Dear Friend;

"What do we want?" - "Gradual Change !". "When do we want it?" - "In due course !"....
An old joke about the Civil Service - on strike. Our innate conservatism is indeed likely to be increasingly shaken by "events" - both in the Natural (that Volcano..) and Human Worlds :- that hot air vented by Political Parties - synchronous with the eruption of Eyjafjallajokul - ("Island-mountain-glacier").Remember though, that, whatever "happens" in this the "Field" where Humans live and walk, although you are "In" a Body (which no doubt you greatly value and maintain to the best of your ability and wish to enjoy and make use of for as long as possible !?) - the essential You is no more a "body" than a Driver IS a"Car", or a Bird IS a "Nest".

However, for many, our labours here are not yet completed, and we trust that our "contract" - agreed upon before you took the Plunge into this Earth Life ( Gosh ! -did I really Sign Up for THAT ?) allows Time for Everything (that you need to do while you are here...).The good news is that we are not alone, that we, the FRIENDS, together can accomplish the task. Keep plodding on!

The subsequent chaos -sparked by the volcano, and the grounding of virtually all aircraft, is well denoted by Mercury - slowing down and turning Retrograde, in Taurus, at precisely that time -14 to 20 April or thereabouts. A Study of the Natal Chart for Modern Iceland- the Republic- 17 June 1944, with 2 Degrees Libra rising, Neptune conjunct:- (a mysterious, sea-born land), squaring Saturn in Gemini, conjunct the massive Star, Betelgeux, in 28-29 Gemini( fluid and uncertain boundaries)- with a total of 6 bodies in the Sign Gemini, mostly in the region of ORION - the GIANT. Surely a tale of Nordic/Northern giants, trolls, fire spirits- and, over many years of investigation, I have seen that Betelgeux "crops up" in connection with massive, overwhelming manifestations in Nature, such as the above, or explosions, or with "giant" personalities, hard to handle in a normal "social" context.

The Stars, certainly those on or near the Ecliptic, freqently contribute their energy and "influence", as indeed one would expect - as we contemplate the Timeless maxim - "As Above, so Below".

Back on Earth- yesterday, 24 April 2010, I took the train to Camborne in Cornwall to partake in the Trevithick Day celebrations. Who? - Richard Trevithick, born 13 April 1771, Inventor of the High Pressure Steam Engine, Railway Pioneer, progenitor of much that we take for granted in the modern world. A day when the Cornish "let off steam".With 30 or so great Engines assembled in Trelowarren street. There are miles of stalls and Thousands of people. I have never seen a bigger crowd except for, perhaps , Late Night Shopping in Totnes in December. Which probably suggests that I really do need to get out more often.

A few Cornish Place names :- Camborne = Cam Bron - the bent or curved Hill. There IS a hill nearby called Carn Arthen- "Arthur's Hill" - and the great Hillfort at Carn Brea (the Rocky Hill) between Camborne and Redruth (the Red Ford, or, more imaginatively - "Druids Town")- would have made the perfect "Camelot", in the far West, for an Arthur/Commander/Protector with cavalry to deploy.
For "Round Table", though, see "Somerset Zodiac" - of which more later.

Taurus Time, now, appropriate to touch base in the landscape, the reassurance of Earth, the familiarity of place.Flesh, skin and bone, pulse and breath of the Motherland. The memory and comforting touch of turf and stone.West Cornwall for me- how about you?

The Full Moon of Taurus is at 13:18 BST on Weds. 28 April. The Full Moon of the Buddha, by tradition, of his Birth, Enlightenment, and Death. A time, it is said, to celebrate our connection with those who encourage and uphold us in our life here, and especially, in our move toward Enlightenment. You are, already, in fact, Enlightened- it's just that you normally don't notice.Be Still! (that helps...).

Meanwhile... the Oppositions of Saturn and Uranus continue - the next on Tuesday 28 April.Presenting, for us, the contrast between "Old" and " New", although Uranus actually represents Timeless values and points the way to Heaven, the Stars. First, the Lessons of Saturn. Then - the Freedom of Uranus.Uranus, also Ouranos -"Heaven", together with Gaia "Earth", of course, are the Primal Couple who gave birth to Saturn and the Titans - which again reminds us of Icelandic (or Cornish) Giants and their doings.

A Book I wish to recommend:- "THE SPIRIT LEVEL" ..Why Equality is Better for Everyone.A Principle far too simple and obvious to be readily digestible by our"growth-obsessed" Society. Or is it ? By Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett. Published by Penguin Books. Recommended to me by son Hugh in Glasgow.


What good weather !- blessed by the Sun (here in England -how about you?).

Many thanks for your kind attention !.Regular Astrological Events continue here, E-Mail me:-

dave@starlynx.plus.com

for details of these, or to enquire about Birth Charts, Astro-Cartography, Synastry Reports, and other interesting Astrological angles.

David Matthews (Aka OG.)