ALACAZEM 2013.06.13

14 Jun ALACAZEM 2013.06.13

June 13 to 20, 2013      Visible planets: Morning: none      Evening: Mercury, Venus, Saturn

I have to admit, I am having a difficult time writing the intro to this week’s Alacazem astrology column. I want to write about Elizabeth “Bets” Stiles Patterson, a beautiful young girl who accidentally fell off a cliff on a magnificently magical summer night. It was a night studded with stars, a black Moon, no moonlight, only starlight. She was camping outside of Moab with friends on a fabulously dramatic ridge called Porcupine Rim, which overlooks the red rock spires and canyons of Castle Valley. She awoke not long after midnight and got up to pee. In the morning, she was missing.

I received the news of her death from my niece, Allie, who lives in Telluride and finds out about everything long before I do down here in the wild West End. Of course, it was painful and sad – for both Allie and me. More than painful and sad, tragic. Devastating. Like Elizabeth’s father, Stiff, had said when I saw him and hugged him the evening before Bets’ memorial service, “There are no words.”

Allie lost her sister, Lise, 19 years ago, and she understands the pain of losing someone so near and dear to the heart. A sister, a friend, a lifetime companion, someone who was always there to share life; laugh and cry. And Allie knew Bets well. She had coached her in soccer in when she first moved to Telluride from Boulder in 2002. Bets was only 12 at the time. I knew Bets well, too. Stiff and Jenny had come with Bets and their son, Chas, to stay with us at our casa in Cabo Pulmo, Mexico, in the winter of 1994. At that time, Bets was only three years old. I can’t tell you how beautiful, smart, sweet and funny she was. Golden white blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes, like the little girl I never had. We laughed and played, danced and sang, made up poems and ran on the beach, swam in the ocean, gazed at the stars. She loved pink, just like I did and still do. My little amigita. Now gone.

I cannot express my sorrow, or my compassion for Stiff, Jenny and Chas. I know well the road they travel. It was the same year, in June of 1994, that Lise came to visit Richard and me in Cabo Pulmo for her senior trip. She was graduating from high school and wanted to come stay with us in Mexico rather than go off with her schoolmates elsewhere in Mexico to drink and party. I was surprised and excited, and oh so blessed. She left us the following November in a slushy, icy white-out snow storm automobile accident, in the darkness of night.

1994 was a year of great blessings for me. I made my pacts with both Lise and Bets. And now they are both in the other world, the land of spirit, the journey of souls. These 19 years later, I am aware that the year 2013 is the year of the recurring eclipse cycle that took place in 1994. And my heart is open, filled with love and sorrow. When a heart breaks, it breaks open. Blessings and peace. Forever young…and beautiful.

Aries (Mar. 20-Apr. 19) The last full week of spring offers up plenty of busy-ness, one way or another. Dealing with communication issues – returning calls, responding to emails, tidying up your immediate environment, doing daily business – and moving about – around and around – you have come full circle. Surrender, forgiveness and compassion are allies in the rather chaotic mix of happenstance. Cultivate kindness, for yourself and others.

Taurus (Apr. 19-May 20) Plenty of self-reliance and take-care-of-yourself energy permeates the wee, in spite of the fact that you love sharing your life and your feelings with others. Take care of business, make to do lists and cross the tasks and accomplishments off one at a time. One thing for certain, you know how to complete a project, no matter how long it takes. Love and beauty come via sweet compassion and acts of nurturing. Enjoy the joy.

Gemini (May 20-June 20) Mars in your sign continues to compel and impel you, awakening desire and pushing you forward. Just be sure to take a break now and then, rest and relax. Venus and Mercury in Cancer favor self-nurturing and self-care. Take a good look at your daily routines and consider whether or not you are living in harmony with your values. Remember that health is wealth. No matter what it costs, it’s worth it.

Cancer (June 20-July 22) Venus and Mercury in your sign are attempting to balance a feisty, win-at-any-cost Mars in Gemini this week and the result is somewhat like being on a teeter-totter or roller coaster out of control. With emotion on one end and reason on the other, your heart and head may be feeling, thinking, questioning logic and attempting to come up with solutions for seemingly unsolvable problems. Surrender and let go. Relax.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 22) Defining the indefinable is a favorite pastime of philosophers, scientists, scholars, priests and pundits. But each one of us must come up with our own explanations, reasons and understandings of why things happen the way they do. The ever-present and recurring mysteries of life are constant and eternal. Many moons and many eons come and go as we evolve in time. Embrace the moment, open your heart.

Virgo (Aug. 22-Sep. 22) You may see the bigger picture, understand the workings of the universe or accept the unfathomable mysteries of birth and death as the constant creation and re-creation of an eternal evolutionary process this week. Rather esoteric and higher-self stuff, but possible and plausible in light of your current space and time. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, there is work to be done. Good news, you’re doing it!

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 22) Move in the groove and go with the flow are mantras from the sixties, when hippies ruled and slogans of free love and peace were popular. Like a blast from the past, or a ghost from the sixties, it is now time to reclaim, resurrect and reclaim the jewels and gems from those days and times. Higher-self living, in partnership with lower-self awareness, puts us back in touch with the mysterious power of love, and peace.

Scorpio (Oct. 22-Nov. 21) You may find yourself returning to some old personal business, rehashing, reliving or revivlng what you thought was over, or learning lessons you have learned already, again. Whatever the manifestation, know that it is all taking place for good reason. We bang our heads against the same walls because we just don’t get it. Karma is a powerful force and we must respect it. Embrace the teaching, accept the process.

Sagittarius (Nov. 21-Dec. 20) Much activity in the realms of partnerships, companionship and commitment is par for the course as Mars continues to march through your solar 7^th house of sharing and pairing. One-to-one interactions and exchanges are the best bet now. Pay attention to what others have to say, listen rather than talk. Your biggest lessons and challenges emerge when you operate from an ego-based center. Take the ego out of the equation.

Capricorn (Dec. 20-Jan. 19) Mental Mercury and loving Venus in your solar 7^th house of pairing and sharing may have you thinking about that special someone or something this week. Spend time with people you enjoy, surround yourself with pleasant, creative influences and seek input from outside sources. Motivational Mars in your solar 6^th house of self-improvement inspires you to identify what you can change, rather than expecting it of others.

Aquarius (Jan. 19-Feb. 18) The Sun and Mars in your solar 5^th house of love and recreation may fuel fires of desire where fun and romance are concerned. If you have been working too hard or taking life too seriously, perhaps now it is time to lighten up and enjoy the beauty. Summer is short and life is a ever-evolving journey that ends in a flash. Today is a mysterious jewel, glistening with potential and possibility. Follow your heart.

Pisces (Feb. 18-Mar. 20) Getting things done at home, whatever that means, tops your list of priority and attention this week. On the other hand, if you are neglecting what “needs to be done” you may find yourself crabby and crazy. Balance and focus are keys for success. Rather than scatter energy, make more messes or put it off for tomorrow, prioritize and organize. The good news, it is all good. It’s about progress, not perfection.