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.

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.

New Moon Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius: 3rd and 6th house influences

Image source: Astrologywork.com

How’s the solar eclipse in Sag treatin’ ya? This one hit my solar 3rd house and natal 6th. As the 3rd (ruled by Gemini/Mercury) rules communication and the 6th (ruled by Virgo/Mercury) rules routines and work, you can see this is an ultra-communicative eclipse for this Mercury-infused gal!

To celebrate this new bursting forth of energy, I’ll be sharing my lyric poems and songs. I’m aiming to make this a more regular occurrence so I can really use the energy of the 3rd and 6th houses.

Stay tuned!

Interview with Author and Cosmopolitan Astrologer, Hazel Dixon-Cooper (and FREE book giveaway!)

[tweetmeme] On the brink of a lovely new moon in Libra, I’m pleased to be able to host one of my favorite authors on the subject of astrology, Hazel Dixon-Cooper. Her latest book, Work on a Rotten Day, is available on Amazon.com and one lucky reader and commenter on my blog will receive a FREE copy!

SignOn2Nine: Astrologers usually have a heads-up on the effects of the upcoming planetary configurations. Did you plan this Work on a Rotten Day blog tour during the current Jupiter/Uranus conjunction due to its surprisingly lucky, unexpectedly opportunistic vibe?

Hazel Dixon-Cooper: Yes. My natal Sun is 27º Pisces and this conjuction occurs not only in my sign but so close to exact that it’s wildly exciting.

SignOn2Nine: Where does this conjunction fall in your own chart?

Hazel Dixon-Cooper: The 11th House. Lucky encounters with new people and groups, new doors opening, breaking new ground. Uranus is also Trine my natal Jupiter, which is at 27º Scorpio in the 6th House, another strongly positive aspect. However, even when the stars indicate the possibility of good things, we still have to make the effort to look for opportunities and make the most of them.

SignOn2Nine: I noticed on facebook that you have a Pisces birthday (March 18). How much do you own/disown your “dustbin of the zodiac,” Pisces rotten day-ness?

Hazel Dixon-Cooper: I love my Pisces rotten-day-ness!

SignOn2Nine: Since you’re near the Aries cusp, do you aspire to be one instead?

Hazel Dixon-Cooper: Nope. I’m not close enough to the cusp to have any Aries traits. In fact, I have very little Fire in my chart which means it takes a lot to push me from friendly dolphin into Jaws mode. I would like to have more of the Ram’s ballsy courage.

SignOn2Nine: Do you get along with Virgos, your polar opposite?

Hazel Dixon-Cooper: Some of my closest friends are Virgos or have Virgo Moons. We get along fine because we’ve learned to appreciate our polar opposite ways of thinking…and know when to kick each other’s butts.

SignOn2Nine: I’ve read Stella Hyde’s Darkside Zodiac in Love and Darkside Zodiac at Work. They’re good but mimic the theme of your books, as I was attracted to hers after reading yours. In fact, I believe your Rotten Day series started in 2002 before her Darkside Zodiac series in 2004.

Hazel Dixon-Cooper: That’s correct. Her series was the first of many dark-side focused books to appear after the success of Born on a Rotten Day and Love on a Rotten Day. I was flattered to see that happen.

SignOn2Nine: How does your book, Work on a Rotten Day, compare to Darkside Zodiac at Work?

Hazel Dixon-Cooper: Work on a Rotten Day shows you how to handle yourself around the various nutty characters for and with whom you work. Although it points out your own bad behaviors and shoot-yourself-in-the-foot traits, it offers specific advice in a positive way on how to recognize and change them.

SignOn2Nine: Would you challenge Stella Hyde to a Pisces/Cancer, water sign astro-duel? (Apparently, Hyde is a Cancer: http://booklightinc.net/redwheelweiser/author.html?au=182).

Hazel Dixon-Cooper: “I don’t duel,” said the non-confrontational Fish.

SignOn2Nine: On the subject of work and the 6th house, what routines do you adhere to when writing your books?

Hazel Dixon-Cooper: Routines? You’re talking to a procrastinating Pisces. The good news about my 6th House is my Scorpio Jupiter. That makes me somewhat of a workalcoholic and more focused. However, I’ve had to learn to 1) operate from my Virgo opposition to stay organized, 2) overcome my Neptune-bestowed tendency to fantasize that I can write a million words by sundown of deadline day, and 3) balance work and play. We all deal with this on some level. For me it’s still a daily struggle.

SignOn2Nine: As a teenager, I was a regular reader of Cosmo Bedside Astrology long before I began to study astrology in my mid-20s. I also used to steal the little Bedside Astrology booklets from Cosmopolitan magazine, obviously to read them by my bedside. How do you feel about that?

Hazel Dixon-Cooper: You were the victim of your larcenous Gemini ascendant. Thank your lucky stars that your double-Virgo-ness put the brakes on your career of crime early.

SignOn2Nine: Do you favor the Placidus or Equal house system? Why?

Hazel Dixon-Cooper: Placidus. It’s what I learned because most Western astrologers used it at that time and it’s still the most popular today. I think it adds more nuance to the natal chart.

SignOn2Nine: Who are your top 5 music artists?

Hazel Dixon-Cooper: That’s difficult. I love music and have favorites from classical to punk. These are among my favorites.

1. Norah Jones
2. Van Morrison
3. Eric Clapton
4. R. Carlos Nakai
5. Rhianna

SignOn2Nine: What advice would you give to someone looking to become a professional astrologer?

Hazel Dixon-Cooper:

Read. There are many good astrology books for beginners. One that I recommend often is The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need by Joanne Martine Woolfolk. It’s a classic in basic astrology and written for the lay person or novice student.

Study chart interpretation. Practice on yourself, friends, and family. It’s easy to get a free chart and mini-interpretation from the Internet. I’d recommend doing that before investing in a software program. Anyone can buy a software program and spit out a computerized report. To be a good astrologer, you have to understand what you’re seeing. You also have to have a feel for people. Listen to what they say. See them for the individual being they are. Astrology is so multi-layered, and so is every person.

Investigate free lessons online. Many popular astrology websites have free lessons that can help the beginner not only to learn, but to decide whether he or she is serious about the profession before investing time and money in a formal program.

SignOn2Nine: Is there any professional or educational training that you would recommend?

Hazel Dixon-Cooper:

The American Federation of Astrologers, of which I’m a member, offers different levels of professional certification through a correspondence course. Details are at: www.astrologers.com

The International Academy of Astrology offers an online professional training course. Details at: www.astrocollege.com

Thank you, Autumn, for having me here today. I enjoyed it!

SignOn2Nine: Thank you, Hazel! I’m still reeling in the excitement of having the opportunity to interview you and am so excited to read your latest book. I will add it to my Rotten Day collection.

Readers, don’t forget, one of you will WIN A COPY of Hazel Dixon-Cooper’s new book, Work on a Rotten Day. All you have to do is leave a comment (please keep it related to astrology) and I will pick my favorite response to get a free copy of the book. Happy New Moon!!!

presidential address to congress during the new moon in pisces

i think it’s a good day to address the nation. how about you? (wow, that’s weird, my computer shut off and then i pressed the power button and it came back on.) maybe mac disagrees with my optimism…

anyways, this new moon pops open in my 10th house of reputation and career. let’s see if i am blessed, cursed, or both. it’s actually conjunct my south node in the 10th. I did happen to get a lot of twitter followers today- for both my work and personal profiles. now i have to keep them entertained 🙂