stargazer8

New beginnings. Hope is here.Time to be practical, set up boundaries, and make long range plans. Capricorn is traditional but with the uranian aspect new and improved methods may work best. Capricorn wants a plan. It is thoughtful and a bit harsh at times but it is also the karmic energy. We can expect a report card from saturn/capricorn. Mine will be in the 4th house of home, beginning and end of things and parents. I will let you know what happens. Uranus is transiting the 7th house of 'the other' and our relationships with others. Depending on where Capricorn falls in your chart, that will mark the area of action. I find it best to meet the energies head-on and begin work on my home and relationships before it begins 'working' me! Happy New Year everyone and things will get better if we work on them. The big question is : where we come from nobody knows, where we're going everything goes. The wind blows, the sea flows and nobody knows.' (From Robert Nathan...

What a delicious meal I had at Viana's Restaurant which is located at 300 White Horse Rd. The Chicken Parmesan was delicious. I was given a very generous portion. The outer layer of the crispy chicken was very light and tasty. The sauce was excellent. My friend had the Chicken Abruzzi. I knew it was delish since they couldn't talk. Just "Mmm..mmm", as they ate. It was a huge plate with sweet roasted long hots, sherry basil marinara over pasta light balsamic and a huge piece of chicken over the pasta. When we arrived we received a plate of roasted garlic in olive oil with rosemary to dip our warm bread. The salad,which was included, had fresh, crisp lettuce with a couple of thinly sliced cucumber pieces, a tomato slice and carrot shavings with a nice balsamic drizzle. The dining experience couldn't have been better. The staff was warm and friendly. I will be returning. 5*****rating

The full moon brings the water to a boil, especially in this bloggers life. In one week three family members wound up in the hospital. One got out and another one went in. Lots of prayers are being sent. Busy days and some thought provoking moments. Mercury is in aspect to the Sagittarius sun and Gemini moon. Many philosophical thoughts and everyday details to tend to. Hopefully, many of you spent good times with friends and made good memories.

If you haven't been to Carlucci's Restaurant, you better go! I invited my friend Edna out to lunch.  I found out that the Lobster Trap on the Cooper River was closed for good. We like to eat near the water. Someone mentioned the old Pirate's Inn, which is now Carlucci's on the waterfront (Rancocas Creek). What a surprise. This restaurant is a treasure, Great food, easy directions, beautiful view and friendly staff.  

 The effects of the solar eclipse of oct. 23 will be felt for 3 months. The area of your chart ruled by scorpio will be highlighted. Some examples are: 1st house- appearance, 2nd  house - money, values, etc. Eclipses energize the areas in your chart ruled by these signs. Planets in the early degrees of the signs will be energized also.

Last weekend I saw 'The Judge'. Robert Duvall, one of the greatest actors played the dad. He was  perfect for the part. He was an old grumpy, resentment- filled man but I still loved him. It was a truly touching movie and his portrayal was award winning. It brought up a lot of 'father' memories for me so I thought I would share the poem I wrote about my dad. remembrances of dad i sit here looking at the world war II photo of you in your lt. commander's uniform. you loved to garden and photograph us in front of the old magnolia tree. your blue eyes would melt into pools when you spoke of your mom- my nana. she had your same blue eyes and you both loved to dance. on st. patrick's day we'd go down to the basement and dance a jig. we'd watch the fights on friday nights and 'budgie' would fly onto your beer can and take a sip or two. you kept your promise to mom, not to die 'til she did. i'd bring you home for dinner and you...

i watched pieces of you disappear. first, you staggered due to a stroke...i remember walking you out of the hospital... your one hand clutching your belt the other my arm... like a baby you'd turn your head back to look at me as i pushed your wheelchair. those same watery blue eyes smiling at me as you cried tears of joy- i guess you thought i was nana...or mom.  wordless, we'd hold hands and you'd cry each day when you saw me... i'd cry when i left you- sobs rocking me- 'please god let him go...' it was new year's eve. you had the flu. i sat on your bed watching the priest sprinkle you with 'holy' water... i held your hand...you kissed it like mommy did before she died. i told you mom was waiting and not to be afraid.  i said the prayers you used to like... i still cry.

Pluto is the mythological ruler of the underworld. Knowing that, whenever i found Pluto near one of my personal points in my chart, I would try to study something (eventually myself) which would bring me deeper to the source of my power. Karate was an excellent adventure. Having my moon in peaceful Libra, I never liked fighting....so...perfect for me! Face my fear and do it anyway. It was one of the best things I've done because I discovered my own personal power. I was the worst student. My only medal was for 'showing up'! Another use for Pluto-time is therapy. Pluto wants to go deep. Childbirth is often associated with Pluto. Spies, plumbers, gangs, 'the detective', deep sea diving, the way beyond and the way within...Transformation occurs in some way at this time. My theory as an astrologer is to go meet the energy head on and take up the energies through a discipline. Isn't that what the transits are all about? Finding that deep part within ourselves or the...

A song for all the oldies lovers out there. I remember the hot summer nights with friends on Protzman's stoop! The girls would sit and talk. Sometimes Ann and I would sit on her stoop and sing songs from the hit charts . The guys would check out the old cars. I remember one car that Buzz Buzzard owned. It had no reverse gear so the guys had to get out and push if we had to go backwards. There was handball at Alley Pond Park (I was pretty good). Check out wrong sign.   I remember a group of us meeting on union turnpike at Milt's neighborhood luncheonette on Sundays (instead of church). Here is a photo of it today- a Greek restaurant. We had so many basement parties with songs you could dance to. The 'Dapper J's' would come downstairs to the party all dressed up in black suits with hats and walking sticks! All their names started with 'J'. Do kids still have fun like this? I guess you can't go home again. Good memories from this blogger. I think I...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_evCoEVaTQE  Last week I went on a 'day trip' vacation. One of the best places was Longwood Gardens on Rt. 1 in Kennett Square, pa. My favorite room was the orchid room. Their beauty is astounding! At 1:30pm there is a 'player' piano show. It played two of my favorite pieces- 'moonlight sonata' and 'clair de lune'. next favorite was the rabbit foot fern plant hanging from the ceiling. It is huge. i have a small one which i love. This one must be the great grandpa of mine. Don't miss the outdoor water gardens and the bonsai plants. When you leave make sure you are going the right direction. We wound up in Maryland!

There will be a full moon on Sunday, August 10th. It will be very close to the earth and will be called a 'super moon'. Let's see if the effects feel stronger than a usual full moon. Are we more emotional? More full of energy? Let me know how you feel. This is the sign of experimentation, unusual, exciting, original, and the unpredictable! Due to the opposition with mercury (the mind) you may notice that thoughts and feeling are not always coinciding at this time. It will probably not be boring.Remember to  'Expect a miracle' as Oral Roberts used to say.

New moon in Leo occurs on Saturday. Leo is the love giver, entertainer, enthusiast and creator of the zodiac. The fire of the spirit pulses through this sign. Leo is ruled by the sun which is also in leo at this time. It could be a birth of ideas, of love, of colors on a canvas or on your canvas of life. Be free to be you! We are flowers in the garden of life. We sway in the winds of change but always the sun draws us onward and upward in our aspirations. At the time of the new moon we can make a new plan, begin again and focus on our hopes for the future.Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBPJ0AN0WBE

This Saturday will be the full moon in Capricorn, the sign of ambition. Whatever goals you have been working toward you will get a scorecard this weekend. Emotions are heightened and fun is in the air. Try something new this weekend. an adventure outward or an inward adventure aka meditation.  The moon moves into Aquarius, a higher vibrational sign or a freedom loving sign...let's see...a flying lesson or a mindful meditation or maybe you can fix something. The choice is yours. Enjoy!

the fathers of my friends the fathers of my friends take them to parks and thanksgiving day parades. my father takes me to the ocean, bars and graves. the ocean swelling and emptying like a woman giving birth. the black rose bar lit with the dying sun. cocoon-like it embraces and shields us  from the garish light. the graves of ancestors whom i've never met enveloped in the oblivion of sleep.

Time to visualize your dreams once again. Are you moving in the right direction? Pick a quiet place and close your eyes. Focus on your breath. In... and... out. Feel the air on your nostrils with each breath. Gently return to the breath if your mind wanders as it will. After 5-10 minutes of this ask yourself what is your dream? The same as before or a new one. Get the details -colors, smells, feelings and place. you can ask questions and see what comes up. You can write about it, dream about it...or do it. Emotions are powerful at the full moon...dancing is fun...under the moonlight!

There is a New Moon Tuesday morning and solar eclipse at 8 degrees of Taurus. This is an earth sign . No coincidence that 'earth day' occurs close to this date. Things planted should do well especially slow growing deep rooted pants. Concentrate on beautification of yourself, your home, and your earth. The eclipse energy will be mostly felt by those who have planets from 6-10 degrees of the fixed signs. The nature of the event will depend on the house position and planet involved. the eclipse culminates in 3 months or so. Taurus is also values and self worth. 'I am beautiful just the way I am' and other positive affirmations can help a shaky image. Take care of your essential physical obligations and focus on what are the healthiest and most nurturing habits to acquire. Enjoy the beauty around you and let's help clean things up. Some positive actions could include Recycling, having a chemical-free lawns and planting a tree.

http://www.ikebanahq.org Anna Nakada gave demonstrations of the Ichiyo school of Ikebana. She is a master teacher from Morristown, NJ. It was a wonderful evening to watch beautiful arranging done by a master. The sjhs meets the second tuesday at 7pm on mercer street in front of the municipal building.

( click below) "all you need is love" Happy  Valentine's Day! ...with a full moon to boot! The full moon occurs in the sign of the 'lovers', leo. So make a date and enjoy the love. Remember to always stay 'in love'.... for we are 'the love'.