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

SHOCKING!!!

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

What’s the most shocking thing you’ve ever encountered?

Was it a pig with a bee’s stripes and wings? Or, how about a pair of mannequins in bondage in an apparel shop window?

With the Moon in Aquarius this weekend, one can expect all sorts of unexpected events to occur. Yes, even SHOCKING ones. So, be on the alert.

Saturn has also stationed direct several days ago, so there’s the possibility of delays. Saturn is a harsh taskmaster and it’s interesting that he possesses rulership over fathers, since this weekend is also Father’s Day.

It’s a pretty loaded time right now. Besides Father’s Day, there’s also Juneteenth, the day slaves in Texas celebrated their freedom because they were not notified about the Emancipation Proclamation until three years after its passage. Since Aquarius rules freedom, it’s also fitting that the Moon will be located in that sign on that day.

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

This week, we experienced a Lunar Full Moon Eclipse in Saggitarius. Since Full Moons are a time of great revelations, did you discover anything? Personally, with my Sag Moon, I found out a lot about the meaning of friendship. Even though Aquarius is the sign of friendship, per se, Sag is also a sign that loves its buddies—sometimes even more than its lovers. With a Jupiter rulership, Sag has a tendency to embrace everybody making it impossible to focus on just one. Over-consumption is a typical Sag trait. On that note, let me take my leave. Since I’ve overbooked myself, I need to run! Is that SHOCKING enough?

Remember you can friend Gypsy Stars on Facebook, “like” The Urban Goddess page that encourages and supports all metaphysicians, and buy one of our t-shirts at CafePress.

Until the next moon cycle…

Good luck, light and love,

Gypsy Stars

The End?

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

So, is this it? Are we finis? Did the world end today? Did The Rapture begin?

It blows my mind!

According to followers of radio host Harold Camping, this is the last day we humans will exist on planet earth. If Camping’s prediction ends up coming true, do you think that would be a tragedy? Or, would it be something positive--more like a gateway to a better future?

Yes, Gypsy Stars asks a lot of questions. Blame it on my Sag Moon, which also makes me an eternal optimist. I totally agreed with Bob Marley when he sang, “When one door is closed, many others are opened”.

In the law of cause and effect, wouldn't it mean that if life no longer exists on this plane (for spirits inside human bodies), it's bound to exist on another, new and improved plane? What do you think?

Ah. A much better thought.

Like a lot of religious leaders, Camping preaches exclusivity. Accordingly, if you don’t follow his particular belief system, then you will be doomed to exist on earth while his believers will ascend to some heavenly place that you won’t have access to. Pray tell, what would be so heavenly about that? If you’re a Camping believer and you end up in heaven, but someone you love who is not a believer is condemned to stay on earth, how heavenly will that be for you to be separated from them? Eternally!

But let’s suppose that the world does end today. Have you ever thought about whom you would like most to meet on the Other Side—presuming they retain some semblance of their old human self, that is? 

I have a long list, but one of the more interesting spirits to arrive here in human form, I believe, was martial arts superstar Bruce Lee. Below is a photo of his grave next to his son’s, Brandon's, along with some of Gypsy Stars’ international friends.

Another friend initially took me to the Lee's graves several years ago. On that shimmering summer day, she and I stopped to eat lunch in Chinatown. And, when we arrived at the gravesite, we decided to leave an offering of some of our leftover rice. 

You’re not going to believe what happened next! As we placed some grains of rice on Brandon's grave, the sky suddenly filled up with hundreds of crows. As they caw-cawed their way across the horizon, my friend and I stared at each other in disbelief. In case you don’t know, Brandon was killed working on the set of the film The Crow. At 28, he was probably entering his first Saturn Return. Although my friend and I were unsure of what to make of so many crows appearing to us that day in that particular space, we did understand that it was some kind of message from the Beyond. 

Have you ever had an unusual experience like that? Drop us a line at gypsystars@me.com and tell us about it.

Well, the Sun has officially entered Gemini making this a good time for communications. With Mercury, Venus and Mars all in Taurus, our relationships feel steadier and we should be able to exert more patience towards others. Relationships don’t necessarily have to be romantic and can concern anyone we relate to. Whether it’s a significant other, a parent, a child, a friend, a boss or a co-worker, try a little tolerance. You’ll be surprised by how much of it you have in reserve during these days of predominate Taurus energies.

You probably already know that author George Patton is a frequent commenter on the Facebook profile for Gypsy Stars. Friend us here: http://www.facebook.com/people/Gypsy-Stars/100001436618700

George, whose novel Black Jack is about his great uncle Herman (a well-renowned magician during the Harlem renaissance), was recently featured on the radio show Coast to Coast. Check out George here:

http://www.coasttocoastam.com/guest/patton-jr-george/51799

Remember, we have T-zing t-shirts for you at Café Press. 

http://www.cafepress.com/t_zing

And, George’s book is on Amazon.

That is, if we’re all still here after 6 p.m. today.

Until the end…

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

Spring Has Sprung!

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

What could feel more like Spring than The Year of the Rabbit? Spring is the season of fertility, and we all know that there’s no animal more fertile than the rabbit. Right? Thus, the Easter Rabbit and those omnipresent, brightly colored eggs. But did you know that the original Easter holiday was a pagan celebration named for Eoster--the Goddess of Fertility?

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

Maybe it’s not all that spring-y where you are, but here on the West Coast the weather is currently mild. Some cherry blossoms are also beginning to bloom, and in Japan it would be hanami—flower-watching season. However, the recent earthquake and tsunami tragedy may prevent a lot of Japanese from celebrating--whether it’s due to a physical hardship or for emotional reasons.

When I meet with my Astrologers group the first week of April, I’m sure the hot topic of discussion will be Japan’s catastrophe. Interestingly, the planet Uranus left Pisces for Aries on March 11, the day of the horrific event. Uranus rules sudden, often cataclysmic and unexpected events. While the sign Aries is pioneering and always indicates something new on the horizon, it’s hard to see at this moment how something so awful will give way to something fresh and original. But it will.

Tonight, one week past the tragedy, we’re seeing the fullest Moon in 18 years, which compelled a friend to request a Full Moon spell from me. Maybe someone out there knows one, but the only Moon spell I do begins with a New Moon, which guarantees the spell comes to fruition at the Full Moon. The Moon rules the female principle, particularly older women, and the Ifa deity Yemaya or Yemoja. Yemaya has rulership over the seas as well as pregnant women and children. If you want to connect with her, bring watermelons to the ocean and chant, “Fetifum, Mama Yemaya!”

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/Full-Moon-Tonight-118292549.html

On the 28^th, we’ll be visited by another Mercury Retrograde. If you believe retrogrades are a time of communication disasters, try, instead, to think of it as a chance to reflect. Going backwards gives you the opportunity to re-do something that might not have been done right the first time.

With so many planets in fiery Aries—Sun (March 19), Mercury, Jupiter and Uranus--now is the time to do something brand new. One thing Gypsy Stars promises to do is create more T_zing t-shirts, so please stay tuned for our Spring Line. Meanwhile, check us out here:

http://www.cafepress.com/t_zing

Remember, to friend Gypsy Stars on Facebook, and join The Urban Goddess Facebook Group where we support all metaphysicians.

Until next time, I leave you with photos of Spring flowers and one of the Hindu Goddess Komon, above, who is recognized by Japanese. This statue of her appears on Kalaukaua Avenue in Honolulu.

http://tinyurl.com/4ooqwhd

Good luck, light and love,

Gypsy Stars

Hawai'ian Hearts: Celebrating Valentine's Day

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

How was your Valentine’s Day?

Unfortunately, Gypsy Stars was busy repairing broken hearts as several of her clients experienced strained relationships with their special love interests.

Still, I found time to get into an animated conversation (with a friend and several strangers) about the meaning of the day.

In response to my friend’s inquiry about when Americans started acknowledging Valentine’s Day, I blurted out, “Since Hallmark figured out it could make some money selling greeting cards!”

All cynicism aside, I do find the pink and red color schemes for the day to be quite appealing. Anyway, a middle-aged gentleman sitting nearby informed us that the U.S. had been celebrating Valentine’s Day since 1914. I’m not sure if he’s entirely correct, but making it a holiday has meant selling a lot of candy, cards and flowers. But, there’s also a deeper meaning to the celebration. Just check this out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine's_Day

So, what do you believe, Gifted Reader? Does the origin of the holiday matter as long as you express your love to your special someone on this day?

One of the best places to express any kind of love is Waikiki Beach, where I was fortunate to live as a practicing psychic for several years. The powerful Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawai’ian) vibration is a result of how Hawai'ians treated their aina (land), which they considered to be their ancestors and themselves stewards of. Thus, the area is rich with spiritual emotion.

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

Further, the pure physical beauty of Oahu makes it conducive for Valentine's Day trysts. When I first arrived in the area, I grabbed Scott Cunningham’s book, Hawai’ian Magic and Spirituality, and began actively searching for the scared spots he reveals. One of the most intriguing was the arrangement of four stones right next to the Waikiki Police Station where I’d sit to watch the sky for hours each night. Sadly, when I returned a few years later, the stones had been enclosed by a fence.

But the heiaus continue to remain standing. What is a heiau, you ask? They are places of worship and where Kanaka Maoli worked their sacred rituals. Generally built of stone, they are short walls shaped like circles or rectangles that are almost entirely closed off except for one entrance/exit. Today, one can see the fruit and ti leaf sacrifices dotting the tops of these incredible structures. But be careful if you visit heiaus as some are considered disturbing, like the one near Waimea Falls (that posts a warning) in the photo below. Here, it’s said, many young Natives were sacrificed on behalf of war—mirroring, perhaps, the story of St. Valentine.

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

Until next time, I’m…

leaving you with good luck, light and love…oh, and nui aloha no.

Gypsy Stars

Bunny Hop!

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

It’s almost Lunar New Year, so get ready for the Rabbit's arrival on February 3.

If you think that was a wild ride you took on the back of the Tiger last year, you’re right. Tigers are highly energetic. They’re also predators. If you encountered more than one individual in the past twelve months that seemed to zap your strength, well, that’s pretty indicative of a Tiger. Grrr!

Last year also represented the Metal element, so if you tackled intellectual pursuits you should see good results this year. Have you published your book or sold your screenplay yet?

But, back to the Rabbit. Although, you may feel calmer with the gentle Rabbit ruling the world, you could also find yourself intimidated by overwhelming circumstances. And, this year is a Metal Rabbit--so, once again, wear your thinking cap often.

Be forewarned the Rabbit is a prey animal. Unlike the ferocious Tiger, the Rabbit tends to be nervous as it checks out its environment for natural enemies. A good habit to develop this year is mediation to keep those stresses at bay. Rabbits need a lot of quiet time to reflect and regroup. Oh, and eating lots of carrots couldn't hurt.

In Japan and Vietnam, it’s the Year of the Cat. Although felines aren’t exactly as passive as rabbits, they can be a little tentative, too.

Below are a couple of links that go into more details about the Rabbit. For now, my advice is to take time to think before you hop back into your Rabbit hole.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_(zodiachttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_(zodiac)

http://www.stanssewingsupplies.com/catalogs/store.asp?pid=253080

http://www.theholidayspot.com/chinese_new_year/more_zodiacs/rabbit.htm

That's me, above, wearing leopard print to represent the Cat. And, below that, some good old times at Kakaoka Park in Honolulu where feral cats lived in bunches.

Leaving you with good luck, light and love,

Gypsy Stars