☆♥*♥☆ Praying Mantis Wisdom ☆♥*♥☆

by Lorraine Valente

Hi Everyone,

Praying Mantis

Today, as I watered some potted plants outside, a very long, green, twig-like praying mantis sat perfectly still on a green/burgandy-colored leaf!  Only a couple of days ago I found a "Leaf Insect" on the car. Of course, I ran into the house to retreive my camera and snap a photo for you~!

The Praying Mantis remains perfectly still and has adapted to its environment by changing its color as a form of self defense.

Praying mantis’ are related to grasshoppers and crickets, belonging to a family of insects called orthoptera. It is extremely beneficial to gardens and humans because of its penchant for eating the bugs we don't want. They will eat mites, aphids and most other insects that are within the grasp of their front legs.

If Praying Mantis appears in your life, it might indicate a need to focus on yourself, meditate, pause, and be still.  Self-reflection is important. It is within the stillness  you reap the greatest rewards and enhance creativity. It is also a reminder to blend within the environment.  Camouflage your intentions and activities. Someone may be observing you. Be aware of and in touch with your intuition. Pay close attention to "signs" and synchronous events.

With Mercury backing up (retrograde) Friday in discerning Virgo, praying-mantis reinforces its message and bestows ideal wisdom.

Click here: Read more about praying-mantis
 



Enjoy your day and remember, I'm available for consultations and readings 7 days via phone, e-mail or in-person.

Lorraine Valente
FuchsiaStars@aol.com
www.FuchsiaStars.com
www.KarmicAstrology.info
http://twitter.com/FuchsiaStars
http://FuchsiaStars.blogspot.com/

(c) All rights reserved. Permission is required to copy any portion of this article, blog or website(s).

☆♥*♥☆Mercury Retrograde (rx)☆♥*♥☆

by Lorraine Valente

Dear Stargazers...

Gemini and Virgo ruled Mercury is turning retrograde (apparent backward motion) on Friday, August 20th at 3:59 EDT, for 3 1/2 weeks.

What can we experience? Disruptions in communications, forgetfulness, electronic mishaps, the fax you sent didn't go through even though you re-ceived a confirmation re-ceipt, travel delays, return of the "exe's".  Yes, it's true, people who you thought were out of your life forever, suddenly return with something else to say.  Sometimes past lovers "re-concile" after "re-evaluating" their "re-lationship" when Mercury backs up.

How to best handle Mercury rx? It's best to not make major decisions or sign important contracts, purchase new electrical equipment or shoes.  If you absolutely must make decisions, do so on contingency and read all legal documents at least 3 times! Back up important computer documents and be mindful of yours and others words and actions.

Here are some keywords for Mercury rx:

Re-vival, re-pair, re-vise, re-turn, re-word, re-phrase, re-ctify, re-voke, re-newal, re-birth, re-view, re-late, re-lationships, re-alization, re-conciliation, re-moval (of negativity, outmoded ideas, etc.), re-visit, re-vamp, re-novate, re-do, re-juvenate, re-flect, re-generate, re-ceive, and most importantly, re-lax!

August 1, 2010: Mercury entered the pre-shadow at 05 degrees Virgo.

August 20, 2010: Mercury retrogrades (rx) at 19 degrees Virgo.

September 12, 2010: Mercury turns direct at 05 degrees Virgo.

December 10, 2010: Mercury retrogrades at 05 degrees Capricorn.

"Coincidentally" when Mercury turned direct at 05 degrees of Capricorn on January 15, 2010, it was conjunct the degree of the June 26, 2010 Partial Lunar Eclipse! Mercury will turn retrograde again, on December 10th, also at 5 degrees of Capricorn. Mercury and its associated symbolism has been prominent during the year and for these dynamic Eclipse cycles. The 5th degree would have been triggered by these important planetary energies in your own birth chart!

Remember, if you would like to know where 5 degrees resides in your own birth chart, I'm available for consultations and readings 7 days via phone, e-mail or in-person.

Lorraine Valente
FuchsiaStars@aol.com
www.FuchsiaStars.com
www.KarmicAstrology.info
http://twitter.com/FuchsiaStars
http://FuchsiaStars.blogspot.com/
 (c) All rights reserved. Permission is required to copy any portion of this article, blog or websites.

☆♥*♥☆ Leaf Insect Wisdom ☆♥*♥☆

by Lorraine Valente

Leaf Insect

Yesterday afternoon, while preparing to run errands, a very large green insect was grazing on the roof of my my auto parked inside the garage.  I originally thought it to be a praying mantis, yet upon closer examination saw that it was a leaf insect! Leaf insects are very closely related to stick insects and, just as stick-insects camouflage themselves as twigs, leaf insects are superbly camouflaged as a leaf. The insect looks remarkably like a beautifully defined, veined green leaf, with tiny spindly legs and very long antennae. Its uneven edges appear as much like natural leaves as possible. They also simulate swaying in the wind by appearing to be staggering when moving if any threat is detected in their vicinity. Some leaf insects are popularly known as a walking leaf. I scooped it up in a paper towel and placed it onto an outside flowerpot.

Leaf Insect

Leaf insects are the best examples of imitation, where the animal looks like its environment. It has been said that "Imitation is the highest form of flattery".

If leaf insect walked into your life today, it may be a reminder to blend with your environment.  It might be wise to camouflage your intentions and not discuss your future plans. Prepare quietly. Be alert to deception, people pretending to be some one or some thing they are not, pretension, copying ideas, or hidden agendas. Seeing isn't always believing! Animals and insects also remind us to use successful methods and techniques when laying the ground work for initiating new ventures.

Enjoy your day and remember, I'm available for consultations and readings 7 days via phone, e-mail or in-person.

Lorraine Valente
FuchsiaStars@aol.com
www.FuchsiaStars.com
www.KarmicAstrology.info
http://twitter.com/FuchsiaStars
http://FuchsiaStars.blogspot.com/


(c) All rights reserved. Permission is required to copy any portion of this article or blog.

☆♥*♥☆ Pallas Athene~Warrior Goddess ☆♥*♥☆

by Lorraine Valente

Pallas Athene, Minerva (Roman), the Greek Goddess of Wisdom, sprang from Zeus’s (Jupiter) head fully formed and cloaked in armor. She symbolizes a woman with the intellect of a man. Because she was borne of man and not woman she is symbolic of a “Uranian” type of matriarchal energy.

She was well liked, resourceful, and earned the trust of others, especially men. Although a warrior goddess, she is peaceful in her strength and wisdom. She also represents justice, righteousness, and the tendency to fight for the underdog. Her inner courage enables and protects her in surviving battles. She enjoys competition and possesses skill in most sport. Her association with the Owl, symbolic of inner wisdom and special visual perception, is well deserved. She is “Joan of Arc”, the stereotypical creative, intelligent woman with an abundance of inner strength. Joan of Arc had Pallas conjunct Uranus in her natal chart, Albert Einstein's Pallas conjunct his tenth house Saturn in Aries, prominant psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud had Pallas conjunct Pluto in the sixth house, John Lennon's Pallas was conjunct his Libra Sun, and Farrah Fawcett had Pallas conjunct her Sun in the eighth house.

In the natal chart, she is symbolic of the way a woman makes her way in a "man’s world". She symbolizes a woman’s relationship with her father. In her wisdom, she also had the role of counselor to her father. This symbolism is applicable in the way she treats males in general and in her relationship with them. Men with a strong Pallas need to stand up for their rights, especially in personal and intimate relationships.

Pallas possesses an intellectual, war-like nature. She was credited with inventing weaving, the potter’s wheel, spinning, needlework, and was associated with navigation, precision, mediation, political activism, counseling, diplomacy, visual arts, musical instruments, agriculture, and especially the olive tree (Lehman, 1988). Olive flower essence restores energy when you are physically and “mentally” exhausted.

Her ability to plan strategies, and carry out those plans utilizing unique systems and concepts is her strength. In the birth chart, she is an indicator of intelligence and particular style of perception. Although perceived to be somber and serious, she is strong and takes decisive action and never whines or complains.

Pallas is also symbolic of the mind/body connection and the healing arts in general. Flashes of insight, acute pattern perception, foresight, creative genius and physically creating works of art are indicative of a prominently placed Pallas.

Pallas may be associated with androgyny. Some astrologers point to her in charts of bisexuality or lesbianism because she has the unique ability to express both feminine and masculine perceptions. It's more likely that her intellect and perceptions differ from the "stereotypical" female resulting in societal judgments. While the way we sex others and the type of sex we enjoy is expressed in the birth chart, gender and sexual orientation is not.

Negatively, Pallas could identify with men more than with women resulting in losing her femininity. Since she wore a protective suit of armor to ease into a man’s world, this "armor" could symbolize defense mechanisms such as intellectualizing and rationalizing situations to place distance between the Self and others so as to not experience feelings and pain, deeply rooted in the feminine experience.

Interestingly, while Pallas was respected and admired by men she was never quite validated by them as a woman. Her physical and intellectual qualities threatened many males. Her creative abilities and intellect were not considered to be “feminine” traits desirable in attracting men, even though she was quite attractive in appearance. Most daughters/women are taught to play dumb.  They are conditioned by society that women should repress their creative expression to avoid rejection from men. This is changing as younger generations of men prefer and seek intelligence and equality (as well as attractiveness) in a partner.

A modern day Pallas Athene is a woman of the New Age, unwilling to compromise any part of whom she is to be in a relationship. Equality is her goal in relationships which is why Pallas is also linked to the partnership sign of Libra.

With Pallas’ association with Uranus and Aquarius, her prominence in your chart indicate how you, if you’re a woman, operate in a “man’s” world, and if you’re a man, how you operate in a “woman’s” world. It is also symbolic of how you place aside your sexual nature in order to relate platonically to the opposite sex, either in a business or friendship.

Reference

Lehman, L. J. (1988).  The Ultimate Asteroid Book. PA: Whitford Press.

Enjoy your day and remember, I'm available for consultations and readings 7 days via phone, e-mail or in-person.

Lorraine Valente
FuchsiaStars@aol.com
http://www.fuchsiastars.com/
http://www.karmicastrology.info/
http://twitter.com/FuchsiaStars
http://FuchsiaStars.blogspot.com/
(c)All rights reserved. Permission is required to copy any portion of this article or website.

☆♥*♥☆ Weekend Transits☆♥*♥☆

by Lorraine Valente

Our lovely Moon enters nurturing Cancer 5:50pm EDT, while Venus changes signs to relationship-oriented Libra at 11:47pm EDT. These entries activate the June 26th Lunar Eclipse at 4 degrees of Capricorn. It you have planets, within 2 degrees on either side, especially an exact degree, these transits have a message for you.  Sooooo.... the cosmic cohorts are: the Moon forming a tense square to Venus, Uranus, Saturn, and Jupiter before integrating the opposing intensity of Pluto.

On Monday, August 9th, 11:08pm EDT, the New Moon is at 17 + degrees of Leo.  If you have any planets 2 degrees on either side this New Moon, it speaks to you!  Later in the week on the 13th, iconoclast Uranus at 00 Aries turns retrograde (rx) until December 5th.

Remember..3 days before the New Moon on August 9th is the balsamic phase. This phase is also called the Wishing Moon..............

☆♥☆Make a Wish, Blow a Kiss to the Universe~!☆♥☆

Wishing everyone a joyous, easy-flowing, fun-filled weekend. Remember, I'm available for consultations and readings 7 days via phone, e-mail, Skpe, or in-person.

Lorraine Valente
FuchsiaStars@aol.com
www.FuchsiaStars.com
www.KarmicAstrology.info
http://twitter.com/FuchsiaStars
http://FuchsiaStars.blogspot.com/

☆♥*♥☆ Freya~Norse Goddess of Love ☆♥*♥☆

By Lorraine Valente

Freya is the Goddess of Love, Fertility, Crops, Gold, and Cats. She is the most beautiful and sensual of the Norse Gods and has a love of jewelry and ornament. 

Her most prized necklace is crafted of falcon feathers which allows the wearer to change into a Falcon. She flies using her hawk~winked cloak and protects love and relationships.  Freya's chariot is drawn by two giant cats and she loves music, Spring, flowers, elves, and fairies. 

Freya was married to Odin who was frequently absent and would "disappear".  Whenever she mourned the loss of her husband her tears turned to gold.

Call on Norse Goddess Freya when you want to connect with your intuition, particularly in matters of the heart.



Enjoy your day and remember, I'm available for consultations and readings 7 days via phone, e-mail or in-person.

Lorraine Valente
FuchsiaStars@aol.com
www.FuchsiaStars.com
www.KarmicAstrology.info
http://twitter.com/FuchsiaStars
http://FuchsiaStars.blogspot.com/

☆♥*♥☆Transits, Creativity & Crazymakers ☆♥*♥☆

By Lorraine Valente

Hi Everyone,

Astrologically speaking, we are experiencing a lot of dynamic energy. The cardinal T-square with Mars, Saturn, Pluto, Uranus, Jupiter, and Hades entering Cancer, actually forming a cardinal grand square.  By the end of the week, Venus and the Moon are involved in the geometry chaos, and begs for expression.  The most productive form of self expression is through the creative impulse. Writing, dancing, singing, music, drawing, athletics, energy-work, gardening, and crafting are a few forms of creative outlets that ease the inherent frustration, changes, and tension experienced in the lives of many. I'd like to share some information or guidance in dealing with the cosmic craziness.

Approximately 4 or more years ago, I was involved in an online discussion with a friend who recommended a book entitled “The Artists Way~A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity" by Julia Cameron. The book was quickly ordered on Half.com, an online site where books and other items are greatly discounted. When it arrived through U.S. mail I quickly removed the wrapping, then fanned and skimmed through the pages and chapters as usual when a new book arrives. Because my focus was on the overwhelming amount of coursework for the classes I was enrolled, the book was placed aside in a pile with other books. I looked forward to reading each of them once class ended. When time permitted, I began to read the well organized pages again. Exploring the concept of a creative force within, the artist, creative or inventor’s brain, and also the logical, survival, censor brain, was noted.

"Snipers are people who undermine your efforts to break unhealthy relationship patterns. " ~Jody Hayes

Ms. Cameron details various methods in which individuals block or sabotage creativity by the company we keep, and friends and people we choose to associate with. One such way in which creative individuals block their creativity is to become involved with what she calls “Crazymakers”. After reading this section, I felt a stabbing sensation in the pit of my stomach which screamed a resounding truth. I’ve experienced more than my share of crazymakers in my life and in interpersonal relationships! :-)

Crazymakers, she states, can be found in almost any setting. The crazymaking dynamic is grounded in power and any group of people can function as an energy system to be exploited and drained. Gangs are notorious crazymakers. Alcoholic families are crazymaking pros.  Nuclear families are infamous crazymakers. Politicians are, well, you guessed it.....big time crazymakers. The example she provides is that of the “destructive matriarch who devoted energies to destroying the creativity of her children. Always choosing critical moments for her sabotage, she plants her bombs to explode just as her children approach success” (Cameron, 1992, p. 46).

☆♥*♥☆Healing Water☆♥*♥☆

By Lorraine Valente

Hi Everyone,

I would have written about the energetic cardinal T-square with Mars, Saturn, Pluto, Uranus, Jupiter, and Hades entering Cancer actually forming a cardinal grand square, yet everyone else is writing about it's possible negative manifestation. I want to focus on how we can utilize this dynamic energy in a positive way...Healing Water.

Water is our source of life. Every living being needs water to survive. According to Dr. Masaru Emoto who authored "The Hidden Messages in Water", water in the ocean maintains a memory of all the creatures who ever lived in the sea.  His book continues to theorize that water has the ability to copy information, as a result of this memory. Since words are an expression of the Soul, their impact also greatly impacts the water in our body. Dr. Emoto photographed water crystals before and after they were shown words on a piece of paper.  Words such as "thank you", "love", and "gratitude" produced beautifully formed crystals, while words such as "you fool", "Satan", and "I'll kill you" produced  darkened, deformed crystals .



"A single drop of water can have various ripple effects on an individual" (Emoto, 2004, p. 37).

We are all acutely aware of the environmental assualt of the Gulf oil spill and its effect on sea life. Dolphins, pelicans, sea turtles, birds, coral, fish, and the waters are filled with toxic sludge threatening to destroy our entire ecological system for decades. Dolphins, in particular, are highly intuitive, and acutely sensitive beings. The increase of beached whales and dolphins is indirect response to threatening vibrations and pollution within the ocean. Everything in life has a vibration. Water is also sensitive to frequencies and also reflects images as well as emit its own vibration.

Written words, letters and numbers also emit a vibration. Numerologically, the letters that comprise the words Dolphin, Pelican, and Turtle are each reduced to a  number 6. The number six corresponds to "The Lovers" in the Tarot and is a number of harmony, compassionate service, healing, clarity of pupose, and correct choice. Turtle symbolizes Earth Mother and Pelican can hold 3 gallons of water in its pouch.  Pelicans move with the tides while Dolphin's create rhythmic sounds and teach the proper use of breathe.