The Week Ahead

February 8 — February 14

Year of the Tiger
Feeling Safe in a Changing World

Next Sunday, February 14th, is not only Valentine's Day, but it's also the beginning of the Chinese New Year. This is the year of the metal Tiger also called the Golden or White Tiger (Gold because of metal and white symbolizes metal in Chinese systems like astrology and Feng Shui.)  Tigers are known for their intelligence, competitiveness, courage, resilience, vanity, friendliness, and magnetism. They are bold, charismatic and authoritarian leaders. They are motivated by strength and power and driven by passion.

Chinese astrology considers good fortune to be dependent on balancing the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Therefore, just like with Western astrology, making blanket statements about a year being lucky or unlucky is too general of a statement.  However, that being said, because Tigers are courageous protectors of home and family, the year of the Tiger is rumored to be lucky for avoiding what the Chinese consider to be three main tragedies at home – fire, thieves and ghosts!

The Tiger can inspire images of both danger and protection, which gets me to thinking about what makes me feel safe.  This week I would encourage you to think seriously about your own ‘security blankets'. If you are depending on a relationship – personal or professional, a building, a home, a job, a vacation, or an event – what happens when the winds of change blow through?  Sometimes it seems like we are children building sand castles on the beach. Great fun in the moment but we need to expect the inevitable tide to wash them away. I'm not saying this to depress you, only to encourage you to examine where you put your trust.  Is it in the sand castle or in your ability to build a sand castle whenever and wherever you want?

Here's a look at the changing astrological patterns this week. The thinking mind escalates its speed not only in time but in all directions of perception when Mercury leaves the stoic ground of Capricorn and launches into Aquarius on Wednesday.  On Thursday, charming Venus abandons the Aquarian ‘Vive la difference' approach to relationships for the more perceptive in imaginative Pisces. Venus here is romantic and idealistic. Translation: your lover can blithely overlook all your weakness and flaws and in fact shares with friends that you must be the reincarnation of a Greek god or at the very least an ‘evolved soul'. But keep reading – Pisces idealism can lead to unrealistic expectations. Focus on the sweetness and the increased sensitivity and you will significantly deepen the bonds of your relationships.

On Saturday evening, compassionate Neptune and healing Chiron join the New Moon at 25 Aquarius to launch new beginnings rooted in compassion and healing. This is a promising combination as Neptune's influence is one of dissolving boundaries and differences. Chiron represents where we can heal ourselves by integrating the various pieces we have cast out as ‘other' or not belonging. Our strength lies in being able to accept and incorporate all the elements of our selves; Chiron can lead us on this healing journey.

That brings us back around to Sunday and Valentine's Day and the Chinese New Year. Embrace the fearlessness of the tiger and expand your awareness of love in its many forms in your life. Until next week, let go and wear loose clothes.

Click here to get a reading from C. A.

February 8 MOON in SAGITTARIUS

Moon Void of Course 8:58 pm (PST) – 2:43 am Tuesday morning The week may be off to a sort of grumpy start with the Sun (ego, identity) in Aquarius forming an uncomfortable connection to Pluto. This is a classic power struggle where we resist the dominance of others and having someone else direct our path or make decisions that influence our lives. However, be open to the idea that external events may be working with your inner guidance helping you choose amongst alternatives. With a Moon in free-wheeling Sagittarius we're reticent to accept any limits even when they might be useful. If you check in with yourself, you will probably find there is a decision that needs to be made or a relationship, project or idea that needs nurturing or care. It may be a sign to stop generating new ideas or fantasizing about future relationships or projects and instead take care of the ones in your life right now.   A square-off between the Moon and edgy Uranus may extend the morning restlessness through the afternoon and evening. Get ready for the year of the Tiger by practicing your ability to stay emotionally resilient – ready for surprises and willing to go with what comes your way.

My safety lies in remembering my identity and embracing the truth about myself.

FEBRUARY 9 MOON in CAPRICORN

It's a no-nonsense day with the Moon in hard-working Capricorn. The mood of seriousness will be underlined when the Moon square's off with Saturn, Capricorn's ruler in midmorning. Just in case you were thinking of sneaking out for a double latte or taking an extended lunch hour, you might think twice when the Moon hooks up with Pluto. This morning's triple play focuses on getting the job done and attending to duties and obligations. It might be a good idea to double check your date book to make sure you haven't overlooked a meeting or deadline. If you can afford the time – treat yourself to your favorite take out and tune in to ‘Consciously Creating with Laura and Kelly on 12Radio.com at Noon (PST). It's worth the listen and you can certainly eat and listen at the same time! The sober mood should be appeased somewhat in the afternoon when the Moon makes a friendly connection with Jupiter. This liaison reminds us to ask for what we want and have faith that our wishes and dreams are actually forms of divine guidance.

When I identify with love, I am safe.

FEBRUARY 10 MOON in CAPRICORN

Although the emotional tone may still be dictated by a guarded Capricorn Moon, the thinking mind is ready to cut loose as Mercury enters hyperactive Aquarius. Mercury here is insatiable for knowledge especially anything controversial, revolutionary and even unpopular. If the winter doldrums are getting you down, here's the mind's way of breaking free and taking a vacation. Honor this energy with the inquisitiveness of a cat (or tiger). Entertain an idea or concept that doesn't fit into your usual repertoire. Have you been interested or curious about something?  Over the next few weeks check it out.  Take a class; sign up for a workshop; get a book from the library; go to a lecture, surf the web. See all those website links attached to this Power Peek? Check them out. When you return to the Power Peek each day to read this column (you do come back everyday don't you?) Each day click on several of the links and see where the people and ideas will take you. Motivational Mars languishing a bit in retrograde orbit makes a quirky but useful connection to Jupiter today. If you have been working on some plans, they may not be quite ready to launch yet, but the insight from Pisces-inspired Jupiter may help fill in some of the missing details. Don't expect great external gains, but know you are laying the necessary groundwork to move the project closer to completion.

Curiosity is my inner guidance moving me toward new areas of joy.

FEBRUARY 11 MOON IN CAPRICORN / AQUARIUS

Moon Void of Course 4:39 am (PST) – 3:24 pm The Moon is void-of-course from very early morning through mid-afternoon maybe thwarting the some of the constructive efforts of the practical Capricorn Moon. However, sweet Venus softens emotions and cranks up the intuition when she moves into telepathic Pisces (4:10 am PST).   The Moon enters Aquarius in mid-afternoon making connections to both rebellious Uranus and thinking Mercury and moves toward a supportive connection with Saturn tonight. A late afternoon or evening tryst could prove to be both inspirational and productive especially to those planning to overthrow the establishment – oops I mean to those Aquarian-style innovators who are looking to establish a new world order. Even for those of us with milder visions of ‘consciously creating' (to borrow a phrase) a new reality for ourselves should enjoy the sparkle and excitement of this energy.

It is safe for me explore new ideas and relationships.

FEBRUARY 12 MOON in AQUARIUS

Awareness is the name of the game today when Mars makes a connection with Pluto that provides the opportunity to get some emotional or cognitive ‘distance' from a situation. These two power planets can spell trouble when they come into a scrappy alignment with each other, but this one has a silver lining. If we are willing to back up and look with an objective lens (both the Sun and Mercury in Aquarius provides this), we will find opportunity where before we saw only challenge.  As an added bonus, our understanding and benefit will increase if we are willing to share our insight with others. Your unique perspective or way of handling a situation may be exactly the help someone else is looking for. This is one of those times to remember ‘you can't miss your destiny'. A Moon opposite Mars may stir up feelings of inadequacy but don't believe it. Communicating Mercury in a strong positive relationship with Saturn confirms the wisdom of sharing your insights no matter how insignificant they may seem to you. At the risk of being too cliche, shine your light exactly where you are standing; and bloom where you are planted.

I can't miss my destiny.

FEBRUARY 13 NEW MOON 25 AQUARIUS 6:51 pm (PST)

As the lunar cycle wraps up today, thinking Mercury quarrels with motivational Mars. This oppositional alignment polarizes our thinking minds, filled with the revolutionary and fair-minded Aquarian vision, against actions which tend to be much more self-serving (Leo). This can result in internal struggles and snippy arguments with others. It's easy to feel frustrated and impatient with our own lives and it's very convenient to project our irritation onto others. Avoid finding fault and practice walking away if you feel provoked. Find a way to soothe the inner beast and choose your battles carefully. This energy can also make us accident-prone especially if we are focusing on formulating our next stinging comeback and not paying attention. If you find yourself in a traffic jam, a long security line at the airport, or an argument with someone, close your mouth and open you heart and mind. Imagine a path or solution materializing in front of you. You don't have to make one up, just let it present itself. This evening the slate is wiped clean as the New Moon in Aquarius, side-by-side with compassionate Neptune and healing Chiron launches a new 29 day cycle. Anticipation of a brighter future meets creativity and the power of insight.  Don't miss this opportunity to set a new intention for your life.

I focus on what brings me joy and happiness, not on conflict.

FEBRUARY 14 MOON in PISCES VALENTINES DAY CHINESE NEW YEAR

It could be a little rough going for relationships this Valentine's Day – maybe it's the birth of the restless Tiger on this first day of the Chinese New year. Astrologically speaking, both Saturn (discipline) and Mars (motivation) are forming an alliance (exact tomorrow) that puts Venus in the apex of a vice grip called a Yod, also known as ‘the finger of god'. Literally, she's getting the squeeze from both planets which can result in our feeling the same pressure of being between a rock and a hard place in our relationships (or maybe our finances). The accepted wisdom is that the pressure is released through the opposite point – which in this case is practical and grounded Virgo. There probably is a message here about standing on your own two feet and remembering that you are the captain of your destiny. Relationships are wonderful, great learning tools and a comfort on the journey but another person can never keep you ‘safe' or make you whole.  You do that on your own by remembering your divine origin.   In contrast to the Yod, there will be plenty of feel-good energy today as the Moon in intuitive Pisces hooks up with Venus and Jupiter.  The Sun too let's down its defenses to merge with the effervescent air of Neptune. And as an omen for positive transformation in relationships, Venus is on her way to a supportive connection with Pluto late tonight.

When I focus on the love in my life I find my identity and my rightful place in the world.

Hey Everyone,

My Dad is amazing. I talked with him today and you can hear that his breathing is considerably stronger; his confidence is larger and his spirit more hopeful.

Now I don't have any proof, but I believe with all my heart that his strength is directly related to your kind letters and energetic support. I forward him notes from you and his Leo Moon howls with delight. "Who are these people?" he often asks because he just can't (and I just can't make him) wrap his head around Radio, Newsletters, web sites yadda, yadda. The most important thing is that he knows that somewhere out THERE, someone (whom he would probably like) is thinking of him. He really is a dear man and you really are a dear group. Thank you.

The theme for my consciousness this week is recognizing the shadow, that dark, painful part of us that we can't touch (or look at) without some (often great) effort. Carl Jung was a stickler for finding the Shadow because he felt without seeing it we would just be run by judgments and fears that are misplaced upon others. Shadows lurk most darkly where the light is shining most brightly. Starting with organizations. They're the most fun to pick on. I was reading about Pat Robertson's comments about Haiti and how they 'made a pact with the Devil to be released from Frances Rule' now the Devil has come to fulfill his contract.

That's a very blatant use of projecting the shadow. Here, Pat is saying, "Us bright and right ones don't have to have a lot of compassion here because those dark and wrong ones had it coming." Now if Pat was doing his work with his therapist (I know, it takes time) he would see that he's defending his shadow (the oppressor) by accusing the victims of seeking freedom. So his shadow is that he cannot look upon the oppressors as wrong because he would have to see himself. But if I begin to judge Pat for being a hypocrite, I'd have to be careful about what my defenses are up to regarding my shadow.

Many of you know I love A Course In Miracles (I always qualify it by saying "not the Marianne Williamson course" but one mostly espoused by Kenneth Wapnick). In the throws of my studies I remember Ken talking about how we project this idea of what being "Spiritual" means and we try to stick it. We may find that idea from a church or a book but whatever it is, we usually start developing an idea that feels pretty good. Soon, we start seeing others NOT doing the things we think define spirituality and we start "not associating with them". We tell ourselves "I'm not judging them, I just want them to be happy "OVER THERE".

Now we have convinced ourselves that we are being nice (like the customer from Sedona I told you about who was enraged when I tried to kibitz with her about the "crazies" in Sedona and she acted like I tortured her mother and burnt her house down - all the while walking around saying, "Love is all there is Love is all there is, Love is ...") when in reality we're actually stuffing our rage which is actually just covering up this enormous fear we have of God. In fact, the fear of God is our number one obstacle to peace. Ken would say, " Make no mistake about it, your mind is vicious, it deeply believes that God is a murdering God and will kill those that aren't good and true" (To see Ken talk on the lessons of Haiti, please see my friend Jamie's Blog "AcimMonk.com")

I know for some of you that may seem like a harsh statement but I think it's true. I think we are so afraid that God is angry at us (that is why we get baptized to wash the sin we think we have for just taking a breath) that we spend the majority of our life finding people, groups, organizations, ideas, presidents and courts to show that we're not as bad as they are. It's like saying "Look God, get them first, I would never be that bad.

So the idea is that one of the first steps to wholeness is to bring your truth to the "Altar' and lay it out. Like I told a customer mad at me for not giving her what she wanted. She said to me, "I thought you were Mr 'Course in Miracles' and all about love". I told her the reason I studied the Course was because I didn't know crap about love but learned to be honest enough to admit it."

As we move toward the holiday that celebrates relationships, remember that what you think something is, is probably not that at all. That gives you a perfect neutral point to just be you, with all your quirks, judgments and righteous proclamations. And know that somewhere within us, as we freely flow through this crazy chaos stream, lies a memory of the truth of God who's probably not a murderer, not a hater of certain groups, not a bargainer, a tester or a smiter (I have to look that word up) but the most pure form of love - something admittedly unfamiliar.

As Always,
I'm with you on the quest,
Mark

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Angelic Whisper Cards:
A new way for Angelic messages to be conveyed!

Angela Hartfield has been with the 12Family since it's inception online. Starting as an advisor on 12Listen.com she migrated to 12Angel, which was fitting with her administrative role for Doreen Virtue. I had the privilege of holding this card deck and the first thing you notice is the substance; these are seriously sturdy cards whose colors pop and whose message sings. They are published in Japan, where quality is part of the pride and where she was ASKED to create them based on her classes in Japan on listening to the messages of Angels. These won't look familiar because they aren't the same old art recycled with nice words. Each card is given a name and meaning and contains the oft missing depth found in other cards of similar shape. But that's not Angie's only gift to us…

The LoveScopes Weeklies are Done!

by Julia Stonestreet Smith

The winds of change are blowing this week. Some of what's happening is welcome and some of it is not. The trick to moving through this time period has to do with staying loose and receptive. There's no point in trying to hang on to something that's ending. Grieve if necessary but cultivate a willingness to move forward.

Important information is coming and when it arrives, everything starts to fall into place. The clarity and insight we're about to experience will help heal fear and doubt. The story we constructed to make sense of things is falling apart while something much better and more affirming is taking its place. This new narrative allows for bigger manifesting and more abundance.

Life can and will be magical for those open to miracles. How do we accomplish this openness? It starts with intention and the understanding that we are not alone here. We are always in contact with the Divine whether we feel it or not. Take some time this week to feel the connection. You'll find it in a favorite space, place or face.

Join me for Soul Song Meditation at 12academy, every Thursday!

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Wisdom at 12Academy!
	DEEP TRANCE. LET'S DO SOME DEEP TRANCE DIVING INTO YOUR BIG SPIRIT SELF. Sunday February 7, 5:00p -6:00p PST $36 with KRISTINA W In this class, we relax into deep trance. We all have a deep trance state that serves us in many different ways. We will look at mediumship, trance healing, and the spirit guides that we commune with in this passive
	A MAGICAL JOURNEY: HOW TO BEGIN YOUR PATH THROUGH THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD OF TAROT SUNDAY February 7 11:00am - 12:00pm $44 with RADLIEGH Many people are intrigued by the art and magic of Tarot, but they simply do not know how to begin. Radleigh has been reading and teaching through the Tarot for over 15 years. Join him as he shows you how joyful
	JOURNEY THROUGH THE CHAKRAS: A CLOSER LOOK SERIES. INTRODUCING THE HEART CHAKRA SUNDAY February 7 4:00pm - 5:00pm PST $30 with CARMEN The heart chakra or fourth chakra, is the center of love within you, love of yourself and others. It is the center of your connection, or relationship, to others in your life. It is a very powerful chakra, energetically.
	CHANNEL 444: FINDING YOURSELF WITH ARCHANGEL CHAMUEL MONDAY February 8 6:00pm -7:00pm $44 with TINA MARIE DALY This class will continue the series of classes where every class is devoted to a particular Archangel. This is an amazing way to learn who's who in the Angelic realm and begin to work with each of them in a new way. Each
	SO YOU WANT TO BE A PROFESSIONAL ADVISOR? TUESDAY February 8 6:00pm-7:00pm $144 with AUDRA GARCIA Take your natural intuitive abilities to the next level and learn how you can put your inner knowingness to work and help others by being a professional advisor. Join Audra as she teaches you specific tools that will help amp up
	THE MEDICINE WHEEL: A JOURNEY OF LIFE, LOVE, PEACE, AND COMPASSION CLASS #1 TUESDAY February 9 11:00am -12:00pm $35 with FRAN RUSSO The Medicine Wheel is that journey from deep within the heap of old stuff that no longer works or serves, lighting the way up to the top, helping you to discover that you always had the choice of flight. The four major
	GETTING IN TUNE WITH YOUR INDIVIDUAL GUIDANCE TUESDAY February 9 6:00pm -7:00pm $55 with MELISS FREI Every soul comes into life on earth with intuition, but as we integrate here and gain experience in each life, we become more focused on what we learn through experience and lose the innate ability to “intuit” what's best in . . .
	THE TEACHINGS OF PERU WEDNESDAY February 10 11:00am -12:00pm $40 with FRAN RUSSO The Teachings of Peru shows us ways to make a conscious choice to engage Life with Delight, not Fear. It goes directly to the core of your being, without stories or personal points of references. By remembering it’s not
	ANGEL CARD READING 101 THURSDAY February 11 6:00pm-7:00pm $50 with BRITTANY J.This class is co facilitated by Brittany K. James and Melissa Frei. The practice of using oracles is an ancient and sacred tradition. In this class, you will learn how to bring this practice into your life or enhance the practice

All Times Pacific Time For a complete listing, please Visit 12Academy.com!

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