At last! A sigh of relief (even if it’s momentary, and I think it is). But never you mind, those sighs of relief are necessary if we are to catch our breath from the mostly unexplained recent events of crisis and chaos. Those who believe in patterns and universal cycles (and that includes me) know that the bad news can not be never ending. Once bad news is in full swing, good news can not be far behind. I believe, for better or for worse, we’re in the midst of the tremendous universal cycle of change. This is a natural re-balancing of the many past decades’ over-emphasis on excess and greed, negativity and darkness. The changes have been traumatic for many, but the old emphasis, thank goodness, is now waning. As we begin to dump the old life-depleting patterns in favor of new life-enhancing behaviors (moderation and restraint, optimism, and light), I see signs that better days are coming. Here are a few leading indicators of this positive mood changes already afoot on the horizon. If you haven’t yet seen or experienced these upswings in your daily life, you will soon, perhaps with the assistance of Astrology key-words for each Sun Sign listed at the end of this piece.
1. How does your Garden grow? What better indicator of a move towards “kind and gentle” than the tilling of the soil and the planting of the seeds? When First Lady Michelle Obama created the White House vegetable garden last week, she was tapping into an already-growing movement advocating organics, healthy food, and grow-your-own produce. This ongoing movement is not only directed at healthy eating, and saving money, but also, metaphysically,to getting us back in touch with the earth. Nature has greatly suffered from neglect and abuse over the past decades. But the Garden Movement (as I call it) both uplifts and grounds us with earth’s energies. This is mind, body, spirit health. By tending a garden, we reverse old patterns. We go from being couch potatoes to harvesting them (the potatoes, that is). Community Gardens also offer great opportunity for personal social networking; they bring people, with common interests, together. Planting and harvesting offers great lessons for all of us. Garden-growing makes for wonderful memories for children (mine have never forgotten the first thumb-sized carrot they pulled from our tiny garden patch, many years ago).
2. The gentler, softer side of video games. Kellee Santiago, a video game creator, came up with the idea to create the popular, on-violent games, Cloud, Flower and fl0w. Viewing “games as art”, she designed these innovative games for players tired of murder and mayhem in many of the most popular games. With the average age of video gamers reported to be 35, more adult game-players are looking for creative ways to brainstorm, exercise their minds, and escape into a less stressful, more pleasant, non-threatening world. Santiago and other female game creators may be the first and best-known to tap into this growing market. But it s just a beginning. And just about time. The culture of violence and the role video games may have played in popularizing crime is yet to be determined. But the growing popularity of non-violent video games is another sign of the kinder-gentler trend we are witnessing.
3. The Simon and Garfunkel reunion. “April come she will,” (S&G’s popular tune) presages this iconic duo’s reunion concert this Spring in New Zealand (and then maybe elsewhere). Expect to hear more of their classic songs, including “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Scarborough Fair,” and “Mrs. Robinson” in days to come. You may also be hearing more old songs by James Taylor, Van Morrison, Carole King (and others). It’s hard to find a gentler and kinder sound than the melodies Simon & Garfunkel,and their colleague,s produced in the 1970s. Their harmonies and lyrics were often sung by others, but rarely duplicated. Soft lullabies, folk songs and gentle story-telling songs caught the tenor of the times and will do so again, as people continue to seek reassurance, comfort and harmony. Contemporary mumble–jumbled, pounding and screeching lyrics and music no longer express the emotions and feelings of a large portion of the population now seeking comfort and reassurance through music.
4. New movies with heart: Watch for the kinder-gentler-side to be expressed on screen soon in upcoming movies like the fact-based “The Soloist” starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Fox, and the Sam Mendes comedy, “Away We Go” with Jeff Daniels and Cheryl Hines (among others), about a young couple looking for the perfect location to raise their family. (how fun is that!) The film industry, like the stock market, can predict what the public wants before the public even realizes it. Perhaps slower to react to public sentiment, Television lags behind with more bloody, gruesome detective shows, depicting murder, death and violence, non-stop and inane celebrity gong shows. I expect ratings for these TV shows to plummet as the audience turns to less-well-known but more interesting, intriguing and uplifting programming (Current TV’s documentaries, for example, National Geographic, the History Channel,etc). There will be a slow, but gradual awakening to the fact that TV is not just about ratings. And the fact, that TV no longer requires a set, but can be watched easily on a computer. The growing internet audience will prove to be a far better judge of quality TV programming than Nielsen ratings ever could.
5. Comic art rules again. Although many major newspapers have folded, “the funny papers” are not yet a thing of the past. Comic art, long under-valued, is seeing a Renaissance, Now it’s showing up in art galleries and graphic novels, more popular than ever (The New York Times even has a best-seller’s list for them). For the most part, comic strips were always gentle and subtle in terms of delivery (words printed inside a balloon) and content (everyday problems as the usual plot-line). The most intellectual strips also delivered a message, sometimes quite profoundly. While Comic strip artists gave us Super Heroes,they also introduced Pogo, Snoopy, Dilbert, Doonesbury, Cathy, with their wry philosophies and unique perspectives on life (along with many other characters). Comic strips historically reflected the tenor of their times. They were also a great escape for those who turned first to the funny papers and then the news. Sadly, as more newspapers go down, so do the comic strips. Yet not all is completely lost. Comic strips are benefiting from their past lives. Collectors avidly seek original comic book issues and pay enormous prices for them (Recently, the first issue of Action Comic’s Superman sold for $315,000 at internet auction). Original comic art (individual prints in a strip) may be one of the better investments in these tough times. More films also are featuring comic strip super heroes, and so on. Like most everything else, the delivery of comic strips is undergoing a tremendous change as newspapers move to the internet. It may be difficult, but not impossible, for the internet to get a handle on popularizing comic strips, (you can’t touch them, clip them,tape them on the fridge,or share them with your friends at work. Oh, I know you can print them, but it’s not the same and fingering the real newsprint). Going, Going, Gone - but not yet forgotten! The renewed interest in comic strips as art form and prized collectible is yet another indication of respect and admiration for the good old days; the less traumatic and complicated times.
There are even more clues to a gentler side of life now emerging slowly, like a butterfly from her cocoon. I referenced the word “touch” in my list of 2009 popular words, and I am starting to hear it used more often now (even on the news). Many of us long for the softer, gentler touch - not only in our daily lives, but in the atmosphere around us. It is high time the hard edges melt away. You can help bring about gentler times in your own life, through a few key words.
Kind and Gentle Key words for all Sun Signs
Aries: Your key word is Comfort. Find it in terry cloth, velour, silky soft clothing or comfy shoes. It’s about treating yourself more gently.
Taurus: Your Key word advises you to Lighten-up. Place a bouquet of spring flowers (daisies, daffodils, tulips) in your space. Inhale the aromas and colors.
Gemini: Your Key word suggests you Enjoy. Ah, go ahead! Treat yourself to a dairy queen or soft-serve ice cream cone: a silly, sweet treat.Your gentler side needs some TLC.
Cancer/Moon Child: Your key word invites Expression. Share your warmth and tenderness in a hand-written note or a work of art.
Leo: Your Key word is Donate. You may feel like a soft-touch at the beginning, but by the time you finish volunteering (food bank, Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross), you’ll feel like a million bucks.
Virgo: Your key word is Creating. Turn something old into something new; drapes become upholstery fabric; old jeans became purses. Returning to crafting takes you back to a gentler time and place.
Libra: Your key word is Recognition. Always soft-hearted, you continue to give of yourself to those less fortunate, and reap the rewards and recognition that come from selfless giving.
Scorpio: Your key word is Lifestyle. Enhancement comes your way. It’s up to you whether you want to indulge in the grandiose or settle for something less than plush. This could presage a kinder-gentler Scorpio.
Sagittarius: Your key word is Ideas. Some brainstorm idea is either evaporating, as we speak, or flowing faster than you could ever imagine. Keep those creative juices flowing as new ideas are especially important and valued in tough times.
Capricorn: Your key word is Relax. Finally, there’s a lull in the action, and you will soon have a respite from all the hard work you’ve been shouldering. Taking a break results in a gentler frame of mind for you. Less brittle; more fiddle.
Aquarius: Your key word is Perspective. Try to be less judgmental in the days ahead; not everyone is out to get you. If you soften your cynicism, you’ll be rewarded with a kind and gentle surprise. Like a “wow”, an “ah” or even an “OMG!”
Pisces: Your key word is Outside. Since you are so computer-oriented, you need to get up, up and away, before you become robotic. Step outside to take in the fresh air, the blooming flowers, the gentle breeze. Use all your senses. Make this a daily ritual and feel the difference in a kinder-gentler mind/body/spirit.
There you have it - a few trips around the gentle cycle. Expect to see even more signs of lightness and happiness on the road ahead.
3.24.09
