It seems that the theme dominating conversations for me this month have centered on "fear". They have appeared on many fronts - from my local grocer to conversations with friends, parents of friends and strangers I seem to be meeting for one reason or another. My response - or stance for each has remained relatively the same.

Mars: let's think about him for a bit. Anger and fear are opposite sides of the same coin. One usually sparks the other. They are not however opposing vibrational directions of the same energy signature (ie. "Fear" is not a higher or lower expression of "anger").

One particular conversation highlighted rather concretely a consideration I would like to put forth. The person I was speaking to was rather impassioned about the "state of things" since 911. Father of 5, his fears centered around themes that since 911 suddenly Pandora's box had been opened for any individual with a gripe to create something in a petri dish and harm a great many. He argued that 911 was a door we stepped through as a species and that there was no going back.

It seemed to me that his "fear" was a reaction to the "anger" that instigated the events of 911. Further, as long as he continued to put his energetic focus on the anger of the event that fear might be an almost unavoidable logical step.  And while I for the most part agree with him on all fronts, there is another point to consider.  A great many people stepped through that very same doorway but at a higher vibrational response. This too should be examined. 911 called forth so many to higher Mars response: bravery and unthinking self-sacrifice. He argued that it did not matter what the "little guys" did because government response was to clamp down (more fear and anger) and that was the only response that mattered.

On that front I have to whole-heartedly disagree. Any act of courage is high Mars personified. Whenever I start to get afraid of all the violence and anger that is working to unleash itself, I often think of all those men and women who stepped right up to the plate without any second thought. It is a humbling and comforting consideration.

While the acts of fear and violence of 911 and all the ones that have manifested since have not surprised me in the least, I will say that the acts of courage continue to do so. Why is that? It is a lesson to me I think. A great window into myself that quietly offers me the opportunity to look again, and to see the higher possibility that always does seems to step up to the plate. It never misses a beat. It might be small in number at times, but it is always there. How can it not matter? How would the energy of our times shift if we were to spend an equal amount of focus on the manifestation of that higher response? What new paths into the future might reveal themselves to feed our collective psyche?

I am no namby pamby - I am not an advocate for "positive thinking" or the "flight into light" as I have heard it referred to. To me that is a fear response too. No, I think the courageous response, even as a mere witness to the "news", is to look into that scary Mars face and bravely engage the highest vibrational Mars response available to you. How can that not matter?

I seem to have gotten distracted with my garden and my chickens these past months and have been somewhat neglectful of tuning in online and creating any posts. I don't see this as a "bad" thing necessarily... everything in it's time.

I try to keep that mantra in mind as i contemplate the economies and Europe and here in the States - along with the current political and social climates all over the world. Naturally i also link that with the some very bizarre weather patterns and all the various stories friends and strangers have shared with me over the past several months.

We live in such interesting times... But rather than see this as a "bad" thing. It intrigues me. Yes, it is scary, but it is also very potent.

I don't feel like "change or die!" is the correct response, nor is "let me just work harder, better, faster with less." What i am noticing in my own life and astrologically is that it is a really powerful call to AWAKEN. This does not mean "change what you are doing", and it definitely does not mean "feel bad about what you or what anyone else is doing."

Simply awaken.... as much as you can, as often, for as long as possible. This precious, precious moment - no matter how heart wrenching or dizzying - this is what we have.

It starts with us. Each of us, inside of ourselves, this crazy, messy, wondering thing...what ARE we? Part heart, part brain, part utter mystery; some biological process, perhaps some spiritual evolution and some response to environmental stimulus - all of it swirled together. It always astounds me that so much fits into such a small package.

In support of this process of AWAKENING, i am announcing an indefinite change in my astrology practice. I will no longer be "charging" for my services... so contact me for a reading.

If it helps you and if you find it possible in your reality to send me something that can help support me in mine, well that would be a really great help. If not - no worries.

Well, here we are well into 2012... pretty amazing.

I have really enjoyed reading for everyone who has contacted me. Thank you all so much. I do wish however more of you would leave comments. (*hint-hint*) To help entice response toward that end, i am running a special going forward throughout the year: you get a 10% discount if you leave a testimonial on the guestbook/comments page.

Also i am also running start the year off specials thru the end of February:

• 15% off to any one returning for another reading
• refer a friend who gets a reading and you can get your next reading for 20%

The class was great as usual, not only to be able to watch and learn from a master, but also for the cameraderie that is found in the AP group.

One of the things that came up for discussion over the various lunches were the themes of addiction and compulsive behaviors that seem to mark Neptune in Scorpio. Synchronistically it has continued to be a buzz note in several of the readings i have done upon my return as well as in discussion with friends.

I would welcome any comments or observations as well as any personal stories on this theme as specific to your Neptune in Scorpio placement.

Finding myself here in lovely sunny California again, anticipating another class with Steven Forrest. This one will be the second in the series on the current major transits of Pluto, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn. I always come back from these classes buzzed and hungry for more. Hopefully i can pass on the juice.