Gemini Mercury Retrograde: Staying Grounded in a Hurricane

Here's a sampling of text messages, emails, and phone chats I've had over the last week, heralding the quirky and frustrating arrival of Mercury Retrograde in Gemini (May 18-June 11, 2015).

"My computer died. No, really. I took it into get fixed and it still DIED. Even though all the data has been replaced, it's all gibberish. I haven't slept in four days."

"My sister told me to email you and ask why one comment I innocently made to someone on Facebook has suddenly exploded. Now none of my friends are talking to me."

"My entire day was double booked. I want to fling myself from the top of a building."

And then the final icing on the cake: "We're in a Mercury in Retrograde, aren't we?"

Yes. Yes, we are.

Perhaps not "They're here" as Carol Anne says in the above clip from Poltergeist (1982), but "IT's HERE!" - until June 11, 2015, after which there's a shadow period of about two weeks where the effects will get lighter, before going away entirely.

Go ahead and back up your computer, your phone, your email account. Go ahead. I'll wait. Don't talk to anyone on the way. You'll just say something wrong and there will be an awkward exchange, probably with an ex- lover/friend/boss/coworker. It feels like you're speaking one language and everyone else is speaking quite another. 

Back from protecting all of your electronic files? 

We're in Mercury in Retrograde. Yes, again. The planet of communication goes backwards three times every year and this REALLY is one of those times. It's hurricane time.

Mercury in Retrograde means a few things. It means that communication can take a nose dive, computers commit hari kari, phones inexplicably lose power. My own brand new phone seems to have a keyboard that changes with the tides. Person A says something to us about Person B and before we know it, an accidental comment has gone from a light breeze of misinformation into a cyclone-level prime grade mine field.

Welcome to Mercury in Retrograde! 

This particular Retro is in Gemini. That means it's sort of a double whammy because Gemini is in its natural home - it's ruled by Mercury in the first place. 

Here's a survival guide.

DON'T (if you can help it)

*sign any new contracts

* buy any new technological items, cars, or large appliances

*get married, buy a house, or do any other big thing that can't be taken back during this period

* gossip - I promise, the information will get right back to the person being talked about

NOTE: If you absolutely MUST do these things during a Mercury Retro, find out about all escape clauses, warranties, and other "get out of jail free" information. You'll need it. If you're the one signing a client or, say, selling ad space or selling contracts to customers, make sure your client truly understands what he or she is signing. Otherwise, don't be surprised if the client has second thoughts.

DO:

- learn about options but don't sign anything

- revisit information, read, re-learn

- revisit or connect with old relationships or friendships from the past (yes, that may include past life connections or memories coming forth during a retrograde).

- reorganize/shift/clean

- communicate face to face and be as clear as possible

- be careful about any online communication

- if you must travel, double check all travel documents from tickets to luggage tags. If driving, have your AAA card on hand, just in case!

The big positive of Mercury in Retro, however, is that we have a chance to slow down. A friend of mine made a joke - "Of course we have to slow down if our phones have exploded and we can't get online because of ##%%%@&^ RETRO!" 

Fair enough. 

But Retro has many gifts on offer to us - new insight from old patterns. Old relationships or friendships may return. And trips taken in a retro may be fraught with the unexpected....but what's life without a little adventure?

Til next time,

Marissa

Full Moon in Scorpio on May 14 Forces Us to Our Depths

The Full Moon in Scorpio is an intense one! 

Thanks to the Full Moon in Scorpio on May 14, 2014, we're looking down the barrel of major change.

The Meaning of New Moons and Full Moons

A New Moon means that a situation is opening for us. New changes and chances which have to do with wherever the New Moon is are now alive for us. On the flip side, a Full Moon is kicking out old concepts and situations that are fueled by the Full Moon. In others words, New Moons start things; Full Moons bring endings or chances to let go.

The Full Moon in Scorpio on May 14, 2014

The Full Moon in Scorpio is forcing us to ask large questions about Scorpio topics: sex, death, soul mates, gut-level seismic changes - and asking us what we need to drop or get rid of. What needs a major clear out? With the Full Moon settling in Scorpio for this night, we're being asked by the universe if we have passion and intensity in our lives. Are our souls happy? With the Full Moon in Scorpio, we're karmically charged with fulfilling our own joy at the spiritual, foundational level. If it's shallow, it won't pass muster.  What has to go so that we can be truly happy? What must we create?

What You Need to Know

With the Full Moon in Scorpio, we must

* Lean in

*Dive deep

*Go to the depths 

*Get real

* Follow heart and emotions which will help us process this intensity

---- about the level of deep joy and passion in our lives. Are we living our lives from an authentic and joyful place? Or are we content to stay on the surface with pleasures that don't touch our soul?

Other Planets Contributing To This

The Sun in Taurus is holding up the other end of pleasure: what are our senses doing? Are we happy in our bodies? Are we able to GROW money, not just put it in the bank? 

Saturn in Scorpio is conjunct to this Full Moon in Scorpio. Saturn ties in these Full Moon lessons into deep questions about life lessons and karmic realities. Saturn teaches us Big Lessons and this Saturn is showing us that this Full Moon in Scorpio offers us powerful lessons about our spiritual realities and what needs to change in order to bring us fulfillment. 

Saturn in Scorpio links up with two other planets to form a Grand Trine in three planets: Jupiter in Cancer (luck in dealing...with family) and Chiron (the sign of the wounded healer) in Pisces, indicating that this is a great time of luck and healing deep wounds around personal dreams.

Want to know how this impacts your personal chart? Contact me for a reading.

Everyday Mysticism: Grace Cathedral, Hildegard of Bingen, and Labyrinths

Hildegard of Bingen: Spiritual BadA**

Hello! After a long and much needed break, we're back and ready to chat about mysticism, astrology, and more!

What is everyday mysticism?

Everyday mysticism means to live your life in a conscious way. It means finding the small miracles in the world because small miracles are always there. Find the silence. Understand your heart. Listen, and if that doesn't work, listen again. And again. And again. (Turn off the cell phone to really listen to your soul.)

How can I do that? 

Journal. Even five minutes of writing can reconnect you with your true purpose. Meditate. Silence isn't just golden, it's the key to unlocking what you really need in the moment. Carve out time for YOU. In our hectic, tech-driven world, it's important to power down so we can plug our souls into something bigger than us - universal energy and love.

Sacred labyrinth power  with
Dr. Lauren Artress

On Happy Ganesh's Facebook and Twitter pages, you mentioned a book called Walking a Sacred Path by Dr. Lauren Artress. What made you recommend  that book to your hundreds of followers?

I'm a big fan of what I call "meditative walking" - when I throw on some sneakers, grab my iPod, and talk a very, very long brisk walk. I love either walking in our neighborhood or walking in the local woods. Trees inspire and revive me. Nature gives me a feeling of excitement and adventure: my inner five year old goes, "Where are we going?"

That love of contemplation and nature drew me to Walking a Sacred Path - but, as the universe truly works in divine and perfect ways, usually when I least expect it, I didn't know I was being "drawn" to it. I bought it at a book sale because it was fifty cents! Much to my great surprise, I learned later that Dr. Lauren Artress , the author, is  responsible for the labyrinth at the welcoming and wonderful Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, one of my favorite spiritual spots!

 I had a chance to visit Grace Cathedral over Christmas 2013 and I was so moved by the beauty and tranquility of the space that I began to cry. Due to the holiday festivities, I didn't have a chance to walk the labyrinth but I look forward to doing so very soon. Movement is sacred. And at the heart of the labyrinth lies awareness, answers, visions, truth? All of the above, perhaps.

 One of my favorite quotes from the book is about the spiritual philosophy of Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th century mystic and theologian:

Hildegard of Bingen was [...] an author of theology that knitted together nature and spirit, cosmos and soul.  She described the [Spirit] as the greening power of God. Just as plants are greened, so are we as well. As we grow up, our spark of life continually shines forth. If we ignore this spark, this greening power, we become thirsty and shriveled. And if we respond to the spark, we flower. (Walking a Sacred Path, Artress, 1995, p.15)

What will you do this week to contribute to the "greening" of your soul and inner life? Will you use walking or hiking to hear your spirit? Or will you choose another form of awareness?

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

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.

Image: Creative Commons

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

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

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

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

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.

Full Moon in Aquarius, Sun in Leo

Posted on 08/13/2011 01:21 pm by happyganesh

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!

Posted on 08/09/2011 03:38 am by happyganesh

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)

Posted on 08/03/2011 11:44 pm by happyganesh

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.

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.

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

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.
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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."

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)

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.

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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.

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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

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.

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