Monday, August 12, 2013

Ask Uttara: Some Christians feel that astrology is "devil" work . . . but didn't God create the heavens and earth and the universe that astrology is based on?


Question: 
 
Some Christians feel that astrology is "devil" work (or whatever else they say)... But didn't God create the heavens and earth and the universe that astrology is based on?

Response:  
Ahhhh.  Yes.  It is true that some do think it is dark magic.  And yes, God did create the very structures astrology references.  Remember that anything that frightens the mind causes it to shut down.  People often put down or make fun of things they do not understand. 

It reminds me of a person who got quite angry at me for telling them I was a vegetarian; I mean, seriously, more meat for you to eat, okay?!  They went on to say that the Bible said that God gave us dominion over the animals and that meant we were obligated to eat them.

[Um, really?  Riiiiiiight.]

So, if someone’s source of information is a written record, such as the Bible, then you will find conflicting things about astrology (well, conflicting things about a LOT of things), even though often astrology and astronomy play a role in our Christian celebrations.  The wise men (Magi or Magicians) following a star that foretold a birth.  Many say they were astrologers and it was the astrology of the time that told them the Messiah was being born.  December 25 is the day we celebrate the return of the Son.  That date relates to an astrological phenomenon related to the Winter Solstice on December 22; the return of the Sun.   The date we celebrate Easter is still set by determining the first Sunday after the Full Moon following the Spring Equinox.

The rhythms of this planet have been used for thousands upon thousands of years by people on Earth to determine many things; and I think we are slowly realizing we ignore those rhythms to our own peril.

Astrology is a much more ancient system than Christianity; you have to realize how young Christianity is.  Recall that Jesus was Jewish!  Astrology predates recorded history and is found in most religious systems – there is a Hindu system, a Taoist system, many many systems for reading the stars and planets.  

In many cases it has been woven into modern Christianity, though not overtly.  Check out these links for information on Christianity and astrology, as well as beautiful Christian churches that feature the astrology wheel, the symbols of the zodiac, etc.




But what to do about the random person who questions why you would study astrology?  First, before you argue with anyone, consider who you are talking to.  There are people who you can have real conversation and debate with; and there are people so locked into their way of thinking that it is a total waste of time.  For the judgmental folks you will encounter who simply want to put you in your place or bring you around to their way of thinking, you can tell them you find it interesting and leave it at that.  Or that you are just trying to make a decision about its worth -- many people come around to believing in astrology simply because they have tried to disprove it.

If I were to encounter someone who insinuated that it was evil, I would explain how astrology has given me a deeper understanding of God’s plan in my life; of where and how I am to serve.  For me that is a powerful truth.

For the person you encounter with whom you can truly debate and discuss, I would offer this:  the unfortunate path of some sects of the Christian Church is to remove God from everyday life and living; to make it so that you need an intermediary to access God.  A person from the Church to confess your “sins” to; a specific place and time for praying.   Someone else to conduct ritual, to make your decisions.  Some in the Church would not want you to know how powerful you are; that you can sit in meditation and access God yourself.  That you in fact play a role in creating your world and your experience here.

If I really wanted to convince someone, I would ask for their birth date and time and permission to run their chart; usually that is enough to widen someone’s eyes and make them at least take the time to explore the possibility that this ancient science exists

Anytime you are challenged in any belief you hold true to your heart -- whether it’s astrology or what school to send your kids -- you basically have three ways to go; (1) you can take their dissent and question yourself, falter in your conviction and decision making; (2) you can take their dissent and absorb it, actually figure out if it is true or accurate and allow that discussion to shape a new way of thinking; or (3) you can take what they say and that information actually makes you more secure in your conviction and knowledge.
 
Either way, do spend the time to decide what is that you truly, really believe and how to articulate it -- what speaks to your heart, your head, your gut.  And then live that truth.  But also be ready to change your mind; to say you were wrong; to allow new information or an experience in the future to shift and refine or change your truth.  As I get older there is less black and white; just more intricate shades of gray.
I hope this is somewhat helpful to you.

Shanti,

Jill

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Ask Uttara: I've been single for a couple of years . . .

Question:

I've been single for a couple of years and not dated in many many years. Not to sound conceited, but I do have a lot going for me and would love to be asked out on a date. I'm not looking for a lifetime commitment or anything, it would just be nice to have someone to do fun things with. I have great fun and loving friends who I spend time with and I have an active and full life - but it's not the same as having a special someone in my life. Know what I mean?

Friends sometimes tell me I am unapproachable or "intimidating." Others say, "you have to put yourself out there". And the third most popular response... "just wait, your time will come"

I'm willing to be patient and have faith, but I've heard you say more than once that we're meant to walk two by two.

What should I do? Hang out and have faith that everything is as it should be? Or push the envelope and join some on line dating site or something (eee gads!) What's your advice?

Also - I know... be careful what I wish for, right? Maybe my already not-so-simple life is enough and I'm destined to be on my own.



Response:

Dearest Reader:

If you are putting out as many mixed messages to the Universe as you have in your question, then you must first untangle some things.

Let's start at the end; about being careful for what you wish for.  What DO you wish for?  Would just doing things with someone in a no-commitment relationship be SO complicated? 

Maybe you are really wishing for something a little deeper; for real love.  It's OKAY to want real, deep, full, committed LOVE.

As Shri Shellyji has said, "two strongly together is as four against the world." 

If you are sure it's just going out and having fun, then maybe YOU could do the asking.  I'm guessing since you seem to think you should be waiting on someone to ask that you are female; let go of those old courting rules.  If you find someone interesting, invite them to do something fun.

Are you doing what you love to do?  Or waiting for someone to do it with?  There's a great quote called the Holstee Manifesto check it out here:  http://shop.holstee.com/pages/manifesto.

You indicate that friends say you are unapproachable or intimidating; and you seem to list it as the main thing people tell you when you ask why you don't think you are getting asked out on dates.  This requires some self-study.  When you think of the things that you DO having going for you, how could you possibly use those attributes to make yourself more approachable? 

Do you have walls up around yourself that you are unaware of?  You've been single for a couples years; was that your choice?  Have you done the inner work necessary in those years to heal the old wounds and prepare your heart for a new relationship? 

To come together with another we must first be complete within ourselves.  Have you been journaling?  Look back; review; we call it Tarka in Kriya Yoga.  What are the patterns in old relationships?  In current relationships?  In your relationship with yourself?  Are you looking for a companion or simply to fill a hole in your soul that really only you can fill?

What's your relationship with the Universe?  You can't really turn things over if you don't trust God/Goddess; but remember that it's not total surrender.  Only the dead fish goes with the flow.  Sometimes you need to swim like hell.

If you truly have been doing what you love to do; telling friends you'd like to date and putting it out there; and you feel you are emotionally ready for meeting new people and creating a healthy relationship; then sure, why NOT a dating website?

I have a relative who met their great love through an internet dating site; she likes to say she went "shopping" for him; and they are wonderful together.  I know other people who use it just to meet people, have coffee and talk; nothing further, no interest in taking it into the relationship zone.  Get clear on why you do what you do whenever you do it; it's called intention and it changes EVERYTHING.

In the meantime; live your life.  Work on yourself.  Wholeness attracts wholeness; wounded people attract wounded people.  Make sure you are sending out the vibration you wish to bring in.

Blessings,

Jill




Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Ask Uttara: How soon is too soon?

Question:
 
Jill,
How soon is too soon?  I was married for a loonngg time and have been celibate for a very long year.  I recently met a man through an on-line dating site to whom I am very attracted (pretty sure the attraction is mutual *blush*).  We've only met once for a lovely afternoon coffee date and I was immediately smitten.  We're all adults here, this is not high school, are there any rules, really?
 
Thanks ;)
Got the Itch
 
Response:
 
Congratulations!  Isn't it awesome to discover you can still get that tingly butterfly flirty fun feeling??  Being in love or even just in lust can be a really delicious emotion.  I remember thinking that perhaps I was broken and would never feel that way again. 
 
But as I would say to any one, but particularly coming out of a long marriage -- whoahh, whoahhhhhh.
 
How much do you know about this person?  Do the background checks; Google him; research him on social media.  Make sure you are actually dealing with a sane, reasonable person. 
 
Are you clear about boundaries?  Is one of you going to wake up in the morning and go shopping for wedding rings while the other one gets online to see if they have someone else lined up for dinner that night?  Where is this guy in his process -- do you want the same things out a relationship right now?
 
Are you emotionally ready for this?  For all that it entails?  Some people can engage in quick physical relationships and think they can move on, but even that has consequences -- emotional and physical!  Depending on the healing process that itch might be a scab just starting to form; don't scratch it and re-open a wound.
 
Have you figured out what went wrong in your past relationship?  Is it a pattern that you have had for a while?  How might you change that negative patterning to something healthy, positive?  And why did HIS past relationships fail?
 
Listen to your inner voice and wisdom.  Be up front; be clear; ask for what you want and need and don't engage in emotional games.  At the same time be okay with not knowing exactly how things will play out;  
 
Have fun -- fun is wonderful; and be sure to conduct yourself so that you will have absolutely NO regrets. 
 
Blessings,
 
Jill