2013: Looking Back and Looking Forward

Hope you're enjoying an evening with Neptune tonight, folks. My most recent vacation took a lot out of me, so I'm staying in for a nice relaxing New Year's Eve with my beloved. I've never been a big party person anyway, so I usually go low-key for ringing in the New Year. 

Tonight is a Sidhe moon, the second dark moon in a month, and it's a great time for self-reflection. 2013 has been all over the place for me personally. 

I feel like I'm tired from this year, but overall, I'm reminded of how truly blessed I am. 

In that vein, and before I forget, I'd like to take a moment to thank the Wiccan community at 13 Magickal Moons and the Tradition of the Witches Circle for not only their patronage but also for their support and assistance this past year. I wouldn't be who I am without all of you, and while I try to thank people personally, I want to make sure you know how much you mean to me. 

For me, I'd say one of the biggest low points was the government shutdown, which made a lot of people in the Capitol region very unhappy--me included. So many suffered, but at least the suffering is over, hopefully at least. And it appears my days with the DC Tarot Society are over; January 4 will be the last meeting of the group unless someone takes over for outgoing organizer and founder Geraldine. Before you ask, no, it's not going to be me...I already have too much to do. But I hope someone decides to step up. 

The highs outweighed the lows, though. Fatherhood seemed to be a theme for the year for me. I became a father to my Pele, who is as I write this blog at my ankles purring. I also became a Godfather for the first time to a wonderful little boy, Marcus Alexander Harvey. "Godfather" is a title that I never thought I'd have, to be honest, so I'm totally thrilled!

2014 holds more challenges. While I'm not a fan of resolutions for many reasons, I'd like to get my non-fiction tarot book done and hopefully out to a publisher. More weight loss would be great, too. And I'd like to write a few more blogs. Yes, Saturn is always hoping I'll go on a schedule...

I'm also looking forward to Friday night, where I will guide another group of Witches on a fantastic spiritual journey with the Tradition of the Witches Circle in Witchcraft 101. Hopefully I will learn as much from them as they do from me. But it's definitely exciting!

I look forward to reading for the first time in the New Year at 13 Magickal Moons (www.13magickalmoons.com) on Saturday, January 4, from 11:30-5:30. I hope you can join us. It's usually busy so be prepared to shop while you wait! 

I wish you and yours success, happiness, prosperity, and joy in 2014. May the Lord and Lady bless you abundantly and often!

Letter From Neptune: Enjoying the Holidaze

Dear John...

Another Christmas is here, and already people around the world are riding with me! It's pretty cool but also a little bit scary.

Alcohol consumption and therapy are both in my purview, and it's facsinating to me that many people spend the holidays self-medicating both ways. It's not a problem on both counts when neither are taken to an extreme, though. What I find really interesting is that people end up spending the holiday with most of the people who were involved in causing the difficulties in the first place. Why that is I have no idea. Maybe people are trying to deal with their problems head-on, and that's more of a Mars way of handling the situation. I'm more of an "avoid the problems" type; it always seems to work for me.

Anyway, enjoy your Mike's Hard Lemonade and have a fantastic day! Hope it won't be the subject of any therapy sessions later. 

Believe,

Neptune

Update: Venus Retrograde...going on now!

[I deleted my last Venus retrograde post by accident, folks, and people were looking for it. So I made a few tweaks and re-posted. Most of the updates are at the bottom. Thanks for tuning in!]

You know the drill by now, folks. But just in case, here's a reminder of just how vital Venus is. 

OK, so let's start off with some background. Venus is a planet that is extremely important astrologically, although many of us don't really pay much attention to it unless it's Valentine's Day. Here are some of the things Venus rules:

• Love and attraction
• Beauty in form
• Refinement of artistic tastes
• Our romantic, poetic, and artistic selves

Taurus and Libra folks, this is your ruling planet, the lovely and charming Venus. Some of you may also know her as the Greek goddess Aphrodite. 

Most people think about love and attraction only when it comes to romance. I'm here to tell you that Venus also has a financial role. Why? Because if we are in business for ourselves, for example--like yours truly--our ability to make money and succeed depends on our ability to attract and retain clients. So Venus has an often overlooked role in our financial success. Also, if you're looking for work, Venus is an important planet for you to attract the attention of the right employer. Problems with Venus in your birth chart and indicate both love and money difficulties.

So I hope I've been able to convince you that this lady is nothing to be trifled with. Venus goes into retrograde once every eighteen months, and before you open your mouth to complain, it's the LEAST amount of retrograde time of any of the planets in the solar system. You gotta cut the girl some slack; she's busy and needs a break! 

Anyway, when this planet starts to move "backward" in the sky, the focused is on unfinished business in our emotional and financial relationships. Here are some things to know about what you might experience, in both love and money.

Love and social affairs--Overall, relationships tend to slow down. This is not a good time to:

• Get married
• Go on first dates
• Have big parties
• Change your hairstyle
• Wear flamboyant clothing
• Buy a new wardrobe
• Re-decorate your home or business

Business--You may experience:

• Legal issues
• Problems with diplomacy or negotiations

Also, this is NOT a good time to begin new business partnerships. So if you can avoid doing this until it's over, all the better. 

Relationships that are already having difficulty may feel additional pressure. Venus retrograde often forces us to face feelings that we have ignored in the past, and re-evaluate those friendships and romantic partnerships as these emotions re-surface.

I wanted to make one thing clear as well: This is a time to acknowledge these feelings, but it's not a time to act on them. Wait until the retrograde period is over to do so.

Statistically speaking, January is when the most marriages and divorces occur, and with Venus in retrograde in Capricorn, a stable, long-term sign, a lot of marriages may be breaking up this holiday season. Evaluate your feelings carefully now. 

Good luck! If you have any stories that I can share, please let me know!

Keeping Saturn in Saturnalia

Dear John,

First of all, welcome to my time of year! I know how excited you must be that my influence is at its peak now. I know I am! I provide the season with a sense of dignity and peace. 

With the understanding that you are on vacation and with sincere apologies for the interruption, I am writing to complain about a story I heard involving me. An athiest group decided to put up a banner that said "Keep Saturn in Saturnalia!" in response to a New Jersey town's "Keep Christ in Christmas!" banner. And then some idiot decided to try to burn down the sign that was dedicated to me! 

If I was Neptune I would probably say "WHAT THE HELL...?" But since I'm not him...or her...I'll just say I am saddened that some group who believes in no higher power anyway decided to throw me into this fight without even warning me first. That was undignified to say the least, and downright impolite. There was no need for that.

There are so many things wrong with this picture. I thought that people on earth were supposed to be nicer at this time of year. I guess not. 

Do you know how many years it has been since people celebrated Saturnalia? A heck of a long time. It was pretty good when it went on...I think it was nice. But you know, times change and the world moves on. They don't need to bring it back.

I don't want to be a pawn in some stupid fight over a banner...well, technically about two banners. Can't everyone just...what's the phrase you prefer? "Get over themselves"? 

People are powerful. They have choices and control. Why let a banner upset you? If you don't like what the town is doing, then don't go down there or spend your money there. If you are that offended, move out. (Did anyone tell them that many pagans worship me? Are you really sure an athiest group should be invoking a Roman god? Kind of odd, wouldn't you agree?)

By the same token, the Saturnalia banner should get the same respect as the other one. No one has tried to burn that one down, right? At least not yet. But some misguided soul couldn't stand their beliefs being mocked by an old Roman holiday? Really? All it takes is a joke for your faith to feel threatened? Sounds like someone needs to examine their own beliefs a little harder. The same rules apply for these people. If you don't like it, don't look. And put down the accelerant and matches before you hurt yourself! 

Of course, I didn't take it personally. It would have been the same as if someone who knew Neptune rules music to say "Keep the 'tune' in Neptune!", or even "Keep the 'us' in Venus!" to push the value of relationships. Am I sounding stupid now? Yup. And that is the point. 

Anyway, I am so sorry for interrupting your vacation. Enjoy my season...and if you are feeling frisky, a dance for Saturnalia would make me happy. 

Very truly yours,

Saturn