Voice of Choices Magazine

The

Voice Choices OF

Celebrating The First 10 Years

March 2011 Features

Monthly VOICE OF CHOICES Magazine Publisher: Kathy ‘Whyte Wynde’ Lowden VoiceOfChoicesNews@yahoo.com 206-715-2824 9011 Corbin Dr #B Everett, WA 98204 www.VoiceOfChoices.com Whether you define ‘spirit’ as enthusiasm or spirituality, Voice of Choices supports you in exploring the many options for creating and enjoying your life! We feature articles on alternative healing, personal development, spirituality and a wide range of topics focused on spirited living.

Giving voice to the myriad of choices available in each moment, information is not intended for diagnosis, treatment, or prescription regarding disease, illness or injury. We recommend you see a licensed health practitioner if you have concerns about your health.

Voice of Choices is not responsible for any situations arising from participation in or application of anything written or advertised in this publication.

We welcome your contribution of articles and artwork, to be published on approval as space permits. Articles do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.

Subscriptions to are $30.00 per year 12 issues U.S. - Inquire for International rates) We accept MC/ Visa, Paypal and Personal Checks.

Thank you for all your good work.

Blessings in all your choices.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

4 Spring into Life Kathy ‘Whyte Wynde’ Lowden 5 Attitude - Vitality - Spirit - Passion Marlene Buffa 6 Choices for a Healthy Bladder Kasara D’Elene 7 Challenging People - Powerful Teachers Julie Hutslar 8 Healthy Choices for Coping With Anger Dr. Judith Orloff 9 Yes Yes Yes! A Good Time to be Alive Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid 10 March Astrological Influences Carol Barbeau 11 Harnessing the Abundant Energy of Nature Master Stephen Co 12 Setting Energetic Boundaries - Message From Mother Mary Raven Many Voices 13 Rock Talk - Seraphinite Cecilia Ray 15 Chinese Astrology Ko Hashiguchi

Cover Art - Spring’s Return by Montserrat Montserrat was born in Barcelona. Having lived in many places and countries, she is now in the United States. Always interested in art, it was after a series of spiritual experiences that she started to paint with oils. Her first paintings were of Cosmic Devas and Angels, but later on the Divine Feminine was awakened within her, and she began to paint the female manifestation of Divinity. Practicing the middle path of the Buddha, she doesn’t associate with any specific religion, having found that all religions hold beautiful teachings.

Montserrat strives to find and paint the Divine, whatever shape or form it might take. Visit her website at www.thesacredfeminine.com

are connected to people and places we’d otherwise never ‘meet’ it’s important to find a perspective on ‘news’ that serves us in our own daily life. The key is to consciously decide what that will look like and how we can maintain our own sense of balance. The opportunities for being part of the change sweeping our planet are endless - and beginning with ourselves imperative to creating the world we desire.

Blessings From the

Publisher

It’s interesting that, as I pull Aman Motwane’s book - The Power of Wisdom - from my collection, I am reminded that “When you change how you see the world your whole world changes”. Many of us now embrace that concept as truth even if we are still integrating its meaning as life presents us with the gifts of the present.

Spring into Life Welcome! I AM grateful your choices include Voice of Choices!

March is blowing in with the energy of ‘the lion’ - bringing with it every opportunity to express the truth of who we are in each moment - with the gentleness of the lamb.

Every month, for the last ten years, I have done my very best to bring you a magazine that shares and celebrates a variety of choices you may find helpful as you walk your unique path in life. A simple, foldover ‘bulletin’ offered to those attending my Reiki Circle in Duvall carried the intention of assisting you, from the very first copy.

The ‘evolution’ of Voice of Choices was a natural progression. First printed at a local copy store, the March 2001 issue included a ‘print run’ of 250 copies. When those had all found homes within 8 hours of printing - my daughter and I folded the pages of another 300 copies which connected with readers at a Fair in Everett. From the beginning I offered space to those wanting to promote their passion - giving wings to their prayers for connecting with those looking for the services and products which could support them in growing into their ‘bless’t’ expression of self.

Over the years Voice of Choices has touched the lives of literally millions. I remember the phone call from somewhere in the mid-west 8 and a half years ago , from a reader who found a copy at a hamburger stand ‘east of the mountains’...... hundreds of miles from the closest regular distribution location.

A n email from a French woman, travelling the states, who ended up with a copy as she hitch-hiked through Georgia. Letters from people who found new hope as they experimented with the tips and tools our authors share freely. Phone calls of gratitude for the changes and growth discovered when a reader can truly embrace a new concept and impact their experience of life in a positive way. And now, with the internet we reach 35,000 more readers from every corner of the planet. How kewl is that?

There are books on my bookshelf that refer to ‘these challenging times’... with copywrite dates in the 20’s, 30’s and 50’s.... yes, that’s 1950’s. AND at this very moment we have a plethora of news sources that instantaneously inform us of challenging events taking place in the right now of this moment.

We have news coming at us in print, online, radio and TV constantly - creating connections to people, places and things around the world and throughout the universe.

I’m not sure that there is such a thing as an ‘unchallenging time’ - and wonder if it is part of our nature as humans to create challenge just to alleviate boredom and of course to instigate and implement growth.

We know that the energy, attitude and emotions of others can affect us. Now that we VOICE OF CHOICES

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From his chapter on the Wisdom of Magnanimity - You may not want to admit it, but like everyone else, you harbor a delicate combination of fears and anxieties. Even in your unwillingness to admit it aloud, you are like everyone else. No one escapes - fear is inherent to us all. We are learning that fear usually stems from insecurity, pain, the struggle within...... and clarity, open communication and true caring for others can pave the way to not only interacting in the best possible way with others, but accepting ourselves as human too.

Taking steps into the fear - disarming anger which can only be a result of a deep seated unfulfilled need or expectation and standing up to say - I AM Human. (yes, I AM Spirit.... and expressing in this wonderful world of human awesomeness). This month I was called to accept my part in creating confusing communication that birthed a level of fear and anger which usually shuts me down from further attempts to interact clearly. Confusion spawing more confusion I had to step further into my core to remember ‘who I AM’ - and why I do what I do. It was important that I stand strong and at the same time admit my shortcomings.

Believing in ourselves, growing into our best expression, honoring our humanness when we’d like to do better. There is no other time than this moment. We are each that beautiful, ever-growing, unique expression of Spirit. If you take anything with you from Voice of Choices - I trust it will be a rekindled spark of knowing that truth of who you are.

Thank YOU to all who have been such an important part of this incredible ten years. AND Thank YOU to Spirit for continuing to support this mission of Love.

Blsssngs - Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and Mahalo. Kathy ‘Whyte Wynde’ Lowden

Attitude - Vitality - Spirit - Passion

Choosing Fulfillment

Marlene Buffa

An open heart has taught us that, it takes two to tango. No one said it Louise Hay tells us that all relationships are temporary. In fact, most things on the planet are temporary, or at the least, always evolving and shifting. As humans, we’re on our glorious planet for mere blips in time, yet we observe the brevity of our environment. Recognizing a natural deterioration, food processing companies stamp an expected longevity on the packaging, instructing us that we’d better consume the food quickly before it spoils. In turn, we can look inward and ponder the vitality of our spirit and consume life itself with gusto and delectable fulfillment before our time, too, runs out.

Attitude One of the few things we control about our lives is our attitude. While good and bad things happen to all of us, our outlook on every situation determines our level of contentment and happiness. We learn we cannot always prevent negative things in our lives, but our ability to approach them with a sunnier disposition offers us the benefits of more smiles, lower blood pressure and relaxed relationships.

outside of ourselves eternal, we perpetuate that which we admire, or whom we admire.

Our true spirit lives within us, and not as objects separate from us.

We base our spirit, our nature, our soul-recognition, on that which we are, not that which we represent or imitate. How sustainable is your spirit in this context? Do you love and admire yourself enough to maintain the fire within to aspire to even greater life experiences?

Passion A gift that cannot be given or received, passion for life begins in the core of our being. We can share our passion for people, activities, and even our work and play, yet true butterfly-in-your-tummy type of passion cannot be induced. Identifying passion allows us to enjoy life with temporary blinders on, ignoring all around us to focus on that one thing. Passion reminds us that we’re alive.

When we lose sight of our positive approach, we grow cynical and angry. How long can you genuinely sustain your optimism? Take a closer look and understand that when your automatic response to any situation is positive and loving, it’s no longer a struggle to remember to see the glass half full. A long shelf-life of empowered thinking may sustain you for the duration of your life.

Some of us, as we age, grow complacent and resigned to our state of affairs. That which once thrilled us with the excitement of a child, now bores us with drudgery and familiarity. At some point, we may wake up to notice this change and attempt to discover when the flame of passion extinguished, or not. What is the shelf-life of your passion? Do you trade one passion for another – in spouses, sports, activities, foods, etc.?

Life-force We all know someone who defied science and outlived other family members or a physician’s prognosis. We also know of people who smoke several packs a day or consumed great amounts of alcohol who lived healthy lives well into their 80s and 90s. Then, we see others die at childbirth, in youth or in their productive prime of life. We share stories of people in hospice announcing their final days then requesting the company of loved ones. At some time, does your spirit subconsciously know its time to leave?

We come to the planet to learn and to grow, through the context of relationships. In the human form, our time is a mere blip on the grand expanse of universal existence. When Henry David Thoreau noticed that most people “live quiet lives of desperation” he saw the flame within many of us snuffed out long before our earthly bodies ceased to exist. Some of us live life to the fullest and our shelf-life endures exactly as long as the body. Others among us lost our zeal long ago yet continue to play out the game of life with someone else’s chess pieces.

Many of us eat healthily, exercise regularly and follow the “rules” for living a long life. In spite of all that, none of us gets off the planet alive. The health advocate may die in an accident, or someone who took fastidious caution against disease may succumb to an airborne virus, demonstrating over and over that life’s ironies are never lost. At some point perhaps we agree that our time is limited and we’ve accomplished all we could. The shelf-life of our years on earth is but only one expression of the essence of our being.

Today is it. You get to choose. Enjoy your attitude, your life-force, your ideas, your spirit and your passion every day of your life! Live every day not in desperation, but in determination to express the true character of your beautiful soul, shining forth beyond your expiration date!

Ideas Everything begins with an idea. From the first wheel to the light bulb, to space exploration, original ideas propelled mankind from darkness and isolation to light and connectedness. When in relationship with one another, we use ideas to springboard into other ideas and so the domino effect of creative thought and progress beings.

Taking a quiet sideways glance at life, Marlene offers insight through her words from experiences. . A student of new-thought teachings, Marlene finds practical spirituality around every corner and seeks wisdom through observation of life’s inter-relationships. Sometimes playful, sometimes poignant, always thought-provoking, her writing inspires readers in meaningful ways.www.wordsofmind.com.

Looking internally, we examine our own ideas, no to be confused with opinions. As beings with insight and understanding, we can either build upon the good ideas of others or create our own patterns of forward movement. Examine the shelf life of your ideas – are they tired and worn out, or simply mirror someone else’s? Or do your ideas burst from the inkwell of who you are and of what you are capable? The ideas which endure from generation to generation rank equally with the ideas than transform the here and now.

Spirit From sports to passion, the term spirit connotes an embrace of, and enthusiasm for something outside of oneself. We hear stories of people with a fighting spirit to continue overcoming obstacles that repel others. “…in the spirit of…” terminology indicates that one acts in the manner of, or likeness of, another. Keeping enthusiasm for something PAGE

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this fact and have been around a lot longer than us and know how to take advantage of a good thing.

So how can you prevent bladder infections in the future, and if you happen to have one, how do you get rid of it effectively so it won’t return?

Kasara D’Elene I have had so many people come into my store lately with bladder infections. Women in their 70’s, 3 year old girls, and every age in between. The first thing we ask people when they come in with this issue is “What are you pissed off at? And they typically look at us in shock and say “how did you know I was pissed off at something?” As I have written about so often before, there is an emotion behind every illness and the emotion behind bladder infections is “being pissed off”. They don’t need to tell us what they are pissed off at or about; the idea is for them to acknowledge the emotion and to do something about it for themselves.

If they need help with acknowledging the emotion – the best book we have found for that is Feelings Buried Alive, Never Die, by Karol Truman. Once the emotions are acknowledged, there are things that can help physically, nutritionally and neurologically.

Conventional Medicine If you have a bladder infection it can be uncomfortable, causing symptoms of burning, itching or desire to urinate, but nothing comes out. Conventional medicine only has one option and that is to take an anti-biotic. Medical doctors want you to take this to kill the infection and to prevent the infection from moving into your kidneys (kidney infections are extremely painful and dangerous). But unfortunately taking antibiotics may get rid of your symptoms and your current infection, but typically people then get on the non-stop merry go round where they take antibiotics every few months off/on that never seems to stop. So is this really fixing the overall problem?

A popular home remedy that many people and even doctors are now recommending is to drink cranberry juice. There are also cranberry pills that some people take because they don’t like the taste of cranberry juice. The problem is that this often doesn’t fix the problem either. If the problem doesn’t get fixed correctly, there can be various mutated strains of organisms which take turns at causing the problem.

Antibiotics can cause these mutations over time. We have found that in the past few years or so that the mutated strains don’t respond as well to the cranberry juice like they used to. To say nothing of the fact that most people drink the cranberry juice with tons of sugar in it which only feeds the organism even more!

In addition, what people don’t realize is that the reason they have the infection in the first place is often because there is too much acid in their body, and specifically in the bladder area. This makes an optimal environment for organisms to thrive. Cranberry juice, once it is digested and “burned” by the body leaves an acidic ash or residue– which means it is creating more of an acid environment for the organism instead of less of one. In other words, it feeds the organism, causing it to stop the pain, but not really fixing the problem at it’s core.

This acid/alkaline balance is an extremely delicate process that the body is always trying to maintain. Organisms are very cognizant of VOICE OF CHOICES

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Water The first thing is to drink LOTS of good water. Think of your body’s fluid as being a flowing river. If you are drinking an excess of toxic drinks such as soda, coffee, sugar and preservative laden juices, these beverages make the river more toxic. If you don’t drink enough water, the river in your body will start to get stagnant similar to when a river dries up, and creates stagnant ponds, which organisms love to populate. Drinking lots of quality water can help to easily flush this environment. The cheapest fix for a bladder infection is to have people drink 2 gallons of water in one day. This cleanses everything out and many times fixes the problem. You will be going potty every 20 minutes, but the infection most likely will get flushed out along with everything else. Getting your hydration level up and keeping it up can help to prevent future issues.

It is important to keep water in your body but the right kind of water can help even more. For example, if your body is toxic, it important to drink water that will help you detox, such as distilled water. However, if you are also acidic which people with bladder infections often are, it is important to NOT drink water that is acidic, which distilled water is. Adding lemon or lime juice or liquid minerals to water can help to alkalize the water.

Chiropractic There are all kinds of chiropractors, and just like every thing else there are some chiropractors you may connect with more positively than others. I highly recommend you keep searching till you find one that will spend more time to assist you with your specific issue, or one that may have a better skill set to address your specific issues. Chiropractic has to do with working with your nervous system in the body, which is similar to the electrical system in your car or home. If your nervous system is mis-firing, or there are “circuits” that are blown, this can cause blockages, which can cause illnesses such as bladder infections. These are caused from injuries, stress (such as holding onto the emotion of being upset about something), or often nutritional deficiencies. Finding a good chiropractor for yourself can help you to stay healthy, to release blockages which can help you release emotional baggage easier, and to help keep you healthier in the long run.

Herbs There are other herbs that have diuretic properties that can help to flush the bladder as well to help remove the infection. Herbs such as parsley, dandelion, juniper berries and uva ursi all have diuretic effects and will make you urinate more as they push the urine, the acid and infection out. It is often optimum to take these while drinking all that water so that your body has a fresh supply of clean water to help flush with. Another herb that you most likely won’t read about anywhere else for bladder infections is Damiana taken as a tea. Damiana is mostly used by herbalists to help improve people’s sex drive.

However Damiana made into a tea is very good at flushing fungus and infection out of the kidneys and bladder. It is important to drink the tea 3-4 times a day for best results and to drink the water, and to support the kidneys/bladder with one or more of the herbs above. Many herbalists offer combinations of herbs specifically for this purpose.

Bucha is another herb that is sold with cranberry or in other urinary formulas to help prevent or stop bladder infections. pH As I have mentioned in previous articles and briefly discussed here, having the proper pH can help to make this issue go away and stay away for good. The largest acid producer in your body is your emotions, so if you are upset or pissed off, this can create more acid in your body. If you are emotional upset, then have the emotional party, or what we call “drama parties”, Continued bottom next page

Challenging People Powerful Teachers?

Julie Hutslar

ticular day a 12-year-old girl showed up to race in his class. She was determined, focused, ready to when, and black. Her mother said she aspires to be the first African American world class female moto crosser. Needless to say, she took the race effortlessly. As I spoke to my grandson getting ready for their second race together, trying to uplift his dejected spirit, I suggested that he see this girl as a teammate.

As someone who seriously challenges him, someone to push him to greater heights instead of the competition.

Who are you Collaborating with?

It is imperative to see your life as a story or a play, because it offers the vantage point of the writer and director who might be watching your story unfold. This helps you understand why certain events are occurring again and again and that they fit perfectly with your story line. As the leading actor or actress we often get so involved, we forget it is simply a story and that who we truly are is so much bigger than this tiny role we have written for ourselves. One way to help determine what story you are in is look at your collaborators. Who have you written into your story?

The reality is that we are co-creators. Whether we are consciously choosing friends, children, business partners, or romantic lovers, we are choosing who we collaborate with in this story we find ourselves acting in. Look around your life. What mentors, teachers, people behind-the-scenes, and supporters have helped create your success and your learning? Who has acknowledged you or encouraged you at just the right time? Who spurs you on to the challenge?

When we think of collaboration we think of consciously making a decision to choose someone who is supportive to help us in cocreating, whether it is a creative project or a relationship. However let’s look at your life and see how you are collaborating with others that both support your story and challenge you to grow out of it.

What if we greeted all of the challenging people in our lives as the powerful teachers that we have chosen nonconsciously? What if we chose not to be offended or hurt, but to rise to the occasion that they present? What if we could step around our ego and see the bigger story unfold?

What if through repeating characters we could see the story we are stuck in? How would your story unfold? And most importantly, is it the story you want to be staring in and producing?

My grandson was racing motor cross last weekend and we had the opportunity to watch him. As a nine-year-old, his qualifying class has never presented a serious challenge to his winning. However this par-

Check Julie’s website for more inspiration and information about her upcoming retreat in Idaho. www.jrhutslar.com www.SpiritualVisionQuest.com

Twyla Tharp says in her book ‘The Collaborative Habit’ that collaboration always creates growth because it adds the element of another’s energy. She says, “The root of any collaboration is interchange – literally, change. Nothing forces change more dramatically than a new partnership.”

it is important to experience the emotion, to acknowledge it but give your self a time limit for the drama party, then move through it to the other side to forgive or accept the situation presenting itself. This can help to reduce the acid in the body, instead of creating a whole river of emotional acid.

Pro-biotics If you have been on the merry go round with the antibiotics off/on again, then it is important to take some probiotics, because the antibiotics kill all these beneficial bacteria along with your infection. You are supposed to have over 650 strains of healthy probiotics that live in your small intestine and all throughout your body, which help to build important vitamins such as B vitamins, they help your immune system, and kill fungus. If they aren’t there – fungus often takes over in your body causing all kinds of other health problems. If you want to learn how important probiotics are, I encourage you to read an article in the November 2005 issue of Discover Magazine entitled “Are Antibiotics Killing Us?” which you can find at your local library.

Adrenals Your adrenals are small organs that sit on top of your kidneys and if the urinary system is stressed, often the adrenals are also. Taking supplements that support your adrenals and help with stress can also be beneficial. B vitamins fall into this category as to adaptagenic herbs such as Suma, Astragalus, Ashwagandha, and Eleathero.

If you have these health concerns, I hope you will work to strengthen this part of your body, which should help to prevent problems in the future.

Kasara D’Elene owns TruHealth, a health food store in the MiCreek/Bothell area. She has helped empower and educate thousands of people to optimum health. You can reach her at 425-415-8410 www.truhealth.com

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Finding Emotional Freedom

Healthy Choices for Coping with Anger Dr. Judith Orloff, MD Our world is in the midst of an emotional meltdown. People are restless, volatile, our tempers about to blow. Recently, a riveting Newsweek cover story, “Rage Goes Viral” described how from Tunisia to Egypt a wave of rage is rocking the Arab world to create revolutions.

Then there are the talk radio ranters, congressional incivility, and domestic terrorists such as the Arizona shooter. Rage is also prevalent in our daily lives: There’s road rage, office rage, supermarket rage, and even surfer’s rage. Why is rage so rampant? What is the solution?

In my book, “Emotional Freedom” I explore the differences between “good” and “bad” anger. Anger can be a healthy reaction to injustice such as cultures fighting to free themselves from repressive regimes.

Anger rallies people. It creates energy and motivation to rebel against dysfunctional political or social systems. It also motivates groups to go on strike say, for higher, well-deserved wages or to defend human rights. On a personal level, anger can be good if it’s expressed in a focused, healthy way rather than using it as a weapon to punish or hurt others.

Your Body’s Reaction To Anger As a psychiatrist, I know that anger is intensely physical and can come from a primal place. Let’s say a colleague double-crosses you in a business deal. You feel angry. Your amygdala (the emotional center in the brain) stimulates adrenaline. You get an energy rush that rallies you to fight. Blood flows to your hands, making it easier to grasp a weapon. Your heart pumps faster. You breathe harder. Pupils dilate.

You sweat. In this hyperadrenalized state, aggression mounts. You may raise your voice, point accusingly, stare him down, grimace, flail your arms around, verbally intimidate, barge into his personal space.

Taken to an extreme, you could literally be driven to knock him out or beat him up. In a pure survival-oriented sense, you want to dominate and retaliate to protect yourself and prevent further exploitation. Anger is one of the hardest impulses to control because of its evolutionary value in defending against danger.

What factors make us susceptible to anger? One is an accumulation of built-up stresses. That’s why your temper can flare more easily after a frustrating day. The second is letting anger and resentments smolder. When anger becomes chronic, cortisol, the stress hormone, contributes to its slow burn. Remaining in this condition makes you edgy, quick to snap. Research has proven that anger feeds on itself.

The effect is cumulative: each angry episode builds on the hormonal momentum of the time before. For example, even the most devoted, loving mothers may be horrified to find themselves screaming at their kids if they haven’t learned to constructively diffuse a backlog of irritations. Therefore, the powerful lesson our biology teaches us is the necessity of breaking the hostility cycle early on, and that brooding on the past is hazardous to your well-being.

For optimal health, you must address your anger. But the point isn’t to keep blowing up when you’re upset, rather, it’s to develop strategies to express anger that are body-friendly. Otherwise, you’ll be set up for illnesses such as migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, or chronic pain, which can be exacerbated by tension. Or you’ll keep jacking up your blood pressure and constricting your blood vessels, which compromises flow to the heart. A Johns Hopkins study reports that young

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men who habitually react to stress with anger are more likely than their calmer counterparts to have an early heart attack, even without a family history of heart disease. Further, other studies have shown that hostile couples who hurl insults and roll their eyes when arguing physically heal more slowly than less antagonistic partners who have a “we’re in this together” attitude.

Still, repressing anger isn’t the answer either. Research also reveals that those who keep silent during marital disputes have a greater chance of dying from heart disease or suffering stress-related ailments than those who speak their minds.

Here are some strategies from “Emotional Freedom” to productively cope with anger in daily life.

1. When you’re upset, pause, and slowly count to 10.

To offset the adrenaline surge of anger, train yourself not to lash back impulsively. Wait before you speak. Take a few deep breaths and very slowly, silently, count to 10 (or to 50 if necessary). Use the lull of these moments to regroup before you decide what to do so you don’t say something you regret 2. Take a cooling-off period.

To further quiet your neurotransmitters, take an extended time-out, hours or even longer. When you’re steaming, retreat to a calm setting to lower your stress level. Reduce external stimulation. Dim the lights. Listen to soothing music. Meditate. Do some aerobic exercise or yoga to expel anger from your system.

3. Don’t address anger when you’re rushed.

Make sure you have adequate time to identify what has made you angry. A Princeton study found that even after theology students heard a lecture on the Good Samaritan, they still didn’t stop to help a distressed person on the street when they thought they’d be late for their next class. Thus, allotting unhurried time to resolve the conflict lets you tap into your most compassionate response.

4. Don’t try to address your anger when you’re tired or before sleep.

Since anger revs up your system, it can interfere with restful sleep and cause insomnia. The mind grinds. Better to examine your anger earlier in the day so your adrenaline can simmer down. Also, being well-rested makes you less prone to reacting with irritation, allows you to stay balanced.

The goal with anger is to own the moment so this emotion doesn’t own you. Then you can mindfully respond rather than simply react.

You’ll have the lucidity to be solution oriented and therefore empower how you relate to others.

Judith Orloff MD is the author of the New York Times bestseller ‘Emotional Freedom’upon which this article is based. She symthesizes traditional medicine with intuition, energy, and spirit. Join her in Seattle at Town Hall March 23 7:30PM for talk and booksigning. Info at www.drjudithorloff.com

2011

Yes! Yes! Yes! A Good Time to Be Alive Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid It’s a new year, and according to the Chinese calendar, the year of the rabbit. A fertile symbol, rabbits, and one that stands to assure us all that times will be better, and the earth can renew itself. It is also a symbol, to my mind, of choice, the choice to believe in hope and of a world where peace and progress can co-exist.

I suppose the rabbit can also be a symbol of whimsy, something that seems to be more possible with the air turning lighter and daylight increasing as the season grows. Maybe this is why Lewis Carroll used a rabbit to signify a beginning to Alice’s journey, which was to be a journey about choices made as she searched for answers on the ‘other side of the looking glass. And I also believe the world is needing more whimsy, or the belief that miracles can and do happen in modern times, a suspension of the old way of looking at things, if you will.

We can all be ‘mad hatters’, acting on the chaotic untruths of the mob, or we can be whimsical journeyers, acting with courage and conviction, confronting our inner fears and moving forward. We can be architects of our own journey, having the faith to trust that our ability to listen to others points of view, to follow wise direction from wise sources (like the rabbit, like the earth itself) will bring us to good places. We don’t need politics or organized media to tell us what we already know about the world. That all of us want the same things and when we see how similar we are, instead of how different, that we are all on the journey of life to learn as souls, we will have a peaceful society.

It is a good time to be alive, when so many choices are available and when the universe itself is instructing us to move forward and wake up. We only need remember the rabbit, who, done with hibernating all winter, now pokes up his little head, sniffing the air of coming Spring, and makes ready for a new journey ahead. And yes, there will be challenges, along with blessings, but isn’t this what makes us stronger and wiser beings? Isn’t this why we are in this life, as human beings to overcome challenges and experience all that life has to offer, and learn to make better choices? Yes, yes, and yes!

So, little rabbits, I say let’s welcome Spring with open arms. Let’s prepare for the best journey ever and never give up hope that we can start over again, like the earth herself, after a dark sleep. We only need believe in a little whimsy, and have the courage Alice had, when she followed her own rabbit.

Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid has over 20 years experience doing tarot, past life readings and in the last four years, discovered she had the gift of being a medium. Find her second Saturdays at Venus Moon in Renton, and on the full moon, at The Cuff in Seattle. Available for private readings and parties she can be reached at: 206-443-3856, or ijanaral@yahoo.com

March is the month that we transition from winter to spring. It is the time of the year where we all stop hibernating in the house and start looking for outside activities to keep us busy. And it is the time to start spring cleaning –your house and yourself. One way to bring the outside into your house is to use Cedar. If you are lucky, you have some cedar trees in your neighborhood. With all the winter storms that we have been having, the wind has taken some of the small branches of the Cedar Trees and left them for us to collect. You can also purchase cedar in the form of tips (needles), chipped wood and essential oil.

Lynn Moddejonge

Welcome Spring With Cedar

The scent of Cedar has a calming and balancing effect on both mental and emotional states. Use the essential oil in a burner to help calm down over-active emotions. You can also put a few drops of the essential oil on a cotton ball in your vacuum cleaner bag to scent the air as you clean or put a few drops in your unscented cleaning soap or castile soap when you mop your floors and wash your windows. Once your house is physically clean, you can smudge the room with cedar tips to purify and attract good energy in your direction.

Once that is done you can turn your attention to yourself. Cedar is good for your skin and your hair. It is an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory astringent, diuretic and works on cellulite. The cedar tips that you gathered can be infused into a carrier oil such as olive or sunflower and it becomes an anti-inflammatory oil that will help with the pain of arthritis or rheumatism. The Cedar essential oil added to your bath with Epsom salts and lemon essential oil it can help with cellulite. You can also add the Cedar and Lemon to your body lotion for the same results.

I know that I am looking forward to spring and summer and bringing a little of the outdoors inside helps me get through this last month of winter.

Here is a recipe for a scalp treatment to help get your hair ready for Spring: 2 drops Cedar Essential Oil 4 drops Lavender Essential Oil 1 drop Lemon Essential Oil 2 drops Rosemary Essential Oil 2 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil Mix all oils together in two tablespoons of olive oil. Use the entire blend to massage into your scalp thoroughly. Wrap your head with a towel and relax for one hour. Shampoo and rinse – you may have to do this twice to remove all the olive oil. **Precautions: This oil is highly toxic and should not be taken internally.

It should not be used by pregnant women as it may cause miscarriage.

Moddejonge’s Herbals sells magical, medical and culinary herbs, oils, incense and products at www.moddejongesherbals.com . fairs and by appointment in Everett, WA. Call 425.252.4256

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VOICE OF CHOICES MARCH 2011

All of us should be processing within our souls and minds and being urged to PUSH and give birth to something… Please... Do not Push it. This month carries some REAL magic if we access it during meditation, Dreams, or intentions. AND act from that spiritually connected source and center of ourselves. The Flow is here, we just have to quit fighting it.

Happy BIRTHDAY Pisces and Aries as we enter your soul contract time.

March 2011 Overview from the sky to our souls and hearts.

The month of March has always been known as the time for Passion and Action. Thus this month is named for the Planet Mars. Mars this month is much less passionate and much more compassionate and ‘Yin’ as it remains in the sign of Pisces all month traveling energetically with water and flow.

Colors for March are Red for passion and Green for healing Stones are Bloodstone and Aquamarine for the same. Flowers are This is the beginning of a New Era as we begin signing new soul contracts and take on the task of beginning a new world during the True 2011 New Year when the SUN MOVES TO ARIES ON the20th.

The Spring equinox happens here in Seattle Washington at 4:21pm The Fire and passion this month seems almost a bit overboard as and we now enter the time of the EAST, the time of Illumination and Jupiter the planet of belief, trust and expansion in the Fire sign of Wisdom. The time of spring. AND the VERNAL Equinox. Happy Aries pushes us onwards and forward. The North Node now enter- New Year 2011 ing Sagittarius On March 3rd. adds ,more fire. This huge event of significant importance for the next 18 months shifts the eclipses and March is the 3rd month of a number 4 year making this a number 7 month which is a very spiritually connected number and seems to demand that we find our own truth and one which many of us will finally say…AHHH HAAA this passion. At the same time the South Node, repreis what this was about. senting past patterns as (the north node represents The key to handling the path we Must take) enters Gemini. Options, The key to handling the new energy is truly believing fire, passion, new ideas and a ‘Must Do it Now’ the new energy is truly in yourself, as we enter the time of “I AM” As the Sun feeling are strong and then. believing in yourself, as enters Aries on the 20th…We do become what we think we enter the time of “I we are so I AM ___ statements are POWERFUL now.

Mercury the planet of how we think and believe AM” As the Sun enters It is only by processing values (Values to me are what I enters Aries on March 9th Ash Wednesday and our biggest task right now might be to rememAries on the 20th put energy into, so the saying “Energy goes where attenber to act from the heart, to open to what is right tion flows” has surely been repeating itself in my mind and fair and just and remember we are all feeling this month) that we truly see what it is that we are making pushed to do something …..and sometimes waithappen in our lives. We need to ask ourselves “Are my ing a day or so can mean that something will be thoughts and actions in alignment with what I think my values are?” the OR are we needing to readjust a bit.

Correct thing to do. Impulsiveness is HUGE right now.

The sun shifting from Pisces into Aries is helping to push us towards Mercury will move retrograde on the 30th in that fiery sign of Aries the courage to move forward on the 20th All the other planets in and I am reminded of what my Granny used to tell me. “Act im- Fire signs are really PUSHING us forward into action and TRULY pulsive and repent in leisure”. Mercury will remain in a retrograde moving us into new growth patterns. pattern until 4/23/2011 and we must be very alert during this time of what we say as Mercury is thought, and speech you know.

This month the Dark of the Moon days, magic wish days or Balsamic moon are the 2nd 3rd and 4th until 12:46pm pst when we As if this was not enough FIRE and passion, on March 11th for the have our New moon. These days are setting up the new moon , and first time in 84 years Uranus , the planet of change, Enters Aries to these days begin a New power time. remain until May 2018.

For Love energy, (and love is anything we like isn’t it) Venus (the The changes we have seen so far are nothing compared to what is planet of earthly love and manifesting) is in the Air (ideas) sign of coming. Aries demands that we be brave, step forward do what Aquarius until the 26th when it enters Pisces and opens us to the must be done and most of all. Act in accordance with what spirit dream. Aquarius helps us break the bounds which have held us in old calls us to do. We are now in the time of the spiritual warrior and patterns. As Pisces asks us to dream new dreams of love and what as an astrologer this month seems the hinge upon which the door we want. finally really opens for many of us.

Saturn retrograde all month in Libra is helping us to work on relationMeanwhile Emotions are strong with the sun in Pisces asking us to ship patterns and get some really new ideas of what changes might delve deeply within to find answers. Mars in Pisces all month asks need to be made within our patterns of others in our lives. that we act from compassion and intuition and remember that what we do today can live long after we are gone. Make sure the seeds you This month I would ask you to please, think, meditate, pray, ponplant on the new moon on the 4th in Pisces are seeds of love. der and really process before impulsive action. If you sense, feel and Know it in your soul then it is probably time to act or The full moon releasing energy on march 19th is Virgo (healing) and speak.

Please, Be open to change, be ready to see the goal Pisces (intuition and compassion) What must be released over the and then unfocus your eyes and intents, as that goal ahead can be so next 2 weeks to enable you to encounter a healing of the soul is the much more than you could ever imagine with this energy if you are question many of us will be asking. willing to hold it like a butterfly and let it unfold your destiny. No The Sun in Pisces until the 20th of March which is the Spring Equi- pushing or shoving please, the flow of the current is more powernox as the sun enters Aries and we as astrologers believe that the new ful than you could do on your own, so lets ride this wave together. year really begins.

Namaste and Love to you all Carol Barbeau This month and we are all questioning our path, and how we feel about things in our life. If this is going on for you you are in the carolastro@carolbarbeau.com Please visit Carols website for eclipse ‘Groove’. articles and much more.

VOICE OF CHOICES

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MARCH

2011

Pranic Healing: Harness Nature’s Abundant Energy Mater Stephen Co

There is one pervasive Energy throughout our Universe that powers the subtle and known Laws governing nature and

our lives: Pranic Energy.

What is Pranic Energy? It is commonly known as Prana in Sanskrit, Chi in Chinese, Ki in Japanese and Ruach in Hebrew. This energy is the fuel required for all activity: physical, emotional, spiritual, even financial!

But to it goes much deeper! Pranic Energy has different frequencies and can be harnessed for Healing, Psychic Protection, Spiritual Growth, Improving Relationships and even Attracting Prosperity!

Pranic Energy has comes from many sources: the sun, air, ground, food we eat, vitamins and spiritual sources. This Pranic Energies are absorbed through the chakras or energy wheels the pump fresh pranic energy into our bodies and pump impurities and used up energies out.

In Master Choa Kok Sui’ Pranic Healing, the 11 Major Chakras are thoroughly cleansed of diseased energies and replenished with fresh Pranic Energies, which are distributed throughout the body giving it the ability to recharge and heal itself.

The use of gemstones and crystals are taught and practiced thoroughly in Pranic Crystal Healing and Pranic Psychic Self Defense.

The Heart and Crown Chakras can be activated to allow Divine Energies to pour into ones aura. These Divine Energies are seen by clairvoyants as a brilliant electric violet pillar of light. As you bring down these energies it flushes the aura and chakras of negative thoughts and emotions, psychic attacks and diseased energies. A clean aura and chakras manifest as inner peace, stillness and Divine Bliss!

You can also use harness pranic energies for attracting prosperity.

This is the mechanism behind Feng Shui. By learning how to choose the environment with the correct pranic energies, anyone in that environment is actually subconsciously propelled to success.

In Master Choa Kok Sui’s Pranic Healing® system, you learn step by step techniques to harness the pranic energies. in yourself and the environment to accelerate your own healing, heal others, generate prosperity and experience inner peace and stillness by connecting to the Divine! Master Stephen Co will be presenting a series of live events throughout the Seattle area in March and April, 2011. See back cover or visit Master Co’s website, YourHandsCanHealYou.com for details and to view CBS News coverage of Master Co.

Our thoughts and emotions are also made of these energies just in different frequencies.

Anger and resentment are very low vibrating energies that a clairvoyant sees as ‘dirty’ or ‘greyish red’ energies.

Love and Spiritual Devotion energies are uplifting and seen as pink, violet and gold energies. Because of this knowledge we can use Pranic Healing cleansing techniques to extract the negative, dirty energies and replenish with loving and spiritual energies. This alone can help make a person can help pull a person out of a ‘rut’ and make them more positive and happy.

These powerful techniques in Pranic Healing are used to alleviate phobias, anxiety and addictions. You can also project pink and gold energies to a loved ones and friends to help create more harmonious relationships.

You can also use the color pranic energies from certain crystals for healing and psychic protection. For healing, one should use a clear quartz crystal to project a multitude of color energy frequencies to help different physical ailments.

For emotional problems, an amethyst crystal is recommended because it emits the same color pranic energies that are generated when one is in deep meditation. Violet pranic energies disintegrate negative thoughts and emotions in the energy field upon contact. That is why you feel very peaceful and calm after meditation.

Violet pranic energies can also be used for psychic protection. Catholic priests wear a purple/violet ‘stole’ or shawl when they confession. The Violet pranic energies eminatted by the shawl creates a purple psychic shield that protects the priest from all the emotional pains and psychic releases from the person in the confessional box.

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VOICE OF CHOICES MARCH

2011

Setting Energetic Boundaries Message from Mother Mary

simple, right? It is my loves, but we choose to hold onto experience for fear of loss, regret, punishment, and pride. Even if we fight coming to completion with whatever experience we are enjoying we naturally release that ball to receive another.

Raven Many Voices My Dear Children, with new energy opening all around us we are feeling the pull from the universe to expand, create and manifest. For many when those doors of opportunity open there is no hesitation and nothing holding them back from diving into the unknown. Others find the task too scary, too easy to believe and wait for others to lead the way. But what if you are ready and nothing happens? What if you are ready for change and something holds you back? Identifying what is your energy from others around you is very important. Otherwise you may be trying to get through someone else door of manifestation.

Energy is flowing all around you. To feel it is simple to do, we often do an exchange of energy daily with all we come in contact with during our daily life. The tree sends you energy, sound and smell and you in-turn send love, acknowledgment and gratitude back. We send and receive energy constantly to everything around else but we don’t hold on to it. We play catch, much like playing baseball and passing the ball back and forth to Divine. Divine gives us an experience (energy) and we receive it to hold. Once we are done we throw it back to God opening our arms to receive the next ball of experience. If we catch a ball and do not let go our arms are full and Divine cannot throw us another ball. This simple explanation of energy is how most energy/ experiences manifest in your daily life. When we feel stuck we need to look at what we are holding onto and need to release to Divine. Sounds

How do we know if we are holding onto someone else energy? When we choose to take a ball of energy from another we are now playing catch with someone else and their life. They have their own timing, their own lessons and their own responsibilities. By taking on the energy of another it disrupts our game with Divine. This energy feels heavy; emotions flare up because your soul is trying to figure out who to believe (your energy or this other energy) and you become confused to what door of opportunity to walk through. We have our own responsibilities to do, but with these extra burdens we have no energy and find ourselves distracted. We become so frustrated we overlook where the root of this energy came from and instead promote self criticism. If Divine gave you yourself, then you are responsible for yourself.

By focusing on our own energy and responsibilities we become centered, open and compassionate. We do not care less for others around us, we become so confidant in self we freely love and experience life around us without fear. You understand others’ experiences are for them to have and to grow from; taking that away would only hurt them more. With fewer distractions we now flow into the next opportunity with enthusiasm.

So how do we set a boundary not to take on others energy and responsibilities? Practice my loves. By checking in with yourself daily you begin to know your own energy, thoughts and feelings. This way when you are upset or something changes you can notice quickly and release what may or may not be yours. Setting a boundary with your energy is easy; keeping it in place will be by strengthening your intention. For some of you once you set your mind to something it is permanent; to others it may be a process of repeating a mantra until you believe it. Either way having a simple mantra to focus your energy and release what is not your energy is a powerful yet simple exercise. Try this mantra...

What is mine is mine What yours is yours And what is between us is God You can just image a white fence between you and whoever you are talking with. You can listen to their stories, send them loving encouragement, and share their tears; but their energy stays on their side of the fence. Now you can leave a conversation without feeling you carried away all their heavy burdens to add to your to-do list. Enjoy this exercise my loves, you will find it freeing as you discover how much more energy you have when you release others to love themselves.

Namaste’ Mother Mary Raven Many Voices ~ Guide to the Spirits channels loving messages from Mother Mary and your Spirit Guides. Visit www.RavenMedium.com for more messages.

VOICE OF CHOICES

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MARCH

2011

What a hard month to choose a single stone to feature. I just returned from the Tucson Gem and Mineral show, the biggest one in the world, and brought home a variety of wonderful new stones. Fortunately, stones talk to me, and Seraphinite spoke up when I asked who would be the March stone. This handsome green one felt appropriate for Irish influences and signs of spring.

Seraphinite is a deep green stone with shiny silvery fans flaring out in all directions. Chlorite is the cause of the green and the shine is from a micaceous material. Its origin is the Lake Baikal region of Siberia. It has become popular lately appearing in spheres, jewelry, slices, and bulkier carved shapes.

This stone could be called the stone of many names – “The Medium Stone,” “Angel Stone,” Serafinite, Serafina, Serefina Chlorite, and Chlinochlore. The names, Medium Stone and Angel Stone, refer to the belief that

Seraphinite it helps in communicating with the other side, spirits passed over and the angelic realm.

The name itself, Seraphinite, is linked to the highest order of angels, the Seraphim. One source I read warned against sleeping with the stone because it opened the doors to other dimensions. Another recommended it for the same reason. I suggest that you put lapis or turquoise with it if you use it for dream work as they have a protective nature.

This eye-catching stone is credited with a number of other attributes such as amplifying the healing effect of other stones. Robert Simmons, author of Stones for the New Consciousness said, “Seraphinite is among the most powerful stones for bringing all the elements of the nonphysical bodies into alignment along the I Am column of the spinal cord.” Many of the other authors talk of its heart connections and its ability to assist in healing the flows within the body – blood, nerves, and energy.

My personal experience confirmed its ability

PAGE 13

to open flows. As I held a piece, there was a series of tinges and sensations, each lasting for a few seconds. I felt as though the energy was flowing like a river, clearing the debris from its path. Even my big toe tingled like it had been asleep. I sensed it was saying ‘open up’ to my body. The sensations were wonderful though I felt a bit spacey the rest of the day.

Seraphinite is a great stone to wear over your heart in a pendant, wire wrapping, or in a pouch. Its beauty could enhance any room or altar. I highly recommend adding a piece to your collection and experiencing what it has to tell you.

Cecilia Ray, owner of World of Gaia, a rock business on www.WorldofGaia.net and ebay, reads stone energies. She also owns Mystical Winds, a company coordinating Psychic and Holistic Fairs. 425-239-0565 or www.MysticalWinds.net.

VOICE OF CHOICES MARCH 2011

EVENTS PAGANFAIRE XXI SAT., MARCH 19 10a-5p Vendors, Healers, Readers, Entertainment, Workshops, Food, Raffle for Michelle’s Heart Fund, and more. 7p Spring Equinox Celebration: Magickal Warriors--Earth Healers New Location: Reed College Commons Dining Hall, Gray Campus Center, Portland, OR. www.PaganFaire.net

SPRING EQUINOX APRIL 20 - Discovery Park 1:00-4:00pm Check the website to confirm location. www.caerpugetia. com Open to all, free of charge, we welcome offerings of Poetry, Song, Dance, Acoustic Music, and (Brief) Stories.

“EXPERIENCE THE ENERGY OF YOUR OWN LIFE FORCE” Master Stephen Co, world renowned master pranic healer, will teach powerful and effective techniques to harness your life force energy. Tues.

March 22nd, 7PM Seattle Unity Church, 200 8th Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109 206-622-8475 $10 Love offering for Unity

Your Hands Can Heal You MCKS PRANIC HEALING® INTENSIVE Sat./Sun., April 16-17, 9 AM-5:30 PM In this life changing intensive, you will learn and apply the Laws of Life Force Energy - the most powerful and fundamental energy in healing.

Sat./Sun., April 16-17, 9 AM-5:30 PM. Details for Intensive at: YourHandsCanHealYou.co YourHandsCanHealYou.com m

MYSTICAL WINDS PSYCHIC FAIR coming Sunday, Apr. 17th. Best Western Cascadia Inn, Everett. 11-5. Spaces available for readers and vendors. www.MysticalWinds.net or call Cecilia, 425-239-0454.

PSYCHIC & HOLISTIC HEALTH FAIRS Free Admission 10-5p,. Kent 1st Sat. monthly Browser’s Books-315 W. Meeker St. MILL CREEK - BOTHELL 2nd Sat monthly at Grange Hall corner of 35th Ave. SE & Seattle Hill Rd. From 1-5 head east on 164th St. SW til it crosses 35th. Bel-Red Fair at Friends, Philosophy & Tea. 13850 Bel-Red Rd, Bellevue, Wa 98005 (South side of Applebees) 425-641-4364. West Seattle - 4th Sat Emerald Spiral Co-op 5910 SW California 98136 www.NWPsychic Fairs.com or call 425-562-4777 for info/directions.

“THE POWER OF INTUITION AND EMOTIONS TO HEAL”Book Talk for “Emotional Freedom” and Signing with Judith Orloff, MD. Seattle Town Hall March 23, 7-8:30 pm.

1119 8th Ave at Seneca st. For tickets: www.BrownPaperTickets.com or 800.838.3006 - $5.

March 25, 7-8:30 pm – Portland, OR – New Renaissance Bookshop, 1338 NW 23rdAve at Pettygrove st, www.

NewRenBooks.com or 503.224.4929. www.DrJudithOrloff.com

any type of wood surface. Specializing in New Age Glass blasting, chinking & staining.

Quality guarantee. Over 20 yrs experience. www.WildwoodLogHomeRestoration.com

COMBINE A CLASSIFIED AD WITH A DIRECT CLICK through link at www.

VoiceOfChoices.com 206-715-2824 VoiceOfChoicesNews@yahoo.com

GOOD STUFF

“SuperBrain Yoga® and Pranic Healing®” Master Stephen Co will teach you to boost your vitality, and experience emotional calmness and mental clarity! Wed. March 23rd, 7PM East West Bookshop, 6500 Roosevelt Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98115 $10 • Call for registration: 206-523-3726

WILDWOOD LOG HOME RESTORATION Complete restoration services for

CRYSTALS, STONES, AND TOTEMS. Great selection tumbled, specimens, animal drawings, Animal Power Jewelry, gifts, bulk.

World of Gaia online and at shows. Call Cecilia, 425-239-0565 or www.WorldofGaia.net.

WANTED - READERS AND VENDORS for Psychic and Alternative Health Fairs. Great opportunity to network and show your products and services to the public. Call Lori 425-562-4777

EMERALD SPIRAL SPRING EXPO (formerly Boeing Expo). Come for fun and enlightenment. Psychic Readers, Alternative Healing, Jewelry, Stones, Clothing, and more.

FREE Admission, FREE Speakers, FREE Parking, Door Prizes. Saturday, Mar. 26, 9am5pm. 525 4th Ave N, Kent. www.EmeraldSpiral.com or 206-937-2275 206-937-2275..

VOICE OF CHOICES

PAGE 14

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MARCH

2011

Astrology Chinese wisdom Ko Hashiguchi In January, as you recall (I sound like the narrator for the old television show: “Lost in Space,” don’t I?) I started the article with a single simple sample Chinese chart. I said the person who owns the chart was famous. This time around, I’ll delineate that chart, using many of the distinctions I’ve already given you, but in more depth, so you can begin to see just how descriptive Chinese astrology can be.

Does that mean that I’m through giving you more Chinese astrology lists? Mostly, yes, but when I need to give you something else in order to explain something new, never fear -- you’ll get it! Am I saying that you now know all you need to know to understand Chinese astrology? Of course not. Any system worth anything that tries to explain the life of a real person can take a lifetime of study, and Chinese astrology is no exception.

But you do, now, have enough foundation so that I can start diving into the lives of real people, and you can understand what’s going on. Keep in mind: just as the Sun sign Aries has meanings, details, and ramifications in a persons life that can’t be summed up in a mere paragraph -- or in an entire book -- so too are such things also true for the Year of the Rat, or the Yang Wood Heavenly Stem. I’ve given you the bare-bones meanings of such terms in my earlier lists, but you will get those terms and meanings expanded upon as we go along.

Here is the chart: 3 9

1 5

8 4

9 3

Here it is, again, translated into English: Yang Fire Yang Wood Yin Metal Dog Horse Snake

Yang Water Dragon

As this man is born in the Year of the Dog, let us begin with what it means to be a Dog: The Dog is caused by life energy flow through the Pericardium meridian. The Dog is an active, practical personality. The core issue with the Dog is that nobody can be completely certain of anything. How can you be, if every situation is life is -- really -different? That being the case, the way to be practical is to treat every situation in life fresh, without being trapped by the rules or events of the past. A Dog is never certain of anything until it has already happened. Emotionally, a Dog is rewarded when they feel Generous, or when they are free to Renounce the Past.

A Dog is punished when they feel Regret, Remorse, Jealousy, or Sexual Tension. Those emotions are the ones they use when something good or something bad happens to them; or when they DO something good or bad. Dogs tend to believe in Tradition because tradition tends to get proven correct, time after time.

This mixture of Generosity and Jealousy is the way this person behaves when they are in the general public.

As the Heavenly Stem on top of the Dog in this persons Year is Yang Fire, that means that they have the talent for taking center

stage and being passionately devoted to causes. Notice that I mention that they have A TALENT for this, not that they are GOOD AT doing this -- HAVING a talent is NOT the same as saying that the talent is GOOD FOR THEM. This persons Month is Horse. Horse, then, is the way they relate to the family they grew up in, along with the Heavenly Stem that goes with the Horse.

The Horse is caused by life energy flow through the Heart meridian. The Horse is an emotional personality. While all of the Zodiac Animals are “caused” by emotions connected with acupuncture meridians, not all of the emotions in the Animals will make the person EXPRESSIVE. As we have seen with the Dog, the emotions of the Dog make the person PRACTICAL, not expressive!

The emotional issues of Love and Anger make the Horse want to be noble, and make them desire Status. On the upside, Horses want to extend the helping hand to those in need. On the downside, Horses often choose who they associate with according to how much their associates raise or lower their social station.

As the Heavenly Stem on top of the Horse in this persons Month is Yang Wood, that means that they have a talent for taking rapid initiative and making impulsive, snap decisions.

This persons Day is Snake. Snake is how he sees himself when he looks in the mirror, and is the way he behaves with his wife (yes, this famous person is married).

The Snake is caused by life energy flow through the Spleen/Pancreas meridian. Like the Horse, the Snake is an Expressive personality. The Snake wants Confidence in the Future, and wants to avoid Anxiety About the Future. Looking to the future as they do, Snakes always want to plan ahead. They have issues with wisdom: being wise and being thought wise; and they also have issues with Respect. They want to be given Respect, and they want to be able to grant it.

As the Heavenly Stem on top of the Snake in this persons Day is Yin Metal, that means that they want to analyse, arrange, and order the world around them, like a well-tilled garden.

This person’s Hour is Dragon. Dragon is the way they relate to their own children, to their students if they are a teacher, and to their followers if they are a leader.

The Dragon is caused by life energy flow through the Stomach meridian. The Dragon is, like the Dog, an active, practical personality. The Dragon desires Satisfaction and Contentment, and wishes to avoid Disappointment, Disgust, Greed, and Nausea. Dragons believe in Principle; that to be practical you must define your principles ahead of time, and stick to them.

As the Heavenly Stem on top of the Dragon in this persons Hour is Yang Water, that means that they want to relentlessly pursue knowledge and will endure privations in order to complete a great goal.

I remind you: as the Heavenly Stem on top of the Day Animal is the crucial piece of the Chinese chart, this famous person is a Yin Metal. All of the rest of this chart is important only such that those other pieces help or hinder the basic Yin Metal nature that this person IS. More of the stuff of our Mystery Man will be revealed in the next issue. day to heal yourself and your loved ones using Life Force Prana.

Ko, the author of the book, “Pillars of Heaven: Chinese Astrology Revealed,” has studied the Four Pillars Chinese astrology since 1986. Ko has lectured at the UAC in 2002, the NORWAC and the AFA conferences in 2003. He can be reached at his web site, AsianAstro.com, and by phone at 253-486-7742

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