Website worth checking, Melanie Challenger

 Melanie Challenger has interesting books and talks about the reality of animals, their beauty and complexities.

https://www.melaniechallenger.com/books/

Astrology Brief for December 4-10, 2023 from Sandra Helton©

 

Mystery and depth of mind are in the forefront of life due to several celestial influences including Venus in Scorpio, Neptune going Direct in Pisces and the waning Quarter Moon. It’s reasonable to ponder your deepest sense of your psyche including desires and your current status in life. Where have you been, where are you going and what you may do in relation to what you want surfaces and occupies much of your time. Contemplation and wondering about the mysteries are life is a natural part of current unfolding rays.  

Venus transits Scorpio on Monday where it resides until December 29 stirs deepest interests and bring forth meaningful feelings. You become acquainted with things you may have forgotten and what you’ve put on the back burner that’s now surfacing. Passions run deep and all social connections hold greater meaning than usual. The days ahead stir all manner of deep thinking that helps to become acquainted with your shadow self and various reasons why you’ve formed certain attractions. This planet placement is also about grasping the inner workings of others and all many of intrigue.

On Tuesday the waning Quarter Moon in Virgo carries you onward during this darker lunar time for a week. Realigning and working on priorities is an ideal process.

Neptune turns Direct in Pisces on Wednesday helps to make sense of the past and anything unknown. Lack of clarity begins to shift that brings answers and helps to solve what has been hidden.

Ongoing (archived) transits of note:

Pluto is direct in Capricorn where it is until the end of the year and then moves once again into Aquarius. During these months that is was retrograde in Capricorn there was continual unsettled activity within governments and all aspects of association as well as the same for corporations.

Jupiter Retrograde in Taurus lasts until December 30 offering for many a reprieve plus it gives you an opportunity to reset your financial clocks and plans. As the planet of abundance you may restore and refine the past as it relates to what you hold valuable. This time is nice for delving into your sense of yourself and how you hold to personal worth and self-esteem. Taking time to contemplate the meaning of life as aspirations likely will yield “valuable” results. Globally the world will be in a kind of financial flux that is informative as it relates to the economy, stocks, incomes and all matters of money exchange. What has been progress and growth may need refining or reviewed to remain solvent going forward.

• Monday, December 4, Moon in Virgo
• Tuesday, December 5, Moon in Virgo
• Wednesday, December 6, Moon in Virgo/Libra
• Thursday, December 7, Moon in Libra
• Friday, December 8, Moon in Libra/Scorpio
• Saturday, December 9, Moon in Scorpio
• Sunday, December 10, Moon in Scorpio

AFFIRMATION

These affirmations are composed based on current celestial placements. As a clinical hypnotherapist I’ve studied writing scripts so the composition is written with the intent to allow connecting with the heavens and expanding awareness to be more in harmony for the highest good. Taking a moment to be still and ideally in a quiet place, or even when going to sleep, the reading or speaking of these may be helpful and benefit your soul journey. Even just seeing it can be beneficial. 

My deepest desires and intentions form ideals for the future.” 

KEY WORDS

Reveal; recognize; unearth; desire

CopyrightSandraHelton2023

In-depth daily details are on the Patreon site: https://www.patreon.com/SandraHelton

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE YULETIDE

 TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE YULETIDE

Twas the night before Yuletide and all through the glen

Not a creature was stirring, not a fox, not a hen.

A mantle of snow shone brightly that night

As it lay on the ground, reflecting moonlight.

The faeries were nestled all snug in their trees,

Unmindful of flurries and a chilly north breeze.

The elves and the gnomes were down in their burrows,

Sleeping like babes in their soft earthen furrows.

When low! The earth moved with a thunderous quake,

Causing chairs to fall over and dishes to break.

The Little Folk scrambled to get on their feet

Then raced to the river where they usually meet.

“What happened?” they wondered, they questioned, they probed,

As they shivered in night clothes, some bare-armed, some robed.

“What caused the earth’s shudder? What caused her to shiver?”

They all spoke at once as they stood by the river.

Then what to their wondering eyes should appear

But a shining gold light in the shape of a sphere.

It blinked and it twinkled, it winked like an eye,

Then it flew straight up and was lost in the sky.

Before they could murmur, before they could bustle,

There emerged from the crowd, with a swish and a rustle,

A stately old crone with her hand on a cane,

Resplendent in green with a flowing white mane.

As she passed by them the old crone’s perfume,

Smelling of meadows and flowers abloom,

Made each of the fey folk think of the spring

When the earth wakes from slumber and the birds start to sing.

“My name is Gaia,” the old crone proclaimed

in a voice that at once was both wild and tamed,

“I’ve come to remind you, for you seem to forget,

that Yule is the time of re-birth, and yet…”

“I see no hearth fires, hear no music, no bells,

The air isn’t filled with rich fragrant smells

Of baking and roasting, and simmering stews,

Of cider that’s mulled or other hot brews.”

“There aren’t any children at play in the snow,

Or houses lit up by candles’ glow.

Have you forgotten, my children, the fun

Of celebrating the rebirth of the sun?”

She looked at the fey folk, her eyes going round,

As they shuffled their feet and stared at the ground.

Then she smiled the smile that brings light to the day,

“Come, my children,” she said, “Let’s play.”

They gathered the mistletoe, gathered the holly,

Threw off the drab and drew on the jolly.

They lit a big bonfire, and they danced and they sang.

They brought out the bells and clapped when they rang.

They strung lights on the trees, and bows, oh so merry,

In colors of cranberry, bayberry, cherry.

They built giant snowmen and adorned them with hats,

Then surrounded them with snow birds, and snow cats and bats.

Then just before dawn, at the end of their fest,

Before they went homeward to seek out their rest,

The fey folk they gathered ‘round their favorite oak tree

And welcomed the sun ‘neath the tree’s finery.

They were just reaching home when it suddenly came,

The gold light returned like an arrow-shot flame.

It lit on the tree top where they could see from afar

The golden-like sphere turned into a star.

The old crone just smiled at the beautiful sight,

“Happy Yuletide, my children,” she whispered. “Good night.”

Poem author C.C. Williford

Astrology Brief for November 27-December 03, 2023©

Diving Deep into Your Innermost Self

 from Sandra Helton©

For the past two weeks the Moon has been building to this Full Moon in Gemini at 4:16 AM on Monday having been a welcome wave of growth and progression to help you move forward and plant seeds for the days to come as you move into 2024. Right now there’s a plethora of thoughts and ideas rambling through your mind and also in the collective of community, nations and across the world. Being on the go is as much cerebral as actual travel as people now and for the rest of 2023 ponder what has been and where we’re all going. This is a nice week for making notes that help you to organize how you want to conclude 2023 and begin to formulate ideas for going forward. The lunar tide wanes until December 12 giving a kind of internal rest to sort through not just ideas but emotions.

Mercury square Neptune on Monday suggests you take a thorough look at anything where you need to form an agreement as there may be errors missed. Avoid going all out to invest or accept everything at face value due to misunderstanding and misalignment.

Mercury is a focal point as it changes signs on Friday. Mercury will be in Capricorn well into 2024 due to its retrograde motion where it reverts for a while back into Sagittarius. You’re taken from reason to hope that stirs your intention to persevere and also to establish inspired dreams and intentions.

On Saturday Mercury sextile Saturn opens energy for negotiations, serious discussions, and striving to manage life in the best way.

Venus square Pluto on Sunday reminds you to be more aware of what you desire and how you interact with close relationships. It’s good to see truth and reality first and foremost. This ray affects as well all socializing that might be revealing and bring insights you haven’t noticed. Changes in personal needs are stirred.

Ongoing (archived) transits of note:

Pluto is direct in Capricorn where it is until the end of the year and then moves once again into Aquarius. During these months that is was retrograde in Capricorn there was continual unsettled activity within governments and all aspects of association as well as the same for corporations.

Jupiter Retrograde in Taurus lasts until December 30 offering for many a reprieve plus it gives you an opportunity to reset your financial clocks and plans. As the planet of abundance you may restore and refine the past as it relates to what you hold valuable. This time is nice for delving into your sense of yourself and how you hold to personal worth and self-esteem. Taking time to contemplate the meaning of life as aspirations likely will yield “valuable” results. Globally the world will be in a kind of financial flux that is informative as it relates to the economy, stocks, incomes and all matters of money exchange. What has been progress and growth may need refining or reviewed to remain solvent going forward.

• Monday, November 27, Moon in Gemini
• Tuesday, November 28, Moon in Gemini
• Wednesday, November 29, Moon in Gemini/Cancer
• Thursday, November 20, Moon in Cancer
• Friday, December 01, Moon in Cancer/Leo
• Saturday, December 02, Moon in Leo
• Sunday, December 03, Moon in Leo/Virgo

AFFIRMATION

These affirmations are composed based on current celestial placements. As a clinical hypnotherapist I’ve studied writing scripts so the composition is written with the intent to allow connecting with the heavens and expanding awareness to be more in harmony for the highest good. Taking a moment to be still and ideally in a quiet place, or even when going to sleep, the reading or speaking of these may be helpful and benefit your soul journey. Even just seeing it can be beneficial. 

“I nurture and restore my soul’s higher purpose.”

KEY WORDS

Understand; grasp; restore; settle

CopyrightSandraHelton2023

In-depth daily details are on the Patreon site.

Astrology Brief for November 20-26, 2023 ..Happy Birthday Sagittarius

from Sandra Helton©

From the Quarter Moon in Aquarius to the Full Moon in Gemini energy this is a fast paced

week of building celestial rays that helps to move you toward growth and progress so taking action and planting seeds is worth considering.

The Quarter Moon shows where you might refine choices and allow discernment to be a factor for how you want to move forward. Clearing away all that slows you or is in the way is one way to be more efficient and less encumbered. It’s a good week to review friendships and associations for authenticity and worth and the need is shown to lessen some connections then you may be able to more successfully succeed rather than being held back.

Happy Birthday Sagittarius! The Sun begins a month long sojourn in Sagittarius on Wednesday bringing greater hope and inspiration with ideologies and beliefs rising to the top of your focus. Seeing beyond the mundane and recognizing open vistas of communication and higher thought leads to expansion and planning.

The Sun square Saturn on Thursday can create a roadblock or stifling effect so plan simply and take your time. As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, so adjust where you’re slowed or momentarily held back.

Saturn is also squared by Mars on Saturday further slowing life and could cause frustration. Pushing without forethought can cause mishaps so avoid blindly barreling ahead. This ray can be about pressure manifesting in a number of ways from another trying to push you or a situation that is challenging. It’s best to step back and evaluate what’s needed in reality.

While the upcoming Full Moon in Gemini isn’t technically until next week, it happens in the wee hours of November 27 in the Eastern Time Zone so, due to time differences it happens at the end of this week. Both the Quarter Moon and Full Moon are in air signs heightening everything and encourages you to think beyond what limitations.

On Tuesday Mars sextile Pluto is a positive power punch that catapults choices. Strength and fortitude avail.

Overall the week opens you to inspiration and exploring your mind and ideas.

Ongoing (archived) transits of note:

Pluto is direct in Capricorn where it is until the end of the year and then moves once again into Aquarius. During these months that is was retrograde in Capricorn there was continual unsettled activity within governments and all aspects of association as well as the same for corporations.

Jupiter Retrograde in Taurus lasts until December 30 offering for many a reprieve plus it gives you an opportunity to reset your financial clocks and plans. As the planet of abundance you may restore and refine the past as it relates to what you hold valuable. This time is nice for delving into your sense of yourself and how you hold to personal worth and self-esteem. Taking time to contemplate the meaning of life as aspirations likely will yield “valuable” results. Globally the world will be in a kind of financial flux that is informative as it relates to the economy, stocks, incomes and all matters of money exchange. What has been progress and growth may need refining or reviewed to remain solvent going forward.

• Monday, November 20, Moon in Aquarius/Pisces
• Tuesday, November 21, Moon in Pisces
• Wednesday, November 22, Moon in Pisces/Aries; Sun in Sagittarius
• Thursday, November 23, Moon in Aries
• Friday, November 24, Moon in Aries/Taurus
• Saturday, November 25, Moon in Taurus
• Sunday, November 26, Moon in Taurus/Gemini

AFFIRMATION

These affirmations are composed based on current celestial placements. As a clinical hypnotherapist I’ve studied writing scripts so the composition is written with the intent to allow connecting with the heavens and expanding awareness to be more in harmony for the highest good. Taking a moment to be still and ideally in a quiet place, or even when going to sleep, the reading or speaking of these may be helpful and benefit your soul journey. Even just seeing it can be beneficial. 

“I am inspired to reach new heights of achievement.”

KEY WORDS

Forward; aligned; achieve; inspired

CopyrightSandraHelton2023

Astrology Brief for November 13-19, 2023© Scorpio New Moon

 from Sandra Helton©

The New Moon in Scorpio on Monday is followed throughout the week with the Sun forming specific angles to Uranus, Neptune and Mars and also this week Mercury and Venus align. Overall the week is great for new beginnings and moving forward what’s important to you.

The Scorpio New Moon increases in light and energy until the next Full Moon on November 27 during which time you can work toward specific goals with the strong lunar tide to help you, although it’s good to be aware of the Sun and Moon opposing Uranus makes a jolt in the atmosphere. There can be a few surprises or the unexpected so plan accordingly by being flexible. On Wednesday Mercury sextile Venus greatly helps all communication and ways you connect with others along with harmonious interactions and reason. You can resolve issues and form positive alliances as well as nurture close relationships. Mars and the Sun trine Neptune on Friday is both insightful and energetic that helps to cultivate strong creativity and even intuition being manifest. This is mysterious and also forthcoming with awareness. On Saturday the Sun conjunct Mars along with the Moon conjunct Pluto that could cause someone to be pushy and go too far so, watch your own impulses to ensure you’re doing what you want and need to do rather than overreacting or catering to negative indulgence.

The week is a mix of enthusiasm and the unusual from which you can learn a lot about what makes you tick and otherworldly rays swirling in the atmosphere. It’s good for beginning a creative project such as writing a book, composing music, or delving into the ethereal world for insight.

Ongoing (archived) transits of note:

The Sun in Scorpio for the next month promotes self-awareness and diving deep into not just your own psyche but all happening around you and across the world. It’s a time of pondering with added perception that provides greater insight than usual.

Pluto is direct in Capricorn where it is until the end of the year and then moves once again into Aquarius. During these months that is was retrograde in Capricorn there was continual unsettled activity within governments and all aspects of association as well as the same for corporations.

Jupiter Retrograde in Taurus lasts until December 30 offering for many a reprieve plus it gives you an opportunity to reset your financial clocks and plans. As the planet of abundance you may restore and refine the past as it relates to what you hold valuable. This time is nice for delving into your sense of yourself and how you hold to personal worth and self-esteem. Taking time to contemplate the meaning of life as aspirations likely will yield “valuable” results. Globally the world will be in a kind of financial flux that is informative as it relates to the economy, stocks, incomes and all matters of money exchange. What has been progress and growth may need refining or reviewed to remain solvent going forward.

• Monday, November 13, Moon in Scorpio/Sagittarius
• Tuesday, November 14, Moon in Sagittarius
• Wednesday, November 15, Moon in Sagittarius
• Thursday, November 16, Moon in Sagittarius/Capricorn
• Friday, November 17, Moon in Capricorn
• Saturday, November 18, Moon in Capricorn/Aquarius
• Sunday, November 19, Moon in Aquarius

AFFIRMATION

These affirmations are composed based on current celestial placements. As a clinical hypnotherapist I’ve studied writing scripts so the composition is written with the intent to allow connecting with the heavens and expanding awareness to be more in harmony for the highest good. Taking a moment to be still and ideally in a quiet place, or even when going to sleep, the reading or speaking of these may be helpful and benefit your soul journey. Even just seeing it can be beneficial.

“My thoughts expand to encompass my intuition and creative processes.” 

KEY WORDS

Begin; progress; intuition; enthusiasm

CopyrightSandraHelton2023

Astrology Brief for November 6-12, 2023 from Sandra Helton© / Mercury Takes Front Stage

Communication can take on greater significance that can help you to connect with others

and learn much through Mercury angles first on Monday as it trines Neptune, then Wed sextile Pluto, and on Friday square Saturn. 

Encompassing the week doorways open through

numerous means ranging from simple occurrences and on to major announcements and ways you might interact with others. Mercury trine Pluto on Monday offers positive strength and the ability to have a strong impact through word and deed. The more you’re prepared the more you’re empowered. Also on Monday Mercury trine Neptune enhances intuitive perception with the ability to not only perceive but to have insight regarding just anything from understanding your surroundings and others to unfolding creativity. On Wednesday Mercury sextile Pluto is an active dynamic for putting into practice your thoughts and ideas wherein you can begin manifesting toward your goals. There can be a stalemate or minor halt on Friday when Mercury is square Saturn so plan to coast and review or take time to ensure you’re thorough in what you are doing. Mercury in Sagittarius begins Friday where it will be until December 1 offering ways to learn and explore expanded ways to know and understand the world. Venus transiting Libra beginning Wednesday until December 4 benefits relationships and direction connections to others as it helps to mellow the energy. An interesting energy calling for caution and reserve occurs on Saturday which is Mars opposite Uranus that can cause minor upsets or outright mishaps or war. This is a wild card suggesting you proceed with caution where risk is a potential. Volatile rays are like a lightning storm.

Throughout this week while the lunar tide wanes you can go within and gain significant insight about your motivations, the past and others who may be just behind the scenes. It’s like going through a magic mirror of discovery.

Ongoing (archived) transits of note:

The Sun in Scorpio for the next month promotes self-awareness and diving deep into not just your own psyche but all happening around you and across the world. It’s a time of pondering with added perception that provides greater insight than usual.

Pluto is direct in Capricorn where it is until the end of the year and then moves once again into Aquarius. During these months that is was retrograde in Capricorn there was continual unsettled activity within governments and all aspects of association as well as the same for corporations.

Jupiter Retrograde in Taurus lasts until December 30 offering for many a reprieve plus it gives you an opportunity to reset your financial clocks and plans. As the planet of abundance you may restore and refine the past as it relates to what you hold valuable. This time is nice for delving into your sense of yourself and how you hold to personal worth and self-esteem. Taking time to contemplate the meaning of life as aspirations likely will yield “valuable” results. Globally the world will be in a kind of financial flux that is informative as it relates to the economy, stocks, incomes and all matters of money exchange. What has been progress and growth may need refining or reviewed to remain solvent going forward.

• Monday, November 6, Moon in Leo/Virgo
• Tuesday, November 7, Moon in Virgo
• Wednesday, November 8, Moon in Virgo/Libra
• Thursday, November 9, Moon in Libra
• Friday, November 10, Moon in Libra
• Saturday, November 11, Moon in Libra/Scorpio
• Sunday, November 12, Moon in Scorpio

AFFIRMATION

These affirmations are composed based on current celestial placements. As a clinical hypnotherapist I’ve studied writing scripts so the composition is written with the intent to allow connecting with the heavens and expanding awareness to be more in harmony for the highest good. Taking a moment to be still and ideally in a quiet place, or even when going to sleep, the reading or speaking of these may be helpful and benefit your soul journey. Even just seeing it can be beneficial. 

“My awareness expands and unfolds with vast insight.”

KEY WORDS

Grasp; comprehend; learn; know; realize

CopyrightSandraHelton2023