Hanging in there...

I've gone through a lot this past year, and not all of the experiences were positive. Nevertheless, I am still here, trying my best to survive and make sense of it all. Thanks for sharing the ride of life with me, and for being patient when I went into hiding, so to speak. I am not making any promises, and writing seems so hard for me these days that I can't say when I'll be dropping by here next. But keep the faith. I say this as much to myself as to you.

PILIPINASBLITZ FOREVER: YOUR HOROSCOPE FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 15-21, 2008!!!

Mabuhay, namaste, and blessed be to us all!!!

LIBRA’S RULER, VENUS, SPEAKS. Now that we’re on the last stretches of the Sun in Libra, let’s hear what its beautiful, benevolent, and bewitching sign ruler, Venus, has to say. Also known as Aphrodite to the Greeks, Venus epitomizes the ultimate in pulchritude, fertility, generosity, material prosperity and other earthly pleasures.

Venus is currently in sizzling Scorpio. Join me as we engage Venus in conversation with all the signs. If you know your Moon Sign and Rising Sign, please read those entries, too, for added guidance. Smile!

ARIES MARCH 21-APRIL 19 ARIES: I seek your guidance today, O Goddess of Love. VENUS: And how may I help you, my child? ARIES: Please tell me about your influence in my Solar chart this week. VENUS: Very well, celestial Ram. I am in Scorpio in your Solar 8th house, which among other things is about shared resources and sex. Therefore, your Venusian energy for love and harmony is best channeled towards sharing yourself and your resources with your significant other. The time is ripe, cosmically speaking, for you to shed your “natural” self-centeredness in order to take another human being’s sensibilities into consideration. Sex and money? These are just meaningless commodities until they gain significance in the act of sharing. So give of yourself and watch yourself multiply in the process. ARIES: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O Goddess! VENUS: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “That which is back of everything must be good, must be complete, must be love and harmony.” – The Science of Mind, page 446

TAURUS APRIL 20-MAY 20 TAURUS: I seek your guidance today, O Goddess of Love. VENUS: And how may I help you, my child? TAURUS: Please tell me about your influence in my Solar chart this week. VENUS: Very well, celestial Bull, belonging to the sign that I myself rule. I am in Scorpio in your Solar 7th house, which is about your close personal relationships and business partnerships. Therefore, your Venusian energy for love and harmony is best channeled towards showing love and caring for your partner in your personal and business lives. It is time to give them the affection and attention that they deserve. Similarly, if you are the one who has not been getting your due, know that you have the right to get some loving, too. Cement your commitments with your usual brand of perseverance, hard work – and charm. After all, you Taureans are Venus-ruled. Show your loved one the pleasures that only you know how to give. Go ahead and make their day! TAURUS: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O Goddess! VENUS: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “When the heart speaks, the mind finds it indecent to object.” – Milan Kundera, “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”

GEMINI MAY 21-JUNE 21 GEMINI: I seek your guidance today, O Goddess of Love. VENUS: And how may I help you, my child? GEMINI: Please tell me about your influence in my Solar chart this week. VENUS: Very well, celestial Twins. I am in Scorpio in your Solar 6th house, which is about matters of health and service. Therefore, your Venusian energy for love and harmony is best channeled towards loving yourself enough to take care of your health and well being. Are you getting enough sleep, eating the right kind of food, and getting enough exercise? Consider these as investments in yourself so that you can perform your work of service better. You are your own best resource, so it is simply prudent to keep yourself in tiptop shape for the challenges ahead. Loving yourself, seen in this light, is not being selfish – it is purely common sense. GEMINI: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O Goddess! VENUS: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “The great mystics like Jesus have taught that as we enter into the One, the One enters into us and becomes us and is us.” – The Science of Mind, page 343

CANCER JUNE 22-JULY 22 CANCER: I seek your guidance today, O Goddess of Love. VENUS: And how may I help you, my child? CANCER: Please tell me about your influence in my Solar chart this week. VENUS: Very well, celestial Crab. I am in Scorpio in your Solar 5th house, which is about creative self-expression, children, business speculation, flirting, and love affairs. Therefore, your Venusian energy for love and harmony is best channeled towards those concerns at this time. I would like to put a special emphasis on your creative self-expression, though, because the cares of the world on your shoulders may have forced you to put your creative self on the back burner. Now is the time to harness that creativity within you again: let it flower, let it bloom, let it prosper! Use it especially to express yourself romantically – or have you let yourself get out of circulation in that arena, too? What will your significant other say? Attend to these 5th house matters, let the love flow within your veins again, and live life to the fullest! CANCER: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O Goddess! VENUS: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us.” – Ashley Montagu, “The American Way of Life”

LEO JULY 23-AUGUST 22 LEO: I seek your guidance today, O Goddess of Love. VENUS: And how may I help you, my child? LEO: Please tell me about your influence in my Solar chart this week. VENUS: Very well, celestial Lion. I am in Scorpio in your Solar 4th house, which is about your early home life and heritage. Therefore, your Venusian energy for love and harmony is best channeled towards appreciating your forebears and your roots. Looking back and acknowledging where you came from may fill you with mixed emotions but is a necessary exercise in your spiritual path towards enlightenment, especially for the precious lessons you have learned along the way. Express your love to the people who have helped you in your growth, and say a prayer for those who have already passed on. As you look back and reflect upon your life, hopefully your heart will be filled to overflowing with gratitude about your blessings and the realization that you have already come a long way, indeed! LEO: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O Goddess! VENUS: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “Let us no longer fight the old; let us no longer remember that we were once on the outer rim.” – The Science of Mind, page 471

VIRGO AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 22 VIRGO: I seek your guidance today, O Goddess of Love. VENUS: And how may I help you, my child? VIRGO: Please tell me about your influence in my Solar chart this week. VENUS: Very well, celestial Virgin. I am in Scorpio in your Solar 3rd house, which is about communication and short travels. Therefore, your Venusian energy for love and harmony is best channeled towards expressing yourself with love in all the media you can think of! Spread the love through your speeches, your writings, the way you listen, or in your choice of reading materials. Hang around with loving people, interact with them, commune with them, exchange ideas with them – and be enriched, enlightened, and empowered in the process. Avoid negative people and places that only drain your energy. Contaminate the world with your intelligent conversation, brilliant ideas, wacky sense of humor, and when it’s your turn to listen, your undivided attention and boundless compassion. VIRGO: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O Goddess! VENUS: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “When every man learns to speak the Truth, a complete salvation will come to the world.” – The Science of Mind, page 453

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23-OCTOBER 22 LIBRA: I seek your guidance today, O Goddess of Love. VENUS: And how may I help you, my child? LIBRA: Please tell me about your influence in my Solar chart this week. VENUS: Very well, celestial Scales, belonging to the sign that I myself rule. I am in Scorpio in your Solar 2nd house, which is about personal finances, possessions, and values. Therefore, your Venusian energy for love and harmony is best channeled towards expressing your highest ideals in life, the principles you hold most dear. The true, the good, the beautiful – may they not be mere phantasms but realities that you strive to create into fruition, my child, for the betterment of this world. Use whatever power, influence, and energy you have to be an agent of change in your environment, touching the lives around you with the power of your love. Love is your most precious possession, and you will be richer by far if you start to give it away. LIBRA: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O Goddess! VENUS: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “People often say: ‘I don’t know what to do; I don’t know how to make a choice.’ We must realize that there is an Intelligence within us that does know.” – The Science of Mind, page 272

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23-NOVEMBER 21 SCORPIO: I seek your guidance today, O Goddess of Love. VENUS: And how may I help you, my child? SCORPIO: Please tell me about your influence in my Solar chart this week. VENUS: Very well, celestial Eagle. I am in your sign and therefore in your Solar 1st house, which is about personality, image, appearance, or simply, the self. Therefore, your Venusian energy for love and harmony is best channeled towards loving yourself above all. I know that you Eagles have no trouble understanding the art of self-preservation and have in fact probably mastered to perfection the art of loving yourself. And yet let me remind you that loving yourself is simply a prelude to nobler pursuits like loving your enemy or loving your neighbor. If you still consider “forgiveness” to be a four-letter word, then let the four-letter word be equivalent to L-O-V-E. SCORPIO: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O Goddess! VENUS: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “I am led, guided and inspired by the Living Spirit of Love and of right action.” – The Science of Mind, page 263

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 21 SAGITTARIUS: I seek your guidance today, O Goddess of Love. VENUS: And how may I help you, my child? SAGITTARIUS: Please tell me about your influence in my Solar chart this week. VENUS: Very well, celestial Archer. I am in Scorpio in your Solar 12th house, which is about hidden wisdom, psychological outlook, and the subconscious. Therefore, your Venusian energy for love and harmony is best channeled towards loving the hidden, innermost parts of you, exposing them to the light of day. Dig deep into your psyche, dear Archer, and dare to put a name to your fears and doubts, your angst and anger, your self-recriminations and self-reproaches. Offer them all up to the healing light of love, and watch them all disappear under its power. Do you love yourself enough to set yourself free from the bondage of such self-limiting impositions on your inner life? I hope you do, Freedom Lover. Set yourself free today by using the power of love. SAGITTARIUS: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O Goddess! VENUS: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “It doesn’t matter how long you have been thinking of yourself as a failure; you can begin to create a ‘success’ pattern now.” – Louise Hay, “You Can Heal Your Life”

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21-JANUARY 19 CAPRICORN: I seek your guidance today, O Goddess of Love. VENUS: And how may I help you, my child? CAPRICORN: Please tell me about your influence in my Solar chart this week. VENUS: Very well, celestial Sea-Goat. I am in Scorpio in your Solar 11th house, which is about your goals in life, friends, and group associations. Therefore, your Venusian energy for love and harmony is best channeled towards loving your brethren in the fellowships and organizations to which you belong. It is time to show your appreciation to these groups of people who have enriched your life by their presence, the wealth of their experience and expertise, and their camaraderie. I know that you Sea-Goats are not naturally crowd-dwellers, so I know how meticulous you can be about the company you keep. All the more reason, then, to value the associations you do form, the alliances you do forge, and the people in whom you do put your trust. The power of your love may have “ambition” silently written upon it somewhere, but as long as your enlightened self-interest benefits humanity, know that the Universe approves and applauds. CAPRICORN: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O Goddess! VENUS: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “… there is only one thing I ever work on with anyone, and this is Loving the Self.” – Louise Hay, “You Can Heal Your Life”

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20-FEBRUARY 18 AQUARIUS: I seek your guidance today, O Goddess of Love. VENUS: And how may I help you, my child? AQUARIUS: Please tell me about your influence in my Solar chart this week. VENUS: Very well, celestial Water Bearer. I am in Scorpio in your Solar 10th house, which is about public image, occupation, status, and reputation. Therefore, your Venusian energy for love and harmony is best channeled towards loving yourself enough to present a consistent image to the world. Although it has been wisecracked that only the mediocre are consistent, there is actually something to be said about the virtues of consistency, in the sense of being reliable, keeping one’s word, segueing to values like truth and integrity. I know that you Aquarians are highly idealistic in the first place, aided by your objectivity and dispassionate outlook, so your public reputation is probably safely sterling. Not to miss the point, though: your good reputation is in place as an investment for the good works you must do for the benefit of humankind. This you shall do in the name of love. AQUARIUS: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O Goddess! VENUS: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “The illusion is in the way we look at things. Now we must look at harmony, happiness, plenty, prosperity, peace and right action, until they appear.” – The Science of Mind, page 187

PISCES FEBRUARY 19-MARCH 20 PISCES: I seek your guidance today, O Goddess of Love. VENUS: And how may I help you, my child? PISCES: Please tell me about your influence in my Solar chart this week. VENUS: Very well, celestial Fish. I am in Scorpio in your Solar 9th house, which is about religion, philosophy, higher education, long journeys, and searching for the meaning of life. Therefore, your Venusian energy for love and harmony is best channeled towards appreciating the power of your mind for all the actual and imaginary places it can take you. Your mind is a powerful thing, a tool you can use to manifest your dreams. Together with your heart and spirit, your mind can plumb the depths of oceans, scale the highest mountains, or traverse the farthest universes. Your thoughts and intentions drive your actions, and this is why it is so important to only think loving, positive thoughts. Be an agent of love and light in this world and share your blessings. Wherever your actual or astral travels may lead you, remember this: love will always lead you back home within yourself where true divinity resides. PISCES: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O Goddess! VENUS: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “This awakening is a process of evolution, a little here and a little there, until the whole eye is opened and we see that life is neither separate from God nor different from Good.” – The Science of Mind, page 487

AND SO IT IS.

Maraming salamat po!!!

#

PILIPINAS BLITZ FOREVER: YOUR HOROSCOPE FOR THE WEEK OF OCT 1-7, 2008!!!

IN NEED OF TRANSFORMATIVE GUIDANCE FOR EVERYDAY LIVING? Then please give me a call at 1-800-ASK-KEEN EXT. 02583103 (we can talk in TAGALOG!) or check out www.keen.com/blescarmona for details. Want to share your thoughts or violent reactions? Please shoot me an email at pilipinasblitz@gmail.com or pilipinasblitz@yahoo.com

SUN-KING HELIOS-RA IN THE LAND OF LIBRA + MERCURY Rx ANTIDOTES. On Sept 22, the Sun entered the sign of Libra, the Scales, the sign of justice. So it’s time for us to have our periodic enlightening conversation with our Sun King Helios-Ra once again! There will be a grand rigodon once again as the Sun occupies new territory in our Solar charts and thus new meanings to be explored by all 12 signs.

Adding flavor to the mix is the Mercury retrograde phenomenon which we will be experiencing from Sept 24 to Oct 15. But instead of dwelling on the negative aspects of Mercury Rx, King Helios-Ra instead offers antidotes based on where Jupiter, the Greater Benefic, is placed in each sign’s Solar chart.

So read on, loyal readers of this column and kindred souls. It’s so good for all of us to meet over this sacred space! Blessed be, dear ones, and SMILE! If you know your Moon Sign and Rising Sign, please read those entries, too, for added guidance. Thank you.

ARIES MARCH 21-APRIL 19 ARIES: O great Sun-King Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where you are right now in my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. The Sun is now in your Solar 7th house of committed relationships and partnerships. The focus, therefore, is on fortifying your union with your significant other and/or strengthening your ties with your business partner. Enrich your sense of oneness with them by tuning in to their wavelength and discerning their very heartbeat. If disagreements arise – and believe me, they will – then master the art of compromise, something every evolved Aries should have learned by now. ARIES: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! As for Mercury Rx, here is your antidote: Jupiter is in your Solar 9th house, so counteract the effects of Mercury Rx by focusing and expanding on higher education, philosophy, travel, and religion. ARIES: Thank you, O King! Weekly mantra: “The Original Spirit is Harmony.” – The Science of Mind, page 53

TAURUS APRIL 20-MAY 20 TAURUS: O great Sun-King Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where you are right now in my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. The Sun is now in your Solar 6th house of health and service. The focus, therefore, is on cultivating life-promoting healthy habits like starting a sensible diet and exercise regimen and communing with nature at every opportunity. Breathing in fresh air and focusing on your breathing itself are very calm-inducing activities. As to service, your usual perseverance and stability will be called to the fore as you tackle the myriad challenges in your workplace or business concern, so be prepared. TAURUS: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! As for Mercury Rx, here is your antidote: Jupiter is in your Solar 8th house, so counteract the effects of Mercury Rx by focusing and expanding on concerns like investments, sex, powerful associates, other people’s money and other shared resources. TAURUS: Thank you, O King! Weekly mantra: “Body is a concrete manifestation, existing in time and space, for the purpose of furnishing a vehicle through which Life may express Itself.” - The Science of Mind, page 373

GEMINI MAY 21-JUNE 21 GEMINI: O great Sun-King Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where you are right now in my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. The Sun is now in your Solar 5th house of creative self-expression, children, business speculation, and romance. The focus, therefore, is on how you express yourself, most especially with your significant other, in unique and wonderful ways that you’ve never considered before. It’s time to be outlandish, bold, and vivacious, dear Twins, in your outpourings of love and affection! Watch the eyes of your loved one sparkle as you wow them with your expressions of unwavering devotion. Love indeed will save the day! GEMINI: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! As for Mercury Rx, here is your antidote: Jupiter is in your Solar 7th house, so counteract the effects of Mercury Rx by focusing and expanding on marriage, partnerships, and committed relationships. GEMINI: Thank you, O King! Weekly mantra: “He meets Him in the rising sun, in the flowing stream, in the budding rose, in the joy of friendship and love, and in the silence of his own soul.” – The Science of Mind, page 388

CANCER JUNE 22-JULY 22 CANCER: O great Sun-King Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where you are right now in my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. The Sun is now in your Solar 4th house of early home life and heritage. The focus, therefore, is on going back to your roots, foundations, and earliest family experiences. You may find yourself making that trip down memory lane literally or figuratively, revisiting those people and places in your heart, mind, and soul that used to mean the world to your growth and development as the complete person that you are now. Watch out as myriad and complicated emotions arise – be ready with your spiritual first aid and apply as needed. Otherwise, realize that you have already paid your dues, that you have already moved on, and that the past is already that: the past. It’s just good to look back every once in a while to remind yourself how far you’ve come. CANCER: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! As for Mercury Rx, here is your antidote: Jupiter is in your Solar 6th house, so counteract the effects of Mercury Rx by focusing and expanding on concerns like health and service, personal hygiene and habits, and cooperation with your co-workers. CANCER: Thank you, O King! Weekly mantra: “We all have the ability to transcend previous experiences and rise triumphant above them.” – The Science of Mind, page 147

LEO JULY 23-AUGUST 22 LEO: O great Sun-King Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where you are right now in my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. The Sun is now in your Solar 3rd house of communications, thoughts and ideas, and short trips. The focus, therefore, is on interactions on all levels, whether verbal or nonverbal, speaking, writing, listening, and reading. Expect increased activity in the realm of communication, so be ready with your witty repartee, and be just as ready with your willingness to listen, because people will be confiding in you for one reason or another. Somehow people find you trustworthy and sympathetic, dear Lion, so prove that their confidence in you is not misplaced. Let your naturally generous heart shine through! LEO: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! As for Mercury Rx, here is your antidote: Jupiter is in your Solar 5th house, so counteract the effects of Mercury Rx by focusing and expanding on concerns like romance, children, business speculation, and creative speculation, and creative self-expression. LEO: Thank you, O King! Weekly mantra: “The reverent person sees Divinity in all forms of Life, and honors it.” – Gary Zukav

VIRGO AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 22 VIRGO: O great Sun-King Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where you are right now in my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. The Sun is now in your Solar 2nd house of personal finances, possessions, and values. The focus, therefore, is on consolidating and protecting your material assets and properties, making sure that you are getting value for your hard-earned money. On a deeper level, this period is also about re-evaluating your personal roster of values, asking yourself what principles you stand and fall on, and whether you are truly living a life that is congruent with your value system – an authentic life with no apologies. VIRGO: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! As for Mercury Rx, here is your antidote: Jupiter is in your Solar 4th house, so counteract the effects of Mercury Rx by focusing and expanding on concerns like your early home life, heritage, and the foundation of your security. VIRGO: Thank you, O King! Weekly mantra: “The more beliefs that you remove from your inner space, the more room there is for new energy.” - Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23-OCTOBER 22 LIBRA: O great Sun-King Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where you are right now in my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. First of all, felicitations on your Solar Return! Happy Birthday to you, dear Libra! The Sun of course is now in your Solar 1st house of personality, appearance, personal image, or simply, the self. The focus, therefore, is on integrating your outward “mask” with the “you” inside. Aim to be more consistent with the face you dare to show the world vis-à-vis the person you dare to be when there is no audience applauding anymore. Be comfortable in your own skin and love yourself for who you truly are because realize this: you are a precious gem in the eyes of God and Goddess. You are valuable in Their sight. Yes you are, birthday Spirit! LIBRA: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! As for Mercury Rx, here is your antidote: Jupiter is in your Solar 3rd house, so counteract the effects of Mercury Rx by focusing and expanding on concerns like communication (reading, writing, speaking, listening) and short travels. LIBRA: Thank you, O King! Weekly mantra: “I and my Father are one.” – John 10:30

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23-NOVEMBER 21 SCORPIO: O great Sun-King Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where you are right now in my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. The Sun is now in your Solar 12th house of psychological outlook and hidden wisdom. The focus, therefore, is on restoring and/or maintaining your inner equilibrium through soul-searching and meditation. It is time to let go of those excess emotional baggage (grudges, hurts, gripes, et al.) and see how light and carefree you will feel once you do so. Remember, the greatest lesson that you Scorpio Eagles need to learn in this lifetime is FORGIVENESS. Learn to forgive others, but most of all, learn to forgive yourself. SCORPIO: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! As for Mercury Rx, here is your antidote: Jupiter is in your Solar 2nd house, so counteract the effects of Mercury Rx by focusing and expanding on concerns like personal finances, possessions, and values. SCORPIO: Thank you, O King! Weekly mantra: “Our theory is that the medium is a Universal, simultaneous Presence and in this Presence all live.” – The Science of Mind, page 94

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 21 SAGITTARIUS: O great Sun-King Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where you are right now in my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. The Sun is now in your Solar 11th house of goals in life, friends, and group associations. The focus, therefore, is on forging strategic alliances in order to advance your ambitions and goals in life. Now is the time to be actively involved in those community organizations and charitable institutions that you’ve long been wanting to join in your altruistic desire to be of service to your fellow human beings. Somehow you instinctively know that in helping other people, you also help yourself in the process. This is the mark of your spiritual maturity. SAGITTARIUS: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! As for Mercury Rx, here is your antidote: Jupiter is in your Solar 1st house, so counteract the effects of Mercury Rx by focusing and expanding on concerns regarding your personality, appearance, character, and image. SAGITTARIUS: Thank you, O King! Weekly mantra: “The potential of all things exists in the Universal Wholeness.” – The Science of Mind, page 271

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21-JANUARY 19 CAPRICORN: O great Sun-King Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where you are right now in my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. The Sun is now in your Solar 10th house of public image, occupation, reputation, and status. The focus, therefore, is on building and solidifying your standing in the community as a model citizen and human being in general. You Capricorns have always put much stock in what others think of you and would prefer to be thought of highly, of course. And yet, you also know that appearances can be deceiving, so in turn you tend to trust no one. Might you soften your heart and relax your standards a little bit, Mister and Miss High-and-Mighty Capricorn, and make allowances for mere mortals, then? You of the sterling and unassailable reputation – is it possible that you yourself have feet of clay, too? Consider the merits of humility and please look down from your tower of ivory every once in a while. CAPRICORN: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! As for Mercury Rx, here is your antidote: Jupiter is in your Solar 12th house, so counteract the effects of Mercury Rx by focusing and expanding on concerns like meditation, psychological outlook, hidden wisdom, and possibly hypnotherapy. CAPRICORN: Thank you, O King! Weekly mantra: “Let us take our bloated nothingness out of the path of the divine circuits.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20-FEBRUARY 18 AQUARIUS: O great Sun-King Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where you are right now in my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. The Sun is now in your Solar 9th house of religion, philosophy, higher education, and long journeys. The focus, therefore, is on searching for the higher meaning of life, for that profound level of clarity about your purpose here on earth, of which the abovementioned concerns may be vehicles. The urge to explore new worlds of the mind, body, and spirit is strong now, and in your travels, be it actual or astral, you are thirsty for novel discoveries and transcendent thrills. As long as you attend to the mundane and practical as needed, then let your imagination soar! Read, travel, and explore to your heart’s content, dear Water Bearer! Heed the call of your soul. AQUARIUS: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! As for Mercury Rx, here is your antidote: Jupiter is in your Solar 11th house, so counteract the effects of Mercury Rx by focusing and expanding on concerns like your goals in life, friends, and group associations. AQUARIUS: Thank you, O King! Weekly mantra: “God is Spirit and our potential then is the Spirit of God.” – Tom Johnson

PISCES FEBRUARY 19-MARCH 20 PISCES: O great Sun-King Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where you are right now in my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. The Sun is now in your Solar 8th house of shared resources, sex, investments, inheritances, death, and taxes. Quite a heady bunch to deal with. The 8th house is also the house of other people’s money. The focus, therefore, is on being a good steward of the resources entrusted to you in conjunction with significant others and/or business partners. There is a worldwide economic crunch going on and very few are exempt from the belt-tightening being required of mortals everywhere. However, even in the midst of seeming scarcity, please continue to cultivate a “prosperity mindset,” and continue in your generosity, especially to the underprivileged – and just watch your (joint) assets multiply! Remember, the green energy must be allowed to continue to circulate – so don’t hoard. Simply continue to give, even in the midst of lack and adversity, and the Universe, in its infinite wisdom, will reward such courage. PISCES: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! As for Mercury Rx, here is your antidote: Jupiter is in your Solar 10th house, so counteract the effects of Mercury Rx by focusing and expanding on concerns like your public reputation, image, occupation, and status. PISCES: Thank you, O King! Weekly mantra: “The Christ mind is like the intelligence and the wisdom which are in the seed.” – Ervin Seale

Mabuhay, namaste, and blessed be to us all!!!

#

PILIPINASBLITZ FOREVER! YOUR HOROSCOPE FOR THE WEEK OF SEPT. 10-16, 2008!

IN NEED OF TRANSFORMATIVE GUIDANCE FOR EVERYDAY LIVING? Then please give me a call at 1-800-ASK-KEEN EXT. 02583103 (we can talk in TAGALOG!) or check out www.keen.com/blescarmona for details. Want to share your thoughts or violent reactions? Please shoot me an email at plipinasblitz@gmail.com or pilipinasblitz@yahoo.com.

SOUL COMBO: RUMI’S POETRY + ASTROLOGY= THE HEIGHT OF KEWL REAL-LIFE SCHOOL!!! Welcome, dear kindred spirits and loyal readers of this column! We shall journey into the wonderful world of RUMI’s poetry this week – or to be more exact, excerpts from his poetry. Rumi ( b. Sept. 30, 1207 – d. Dec.17, 1273) was a medieval Persian Muslim philosopher, jurist, theologian, plus so much more but oh! In my Blitzese heart of hearts, he is simply THE supreme poet – the poet extraordinaire!

His exquisite poetry has been doing the rounds of late, being read and recited in universities, concert halls, psychologists’ offices (believe you me!), street performances, and in almost any other venue you can imagine – and that’s because Rumi’s verses capture and grip the viscera of Everyman and Everywoman who speaks and listens to his transcendent works. This week’s weekly mantras came from THE POCKET RUMI READER edited by Kabir Helminski, copyright 2001: Boston & London, Shambhala.

So read your stars for this week, kaibigan/amigo/friend, and SMILE!!! :)

ARIES MARCH 21-APRIL 19 The Sun is still in your Solar 6th house so the emphasis is still on issues of health and service. Do your best to quit certain unhealthy habits pronto, and then just as swiftly replace them with healthy life-enhancing ones; for example, quit smoking and then substitute this habit with munching on carrot sticks to satisfy your oral fixation. As for service, know that you are now doing so for the long haul so boost your perseverance and stick-to-itiveness – because somehow YOU KNOW that short bursts of manic energy are not going to cut it this time… that it is LONGEVITY and STAYING POWER that counts. Blessed be! Weekly mantra: “No mirror ever became iron again;/ no bread ever became wheat;/ no ripened grape ever became sour fruit./ Mature yourself and be secure/ from a change for the worse./ Become light.” --- Rumi, “Mathnawi II, 1317-18”

TAURUS APRIL 20-MAY 20 The Sun is still in your Solar 5th house, highlighting issues concerning creative self-expression, love affairs, children, and business speculation. Any of these are bound to get your juices flowing this week, you lucky Bulls and Heifers you, so cavort in your playing fields with the proper combination of carefree abandon and prudent caution and you’re all set to enjoy the ride! Blessed be! Weekly mantra: “Just as the heart becomes carefree/ in a place of green, growing plants,/ goodwill and kindness are born/ when our souls enter happiness.” --- Rumi, “ Mathnawi II, 1095-96”

GEMINI MAY 21-JUNE 21 The Sun is still in your Solar 4th house, which highlights home and heritage issues. Honor your roots this week by acknowledging the totality of your origins – the people, places, memories, and experiences that shaped the beautiful and unique individual that you are today. Make it your heart’s journey to honor the past so that, armed with lessons learned from it, you can face the future with confidence. Blessed be! Weekly mantra: “Molded clay, yet kneaded/ from the substance of certainty,/a guard at the Treasury of Holy Light - / come, return to the root of the root of your self.” --- Rumi, “ The Root of the Root of Your Self”

CANCER JUNE 22-JULY 22 The Sun is still in your Solar 3rd house, so the emphasis is on communication on all levels. Better brush up on your interaction skills as demands are made on your time, energy, and resources to make things happen in the wonderful world of tete-a-tete! Virtual or actual, email or snail mail, face-to-face or heart-to-heart, just be ready to express yourself clearly and openly and you’re all set to be at the top of your game! Blessed be! Weekly mantra: “To us a different language has been given,/ and a place besides heaven and hell./ Those whose hearts are free/ have a different soul,/ a pure jewel excavated from a different mine.” --- Rumi, “Rubaiyat 403”

LEO JULY 23-AUGUST 22 The Sun is still in your Solar 2nd house, highlighting issues pertaining to personal finance, possessions, the ability to make money, and material values. You may come to the realization that earthly possessions mean little to you without the accompanying emotional fulfillment, as you strive to become more spiritually aware and mature. Your naturally generous heart is inclining more than ever to give until it hurts – and you know what? The gods are watching – and smiling with approval. Blessed be! Weekly mantra: “If you desire the self, get out of the self./ Leave the shallow stream behind/ and flow into the river deep and wide./ Don’t be an ox pulling the wheel of the plow,/ turn with the stars that wheel above you.” --- Rumi, “Rubaiyat 62”

VIRGO AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 22 Dear birthday boys and girls: The Sun is still in your Solar 1st house, so this includes issues like personality, character, personal image, appearance – or simply, THE SELF. You Virgins honestly speaking could be quite a self-conscious lot, but the Universe is asking you now to let go of this awkward self-conscious tic and be SELF-AWARE instead, acting from a place of poise, calm, and equanimity instead. From that place of inner clarity and serenity then, you will find that you have what it takes to soothe and heal others. Believe me, you have it in you to be a force of good and benevolence in this hurting world. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND BLESSED BE! Weekly mantra: “At times I would say I had self-control./ At times I felt like a prisoner of myself./ All that’s passed. I’m no longer captivated by myself./ The lesson I took from this: not to be taken by myself.” --- Rumi, “Rubaiyat 67”

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23-OCTOBER 22 The Sun is still in your Solar 12th house, meaning that it’s time for you to look into matters like meditation, hidden wisdom, and psychological outlook. In short, it is time to look within and hopefully like what you find in there. As you traverse your inner landscape, ask yourself: what needs to be weeded out and what needs to imbibed? Then draw upon your inner reserves to fortify you for the journey ahead, and blessed be! Weekly mantra: “O pure people who wander the world,/ amazed at the idols you see,/ what you are searching for out there,/ if you look within, you yourself are it.” --- Rumi, “ Rubaiyat 549”

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23-NOVEMBER 21 The Sun is still in your Solar 11th house, emphasizing issues like your goals in life, friends, and group associations. You Eagles are known to forge strategic alliances to advance your goals and ambitions, and never was it more important to make your move along that direction as now, so strike while the iron is hot. Meanwhile, cultivate and nurture your friendships with care and concern, because you know that even one real friend is worth ten “strategic allies.” Blessed be! Weekly mantra: “I spent some time around people,/ but fidelity I neither saw nor smelled in them./ It’s better to conceal ourselves/ from the eyes of the people,/ like water in iron and fire in stone.” --- Rumi, “ Rubaiyat 1082"

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 21 The Sun is still in your Solar 10th house, highlighting issues of public image, status, occupation, and reputation – basically things that a typical carefree Archer like you normally don’t give a hoot about. And yet, now is the time to at least give a little thought about these concerns, proud Archer, because these things set the stage for the increasing set of more mature responsibilities that will soon be placed upon your freedom-loving shoulders. Yes, Sag, it’s time to grow up now, and you know it, too, so let’s hope that you will make the best out of the situation. Blessed be! Weekly mantra: “This world is like a tree,/ and we are the half-ripe fruit upon it./ Unripe fruit clings tight to the branch/ because, immature, it’s not ready for the palace./ When fruits become ripe, sweet, and juicy,/ then biting their lips, they loosen their hold./ When the mouth has been sweetened by felicity,/ the kingdom of the world loses its appeal.” --- Rumi, from “Mathnawi III, 1293-97”

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22-JANUARY 19 The Sun is still in your Solar 9th house, highlighting issues like religion and philosophy, higher education, long journeys, and searching for the meaning of life. In short, don’t be surprised at the profound turns of your mind nowadays, dear Sea-Goat, and let your mind take you where it will. Travel of the mind and body is favored now and shall definitely be good for your soul, and as long as you touch base with the practical every now and then, you can go ahead and be as abstract and philosophical all you want. Spread your virtual wings and fly to distant lands, dear one, for who knows where the road may take you? Therein lies the excitement– in the journey itself! Blessed be! Weekly mantra: “Whoever witnessed existence in pure meaning,/ and in materiality found nothingness?/ Whoever witnessed the Isness of the universe/ And within existence recognized nonexistence?” --- Rumi, “Rubaiyat 682”

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20-FEBRUARY 18 The Sun is still in your Solar 8th house, meaning that other people’s money, investments, inheritances, powerful allies, and sex are issues are on the forefront for you this week. Shared resources, the operative word being “shared,” need not be a bone of contention but a unifying force between you and your significant other. Bridge any gaps between you when it comes to resolving matters such as these and certainly let these not cramp your relationship style. Resources are an effective litmus test, by the way, of the health of a relationship. If you are able to share these resources equitably and with graciousness in your hearts, then you and your partner are well-matched indeed. Blessed be! Weekly mantra: “Last night my Beloved was giving me pleasure./ I told the night, do not reveal my secrets./ Night said, look around yourself./ You already have the sun; how can I bring the dawn?” --- Rumi, “Rubaiyat 1233”

PISCES FEBRUARY 19-MARCH 20 The Sun is still in your Solar 7th house, which emphasizes issues pertaining to partnerships, marriage, and close and committed personal relationships. This week could get hot and heavy for you romantic dreamy Fishies, which I’m sure is just to your liking! Your significant other will truly appreciate all the love, care, and attention you lavish upon them, and is glad to reciprocate with all the love and affection they can muster. What goes around comes around indeed, and when the currency used is LOVE, then one can never go wrong. Blessed be! Weekly mantra: “In love there is no low or high point,/ neither consciousness, nor the lack of it./ There is no leader, no sheikh, no follower,/ but there are hidden ways, sleight of hand, and revelry.” --- Rumi, “Rubaiyat 674”

AND SO IT IS.

MABUHAY, NAMASTE, AND BLESSED BE TO US ALL!!!

P.S. DEAREST DAVID: I LOVE YOU AND I MISS YOU SO MUCH!*****BLES

#

PILIPINASBLITZ FOREVER: YOUR HOROSCOPE FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 20-27, 2008!!!

IN NEED OF TRANSFORMATIVE GUIDANCE FOR EVERYDAY LIVING? Then please give me a call at 1-800-ASK-KEEN EXT. 02583103 (we can talk in TAGALOG!) or check out www.keen.com/blescarmona for details. Want to share your thoughts or violent reactions? Please shoot me an email at pilipinasblitz@gmail.com or pilipinasblitz@yahoo.com

SUN ENTERS VIRGO AND HENCE SUN-GOD DEIGNS TO CONVERSE WITH US ON A MORE REGULAR BASIS. Yes, dear kindred souls and loyal readers, Sun King Helios-Ra has decided to commune with us mere mortals at least once a month , unless other equally important matters (read: other “pakulo” of this column) intervene! So please read your zodiac representative’s brief conversations with King Helios-Ra this week as he enters the sign of Virgo on August 22. If you know your Moon Sign and Rising Sign, then read those conversations, too, in order for your to get three times the guidance, OK.

If, however, you’re wondering what a Moon Sign or a Rising Sign is, it is simply this: Along with the Sun Sign, which embodies your basic character, the Moon Sign, which governs your emotional nature, and your Rising Sign, which describes your outer persona or mask to the world at large (cf. Noel Tyl) are the top 3 stats that we astrologers want to know whenever we meet anyone.

To recap, we astrologers are interested in 1. your Sun Sign, known by us by asking you when your birthdate is (with year, if possible, except when you guys are too cagey about revealing how old you really are LOL), 2. your Moon Sign, and 3. your Rising Sign or Ascendant, which can be determined if you have at least a ballpark figure as to the time of your birth – of course the more accurate, the better. Take note: there’s a lot of difference between an AM and a PM birth, so make sure that you specify which: is it really 2:20 AM or 2:20 PM, for instance, coz I tell you, a 12-hour difference is A LOT of difference in horoscope delineation, and results in two entirely “differently flavored” charts!

So please shoot me an email with your name, complete birthdate, time, and city of birth if you would like to solve mysteries like what sign you were really born under (attention cusp-borns!!!), and what your Moon and Rising Signs are, OK! Now let’s go talk with King Helios-Ra coz you can’t keep royalty waiting, aight! SMILE! 

ARIES MARCH 21-APRIL 19 ARIES: O Great Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where Sun in Virgo falls on my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. I, the Sun, am visiting your Solar 6th house for the next 4 weeks. As such, your focus should be on issues pertaining to your health and your service to your fellow mortals. I’ll be brief: quit that bad habit while you still can, for now you will have the requisite will power to do so! Plus diet and exercise are key. As to service – well, you Rams have always served out of heart, enthusiasm, and tremendous energy, anyway, but this time, serve with longevity and staying power, too. Serve for keeps. ARIES: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “As of this moment you have to realize: ‘There is sufficient spiritual manna in my consciousness to serve my every purpose today.’” --- Joel Goldsmith

TAURUS APRIL 20-MAY 20 TAURUS: O Great Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where Sun in Virgo falls on my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. I, the Sun, am visiting your Solar 5th house for the next 4 weeks. As such, the spotlight is on romance, creativity, children, and speculation. Of course, you’d want to hear about romance, my dear, you being ruled by sweet and sexy Venus and all. Tread on hallowed ground carefully in the next 4 weeks, dear Taurus, and play your cards right with your partner. Savor the bliss of partnership and share your blessings from the heart in creative ways that only you, in your tender loving nature, know how. I’m sure you’ll find a way to convey to your partner the height and depth and breadth of your feelings. He/she will surely feel loved! TAURUS: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “The eyes brighten with friendliness and good cheer, when animated by the light of love, joy, faith, or noble purpose.” --- The Science of Mind, page 231

GEMINI MAY 21-JUNE 21 GEMINI: O Great Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where Sun in Virgo falls on my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. I, the Sun, am visiting your Solar 4th house for the next 4 weeks. As such, the focus is on your roots and origins, the strength of the legacy from your parents or parental figures, your home environment, and your earliest foundations. Sometimes, dear Twins, we have to look back in order to move forward. A proactive trip down memory lane may just be the prescription for you during this period, and if this brings back painful memories, just remember that the past is just that now: the past. If, however, you look back and the memories are actually GOOD, then don’t forget to say a prayer of thanksgiving to the gods who had made them so! These combinations of “good” and “bad” memories have made you the sterling citizen that you are now, a strong and positive contributor to the lovingkindness circulating in this world! GEMINI: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.” --- Abraham Lincoln

CANCER JUNE 22-JULY 22 CANCER: O Great Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where Sun in Virgo falls on my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. I, the Sun, am visiting your Solar 3rd house for the next 4 weeks. As such, communication with your nearest and dearest is highlighted during this period. Expect a slew of snail mails, emails, phone calls, verbal tete-a-tetes, and other forms of shooting the breeze in this techno-savvy day and age. Exercising care and circumspect in your communications may not just cut it this time, dear Crab--- you have got to be bold and brave! Take chances and express what you truly feel! Break the barriers within you and break new ground in the way you give expression to the founts of creativity lying dormant deep within you. Amaze yourself. CANCER: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “The most important ingredient we put into any relationship is not what we say or what we do, but what we are.” --- Stephen Covey

LEO JULY 23-AUGUST 22 LEO: O Great Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where Sun in Virgo falls on my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. I, the Sun, am visiting your Solar 2nd house for the next 4 weeks. As such, personal values come to the forefront and are worth a good evaluation. What do you value in your life, dear Lion? What values do you hold dear, aside from the usual 2nd house concerns like tangible possessions and real estate? Examine your heart and do an inner inventory of your principles and tenets you live by and ask yourself if they need more spit and polish. Revisit your inner critic or inner parent and make friends with it because you will be needing its wise and timely counsel every now and then just like any blessed child of the gods would. LEO: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “We are not separate from Life, neither is it separated from us, but we are separate entities in it – individualized centers of God-Consciousness.” --- The Science of Mind, page 331

VIRGO AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 22 HELIOS-RA: Felicitations, my child! I enter your sign for the next 4 weeks starting August 22. Happy Solar Return or in other words, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all of you dear Virgos! VIRGO: Thank you, O King! What is in store for us these next 4 weeks, now that you are in our sign? HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. I, the Sun, am visiting your Solar 1st house for the next 4 weeks, which is the house of your personality/appearance/self-image/character. My message to you is very simple, dear Virgo, which I am sure will appeal to your appreciation for simplicity, and it is this: simply BE YOURSELF! Yes, that is the essence of it all this Virgo month. Be all that you can be – no more, no less. Acknowledge that as a child of the gods, you, too, have that divine spark within you, and that your real mission is to spread love and light in this world. You have been richly blessed so that you in turn can be a blessing to the rest of humankind. With all your good qualities – your discernment, your eye for perfection, your attention to detail, and your gentle, affectionate ways – you were born to serve, heal, and bestow kindness upon this hurting world. VIRGO: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “All things are not only in a constant state of change, but they are the cause of constant and infinite change in other things.” --- Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23-OCTOBER 22 LIBRA: O Great Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where Sun in Virgo falls on my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. I, the Sun, am visiting your Solar 12th house for the next 4 weeks. As such, this is your time, dear Libra, to go deep within your soul of souls to do some inner work of purging and weeding out what needs to be done so in your secret garden. All it means is that deep within you are old hurts, half-forgotten grudges, unsettled scores, and other excess emotional baggage that now needs to be let go of and put out to pasture in a non-returning way for your permanent peace of mind. See how lighter you will afterwards after you have done as I have advised. The entire purging process may be difficult and painful to undertake – yes. But I have not known you to back down just because things could get a little challenging, dear Libra. I am sure that you will be up to this one task. Besides, you need it for the sake of the health of your own soul. I urge you to do it within these next 4 weeks. LIBRA: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “Nothing is gained by holding on to past errors. The best thing to do is let go of and forget them altogether.” --- The Science of Mind, page 502

Bonus Weekly Mantra for Libras: “ Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.” --- Pope John XXIII

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23-NOVEMBER 21 SCORPIO: O Great Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where Sun in Virgo falls on my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. I, the Sun, am visiting your Solar 11th house for the next 4 weeks. As such, the focus is on cementing your alliances and friendships, and forging bonds with brotherhood and sisterhood organizations to whom you belong. Another 11th house concern is the concretization of your hopes, wishes, and dreams, which I am sure that you ambitious Eagles have a lot of, not only for yourself, but for your family, neighborhood, and for all of humankind, for I see through your heart, dear Scorpio, and I know that it beats with tenderness for the world at large no matter what your station is in life. Use your passionate intensity to fight for causes that you believe in, and do contribute your energy, time, and resources in order to make this a better place for your fellow mortals to live in. I place my confidence in you. You can do it. SCORPIO: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “Each has within himself this guide to truth, to reason, to beauty, to right action, to certainty, and to peace.” --- The Science of Mind, page 561

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 21 SAGITTARIUS: O Great Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where Sun in Virgo falls on my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. I, the Sun, am visiting your Solar 10th house for the next 4 weeks. As such, matters pertaining to your career and public reputation come to the fore and claim your attention and energy. Doing good in the arena of life assigned to you, dear Archer, will surely earn you some form of recognition and acclaim. But even if that is not forthcoming, by all means please do not let that stop you from doing the excellent work or service that you are already performing for the rest of your community! Your infectious enthusiasm for the job at hand, your boundless optimism, and your philosophical outlook in life brighten your fellow mortals’ days and inject sunshine into the lives that intersect yours, so carry on and keep up the good work --- and watch your good reputation soar! SAGITTARIUS: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “Every individual has a responsibility to help guide our global family in the right direction. Good wishes are not sufficient; we must become actively engaged.” --- The Dalai Lama

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21-JANUARY 19 CAPRICORN: O Great Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where Sun in Virgo falls on my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. I, the Sun, am visiting your Solar 9th house for the next 4 weeks. As such, you may find yourself waxing profound and philosophical about life in general. The pursuits of the higher mind will hold special appeal to your during this period, as will religion, metaphysics, law, publishing, and travel. As for the latter, if you’re planning on going on a trip, whether actual or astral, just make sure that you have all the proper arrangements down pat beforehand and that you are leaving behind a well-oriented backup plan in place for the ones you are not taking with you on your journey. After you have taken care of the practical details, then you are free to let your hair down and enjoy your well-deserved vacation!!! CAPRICORN: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “The Universe gives us what we ask; experience alone will teach us what is best to have.” --- The Science of Mind, page 462

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20-FEBRUARY 18 AQUARIUS: O Great Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where Sun in Virgo falls on my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. I, the Sun, am visiting your Solar 8th house for the next 4 weeks. As such, matters concerning joint resources need to be looked into and scrutinized more carefully during this period. Are they being utilized properly? Are they being taken care of and shared equitably among you and yours? The 8th house is also about SEX, so we have to tackle that prickly topic, too, although it doesn’t really have to be taboo, you know. Should there be any hang-ups about sex between you and your partner, now is the period to clear the air and really talk it out between the two of you. When you do “confront” each other about sexual issues, be lavish with your praises for each other yet be sparing with your criticism. But honestly now, when it comes to sexuality, who needs words when you can express yourself in ways other than words, if you get my drift, mortal? (And here I smile oh-so-knowingly.) AQUARIUS: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “”God is more completely expressed through the man who lives largely than through the one who lives meagerly.” --- The Science of Mind, page 404

PISCES FEBRUARY 19-MARCH 20 PISCES: O Great Helios-Ra, kindly tell me where Sun in Virgo falls on my Solar chart and what it means. HELIOS-RA: Very well, my child. I, the Sun, am visiting your Solar 7th house for the next 4 weeks. As such, matters pertaining to partnership and other close personal relationships should be hitting your radar screen during this period, dear Pisces. You yourself are the essence and embodiment of love in its highest universal expression among all the signs, did you know that? Still, how to apply this universal love when it comes to a one-on-one love situation may prove to be a challenge to some of you. You would need to actively channel all of your benevolence, serenity, soul intelligence, and lovingkindness into packets of comprehensible energy for your partner, so that he/she may partake of your inner loveliness. Connect with and appreciate your special someone during this period, and for sure, your partner will return the favor with fervor! PISCES: Thank you for your words of wisdom, O King! HELIOS-RA: Blessed be, my child! Weekly mantra: “Harmony is one phase of the law whose spiritual expression is love.” ---James Allen

AND SO IT IS.

Mabuhay, namaste, and blessed be to us all!

#

PILIPINASPEACHY'S PULPIT ISSUE #3: A REQUIEM FOR LESLEY ANN MARTIN

LESLEY ANN MARTIN, 45, IS DEAD.

My homeless alcoholic friend was beaten to death by unknown assailants on the morning of August 14.

God rest her soul.

You know, a few weeks earlier, I was crying in front of her at the corner of the 7-11 store, wondering who was gonna take care of her when I'm gone, since I'm planning an extended stay in my mother country, the Philippines. I was asking myself: Who was gonna give her food, quarters, cigarettes, blankets, shirts, rubber bands for her unruly blond hair?

Now the problem has been permanently taken care of.

God is taking care of her now.

May LESLEY ANN MARTIN rest in peace.

AND SO IT IS.

INSHA ALLAH.

PILIPINASBLITZ FOREVER!!! YOUR HOROSCOPE FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 13-19, 2008!!!

IN NEED OF TRANSFORMATIVE GUIDANCE FOR EVERYDAY LIVING? Then please give me a call at 1-800-ASK-KEEN EXT. 02583103 (we can talk in TAGALOG!) or check out www.keen.com/blescarmona for details. Want to share your thoughts or violent reactions? Please shoot me an email at pilipinasblitz@gmail.com or pilipinasblitz@yahoo.com

A SOUL JOURNEY INTO THE POETRY OF RUMI. For this week, my friends and kindred spirits, let us refresh ourselves with the precious waters of Rumi’s verses. Rumi (Sept. 30, 1207 – Dec. 17, 1273) was a medieval Persian Muslim philosopher, jurist, theologian, and a host of other titles distinguish him, but oh! In my humble Blitzese heart of hearts, he is simply a supreme poet – a poet extraordinaire! His exquisite poetry has been doing the rounds of late, being read and recited in universities, concert halls, psychologists’ offices (believe you me!), street performances, and in almost any other venue you can imagine – and that’s because Rumi’s poetry captures and grips the very viscera of Everyman and Everywoman who reads and listens to his transcendent works. And so… “Before now I wanted to be paid for what I said,/ but now I need you to buy me from my words.” – Rumi, “Buy Me from My Words” ***** So read your stars for this week, my friends, and SMILE!!! (Source for all quotations herein: THE POCKET RUMI READER edited by Kabir Helminski; Boston & London: Shambhala, 2001.)

ARIES MARCH 21-APRIL 19 “Because I cannot sleep/ I make music at night./ I am troubled by the one/ whose face has the color of spring flowers./ I have neither sleep nor patience,/ neither a good reputation nor disgrace./ …/ The moon says, “How long will I remain suspended without a sun?”/ Without love’s jewel inside of me,/ let the bazaar of my existence/ be destroyed stone by stone.” – Rumi, excerpts from “Because I Cannot Sleep” ***** If you cannot sleep these days, dear fellow Aries, is it because the Sun is camping out in your romance and creativity sector for the next few weeks, thus rendering you excitable and stressed out?! Go easy on yourself, and let the romance play itself out naturally instead of straining yourself to make things happen faster. You can be creatively in love and yet be Zen-like in your exercise of it, can’t you? Meditate on this and you’ll figure out just how (hopefully, LOL!). Blessed be!

TAURUS APRIL 20-MAY 20 “Your body is here with us,/ but your heart is in the meadow./ You travel with the hunters/ though you yourself are what they hunt./ …/ You are a diver;/ your body is just clothing left at the shore./ You are a fish whose way is through water.” – Rumi, excerpts from “Clothes Abandoned on the Shore” ***** These verses were chosen for you, dear Taurus, because the Sun is visiting your roots and heritage sector for the next few weeks. And so although your body is physically here in the present, you would need to acknowledge the previous landscapes where your heart and soul have visited and dwelled upon. Feel grateful for your past! Yes, so you have shed your old skin and have put on the new, but you are all the more beautiful for having donned all the spiritual clothes you have ever worn before. Do fold with care those old skins you have already shed and keep them in your virtual closet for future reference. Blessed be!

GEMINI MAY 21-JUNE 21 “You were an ascetic/ and I turned you into a singer./ You were mute and I turned you into a bard./ Within the universe no one knew/ your name nor any sign of you./ I sat you down and made you/ a revealer of secrets.” – Rumi, “Rubaiyat 1247” ***** Dear Gemini, for the next few weeks, the Sun will be camping out in your communications sector, so your function will indeed be that of being a “revealer of secrets” of sorts, a herald to the world, the bearer of glad tidings. Your gift of brilliant conversation and camaraderie will be much in demand, and you will be building bridges of understanding and goodwill among your colleagues and contemporaries. An exciting time, no doubt, and one you’ll revel and shine in, so blessed be!

CANCER JUNE 22-JULY 22 “Love is the path and direction of our Prophet./ We are born from Love; Love is our mother./ O Mother, hidden behind the body’s veil,/ concealed by our own cynical nature.” – Rumi, “Rubaiyat 57” ***** Dear celestial Crab, did you know that Cancerians make the BEST MOTHERS in the world? Yes, even the men! Cancer embodies the mother archetype to perfection and the essence of your sign can be summed up in this: CANCER CARES. As the Sun camps out in your properties and values sector in the next few weeks, please meditate on your pivotal role as maternal influences in this hurting, broken world of ours rather than you succumbing to apathy and cynicism. When a Cancerian starts becoming indifferent to the plight of the world, then that would be a sad day indeed, but as long as a Cancerian cares, then it’s the force that keeps the earth revolving, so blessed be!

LEO JULY 23-AUGUST 22 “The lover is forever like a drunkard/ whose secrets spill out,/ forever mad, frenzied, and in love./ To be self-conscious is to worry about everything,/ but once drunk, what will be will be.” – Rumi, “Rubaiyat 55” ***** Ah, Leo, Leo, Leo! Lover supreme, king and queen of all you survey, purr-fect feline with a penchant for high romance, drama, adventure, and klieg lights! With the Sun lighting up your identity and personality sector, you can’t help it: you star is simply shining brightly these days! So shed your self-consciousness (hah! As if Leos were ever awkwardly self-conscious in the first place! LOL), claim your royal birthright, and act with magnanimous benevolence towards your adoring subjects (read: the rest of us ordinary mortals)! Do be gentle and kind, dear Leo, for sweetness and light are known to get more takers than prickly pride and prejudice. Blessed be, birthday boys and girls!

VIRGO AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 22 “Don’t go to the neighborhood of despair: there is hope./ Don’t go in the direction of darkness: suns exist.” – Rumi, excerpts from “Mathnawi I” ***** Dear Virgo, since the Sun is camping out in your sector of the secret self these next few weeks, you are encouraged to go deep within yourself and do some inner cleansing work, so to speak. It is time to clear out the cobwebs in your mind, sweep away the dust from the darkest corners of your heart, and mend the gaping holes in your tattered soul. Yet do not get so caught up in all this midsummer “spring cleaning” that you give in to despair or depression, mind you! As Rumi had said: THERE IS HOPE and SUNS EXIST! Use your analytical and logical powers to figure out the rationale for the deep inner work that the Universe is asking of you at this time. Hopefully, when you come out of the experience still whole, breathing, and all the better for it, by that time you would have answered your own question. Blessed be!

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23-OCTOBER 22 “Companionship with the holy makes you one of them./ Though you’re rock or marble, you’ll become a jewel/ when you reach the man of heart./ Plant the love of the holy ones within your spirit;/ don’t give your heart to anything, / but the love of those whose hearts are glad.” – Rumi, excerpts from “Mathnawi I” ***** Dear Libra, the Sun is camping out in your friends and associations sector, and thus the Rumi excerpt is all about companionship and choosing the kind of people to hang out with. You are the company you keep, or so they say, or “Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you what kind of person you are,” or something like that. So as you sojourn here on this blessed earth, you friendly charmer, choose your friends with care – and yet hey, come on, what’s wrong with being on good terms with everyone you meet if that’s your nature?! Just be yourself, dear Libra, and you’ll attract quality friendships by the legions, if that’s what you truly desire, I’m sure, so blessed be!

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23-NOVEMBER 21 “The world’s flattery and hypocrisy is a sweet morsel:/ eat less of it, for it is full of fire./ Its fire is hidden while its taste is manifest,/ but its smoke becomes visible in the end.” – Rumi, “Mathnawi I,” 1855-56, “Flattery” ***** Dear Scorpio, the Sun is camping out in your career and public reputation sector and as such, you may be subjected to the flattery and empty praise that the world gives. Not that you are particularly susceptible to it, oh no – far from it, knowing how you Eagles usually shun the limelight, preferring to do your work quietly in the background with a surgeon’s pinpoint precision and an artist’s loving creativity sans fanfare, pomp and circumstance. In the silence within your heart, I know that you are just laughing at the trying-hards and the pretenders of the world, secure in the knowledge that you DO know your stuff and will just continue to do that particular “thing” till kingdom come, plaudits or no. And because of this, dear Scorpio, I do salute you and I say: keep up the good work and blessed be!

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 21 “I asked, ‘Where are you from?’/ He laughed and said, ‘O Soul, half of me is from Turkestan/ and half from Farghana./ Half of me is water and mud, half heart and soul;/ half of me is the ocean’s shore, half is all pearl.’” – Rumi, excerpts from “The Drunkards and the Tavern” ***** Dear Sagittarius, like the quoted verses, you may be hit by the traveling bug in the next few weeks for the Sun is camping out in your travel sector, so half of you may be here but your astral half may be traversing other parts of the known and unknown universes (LOL)! Philosophy, higher studies, religion, and metaphysical thoughts likewise may prove irresistible to your traveling mind nowadays, and thus you may find yourself traveling to the local library or else surfing the net more often, in search of that elusive intellectual elixir that will quench your thirst for knowledge. All to the good, for these forays keep your mental fires burning and your youthful soul ever sparkling, so blessed be!

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21-JANUARY 19 “It suits the generous man to give money,/ but truly the generosity of the lover/ is to surrender his soul./ If you give bread for God’s sake,/ you will be given bread in return;/ if you give your life for God’s sake,/ you will be given Life in return.” – Rumi, “Mathnawi I,” 2235-36, “Surrender” ***** Dear Capricorn, the Sun is camping out in your joint resources sector nowadays, and your mission in the next few weeks is to perfect the arts of sharing, negotiating, compromise, and enlightened self-interest. By enlightened self-interest I mean that you are of course looking out after Number One as you have every right to and yet not forsaking your responsibilities towards Number Two, too – that is, your partner or significant other. Joint resources being what they are, they are meant to be shared in perfect peace and complementarity, not harangued and fought over bitterly, don’t you think so?! Surely there is always room for improvement in the way you are handling these matters, dear Cappy. Work out all the angles and smoothen out the rough edges of your approach. And please, make sure that when you do make the arduous upward trek to the top of your particular mountain, have the consideration to ask if your partner would like to undertake the ascent with you, too. Even if she/he eventually says NO, well at least you had the courtesy to ask, didn’t you? So think of Number One, yet also think of Number Two, so blessed be!

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20-FEBRUARY 18 “I dreamed of the most exquisite Cupbearer,/ a glass of red elixir in hand,/ perfect in servanthood./ Could this be our real master?” – Rumi, “Rubaiyat 51” ***** Dear Aquarius, that verse was obviously chosen because of its reference to a “cupbearer,” and because it alludes to the attitude of servanthood inherent in a leadership position. The real master is first of all a servant. The Christians among us may recall that Jesus Christ, instead of complacently reclining at the supper table, instead proceeded before the start of the meal to wash his own disciples’ feet, and in the Jewish culture, this function is done only by the lowliest servants. Dear Water Bearers, your service/work ethic is no doubt well-entrenched and well-ingrained, and for this, I salute you with the prayer that your tribe doth increase! Coupled with your natural impulse towards selflessness and humanitarianism, you Aquarians are truly valuable citizens of this world! But hey, just to stay grounded once in a while, try this: hold one real person’s hand, and look into one real person’s eyes. There. Connect with at least one human being that you’re so intent on helping. Blessed be!

PISCES FEBRUARY 19-MARCH 20 “To us a different language has been given,/ and a place besides heaven and hell./ Those whose hearts are free/ have a different soul,/ a pure jewel excavated from a different mine.” – Rumi, “Rubaiyat 403” ***** Dear Pisces, you are, quite simply, the quantum soldier of love among all the Signs! You embody all the qualities of all the signs. You are everyone and no one at the same time. (Go figure, you slippery Fishies, LOL!) By the way, did you know that Jesus Christ’s real zodiac sign is Pisces, not Capricorn?! (We’ll save the discussion and debate for later, my friends.) Anyway, I just want to exhort you, dear Pisces, in your earthly sojourn, that if you ever feel discouraged, down, or depressed these days, the thing to do is not to deny or repress or bitterly try to fight those feelings at all. NO. The very thing to do is indeed to be mindful of the depressed feelings, acknowledge that you DO have them… observe yourself having those negative cognitions and toxic emotions… just focus on your breathing and watch yourself as you’re having all those ill feelings. See what happens… (Clue: It’s close to natural magic as one can get.) Blessed be!

AND SO IT IS.

MABUHAY, NAMASTE, AND BLESSED BE TO US ALL!!!

#