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Dear Fawn,
Happy
New 2008. This is going to be a great year, one of renewal,
opportunity and some good old fashioned hard-work. Can
you just feel it?
Mark your
calendars and save the date: January 25, 2008. I will be
doing an Astrology & Feng Shui Workshop with Master
Astrologer Rick DiClemente at The Open Mind Bookstore in Sewickley,
PA. For those of you not in the Pittsburgh area, at your request,
I am working on a way to share this wonderful workshop with anyone who
wants to attend. I'll keep you posted on the progress!
According to Nine Star Ki, 2008 is a 1-Water Year. For all
of us the energy of this year, will affect us a bit differently, and
that will be part of the individual treatment you'll get at the
workshop. If you would like to know the 'weather report' for your
personal energy, please contact me for
your own consultation or come to the workshop. (Nine Star Ki and
Feng Shui work together to relate time and energy to our spaces in
which we live.)
Beginning
on February 7, 2008 and ending on January 25, 2009, the Year of the Earth Rat and is
significant as the First in a cycle of 12 years through the Chinese
Zodiac. 2008 will be a time of New Beginnings and Choices.
Rat is highly respected in China as resourceful, courageous, and
enterprising. This year is a time of diligent work, activity and
renewal. People born in a Rat year are social,
active, pleasant and can make the most of their opportunities. The best way to succeed in this year is to be
prepared, aware of your opportunities and allow things to develop
slowly and shrewdly. Make the most of your opportunities for they
are always there.
Next
issue: Is Your Home Inspired? Come to the Greenbough (in Irwin) on
February 1 to discover how you can inspire your home to inspire your
life.
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Green vs. Healthy:
Not the way it was meant to work...
Florescent light bulbs are good for the environment but
are being proven to be serious health risks.
If you have attended one of my
classes you'll know that florescent bulbs are a Feng Shui "avoid
if you can." Although florescent bulbs use less electricity
and run cooler than incandesants, they have been posing minor and now
severe health risks.
Those health risks are recently
shown to include migraines, epileptic seizures, decreased immune system
function, nervousness, inablity to focus and depression.
Incandescent bulbs are scheduled to be completely phased out in both
the US and the UK by 2012.
What then are our
options? We have a few..
The Canadian Center for Occupational
Health a says that some of the problem comes from the
'flicker' effect of the lightbulbs and that those employees whose
offices are on upper floors (where there is greater exposure to
daylight) suffer less from the ill effects. According to CCOH,
eliminate 'flicker' by making sure your florescent fixtures have newer
electronic ballasts, replace your bulbs frequently and be sure that all
parts of your fixture are working perfectly.
"Flicker" is not the
only issue. Most of us use 'cool-white' bulbs and Jacob
Liberman, OD, Ph.D., in his groundbreaking and hopeful book Light:
Medicine of the Future, suggests that we can reduce the
ill-effects with florescent lighting IF we use the correct fixture
and 'Full Spectrum" bulbs. These bulbs are financially more
costly but when that cost is weighted against the scientific
studies it becomes minimal.
Consider
just this ONE study:
"...The
development of full-spectrum articifical lighting...prompted Ott to
further investigate the possible negative effects of improper lighting
on health and performance in human beings. In 1973, Ott and the
Environmental Health and Light research Institute undertook a study
involving four first-grade classrooms in Sarasota, Florida. Full-spectrum,
radiation-shielded florescent light fixtures were installed in two of
the windowless classrooms, while standard cool-white fluorescent
fixtures were installed in two other identical windowless classrooms
that served as controls. concealed time-lapse cameras took random
sequences of student and teachers in the classroom. Although
teachers were aware of the program, neither they nor their students
were aware of when they were being photographed. The photographed
results were significant. Under the cool-white fluorescent
lighting, some students demonstrated hyperactivity, fatigue,
irritability, and attentional deficits. In the classrooms with
full-spectrum lighting, however, behavior and classroom performance as
well as overall academic achievement, improved markedly within one
month after the new lights were installed. Furthermore, several
learning-disabled children with extreme hyperactivity problems
miraculously calmed down and seemed to overcome some of their learning
and reading problems while in classrooms with full-spectrum
lighting.
"This
study aditionally demonstrated that children in rooms with
full-spectrum lighting developed one-third
the number of cavities in there
their teeth as children in the classrooms with standard cool-white
flourescent lights." Liberman, Jason, Light:
Medicine of the Future. Rochester, VT: Bear & Company
Press, 1991
Also,
to get more daylight into your home, you can also install Sun Tubes, or
Solar Tubes, or Sun Tunnels which allow natural daylight to enter
even your 'captive' rooms. There are many companies that sell and
make them, be sure you use a reputable installer. If you
have any questions, call me and I'll help you find the right product
for your space.
Green
is supposed to healthy for the planet but NOT at the expense
of the body, the mind and souls of those living with it.
The
Daily Mail, UK
Energy-Saving
Bulbs Causing Migraine Headaches
Posted
Jan 2nd 2008 10:08AM by Tim Stevens
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Compact
fluorescent bulbs, the twisted looking replacement lights that use as
little as one fourth the power of their common incandescent
counterparts (and last much longer), are being adopted worldwide in an
effort to reduce energy consumption. They are even becoming mandatory
in some countries -- a little troubling according to the Daily Mail, which reports that
health experts in the U.K. say the green bulbs can cause migraine headaches or
other disconcerting symptoms in many people.
The bulbs work in the same way as the long, traditional fluorescent
tube lights seen in many commercial establishments. This means that
they can produce light that subtly flickers, unnoticeable by many, but
a big problem for others, especially epileptics, who can suffer from
seizures under fluorescent bulbs. According the U.K.'s Migraine Action
Association and other health organizations, the lights also cause
headaches, as well as nausea, dizziness, and even physical pain for
those suffering with lupus, according to the study.
In both the United States and the United Kingdom, traditional
incandescent bulbs are set to be completely phased out by 2012. Surely
those with medical conditions can be given exemptions easily enough,
but if they can't simply walk into a store and buy a traditional bulb,
just how many companies will continue manufacturing them and how much
will they cost? Will traditional bulb clubs be the marijuana-buying
clubs of the 21st century?
Such recent health concerns around energy-saving fluorescent bulbs
might be another reason to push research into production of LED-based lighting
options, which are even more efficient than CFL lighting,
and even more durable, with a single bulb potentially never burning
out. Such LED-based bulbs are available now, but at per-bulb costs that
dwarf those of the relatively expensive CFL bulbs
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Feng Shui Tip:
Clean, Clear and Refresh
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With the Chinese New Year coming soon, schedule time to
clean: clean your refrigerator, your stove, your medicine
cabinet. Check out the Clear Your
Clutter Challenge for a 28-day game plan to get yourself
ready for the Year of the Rat.
.
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 The Big Astrological News: It's a New Era
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The changes that take place Astrologically, and in Feng
Shui are similar to the change you felt when you turned
7-years-old. You knew something was different, but if nobody
mentioned it, it would be just another day...you really didn't 'feel' a
year older.
The big news for this year is a planetary issue that has
not been seen since before the American Revolution. On January
The value of any 'prediction' is our ability to use our discernment,
awareness and freedom of choice to allow or change the course we are
on. The same is true with this energy.
What will it feel like? Depending on YOUR
birthchart and where YOUR planets are, it will feel different than for
others.
But in general, Pluto, the "planet" involved,
signifies a principle of fundamental will power, deep and secretive,
for whatever use you determine, to regenerate or degrade, for benefit
or detriment. It's the energy of drastic change and forced
conditions, karmic responsiblity, slow, ponderous and inevitable
transformation, lives altered by vast impersonal forces. Sounds
pretty heavy doesn't it? Remember, it's possible to prosper in
ANY conditions...we don't know the whole story yet. And we get to
test our own ability to commit our will.
If that's not enough, let's sprinkle a little Capricorn
energy on the next 14 years of Pluto. Capricorn
energy feels duty, responsibility and loves structure and hard
work. Postive Capricorn: Hard working, practical,
responsible, disciplined, cautious, conservative, organization-oriented
and traditional. Negative Capricorn: Stubborn,
overbearing, fatalistic, unforgiving, selfish, limited and restricted.
Positive Pluto: Spirituality, revitalization,
postive clairvoyance, transformation. Negative Pluto:
Fanatiscm, anarchy, destruction, turmoi, criminal behavior.
Sound like another ordinary day on the planet? We
all get to make choices of how we use this energy. It's like
electricity: It can be used to power a torture chamber or a
nursery; we are the willful force behind electricity's use.
The other day I was in a really weird position...a yoga
position. It was becoming painful and I said to myself, "How
am I going to get out of this one?" A soft and gentle
answer, so quiet and subtle came into my head,
"Flexible." At that point, my muscles
submitted, extended, relaxed, my vertebrae were unclenched and I
felt lighter and no longer frightened of the perceived pain. It
was very interesting and very beautiful.
Chinese curse: May you live in interesting
times. Respectfully: Those Dirty Rats!
The energy is still flowing to get your
2-year strategic plan in place. The 'Mars Retrograde' will be
over January 30. Until then, use your patience and personal power
well, still your mind and seek the broader view of the days
events. As my teacher Deepak Chopra reminded me to
say "I see things clearly, but I might not see the whole
picture," and "I know how to go beyond emotional turbulence."
"Connect to your Self, not your self-image."
Once again the bottom line: don't shrink
from your anger, but use it positively to stand centered in what you
care for; don't defend, just be. Be nurturing and loving, and
especially to yourself.
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Rick's Astrology Insights
January 25, 2008 brings us closer to the tipping point.
This month, Rick's newletter is describes what is a most
amazing opportunity for all us: to create heaven or hell on Earth
right now.
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Please read Rick's newsletter...and be sure to go all
the way to the end. The article about THE NEW ERA, is really very
good.
Rick explains that these changing times require us to be
most conscious in the choices we make.
We have options, what is in YOUR heart?
"Our initiative, consciousness, and purity of
intent can greatly influence the outcome of this era which could
manifest in the following positive or negative ways:
- True, representative, participatory, democratic
governments vs. increasingly paternalistic, fascist governments
·
Gains in human/civil rights vs. further loss of rights
·
Personal responsibility vs. waiting for others to solve our
problems
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Creating new social structures vs. further decay of outmoded
forms
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Fathering and stewarding our planet vs. pleading helplessness
and blaming others
·
Myopically concerned about yourself and your family unit vs.
realizing that we're all one big family
·
Transcending a bottom-line mentality vs. short-sightedness and
utilitarianism
·
Sharing and conserving resources vs. hoarding and wasting
resources
·
Working for change within the system vs. trying to escape to
utopia
·
Uniting for common goals vs. splintering into power factions
·
Thinking outside the box vs. remaining rigid, conservative and
static."
www.starself.com/newsletter25.html
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Winter
It can be a
time of depression...
OR
we can work
with the energy of Winter to go deep into the well of LIfe
Force within and around us.
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Connect with the Life Force Around you.
Connect with the Living Intelligence
that is Fire: natural light, flame of a candle, exercise,
laugh out loud, network with your friends.
Water: Drink
fresh clean water, take a sumptuous bath with herbs and salts, look at
a snowflake, reflect, put a desk fountain near your door flowing toward
the center of the room or toward you, name your emotions and laugh at
them.
Air & Space: breathe in and breathe out feeling Air, wave your
arms, dance, stretch and flex, flexible, think a new thought
(I allow Lightness into my life...). Look for the stars,
(Mercury visible on pre-dawn Eastern Horizon 2/14-15, Total Lunar
Eclipse visible from US 2/20 and March 5: Mercury, Venuse & Moon
visible in same binocular view...), notice the moon...Check out this
cool tool at meade.com/mysky
Earth: go deep
into the Winter of your mind and plant some seeds for the rest of the
year, start your flower or veg seeds for planting, re-pot a house
plant, stamp your feet, try Mountain pose, buy a Zen garden for
your desk, hone the details of your plans, find something yellow
to touch or place in your home.
Tree: do
something independent and bold, visualize your day or event going
wondefully BEFORE it happens, stretch upward and outward, laugh.
(I thought this parody website was really funny...www.safenow.org)
Metal: Cut
through the excess, get out into the community, how can you
lead something (a song, a laugh, a movement, a parade...even if it's
your dogs around the living room. Connect with the stars, the
plants, the light in your eyes. Connect. Stay centered and
then connect.
This season, take a moment each
hour to connect with one aspect of Nature in your daily life,
you'll feel connected to the Living Intelligence that is all
around and through You.
I found this
in Rick DiClemente's Newsletter and it's especially appropriate here:
"Depressed? Of course we're all depressed. We've been so quickly,
violently, and irreconcilably plucked from nature, from physical labor,
from kinship and village mentality, from every natural and primordial
antidepressant. The further
society 'progresses' the grander the scale of imbalance."
M.
Robin D'Antan
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Thank
you. Thank you.
Gratitude
Blocker #743
I
allow the ________ in.*
Sometimes
we don't let ourselves recieve or deserve what it is that we are want
or are given.
When
I first started saying this remedy and filling in the blank, I was
amazed at how my body responded. I softened, I flowed with
the grace of allowing.
I
allow the beauty of my body in.
I
allow Time to expand for me so I am in perfect time.
I
allow organization to come in.
I
allow laughter in.to my days.
I
allow the peace to come into my heart and conversations.
I allow
the riches of this Universe into my bank account, my home, my thoughts,
my experience.
I
allow ease and flow and health to come in.
What
are you struggling for or against? Find it's opposite and allow
that in...you'll see results and be amazed.
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