FROM THE HEART

[ FROM THE HEART]

UNLEGISLATED LOVE

by Alan Cohen

A friend told me, “Marriage is a great institution if you don’t mind living in an institution.” Since February is the month of lovers, let’s take a look at what it takes to be a great lover and find great love.

The funny thing about love is that the more you try to organize it, the less like love it becomes. As spiritual master Meher Baba noted, “Love has to spring spontaneously from within and It is in no way amenable to any form of inner or outer force. Love and coercion can never go together; but though love cannot be forced upon anyone, it can be awakened in him through love itself.”

People usually institutionalize things when they don’t trust life to take care of itself naturally and spontaneously. I’m not saying that institutions are bad or that we should not have them; they serve a purpose. But institutions have a way of becoming hollow shells that the heart gradually dies out of. Most religions, for example, began with a genuine enlightenment experience by a prophet whom God spoke to. That experience was so powerful that it inspired others to follow in their footsteps. The glitch in that formula is that if you really want to meet God, you have to follow in your own footsteps, not those of another. It’s more about energy than action; more about consciousness than behavior.

A friend of mine studied with a Native American shaman whom she adored. One day my friend asked the shaman, “How can I be more like you?” The shaman gave the best answer I ever heard: “If you want to be more like me, be more like yourself.” He was teaching that the road to enlightenment is paved with authenticity, not imitation. Suddenly a shaft of light broke through the leaves above him and he realized he was one with all life, eternally whole, and filled with peace. In other words, he became enlightened. When the fellow returned to the village, everyone realized there was something extraordinary about him; he had been transformed and he glowed with a new light. When the villagers asked him, “What happened to you?” he explained, “I was just sitting on the big rock down by the river eating an avocado. A beam of light fell upon me, and I saw God.”

The next morning when the tribesman awoke, he found no one in the village. He looked in all the huts, but everyone had mysteriously disappeared. Finally he decided to give up searching and just go back to the rock he loved to sit on. When he arrived, he was amazed to find all the people from the village clustered on the rock, avocados in hand, scrambling to get to the top of the rock.

Silly as this parable sounds, it’s not very different from the way we try to institutionalize spirit. The key to the tribesman’s illumination is that he sat on his favorite rock enjoying his avocado. The villagers would have met God more quickly and directly by going to their own sacred places rather than legislating his.

Great relationships are built on joy, choice, and full presence. If you meet in the temple upheld by those pillars, you are in a holy place indeed. You fuel the flame of love by being fully alive yourself, and when your partner is fully alive too, you have a bonfire. If one or both of you brings less than full life to the altar, the relationship becomes a charade of fear, and it will wither and die.

being together brings joy to both of us.” While such a vow may sound scary if you are afraid your relationship might not last without more of a commitment, it can be empowering if you recognize that commitment to life is the foundation of great relationships. If you stay true to your spirit and your partner stays true to his or her spirit, and you find yourself paddling in the same canoe, you are in the best ride of your life.

I heard about a spiritual community in Italy at which married couples renew their marriage contract on an annual basis. Each year the couple revisits their agreement to be together and they ask each other if they want to remain married for another year. I rather like this formula, since that’s how it is anyway. We are all making it up as we go along.

Commitment is important, and a meaningful lifetime commitment can be highly empowering. Just be sure that your commitment is less about time in your life, and more about life in your time. St. John of the Cross said, “Take God for your spouse and friend and walk with Him continually, and you will not sin and will learn to love, and the things you must do will work out prosperously for you.” The Steve Winwood song “Higher Love” bears the same message: Show up as yourself, trust life and love, let higher power orchestrate your relationship, and no rule you make will be as powerful as the joy you feel together when willingness is your motivator.

Alan Cohen is the author of many popular inspirational books. For more information, visit www.alancohen.com.

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THE NEW/FULL MOON ENERGY

for February 2021

by Donna Stellhorn

On Jan. 28, there is a Full Moon in Leo, putting the focus on pleasure, romance, and risk-taking. Curiosity chases away fear. Consider trying something new, and bringing a little adventure into your life. This is also a good time to find love. If you’re looking for a relationship, this is the time to put your profile up on an online dating site.

On Feb. 1, Venus enters Aquarius bringing positive energy for connecting with friends and the community, especially through electronic means. If you have been dragging your feet about video conferencing, now it’s time to ask your 10-year-old nephew to help you get online.

On Feb. 12, the New Moon in Aquarius marks the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Metal Ox. This energy is about simplifying your life, going back to basics and rebuilding. In Ox years, it’s time to strap on the yoke and plow the fields. The work ahead is straightforward and simple, and there’s a lot of it! Success comes from hard work. (Check out my YouTube channel for video predictions for the Year of the Metal Ox.)

On Feb. 17, Saturn squares Uranus. Rigid aspects of your life could be shattered. It’s good to be flexible at this time. On the positive side, Uranus can open up new ways of doing things that save you time, money and energy.

On Feb. 18, the Sun goes into Pisces. Pisces is about dissolving boundaries. This could be the boundary between you and the Universe, helping you feel more spiritually connected. It also could dissolve a boundary between you and a virus. It’s important to use man-made boundaries at this time.

Mercury is retrograde until Feb. 20. Try to avoid getting a parking ticket, as you might get two. If buying jewelry or highend clothing, make sure you can return it in case you change your mind later. If your home is for sale, try not to lower the price now as Mercury retrograde could cause you to lower it a second time.

On Feb. 25, Venus, the planet of love, enters romantic Pisces. At the same time, action-oriented Mars makes a trine to obsessive Pluto. This combination can focus your attention on a single goal. While this could be a love relationship, it could also be an art project, a business venture or a topic of study.

And finally, on Feb. 27, there is the Full Moon in Virgo, focusing your energy on health and daily routines. We’ll talk more about this next month.

Aries

There’s an expanding circle of friendships this month. You might be heading up a local community or church group. Extracurricular activities are fine, but your main focus is on making money. You will likely do well in investments, and you may get a salary increase. Saturn squaring Uranus focuses change energy

in your house of technology. It’s important to keep devices backed up and away from water. Mercury is retrograde, so save upgrading until after Feb. 20. You’re favored to win a contest.

Taurus

There’s a lot of career energy for you this month. You may be getting a promotion or transferring to a different department. There’s a new job if you want it. Love and friendship are available. When you accept your quirks, other people accept you as well. More money is going out than coming in, but this could be due to investing money or buying equipment. Saturn squaring Uranus focuses change energy on your standing in the world. Avoid posting controversial memes on social media or other things that could damage your reputation. This month, you might change your wardrobe or hairstyle.

Gemini

Your focus, this month, is on education and knowledge in general. You may be catching up with school, taking standardized tests or finding out you’ve been accepted to the university of your choice. There is positive intimate energy happening, and Gemini native, you can get lucky in love. This month, it’s a good idea to examine your investments and see if they are performing as you hoped. Saturn squaring Uranus focuses change energy around spirituality. You could change churches or have an epiphany.

Cancer

There are lots of resources available to Cancer natives this month. This could mean you’re getting a loan at a good rate. There are possibilities of a windfall in February. An admirer could profess their love to you. You may go from casual dating to an intimate relationship very quickly. Saturn squaring Uranus focuses change energy around old fears. This month, you face your fears and realize you have grown. You can break through blocks with ease. A new friend may introduce you to a whole new world.

Leo

Relationships are highlighted for Leo natives this month. If you want to deepen your current relationship or find new love, the stars are aligned in your favor. You may let go of a bad habit. Income is steady, but investments are not performing as well as you might like. You may be looking to make a change in this area. Saturn squaring Uranus could change a friendship of yours. This person may be involved with others and so has little free time. Someone may give you a special gift.

Virgo

This month’s focus for you, Virgo native, is on your daily routines and how the small things you do add up to the bigger things in life. There could be changes at your job—giving you new duties or a new title. A salary increase is probable, or you may receive a bonus. A relationship almost comes together, but it’s not quite time yet. There will be another chance in March. Saturn squaring Uranus focuses change energy around exercise routines and eating habits. You may completely change what you eat every day.

Libra

It’s important to let go of fears this month. Libra native, see life as one big adventure. Romance is highly probable. If you’re looking for love, you could have more than one option, or a new love could become quite serious. You may be focused on paying down debt. And, your ability to accumulate money through your own business or investments is very strong. However, income from your job could fluctuate in February. Saturn squaring Uranus could bring a pregnancy announcement to your family.

Scorpio

There’s a lot of focus on home and family in February. Scorpio native, you might be thinking about moving, or you’re still unpacking from a recent move. You and your sweetheart could be moving in together or perhaps buying some real estate for investment. There could be a small increase in income as a side business or hobby becomes profitable. Saturn squaring Uranus could cause you to break free from a long-held family tradition. You may make a lucky find at a garage sale or swap meet.

Sagittarius

Sagittarius native, you could receive a contract you’ve been expecting. Mercury is retrograde, so read it over carefully before signing or delay signing until after Feb. 20. Love energy is strong, and your relationship could improve considerably. It’s good to watch your spending this month. Saturn squaring Uranus brings changes in how you communicate with yourself. You may start a regular daily meditation or journaling. Your art or music could be put in the spotlight in February.

Capricorn

You’re quite focused on your finances this month. Capricorn native, there’s a potential change of income from a new job or side business. Relationship energy is also strong, and you might find you are pursued by an interesting person for love or friendship. There may be a new addition to the family through birth, marriage or a new pet. Saturn squaring Uranus brings a change in how you accumulate possessions. This is a good month to declutter. You could find an item you thought was lost forever.

Aquarius

This month, you break free of an old pattern and find new courage to live the life you want to live. This could mean making a big change in your lifestyle. You could be moving residences or just completing a recent move. As you pay more attention to your finances, more money comes in but then seems to go right out again for necessities. Saturn squaring Uranus brings a change in an important relationship. You could fall head over heels in love. You could be asked to become a leader of a group you belong to.

Pisces

There’s a lot of healing energy around you. You’re recuperating and finding yourself more balanced and peaceful. Money from career improves, and you could get more sales commission or a possible increase. You may be spending some time alone. Perhaps your sweetheart is away visiting family. You may be considering a change in vehicles; however, it would be ideal to wait until after Mercury goes direct on Feb. 20. Saturn squaring Uranus could increase your interest in tarot cards or channeling.

Donna Stellhorn is an astrologer, a Feng Shui expert, as well as the author of 16 books. Her website is www. fengshuiform.com. You can follow her on Instagram@donnastellhorn, and see her videos on YouTube at www.youtube. com/c/DonnaStellhorn.