Saturday, September 16, 2006

Astrology Fact Or Fiction

“So, what’s your sign?” More than just a corny pickup line, astrology in various forms, has been with mankind for a very long time. People from various countries and cultures, have often looked up to the stars for guidance. Million of people read their daily horoscopes, though most look at it as a mere form of entertainment. Other people genuinely take the art of astrology very seriously and think it is a valid medium with which to predict a person’s personality, as well as their immediate future (though most serious astrologers view magazine horoscopes as just being entertainment).

So where did it all get started? Around 3,500 years ago, the ancient Babylonians were attempting to correlate events that happened on earth (e.g. good crop yields, bad diseases) with things they noticed in the night sky. This was not the first time that this happened, either. Other ancient cultures, such as the Mayans and Aztecs, developed their own form of astrology too. Most of the astrology we see today, though, comes from India, Europe and China. All of it, though, is either deeply routed, or deeply influenced by Babylonian astrology.

Early astrologers simply correlated earthly events with celestial ones. It wasn’t until mathematical astronomy developed (which allows us to predict the movement of stars and planets), around 612-539 BC, that astrologers started to “predict” the future. It was also around this time that the “twelve” signs of the zodiac, were created. The oldest recorded horoscope dates back to April 29th 410 B.C. It comes from an old clay plate that was made for the birth of a Grecian man. The tablet is very similar to the natal horoscopes given out today. Even more similar, though, is the vague prediction given about the person. The parts of the tablet that have still survive, state:

“…things will be good for you.”

Early Babylonian astrologers were called: Chaldeans. They would set up shops in cities, and offer their services to passersby. Interestingly, it wasn’t until they did this in Greece, that the concept of free will was entered into the equation. Ancient Greeks viewed these chaldeans as jokes, and their predictions to be patently false. They refused to believe that the stars themselves dictated their actions, and that they had no free will. Because of this, astrologers adopted the belief that the stars can only show “possible pathways” through life. This turned out to be a greater boon for the chaldeans and future astrologers, than it did for the Greeks. Now astrologers had a viable excuse for why their predictions did not always come true.

Finally, we come to the most influential man in astrology: Claudius Ptolemeaus. Also known as Ptolemy, he wrote the book: Tetrabiblos. In it, Ptolemeaus attempted to consolidate all the various aspects of astrology at the time, into some sort of viable standard. Tetrabiblos is generally regarded as the modern astrological “bible,” from which all western astrology derives.

5 Tips To Add More Spice To Your Life

You know the old saying “variety is the spice of life”, and although many such phrases are just soundbites, this one is anything but. Because let’s be honest, sometimes our lives can become routine. We settle into a comfort zone and boredom can soon follow. If you’re looking for some exciting ideas to spice up your life, here’s 5 top tips for you to try:

1. Once a week, visit somewhere you’ve never been before. A city, town or village, a museum, a theater, a restaurant, café, or bar, a park, a zoo, a wood or forest – get the idea? Visiting new places broadens your horizons and helps to keep life fresh and interesting.

2. The biggest thief that will ever enter your home does so by your invitation. Your television can steal something more valuable from you than any other thief on the planet: Your precious, non-renewable life time. Time to stop this little thief from pilfering any more! At least once a month, spend an entire week without watching any television and use the time to do something much more life-enhancing. You could workout, read books, learn a new subject – languages, cookery, swimming, diving, computers, wine-tasting, crafts, astronomy, astrology, music, advanced driving, drama, take up a new sport – the list is endless. You’ll meet people, you’ll develop more skills, you’ll add to your knowledge and you’ll develop more confidence. And you’ll feel more alive! Beats sitting indoors watching soaps, the news, repeats and a barrage of commercials doesn’t it? I’m sure you’ve heard people say “I’d love to try something new but I just haven’t the time”. It’s common isn’t it? Yet many people are totally unaware of how much television they watch. Let’s be conservative and say it’s an average 4 hours a day. 4 x 7 = 28 hours. Imagine what you could achieve if you devoted 28 hours a week to doing something far more constructive?

3. Fancy a challenge – something that will test you to the limit? How about a survival weekend? There are many courses available for this, from basic outdoor survival to more specialized ones for arctic, desert and jungle survival. You’ll learn more about the environment, you’ll develop survival skills and again, you’ll meet new people and share a highly rewarding experience. To find courses, use the Internet search engines – “survival weekend”, “survival courses” and “learn basic survival” as search terms.

4. Spontaneity can bring excitement and adventure into life. Doing things on the spur of the moment is fun too! So why not just do something totally unplanned? Get in the car and drive somewhere, go to the train station and take a train journey somewhere, or, for a holiday, just visit your travel broker or go direct to the airport and see what deals they’ve got for you to go there and then. Have your bags packed and ready and don’t forget your passport! This brings the unknown into our lives, and although this can be a little bit frightening, it’s also very exciting too. Enjoy the adventure!

5. I’ve saved the best till last! When it comes to living a happy, fulfilled life, a life where you do all things you really want to do, fear is the biggest threat you will have to face. It ruins the hopes and dreams of millions and millions of people. Every time you give in to a fear, you lose. You miss out on opportunity, experience and happiness. So do something you are afraid of. Yes, I know it is very hard to do this but the alternative – giving in – is much more painful. If you’re afraid of heights, learn to abseil or climb. If you’re afraid of water, learn to swim. Flying – attend a fear of flying course. Frightened of driving? Start to learn. If you want to start a business, devote the time to become fully informed and start your research. Whatever it is, TAKE ACTION to beat it. Fear only exists in one place – YOUR MIND. It is an illusion that will set boundaries on your happiness. The only way to break through these boundaries is to confront fear and overcome it. When you do, your confidence will increase, you will experience more happiness and my word will you feel alive!

Friday, September 15, 2006

Lucky stars some entrepreneurs are turning to astrology to chart their business courses

WHEN MICHAEL Anderson, 39, incorporated his online training company in Seattle in early 2003, he had his legal papers in hand at the state filing office along with a report from his astrologer, Madeline Gerwick-Brodeur. According to a planetary analysis, Gerwick-Brodeur recommended a specific time and date to sign the papers to position the business for a profitable future. While it's hard to prove a direct link to astrology, more than a year after incorporation, the Avant Institute had reached $400,000 in sales.

Gerwick-Brodeur, president of Polaris Business Guides LLC in Arlington, Washington, begins her work with clients with the date of incorporation. She creates an astrological chart linking the position of the planets to business activities and goals. By understanding planetary cycles, she says, companies can more effectively time important changes, such as introducing new products. "We're teaching companies how to be more prosperous by working in harmony with the universe," says Gerwick-Brodeur.

Applying astrology to business development remains a novelty among most entrepreneurs, but devoted users swear by it, either to help make decisions or confirm choices they've already made.

Astrology stepped in again to guide Anderson when subsequent charts indicated potential damage from stonewalling investors. The insight prompted him to sell the company in 2004. "Astrology helped me take charge of the situation."

Learning Astrology

Astronomy expert Damian Sharp presents the ultimate guide for aspiring astrologers with Learning Astrology: An Astrology Book For Beginners. An expertly written textbook on the subject, Learning Astrology is divided into two major sections: "Surveying the Horoscopic Skyscape" and "The Planets in the Signs, Houses, and in Aspect, 91". An easy-to-follow and thoroughly "user-friendly" introductory exploration into the vast and intricate world of astrology, readers will follow the text with ease as Sharp's informed and completely accessible writing style ably presents instructive explanations of all the diverse steps to be taken in becoming a knowledgeable and competent astronomer. Very strongly recommended for the beginning novice Learning Astrology is a welcome addition to Metaphysical Studies reference collections in general and the study of astrology in particular.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Libra Your Partner and the Sake Cup

I’m told of a Japanese custom that sums up the spirit of Libra: If you are dining with a partner in a Japanese restaurant, you are not to fill your sake cup. Instead, your partner fills it for you when it is empty. In turn, you fill his.

You work with the cooperation of others to accomplish your goals. And likewise, you cooperate with others to help them accomplish their goals. And if we all did that there would be no room for aggression and strife: Libra's utopia.

We use Virgo’s energy to polish and refine our raw creativity. But then our skills must find an application. We need other people to work with and to work for.

The Sun enters Libra at the autumn equinox, a time when daylight and darkness are perfectly balanced. Balance is the purpose of Libra’s symbol, the scales; grace and balance are the goals of Libran people. We keep adding and subtracting from both sides until both sides are equally balanced.

And so, Libra is associated with justice, mediation, and judges who balance the competing claims of both parties in a legal proceeding.

Balance is critical in our healthy functioning. We do not function well when our bodies are out of balance. We suffer when our lives are out of balance.

When energy is in balance, there is an easy flow. The Tarot is a big fan of balance. There are many cards that speak to the desirability of balance: Temperance, The Lovers, and all of the cards with the numeral two, for examples.

Harmony is the byproduct of balance. And with harmony comes beauty. A fine sense of style, taste, and design is a gift for those in whom Libra’s energy is strong. And so you find many Libran designers of all types.

Beauty is nothing more than the harmonious placement of shapes, color, and texture. When we call a person’s face beautiful we mean that the face’s shape and its features are classical. They blend together. Features are even, neither too large nor too small. Balanced. Beautiful.

Likewise a beautifully decorated room has a pleasing mix of shape and color.

While balance, or more specifically, inner harmony is important for all of us, it is critical to the proper functioning of Libra. Librans use the refinement of outer harmony as a way to generate inner harmony, their ultimate goal.

Libra is a cardinal sign. It initiates action. Like the partner in the Japanese restaurant it does so working through and with others. And so it excels in areas that require excellent people skills such as counseling, teaching, mediation and diplomacy.

Libra often sees itself as one half of the scales, needing another half to give it completion. People with a great deal of Libran energy put a particular value on one-to-one partnerships of all kinds, particularly marriage.

Too often, Libra is so concerned about keeping the peace that it doesn’t properly take care of its own needs. The charming Japanese custom doesn’t work unless your guest keeps your sake cup full, also.

If a Libran has too much difficulty getting his own needs met, he may resort to less than pleasing, indirect means. The term passive-aggression was created to describe frustrated Librans.

Sometimes a beautiful façade masks a rotten interior. And, too often, Librans think appearances are everything. But there is a remedy for this. It is called Scorpio.

Indian Astrology and Marriages

Astrology is considered to be the oldest of all sciences, which studies the effects of the planetary positions and movements on our lives. Indian Astrology is an integral aspect of the Vedic literature (Vedic Astrology) and was practiced over the years by Indian sages and passed on to their disciples. In olden days, the kings would depend on astrology to determine the right and auspicious time before embarking on any new and important initiatives. Ages later, today, we still find the strong influence of astrology in our day-to-day life. Any major event in life, whether it is marriage, buying a car, buying a house, or even entering a new house, is undertaken only after consulting the astrologer for an auspicious time.

Astrology is in-depth science with multiple widespread branches. It is used to create birth or natal charts (Jathaka / Janampatri) based on the time, date and place of birth, to answer any specific questions ‘Prashnas’, to find the auspicious time and day called ‘Muhurtha’. While all of these aspects of astrology are well in use today, one of the most popular one is the creation of Jathaka’s and matching of Jathaka’s for marriages. Marriage is an important aspect of life. In India, when a child is born, the exact place, date and time is documented and when the child grows older his/her natal chart is created based on this birth data. When the child attains marriageable age, his/her natal chart is matched with those of prospective brides and grooms to find an astrologically compatible match. This is an age-old tradition, which is practiced with equal fervor even in this tech-savvy, net-savvy age.

It is interesting to note that, thousands of years ago astrology was imparted by the teachers to their pupils orally. During the beginning of ‘Kali Yuga’ the astrological literature was documented for the future generation.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Virgo From the Sandbox to the Big Leagues

The Sun moves into Virgo in late August and it is time for Leo children to grow up. It is fun to play, but then what? When you are ready to ask this question you are ready to advance to the next level: Virgo.

We tune into Virgo energy when we move from dabbler to master craftsman. To go from the sandbox to the big leagues we must learn, practice and polish our skills.

Remember the old saw about how to get to Carnegie Hall? The route takes you through Virgo.

Virgo’s goal is perfection. And nothing pleases Virgo more than to be of service. While Virgo cleans her share of messes, she finds her highest expression as the consummate professional who executes complex tasks flawlessly.

Virgo is the place where we take pride in our finely honed skills and the satisfaction of a job well done. But to get to the level of master craftsman, one must develop an eye for detail. It is that attention to detail that makes it possible to execute work to the highest standards of quality.

Virgo won’t be satisfied with anything less.

No one is half as good as Virgo at cleaning up and organizing disorder. And no one is half as good at picking things apart.

And so you will find many researchers with lots of Virgo energy in their charts.

Virgo rightly earns her reputation for her skill at analysis. Give her a forest and she will find the trees.

Give her a computer and she will write a program. That is because Virgo, a mutable sign, is so resourceful, no one is better at organizing disparate elements into a system that works.

Virgo’s gift to the rest of us is clarity.

Mutable Virgo can adapt to changing circumstances. And because she is focused on getting the job done, she can work around voluminous egos without the need to hog the spotlight herself. But a pat on the back and extra money in the paycheck won’t hurt.

Virgos often get a bad rap. They carry labels: ‘dull,’ ‘stick-in-the-mud,’ ‘nerd.’

Often their best work is unnoticed - we don’t think of their contributions when the trains are running on time. But it is the Virgos with their dedication and attention to detail that keep the trains running.

Virgo is an earth sign. She is aware that we have to function in a material world – not in the realm of imagination or ideas. And so she is fundamentally practical.

The price we pay for living in a material world is to be confined to the limitations of living inside a human body.

Virgo is attentive to the body’s rhythms and so she pays attention to health and nutrition.

As a result you will find Virgos prominent in the medical and health professions. And because they see their connection with animals, they are often found in the veterinary field as well.

Virgo is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication. But unlike Gemini, the other planet is ruled by Mercury, she doesn’t just engage in idle chatter. Rather she is the editor, the observer.

Nonetheless, a Virgo emphasis in a person’s chart can be an indicator of superb writing skills. That is because a good writer must be a consummate observer. Think of the way the best novelists make a character seem real by describing the smallest details of his speech or movement.

When the Sun travels through Virgo in late August/early September, the summer is waning. It is harvest time in the northern hemisphere; a time when we make an accounting of the results we produced through the growing season. And so accountants and bookkeepers find their home in Virgo.

In our personal lives, this is an excellent time to make an accounting of our efforts.

Cleaning out clutter, organizing your environment, getting current on your financial matters are all productive ways to use Virgo’s energy. Cleaning up your diet, exercise and staying current with medical and wellness checkups are particularly beneficial at this time.

Johnny Depp's Numerology will the Pirate stay on Top

With the success of the first two 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movies, actor Johnny Depp is at the top of his profession, commanding a $20,000,000 salary for 'Dead Man's Chest'. Now that his popularity has shot off the charts, and with a third 'Pirates' installment due out next year, what does Numerology predict for him in the next few years?

As a Numerologist, if I want to see what is in persons future there are (3) main calculations which I check: their Life Cycles, their Letters of Transit and their Personal Year. These values give me a number of clues about what's in store for a person over the coming years.

His Life Cycle

Johnny Depp entered his second Life Cycle in 1992, and will not enter his third and final Life Cycle until 2019. This cycle begins after his first big movie success in 'Edward Scissorhands', and covers his rise to stardom. It brings him endless possibilities. This is a highly emotional time for him, and is a particularly good time for creativity in artistic endeavors. It is a cycle of frequent sudden or unusual endings for him in his work and relationships.

This is seen in his several romantic attachments in the early years of this cycle before he met his current girlfriend French singer-actress Vanessa Paradis. Also, his several run ins with the law fit into this pattern.

The challenge of this cycle is for him to overcome a reluctance to accept his great personal power, and to avoid becoming greedy. I would say that so far, Johnny Depp has successfully lived up to that challenge. With his next Life Cycle 13 years in the future, we're in the midst of a long period of creative success for him.

His Transit Letters

Transit letters are calculated from a person's full birth name and are the most detailed predictor of events unique to an individual. Johnny Depp, being born a 3rd, ('III' on his birth certificate,) has the unique trait of always having an 'I' transit letter in affect throughout his life.

His transit letter of 'I' marks a time of dramatic ups and downs in his life, a time filled with creative opportunities. Remember this is in affect for him all the years of his life, except when a double 'I' is in affect (such as occurred for him in 1983 through 1991). In those years he would have great difficulties getting things started in his life. Fortunately, that period is long passed.

His other current Letters of transit are 'OPP'. They begin on his 41st birthday in June 2004, and will end on his 45th birthday in June 2008. Their affects on his life are as follows:

His transit letter of `O' marks a time of calm and serenity in his life. He will accept responsibilities in his home life and experience improved finances during this period. I believe this indicates that he has found a balance in his family life, and that his film work will continue to bring huge success. The 'O' transit letter will stay in force through the end of this decade, so his career looks bright indeed.

His transit letters of `PP' mark a time of too much privacy and solitude in his life. He tends to live like a hermit. This period of intense privacy will end in June 2008 when the double 'P' changes to a 'P' and an 'H'.

Following up, his transit letter of 'P' in June 2008 will mark a time when Depp still needs solitude, but not to the degree of the last few years. It also marks an excellent time for business and financial growth.

And his future transit letter of 'H' will mark a time of professional growth, financial success, and independence. He should be careful to pace himself and not overwork.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Hindu Astrological Predictions

For thousands of years the Hindus in India were using the planets and stars to predict the future and confirm the past. The Hindu astrology defines the characteristics of a person depending on the place and the time of birth. The place and time of birth corresponds to a start and each star has its own distinct characteristics.

Some of the planets are thought to be good for people and some are thought to be bad for person’s life. If a person’s horoscope has a strong influence of the planet Saturn at any point in life, the person goes through lot of sufferings. As per the Hindu Vedas the life is full of joy and sorrows. One can not have life full of joy or full of sorrow. There are many remedies given to soothe the sufferings when a person goes through bad planetary positions.

Here are the categories of Hindu horoscopes.

Mesha
Vrishaba
Miduna
Kataka
Simha
Kanya
Tula
Vrischika
Dhanus
Makara
Kumba
Meena

The terms Aries,Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn , Aquarius and Pisces are used ONLY to denote their corresponding equivalents in Vedic Astrology. Any extension of them would lead to misinterpretation of the predictions . Predictions are on the basis of the birth stars and not on the English date of birth.

The hindu vedas gives many things one can do to prevent bad period in life. These are called Pariharams and are usually done in any temple. Some of the famous temples for doing pariharams are Tirupathi, Tiruchendur, Tanjore Siva Temple, Varanasi, Bath in the holy Ganges, Puttabarthi, Sai Baba temple, Palani, Kalahasthi, Thirunallar, Panjavadi, Guruvayur, Kumbakonam, Thiruvarur, Nagarcoil, temples in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh etc.

Many pariharams also talk about specific Gods like Krishna, Ganesha, Karthikeya, Siva, Vishnu, Kali, Linga.

A Short History Of Hypnosis

A short history of hypnosis by Colin Winston Aldridge, Hypnotherapist;

Where to start when discussing hypnosis, it’s a massive topic that has been part of human civilisation for many thousands of years, so it is a brief look at the history of hypnosis that l present to you.

Hypnosis pre-dates most of our modern day religions and medical practices alike and its existence can be traced back to the days of the pharaohs and ancient Greeks alike –this paper is a potted history –

So we will have to leave the Egyptian dream temples to one side and come quickly to modern hypnosis and its acknowledged forerunner Franz Mesmer who died recently as 1815, less than 200 years ago, having been born in Vienna. Mesmer is considered the father of hypnosis. He is remembered for the term mesmerism which leads to “being mesmerised” which described a process of inducing trance through a series of passes he made with his hands and/or magnets over people. He worked with a person’s animal magnetism, another well know phrase we are all used to hearing in today’s world. Jealous of his success the medical community eventually discredited him despite his considerable success treating a variety of ailments. As his successes offended the medical establishment they arranged for an official French government investigating committee to sanction him and his work. This committee included Benjamin Franklin, then the American ambassador to France, and Joseph Guillotine, a French physician who went on to introduced a device for physically separating the mind from the rest of the body which in fact is all Mesmer had done but without the permanent consequences of Guillotines work!

The next significant step for us here is that in 1841, Doctor James Braid began using mesmerism for his patients. He used a shiny object to put them into a deep “hypnotic sleep” in which they could accept healing suggestions. He believed staring at the shiny object exhausted the nervous system. He was the first to use the word “hypnosis It was in 1842 that Braid renamed magnetism and mesmerism to hypnosis and deemed it a psychological phenomenon. He used the word “hypno” from the Greek language; its meaning is “to sleep”.

During his research into hypnosis he formed the following ideas, most of which still stand today:
5.That in skilled hands there is no great danger associated with hypnotic treatment and neither is there pain or discomfort.

6. That a good deal more study and research would be necessary to thoroughly understand a number of theoretical concepts regarding hypnosis.

7. That hypnosis is a powerful tool which should be limited entirely to the medical and dental professions.

8. That although hypnotism was capable of curing many diseases for which there had formally been no remedy, it nevertheless was no panacea and was only a medical tool which should be used in combination with other medical information, drugs, remedies, etc., in order to properly treat the patient.

James Braid died suddenly of a heart attack on March 25th 1860, at the age of 85 years. He maintained an interest in hypnotism throughout his life and made major contributions to the therapy that we use today.

In the medical world some of the most significant advances were made by Doctor James Esdaile. He completed his first operation without using anaesthetic in Calcutta, India in or around 1845. The client was placed into a trance state in which he remained throughout the procedure. Esdaile assisted in 300 major operations and over a thousand minor ones. Esdaile’s mortality rate was 5 percent. This was good at the time in India, as most other physicians had over a 50 percent death rate while completing the same operations as Esdaile was performing. This form of anaesthetic was soon put into second place due to the arrival of chloroform. It was thought easier to inject someone than to assist them to enter a trance state. Using hypnosis is still widely preferred as an alternative to conventional anaesthetics, especially in the dental profession.

A segue to this is the life and times of Sigmund Freud, born in May 1856 in Freiberg, Moravia, he is a name we have all heard of. He got involved in hypnosis around 1883 and practised it for some time before abandoning it to concentrate on developing psychoanalysis. One of Freud’s pupils was another name we are all also familiar with nowadays and that is Jung.

Carl Jung was a student and colleague of Freud’s, who rejected Freud’s psychoanalytical approach and developed his own interests. He developed the concept of the collective unconscious and archetypes. Though he did not actively use hypnosis, he encouraged his patients to use active imagination to change old memories. He often used the concept of the inner guide, in the healing work. He believed that the inner mind could be accessed through tools like the I Ching the Chinese book of changes and astrology. He was rejected by the conservative medical community as a mystic. However, many of his ideas and theories are actively embraced by healers to this day.

Although Freud and Jung were not directly involved in hypnotic practise they are associated with its experiential growth in modern times by eliciting the trance state during session.

The 20th century saw no abatement in the use of hypnosis in fact far from it

During World War II it was widely used among psychiatrists and physicians to treat problems such as stress and battle fatigue. There have also been formed many councils, associations and organisations all over the world during the last century in order to assist the modern-day therapist to keep in touch with the latest information and discoveries. And most have a “Code of Ethics” for their members to follow.

Here in Britain The Hypnotism Act of 1952 was introduced to protect the public against dangerous practices in hypnotic shows, and the performer is still required to get a license granted in a Magistrates Court prior to such a show.

In 1970 the British Police tried experimenting with hypnosis for interviewing witnesses to certain crimes. Hypnosis was reported to be particularly effective in helping witnesses and victims recall detailed descriptions of criminals and perpetrators relate the details of violent attacks and recall the scenarios immediately preceding certain accidents.

Milton H. Erickson

To give full credit to Milton H. Erickson’s (1901-1980) life story in hypnosis, it deserves a complete section of its own, however here I will just explain briefly the outstanding achievements he made during his life. Prior to his death in 1980 Erickson certainly played his part in shaping hypnotherapy into what it is today.

Erickson was a psychotherapist who used hypnosis throughout his career to aid his clients’ progression and recovery. He was excellent at intently observing people and rapidly building rapport with them. Metaphors, confusing statements, surprise, imagery, and humour were part of his vast range of therapeutic tools.

His methods of trance induction are nowadays referred to as Ericksonian hypnosis, and without a shadow of a doubt, he added another era to the history of modern hypnotherapy.

Hypnosis today in the 21st century

And so we arrive at the current day in the history of hypnosis. There are many leading figures and pioneers in the world of hypnotism today. And the story of hypnotism does not end here, quite the opposite in fact. There are new and exciting discoveries being made all the time and also “add-on” therapies that complement hypnotherapy, many of which have their roots in hypnosis. These are continually being developed, and the list is endless of the psychological problems, phobias and fears that can be put in their place by these well-founded therapies. Below are some examples:

12. Stopping smoking
13. Weight loss
14. Improving low self-esteem and motivation
15. Dealing with anxiety and panic
16. Increasing athletic performance
17. Curing procrastination or putting off doing something,, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness
18. And curing phobias such as:
19. Fear of heights
20. Fear of spiders, snakes and other animals
21. Fear of public speaking
22. Fear of enclosed spaces

This is enough to give you an idea of the vast possibilities of the therapeutic uses of hypnosis today.

In conclusion, the story of hypnosis starts way back as l have said, before history as we know it was even recorded. Down the line it has received contributions from many colourful characters and cultures, but the true fact is that hypnosis is really a fully natural phenomenon. It occurs to people all the time in everyday life and it has been harnessed in many ways over the years, by many individuals who wish to progress the phenomenon and bring it up to date in their time.

This is not by any means a full account of the history of hypnosis, more of a brief overview. There are many more characters who had their part to play, and should not be left out of this but this is a short essay embracing only the most significant aspects of the topic.

Monday, September 11, 2006

How To Better Plan Your Life and Anticipate What Is Coming To You Through Astrology

Everyone wants to predict their futures. Whether you are young or old, male or female, we all want to know what directions our lives are heading in. Knowing what is around the corner in our financial, personal and work lives allow us to better plan our lives and anticipate what is coming to us.

Despite many skeptics in the world, more and more people across the globe rely on astrological chart readings to guide their decision-making and life choices. After all, we all need a little bit of help deciding on big and small decisions. And notwithstanding criticism non believers the truth is people since the dawn of time have put their faith in the stars and heavens to predict their paths. Just because we are living in a modernized, technological age does not mean these ancient forms are obsolete. In fact, ironically the more technologically advanced and scientifically aware we become the more people are losing faith in conventional notions of right and wrong, or the dictates of science.

Despite presenting itself as an objective and rational form of knowledge, sciences too relies on elements that cannot be proven and are beyond cause and effect modes of testing. Sometimes faith is the answer to some of the most difficult questions humans encounter in life. If you are seeking guidance in your life, join me and the millions of other people who have found extremely helpful information through astrology.

So how does astrology work?

There is a range of different types of astrology around the world, and each variety entails different systems of interpretation but at a fundamental level they share a basic framework and philosophy. In Western cultures, you will find what is known as traditional or classic astrology, which draws its signs and meanings from the Zodiac birth chart.

As a form of ancient knowledge, classical astrology bases its wisdom and divining force around the position and movements of 8 planets in our solar system. Moreover it links the movements of the planets and the orbits of the sun and the moon to the date and time of your birth. Depending on the cosmos and the time of your birth, classical astrology reveals what characteristics make up your personality, as well as predicts events in your future. Astrology is a very complex and sophisticated art, in which every planet, the sun and moon signs as well as the relationship and angle of the planets has a distinct meaning that allows astrologers to reflect on the past as well as look into the unfolding realities of the future.

Fundamentals of Astrology

Despite the different types of astrology, it is clear that astrologers agree on certain principles. For instance, the moons gravity is a key factor that is an undeniable force upon the earth, causing the tides here on planet earth. Humans too are composed largely of water, so the gravitational pull of the moon impacts greatly on our own mental and physical state. Moreover each planet has a gravitational pull on the other, as well as the earth again and also on us as humans. Whatever the skeptics may say, the movements of the planets have an enormous impact on human beings. This alone vindicates the astrological way of trying to predict our behavior and personalities based upon what we know the planets will do in their cycles of motion. As creatures we are intrinsically sensitive to the movements of the cosmos above our heads.

Scientists and astrologers agree that the positions of the planets can be predicted with an amazingly high level of accuracy. Indeed since the dawn of time, humans have been observing and recording the cycles and movements of the planets. Ask any scientist and astrologer and they will tell you that the planet positions have a close correlation to the behavioral patterns of humans. In fact, many believe that personality and the planet positions are in fact synonymous. Therefore it is not uncommon to hear people suffering the blues say “I’m feeling down today as my planets are out of line.” Or when there is a full moon it is not rare to see people act somewhat different to their everyday personas. In fact, the word “lunatic” derives from the word “lunar” – meaning the moon - and came about because of erratic behavior observed during the full moon.

Many believe that astrology can truly help you to change the course of your life. Try discovering it yourself today, as understanding the connection between the earth and the sky can truly affect you.