The Third Decade

Gaining Perspective

It's been a while since I last posted my horoscope online, but this one seemed worth posting at the start of a new year, at least for all the other Pisces out there. Then again, this also seems like one where just about anyone could gain a little inspiration.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

I encourage you to climb trees in 2006, Pisces. I also suggest that you regularly look down at the world from mountaintops and skyscrapers and flying dreams. Get above it all, in other words. Give yourself the pleasure of gazing from vistas that inspire you to meditate on the really big picture. You might also consider expanding your consciousness now and then if you do so in a disciplined, careful, and responsible way. (Getting high on a mix of street meth with strangers at 3 a.m. is not what I mean.) Your magical symbol for the year is a golden ladder.

Transformation

It's been a while since the last time I posted my horoscope from Free Will Astrology. Even though I read it every week, I just haven't been moved enough to post or comment on them here. However, after reading this week's advice, I felt moved to post it.

Pisces (February 19-March 20): Centuries ago, the sight of a Viking ship on the horizon cast dread into the hearts of villagers who lived on the east coast of what's now Britain. Rightfully so: The Norse raiders were infamous for plundering and killing. Today, though, the Vikings frighten no one. The loss of their status as a symbol of fear is epitomized by the silly replica of a Viking ship that a Dutchman named Robert McDonald is building out of 15 million lollipop sticks. This transformation is a good analogy for the process that should unfold in your life during the coming weeks, Pisces. Something that has always scared you is ready to be reduced to a harmless cartoon.

31

Today is my birthday. I took the day off with the intention of going around town to do some shopping, eat out, maybe even see a movie. What have I actually accomplished today? I got a haircut, watched a soap opera, ate soup, and read my horoscope. In a bit I'll go to the gym. Oh, and I also took this picture of myself. Yes, it IS a very tame way to celebrate, but sometimes it's nice just having time to myself. Besides, I'll be down in NYC this weekend to party anyway.

By the way, here's the horoscope:

Pisces (February 19-March 20): In her book, For the Time Being, Annie Dillard says that throughout history many people have thought civilization was on the verge of collapse. Around 300 B.C., Hindus believed they were living in a "degenerate and unfortunate time" known as the Kali Yuga--the lowest point in the great cosmic cycle. In 426 A.D., the Christian writer Augustine mourned that the world was in its last days. In the 1800s, renowned Hasidic Rabbi Nachman grieved for the world's "widespread atheism and immorality." Dillard offers more examples, concluding, "There never was a more holy age than ours, and never a less . . . There is no whit less enlightenment under the tree by your street than there was under the Buddha's bo tree." Go sit under that tree, Pisces. The time for your awakening is now at hand.

Hmm...all that awakening sounds like a lot of work. I think I'll do it later this week.

Coming Out of Hibernation

Well, here we are at the first of March and already I feel like big changes are brewing. My winter reclusion/hibernation comes to an end this weekend when I head down to NYC to par-tay with friends. We're already planning to hit Starlight and a Latin club and have dropped the idea of the South Asian party. After investigating that one a little more, we didn't think it was quite our speed. It's just as well, London has better South Asian parties anyway.

Besides that, Honey Brown Cards is ramping up to start production and sales of our new cards and I'm feeling more excited and positive about getting that new event started for the good gay folks of Boston's 'hood. I'm feeling good about making it an R&B/hip hop party since there's really nothing like that around. It should be a hit, now I've just got to tap my network and start putting it together.

And, with this being the beginning of a new month, of course I checked the Pisces horoscope for the month. It's lookin' good, y'all.

Is It March Yet?

This is the last weekend in February. To that I say "Good riddance." This month has sucked since the start: it's dark, it's cold, it's unusually snowy, and all that has added up to people getting cranky and taking it out on each other. This month there's definitely been more than the usual number of petty arguments. Personally, I respond to winter by hibernating. As much as I love the sight of New England in the snow, not being swarmed by mosquitos, or having to deal with high humidity, it's just not worth the effort to go out and be sociable when everyone is brow-beaten by the weather.

However, hibernation comes to an end next month. March is typically the month when the party begins, literally. Although I have a couple of friends with birthdays at the end of February, there's a slew of them - including mine - at the beginning of March. This year the party begins in New York City with my fellow Pisceans. I'm looking forward to the South Asian party next Saturday and am hoping to hit a Latin club on Friday, if possible. Basically, I just want to enjoy a weekend of revelry and merriment after a long, cold winter.

Anyway, I will give the final word to Rob and this week's horoscope:

Pisces (February 19-March 20): Who could have predicted that the quest for chemical-induced erections would help stem the extinction of endangered species? Since the advent of Viagra, Asian men have cut way back on their demand for traditional aphrodisiacs like harp seal penises and reindeer antlers. The wild animals in possession of these body parts are no longer hunted so relentlessly. With this as your point of departure, Pisces, meditate on unleashing a similar synergy in your life. Is there any pleasure you might pursue in a way that sends ripples of benevolence into the world around you?

Slow Present, Bright Future

It's already Thursday, but for the most part this has been a very slow week. There's been no drama, no new conspiracy theories, no celebrations, not even interesting weather. It's just as well though, I'm too broke this week to have too much excitement. Between paying the mortgage and paying American Express, I'm skint until next week. Astrologically, though, this is supposed to be the start of some good times.

Rob Brezsney delivers the weekly horoscope:

Pisces (February 19-March 20): Two Americans, Faye Wachs and Eugene Kim, were scuba diving off the coast of Thailand when the tsunami hit on December 26. The water around them behaved oddly but they were unaffected. It was only when they surfaced sometime later that they realized an enormous disaster had unfolded while they were below. I urge you to meditate on their experience during the coming week, Pisces. Is there anything you can you do that would be the metaphorical equivalent of being safely underwater during a tidal wave? I don't mean to imply that you will be in literal danger. What I'm suggesting is that you enter so deeply into the coming changes that you become one with them; that way, they won't sweep you away.

Susan Miller provides the monthly one. Below is just the summary, but all you Pisces out there will want to read the full (albeit lengthy) report.

With half the solar system crowded in your most private twelfth house, you'll want rest more than anything else in February. Don't fight this yearning--you need to drop out for a while, dear Pisces. It's time to slow down, take stock and strategize about your future. Very soon an influential person will want to know what he can do to help you get ahead, and you will need to have an answer ready. When Mars enters Pisces at the very end of April, you will need to be energized and ready to take on the world. Take a breather now, while you can.

Yet while you do kick back, you will also need to think and plot your course. You are now in a very magical creative period where you will be busy developing the life you were meant to live, not the life anyone else thinks you should follow. Uranus in Pisces is making you confident and ready to take on the world. Do it! This is an once-in-a-lifetime trend that will last until 2011. With planets gathering in your twelfth house, the house that Pisces naturally "owns", you will feel in your element and be very in touch with your innermost thoughts, dreams, desires and goals. Listen to your heart, dear Pisces. The future will be created by your will and determination, not by outside forces.

Love has been a difficult area for many Pisces, mainly because your career has assumed such a large presence in your life lately. This trend will only intensify this year, but don't be blue. What's different now is that you are becoming more adept at pacing yourself and about finding ways to achieve a bit of much-needed balance.

Attached or dating Pisces will find that Valentine's Day brings a sweet greeting, written by hand or by email. Your partner may decide to take you (or you, him) for a drive out of town for a romantic dinner--choose a restaurant on the water. With five out of ten heavenly bodies in your twelfth house of secrets in Aquarius, the sign of all things digital, single Pisces should find surprising luck with a blind date, especially if you meet online.

No special someone? Your time will come later this year. Anyway, you are transforming into an ever better version of yourself--the new you will perhaps choose a different type of partner than you would have several years ago. All good things in time, dear Pisces!

Friday Follow Up

Hmm...just took a look back at my posts over the past week or so. Just to follow up on a few things:

• The dirty bomb threat was a hoax. The man who smuggled in the Chinese nationals was attempting payback of sorts. It seems that he wasn't paid for his smuggling services and decided to rat out his passengers.
• The blizzard from earlier this week, while beautiful, has been a royal pain. The roads and sidewalks still aren't cleaned properly, the trains are a mess, and it's colder than it was before.
• My horoscope has proven to be a dud so far. Where's all that pleasure I was told about??

Have a good weekend, y'all.

Annoying Pleasure

Mr. Breszny, this week's horoscope doesn't really do it for me. Can you spice up the next one, please?

PISCES (Feb. 19–March 20): The Weekly World News reports that hell has a special pain-free section for masochists. The evidence comes from an s/m aficionado who traveled to this anomalous part of the nether realm during a near-death experience. "There was no beating, no torture, no poking with blazing pitchforks—not even a decent smack in the face," testified Melissa Surkovsky. While I am definitely not predicting you will visit this place, Pisces, I must warn you that you may soon have a semi-comparable experience here on earth. As much as you might be tempted, you simply won't be able to indulge in any of your own masochistic tendencies. You may even have to endure something like what Surkovsky did: "I was taken to a well-lit chamber and placed in a comfortable reclining chair, then waited on hand and foot by demons who were so polite, it was annoying."

Lavish Celebrations in Inhospitable Circumstances

Three times recently I've been driving home after 11 p.m. when I've spied a strange scene unfolding at a neighborhood house. The couple that lives there has been sitting around a festively decorated table in the front yard. A group of maybe eight to ten other people has been with them, and they've all been drinking from champagne glasses, making boisterous toasts, laughing heartily, and singing loud songs. I've been tempted to crash their little parties; it's exhilarating to see such late-night outdoor merriment in drizzly 30-degree weather during the bleak post-holiday season. I propose that you make these weirdoes your role models in the coming week, Pisces. Let them inspire you to be lavishly celebratory, convivial, and cheerful, even in seemingly inhospitable circumstances.

Excellent advice, Mr. Brezsny.

Off to A Good Start

Well, it looks like this year is off to a good start. After a lousy Christmas where I was both bedridden and vomitting because of the flu and then a great New Year's weekend where I danced two nights in a row, I feel as though I have literally and figuratively purged myself of 2004 and am ready to try new things and engage in activities which will take me to higher levels in 2005.

I'm also fortunate to have a positive horoscope to start off this year:

PISCES (Feb. 19–March 20): It's time for your coming-out party, Pisces. Please schedule this tenderly shocking passage for sometime in the next three weeks: your emergence from the shadows, your escape from the past, your repudiation of volunteer slavery, your graduation from the amateur ranks, or your liberation from a persona that doesn't suit you any more. Do it with a sly and artful ritual of transgression or do it with an exuberant burst of joyful release, but do it. The future is calling you too loudly to resist any longer.

It's yet to be seen whether I'll engage in artful transgressions or exuberant bursts (perhaps I've already done both with my respective Christmas illness and New Year's revelry), but I'm looking forward to welcoming the future with open arms. I wish anyone reading this the same good tidings.

On a side note, I'd like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the victims of the December 26 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Despite having friends and acquaintances living and working in Malaysia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, they were fortunately far from the disaster areas. Please be sure to donate to the relief agency of your choosing to assist those in need.