Wine Therapy?

Some of you may think that the only way to get any therapeutic benefit from wine is to drink it. Well, here's another way: Olavie Chardonnay Wine Therapy. This treatment provides the highest quality antioxidant skin care by using products that contain a Chardonnay grape seed extract that's seven times more potent than Vitamin E.

This line of products have been a hit with celebrities and top spas where it is possible to book a wine therapy treatment. Try at your local spa or, if your post-holiday budget is a bit tight, try doing a treatment at home. The Body Butter contains Chardonnay grape seed extract to fight off free radicals and lavender and rosemary extracts to impart a healthy glow to your skin. 

Go ahead and indulge -- this is one of those rare things that not only feels good but is good for you. Resolve to pamper yourself a bit this year.

As for me, I will try my wine therapy from a glass.... ahem.

Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius

Eminent astrologer Felissa Rose writes to us about the upcoming Mercury Retrograde. Please visit her website for more great articles. And you can reach her at her email at: [email protected]

WINTER 2008 MERCURY RETROGRADE

The planet Mercury will be going retrograde on January 28, 2008 at 3:32 PM Eastern Standard time at 23 degrees 48 in the sign of Aquarius. On February 18, 2008 at 9:58 PM EST Mercury will be going direct at 8 degrees 19 minutes also in Aquarius.

Aquarius is the astrological sign ruling electricity and technology. Mercury governs wires, mechanical equipment and communications. This increases the likelihood of power outages and electrical breakdowns possibly due to inclement winter weather. Take steps to back-up your hard drive and data and try to avoid purchases of technological equipment until Mercury goes direct. When equipment breaks down one often has to purchase replacements out of necessity.

Several years ago my phone answering machine went in the midst of a Mercury retrograde period. Bought a new one which worked and is still working beautifully except for one major flaw. There was no way to mute the sound of incoming calls. So whenever I was having dinner or in the midst of a meeting I could hear the incoming message.

Mercury will next be retrograde during 2008 from May 26 to June 19, and September 24 to October 15.
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An excellent book on this subject is Retrograde Planets: Traversing the Inner Landscape, by Erin Sullivan.

Wayward Avatar Newsletter

For all you budding writers, here is a chance to get your new age experiences into print. Peter P. Sbrockey is launching a new occult newsletter. Here is the info to contact him directly with any questions:

Wayward Avatar Newsletter is now accepting submissions from artist and writers within the realm of the occult, Thelema, Wicca, ufology, and new age traditions. we especially seek those inspired by personal experience. Contact us at: Wayward Avatar, PO Box 6128, Wheeling, WV 26003 or [email protected]

Biodynamic Wines

I enjoy drinking good wines but when I walk into a wine shop I don't have a clue about how to select a bottle. When I am not being cheap, I might splurge on a wine based solely on its pretty label. But that doesn't always result in good plonk. It was only when I heard about the increasing popularity of biodynamic wines that I was intrigued enough to learn a bit more.

Biodynamic wines are produced using principles of organic farming along with aspects of mysticism to make vineyards more harmonious with the land. Bonny Doon Vineyards is one of a growing number of vineyards adopting this discipline and creating critically acclaimed wines in the process. Bonny Doon Vineyards states they "harmonize our farming practices with the subtle forces of the universe, following the astronomical calendar, availing ourselves of free cosmic fertilizer..." Wikipedia notes:

Many grape growers claim to have tried biodynamic methods and found immediate improvements in the health of their vineyards, specifically speaking in the areas of biodiversity, soil fertility, crop nutrition, and pest, weed, and disease management. Winemakers claim to have noted stronger, clearer, more vibrant tastes, as well as wines that remain drinkable longer.

You can find a lot more online. As for me, the next time I'm in the wine shop, I'm looking for the biodynamic section. Hey anything for a good karmic buzz!!
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Of related interest is: The Biodynamic Food & Cookbook: Real Nutrition That Doesn't Cost the Earth by Wendy E. Cook

Void of Course Moons - February 2008

For those of you who track the void of course moons through the months, here is February 2008. Read more about the definition of the VOC either here VOC Moons or in Debbi Kempton-Smith's great book "Secrets From a Stargazers Notebook" and see how they can improve your timing.

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

MOON VOID OF COURSE – FEBUARY 2008

THE FOLLOWING TIMES ARE CALCULATED FOR EASTERN STANDARD. ADJUSTMENTS MUST BE MADE FOR OTHER TIME ZONES.

VOID BEGINS - VOID ENDS                             SIGN MOON ENTERS AFTER VOID

Sat Feb 2 5:22 PM To Sun Feb 3 4:53 AM       Moon enters Capricorn

Mon Feb 4 1:21 PM To Tue Feb 5 2:11 PM      Moon enters Aquarius

Thu Feb 7 10:51 AM To 8:47 PM                    Moon enters Pisces

Sat Feb 9 4:06 PM To Sun Feb 10 1:18 AM     Moon enters Aries

Mon Feb 11 8:01 PM To Tue Feb 12 4:35 AM   Moon enters Taurus

Thu Feb 14 12:06 AM To 7:20 AM                  Moon enters Gemini 

Sat Feb 16 5:18 AM To 10:13 AM                   Moon enters Cancer

Sun Feb 17 4:14 PM To Mon Feb 18 1:52 PM   Moon enters Leo

Wed Feb 20 12:54 PM To 7:07 PM                  Moon enters Virgo

Fri Feb 22 9:16 PM To Sat Feb 23 2:46 AM     Moon enters Libra

Mon Feb 25 8:36 AM To 1:07 PM                    Moon enters Scorpio

Wed Feb 27 9:55 AM To Thu Feb 28 1:23 AM  Moon enters Sagittarius

Felissa can be reached via email at: [email protected] and also has a webpage at http://www.accessnewage.com/Felissa/