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Andrew Bell
 When I set off to College, I knew that I would learn a lot of new historical facts, political ideologies, cultural practices, as well as scientific theories, but what I have found out now, is that along with these things, I have also learned other and much more meaningful things along the way. For the first time I feel that not only has my intellectual capacity been challenged, but so has my moral code. I'm now alone, and supervision and parental control is clearly a thing of the past. Temptation is constantly lurking, and the true face of the world is now evident. For a while, this definitely rocked my psyche, challenging me on who I wanted to become. Like a typical Libra, I was constantly conflicted between preserving the immaturity of my youth and growing up and facing the immense challenges that arise. However, aside from an unusually rough semester, I feel as if I have now made my choice and will face the consequences that stem from it.
Aside from esoteric facts and interesting anecdotes, my teachers have taught me something much more important. I now know, that no one has all the answers or follows the perfect method, and as a result the burden lies on everyone to contribute their opinion, because only then can we resolve many of the world's conflict. Shockingly, I took a general Psychology course taught by a teacher that renounced astrology and ignored Jung and a Mozart class taught by a teacher that overlooked the strong influence of Mozart's Catholic belief and its influence on his music. Both teachers claimed to be experts on their given topics, with the credentials to prove it; however their rejection of exploration and reluctance to open-minded thought prevented me from clearly and thoroughly understanding their given subjects, and taught me that what we take as rational thought is at many times objective, and can and should be interpreted.
I now know that it is my turn to regulate my own behavior and think "rationally" alone. Teachers can definitely guide me, and my friends and parents can help keep me honest, but at the end of the day, it is my turn to make out of this great world what I want from it.
Kid Bell
 ‘The time has come the walrus said to speak of cabbages and kings…' and I have to weigh in with ‘and name it'-name the sick, sorry, sadistic, self-serving actors on the world stage, from political players to real actors and those who purport to speak for those of us in the great unwashed and also to name what diseases hold you hostage and refuse to let you become authentic. I am the man who wrote You Are Not Who You Think You Are: a Breakthrough Guide to the Authentic You, which will be published by Atria Books, a division of Simon and Schuster in December, 2008. Even if you read the one we self-published, read this one and give it to your family and friends for Christmas. This version had the brilliant editing of Karin Price-Mueller. The first line is, ‘Everybody needs a touchstone'. Don't you love it? I wrote it, she edited it to make it better. Actually she named what was wrong with the book and she and I fixed it together. Now, don't you really love it!
Psychiatrist Dr. M. Scott Peck wrote a book (Paperback, Touchstone, 1998; 276 pages) which we are featuring again as a Book We Recommend. After I have spent so much of the last year helping people escape from the bramble bushes of abusive parents and spouses and bosses-as well as writing about those who want to become President of the United States-and more so about those who get the microphone too often or the newsprint or-whatever-I decided to turn the klieg lights on high beam to go back over what Scott Peck was trying to tell us about ourselves and the responsibility we must have to name something.
For instance he has a marvelous and gut wrenching story about a mother and father who were and are so narcissistic and layered with a ton of defenses about themselves and their reprehensible behavior that they gave a rifle to their surviving son for a Christmas present which their older son had used to kill himself. Dr. Peck called them unconscionable self-centered non-authentic parents and because they were unwilling to see that they had a hand in killing their older son and by giving the gun to their younger son were implying that he might as well kill himself, too, refused to work any longer with them. He called them what they were and are: people of the lie. I agree with Scott Peck and I wanted to out you about where you stand with bad boy and bad girl behavior, especially if it is yours.
I live too close to the airy fairy metaphysical nonsense that is trying to insinuate itself into mainstream consciousness now that the “real” world has gotten all of us into a pickle and caught between insanity and/or continuing to pay a piper who will never let us stop paying-you know the drill, stock market, Hollywood star worship, football mania, all the addictions and compulsions, a government that fails us-when we should be responsible for ourselves.
The self-righteous of the spiritual community glom onto judgment-they go on the attack when you set standards of good behavior and ethics-‘you're judging'-no Bullwinkle we are naming it like Scott Peck suggested we do. There are so many pinheads and misguided leaders who take a course in Reiki and, voila, instant master. I heard of one woman who was told that she was the second coming of something or other and she wonders why no one is listening to her. Still others sit in a sweat lodge or go into trance with a hands-on healing group and the next thing you know they are now healing cancer and mental illnesses. Hogwash! People like to find the guru of the month and then storm out when his hocus pocus doesn't work.
Folks, I am merely naming what something is and asking you to use discernment and gut checks (read ‘listen to the still small voice within you') with whatever you are going to follow and to whom are you going to listen in order to get out of the disorder in your life.
And the next time someone untested and unproven and who has a rap sheet as long as his arm tries to sell you on his enlightenment answer him as Louis B. Mayer used to, “Count me out.”
Peck discusses narcissism and how it can destroy one's capacity to have a meaningful relationship with another human being, whether it is with a spouse, children, family or friends. He describes evil in such a chilling and disturbing fashion that you will begin to look around eerily at those in your life to see if you can spot evil when it touches you. He includes in the group of those with narcissistic tendencies as people who find glory and fame in the spiritual community because so many people are drawn to charismatic and alluring people who purport to have all the answers.
I am not suggesting that there are not those of us who come to you with integrity. But I am warning you that you could be buying a book or tape or going to a concert or lecture because it is what the ‘name and fame' proponents are hawking on their television shows or websites or in psychic fairs. Use discernment. Get references and check out who the reference is coming from.
The subtext to what I have written here is to get you to wake up-come out from under the ether-snap out of the hypnotic trance state and begin to look inside for how to live in the outside world. Things are devolving faster than the speed of light so you had better wake up and plot your course, hopefully with a power greater than yourself and of your own understanding.
 The cycle of Aries the Ram runs from March 19th through April 18th. It is a cardinal fire sign and the first sign of the Zodiac, is the emergence of the sprouting seed. I am giving you a baby bird astrology lesson because this is really the beginning of the year, astrologically. As you see the Ram with his head down and butting anything in his way, it lets you know the kind of month that lies ahead. Expect the cosmic energy to promote those who are adventuresome and bold—often tactless—nothing stands in the way of the Ram. However, be warned, you self-motivated and ‘run before you get the roadmap types’ that Pluto is beginning to be an impediment that you can’t move with dynamite or determination.
There is a Full Moon at 01 degree of Libra on March 21st at 11:40 a.m. (PST) which happens to be Purim and Good Friday. Remember Full Moons are about endings and New Moons about new beginnings. You might quit a job or worse under a Full Moon and start a new one under a New Moon. It will affect most severely those of you born between March 20 – 31; June 21 – 30; September 23 – 30 and December 22 – 31.
The New Moon will be at 16 degrees of Aries on April 5th at 8:55 p.m. (PST). It will most affect those of you born between April 5 – 15; July 5 – 15; October 4 – 14 and January 5 – 15.
Saturn will be retrograde from the 3rd degree through the 1st degree throughout the Arian cycle. The good news for the Virgos and Pisces and Sagittarians and Geminis is that the harsh and stern lessons that Saturn oftentimes comes to teach us will be less severe at this time.
Since Pluto and Jupiter are so recent into Capricorn let’s remind all the Cardinal Signs, Capricorn, Aries, Cancer and Libra that these planets in Capricorn can slow down your momentum and make you adjust to what they have come to teach you. If you really want to know the real deal for you, call the office and make an appointment and have a phone session.
The signs that will benefit most this month are Aries and other fire signs, Leo and Sagittarius. Also coming under generally more favorable down stream effects with be Air Signs, Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. |
A lot of times I want to live life with all the excitement and enjoyment I can cram into one day. I love when my adrenalin is flowing, the weather is just right and I make time to ride my horse, Magic, or simply stop and breathe the fresh air. At the same time, when work is challenging and busy and I am feeling productive, I am on top of the world. But when there is a down cycle in business or the weather is not cooperating to be outdoors or I am overly concerned about finances, I can become irritable and discontent. Some days it is as if my relationship with a Higher Power has gone right out the window. Then I stop and get quiet. I reflect on what I have, rather than on what I think I need, and remember that contentment is an inside job. I read my inspirational books, I talk about what’s going on, and soon the clouds lift and I am grateful that I live the life I lead. Life today is the best it has ever been. I realize that my so-called problems are problems of luxury.
by Sarah McLean