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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving - New Moon, Mercury in Retro, and a Solar Eclipse!

Dear friends,

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope the long Thanksgiving Day weekend brings each and every one of you a chance to reflect, rest, and recharge.

This is a perfect time to really get into the spirit of the holiday. You could

* make a gratitude list
* call a friend
* take the time to really be present in your life
*unwind and recharge

Astrologically, things are heating up. On Friday, the New Moon goes into bright and clear, spiritually oriented Sagittarius. It's our time to manifest Sag-style wishes such as:

* kindred spirits
* religious or philosophical answers
* a dedication to the truth
* getting excited and working toward the BIG PICTURE, as opposed to the small details
 
What Else Is Going On?
 
Just in time for the New Moon, we also hit the Solar Eclipse in Sag as well, bringing major changes. Since Sagittarius is a positive, hopeful sign, consider this New Moon/Eclipse double the energy, double the fun. Plus, toss in the Mercury in Retrograde in Sag from Thanksgiving Day until Dec 14th, and be sure to double check emails and communication skills.
 
Solar Eclipses are known to:
* dislodge situations that aren't working
* clear the path for new and fresh starts
* remove the "pothole" from your path
* clean house in a major way
* force "fate" to get involved - things happen for reasons you can't imagine

Retrograde Cycles are known to:
* confuse communication or create technological issues
* force you to be very clear about travel issues
* bring old friends or lovers back for resolution

While the Mercury in Sag is squaring off to Mars, we may see areas where the communication (and dreams of communication) don't quite match the reality of the day to day grind (Mars) yet. That's ok - just keep chugging along, making allowances for Retro snafus.


Overall, this is a powerful time for us - a time to clean house, be thankful and move forward as we get closer to 2012.

All my best and a Happy Thanksgiving!

Marissa
 

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

New Moon in Scorpio - "Dig Deep! Power Up!"




New Moon in Scorpio on October 26, 2011!
(Happy birthday Scorpio? Want a reading? Go here or check out our Facebook page!

The Scorpio New Moon occurs at 3 degrees at 3:57 pm on October 26, 2011.

Scorpio shines a spotlight on the darker areas of our lives. Scorpio energy is powerful, passionate, intense, spiritual, and amazingly strong. The negative side of Scorp? Obsessive, controlling, and dark. We've got this powerful, powerful placement in the New Moon tomorrow night and it will remain there for about 2.5 days. However, we'll be riding out the tide of the Scorpio New Moon for the next two weeks. 

New Moons open the door to manifestation. They ask if we can work with energy and give us a special astrological passport to accomplish and co-create with the universe, so we've got the wonderful chance to really manifest Scorpio issues (see list below) in the next two weeks. 

The Sun is in Scorpio - and the Scorpio New Moon will match it tomorrow night, giving us a double whammy of Scorpio energy. Enough to blast the door open. Enough to plow through hardship and come out, renewed. Enough to really, really, really dig deep and get moving. There's a Facebook image based on the Occupy Wall Street Movement. It's called Occupy the Present and the caption is "Dig deep. Power up!" If I tried, I could not think of a more perfect saying for the New Moon in Scorpio. "DIG DEEP. POWER UP." Bingo! Allow yourself to pay attention to where you are and what you want. Be as authentic as possible.

The New Moon in Scorpio gives you power in the following (Scorpio themed) areas:
  • psychological change
  • courage 
  • the ability to go into the dark and come out into the light
  • exploration of your inner self
  • rebirth
  • regeneration
  • personal clarity
  • passion - that starts with the spirit
  • healing, primarily deep psychological or sexual healing since both psychology and sex are ruled by Scorpio
What else is going on with this New Moon?:

Scorpio energy cleanses the old stuff and breaks it down, so that the new stuff can be born. On October 28, 2011, two days after this Scorpio New Moon, Jupiter (in sensual, earthy, grounded Taurus) trines Scorpio's ruler Pluto (in cranky, slow-moving, status-loving Capricorn). (Some believe that is the actual day that the Mayan calendar ends and projects us into an early "2012" - setting the stage for some major growth potential, both collectively and individually).

What does this mean? Basically the planet of luck (Jupiter) and the planet of the underworld and massive change (Pluto) are joining forces to bring great expansion and luck (a Jupiter quality) as the universe cleans out its closets in order to make room for the new (a Pluto quality) . In other words? Anything you want to drag up from your own personal underworld can only serve you and actually bring you luck and growth (although since Jupiter is in Retrograde until December 25, expect the major movement in this area to be after Christmas). 

Have any questions? Be sure to visit Happy Ganesh on Facebook or drop me an email here.



Monday, October 10, 2011

Full Moon in Aries, Sun in Libra




Tomorrow, the Full Moon in Aries will hit at around 10 pm, and last for around 2.5 days.

We've got a few interesting things going on here.
1) The Sun (identity) is in Libra
2) Saturn is still in Libra until the fall of 2012
3) The Full Moon in Aries asks us where are WE in relationships. Where do we fit in?

The start of the month asked us to manifest peaceful relationships. Saturn continues to ask us "What mature lessons are we learning?" The Full Moon in Aries wants what it wants. It asks you to feel the fiery, passionate, let's-do-it-now gasbag of feeling. This is a little bit like having part of our nature that will want peace and harmony (Sun Libra), the other part will want what it wants right the f*** now (Moon Aries), and the wise, old teacher in the corner (Saturn in Libra) asking us to make wise, long-term decisions. This Full Moon is going to ask us to focus on the self, in lieu of other "peace-making" chances and ask us to remember where we are, to not give ourselves up for the sake of Sun Libra peace and harmony. The Full Moon in Aries is also going to encourage us to make fast, quick changes - and the Saturn Libra (til 2012) will encourage us to be that image of the wise old teacher to ourselves.

This is the culmination of the Sun/Moon Libra (New Moon) at the start of the month.

The Aries Full Moon asks you if you have the COURAGE, WILL, AND WARRIOR SPIRIT to follow through with the Libra New Moon of PEACE, BALANCE, AND LOGIC.



Image: Creative Commons

Monday, September 26, 2011

All About Libra: The New Moon, Relationship Energies and More




We're about to enter into the New Moon in Libra on September 27th. This means that the universe is supporting us as we work to create


  • harmonious partnerships
  • balanced friendships
  • fair relationships of all kinds
  • health in areas of the body ruled by Libra, including the lower back and stomach
  • seeing the other person's side - even if you disagree
  • honoring cooperation and fair play
  • art or music that uplifts and creates beauty
  • business practices or social activism that help create balance and equality
Libra is Justice personified, but it is also Justice, ruled by the Goddess of Love. Libra's desire is to be fair and balanced, while still holding space for human connection and romance. Some astrologers see Libra as fluffy and romantic, dancing around on bubble-gum clouds, forever fashion-concious and unable to make up their minds. Not so! Joan of Arc had Libra planets and so have many famous warriors. The crux of Libra is in a perfect blend of fairness vrs. unfairness.  The 7th house in the wheel of the zodiac rules Libra - romantic partners (and not merely casual lovers), enemies, and lawyers all find their home here. 

Right now, we've got some fantastic and interesting Libra energy bouncing around. Not only is the New Moon in Libra for the next few days, and obviously our Sun is in Libra until October 23, but Saturn (lessons) and Mercury (thought) are also in Libra.  Venus (the planet of love) is also in Libra, its natural home. Love lessons (Saturn) with a gentle twist are here right now.  

Also, thanks to Uranus (the rebel planet) in Aries and Pluto (deep psychological transformation) in Capricorn, relationships and partnerships of all kinds are getting looked at under a bit of a celestial microscope - what doesn't fit - or doesn't fit right now - may drop (gently) away. However, the keywords here are "fair", "balanced", "graceful", and "diplomatic." Even relationships or unions that break up under this influence will go forward with a mutual sense of peace and harmony, with an emphasis on understanding the other's point of view. No throwing of dishes here! On the flip side, relationships that do stick under this romantic and cooperative influence are wielded through change and psychological growth.

New Perspectives

Libra energy puts the emphasis on what we can do as humans when we're in balance - with ourselves and with others in a solid partnership. The key of Libra is interdependency - what astrologer Linda Goodman once called "a perfect blend of summer and winter." How would interactions involve if you were in balance with yourself? What personal harmony and security can you bring to situations outside yourself, if you first tune yourself in? Libra promises to help us answer these questions, especially this month. We can begin to trust in ourselves and our ability to build cooperation with others in fair and balanced relationships, partnerships, marriages, and duos. 

Famous Libra Energy!

1)  John Lennon (born October 9th) was the lead singer of the Beatles. He merged romance (Yoko Ono) and political activism, Libra-style. Here he is, singing about a very Libran concept - karma.


2) Oscar winner Kate Winslet (Titanic, Revolutionary Road), born October 5, brings her class and intelligence to whatever role she's in.
Here she is in the trailer for Contagion (2011).


3) Jane Austen was a Sun Sagittarius but her Moon in Libra led her to create some of the world's first romantic comedies, which all focus on the ins and outs of love and partnership. Here's the trailer for 2005's Pride and Prejudice.


4) Happy Ganesh: Happy Ganesh was born on October 9, 2009, making it a Sun Libra. Happy birthday, Happy Ganesh! We love you. Thanks for writing, guiding, and connecting, and doing your groovy little Ganesh dance along the way. :-) (Here's M.C. Yogi, singing about Ganesh.)


Want more? Want a personalized reading? Want your work edited? Want original blog posts, created especially for your small business? Give us a shout at info@happyganesh.com or check out our main page at www.happyganesh.com

Want the writing blog? Pop over here to get grammar tips, blogs about the publishing industry, and more.

'Til next time.


"Libra Sign Coin -2008"Image: Armenian via Creative Commons


Monday, September 12, 2011

Full Moon in Pisces

We're in the Full Moon in Pisces for the next 2.5 days. The Full Moons present a challenge for us. Whereas New Moons start a chance to manifest a new situation, Full Moons ask us if we can integrate that specific energy into our New Moon (manifestation) plan.

This Full Moon in Pisces is especially poignant because of yesterday's anniversary of 9/11. It's been ten years since the world was rocked and New York stood tall and proud. Ten years of mourning, hope, prayers, and regrowth.

Along similar lines, the Full Moon in Pisces reminds us that we must maintain an internal connection to spirituality, regardless of what its earthy, opposite sign Virgo (now in the Sun) is doing. The Virgo Sun (and the recent Virgo New Moon) shows us the opportunity to integrate ourselves with the detail-oriented, material world. The Full Moon in Pisces reminds us that no "real world" interaction is fully complete without our emotions and connection to our spirituality, our compassion, and our imagination. Whatever house Pisces falls in your chart, you may see something end only to pave the way for something new.

To celebrate the Full Moon
  • integrate your compassion and universal humanity into your business plan or other "earthy" endeavour
  • work with children or animals
  • ask that blocks to your compassion/humanity be removed
In Full Moons, the astrological monthly tide is going out. What elements would you like to be removed?

Til next time,
Marissa

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Jupiter in Taurus goes Retrograde Today Until Christmas!


Taurus the Bull (Frozen, Like Retro)


Today, Jupiter, the planet of luck and expansion in Taurus (planet of beauty, slow growth, and sensuality) goes Retrograde (backwards) until Christmas day. What does this mean for you?

First of all, Retrograde gets a bad rap. It's during Mercury in Retrograde that we're used to communication blowouts, computer explosions, and relationship/friendship confusion. It's during Venus Retro that we can expect love to sllooooow down. But really, all Retro does is put a specific planet into hibernation for a while - all the energy is there, but it's just gone for a nap.

However, here's what is nice about a Jupiter Retrograde: it's still lucky. Jupiter is the planet of luck so astounding you cannot believe it. It's Santa Claus bringing unexpected presents. It's international and/or expansive. Having a transit or natal chart planet in Jupiter is like watching that area of your life get blown up with a helium pump! Bigger, faster, more fun than ever! Jupiter is also the ruling planet of Sagittarius, one of the most spiritual, belief-oriented signs of the zodiac, so when Jupiter is in Retrograde we start to take that global spiritual perspective back into ourselves, making ourselves our own compasses.

Retrogrades ask us to please keep it a little bit quiet, to reflect, to get clear on our motivations. Maybe no big stage shows until Christmas, but it will ask you to allow the universe to slow you down a little. It's like an automatic reset -- things getting too intense? "No problem", says the universe. "We'll go into Retro." What can you watch for?

  • money issues from the past (Retro rules the past) in flux until Christmas
  • financial concerns from the past being slowly fixed behind the scenes
  • back up your values, stand up for your belief system within yourself 
  • focus on internal strength and values (there's that word again!)
  • .....and less on the outer trappings of "luck"

Around Christmas, we'll be able to move ahead feeling financially stronger and more spiritually connected, which will be wonderful. Right now, we're being asked to replenish our own inner core with Taurus principals (money, values, belief systems). Be patient, ground into your personal values and build from the inside out. It doesn't matter who is watching.


Image:  Enygmatic-Halycon

Monday, August 22, 2011

The Big Move - Reposted from Happy Ganesh Writing!

(Reposted from Happy Ganesh's Writing Wonderland!)
Boy howdy, do we have big news. Do we ever!

MHC's Writing Wonderland is the writing side of my business Happy Ganesh.

On August 24, 2011, HappyGanesh.com will launch a BRAND NEW SITE, featuring fun stuff like

  • gorgeous new look
  • free videos about writing!
  • bookstore
  • a complete list of blogs and publications
  • a merch store and more!

Here's our new banner. 


Best of all? We've got a newsletter that can give you info about both sides of Happy Ganesh - either this blog (astrology) or the second blog all about writing. (Want to get both blogs to your inbox? Sign up by email on either blog . To info about ALL things Happy Ganesh, go to the main site on 8/24 and sign up for our newsletter!

Our QR Code
We're so excited that we forgot how to punctuate correctly and started writing words IN ALL CAPS LIKE THIS. That's what happens when we totally forget ourselves. 

Once again, HappyGanesh.com (the new, uber-exciting version will be up on 8/24! Yeah!)

Check it out.


Monday, August 15, 2011

Full Moon in Aquarius, Sun in Leo




Tonight, on August 13, the Full Moon in Aquarius comes to town. As always, Full Moons are indicative of some kind of completion. Any time you’re dealing with Aquarius energy, it’s like looking at a download of universal information – something is changing, something is happening, everything is shifting – with an eye toward freedom and friendship – for the better. With the Full Moon in Aquarius, we’re dealing with the power and magic of groups and community – and the unique way that those arenas are serving to nurture your Leo style (creative, flamboyant) dreams.
Do you have the larger picture of group support and true friendship (AQUARIUS FULL MOON) in place so that you can realize your dreams of creativity and dramatic self-expression (LEO NEW MOON, EARLER THIS MONTH)?
As always, the New Moon opens the cycle while the Full Moon closes it and brings it to completion. This is a great time to focus on Aquarius-style themes such as
  • communities
  • thinking about  - and planning for –  a transformative, freedom-loving future
  • your place in the unique world of social technology or the internet
  • friendships that offer a lot of freedom to be yourself
  • breaking down old ways and re-establishing new forms of living
If you have Aquarius in _________ House, You’ll Be Finding Friendship and Freedom (or Huge, Aquarius-style, Life Altering Changes For the Better!) in the Areas of ______.
1st house – Self-Love
2nd house – Money
3rd house – communication and neighbors
4th – home
5th – love/creativity/children
6th – work
7th – marriage partners and divorce partners
8th – sex/death/other people’s money
9th – travel and learning
10th – career
11th – friendship/freedom/groups
12th – secrets
Have questions? Want a personal reading? Feel free to drop a line at marissa@happyganesh.com

Grammarly.com Piece is Up!




The Books and Books reading was a smashing success. More on that later, but in the meantime, here’s the fantastic ad that ran in the Books and Books flier.
http://www.moafl.org/eblast/august_2011_events.html
(It seems that Retrograde has come to the HG blog. We’re having some slight technical difficulties this week, so please copy and paste the above link into your web browser to view the ad.)
Also, a few weeks ago, the lovely folks over at Grammarly.com comissioned a blog piece about grammar in the real world. It’s up, it’s funny, and we’re darn proud of it – and plus, the Grammarly.com team are amazing, intelligent people who really believe in the power of the written word to change the world. Thanks Grammarly.com!
Check out the piece over at the writing side of Happy Ganesh.
http://mhcwritingwonderland.blogspot.com/2011/08/dating-in-grammar-free-zone.html 

Mercury in Retrograde (8/2-8/26)




On this, the second day of Mercury in Retrograde Leo (and in Virgo from 8/8-8/26), communication in the areas of self love (Leo) and health (Virgo) will be coming back around. If we don’t show ourselves to ourselves, we can never be healed.
What does this mean on a deeper level? First of all, as usual, Retro requires a certain amount of patience. It’s not a good idea to run around doing any of the following:
  • signing paperwork
  • making commitments that you can’t undo later
  • buying large electronic items such as a car or a computer. If there’s no way around this, it’s a good idea to check the return policies, just in case.
Mercury in Retrograde has unique lessons for us, especially when the Mercury is split. In other words, we’re going to have Mercury Retrograde in picky, health-focused, type A, organized Virgo
until 8/8 and then from 8/8 to 8/26, Mercury in Retrograde will be in courageous, heart-centered Leo
. Focus on where you have those two planets. For example, if your Sun or Rising Sign is in Leo, expect your self esteem and communication to feel a little shaky (and potentially healing) until 8/8 when you can expect communication about financial concerns to take on a whole different light. People sometimes don’t mean what they say or written communications can become hazy. Be careful to clarify what you mean.
Not sure? Feel free to contact me at marissa@happyganesh.com for more details or for a full reading.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

The Resurrection of the Oxford Comma







Reposted from a merry little freak out over at my writing home.

The Oxford Comma - Dead, Now Alive!

The Oxford Comma is Dead.

The Oxford Comma, best known in recent years for confusing the living hell out of college students and pleasing professional writers worldwide, died on June 29, 2011 in the pages of one of the University of Oxford's style guide."


Read my article all about the happy return of the Oxford Comma here.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Jeff Brown: Union from Disharmony.



Jeff Brown at Soulshaping.com is a profound and gorgeous writer. He wrote two pieces that moved me, made me ache, and really made me feel into whatever it is that teaches us about old relationship patterns - with ourselves and with lovers.

He articulates with great beauty, empathy, and intelligence, the masks, images, and divides that we create - and the extent that self-love and understanding can heal the split within. I also feel these essays are relevant, no matter what your sexual orientation is.

Apologies to the Divine Feminine (from a warrior in transition)

Apologies to the Sacred Masculine (the letter this warrior in transition would like to receive)



These are not mine. All copyrights belong to Jeff Brown at Soulshaping.com. I post his links out of gratitude and a desire to share their honesty and bravery.

Why am I moved to post them now? It could be the upcoming New Moon and Eclipse in Cancer, symbolising our own inner change in relation to nurturance and mothering - and the way the cosmos seem to be creating a gameplan to create change and new, daring foundations. It could be that the more I learn about my own disharmonies and inner unions, the more I become curious about ways to heal and/or celebrate them.  And the more I become curious about the ways we can heal each other, through our own self-understanding and love.

Image: Creative Commons

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

What's a Happy Ganesh? And...Happy Birthday Cancer!

***If you're reading this through email, please click through to view the Youtube videos!**

We're going to explore two things in this post.
1) What's a Happy Ganesh? What do we do? We've got the answer for you below.

and 2) Happy Birthday Cancer!!!!! Scroll to the bottom to get some information and some fun youtube videos all about you and your qualities!

What is a "Happy Ganesh"?

We sometimes get this question, usually followed by "isn't a Ganesh one of those things you buy at a deli?" No, that's a knish.

Here's Who We Are

Happy Ganesh is a firm dedicated to educating and empowering people through creative writing consulting and grounded and confidential astrological and intuitive sessions. Happy Ganesh encourages and supports our 200 + clients to use both left and right sides of their brain in order to achieve joy and confidence in their lives. HG is also an active community supporter for Gilda's Club, a cancer support network, and The Harvey Milk School in New York, devoted to the safety of GLBT youth.

From writing to astrology and back again - that's who we are.
---------------------

And it's all about Cancer - because it's time to celebrate the crab.

Cancers are best known for their sensitivity, their orientation towards family and their love of music -which is in part what we're going to celebrate tonight.

1) Here's Cancer Ringo Star singing "It Don't Come Easy."

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZfAik7wP8U

2) Here's Cancer Mercury Rufus Wainwright (with help from Shrek) singing "Hallelujah" - a great example of Cancer's natural spirituality.



3) Cancer Suzanne Vega got this catchy/annoying beat into everyone's head in the 90s - Here's "Tom's Diner" - all about one of Cancer's favorite things, food.



4) Cancer Sun George M. Cohan was best known as the "Yankee Doodle Dandy."

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse on June 15!



We're heading into a double set of energy -- a Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse in Sag (at 25 degrees, starting around 1:12 pm tomorrow.)
  • The Full Moon in Sagittarius: As always, Full Moons close out the manifestation stages opened in the New Moon in Gemini. My regular readers will remember that I often compare the New Moon to opening a cosmic door and the Full Moon to closing a door, or being active about the goals/manifestations. With a Full Moon in Sag, our sense of the larger picture may be challenged. We may not be able to see the garden for the flower - and we may have no idea how we'll  get to There from Here. (The key is to listen to your heart.) Typical questions asked during this kind of Sag energy are philosophical -- as if you're being asked to walk in a strange landscape.
  • Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius: Lunar energy is all about trusting your emotions (and since it's Lunar, signifigant relationships with women may end or take on a transformative nature). Ties may be cut or relationships may change, depending on where Sag hits your chart.

HOW IT AFFECTS YOU

If you have Sag in your _________ house, it's like that part being lit up with neon signs, making it very important for this time.

Astrology Mad Libs

I have Sag in my _____ house which means I'll experience possible endings and renewals around the areas of ________.

For example

I have Sagittarius in A) my 1st house, which means I'll experience possible endings and renewals in the areas of B) Self perception.

Plug in the stems below



A                                          B

Sag in the 2nd house         Money issues.

Sag in the 3rd?                      Communication or writing abilities.

Sag in the 4th?                           Home and Family

Sag in the 5th?                          Love and children

Sag in the 6th?                         Health and work

Sag in the 7th?                        Relationships, open enemies, and the “other” in relationships

Sag in the 8th?                     Sex, death, money that you inherit or receive, tax money, debt                                                            money, loan money

Sag in the 9th?                      Philosophy and travel

Sag in the 10th?                    Career path

Sag  in the 11th?                      Friends and group associations

Sag in the 12th?                     Secrets and spiritual connections such as dreams. Giving                                                                 your time and energy to this area of your life will align yourself                                                         more powerfully.





Til Next time,

Marissa


Photo Credit: By Jacopo Montano (Creative Commons)

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Inspiration



I'm sitting here listening to my friend April Claxton, CEO of The Movement Within being interviewed by Nate Klarfield  about her children's book Goodnight Just the Same (listen below). It's a project that's getting a lot of attention - and one I've very excited to have edited.

Nate Klarfield Interviews my friend April Claxton on Stonewall Live about Goodnight Just the Same

I'm truly inspired right now. I've watched April grow and change throughout the two years I've known her - and this truly speaks to me. Imagine all the ways we can learn to become present - if we allow it.

I'm on the cusp of a large self-change myself. The more I am involved in this work, the more I am starting to realize that - after all - the two worlds of education and intuition are not separate. No "worlds" are separate. They are as united in the world as we are united in ourselves. Nothing is outside of us. I talked to a close friend of mine the other evening about life change. She said "I'm doing what I'm meant to do." How many of us can say that?

Can you say that? Can I?

How deeply can you own yourself? Your sexuality? Your creativity? What makes you YOU?

I own myself today. I own all sides of me and all parts of me - the parts that have worked in corporate, the parts that have worked as a medium and astrologer, and the parts of me that haven't felt united. That's my goal - to accept and not just LOVE myself - but to get excited about what I'm here to do and my life.

That's my dare for all of us this week.

Live your truth. Make it one with yourself. It is WHO YOU ARE. Dance in it. Own it. Do what you came here to do. Period.

-----------------------------

News and  Changes

It's coming!!!!!!!! The August 4th Tricking the Goddess Poetry Reading at Books and Books in Fort Lauderdale is coming! It will be at 6 pm. Mark your calendars. Those who came out to the reading at Hollywood Vine really enjoyed it.

Also, the Goddess Initiative party from June 18 has - due to a space issue - been canceled.

The Radio Shows - both the one on The Movement Within Channel Weds at 6:30 and the one that was meant to start on the Happy Ganesh channel on Monday have (ironically! changes!) been quieted until further notice

But this blog will still offer fantastic astrological, writing and inspirational information. No matter what changes Happy Ganesh undergoes, you can rely on this blog and on the clear, astrological and intuitive readings that I continue to offer.

I'd also like to thank everyone who reads this blog, especially to my clients. Since Happy Ganesh opened in 2009, you've helped us grow and change - and you've held the space for me as much as I've held the space for you.

---------------------------

Here are some questions to get you inspired.

1) What are you DOING to live your dream?

2) What are your blocks and fears around living your dream? Be specific.

3) What would you do if you were safe?

4) What would happen in your life if you were safe?

5) What is your ultimate goal in your life?

6) Be still and listen to your heart. What does it say?



All my love,

Marissa

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

New Moon - and Eclipse! - in Gemini

[caption id="attachment_207" align="aligncenter" width="180" caption="Gemini Eclipses and New Moons! (And no Bella or Edward in sight!)"][/caption]

Well, not only is this title very reminicent of those Stephanie Meyers books (Eclipse and New Moon, thank you very much), but there's a lot going on tomorrow in astrology.

First, an announcement -- due to my own eclipse-style life changes, the radio show is suspended until further notice. However, you can always hear our radio spot on CBS Radio, every Monday night at 6 pm!

We've got a New Moon and an Eclipse coming our way! The New Moon in Gemini will bring us a new chance to manifest. As always, a New Moon is when we've got a Sun in Gemini and a Moon in Gemini. New Moons open the door for the month and for possiblities for creation. We're being asked to create Gemini energy and we'll have specific luck in any of the following Gemini themed areas

  • writing

  • double lives (or two parts of your personality coming together)

  • curiosity

  • learning

  • short distance travel

  • intelligence

  • teaching

  • humor

  • areas around healing with words

  • healing your hands - or being gentle with your hands (Gemini rules hands)

  • healing any doubts you may have about your communication skills


And - here's the biggie - this New Moon is also happening on the same night as a major solar eclipse in Gemini. Wherever you have Gemini in your chart is where you're going to feel fantastic changes starting to move your life. Eclipses are RAW POWER, baby. They change things and shake it up. Here's what else is going on. With Gemini in both Sun and Moon we're being guided throughout this process to see and feel clearly around issues that are Gemini in nature (social, writing, travel). We're also trine to Saturn in Libra, which says to me that we're going to actually get some help from the places we've been limited in the past. It is also sextile (friendly next door neighbors) to Uranus in Aries, the planet of change. Eclipses are a very, very big deal. They close doors and then open windows - they give us massive changes into new ways of life.

Another one of my favorite web astrologers, astrogrrl had this to say: "How has 2011 been for you so far? How much of it is what might have planned or expected? What of it are complete surprises or interesting turn of events?"

Here's some astrology Mad Libs for this one. If you want to get a free chart, go to astrolabe.com or astro.com. If you'd like to contact me for a personal reading, go here. I'm at your service.

Here's your Astrological Mad Libs:

For the New Moon and Eclipse in Gemini, I will feel a renewal (New Moon) and big shift (Eclipse) in the areas of.......

Gemini 1st house? Self perception

Gemini in the 2nd house? Money issues.

Gemini in the 3rd? Communication or writing abilities.

Gemini in the 4th? Home and Family

Gemini in the 5th? Love and children

Gemini in the 6th? Health and work

Gemini in the 7th? Relationships, open enemies, and the "other" in relationships

Gemini in the 8th? Sex, death, money that you inherit or receive, tax money, debt money, loan money

Gemini in the 9th? Philosophy and travel

Gemini in the 10th? Career path

Gemini  in the 11th? Friends and group associations

Gemini in the 12th? Secrets and spiritual connections such as dreams

 

No matter where the eclipse falls in your chart, expect changes of a transformative nature.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Happy Birthday, Gemini! "Together, Let's Explore the Stars."

[caption id="attachment_207" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="Happy Birthday, Gemini!"][/caption]Note: If you're reading this through email, please click through to the blog to experience the YouTube videos!

This blog is going to go a little quieter for the next few weeks (big changes at the home front), but I'll still update as much as I can.

In the meantime, Happy Birthday Gemini! Geminis are witty, clever, and fantastic with words. If you've got a Gemini Sun Sign or a Gemini Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, or Rising Sign (and if you're not sure, go to www.astro.com to check for free), that means that somewhere inside you, you contain a writer, a reporter, or a news anchor. My sources tell me that Lois Lane of Superman was a Gemini type.

Astrological guru and author of the classics Sun Signs and Love Signs, Linda Goodman said about Geminis "They are sharply satirical and they're more clever than just about anybody. Some Mercury types delight in disconcerting slower minds with their lightening fast mental processes."

From Tomb Raiders to presidents, there's quite a round up of writers, charmers, and quick-thinkers in this sign.

1) Wordy Gemini

From song-lyrics to heartfelt poems, Gemini types cut their teeth on words.

Judy Garland, a Gemini Sun, got under our skin with this classic song.

 



Other wordy wits?

The lyrics of Bob Dylan defined a generation in songs like the classic "The Times They Are a Changin'".



...and Gemini singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile covered it.



2) Charming and Impish Gemini

The iconic Marilyn Monroe made this showstopper famous



...and Gemini Nicole Kidman covered it in 2001's Moulin Rouge!



3) Versatile Gemini. Do you have a double-life like the average superhero? Gemini Angelina Jolie has made a career out of playing changeable heroines, as seen in this trailer from 2010's Salt.



4) Smartie-Pants Gemini

Sherlock Holmes author Sir Conan Doyle had a Gemini Sun, and the brainiac Gemini imprint can be seen all over his most famous character.



5) Political Gemini

Geminis have a way with words and a natural charm that helps to sway the public. It's no surprise that a lot of Geminis wind up in public life. Here's JFK encouraging the American people.



"Together, let us explore the stars." I think that's fitting for an astrology blog. ;-)

Want more? Contact me for an astrological or mediumship reading or purchase right from the site.

Happy birthday, Gemini!

Image: Cliff1066

Sunday, May 15, 2011

CBS Spots and Two HG Radio Shows!

[caption id="attachment_179" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="The Happy Ganesh Radio Spot is UP on CBS RADIO!"][/caption]

The culmination of weeks of hard work is finally ready.

The official Happy Ganesh Radio Spot can be heard on April Claxton's CBS Radio show The Movement Within, Mondays at 6 pm.

*** To hear the CBS Spot, go to about 18 minutes, 7 seconds in.***

Amazing! A special thanks to April Claxton - who interviews Jillian Maas Backman author of Beyond the Pews on this episode. As always, Claxton is fantastic - and the interview with Mass Backman is very interesting!

Speaking of interesting, we've got TWO radio shows coming up!

1)  The Happy Ganesh Show: Starting Wednesday May 18th, The Happy Ganesh Show on blogtalkradio.com's  will air on The Movement Within channel. We'll talk about our two passions - astrology and writing/publishing! Get your astrology/intuitive and creative writing/publishing questions ready for the question portion of the show! Please keep your questions brief as time will be limited.

2) Happy Ganesh Writing and Homework Help on the Happy Ganesh BlogtalkRadio Channel: Starting June 5th, Mondays at 5 pm, join me for homework and writing help! This show will be on the Happy Ganesh Blogtalk Channel! Follow us! I'm a professional educator, writer, and editor, and I've worked in higher education for over a decade. I'll answer questions about APA and MLA style, grammar questions, and college level test prep! This show is geared to both writers and students from middle school age to the doctorate level. Need to know what a comma does? How do you start your paper? What constitutes plagiarism in a research paper? I'll answer these questions for free on air, starting Mondays, June 5th!

I am  grateful to you, the loyal clients and friends who read Happy Ganesh on a regular basis. It is because of you - your willingness to go deeper within your own nature, and your commitment to yourself through exploring writing or intuitive services - that inspires me to deepen my own faith in the universe.

Til next time,

Marissa

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Writing Wednesdays (late): The Poetry Reading

[caption id="attachment_203" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Tricking the Goddess "][/caption]

Tonight, I read from my soon-to-be-published poetry collection, Tricking the Goddess. I was joined by two other delightful poets, my good friend Dr. Kristin Berkey-Abbott (author of Whistling Past the Graveyard and I Stand Here Shredding Documents) and Shefali Chokski (Frontier Literature).

For those who could not make it out tonight, we'll be reading at Books and Books at the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art on August 4th at 6 pm.

 

[caption id="attachment_202" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Reading from Tricking the Goddess"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_201" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Hollywood Vine (and me)"][/caption]

There's something amazingly rewarding about reading your own work to a crowd of appreciative people.

Tricking the Goddess is on the hunt for a publisher before the August date! When it is due out, I'll post here about it. :)

Here's text from the promo flier, including some blurbs from Edmund Skellings, the Poet Laureate of Florida and Dr. Berkey-Abbott.

 

About Marissa Cohen and Tricking the Goddess



“[Cohen’s work is] powerful, both intellectually and emotionally.”

– Edmund Skellings, Poet Laureate of Florida



“The reader may feel some guilt, because Cohen's poems are so imaginative, such an enjoyable treat, even in the face of such sadness. It's a comfort to know that we have Cohen's poems as a guide to navigating the unfamiliar terrain [of loss].”

--  Kristin Berkey-Abbott, author of I Stand Here Shredding Documents and Whistling Past the Graveyard



In Tricking the Goddess, Cohen writes with dark humor and vulnerability about the aftermath of her mother’s death. In her new life, spirits unexpectedly speak and old friends help her find faith. What will it take to return from “Cancerland”? Cohen explores themes of loss, change, and empowerment in this soon-to-be-published collection.

Marissa Cohen uses her fiction, poetry, and nonfiction to explore women’s creative and spiritual experiences. In 2003, she received the Letters Honorarium from the National League of American Pen Women. She has worked for numerous publications, including the award-winning Bella Books, the Sun-Sentinel, and the Palm Beach Arts Paper. She also regularly contributes to She Magazine with her book review column “On the Shelves.” Also a professional astrologer and intuitive, Cohen is the president and founder of HappyGanesh.com, where she regularly writes about astrology and the transformative power of creative writing. She lives in Florida. For more information about Marissa, please visit www.happyganesh.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm off to dream of books.

Til next time,

M

Monday, May 9, 2011

Mars in Taurus (and CBS Radio Goodness!)

[caption id="attachment_199" align="aligncenter" width="247" caption="HG's poetry reading -- and a Mars in Taurus are on the way! (The talented Nick Moore over at Clayfootjones.com created this of Ganesh reading a book.)"][/caption]

What with the working on the upcoming poetry reading at Hollywood Vine (5/11, 7 pm) and the upcoming radio show on Blogtalkradio.com (5/18, 6:30 pm), things have been hopping. That's right -- the live Happy Ganesh Blogtalk Show will air May 18 at 6:30 pm on blogtalkradio.com! Get your questions ready! We'll be taking live, on-air questions about publishing, writing, astrology, or intuitive services. Wondering where to go from here in your book -- or in life? Give us a shout during the May 18 kickoff!

Plus, our CBS RADIO SPOT RAN TONIGHT on April Claxton's The Movement Within on over at CBS The Sky Radio. I'll be posting the commercial by itself shortly, but in the meantime, do listen to April's fantastic show. Tonight she interviewed radio personality and author of Beyond the Pews, Jillian Maas Backman.

Mars in Taurus

And we're looking at a Mars in Taurus this week. On May 11, Mars, the planet of motivation and life force moves from direct, passionate Aries into slow, steady Taurus. The things begun quickly with Mars in Aries will have time to grow and florish under the grounding influence of Taurus Taurus grounds. Taurus takes its dear sweet time to get moving - and Taurus plans every step. This is a month long transit.

People will major planets in Taurus (Taurus Sun, Taurus Rising) will feel especially motivated (but in a secure and grounded way).

Where does this hit you and how does it affect your personal chart?

Taurus: If you have Taurus in your 1st house (Taurus Sun or Taurus Rising), expect this next month's Mars in Taurus to make you more confident or get you going. A transiting Mars (Taurus) plugging into your Taurus 1st house lights you up like Times Square.

Aries:  Taurus is in your 2nd house of money and finances. This Mars in Taurus transit  brings action and movement to your second house. This is a great time to move ahead with money negotiations or to apply for a job, or do anything to increase your financial power.

Pisces: Taurus is in your 3rd house of communication. Blaze a Taurus style trail for the next month. Transiting Mars Taurus will set up shop in this part of your chart for the next month. Begone, writer's block!

Aquarius: Taurus is in your 4th house of home. The transiting Taurus Mars will bring movement - and perhaps some disagreement to your 4th house of home and family.

Capricorn:  Taurus is in your 5th house of love and creativity. Yum. Blazing a Taurus-style trail in your creative or romantic love. Relationships with artistic children may surface during this time.

Sagittarius: Taurus is in your 6th house of work. The Mars Taurus transit will blaze and move you through your career.

Scorpio: Taurus in the 7th house of partnerships and open enemies? Hot partnerships (stable ones too, thanks to Taurus) making themselves known, perhaps partnerships that can help you to be financially stable as well. However, watch out for some fighting about money with the "others" in your life.

Libra: Taurus falls in the 8th house of sex, death, and other people's money. A transiting Taurus Mars falling into your 8th house may entwine sex and death and loans with swift movement.

Virgo: Taurus in the 9th house of travel and school brings movement and new growth to educational issues.

Leo: Taurus in your 10th house of career will interact with this Mars Transit by speeding up things to do with your career path. This is a great time to get your career moving because Mars energy will link up with your 10th house.

Cancer: Taurus in your 11th house of friendship and groups will interact with this Mars Transit by producing some blazing good times with good friends.

Gemini: Taurus in your 12th house of secrets and dreams will interact with this transiting Mars in Taurus by, frankly, taking a little bit of a snooze. The 12th house always holds secrets and things held back from your subconcious, so with a transiting Mars sitting in your 12th house, it may feel like an explosion of information or learning secrets that you didn't know were lurking. The good news? You'll be able to use all that to your advantage when Mars moves into Gemini in about a month.

Remember, this is only one slice of the current astrological pie. Do you want to know how the rest of your chart works with this transit? Do you want to book an astrology or intuitive session? How about a creative consulting or editing session?

If you want to read what others have thought about a Happy Ganesh reading, see the rave reviews here.

Or have questions? Contact me. I'd love to help out.

Til next time,

M

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Writing Wednesdays: Inner Love and Walking in Faith

Writing can be a tool to reach deep inside yourself and bring small, dark hidden things to light. It's one of our greatest gifts as people to be able to bring ourselves healing, even if it often seems that the only "healing" can come from outside - from parents, from romantic partners, from friends, even from mediums, pastors, rabbis, or from the spiritual world.

The truth is that while the people in our world can help us, love us, support us, and hold us, our comfort and self love comes from exactly there - ourselves!

But how do we strike up a conversation with the weirdest, darkest, most hurt parts of ourselves? We talk to those parts. We hold them. We ask for help again and again, hopefully knowing that we are always walking with something larger that holds us.

Here's a list of questions to get you writing and thinking along these lines.

1) What do I need right now?

2) Do I feel supported within myself?

3) Do I feel supported within my close personal relationships?

4) If I don't, can I take responsibility for my own fears?

5) Can I see my own goodness? What does it look like?

6) Can I hold the parts of me that feel "dark" -- the parts that get angry, mad, hurt, ashamed. What do I do with those lonely parts? Do I hold them? Do I pretend they aren't happening? Do I push myself through my feelings and "try" to be "more spiritual?"

7) Just for today, just for this minute, how would it feel to unconditionally accept myself? The big parts, the small parts, all of the parts?

8) Set out tea and cookies for the small scared parts or the furious angry parts. What does this part look like? Does he or she have a name? How does he or she feel? Can I let this part of you simply have the floor?

8) What kind of space do you yearn to create? What kind of relationship with yourself?

9) What is your intention for the rest of your day?

10) What kind of hope and longing do you intend to fulfill tomorrow?

:)

May you have long and deep conversations with all parts of yourself.

A reminder: The Happy Ganesh Radio Show begins on blogtalkradio.com at 5/18 at 6:30 pm! Also, my schedule is starting to book up but I still have some spaces for phone sessions. I'd love to devote time to you. If you're interested in experiencing a reading or have questions, contact me here. Curious about what others have said? Go here, to read our testimonials.

Here's what a recent client had to say:  "I was amazed that you could give me specific dates for things that would come up in my life. You gave me a sense of calmness that  will keep me on track." - H.M., South Florida.

Til next time,

Marissa

 

Saturday, April 30, 2011

New Moon in Taurus

[caption id="attachment_48" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="New Moon in Taurus on May 2/3"][/caption]

It's been a quiet week at the HG blog but today we are back to make up for the lost days during the week.

We're going to head into our New Moon in Taurus on May 2/3. As always, the New Moon brings us chances to manifest new starts in the month and will only last about 2.5 days. With a New Moon in Taurus, we can create positive change around the following issues and questions.

  • money

  • values

  • self worth and self esteem

  • the connection between money and abundance in your life

  • What does abundance mean to you?

  • What are your personal values?

  • feelings around femininity and beauty

  • creating beauty around you

  • getting involved in some kind of an artistic project that brings value or meaning to you.

  • property or real estate - and their personal meaning for you


Take advantage of this powerful 2 day burst of energy. Want more? Consider a personal reading.

And remember to get your questions ready for the Happy Ganesh blogtalkradio.com show on May 18th!

 

Til next time,

Marissa

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Happy Easter (and a late Happy Passover!) to All Those Who Celebrate!

**More YoutubeGoodness. If you're viewing this in an email, please click through to the blog.)

Dear friends,

Let Snoopy do his happy dance.

Happy Easter to those who celebrate it.



Happy Passover to those who celebrate it --- a little late on that one!




Happy holidays from HG.

Love
Marissa

Weekend Update: "Happy Ganesh" Coming to Blogtalk!

***This article contains Youtube videos! If you're reading this in an email, please click through to the blog to experience the videos!***

[caption id="attachment_191" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="On 5/18, Happy Ganesh Radio Comes to Blogtalk for the World's First Radio Show All About Astrology - and Writing/Publishing!"][/caption]

Starting Wednesday May 18, 2011 at 6:30 pm, Happy Ganesh comes to Blogtalk Radio! This is the first show on the web to merge the worlds of astrology AND publishing/writing. Love astrology and want to write? Already a writer and curious about astrology? Just plain love both?

Join me for a solid hour as we talk about what's happening astrologically (and intuitively), and what's happening in the publishing world! We'll take questions by email or live in the Blogtalk chat room for the astrology portion of the show! From astrology to writing and back again, join us on Wednesday, May 18th!

The HG Radio show will focus on

  • weekly astrological themes

  • live audience questions from the chatroom -- about either astrology, intuitive answers, or publishing. This means that I'll answer any question that you have for free.

  • writing and how to create

  • publishing and what's up in the publishing world

  • Expect live interviews with writers and publishers -- and astrologers and intuitives!


AND --- remember that we're also sponsoring The Movement Within on CBS's The Sky Radio on 5/2 at 6 pm!!

Orson Welles Was on The Radio, Too

All this radio talk reminds me of the classic 1938 Halloween "H.G. Wells/War of the Worlds" Broadcast by Hollywood writer, director producer and genius Orson Welles, when Welles and his Mercury Theater company accidentally convinced the entire country  that we were being attacked by aliens from another planet. America didn't realize that they were listening to a radio broadcast based on a classic sci-fi novel, and Welles vastly underestimated the potential hilariousness of the situation.

Of course this would never fly today - like Orson's alien spaceships! Oh, we'll be here all week! Since this was before Youtube, major newspapers in the country reported that we were being attacked by aliens.  Yes, really. I mean, major newspapers. ( Think about that.)



[caption id="attachment_192" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="One Giant Leap for a Sci-Fi Classic, One Hilarious, Anxiety-inducing Panic Attack for America."][/caption]


In the pre-social-networking era of the 30s, Welles single-handedly had the entire country in an uproar and actually had to hold a press conference to, um, let Americas know that we were not about to be killed by an intergalactic war.

The whole point of this little historical tidbit was to promise that Happy Ganesh is not responsible for any similar confusion and will do our best to avoid accidentally creating a national incident. ;-)



However, here's Orson, accidentally making broadcasting history and inciting the country to have a massive, massive panic attack.

 

Happy weekend (and Happy Easter!) all.

- M

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Fun Fridays: Happy Birthday Taurus!!

 

Countdown to the Happy Ganesh CBS RADIO Spot: We proudly sponsor  The Movement  Radio (starting 5/2, 6 pm, The Sky Radio) Countdown?: 14 days.

Note: This post has YouTube videos in it! If you're reading this from an email, please click through to the blog to experience the Youtube videos

Happy birthday, Taurus!

You're loyal. You love creature comforts. And nothing blisses you out more than a trip to the spa or curling up in the recliner. You give stubborn a new name. But no one understands more about money - how to spend it or save it - and the connection between values and cash.

Here's some Taurus traits and some famous Taurus Sun Signs who exhibited them. (And if you know you have planets in Taurus, celebrate your Taurus side!)

1) Stubborn and Romantic

Shakespeare (April 23, 1564): While his several Gemini planets gave him the undisbuted  gift of poetry that would make him a legend, his Taurus sun would have made him a stubborn romantic with a gift for making money.

Here's Joseph Fiennes playing Mr. Shakespeare in the 1998 film, Shakespeare in Love.

 



2) Love for music.

There's a funny connection to Taurus and the arts. Taurus (and Libra) are both ruled by Venus, making them artistically talented. Here's two very different Taurus women. Cher and Enya, singing their hearts out.

Here's classic 70s Cher, singing "Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves." (Let's just focus on the genius that is Cher and ignore the yellow fringe, shall we?)

 

 

Here's Enya. Her melodic, atmospheric music totally works with the sensuousness of Taurus energy.
Here, she's singing "Only Time."





3) The Long Haul


Taurus ruled people also are in it for the long haul. They don't spook easily and they don't give up. They just don't go away.

For example, Shirley Temple was a child star known for her adorable ways and riot of curls (hello, young Taurus). However, when she was much older, she harnessed a fine business sense. Wiki said about her "She sat on the boards of many corporations and organizations including The Walt Disney CompanyDel Monte Foods, and the National Wildlife Federation."

There's that connection between money and values. To me, this is one slice of a classic Taurus journey - from dimpled beauty to a major powerhouse of money and values.

Here's Ms. Temple at the age of four in The Little Colonel, changing the values of 1930s America very slowly. Shirley Temple broke the color barrier when she danced with legend Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, making them the first interracial dancing couple in American history. According to the IMDB, "this scene was cut when the film played in the southern United States."

Classic Taurus - forcing people to take a look at their values - in this case, a four year old girl helping to tear down racism.




Happy birthday Taurus.

Until Monday,
Marissa

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Writing Wednesdays: Three Common Writing Myths - and What to Do About Them

[caption id="attachment_30" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Gazing into the world of words. Where to start?"][/caption]

 

Here's three common writing myths. Call them myths or call them fears, sometimes they stop us dead in our tracks.

 

Some of my favorite writing quotes to keep us inspired during the last few days of Retrograde. Did anyone's computer blow up yet? No? Good. Let's keep creating!

Did you miss my last writing post on how to keep going when you just want to strangle your muse? No? Go here. And that's the thing about writing. As Colette said, "Writing creates more writing." In other words, the more you do, the more you want to do.

Writing is like jogging. You swear you'll run again. You really will.

But at 6 am, things are blurry and the outside world is dark and overrated.

But if you can crawl over the prone body of your dog/cat/partner/husband/wife and pull on your shoes and actually get outside in the first place, you're halfway there. 90% of starting is showing up.

Writing is the same. You swear you're a writer. You are. Really. And can I tell you about my story? It's amazing! But the world will never know it if you have it locked inside your head. Just like you'll never be a jogger if you sit on the couch day in and day out, watching Oprah. (Nothing against Oprah. She does wonders for the soul. Her book clubs are great. But no one ever lost weight watching Oprah. No one ever wrote a book watching her, either.)

Here's the thing.

If you want to write you have to


WRITE.


Period. The End.


Three Common Writer's Excuses


1) "I don't have the time. I have kids. I have a job. I have a family."

You drive your kids to softball games that take hours. You go food shopping for your family. I understand. I know, I know. It's a lot. And it's so easy to look at all those words on all those pages and just whine "But look at all of this! And I bet this writer is famous! That's why they have the time!"

Here's the thing. No one starts out famous. Most writers either have day jobs unless you're Stephen King, and even the famous ones have kids. For them, writing is a job. And one day, we'll be there. But for now, consider this.

* You're worth five minutes a day, right? Five minutes. 300 seconds. In five minutes, write whatever comes into your head. Write it anywhere. On a napkin. Inside a small notebook. Anything. This small act will help you get to know yourself. At the end of a month, you will have about 150 minutes worth of writing. Discover your soul and your mind. Write.

2) I don't know enough grammar. I was terrible in my english classes.

Worry about grammar later after your month of daily, five minute writing sessions is up. For now? Just begin. Please. Some of the most amazing writers I've known have been students I met when I taught college level prep classes. My students knew nothing about grammar but they knew how to express themselves. And that's where you begin. Expression.

3) Every writing teacher I ever had said that I should not write how I talk. That's the only way I know!

Then write like YOU write.I have news. Sometimes, teachers lie a little. Some of the best literature comes from directness. Hemmingway wrote short, direct sentences. ("The dog walked down the street.") That's it.

See above. You sit your butt in the computer chair and you don't move a muscle until you have five minutes worth of writing. Just go. Run. Just begin.

Here's some quotes to get you moving.


And if you're not a writer, these wonderful quotes apply to any creative project. We look to others to learn, to follow, to understand. To see how to move along on our own path. To learn how to let go. Here are some of the most inspiring quotes I know. Enjoy, friends.


First, let's start with the Man. Ray Bradbury is currently pushing 100. He's still a one-man powerhouse who started writing in the 50s and never stopped. Best known for Fahrenheit 451, about a totalitarian society in which books are burned (and if you're caught with one, you go to jail), he's also known for Something Wicked This Way Comes, about two childhood friends and a haunted carnival. Most of all, Ray has a ZEST and PASSION for writing that makes me want to sing, dance, and scribble long into the night. All of his below quotes are from the fabulous Zen in the Art of Writing.

The Ray Bradbury Quotes

When honest love speaks, when true admiration begins, when excitement rises, when hate curls like smoke, you need never doubt that creativity will stay with you for a lifetime - Ray Bradbury from Zen in the Art of Writing

Time is there. Love is there. Story is there.

If you are writing without zest, without love, without gusto, you are only half a writer.

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Here's some other great ones.

There is more than enough! - Unknown

Magic Happens -- Unknown

Energy rightly applied and directed can accomplish anything - Nellie Bly

Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds. Shine. - Buddha

At times, it is necessary to go over the top. How else can we get to the other side? - Kobi Yamada

I am here to live out loud. - Emile Zola

You can't lead a calvary charge if you think you look funny on a horse. - John Peers

---

Happy writing. Enjoy the time connecting.