17 minute read
Weekender Living
BROUGHT TO YOU BY BOHO ASTRO - JOANNE MADELINE MOORE
Daily posts at www.bohoastro.com | twitter @JoMadelineMoore | © Joanne Madeline Moore 2022
AQUARIUS
JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19
Retro Mars opposes Mercury and Venus (in your hopes, goals and wishes zone). So it’s time to focus on your aspirations for the future. But you must be patient and persistent about putting plans into action. Good things will eventually come to Aquarians who wait! As birthday great Louisa May Alcott wrote, “We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving, and we all have the power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.”
Gung-ho Geminis are fantastic at starting things but not so good at finishing them. This week’s stars encourage a light-bulb moment when you have the enthusiasm to get an ambitious idea off the ground. And steady Saturn boosts your patience and persistence. Which you’ll certainly need, as Mars continues retrograding through your sign. Don’t believe everything you hear on Friday when Neptune scrambles communication and confuses conversation.
Librans love things to run efficiently and smoothly but (courtesy of retrograde Mars) there’s unpredictable planetary energy about this week. So drop the perfectly planned schedule and just take things as they come. Some possible scenarios? A relationship with a relative, colleague or neighbour could veer off in a confusing direction. Or something you post on social media could receive a disappointing response. Which will certainly keep you on your toes!
This week expect a dash of discombobulation, as Neptune (your boss planet) squares Mercury and Venus. So communication could be puzzling and relationships could be a confusing minefield. With Mars also reversing through your home zone, expect a domestic drama and/or a family fiasco. The more stubborn you are, the more persistent the problems will be. Philosophical Fish will wind down, relax and go with the (sometimes disrupted) flow.
With the Sun, Mercury and Venus visiting your wellbeing zone, learn to love the things that are good for you. Like nutritious meals, regular exercise, relaxing in nature and lots of rest. (Crabs love curling up in bed and need plenty of good quality sleep.) The simple things in life are definitely the best! Like preparing a homecooked meal, having an early night, enjoying a funny conversation with a child, or picking fresh flowers to put in your home or office.
Scorpios can have trouble trusting other people at the best of times. And now – until January 12 – Mars is reversing through your trust and intimacy zone. So a loved one could let you down or an old resentment could resurface. Also, if you don’t feel comfortable asking someone for help then don’t. Your motto for the week is from birthday great, writer Louisa May Alcott, “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship,”
The Sun, Mercury and Venus are visiting your adventure and exploration zone. However, Mars – your power planet – is in retrograde mode. Which means you may be feeling tired, worn-out, impatient and/or irritable. So travel and holiday plans are best put on hold until after January 12. Then you can “Sail away from the safe harbour, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” (Quote from this week’s birthday great, writer Mark Twain.)
This week a long-cherished dream may need to be re-imagined and reworked so that it better suits your current situation. Rather than seeing it as a disappointing setback, clever Cats will perceive it as an exciting new challenge. You’re keen to communicate about a wide range of topics, as you share ideas with family and friends. But, with Neptune squaring Mercury and Venus, avoid spilling secrets or saying something that’s inappropriately ambiguous.
The Sun, Mercury and Venus are all visiting your sign. Which highlights your positive traits (being optimistic, generous and curious) and your negative traits (being impatient, bossy and belligerent). But your best quality is your lively sense of humour, so make sure you’re using it! Inspiration for the week is from birthday Sagittarian, writer Mark Twain (who was born on November 30, 1835): “The human race has one really effective weapon and that is laughter.”
Are you worrying about money? This week (with impulsive Mars reversing through your $$$ zone) avoid being uncharacteristically rash with cash and credit. Mercury urges you to increase your financial literacy, as you swap spending for saving, and nurture your nest egg for the future. With Uranus still transiting through Taurus, your mantra for the week is from entertainer Bette Midler (who turns 77 on December 1): “Cherish forever what makes you unique.”
Are you suffering from a crisis of confidence? Is your perfectionist streak running rampant? The more you over-think situations and try to make everything ‘perfect’, the more you will worry and obsess. Don’t waste time comparing yourself (and your talents) with other people. You need to run your own race … slowly at the moment, as Mars reverses through your career and life direction zone. Saturn cautions you to be prudent, patient and persistent.
It’s a good week for Capricorns, as Saturn (your patron planet) makes positive aspects with Mars, Mercury and Venus. Which favours planning, goal setting, problem-solving, studying, long-term friendships and financial matters. But remember that Mars is reversing through your work and wellbeing zone until January 12. So – when it comes to your job and your health – slow down and be less bossy and more patient. Hasty is out and humble is in!
PISCES
FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20
ARIES
MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20
TAURUS
APRIL 21 TO MAY 21
GEMINI
MAY 22 TO JUNE 21
CANCER
JUNE 22 TO JULY 22
LEO
JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23
VIRGO
AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23
LIBRA
SEPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23
SCORPIO
OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22
SAGITTARIUS
NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21
CAPRICORN
DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20
Volunteer opportunities now available !!!
Get your paws dirty and jump in with all four feet!! Apply at www.dingoden.net/volunteer
PROUD MEDIA PARTNER If you have a passion for animals and the environment then come and join our team of dedicated volunteers to truly make a difference There are a variety of different roles at Dingo Den Animal Rescue where all experiences and skill sets are valued. From den
keeping and rescue through to administration, fundraising and event coordination we have something for everyone!! 48453
WITH DR ERIN SHORT • GREENCROSS COREEN AVENUE • 4731 3055
Keeping your pet safe at Christmas
Fireworks may make us humans happy and excited, but the same isn’t true for our furry friends. Just like thunderstorms, the loud, unexpected noises of fireworks can cause our pets extreme distress. It’s therefore important to create a safe, calm environment for them. This will prevent them from hurting themselves or becoming lost in panic.
Prepare: Know when the fireworks night will commence and ensure your pet is in a safe and secure place a few hours before they start. Ensure your pet is exercised and well fed before the fireworks begin as this may help them de-stress, and be more inclined to nap once festivities begin
Create a safe place: Pets can have a ‘flight’ response to unexpected noises, sometimes ending up kilometres from home in their panic. Because of this, pets should be kept indoors whenever possible, including rabbits and guinea pigs.
Creating a calm, secure area for your pet inside your house will also help them feel protected.
Close the curtains and put familiar bedding in a small, confined hiding place. A laundry or bathroom is ideal. Otherwise, allow your pet to be with you while you play music or turn the television on to cover the sounds (NOT the fireworks on TV though).
Speak to your veterinarian
early: If you are concerned about how your pet will cope, speak to your veterinarian early! Short-term medications may help your pet but supervision is still recommended.
Monitor for signs of stress: Staying home with your pet will help them feel comforted. If this isn’t possible, try to arrange overnight boarding at a kennel or veterinary hospital.
When the noises begin, keep an eye out for subtle stress signs. Dogs may lick their lips, yawn or begin panting. Other signs may include vocalisation, heavy panting, shaking and shivering. If your pet does show signs that they are frightened, never raise your voice or punish him. Speak softly, stroke them, try to distract them, and reward calm behaviour with positive playtime and treats. A treat filled kong toy or filled Kong or favourite toy is a great distraction.
Microchip and collars: If your pet does manage to escape, keeping microchip and registration details up-to-date is vital. A collar with identification is also a good idea
Locating a lost pet: Losing your beloved fur baby can be devastating. If you have lost your pet, contact your local veterinarians, Penrith City Council Animal Rangers, Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter and the various lost and found Facebook groups in the area.
For more information about making this Christmas fireworks season less stressful, talk to a vet.
10% off Products, Services and Medication
Pet of the Week
$200 off Dental Care
Unlimited Consultations
Coreen Avenue (02)47 313 055
My name: Bailey My proud owner: Abbey Lindeback I live in: South Penrith
A bit about me: Bailey the Cocker Spaniel is a little old man who has recently celebrated his 13th birthday. He loves a good snooze on one of his many beds but also enjoys going for a walk – though it’s true he sometimes does more sniffing than walking!
Email Cassidy.Pearce@westernweekender.com.au with your favourite picture of your pet, and include your name, pet’s name, suburb and a blurb about your favourite furry friend.
WITH ALEX MCKENZIE FUTURE FINANCIAL SERVICES • 4704 8585
The big benefit of structuring your assets to be more Centrelink efficient
Despite compulsory superannuation being in place since 1992, most Australians still have their retirement income somewhat subsidised by Centrelink. One of the major roles of a financial planner is to arrange a client’s assets as Centrelink efficient as possible.
Most people are aware that Centrelink is means tested on both assets and income. These tests can be complicated but there are potential strategies whereby the rules can be used to our advantage.
The first strategy is often called “Super Stashing”. Funds invested in super are not assessable for Centrelink assets or income tests until you reach age pension age. There are two circumstances where this can be used. The first is where you are receiving a Centrelink payment other than the age pension that is assessable (the disability or carers pension for example), the second is when one person of a married couple is significantly younger.
In each of these circumstances the strategy is quite simple, make a large contribution into the super of the person who is not yet of age pension age. This will immediately reduce your assessable assets and income and in most cases increase your Centrelink entitlement. If you roll these funds to pension phase, these assets will become assessable.
Several things need to be considered with this strategy. Investment earnings in super are taxed, whereas investment earnings in pension phase are not. Secondly, preservation may become an issue if the younger person has not met a condition of release.
This strategy is most effective when there is a reasonable period where only one member of the couple is of age pension age and, if all assets were included, they would not be receiving full pension.
The use of annuities is also an effective method to increase your Centrelink entitlement. The Centrelink treatment for longterm annuities is different to other assets. There are some conditions that need to be met to be considered a long-term annuity and you are best to discuss these with your advisor.
The Centrelink income test uses a calculation known as deeming to assign income to most investment assets. Annuities are calculated in a different manner. There is a calculation that also applies to older account-based pensions that uses the actual income received, less an amount known as the deductible amount. The deductible amount is essentially the balance divided by life expectancy at the start of the investment. In many cases, the calculation is far more favourable than the deeming rates. For the asset test, that same deductible amount is deducted from the starting value each year.
Annuities are a useful Centrelink strategy when the income test is the dominant test, and they also add a benefit to the asset test. WITH PATRICK CELEBAN ONE POINT HEALTH • 4732 5188
Healthy mind, healthy body: Massage has many benefits often not considered
Massage has always been known as a great reliever for physical complaints such as general aches and pains, injuries or even chronic pain etc. However, there are more benefits deep down that can be a huge help to our health that most of us may not have known about.
A clinical trial consisting of a few participants without serious immune conditions was conducted to investigate the effect of massage therapy on the immune system. The results after the massage showed a 70 per cent increase of a white blood cell type called T Lymphocytes. There have been findings like this from similar experiments for patients who have cancer and HIV, and which have shown why massage is a great stimulus to improve the immune system whether you are healthy or immunocompromised.
Emotional stress has been shown to increase the level of the stress hormone called cortisol in our body, which can be a significant immunosuppressor. Cortisol plays its part in the immune system by keeping inflammation in check and preventing an overactive immune response.
Therefore, during moments in our life of high stress that lasts for a long period of time, our body goes in panic mode that is known as the sympathetic nervous system which is the fight or flight state.
The body responds to these alarm bells by elevating the cortisol levels to the point that the immune system is hampered.
As a result of that we become more susceptible to sickness as our body is not able to effectively deal with the pathogens like bacteria and viruses that invade our body.
This is when the relaxing nature of a massage treatment can reverse that stressful state into the parasympathetic nervous system which is known as the rest and digest state where our blood pressure drops back down, our digestive system can digest as normal, and our cortisol levels can return to normal etc. A healthy mind promotes a healthy body.
CHARLIE LOWLES LEISURE CENTRE EMERTON
2022 WINNER
FITNESS SERVICES
Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton offers a full range of facilities including kids play area with an indoor waterslide and water features, indoor 25 metre lap and program pool, outdoor 25 and 50 metre lap pools, warm water therapy pool, two court multipurpose indoor stadium, beach volleyball court, meetings rooms and a kiosk. Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton has continued to be a first class leisure and recreation facility, which provides programs and services across health and fitness, learn to swim and multiple sports facilities. Opening in 1975 as Emerton Pools, the facility was then closed and underwent refurbishment in 2006 before reopening as Emerton Leisure Centre. Owned and operated solely by Blacktown City Council until 2015, the venue was then redirected to be under the management of Blacktown City Council’s Blacktown Key Venues, which it continues with today. In November 2017 the venue officially changed its name to Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton in honour of former Mayor, Charlie Lowles OAM.
A: 35 JERSEY ROAD, EMERTON P: 8822 6000 | W: BLACKTOWN.NSW.GOV.AU/CLLCE
WITH DAVID NORRIS • NORTEC IT • 9894 9514
Black Friday sales prompt warning
Between Friday, November 25 and Monday, November 28 one of the most significant sales periods of the year occurs. It is known as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. With interest rates and the cost-of-living increasing, this is a perfect time to snag a bargain for Christmas. Many vendors offer deep discounts and specials throughout the whole weekend. The best deals are released on Friday and again on Monday. It is becoming common for early release specials from early November as a teaser to the sales period.
Black Friday originated in the USA and is the Friday immediately following the Thanksgiving holiday. It marks the start of the Christmas shopping period. Black Friday was originally a retail event, with Cyber Monday being the online store equivalent. This line is now blurred, and both online and retail have substantial discounts throughout this period. This event is now a global event.
Research the items you want to buy well in advance so you can identify a bargain and move quickly. Check the vendor and retail websites for the product you want, as often retailers make the vendor throw in a gift card or extra warranty. Remember to check the return policies in case you have warranty issues. Also, be suspicious of links posted on social media or in SMS or emails with deals too good to be true, as this is a period when scammers are also hard at work. In 2019 the ACCC reported online Black Friday scams totalling $4 million.
Products typically on sale with discounts: • Most electronic items, especially mobile phones, laptops, televisions, gaming consoles, and cameras. Apple, Dell, HP,
Samsung, Sony, and Microsoft have Black Friday Sales. So expect to see discounts on the new iPhones and iPads, Playstations, laptops, X-box and Galaxy
Phone products. • Fashion, clothing and accessories. Local sales include – InStyle,
The Iconic, RM Williams,
Country Road, General Pants,
Witchery, Tigerlily and more. In this category, discounts range from 20-50 per cent. • Major retail also supports this sales period, including JB HiFi,
Harvey Norman, Teds Cameras,
David Jones, Myer, Rebel, Catch of the Day and Kogan. • Shopping aggregators like eBay and Amazon will usually offer additional discount codes to be used across this period as well.
While there are huge savings, make sure you research your product and pricing before the event.
Also, research the online store selling your product; a simple Google search will highlight anything – otherwise, grab a bargain and enjoy the sales.
WINE VOUCHER
A gii from Naked Wines for the Western Weekender A gift from Naked Wines for our readers . . . enjoy! readers... enjoy!
