Winter Solstice: A Fresh New Year in the Deadest of Seasons

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

A lot of you are probably celebrating Christmas today, but for those like me it’s just a part of the Winter Solstice season. This is a time when the earth tilts in rotation so that we are farthest from the Sun. Therefore, pretty things like flowers cease to grow and trees lose their beautiful leaves. This is a time of death.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice

http://www.crystalinks.com/wintersolstice.html

It’s been said that in the old days, humans grew fearful during Winter Solstice as each day became shorter and darkness enveloped them for longer periods of time. Plunged into colder, sunless days, they were terrified the world was coming to an end. Huddled together in hibernation, they would emerge once they realized the days were growing longer and the sun shone brightly again. That’s when they celebrated with feasts and festivities.

Besides observing religious beliefs at this time of year, many cultures around the world also acknowledge the Winter Solstice with social events. And, the tales of the Sun’s return are many. For one, the Japanese tell a story about Amaterasu, the sun goddess, who hid in a cave until she was tricked into emerging and bringing the warm light back with her.

Another interesting phenomenon this time of the year is the celebration of New Year’s during the bleakest, darkest period on earth. Because of powerful men in high places, we live by a calendar that doesn’t always sync with Nature. Obviously, the beginning of life starts in spring, and in Astrology the New Year begins with the sign Aries.

The Sun in Capricorn (December 21-January 20) is a weird time to be celebrating a New Year since its Saturn ruler is harsh and restrictive. Do you recall that Saturn ate his own children? Not exactly a bright and sunny disposition--that one. Again, death.

Among Chinese and other Asian ethnicities, the New Year is calculated by the position of the Moon. The upcoming Lunar New Year of the Rabbit (or Cat in Japan) will be celebrated on February 3. 

Gypsy Stars is at work now creating a new line of t-shirts for you.

 Regardless of your personal beliefs, it’s safe to say that Nature always gets her way. Please be respectful and don’t eat Her animals.

Due to an unbelievably hectic schedule, Gypsy Stars is now moving to a once mid-month posting. Look for our return on January 15.

Until next year, leaving you with good luck, light and love.

Gypsy Stars

Animal Spirits: Do Dogs Dream?

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

How do you feel about animals? Do you believe they have to ability to think? And, if so, do you believe they dream like humans do? Have you ever watched your pet sleeping when s/he suddenly began twitching or whimpering? Did it make you wonder if s/he was having a nightmare about being chased, or upset about not getting his or her favorite treat?

I consider myself to be a true animal lover—I don’t eat them, or wear them, nor do I hold them prisoner in my home and call them pets.

At least, I don’t anymore.

But once upon a time, I was the owner of a gentle feline named RastaFari. That’s him in the photo above and, no, that is not a spike going through his cheek, but just him leaning against the porch railing and yawning. When Rasta was still a tiny kitten, he was run over by a van (that drove off without stopping) and was forever scarred—having lost one testicle, some intestines, and the use of his right front paw (see how he holds it in the pix?). Still, the boy had spirit. Not only did Rasta refuse to allow a paralyzed paw keep him from fighting raccoons in the backyard, but he wouldn’t back down from any other animal—cat or dog--either. The only thing Rasta couldn’t do was climb trees or my kitchen countertops, which I thought was a good thing. Being a tommish boy, Rasta loved nothing more than running around in the woods chasing something, but whenever he came home he was contemplative and sweet. I even taught him to sit and shake hands! And, Rasta never once scratched me. Sometimes, when I was feeling especially down, he’d sit in front of me and stare as if he could read my mind. During cold winters, he would lie in front of the portable heater for hours. Sometimes, when I touched his thick fur, it would feel like it was on fire. Yes, RastaFari was special and we had a deep connection that transcended animal/human relationships. I’d had other pets before, both dogs and cats, but none of them formed that exceptional bond with me that Rasta and I had. Unfortunately, I had to move away and was unable to bring Rasta into my new life, but I think of him often and wonder if he ever misses me.

In medieval European folklore, animals that were thought to assist Wiccans and magicians were called “familiars”. The image of a witch riding a broomstick with a cat is, pardon the pun, a familiar depiction from that period.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Familiar_spirit

Of course, lots of other cultures also have stories of animals that assist humans, especially when that human is in peril. In Japan, a raccoon dog named Tanuki, with gigantic testicles that he sometimes throws over his shoulders, is often portrayed as a Shinto priest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanuki

In other parts of the world, animals are always significant to shamans. Native Hawai’ians teach that their ancestors or ‘aumakua are sharks. Interestingly, it’s been reported that no Native Hawai’ian has ever been bitten by one.

http://tribes.tribe.net/hooponopono/thread/c7d805c2-acff-4e48-870c-1157e1b8ea54

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aumakua

And, of course, many American Indigenous carved animal totems.

So, who is your familiar? Drop a line to gypsystars@me.com and let us know.

Thank you, author George Patton, for another wonderful blog idea. That’s George’s familiar, Midnight, pictured sideways. She is after all magical and her master, George, knows all about magicians—having penned Black Jack, a novel about his great uncle Herman (see below).

Hey, readers. Don’t forget you can connect with Gypsy Stars on Facebook and join The Urban Goddess where we promote your metaphysical business.

And, we have T-zing t-shirts for you.

Until next time, leaving you with good luck, light and love.

Gypsy Stars

T-Day Thoughts And Fire Gazing

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

How’s it going this long holiday weekend?

Personally, it’s not my favorite time of the year. Maybe it’s because I associate November with the intensely secretive sign Scorpio even though the Sun has now entered fun-loving Sagittarius. But while the Sun is transiting Scorpio, there’s always much emotional drama to navigate through many hidden layers. That’s just how Scorpio rolls—inside deep recesses and hidden from view.

Another reason this season annoys me is because I have a healthy respect for living creatures. So, I don’t eat them. The longer I abstain, the harder it is for me to reconcile that others don’t, especially near T-day celebrations when most carnivores incessantly discuss how they’ll prepare and consume an unfortunate, butchered fowl. (See my nice Tofurky plate, below.) Since the subject is a sensitive one that both sides get distressed over, I’ll just move on…to something even more disturbing.

Like, how can I justify commemorating a day that brought so much misery to the indigenous people of this nation?  As a child, I naively accepted that T-day was a time of sharing. But as an adult with Native American friends, I realized it meant something entirely different for them. In fact, for some families I know it’s considered a day of national mourning for the loss of their people, land, language, history and culture.

Apologies for this depressing post, but it seems like my thoughts are on the gloomy side right now. Of course, it’s late fall when things are dark and dead so maybe my reflections are being influenced by outside forces.

If you’re feeling down, too, a great solution is to do some fire gazing. If you have a fireplace, sit in front of it on the floor on a comfortable pillow. Grab a nice hot mug of spiced cider along with some freshly popped corn. Then, while staring into the fire, let your body completely relax without falling over. Allow your eyes to just let go. Whatever images manifest in the fire, let them be. Don’t try to control or edit anything. If you can stay relaxed and write at the same time, do so. Just keep a large pad and marker nearby. A marker works better because it takes less effort to write with one. Just keep taking notes until you get to the point where you’re spent or tired. Then, slowly, allow yourself to come out of your trance. Look at the words or images you wrote down. Some of them will be obvious. If you wrote about seeing a big house, you might want to analyze whether that house made you feel safe or smothered. Or, was it a person you saw? Who was it, and how do you react to their presence when they’re actually around you?

One of the hardest things for me to see in so-called real life is a sick child. A good friend has a young son who suffers from too much protein in his urine. I’m not good at explaining all the technical terms of Tyler’s illness, so please visit his website to learn more. He is truly an adorable child and could really use your help.

www.healingtyler.com

Hopefully, I didn’t depress you too much with all my bad news. But, remember, there’s always a light in every darkness.

And, t-shirts, too. Pick up a T_zing and get happy!

Remember to friend us on Facebook and "like" The Urban Goddess, too.

Until next time, I am...

Leaving you with good luck, light and love;

Gypsy Stars

Pass Me A Fortune, Cookie...

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

Here’s to good fortune in your life right now. Speaking of fortune, an old friend treated Gypsy Stars and her sister to a wonderful Chinese dinner tonight. And, of course, our meal included fortune cookies.

Exactly how did fortune cookies come into existence? According to the website link below, no one really knows:

http://www.chinese-fortune-cookie.com/fortune-cookie-history.html

Although Wikipedia begs to differ:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortune_cookie

What Gypsy Stars does know is that she loves reading fortunes and even collects them—pasting them into a calendar notebook and checking to see whether or not those fortunes ever come true. How about you?

Not long ago, a Bay Area friend made plans to visit Gypsy Stars and her mother. For some unfathomable reason, Mom thought homemade fortune cookies were warranted. After baking the tasty treats, naturally, Mom commissioned Gypsy Stars to write the fortunes.

Here are some samples:

You will have a prosperous future.

Your life is going to become so much better soon!

An unexpected windfall will make you wealthy.

A life of pleasure and good treasure awaits you.

What you’ve always wanted will soon manifest.

You will hear good news immediately!

Your life is about to change for the good.

Three of your top wishes will come true tomorrow.

You will soon fall madly in love with a wonderful person.

In your life, you will be both rich and famous.

Good luck is coming your way in three days!

You are about to hit the jackpot.

Make a wish. It will come true.

The irony is that the friend cancelled her trip at the last minute and Gypsy Stars and her family were forced to enjoy all the cookies and good fortunes themselves.

What's the best fortune you ever received? Drop us a line at gypsystars@me.com and let us know!

In the photos above, Gypsy Stars enjoys finding good fortune in Vancouver, B.C.'s Chinatown. Cheerio!


Remember, to friend us on Facebook, "like" The Urban Goddess, and check out our line of T*zing t-shirts. 

Leaving you with good luck, light and love;

Gypsy Stars

Halloween: Passing Spirits

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

Trick or treat! Happy Halloween! Just what do those words mean exactly?

According to Wikipedia, the Celtic festival of Samhain (old Irish for summer’s end) celebrated the “end of the lighter half of the year and the beginning of the darker half” or what became known as the Celtic New Year. Ancient Celts believed that the border between this world and the next one became so thin during that time it allowed spirits to pass through.

In order to keep harmful spirits away, costumes and masks were worn as disguises. The rationale was that if the costume you wore made you look like a harmful spirit yourself, the authentically harmful ones left you alone. Trick or treat!

Eventually, Samhain became today’s Halloween, or the evening before All Hallows Day. Happy All Hallows Eve!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

During my childhood, Halloween meant months of planning the perfect costume I would wear. I also looked forward to drinking hot apple cider, eating candied apples and popcorn balls, and, of course, gorging on all the candy I’d collect from neighbors.

As a little girl, I loved fall, October and Halloween. Without realizing it then, I probably felt a connection to the Libra Sun moving through my Ascendant at that time of year. And, the brilliant sunset colors of leaves turning orange, scarlet and sienna inspired me as an artist. October is also a month of windy storms and cemeteries—domains of the Ifa deity Oya.

Strangely, my Japanese immigrant mother dressed me as a gypsy nearly every year until I was in junior high school. Was it her psychic ability at work? How did she know I would end up reading Astrology charts and Tarot cards someday? Intuitively, my mother would clothe me in full skirts, wrap my long hair in a colorful scarf, add large hoop earrings, bangles and bright red lipstick--all the while knowing nothing of the Romany.

Perhaps there was something in me on a deeper consciousness level that recognized early on who I would become, and that something communicated to my mother to attire me appropriately. At any rate, the whole thing is another one of life’s great mysteries.

But don’t you remain one. Drop us a line at gypsystars@me.com to share your Halloween story with our readers. Hopefully, it will be as entertaining as my favorite short story author’s, Shirley Jackson’s, The Haunting of Hill House—available below.

Soon, we’ll meet again. Meanwhile, remember our T*zing t-shirts. And, don't forget to friend us on Facebook and like The Urban Goddess, too.

http://www.cafepress.com/t_zing

Above is a pix of me on my way to Sorrentino’s Halloween party dressed as a Persian cat. Meow!

Leaving you with good luck, light and love;

Gypsy Stars

Gifts From The Universe: The Age Of Aquarius

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

What a gifted time we live in. With just a flick of our wrists, we can access information about nearly everything in the world that we have an interest in. Only this morning, I googled ‘tiny brown worm’ because I had seen a couple inside my home and couldn’t identify them. In seconds, I visited web pages that explained to me these guys were called millipedes that slide under doors and through wall cracks in search of moisture.

Of course, most of the time when I look for information, it’s about something more meaningful but today tiny brown worms were on my mind.

In any case, it’s a miracle that we can just punch in some keys and find the answers to our questions. Does this mean that the Age of Aquarius has finally dawned upon us? Aquarius rules modern inventions like electricity, computers and wireless technology. All of those things exist today, yet some say we haven’t fully reached the Age of Aquarius yet.

If you recall, there was a song from the popular 1968 hit Broadway play, Hair, with lyrics about the Moon being in the 7^th House and Jupiter aligning with Mars and how that would bring about the Age of Aquarius. But the Moon is in the 7^th House every 2 1/2 days, and Mars and Jupiter align often.

Still, every Astrological Age (12 total) span some 2,000 years and, according to some, we are leaving Pisces and entering Aquarius as a group (ages travel counterclockwise). Since several people have asked me what it all means, let me break it down a little.

According to some experts, we are still in the Piscean Age--which is indicative of the religious wars currently spanning the globe. Neptune, Pisces’ ruler, has dominion over beliefs as well as alcohol and drugs. With the proliferation of addiction centers across the U.S., it seems that drug culture is also very much alive right now. So, are we in Pisces or Aquarius?

Popular belief says that we will reach the Age of Aquarius on 12/12/2012 at 11:11 p.m. just in time to meet the end of the Mayan calendar and the moment our sun aligns with a portal in the Milky Way for the first time in 26,000 years. Some believe that we won’t undergo so much a physical metamorphosis, but that our consciousness—our collective human consciousness--will expand to the fifth dimension so that we will become light beings; more impersonal yet somehow more humanitarian.

But as with so many things Uranian (Uranus rules the sign Aquarius), the beginning date of the Age of Aquarius is highly controversial. Many Astrologers (also ruled by revolutionary Uranus) have differing opinions as to when the age truly begins. Witness this wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Aquarius

Above are photos of Gypsy Stars and a former biz partner at a psychic fair selling AstroTeez t-shirts created by Darlene Romero. And--from what is probably the most Aquarian TV show ever—a cardboard cutout of Captain Kirk in a bakery window.

Until next time, don’t forget about our T*zing t-shirts:

http://www.cafepress.com/t_zing

And, remember to friend us on Facebook and "like" The Urban Goddess.

Leaving you with good luck, light and love;

Gypsy Stars

Meditation: How To Create Your Altar Space

Greetings, Gifted Reader! 

How are you handling your life these days? Are your night dreams helping you to maneuver this often complicated path we’ve been thrust upon by Karma? Or, perhaps you find that meditation provides you with the answers you seek.

Meditation doesn’t have to be some lengthy, formal ritual, you know. If a few minutes in silence helps you to focus and solve your problems, you can certainly call that meditation.

Included in the advice I give to people seeking answers to questions through Metaphysics (Astrology, Tarot) is to meditate in front of an altar space. In turn, I’m often asked to describe what should be a part of that space.

To begin with, everything depends on the type of person you are.

Some people are into traditional religions, others are agnostic. Some people are tied into their own cultural heritages, while others seem to embrace rituals that are not handed down by their own ancestors.

So, first identify those beliefs that are most important to you. For me, personally, it’s a mix of Japanese Shinto and West African Ifa. Therefore, I like to place objects from both religions onto my altar space.

My first sacred space is near my front door. There, I place a coconut representing Papa Legba (see last blog entry), he of 21 paths and communicator to other Ifa deities. Next to Legba (or Ellegua in Santeria) is the Legba (Rada) card from the New Orleans Voodoo Tarot deck (see ad below). New Orleans is one of my favorite cities, and I’ve read that the Fon of Dahomey ended up there, as well as in Haiti.

Next to Papa Legba is a framed photograph of Japanese actor Fukuyama Masaharu in costume playing Sakamoto Ryoma in the current NHK taiga drama, Ryomaden. Ryoma was a merchant-class samurai who rose to prominence when he helped topple the Tokugawa Shogunate in order to unite Japan and rid it of its class system. Okay, so Ryoma is not quite Shinto, but he seems like the perfect communications helper to Legba as he is a major hero in Japan. Remember, whatever works for you is what you need. If looking at a picture of an actor playing Ryoma (with a samurai sword) evokes a sense of power for me—let’s say, I’m fighting a particular legal battle, for instance—then, that’s fine.

Besides my door altar, I also have a meditation space where I do my work. Since I like bright colors like neon pink and turquoise--which would suggest the deity Oshun, although my spirit mama is Oya whose color is purple—I use a cloth in those particular shades. However, when I want to bring Oya to me, I use a purple cloth and 9 eggplants, or plums. But be careful if you’re calling Oya. She is the goddess of sudden storms, and I’ve experienced her unexpected lightning and thunder in the past.

If you’re the peaceful type, you’ll want to use neutral or pastel colors. If you need something more electric, by all means choose red and black for Chango or purple for his wife, Oya. Everything depends on the type of energy you want to draw to yourself. It may be meditation, but sometimes meditation requires action and in those times, you should attempt to attract something strong.

Add whatever objects to your altar that you think will help you focus on your problem. If you recall, Astrologer Linda Goodman put photos of troubled loved ones on top of purple plates. If you know someone who needs your help, put their picture on your altar along with your wishes for them written down. If it’s about love or money, add 7 oranges or tangerines, or 7 pieces of pumpkin drizzled in honey.

Again, whatever resonates with you is what will work for you. If you have a traditional religious background, definitely decorate your altar space accordingly. Is there a particular figure like Buddha or Krishna that makes sense for you? What are the special candles, flowers, foods, or incenses that they like? Use your intuition and try different arrangements if one of them doesn’t work.

Once you have your altar the way you like it, simply sit in front of it (on the floor is best), breathe deeply and close your eyes. Go to the part of your mind that is still, yet focused, and ask for the resolution of a particular problem. Stay in this state as long as you need—usually half an hour or less. When you “awaken”, you should have your answer. Or, more likely, the answer will awaken you.

Good fortune to you, and drop me a line to let me know how it worked out.

Above are photos of me at a New Orleans café, in front of the House of Voodoo in the French Quarter, and at Marie Laveau’s mausoleum at Saint Louis Cemetery #1 with a friend.

Until next we meet, remember to friend us on Facebook and like The Urban Goddess. Lest you forget, we also have T*zing t-shirts for you at http://www.cafepress.com/t_zing

Leaving you with good luck, light and love;

Gypsy Stars

FYI: How To Get A Tarot Card Reading

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

As my friend George Patton likes to say, we’re living in a time of turmoil propelled by tumultuous events. However, you don’t have to feel overwhelmed by surrounding circumstances. Even if the world around you seems to be spinning out of control, you can still get a handle on your own life through a Tarot card reading. If you have the money and time, I suggest Astrology for a more in-depth analysis. But, that method takes much longer to get down to the nitty-gritty while Tarot can hone in on one specific area quickly.

What’s the best way to get the best Tarot card reading? Well, for one, try not to read the cards while the reader is doing it. So many times in the past, I’ve noticed people trying to read the cards as I lay them out in a spread on the table.

“What does that one mean, ‘Confusion’?” they’ll ask pointing to the card that reads ‘Confusion’.

Without considering the context of the entire spread, they will indicate first one card and then another asking me all the while, “What does that one mean? ‘The Chariot’? Am I’m going to travel? ‘Love and Desire’? Does that mean I’m in love?”

I then ask if they want a reading or if they want to learn to read Tarot cards. Because if they want to learn to read for themselves, it’s going to take more than the 10 or 20 minutes we’ve set aside for the reading. Just explaining what a few cards mean can take awhile. After all, there are 78 of them in most Tarot decks. Further, learning about only one or two cards can be pretty meaningless because the spread works as a unit.

As for the style of Tarot cards to use, there are so many these days and I own a dozen different decks. Personally, I prefer the Egipcios Kier deck (see below) although I wished the artist had made the Egyptians look a little more, well, Egyptian. Still, these cards speak to me on an intuitive level and after nearly 20 years of using them, I can glance at a spread and quickly assess what is going on with the person I’m reading.

When you get a Tarot card reading, you should go with an open mind. Please do not be afraid. No professional reader should ever be the bearer of really bad news. Even if I see something horrific in your reading, I will try to deliver the information in a caring and concerned way.

You should also have some idea of what you’d like to focus on. Think of meeting with a reader as being similar to going to a doctor or therapist. Would you say to your physician, “Hey doc, guess what’s wrong with me?” Or, do you think it’s more effective to say: “Doctor, I’ve been having a lot of stomach pain, but the rest of me is just fine.” Now, your doctor can focus on the part of you that needs healing the most.

Of course, every reader is going to be different, but I like to move things to the forefront by asking outright if the person has any particular questions. That way, the spread will come alive immediately for me. Sometimes, that magic moment happens regardless of the person’s question, but it’s still good to have a focal point.

I’ve actually had people ask me, “Should I tell you who the evil woman is that you’re seeing holding me back on my job?” Of course you should. This is not a guessing game or about hiding information between the cards and the reader. The sooner we can pinpoint your problem, the sooner we can come up with a resolution.

My favorite spread is called the Ten Card Spread. The first card I lay down represents the Questioner and the second card crosses them. The next one goes behind the Questioner card; the next one, below it; the next one, in front of it; and then, above it. To the right of the Questioner, I lay out four cards representing the future and spelling out the answer to the question. The first one, once again, represents the Questioner, then, environmental factors; emotional state; and, final outcome.

I also suggest an interactive approach for best results. With me, you don’t just have to sit quietly and listen. You can interject information like, “Are you sure that’s my husband you’re seeing and not my young lover?” Sometimes, a card like the Fool represents someone youthful like your young lover, and sometimes it represents someone naïve like your gullible husband that you think you’re fooling with your affair.

So, there you have some suggestions about the best way to get a Tarot card reading. Stay tuned as we bring you more metaphysical moments every other Saturday.

At the top, is a snapshot of me holding Papa Legba who sits at my door. Yes, I use a coconut to represent the Trickster who decides who I will and will not communicate with--among other things. Legba or Ellegua has 21 paths and enjoys rum, cigars, candy and chewing gum. The naughty boy will not allow you to communicate with the other loas or orishas if you don’t go through him first.

Speaking of communications, dreams are a wonderful way to be in touch with your higher consciousness. That’s me, above, daydreaming about my mother’s dog dreaming.

Remember, we have T*zing t-shirts for you at http://www.cafepress.com/t_zing

And, don't forget to friend us on Facebook and like The Urban Goddess, too.

Leaving you with good luck, light and love;

Gypsy Stars

Jupiter: The Gigantic, Giving, Goof

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

Did ya miss me? Apologies for not appearing here last week, but this blogger has moved to a biweekly format. From now on, look for us keeping you in the know with our metaphysical musings on an every-other-week basis.

Since last we connected, Gypsy Stars has been experiencing her own Jupiter Retrograde disappointments. How has Jupiter been treating you?

As you may know, Jupiter’s generosity is legend. Here is a big fat, jolly planet that lives to give. Jupiter also loves to laugh and because of his naïveté can be a total dork. Due to his hedonistic tendencies like over-imbibing and overeating, Jupiter is also the quintessential partier slash playboy. In Ifa, Obatala is sometimes compared to Jupiter. Children of Obatala wear white, are considered chaste and holy, and not allowed to drink alcohol. Obatala, it is said, created humans. But as he sat in heaven, making people of clay then blowing them down to earth with his breath, he thought he’d have a shot of palm wine to make his work go faster. In fact, Obatala thought he’d have several shots. Soon, he became so tipsy that he accidentally began breaking off the arms, legs and even the heads of the unfortunate earthlings; sending them to earth as disabled and undeveloped.

Discipline, boys and girls, is not Jupiter’s forte either. In the case of retrogrades, Jupiter will often take back what he gave you in abundance while he was in direct motion. Because Jupiter is in Aries now, generally (because it will differ for each individual), we’re looking at issues dealing with ego, personality and the physical body. For instance, if you have Aries Ascendant, Jupiter Retrograde over your First House could be that time when you lose weight. On September 8, Jupiter will be retrograding his way backwards into Pisces while both Venus and Mars enter Scorpio! Okay, I think I’ll sit this one out in my Gypsy Stars cave. Scorpio is intense and with both Venus and Mars in it, you can expect lots of fireworks or firearms going off in personal relationships.

Switching subjects now, a lot of people often ask me for advice about how to attain mental clarity. First of all, stop ingesting dead animals. Seriously. Although it’s a good way to stay physically healthy, too, not eating putrid carcasses is also a way for you to avoid taking in any residue negative vibrations. An animal in its last moments of life, realizing that it’s dying, is fighting hard to live. That is what you’re bringing into your psyche—fear, helplessness, and the overwhelming pain of loss. Check out most Eastern religions like Buddhism and you will note that priests do not eat dead animals, for a good reason.

Once you’ve gotten to that point (and I’m not saying to do it overnight), be sure you’re always well hydrated. Drink lots of water and natural non-concentrated juices. If you have a juicer, excellent. For tea, I stick with genmai (green with brown rice bits) and if I really want to open my chakras, I use gotu kola, which is made from elephants’ favorite leaves. Drink gotu kola regularly and you will never forget. If you don’t already practice yoga, try it for both the physical rewards and meditative qualities.

After you’ve gotten yourself physically conditioned, create a place in your home where only you alone can always go. That will become your altar space where you will meditate and ask your higher consciousness, gods and/or goddesses, spirit guides, or whatever you look to for guidance, to assist you with a clearer, calmer mind.

Another time, I’ll give you some ideas of what to put in your altar space.

Above are some of my fave photos of the psychic vibes surrounding Santa Monica, a city chock full of ghosts and legends. For instance, a statue of Saint Monica stands on Ocean Boulevard and Wilshire. It’s reported that Ms. Monica was beyond consoling because her son, the future St. Augustine, was a drunkard and womanizer. Monica cried every day until her tears formed a pool near downtown Los Angeles where Spanish explorers landed. Seeing the spring of water there, they decided to name the area Santa Monica (not to be confused with present-day Santa Monica located at the edge of the Pacific Ocean). As Fate would have it, the city of Santa Monica is Sagittarius which means it's ruled by generous, jovial Jupiter and the same sign that my Moon (home) is in.

That’s me at the top in my favorite Santa Monica cemetery on 14^th Street followed by a shot of Zoltar, the famous psychic living on Santa Monica Pier. Drop in a coin, and voila! Zoltar will tell you whether or not that knuckle-headed boyfriend will call you with an apology, or if your lottery ticket holds the winning combo.

Santa Monica:

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ETg2kS_IzOmjWBsbCmiLUw?select=0lYxCJnAOA6DTjO29ZNx8w

Zoltar:

http://wiki.worldflicks.org/boardwalk_on_the_pier.html#coords=(34.009438,-118.497154)&z=19

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM5B56_Zoltar_Santa_Monica_Pier_California

And, don't forget our T*zing t-shirts at http://www.cafepress.com/t_zing and George Patton's book about his great Uncle Herman, a famous magician during the Harlem Renaissance.

Remember, you can friend us on Facebook and like The Urban Goddess, too.

Leaving you with good luck, light and love;

Gypsy Stars

Ellegua, Legba and Mercury

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

Apologies for the delay this week, but Gypsy Stars had a party to attend on Saturday and missed her own deadline. That, plus Mercury Retrograde was the culprit for things falling apart.

By now, most people who read their daily horoscope have some sense of what Mercury in Retrograde means. For decades, popular Astrologers rarely discussed it and now that they do, it seems a lot of the general public has a misunderstanding of the effects of this planetary phenomenon.

Personally, Gypsy Stars has heard from some lay folks that this configuration is the worst thing that could happen as miscommunications abound and nothing is settled. While that's somewhat true, there are times when things going wrong turn out to be blessings. Think of Mercury Retrograde as a rest stop on the long highway of life and you'll be just fine.

First of all, let's take a look at the planet itself. Here's the guy responsible for communications, basic education, siblings and short-distance travel; thus, neighborhoods. In the religion of Ifa which is incorporated in Santeria and Vodoun, the deity Legba or Ellegua is highly representative of Mercury. As the Trickster,  he has 21 paths so he's quirky and changeable. In Ifa, you must first petition Legba or Ellegua to ask him to open the doors to the other deities in order to fulfill your desires. If he likes the ebbos (sacrifices) you offer him, he just may let you enter. You can think of the planet Mercury in a similar fashion since he is all about the way we think and speak. When Mercury is in Retrograde motion--meaning he appears to be moving backwards as he slows his speed--that's the time when our thoughts and speech also retract themselves. That's why mail gets lost, voicemails are garbled, emails are never delivered, etc. They occur to gives us a chance to stop action on something, retrieve it, and rethink it before releasing it again.

Since this particular Mercury Retrograde is in the sign Virgo, it's an ideal time to analyze Sixth House activities--or matters of health and employment. Virgo is also about "service to others", so reconsider what you give away so freely.

Use this time wisely. If you have a Natal Mercury Retrograde in your chart, you're already backtracking regularly. For the rest of you, remember this is an opportunity to reassess and resolve an issue that continues to confront you.

To learn more about Legba, read Jambalaya by Luisah Teish pictured below. Remember, we have t-shirts, too. And, don't forget to join us on Facebook!

Leaving you with good luck, light and love;
Gypsy Stars

Abracadabra: Magical Moments With George Patton And Black Jack

Greetings, Gifted Reader! As promised, a special guest is featured on this week’s blog.

George Patton is a professional stock market technical analyst, founder of Patton Capital Management, and a registered investment advisor currently living in Orlando Florida.

He’s also the author of Black Jack, a book about his great uncle Herman who was a famous magician. However, Patton's main character is his aunt Eva, who was only 17 when she met Herman and became his assistant. A small time ingénue who fell in love with Herman (already famous when they met), Eva was propelled into superstardom along with her man as they became part of the Harlem Renaissance.

Besides a focus on the world of magic, the book also addresses the Jim Crow laws of segregation during that time period. Written from Eva’s point-of-view as a survivor, the book starts with her and ends with her. Black Herman died mysteriously onstage in 1934 while Eva continued to rise with resplendence as she had been conditioned to mentor the following generations of her family. She passed away this year at age 111.

Q: So, George, do you believe in magic?

A: I believe there is more in this world than meets the eye. As for the mental manipulation of matter, I think that is possible also. That there are unseen powers that can be beseeched to do your bidding, definitely, but there is always a price.

Q: What inspired you to tackle a project that involves heavy research about history?

A: Love of history. Love of family. Learning about my family history was fascinating especially since no one had spoken Black Herman’s name in my household in forty years, believe it or not. When you research your family history, you learn about yourself. The choices they made prepare the fertile field for your development. Also, my heart leapt when I saw my great aunt’s name in a history book.

Q: How long did it take you to write the book?

A: The better part of a year. But I was seemingly aided by inspiration from beyond. Suppositions I made early on were revealed to be chillingly accurate. Once more, facts were uncovered. I say that this fictionalized version is closer to fact than even I imagine.

Q: Do you think that Black Herman based his work on African techniques that became Hoodoo in America?

A: Yes, in the beginning of his career and back then his audience was mostly semi-literate Southern blacks who were heavily steeped in these traditions passed down from slave times. Herman provided shows based on African Hoodoo to entertain and empower just as his talk of hailing from Zulu tribes—the fiercest warriors in existence--were meant to empower and embolden.

Q: Do you know of any black magicians working today? 

A: Yes. I have corresponded with some during the marketing of my novel and some of them have been very supportive. Among these are William Puckering “The Magic of Puck” at www.puckmagic.com, and the “Dean of Black Magicians” Donald Camp who thanks Black Herman for giving him ‘mystery’. Also, there’s Teddy Lee of White Plains New York, the “Mortician Magician”.

Q: How do you feel about Las Vegas magicians? Are they helping to keep the world of magic from fading? Where are the Johnny Carsons of today?

A: Syndicated TV continues to air specials featuring magicians and they’re unmasking them. But no matter how many tricks are debunked, the public still wants more. Magicians and others in touch with the occult will always prosper during tough economic times. Black Herman’s business was largely unaffected by the Wall Street crash of 1929. He was quoted as saying that the day after the crash shouldn’t have been called “Black Tuesday” but “White Tuesday” because “our people” didn’t have stocks or bonds to worry about losing. In fact, initially, Herman and Eva were busier than ever because people needed an entertaining distraction and the comfort a great magician could provide.

Q: Do you know any magic tricks?

A: No. I prefer to be the audience; to sit back in amazement, tantalized by clever conundrums. 

Q: Any last words?

A: Yes. A professor from Chapel Hill in North Carolina has recently written a novel about a fictional Negro magician. It turns out this man was neither a Negro nor a magician. He was just a white guy who makes a deal with the devil. This characterization besmirches my family’s honor and my great uncle’s memory. I think it’s heinous.

Abracadabra!

Look at that, Gifted Readers. By George, it’s George’s book!

Leaving you with good luck, light and love;

Gypsy Stars

Cardinal Climax And Metaphysical Mixing

Welcome back, Gifted Reader!

Someone pointed out that while last week's blog noted that Saturn ruled Saturdays, it omitted its sign-- Capricorn. That wasn't intentional; it was because the focus was on it being Saturday or Saturn's Day.

The one thing you'll soon discover about Gypsy Stars is that we're all over the metaphysical map. So, while writing about an Astrological event, we might also add something about an Ifa goddess of the Yoruba deities--like Oshun whose character traits are very similar to the planet Venus. Let us digress. In Astrology, we say that Venus rules "all moving things"; in particular, love and money. Venus is beautiful and she loves beauty. Well, the goddess Oshun is also physically lovely. And, while Oshun is a seductress, she also possesses a genteel manner. In either case, feminine idealism is at its zenith.

But back to the nature of this blog. The name Gypsy Stars came about because the word Gypsy felt intuitive and attached to cards, like Tarot; while Stars refers to the Astrological elements that makes up our studies of the occult.

Speaking of Astrology, our group of Astrologers meets monthly and today we had a meeting. After our leader passed around Natal charts for the U.S., we discussed the Cardinal Climax. Because this blog is not meant to cover highly technical aspects of Astrology, let's just say that our consensus was that the next few months are going to be on the difficult side. The Cardinal Climax involves several planets--Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Pluto--all in Cardinal signs (Aries, Libra, Capricorn) and all within a few degrees in forming an opposition (Aries, Libra) and a square (Pluto in Capricorn). Pluto in Capricorn often predicts meltdowns (Pluto) in government (Capricorn). And, Uranus always brings the unexpected. Mars is violent and rules war and warriors. You already know that Saturn is a harsh taskmaster. That leaves Jupiter, who is often presented as benevolent. But Jupiter is also excessive and can be overindulgent.

It will be really interesting to see what this grouping of planets is going to bring about in the near future.

Meanwhile, do check back next week as we present our very first guest, George Patton, author of Black Jack--a book about his great uncle who was a magician during the Harlem Renaissance.

You can also friend Gypsy Stars and like The Urban Goddess on Facebook. And, please visit our online store, T*zing, at CafePress.

Leaving you with good luck, light and love;
Gypsy Stars