Follow up on Carlos and Military Working Dogs.

Dear Readers,

OK, first of all, thank you to friends like Solange and Caroline who were willing to take the time to contact our government to express their concerns about the treatment of bomb-sniffing dogs used by our military. It is my firm belief that our democracy is of, for and by the people, and that means that “we the people” are compelled to participate when "we" want something done. In my mind, that means writing letters, making phone calls and taking to the streets every now and again.

As my fb friends know, I’ve been well, like a dog to a bone, since mid September when I read an email from two Air Force officers that stated the following:

“"You might be shocked and dismayed to learn that when these dogs are retired, they are snuffed out for their service. It is cheaper to euthanize them than transport them back. “

Thankfully, that is not exactly true. It seems that many Americans, like my friends and I, were outraged by such treatment. To that end, in 2000 a law called “The Robby Law” was passed unanimously by Congress and signed by President Clinton. It requires the military to put “military working dogs” up for adoption. The dogs can only be killed if they pose a threat or to prevent undue pain and suffering. There is a program in Lackland, TX that helps place the dogs with their handlers, law enforcement agencies and families willing to adopt them.

So, was that original email from Air Force officers an urban legend? No. Unfortunately dogs used by contractors are not protected by the Robby Law. Sadly also, that law was not enacted in time to save Robby's life. Of course I’m not happy about this side-stepping of U.S. law, or any done by contractors as they are de facto representatives of our interests. I’m also not too happy that the Public Affairs office never got back to any one of my four friends who called about this issue back in September, even though their message states that they return all calls within five business days. Ultimately though, that did not deter me one bit and I am glad that I have gotten to the bottom of this story. I am also very pleased that there is a way for ordinary citizens to adopt these dogs. My lease prevents me from doing so at this time, but at some other point the adoption site is the first place I will look for a dog. These posts may also help connect eligible dogs with new homes. I am grateful that Americans flooded the DoD, Congress and the President with their concern, and that the fate of these wonderful animals was changed by the people. It would be great to see the contractor loop hole closed, but I’ll leave that fight for someone else. Thank you again to those of you who got involved. It really does make a difference.

Sun into Scorpio 2011: Truth and Transcendence

Pluto-ruled, emotional Scorpio is typically associated deep-seeded change. The conventional wisdom has been that Scorpio reveals our true feelings, and they in turn send us soul searching. We recognize what we no longer need and what we desire next. Then Scorpio’s transformative power goes to work. In 2011, the Sun, Venus, Mercury and a new moon will issue the annual ticket to journey beneath the surface of what’s happening in our lives. But this year’s voyage to the underworld will urge us to delve much deeper than usual. It wants us to uncover and begin repairing the programming, filters and perceptions operating beneath our emotions. Chiron and Neptune turn direct on November 9th, the day before a full Taurus moon that will see Mars move into analytical Virgo. If the Higher Self always knows the path back to our innate perfection, then purifying Scorpio is here to clear away the emotional roadblocks we’ve constructed.

When the Sun enters Scorpio on October 23rd at 11:30 A.M. PST it will meet up with Venus and Mercury who are already traveling through the fixed water sign. The new Scorpio moon of October 26th is an ideal time to pause and listen to our internal voicemail. Venus will be squared by Mars on that day and Mercury by Mars on the 28th, a day when the Sun and Jupiter will also be at odds. Mars will square Neptune on the 31st and Mercury will square Neptune on November 1st. Paying careful attention to what disturbs or distresses us during this time can ultimately prove as enlightening as reflecting on what delights us. After all, discomfort often signals needed changes. The critical distinction to make here is this. Are these messages coming from a habitual story of unhappiness or have people and situations in our lives served their evolutionary purpose? Scorpio, the zodiac’s most adept detective, is on the case and intent on getting to the bottom of things. Can we handle the truth?

On November 2nd Venus and Mercury bid heavy Scorpio adieu and head into optimistic Sagittarius. Uranus in fearless Aries and Mars in lionhearted Leo strengthen and encourage Sag’s enthusiasm. The general fire sign trine these four planets form offers the alchemy that can turn insight into inspiration. Are you ready to sing your heart song? Providing rich celestial soil for seeding our renewed sense of possibility will be the full Taurus moon of November 10th. Healing Chiron and metaphysical Neptune station on November 9th, thus bringing their forward momentum to the full moon.

Fixed earth sign Taurus represents stability, peace and fertility. Expansive Jupiter is already in the sign of the Bull where it is in harmonious accord with regenerative Pluto in industrious Capricorn. Adding the third and final earth element will be Mars entrance into Virgo on the full moon. Jupiter, Pluto and Mars form a supportive earth sign trine that will hold through June of 2012 when Jupiter moves on to Gemini. The full moon marks the end of our lunar elemental journey from intuition, to inspiration to implementation or water, fire and earth. True to its phoenix form, the full moon of the Scorpio cycle is of course really only a beginning.

This cycle’s insights and evolutionary intentions can only be fully realized through practice. After all, we didn’t grow those negative neural pathways overnight, and the genetically downloaded ones have been with us throughout this incarnation. For the next eight months aggressive Mars will be our self-help personal trainer and lead thought analyst as it transits astrology’s top thought editor, Virgo. Is our thinking undercutting or serving our growth? When we find ourselves believing anything other than that life loves us, uncompromising Mars will tell us so and go to work on our neural plasticity. We are talking about an actual physical metamorphosis as Mars works with its earth sign inhabiting counterparts. Lastly, Louise Hay says that it is better to dissolve a habit rather than to try to break it. Traveling together, Neptune and Chiron are the best cosmic forces for dissolving problematic patterns, and they will be doing their finest work beginning in late February when they re-enter gentle, compassionate Pisces. For now, intense, complex Scorpio is asking one simple question: Are we really ready to let go and let God?

Louise Hay joins Elizabeth and the Hay House Book Club this month on Hay House Radio. Catch one of the many broadcasts of this very special Book Club edition and join the Book Club discussion on Facebook. To keep up with Elizabeth, download her new free app at here.

Sun Into Libra 2011: Breakdown to Breakthrough

According to popular author Robert Holden, Ph. D., “If you are alive, you need help.” In his book “Shift Happens” he asserts that defenses are the work of the ego, that unwillingness to ask for help is an invitation to struggle, suffering and loneliness, and that while independence looks desirable from the outside, it is really based on a deep fear of intimacy. He uses the term “dysfunctionally independent” to describe this mindset. The idea of extreme independence also runs counter to the truth of Oneness, that we are all connected and interdependent.  As Holden’s premise seemed intriguingly appropriate for the Sun’s entrance into collaborative Libra, gifted astrologer and writer Aleta McClelland has joined me for this article.

When the Sun enters Libra at 2:05 A.M. PST on September 23rd, it will join Saturn and Venus who are already transiting the sign of cooperation, relationship and beauty. On September 25th Mercury will also move into this mental air sign and prepare us for a transformative new Libra moon on the 27th. On the one hand, five planets (the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Saturn) in diplomatic Libra will make harmonious trines to Neptune and Chiron in fellow air sign, visionary Aquarius. They will also receive supportive sextiles from Mars in courageous Leo and fuel from the presence of a total of eight planets in signs with active yang polarity (Mars in Leo, Neptune in Aquarius, Uranus in Aries and the five in Libra). On the other hand, or side of that famous Libra scale, squares from Pluto and oppositions from Uranus to the Libra bunch are in store. These aspects promise to bring important issues to a head and matters to the fore, especially around that powerful new moon. Lastly, this period will host seven planets in Cardinal signs, marking an auspicious cycle of new opportunities, beginnings and growth. Here’s Aleta on the Aquarian aspect.

  “When we see Neptune and Chiron retrograde in Aquarius, a call to liberate through healing has begun!  The retrograde is here to assist by intensifying our spiritual depth while maintaining the stamina to get the job done. This combo is nothing like sweet dreamy Neptune or wounded Chiron.  These are power players who have come to get to the root of things, heal and move on to their true objective; making the new dream real.  Placed in the fourth house of core foundations, there is an almost plutonian penetration to this event, which is a nice way of saying, the chaos is sincerely on our side.  Neptune and Chiron are compelling us to externalize and collaborate about our healing needs individually and collectively.   Not coincidentally, with the Sun, Venus, Saturn, Mercury and finally the Moon lining up in Libra, there is a ground swell of energy around broad based and quite idealistic community.  We need our peeps right now and we know it! Although these planets are emphasizing the collective energy there is nothing general about it. The Sun and Venus play off of each other to create a feeling of warmth and affection, but not the amorous kind!   Here, we see Venus in her most diplomatic persona, urging us towards a down to earth version of universal love.  It’s the epitome of universality, updated and matured as Saturn conjunct Juno chime in. Saturn wants to insure that what we dream has a practical form so it can become real. The planets in Libra trine with Neptune and Chiron cause us to (often through disruption) reevaluate what we think are core relationship necessities, values, health, and even sanity; however it is not interruption for its own sake.  They are calling in the transpersonal, a new definition of the collective, Oneness…..a taste of the actual qualities of the Aquarian Age wrapped in Libras iron butterfly commitment to balance and harmony…..and none of them are afraid of a little radical housecleaning and healing before creating anew.  Just see what Pluto is doing in Capricorn!”

September 25th-28th is one of this cycle’s hottest spots, and it may will offer some defining moments. Destructive Pluto transforms and it will form squares to the moon on September 27th and the Sun and Mercury on the 28th. Progressive Uranus in independent Aries will oppose the Sun on September 25th, Mercury on the 26th and the moon on the 27th. During this time individual needs will be pitted against collective ones and the call for release will be intensified. At its best, Libra values fairness, partnership and grace. At its worst, it fails to make critical decisions. With the pressure from Pluto and Uranus, indecision will not be a viable option. Paths are being cleared for new beginnings. In fact the new Libra moon will bring the total to a stunning seven planets in the instigating Cardinal signs. With them, we can redefine how we experience life. It’s not so much about acquiring new stuff or starting new ventures. It is all about embracing an enlightening new perspective.

Holden asks us to consider which filters we are viewing our lives through. Do we see endless struggles, grievances, anger and stress? Are we running on fear and lack? Or can we see the negatives as signals to change course? Can we empty our bowls of yesterday’s rice and access our personal alchemy to heal our lives? How often do we recognize the clarity, happiness and trust that are always available to us? Libra Louise Hay’s motto is, “Life loves you.” Astrology’s Libra celebrates the colleagues, friends, partners and family members who have journeyed all this way to remind us.

Elizabeth has just released an exciting new app! It’s free and available in both iPhone and Android formats. It features music, oracle messages and upcoming appearances such as her date with C.A. Brooks on “Simpletales” on 12Radio, and her interview with Robert Holden on the Hay House Book Club this Friday, the 23rd, also at 11AM PST on Hay House Radio. For all the details, download her app now.

Sun into Virgo 2011: Keys to the Matrix

Way back in 1984 Louise Hay published “You Can Heal Your Life,” a book that has sold millions of copies, been translated into 30 languages and made Hay House a self-help publishing empire. In it she espoused her theory that our thoughts play a critical role in our health. Even in her wildest dreams and most robust affirmations, Hay could not have possibly foreseen the tens of millions of lives her work was waiting to reach, aid and connect. We were all on the other side of the third dimensional veil waiting for someone to flip the switch, and she did. Hers is a great example of how a matrix works and of how one voice can active it, and its mind-boggling complexity and intricacy. The Sun moves into gentle, discerning Virgo at 4:21 A.M. PST on August 23rd and becomes part of a grand earth trine. Venus and Mercury will add their strength to this trine, and supportive new and full moons make this cycle fertile ground for establishing the frameworks of our own matrixes. On September 6th, Hay will join author and astrologer Mark Husson on Hay House Radio to talk about her work. In the meantime, the planets are lining up to help us plan, build and transition to new worlds.

Virgo completes the summer season and like its fellow mutable signs signals a time of change. During August, provocative Mars has been traveling through Cancer, where it formed an exact square to Uranus in Aries and an exact opposition to Pluto in Capricorn. The issues Mars stirred up began pointing the way to needed changes in our lives. With Saturn in Libra in the Cardinal sign mix, the message of release for renewal was powerfully reinforced. From June 2012 through March 2015 we will undergo a series of seven exact Uranus squares to Pluto. The recent Mars activity gave us a small glimmer of the immense energy and new directions available when these planets form challenging angles in Cardinal signs. Virgo is the 6th sign of the zodiac and is recognized as the sign of service. Renowned for its trouble-shooting prowess, organizational expertise and planning genius, it can help us devise reliable strategies for the life-altering times ahead. The forthcoming grand earth trine offers time and material support for building new foundations and paradigms.

Venus ventured into Virgo’s calm, cool and collected realms on August 21st where it met Pluto at 5 degrees Capricorn and Jupiter at 10 degrees Taurus. On the 23rd, the Sun follows suit as will Mercury on September 9th. The earth signs, Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo, relate to finances, career, health, resources and the physical plane of reality. Whether it is involved in the contentious energy of squares and oppositions or the softer, harmonious stimulation of trines, Pluto purifies through destruction. In the upcoming configuration, Pluto will trine Jupiter in Taurus and the Sun, Venus and Mercury in Virgo. We will have to trust that any loss we experience through Pluto in industrious Capricorn is paving the way to necessary progress. The new Virgo moon of August 28th, occurring two days after Mercury comes out of its retrograde, is an ideal time for harnessing that Plutonian power to seed the desired changes we want to see and be in the world.

The September 12th full moon in mystic Pisces provides the chance to tap into more intrinsic and intuitive support. By then Mercury will be in its native Virgo where it, Venus and the Sun will oppose the moon. Impeccable logic and practicality meet stunning psychic insight on the solid ground of the grand earth trine. This full moon is the time to write the software for the programs your developing matrix will run in the future, or more plainly said, a 5-star day to write affirmations. Jupiter will turn retrograde on August 30th (until December 25th) and Pluto goes direct on September 16th, and it will be months before they move past their shadows. Earth signs require projects, goals and aspirations to prove their endurance and reliability before tangible rewards are given. What should emerge during this Virgo cycle is a profound sense of being on the right path and some welcomed confirmation. Keanu Reeves’ character Neo ends the movie “The Matrix” with the line, “Anything is possible.” Louise Hay and Mike Dooley teach us to be conscious of how our thoughts are creating our possibilities, perceptions and realities. Observant, dedicated and mild Virgo prefers to spend her time remembering, our innate perfection.

Be sure to catch Elizabeth this Tuesday when she visits Power Peek astrologer C.A. Brooks on “Simple Tales” on 12Radio at 11:00 A.M. PST. Elizabeth has just released her new app which features music, videos, her writing and much more. You can download it for free here: http://www.elizabethsoralce.com. Lastly, Elizabeth welcomes Dr. Doreen Virtue to the Hay House Book Club this Friday on Hay House Radio at 11:00 A.M. PST.

Woman Who Runs With Marines: Why I Said Yes to the MCM

Sometimes your routines need some serious shaking up. Sometimes you need a new goal to push yourself past complacency. Sometimes you just want to abandon the tedium of endless responsibilities and obligations for something totally fresh and inspiring. Then again, maybe it’s just me.

Last week the Director of the USO center where I volunteer sent out a notice about the 36th Annual Marine Corps Marathon. It takes place in Washington, DC at the end of October. While I thoroughly enjoy volunteering at our Charlotte Airport location, something about her memo struck an adventurous chord in me. So I began Googling. Visiting America’s historic sites was, after all, on my list of things to do when I left sunny California for the East Coast two years ago. So far, I haven’t gotten around to seeing anything beyond Wilmington. Funny how life works that way if you don’t begin seizing its opportunities. On the fitness front, this summer I’ve topped out at 4 miles on my runs, rationalizing that the extreme heat and humidity of the South at this time of year are physically challenging enough, for now anyway. Fortunately, the Marine Corps Marathon hosts an accompanying 10K run for those of us who aren’t quite up to, or more honestly, nowhere near, running 26 miles. So, I signed up, and I joined Team USO.

In the coming months I’ll hit up those of you who I know well for (large) donations. I’ve already begun increasing the distance of my runs, and am enjoying the returning enthusiasm. That I get to run with our Marines, and for all of our military service members the USO supports, is humbling beyond description. And even with all of the political animosity of late, I deeply look forward to visiting our country’s capitol. I will keep you posted as I train. In the meantime, you can visit my Team USO page and make a donation, and a difference.

Since the original post, I had time to make this video! Enjoy!

Book Review: “Ravenous” by Dayna Macy, 5 Spoons For Sure!

If you had to survive for a few days relying only on the food growing in your neighborhood, what would you eat? If you dedicated a portion of your backyard to growing your food, what could you grow there? Where is the closest farm and what is in its fields right now? These are just a few of the many questions that came to mind as I read Dayna Macy’s thoroughly appealing new book “Ravenous.” In it she takes readers on an odyssey through her favorite foods and her lifelong struggle with her weight and eating issues. Along the way she connects us with the sources of our food and acquaints us, in very personal terms, with practices such as foraging, organic growing and humane animal raising and handling. To her credit, her writing about those intriguing and politically provocative topics is never preachy or self-righteous, but thoughtful. To my relief, “Ravenous” is also not some dreary tell-all about food obsessions and emotional problems. Macy is much too keen to fall into either trap. What makes “Ravenous” interesting, enjoyable and ultimately so rewarding is her clarity.

The book’s chapters are organized around her favorite foods, like cheese, chocolate and olives, and each ends with a recipe. Yet the book never becomes predictable or formulaic. A long-time yoga practitioner, her writing has a presence that guides the mind’s eye through the book’s many settings and subjects. Seamlessly Macy takes us from a meat market where sausage is made to the origins of her food issues in suburban New Jersey, to an olive grove in California, to a joyful family seder and through so many touching and engaging points in between. Ultimately it’s the yoga that helps Macy come to terms with food, her body and her weight. By the end of her journey, and the book, we celebrate her success, her honesty and her newfound peace of mind.

Dayna will be a guest on the “Hay House Book Club” on Friday July 29th at 11:00 A.M. PST over at Hay House Radio. Fortunately I got to be part of the taping of this episode, and I must say that it was the most fun one to date. That may have been because we book clubbers got to talking about food. In any case, being in the delightful company of these readers was a wonderful experience and getting to meet Dayna on the phone made it even better. Her presence is a gift and she has lots to share. As a regular commentator on the show, and for all official reasons, my copy of “Ravenous” was provided by Hay House. You are welcome to join the “Ravenous” discussion on Facebook and to tune in live at Hay House Radio for this edition of this “Book Club” (or one of its many rebroadcasts). Bon appetit.

Sun Into Leo 2011: Here For the Party!

Leo, the bright, shiny and charismatic force of cosmic encouragement is poised to host her annual celebration on July 22nd when the Sun enters its home sign at 9:12 P.M. PST.  From the onset, Leo’s solar journey is shaping up to be one of 2011’s liveliest and most glittering planetary gatherings. Venus will join the Sun in Leo, Mercury will turn retrograde, Neptune will wander back into Aquarius, and Mars is due for a few contentious battles. To enjoy the entertainment and festivities, regal Leo has assembled an impressive and stellar guest list. VIPs chatty Mercury and attractive Venus will be her guests of honor as they accompany the hosting Sun through Leo's glamorous and dramatic domain. Let’s mingle.

That Leo trio will be making electrifying alliances with spontaneous Uranus in instigating Aries. Can you say tequila shots? Aged sipping tequila is probably the better beverage selection. That’s because Venus, Mercury and the Sun are also planning some productive schmoozing with reserved Saturn while he’s in agreeable Libra.  Generous Jupiter has of course been invited. Unfortunately the prized planet of plenty is traveling through Taurus and thus forming some uncomfortable squares to the Sun and Venus on August 1st and 5th. But it’s nothing that a little royal charm can’t smooth over.  After all, both Leo the Lion and Taurus the Bull appreciate life’s luxuries and both recognize the value of hard work. A winning choice for conversation topic would be their latest shopping expeditions.

Though she can clearly spot his mounting oppositions to her and her friends from across any room. magnanimous Leo will also warmly welcome spacey Neptune to her soiree.  He's always good for getting the guests intoxicated.  Then there’s her personally favored attendee, bad-boy Mars.  The tension is already building for his August 3rd entrance into Cancer where his August 9th bout with Uranus and August 11th run-in with Pluto are inevitable.  Lively Leo positively adores passion, and we all know how she feels about an audience.  So, if an anticipated Mars skirmish or two draws a crowd, all the better. Leo would rather die than be accused of throwing a dull party, or God forbid one that is under-attended. If her tattooed love boy becomes too unruly, Leo can always count on Pluto in conservative Capricorn to play bouncer.

Helping Leo slow down long enough to graciously listen to her guests, and to think, reason and converse clearly with them will be Mercury’s retrograde from August 2nd through 26th. While he will have just crossed into calm, analytical Virgo at the start of this retrograde, the Messenger of the Gods will traverse all the way back to 18 degrees of Leo by the time he stations. That means that most of this retrograde will be spent in those incendiary later degrees of fixed, fiery and ferocious Leo. Some party-goers could get a little loud under these conditions. Mercury’s backward motion is cautioning them and us to consciously express ourselves. Another cosmic call for graceful exchange will sound from distant, dreamy Neptune.

Also in retrograde motion, Neptune will arrive back in rebellious and innovative Aquarius on August 4th. Because Neptune is one of the slower moving outer planets, its influence is subtle and in effect over an extended period of time. Its opposition to the Sun, though exact on August 22nd, will be felt throughout the Leo cycle. Its presence is likely to heat up much of the cocktail chatter, especially if the subject of politics arises. Personal responsibility versus institutional responsibility, independence versus interdependence and the individual versus the collective are predictable themes when an opposition between the sign representing the individual will, Leo, and the sign representing groups and community occurs. Moreover, the Sun is the celestial force associated with the sign of Leo, and the astrological symbol for the Sun is a single dot in the center of a circle.  The dot symbolizes the individual and the circle infinity.  Astrologers Douglas Bloch and Demetra George describe Neptune as representing the ability of the finite self to experience transcendence through unity with a greater whole. Thus, we are presented with an axis that at one extreme asks the ego to dissolve into a greater whole and at the other to maintain its unique identity. Ultimately, Lion-hearted Leo was born to lead, to dance, to sing and to play. Through her effervescent expression, she inspires us to do the same. So while her encounter with intriguing Neptune will deeper her compassion and spirituality, she’s here for the party, and so are we!

Please join Elizabeth on Friday, July 29th, for the latest edition of the Hay House Book Club at Hay House Radio featuring Dayna Macy’s delicious new book “Ravenous.” You can sign up for Elizabeth’s free e-newsletter at her site: .