Choose Something Like a Star

If you're familiar with Robert Frost, you may know his beloved poem called "Choose Something Like a Star." And, if you're familiar with choral music, you may have sung or heard the setting composed by Randall Thompson that provides glorious vocal accompaniment for the Frost poem.

I recently sang the piece with my choir in our spring concert, so of course the music continues to play in my mind. And, the words are so appropriate for us right now -- and so much in keeping with astrological and spiritual themes -- I want to share them with those who may not know the poem, and refresh the memories of those of us who have long held these words dear.

I find the final four lines of the poem especially meaningful, due to the upcoming New Moon in July that conjoins the star Sirius:

So when at times the mob is swayed
To carry praise or blame too far,
We may choose something like a star
To stay our minds on and be staid.

Image of the star Sirius

Here's the complete poem:

Choose Something Like a Star
by Robert Frost

O Star (the fairest one in sight),
We grant your loftiness the right  
To some obscurity of cloud --
It will not do to say of night, 
Since dark is what brings out your light.
Some mystery becomes the proud.
But to be wholly taciturn
In your reserve is not allowed.
Say something to us we can learn
By heart and when alone repeat.
Say something! And it says "I burn."
But say with what degree of heat.
Talk Fahrenheit, talk Centigrade.
Use language we can comprehend.
Tell us what elements you blend.
It gives us strangely little aid,
But does tell something in the end.
And steadfast as Keats' Eremite,
Not even stooping from its sphere,
It asks a little of us here.
It asks of us a certain height,
So when at times the mob is swayed
To carry praise or blame too far,
We may choose something like a star
To stay our minds on and be staid.

If you'd like to hear the choral version by Randall Thompson that sets this poem to music, here's a link to a YouTube video that's pretty awesome: Choose Something Like a Star

Enjoy!

Pam

New image for Pluto-Uranus square

I'm in the midst of preparing the PowerPoint slideshow for next Thursday's teleclass, and have happened upon an image that feels right for conveying the themes of the Pluto-Uranus square:

This young girl looks out into the future, down a road that stretches out before her and into infinity. To travel this road, she must have courage and stamina, and belief in herself. With no assistance in sight, it is perhaps natural to assume she would be fearful -- and yet, her stance indicates determination and strength. It is also important to notice that the wind is at her back, blowing her hair from behind, nudging her in the direction of her destiny.

As she travels this road, she gains ever greater levels of self-empowerment, a stronger knowing of her capacity to do whatever she sets her mind to, and the exhilarating sense of being liberated from the limitations of fear or the expectations of others.

These, too, are our potentials as we traverse these times of change.

"Just be Awake with poise."

I received an email from a reader of last week's journal, asking a question about the eclipse and how it was working with her chart. Midway through her note, she wrote:

"I re-read the journal while writing this, and am reflecting on The Owl, and becoming more conscious of the unconscious with poise.... and am wondering if I haven't answered my own question :) ... 'Just be Awake with poise.'"

I think this was a mantra we can all use right now. Many lived through literal tornadoes last week, others experienced figurative tornadoes that were less materially devastating, but still changed the landscape of their lives in significant ways.

It may be a bit of a tall order, this "just be Awake with poise" -- but remembering those words does seem to help bring us back into center a bit.

Blessings to each and all,

Pam

X-class solar flares

I've been monitoring solar flares on SpaceWeather.com this week -- and there's been a lot of activity on the Sun! Here's what is posted on the site this morning:

"When the week began, the sun hadn't unleashed an X-flare all year long. In only two days, sunspot AR1748 has produced four. In summary, AR1748 has produced an X1.7-class flare (0217 UT on May 13), an X2.8-class flare (1609 UT on May 13), an X3.2-class flare (0117 UT on May 14), and an X1-class flare (0152 on May 15). These are the strongest flares of the year, and they signal a significant increase in solar activity."

X-class solar flares are the highest intensity -- capable of altering magnetics on Earth in significant ways, and having major effects on our physical, mental and emotional magnetic fields.

These flares were not directed toward Earth, so we won't be feeling their direct effects, perhaps more like a "glancing blow" -- but evidently this sunspot is still very active, so it bears continued watching. Stay tuned!

Photo theme for teleclass

My journal for this week announces my upcoming teleclass on June 13, but I didn't have room to include the photo I've chosen to represent the themes of the next six months.

If you go to register for the class, you'll see this photo on the page:

This is a NASA photo, taken of new stars that are forming in "the Soul Nebula." When I was searching for a theme for the teleclass, this one stood out to me as especially appropriate -- because it truly feels that we are being born anew, and that the changes are being driven and supported from a very deep, soul level.

Of course, many are experiencing the pains of labor as our new selves are being born -- but each time we gain a glimpse of the new, more empowered and liberated being that is coming forth, our hearts are lightened and our courage is increased.

Blessings to all as we undertake this journey together!

(And if you're interested in learning more about the teleclass on June 14, please visit http://pamjune2013.eventbrite.com)

Pam

New heart chakra meditation

I've written about Tom Kenyon before -- he's the sound healer who channels some amazing toning to assist in the spiritual/emotional growth process we're all involved in.

Mr. Kenyon recently made a new heart chakra meditation available (a free download) on his website. Here's what he says about the 15-minute meditation:

"The purpose of this meditation is to integrate aspects of yourself that you have shunned or disowned. In psychology, this type of emotional displacement is called the shadow, and un-owned shadow material can contaminate our inner life as well as our outward actions in the world. The Hathors are adamant that we need to transform our own shadow material, both individually and collectively, as we move upward in consciousness. "

Evidently, the need for this transformation is especially important right now. I listened to the meditation this morning and found it helpful, so wanted to also share it with you.

If you're interested in reading more, the information about the meditation is called "The Healing Power of the Human Heart," and is on Mr. Kenyon's website (click HERE). You'll also find the link to download the recording on that page.

Blessings, Pam

What a week

Well, now the "Thunderbolt" card I drew for April is making a lot of sense (see the post dated April 6)...

If you or loved ones have been affected directly in any way by the dramatic events of this past week, my heart goes out to you. Please accept my sympathy and my prayers for your healing, on all levels.

In one way or another, all of us have felt some effects of the week, at the very least energetically. It has felt to me that the explosions in the U.S. and the two large earthquakes elsewhere in the world (7.8 in Iran on April 16 and 7.2 in Russia on April 19) manifested in physical form a tension that had been building. In the aftermath of the immediate crises, there was a sense of pressure having been released, much as the tension between the earth's tectonic plates is released when an earthquake occurs.

Now comes the time of recovery and healing, as well as the search for answers. It makes sense that this week's Lunar Eclipse (on April 25) is in Scorpio, the sign of the Detective and Psychotherapist.

Blessings and healing to all, Pam