Gemini, the last sign of the Spring season, is a complex and often contradictory sign producing both the virtue of versatility, and the vices of vacillation and flightiness. Gemini is a mutable, Air sign and is therefore masculine in nature.

Gemini is curious, communicative and popular with others as long as it does not allow its skepticism and sarcasm to isolate it. Its mental agility and energy allow it to easily grasp any subject requiring analytical skills though it may avoid the labor of memorization and practice. If the value of discipline and attention to detail are not learned early in life, Gemini may be seen as unreliable and evasive as it flits from one interest to another always searching for variety and becoming a dilettante, dabbling in so many interests that it is unable to develop any one of them. It is fond of travel and changes of atmosphere. Gemini needs to learn that not only cooperation but also actual involvement with others is necessary to fulfillment in this life.

The monthly installment of The Great Astrological Light Bulb Joke:

How many Geminians does it take to change a lightbulb?

Two, but the job never gets done. They just keep discussing who is supposed to do it and how it's supposed to be done!

Note: I have no idea who originally wrote this. Erika sent it to me years ago and I still think it’s as funny as it is insightful!

May 20^th is the day the sun enters Gemini.

Happy Birthday Geminians, especially to Trevor Trifiro, Gemini extraordinaire! (If you would like to be included in upcoming Celebration Calendars, please drop me at note or call because I don't want to violate your confidentiality by automatically listing everyone. Ok?)

June 2^nd is a Full moon in Sagittarius: The Moon and Sun are opposite each other in the sky. The Moon reflects all of the Sun's light. This is the time to perform rituals for protection, clarity of vision and consecration. To learn more about actively using the Moon's energy in your life, see The Moon Through the Signs and Moon Phases. These guides are located in our Library.

June 6^th 1944 was D Day, the day the allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy.

June 17^th is a New Moon: The Moon and Sun are conjunct in the sky. The moon is dark and gradually increases to a crescent. This is the time to begin a new project, a ritual or to ask for a new vision. To learn more about actively using the Moon's energy in your life, see The Moon Through the Signs and Moon Phases. These guides are located in our Library.

June 4th is the First Friday of the month and the Dunthor Open House! Click here to see details below.

June 20th the sun enters Cancer. This is the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. It is also Father’s Day in the US. 

Calcite is an abundant crystal that comes in white, gray, green, yellow, blue, brown and red. Calcite resonates with Gemini and according to tradition, is recommended for those in the healing professions. It sharpens mental clarity and boosts your memory. It soothes frustration and aids in adjusting to changes and transitions.

I love calcite: it packs the intellectual ability enhancement of Quartz but with a different kind of energy. I like to have one on my desk or wherever I am reading. This is a large pendant, 2.5 inches tall. It would be great to hang in a window as well as to wear. It is wrapped in Sterling silver wire.

Click here to see this item and more in my Catalog.

To learn more about how to use Gemstones in your daily life, see "What Gemstones Should I Wear?" guide in our Library.

Gemini is always the hardest newsletter to write. The days are longer, gardening season is in full swing and true to Gemini’s energy, I always have some new interest taking up more of my time. Gemini is ruled by Mercury which corresponds to the hands, arms, lungs, intellect and verbal ability. Last Gemini I learned new wire wrapping techniques. This Gemini I am learning knitting. Here are some knitting related links for anyone else who would like to pick up this very Gemini craft:

• A Seattle Times article on hip knitting in Seattle.

• The Seattle Knitters Guild

• Hilltop Yarn, a great yarn store on Queen Anne offering knitting and needlepoint classes and supplies.

• Yarn Gallery, my favorite store in West Seattle.

• Another yarn store in Kent, Pastimes Yarn, offering an extensive list of knitting classes.

• Yarn and instruction online on the Lion Brand website.

• A fun pattern for a faux fox stole.

• Weaving Works, a U District shop with knitting, spinning and basket making classes.

• A website for the knitting board.

While on the subject of creativity, I thought I would pass along this article from the Rings & Things newsletter:

Cave Contains Oldest Beads Ever Found

Forty-one tiny shells discovered in a South African cave were strung as beads more than 75,000 years ago, an international team of researchers announced last month. These pea-size items are the world's oldest known jewelry, at least 30,000 years older than any other personal ornaments found to date. Moreover, they are the earliest reliable evidence of creative symbolic thought in modern humans. More than simple adornment, the beads might be the earliest known insignia of individual identity. If authorities on human origin are able to verify the find, the beads will demonstrate that early humans exercised a capacity for abstract thought and symbolism tens of thousands of years earlier than previously believed. The beads also suggest these ancient people expressed concepts of beauty and vanity, which only arise from self-awareness, and had developed a sense of tribal belonging. (Information derived from article by Robert Lee Hotz of the Los Angeles Times). For pictures, maps and more information, take a look at the BBC's coverage of this story.

For some interesting FREE listening: Download the latest 9/11 Commission Hearings, compliments of Audible.com. They are available right now and feature former and current New York City Mayors, Rudolph Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg, among others, answering questions on emergency preparedness and responsiveness before, during, and after the tragedy.

We think of this newsletter as a community forum. You, our friends and clients, are welcome to participate. We celebrate diversity and we'll print whatever you send in be it Wiccan, Christian, Pagan, New Age, etc., as long as it reflects Love. You may choose a one-time holiday to write about or have a regular column. We'll give you space and a byline! Please send in your own book reviews, ideas for rituals, ideas about stones, your journal excerpts, your experiences and most of all, ask us questions. We love answering questions!

From Vicki:

I have proof!  My cat passed out on his back on my homework.  If he sees me doing homework here he comes and he'll even lay on my pencil while I'm writing.  He is so funny.

From Scott:

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. -- Eleanor Roosevelt

From Laura Unruh:

To friends and family,

My theme for the year seems to be taking risks and making changes. As of May 1, 2004, I have changed jobs. I am still with HomeStreet Bank but I have become a Loan Officer. I had been in my training position for 9 years and it was time for a change. Since I had been training the Loan Officers all that time, I decided to become one!

I am sending this announcement to let you know I am ready and able to serve you, your friends and your family members with any home financing needs. Whether it be purchase, refinance, investment or new construction, I welcome the opportunity to help you complete the transaction. Please contact me if you have any home financing questions.

Click here to visit my HomeStreet webpage.
Office: 425-455-4888
Cell: 206-818-8592
"Helping people turn dreams into reality."

From Kim:

buy-me-a-tree sale

my neighbors are now clearing another third of an acre. i hope they're creating the backyard of their dreams, but i'm losing the backyard of mine. help me put that forest back in, this time in my yard. help me buy some trees and at the same time, get a great deal as i clear out my inventory and make room for some new inspiration.

50% off everything, no kidding. i really want those trees. Click here to visit my website.
 
From Laura C.:

What tree did you fall from? Find your birthday and then find your tree. This is in line with Celtic astrology.

Your Tree (in alphabetical order):

• Apple Tree (Love) -- quiet and shy at times, lots of charm, appeal, and attraction, pleasant attitude, flirtatious smile, adventurous, sensitive, loyal in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, many talents, loves children, needs affectionate partner.

• Ash Tree (Ambition) -- extremely attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, can be very egotistic, reliable, restless lover, sometimes money rules over the heart, demands attention, needs love and much emotional support.

• Beech Tree (Creative) -- has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, good organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.).

• Birch Tree (Inspiration) -- vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.

• Cedar Tree (Confidence) -- of rare strength, knows how to adapt, likes unexpected presents, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, a great speaker, determined, often impatient, likes to impress others, has many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waits for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

• Chestnut Tree (Honesty) -- of unusual stature, impressive, well-developed sense of justice, fun to be around, a planner, born diplomat, can be irritated easily, sensitive of others feelings, hard worker, sometimes acts superior, feels not understood at times, fiercely family oriented, very loyal in love, physically fit.

• Cypress Tree (Faithfulness) -- strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give but doesn't necessarily like it, strives to be content, optimistic, wants to be financially independent, wants love and affection, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered at times, can be unruly and careless, loves to gain knowledge, needs to be needed.

• Elm Tree (Noble-mindedness) -- pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for  others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical.

• Fig Tree (Sensibility) -- very strong minded, a bit self-willed, honest, loyal, independent, hates contradiction or arguments, hard worker when wants to be, loves life and friends, enjoys children and animals, few sex! ual relationships, great sense of humor, has artistic talent and great intelligence.

• Fir tree (Mysterious) -- extraordinary taste, handles stress well, loves anything beautiful, stubborn, tends to care for those close to them, hard to trust others, yet a social butterfly, likes idleness and laziness after long demanding hours at work, rather modest, talented, unselfish, many friends, very reliable.

• Hazelnut Tree (Extraordinary) -- charming, sense of humor, very demanding but can also be very understanding, knows how to make a lasting impression, active fighter for social causes and politics, popular, quite moody, sexually oriented, honest, a perfectionist, has a precise sense of judgment and expects complete fairness.

• Hornbeam Tree (Good Taste) -- of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, is not egoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgment in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.

• Lime Tree (Doubt) - intelligent, hard working, accepts what life dishes out, but not before trying to change bad circumstances into good ones, hates fighting and stress, enjoys getaway vacations, may appear tough, but is actually soft and relenting, always willing to make sacrifices for family and friends, has many talents but not always enough time to use them, can become a complainer, great leadership qualities, is jealous at times but extremely loyal.

• Maple Tree (Independence of Mind) -- no ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

• Oak Tree (Brave) -- robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, a person of action.

• Olive Tree (Wisdom) -- loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.

• Pine Tree (Peacemaker) -- loves agreeable company, craves peace and harmony, loves to help others, active imagination, likes to write poetry, not fashion conscious, great compassion, friendly to all, falls strongly in love but will leave if betrayed or lied to, emotionally soft, good self esteem, likes affection and reassurance.

• Poplar Tree (Uncertainty) -- looks very decorative, talented, not very self-confident, extremely courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, great artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership seriously.

• Rowan Tree (Sensitivity) -- full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

• Walnut Tree (Passion) -- unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromise.

• Weeping Willow (Melancholy) -- likes to be stress free, loves family life, full of hopes and dreams, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful, musically inclined, loves to travel to exotic places, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with when pressured, sometimes demanding, good intuition, suffers in love until they find that one loyal, steadfast partner, loves to make others laugh.

Please come join in the community that has been created over the years with the friends we've made through Inga's Earth Magic. You'll find insight, sharing, healing and fellowship and you are most welcome.

• When: The 1st Friday of every month. Please join us for dinner. We start eating around 7 PM. Or join us for dessert later on!
• 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: Just your enthusiasm and love! There's a big pot of pasta on the stove, salad, bread and plenty of microbrews and red wine. If you have specific preferences, please bring whatever you'd like.
• How long: Until the good conversation ends! If you'd like, you can spend the night on one of the couches with the kitties or bring your sleeping bag and mat and camp out on the floor of Inga's office.
• 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 food or beer!

I've been working on a project for a couple of years now and I've had to develop quite a few relationships in order to do it. A few years ago I started thinking about buying an old 1970s Honda motorcycle. My intention was to purchase it, fix it up a little and then have fun riding around on this rolling piece of history. But it quickly became clear that I'd have to reach out to others from the very beginning to make it happen at all. The vintage motorcycle that caught my eye was sitting in upstate New York. I thought about flying out there to see it but that wasn't very practical. Then I realized that I had a friend nearby in Albany, NY and he was a motorcyclist to boot. As I was going to base my decision to buy on his opinion, I had to be very clear as what I was asking him to do. I, in effect, was extending authority to him to act on my behalf while affirming that I trusted his judgment. Most importantly, I assured him that if this motorcycle purchase didn't turn out the way I hoped it would, our friendship would not be negatively affected. In other words, I took full responsibility for managing my emotions and expectations. Lastly, I had to express to him that this was a playful venture to insure a sense of adventure. I didn't realize it at the time but I was setting the tone for a series of relationships that I'd be forming around this motorcycle.

The bike arrived and it was all that I had hoped for. I promptly had Inga guide me in meditation to meet the Elementals associated with this bike. I met two little gnomes wearing green felt hats in contrast with the gnomes associated with Inga's scooter wore red felt hats. I asked if that meant anything and they all gave me the "duh!" look while explaining that gnomes from back East wore green hats. Oh. I should have known! Anyway, the new guys were happy to be here and we went for many happy rides with them sitting behind me on the seat.

It soon became evident, though, that some serious mechanical work was in order to fix various leaks on this 25 year old bike. As I have no such skills, it required enlisting the help of yet more people and so more relationships were formed. As we dismantled the bike and examined the various parts and pieces, I decided to begin a complete restoration. As this was a labor of love, it meant no rushing the process or pushing others to make progress. I just kept things organized and held the expectation of a very harmonious outcome. Little did I know that it would be two years before the bike would once again be road worthy. It's been quite the adventure. There is more work to do but we have definitely achieved some major milestones and it's certainly time for some more happy rides with my Elemental buddies.

My motorcycle now graces the new motorcycle repair shop that two of my friends have just opened in Seattle as an example of the work they do. If you'd like to read the particulars of this restoration adventure, click on the link below. Here are the subjects I cover on that webpage:

• Overview
• Project Status
• Project Team
• Restoration Stories
• Modifications
• Notes
• Links
• Project Costs
• Riding Stories
• Restoration Photos

Stanky (the 1977 Honda CB750F2 Super Sport)

Let's ride! -- Scott Bruce Duncan */:-)

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