Category Archives: Science

explore

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I think that many of the great scientists in the past have been very spiritual in their way of life. Michael Faraday, for example, who discovered electromagnetism, was an extremely spiritual man, an extremely good man. Newton was preoccupied as much with the nature of the divine, and the divine will and purpose and presence in the universe, as he was with science. Even Descartes was very interested in theology and spirituality. If you look back through the history of science, many of the greatest scientists have in fact combined these two.



It’s not a particular set of ideas or doctrines which constitute science. It’s a method of inquiry, the idea of building on what has gone before and exploring by experiment, and also an openness to new ideas. And that, I think, is completely compatible with a spiritual view of things. I don’t think you can prove some of these spiritual truths by scientific means.  ~ Rupert Sheldrake

Hypersensitive Adaptation

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“My belief is in the blood and flesh as being wiser than the intellect. The body-unconscious is where life bubbles up in us. It is how we know that we are alive, alive to the depths of our souls and in touch somewhere with the vivid reaches of the cosmos.”  – D. H. Lawrence

Spoken like a Virgo with Scorpio rising, Pluto (chart ruler) conjunct Neptune.  D.H. Lawrence has Virgo Sun conjunct Jupiter, Uranus, North Node in the 11th house (natural house of Aquarius).  He was visionary; a very creative thinker, writer.

I find it so interesting that by following my heart, I have perfectly played my astrological hand, walked my astrological map- including the pitfalls, without consciously doing so.  What I love about learning astrology is it has explained so much about my habits and tendencies.  Astrology has given me the tools to be pro-active in charting my own course to physical and spiritual healing.  I am hoping through reading this site, I can help you do the same.

My friend Rhonda introduced me to Craniosacral Biodynamics, and having Moon opposite Neptune in the 11th, and Sun conjunct Uranus, I find this fascinating.
Body fluids are ruled by Aquarius and Uranus
movement of the body fluid is ruled by Moon and Neptune. 
The intention of craniosacral work is to encourage the cellular breath to move freely, without restriction, thereby allowing the life-giving oxygen, ions, and vital fluid to flow thoughout the body.


The cellular breath, or The Breath of Life produces a series of subtle rhythms (rhythms are Moon and Neptune ruled) that may be palpated in the body and which make up an integrated physiological system. At least three subtle rhythms have been identified in this “primary respiratory system”, each having a different rate and producing rhythms within rhythms.

These three “tides” are referred to as:  the cranial rhythmic impulse; a more superficial rhythm expressed at an average rate of 8-12 cycles per minute, the mid-tide; a tidal rhythm that carries ordering forces into the body expressed at a slower rate of approximately 2.5 cycles per minute and the long tide; a deep and slow rhythmic impulse expressed about once every 100 seconds. The long tide is considered to be the first stirring of life and motion as the Breath of Life emerges from a deeper ground of stillness at the center of our being.

This same ‘breath of life’ takes place on a larger scale in the oceans of the Earth via thermohaline circulation.  It is like a giant ocean deep water conveyor belt transporting enormous volumes of cold, salty water from the North Atlantic to the Northern Pacific, and bringing warmer, fresher water in return.

Salt water oceans make up 71% of the Earth’s surface, the human body is more than 60 percent water. Blood is 92 percent water, the brain and muscles are 75 percent water, and bones are about 22 percent water.

Scientific studies cannot prove the rhythms of the Moon influence water in the human body, or that the Moon has an influence on humans at all, for that matter; but they cannot prove astrology either, and I know it works.  I know astrology works because I have seen it working in the charts of myself, my family, and those people I admire.

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Look for any aspects to Mercury, Gemini, or Jupiter to indicate the quality of your breathing.  Look to aspects to Uranus, Aquarius, Moon and Neptune to indicate the rhythmic movement of blood, or water in your body.

I have Neptune both opposite Moon, and square Leo meaning in my chart I may have to watch for heart trouble, as Leo rules the heart, and Neptune bodily fluids.  I have also learned to be attuned to emotional balance as my Moon is in the 4th house (natural house of Cancer- rules the stomach) and can cause vague (Neptune rules the hidden) stress induced illness.  I have Saturn (restriction) in the 3rd house (natural house of Gemini). 

Mercury, Gemini and Jupiter rule breathing in the astrological chart.

I spent many years smoking on and off, and haven’t smoked now in several years.  My Saturn placement is a red flag for lung issues, so good thing I quit.  (not that I recommend smoking for any placement, I don’t)

The first step to health is prevention.
Like the Bene Gesserit from Dune, I know humans can bend the life force towards health and well-being through concentration and will.
In the Bene Gesserit tradition, Sisters received many years of training in prana/bindu body control. They were capable of entering a trace-state, altering metabolism and slowing heart rates to neutralise toxic chemicals in the body on a molecular level.  Bene Gesserit are trained in “the minutiae of observation”, noticing details that the common person would miss in the people and environment around them. When combined with their analytical abilities, this “hyperawareness” makes the Bene Gesserit capable of divining secrets and arriving at conclusions that are invisible to everyone else.

It’s no surprise I love Dune and reading of the Bene Gesserit, as I have a Virgo stellium and giant Neptuner, both leading me to be conscious of physical and spiritual health.
The first step to balance is awareness.
May the road to health rise up to meet you…
Namaste~

Electric Moon

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To dream of a lodestone denotes favorable opportunities for advancement, it is an omen of happy changes.

My Neptune (rules dreams) is in the 11th house, the natural house of Aquarius – ruled by Uranus, which rules magnetics and lightning.
Lodestones are magnetic, said to be naturally magnetized by lightning strike.
The moon is full in Aquarius, the sign of inventors, humanitarians and forward- thinkers.

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Now for some progressive astro science ~> Uranus rules science and astrology !
An iron core inserted into a solenoid (wire coil with electric current running through it) can multiply the magnetic field in the solenoid by a factor of tens, even thousands.  *

So I’ve been giving lots of attention to what I am magnetically attracting via my Mars (rules iron) trine from the 11th to the 3rd house of thinking.

Mars needs to lead and Uranus isn’t a follower, but in my case they are working together (Mars Quintile -spiritual gifts- Uranus) on a path of spiritual freedom and exploration.

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I also have the magnetic Sun conjunct Uranus (rules magnetics) so I keep an eye on the solar cycles and any activity on the surface of the sun.  The picture above is a X6.9 flare 4 days ago.  The most powerful flare measured with modern methods was in 2003, during the last solar maximum, and it was so powerful that it overloaded the sensors measuring it. The sensors cut out at X28. *

I have read that some sensitive to solar activity can be more likely to have seiziures, dizziness, or disrupted sleep during heightened solar geomagnetic storms.
I experienced some slight dizziness during the last one, but as far as I’m conerned, the jury’s still out.  Did you feel anything ?

Uranus rules vision, magnetics and birds.  In the late 1970s, the physicist Klaus Schulten concluded that birds navigate by relying on geomagnetically sensitive biochemical reactions in their eyes, specifically, the protein cryptochrome. *

I have a very good sense of direction…where is your Uranus and how is your sense of direction..?  I am curious.   (Uranus rules curiosity)

Uranus also rules sensitive skin and conjunct Sun, I am prone to sunstroke…especially at high altitudes, and I tend to be a bit high-strung as Uranus rules the nervous system.
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Aquarius is an air (communication) sign, but known as the water-bearer.
It is a fixed sign, yet totally unpredictable.

Uranus can be fabulous highly charged eccentric ideas coming in flash twinges of intuition ( I knew I would own the house I presently live in when my foot- Neptune rules the feet- touched the driveway) or it can be erratic shocking shakedowns coming out of nowhere that cause a change in perspective in an instant.

Neptune rules humming (probably why I heard the Taos hum) and Aquarius rules birds.  I could tell you a story about how my Neptune squares from Scorpio to Leo (rules the heart) can be wrapped up in a tiny little bird with a heart rate that can reach up to 1260 beats in a minute….but I won’t.  That’s my 8th house of secrets, I’ll just say I have learned to regenerate and that’s all the Mercury Rx ‘pay dirt’ you’re gonna get.

* http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/magnetic/elemag.html

* http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/X-class-flares.html

 * http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/01/quantum-birds/

Web of Life

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This is a Darwins Bark spider web…a very impressive piece of work !

Spiders are Saturn ruled, of course !  
The long-term builders of the zodiac, the patient ones because they have to be.
Capricorn types able to climb the mountain / build the web when the going gets tough.
I am Saturn-ruled, and I love spiders.

Spiders (8 legs) have the vibration of strength and willpower.  Eight here.

Spiders spin incredibly strong silk webs.  Spider silk is ruled by Neptune, as are nets, and poison.  Spiders use poison to sting their prey so they can wrap them up for a snack later !
Orb spider webs are spiral.  Spirals and vibrations (indicate prey caught in web) are ruled by Uranus, as are science and astrology !
Just wait until you read where this post ends up, spiral indeed…and oh.. so Saturn.

Spiders spin many different types of webs each depending on what the spider needs for the time/place.


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When I look at my natal map and the current planetary transits to it — I see a giant web of life, my life–when one silken strand snaps, I build another somewhere else to shore up the loose end.  Don’t we all…?  Better to focus on what needs done than dwell on what didn’t work out.  Tie a knot and move on.
Special shout-out to my Virgos, next time someone is up your whatzit about being too Virgo… just remember : we see the web of life.

Zoologist Ingi Agnarsson and colleagues have found Darwin’s bark spider webs as wide as 82 feet (25 meters)—about as long as two city buses.  WoW.
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A close relative to the spider above, the Nephila komaci has an unusual mating ritual.
The female of the species has a leg span of up to 5 inches (12 centimeters), while the male—which spends much of its time clambering on its partner’s back—barely reaches an inch (2.5 centimeters), a new study says.
Highlight below if you want to know what it is …
~> In addition, the males are “sort of fanatically monogamous” during their roughly one-year life spans…when ready to mate, a male will usually make his move when the female is molting, he added.  Her legs are soft and her body’s soft, and she can’t prevent being inseminated by the male,” Coddington said. “Once he’s inseminated her, he’ll break off his genitalia in hers, thereby plugging her up.” The male, which is left sterile, then drives away other males until he dies. This strategy should stymie other males’ mating attempts—though some females have been found with several dismembered male organs lodged inside them, he said.

source for the above: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/10/091021-largest-web-spinning-spider.html

If you would love even more spider info, I encourage you to look here: http://www.americanarachnology.org/JOA_online.html

peace
GMA

Hum a few bars

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Ahhh…The Look.  You know the one…the look you get when you speak something Not of Status Quo, the look generally followed by a chuckle + eye roll.  Perhaps the odd bit pops out of your mouth in polite conversation about : astrology, aliens, crystals, crop circles or in my case today~ the Taos Hum.  The curious Uranian blurt followed by knowing glances around the room.  Yes.  I am, once again, safe in the knowledge that I have raised the freak flag in the academic crowd; aka the weirdo in the room just stood up.
I have heard the Taos Hum and here is my story…
I was planning on driving the enchanted circle after leaving Taos heading home toward Eagle Nest Lake along the river on my way to 64 East to Cimmaron.  I had driven this route before and fell in love…it is a winding road that follows the river on the south side with bluffs on the north; trees and forest lush on both sides.  There is a little Buddhist monastery tucked up in the bluffs too, and as you can see by the map, that’s not all.

I was stopped at the crossroads fiddling with my ipod -[must have road-worthy tunes for one of the best drives in the country]- when, it occurred to me my truck seemed really loud, even for my old Dodge.  So I put it in park and got out to look at the rear chassis.  Nothing out of the ordinary.  hmm…?…  So I climb back in and I hear it again…a very low register, but very loud, wave-like humming sound.  Ok, my truck had a lotta miles this trip: Colorado mountain top festival in the 14ers, Arches, Grand Canyon,  Monument Valley, Barringer Crater, Zuni Pueblo, Santa Fe, Taos…and that was only this vacation.  I have driven my truck coast to coast and I know how it sounds.  So this time I turned my truck off…and could still hear it.
Then I sit and wait for the dump truck hauling rock that I am sure will be appearing from around the bend anytime now.   ….nope.  All Alone.   Me, my silent parked truck, and The Hum.

I finally gave up, after several trips around the vehicle, knowing my truck sounded fine when I climbed out of it to hear it, and I had places to go.  ( Like the worst bathroom in the US- Cimmaron- fair warning- skip it !)
In case you are ever near Taos and want to try a ‘hearing the humming’ experiment…I was parked at the crossroads near the star marked Taos.
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Ok, so now a bit about The Hum~ the sound registers louder to the people who hear it while they are inside a structure than if they are outside a structure; standing in the yard, it can’t be heard.   The noise has driven nearby residents to petition Congress.  In 1993 residents asked the government to help locate the source of the disturbance, to no avail.  Some who are routinely subjected to the sound feel symptoms such as: dizziness, insomnia, disorientation, pressure on the ears, and headaches.  Among several theories of what causes the hum :  Infrasound, audible electro-magnetic earth frequencies, or the echo of undetected seismic activity.
Strangely, only 2% of Taos residents are able to hear the hum.  *When recorded by a Denver audiologist, the hum was a steady vibration of 17 cycles per second with a harmonic rising to 70 cycles per second near Taos. The low range of human hearing is 20 to 30 cycles per second. (Aquiziam.com)*  Similar humming sounds have been reported in the UK and New Zealand.
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Astrologically, I am thinking my Sun conjunct Uranus and biggie Neptune in 11th aspecting Toro Moon feels the vibrations ~ Saturn trine Mars on the 12th sign is getting the hidden dial tuned into the Earth.  ? shrug ?
What do you think..?

*edit: Check out the great convo on this subject at Mystic Medusa
http://mysticmedusa.com/2011/09/have-you-heard-the-hum/

Also check out The World Hum Map and Database here.
Hum Database on twitter here.

namaste~
gneissmoonastrology.net

O dot

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In honor of the late July 114 degree heat index, I give you O dot.
O dot rules Leo; the heart, it is where you ‘shine’ in your chart (look for the house where it lives).  It is your WILL power.  O dot in the chart represents many things including males you know, the father (along with Saturn), actors, leaders and government.  O dot is your courage, your conscious daytime waking identity, your spirit.

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The heart or Anahata chakra is represented by the color green –think Green Lantern and WILL power here, folks– it is the seat of love, compassion, generosity, ego and a positive mental attitude.  Prehnite is a stone for linking the heart with the will, of finding balance between the ego desire and the highest good of Earthkind.  (I love the smooth bumpy feel of mine and it also fits the curvature of my palm when I clasp it.)
Picture in your mind’s eye your goal attained <–> go for it wholeHEARTedly !

Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolutions. ~Kahlil Gibran

He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.  ~Lao-Tzu

Sniffing the Corpse

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Thanks to my friend Jon who is a plant /cacti freak for introducing me to the Amorphophallus titanium plant.  It’s greek for amorpho = misshaped, phallus = phallus, titanium = giant… and um, what’s greek for purple…!?

What follows is an exerpt from the handout given at the conservatory:

It grows in the shady rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia.  It is a member of the aroid family, Araceae.  Other members of the family include the calla lilly.  It is an underground corm that can reach up to 200 pounds.
For the first years of it’s life it produces a single leaf.
Then after growing for seven to ten years, pouring carbohydrates back into the corm, the bunga bungkai, or corpse flower is produced.

The male and female flowers (see knobby brown bits in my pix) are found at the base of the spadix, safely surrounded by the spathe (that’s the purple lettuce-like bit).   The plant produces two heavy sulpher based compounds that are not easily airborne.  The plant heats up to about 100 degrees, ( how cool is that ?! ) to volatilize these compounds making them airborne to attract pollinators from a longer distance.  The spathe turns purple resembling rotting flesh.
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[Too bad this blog isn’t smell-o-vision or scratch ‘n’ sniff  !!  You just gonna have to trust me, the spathe unfolded today and I could smell it from around 4 feet.  I got a good snort of the inside too- HA and yep ! – smells like rotting flesh !  *Odor-rific *  How cool is Mama Nature to have made this freaky flower !? It’s amazing !!]
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So much energy is produced on flower then seed production that the flower only remains open for about 48 hours.  After the two day period, the flower will slowly collapse.  If the plant is not pollinated it will go dormant and grow another leaf in another 4 to six months.  If it is pollinated ( it is believed to be pollinated in the wild by carrion beetles and flesh flies), the pencuncle will remain upright and it will take nine months for the seed to mature.
Check out this quickie 3 card tarot spread I pulled a few minutes before I saw this freaky flower – is hilarious and spot on !  Click here !

namaste~
gneissmoonastrology.net

The fulcrum

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There is in each of us an ancient force that takes and an ancient force that gives. A man finds little difficulty facing that place within himself where the taking force dwells, but it’s almost impossible for him to see into the giving force without changing into something other than man. For a woman, the situation is reversed … The greatest peril to the Giver is the force that takes. The greatest peril to the Taker is the force that gives. It’s as easy to be overwhelmed by giving as by taking … I’m at the fulcrum … I cannot give without taking and I cannot take without giving…

Great line spoken by Paul Atreides, the Kwisatz Haderach from my favorite novel, Dune.

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Tonight Saturn is my fulcrum….and so is Neptune.
I am a Capricorn rising.  My chart ruler, Saturn rules my first house (where Mars is natural ruler).   Saturn is placed in Aries (which Mars rules) and is trine Mars in my 11th (natural house of Aquarius) and on the cusp of my 12th house sign, Sagittarius.

Neptune is also very strong in my chart, as are Uranus and Pluto.
I love science-fiction (Uranus rules science; Neptune, fiction) and anything dealing with time travel (Saturn rules time).
My Mars has excellent archer aim and tonight I was using it for long-distance healing.
Healers are ruled by Neptune, Uranus, Pluto, Virgos and the sixth house. 

Tonight, I have my magnetite close and know the moon is growing very close to full, so a good time to put forth strong healing intentions.
Blessed be to all my lovely readers~

gneissmoonastrology