Love Signs/ How Astrololgical Sun Signs Effect Your Man

I have been thinking about how different sun signs are in relationships.  Although the other planets have a lot to do with the aspects, I have found certain aspects to be often the case with the men that I have loved.

I am a Virgo, so how other astrological signs get along may be different, but these are my experience with the signs.  I have really been attracted to fellow Virgos and vice versa.  Virgo men are natural healers, organized, perfectionist, nurturing and creative in singing and acting as well as other artistic endeavors.  They like to be on stage.  The only draw back with Virgo men is that they are really critical.  The way they love is like 'if you only wore your hair like this' or 'if you would just stand up straighter.'  Other than that I love Virgo men.

Taurus men are for the most part cheerful, but they have an intensity.  They may have a bad temper.  Other than that they are not the moodiest, not even as moody as Virgo men.  They are for the most part well grounded, but if certain planets effect them, they may be prone to alcoholism.

Then there are the Scorpios.  They are really sexy, even exude sexuality, but they can really sting you.  Scorpio women can also sting, but if you are in love with a Scorpio man, look out.  They can play head games.  They may hurt you intentionally or unintentionally, but they are very attractive, especially to someone like me with moon is Scorpio, not the most self preserving place for the moon to be.

My Venus is in Leo, and so now to talk about the Leo man.  They like to be center stage and are really driven in their careers.  They are pretty easy to get along with for the most part.  In fact they can be really easy going, but they can also be really intense, but wear their heart on their sleeve.

Gemini men are a good match for anyone if they can stop changing their mind long enough.  Gemini and Virgo can be a great combination, but Gemini is a little spacy for the well grounded, organized Virgo.  Remember that Gemini is represented by the twins, because Gemini is like two people in one.  They love intensely, can be amazingly talented in music, and are very loyal.  Their only problem is that they often cannot make up their mind.  However when your Gemini man has his mind made up, there is nothing that can get in his way.  He is extremely effective in life for better or worse.  He has a strong sense of adventure, is a free spirit, and a source of envy for these reasons.  He has a bright personality, a winning smile, and is simply irresistible.  The only downside is if he is too indecisive, but when the Gemini falls in love, he is there for the long haul. 

Cancer is probably the most sensitive and easily hurt of all the signs.  You could say that Cancer men are more in touch with their feminine side in some ways.  He is nurturing.  His home is comfortable and welcoming.  He is hardworking, but will still like doing domestic tasks like cooking.  He will enjoy cooking for you, and may put a lot of thought and skill into it.  Not only does he get his own feelings hurt, he is likely to come home for lunch rather than going out with his coworkers to keep you from being lonely, because he is also sensitive to how you feel.  The only thing is to look out, because if he feels abandoned by you, he is not likely to go through it again.  There are no revolving doors with the Cancer man once he has fallen in love with you.  He can feel manipulated, because he is agreeable, but it often turns into a deep resentment, and there are many things that bother him, some of which he will not immediately say. 

Libra is probably the best guy of all, at least for Virgos with planets like Mars and Mercury in Libra.  The problem is that the Virgo woman might not find him exciting enough, causing her to overlook him for a less appropriate mate that she might not have anything lasting with.  If she can ignore the distractions, she is probably wise to stick with her Libra man, although he can also be fickle.  Still, once he is ready to settle down and commit, he really is.  He is perhaps a bit too easy for her to ride over though, but she could learn to appreciate him, and he would make a suitable husband if it is fated to be.

Capricorn is fiery and there can definitely be some chemistry for Capricorn and Virgo.  The problem with the Capricorn man is that he is a bit domineering and argumentative.  He is hard working, dedicated and can love madly.  Once he is no longer infatuated and feels he comfortably has attained the object of his desire, he may become disenchanted and a bit less demonstrative, but deep down his commitment sustains.  He is a bit of an enigma though, at least to me, and a bit hard to figure out.  Do not try to discuss politics with him, because he has to win every debate.  In fact the debate is more like him talking and you listening.  Still, he is very persistent in his pursuits and most likely not going anywhere, so do not worry too much if a Capricorn man is the object of your affection.  There may be some conflicts, but he may be the King of Hearts for sure.

Who Can Find Her?

In winter she wears soft scarves of bright color,
Brews teas rich from afar, burns incense earthen and warm all through summer,
Eyes of honey amber, amethyst blue,
Her lamp's light burns all the night through.

She weaves cloth and creates silver jewels with gentle hands,
Brings to merchants across the grass, hills and sands,
Purples and fuchsias, magenta strands,
And her skillful virtues are voiced throughout the lands.

Dimpled cheek and bright smile,
Free of deceit or the slightest of guile,
She innocently and humbly gives to the poor,
No injustice to others will she ever ignore.

Strong arms from reaping the harvest,
Bringing forth surplus fruits the ripest,
While honeysuckle blooms by her door's entrance,
Her hearth never bare of rich sustenance. 

Who can find her, a woman as such?,
I know no greater virtue or beauty you could touch,
As bright as the flame that burns from her candle,
As every nuance of discord she can simply handle.

Who can find her?,
A virtuous woman, who can find?

My Attempt to Be More Like Halle Berry

    

     Yes, the title kind of gives it away.  This summer, after Nashville and Revenge were over and had their finales on ABC, I turned to three shows mainly over the summer: Hannibal NBC, gruesome but good, a bit dark to see with my vision (my son could see it better across the room, just missing a lot of blood), The Bachelorette, a lot of crying and drama, Bachelor in Paradise, which may as well be called either 'Boys Dumping Girls' or 'Pretty White Kids Looking For Love,' since as my son pointed out, no one on it is anything but white, and last but not least Extant CBS where Halle Berry plays an astronaut in the future who has two sons, one half alien called the hybrids, which Molly played by Halle Berry becomes herself eventually, and the other son an android called the humanics.  It is the future, and the human race is going extinct.  The humanics who were made to be soldiers and to fight, have gone rogue and are killing the hybrids who are actually good but fierce if attacked.  The humanics ultimately turn against humanity led by one especially diabolical but pretty female humanic who's name I forget, and Halle Berry and her comrads destroy the humanics eventually, with the exception of Ethan, her little boy due to a special computer firewall created by Molly's dead husband, John.  Julie, the scientist figures this out on the computer, franticly trying to save Ethan who they all love dearly.  Meanwhile, the humanics all in route to different destinations from Mumbai to Paris to St. Petersburg with vials of a virus to kill humanity, all get sick and die on their respective airplanes.
     As everyone knows, Halle Berry is possibly the most beautiful woman on earth, she has the greatest hairstyle on this show, layered with bangs and highlights, and I thought it might be a good style for me.  I went to get my hair cut and asked for her hairstyle.  Christen, my stylist, looked on her cell phone and brought up a picture of the old Halle Berry with short hair.  I said, "no, put in Halle Berry 2015."
      She did and brought up a picture of Halle Berry on a scene from Extant.  I said, "that's it.  That's the one."
      Christen said, "I can do it, but you will have to work on it, blow dry it every day, use a curling iron.  It will be time consuming."
     I said, "oh never mind then.  I like to just wash my hair, scrunch it a bit, let it dry natural and occasionally dry it straight or I should say straightish, as well as combing and brushing it once or twice a day."  I haven't had a high maintenance hairstyle since the late seventies to early eighties when I was in college. So, I just went with some layering around my face, declining layers in the back, since I did not really want big eighties hair, although I can show you some pictures of me when I was young with 'big' hair.  I realize I do have a lot of time, but I do not think I need to spend that much time just to go to the grocery store. 
     Next or a few days later, I went to a discount store to shop for things I need like scouring pads, toothpaste, clothing and what not.  I came across Halle Berry Jasmine Perfume.  It also came with lotion.  I opened the box and took out the beautiful little bottle (I love perfume bottles) and sprayed a squirt on my wrist and rubbed together.  It was intoxicating, so delicate and fresh, a really nice scent but not overpowering.  I proceeded to take that to the register with my other items, but my wrists started to itch, which happens when I am allergic to a perfume, so I had to go wash it off in the restroom.  I could not get the perfume, which is okay, because I already have Remembrance Forever Mine, which is the knockoff of Romance Always Yours by Ralph Lauren, although the knock off has the usual disclaimer that reads 'not associated with Ralph Lauren Romance.'
      All in all what did I learn from this experience?  Well, I learned what I already know, that I just have to be myself even if I can't be as gorgeous as Halle Berry.  Maybe I am just as beautiful in my own special way if that does not sound too corny.  I really do believe that we all have beauty, and especially when the inner beauty has room to shine.  I even believe there is someone for everyone, and even if we never find them like some lucky ones, they are still out there or possibly we already know them, only our circumstances keep us from being a couple, and that is okay too, because love is all that really counts deep down.  Namaste.

    

More Advice On Clearing Space

Getting rid of too much stuff is a really good thing to do.  It helps with the whole feng shui mood, and it keeps your home or office more spacious, organized, clean and workable.  It makes finding things easier.
 
The hardest thing for me to part with at times is clothing.  There are many blogs on this whole minimalist movement, but I have an accumulation of ideas from experience and research, as well as years of living in a small home.

Sometimes not having so many little containers for small odds and ends, but rather just putting them in a small drawer is a better idea.  I ended up with clear dresser drawers, which I could put in the living room for tools, flashlights, etc., because I got rid of so many junky clothes I owned.  Well, they were not necessarily all junky, but either too cheap, too trendy, too small, too big, too worn out, or I just did not like it any longer, not to mention the bad memory things, as well as things from other eras of my life.  Still, sentimentality certainly has a place.  I owned a navy hoodie sweatshirt from the time I was thirteen until I was about thirty-six, and it was covered with paint and holes, and really short from shrinkage.

One thing you can do to keep from accumulating too many clothes is to not have too many hangers.  This is a method I learned online like many other things.  Throw out stuff with holes and permanent stains, although I still believe in the art of darning socks, which are hard to find good quality in.  My sister darned mine, because my eyes are so bad I cannot see the thread.  Sewing is hard for me, but believe it or not, blind people do sew.

One thing I suggest not cluttering with is batteries.  After seeing this blog about a guy's house that burned down because of recycling 9volt batteries that you put in a smoke detector and how you should cover the receptors with electric tape before disposing, I really suggest not hoarding batteries or anything for that matter.

I think replacing things is a good practice.  I recently got a new welcome mat, as well as a new rug for wiping your feet on the inside.  My younger son and I re-carpeted a room last summer for my other son, so I do believe in replacing things. 

Back to clothing, you know you got rid of stuff you needed to when you cannot even really remember what they were.  Sometimes I miss stuff, and I am more thoughtful about it for that reason now.  After all, clothing are a bit expensive these days, though I suppose they were more scarce and relatively more expensive when I was a kid.  We did not have much then in terms of clothing.  Then I was in the clothing retail business when I was young in the eighties (nineteen and twenty I mean), and I think that is when clothes were getting more affordable.  That is until I lived in L.A. for three years where everything was more expensive, but most of my life has been spent on the southeast coast.

I will be writing more soon about the problem of keeping an uncluttered environment, unless I find some new interest.  One thing I have noticed is how attractive things look when organized and clear.  It is also a lot easier to clean when surfaces are clear.  Getting rid of out of date medicine and cosmetics as well as vitamins is a good way to clear bathroom and kitchen space as well.

Now we have a light and clear space where chakras can get into alignment, and we have more room for yoga and dancing, even playing music, more room for joy, just being joyous.  Namaste.

Ten Ways to Be Happier

"Let in the light it will heal you and you will feel you, you can be happy..."  Chris Williamson: Song of the Soul

When I am worried or upset, fearful or just sad, I have some mantras or things I tell myself, and these may be helpful to you too.  Recently, a friend of mine paid for a twenty minute psychic reading for me at a psychic fair they had in town.  I was allowed to ask three questions, and most of the time ended up being about the first question, which was about someone else close to me.  I used the word 'bleak' about the future, and she said I was putting a judgment on it. 

This was a new concept for me.  I knew about judgment and letting go of it from yoga and a Course in Miracles, but I suppose I had forgotten in all my worries and conflicts.  So, I would say that number one would be letting go of judgment.  Every time you have a negative thought, just say 'judgment' and let it go.

The second thing to remember is 'feelings are not facts.'  I love that saying, which of course you have probably heard before.  It is a common saying in Alcoholics Anonymous, and it is very true.  Just because you feel a certain way, it does not mean what you feel is exactly what is.

Number three would be to remember that 'this too shall pass.'  Everything does.  This is both an old fashioned expression, but also one used in twelve step programs.  Everything does come to pass, and this is true.

Number 4: There is always someone who has it worse.  Sometimes I feel bad that I have RP, and that I gave it to my kids genetically.  However, there are terrible birth defects and cancers, which can also be congenital or 50/50 chance of inheriting.  Many of these are far worse than retinitis pigmentosa, even though RP is certainly not a good thing.  Forgive me for making a judgment.  See, there it is again.

5: Remember the Bob Dylan song from his 'born again Christian' era in the eighties, Serve Somebody?  Sometimes just getting out of self for awhile can help.  Volunteer at a homeless shelter.  Give someone a ride who does not have a car.  Ask an old person or a blind person if they need anything at the store.  Call someone who has not been feeling well, and ask them how they are doing.  Help someone less fortunate than you are. 

6: Do not call five different people and tell them your problems.  Everyone would have different advice, and that would be confusing.  Trust your own gut.  Believe what your higher mind or higher self tells you.  Get in touch with your inner life through meditation and solitude.  Pause.  Also, remember that if you make a decision based on what just momentarily feels better, knowing that the facts make it a bad decision, like taking back a partner you are attached to knowing it did not ever work, then this is not a good decision, only a fix for your addiction, a momentary 'feel better.'  You might ask one person, one confidant like a counselor, and just make a decision right or wrong.  I have made myself sick in my younger days, chewing over a decision until I had no decision left to make.  I was not empowering myself, because I was so full of fear of abandonment.  Fear is everything love is not, so let go of fear and stand strong.  The best decisions can feel terrible and wrong, but 'this too shall pass,' and the rewards will be paramount. 

7: Exercise when you do not feel like it.  Get a lot of rest.  Drink plenty of water.  Take vitamins.  Take long baths, and then dry off in a luxurious spa robe.  Eat healthy food.  Get a haircut or a manicure.  Put lotion all over your body.  Wear sunscreen.  Protect your eyes.  Love yourself.  Buy yourself a treat once in a while if you can afford it.  It does not have to be expensive.  A box of incense is enough of a treat for me sometimes. 

The eighth way to be happier is a big one.  Expectations are a real way to become unhappy.  It is not good to have expectations.  It is important to ask things of people and want them to do their best as well as yourself.  Just do not get upset when people do not meet your expectations, even you. 

This leads me to nine, which is, do not have resentments.  We all do, but you need to write it down and put it in a God box.  Let it go.  'Resentment is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die.'  It is also 'renting space to others in your head.'  It only hurts you.

Number 10 finally: "How 'bout getting off these antibiotics..."  Alanis Morrisett, a metaphor meaning 'anti-life.'  Surround yourself only with positive and healthy people.  Clean house.  Get rid of toxic people, places and things.  Purge.  Get rid of it.  Trust yourself when you feel bad vibes.  Use a sage stick to smudge the bad vibes away.  Burn a candle.  Sing, do yoga and meditate.  Listen to music.  Watch a comedy or your favorite TV show or movie.  Walk in the garden, and pick up a wounded butterfly like I did the other day.  Smell the roses.  Notice the honeysuckle when you are weeding.  Feel the gentle breeze.  Do sun salutations, cartwheels on the beach.  Pet a cat, a dog.  The suggestions are infinite, but mostly just appreciate life.  It does not last forever.  Namaste.

Too Much Stuff/ Too Little Money/ Less Stuff Equals More Money

American commerce is a big thing.  I do not usually like to discuss money, but it seems like when I have too much stuff, I do not have enough money, and when I have less stuff, clothing, blankets, CD's or you name it, I can pay my bills with more ease.

When I was growing up in the sixties and seventies, we had so few clothes, one jacket, one pair of jeans, one pair of shoes, shorts were cut-off jeans, and you wore hand-me-downs.  This was because 1) clothes were more expensive then, and 2) I grew up in a rural area without any nearby stores.  You picked stuff up at a Sears pick up place, and there was one major department store about thirty minutes away called 'Chapin,' which is today closed.  They had everything from food to hardware to clothing for every member of the family.

When I was in my early twenties, I lived in Los Angeles, was married, worked and had a baby in daycare.  However, we were really poor, and I had very few clothes.  The ones I did have were outdated and out of style.  I must have looked like such a small town girl. 

Once, however, I received fifty dollars from my mother for Christmas in the mail.  I went down to Melrose Avenue, and I bought a pair of black stretch skinny jeans.  Believe it or not, they were a size three.  I wore those pants a lot.  But, back to present.

I guess I cannot seem to balance my obtaining and purging process.  Just when I think I have it down to a science, I think I need something.  However, I can go a long time with things falling apart before I break down and get another.  Part of that is transportation, and the other half is financial.  I am still wondering who I will get to do carpentry around here. 

I guess the thing to think about is, 'do I need this?'  I guess need is more important than want in the big picture. 

'Tonight I'm Cleaning Out My Closet'

     So this has been a big project for me.  Not only finally did I get a new bed thanks to family members, but I have been getting rid of stuff I do not need or want.
     I read numerous blogs to help me figure out the best ways to do this.  Some of the minimalists were just too minimal for me.  I mean for me, one pair of jeans is so not enough.
     I did learn the basics of clothes purging though.  1) If it does not fit now, it is probably not going to.  2) If you have not worn it in a year, out it goes.  3) If it is worn out and pilled.  4) If it is too trendy or young for you now.  5) If it is just good memories, take a picture.  It will last longer, lol, except something like my son Teddy's wolf cub shirt with all its badges.  I even bought a little box just for this and the ascot as well.  I also saved my other son David's swim team sweatshirt and tee-shirt, as well as his North Myrtle Beach High School icon patch for being a senior athlete.  That is different however.  I did keep a leather jacket that my ex husband bought me as a birthday gift more than twenty years ago, as well as a Victoria's Secret fuchsia bathrobe, given to me by a long term boyfriend, because they were in perfect condition, really nice gifts, and very expensive and hard to replace.  Back on the list, 6) If it has bad memories or a vibe you do not like, 7) you just do not like it, 8) it does not look good (you have to try things on), 9) It is not your style anymore, such as a suit when you no longer work in an office or a million yoga outfits if you do not teach yoga anymore, so you only need a couple, and 10) you just have way too many and have to part with some of them, whether it be tee-shirts or leggings.  Just keep the ones you really like.
     Now I want to talk about the things that can go wrong.  You sometimes can get carried away and give up something you really like.  I have been known to ask the Goodwill if they had seen a certain thing I wanted back.  Never any luck.  I have even practically dived back into a giveaway bin to retrieve a blouse I did not mean to give. 
     Recently, I did not go this far, but I was doing this great job of getting rid of stuff, and I got rid of a baby blue hoodie, a men's one, small.  I really wanted it back, and could not find one, but I ultimately found one like it, only it's a pullover rather than zip up, and a different brand, but cheap and same color and size, also from the men's department.  Sometimes women can buy certain unisex items cheaper like a hoodie, in the men's department, that are really nice.
     Usually I just forget about what I part with, but I had this whole experience with one other item, and I suppose it was just attachment or the grass greener.  I had to get rid of some long sleeve jersey tops, because I had so many.  I got rid of a couple of shirts I had worn and worn for the last ten years or more, one burgundy and easy to replace, which was really worn out, and one navy and gray striped sweater with very elegant navy ribbed cuffs that were very long.  It had a plunging V-neck.  It was pilled and I was sick of it, and had been slightly annoyed and bored with it every time I tried to wear it in the last two years or more.  Still, I got in my head, that it was just the greatest shirt, and if I could only have that one thing, I'd give away everything, not really, lol, but practically. 
     Long story short, I found one just as nice on Body Central, and my sister took me to the local shop here, and I was able to get one, and it is actually nicer by far than it said on the website in terms of material.  I love it.
     So, I hope this was interesting, although a bit light weight.  I guess clothes can be interesting though.  The moral of the story is, 'it's all good.'