New Moon in Virgo on Sept 11, 2007 is also a partial eclipse

Sometimes I am asked "What is going on in the stars, I feel so tense?"

While there can be many explanations for feeling stressed. The new moon in Virgo on Sept 11, 2007 is under more stress than usual.

Virgo is a hard working sign that likes to be productive and creative. This new moon in Virgo is being challenged by aggrssive Mars, sudden changes from Uranus, and Jupiter the planet of expansion. Projects that formerly seemed managable may change suddenly and become more complicated that formerly anticipated.

Some astrologers speculate that this is "earthquake energy". Whatever you observe will undoubtable create tension that has to be released. This time can be used to look at where you are holding tension or resistance that is limiting your ability to use productive Virgo energy. This eclipse at 18 degrees of Virgo will impact those with planets at 18 degrees Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces and Gemini for the next 6 to 12 months.

Sudden changes can be met with faith and looking within for calm, centered guidance. Allow yourself to integrate changes without fear to stay productive. Refuse to speculate or take events to a panic level to work through challenges. Know that faith in spirit is a powerful tool in the face of physical changes. Breath deep, smile.

Managing change well and staying in the moment will serve all of us well this week.

Namaste, Anne

The Dog Whisperer inspiration for practicing yoga

I love to watch The Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel (Friday 5:00 pm). This show is all about teaching people (dog owners) to be aware on the energy they project around their dogs.

I truly believe that all of us can benefit from watching how we hold our body and project energy. Dogs are mirrors to our energy and can tell us that we are tense by becoming aggressive. Isn't that amazing?

The idea is that people (dog owners) must project calm and assertive energy at all times or the dog will move into protective energy (aggressive) energy. This forces the dog owners to observe if they are responding to situations with fearful or tense energy, resulting in a change in their dog's behavior. You can't lead well when you are fearful or tense.

When we practice yoga we move into calm energy when we do deep breathing. We move into calm and assertive energy when we decide to do our best and let go of suffering. This is how yoga moves into daily life, by relaxing, observing if we are holding tension and detaching from trying to control everything.

In yoga, Down Dog pose (pictured above and in the animal kingdom) becomes easier when your shoulders and neck relax. By finding the place where you have a gentle stretch in down dog, you release suffering. Take this into daily life and notice how you feel throughout your day. Ask yourself "Do I feel relaxed?", if not then what is interferring with your calm assertive energy? Perhaps it is anticipating something in the future or wishing something in the past had gone differently.

In yoga we focus on staying in the present moment to release tension and connect more deeply to our body and spirit. The Dog Whisperer teaches self awareness, just like yoga can when used for turning inward.

I sometimes forget these lessons and then am reminded when anxiety or stress show up. I might need to get a dog! Never give up on being calm, assertive and accepting doing your best as enough. If we heal ourselves, the world (and dogs) notice.

Namaste, Anne

Balancing Diabetes and what is this Epidemic of Diabetes?

Is there a lesson to be learned from being diagnosed with diabetes? If so, what is the lesson needed that has created an epidemic of diabetes in this country and the world today? Can this epidemic be slowed?

Currently over 20 million people in the United States have diabetes. At least 95% of those 20 million people have Type 2 diabetes, or the type associated with obesity and resistance to the insulin produced by the body. Type 1 diabetes accounts for the other 5% of people with diabetes, is usually diagnosed in children and is an autoimmune disease that stops insulin production in the body. Both conditions produce high blood sugars, and require daily vigilance regarding diet, exercise, and paying special attention to your physical body. Diabetes currently accounts for over $100 billion in annual healthcare expenditures in the U.S. and accounts for 28% of the medicare dollars spent each year.

I have had Type 1 diabetes for 36 years now, which I believe qualifies me to discuss what is learned from living with diabetes. When I was diagnosed with diabetes I was devastated. I was given the task of finding joy in my life differently than most people that I knew. Like most 12 year olds, I wanted to “fit in” and be like my peers. Over the years I have had many lessons from diabetes that keep repeating. Some lessons apply to any chronic illness, and some are specific to diabetes.

The first lesson from diabetes is: You are unique and must accept yourself, and love yourself for who you are to stay healthy. When you accept that your body has special needs and that you can adjust your life to fulfill those needs, your life improves. If you feel sorry for yourself and neglect your health needs, you will suffer.

The second lesson from diabetes is: Self discipline is good and can be done with joy, without suffering. Our society often says that “spontaneity is fun” and “discipline” is a drag that leads to suffering. Yet self discipline is required to practice and learn new skills. To graduate from high school, first you must have the self discipline to get out of bed and show up for class. To hold a job you must have the self discipline to develop a routine where you can get to work on time, cooperate with your boss, and complete your work as expected. Self discipline is an important part of life, and achieving your goals.

To change your attitude about self discipline regarding food you must ask yourself, “What is missing from my life that I refuse to eat in a disciplined way? Is there another reason that I eat unhealthy foods?” Carbohydrates can have a calming effect and produce a sense of relaxation. If a person is overly stressed or has difficulty sleeping, they may overeat in an attempt to release stress. People with diabetes must learn new ways to nurture themselves to relax.

The third lesson from diabetes is: You are more than your latest blood sugar level. Most physicians value patient blood sugar levels over general patient well being. Patients are often told to worry about complications if they run high blood sugars, which can create fear, guilt, anger and long term stress.
The rate of depression among people diagnosed with diabetes is MUCH higher than the general population. Patients must be helped to become less fearful and not suffer over an occasional high blood sugar. When patients hate to check blood sugar levels because the numbers are always “too high” or “bad”, patients stop checking blood sugar levels. If every test affects self esteem, then there is a problem. Blood sugars are information and must be used to help patients accept their own needs.

The fourth lesson from diabetes is: Never, absolutely never, give up on deciding to love your life living with diabetes.
While some people with diabetes may be cured by loosing weight, discontinuing medications or changing their diet, most people will spend many years learning the lessons of diabetes. When people with diabetes decide that life is good and that they are grateful to be alive, managing diabetes gets easier. It's all attitude!
How can life be sweet even if you must take medications, watch your diet, and love your body? See what you choose to focus on in your life. Fill up your life with loving people, creative activities that you love, speak about life and yourself with joy.

The fifth lesson from diabetes is: Get help, stay motivated and surround yourself with support.
Let other people know that you have diabetes, don’t hide it or be embarrassed by the diagnosis. A wonderful way of living with diabetes is by being a diabetes D.I.V.A, which stands for Disciplined, Informed, Visible, and Active.
Create a support system of people who support the fabulousness of YOU, and help you maintain your goals to love life fully. It can be challenging to stay motivated to live a healthy lifestyle unless you surround yourself with people who share your value for good health. If all your friends love to spend social time eating sweets or drinking alcohol, then is that supporting YOU? Weight Watchers has weekly meetings to keep people motivated to follow a healthy diet. Find a doctor that you feel comfortable with and who encourages your efforts, avoid dreading going to a cranky doctor.

The sixth lesson of diabetes is: To enjoy your body by being active, keeping food and activity in balance.
Find an activity that you love, such as swing dancing, yoga, tai chi, power walking with a friend, jazzercise, dog training, gardening, biking as you watch sports on TV, or even massaging your feet. Figure out what you enjoy, and find a way to do it daily. Set yourself goals for time spent being active in a way you enjoy (lesson #2) .

The seventh lesson of diabetes is: To love all types of food without being overly attached to one type of food, and don’t feel denied.
When we are overly attached to something then we suffer without it. Some foods become a type of addiction for people. If I believe that I have no control over how I eat, or am being controlled by cravings, it is time to get help. Identify beliefs about food that are controlling your behavior. Take your power back to look at your beliefs and habits. Examine your attachments to certain foods and decide what you can let go of or adjust.

So what are the lessons that our country needs to learn to slow down this epidemic of diabetes?

1. Love and accept your body needs, avoid feeling sorry for yourself, perfection is not an option.
2. Practice self discipline with joy, and be patient while working toward your goals.
3. Set goals, don't suffer over one blood sugar, send yourself positive messages about your health.
4. Love life, celebrate life, never give up on loving life.
5. Get help and create a network to support your goals for good health.
6. Enjoy being active daily.
7. Love food without extreme attachment

Bringing these lessons into your life now will decrease your risk on developing diabetes. Learn the lessons now. Pass it on.
Namaste, Anne

Creating a Sacred Space

I love symbolism. I find it everywhere. Opening sacred space is creating ceremony to add meaning to our lives. When life seems more about making money, and less about finding joy in life, I create a ceremony.

There is a reason that most cultures have sacred traditions and ceremonies. We each yearn to participate in something that feels sacred. Many native cultures have a tradition of opening sacred space. This is done by connecting with the symbolism assigned to the four directions, the earth and the sky. This tradition reminds us to honor the earth and our spiritual helpers in life. Adding ceremony to life can provide a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves.

Yoga and the medicine wheel practices such as opening sacred space have helped me ground my energy, feel more connected and able to appreciate our planet. We can root as deeply into the earth as we reach up into the heavens.

Try opening sacred space before meditating or upon arriving at your home. By showing appreciation for the world around us, and being thankful, we can create sacred space and shift our energy. There are thousands of ways to open sacred space.

Some of what I have learned has come from the Peruvian tradition discussed in "Shaman, Healer, Sage" by Alberto Villoldo Ph.D. I have completed the four directions of the Medicine Wheel with John English and continued in his Beyond the Medicine Wheel classes. Currently I am a mentor for new students in the Medicine Wheel program. For more information on John English's Medicine Wheel see http://www.dtpublications.com/.

Here is an example of words used to open sacred space :
Standing Facing South “To the winds of the South, blow through this space and help me open sacred space. Show me how to release all that binds me, as the serpent sheds her skin. Help me to release all attachments and patterns that lead to suffering, and walk in beauty. Thank you.”

Standing Facing West “To the winds of the West, where the sun sets, blow through this space and help me open sacred space. I ask the jaguar to help me track all sources of darkness, fear or limitations in my life and clear them. Help me identify all karmic and genetic programming that no longer serves me and release them with your help. Thank you.”

Standing Facing North “To the winds of the North, blow through this space and help me create sacred space. I honor the hummingbird who drinks from the nectar of life and know how to make long journeys with faith. I honor all the spiritual teachers who teach that anything is possible through love. I listen in stillness to connect with spirit. Thank you.”

Standing Facing East “To the winds of the East, where the sun rises, blow through this space and help me create sacred space. I ask the Eagle and the Condor to show me how to see life with impeccable vision, how to travel as my true self, and with spirit. Show me how to manifest more than I have yet to dream of. Thank you.”

Hands to the Earth “Mother Earth, help me create sacred space. I honor all your creations, your plants, the stones, and all the animals. Thank you for creating this place of learning and providing so much to support me. I honor the fish, the birds, the insects, the four legged animals and all your people, I seek to know you deeper and support you. Thank you.”

Hands to the Sky “Great Spirit, God, the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars, blow through this space now and help me create sacred space. Thank you for the life energy that you provide us, for all that you provide that I may not even understand. I seek to work on your behalf and honor you. Thank you.”

Shakti healing with creative energy

Shakti represents the creative energy in the universe. Her gift of energy to create in life gives deeper meaning to our lives, as art, as connection to new ideas to take action on. Shakti provides inspiration to restore balance, sometimes to clear what is not working, sometimes to make a new start.

Shakti is divine energy, always flowing and feeding each of us. Vital as water, we can reach out to receive at any time. Nurture your spirit, allow change into your life. Creating structure and a positive routine that supports you will decrease the impact of change on your peace of mind. Shakti is the focus of today's Daily Om http://today@dailyom.com/.

Astrologically we are entering a time to focus on improving our health, our daily routine, our ability to clear karma interferring with those areas of our lives. Love yourself, act inspired to support your spirit.

Mars is pushing you to get busy

This week, Aug 20th to 27th is going to be busy. If it's not you may feel like there is something you are supposed to be doing. Mars, the planet of action and masculine energy is opposing Jupiter. This causes tension. Jupiter likes to expand and Mars wants to move. On August 21st, the moon will be joining the picture as it moves in Jupiter's current part of the sky. Look at the moon tonight near Jupiter. So what does this mean? You might be moving too quickly and need to slow down a bit to stay centered. There may seem to be too much to do, and get angry or even start a fight. Watch how you feel, organize and work through projects methodically without fear. You may notice people are more aggressive or taking more risks than usual. Not to worry, it is temporary. Don't take it personally and get sucked into something that is not yours. This is a good time to just mind your own business and defuse negative behavior by laughing or getting more grounded.

The Sun is still traveling near Saturn this week, so people will be very serious about their work, responsibilities, etc... possibly moving into fight or flight (fear). Get out of their way, do your work and trust the universe.

What's up in the night sky?

The brightest visible object in this month's night sky is Jupiter. After sunset Jupiter is visible to the south east. At this time Jupiter is near the reddish star, Antares (part of Scorpio). After midnight Mars rises in the east and has a reddish glow as well. Currently, Mars is traveling near another reddish star, Aldebarran.

On August 28th there will be a lunar eclipse that will be visible in the western United States. The full moon enters the earth's shadow and totality of the eclipse occurs at 2:52 AM and lasts 91 minutes. Much superstition exists around an eclipse and some feel this is not a good time to be active. Astrology considers eclipses to be active for 6 months and are transformational if they fall close to a planet in your chart. This eclipse fall at 4 degrees Pisces, with the Sun at 4 degrees Virgo.

Venus will not be visible in the pre-dawn sky until the end of August. The moon will be visible near Venus before the sun rises on Saturday September 8th and Sunday September 9th, 2007.