The Law According To Oya

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

Kanaka's Oshun necklace for love

What area of life do you find yourself needing the most help with these days? For a lot of people, relationships are a constant problem because they involve others who can never be controlled. No matter how much you love someone, you can’t make that person do what you want them to, how you want them to, or when you want them to. 

Gypsy Stars suggests for those of you experiencing frustration in your love life to try understanding what it’s like for the object of your affection. Even though it’s perfectly human to want to enjoy love the way you want to with that person, you must remember that everyone has his or her own way of loving you back. You can also ask for Oshun's assistance, but that's another blog.

Besides seeking help with relationships, a lot of people also tend to ask for advice about making more money, dealing with work woes, having a successful career, or how to have a happier family life. Actually, those are some of the easier situations to deal with and for which solutions are more abundant. It’s those pesky relationships that disappoint us the most!

leaving eggplants for Oya at Santa Monica cemetery

One irritant that I have personally rubbed up against more than once in my life involves legal issues. Whether you’re dealing with a lawsuit, lawyers or judges, it’s not easy for a layperson to navigate the increasingly complicated and elitist legal system. 

The Astrological signs most associated with law are Libra and Sagittarius. The 7th House rules 'open enemies' (as opposed to the 8th House of 'secret enemies'), while the 9th House rules higher education and law. Jupiter, ruler of Sag, is the planet of justice. If you have a preponderance of planets in Libra or Sag, be prepared to have to confront someone in a courtroom at some point in your life.

looking for Oya in Hawai'i cemetery--boy on ridge, human or spirit?

But know, too, that there are ways to protect yourself against lawsuits and help you prevail in them. One of the most effective is the Yoruba deity Oya. The warrior goddess of lightning and sudden storms, wind and fire, Oya is also the administrator of justice. Her number is 9, interestingly the same as the House that Sag rules.

Take 9 eggplants to the cemetery where Oya lives. Wear purple and silver. Light a purple candle, or light 9 of them. Give yourself over to the mama of righteousness who won’t see her children trample on by lowlife liars and thieves. Oya has her own special way of dealing with those without principles who cross your path and steal from you. Probably one of the most misunderstood deities, Oya’s fierceness is not without good cause. A believer in fairness, she will not sit by idly and watch the innocent suffer.

Here's more about Oya:

http://www.thegoddesstree.com/GoddessGallery/Oya.htm

http://journeyingtothegoddess.wordpress.com/tag/justice/

(scroll to end of page)

Oya's favorite

Remember, readers, to look for our new line of T_zing t-shirts coming this Fall. You can also friend Gypsy Stars on Facebook and like The Urban Goddess where we promote all metaphysicians. Let us know about your favorites.

http://www.cafepress.com/t_zing

Until next month, Fetifum Mama Oya!

Good luck, light and love,

Gypsy Stars

http://www.gypsystars.com

                                                                                                  

Life's Meaning: Loss And Transformation

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

While most of the country cheerfully frolics under sun-drenched summer skies, Gypsy Stars is a little overwhelmed by cloudy thoughts these days.

May I share?

Gypsy Stars (left) at psychic fair, 1992

Recently, I’ve befriended people who are going through a major transition. In fact, a more appropriate word might be 'transformation' because the karmic lessons they’re enduring are so heavy their lives will no doubt change radically. The positive note is that these people are at least aware of what is happening to them, and so are in a position to do something about it.

In the West, our busy lives are so focused on the material plane that it’s often difficult to perceive and understand what’s happening with us on a deeper, more spiritual level. When something profoundly negative occurs, it’s often bewildering and much too painful to deal with if we are only examining it from our lower chakra selves—the self that’s focused on ego. Those who are more tuned in on a higher consciousness level will find fulfillment in self-examination, navel-gazing if you will.

Not too long ago, one of my friends lost her husband. Although he was going through his second Saturn Return at 58, she’s much younger. Her husband’s Astrological experience transformed her life and without knowing her chart, I’d have to say there must be some kind of healing taking place with her Asteroid Chiron. Instead of just grieving, which is entirely justified for this friend, she has taken advantage of this awful time to look closer at her spiritual self.

Gypsy Stars with Darlene Romero's AstroTeez, 1992

Another friend is going through a Uranus opposition. At age 42, the planet Uranus moves directly opposite of where it was in your Natal chart—the chart you were born with. This is known as the midlife crisis because Uranus is youthful and attempts to recapture its youth at its opposition. Thus, older men will seek out someone younger for dating and may even suddenly purchase a red sports car. Smile! Uranus brings sudden and unexpected events, too—like lightning and earthquakes; much like the Yoruba deity Oya, the warrior goddess, who is always about change whether you like it or not.

Our Astrology group did an excellent job in analyzing my friend’s chart and providing her with solutions. Being hypersensitive, she is very aware of every emotion that’s overtaken her mind as she deals with the upheavals in her life.

One of the reasons I’m attracting people undergoing transformation right now is because I currently have a Saturn transit over my Ascendant. My rising sign, which is Libra, indicates an urge to socialize and I make friends easily. But with Saturn hovering, I’m bringing in the heavy lessons—the losses and delays--of others.

Two authors that I found to be very helpful in dealing with loss is Jane Roberts, particularly in her book Seth Speaks, and Carlos Castaneda. All of his books that I’ve read--The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge, Journey to Ixtlan: The Lessons of Don Juan, The Second Ring of Power--all resonate with me. If you have some books that have been helpful to you during times of great transformation, please let us know by contacting gypsystars@me.com

This Gypsy Stars blog is also undergoing its own transformation, and within a few weeks you’ll see a new logo and some other minor changes here.

  

Above are photos of Gypsy Stars at a 1992 psychic fair selling Darlene Romero’s Astro Teez t-shirts. Speaking of t-shirts, you can always check out ours on Cafe Press: http://www.cafepress.com/t_zing

Until we meet again, you are in my thoughts.

Good luck, light and love,

Gypsy Stars

A Hint Of Hoodoo, Voodoo And Automatic Handwriting

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

A couple of weekends ago, Gypsy Stars made an appearance at a fundraiser for a local theater. Donating several hours worth of Tarot card readings for the theatrical patrons was a rewarding experience, and some of the results were quite startling.

Although I won’t ever divulge a client’s personal information, I will admit that some extremely accurate information came through that night. Perhaps, I can explain it like this:

The theme for the fundraiser was Mardi Gras, New Orleans style--a city I have a great deal of affinity for. 

Gypsy Stars in the French Quarter.

In 1988, I happened upon Luisah Teish’s book, Jambalaya.

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

Quickly I read it, finished it, put it down, picked it back, and read it again. It spoke so strongly to me that for years I referred all my clients to it. In case you’re not familiar, Teish grew up in New Orleans with elements of Vodoun, or Voodoo, practiced in her daily life. Curious, she traced its beliefs to the religion of Ifa found among the Yoruba of West Afrika. 

Soon, I began reading any book I could I find on Vodoun, Santeria, Lucumi, Candomble, and Ifa. Eventually, I traveled to New Orleans and visited the Voodoo Museum and the tomb of Marie LaVeau.

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

Gypsy Stars and friend
  at Marie Laveau's tomb.

Although I don’t participate in a lot of Ifa rituals today, I still occasionally bring 9 eggplants to a cemetery or toss a watermelon into the sea. Fetifum, Mama Oya! Fetifum, Mama Yemaya!

By the way, have you ever tried automatic handwriting? Several blogs back, I talked about fire gazing and how you should have paper and a marker (as opposed to a pen) next to you while looking into a fire. The same principles are in operation here, but this time you sit at a table. 

Gypsy Stars in New Orleans.

Automatic handwriting doesn’t work well for me and sometimes I wonder if it’s because I’m an artist who tends to doodle a lot. But one of my best friends, Silvia, was a master without even trying to be--perhaps due to her Pisces Sun. 

When we were roommates, Silvia and I would sit at a kitchen table with sheets of paper. After quieting down, we would loosely hold a pen in our hand, placing the tip lightly on top of the paper. Soon, Silvia would be writing and writing and writing. Most of the time, she would appear to go into a trance. Once, I had to collect all the papers as they were flying off the table. After she calmed down, we were shocked to read the words of warning she had penned. They weren’t very positive and spoke of the coming destruction of the planet. That was many moons ago, and Silvia and I have since drifted apart. But I will never forget the “rivers of blood” she scribbled on one sheet of paper. 

Gypsy Stars at St. Louis Cemetery No. 2.

If you discover that what you’re writing is negative and horrifying, then stop and collect your thoughts. We do carry residue from so many sources, and something creepy you wrote could have stemmed from a bad movie you saw.

On to a more positive note. We are officially in Spring, although our long-awaited line of new t-shirts is still not completed. No worries; you can still get our old designs on Cafe Press. Just click the T*zing logo below.

Remember, to join us on Facebook. You can personally friend Gypsy Stars or “like” the Urban Goddess which supports all metaphysicians. If you have a special talent, let us know about it and we’ll interview you here.

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