New Song: Learn to Morrow

“He said, ‘My name’s The Teacher. Oh, that is what I call  myself. And I have a lesson that I must impart to you, it’s an old expression but I must insist it’s true.’”- Jethro Tull, Teacher

My music mentor, Michael Morrow!

Hey now, what’s that sound?
Can’t you hear the motion in my mind?
I need time to capture all the minutes.
I don’t have a box to keep them still.
Who can help me? Morrow says he will.

Hey now, when’s the day?
Don’t you know this offer will explode?
There’s no limit to your love inside.
But you need to know how to create.
I can help you unload all the weight.

Learn to Morrow, lift your voice in flight.
Learn to Morrow and you’ll be alright.
Joy or sorrow, you can’t pick and choose.
But Learn to Morrow, beat or play the blues.

Hey now, look around
singing, dancing, shining star delight!
We have got the recipe for you.
You can bake it, fry it, mix it up.
Taste it, lick your lips and drain your cup!

Learn to Morrow, shake it up and down.
Learn to Morrow, coming to your town.
Beg or borrow, there’s no need to steal.
Learn to Morrow and your heart will heal.

Hey now! Hell gone! Damn your worried soul.
Hey now! Hell gone! Music takes control.
Today, play through, you can learn the way.
Morrow, Morrow, teach me how to pray.

Learn to Morrow, sing with us tonight.
Learn to Morrow, turn your wrong aright.
Joy or sorrow, beg or borrow, it’s ok.
Learn to Morrow, Learn Today, anyway.

The Peace Arrow

All aboard the Peace Arrow!

(Note: The horn of the Peace Arrow, a lovely RV, is in the key of F.)

When the Peace Arrow’s coming down the road
Grab a bottle, grab a seat and just a-lighten your load

If you ain’t got papers and you ain’t got cash
You better know how to roll or you better let it pass

Can you hear the highway screaming?
Hear the rumble strips a-blow?
In the howls of the evening flies the Peace Arrow from the bow…

Shooting ‘cross the land!
Soaring fast and free
The arrow don’t slow down
The arrow pierces me

If Peace Arrow drives through your town
Give a smile to the Devil as he’s riding around

If you wanna climb aboard you better roll ‘em up right
Cuz if the devil doesn’t like it you’ll be crawling all night

Can you see the lightning flashing?
Hear the thunder call your name?
In the wind and rain and darkest night, the Peace Arrow is aflame…

Shooting through the streets!
Through the traffic seas
The arrow don’t slow down
The arrow pierces me

There’s a target near the northern coast
There’s a target in the south
Once the arrow sets its sights on you, ain’t a damn thing you can do but

Shoot across the land!
Flying day and night
The arrow can’t be caught
The arrow stays in flight
The arrow stays in flight
The arrow stays in flight

Hope Rocks! Ready when you are, Jupiter!

Hope Rocks!

Many (myself included) are rejoicing in the fact that Mercury the scribe has completed its retrograde period, along with Uranus the rebel—two planets that reign supreme over my countenance of late. All that’s left is the direct motion of Jupiter, coming on Christmas Day! Hooray! Writings in the Sky has a nice rundown of all the exciting planetary activity, as well.

I had commented earlier on Jupiter’s role in lifting spirits, evoking optimism, and providing a foundation of hope. Lord (or whoever you wish to insert in the name of cosmic magnificence) knows, I ride on the pinwheel of positivity whenever I can. And sometimes, I wonder whether I’m mistaking the hopeful influence of Jupiter for the escapist influence of Neptune. I can’t deny the tendency to lose myself in music or daydreams in order to cope with a difficult situation. But then, I realize that there is a distinct difference between the two:

Jupiter = Belief; Neptune = Surrender

When I set forth to achieve something, I believe in its completion. When I listen to music, I surrender to its purpose.

So during these periods of retrograde, it’s not that I lose my beliefs—rather, I need to examine the basis of my beliefs to make sure that they are strong enough and valid enough to support me during a period of testing. Saturn has a nasty way of testing beliefs, especially when they are foolish or outdated. And when I’m ready, I turn to Neptune to lose myself in the Jupiterian safety net I’ve created.

And of course, I can’t forget the gifts of belief and surrender: my “Hope” rock was a gift from a Jupiter-ruled Sagittarian, Zen Ben of the Neptunian Splintered Sunlight family.

“Everybody’s playin’ in the heart of gold band.”- Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, Scarlet Begonias

Every Circle has a Turn

This song is dedicated to a member of the Splintered Sunlight Family who brings the dance floor to life. She’s a “bull-headed twin,” Taurus/Gemini cusp. It was written during a Sun/Mercury/N.Node conjunction in Sagittarius, squaring Mars in Virgo.

The Circle Turner

“She dances in a ring of fire and throws off the challenge with a shrug.”- Jim Morrison, All the Poems

Every circle has a turn
Everyone!
has a fire to be burned like the sun
Every circle has a turn
Everyday!
has a night to lead the way to the sun

There ain’t a square that can’t fit a circle in its box of rain
There ain’t a moon that can’t shed a light upon your windowpane
There ain’t a song that’ll keep a dancer sitting on the side
There ain’t a dancer like the lady with a twirling in her eyes

Every circle has a turn
Everyone!
has a fire to be burned like the sun
Every circle has a turn
Everyday!
has a night to lead the way to the sun

There is a girl in the midnight floating on a cloud of sound
She is a wispy, waltzy wonder, glowing round and round
She paints a circle with her arms and paints a heart with care
Take your turn upon the dance floor, follow her spinning hair

And if you feel caught up, just get your feet unstuck and let your spirit lead the way
Forget about tomorrow and yesterday, just keep your focus on today
Join the circle dancer among the sparkling notes of the guitar
She’s a jewel-maker, sundrop nightshaker stirring up the stars

Every sunrise has a light
Everyday!
is a fight to keep the darkness away.
Every morning has a sun
Everyday!
is a reason to believe in everyone.

And every circle has a turn…

Jupiter Retrograde: Where is your hope?

My friend Ben posted this quote on facebook this morning:

The capacity for hope is the most significant fact of life. It provides human beings with a sense of destination and the energy to get started.

Image Source: http://abyss.uoregon.edu

It got me thinking about the current Jupiter retrograde—set to go stationery direct on Christmas Day—and reminded me how strongly faith, hope, and other Jupiterian qualities are the foundation of my life.

My natal Jupiter sits at the base of my chart, conjunct the IC in Leo. It provides me with a wealth of hope, courage, and spirituality. Since its been retrograde, however, I have noticed it’s not as easy to tap into my usual optimism.

How ’bout you? How’s your Jupiter holding up? Have you lost hope? DON’T. It’s just a passing phase… 🙂

Capricorn Lady

This song is dedicated to my Capricorn friend, to whom I credit my entry into the world of the Grateful Dead. She also took me to my first Splintered Sunlight show in 2009.

Earth Goddesses

There’s a woman I know, who comes and goes
She’s a gun filled with roses
She runs on the fuel from a beating heart drum.

With a fold of her arms she can shut your face down
With the gold of her heart there’s enough to go ‘round.

Oh, Capricorn lady! Maybe we can build you a home.
Let’s gather the stones of the plans you’ve delayed.
Let’s build you a home with the love that you’ve paid.
From above you were made.

I remember a time, I had fled from a lie
There was no place for hiding
I was dying in slow-motion, watching through fog.

Then I met such a lady, her spirit carefree
I was swept up in laughter when the lady swept me.

Oh, Capricorn lady! Maybe we can plant you a tree.
Let’s gather the seeds of the dreams you have shared.
Let’s plant you a tree with the hope you’ve repaired.
From strength you have dared.

In the traveling winds and the rising of Suns, there is always a keeper of words.
In a dark night of questions and mornings of ash, the Capricorn lady plows through, unabashed.

There’s a lesson I know, it comes and goes
It’s a play on the senses
It stays on my mind like a scorching hot brand.

With time I will learn it and teach it to you
With rhyme I can weave it so you can teach too.

Oh, Capricorn lady! Maybe, oh, maybe.
Oh, Capricorn lady you won’t wait for maybe.
Oh, Capricorn lady, you’ve made it already.
Oh, Capricorn lady, keep shining on, baby!

Our Friend Ben

This song was written during a new moon solar eclipse in Sagittarius for a friend of mine of the Splintered Sunlight family for his birthday.

Inside the Splintered Sunlight temple. Image source: Splintered Sunlight

He takes the chance; first to dance
in time with Mason’s Children.
We are swaying; we are pilgrims.
We have traveled from the hills to hear our songs.

He makes the rounds and hears the sounds
the beat cannot escape him.
We are family; we are kindred.
We belong amongst the wind and sun and fire.

Our friend Ben’s an early riser.
Our friend Ben’s a soul advisor.
Every morning he reminds us
that our lives are here to drive us to the sea.
The sea of peace.

We want so much but what’s the rush?
Our time is now unfolding.
We have wheels and we are rolling.
We have wealth inside the gold of our embrace.

Our friend Ben, he is a seeker.
Our friend Ben is a believer.
Every morning he reminds us
that the life we live’s a gift and we are free.
Free to believe.

Come now, children, let’s assemble in the Splintered Sunlight temple.
Bring your lights and bring your flowers; bring your power to the tower of the night.
It’s alright if you feel lonely, in the crowd you’ll find the only friend you need.
And Ben will lead the way, indeed.

Our friend Ben’s an early riser.
Our friend Ben’s a soul advisor.
Every morning he reminds us
that our friends are there to guide us to the sea.
The sea of peace.

When the Muses Meet

This song was written during a Moon, Neptune, Chiron conjunction in Aquarius opposite Mars in Leo, and a Venus, Mercury conjunction in Sagittarius. It is dedicated to the lead guitarist of Splintered Sunlight and his wife.

Butchy the Muse. Image source: Splintered Sunlight

Out on the dusky rails of road
The sun was setting up the show
I saw a woman in the sky
She was a cloudy firefly

I shifted gears into the air
My wheels-a-turnin’ up the stairs
Upon the heavenly highway
I gotta meet my woman there

When the muses meet
(When the muses meet)
Won’t you move your feet
(Why don’t you move your feet)
To the sound of love
(Yea, the sound of love)
To Mother Nature’s beat
(Oh, Mother Nature’s beat)

Across the silky strands of night
Her hair a raven-winged delight
My woman shook her locks for me
They wrapped around my heart so tight

We sailed among the leaves of rain
And washed our souls of earthly pain
I love my woman, she loves me
Oh, won’t you play our lovin’ game?

When the muses meet
(When the muses meet)
Won’t you move your feet
(Why don’t you move your feet)
To the sound of love
(Yea, the sound of love)
To Mother Nature’s beat
(Oh, Mother Nature’s beat)

There ain’t a storm or hurricane that’ll blow away our home
We got an angel on our fence and our love is garden-grown
You may be wonderin’, my friend, how to find your lovin’ land.
Me and my woman can show you—come and play with our Lovin’ Band!

Well, well, when the muses meet
(Oh, when the muses meet)
You gotta move your feet
(Why don’t you move your feet)
To the sound of love
(Yea, the sound of love)
To Mother Nature’s beat
(Oh, Mother Nature’s beat)

Yeah, yeah, when the muses meet
(Oh, when the muses meet)
Your soul will be complete
(Yeah, it’ll be complete)
You can dance in love
(Yea, you can dance in love)
To Mother Nature’s beat
(Oh, Mother Nature’s beat)

PA Political Astrology: Lancaster County Democratic Women’s Association Honors Janice Stork (D-Scorpio)

(Middle, at the podium) Janice Stork, a Scorpio, the first female Mayor of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who served from 1990-1998.

[tweetmeme]This afternoon, I had the pleasure of attending my first “Breaking the Glass Ceiling” luncheon hosted by the Lancaster County Democratic Women’s Association (LCDWA). The LCDWA, headed by Sue Stoltzfus (Scorpio), presented the first annual Catherine Baker Knoll (a fellow Virgo, yeah!) Award to Janice C. Stork (Scorpio), who served as Mayor of the City of Lancaster, PA from 1990-1998. (Just a quick note: Catherine Baker Knoll shares a September 3rd Virgo birthdate with Joe Hoeffel, who is getting my vote for the next Governor of PA!) Janice currently has a one-line Wikipedia entry, as of today, but Tracey Lynn Arriola, Secretary of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee (LCDC) and member of the LCDWA, is working to change that. The luncheon had a great turnout at The Press Room of over 50 people, which included many male and female local officials such as Bruce Beardsley, Chair of LCDC; Craig Lehman, Lancaster County Commissioner; Nelson Polite, Lancaster City Council; and State Rep. Mike Sturla (Aquarius), among others for the males, as well as Lois Herr (Capricorn), candidate for PA Congress (16th District); Pat Brogan, Lancaster Mayor’s Office; Susan Rutt, PA Federation of Democratic Women; and Pat Coller, Lancaster City Council, among others for the females.

I cast a chart for the CBK Luncheon and thought the Cancer Ascendant was quite a nice indicator for honoring females in politics, considering the Moon rules Cancer and is symbolic of women, political favor, nurturing and emotions, and the public. The Moon in Aquarius is separating from a recent conjunction with Neptune and Chiron in the 9th house of the higher mind, philosophy, and freedom. (See chart below.) Check out my tweetphotos of the event here and my Picasa Web Album here.

I almost didn’t make it to the lunch, however, because last night, my beloved 1991 Buick Riviera—that I just poured money into, repairing the fuel pump and rear windshield—finally blew its transmission. How fitting a time for my car to give out as transiting retrograde Saturn (ruler of delays and restrictions) passes over my natal Mercury (ruler of communication and transportation), while transiting Mars (ruler of action and aggression) goes stationary direct on the cusp of my 3rd house of communication and transportation. ¡Que Lastima! Thankfully, I got a ride from my brother and was able to meet up with my new found LCDC and LCDWA friends, Sue Stoltzfus, Martine Elianor, Janet Spleen, Kathy Rammer, and Renee Martin, and I met a few new ones as well. In case you missed it, you can read how I met these wonderful women at DemFest and the LCDC Convention.

Friendly Astrology: Siobhan, The Aries Ram, Yes She Can!

Siobhan, The Fierce. She just might cut you.

[tweetmeme]If I could choose a lioness to debate with and tear the heads off of Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Rush Limbaugh, or Sarah Palin, I’d send Siobhan. No nonsense. No pleasantries. No “aw, shucks” about it. The first time Siobhan and I spoke, we held an hour-long phone conversation, and found common ground talking shit on a mutual acquaintance. (It was warranted.) We also share a Virgo Moon, Saturn, and North Node connection, by way of conjunction. When we were teenagers, we used to sit on the corner in our small town and take turns tearing apart people who walked down the street. (They had it coming.) When we were old enough to drink, you’d better believe we had a ball honing in on the frailties of our fellow bar patrons at the Keswick Tavern. As adults, we have gone our separate ways in accordance with the natural evolution of all relationships in the progression of time. Though, as our relationship as friends has evolved, our intellectual sensibilities remain consistent, which has always been the foundation of our friendship. (We were both in our school’s “Enrichment” program due to high IQ testing.)

I’m not going to tell Siobhan’s life story here; though with her Ascendant (ASC) in the critical 29th degree of Scorpio and natal Jupiter at the critical 29th degree of Cancer, you’d be intrigued by the story. I’m merely going to highlight the potential that I see in her chart. Perhaps, one day, you will hear her story in her own words. I say this because her natal chart displays the Moon, North Node, and Saturn at the pinnacle of her chart: The Midheaven (MC). The MC is one of the important angles in astrology, which symbolizes one’s reputation, career, and status in society. Siobhan needed a while to decide exactly what her role in society should be, but she is certainly headed in the right direction after recently graduating, Magna Cum Laude from Temple University (my alma mater), with a BS in Political Science.

Siobhan’s mind has always been an asset, whether she wanted to publicly acknowledge it or not during her teenage, high school rebellion. Her natal Mercury in Pisces sits conjunct natal Mars in Aries, also forming a trine to natal Uranus and natal Jupiter, in addition to a square with natal Neptune. These aspects show a highly energetic, eccentric, and unconventional mind and intuitive, intellectual acuity. Mercury also rules her MC in Virgo, which, to me, is evidence of her predilection towards public life. She initially aspired to be an actress (note the 1st house Neptune). Though, it looks like her recent Saturn Return and its current transit through her natal 10th house of career has now set her sights on something more concrete: Politics.

It is also relevant to add here that Siobhan’s younger brother, Daniel, is an Iraq war veteran and is currently a military police officer in our Nation’s Capitol, Washington DC. She is also planning to relocate there within the next few months. Please note the transiting Uranus in her natal 4th house of home, which is also conjunct her natal Mercury. The winds of change are blowing for my dear companion, as her progressed MC is sitting conjunct her natal Pluto, indicating a rebirth in how she presents herself to the world. Our paths once crossed in 7th grade and our lives have led us on different paths. Perhaps, Saturn, the North Node, and the MC/IC axis will further validate our alliance in future, given Siobhan’s political aspirations and my current activities. We have a shared past in Montgomery County, PA, but life is leading Siobhan to Washington and myself to straddle work and life between Philadelphia and Lancaster, PA. Time will tell how it all plays out. Vive La Femme!

(See Natal Chart below with accurate birth time.) Siobhan, let me know if you want further clarification.