Friday, 24 June 2016
Tuesday, 21 June 2016
Coffees through the Zodiac
So this is a just a round up of the coffees through the zodiac with a few explanations for the choices:
Aries is ruled by Mars, a planet associated with the sexual urge, vitality and motivation. What better way to motivate an Aries than a dash of ginseng? Gotta be extra hot to please that Mars. I very much like what Jenn wrote about planetary influences in Verdant Gnosis: Cultivating the Green Path: Volume 2 (which I am reviewing for a magazine): "Mars likes things of its own nature, thus hot and sharp things, and when he cannot get hot and sharp, he will get frustrated and act accordingly."
We don't want any frustrated hot and sharp Aries now do we?
Taurus is ruled by Venus which Jenn says prefers "peace and connection". Venus also ruled Libra and so I usually make the distinction between the two signs by associating Taurus with more natural things like forest and trees hence the wooden mug. Venus likes sweet things but I'd say refined sugar is more for Libra whereas Maple syrup is more suitable for the nature-loving taste buds of Taurus.
By the way, that wooden mug is expensive ;)
By the way, that wooden mug is expensive ;)
Gemini is ruled by Mercury, a sexually ambiguous God. Mercury was the only God who was allowed to enter the kingdom of Heaven (Jupiter) and the kingdom of Pluto (The Underworld) and at the same time, delivering messages to mortals. He had wings on his feet and was known to be very fast.
A coffee for Gemini should represent Mercury's dual nature, airy tendencies and if I could have found a decent photo that displayed these tendencies in a takeaway cup, I would have used it. It's hard to find exactly what you need amongst Mug--I mean non-astrologers' photos (you see I am trying).
I got quite a bit of feedback from the various signs saying their Sun Sign coffee wasn't to their liking. And I have to say this coffee doesn't really appeal to me even though I am a Cancerian (but mainly because I am a tea drinker).
Cancer is ruled by the Moon which represents our past and our relationship to people who have been influential in caring for us, usually the mother.
So the coffee has to reflect our need to remember the care bestowed upon us. And what better way to do this than having an extra milky cup, a warm comforter and mother's homemade cookie (on the side of course because Cancer is ruled by the Crab which moves sideways).
By the way, some of my fondest childhood memories are of sipping tea with my grandmother.
I had problems finding the right mug for Leo so I originally used this cup for Libra and had a sort of tea set fit for a King to represent the pride of the Lion.
But then I found a better cup for Libra so was able to swap this one to Leo's coffee. It certainly has the bling associated with Leo.
Leo is ruled by the Sun and all the planets in our galaxy revolve around it so astrologers like to joke that that is how a Leo thinks life should be down here on planet earth too.
I originally used this to represent our Virgo friends' attachment to anti bacterials but then felt a little bad about ribbing them so much.
Virgo is also ruled by Mercury but has its associations with the Caduceus too. So Virgo usually has an interest in health care. And being an earth sign, they are practical, no nonsense and their attention to detail is very useful.
So they needed a coffee to reflect that.
I still couldn't resist a little jab at Virgo's need for cleanliness. I didn't think regular milk (with all its artificially infused hormones) would suit so it had to be organic almond milk. And of course no self -respecting Virgo would want to use refined sugar.
For some reason, I always struggle with Libra. Perhaps because it is the only inanimate sign (ruled by The Scales) or perhaps because they constantly try to find a balance so it's hard to know if they are ordering what they like or just trying to please you.
Jenn says a Libra would say "I'll have what you're having" which I agree with but I wanted to get a coffee that reflected their personality if they were having that very rare coffee on their own (being an air sign, they like company and relationships so that would be very rare indeed).
I like the way this coffee shows balance and served with extra sugar, it also pleases Venus.
I wish I could have shown this being served by a Libra's man of the dreams. But then that's quite subjective, distracting and totally off topic of coffees. Nice thought though.
This mug was a real find. And as Scorpio is ruled by Pluto and co ruled by Mars, it nicely reflects sex and death. Of course with a boost from Viagara.
Jupiter, ruler of Sagittarius, was the god of gods, the ruler of Heaven. Jupiter's vantage point from the clouds supposedly gave him unlimited omniscience and omnipotence (his symbol is the lightning bolt) so Sagittarius is associated with religion, philosophy and foreign travel.
I suppose I could have added a communion wafer on the side but that seemed a little too sacrilegious even if it was just a Saturday morning and not a Sunday.
Being ruled by Saturn, our Capricorn friends are known for their hard work, sense of discipline and business skills. So they like to burn the candle from both ends and need the extra caffeine to keep up their strength. The coffee is no frills too.
Aquarius is ruled by Uranus (co-ruled by Saturn). Uranus is the only planet that has a north-south axis and was the first (and only) planet to be discovered through the invention of the telescope. So we think of Aquarians as being eccentric rebels. What would an Aquarian do in an coffee shop? Well because they are represented by the Water Bearer and because they are ruled by Uranus, they would order a bottle of water. And the internet. Aquarians must have internet (Uranus also ruled technology.
I tease Pisces a lot for the alleged need to escape reality. Alcohol and other drugs are addictive but anaesthetise (by the way, anaesthesia was discovered around the time that Neptune was discovered) us from the harshness of reality. Pisces is ruled by Neptune, the god of the seas but like Sagittarius is also ruled by Jupiter (remember that the sacrament of Communion involves wine). But Pisces is far more deep than just their love of alcohol: they are compassionate, self sacrificing and intuitive too. It's probably more telling about society that I couldn't find a coffee to represent them than it is about their tender natures. Or perhaps it just says I couldn't see anything funny in the "Pay it Forward" premise let alone find a decent photo.
Theo Naicker and I are business partners so I'm lucky to see him often. I hadn't met Jenn Zahrt in person so what a treat it was to catch her between her arrival by plane to London and her transit to Bath for the Sophia Centre Conference by train. It was even better as it was also the solstice. I'm so fortunate that this is actually my second consecutive summer solstice. The last one I had was in Cape Town and as both Jenn and Theo have connections to South Africa, it really was a special treat to have what felt like a Cape Town solstice all over again.
Theo Naicker and I are business partners so I'm lucky to see him often. I hadn't met Jenn Zahrt in person so what a treat it was to catch her between her arrival by plane to London and her transit to Bath for the Sophia Centre Conference by train. It was even better as it was also the solstice. I'm so fortunate that this is actually my second consecutive summer solstice. The last one I had was in Cape Town and as both Jenn and Theo have connections to South Africa, it really was a special treat to have what felt like a Cape Town solstice all over again.
About the Astrologer
Alex Trenoweth was voted Best International Astrologer, 2015 for her dynamic presentation on Astrology and Education. Her book, "Growing Pains" is an exciting development in astrology as it combines classroom teaching experience, sound research and the potential to have a positive impact on struggling adolescents, parents, teachers and those who have been labelled "at risk". For queries, consultations or syndications, please contact Alex via www.alextrenoweth.com or leave a message in the comment section.
About the New Book
There are two dogs fighting inside of me, the old story goes, one dog is good and the other is evil. “But Grandfather,” asked the child, “Which one wins?” The Grandfather answered, “The dog I feed.”
We might like to think that being good is a natural instinct. In fact, doing the right thing takes a conscious decision. Every day, we are met with temptation to get ahead at the expense of someone else, to get away with something we know is wrong or to cut corners if we think no one is watching.
Following on from her powerful book on astrology and Education, “Growing Pains”, Alex Trenoweth explores the benefits of using “the bad guy” of the solar system: Saturn. Often avoided and seldom understood, if we understand our own Saturn then we can help others to understand theirs. Using case studies of highly successful people contrasted with convicted serial killers, Trenoweth deftly demonstrates the dire consequences of feeding the wrong dog.
Monday, 20 June 2016
Monday, 13 June 2016
Mercury in Gemini
About the Astrologer
Alex Trenoweth was voted Best International Astrologer, 2015 for her dynamic presentation on Astrology and Education. Her book, "Growing Pains" is an exciting development in astrology as it combines classroom teaching experience, sound research and the potential to have a positive impact on struggling adolescents, parents, teachers and those who have been labelled "at risk". For queries, consultations or syndications, please contact Alex via www.alextrenoweth.com or leave a message in the comment section.
About the New Book
There are two dogs fighting inside of me, the old story goes, one dog is good and the other is evil. “But Grandfather,” asked the child, “Which one wins?” The Grandfather answered, “The dog I feed.”
We might like to think that being good is a natural instinct. In fact, doing the right thing takes a conscious decision. Every day, we are met with temptation to get ahead at the expense of someone else, to get away with something we know is wrong or to cut corners if we think no one is watching.
Following on from her powerful book on astrology and Education, “Growing Pains”, Alex Trenoweth explores the benefits of using “the bad guy” of the solar system: Saturn. Often avoided and seldom understood, if we understand our own Saturn then we can help others to understand theirs. Using case studies of highly successful people contrasted with convicted serial killers, Trenoweth deftly demonstrates the dire consequences of feeding the wrong dog.
Saturday, 11 June 2016
Mercury conjunct Algol
About the Astrologer
Alex Trenoweth was voted Best International Astrologer, 2015 for her dynamic presentation on Astrology and Education. Her book, "Growing Pains" is an exciting development in astrology as it combines classroom teaching experience, sound research and the potential to have a positive impact on struggling adolescents, parents, teachers and those who have been labelled "at risk". For queries, consultations or syndications, please contact Alex via www.alextrenoweth.com or leave a message in the comment section.
About the New Book
There are two dogs fighting inside of me, the old story goes, one dog is good and the other is evil. “But Grandfather,” asked the child, “Which one wins?” The Grandfather answered, “The dog I feed.”
We might like to think that being good is a natural instinct. In fact, doing the right thing takes a conscious decision. Every day, we are met with temptation to get ahead at the expense of someone else, to get away with something we know is wrong or to cut corners if we think no one is watching.
Following on from her powerful book on astrology and Education, “Growing Pains”, Alex Trenoweth explores the benefits of using “the bad guy” of the solar system: Saturn. Often avoided and seldom understood, if we understand our own Saturn then we can help others to understand theirs. Using case studies of highly successful people contrasted with convicted serial killers, Trenoweth deftly demonstrates the dire consequences of feeding the wrong dog.
Friday, 10 June 2016
Moon in Leo trine Uranus in Aries
About the Astrologer
Alex Trenoweth was voted Best International Astrologer, 2015 for her dynamic presentation on Astrology and Education. Her book, "Growing Pains" is an exciting development in astrology as it combines classroom teaching experience, sound research and the potential to have a positive impact on struggling adolescents, parents, teachers and those who have been labelled "at risk". For queries, consultations or syndications, please contact Alex via www.alextrenoweth.com or leave a message in the comment section.
About the New Book
There are two dogs fighting inside of me, the old story goes, one dog is good and the other is evil. “But Grandfather,” asked the child, “Which one wins?” The Grandfather answered, “The dog I feed.”
We might like to think that being good is a natural instinct. In fact, doing the right thing takes a conscious decision. Every day, we are met with temptation to get ahead at the expense of someone else, to get away with something we know is wrong or to cut corners if we think no one is watching.
Following on from her powerful book on astrology and Education, “Growing Pains”, Alex Trenoweth explores the benefits of using “the bad guy” of the solar system: Saturn. Often avoided and seldom understood, if we understand our own Saturn then we can help others to understand theirs. Using case studies of highly successful people contrasted with convicted serial killers, Trenoweth deftly demonstrates the dire consequences of feeding the wrong dog.
Alex Trenoweth was voted Best International Astrologer, 2015 for her dynamic presentation on Astrology and Education. Her book, "Growing Pains" is an exciting development in astrology as it combines classroom teaching experience, sound research and the potential to have a positive impact on struggling adolescents, parents, teachers and those who have been labelled "at risk". For queries, consultations or syndications, please contact Alex via www.alextrenoweth.com or leave a message in the comment section.
About the New Book
There are two dogs fighting inside of me, the old story goes, one dog is good and the other is evil. “But Grandfather,” asked the child, “Which one wins?” The Grandfather answered, “The dog I feed.”We might like to think that being good is a natural instinct. In fact, doing the right thing takes a conscious decision. Every day, we are met with temptation to get ahead at the expense of someone else, to get away with something we know is wrong or to cut corners if we think no one is watching.
Following on from her powerful book on astrology and Education, “Growing Pains”, Alex Trenoweth explores the benefits of using “the bad guy” of the solar system: Saturn. Often avoided and seldom understood, if we understand our own Saturn then we can help others to understand theirs. Using case studies of highly successful people contrasted with convicted serial killers, Trenoweth deftly demonstrates the dire consequences of feeding the wrong dog.
Thursday, 9 June 2016
Mercury in Taurus Opposite Mars in Scorpio
About the Astrologer
About the New Book
There are two dogs fighting inside of me, the old story goes, one dog is good and the other is evil. “But Grandfather,” asked the child, “Which one wins?” The Grandfather answered, “The dog I feed.”
We might like to think that being good is a natural instinct. In fact, doing the right thing takes a conscious decision. Every day, we are met with temptation to get ahead at the expense of someone else, to get away with something we know is wrong or to cut corners if we think no one is watching.
Following on from her powerful book on astrology and Education, “Growing Pains”, Alex Trenoweth explores the benefits of using “the bad guy” of the solar system: Saturn. Often avoided and seldom understood, if we understand our own Saturn then we can help others to understand theirs. Using case studies of highly successful people contrasted with convicted serial killers, Trenoweth deftly demonstrates the dire consequences of feeding the wrong dog.
Jupiter in Virgo Opposing Neptune in Pisces
About the Astrologer
About the New Book
There are two dogs fighting inside of me, the old story goes, one dog is good and the other is evil. “But Grandfather,” asked the child, “Which one wins?” The Grandfather answered, “The dog I feed.”
We might like to think that being good is a natural instinct. In fact, doing the right thing takes a conscious decision. Every day, we are met with temptation to get ahead at the expense of someone else, to get away with something we know is wrong or to cut corners if we think no one is watching.
Following on from her powerful book on astrology and Education, “Growing Pains”, Alex Trenoweth explores the benefits of using “the bad guy” of the solar system: Saturn. Often avoided and seldom understood, if we understand our own Saturn then we can help others to understand theirs. Using case studies of highly successful people contrasted with convicted serial killers, Trenoweth deftly demonstrates the dire consequences of feeding the wrong dog.
Sun conjunct Venus in Gemini
About the Astrologer
About the New Book
There are two dogs fighting inside of me, the old story goes, one dog is good and the other is evil. “But Grandfather,” asked the child, “Which one wins?” The Grandfather answered, “The dog I feed.”
We might like to think that being good is a natural instinct. In fact, doing the right thing takes a conscious decision. Every day, we are met with temptation to get ahead at the expense of someone else, to get away with something we know is wrong or to cut corners if we think no one is watching.
Following on from her powerful book on astrology and Education, “Growing Pains”, Alex Trenoweth explores the benefits of using “the bad guy” of the solar system: Saturn. Often avoided and seldom understood, if we understand our own Saturn then we can help others to understand theirs. Using case studies of highly successful people contrasted with convicted serial killers, Trenoweth deftly demonstrates the dire consequences of feeding the wrong dog.
Monday, 6 June 2016
Astrology and Science
About the Astrologer
Alex Trenoweth was voted Best International Astrologer, 2015 for her dynamic presentation on Astrology and Education. Her book, "Growing Pains" is an exciting development in astrology as it combines classroom teaching experience, sound research and the potential to have a positive impact on struggling adolescents, parents, teachers and those who have been labelled "at risk". For queries, consultations or syndications, please contact Alex via www.alextrenoweth.com or leave a message in the comment section.
About the New Book
There are two dogs fighting inside of me, the old story goes, one dog is good and the other is evil. “But Grandfather,” asked the child, “Which one wins?” The Grandfather answered, “The dog I feed.”
We might like to think that being good is a natural instinct. In fact, doing the right thing takes a conscious decision. Every day, we are met with temptation to get ahead at the expense of someone else, to get away with something we know is wrong or to cut corners if we think no one is watching.
Following on from her powerful book on astrology and Education, “Growing Pains”, Alex Trenoweth explores the benefits of using “the bad guy” of the solar system: Saturn. Often avoided and seldom understood, if we understand our own Saturn then we can help others to understand theirs. Using case studies of highly successful people contrasted with convicted serial killers, Trenoweth deftly demonstrates the dire consequences of feeding the wrong dog.
Sunday, 5 June 2016
How to Become an Astrologer in 26 Easy Steps
Well if you read my blog (actually I have 4) then you know what a smart ass I can be. I emphasise the word "smart" because I am an astrologer and a week or so ago, someone put something in my breakfast cereal and suddenly I've come out of my starry corner fighting (I'm blaming Mars trine my natal Sun). What am I fighting? Oh just general ignorance about astrology. You know, hearing Muggles (non astrologers) talk about retrograde motion and Ophiuchus and what Star Signs would put on their pizzas. You know, that sort of thing. So the title of the blog is meant to be very sarcastic. Because there are no set steps that are easy or the same for everyone. That's the beauty of astrology--you can go all Burger King and have it your way.
But then it occurred to me that Muggles might not understand the process of becoming an astrologer or how to take those first, life affirming steps like our friend Flammarion in the picture sticking his head out of his bubble and looking at the true wonders of the universe (I'll bet he thought "Fuck me, there's a lot of stuff up there!"). So I thought I would try to re-trace my astrological path. As I said in a previous blog, I chose to formalise my astrological education eventually but I was a free-wheeling astrologer for a long time before that. Overall I've studied astrology for about 30 years. I don't say this to boast because I accepted long ago that there was no way I was ever going to know everything about astrology or that I was ever going to be able to call myself the best astrologer (although I have been known to don a tiara every now and again). So now I chill and enjoy learning, sparring with other astrologers and picking and choosing what I want to learn. These days, having finally finished my astrology diploma from the Faculty of Astrological Studies, I'm studying Vedic astrology. I write Sun Sign columns after being a Sun Sign sceptic for 29 of those years I've been studying astrology and these are the reasons. Oh and I do a lot of writing on the Astrology of Education (my own personal specialism).
I was going to add a hyperlink to some of these topics as a means to guide you to really good resources on the internet. But I didn't want anyone to think this is meant to be an exhaustive list! So I just thought you could google some of these topics yourself or go straight to Skyscript (for primary texts), Cafe Astrology (for interpretive texts) or Astrodienst (to cheat on chart calculations). I also want to make it clear there are lots of schools of astrology out there. In London, besides the Faculty, we have the London School of Astrology and other schools. The Astrological Lodge of London holds FREE beginners' classes but there are lots of less formal classes and workshops (like mine) that are opportunities to learn about astrology.
So after a bit of fond thought on a Sunday morning, intermingled with a delightful Facebook chat with someone asking me an astro conference, I wrote down some on my own steps to becoming the astrologer I am today (ahem). And by the way, I think you have to get through steps 1-8 (the rest are in no particular order) before you can call yourself an astrologer in public--just my opinion. And if you have a different opinion, why not leave it in the comment box?
So here are the 26 steps to becoming an astrologer:
- The "Eureka" moment when you understand astrology is a complicated system
- Having a really thorough understanding of your own Sun sign and how it is different to other signs
- Having the realisation that there are other planets involved in astrology besides the sun and what these planets mean in their signs
- The celestial coordinate system. . .yeah that
- Thinking to yourself "Oh dear God, what have gotten myself into?" and being able to laugh at astrology sceptics instead of panicking that they might have some good points
- Understanding that all the planets are in continuous yet predictable motion and getting to grips with aspects and what they mean
- Being able to read an ephemeris, calculate the angles of a chart and draw a natal (birth) chart. Having the compulsion to draw everyone's birth chart
- Falling in love with Ptolemy and wishing you were Greek
- Turning against Sun Sign astrology
- Crying over the loss of the Library of Alexandria
- Appreciating Arabic scholarship, falling in love with Abu Ma'shar and wishing you were Arab.
- Realising the influence of Abu Ma'shar on Bonatti and Lilly and wishing you were English
- Realising just how important the Fall of Constantinople was and falling in love with Ficino
- Never looking at Renaissance art the same again and wishing you were Italian
- Bawling your eyes out when you finally see the Galilean Moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn through a telescope
- Falling in love with Tsou Yen and wishing you were Chinese
- Not caring that asking everyone for their sky stories makes you look like a lunatic
- Wondering what hideous karma must have befallen on you that you couldn't have been born a Mayan
- Accepting that staying up all night reading an ephemeris has become normal behaviour to you
- Finding another astrologer and then spending a whole weekend talking about astrology
- Realising that other astrologers must be found and spending all your money on conferences
- Becoming totally addicted to History because of Mundane astrology
- Discovering the Sidereal system and spending weeks in a darkened room converting all your accumulated Western charts to Vedic ones. Falling in love with Bhrigu and wishing you were Indian.
- Struggling to communicate with Muggles. What is wrong with these people?
- Realising just what a nerd you've become when a lecturer stumbles on the name of the Greek who first proposed a heliocentric solar system and you smugly shout out "Aristarchus!"
- Realising that if you don't engage with Muggles about astrology then you are actually actively participating in killing the subject and thus making the sceptics very happy.
So happy studying and if you haven't done at least steps 1-8, keep your opinion about astrology to yourself, OK?
About the Astrologer
About the New Book
There are two dogs fighting inside of me, the old story goes, one dog is good and the other is evil. “But Grandfather,” asked the child, “Which one wins?” The Grandfather answered, “The dog I feed.”
We might like to think that being good is a natural instinct. In fact, doing the right thing takes a conscious decision. Every day, we are met with temptation to get ahead at the expense of someone else, to get away with something we know is wrong or to cut corners if we think no one is watching.
Following on from her powerful book on astrology and Education, “Growing Pains”, Alex Trenoweth explores the benefits of using “the bad guy” of the solar system: Saturn. Often avoided and seldom understood, if we understand our own Saturn then we can help others to understand theirs. Using case studies of highly successful people contrasted with convicted serial killers, Trenoweth deftly demonstrates the dire consequences of feeding the wrong dog.
Saturday, 4 June 2016
Got a funny story about being an astrologer?
About the Astrologer
Alex Trenoweth was voted Best International Astrologer, 2015 for her dynamic presentation on Astrology and Education. Her book, "Growing Pains" is an exciting development in astrology as it combines classroom teaching experience, sound research and the potential to have a positive impact on struggling adolescents, parents, teachers and those who have been labelled "at risk". For queries, consultations or syndications, please contact Alex via www.alextrenoweth.com or leave a message in the comment section.
About the New Book
There are two dogs fighting inside of me, the old story goes, one dog is good and the other is evil. “But Grandfather,” asked the child, “Which one wins?” The Grandfather answered, “The dog I feed.”
We might like to think that being good is a natural instinct. In fact, doing the right thing takes a conscious decision. Every day, we are met with temptation to get ahead at the expense of someone else, to get away with something we know is wrong or to cut corners if we think no one is watching.
Following on from her powerful book on astrology and Education, “Growing Pains”, Alex Trenoweth explores the benefits of using “the bad guy” of the solar system: Saturn. Often avoided and seldom understood, if we understand our own Saturn then we can help others to understand theirs. Using case studies of highly successful people contrasted with convicted serial killers, Trenoweth deftly demonstrates the dire consequences of feeding the wrong dog.
Friday, 3 June 2016
Sun square Neptune
About the Astrologer
About the New Book
There are two dogs fighting inside of me, the old story goes, one dog is good and the other is evil. “But Grandfather,” asked the child, “Which one wins?” The Grandfather answered, “The dog I feed.”
We might like to think that being good is a natural instinct. In fact, doing the right thing takes a conscious decision. Every day, we are met with temptation to get ahead at the expense of someone else, to get away with something we know is wrong or to cut corners if we think no one is watching.
Following on from her powerful book on astrology and Education, “Growing Pains”, Alex Trenoweth explores the benefits of using “the bad guy” of the solar system: Saturn. Often avoided and seldom understood, if we understand our own Saturn then we can help others to understand theirs. Using case studies of highly successful people contrasted with convicted serial killers, Trenoweth deftly demonstrates the dire consequences of feeding the wrong dog.
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