Wow, I can’t believe I’m doing February’s newsletter already!!!!

I hope that all of you have had a safe Christmas break, here in Australia bushfires are burning and so many have lost homes and animals, and very sadly we have had the first death due to the fires and my heart goes out to the family of that lovely gentleman.

It has taken be a while, as in a few years but I have finally realised that a house is just a house and it’s full of stuff, even though it would be very traumatic to have to start again, as long as my family and pets are safe, I no longer care about the rest – the first weren’t far from our farm in the big 2000 fires and I told the Fire Fighters, as long as you have the pets (we weren’t home, at work and school) don’t bother risking your lives to save the house, it’s just not worth it.

The Australian bush is an amazing thing, the fires tear through burning everything in its wake but as soon as there is some rain, you see the green shoots starting to form and it rejuvenates, which brings me to the festival of February!

Lughnasadh! (pronounced Loo-nah-sah)or  it may be called Lammas – it iscelebrated on either the 1st or 2nd February and this year it is on the 1st February.

What is it I hear you ask! 

It is a harvest festival, a time to reflect and celebrate on what you have harvested in your own life over the past year, a time to reflect on what you have and be thankful for it.

At this time of year we are reminded that even though we are surrounded by bounty, the wheel of seasons is slowly turning and we are going into the winter months.

It is also a time to show appreciation for all that you have received, whether actual or emotional, as in you give thanks for new confidence and to celebrate life.

This is the time of year to de-clutter your homes and minds, give things to charity, start meditating, volunteer – I think you know what I’m talking about!

If you have an altar, you may wish to do a little ritual of cleansing your home with a smudge stick and then lighting a candle and reflecting on and writing down things that you regret.  As you write these things down, farewell them as it is time to let them go.

In a safe environment burn your list and as you watch the smoke go up to the sky say goodbye to those things and be ready to move forward.

And then focus on the next phase of the year!

A little further down Michelle has done the monthly astrology report for each start sign, something that she is going to do each month for you all!!  Remember, if you would like your birth chart done – this gives you an overview of your life and what is to come, OR your 2013 year chart to know what you should or shouldn’t be focussing on – give Michelle a call, her details are at the end of the Astrology report.

IMPORTANT – I have had a few people say that their CDs aren’t working, I have no idea why because I check them before giving them out – if yours didn’t work please send it back with your email address and I will try and get it off the CD and email you the reading – I may have to look at this as the permanent option.

My Postal address is PO Box 451, Newcastle NSW or if you come to the office just slide it under the door!  Don’t forget to give me your email address!!!!

A message from: – Freyja – Nordic Goddess

Sometimes in life you need to be careful with the choices that you make, but don’t let complacency become a habit, sometimes you have to take that leap of faith, be bold, step outside your comfort zone, take risks but most importantly of all, believe in yourself and what you are able to achieve!  Don’t let safety stop the adventure in your life.  Feel confident with who you are and where you are heading, as the saying goes, you won’t lie on your death bed thinking “I wish I had worked more hours”, so write down your ‘bucket list’ of all the things that you would like to do and achieve and just start.

Astrology – by Michelle Oberdorf

This monthly forecast is based on your Sun sign, if you know your Moon and Rising (Ascendant) signs please read them as well for further insight.

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19): With Mars, Mercury, Sun, Chiron and Neptune all in your 12th house of endings, you may find a few issues coming to completion this month. Have faith that the things that need to be released from you life are the right ones to go. You may also feel more compassion toward those who are less fortunate than yourself, and offer your services accordingly. Saturn will turn Retrograde from the 18th in your 8th house. This is a time to reflect on self-discipline, responsibility and control issues within intimate relationships. Shared resources, mutual funds, wills and inheritances are all items which may come up for resolution during this time. Mercury too will turn Retrograde from the 23rd for 3 weeks and is an introspective time to reflect on past actions and to re-evaluate where you fit within the greater scheme of things. Your ruling planet, Mars, will conjunct both Neptune and Chiron this month, a time to retreat and meditate on your deep desires and ideals, and on your desire for healing any sorrows. Tap into your intuition and imagination, see what comes up and go for it!

Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): Your 11th house of friends, humanitarian, community or non-profit purpose and ideals contains Neptune, Chiron, Mercury, Sun and Mars this month. Therefore there will be a lot more energy and activity here for you if you are involved with people or in any of these areas. Ask yourself who and what do you want to be involved with and what inspires your friendships and social contacts. Mercury will go Retrograde from the 23rd for 3 weeks so offering a time to re-evaluate who your friends are, and also your concepts around friendships, and maybe to let go of people, organisations and ideals which are no longer helpful. Venus, your ruling planet, remains in your 10th house of career and status until later in the month when it too moves into the 11th, so achieve anything practical regarding your career earlier in the month. Venus will sextile Uranus so unexpected career opportunities may arise through friends, those in authority, or interesting people this month. Saturn in your 7th house of partnerships will go Retrograde from the 18th for a few months so go within to examine where you need to learn about limitations, taking responsibility, and discipline and caution in relationships. Is there more work you need to do in this area? Venus will square Saturn as well so feeling frustrated and choosing duty over love or difficulties in expressing affection may be issues to be resolved as well.

Gemini (May 21-Jun 21): Your 9th house will be packed this month with the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Neptune, Mars and Chiron here so thoughts of higher education, philosophies or the higher mind, your moral beliefs, travelling to different cultures and a broader view on life generally may be on your mind. Saturn goes Retrograde on the 18th in your 6th house of daily routines and health, offering a time to review your work skills, day-to-day service, and health and diet issues. Your commitment, sense of responsibility and self-discipline in these areas may however be tested. Reflect on any lessons you may need to learn in these areas of life. Mercury, your ruling planet, will also be Retrograde from the 23rd February to 17th March in your 10th house of career and vocation from later in the month, so is a good month for reconsidering practical concerns, dealing with authority figures, and where you want to be in your accomplishments and career goals. Mercury conjuncts Mars and Neptune so you may feel inspired to creatively and intuitively think about your ‘ideal’ or ‘dream’ career this month, and act on it, however, be mindful dispel any fantasies and illusions around the vocational area.

Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 22): Venus is entering your 8th house highlighting shared values, resources and intimacy with a partner, as well as divorce, custody, wills and inheritance issues – which should all flow more smoothly. Mars will enter your 9th house giving you the drive to explore the broader world, and your own personal philosophies ie morals and ethics, and you may take action to travel or enrol in a higher education course. Mercury and the Sun will also illuminate this area along with Neptune, so you might go on an inspired adventure, and heal through connecting with others from a different culture, as Chiron is in your 9th house too. Mercury goes Retrograde in your 9th house from the 23rd for 3 weeks so you may wish to revise or reconsider any travel or educational plans. Saturn goes Retrograde in your 5th house on the 18th as well, a time to examine how you use your creative talents to perform in this world, to reconsider having children or situations with children, or to take a leadership role regarding your self-expression. Reflect too on whether you feel limited in this area in any way. The Full Moon (your ruling planet) on 25th occurs in your 2nd house of talents and resources so work out which financial and emotional resources you value and wish to keep, and those which you need to release.

Leo (July 23-Aug 22): Energetic Mars enters your 8th house early in the month so a lot of drive will go towards transforming any of the following areas – sex, death, inheritances, research and going deep into topics, and shared resources within intimate partnerships. Mercury enters your 8th house as well on the 5th so your thinking process may be deeply introspective and transformative as well. Mercury goes Retrograde on the 23rd for 3 weeks so you’ll be renegotiating, rethinking and reflecting too on the area of shared resources and intimate partnerships. The Sun, your ruling planet, again too moves into your 8th, along with Chiron and Neptune, so healing around sexuality, or dealing with any illusions and fantasies concerning intimacy may come up. Saturn goes Retrograde in your 4th house on the 18th so your energy will be turned within regarding; connection to Mother, unconscious childhood patterns and conditioning, and home and family, and is a good time to deal with taking personal responsibility for any of these areas. Reflect upon your past family life, and how you are now within your own family. Venus enters your 7th house so love, attraction, beauty and more opportunities for harmony are themes which arise within partnerships, and identifying your values within relationships may also come up as well. Venus then enters your 8th house too so if you are working on shared resources, and joint financial and emotional commitments there will be an opportunity to find harmony. 

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): Mars is in your 7th house of partnerships so a lot of energy will be put towards your marriage or business partnerships this month. You will be more attracted to energetic, driven people, and you can be more assertive and passionate in your relationships as well. Mercury, your ruling planet, will enter your 7th house on the 5th so you’ll be putting a lot of thought into your relationships, and communicating more with significant others too. Mercury goes retrograde on the 23rd 3 weeks so you’ll be going inward and reconsidering your relationships, reflecting on the past and what you need to work on now so as not to repeat unhealthy patterns. The Sun moves into the 7th too, along with Chiron and Neptune, so healing past relationships is also a theme, as is more romance, inspiration, fantasies and romantic illusions which may be held on to. Deception and confusion in relationships could also be a theme. Saturn goes Retrograde on the 18th in your 3rd house so your communication patterns, and your common sense, practical, rational thought processes and communication with siblings can be reviewed. You may also feel limited and restricted in your relationships with siblings, and communicative expression is an area you need to work on. Be cautious in your thinking and speaking as well, and ‘writer’s block’ may come up for some of you. Venus enters your 6th house assisting you to identify your true values in relation to your health and day-to-day routines.   

Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22): Mars is moving into your 6th house this month, so lots of energy will be put toward improving day-to-day routines, service and skills, and health habits. Mercury will move into the 6th house too so thinking about your health and adjusting your daily habits, offering a good time to reconsider your work and health routines and making any necessary adjustments in these areas. Venus moves into your 5th house so this the time to take a risk on romance, your creative self-expression, play and loving yourself more. What do you value when it comes to your leisure time and play? Venus enters your 6th house on the 25th, joining the Sun and Mars so again examine your values concerning your daily routines, skills and health then. Saturn goes Retrograde on the 18th in your 2nd house so slow down, turn inward and reconsider your responsibility around your own resources, including your money, talents and skills, and how this ties in with your own talents. Do you have authority over your own money and resources? Do you need to work and build on your talents? Do you feel your talents are valued, and/or do you feel limited and tested in the area of money, talents and resources – maybe needing discipline in this area?

Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): Mars enters your 5th house so use your energy and drive towards your creative self-expression, your love life, children and play. Mercury enters this area too on the 5th so you’ll be doing a lot of thinking and reflecting, reconsidering in these fun areas, especially when Mercury goes Retrograde on the 23rd for 3 weeks. Venus enters your 4th house on the 5th as well so you might feel attracted to beautifying the home, improving your home and family circumstances, and even dealing with any unconscious psychological foundations and emotional security issues left over from childhood. Saturn goes Retrograde on the 18th in your 1st house so go within and reconsider your personal identity, personality and self-image, and where you feel restricted, or how your persona/mask might be inhibiting and limiting your happiness. Mars trines Saturn on the 16th so you can take personal responsibility and examine where you can apply going after what you want in a creative way.

Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21): Venus enters your 3rd house offering a good time to communicate feelings about love and what you are attracted to, to be more social and share ideas with siblings and neighbours as well. Mars enters your 4th house so a lot of energy will go towards home and family connections and domestic concerns such as renovating or decorating. The Sun moves into 4th house too on the 18th along with Mercury as well, so a lot of socialising and communicating with family this month! Mercury goes Retrograde on the 23rd for 3 weeks so you may be reconsidering ideas around family, home, where you want to live, any changes you want to make in the home, possibly buying and selling, or even reflecting on the past and baggage you haven’t let go of that is affecting your family life. Saturn goes Retrograde on the 18th in your 12th house of endings, so you may again reflect and meditate on past, hidden, psychological issues and bring them to completion. There might also be a lesson around the results of what you’ve put out, and what has come back to you karmically. Where can you work to be of spiritual service to others may be a theme as well. Venus trines Jupiter on the 7th so you can enjoy socialising and expanding your social circle. This is perfect party energy. Mars squares Jupiter on the 10th so you may feel like pushing forward but frustrated that obstacles may be in your path. Apply your wisdom here to resolve the issue.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19): Mars enters your 3rd house this month so lots of energy will be focussed on communicating and relating to others, and you’ll be expressing your thoughts and ideas more. This may enhance any relationships with siblings and those you study with. This energy will be further highlighted as Mercury (naturally ruling the 3rd) will enter your 3rd house along with the Sun on the 18th, entering Pisces. This is a time for thinking, considering and examining your understanding of your communication patterns and thought processes, especially since Mercury turns Retrograde on the 23rd for 3 weeks. There could be delays in transportation and emails/communications during this time. Saturn turns Retrograde in your 11th house of friendships on the 18th so you may go within to examine how you communicate with friends and other social contacts, learning more discipline and testing your limits in friendships along the way. Explore where are you restraining yourself or lacking personal responsibility, or where are you being overly responsible in this area of life. It may be wise to be more cautious around the friendship area as well. Venus enters your 2nd house this month so you could attract more money, or possibilities to work on your talents and self-value, evaluating these areas and think about how your talents can help elevate your self-worth. Venus enters your 3rd house later in the month, so communications may be more harmonious after the assertiveness of Mars. On February 12 Mars, then Mercury trines your ruling planet Saturn offering a good time to think, plan, organise and act on long-term goals, where you want to focus on disciplining yourself, and building your goals on a practical foundation.

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18): This month shifts the energy from your 1st house of personal identity to what you have and how you use what you have, with Mars, Sun, Mercury, Neptune, Chiron all working in your 2nd house of self-worth and your personal resources, what you own and what your talents are. You may earn extra income now which assists with improving your self-worth. Venus too moves into your 2nd house so think about how you can attract more money, or how you can use your talents to improve your financial situation and boost your self-worth. Venus sextiles your modern ruling planet Uranus so some unexpected changes may arise around a romantic interest, attracting relationships, or money issues may come up. Communications may shift too. Mercury goes Retrograde from the 23rd for 3 weeks so you’ll be reconsidering what you have to offer regarding earning money, where your practical talents, skill and values lie, and thinking about how to use these talents and skills in alignment with your values. The Sun enters Pisces on the 18th so there is a lot of energy and focus this month on your 2nd house. Saturn, your traditional ruler, goes Retrograde in your 10th house of career and status, so there may be some restraint in this area, or you may take on more responsibility at work. This is a good time for inner reflection and examination also of what kind of status you have, what you would like to have, and what control, discipline and goals you have or would like to work towards in your career.

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20): Mars enters your sign early this month so you will be putting lots of energy and drive towards your personal identity, maybe making changes to your appearance, and you’ll be more energetic and have more vitality. Get active! Mercury is in your sign as well so think about who you are and what type of person you want to be. A good time to communicate more with others, and to tap in to your intuitive messages. The Sun goes into Pisces on the 18th reinforcing the focus on self and identity. Venus is in your 12th house so you might want to think about what you want to attract, a good time to retreat and reflect on what you value and what you want to bring into your life. There may even be some endings after evaluating what you like and what you are attracted to (and what you’re not). Mercury goes Retrograde on the 23rd for 3 weeks offering a time to review what you’re putting out there that isn’t your authentic self, or the speaking of your truth. Saturn goes Retrograde in your 7th house on the 18th shifting some of the focus to your one-to-one relationships, maybe bringing lessons to this are of life, as well as more caution, limits, restrictions, and is generally a time to reflect on your responsibilities in this area. Look at what you’re projecting on to your partner, or how you fit in and balance out a partner too. The Sun, Mars and Mercury will all conjunct your ruler Neptune, so there will be more emphasis on your dreams and fantasies about who you are, or who you would like to be, and also forms of escape and the potential dispelling of illusions and deceptions.

To finish off, the New Moon this month falls in Aquarius on 10th February, so use the energy to connect with friends, and/or to make new friends and social contacts or join new group activities. This New Moon also marks the Chinese New Year, which heralds the year of the Water Snake, and it is Snake year for those of you born in 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2013. Snakes have great emotional depth, are generally quiet and placid, and are very intuitive and introspective.

If you would like to have a personal astrology chart done or just for more information please contact Michelle on: 0404 464 740 or michelle.oberdorf@gmail.com and you can visit her website: http://www.hygeiashaven.com.au/

ELESTIAL SMOKEY QUARTZ – A CRYSTAL FOR 2013  by Trudie

Hello everyone.  I trust that 2013 is treating you kindly so far.

I asked Spirit and the Crystal realm what they would like me to bring to people’s attention at the moment for the New Year’s energies, and I received Smokey Quartz and “Elestial.”

The actual meaning of the word Elestial, comes from the base word, celestial (by dropping the C) to make the new word Elestial. The prefix  ‘el’ means ‘above the horizon’ and is related to  heavenly beings and the Divine. Angelic beings are known to be part of the celestial realm… and Elestial quartz has a strong energy to contact celestial beings, and in particular the angels.

These are a stone for our times, as they aid atunement  with the higher vibrations,  open doorways to higher dimensions, and assist healing on a deeper soul, and karmic level.

Whilst most Elestial crystals will open up the crown chakra and above, the Smoky Elestial crystals  are  known to have a particularly strong resonance at the base chakra and earth chakra. This creates a powerful action of spiritual grounding  the higher frequency vibrations into the earth.

Smoky Elestial quartz crystals have a number of excellent metaphysical properties, including the capacity to be strong psychic protection stones.

The Smokey Elestials are excellent healing crystals, that have a potent vibration for creating healing, within the etheric body. They are helpful quartz formations to aid sleep problems, and in preventing nightmares. If you have a painful area in your body, place the Elestial quartz crystal on the spot and allow it to aid the pain.

Use this crystal to journey back into past lives to release karma that is trapped in your energy field.

Even more potently, it may also dissolve ancient magical ritual energy within your ancestral line, that is stopping you from being able to let go of past trauma and pain.

Start by holding the crystal in your hand and allow yourself to relax completely, as you slip deeply into a state of focused relaxation.

Once you have let go of all normal thought, and are aware of a profound state of relaxed inner awareness… bring your attention to the Elestial quartz crystal that you are holding.

These crystals have easily felt ridges and layers, which you can softly and gently stroke as you run your fingers over them.

If you feel a reason to stop at some specific area of the stone do so, and press gently on the stone where your finger stops. Relax and allow the information that the stone is bringing to you from spirit to flow into your mind.  Enjoy!

Trudie Ann Moore is a shamanic healer specialising in Soul Retrieval, and crystals are among the many tools she uses in her work. For more information visit: www.soulsurgery.net.au or join in the conversation on Facebook at: facebook.com/TrudieAnnspiritualhealing

 It’s Never too late to …… get fit

The key to getting fit is to start, slowly but surely set yourself goals, but make them reasonable and realistic, when you take a moment to think of how long it took you to get unfit, you will realise that you’re not going to be able to change those habits overnight.  So, set small goals, walk one block at a leisurely pace and then each week, pick up speed until, if you’re able, you can jog around the block, then increase the distance to two blocks.  Go to the swimming pool and just swim across the pool not the length, even if you can only paddle half and then swim the other half, you’ve started.  Most importantly, be proud of the fact that you’re out there and that you’ve started.   And remember, never be afraid to ask for help.

PSYCHIC PARTIES – I also do party groups where everyone has as 15 minute reading – this is lots of fun for baby showers, birthdays, hens nights etc and it’s just $20 per reading.  These readings aren’t burnt to disc because there are usually too many people and it just takes up too much time, but I am able to take notes or the person having the reading can take them if they wish.

FUNDRAISING – I’ve also done a few fundraisers, again which I am happy to do to help a good cause – I usually give a percentage of my takings for the day to help raise funds.

GROUP OF FRIENDS – If you don’t want to go the whole hog with a psychic party but there are four or so friends that would like half hour readings, I will visit you in your home – as long as it’s within a certain radius of Newcastle!  As long as I have a private spot to sit and water to drink, I’m happy!!!

Courses/Workshops

Developing your intuition and clairvoyance one day workshop – Saturday, 2^nd March 2013 this workshop has a limit of 6 people and needs to be paid for prior to attendance to confirm your spot – all information on the workshop is on my website www.katrina-jane.com

Kick Start your life – one day workshop – Saturday, 23^rd March 2013, this workshop has a limit of 6 people and needs to be paid for prior to attendance to confirm your spot – all information on the workshop is on my website www.katrina-jane.com

If you would like me to bring my workshop to your area – please email me at Katrina@katrina-jane.com

If there is anything that you would like to see in my newsletters, please let me know!  I want them to be interesting for you all to read.

Blessed be.

Love and Light Katrina