Thursday, May 31, 2012

May the stars...quote from Chief Dan Seattle

Followers of my professional facebook page found this quote and recent facebook status, extremely inspirational. Thought I would share it here too for all my lovely followers of my professional blog.

Sarina Damen - Spiritual Counsellor, Life Coach & Personal Development Teacher

"May the stars carry your sadness away,May the flowers fill your heart with beauty,May hope forever wipe away your tears,And, above all, may silence make you strong."- Chief Dan George

Monday, May 28, 2012

Gemini Forecasts for 2012

Gemini May 21 – June 20

Symbol: The Twins

Element: Air

Sign: Masculine

Ruling Planet: Mercury

Quality: Mutable

House Ruled: Third

Opposite Sign: Sagittarius

Birthstones: Agate, Pearl

Most compatible with Libra, Aquarius, Gemini, Pisces

Group: Emotional

Polarity: Positive

Favorable Colours: Green, Light Blue, Silvery White

Chinese Counterpart: Horse

Special Qualities: Communicator, Intelligent, Romantic, Dreamer, Multi-tasker, Friendly, Humorous, Curiosity, ability to share ideas, adaptable, affectionate, kind.

Weaknesses: Over sensitive

Suitable Professions: Public Relations, Human Resource, Journalism, Writer, Teacher,

Energy: Yang

Sensitive Areas: Blood, Nervous system, Shoulders, Lungs

Traits: Expressive eyes, quick, bright, often small-boned, refined features.

Likes: Music, magazines, books, music, blogs, chats with nearly anyone, short trips around town.

Dislikes: Repetition and routine, being confined, told what to do.

Best environment: Libraries, gatherings, bookstores, museums. art galleries, places of learning.

Gemini Personality: Versatility is a great keyword for this dual sign. Expressive and quick-witted, the Gemini presents two distinctive sides to his or her personality, and you can never be sure with which one you're going to come face-to-face. On one hand, the Gemini can be outgoing, flirtatious, communicative, and ready for fun, fun, fun. Yet when the other twin is present, you can find this air sign contemplative, serious, restless, and even indecisive. Both twins are able to adapt to life's circumstances well, making them wonderful people to know. Things are never boring when a Gemini is on the scene.

Gemini – 2012

Actions, projects, and activities are the highlights of Gemini Horoscope 2012. Sprightly and energetic as the twin souls are, they would sure love their calendar to be filled with exciting events. Not only that, with new assignments there would be new aspirations as well. Gemini’s have a zest for life.

The year may draw on monotony during the months of July and August, but that is just a phase. You would soon turn the scenario to enthusiasm. Relationships would bloom with family, friends and loved ones. It’s your adaptable nature that is going to make you sail through tough situations and bring satisfaction.

If there be any friction this year in terms of work or otherwise, this is certainly not a time for compromises. It’s time to make your opinions heard and take the correct stand.

You are always open to suggestion and willing to learn as much about the world around you as possible. Your sponge-like brain mops up all the information life throws at us day to day, and what is overlooked by many is plainly obvious to you, and all of these wonderful attributes mark you out from the crowd.The more you understand scenarios the better, be they religious, spiritual, financial or loving, as there are some very real changes about to happen in your life.

2012 is another year of sweeping changes for Gemini. If you thought last year was a whirlwind, hold the line. With an encore round of eclipse patterns hitting your constellation this summer, you're gearing up for the next level of transformation! Your personal image and intimate relationships will continue to change over the course of the next 12 months, so be ready for anything. If you're single, this could very well be the year you finally get hitched. If you're already betrothed, this is the year you could reclaim your singledom, buy a house or have a baby. Either way, you're moving toward the great unknown, so let go - and let the stars show you the way!

This is your year to finally regain that sense of discipline you swore you'd have at the start of last year. With Saturn moving into your sector of health and routines this year, you should be able to get a good grip on daily wellness practices. Healthy foods and consistent exercise will be key to pushing your vitality from acceptable to stellar. You'll need to be operating at maximum potential to navigate all the exciting changes just around the bend!

The other big news is that Saturn is finally leaving your romance and creativity sector in October. After many hard-earned lessons in love over the past two years, you're ready for a serious reprieve. You've certainly upgraded your standards, haven't you? Use this year to live the words that you preach in your relationships. Many people look up to you as a role model, so act accordingly. With Mars activating your domestic sector for a good portion of the year, you'll have plenty of intensity on the home front to contend with. If you're not happy with your current living quarters, this is the year to put energy into making that change.

2012 is a year of great cleansing and healing in the face of all the tumultuous goings on in the outside world. The point is that you will set about making any corrections to yourself and you’ll accomplish so much in this regard. You have that direct sense of empathy for both yourself and others and you may see a lot of suffering that you may have hitherto been blind to.

Around the time of your birthday will reveal itself as a real watershed moment, as a cycle of growth begins. You’ll begin to ask yourself what it is that you now need to understand from the learning that you’ve gained and how to put it into practice. Some things from your past, like old archaic attitudes or prejudices now seem to vanish into the haze as they no longer hold any water with you. This is a great time of enlightenment, and you have the confidence to shoulder a raft of responsibility. Pluto in Capricorn means that you will develop on so many more levels this year in a way that you haven’t in at least the last twelve. Embrace this.

Neptune’s move back into Pisces at the beginning of the year means that your ideas and ambitions become immensely strong and driven. It would also seem that you’re pushing a cart up a hill but with only one wheel, but only until the month of June, as this is when Jupiter enters your sign and begins a time of new beginnings for you. This planet will help you communicate and get all those fabulous ideas of yours out into the collective. Remember that this is all about turning over a new leaf. 2012 could very well be a tense year for us all, yet you have the knowhow to make sense of strife and bring order to chaos. There will be times when your need for freedom and your sense of duty clash, but I think that you’ll learn the importance of balancing the two. Remember that Jupiter can and will be lucky for you, so start smiling.

With Jupiter, planet of luck and expansion returning to your sign on the 12th June, kicking off a brand new Jupiter cycle of expansion and your biggest, most expansive and luckiest year in over a decade, this is the year you've been waiting for and building towards for a long time. A solar eclipse in your sign on the 21st May and a very rare Venus eclipse on the 6th June, along with Jupiter’s return to your sign on the 12th June, all indicate that 2012 is destined to be a year for powerful new beginnings. With Venus, planet of love spending 4 months in your sign, Saturn in your romantic sector until the 6th October and a lunar eclipse in your relationship sector on the 4th June, 2012 is also destined to be an important year for personal matters. Yet this is also destined to be a big year for professional matters, kicking off a 14 year period of career and professional growth, while Saturn’s return to your work sector on the 6th October opens the door to a period of development on the work front that will take you through to 2015. A total solar eclipse in your work sector on the 14th November indicates a time of major new beginnings or a complete change of direction on the job front, with a solar eclipse having the power to put things on a new path or fast track things in a very short time that might otherwise take many years to achieve. So while 2012 may start out slow and it may appear that you're playing the waiting game, it will be worth the wait.

Personal and Social Life:

If any sign has sufficient ingenuity to get through hard times without any major suffering, it's Gemini. Gemini has quick eyes and a quick mind, and its natives are among the cleverest of the Zodiac. Whatever challenges come your way, you usually find a quick and easy solution so that you can get back to your projects.

Routine is pretty much foreign to Geminis. They like to seek out the unusual, bizarre, and unexpected - and in 2012, they'll certainly see a lot of it!

Gemini thrives on change, and seeks out unique experiences. As a Gemini, you don't mind taking chances that would freak out other signs. Some Geminis drive others crazy. They're adamant about a certain idea one day, and the next day they're already bored to tears. This year, however, most Geminis will thrive on all the changes going on in 2012. Boredom may go the way of the dinosaurs - especially if a Gemini happens to be your best friend.

Love:

Saturn will run its final series of tests in 2012 in your creativity and romance sectors. Hopefully you've gotten clear about where your boundaries lie, and what (and who) you need to say no to in order to remain true to your highest principles. You've learned the hard way what you will and won't tolerate in your love life, and you can now apply this wisdom to a current (or future) romance. You have until October to master those deep karmic teachings since Saturn won't return to this area of your chart for another 27-and-a-half years.

Mars moves into your romance sector in July to make a sweet contact to Venus while touring Gemini. 2012 is set to be your summer of love!

The planets work in perfect succession to keep you in the sunshine of your love all the way through December. Venus, the goddess of beauty and love, will grace your constellation for an extended visit between April and August. It will be retrograde between the end of May and June - right during your birthday season - so don't be surprised if ghosts from your romantic past make an appearance. And with the arrival of autumn, you'll still have many planets singing you amorous tunes. Venus will enter your romance sector at the end of October to continue the theme of love, beauty and pleasure. To sum up this delightful conglomeration of love transits during the second half of the year: You'll go from high-energy to pronounced libido to romance to creativity to sexuality to love to commitment (or break-up) and back - all within the span of six months!

Venus, the planet of love is generous on you this year. Love life gets more intense than ever. If there have been any unsolved questions regarding your relationship, this is the time to bring them to light and solve them. For the ones who have been in a committed relationship, can step on further and get married. However, some of you might have deep emotional insecurities. To put an end to starts with facing them first. The ones who are single are likely to meet new people of their interest and preferences. If you have been having arguments with your partner its time to look into the matter and address it. Spend some quality time your partner if you haven’t been, it will only make your bond stronger.

How long have you been with your present partner, Gemini? Have you ever shopped for a house or car together? You'll both love whatever you've found, and will make great plans. Then suddenly, another day comes (and another prospect), and you tell your partner that you've changed your mind. With erratic Uranus connecting nicely with Gemini, this year you'll find that such events will happen again and again and again!

In short: life with a Gemini could be a constant parade of fascinating people, strange ideas, and adventures that very few people are willing to try. In 2012, there will be a lot of weird and wonderful happenings, and if you can't actually see them, you'll follow every news article you can find. Your mate may or may not be interested, but the fact that you're interested fascinates him/her. One thing that your partner will never have to complain about is being bored!

Career and Money:

Neptune, the planet of inspiration, moves back into your career sector to work its mystical glamour for the next several years. This is a time when your dreams and visions insist on becoming tangible realities. A quality of inspiration infuses all that you manifest over the next 12 months, so consider the world your creative oyster! No longer will you work just for the sake of earning a wage; rather, your career promises to become more of a soul-calling. The only downside to this influence is that it can sometimes bring confusion or disillusionment. If this is the case, trust that it's simply a necessary sacrifice that will later bring deeper levels of fulfillment.

Saturn, the cosmic taskmaster, enters your work sector in October, where it will take up residence for the next two-and-a-half years. This is a time to transform your daily schedule and weed out any methods that waste time. You'll begin to take your talents more seriously and realize that you deserve higher pay and, more importantly, a higher ranking. Integrity in your work style becomes the theme for the last few months of the year, ultimately setting the tone for 2013.

Your workspace will offer you greater content and zeal to work better this year! Aggression that ruled the previous year would transform to peace and serenity. The pace of work might slow down a little but that is just an external condition. Take time out to assess your career plans. If you have been contemplating a job change, ponder over the options that you have at present. You will be having a way more positive mindset now, try and channel it in the useful directions. Seek expert advice from seniors and mentors at work. Changes start occurring from May onwards. The network that you have built up over the years would add value to you. For the ones planning to invest and carry on a business plan will receive favorable results. Lady luck is by your side!

“Gains” and “profits” are two other important words of the Gemini Horoscope 2012. Monetary gains can reach you by the means of income raise, promotions, fruitful returns of shares and bonds or property inheritance. There would be other material gains as well. This might make you spendthrift for few months. While that is a natural tendency, you aught to draw the line as well. Try and attain a balance in budget and focus on doubling your profits through savings. The year presents you with ripe opportunities in business, so make the most of it.

The world is changing, Gemini, and you're doing your best to keep up with it. You try, even though you usually take a few tries to get it right. Still, you'll roll with the punches as well as anyone can. This year, a lot of strange and wonderful events will come and go, and if you're employed in a media field, you'll have a wealth of interesting subjects from which you draw your material. If you work in a different job, you still might draw characters from your colleagues and use your mental filing cabinet to store them. Don't tell them, however! That path leads to trouble!

By putting forth your most enthusiastic effort, your colleagues and bosses alike will be proud of you - even that work nemesis. You may like your job and your co-workers, but in the long run, you're a born freelancer, and eventually you'll want to be self-employed or at least enjoy a greater amount of freedom. All in all, the events of 2012 will provide you with lots to write, talk, and think about!

(Forecast courtesy of Moonslipper)

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Extrasensory Perception in Animals (BBC Documentary video)...see here for free...

This fascinating documentary (Episode one)

Extrasensory Perception [BBC - Supernatural Part 1

SUPERNATURAL - The Unseen Powers Of Animals Part 1 - Extrasensory Perception Narrated by Andrew Sachs When science fiction becomes science fact... This groundbreaking series unravels the extrasensory feats and near-paranormal powers of animals. It journeys to the outer limits of scientific knowledge to find a parallel animal universe where life exists in other realities and has powers that almost defy belief. Here sharks perceive human electric auras and dolphins use ultrasound to see a human foetus in the womb. There are monkey herbalists, frogs that have mastered the art of cryogenics and lizards that walk on water or cry blood. Supernatural not only looks at animal hypnosis and the healing powers of fish and dolphins, it even explains weird phenomena such as animals foretelling earthquakes or forecasting the weather and fish that rain from the sky.

This complete series includes the following episodes : #1 - Extrasensory Perception #2 - Outer Limits #3 - Hidden Forces #4 - Time Warp #5 - Paranormal #6 - Close Encounters #7 - Superstars [Extras] Keywords - bbc supernatural the unseen powers power of animals animal andrew sachs Extrasensory Perception Outer Limits Hidden Forces Time Warp Paranormal Close Encounters Superstars Extras science fiction fact feats limits scientific knowledge

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Guide to Happiness Documentary Video - Montaigne on Self-Esteem

This six part series on philosophy is presented by popular British philosopher Alain de Botton, featuring six thinkers who have influenced history, and their ideas about the pursuit of the happy life. Episode 4: Montaigne on Self-Esteem looks at the problem of self-esteem from the perspective of Michel de Montaigne (16th Century), the French philosopher who singled out three main reasons for feeling bad about oneself - sexual inadequecy, failure to live up to social norms, and intellectual inferiority - and then offered practical solutions for overcoming them.

Monday, May 14, 2012

" You Raise Me Up" (video) - Celtic Woman "A New Journey"

Celtic Woman - A New Journey: Live at Slane Castle, Ireland 2006 "You Raise Me Up" Singers: Hayley Westenra, Chloë Agnew, Órla Fallon, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, Lisa Kelly, Mairead Nesbitt

Thursday, May 10, 2012

"A Guide to Happiness" - Socrates on Self-Confidence (video 24 mins)

We tend to accept that people in authority must be right. It’s this assumption that Socrates wanted us to challenge by urging us to think logically about the nonsense they often come out with, rather than being struck dumb by their aura of importance and air of suave certainty. This six part series on philosophy is presented by popular British philosopher Alain de Botton, featuring six thinkers who have influenced history, and their ideas about the pursuit of the happy life. Socrates on Self-Confidence – Why do so many people go along with the crowd and fail to stand up for what they truly believe? Partly because they are too easily swayed by other people’s opinions and partly because they don’t know when to have confidence in their own. (24 minute video - philosophy)

Thursday, May 3, 2012

TAURUS Forecasts for 2012

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20

Symbol: The Bull

Element: Earth

Group: Emotional

Polarity: Negative

Favourable Colours: Pink, Yellow, Blue, Ochre

Chinese Counterpart: Snake

Ruling Planet: Venus

Quality: Fixed

House Ruled: Second

Opposite Sign: Scorpio

Associated Gems: Emerald or Agate

Sensitive Areas: Throat, Neck

Special Qualities: Dependable, Patient, Caring, Musical, Practical, Usually a strong body and high resistance to ill health, when sick – often recover quickly, talented cooks

Needs to develop: Ability to say what you are feeling and thinking, Flexibility

Likes: Gardening, cooking, working with hands, music, romance, a secluded home close to nature. Enjoying good food is also important. Surrounded and immersed in beauty and comfort

Dislikes: Sudden changes, complications, instability, synthetic fabrics.

Taurus Personality:

Strong, dependable, and stubborn, Taurus leads the way when it comes to reaping the rewards of hard work. Lovers of everything fine and beautiful, Taureans surround themselves with lovely objects, often with sentimental value. A sensual, tactile sign, touch is very important to the Taurean in every area of their life. They tend to be stable but leaning towards conservative, Taureans are among the most reliable of the zodiac, and are consistent, plodding along until they finally achieve their goals, but ensuring that they do things to the best of their ability. Often highly creative and enjoy making, or fixing, things with their own hands.

Forecasts 2012:

People under the sign of Taurus are often well-liked and possess unique and extraordinary characteristics. They are usually successful in their personal and professional undertakings due to their work ethic and amicable nature. Taureans are known for being smart, practical, influential and pragmatic. However, they need to manage their stubbornness, learning to use this trait as a tool for overcoming obstacles, helping them preservere when the going gets tough, and push through the barriers until they reach their objective. Taureans have a great will to succeed, and tend to be more creative, spontaneous, and free-spirited than other Earth signs, often drawn to careers or leisure pursuits within the arts.

After some breaks in your career in 2011, the Taurus Horoscope 2012 predicts good fortune and excellent career growth. You know what your strengths and possibilities are, so plan the year accordingly. You will be authentic in anything that you do. Put in your very best and you will get to see the result through unbelievable rewards.

You move into 2012 with Jupiter, planet of luck and expansion in your sign, putting you at the start of a brand new twelve year Jupiter cycle of expansion. The influence of Jupiter offers you a bigger perspective of life. While Jupiter asserts its influence from the 5th June 2011 to the 12th June 2012, this planet helps to create a positive foundation for the next decade and beyond. Jupiter will help you feel that you have what is necessary to strive in the direction of your dreams and also consider a few new aspirations to move towards. Having the planet of luck and expansion in your sign means that your life is expanding, so until Jupiter leaves in June, your life is all about expanding your reality and your experiences, making your life as big and bold as possible. On the 12th June Jupiter will return to your income sector, kicking off what is destined to be your luckiest and most expansive year for income growth in over a decade. Yet even before Jupiter returns to your income sector, the money gods will be smiling on you, with things starting to go your way and new doors opening from as early as the 4th April onwards.

2012 is also a defining professional year, cementing your career dreams and aspirations. You have until the 6th October to get things moving on the work front, putting in the effort and hard yards necessary to get professional dreams off the ground. 2012 is also a big year for your personal life with Mars, planet of passion spending an incredible eight months in your romantic sector, from November 2011 to July 2012. Saturn’s return to your relationship sector on 6th October will bring the element of fate and destiny into play, with the potential for some major new beginnings on the relationship front. From start to finish, 2012 is your year!

Use your multi-tasking act to the fullest. Some business deals will be signed towards the end of the year leading you to long-term and very successful business relations. Be prepared for huge amount of workload. Taureans will find 2012 will bring a range of fascinating learning experiences and along with some notable achievements and exciting changes.

Career and Finance

You have the potential to go far in your career this year. If you are a writer or involved in any artistic work, opportunities to achieve recognition will cross your path. The workload may be heavy; but keep calm and plan things before you start and the result will be satisfying. Towards the end of the year, you may be feeling ready to change job or aim for a new position within the same organization. Either way, it could be a fortunate step. Overseas opportunities are also likely in the last quarter of the year. Those in research work or academia can expect an offer of extra income or interesting new role. There will be a likelihood of overall growth in the Taurean’s professional field between September and December.

The first six months of 2012 are not ideal to increase expenditure and put extra demands on financial resources. New projects and establishing new businesses are likely to have a better outcome if begun in the second half of the year. From June onwards, life is more fortunate for Taureans, attracting more money and greater success. Solutions to problems and complications will be found in the second half of the year, leading to general improvements in life.

Taureans will find themselves managing their time more wisely this year. Dreams and goals will look like they will finally be accomplished, or at the very least, the pathway to achieving them is becoming clear.

Long term business deals will also be more favourable in the second part of the year.

Love

You will finding it easier to apply relaxation and calming techniques, and controlling your emotions seem to be mastered with less effort than in previous years. Romance is certainly on the cards for Taureans. Those who are in a relationship will aim to spend more quality time with their loved ones. A romantic trip is on the cards. You will find a way to keep greater balance between your romantic and personal identity. Those who are single can expect to finally, meet the person who they were hoping for. The emotional ground will be stabilized and you will find yourself handling emotional situations much more effectively. Your efforts to resolve differences in a relationship will not go in vain. You would find your intimate relationship benefits from your sensual side. This is a great time for Taureans who are in partnered relationships to spend private time together.

In the first half of 2012, Mars and Saturn may exert some pressure on matters of love and personal relationships; but through a focused, positive attitude the tricky external influences can be kept to a minimum, and compromise and negotiation can lead to happier outcomes.

Taureans are extremely loyal and passionate about the people in their lives, and beliefs they care about, and can be rather affectionate as well as fiercely loyal. These qualities serve the Bull well this year, with Taureans expressing their feelings, verbally, emotionally, and physically to those they love. They will be feeling the urge to make time to socialize with family and friends, and take a break from routines or situations that may have been slightly stressful. Taurus people should spare some time in 2012 for socialization and relationship building as it will pay off in feelings of greater fulfillment and opportunities to nurture long term, even lifelong, bonds.

Taurus has no trouble making new friends, and 2012 is no different, especially at the very end of the year when new relationships are likely to be formed. Although you normally get along with most people because of your wit, wisdom, and knowledge of a wide variety of interesting subjects, take care while engaging in one of your great debates as not to offend others.

For married Taureans, love life or personal relationships can be somewhat affected by Mars and Saturn, so try to avoid nit-picking or being too concerned about the little things.

For single Taureans, this year will provide many opportunities to connect with others and you will be exuding a vibe and attitude that will draw new friends into your life. By the end of 2012, many Taureans will be enjoying shared goals or important aspirations with a significant others.

Regardless of their industry or career, Taureans, if they use their time wisely, will be enjoying encouraging prospects and situations by the end of the year.

Health

Taureans, although usually brimming with health, need to be a little more careful not to overdue things, to avoid developing health issues, especially stomach upsets or cold and flu viruses. Towards the end of the year, Taurus people need to focus on self-nurturing, otherwise they will be likely to feel a little off-colour or lacking in energy. Listen to what your body is telling you and you can stop any illnesses before they start. Plenty of fresh air, nutritious food, and physical activity will keep your body in check, in preparation for a busy 2013.

But overall, a fabulous year for Taurean people, with success and love on the agenda!

Forecast courtesy of Moonslipper