Azaima Anderson

Heart Lightning

Coming attractions: Uranus in Aries


Fasten your seatbelts May 28.

 

Finding Peace in Combative Times: an astrological perspective


 
If you’re like me, listening to the news is guaranteed to make you angry or frightened at the pervasiveness of instability and conflict. 
 
Politicians blame this on the other party, but we astrologers blame it on Pluto. Pluto slowly releases from our control that which we are least willing to surrender.  In the sign of Capricorn until 2023, Pluto confronts the decay of existing structures. 
 
Pluto humbles us. We can think green, live green, vote with our conscience and earn a right livelihood, but Pluto will still destroy the world as we know it.  Though it will take a while for the total collapse of our outmoded system, it will ultimately be replaced by something more authentic and functional.
 
Meanwhile, what’s it going to take for us to feel secure again? (This may come as a shock, but I don’t think the Department of Homeland Security is going to do it for us.)  If we depend on bosses, government and religious institutions to tell us what to do, we will feel like pawns, at best. With the impending breakdown of existing structures, it is critical that we align ourselves with the power that lies within, and flows through, us all.
 
The best way to work with any planet is to address its concerns directly. Pluto takes us into the dark in order to bring us into the light.  We can let Pluto drag us, kicking and screaming into the parts of our lives we are unwilling to face. Or we can help Pluto do the job and move into our power with grace.
 
What are you unwilling to face? What would it take for you to be able to deal with this issue? What kind of outcome would you like to see? What can you do to help create this outcome for yourself? 
 
The world outside will continue to change, but you have responsibility and plenty of control over your own thoughts and emotions. Perhaps you cannot control what emerges within you, but you can do something about it. 
 
Breath by breath, thought by thought, feeling by feeling, you can take charge. Pluto takes the world through darkness into light, and us with it. When we face our shadow, it loses its power over us.  Notice your thoughts, sensations and feelings. Intercept those that don’t serve you, and replace them with ones that bring you closer to meeting your goals.
 
I’m noticing that setting external goals in today’s changing environment seems less important than making a commitment to inner tranquility. Coming to the world from a peaceful place will help everyone find what balance they can in these troubled times.
 

Performing to Celebrate International Women’s Day


Silver City held its first International Women’s Day parade on March 7. The parade included horses, goddess banners, men in T-shirts that said “awaiting instruction,†and a giant Venus of Willendorf.

 
Here’s a video of the fun:
It was a great chance to join with creative men and women from town and celebrate. I had lots of firsts that day – marching in my first parade, drumming a solo in public, and playing a set of songs at Javalina’s that combined my originals with inspiring works about women, social justice and unity.
 
Here’s a video of me playing part of my song, “Horse Sense†with Emay on flute.

The Easier, Softer Way


 

In the 80’s, my boss told me I didn’t think the way he did. I think he meant it as an insult.  It’s probably why I’m no longer marketing manager of Alpo Dry Dogfood. Much as I miss the Labrador and beagle puppies at Alpo’s Pet Care center, it’s probably for the best that I no longer work there.

I’m a little bit like those dogs, sniffing out the unfamiliar, and enthusiastically wanting to report on it.
 
This is my first foray into blogging. In recent years, I, along with most everyone I know, have wended my way through lots of new technology—most recently a new smart phone, which is clearly smarter than I am.  
 
As I am introduced to each new tool, I vehemently resist. I’ll never be able to learn it. It’s not necessary. It costs too much. It’ll be obsolete before long. But once I realize I’ll save time and energy, laziness triumphs. 
 
On my daily walks, I find many new trails, and marvel at all the different ways to get from here to there and back. I have never had a sense of direction. My GPS is my best friend. A new path is an invitation to get lost. But curiosity wins out, (especially if my husband, Oliver, who was born with a GPS in his brain, initiates the exploration). Perhaps there will be a beautiful mountain vista around the corner or a deer, or a jackrabbit. 
 
Some say a sense of direction can be cultivated.  But life continues to offer the unexpected, even if I think I know where I’m going. I’m always looking for easier ways to surf life’s vicissitudes, and hope you’ll be able to benefit from my forays.