The Month of Aquarius - 2008

By Sharita Star

Our Sun now moves into Aquarius, the last fixed air and masculine energy upon our Zodiac wheel. This organized sign asks us to improve and refresh our lives as we settle further into winter. Symbolized by the Water Bearer, Aquarian natives are the masters of invention that bring renewed life to wherever change is needed.

This tolerant sign has the guidance of the planet Uranus making its' mark upon their intellectual innovations, while being well-adept at dealing with the unexpected. The focus is typically the larger picture rather than intimacy in relationships, as the deeper concern is to wield beneficial transformations for humanity. Like all air signs, this element grants the Aquarian a friendly nature that seeks multitudes of liberal and experimental alliances.

Our Water Bearers are constantly urged to express their innate originality. Consciously aiming to seek the truth, Aquarians are driven by a deep sense of altruism. They instinctively turn obstacles into welcomed challenges, fostering success in the areas of science, technological advancements or anywhere they can apply their eccentric and insightful visions for the future.

Aquarians are rarely unsurpassed in their abilities to investigate, co-ordinate, brainstorm, synthesize, and plan, with the ultimate outcome being reform. At worst they can display personas that are opinionated, remote, agnostic, vast, tactless, unpredictable and obstinate. With the cultivation of warmth, practicality, along with the recognition that personal touch is essential for continued evolution, the Aquarian native finds the balance to attune their soul.

As our Sun transits through Aquarius, we all are offered the space to reflect and ponder the areas that need reform on a personal level. Ideally the coldness of Winter grants us this natural time each year as we await the rebirth of Spring. Thus here is the perfect opportunity to unleash our brilliant game plans not only for our own growth, but ones that shower the world at large with equal blessings.

Get ready for the Universe to intensify this reflective time as Mercury goes Retrograde in Aquarius upon January 28th. (look for our Blog Alert 1/28 for more details!) This month also sees Pluto starting a brief visit to its' new long-term stay in Capricorn up until April 2nd, where it will Retrograde at 01 degrees Capricorn, and reenter Sagittarius upon June 15th. Mars moves out of its' Retrograde period that began November 15th, granting drives within the Gemini and Cancer ruled houses in the individual birth chart, to return to forward motion again in those specific areas of the life.

As always upon an Aquarian New Moon, we ring in the Chinese New Year. 2008 marks The Year of the Rat, Earth year. In the legend of how the Chinese Zodiac Wheel came to be, the Rat was the first animal to come to Buddha. Interestingly enough, this Universal New Year of 2008 numerically reduces to a singular One vibration- and coupled with the Chinese Wheel starting anew- initiations and new beginnings are at an all time high to flourish. This 2008-09 Earth Rat Year marks a collective time of pragmatism, forethought and self-will. Material prosperity this year is highly protected when it is acquired through the means of integrity and hard work.

May your spirit excel in its' renewal, originality and benefit from the changes that are to come to both your inner and outer worlds.

Questions? Comments? Email me! sharita@sharitastar.com

Since the young age of 7, Sharita has been a student of the planets above and all of the mysteries of our Universe. She is available for all levels of astrological, numerical and lexigram analysis through readings and party services, available at: http://www.sharitastar.com. She resides in New York City and currently is working on her first book.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sharita_Star

How to Live Well on $1,000 a Month

By Robert Seviour

My son is a university student, he receives a grant of £3,000 ($6,000) a year and somehow finances his life with that. I asked him how he manages on so little. He replied that the only things he spends money on are rent and food. He said he lives on ‘Rice and ketchup’.

For the time being he’s happy enough with his lifestyle, but let me tell you about an alternative to penny-pinching, for adults with a low income.

Actually, I’m going to re-phrase that; the problem is not that you have too low an income, it’s that the cost of living in countries including the USA, Canada and Ireland and Britain is too high. You don’t need me to tell you that if your home is in one of those places.

To fill up a shopping cart at the supermarket costs a hundred pounds or the same in dollars. A cup of coffee in Starbucks is two dollars, a haircut is ten bucks and a short ride on a city bus $2.45. I guess some people take this in their stride, I don’t, those prices seem outrageous to me. Perhaps that is tolerable if you are on a big wage, but some of us aren’t, and have little prospect that we ever will be.

It appears that there are just two possible ways to adapt to this situation. Either you are very careful to spend only a minimum and always looking for the cheapest option from food to clothing and housing costs, Or you focus on pushing up your income by getting a better job or doing longer hours. But what kind of life is that? I’d say that it is depressing and tiring. You have little time for yourself and your family and when you are away from work, what you need most is a chance to get some sleep and relax.

For a good portion of my working life I put maximum effort into building up a business to make the income necessary to live the typical consumer lifestyle.. But doing so drained me and there came a point when I didn’t feel like battling on. Despite earning a lot, I still had a bank overdraft and credit card debts.

Then I took a radical step and moved to a cheaper country. It was a revelation; I discovered that the intense effort required to make a living in the rich, or should I say rip-off, countries is unnecessary. You don’t have to work like a dog to live well. In fact you can have a very pleasant life on just a fraction of the money you’ve required in your homeland.

Why don’t more people do this and live where a dollar goes far further? I imagine part of the reason is the assumption that reduced living costs mean a poorer quality of life. In my opinion it’s actually the opposite. With lower costs you don’t need to work so hard or for so long hours. The result is that you can relax and enjoy life very much more. There is nothing to stop you taking some free time to do the things which make life fun. Perhaps you like golf or tennis, sailing; whatever your favourite leisure activity, having the chance to do it when you choose makes a great improvement to your quality of life.

Another issue that faces you when considering moving abroad is whether you can earn money in your new country. The short answer to the question is that anyone can make money these days in any part of the planet where you can get an internet connection.

Another item to consider is where to move to. There are many possible locations. I chose Mexico and recommend it highly, but if you look at a list of the countries which make up our world, you will quickly see that there are very many other interesting possibilities. Obviously some places are not suitable, but there are more that are.

The list of factors to consider when thinking about living abroad continues with housing, local language, distance from friends and family, healthcare, education for children, crime-risk, pests, climate and more.

I’ve experienced life in 6 countries and have described the advantages and drawbacks that I found in these places in an article you will probably find interesting.

Here is what one reader commented;

“Robert, thank you very much to write such an excellent article on how to retire now. You've inspired me, and I'm thinking of Mexico as well. You've given much to think about. I like your attitude and philosophy. Since reading the entire article, I've already sent this to three other people just after I read it, and will be sending it to more.

I wish you the best...John”

Click this link to read the article and also, if you wish, subscribe to my newsletter, The Professional Vagabond, on living cheaply abroad. It is not a sales pitch of any type, In it I pass on interesting items to you from time to time specifically relating to your escape from the rat race.
Wishing you a happy future,

Robert

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Robert Seviour grew up in the UK and has lived in five other countries. He is a writer and presenter of seminars on business topics and living abroad. To see other articles by him visit http://www.27ways.ca