Madam Lichtenstein's Cosmic World

Lucky Numbers for Week of July 10, 2009

Lottery ads tell us you only need a dollar and a dream. But I think it is also helpful to have a list of lucky numbers to help spur the good fortune ... or fortunes.

So with that in mind, I decided that we could use some lucky numbers that can be used in any helpful way. I gazed into a pool of water, Nostradamus-like, and contemplated the cosmos. Then I mixed the tarot cards and allowed the spirits to guide me to the cards that represent the lucky numbers for this week. Nothing is guaranteed but who knows ....?

I choose eight numbers because 8 is the number of wealth.

Here are the lucky numbers for the week of July 10-16, 2009:

24, 26, 37, 38, 44, 47, 48, 74

There are many ways to delve into your own consciousness to find luck and intuition. Try reading Dream Power/Improve Your Luck (Super Strength Series) and see if your dreams give you any clues and premonitions.

NASA Apollo 11 Moon Landing - Horoscope

On July 20, 1969 at 4:17pm Eastern Time, NASA's Apollo 11 rocket space ship landed on the surface of the moon. Astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped off the lunar module on to the moon's surface declaring "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." This year marks the 40th anniversary of that event.

My question is - how does one cast a horoscope chart for this event? To cast an astrological horoscope you need the date (July 20, 1969), time (4:17pm eastern time) and the place (the Moon). Since a horoscope is a schema of how the stars and planets were placed from the perspective of the earth, how can we cast a horoscope for a chart that is not based on a birthplace on earth? If the earth was used for this chart, wouldn't the degrees and houses of the planets and signs be off?

So instead of casting a full horoscope, let's just look at the planets in their signs to get a sense of what was going on astrologically that day:

Among the personal planets - The Sun was in the sign of Cancer that day indicating a highly emotional time that could be said to bring people together. The zodiac sign of Cancer is ruled by the Moon. Isn't it remarkable that we were able to connect to the astrological sign of Cancer on such a cosmic level as to visit and touch it's ruling planet while the Sun was placed in that sign? Also, Mercury was in Cancer which indicates emotional thoughts and communication. What Astronaut Armstrong said that day resonated through the world and over the years. Venus was in Gemini which means platonic love for many; a gathering in of people in a friendly way. Also, intellectual connection, a happy flow of ideas and theories. Energetic Mars in Sagittarius shows that there was a need and ability to reach out beyond our borders. Sagittarius represents higher learning and international travel. There is nothing more international than another planet! Successful long journeys that help bridge gaps and learn about other cultures, new territories and exotic lands.

With the outer planets that are more "generational' in nature - Jupiter was in Libra which was the time of the very late 1960s and in 1970 where everything was mellow, optimistic and expansive. Libra is diplomatic and strives for balance. The moon landing fits perfectly with that type of energy. At the time it was just the beginning of the Vietnam War where we had advisors and a smaller amount of troops. The escalation would occur in the early 1970s as Jupiter moved into intense Scorpio. In 1969 Saturn was in Taurus which indicates that we approach our problems and challenges in a diligent and direct manner. Taureans have lots of reserve energy and they keep going and going until they get to where they need and want to go. The moon landing took years of planning and research. It is no surprise that it was accomplished when Saturn was in Taurus. Also in 1969, Uranus was in Libra showing that even surprises could result in diplomacy and balance. Apollo 11 landed on the surface of the moon with 30 seconds of fuel left. Uranus in Libra helped make that landing safe and without nasty surprises. Neptune was in Scorpio which helped engage our best and creative minds into making something as unbelievable as landing and walking on the moon possible through careful planning, strategic thinking and political shrewness. Finally Pluto in Virgo was the post baby boom generation now known as Generation X - serious, diligent, hard working and practical. (Rather unlike the previous Pluto in Leo generation of boomers who "let it all hang out".)

In seeing the planetary placements for the moon landing, it is no wonder we were able to make this space event a success. View the moon landing on this great DVD: Man on the Moon Lunar Landing Films on DVD Apollo 11 Outer Space

Where were YOU on July 20, 1969? Do you recall what you were feeling that day? Personal remembrances of that day are featured on History As You Experienced It blog. 

Why do Buddhist monks sleep upright?

BBC News reported on the strange and uncomfortable way certain Buddhist monks sleep that help to answer the question "Why do Buddhist monks sleep upright?"

A group of Buddhist monks recently emerged from four years in isolation in a retreat in Scotland, having spent their nights sleeping in an upright position. Why?

"The aim is definitely to sit upright and reduce the need for sleep." The monks at the Samye Dechen Shing Buddhist retreat in Dumfriesshire trained themselves to sleep upright in a "meditation box" for less than five hours per night. I know I would be cranky after all of this sleep-deprivation. Some experts say that it is possible to sleep upright but in deep, dreamy REM sleep muscle tone is lost so we tend to slither down as we enter deep healthy sleep. 

But be warned - Constraining sleep can cause health problems for the ordinary person, especially heart disease and depression. Meditation can help diminish the negative aspects of sleep deprivation as would a monk-like cloistered life devoid of day to day stress.

For those who would like to help reduce the stress in their life (but maybe sleep in a reclining or prone position instead of upright, here are a few suggested books on the subject - Sleep Deprivation and Sleep Management Books

Void of Course Moons - August 2009

For those of you who track the void of course moons through the months, here is August 2009. Read more about the definition of the VOC and see how they can improve your timing. Hot off the press -- this month I highly recommend: Personal Development for Smart People: The Conscious Pursuit of Personal Growth. The author reveals the unvarnished truth about what it takes to consciously grow as a human being. As you read, you’ll learn the seven universal principles behind all successful growth and practical, insightful methods for improving your health, relationships, career, finances, and more.

A big thank you to renowned astrologer Felissa Rose for the charts.

MOON VOID OF COURSE –- AUGUST 2009

THE FOLLOWING ARE CALCULATED FOR EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME. ADJUSTMENT MUST BE MADE FOR OTHER TIME ZONES.

VOID BEGINS    VOID ENDS                                    SIGN MOON ENTERS AFTER VOID

Sun Aug 2 1:43 am To 4:09 am                                 Moon enters Capricorn

Tue Aug 4 9:22 am To 5:09 pm                                Moon enters Aquarius

Thu Aug 6 8:21 pm To Fri Aug 7 5:35 am                 Moon enters Pisces

Sun Aug 9 8:46 am To 4:24 pm                                Moon enters Aries

Tue Aug 11 4:04 pm To Wed Aug 12 12:51 am         Moon enters Taurus

Thu Aug 13 11:18 pm To Fri Aug 14 6:27 am           Moon enters Gemini

Sun Aug 16 2:20 am To 9:14 am                             Moon enters Cancer

Tue Aug 18 3:10 am To 9:58 am                            Moon enters Leo

Thu Aug 20 6:03 am To 10:02 am                          Moon enters Virgo

Sat Aug 22 7:45 am To 11:13 am                          Moon enters Libra

Mon Aug 24 2:11 pm To 3:17 pm                          Moon enters Scorpio

Wed Aug 26 2:36 pm To 11:17 pm                       Moon enters Sagittarius

Sat Aug 29 1:27 am To 10:45 am                         Moon enters Capricorn

Mon Aug 31 2:10 pm To 11:44 pm                        Moon enters Aquarius

You can email Felissa at: felissarose@fairpoint.net or visit her website at www.accessnewage.com/felissa

You can also check the Void of Course Moon cycle by consulting an Ephemeris.

Sarah Palin Steps Down - further astrological insight

In my previous astrology post about Sarah Palin's resignation I did not talk about the timing of her announcement which was done during the shadow of a lunar eclipse. I don't think she could have picked a worse time to decide and implement this dramatic decision.

July and August 2009 will see three eclipses - a lunar eclipse on July 7, 2009, a solar eclipse on July 22, 2009 and another lunar eclipse on August 6, 2009.

Eclipses are times of heightened emotions. We may rush into action that we later regret because we are thinking with our hearts and not our minds. Read more abut the upcoming eclipses here. It is best to postponed decisions or actions ten days before and three days after an eclipse when we return to more logical and long term thinking.

Sarah Palin's resignation announcement came with the ten day period preceding the first lunar eclipse which indicates to me that the decision was ill formed and ill timed. I think the results of her decision will prove to be disappointing too her and will not turn out as she expects.

Read more about the impact of eclipses with these great book: Eclipses: Predicting World Events & Personal Transformation (Special Topics in Astrology)