Astrology at Work - Mars

Of all the 'planets' you can use the 'god of war' - Mars is the one to work with. If you know where your natal Mars is located by sign or house you should focus 'his' energy in the areas associated with the sign or house. When Mars enters a sign (or house) he brings increased awareness and if you don't use this to your advantage he sets up an internal struggle - causing frustration, annoyance and exasperation. Mars transits (movements) offer the following information:

Mars visiting the 1st - You'll be experiencing an increase of energy so be careful in what you think and do. It's a good time for physical activity, get outdoors doing something that uses up this excess energy or make time for relaxation and let nature take its course! Mars means energy and all 'Martian' traits are emphasised now, including the risk of accidents, cuts, bruises and infections! Focus your 'energy' in a positive manner (constructively rather than destructively).With Mars being the planet of 'war' you can expect some kind of 'war' going on in your sexual life for your sexual drive may well be increased and if not focussed accordingly all sorts of interesting scenario's might appear tempting...

Mars visits the 2nd - Becoming more interested in sex (opposite or otherwise) during this transit and not afraid to show it! You'll be the life and soul of any party, go dancing, meet people, accept invitations and get rid of some of that surplus energy however, don't go to excess. Avoid people, who are too self-centred, you'll only argue with them or, be blamed for some of the things they do or say! Any lack of harmony, brings frustration into your sex life leaving you feeling unsatisfied and even unwell or, reckless! With Mars being the planet of energy, focus you're thinking on how you can increase your income or, make more money for yourself and loved ones, in fact, you may even receive a gift or extra money

Transiting Mars into the 3rd - you'll have increased mental energy during this period, identifying strongly with your ideas, and fight for anything you believe in (conversely, meeting others who are just as assertive/ aggressive in defending his or her ideas.) The extra mental energies you posses now are good for business and professional ambitions; however watch any impulsive decisions and impatience doesn't ruin work already done! Take care when driving, accidents will occur when you are angry or acting too hastily; these are preventable with a little forethought.

Transiting Mars into your 4th - Don't act in haste and don't get angry about unimportant things for a lot can be accomplished now; channel your energy wisely, and don't let it explode indiscriminately. Your health will be a little under par from being more excitable where those around you might be irritable and difficult to handle therefore express your anger, but do it in a controlled way. This sector of your chart has everything to do with the house or home and is favourable for making changes - even moving! Remembering, it's when a planet first enters a house or leaves a house that you can 'see' or 'fee' the effect...

Mars visiting your 5th - You'll have increased physical energy and drive, feel more authoritative and self-expressive and need to be physically active, get outside and do something that uses up your excess energy.

Mars transiting this sector is a good time to start a new project or projects and whatever you do, do it with energy and confidence. This can be a good time for a flutter or speculation, romance and social activities - create them. Remembering what you get is what you give (consciously or unconsciously) for this is the house of the love (life) you have to give and 'making babies' is in the air...

Transiting Mars into the 6th - Industrious, efficient, tireless, dynamic and active in your workplace/business with a tendency towards irritation and impatience with co-workers, employees or others who lack these qualities - that's you at this time! Increased vitality and strong recuperative powers are indicated yet, running a fever (perhaps higher than normal) if illness strikes! There's also a danger of burns, scalds, and accidents sustained in the course of work or employment - happening as a result of impulse, haste, and impatience. Like it or not it'll be necessary during this transit to force yourself into seeking a quiet place/ space to recoup your strength. Remember the word discipline and control any temper!

Mars visiting the 7th - Where you'll attract and respond to the many different circumstances, people, situations and events in your life for by a quirk of fate we often project the things we LOVE or, conversely the things we HATE onto others during this transit! You're very much attracted to the opposite (same?) sex in this period, and not afraid of showing it. Family disputes can bring on nervous tension and feelings of insecurity are also common, be careful that those whom you attract into your life do not 'rock your emotional boat' too much for this could produce a violent reaction in either party! Wanting to be or becoming more independent and wanting your own way are all possible now (divorce?)

Transiting Mars into the 8th - Keep away from crowds, dangerous places and risk taking / survival situations at this time! Interestingly this is a favourable time for athletes, scientists, or for self-improvement for you have the power to change your life NOW. Don't force your ideas onto others, and watch out for people who try to force their ideas onto you. Be diplomatic, and use good judgement for if you use this energy creatively, you can transform your world, recognise this and control it.

Mars visiting your 9th - This is a wonderful time for business expansion, a big trip, or dealing with foreign clients, look for a job, or train for a new one! Physically, you're at a peak, but don't let your boisterous confidence lead to over-confidence creating accident or injury. You'll want to initiate big projects, you're confident and positive, however be careful, you're not overestimating your present capabilities and take on more than you can really handle! Ideas for making a 'quick profit' should be shelved, think long term goals not short term satisfaction. Don't choose this time to become involved in court battles but if you do, make sure you present yourself in the best possible light and not too aggressive.

Transiting Mars into the 10th - You'll be working harder than usual at this time, incurring heavy responsibilities. If your work is disciplined and organised, you'll get good results. If your work (and how you're seen) is sloppy or unfocused you'll meet with frustration and anger! Be seen in your best possible light and don't even think of venturing into public without a shave or makeup...

There may be conflict with the authorities (remembering the 10th house is also the house of the same sex parent- an authority figure) and you may feel restricted somehow. Work at a steady, even pace, don't exhausting yourself by doing too much.

Transiting Mars into the 11th - This is a time of explosive energy and unexpected events - on a personal level you'll be independent of everything and everyone! Don't move too fast and you'll avoid accidents, taking care with things made of metal! There could be news of a friend involved in an accident/incident or to be in some kind of trouble! Consciously or unconsciously, you'll want to be free to act in any way you choose, rebelling against anyone or anything that holds you back! Working with or coming to understand modern electronic gadgets/equipment will satisfy your creativity.

Mars visiting your 12th - Take care of your physical and mental health, conserving your energy.You'll experience greater psychic awareness now, and may even have the ability to heal; alternatively, you may receive a healing from some source! You'll give yourself unselfishly to others just be careful of being taken advantage of by people who are using you! Deceptive actions in your business affairs are possible where secret and dishonest actions cause you anger! Make sure your own actions are truthful and above board and not deluding yourself - say what you mean and mean what you say...

Next article: Making Astrology work for you - Jupiter

Numerology and Astrology have been my life and passion for over 30 years. I've been published numerous times and still have something new to offer each time I hit the keyboard - who wants to read the same old same old? I believe if you have a philosophy and no one knows about it, it doesn't mean anything. If you have an idea or insight and tell no one - it's meaningless.

Vist my website: http://www.thomasmuldoon.com.au and see what I'm talking about or visit http://www.astronumbers.com.au for more fascinating topics on Astrology, Palmistry, Tarot and a whole lot more. Return to EzineArticles on a regular basis for more insights. Personal readings via email are available - check website for details.

I use the Tarot as a tool for helping me answer questions - resolve issues and to focus my attention on what's really important. Allow me to share this tool with you in a simple - uncomplicated and without 'jargon' to bring about the success you seek.

I look forward to the journey we'll make together

EarthTV and my Virtual Trip to Hawaii

Aloha! With the summer months creeping up, I decided to dig up some Honolulu videos from EarthTV.

When I hear "Hawaii," images of coconut trees, straw skirts and food with pineapple slices on them come to mind. But lo and behold, instead of seeing hammocks strung on each end to a coconut tree ... I see crowds of buildings, enveloped by the sea! (Each front is a beach front, Hawaii's still an island, after all.)

That, to me, is just surreal. Having been brought up thinking that buildings, like the monsters of architecture that they are, only stood with nothing but other buildings surrounding them. Imagine chucking a paper airplane from atop one of the buildings in Hawaii - there's a big, big possibility of that plane to land in the sea. (Imagine throwing a message in a bottle, even!)

Okole Maluna! (Cheers!) Honolulu, being the largest city, is also the capital of Hawaii. Forget the hula dancing - Honolulu is a modern city with the high-rise buildings and whatnot. It houses the Waikiki district, which serves as the state's major tourism destination. The Waikiki beach, a reason for tourists to pack their bags and jump on planes attracts millions and millions of visitors each year. A good drop-off point for when you first arrive, hotels and shopping areas are everywhere. (Not to mention the nightlife, for when the sun sets and beach fun ends for the day.)

There's also the Ala Moana Center, which is the largest open-air shopping center. It is a major hub for TheBus, twice honored as America's Best Transit System, is Honolulu's mass transit system.

Ono! (Oh-noh, the word for "delicious") Pineapples are a trademark of Hawaiian cuisine, for obvious tropic reasons.

Much like any cuisine, the Hawaiian have their own unique dishes.

For some reason, the bane of everyone's e-mail, Spam (the original one, the one from the Hormel company) is a much-loved foodstuff in Hawaii. They have something called "Spam Musubi," which is a slice of sweet and salty marinated Spam tied to a rice cake with a strip of nori. (Their own brand of sushi.)

In as much as EarthTV can provide the videos of the beach, that's nothing compared to tasting the salt in the water. Surfing, for example, has been noted to have been invented in Hawaii. Because of this, Hawaiian culture, myth and religion have been permanently tied with the sport.

Back in the day, the big kahuna ("Chief, Priest, sorcerer, magician, wizard, minister, expert in any profession.") would demonstrate his authority by displaying skills in surfing.

Ohana! (O-ha-nah, the word for kinship, or, later on, the word that refers to anyone close, or someone you would treat as family.) The Hawaiians show values towards family much in the same way like other cultures. They show respect for their elders, are polite to one another, and value family above all else.

Hula! The grass skirts! The coconut bikinis! (Okay, so maybe none of the latter.) Hula dancing is a complex artform that shows love and respect for nature. It's supposed to represent the movement of coconut trees. The soft-flowing ukulele gives hula dancing a relaxed, refreshed feeling when watching, but did you know that the origins of the dance has sacred roots? It is the chanting (mele) put into action.

Mahalo! (Muh-ha-low, the word for thanks, great appreciation) Thanks for taking this little virtual trip to Hawaii with me.

Bea Scott is in-love with life & secretly dreams of traveling to Hawaii and wear a pink grass skirt! Her current crusade is to limit paper wastage and has since been bugging her officemates and friends to stop printing unnecessarily. Read more of her views at her blog Romancing Nature

Bon Jovi - Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - Chicago - July 31, 2010

MTH CTA 3200 (ex-bears power unit) Brown Line All Aluminum & White Sox Wrapped non-powered 005.AVI

CTA - Flxible Metro 'B' - #5746

Chicago Transit Authority 5746, a 1991 Flxible Metro is the last bus in the CTA fleet to be powered by an Cummins L10 Diesel Engine. UPDATE: 5746 has now been retired. Location: Chicago, IL Date: October 19, 2007

Your Dog Can Be City Savvy

Imagine that you've just gotten a puppy. He's a Boxer, and he's cute. He stares at you curiously with his big brown eyes. His ears are folded over in a floppy manner. His wrinkled jowls hang down and bunch up when he tilts his head. You're hooked. This is the Boxer puppy of your dreams.

But your dog is hard to control. After all, he's new to the world. He's just a baby. So, he jumps on your friends, barks at neighborhood dogs, and strains to break away from you every time you take him out for a walk. He's untrained.

Like all new dog owners, you'll quickly learn that every puppy needs obedience training. That's the standard type of dog training, and it gives you three vital tools: rewards, leashes, and commands. These tools come in handy when you take your dog into a busy suburb or city. You'll find that they're essential if you take him to downtown Los Angeles.

Dog Rewards

You'll probably find that it's fun to explore L.A. with your dog. But it might take him a while to get used to traveling there.

The travel blog, DogJaunt.com, says the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority will allow you to take pets on a bus or train if they're in a carrier. You can also travel with your puppy by car. No matter how you transport him, it'll probably be a struggle to keep him calm. He could whine and scratch at his carrier.

Dogs respond well to rewards, though. During your trip, pet your puppy gently. When he stops fussing, praise him and gave him a dog treat. This will reinforce his positive behavior, and he may start to look content.

The American Kennel Club says in a handbook for its Canine Good Citizen program that you can use treats to reward your dog for walking through a crowd of people calmly. That's important. On your city outings with your puppy, you may stroll through the busy streets of L.A.

If you want to get your dog used to walking in the city, there's an upcoming obedience training class that can help. On February 9th, the dog training company, Bark & Clark, will hold the Valentine Pooch Parade in downtown L.A. This parade is a guided walk that can help you teach your dog how to interact with city folks and other dogs, as well as how to keep your dog safe at busy intersections.

Dog Leashes

While your dog is still a puppy, he might not always respond to your commands at intersections. Occasionally, you may have to use his leash to gently stop him from trotting into Los Angeles traffic.

The dog leash is your most important training tool. Without it, your dog might need a cat's nine lives. It's especially important in a hectic city. In fact, you should rely on a leash to safely guide your spunky puppy to dog parks and outdoor cafes.

Of course, it could take time to make your dog feel comfortable with a leash. The ASPCA has some good advice, though. In the Virtual Pet Behaviorist section on its Web site, the organization shows that dogs can be leash-trained through psychological conditioning techniques that involve luring and rewarding your dog with treats, walking at a quick pace to keep your dog's interest, and making sure your dog is calm before hooking the leash to his collar.

Dog Commands

When you've learned to keep your puppy calm, you can take him to dog parks. Los Angeles has several of them. There's Barrington Dog Park, Griffith Dog Park, and Laurel Canyon Dog Park, which has a three-acre section where your dog's allowed to run free without a leash. Your puppy will like that. But you may have to use dog commands if he gets a little too wild.

If you want to learn more about how to use commands well, read Kyra Sundance's book, The Dog Rules. It instructs dog owners just like you to give commands with a firm voice and to enforce them. In The Dog Rules, Sundance says that if your dog doesn't sit when commanded to do so, you can put him in the sitting position and then praise him for assuming that position.

Once your dog is trained, you can take him to outdoor cafes after playing with him at the park. DogFriendly.com has a list of restaurants with outdoor sections where leashed dogs are allowed. One of those restaurants is Johnny Rockets, home to burgers and shakes.

Glenn Bossik works as a copywriter for Puppies for Sale California.net ( http://www.puppiesforsalecalifornia.net ), a network of trusted, experienced breeders devoted to raising quality puppies and finding happy, loving homes for them.

CTA Christmas train at Chicago Ave Sta.

The CTA Christmas train running on the Purple Evanston Express Northbound headed back to Linden at the Chicago & Franklin Sta with light snow falling. Recorded on 12/16/2010 The WA zone sign means workers ahead to protect track workes on curves. It has a yellow flashing light that activates when workers are present.

CTA Holiday Train

Filmed this at the Howard stop, where the Red and Purple lines meet on 11.26.2010

CTA

California Transit Authority, featuring Danny Seraphine(ex-Chicago) and Larry Braggs(Tower of Power)

In Transit at Bangkok Airport? Take One of the New Short Day Tours

Being stuck in an airport for several hours between flights can be not only very frustrating, but boring, uncomfortable and tiring as well. With Bangkok vying to become one of the majors hub in South East Asia, more and more people are flying to, from, and through Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Whether you have a long wait between a domestic and international flight, or even if you are stuck with a long wait in transit, there are a number of activities to keep you busy and entertained, or refreshed and ready for your forward flight.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has introduced short tours for transit passengers who are in transit for less than 12 hours. To encourage passengers to take one of the tours, participants will be exempted from the 700 Baht airport tax when re-checking in for their flights. Most of the tours are about four hours each. Information about the available tours will be provided to all transfer passengers on the ground in the transfer halls as well as in on-board literature aboard Thai Air flights. Information may also be provided on inbound flights of other airlines. The idea behind these mini-tours is to give transit passengers a taste of Thailand and make them want to come back.

Some of the tours available include:

*Klong Tour: Take a ride in a boat on one of the remaining canals, many of which used to criss-cross Bangkok, giving it the name of the "Venice of the East".

*Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha.

*Golf tour: There are a number of well regarded golf course near Suvarnabhumi airport including Summit Windmill Golf Club and Kiarti Thanee Country Club.

*Massage & Spa

*Siam Ocean World

*Siam Niramity: A large and extravagant theater production showcasing the cultural heritage of the Thai people.

T.A.T has tried to make it easy for passengers to participate in these tours with tour counters on both sides of the transit hall. Once you have ascertained that you have enough time for the tour you are interested in, approach one of the transit tour desks and ask them about the tour. They will give a form to fill out for an exemption of the airport tax. Once this is filled out, tour counter officials will assist you with immigration procedures and escort you to the selected tour. Upon retuning from your tour, guides will assist you through immigration and onto your onward flight.

As you can see there is no need to lay around the airport next time you are in transit in Bangkok. Take advantage of one of the whirlwind tours available and enjoy your transit time for once.

Staying at one of the many hotels near Bangkok Airport will allow you to forget about traffic worries on the day of your flight. You can also freshen up, have a nice sleep or even lay by the pool for a few hours between your flights. See http://www.reservethaihotels.com for more information.

CTA Transit Bus: 2009 New Flyer DE60LF Hybrid Artic Route 151 Bus #4135 at Michigan/Lake

Devon/Clark bound New Flyer DE060LF Hybrid Artic Route 151 Bus #4135 via Sheridan on Michigan passing Lake heading towards South Chicago. 2009 New Flyer DE60LF Hybrid Artic: Engine: Cummins EPA 07 ISL Transmission: GM-Allison Hybrid E 50 System Bus Transfer: Routes 3, 4, 6,...

Blue LIne on the CTA

Recorded on April 16, 2009 using a Flip Video camcorder.

12 c 2007 LPS cta BANCHET

12 c 2007 LPS cta BANCHET

Cta flxible metro 6000

Planning for Moving House

If you have just bought or are considering buying a new home, then you will also need to plan the process of moving home. While there are many things that you have to remember, planning them in advance will make the whole move easier and less traumatic. So it is a good idea that, as soon as you know the completion date for your move, that you start planning.

There are certain things that take quite a bit of time and should be arranged at least a month in advance. You will want to inform your landlord or any flatmates, if you have any, of the date that you are leaving. This can mean the difference between getting your deposit back or not, if you are renting, so it's a good idea to let everyone know your plans as soon as you know them yourself.

You should probably also inform the gas and electricity companies of your knew property that you are the new owner. By doing this, it can avoid mix-ups later on. This would also include calling your telephone company and arranging to have your phone number transferred.

You can start packing up your things or getting boxes together. There are some things like books and photos that can be packed in advance and will save you hassle later on when the move gets closer. You may want to book some time of work, especially if you don't think you're going to be able to arrange the move in a weekend. Another good idea is to have a clearout and get rid of some old things that have been gathering dust. In fact, moving is the perfect chance to get rid of some of the belongings that accumulate over the years.

As the move gets closer you should book the removal company and arrange for transit insurance if you decide you need it. You can tell the post office to redirect your mail and you can also notify the local authority of the change in address for council tax purposes.

You should make sure that all your utility bills are paid up by the date of the move. You don't want the new owners to be hounding you for unpaid bills once you've moved and now is the time to make sure they are accurate. If you have services like milk deliveries, newspaper deliveries and the like you should have these cancelled.

Before you leave, make sure all doors and windows are locked and appliances and utilities are turned off.

Joseph Kenny writes for the loan comparison sites Select Loans and also http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk. At the Personal Loan Store there are cheap personal loans with indepth reviews.

CTA Train Stopped on Purpose

With CTA cut backs, some bus and train operators are simply not showing up, or purposelly arriving late and/or stopping our service...

Dokumentation: Jugendpsychiatrie Teil 1/8

Probleme mit dem Ich - Schicksale in der Jugendpsychiatrie

Pluto on the Galactic Center

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Every 248 years, Pluto crosses the point of the Galactic Center, a rare and auspicious event.

The Galactic Center: "The Galactic Core is like a boiling cauldron of raw creation, where all components such as stars, cold and hot gas, magnetic fields and the central black hole show an intimate interplay,...It's almost as if the Galactic Center were a living organism,"
Dr. Heino Falcke

A complex and mysterious place. the galactic center is at the edge of the extremely bright object labeled Sagittarius (Sgr) A, harboring a million solar mass black hole. Astronomers say the Galactic Center emanates one hundred times the energy of our sun, and surely, as Paul Hewit says, the Galactic Center is the Sun of our Sun. All centers are pivotal in metaphysics representing primal origins or heavens.

Pluto: Jeffrey Wolf Green correlates Pluto to the soul and evolution. This potent energy rules Scorpio and the 8th house, likened to the Phoenix Bird that dives into the flames to be reborn anew. The metamorphosis from old to new can be quite intense, where loss and death (real and metaphoric) are faced and shadows revealed. Pluto's scorpionic controls and defenses are always rooted in deep hurts and wounds, and ultimately where we learn to lighten up, as things created anew are always good. Working consciously with Pluto's alchemical affects allows us to really change.

Sagittarius: Jupiter, also known as Zeus in mythology, and the greatest of the Greek Gods, rules this sign. He basically rules the Universe and is the ultimate authority among the immortals. He is also regarded as the guardian of political order and peace among humans. Jupiter is the second largest entity in our solar system next to the Sun, and esoteric writings credit information and wisdom coming to humans from Jupiter. Sagittarian qualities are joy, wisdom, faith, adventure, abundance, expansion, freedom, truth, and the Divine vs. the Mundane (the dual representation of this mutable sign). Sagittarius is philosophical, intuitive, and very importantly, connected with "Natural Law" vs. "Man-Made Law".

The Center of the Galaxy is at 26:55 (almost 27) degrees Sagittarius, and Pluto is currently in the sign of Sagittarius at 26:03 and moving towards (with some retrograde action) the GC to conjunct it on December 28, 2006. This is a very significant event, occurring only every 248 years, and for those tuned in, the effects are already strong!

The last Pluto/Galactic Center cycle coincides generally with the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, which basically means the application of power-driven machinery to manufacturing. For example, in England, the countryside was transformed from open-field system of cultivation to compact farms and enclosed fields. Systematic stock breeding was also pioneered. Then of course came the steam engine, electricity, railroads, urban life, new social classes, etc. Of course, look how far we've come in such a short time. Pluto also symbolizes time speeding up, but that's another article.

In astrology, what we see and know about is what impacts our consciousness and can be interpreted through astrological symbols. We notice that the discoveries of Uranus, Pluto, Neptune and Chiron (at least in our recorded history) were shadowed by events characteristic of them. For example, Uranus can occasionally be seen by the naked eye, but wasn't identified as a planet until 1781, coinciding with the American and French revolutions towards "new" societies, and aviation.

The earliest studies towards finding the center of the galaxy began in 1915 - 1919 with a scientist named Shapely, but with computer technology, discoveries such as the radio wave emissions shown in the picture, there is a stampede towards new information and the galactic center is firmly imbedded in the memes of human consciousness.

I think that this new Pluto cycle has the potential for transformation in our ability to understand more intuitively the natural law wisdom and information that may be emanating from the galactic center. Clearly, a new cycle is beginning, and where the old dies, events intensify while birthing the new. Many ideas and behaviors will come up in direct contradiction to what may be coming, simply because people try desperately and passionately to hold on to things that may be dying. Change is rarely graceful.

Pluto may represent the evolution of our consciousness, and because this is coinciding with the end of several major cycles in different traditions, the shift we experience and recognize may be one of tapping into the natural order of the universe instead of staying in our limited conditioning of man-made law, especially of the last 6000 years of patriarchal rule. If the Galactic Center has the gravitational energy of the galaxy in Sagittarius, which embodies, energy, aspiration, motivation, joy, truth and intuitive understanding, and as the center has the energies of the source of consciousness, then if one can tune into how this energy affects them personally, changes in consciousness can be huge during the next almost two years of Pluto's transit across the Galactic Center.

Although not an actual planet but a point on the chart, like the nodes of the moon, the GC point on your chart is very powerful. It is an area where deep truths about the natural order of things can be realized. Everyone has it somewhere and everyone has an opportunity to change deeply their way of thinking with this event. If you have anything in the mutable signs of Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo and Pisces that aspects 26:55 within about 3 degrees (23 - 29 degrees) then the impact may be undeniable. Which house and what planets, in conjunction with the overall themes of the chart will fill in the specifics.

How do you know what is natural law? Think with your heart, and trust your intuition. This usually translates into common sense. Look at your chart if you are familiar with how to read it, and discover what this might mean for you.

Melody Scott Zindell practices astrology with a focus on the practical, psychological and spiritual aspects of life, synthesizing information from over 30 years of study. Her website is: Depth Astrology [http://www.depth-astrology.com]