Astro Journal · Buddhism

Neptune in Aries and the Challenge of Non-Action

We’ve been exploring the meaning of Neptune in Aries and I found some notes on will and intention lurking in my drafts folder that seem relevant. Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet of action and willpower and while Neptune is there, we may be challenged to spiritualise the way we act by learning about… Continue reading Neptune in Aries and the Challenge of Non-Action

Film & TV

The Lives of Others: Disillusionment of the Proletariat

Last time we explored some films that express the archetypes of Saturn in Pisces with stories about the blurring of dreams and reality, karma and death, spirituality and faith, and creativity. Saturn Pisces/Neptune also manifests as political idealism, the desire for utopia and its eventual disillusionment. It’s associated with socialism and communism and the denial… Continue reading The Lives of Others: Disillusionment of the Proletariat

Creativity · Spirituality

Mystic Warrior Practice – Creativity

Last time we looked at vocation and how spiritual practice can be used in your work. In the final post of this series, we explore practices for creativity that are relevant whether you see yourself as an ‘artist’ or not – they may even be an essential part of your life if you want to… Continue reading Mystic Warrior Practice – Creativity

Book Reviews

Review: Writing as a Sacred Path – Jill Jepson

Writing as a Sacred Path by Jill Jepson is a practical guide to discovering the deeper purpose behind your writing. She describes writing as a vocation or calling; not just a job you do, but something you feel compelled to do regardless of the outcome. Writing becomes a central part of your life and you… Continue reading Review: Writing as a Sacred Path – Jill Jepson

Book Reviews

Review: Writing Down the Bones – Natalie Goldberg

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg is a collection of short reflections on writing designed to help you become a better writer. The advice and inspiration is rooted in the practice of Zen but you don’t need to know anything about Buddhism to benefit from it. There are many similarities… Continue reading Review: Writing Down the Bones – Natalie Goldberg

Astro Journal · Mythology

Zodiac Myths: The Story Behind Leo

Out of the watery depths of Cancer springs a roaring Lion. As a fixed fire sign, Leo takes the natural creative impulse of life and gives it focus and stability to share it with the world. True creativity involves an heroic quest of self-discovery powered by the inner sun and the desire to find out… Continue reading Zodiac Myths: The Story Behind Leo

Film & TV

mother! – God, Creativity, and Pesky Humans

A perfect example of the Cancer archetype on film is mother! – a mind-bending Gnostic creation myth stuffed with Biblical metaphors and Kabbalistic symbolism. It’s a home invasion story told from the perspective of Mother Earth and was inspired by the children’s book The Giving Tree. The film was marketed as a horror movie but… Continue reading mother! – God, Creativity, and Pesky Humans

Astro Journal · Mythology

Zodiac Myths: The Story Behind Cancer

We leave behind the mental chatter of Gemini and enter the deep waters of Cancer. As a cardinal water sign, Cancer is concerned with emotional security and achieves strength through surrender. Water takes the form of whatever container it flows into, and will flow around obstacles or slowly wear them down. Water doesn’t resist; it… Continue reading Zodiac Myths: The Story Behind Cancer

The Shining Ones · Writing

Write What You Know: Things I’ve Written that I Don’t Know

I’m up to my red eyeballs with editing and proofing The Shining Ones – putting commas in and taking them out again – so here’s a short post about things I’ve never done. (And my eyes really are red! The heating is back on and they’re not happy about it, and staring at a computer… Continue reading Write What You Know: Things I’ve Written that I Don’t Know

Free Your Pen

Free Your Pen now available in paperback!

Good news! My latest book is now available as a shiny new paperback! Discover the secret to mastering your thoughts and get your mind to behave itself so you can get some writing done. Here’s the inevitable blurb: Free Your Pen: Mind Training for Writers 59 Slogans to Cure Writer’s Block & Free Your Voice… Continue reading Free Your Pen now available in paperback!