​Tonight there will be a full moon. If you follow my Facebook page, you know that I routinely post articles about astrology, usually around the full and new moons, mercury retrograde and eclipses. I’m not an astrologer, so why do I post about it? Simply stated, astrology is AMAZING. The pull that the alignment of the planets exert on us and the impact these forces have explain many positive and negative interpersonal interactions as well as circumstances that arise in our lives. For example, astrology explains why my husband and I get along so well – we are both Aquarius. It also explains why we had issues closing on our house in 2010. At the time, mercury was retrograde. We ended up signing our closing papers the day after mercury went direct. Coincidence? I think not!
 
You may now be asking, if astrology explains so much, why haven’t I become an astrologer. There are several reasons…
 
For one, I’m lazy. Astrology is a science. Understanding one’s zodiac sign, let alone the rising and moon signs, is just the beginning. When I picked up a copy of Alan Oken’s As Above So Below, a book to learn Astrology 101, it was over 300 pages with VERY tiny print, I realized astrology may not be for me. Astrologers (good ones) have spent hours training to not only understand but also apply the concepts of astrology. I was, and am not, prepared to put the hours into learning this skill.
 
Not only am I lazy, I believe and have witnessed how the alignment of the planets impacts each individual and humanity as a whole, I have a stronger conviction that each individual has free will. Our destinies ARE NOT written in the stars. One CAN and often DOES overcome the pull of the planets. The reason I never went deeper is I know I am susceptible to placing too much emphasis on the power of the planets and forget that I, and ultimately you my clients, have free will.
 
So now you may be questioning, “If you fear relying on astrology too heavily, why do you follow it at all?” It’s simple. I know the planets will have an impact on me whether I believe in it or not. This is evident every mercury retrograde when my husband’s phone is ringing off the hook. He is an IT consultant, and like clock-work, every mercury retrograde his clients have trouble with their computers or network and need his help. Do his clients know that mercury is retrograde and that technological troubles are a known disturbance that occurs during mercury retrograde? Nope. Are they being impacted? The phone calls speak for themselves.
 
Since the planets are going to have an impact, I feel it is important that I know what is going on astrologically. Especially since I have found that astrological events tend to have a greater impact on energetically sensitive or intuitive individuals (like myself). Being aware of the astrological occurrences allows me to prepare for both the positive and negative. Most importantly, I CAN and often DO use the alignment of the planets for my benefit. In fact, so can you!
 
How do I use these energies to my benefit? Let’s take tonight’s full moon as an example. I’ll be placing some of my crystals out in the moonlight. This allows them to soak up the positive energies emitted by the moon. I will also make sure I find time to meditate. Just as the full moon brings light through the darkness, meditating during this time can also help an individual find clarity. Lastly, I may smudge my office or house. Full moons are a great time to clear out old energy – who knows, since it’s garbage day I may even find myself doing a little bit of purging.
 
Since I’m not an astrologer, I’m uncertain of the specific energies of this full moon… so there are more things I could do to tap into this energy that I’m missing. There are some great astrologers out there that could tell you more. I encourage you to keep your ears open, and I’ll keep posting!

​Astrology fascinates me.
 
And, I have a great deal of respect for astrology practitioners. In my limited studies on the topic, I quickly recognized how much time and dedication it would take to learn all the nuances in order to be good. Respecting that, I’m always the first to admit I have learned just enough to be dangerous but it’s best to leave the real interpretations to the experts!!
 
Especially since the one thing about astrology I am certain of is – IT IS REAL. The planets really do exert forces that have an impact our lives. I witness the strength of the planetary forces every mercury retrograde when technology and communication goes askew. And, every full moon when people get a little emotional. It was especially apparent this past week when the full moon’s energy was amplified by a lunar eclipse. It seemed that everyone I ran into was feeling nostalgic and emotional.
 
Having witnessed this phenomena and because I’m a little superstitious, before my husband said our I dos seven years ago we consulted not one but TWO astrologers (Ellen Bourn and Amie Michaels). Why did we consult with them? We wanted them to identify the ideal moment for us to say our I dos in and effort to ensure marital success. We thought, hey any help from the universe we can get we’ll take it. And, one thing was for sure, it couldn’t hurt!!
 
Each astrologer took both my husband and my natal charts, overlaid them and then compared that to the upcoming year to find the perfect combination. This is where I get lost and overwhelmed. That’s why we left it to the experts.
 
We were grateful and AMAZED when each independently recommended a window between 11am and noon on Sunday, August 23rd. If that doesn’t say something about astrology being a science, I don’t know what does!
 
So why did both ladies choose August 23rd between 11am and 12noon?
 
In order to explain that, I should talk a little about the astrology basics… the stuff I feel confident about! Well, somewhat.
 
In the basics of astrology there are three important components that should always be taken into consideration: the Sun, Moon and Ascendant signs. In astrology, your sun sign is what we most often associate with. The day you were born indicates this, i.e. I was born on January 22 so I am an Aquarius. Your sun sign indicates what you show or shine to the outside world. Your moon sign, on the other-hand, indicates who you are when no one else is looking and is what an individual may try to hide. In a month, the moon will touch upon each of the twelve zodiac signs. Finally, the ascendant sign which is determined by which zodiac sign constellation is on the horizon at the moment of birth or an event, indicates who you are becoming. In a twenty-four-hour period, each zodiac is in the sky.
 
Now that you know that, let’s explore why Sunday, August 23rd between 11am and 12noon was ideal.
 
At the selected time, the Sun was in Virgo. Why was this good? First off, Virgo is an earth sign. This means that there is a focus on the home and the physical plane. This was important to my husband and I because both live much of our life in the spiritual realm. We viewed our marriage as a way to remind us of the importance of having a physical existence. We found this concept so important that we chose to engrave our wedding bands with the phrase, “As above, so below.” Additionally, traits typically associated with Virgo includes faithfulness, dedication, practicality and hard work. All qualities desirable for a marriage. Not only that, Virgos rarely leave anything to chance and have clearly defined roles. In our marriage where the partnership exists both in the home and in business, this was an important component.
 
While Virgos are loving, they are not always warm and fuzzy. Fortunately, as both my husband and I are Aquarius which are known to be somewhat detached, this is not an issue. But, the moon sign which is in Libra, does bring a softness. Libra, like Aquarius, is an air sign. Air signs are about intellect and communication. This brings a fluidity and harmony to the relationships. Additionally, traits of Libras include diplomacy, cooperation and balance. For a marriage this is ideal because we will always be working together to find balance.
 
The Ascendant at the time of our marriage was also Libra. As a Libra Ascendant was desirable, we HAD to be pronounced husband and wife between 11am and 12noon. Why was this important to us? Libras make ideal partners and as an Ascendant this describes what our relationship could become. Libra on the ascendant provokes each of us to strive to grow into better partners. What better goal for a marriage?
 
After hearing this analysis, how could we not choose this time! Fortunately, it also aligned with when out-of-town family members were already planning on visiting. SERENDIPITY!! Only downfall, trying to explain to people why we were having the reception before the vows AND trying to get people to not call us husband and wife. To this day, some of my husband’s family still rolls their eyes thinking about quirky Dawn.
 
All I have to say to those eye rolls, we’re seven years in and still going. Is it the astrology? Maybe, maybe not. I choose to believe it is.

​New Orleans… far and away, is one of my favorite places.
 
Why?
 
Maybe it is the weather. Because admittedly, it is nice this time of year. And unlike Buffalo, it rarely drops below freezing. But come summer time (I’ve been there in August, I KNOW) it gets HOT! And as one of the residents told me, yup there comes a time when there is only so much you can take off. Personally, I’d rather put on layers than get to that point!
 
Maybe it is the parties and nightlife. For New Orleans only requires its bars to close one hour a year (from midnight to one am after Fat Tuesday for clean-up). It even puts Buffalo with its 3am last call, to shame. And this would have been alluring in my earlier days, but at this point I’m ready to crawl into bed by ten. Then with the baby and the dogs, I’m up in the morning.
 
The music and art. I do enjoy both tremendously as anyone who visits my home and has viewed our collections from two NOLA artists, Craig Tracy and Sarah Megan Jenkins, knows! But with the art adorning our walls, it surrounds us. And as for the music, isn’t that what Pandora is for?
 
The food. YUM! There is nothing like a good etouffee or red beans and rice. The mix of spices and the seafood dance in my mouth. But honestly, after a few days, the richness gets to me and I definitely am missing my hometown eats. Plus, I’m learning to incorporate those flavors into my cooking palate!
 
The history! Perhaps it is that – there is such a rich and diverse history. And, it is a spiritual one at that with the mixing of Santeria, voodoo and Catholicism. Unfortunately, due to the fame that has been brought to New Orleans be it by Ann Rice or the Originals, the esoteric side of New Orleans is gitchy. You’ve got to hit the right places.
 
It’s not one or any of these, rather the reason I love love love New Orleans is probably a little bit of all the above… but then there is that little bit more, or as the residents say, “the lagniappe.” There is an energy in New Orleans that is impossible to define. It is eclectic. It is magnetic. It is alive.
 
And perhaps part of that lagniappe is astrology. After having my Astrocartography chart (an astrological chart that outlines places in the world with significance both in this life and past lives for you) completed, I was surprised (and not) that few of my lines cut through the United States. Most of them are located in Europe, specifically England, Ireland and Spain – not surprisingly the places I am drawn to. In this chart there is one dominant line in the United States. This line cuts through both Buffalo and New Orleans. Perhaps one of the reasons why New Orleans calls.
 
Why am I going on and on about New Orleans? Well, the few days before Thanksgiving, my husband and I introduced our daughter to its glory. We strolled the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. Shopped the French Market. Played in Jackson Square. Ate lots of red beans and rice, gumbo, and etouffee. Went to City Park. And of course, being who I am, it wouldn’t have been a complete visit without checking out the witchy and voodoo shops. And while I considered getting a reading, I did not. No one called to me the day I considered it and I didn’t feel drawn again. Perhaps next time, because I know I’ll be back.
 
This is my special place… do you have a special place that beckons you?

Mercury went retrograde last week and we are already feeling its effects. How you many ask? One instance on a global level was Skype. Yesterday, it went down worldwide. How many were affected? It’s unclear… but one thing is for certain, THIS GIRL WAS.(Want to know more about Mercury Retrograde? Click here!)

I had an 11am appointment with a woman located in Chicago. As is my usual, about fifteen minutes before the reading I began preparing myself. I went into my reading room and turned on the computer to load the recording software and Skype. I then took a few moments to quiet my mind, center myself and connect with Spirit. Once I felt I had hit "the zone," I pulled some cards for my client.

Everything seemed to be a go. Spirit had stepped in and were excitedly gabbing with me. Skype and NTI were open and running. Or at least they appeared to be… When I went to change my Skype status from offline to online, I noticed the loading circle was going round and round and round. Uh oh… the circle of death.

Trying not to panic as I still had a few minutes before the reading was scheduled to begin, I tracked down my husband, my savior, down to “fix the problem.” Thank God I always get set up early! 

Thinking I was overreacting (technology isn’t always my strong suit) and seeing Skype open he responded, “Dawn, I don’t see a problem. It’s seems fine.” Once I pointed to the blue circle of death and in what likely sounded like cave man jibberish explained the problem, he jumped into troubleshooting mode.

He checked the internet connection. We were good there. He restarted Skype. And then the computer. While the computer was loading, he encouraged me to try loading Skype from the app on my phone.

Because it was now the designated time for the reading (and I knew she was ready, her people were anxiously talking to me), I text my client explaining I was having some technical difficulties. Thankfully she was understanding!

Back into troubleshooting mode, I tried my husband's suggestion and opened the Skype app on my phone. A connection couldn't be established. Nor could a connection be created to Skype on my computer. At this point, my husband threw his hands up determining from everything he could see, it was a Skype issue.

Realizing we were going nowhere fast trying to solve that problem. With my client’s people moving past anxious into pushy, I text my client the following: “I’m so sorry, it appears Skype is not working on my end. That leaves us with two options. We can chalk this up to Mercury Retrograde and continue with the reading via phone. Or, we can take this as a sign that the reading isn’t supposed to happen today and reschedule. How would you like to proceed?”

I wasn’t surprised when she opted for a phone reading. As soon as I dialed her, the brilliant woman that she is had another option. “What about Facetime?”

When she mentioned it, I questioned why I didn’t think of that? While I rarely use it, FaceTime is one of the reasons I selected an iPhone over an Android. What a great idea! And so easy! I didn’t even have to disconnect. Within moments I was able to see her smiling face and we proceeded with a reading. And fortunately we didn’t encounter any further hiccups.

Moral of this story: While yes mercury retrograde can wreak some havoc, you have choice in the matter as to how you respond to it. This is also true with any challenges and obstacles you face in life. Attitude is everything. Choose to overcome. Be creative! There is always a solution out there.