ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS

© 2016 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter December 2016

by Mario C. Veo

Ah… what a fearful thing is Change…

Yes, of course it is… but consider this – would you still want to be the teenager you once were, ‘safe’ in your parents’ (rigidly structured) loving embrace… would you still want to be stuck in your first job/first kiss/ first love…? Yes, some of it is very romantic… but seriously, is it not better to grow, and change, and discover a brand new world out there, one filled with greater joy, better jobs, and even more passionate kisses…?

O.K., I can hear some of you saying, “But what if it isn’t? What if the future is NOT filled with Love, Light, Beauty… and passionate kisses? What if it is filled with frogs and snails and puppy-dog’s tails… and all I ever cared about gets taken away?” Well, so what if it is… YOU don’t have to meekly accept this very dire picture… (what? did you read too many Grimm’s Tales as a kid!?… you should have stuck with Aesop, he was much better at ‘morality’… ‘though I must confess to the thrill of Grimm’s dark visions… but I digress…)

No future is ever going to be ‘perfect’… no future abounds with easy love and prosperity, filled with French pastries and wonderful chocolate… but… you CAN seek these out, and fill your heart with all you desire… and more! (even if you need to move to France to get it… true story that!)

Sorry, again I digress!!

O.K., you are not a kid anymore, not a helpless infant at the mercy of the big, bad bogyman… Nope, not at all, in fact you are far tougher, stronger, more capable than that… for YOU are the Child of Spirit, filled with Light and Power… and able to manifest all you desire… Wanna know how? Easy…

Begin by first contemplating all that is ‘right’ about you… all your wonderful gifts/abilities/achievements… these are your Truth, your Foundation, your Power!
Next, figure out what blocks this… sometimes it is an unresolved Heart Wound, at times a belittlement/betrayal/sabotage. So, do something about this! Cleanse, heal, release… and don’t forget to once again center in your Radiance… And through this now Manifest all you desire… with no limit or restrictions (yummm, chocolate and kisses…)

Yes, you cannot stop Changes… things grow and prosper… or fail and are removed… this choice IS yours to make… so what say you? Wanna go for a ride? (there’s shopping at the end… but only if you find your Power!)

This month is dedicated to Self Empowerment, to Transformation, and to Manifestation… classes abound or those who are ready… (and for the rest of you… well, it’s still gonna be one hell of a ride!!)

Mario C. Veo is a teacher of Spiritual Science and a Healing Arts Practitioner. He teaches classes and individuals on Personal Transformation and the Expansion of Consciousness. Mario is available for personal guidance and consultations every Tuesday afternoon and the last Sunday of each month at the Shining Lotus™ Bookstore.

PLANETS AND POSSIBILITIES: A LOOK AT THE ASTROLOGY OF DECEMBER 2016

© 2016 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter December 2016

by Sally Shotwell

We are in the last month of unpredictable 2016 and wondering what lies ahead for us. The unprecedented shifts in perspective we are working through may be the result of confusion and disillusionment which are no fun at all but we must not be discouraged. Change precedes growth and we are fortunate to be in Sagittarius season which is noted for its optimism and expansive vision. The Sun(our consciousness) in this fiery sign is ruled by judicious Jupiter who excels at teaching and sharing wisdom. The Archer, Centaur Chiron, is the sign’s symbol and is noted for aiming his arrow into the unknown, seeking new territory to explore. His goodness and brilliance earned him immortality but he still retained his animal/human nature, being half-man, half-horse. His continual efforts to integrate his multifaceted self remind us of our own challenges in reconciling our own complexities. We may take heart that the journey is universal and we aren’t flowed, even as we have work to do. The fact is that astrological cycles which indicate influences we have at our disposal, to facilitate our intentions. Let’s check out what’s currently taking place as we venture forth.

December 1 dynamic Mars in airy, intellectual Aquarius consults with benefic Jupiter in harmony-loving Libra. They’re asking us to focus our thoughts with our physical efforts. On the 3rd, Mars gets even more support from serious Saturn in belief-oriented Sagittarius, verifying that we’re moving toward a worthwhile goal. To add juice to this process, December 6 liberating Uranus in fiery, assertive Aries checks in with the Red Planet to lend his formidable spark to boost our exploratory tendencies.

The Sun cooperates with our game plan by fraternizing with Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus between December 9, 12 and 13. This activity prepares us to be responsive to Sagittarius’ call to welcome the new in our lives as we enter a necessary shift represented by the Full Moon in communicative Gemini, December 13. The Sabian Symbol is: “A group of immigrants as they fulfill the requirements of entrance into the new country; consciously accepting the ways of a new stage of experience in readiness for the opportunities it will present.” This ‘new country’ is internal and it is our responsibility to acclimate our emotions and thought processes to our new ‘reality’.”
Are we exposing ourselves to a broader range of interpersonal experiences?
Are we seeking out new avenues of thought which stimulate us?

Brainy Mercury entered Capricorn December 2 and value-oriented Venus sailed into Aquarius December 7. Their being positioned in signs traditionally ruled by Saturn offers a substantial element to our efforts and indicates boones for hard work!

December 19 Mars(our vitality) enters watery, dreamy Pisces and our goals may morph into a broader, more inclusive framework at the same time, Mercury steps into his retrograde motion. We’re reminded that during this period our communication and relationship issues may take on a slightly out-of-focus dimension. We need to review, rethink and delay any decisions which seem iffy.

December 21 is Winter Solstice when the Sun enters Capricorn. It’s the shortest day of the year and has historically been considered a sacred time when the return of the Light is honored. Many traditions that we embrace today trace their origins to Pagan Festivals; think the mistletoe of the Druid Priests and the gift giving of Saturnalia. The promise of the rebirth of the Sun(Son) was, and is, a holy time as our own Christmas ceremonies reflect. December 24 Saturn and Uranus connect stimulating us to garner our resources to successfully parlay farsighted ventures using our organizational skills and discipline.

December 25 is delivering a lovely Christmas Day swimming in the essence of relationship-oriented Venus who has a very full dance card, beginning with the attention of magnanimous Jupiter. After their graceful turn around the floor, exciting Uranus jazzes things us, culminating with a subdued waltz with Saturn. Let’s tap into the enthusiasm, magic and reassuring experience their example presents to us.
How are we honoring this sacred time of year in our schedule?

December 26 continues to promise opportunities as Jupiter dialogues with Uranus and Mercury chats with Neptune. All these contacts indicate that unusual insights are available to us and we must welcome the unexpected. The Sun and Mars also get in the act urging us on.

December 28 the Sun and Mercury use their time in Capricorn sharing with us the clarity of thought and purpose we need to apply to our course. Mercury then tracks Mars down to guarantee the energy we need to have available.

This preparation enhances our ability to envision the intention we seed during the December 28/29 New Moon in Capricorn. The Symbol is: “In a sun-lit home domesticated birds sing joyously. The wholesome happiness which subservience to ideals and patterns of a well-established culture brings to those who accept them unreservedly.” Uranus, the Great Awakener, is prominent in this lunation as he begins his forward motion after many months of being retrograde. He assists us in cutting through the extraneous, granting us the guidance to concentrate on what is essential. Through this we safely investigate new boundaries.

New Year’s Eve we experience a happy meeting between the Sun and Neptune, triggering our imagination which, in turn, lights up our conscious thought. Isn’t this a nice gift to carry with us into the New Year? Added to this December 31, January 1 Mars and Neptune get together to share other-worldly revelations which can’t help but be interesting!

We’ve experienced a great deal this year and we’ve evolved through this challenge. Congratulations to us!
Happy New Year and Love!

Sally Shotwell is a life-long student of esoteric spirituality with a healthy curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. Her focus on studies in Astrology have spanned decades, and have included studying with Mario C. Veo, John Joseph, Mark Husson and C. A. Brooks.