Earth - Centered Religions Have A Place of Worship At Air Force

The Washington Post has just reported that the Air Force Academy has set aside an outdoor worship area for Pagans, Wiccans, Druids and other Earth-centered believers. 

This seems to me like a big step to include all religions in the armed services. While I am not sure how many of our troops are earth-centered believers, I hope it helps to foster a stronger sense of community within the Air Force academy.

The article says in part - A double circle of stones atop a hill on the campus near Colorado Springs has been designated for the group. Lt. Col. William Ziegler, one of the academy's chaplains, said designating the space is part of the school's effort to foster religious tolerance and to defend the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. 15 to 20 cadets have shown an interest in Earth-centered beliefs, and eight to 10 regularly attend Monday night meetings. Of those, six or seven are devout believers and the others are "searchers," This is out of 4,000 cadets. Many "earth-centered" religions recognize multiple gods and goddesses and observe holidays tied to the seasons. The goddess is symbolic of the Earth.

Christiane Amanpour and her Superstitions

Did you know that Christiane Amanpour, fearless reporter for CNN, is superstitious? According to the New York Times she says that she is. Among her superstitions is that she touches wood a lot and that she will rush in to light candles in a church wherever she is.

Touching wood is a very common superstition. According to World Wide Words to touch wood (or knock on wood) is a superstition action to ward off any evil consequences or bad luck, perhaps because of some recent action you’ve taken or untimely boasting about your good fortune (“I’ve never been in danger of drowning, touch wood”); it can also be a charm to bring good luck.

The origin is unknown, though some writers have pointed to pre-Christian rituals involving the spirits of sacred trees such as the oak, ash, holly or hawthorn. There is, I’m told, an old Irish belief that you should knock on wood to let the little people know that you are thanking them for a bit of good luck. There’s also a belief that the knocking sound prevents the Devil from hearing your unwise comments.

I tend to be a bit superstitious too from never walking under a ladder to always tossing spilled salt over my shoulder. To get the full range of superstitions out there, read The Encyclopedia of Superstitions

Tarot Card Decks - Types of Tarot Cards and Their Meaning

There are now more than  fifty types of Tarot decks (and counting...) with a mad rush of “Po Mo”s (post modern) designs flooding the market every day. Need a round deck? A miniature one? One for witches? One in german? There is a deck for everyone! Generally speaking though, all these decks have some things in common; 78 cards divided into Major and Minor Arcana sections. Each card has it’s own range of meanings depending upon whether it is drawn right side up or “reversed” (upside down). Woe betide the reader who can’t tell the difference!

The 56 Minor Arcana cards resemble the usual deck of 52 playing cards (with Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks and tens through twos) with the addition of four “Knights”. There are four “suits” - The “Club-like” Wands (business), the “Heart-like” Cups (love), the “Spade-like” Swords (difficulties) and the “Diamond-like” Pentacles (money).

It is said that the 22 Major Arcana cards add more intense implications to the forecast. These cards have dramatic names to go with their dramatic meanings. Monikers like “The Fool” (who are you calling Fool, fool?), The Devil (Watch where you’re pointing that pitchfork, buddy!), and Death (Yikes! Actually not a bad card...) all contribute to the mystique of the Tarot and separate the good reader from the fraud.

Horoscope for Week of February 22, 2010

The Sun enters Pisces and stirs up our emotions and intuition. Float into the week on a carpet of good vibes and expansive optimism. In fact you may feel so mellow that you’ll want to let loose and dance naked under the moon. Give a howl or two for greater effect.

(Elizabeth Taylor has Sun in Pisces)

Never miss your horoscope again -- free sign up here. Here is my favorite book on astrology and a "must" for anyone interested in learning more: Secrets from a Stargazer's Notebook: Making Astrology Work for You

ARIES   (MARCH 21 - APRIL 20)
What will you divine this week? You have choices - you can volunteer for a great community / political cause, undertake a monumental, personally transforming project or maybe even find some old timey religion. Rams angle for an angle and seem to possess a third eye that steers them on the right path. Rub a crystal ball to expand your range of possibilities.

TAURUS   (APRIL 21 - MAY 21)
There is something about this week that that has Bulls juggling their smartphones. If you find that your personal stock hits an all time high, don’t sell yourself short. Fill your dance card to the margins, expand your social circle to a planet and see how far your good looks and charm can carry you. Let’s hope they carry you to Paris ... first class.

GEMINI   (MAY 22 - JUNE 21)
For those Twins who have toiled in the backroom, this week will focus a magnificent spotlight on your overall career efforts. Step up and claim your gold ring and corner office; payback is here and it is so very sweet. But don’t forget to share your rewards and maintain your humility. They say it is lonely at the top. But I guess there are worse places to be lonely...

CANCER   (JUNE 22 - JULY 23)
Curiosity may have killed the cat but not you! Seek new horizons and see who and what is happening this week. Make your mark on the world and discover new and exciting people and places. If money is tight, satisfy your wanderlust through the internet or add some tasty foreign fare that is closer to home. But if you have the dough, go go go!

LEO   (JULY 24 - AUGUST 23)
Is it hot in here or is it just you? Lions loosen up their lacy collars this week. Sizzle with the sexy sensation and start frying with your own oil. Do I smell someone burning?? And yet there will be some contrarians among you who will try to rein in their sizzly desires. Only rein them in with silk scarves or neckties, lover. Whoo hoo!

VIRGO   (AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23)
Virgos yearn for harmony and balance in a relationship and now you can maintain your poise and aplomb while connecting on a more intimate level with your significant other. Put on your rosy glasses, gaze into the abyss and see a bubble bath. For those of you who ache for the full domestic package, this is the time to weigh in and see if you can tip the scales.

LIBRA   (SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23)
If you have been feeling like a order-taker worker drone, this week will have you overthrowing the oppressive capitalist system and taking your demands to the street. Toss off your shackles, Libra. There is an opportunity for you to shed your old skin and emerge wet and refreshed to tackle new tasks. Hey then get me a cup of coffee, will ya?

SCORPIO   (OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22)
Scorps feel in their prime this week. You are inspired, energized and full of fun and spit. There seems to be a party every hour and you simply cannot get enough good times. Eat drink and be merry compadre, for in the not-too-distant tomorrow you will have to adhere to a diet and take afternoon naps to conserve your energy. How very sad.

SAGITTARIUS   (NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22)
Focus your attention on home related projects. Archers expand and enhance their realm. Don’t chintz on the chintz. As long as you are feeling  benevolent, try to open a new line of communication with a certain relative. Who knows? You may find a point or two of light. If not, don’t curse the dark; flip a switch and go your own way.

CAPRICORN   (DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20)
If you have something to say, say it loud and clear this week. Caps are usually full of self-important opinions and now you can be very persuasive. Think before you speak and then bleed your screed online or tweet a legislator to get your vote in. It’s time to move a few mountains and mow them down into molehills. Steamroller anyone?

AQUARIUS   (JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19)
Your finances take a dramatic turn for the better now. The money seems to effortlessly roll in and Aquarians feel the need to go and splurge on some long awaited treat. But an ever better use of this week is to use it to plan for a future cushy retirement. Let’s do that sooner rather than later! Take charge, and I don’t mean credit card, pal.

PISCES   (FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20)
This is your happy birthday month, Pisces! You are blessed with good insights and meaningful communication and you deliver it with personality plus. Make good use of this zesty time. Set your sights on new opportunities and go get ‘em. Before you know it, the energy moves on and you will be just another schlub with a vacant grin and pocket protector.

(c) 2010 THE STARRY EYE, LLC., All Rights Reserved. For Entertainment Purposes Only. Lichtenstein is the author of the best selling astrology book “HerScopes ”,now in its seventh printing.

Lucky Numbers for the Week of February 19, 2010

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 February 19-25, 2010:

4, 17, 19, 22, 34, 51, 53, 60

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.