Astrology for guidance?




Flowering Quince in my yard

In hard or frustrating times we all seek help in one way or another. Even typing random questions into google like 'WHO AM I?'. Of course we know there is no web page out there that will give us our personal answer, but we seek affirmation of our joint experience with humanity, a connection, an affirmation of that we are not alone in our struggles. We DO all have these struggles with identity, choosing a path, wondering when things will change or get better, or how to react to a major event, or person, in our life.

Although I do believe in God, I do believe that no particular system, sect or religion is THE BEST. Particularly, No church, organization or religious book has all the answers laid out there for the taking, in my opinion. Just as each individual is on a journey of discovery, so each belief system develops as time goes forward in collective discovery. To embrace or entertain ideas of one set of beliefs is not necessarily a rejection all others. Each of us finds answers to our own personal inner questions the best we can. 

Personally, I have been part of a group of people who at one time thought they were the one's with exclusivity to eternal salvation, and this kind of group superiority complex leads to all kinds of misgivings and bad feelings, and feelings of inferiority in group members who feel they have always to prove they are worthy to remain in the group, or sometimes church.

What does this have to do with the title 'Astrology for guidance?' you ask.  Astrology may hold some answers for you in your life, a framework for thinking about your unique experience, and even a realization that others are constantly going through similar experiences to yours.  I am not sure reading the one line horoscopes in the newspaper will help us delve into deep contemplation of our lives- although sometimes a message will catch us.

But, dig in whole-heartily with a book such as Linda Goodman's Sun Signs with it's in depth character trait descriptions, and you may start to see the merits of this ancient science to describe aspects of yourself or others . I picked up the August 1976 printing of this book at Salvation army a couple of years ago. Although it can be harder to see things about yourself that others see, you can often recognize the spot on descriptions of those close to you.  A very fascinating and intricate text. And fun. If you are slightly intrigued by astrology's ability to describe the traits of  you, your friends and family, then you may be more interested in following up with some astrological forecast material.

I do not claim to know very much about astrology but I am testing out for myself whether it can be helpful in my life. If nothing else, reading and listening to astrology sites and blogs can be encouraging and spur us to live life with more gusto.

Some ones to test that I have been following lately are listed here:

Susan Miller's  interesting lengthy monthly written forecasts at http://www.astrologyzone.com/

Diana Garland's thoughtful video blogs can be found on YouTube or here http://www.astrologyzone.com/

Kelly Rosano is an encouraging astrologer- I watch her on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/user/ALLAREONE2012

I also really like watching the empathetic Fresh Astrology.

Exploring Astrology may be a way to expand your mind and imagine new possibilities for your life, and get insight into your questions about who you are and what your purpose in the world is.

I am a Virgo, so I wonder if that shows in my writing style. I find it difficult to write spontaneously without being critical of how others will view what I say and how I say it. I have heard it said that Virgos are all about communication.

 I'd love to hear any comments about things that have helped you discover more about yourself.  Just a thought...

How to Get Support without Being a Drag

Read a book or magazine about someones successful change or how far they have come and you might say to yourself, "Why can't that be me?" Clever writing and synopses all too often have us thinking some peoples lives are all glamour and action. Although this is the side of ourselves that we naturally want to present to others, we all have struggles, life questions and hurdles in our lives.

We would never think of going on Face book and posting a photo of ourselves taken on the day we lay all day in bed, crying and pulling the covers over our head. We want to present our best image to others. Often even our closest friends or spouses are not privy to some things that may weigh us down most. Often we just can't talk about them without feeling too revealing or vulnerable. How then, can we get support and understanding without dishing TMI (too much information) or coming across as a complainer or a drag?

My friend recently told me how she was able to communicate a heavy problem in her life to someone she hadn't seen in several months while keeping it light and how that breif synopsis of her dilemma led to an energizing dinner conversation. It  helped her feel supported by others and fostered communication that also helped her friends feel connected.

Me in goofy glasses with fake teeth

Before going to a social event or even calling a friend you haven't spoken to lately, it helps to think honestly about how you can best summarize the major happenings or inner dilemmas in your life. Pretend you are writing about someone else and jot down a few notes. Perhaps, instead of saying 'I'm out of work' you could say 'I'm looking for a job in marketing,but its challenging these days, and I'd be open to any leads or suggestions'.  Other times you can present your situation in a rhetorical question kind of format.

The answer to "how are you?" does not have to be an obligatory or shocked,"fine,good". If you are prepared to answer truthfully, then you will be surprised at the people who are just waiting for someone to have a meaningful exchange.

Anyone have a thought?

Just a thought...
Thanks for reading, Erica

How can I Be True to Myself?

About two years a go when my youngest child started full time school, the overwhelming question for me became "what are you going to do now?" Having no answer for myself or anyone else  I set out to discover what was next for me and have yet to find the answer in an Oprah "ah ha moment"! I thought if I just could answer the question "Who am I?", then that answer would lead to what I should do next as a person in her mid-thirties who had to choose a new direction.

We have  been given or read the advice "Be true to yourself." at one time or another. What does it really mean? And how can I be true to myself if I don't know who I am to begin with?

Since then,I have read myriad of books from various authors in an assortment of disciplines and philosophies from Dr. Phils' Self Matters to Rhonda Byrne's The Secret to Eckhart Tolle's Power of Now, to Finding your own North Star by Martha Beck amid dozens of others over the past two years. I still do not know how to be true to myself. Or have I been true to myself all along and it just hasn't given me the results I was expecting. Does being true to yourself necessarily bring you success or confidence or self assurance at all? Or does it just make you unpopular with family members who have a different idea of who you should be?

As you can see, I have many more QUESTIONS than ANSWERS. And although some may have a problem with this- including me- I think that's how it probably is for most people. We just don't have all the answers. Let me know if I am wrong. If you have them then show them to ME!

For me this blog is a way to break my writers' block and maybe be able to figure out one or two answers to life's questions through my writing or feedback about it. So here goes the experiment...