October 2020

BY MINAL KHONA

Mina I Khona has been reading tarot cards for the last two decades. She uses her intuition and connect with the cards mostly to help people.

A busy month full of meetings, expansion plans, new beginnings and possibilities of romance. Quick and sudden progress at work is predicted, and any glitches or delays will soon be resolved. With new opportunities and ideas, past unhappiness will soon end. If you have been stagnating in any area of your life, you can expect some upheava l with positive outcomes. The universe is slowly leading you to achieve I your goals. Don't be afraid to take on more work or responsibility

A change in fortune will make you re-evaluate your thoughts and belief systems. A seemingly unsurmountable problem bogs you down; seek guidance and spiritual assistance. Life is trying to teach you a lesson based on repeating a pattern. You have the strength to handle a tough situation, though avoid those who drain your energy and take some much -needed rest. Problems of the past will now start receding and life will get better soon. A new financial opportunity comes your way.

I Office politics or deceitful partners I could wear you down this month, so keep your guard up at all times. Be I careful who you trust as not everyone I is your friend. You are in the mood I to socialise. Travel plans could have some goof-ups; be sure to doubleI check everything. Muscles may cause I problems due to stress; women may need to get their breasts checked.

I Financial gains are on the anvil. Any I conflict at work will get resolved to your I satisfaction.

I You have a desire to move on, from a I job or a relationship. Both have outlived I their purpose. An experience will alter your perspective for the better.

I Travelling is still a risk and I work-related travel could get postponed due to an illness in the family.

I Work progress happens at the cost I of a personal loss. An eye infection needs attention. Money is tight and I expenses are high. The future worries I you as things are not going according I to plan.

The spirited Leo pick the card that

Not a good month for Virgos , as setbacks, heartbreaks and fatigue bog you down. Family obligations keep you busy, though represents their sign. Expect challenges in I business, love and family; and rewards for I past efforts. A past attachment prevents commitment in a present relationship.

Spiritual assistance helps you No health issues to bog you down as you are on a

I quit. Besides exhaustion , you could also I suffer from stomach or bowel issues. Be careful with money and watch your I expenses. Someone close will disappoint, I but it will free you from that attachment.

I you would prefer to be alone. Work burns you out, but you don 't have the luxury to roll this month. Positive developments at work could signal a promotion. Let go of self-imposed limitations to follow your passion. You have the spirit and the determination to go after your goals.

I A more fulfilling purpose or goal will uplift your mood. I

I Expect major life changes this month. You may feel out of control, and your I emotions will be all over the place. Work I is the only thing that will keep you going as you may even have to make some I difficult choices. If a relationship doesn 't I work out, worry not; something better is in store. Anxiety and muscle issues I could besiege you; a little rest will save I you from doctor bills. Timely insight into I a difficult situation will make things easier. I

I The normally secretive Scorpio might find I himself or herself in an unusually generous I frame of mind this month. A recent I I meet-up or date could lead to something I serious. An unexpected surge in work is I a welcome respite after months of a l ul l. I I Spiritual pursuits could intrigue you. A I I positive change wi ll put you in a happy I frame of mind. A confrontation with a I family member or close friend can end the I I relationship. You attract all that you need I this month.

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I I I I I I I

Partial success with some action towards self-improvement make up your month. If you meet someone new, make sure they aren't already married. Success at work puts you in a positive frame of mind.

Change your diet to ensure you have more energy. Finances are stable this month. A new part nership could come your way if you are self-employed. Say no to an offer if you don't fee l it is right for you. Somet hing better will be coming along soon.

I A new phase in your life is about to

J commence. You now look for gratification

I and creative satisfaction at work. A new love affair is about to begin. A

I marriage could be on the rocks and tense

I situations may bog you down, but they won 't last long. If you feel ill get

I checked for some deficiencies. Money

J matters keep you tense as payments

I are delayed. Focus on new ideas to take you forward. A new career path brings

I positive change.

I A paradigm shift gives rise to new I opportunities. Your focus is on removing I blocks within that are holding you back. Work and its mundane aspects are I challenging but you stick with it despite I wanting to quit. Take care of your lungs as you could have respiratory issues.

I Communication is key if you wish to I avoid conflicts with close friends and I family. A new line of work could come your way. Let go of the past and look to I the future.

I A difficult month for Pisceans as there I I is agitation in personal and professional I I life. But swords signify the final efforts I before big change, so stick to your

I goals no matter the setback. Change I

I is inevitable; the grace with which you I accept it will ease things. Don ' t give up on I a relationship just yet. A fami ly member I I could be ill or the source of your problem. I Money held up will come through.

I Any delays that happen will be to your I I advantage. I

BY MELISSA DOMINGO RAWAT

really don't care for ske letons Even as a self-respecting Ro ck 111u sic ian, I keep far fro1n skeleto n-glo rifying artwork, clothing and accessories. In fact, I di sli ke the sight -&_ of bones so 111uch, l don't even keep figurative skeleto ns in 1ny closet. Well, maybe son1e s 1nall bon es (white lies with n1y kids' best int eres ts at hea rt) but definitely no skeletons.

For exan1ple, halfw ay through an innocen t movie, one of th e actors randomly yelled "Mother f*/\%#r". My 6 -year-old son immediately turned to 1ne and asked, "Maaaaa1n, what does Muthafuga mean?" Without n1issing a beat, the intuitive n1other in me answered, "Oh that's just the name of some Ru ss ian guy." l knew that a reply like that would solici t no desit-e to ren1en1ber the word. "Oh," he said disinterestedly while l swiftly moved on to express in g n1y disgust at hi s leaning over to wipe his eyes with the socks on hi s feet.

Coining back to actual ske letons, there was one that had managed to court 1ny interest and lull 1ne into a space of safety. ft was the friendly ske leton displayed in otu- school biology lab. I visited this skeleton everyday during my schoo l years and spent n1uch time counting the ribs - a missing rib, as per the Bibl e, could indicate it was male a11d had possibly endured a nagging wife. That was the only tiine in 1ny life when I ca red about a skele ton other than the one holding 111 e together. However, things changed r ecently.

Sometin1e n,id -2019, l pulled over at designed to fit his f ran1e. The skeleton glared out at us through hollow eyes.

"Creepy," was my first reaction. the traffic lights on the morning school run. My kids spotted a ske leton sneakily and strategically po sitioned in the window of the house right next to the li ghts. The window was long, narrow and perfectly

Th e days that followed entailed many discussions as we waited at the lights, watching the skeleton on our way to school. It would take a certain type of people to feel comfor table sharing a home with a full skeleton. Were the residents witches? Maybe they were spooky devil worshippers? It was an old house which lent itself well to this idea. Maybe the residents were doctors? Do ctors lov e their bones Or more simp ly, were they just regular peop le with a g reat sense of humour ?

Mr Skeleton a nd us, we cont inu ed to watch each other every morning. Soon eno ugh , ffalloween arrived. Can you imagin e 1ny children's delight when we discovered that Mr Skeleton was decorated with lights and a witch's hat?! Th ere was giggling, a fresh round of th eor ies and desperate atten1pts to capture a photograph withoutactually wandering onto the property.

We barely recovered from the exciteme nt of Halloween when Christmas roll ed around. Mr Skeleton, still lit up, was duly dressed in a Santa hat and some Christmas trinkets.

Th en ca 1ne the corona virus a nd the winter cold Mr Skeleton had changed into a fluffy dressing gown - open at th e front because if you have ' it' flaunt 'it'! Light blue with stars, the dressing gown showed an appreciation for bling. My kids concluded he was working fron1 home - wondering if we might find him with a laptop if we drive by durin g office hours.

Needless to say, Mr Skeleton grew into just another friendly face. H e a nd his owners afforded us many lau ghs and many sil ly conversations - what a quirky way to spread joy!

Alas, a coup le of days after I wrote this story, I drove past Mr Skeleton's to find t he window empty Many weeks have passed and he still hasn't returned. To say l am worried and sad is not an exaggerat ion. He had steadily joined the very exclus iv e league of skeletons that l share a bond with - friend ly, with a sense of humour and an appreciat ion for special days/carefully selected outfits. Bu t what if he was a monster who decided to move res id ence before I shat·ed his whereabouts with everyone? 1'11 take my c han ces. Afte r all, everyone has a fascination for DJon ste r sexcept, of cou r se, the im aginary ones that live under our beds!