A New Play in Town – Little Heart
Esoteric Astrology • Mid-January 2023 • By Risa D’Angeles
I
t’s weeks since Christmas, almost a month since Winter Solstice, when the new light began. Each morning, we have increments of more and more light. The Sun is now on its way northward and right on schedule. What celebrations can we look forward to in the future? Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, Candlemas day (February 2) — a cross quarter day between winter and spring, when the Christmas tree is dismantled and transformed into the Valentine’s tree. Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Lent (preparations for Easter) and the Three full moon Spring Festivals (Aries, Taurus, Gemini). The kingdom is busy and colorful. In the meantime, for months we have been living under retrograde energies. As the new year began, three planets were retrograde — Mercury, Mars and Uranus. With these planets retrograde, we felt the new year hadn’t really begun. Mars turned direct on January 12 and Mercury turns direct on January 18. Mars is our energy and Mercury our communication. As Mars and Mercury move forward, we will have more energy, be ARIES
Try and try again with all projects and endeavors. Keep trying. However, don’t expect everything to come to fruition until at least the end of January. Some things don’t manifest ‘til March and April. You can have many trial runs, planning and perfecting activities concerning health and well-being. Creativity will be inner focused and not outwardly seen. Recite mantras, maintain kindness, optimism and a daily rhythm attuned to the Sun.
more active, information appears out of the shadows. The times have felt like long drawn out weeks, months (actually several years) of encountering obstacles, hindrances, impediments, barriers, and obstructions – a tiring process. But there is help. We can call upon the Lord Ganesh, god of the people, to eliminate the barriers and hindrances. Ganesh is the wise god of new beginnings. Now, with Mercury & Mars moving forward, we feel our new year can really begin. Note: There’s a new play in town — called Little Heart — Story of artist and changemaker Sister Corita. In the early 1960s I attended Immaculate Heart College in Hollywood (Los Angeles). I was an art major and my teacher, mentor was Sister Corita (Little Heart), artist, change maker/teacher in the world of consciousness & the arts. And so, a play has been written about Corita and those times. It’s called Little Heart, the story of Corita Kent and her life and work in the Art Dept. of Immaculate Heart College. Written by playwright Irene O’Garden. Director is Susan Myers. At the Jewel Theatre in Santa Cruz. n Jan. 25 - Feb. 19. https://www.jeweltheatre.net/little-heart/
LEO
Remember that the energies have been quite internal and they remain so for a while and so adjustments will have to be made in terms of how other people’s responses and communications are interpreted. Remember to greet everyone with kindness, care and patience. Careful with fire and sharp tools and injuries to your head, hands and face. Don’t push the river, any person or event. Plans come and go. Be the tortoise not the hare. Trim your hair.
TAURUS
VIRGO
SAGITTARIUS
Everyone is on the Path of Hercules, in one or more of the labors. It is possible you may discover the Path this year, devoting yourself to both its trials and triumphs. On the Path you will be called to have courage, wisdom and determination. Mars retro is the inner arrow in the bow of the Archer. Soon you will release that arrow, directing it toward the Capricorn mountaintop, the place of Initiation. Beforehand you will be tested greatly. Stay the course. CAPRICORN
Everything will be about health. And about the correct foundations being stabilized. One must have patience too. This is an asset. All things may need redoing if at first the work is not completed with the needed harmony and balance. Think about spring now, building a greenhouse both large and small. Give yourself and others working with you more than ample time for rest and gratitude.
Many Virgos have been in contemplation and maybe in retreat and solitude, delving into their subconscious, tending to their inner lives, whether consciously or unconsciously. A study of astrology is a good plan for the new year. When studying astrology one studies archetypes and symbols and this bring an entirely new and different understanding to religion, spirituality and one’s real place in the world.
GEMINI
Life itself, everyday communication, the mail, correspondence, messages, even people – all could seem a bit confused and disorganized and this leads to misunderstanding until you remember the retrogrades (Mars, Mercury, direct soon). What you must do is small tasks, undemanding and repetitive things including repeating information over and over. You will find your way through these interesting obstructions. You’re clever, a wizard, a trickster, a shaman in disguise.
As the retrogrades happened these past weeks, the world slowed way down and the holidays were different and there was disappointment that things were not as usual. Some felt sad and impatient. Now that the energy is shifting its time for new gatherings, parties and pastimes that dislodge the prevailing blues. Libras are the best implementers of get-togethers, creating abundance, pleasures, happiness and beauty all around for everyone to share.
Be grateful and generous with everyone especially with loved ones. Ask nothing in return. But do ask for what you need. Everyone wants to help but they need to know the needs in order to respond. Working together in close association creates strong bonds that assists everyone in rising above possible frustrations. Realize that success is linked to having goals, visualizations, compromise and bringing forth goodwill. You are a mentor to everyone.
CANCER
SCORPIO
It is important, for your well-being, that you create and maintain a regular daily schedule. Tend to work early and do not change anything too quickly. Everything’s transforming itself, realigning to new inner and outer realities all over the world. Think of everything as an experiment, which it is. It’s stated in Ancient Wisdom texts that when one is in an Initiation they feel alone. However, know there are angels all around. Stay poised in this angelic atmosphere. Follow the movements of the stars, moon and Sun.
LIBRA
You have been service to others the past six months. It was unexpected and has taken much of your time. It has created an inner strength, hardiness and flexibility. You rose up phoenix-like meeting all the challenges. At the beginning of this new year, look to yourself. Renew, reawaken, revive, relight and rekindle your deeply held hopes wishes and desire. This will sustain you and set a new foundation for years to come. AQUARIUS
PISCES
As the retrogrades shift and turn to direct motion, consider the many different projects you would like to participate in, get to know, encounter. Don’t think of just one. Attempt also to not waste time, which is something that could be occurring. Follow up on every endeavor with interest, curiosity, care and your best effort. Monetarily make no changes but when the planets turn direct, do tithe to those in need.
In learning about ourselves, especially with Jupiter now in Aries, it’s good to study the lives of those you look up to and admire, those you would mentor, and those whose success reflects your aspirations for success. What we admire is already within us. So recognition is key. Always consider serving others. This takes the focus away from competition, survival, losing or winning. This is a time (year) of redirecting your creative ideals. •••
Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 26 / January 15th 2023 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
Our friend, Scott Kalechstein Grace, wrote a children’s song that is just as applicable for adults. It goes, “Oops, I made a mistake, but I’m beautiful, yes, I’m beautiful.” And indeed, we are no less beautiful and loveable after making a mistake, no matter how big it is. If our mistake causes someone pain, please sincerely apologize. And you’re still beautiful and loveable. “Mistakes” from page 25 In medical school, we were all programmed to come across as experts, not matter how unsure we were. I’m still working on de-programming, so I sometimes slip and come across as the expert. I’m a medical doctor, and I make mistakes. An even bigger reason has to do with “toxic shame.” We are human. We make mistakes. But we are not our mistakes. Toxic shame causes us to identify with our mistakes. Toxic shame dictates that we are bad people because we made mistakes. Therefore, to admit to making a mistake is to admit to being bad, rather than simply being human. I can easily relate. As a child, I got labeled as “bad,” where it was simply my behavior that displeased my parents. But we are not our behavior. One of our first spiritual teachers, Leo Buscaglia, modeled self-love after making a mistake. He used to hug himself every time he made a mistake. You can read Joyce’s article about this here: https:// sharedheart.org/a-lesson-from-leo-buscaglia-the-art-of-forgiving-your-mistakes/ Our friend, Scott Kalechstein Grace, wrote a children’s song that is just as applicable for adults. It goes, “Oops, I made a mistake, but I’m beautiful, yes, I’m beautiful.” And indeed, we are no less beautiful and loveable after making a mistake, no matter how big it is. If our mistake causes someone pain, please sincerely apologize. And you’re still beautiful and loveable. Go ahead. Do what Leo did. After making a mistake, try giving yourself a hug, and then acknowledge your innate goodness. ••• Joyce & Barry Vissell, a nurse/therapist and psychiatrist couple since 1964, are counselors in Aptos who are passionate about conscious relationship and personal-spiritual growth. They are the authors of 9 books and a new free audio album of sacred songs and chants. Call 831-684-2130 for information on counseling sessions by phone, on-line, or in person, their books, recordings or their schedule of talks and workshops. Visit their web site at SharedHeart.org.