Thomas ~ I thought of you, when I read some things on artnet.com (magazine-Astrology). If you go to it, today, you will probably find the whole thing... but it may change at midnite

Whether you are "into" astrology or not, this is some pithy and very intelligent stuff... I suggest you give it a read...

I have copied and pasted a bit, just in case you miss out on the whole deal:

"…Venus, now retrograde, moves back into Saturn-ruled Capricorn on the 1st, and the Sun also in that sign till the 20th, favors the traditional, classical art forms and giving a pragmatism in economic issues, but equally, because Venus is in retrograde motion, it also implies for all of us a continuing, long and rather agonizing review of value systems and realization of the inevitable destructive outreach of ruthless materialism and the much worshiped "growth"

The challenge for each of us about economic revaluation is exemplified in the fact that currently with Jupiter (Expansion) favoring Uranus (cutting-edge technology) there are large glimmers of light in terms of technological breakthroughs currently emerging, that could literally help save the planet from environmental catastrophe. The trouble is it will cost us all a few pounds more in our utility bills, not to mention considerable private and public investment.

The principle of "carbon capture" has been perfected and demonstrated in a prototype power station, and is a relatively simple way of preventing the waste by-product of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel processing power stations (chief culprit in climatic shifts) being pumped into the atmosphere. It is recaptured and piped far underground where it is finally absorbed into the porous rock beneath the ground and sea where old and defunct oil fields have been. This rock is left porous because of the oil extracted in the past, hence the ability to use the results of previous exploitation. The massive growth in coal-fired power generation anticipated in China and India begs the investment in such technology to be urgently economically prioritized -- but are we prepared to pay the price? In view of the alternative outcome for our planet, there is no contest. These are the critical issues of today and indeed the stuff of Venus retrograde.

It has been said recently that we are at the beginning of the end of the oil age, and Saturn (reality, paucity) opposing Neptune (oil) certainly is suggestive that this particular fact is beginning to resonate.…

…With Mars opposing Jupiter now, too, there is indeed a growing sense of the brazen audacity redolent of the "used car salesman" approach in the workings of world economics. This untenable attitude is increasingly being acknowledged in people’s consciousness, and indeed is being increasingly exposed as one that equates so often to massive injustice. The recent climate summit has embarrassed the U.S. administration’s stance on the environment. This is a time for telling it like it is and Bill Clinton certainly played that role in his comments on the current administration’s attitude to global climate change.

Very redolent also of the current power of Neptune (illusion, delusion, smoke and mirrors) on the cosmic mood, was the Nobel lecture delivered by Harold Pinter on receipt of his Nobel Prize for literature. His controversial, caustic attack on recent U.S. foreign policy pulled no punches, referring to it, amongst other things, as a "a brilliant, even witty, highly successful act of hypnosis." Artist’s voices are on many levels becoming increasingly the spokespersons to express the pain and pathologies of our age, or just to criticize our masters.

As Oscar Wilde said, "All great art is empathy"

There is a sense that we collectively yearn for outstanding statesmen as leaders now -- not merely politicians, but individuals with motives other than the pursuit of personal power and advantage. We search for special, inspired, even spiritual guidance for the planet. If this is lacking, then a return to fundamentalist religion will attempt to fill the void. Intelligence is indeed much to be desired in our leaders, but the addition of real wisdom is a truly rare and desperately needed quality. Alternatively, if politicians don’t deliver wisdom, the artist is so often called upon to play this role. Shakespeare and Dickens were after all great commentator and critics of their age."

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It occurred to me, Thomas, that you and others might enjoy using something I call "The Blessing Symbol" or the Satchitanand symbol, when doing this kind of work. This symbol transmutes by awakening and activating Truth-Consciousness Bliss! within people, situations, animals, all things.

It is interchangeable with the Flower of Life symbol and the Mekaba, as it is a linear diagram of it/them. Using all representations of the 6-pointed star, it takes both the "weilder" and the receiver into High-Level Responsibility of being Blissful in Truth-Consciousness BEing, Thought & Work.

It Blesses, Transmutes & Protects.

(of course, we all know, as All Is God and All is One, there is no need to transmute, protect, or to bless. What this does is bring the Truth-Consciousness Bliss of this fact into the consciousness of the "weilder" and the receiver, aligning consciousness with Consciousness. Another way of putting it: Aligning one's consciousness with the Blissful Consciousness of this Truth.)

The six points of the Star of David are connected by the Celtic Hexigram of "protection", which is enclosed by a circle. From the center radiates the 6-pointed star, which connects to the other 6 connecting points, and extending throughout all time & space (outside the circle) through the mind.

To use it, visualize the symbol or draw it in your mind or with your hands, saying: "SatChitAnand" (Truth-Consciousness Bliss) 3 (or 6, if you prefer) times.

I like to do a sort of "incantation" (if you like) while drawing it:

As Above (the up-pointing triangle)

So Below (the down-pointing triangle)

Bless This... (the hexigram, connecting the points)

...Space (the circle, enclosing)

Within (draw a line connecting the upper left with the lower right points -- connecting at the center)

Without (draw a line connecting the upper right with the lower left points by drawing OUT from the center)

Through the One (draw a line connecting the top center-point to the bottom center-point, back & forth until you feel it "sealed."

Anyone to whom this resonates, try it! Let me know how it works for you

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 This is how I experience it...

. ...

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"Do we fell anything? Oh, yes! For the fruit of the Spirit are faith, hope, love, joy, and peace!"

Oh, Thomas! How I love the Wisdom of the slip of our fingers!!!

The fruits that fall from the Tree of our Lives,

For others to pick off the ground to make pies!!!

LOVE IT!!!!

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Thought y'all might want to see it

(This partiucular version is the board used for the Reiki-Cards I've developed.)

Thomas... did you know that Francois has a group called "Technological Innovations and Performances?" I'm not sure how you would find it, but if you click on my pic & go to my page, you will find it in my list of groups I belong to. You can get to it by clicking that.

Hope everybody's having a wonderful new year!

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