Edition 18 * March 15, 2002 Kitchen Witches by Wacipi
Astrology: Stars In Your Eyes!

STARS IN YOUR EYES!
Astrological Forecasts for Uncommon Womyn and Others
By CHAD HENRY, AFA, NCGR

MARCH ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST

DO YOU KNOW YOUR MOON SIGN?

Most of us know our Sun signsâ€"Libra, Aries, Sagittarius, Pisces, and so on through the zodiac. But how many of us know what sign the Moon was in at the moment of our birth? Though people of all sexes have an astrological Moon, women have a special affinity for this mysterious lady of the nightâ€"no matter where you stand in the butch-femme line-up. Luna rules women, moms, the public, the tides, the menstrual cycle, the moods and emotions. She is intuitive and psychic. She symbolizes the great Goddess in all her phases, from maiden to warrior to mother to crone. Planting by Moon sign improves garden production, and planning by Moon sign can improve every phase of your life. The Moon rules home, family, motherhood, and childbirth. Whereas the planet Mercury rules the analytical, intellectual brain, the Moon rules the entire mind, which receives knowledge and wisdom directly from the universe, the subconscious, and the collective unconscious. She also rules habits and unconscious knowledgeâ€"like knowing how to tie your shoes, drive a car, cruise a cutie without getting busted.

The Moon gives form to your Sun sign, the way a mother gives form to the spark that becomes her child. You may have a rambunctious Aries Sun, but with a Libra Moon, you’ll warm up that drive and assertiveness with diplomacy, tact, consideration and uncertainty. With a Leo Moon, you’re Xena II! There are 144 Sun-Moon combinationsâ€"what’s yours? Your Lunar Phase at birth will tell an astrologer a lot about your mission in life, and the lunar nodesâ€"a lot more, even, according to Indian astrologers, your true life path.

Although women as a rule seem much more in touch with lunar energy than men do, still, Western Civilization keeps trying to steer us away from the irrational, illogical, deep and ancient wisdom of lunar energy, and toward rationality, logic, "common sense", clock time, schedules, facts and figures. In fact, Don Miguel Ruiz, author of the highly recommended "The Four Agreements", calls modern urban humans "domesticated". Which means tamed, intimidated, dumbed down, uptight, cut off from our instinctual, lunar selves. To be truly joyful and connected, we need the freedom to honor our instinctive, lunar identity, which in fact is a big part of our overall personality! Learning your Moon sign, natal Lunar Phase, and sign and house placement of your lunar nodes, is a first step toward better self-understanding.

For those who follow the paths of Wicca, Tibetan Buddhism, and so many other spiritual practices, following the phases of the Moon, and celebrating the New and Full Moons every month, are an important part of worship. Honoring the new and full moons monthly, even with a single white candle, can help to reconnect you when you’re feeling lonely, cut off, depressed, flat and dull, or trapped in a boring job, a frustrating relationship, an environment that doesn’t bring you happiness. If you don’t have one, find a picture that you love of any one of the great Goddesses of any world religion, from Virgin Mary to Kali to Kwan Yinâ€"or even mix and match!â€"make a tiny little shrine to the Goddess on your bookshelf or window sill, and start watching the moon phasesâ€"with a calendar, the newspaper, or one of the many online resources that track the phases, such as Lunabar.com. Light that candle twice a month on the new and full moons, light some great incense, ring a bell, give her a brownie or a glass of vodka, and ask Her for guidance, wisdom, love, health, and luck. Connect with her during your period, too. Chanting, drumming, dancing, singing, playing music, making freeform artwork, playing games, meditating, casting spells, working with Tarot, I Ching or runes or other non-linear spirit work can help forge a link back to your lunar self, and back to wholeness and happiness.

The New Moon in March is the 14thâ€"the Full Moon is on the 28th. The New Moon is a great time to start a new project. The Full Moon is a time to reap, and a time to wrap up loose ends.

# # #

Since March brings the spring equinox and the Sun moves into the Cardinal sign of Aries, I’ll give you a quick thumbprint of Moon in Aries: Restless, impatient, quick, fiery, assertive, a natural leaderâ€"Aries Moon likes to be numero uno. Even women with Aries Moon are male chauvinists! They’ve always got one eye on the future and hate to wait in line, and slowpokes drive them nuts. They want to be independent, free to come and go at will, and they want to do things their own way. They like speed and efficiency. Their leadership style is "you can follow me or not-but I’m gonna be out there in front!" A lot of folks with Aries Moon will tell you they had horrible fights at home, especially with dad. They tend to drive too fast, even though their skills and coordination are usually excellent. A partner with Aries Moon needs a long leash. Unless the Moon is cooled off by a tough aspect from planets such as Saturn or Neptune, you need action, speed, and lots of good lovin’.

ARIES

You’ll experience your Solar Return on or near your birthday, the time when the transiting Sun comes home to the exact place of your natal Sun, setting the tone and theme for the coming year. The first three weeks of the month may find you feeling like you want to check in to a nice quiet convent or ashram or rehab joint somewhere, spend some down time meditating and retreating from all the craziness. This is a great time to clean up some old loose ends, spend time at the hot springs, a yoga or meditation weekend, hit that 12-step program a little harder, stay out of the bars and off the X, and put in time at the library, university, hospital, prison (hopefully as a volunteer!), or whatever other institution you might be linked to. With the Pisces Sun transiting through your 12th House of Self-Undoing, keep your nose clean nowâ€"figure out in what way you are your own worst enemy, and stifle that behaviorâ€"for a while anyway.

On March 20thâ€"sistah!--break out the champagneâ€"the Sun’s crossed over into your first house and the sign of Aries, it’s the spring Equinox, full speed ahead for you rams and lambs, and the Sun’ll be hooking up with Venus, putting an extra bounce in your step and zapping up your love life. Mars through your 2nd house may bring financial opportunities beginning the 7th. On the 1st, it may be a good time to buy property or new furniture to spruce up the love shack. It’s also an especially good month for group activities with your sewing circle or biker club or drumming gang.

TAURUS

The Sun’s in your solar 11th house until the 20th. Time spent socially, with your "people", your groups, political activist group, dream circle, folks you have common cause withâ€"can be energetic, exciting, and way fun. Follow that dream, tooâ€"focus on some of your big life goals, both the possible and the impossible ones. Like they say, write it down, make it happen. If you’re in business for yourself, this may be an "up" period for your balance sheet. This is a great time to bring in new people into your circle, make new friends, making your goals public.

On March 20th, when the Sun moves into your solar 12th, things will tend to quiet down for you. Do some spring cleaning, paint the kitchen, pay off your credit card, do a cleanse, get off your Taurus "tochas" and go for a hike or a weekend bike ride. Spend some down time with a few close friends, a lover, a cat, or yourselfâ€"get off your earth-bound trip for a while, light some incense, get a tarot reading, have a massage, go hang gliding, or just a nice hot bath with some bath salts and candles and wine. Educational action is good this month. You may get some added responsibilities at work this month, or find you need to tighten your purse strings a little bit. There may be health worries with a parent, or maybe some confusion or delusions or general weirdness at work. The full moon on the 28th may make everybody a little edgy; don’t forget your Full Moon ceremony!

GEMINI

Emphasis on career this month, boss-type people, maybe even good old Mom. This is a great time to put some extra shine on things at work; Venus in your solar 10th will give you some nice opportunity to mix business with pleasure, too! You might feel inspired artistically, musically, or moved to volunteer some time at the local children’s hospital, or to help a friend move (if you’re REALLY a saint!). The pagan festival of Ostara occurs on March 21st, the spring Equinox, which coincides roughly with Easterâ€"a little spring fling is definitely called for. You might be a little more serious and hard-working this month, not quite your usual Gemini motormouth self. Careful who you slip off with for a night of joy this monthâ€"your emotions aren’t as reliable as usual. And there might be a real strong urge to do some spring cleaning around relationships, especially on the 22nd.

CANCER

Pisces Sun in your solar 9th house this month puts the spotlight on travel, higher education (including online study), publishing, spiritualityâ€"and horses (for all you pony girls and boys)! On the 20th, the emphasis shifts to your career, your reputation, and your status (including new committed relationships). You might push for more money and recognition now, and spend time with Momâ€"if that relationship is rocky, this might be a time to take steps toward healing. You might feel inspired to get actively involved in political or social activism this monthâ€"but don’t be SO enthusiastic that you turn everybody else off! You might tend to weight gain this month so lay off the Oreos. The stars might nudge you toward some real electric sex this month, and it also might be a time for you to finally decide to dump that nowhere job and reach for something more satisfying.

LEO

The first three weeks of the month may be a good time to think about financial security, to take a look at debts, taxes, mortgages, and your and your partner’s shared resources. If you’re thinking of getting counseling for any reason, during this period you may have easier access to your dreams and your subconscious mindâ€"all that buried STUFF that needs to get thrown out. Clean out closets, basements, attics. You may get financial or other support from people who want to help out. Long-distance travel, continuing ed, or working with exotic types may happen for you now. After the 20th, you may feel a new energetic push at work in your career. Jupiter going direct in your 12th house may help improve health issues, especially with stomach and digestion. And keep openâ€"you may meet somebody truly magical and excitingâ€"and friendship may turn to looooooove!

VIRGO

This is a month for romance, tying the knot, signing a contract with a business partner, bursting into the public eye if you’re a performer. It’s also a great month to start a new relationship, or buff up your current oneâ€"make some resolutions together to strengthen the bond. You may feel a real drive to fix up the apartmentâ€"new paint, new pix on the wallâ€"or maybe something even more ambitiousâ€"tearing out a wall and putting in new linoleum in the kitchen. Toward the 20th of the month start taking a look at your investments, taxes (you may have filed an extension), how the two of you manage your joint bank account or household budget, or if you’re in business together, getting that start-up loan or seed money from a backer. From the 15th onâ€"possible chances for new romance!

LIBRA

Emphasis for the first three weeks of this month are on your job (NOT your career!) your health, your pets, and your employeesâ€"if you have any! For those fortunate souls whose jobs are also their career, attention you pay to streamlining your efficiency and effectiveness on the job could pay off in increased profits for you. Also, if you have healing skills and talents, these first three weeks are a great time to attend a workshop, or add something new to your healer’s tool kit.

After the 20th, the Sun moves into Libra’s FAVORITE houseâ€"the 7th, house of partnership, marriage, committed relationships, as well as business partnerships, legal contests, and the Public Eyeâ€"where some Venus-ruled Libras love to be! From the 20th on is a great time for a commitment ceremony, signing a partnership or business agreement, settling a lawsuit, or moving in with Ms. Wonderful.

The new moon in Libra on the 28th is a great time to start a new projectâ€"just not a dietâ€"wait until just after the full moon for that! As the Moon gets smallerâ€"hopefully you will too!

SCORPIO

Lucky Scorpio! This is your month to have some fun! Creativity, romance, entertainment, gambling, playing or watching sportsâ€"and kidsâ€"all these things are a great place for Scorpio to focus on in March. Any kid-centered projectâ€"children’s theatre, day care, starting a baby, adopting a childâ€"is favored for you this month. It’s not really the time to try to get serious in a relationshipâ€"this time is better for just having some romantic, casual fun. Wait until late April to move in together!

Those in a tight relationship might run the risk of have a little domestic spat this monthâ€"resolve ahead of time to agree to disagreeâ€"and fight fair!

After the 20th, it’s time to focus special attention on your job and your health. If you’ve been promising yourself you’re going to start lifting, or running, or walking, or even crawling, this is a great time. Just say no to that third helping of Heath Bar Crunch.

Hold off any serious spending that involves you and your partnerâ€"instead, you may suddenly decide to re-wire the apartment just for laughs.

SAGITTARIUS

It might be a little early to be getting the garden ready for plantingâ€"but all 4th house activities are highlighted for Sag this monthâ€"home, hearth, family, the house, gardeningâ€"sometimes "dad" issues are favored now tooâ€"if you need to mend fences with the old guy, this is a time to make steps. Social events at home are favoredâ€"and even though you Sagittarii have trouble staying in one place for long, this might be a good time to put in some work around the house, or stay home and study hard for midterms. For some Sadges, this is the month to tie the knot; for others, if things are looking bleak in the relationship department, this may be the period when it gets over with for good.

Things speed up at work this month; this is also a good time to invest some cash in something conservative like a bond fund or utilitiesâ€"you might also get a nice little financial windfallâ€"pay down your credit card debt!

If you’re into the arts, this is a great time for creative effortsâ€"write that new song, get your novel finished, go get another tattoo, show yourself off at a slam poetry reading!

CAPRICORN

Neighborhood and community matters shine for you the front part of the monthâ€"and if that seems pretty boring, how about your evil siblings, uncles and aunts, communications of all kinds (teaching, learning, the news, reading, writing, cheat sheets, documents, mental/intellectual work), and lots of short trips and travel? After the 20th, pull in your focus to your own home and family and circle of loved ones.

Work may get intenseâ€"you might find yourself working overtime, or being handed extra responsibilitiesâ€"don’t let yourself be a workaholic, which Capricorn can be prone to. Capricorns tend to rise through administrative and management kinds of work, so if they hand you a bunch of extra assignments, show ‘em what you can do! It may lead to a promotion.

Your snoop factor may be get a big boost this month with Pluto in the 12thâ€"investigative, behind the scenes, and research work might be just what you’re good at right now.

AQUARIUS

Money, money, moneyâ€"financial matters get the spotlight the first three weeks of Marchâ€"specifically, money you earn directly through workâ€"not your investments, tax return, lotto ticket or trust fund! Your income, your personal possessions (your furniture, DVD player, Twister game) and your valuesâ€"the things that really matter to you--get the highlights. The 2nd house is also ruled by Ms. Sensuous herselfâ€"Venusâ€"you and your main squeeze might try something a little new and different this month in the passion departmentâ€"maybe a new flavor of Kama Sutra oil? Something featuring feathers?

Then, on the 20th, it’s out of the sack and onto the sidewalk as the focus moves more toward community type involvements in your neighborhood, calling your brother in St. Louis, or taking your Real Estate exams.

You’ve also got the universe pulling for you this month as you sit down with pencil and paper and really get serious about your dreams and your goals.

PISCES

This month, the spotlight is on you, yes, YOU, Pisces person! So get the gum out of your hair, find your car keys, find out if your 1997 tax return is actually somewhere back in the closet behind that stack of songs you wrote five years agoâ€"and put your best foot forward. This is about youâ€"your charisma, your leadership (?), making a good first impression, and kicking off an important new project (a great time to start something new would be the new moon on the 13th).

Then, on the 20th, uh-oh, money. Actually, it might be a good time to boost your income, or balance your checkbook (z-z-z-z) or ask for a raise. Things might get serious around the house at some point during the monthâ€"you might have to get that leak in the basement fixed or move all your tropical fish tanks out of the spare bedroom. Things might get shook up a little if you work at an institution, like a library or schoolâ€"but this might also be a great time to get the boss to take you a little more seriously tooâ€"things could move up a notch for you in the career department this monthâ€"make your move!

Want to know more about your horoscope? You can run a chart for free at www.astro.com. You’ll need to know your date of birth, place of birth, and exact time of birth. Your birth certificate is a more reliable source than mom, usually.

For anyone fortunate enough to be passing through PA, the culinary experience is something you will never forget and want to repeat in your own kitchen.

These folks originally populated Pennsylvania in the 1680s and were primarily Mennonites, Seventh Day Baptists, Moravians, Amish, and a few other groups. They were soon joined by Reformed and Lutherans. These Germanic groups brought with them the recipe secrets and kitchen magic that makes Pennsylvania Dutch cooking so sought after.

The term PA Dutch is not an accurate as they are Germanic in heritage. The German way to say German is Deutsch and Dutch is a bastardization of that. Here, each month, you will find some of the most wonderful taste delights which require relatively little creativity in the kitchen, just follow the directions!

Funnel Cake

3 eggs
2 cups milk
4 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
Oil for frying

Beat eggs and add milk. Sift dry ingredients together and beat the egg-milk mixture into it. Continue beating until batter is smooth. Let stand while you heat the oil to 375 degrees. You need at least 3 or 4 inches of oil.

Batter can be poured into a small pitcher for easier handling. Use a funnel closed off at the end by your finger. The funnel should have an opening of at least 1/2 inch and be able to hold around a cup of batter. Pour some batter into the funnel. Take your finger off the end and swirl the batter in concentric circles into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar, and serve hot. Or you can serve them with maple syrup or a table molasses (like King syrup) for breakfast.

Corn Fritters

6 ears of corn, scrapped
3 eggs, beaten
2 TBSP. flour, or more
Salt and Pepper, to taste

Mix together and fry on greased griddle like pancakes. These are served as a vegetable side dish. These are good! Great for snackin'.

From Our Resident Licensed Nurse

This Article is still under construction and will be published on March 22, 2002. Be sure to check back! Thank you.

Check back next month for a continuation of Shady Grove's column. Due to medical reasons Shady Grove was unable to write an article for this month's issue.

NOTE: This columns focus is psychological and emotional health/well being. Individual, couple, family and community concerns will be addressed here. I am a licensed lesbian feminist therapist. I am writing this column under an assumed nickname for your comfort and mine. The information and suggestions provided here should not be taken as a substitute for in person therapy with a trained clinician in your area. I offer here my perspective, knowledge, and experience to be taken, accepted or rejected as is.

I would like readers to submit topics of interest and questions you would like me to answer in the column. All questions will be answered with the author's identity withheld unless you specify otherwise. Confidentiality will be respected. Please send your comments, suggestions, and questions to me at shrinkonbarbie@yahoo.com

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