The Sun enters the thirty-degree area of the space time continuum we know as Aquarius on the 20th of January and leaves for Pisces on the 19th of February. January 20th is a full moon as well as a lunar eclipse. Full moons represent fruition so all those plans you have been stewing over for the last two weeks should begin to show some results.

If Candlemas day be fair and bright,
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas day be clouds and rain,
Winter is gone, and will not come again.
E. Holden

February 2nd is Groundhog Day, a Canadian and American tradition: the groundhog, or woodchuck, comes out of his hole after winter hibernation to look for his shadow. If he sees it: There will be six more weeks of bad weather. If he cannot see his shadow (because of clouds), Spring is coming. He is supposed to go back into hibernation if more winter is ahead and stay above ground if Spring is near. Unfortunately, statistical evidence does not support this tradition. Did you see the movie "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray? Well, you can click here for Punxutawney Phil's official website at www.groundhog.org.

Imbolc in Celtic is also Candlemas in English. It is another Festival of Lights when candles are lit in order to represent the increasing warmth of the Sun. This is what is called sympathetic magic- the belief that increasing the amount of light and warmth surrounding us will increase the amount of warmth and light in the world. Traditionally, all Christmas decorations are to be removed by Candlemas. This Holy Day is believed to have originated in Ireland to honor the Goddess Brigid. Corn, wheat or barley left over from last Autumn's harvest are used in the associated rituals in order to show our faith that Spring will come again. This is one of the nights when Spirits are said to be abroad. According to tradition, they can be met at a crossroads and made to answer questions. For more information on Candlemas, click here - www.paganism.com/ag/archive/candlemas.html.

This is an "interpret your own chart" workbook. The text walks you through a series of exercises that will help you to gain new insight into your inner processes. The book begins with an explanation of the zodiac and the structure of the birth chart and then moves you directly into a discussion of astrology's applications. You will learn to answer questions about yourself, such as: what are my resources and talents? Am I primarily public or private? What are my needs in a relationship?

This book functions well as a self-guided tour of your inner motivations. I have used it as a structured journal for self-exploration and learned a lot in the process. Developing your own insight into your birth chart is very empowering. Astrology is, in my opinion, the most complete language for discussing psychological phenomena. You'll be better able to understand the astrological language and advice your astrologer gives you. You'll also be able to formulate more knowledgeable questions at your next consultation. - Inga Duncan Thornell

This is a wonderful book that offers many great techniques of psychic protection. I personally found this book to be very informative, interesting, descriptive and most of all, fun to read! Many times we tend to think that we are protected while doing a magical rite, ritual or when simply sleeping, dreaming or driving. However, we may not be! Now, that idea sounds kind of scary but Judy Hall reassures us that visualization techniques (such as the ones found in her book) can help a great deal! She includes many visual (as well as non-visual) techniques on how to protect oneself psychically. Although the book is only about 140 pages long, you know what they say: "You can't judge a book by its length!" Or, is that, "You can't judge a book by its cover"? Anyway, you really can't judge this book by its length! And actually, this book has a very beautiful and interesting cover! Moving on, her introduction is very clean-cut, and simple, and gets to the point. She instantly hooks the reader's attention by asking and answering questions like: "Why do we need psychic protection?" And: "Do you suffer from nightmares?" Or: "Do you use guided imagery or self-hypnosis tapes?" Questions like "Do you meditate?" grabbed my attention because I do and never really thought about such terms as "psychic invasion"! While alone, have you ever felt like something or someone was with you? Something invisible, something unseen, an "entity", or energy, wishing you harm, perhaps? If so, your answers will be in this book by Judy Hall.

Throughout the book, Hall covers topics such as: natural protection, the aura, the chakras, the power of thought, psychic attack, meditation, cleansing the subconscious mind, channeling, out of body experiences, protecting your space, psychic protection and children, strengthening another person's aura, group protection, aromatherapy, and geopathic stress. These I have mentioned are only about three-fourths of what is actually covered in this book. Nice cover art, illustrations, personal experiences and stories, and most of all honesty and great information, gives this book 9 out of 10 stars. I recommend this book strongly for anyone who even prays! -- Donald Lee W. O'Neill

Peg asks, "Who is this Chiron guy and weren't we better off before we started using him?"

Okay Peg, I will attempt to show why Chiron is necessary for our time.

There is a longstanding tradition in Astrology that a planet or other cosmic body is discovered when its time has come. Synchronicity plays a huge part in how and when planets are discovered, named and understood.

William Herschel discovered Uranus, the planet of upheaval and revolution, in 1781. It was the first planet discovered through the use of the telescope. Saturn had always been considered the outer boundary of the Solar system. Uranus placed its stamp on its era with the American and French revolutions, widespread emigration and the beginning of the scientific and industrial modern age.

Pluto, the planet of transformation and elimination, was postulated in 1914 and discovered by Percival Lowell in 1930. He called it Planet X until a letter was received from an 11-year-old British girl suggesting the name Pluto (the God of the underworld) which was immediately accepted by the team of astronomers. Two world wars, the stock market crash, the great depression and the era of gangsters as well as tremendous advances in medicine and industry define Pluto's era.

So... What does this have to do with Chiron?

First, some background...

The legend of Chiron, a chief of the Centaurs, is about wounding, sacrifice and healing. Originally, Chiron was a Thessalian god of healing, but in later Greek mythology he survived as one of the centaurs. Cronus became smitten with the nymph Philyra. She took the form of a horse in order to run from him. He took the form of a stallion and chased her, caught and raped her. When her baby was born, a half-colt and half-human centaur, she abandoned him. Her son Chiron, unlike the other Centaurs, was wise and became learned in the healing arts. Apollo taught him and he in turn was the tutor of Asclepius, Theseus, and Achilles. Chiron was friends with Hercules/Heracles and developed the poison with which his arrows were treated. A poisonous arrow shot at another centaur by Heracles accidentally scratched Chiron. Chiron was immortal and unable to die from the poison but he was unable to be healed either. He lived in great pain, until finally he relinquished his immortality (in favor of Prometheus) in order to be allowed to die. After his death he was commuted to the heavens as the constellation of Sagittarius.

Chiron could also be said to relate mythically to the half-animal gods of shamanism. In this way he ties together the stag-headed god of the Celts with the centaur of the Greeks. Shamanism is inherently holistic healing: it integrates the body and soul, which are driven apart by stress or fear. The words that we derive from Chiron's name are all words relating to healing: Chiropractic is healing by means of manipulation, Chirothesia is energy in the hands during sacred rites, Chirotony is a blessing without hands, Chiromancy is divination by palmistry, Chirurgery is an ancient word for surgery.

For more information see the Encyclopaedia Mythica at www.pantheon.org/mythica/articles/c/chiron.html

Now we can move forward to our century...

Charles Kowall discovered Chiron at the Hale Observatory on Nov 1, 1977. He thought Chiron was a new planet orbiting between Saturn and Uranus. The new point was named Chiron after the Centaur who taught heroes such as Hercules, etc. Astrologers began using Chiron in their interpretations until in 1981 when he was reclassified as an asteroid. Not only an asteroid but a quirky asteroid that orbited in an area outside the asteroid belt that lies between Mars and Jupiter. Then in 1988, Chiron was reclassified again as a large comet. Astrologers do not generally take note of comets in natal interpretation; there are millions of comets, after all. However, Chiron's "shape-shifting", complicated orbit and reclassifications seemed to fit his story. Now, over 33 years since his discovery, most (but not all) astrologers use him today.

Chiron in your chart...

Chiron is referred to as "the bridge" between Saturn, the limiting traditions of the past, and Uranus, the new openness of the future. Chiron's placement in the birth chart shows an area we need to confront and heal. This area also shows where we have the potential to teach and heal others. When Chiron's placement is stimulated by transits you'll find yourself either dealing with the issue yourself or helping someone else through it. There is controversy among astrologers about what Zodical sign is most closely related to Chiron. Sagittarius and Virgo both have their merits.

We think of this newsletter as a community forum. You, our friends and clients, can participate by letting us know what topics you would like us to cover. We would love to see reader ideas reflected throughout the newsletter. We celebrate diversity and we'll print whatever you send in whether it be Wiccan, Christian, Pagan, New Age, etc. as long as it reflects Love. Send in your own book reviews, ideas for rituals, ideas about stones, tell us your experiences with stones or ritual and ask us questions. We love answering questions!

Meditation journal excerpt from Sean:

I settled down to my before sleep meditation. The first step to this is the lighting of the three candles followed by some soft rhythmic music, and then a comfortable sitting position; in this case on the bed against the wall. After closing my eyes and saying a silent prayer for protection during this excursion, I ground myself by bringing the earth energy up through my feet and the universal light through my crown to mix in the first chakra. With this accomplished, I take three deep relaxing breaths and step out of my body to the other side.

I started toward the library, walking up to the old carved doors. Upon entering I made an immediate right turn and walked down a stairwell and into a tunnel. It was a long corridor of stone lit only by channels of light coming in from above on the left side. As I walked, passing through these small pools of light, I could see a room at the far end of this hall. It was lit by candlelight. As I entered, I saw a large red-haired Vikingesque man sitting at a table with one extra chair. The man had very large shackles on his wrists and ankles attached by chains to the wall.

The chains were long enough to allow him to move around the room but not enough to allow him to leave. I sat in the chair opposite him and asked, "Who are you?" He replied, "I am your aggressiveness, your dominant-male aspect. You locked me up down here and forgot about me. I understand that you were young and scared but it isn't good that you forgot about me. Those times when I came out were to protect all of us. That time you blacked out and I put that kid in the hospital, I was protecting our life. You need me to fire you up and push you to do things. I am the motivator you haven't had because you left me down here. I've been able to assert some influence even from here but it is weak at best."

I said, "What do I have to do?" He replied, "Free me to join the rest of you. I know how to work with the others and won't take control unless it is needed. You've learned to work well with the others, so now work with me and them together." So I said, "You are free to join me again." His shackles fell off without a sound and the chains disappeared from view. He stood up, a tall bear of a man, easily 6 feet taller than me and half again as wide. He shook himself once and strode three steps toward me. Then he turned around to face away from me, and stepped one pace back into me.

We've always wondered what would happen if we got the friends we've made through Inga's Earth Magic (IEM) into a room together. Why? Because every one of us has a unique gift to offer to the world. And if we get enough of us in one place at the same time, something magical is bound to occur. So now we're going to find out!

• When: The 1st Friday of every month starting at 6 PM
• Where: Our place (click on LIBRARY in the navigation bar at the top of the screen and then MAP ROOM for directions)
• What to bring: Whatever strikes your fancy! Food, beer, wine or just your enthusiasm and love!
• How long: Well, however long it takes to reach that magical state so you may want to plan on sleeping with the kitties on one of the couches or bring your sleeping bag and mat and sleep on the floor of Inga's office. Coffee will be served come morning!
• RSVP: Just let us know in advance via e-mail or phone if you are coming and if you are bringing guests so we don't run out of room!

As I was proofing this edition, I couldn't help getting caught up in this issue of who Chiron is. With that heavy Sagittarian influence in my birth chart, I'm very drawn to that Centaur energy especially that of Chiron, the wounded healer. White Elk, my spiritual teacher, is training me to be a healer and this particular lifetime of mine has been shaped by many wounds. With Chiron in the 2nd house of my chart and in Aquarius, I am constantly challenged to heal the wound in my own body/soul integration in order to contribute to the healing of the world as a whole.

The fact that Chiron was discovered in 1977 really hit home with me. That was the year the wounds of my childhood finally brought me to the end of my rope mentally, physically and spiritually. I considered suicide but I didn't want to hurt or disappoint my mother. As it turns out, I didn't have to sweat the details because back surgery and synchronicity were about to take care of it for me. Somehow, the pre-surgical exam was skipped so no one at this world class hospital found out I was taking 30 aspirin a day for pain or that I had a chest cold. What was supposed to be a 1.5 hour procedure, 2.5 hours in case of complications, turned into an 8 hour ordeal for the doctors. Shortly after surgery began, I suffered respiratory failure, lost a great deal of blood and what blood was left in me wouldn't clot.

The nurse said I awoke three days later with a smile. I had no idea what had happened and being told of my brush with death had little effect on me. It seemed distant and irrelevant. I was feeling strangely content for a change. I recovered rapidly and went home where I proceeded to embark upon a course of radical change. It was not a conscious decision on my part. I just felt highly compelled to get some answers about the meaning of existence and to make up for a lot of lost time. I started by quitting the mainstream church I had been attending for years because it suddenly felt phony and useless. I proceeded to read every book in the local library on Eastern and New Age philosophies and I became a full time scuba bum. My friends remarked at how I had suddenly changed. I was no longer so angry and was becoming quite eccentric. I shrugged and chalked it up to the mind altering effect of years of chronic pain.

The surgery didn't help and my quest for healing of what was diagnosed as an incurable spinal disorder led me to a two week stay at a holistic clinic. A loving atmosphere combined with extensive meditation produced an even more dramatic change in me. I was given permission to let go and explore the real person within me. I experienced intense, vivid out of body experiences while meditating and was introduced to new avenues of metaphysical learning which I eagerly pursued. This prepared me for finding Inga, my soulmate. We recognized each other on sight and married soon after. My rate of healing and learning greatly accelerated as I shared a common spiritual path with my best friend and wife.

A few years later, my spiritual progress and synchronicity decided I was ready to remember my near death experience. Inga began studying a different religion and I asked her what the premise of this religion was. She stated "God is Love." I found this to be a very foreign and disturbing concept! I had never thought of God in terms of love. To me, God was judgmental, powerful and distant. I paced the floor for the next hour obsessed with the idea. I could feel the thought sinking deeper and deeper into my mind transforming me somehow. What happened next was like finding a door to a room in my house that I hadn't noticed before. The door opened and I stopped pacing as the world suddenly disappeared. I found myself floating in a dimly illuminated void and I felt very safe. I remembered the elation I felt as I zoomed out of that trashed up rental car I called a body back on the operating table, thrilled to be set free of the pain and anguish of my mortal existence. Before me was my entire life represented by a linear timeline best described as thick, 3D slides made of Lucite. I was hovering at the most recent end and looking out toward my birth at the other. The timeline extended way off into the distance but as I reviewed each slide, it popped up slightly, expanded and came into focus providing visual and emotional information. I noticed that the negative sections of the timeline were dark and the positive sections were bright.

As I was reviewing my life, I became aware that someone to my left was watching me do this. It was not a corporeal person but a presence, a mind, and I knew that this entity deeply cared for me like a loving parent does for a child. What was profoundly shocking to me was that this being was also looking at my timeline and even though I felt that my life was filled with shameful, guilty and fearful events, all I could sense was its unwavering love, infinite patience and complete acceptance of me. There was a total lack of condemnation and judgment even though I was brutally condemning and judging myself. I then suddenly comprehended why I must not judge myself, let alone anyone else. When I was on Earth, I did the absolute best I could at all times as did everyone else I interacted with. I realized how fear and guilt had overcome my life goals of becoming a healer and a spiritual teacher, how fear had kept me from teaming up early on with Inga, how I had accomplished very little except to suffer and that leaving Earth at that time would mean starting over from scratch. With the cloud of fear lifted, I regained my courage and enthusiasm for my life goals and returned to that mortal existence.

As the remembrance concluded, I fell to my knees and cried my heart out. The love and acceptance expressed toward me was overwhelming. I had never felt affection of this caliber before especially during those dark times in my life. Since that day, it has been my goal to achieve that same state of love and grace as demonstrated by the entity before I return "home". It will take many years of learning, practice and love to do that but I know that is why I am here.