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The year of the Ox will be one of rebuilding and recovery.

“A Yin Earth sign associated with Saturn, the Ox brings more stability to the world and the discipline and tenacity to do the work required. [...] Whereas we’ve seen how difficult it was in 2020 to get everyone to shelter at home, we’ll be more willing to do our part for the sake of the collective in the year of the Ox.

The year of the Metal Ox, which begins on February 3rd this year in the solar calendar and celebrated on February 11th or 12th according to the new moon / the lunar calendar, has Yin Metal as the heavenly frequency that we can use as cosmic guidance for the year ahead.

Yin Earth in the Ox represents Mother Earth and her qualities: nurturing, resourceful, and resilient. The presence of Yin Earth highlights deeper interests in healing and sustainability – of the self and the environment. 

In 2021, just as in 2020, it’s critical that we cultivate inner joy to stoke the Fire within. Fire, associated with the heart, is the element needed to transform Metal into something useful. Fire also produces Earth, the element we need to stay centered in the mind, body and spirit. A strong and open heart can help defeat grief and pessimism brought by the overabundance of Metal in the year’s heavenly stem.

Get some sunshine, immerse yourself in activities that make your heart sing, and cook your food to add Fire into your system."

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ok, aquarius szn!

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hbd to Hayao Miyazaki! (Capricorn sun/Aries moon)

Iconic animator, director, and screenwriter Hayao Miyazaki (b. January 5, 1941) turned 80 years old on January 5, 2021.

Miyazaki is the co-founder of Studio Ghibli and acclaimed for his whimsical and fantastical animated feature-length films. He is known for writing stories with environmental and social messages, which often centre independent girls as protagonists.

His first breakthrough directorial film, Nausicäa of the Valley of The Wind (1984) follows a young princess who fights to defend her home community from war and environmental devastation in a post-apocalyptic world. Miyazaki adapted this screenplay based on a manga he wrote.

To be frank, I find I can’t really watch this film anymore (after having watched it maybe 3 or 4 times?), with the amount of war and fighting in it (the accompanying music is also kinda intense). However, this was once my favourite film by Miyazaki and I still recommend watching if you haven’t already seen it.

Today, Spirited Away (2001) and Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) remain some of my favourite films.

In Spirited Away, a ten-year old girl named Chihiro must save her parents from the spirit world by overcoming obstacles in a bathhouse full of spirits and outsmarting a powerful witch. I think this film both fascinated and slightly scared me as a kid, but I’ve grown to love it more as an adult. This description truly doesn’t quite do the film justice as the cast of unique characters each add a different twist to Chihiro’s journey towards bravery.

In Kiki’s Delivery Service, a young girl must leave home to train as a witch as per the traditions of her village. However, she starts to lose her powers when on her own and must regain them in order to survive. Kiki was truly an angsty teen of her time. As an entrepreneur, she basically delivered bread UberEats-style on her broom, to boot!

How many other teenage witches can you name who fly across the sea while listening to the radio? I once dressed up as Kiki for Halloween.

The above mentioned films were all written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

When I found out Miyazaki’s birthday, it came as no surprise that he was born as a Capricorn. I say this in reference to watching the NHK docu-series “10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki,” which highlights his obsessive and regimented work schedule and habits, reeking of Capricorn stereotypes.

“Placing value on the act of working hard is an incredible mistake…Working hard, it’s just something you do. If you don’t, nothing worthwhile will come about.” - Hayao Miyazaki (source)

Capricorns are Earth signs who are passionate and driven, above all else.

I don’t know about you, but in my life, Capricorns are always grinding (staying on top of everything!). These include successful artists and freelancers who are committed to their practice and communities (often while working multiple jobs), pushing through law/grad school during a pandemic, and dedicated to showing up and caring for their friends and family.

Tweets by astrologer Danielle Ayoka (@mysticxlipstick)

Maybe this devout sense of purpose and passion is what makes them come off as so wise beyond their years.

Capricorns are the epitomy of old souls. Their practicality makes them seem like a grandparent, regardless of their actual age.

“I’m so excited!” Miyazaki smiles with grandpa joy as he releases the tape from the video camera that he installed in his car to record as he drives. A little strange, perhaps, yet in the first part of the docu-series, it truly offers a pragmatic glimpse into his approach to work. (In this case, the study of daily motion.)

Screencapture from 10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki by NHK

Of an emotional nature, another Capricorn stereotype is that they come off as cool and distant. In the same docu-series, viewers later witness Miyazaki walk out of the middle of his son’s film premiere. Ouch.

For Miyazaki, quality of work > everything else.

Tweet by karen han (@karenyhan)

In the documentary film the Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013), viewers watch Miyazaki going off on a team of animators, even making some cry after giving his feedback.

Capricorns set high standards. More so for themselves than for others though. However, beyond his Capricorn sun, Miyazaki has an Aries moon. The moon represents a significant emotional aspect of our inner selves.

What does this mean? According to the AstroTwins,

Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet of aggression and war, which can make you temperamental and straight-up combative. With your fiery emotions, you get frustrated easily, blowing up at the slightest provocations. Although your temper tantrums pass quickly, you don’t always realize how much havoc your rage spells can wreak. The fallout could take years to live down, if the bridge isn’t permanently burned.

...

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, and this moon sign makes you an initiator who likes to be number one. A warrior at heart, you’ll courageously champion any cause, project or person you believe in. You have a star quality, but your competitive streak can be fierce! 

Hayao Miyazaki’s birth chart (via astro-charts.com)

This combination of steadfast hard work (Capricorn sun/Earth sign) and fierce independence (Aries moon/Fire sign) likely contributes much to how Miyazaki has attained his status as such an accomplished filmmaker and artist.

While this blog post is a tribute to the great Miyazaki, it is also an acknowledgement that he is an imperfect person, as we all are. Humans are complex creatures. Like so many of us, he is someone who has caused hurt and someone who has experienced significant loss. And, at the same time, he is someone who has created so much beauty, too.

Screenshot from The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013)

To many fans disappointment, Miyazaki retired from filmmaking after The Wind Rises (2013). However, in true Capricorn style, he has returned to work and emerged from retirement to direct a new film titled How Do You Live? which he intends to dedicate to his grandson.

With this forthcoming film, the Studio Ghibli animators have been tasked to draw more frames by hand than ever before. In the slow and steady Earth-sign-led process, they are producing a single minute of animation per month with a team of 60 people.

Studio Ghibli producer and general manager Toshio Suzuki says, “That means 12 months a year, you get 12 minutes worth of movie. Actually, we’ve been working on this film for three years, so that means we have 36 minutes completed so far. We’re hoping it will finish in the next three years.” Wow.

In Japan, an 80th birthday is referred to as the “umbrella celebration” (sanju 傘寿) in reference to the shape of the characters. The abbreviation of the character for “umbrella” (傘) can be read as “80″ by overlapping numbers 8 (八) and 10 (十).

Astrology writer Gala Mukamalova, once wrote about the power we give years. In an astrological love letter, she offered this to our hardworking, stubborn goat friends:

“But you, Capricorn, you who are still here, still wind howling through trees, still a leaf clinging to this life—forgiveness is something you can learn. How to give it, yes, but mostly how to receive it.”

Despite how much I enjoy projecting onto famous people based on their birth charts, I don’t truly know all that haunts Miyazaki or drives him to create as an artist, a son, a father, and a survivor of war.

Yet still, I hope this year may allow Miyazaki and his Capricorn sun to pursue forgiveness of self, whatever that may look like. I have no doubt that he will continue to find success with his work to come. Hopefully his Aries moon can tread lighter and enable him to act more kindly towards his studio team, too. After all, it is 2021.

Happy 80th birthday, Hayao Miyazaki. ☂️

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playlist: moon in aquarius in the third house

click through below for link to spotify playlist

image via angelorum

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Mars in Cancer

From Horoscopes for the Week of May 29th by Chani Nicholas

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising

Make a list of the relationships that drain your energy. Make a list of all that exhausts you. Make a list of all the things that have let you down lately.

These are all situations that are getting in the way of your healing. Situations that might be stalling your ability to grow. Situations that let you know that it is time for a change that can only come from deep within.

Change with conviction.

Use this week to write each of these situations a break-up letter. Break up with undernourishing yourself. Break up with social contracts that leave you with less than you need for yourself. Break up with feeling an obligation to show up for things that are beyond your responsibility or capacity.

Show up for what you value by fighting for its right to exist. Show what you value how much you care for it by taking the necessary risks to uphold it when and where needed. Honor yourself by personalizing your philosophies. If caring for yourself isn’t ingrained into your core life principles, then what good are they?

As the next couple of months unfold, you’ll be asked to keep centering the beliefs that you want to construct your life around. Make sure you are in integral part of the tenants you most wish to live your life serving.

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some cute things

Aries: when they move out they want their childhood bedroom to stay the same

Taurus: they find you the most unique and special presents

Gemini: They love to learn. and they randomly start dancing for a minute or two for some reason

Cancer: They wear pendants or heirlooms, something their mother or sister loved

Leo: they are so sensitive they cry when they watch Monsters Inc or something Disney

Virgo: they will always help you move house

Libra: they remember things about you nobody else does

Scorpio: when they cuddle, they are never the first to let go

Sagittarius: they are surprisingly hurt if you don't reply to their messages

Capricorn: they make constant comparisons to things when they are describing them to you like a book or show

Aquarius: they write letters and blog posts about things they don't like, and if they don't write it, they write it in their mind

Pisces: they take a long time to answer so they know you have finished, they are not like geminis and aquarians who always jump in

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the body of water is the collective unconscious, the unbound, oceanic experience. in taoist tradition water is the most powerful of elements. what the individual does with this power is up to him. we see mystic is one who has learnt to swim. the criminal, drug addict and the mad, also relate to water. and lets not only associate this with scorpio. we’ve been into space but still haven’t traveled to the bottom of the ocean. and likewise, we still haven’t figured out the mystery of water. water suffocates fire, becomes rain in the air, and  floods the earth. they are capable of more destruction than anybody

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New Moon in Taurus

From “Affirmation Horoscopes for the Week of April 24th” by Chani Nicholas

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising

I am allowed to love. As my heart instructs me to. As I was meant to. As freely as I can.

I am allowed to love again. And again. And again. Until I can feel it. Until I can know it. Until I can understand that I am not separate from it.

I am allowed to love myself through anything and everything I come up against. Through every mistake. Through every misunderstanding. Through every regret and every success.

I am allowed to learn how to love each person in my life. As they wish to be loved. As best as I can. As honestly as I am able to.

I dedicate my energy towards stabilizing the good that is growing in my relationships. I commit myself to learning how I can become a better partner to all that is partnering with me. I call in all relationships that have yet to arrive. I send out multiple messages via the elements. I burn what I wish to release. Wash away the sediment of the past. Bury what needs to be composted. Speak the words of forgiveness that are in my heart. Let the flames of my heart’s love shine bright so that I am easy to find. Shed tears of joy and excitement for the love that is entering my life. Plant the seeds for future meals. Call out to my loves and have faith in their answers back.

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the signs as riverdale (2017)

aries: alice cooper

taurus: fred andrews

gemini: hermione lodge

cancer: betty cooper

leo: cheryl blossom

virgo: kevin keller

libra: archie andrews

scorpio: veronica lodge 

sagittarius: f.p. jones 

capricorn: josie mccoy

aquarius: jughead jones

pisces: polly cooper 

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playlist: venus retrograde

click through below for link to spotify playlist

image via

gostica

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we were born in flame of pure light. transformative magic.  rising from the ashes of our past selves.  we rise and rise. 

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playlist: scorp moon

I made a playlist inspired by scorpio moon feels a couple days ago, when *coincidentially* the moon was in scorpio. whoda thought?

link to spotify playlist below 

image via astrostyle

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The signs as 100 ways to say I Love You

Aries: That’s okay, I bought two.

Taurus: Take mine.

Gemini: I noticed.

Cancer: I saved a piece for you.

Leo: It’s not heavy. I’m stronger than I look.

Virgo: It’s two sugars, right ?

Libra: You can borrow mine.

Scorpio: I made your favorite.

Sagittarius: Have fun.

Capricorn: Don’t cry.

Aquarius: You might like this.

Pisces: It reminded me of you.

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Scorpio, this year we will need you to teach us about commitment. To ourselves. To our growth, no matter how messy. To our survival. No matter how precarious. We will need you to teach us about being comfortable in our intensity. About valuing our potency in a world that wants to sterilize it. About withstanding all the haters and the hypocrisy. Teach us how to twirl on their insults and skate through their deathtraps. We need you to teach us how to be our own emotional center. How to stay steady, unswayed by the turning tides of the day’s news. Unafraid of the gnarly, soupy process of transformation. We need you to teach us your survival techniques. Teach us how to know our power. To work it to our advantage. Unapologetically. Without hesitation. In service to all. Teach us how to keep secrets. Show us how to go under the radar. Fortify us with the strength we’ll need to sneak into the vault to find and destroy the horcrux. Loan us your invisibility cape. Help us to outsmart evil by playing to its weakness. Help us to transfix it, seducing it into traps that ensnare it in its ways. Teach us to work with our fear and to never forsake our freedoms or anyone else’s. In return, we’ll remind you to enjoy the simple pleasures that life has to offer.

chani nicholas inauguration affirmations for the week of january 16, 2017

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SCORPIO

Outside, for the third time today running errands for someone you love, you wonder what drives you toward service and what is it about you anyway that makes your kind of caretaking pass invisible under the radar of those you do it for? Is it to your credit that the work blends in with daily life? Not bold or showy but, rather, small adjustments attending to the foreseen needs of others. And are you really so kind, so generous with your time, so attentive to the lives of others, or are you simply wandering through the world trying to prove to yourself that you can be of use?

Nevermind, the coffee shop you set out towards to get the espresso you want is not serving espresso, do you want hot chocolate? No, you don’t want hot chocolate or tea or regular coffee besides this isn’t for you it’s for someone else and someone else is back at the apt waiting for a latte. You find the next coffee shop. The line is long. It’s ok, you can wait. You’re very good at waiting. You’re waiting for the coffee, you’re waiting for your life to change into a life you love a little bit more. Just a little bit, you’re not unrealistic.

Ok. You have the coffee, you got yourself one too—you’re not inhuman—make sure not to get them mixed up, some people like to complain when you get mixed up and if they complain you’ll take it personally. Do you take things too personally? Maybe it’s just that you’re spending all your time and energy and sweetness on everybody else. And then, when you’re alone with yourself, you’re too tired to check in and take care of the one person you keep forgetting about—yourself. So, take care of yourself. All these tiny gestures, all these small ways you try to soften yourself for the sake of others, are you telling me you can’t devote at least one act of love to yourself every day?

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the placement of venus in our charts show us how we both give and receive love, as well as our perceptions and needs around relationships and affection. 

venus in aries requires: excitement, crusades, play provides you: loyalty, stimulation, protection

venus in taurus requires: continuity, sexual appreciation, pleasure provides you: comfort, repose, sensuality

venus in gemini requires: lightness, open communication, change provides you: amusement, knowledge, laughter

venus in cancer requires: reassurance, affection, solace provides you: warmth, unconditional love, guardianship

venus in leo: requires: validation, royal treatment, treasuring provides you: sunshine, pride, exuberant affection

venus in virgo: requires: routine, recognition, mental rapport provides you: support, understanding, healing

venus in libra: requires: devotion, traditional romance, companionship provides you: equality, gentleness, allegiance

venus in scorpio: requires: depth, provocation, curiosity invocation provides you: passion, mystic riches, dedication

venus in sagittarius: requires: movement, variation, intellectual rapport provides you: wisdom, joy, worldliness

venus in capricorn: requires: encouragement, the promise of something long term, vision provides you: inspiration, safety, dependability

venus in aquarius: requires: independence, eccentricity, mental stimulation provides you: insight, exhilaration, sexual liberation

venus in pisces: requires: tranquility, safekeeping, a sanctuary for the both of you provides: empathy, otherworldly transportation, guidance

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SCORPIO

There must be a reason that November stretched so long. Each morning the leaves get brighter and redder and it feels ok to wake up alone or, if not physically alone then, alone in the mind wandering into the morning as if it were an echo of every morning you have ever lived. The work is there, it keeps coming, but there is something about the quality of time that does not allow the work. So many beginnings without end, have you found yourself attracting strays? Have you found yourself looking too long in the mirror wondering what beauty is and what it can never be?

Someone taught you there is only so much of you someone can take. Someone taught you to measure your love out bit by bit. When you make coffee, you take a small spoonful of sugar and drop it in, then add more. You carry the mug with you from room to room and each room inside you feels absolutely necessary.

The love inside you fills the house of you like music. You can open the windows, you know. You can let the world right in with all it’s honking daybreak. You can put that song on, “Daybreaker,” because Beth Orton’s voice is a very good friend.

We burn our boats each new year

Silently watching the flames And an old life disappear

We’re burning a new sunrise into Yesterday’s skies An ashen fingerprint Melts into the sea

We’re doing fine now Yeah we do We don’t feel sad or bad or blue And you know We’re never defeated Or broken inside

All that is fine Yeah, all that is fine

- written by Galactic Rabbit