communications become easier. That said, Mercury is still in Pisces, the sign of its detriment, which prefers visuals to words, so clarity can be a struggle. Lean on your metaphors and paint a picture in words.

April 10

New Moon in Aries.  This Aries new moon reels with passion and excitement, With the planets of love (Venus) and desire (Mars) joining it, it seems to ask, “What is your heart’s desire? If you could do anything without worrying about the impact it would have on others, what would it be?” Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, as such it represents pure life force, the desire to express one’s essentially self honestly and without apology. (And if it bothers someone, well, that’s his/her problem.) Where is it you need to be more of your unapologetic self? Grab some of this sassy, sexy energy and call on your courage to be more wholly yourself.

April 12

Pluto stations Retrograde.  Emotions might be a bit more turbulent and heavy the five days before and after the 12th, as Pluto slows to a stop in the sky.  In particular, watch for power struggles and control issues to intensify or to resolve. As always when people around us are triggered, situations deescalate when we focus on our side of the interaction (internal response) rather than engaging in the turbulence (external reaction). Pluto spends about half the year retrograde. Think of this 10-day window as the time Hades retreats to the underworld after a venture into the light. It takes a few days for his eyes to adjust to the shadows.

April 15

Mercury enters Aries. Mercury has been mooring in the waters of Pisces since February 6th, which is a long time for chatty Mercury to hang out in a mute sign, one that is more comfortable in nonlinear realms than in the less elastic materials of words and reason. Once Mercury moves into Aries, people have less trouble being direct and telling you what they want.  Words take on more of an edge and communication picks up speed. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing really depends on how comfortable you are with everyone laying their cards on the table.

April 16

Venus enters Taurus. Venus returns to her home sign Taurus in time to revel in the earthy goodness of spring. Make your favorite foods, surround yourself with flowers, luxuriate in freshly washed sheets. This is Venus at her most sensuous and pleasure-loving.

April 18 – 20

Mercury joins Uranus.  Starting April 18th, mental processes speed up and unusual ideas and epiphanies abound. You may find yourself or others around you becoming less compromising. Make sure you remain open to unconventional wisdom and stay flexible.  This advice becomes particularly important as you head toward the 20th and Pluto comes into play.

April 20 – 22

Mercury square Pluto & Venus oppose Saturn.  As we head into the lunar eclipse of the 25th, watch that your point of view or opinions don’t become fixed. When communicating with others, try to keep an open mind and avoid obsessing on one idea or position. We have a tendency to want to force others to come around to our way of thinking, and people are not in a giving mood during this period. If you have relationships in which there are cracks, the pressure can lead to real breaks.

However, if you turn this energy inward, you may find treasure. That same fixed intensity opens up into psychological awareness that can lead to real change.  It’s also possible to clarify boundaries that perhaps have become muddy over the years or have teetered out of balance.

April 21

Mars enters Taurus. After enjoying the speed and directness of Aries, its own sign, Mars runs headlong into the density of material reality: Taurus. What was moving along at a clip must slow down and deal with the practical details. As Mars is a planet of action – not organic unfolding – he finds it a bit, uh, frustrating. Pulling at the roots doesn’t make the flower pop through the soil any faster, so the counsel is to call on your patience, tend to the tasks at hand, and trust that this slower pace is for the good. Sometimes we need to let things settle and remember that some of the fastest growth happens during gestation periods, when nothing looks to be happening.

April 25

Lunar eclipse in Scorpio. Again we have the planets of love (Venus) and desire (Mars) configured with the Sun, so passion and what we truly want come into play. As with any full moon, emotions run high, but with this moon in fixed signs, people are less willing to budge. In Taurus, the question might be, what is it I want badly enough that I’m willing to build it brick by brick?  Opposing this group are Saturn and the moon in Saturn, which point to hard realities and obstacles we need to face. What Saturn and Taurus share in common, though, is a focus on time and wanting to create something that can last.

In short, discipline and perseverance are every bit as important as the passion fueling us.  If we really want it, we need to be willing to work for it and we need to ensure that it can sustain itself.

Watch the stressors that crop up the week leading into this moon and the month following it. They provide clues as to the fears you need to face and realities you need to contend with to build a life worthy of your efforts. With the moon in Scorpio, also look for that which needs to be released to truly free up energy and transform the existing situation. What concern needs to be addressed, what secure or sure thing might need to be risked for you truly to feel alive again?

We are being asked to examine what is sustainable and what must be destroyed in order to build on firmer ground.

When in doubt, hold your dreams close and let them guide you. Neptune supports both the sun and moon this eclipse. Be willing to make sacrifices for the larger vision, for what could be— your heart of hearts—if you are willing to take the risk and build something lasting.

If you know your rising sign (also known as the ascendant) and moon signs, read those forecasts in addition to your birth sign. If you don’t know your rising sign and would like to find out, go to the bottom of this post for instructions.

As always, a forecast written for a general audience is a pale substitute for a consultation based on the moment of your birth. If you’d like to schedule a consultation, please feel free to visit my website.

Aries: After a waterlogged few months, you’re back in your element. Find your groove, put the focus on you, and pay attention to your enthusiasms. They can lead you out of the dark months of winter into a more passionate, resonate spring. Think of this month as your new year and set the tone for the next twelve month. Do what you need to do to untether yourself from complications and move into the season feeling lighter. Toward the end of the month, get your financial house in order. Think of it as spring cleaning. Gemstone: Carnelian

Taurus: Attend to that nagging feeling or unresolved business at the start of the month, preferably before the 16th when Venus, your ruling planet comes for a visit. Trust yourself; now is the time to confront anything weighing on you. Doing so will lighten your load, freeing up energy that has been tied up psychically if not physically and emotionally.  Then you can move into the full moon at the end of the month with all your resources at your disposal. Let yourself shine. Gemstone:  Jade

Gemini: With Jupiter in your sign since last summer, at this stage you may feel like you have plenty of plates spinning and your primary accomplishment is that none of them have crashed to the ground. Hang in there. It is an accomplishment.  Focus on your long-range goals: where do you want to be in a few years? (Yes, you actually need to focus, despite your already divided attention!) Suss out your fears and concerns. Tap into your creative drive. If you read between the lines, you’ll find the directives as to which plates you can just let drop. Gemstone: Snowflake Obsidian

Cancer: Are you feeling the build up? Spring fever has been percolating beneath the watery winter months. You are nearing a time when you must declare yourself. It’s scary stuff for sensitive Crabs, but you need to call on your inner daredevil. Right now, risk-taking is good for your soul and soon comes the summer where you will be asked to grow and change in ways you’ve not anticipated. (Don’t worry, it’s a good thing.) Tap into your vision for the future and let your intuition guide you on timing. Most of all, believe in yourself and your vision: you can do this. Gemstone: Amazonite

Leo: Finally, a little fiery energy is on its way. Ignite your philosophical and spiritual nature this month. What feeds your soul? What supports your integrity and aligns you to your truth? Make sure you keep these frameworks close as your touchstones. Should you find yourself thwacking up against a dense wall of obstacles toward month end, you’ll know exactly how to realign yourself so that your deepest passions are supported by your rock solid foundation of emotional clarity and maturity. Gemstone: Topaz

Virgo: Bring it to a close this month. Something you’ve been working towards – and it always feels like your working these days – needs to be blessed and released. What is truly of meaning to you? Make that – be it family, your creativity, your [insert personally fulfilling activity here] – your new priority. You need to reserve the time for that which you value. Avoid letting other pressing but less important responsibilities edge your priority out of the first position. Your industriousness can be your teacher or your nemesis. May it teach you mastery. Gemstone: Quartz

Libra: You may feel like everyone is confronting you. They’re not. They’re forcing you to decide: where do your desires lie? If you find yourself in battles rather than constructive negotiation, your energies will dissipate in a fruitless dance with your own shadow. On the other hand, if you rise to the challenges and insights that your interactions with others illuminate, you may find yourself clearer about your values, ready to let go of fear-based behaviors, and developing a whole new relationship with your work, health or daily routine. Lean into the learning.  Gemstone: Flourite

Scorpio: Restrictions are clues these days. Don’t ignore their telltale signs, especially around your health and your work. Taking things seriously and to heart works in your favor this month. You have the focused energy to make changes that reinvigorate these areas, so engage and trust your instincts. Ignoring potential problems or growing concerns won’t serve the restructuring going on in your life right now. You want to build something lasting, so keep an eye on the blueprints and create your solid foundation. Gemstone: Bloodstone

Sagittarius: Whom do you love? How can play inform work? Where are your enthusiasms directing you? Answer those questions and you’ll be off to a good start this spring. Let your native optimism reinvigorate your daily routines and your positive outlook lighten the load of those around you. Towards the end of the month, keep your inner resistances in check. Lean toward practical solutions that take the long view – rather than fast, short-term fixes – even if they don’t feel very sexy in the moment.  Gemstone: Aquamarine

Capricorn: April is a fine month to ensure that you’re nurturing yourself and feeling at home in your life. You are in the midst of renewing fundamental aspects of yourself. To foster this period of growth, you need to attend to your deepest needs. If you haven’t been taking care of yourself, now is the time to address it. You can’t climb Mount Everest if you don’t have a solid base camp, no matter how ambitious you are, so stock the proper supplies and make sure you have the right support team.  Then you’ll be ready to move steadily onward, toward the heights you’ve been craving. Gemstone: Moonstone

Aquarius: If you are willing to shift off of a fixed position, April presents an opportunity for a whole new way of seeing the familiar.  If your thinking has become entrenched or habituated – especially about home or family or some fundamental self-concept – step outside your intellectual comfort zone and entertain a new point of view. You might find yourself in completely new terrain, a land that is invigorating, freeing, and represents a fresh start. High-handed anger points to being stuck in the past. Epiphanies and honest self-disclosure are the pathways to courage, discovery, and shaking off past chains.  Gemstone: Labradorite

Pisces: If you feel a little overwhelmed and less than happy with yourself, April is the month to hit the restart button. One, remember that you’re fabulous. Two, don’t waste time feeling sorry for yourself. (Besides, you can’t feel sorry for yourself once your remember you’re fabulous.) If you’ve been stuck, adjust your values so they aren’t contradictory or adjust your behaviors so they align with your values. One or the other is at odds, like two fishes swimming in opposite directions.  Own it, and then step into the current so you can move forward. Lastly, for good measure, remember that you’re fabulous. Gemstone: Malachite

TO FIND YOUR RISING SIGN (the Ascendant):

You’ll need the following information: date of birth, place of birth, and, most importantly, time of birth.  Go to the following webpage and select “Extended Chart Selection” at the bottom right section of the page.

• Select the bar which says “Click here to show the chart,” which is to the right and above the “Options” area of the page.
• You should find yourself at another page. Select “Click here to go directly to data entry page.”
• You’ll be taken to the data entry page. Enter your birth data and click on “Continue.”
• Your natal chart with the positions will appear.  At the upper left, look for the information in red text. Your rising sign appears after the word “Ascendant.”
• You can print the chart if you like, too.

Although we anticipated in February that our doors would be open by now, we’re still going to throw a party! At 8:30 p.m. we will be revealing our new logo created by our wonderful graphic design interns to coincide with Artwalk. Following our unveiling, at 9 p.m. we will release twenty-one floating paper lanterns. The twenty-one lanterns will represent the twenty years of Wild Iris’ doors being open and we will release an extra lantern for good luck in the coming years. The ceremony is going to be an amazing experience. So please, come join us and don’t miss out on this magical event!

Artwalk & Lantern Lighting Celebration

Friday, March 29, 7-10 pm

CMC/Courtyard/Wild Iris Books

22 SE 5th Ave, Gainesville

We have said over and over that it’s always been about more than the books and this transition period has reinforced that.  We can’t wait to be a part of your daily lives again. Be sure to keep up with our updates about the progress of construction and the official opening of our doors.

Well here we are…. we had hoped to be further along in the construction by now – but isn’t that how it always goes with new builds?  Here’s a photo from today and you can see it - the shape taking a life of its own and the vision geting closer and closer each day.

When we started to plan our Grand Opening Events – we knew we wanted to host something on the Equinox.  This journey from University to South Main has reminded of us of our legacy while testing all of our reserves.  Now we stand on the opposite side of winter, and we… are ready to bloom. 

Spring Equinox Potluck and Celebration
Thursday, March 21, 6-8pm
CMC/Courtyard/Wild Iris Books
22 SE 5th Ave, Gainesville

We hope you can join us! Bring something delicious to share if you are able and don’t forget to wear your best springtime smile.

The doors may be open, they may not be.   But The Courtyard and The CMC WILL be open and full of Wild Iris friends embracing a new beginning.

We have said over and over that it’s always been about more than the books and this transition period has reinforced that.  We can’t wait to be a part of your daily lives again and we look forward to raising our glasses and hearts in celebration together on the first day of Spring.

The Invisible War is an investigative documentary about the epidemic of rape of soldiers within the US military. The Invisible War brings to light rape within in the military through interviews with veterans from different branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. These survivors recount the events surrounding their sexual assaults and the aftermath of their attacks.

Many of the veterans’ stories have similarities: the lack of justice due to an impartial system, blame of the survivors instead of perpetrators, the absence of much needed emotional and physical care for survivors, the advancement of the assaulter’s careers, and the forced dismissal of the survivors from service. The film is nominated for Best Documentary at the upcoming Academy Awards.

Wild Iris is hosting a viewing of this intense, real life documentary investigating rape within the military in order to raise awareness of the damaging consequences of rape culture, which blames victims rather than assaulters.

The survivors and advocates featured inThe Invisible War call for changes in the way the military handles sexual assault and so do we.

The film will be shown at the Civic Media Center at 7 p.m. on April 1st, 2013.

433 S. Main Street

Gainesville, FL 32601

http://www.civicmediacenter.org/

http://invisiblewarmovie.com/

Wild Iris Books

Step right up, step right up, and SIGN UP for the 4th annual VERY QUEER VARIETY SHOW, March 30 at The Courtyard

Of course we always need sensational performances, but we also really need volunteers to make it all happen! And of course, volunteers get to see the show for free!

We are looking for volunteers to help us with the following:

Door/Ticket/Raffle & T-shirt Sales: We need about 6 people to help out with this so that folks can take turns. That way no one has to “work” the entire show.

Backstage Tranager: Help set up the dressing room before the show. During the show, make sure that whoever is “up next” is prepared.

Stage Hand: Help people move their stuff off and on stage. Should be pretty simple most of the show.

Roustabouts: We’ll need lots of help during the day of the show (March 30) setting things up and decorating. We’ll also need help after the show is over to clean up.

Game Operators: We’d like to set up some carnival games for additional fundraising. We need loud-mouth, charismatic types to operate the games before the show and during intermission. You won’t be expected to operate your game during the performance.

Kissing Booth Wenches: self explanatory

“Cigarette Grrlz/Bois”: We need some fiercely dressed cuties to walk around selling concessions and handing out free condoms. We’ll make you a cute tray and hat!

Carnies & Freaks: jugglers, stilters, hoopers, clowns, magicians, tarot readers, living statues, face painters, etc. Anyone with ambient entertainment skills is encouraged to create a carnivalesque pre-show and intermission atmosphere

To sign up email msellendegenerate@gmail.com

Let me begin this month’s forecast with an apology. I won’t be able to write individual horoscopes this month, as I’m in the middle of selling a house and moving to another. (In astrology-speak, I have transiting Uranus hitting my career/home axis.)  So thanks for bearing with me, and we’ll get back to our regular scheduled programming in April!

This month’s highlights:

11 March 2013

New moon in Pisces. The new moon is literally the start of a new cycle, a beginning. However, with the sun and moon in the last sign of the zodiac (Pisces) and approaching Mars in the final degree (29) of that sign, we also need to take action on old business and tie up loose ends. The indication is we have come as far as we can go and we must let go to begin again.

Think of it as a speeding up of time. Things may unravel and we have to respond. A situation that has been around for a while may suddenly come to a head, so we finally make a decision, and bring it to a close. Old emotional material, illusions, and dreams may need to be acknowledged and, perhaps, relinquished. If you’ve been indecisive and delaying action, you may need to make something “real,” that is, take it out of the realm of daydream and put it into the realm of reality. Push may come to shove during this moon cycle, which doesn’t come to a close until the second week of April.

Take the plunge. Sometimes we need to be pushed to our limits to take the next step, to move us past our inertia. As the sun and moon join Venus this cycle, your next move should be toward that which brings more pleasure, peace, and beauty in your life and in your relationships. What do you value? What makes you happy?  How can you have more of that in your day?

17 March 2013

Mercury Retrograde Ends. And the crowd goes wild. Communication becomes easier, though it doesn’t get its groove back until mid-April when Mercury moves into Aries.

20 March 2013

The Spring Equinox marks the beginning of the tropical zodiac—the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere—when the sun crosses the intersection of celestial equator and the ecliptic, or another way to say the same thing, when the sun reaches zero degrees of Aries.  As such, it tells astrologers a lot about the energy of the upcoming solar year.  And this equinox is pretty raucous.

We have a stressful configuration called a T-Square between Pluto, moon, Mars, and Uranus. It’s rather explosive, intemperate energy that would rather blow things apart than negotiate a peace. It suggests the need to take whatever action one deems necessary to seek freedom and break away from past restrictions. We have a tendency to act rashly, perhaps unconsciously, against perceived power differences. The tricky part is to not project our shadow onto others or to blame and make others wrong. Better that we empower ourselves to break free of our limitations and leave others to deal with their own limitations.

Underneath the stress, though, lies a gift, a lovely grand trine in water between the moon, Saturn, Mercury and Neptune. Water is tied to our emotions, to the intrinsic, unfathomable ways we are connected to the people and world around us. Here, we have the possibility of aligning mind with emotion and body, of pairing discipline with vision. Mysticism, spirituality, creativity and imagination all come to mind. Remember, beneath the intensity lies a stable reservoir of emotional/mental control and inspired revelation. We simply need to access it and use its depths to guide us through any tempests that may arise.

Those of you who meditate and those of you who have always wanted to try, the days before the Spring Equinox are a great time to begin. Saturn provides discipline, Neptune allows you to tap into something larger than yourself, and moon and Mercury provide left-brain/right-brain integration.

This grand trine also ties into Pluto, creating what is known as a kite configuration, so ultimately the stress we feel from the T-square and the support underlying the grand trine all point to the regenerative powers of Pluto. Use this year to transform your life in creative, liberating and sustaining ways.  Break with the past but head toward a future that feeds you on a soul level, one that is emotionally rich and nurturing, and inspires you to new levels of growth.

27 March 2013

Full Moon in Libra. With the full moon across the Libra/Aries axis, we incorporate both the themes of our new moon and of the Spring Equinox. Libra yearns for peace, seeking harmony, beauty, and interpersonal connection. It aims to create balance. Aries, on the other hand, seeks excitement and autonomy and doesn’t mind if it ruffles a few feathers in the process. Like at the new moon, the sun and moon connect to Venus, the planet of love and money, and the sun is joined by our friends from the equinox, Uranus, and Mars. And for good measure, both sun and moon come into a stressful t-square with Pluto, the transformation agent.

What needs to change in your life that will liberate you and rejuvenate you? How does balance need to be restored – in your relationships? In your life?  With Venus so prominent this moon cycle, Venusian themes are underscored: what needs to change to bring more love, peace, pleasure, and beauty into your life?  What do you value? Issues of money and fair exchange also may be a focus.

This full moon is about making constructive changes that support your happiness, encourage balance, and take a great deal of courage to bring about. Again, the energy is tense, explosive even. Use it to shape shift and revision yourself. Intense encounters with others or with shadowy, less accepted aspects of yourself may act as catalysts: allowing you to see into where you need or want creative change to occur in your life.

Push for your desires, act from a place of self-love and love of others, advocate for more pleasure and joy in your life. Use the intensity or stresses you encounter to transform those aspects of yourself or your situation that limit your peace, your love, your creativity or happiness. Jupiter supports this full moon, so use your sense of possibility and optimism to move past resistance.

Employ this time creatively and wisely. Break through the chrysalis. Emerge.

Again, my apologies that I won’t have individual horoscopes this month, but I hope to be back to my normal column in April!

As we continue to celebrate Black History Month – we bring you this excerpt from an amazing life.  Marsha P. Johnson rules and we love her.

“I was no one, nobody, from Nowheresville until I became a drag queen.  That’s what made me in New York, that’s what made me in New Jersey, that’s what made me in the world.” -Martha P. Johnson

• She was an American transgender rights activist from 1966 until her death in 1992. Marsha participated in fights with the police during the Stonewall Riots.
• In the early 1970s, Marsha became the co founder of Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R.). and became the “mother” of S.T.A.R. house, providing food and clothing to young trans women living in the house on the Lower East Side of New York.

We started off January with a super high powered, get-it-into-gear Capricorn new moon, so hopefully you started off your year focused on your big goals and taking a practical approach toward making them a reality.

January’s theme of self-sufficiency and self-reliance continue into February. The new moon on February 10th at 21 degrees Aquarius asks us to stand apart and risk being seen as different or iconoclastic, maybe even contrary.

First, the new moon is unaspected, which means it’s unconnected to other celestial bodies. (For astrologers: I’m using a 10-degree orb.) It literally stands apart in the heavens.

Second, the new moon is at the north bendings, the northern most latitude on its journey around the earth. So it’s literally at an extreme, poised to change direction. In fact, the sun and moon are both at this highly sensitive place, and as a consequence, we’re at the kind of pivot point where we need to go it alone, trust our own sense of direction, even when everyone around us is telling us we’re crazy or reckless or wrong or….

Underscoring these themes is the new moon’s placement in Aquarius, a sign known for being futuristic, progressive, even if this means marching quirkily out of step with the rest of the world. It’s connected to groups and collectives, in particular sub-cultures, alliances of likeminded others that have a shared interest or perspective that is outside the mainstream.

So February represents a time in which you may need to take a stand or perhaps put forward a contrary position to retain or become your authentic self and to remain true to your dreams. With Saturn squaring Venus in the new moon chart, this can be a lonely place, but one also of integrity based on a fair assessment of one’s true value. Support comes from those who share your vision, rather than universal support.

With Saturn and Jupiter actively burnishing your dreams this month, lean more toward measured assessments than ungrounded optimism.

Those who can stand on their own and call upon their self-discipline, maturity, and integrity will fare better than those who spin big ideas and set events into motion without any real plan.  The former are likely to make serious headway on a few choice and focused goals, while the latter are likely to end up over-extended and spinning their wheels on pie-in-the-sky ideas.

On February 18th Saturn, Lord of Time, turns retrograde at 11 degrees Scorpio, beginning a five-month period in which we work on interior mastery – shoring up our internal resources – so that we may be more effective masters of our world come the summer.

Then on February 23rd, Mercury also turns retrograde at 20 degrees Pisces. Pisces is a nonlinear sign while Mercury revels in facts and information. Use this more internal period to bring head and heart more into alignment. Hermes (Mercury) was the guardian of thresholds and messenger for the gods. Listen carefully to the stirrings and whispers of intuition while it moves retrograde for the next ten weeks.

The need to unify what you think with what you intuit continues on the full moon on February 25th, falling at 7 degrees Pisces/Virgo and opposing Neptune.  Reason cannot stand on its own, cold and separate from our heart’s deepest longings, nor can our dreams take off and soar if separated from reality.

If you have stayed true to yourself and focused your efforts on goals that matter – without sliding into hypersensitivity, ego, unrealistic expectations, or overextension – you will be positioned to achieve some ambition, or at least take a step toward it, by the month’s end.

So reach for the stars, my friends, but don’t lose sight of terra firma below. February brings real opportunity for thoughtful innovation. You simply need to be willing to err on the side of authenticity, to hold yourself accountable, and to keep aligning your dreams with the current realities of your life so each ultimately supports the other.

2013 February Forecast

If you know your rising sign (the sign on the ascendant at the time of your birth), read that description as well as your birth sign.  If you don’t know your rising sign and would like to find out, click here for instructions.

As always, a broad analysis such as this is no substitute for a personal astrological consultation based your full birth data.  If you are interested in setting up an appointment, please email me or call me at 800.604.0299.

ARIES              TAURUS           GEMINI                 CANCER                LEO                    VIRGO

LIBRA              SCORPIO         SAGITTARIUS        CAPRICORN          AQUARIUS        PISCES

ARIES

Gemstones: Aquamarine

Your friends are your greatest allies this month, Ram. When in doubt, bounce your ideas and aspirations off of them. They freshen your thinking and trigger insights. This month is a fine time for clean sweeps, literally (as in cleaning out closets) or metaphorically (as in bringing chapters of the past to a close).  Spend time alone, especially at month end, for respite and for creative regeneration.

TAURUS

Gemstones: Malachite

If relationships have been challenging as of late, some stocktaking may be in order. As the saying goes, we can’t change anyone but ourselves, so you will find more fruit for your labor if you do the work required on your end and leave others to do their own. Focusing on your career can pay long-term dividends, as can mapping out strategies to meet long-range goals.

GEMINI

Gemstones:  Leopard Jasper

Make February the month that your ideals and beliefs are put into action in your day-to-day world. For instance, if you’ve wanted to meditate regularly, get it on your schedule. Pragmatic, measured approaches to your daily health and work routines pay off right now, so push yourself to establish the habits you’d like to take root and flourish.

CANCER

Gemstones: Azurite

This month is the month of endings, closing one door to walk through to another. For some this will be as mundane as paying off a debt so you have the money available for something else. For others, it may have more esoteric implications, such as slipping into creative or meditative states that allow you to release one way of seeing for another. Open the portal.

LEO

Gemstones: Blue Agate

Get out of the house and circulate a bit this month, Lion. You’re likely to run into innovators who surprise and intrigue you. As you’re in a process of deep interior re-decorating (do I really need to keep that piece of psychic furniture?), fresh perspectives are just what you need. Voices that are more community-minded and egalitarian can help transform your vision.

VIRGO

Gemstones: Rhodonite

Try the unusual this month at work, shake up your normal routines, turn tradition on its head and see what happens. Fresh approaches result in new starts and directions that will stimulate you and your creativity. Relationships can be a bit tetchy, and misunderstandings can crop up.  Remember, your sensitivity is greatly heightened right now, so a breeze can hit you like a tsunami. Let it go and breathe.

LIBRA

Traditional Gemstones: Peridot

Get out and have some fun with friends this month, Libra. Hopefully, one of your New Year’s resolutions was to put yourself on a budget, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself within the limits you’ve set. Toward the end of the month, spend some time by yourself in spiritual retreat or in service to others.

SCORPIO

Gemstones: Lepidolite

Hunker down at home with friends and loved ones for a bit of goofy fun this month, Scorpio. You’ll find it restorative and enlivening, especially if your energy has been low of late.  You continue to need to set boundaries and to set your own direction. As such, the weight of the world can feel as if it rests on your shoulders. Make time for fun, creativity and play to lighten your load.

SAGITTARIUS

Gemstones: Obsidian

It’s hard to turn off your mind this month, Centaur. Every time you turn around, you’re exposed to new ideas and new ways of thinking. You have something to say, too, so get out there and network. Remember to listen, too, as others will act as heralds, showing up with messages. Confusion, disquiet or uncertainty may crop up – perhaps around home or family but often just as an inner state.  Sit with it. What longings does this inner turmoil speak to?

CAPRICORN

Gemstones: Quartz

Take stock of your resources this month: financial, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Giving thanks for what you have allows you to deeply connect with what really matters. This becomes important later in the month when your dreams make subtle shifts, realigning you to your center. You may have fleeting glimpses of what is to be. Don’t worry if you can’t put it into words. Draw pictures, dream it.

AQUARIUS

Gemstones: Carnelian

The spotlight is on you, Waterbearer. What is it you want and how might you make it happen? How about asking for exactly what you desire rather than hanging back and expecting everyone to recognize your contributions? This month, don’t be afraid to promote yourself or your inventive ideas. Your financial situation or your relationship to money may also warrant innovative thinking.

PISCES

Gemstones: Sodalite

Sometimes the best way forward is taking a step back, especially if you feel stuck. You are primed to make a spiritual leap this month, but only if you are willing. Getting distance, spotting where you sabotage your efforts, and transcending an old pattern or behavior that limits you is possible now. It takes humility, a desire to change, and the insight that you are holding the key.  Set yourself free.

TO FIND YOUR RISING SIGN (the Ascendant):

You’ll need the following information: date of birth, place of birth, and, most importantly, time of birth.  Go to the following webpage and select “Extended Chart Selection” at the bottom right section of the page.

• Select the bar which says “Click here to show the chart,” which is to the right and above the “Options” area of the page.
• You should find yourself at another page. Select “Click here to go directly to data entry page.”
• You’ll be taken to the data entry page. Enter your birth data and click on “Continue.”
• Your natal chart with the positions will appear.  At the upper left, look for the information in red text. Your rising sign appears after the word “Ascendant.”

Michelle Gould is a practicing astrologer in Gainesville, Florida.  For more information on her services visit her website or call 800.604.0299.

Brace yourself for slippery descent into a world full of the darker side of sensuality and a study into what creates the sexual being inside of us.  Lightened by expertly placed comedic intervention – this play will have you blushing and laughing – and if you’d care to admit it – squirming slightly warm in your seat.

The blurry lines between control and submission, master and slave, hunter and prey flow and dissolve amidst the palpable sensual tension and you can’t help but to question where true power and sexiness live.

It was mesmerizing to watch Lauren Nordvig completely comfortable and beautiful in her skin, in charge of her sexuality and unapologetic with her standards.  Your hearts spiral with Tim Altmeyer wanting more and more as the play goes on to unpeel and understand him.  These are two actors who never disappoint and can add another stellar performance to their accomplishments.

It’s no secret that we here at Wild Iris Books are fond of strong female characters and Vanda’s character speaks straight to our hearts – stopping Thomas cold when he or the play steps into territory that is disrespectful to women.  And we must admit, some of the fun was glancing over the faces of audience members as they found themselves inadvertently smiling and shifting in their seats.

Once last thing - all you book club members out there, skip the 50 Shades selection and take your crew to see this play.  I promise you a more lively and erotic discussion, with a few perfectly placed laughs along the way.

Visit The Hipp online today to reserve your seats.