Can you say "I am a successful artist" ?

Am working on my book "create your art career: tools for success", chapter 3. This chapter deals with how we identify as successful artists. Loaded stuff I know.
I really don't think that success = money. Or that it equals fame. It equals, both, or none, or something totally different. It equals meaning. It equals "why" it's important to create in the first place.

I find as I get older, I get more cantankerous in a way. How cliche! But I guess there is a reason for old crones wearing purple shoes and not giving a hoot what people think. I wear a purple headband, if that counts. I am that - in a way. I care so much about the individual artist. I could care less about the art world in which we function.

I really do think that success is your ability to fulfill your goals, whatever they may be. Your success does not have to be at the expense of others, or of your health, or of your state of mind. I am curious how you define and measure success. Success for our purposes is a personal, reachable, and measureable creative career path that is as individual as the human heart. What makes up that career path, you will decide.

How do you feel when you say to yourself “ I am a successful artist”? What do you think of? Do you laugh, feel confident, feel uncomfortable or weird? Does an immediate image come to mind?

There are many routes to take to be a successful artist and many definitions of what a successful artist is and does. Earning a living from your art career is one definition of success to reach for. You need to define what financial success means to you and then create a plan to get there. Do not confuse success with an art star, or the Hollywood myth of a grand and over the top famous career as a result of driving ambition devoid of reality. There are a lot of financially successful creatives out there that you have never heard of.

As well as artistically successful creatives who have day jobs, un-art related.
There is no one success formula, no one way to live your artistic career or earn a living from your creativity. Perhaps your definition includes financial success and perhaps it does not. You see, your career can be defined your way. This is key.
Success is at its root, in both life and career the continued expansion of fulfillment, happiness, plus the steady progressive reaching of goals that mean something to you.

This is attainable for every artist. If you don’t give up and stay the course. You can make your career what you want. Success is as individual as the quality of your line on the canvas or composition of shapes on the page.

Here is a visualization to try around success:

Now Imagine: See an image of yourself in a serene and beautiful place. It is quiet, and sunny, just lovely. Imagine there is a perfect breeze blowing. You feel relaxed here, this is a place you find very beautiful. Allow yourself to almost smile as you picture this place in your mind. While still picturing your beautiful place, begin to be aware of your breathing. Inhale…Exhale… And feel yourself relaxing more deeply.

Now Imagine: You are part of this beauty. Allow your mind to think about how right it is that there is so much beauty and peace in your world and that you fit into this picture you have created in your mind. You are a creative successful artist. How do you feel? What does your life look like, when you are a successful creative artist?

Now Imagine: You see your entire creative career before your eyes. Your every skill and every ability comes to mind, you see yourself making the perfect work, for the perfect audience, before your very eyes. There is so much more to you than you ever realized. You are a successful artist. How do you feel? What does your career look like?

Now Imagine: You have many different and very useful skills that make your career special. What is special about your career? What are all of your specialties that make your career successful? Your work is unique. What makes your work unique? You have physical skills, intellectual skills, and artistic skills, people skills. You are a successful artist. How do you feel? What does your career look like?

Now Imagine All of your skills are appreciated by your clients, your audience, your family, your peers. What does your career look like with appreciation and understanding? How might you describe yourself ? You are enthusiastic and hard working - what does your career look like? You are a successful artist. What is the image that comes to mind? How do you see yourself?

Now Imagine: See yourself appreciated with the right clients, the right audience, and the right environment. See all of your people skills coming together as you market, network, perform, shoot, paint, design. What does your career look like? What does your success look like? How does it feel?

Now Imagine: You are productive, enthusiastic, and creative. See this image as clearly as you can. See yourself. Where are you? What does it look like? Who are you working with? How did your clients, bosses, dealers, agents, how did they find or discover you? You are a successful artist.

Now Imagine" See yourself maintaining connections, building relationships, and using all of your skills. You are known for your expertise, you are respected for your knowledge and skills, see yourself productive and happy. You are a successful artist. What are you remembered for?

Now Imagine: See yourself using your skills performing your specialties enjoying great success and happiness in the process. Like flowers in bloom, see each one of your particular skills as gorgeous colors, flowers, gifts to yourself and the community. See yourself using your best skills in your work, on the job, with your collectors, dealers, and audience, on the set, in the gallery, in the world.

Now Imagine: Success is enhancing your understanding of your skills. Success is the nature of your authentic voice produced into a business setting. Success is anything that matters to you. What does success mean to you? Now broaden your definition of success, who you are, what else are you doing, who else is there with you?

Now Imagine: Success is being yourself, being in business, being in your creative flow. No one else is qualified to be you. Glorious you. The most important resource is you. Your understanding of your success is the foundation of your career and life story. Allow yourself to gain insight on how you define success and why it is important to you.

Now Imagine: Success is knowing yourself , knowing what you want from your career, and where you are headed. Allow yourself to see yourself as a successful artist. Do you feel gratified? Enthusiastic? Afraid? Allow yourself to stand out in the crowd - your talent and skills shining brightly. Your career is a beacon of success. On your terms. See this image as clearly as you can.
And when you are ready, you can open your eyes.

How was that for you? Let me know. Feel free to comment.

Spring Astrology

My dear friend and astrologer Virginia Bell  says "

"The word disaster means to go against the stars. Dis = against, aster = stars."

  Read her Spring Astrology newsletter below. Enjoy

 

- Rhonda

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Beloved Friends, we are in the spiritual high point of the year. This is a holy week, a sacred time: Passover commemorates the Jews’ escape from bondage; Easter celebrates the resurrection of Christ and the opportunity to become new in body, heart, and soul. Resurrection: the act of rising from the dead; bringing something back to life. Rebirth: a new or second birth, a spiritual regeneration. These rituals are rooted in ancient custom and whether we worship in a temple, church, or in nature it all comes down to this: no matter what challenges we are facing, no matter how dark it becomes, at any moment we can rise up and begin again. What in your life needs to die so that you may be reborn? What needs to be freed from bondage? What needs to be renewed or reclaimed?

 

The Three Most Important Full Moons Take Place in Spring

                                                                              

During spring the creative energy pours forth from the chalis of the Moon and a doorway opens bringing fresh awareness. Once again we have the ability to move to a new level of consciousness; once again we have an opportunity to reaffirm our soul’s journey. The Easter Full Moon (April 17-18) is called the Resurrection Festival or the Festival of Shamballa. The creative energy reaches its highest potential and it is the beginning of a new cycle of creation. 

 

The Buddha Full Moon or Wesak Moon (May 17) is called the Buddha-Wesak Festival. It is said that Buddha was born, died and received enlightenment on the Full Moon in Scorpio and many consider this the highest spiritual day of the year. Each year this great being returns at this time to help humanity toward enlightenment.“The greatest event upon our planet, from the standpoint of spiritual verities, is the Wesak Festival. It has been there always, but unknown to the majority. Now its influence is to be recognized and consciously utilized.” Alice Bailey (Esoteric Psychology)

 

The Sagittarius Full Moon (on June 15) is called the Christ-Goodwill Festival or the Festival of Humanity, the World Day of Invocation and provides an opportunity to unite the human family. The divine energy received at the Wesak Festival is released and anchored within the human consciousness. This year the Full Moon is a total Lunar Eclipse at 24 degrees of Gemini/Sagittarius, close to the center of the galaxy.    

 

“Nothing happens until something moves.” -Einstein

 

We are in a time of enormous transformation for everything is shifting, both in the heavens and on earth. The outer planets; the ones that are so far away they weren’t even discovered until we had telescopes; the ones that move slowly and change signs rarely, have all recently entered new signs. Pluto, god of the underworld and planet of death and rebirth, entered Capricorn in 2008. Although that was three years ago it’s still only at the beginning of Capricorn. Chiron, associated with wisdom and compassion, reentered Pisces on February 8. Although not technically an outer planet, Chiron’s presence in Pisces is significant. On March 11, that rebel Uranus, the Great Awakener, entered fiery Aries, the sign of war, action, and passion – and the earth moved,literally. Then, on April 4, mysterious Neptune entered dreamy Pisces

 

“Utram bibis? Aquam an undam? Which are you drinking?

 The water or the wave? –John Fowls (The Magus)

 

Neptune is the planet of the invisible and the unseen; it is associated with all those things we cannot see with the naked eye; inspiration, imagination, music, spirituality, sacrifice, and escapism. It rules watery Pisces so it’s strong in its own sign. The last time Neptune was in Pisces was from 1846-1862. Neptune will remain in Pisces until 2023; over the next 15 years we will see its best and its worst of this illusive planet. Neptune has the potential to bring about a spiritual awakening and inspire more compassion for the earth and each other. Practices such as meditation, yoga, and energy medicine will become even more main stream; perhaps music will be softer, fashion more fluid. Neptune is associated with addiction and we may also see the negative effects of prescription drugs. At the same time new drugs will appear on the market as many people turn to self-medicating as a way of dealing with their problems. Water will continue to become the new oil as issues around water and pollution increase. On a personal level Neptune (and Chiron) asks us to open our hearts and intuition. Look at the area of your chart where you have Neptune transiting; something new is emerging there; water it with compassion, forgiveness, and care.  

 

The outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto) are raw, primitive and powerful; they don’t have the social graces of the inners ones like Mercury, Venus, and Mars. These great titans of mythology, these “gods of change” are asking us to wake up and we need to cooperate. The word disaster means to go against the stars. Dis = against, aster = stars. A real disaster this year would be to try and prevent change. Keep in mind that action alone does not create lasting change. With Neptune (and Chiron) in Pisces, our actions need be grounded in consciousness and for the highest good of all concerned.    

 

Change Your Story; Transform Your Life

 

One way to create change is to change our story. Is there a story you keep repeating to yourself and others?“There aren’t any good men (women, jobs, opportunities, affordable houses).” “I’m too old (too broke, too tired, too fat) to meet someone, get my play produced, or change careers.” You get the drift. Are there people in your life who encourage your story? Do you look for evidence to support it? These stories aren’t necessarily real but we’re deeply attached to them and they keep us tied to the past. Is there some truth in them? Sure, but they’re not written in stone. “The world is more malleable than you think. It is not all set in concrete and where it is, at least stick your fingers in it before it dries.”  -Bono (U2)

 

What message are you sending? Do you talk about what you like or don't like; do you focus on what works or doesn’t work? Thoughts are magnetic, words have power; the emotions connected to those words have even more power; they can inspire or defeat. Does your story reflect your highest self or your worst fear? Would you be willing to change it? What (or who) would you have to give up? Whatever you think about, you speak about and whatever you speak about you bring about.

 

Don’t believe me. Become a detective. Become conscious of what you say; notice how it feels. Listen to other people's dramas; pay attention to how that feels. Try telling a different story; one that is aligned with your future and not your past. Notice what happens when you do; you may get a different result, a new perspective, or attract new experiences. Experiment, explore, play; it doesn’t cost anything, it does no harm, and as Buckminister Fuller said, “You can’t learn less!

 

“Never be afraid to change what you believe in order to become who you are.”

-Sister Karol Jackowski

 

 Check out Sister Karol’s inspiring weekly blog on Martha Stewart Whole Living: The above quote is from a recent blog entitled: 3 Ways To Be Picky About What You Think (And You Should Be)

 

http://wholelivingdaily.wholeliving.com/2011/04/3-ways-to-be-picky-about-what-you-think-and-you-should-be.html

 

Beloved Friends, There is so much going on in the world right now; earthquakes, nuclear explosions, floods, wars, not to mention the economy – and we witness it constantly on TV and the internet. It’s only normal to feel a bit shell shocked. If you’re feeling down or depressed, there’s probably nothing wrong with you; we’re all suffering from a collective Post Traumatic Syndrome. Be gentle with yourself and others. Meditate, spend time in nature, eat well, and rest. Connect with people you love and do the things that bring you joy.

 

“Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.” –Sarah Ban Breathnach

 

It is late now in our little tower room high above the Astrology Cafe. I am deeply grateful for your presence tonight. The candles have all burned down. The room is quiet and still. Outside the old owl has appeared on the branch of the Alder tree. A soft breeze drifts in from through the open window. Celebrate this miraculous season; take joy in each fern and flower, welcome the Sun as well as the rain. Above all, love yourself, feel good; be glad, no matter what is going on in your life or in the world. You are loved, all is well, Virginia

 

Visit my website: www.virginiabellastrology.com or connect with me on Facebook.

 

Personal Vision

I've finished the final draft of chapter 1, and am on draft 3 of chapter 2 - your personal vision.  Vision for me is at the heart of everything we do.  I keep re-writing this chapter! It's probably way too long. But, I've been researching visioning and visualization practices, and lately reading about the Tibetan practice of visualization with mandalas - its fascinating. I know we, as artists can apply that to our own growth, and career growth. The spiritual is not separate. The keys are in the practice. And expanding the mind, into non-mind. And then back into form.

Have been going to the Rubin Museum a lot and sitting with the amazing collection there. As a member it is free, so I spend my lunch hours - sometimes just 10 minutes gazing at a Thangka or Mandala painting. Very rejuvenating to the heart, the eyes, the  soul.

When I was just out of art school, I worked at MoMA, and used to pick a different painting to sit with on my lunch hours. My favorite was one of Archipenko's "Black on Black". I can still see myself sitting on a bench, in a deserted gallery, pondering it - entering it, almost 30 years ago.

So I had a thought. Not a vision, but an idea. I'll write about the ideas in the book for you to consider of course, and try out, but I'd also like to share the actual book with you, as it evolves. And I would love your feedback.

Here is the table of contents I've come up with. What do you think? I'd love for you tell me if you think I've missed anything, or you would like something included.  We are a community - we do for each other, we help each other, we grow together. Thanks for being there, thanks for sharing your process, your needs, and your ideas -  Thanks for letting me share what I've learned along the way.

So this is going to be a hands-on career planning book with creative visualizations and guided meditations, self-assessment and self-exploration worksheets for visual artists to create and sustain a

successful career. Workbook and audio files will be downloadable from a website I'll create for the book, so purchasers can actually hear me take them through each process.

Create Your Art Career: Tools for Empowerment and Success

Table of Contents 

Part 1: Who Are You

Chapter 1: What is Creative Visualization

Topics to cover: introduction to visualization and guided meditation, self assessment and

journaling. How to use visualization, guided meditation,  self-assessment and self

exploration techniques for career management.

Chapter 2: Your Personal Vision

Topics to cover: Introduction to career management and the core principles of an artistic

career, how to chart your visions, what is authentic for you in your artistic practice, how

to find your authentic voice and deepen your personal myth. Create your business vision

and creative manifesto, and visualize the journey as an end in itself.

Chapter 3: You are a Successful Artist

Topics to cover: what does success mean to you, what do you value, where are you

headed and why? Uncover what success and achievement mean to you in business and in

life, and begin to create a plan based on your definition of success. 

Chapter 4: Your Unique Talents 

Topics to cover: Learn how to deepen your creative process. Assess your skills,

accomplishments, values and talents. Understand why you make the creative choices you

do, how to utilize your unique talents and augment your weaknesses.  Learn from your

accomplishments to target future goals. Charting accomplishments and finding common

threads for success.

Part 2: Where Are You Going?

Chapter 5: What Would You Do if You Couldn’t Fail?

Topics to cover:  Exploring options, creating blueprints, varying scenarios, seeing the

future unfold 5 years, 15 years, 30 years in the future. Applying your fascinations into a

life plan. Apply the answers uncovered in Part 1 into career path visualizations. 

Chapter 6: Uncovering Your Long-Term Goals and Short-Term Goals

Topics to cover:  creating personal and professional goals for the short term and long

term, writing a personal mission statement and career creative manifesto, outlining career

ideals by stages and creating your career destiny. 

Chapter 7: Develop Strategies and Tactics to Reach Your Dreams

Topics to cover: once you have your long term and short term goals, you need to create

strategies and tactics to reach them. Uncover why your goals are important and discern

how you will get them done. Delving into your why statement, and outlining the how,

what, where, and when to manifest your goals. Create a mind map

Chapter 8: Clarify Your Vision

Topics to cover : Explore your ideal life , your ideal job, your ideal client, your ideal

business, your ideal location, your ideal day, your ideal co-workers, your ideal salary,

your ideal gallery, etc.. Learn to imagine and visualize every detail of making your

creative career dreams a reality. If you were to do one thing in your professional life that

would have the most positive impact, what would that be?

Part 3: How Will You Get There?

Chapter 9: Assembling an Action Plan

Topics to cover: Now we start to put into action all that we learned in parts 1 and 2.

Create a life plan and action plan of key moves and visualize the steps to succeed.

Incorporating the personal mission and creative manifesto from earlier chapters, this plan

will be the guiding and grounding force in moving your career forward.

Chapter 10: Create a Momentum Calendar and Vision Board

Topics to cover: Goals are simply dreams with deadlines. Nothing happens without start

dates and end dates. We will create a vision board with all key elements of our plan, with

dates. We will create/design a calendar and chart our momentum, our studio practice,

bridge our creative minds with business mind with daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly

goals that each reader can design for themselves.

Chapter 11: Visualizing Great Business Relationships, Research and Referrals

Topics to cover: Visualizing all the pieces coming together. The hardest part of putting

your authentic voice into the market place is knowing what is the right market,

networking, and talking about yourself. We will utilize creative visualization and

assessment exercises to research and uncover your market, enhance building successful

relationships, practice effective and easy mutual networking and pitching proposals.

Chapter 12: Affirmations for Achievement and Success

Topics to cover: Persevere and don’t give up. Change negative beliefs into positive ones,

learn to focus and affirm the “end in mind”, establishing a visualization and meditation

routine, forming a supportive community, seeing it all come together because you

deserve it! Learn how to maintain your art career.

Chapter 13: Artist as Entrepreneur

Topics to cover: How to incorporate your life plan into a innovative business plan. Turn your authentic voice into the perfect business plan, and create a right relationship with money. Visualize the funding you need and your business spirit and structure flourishing in the world with the right audience, with the right goals, and the right marketing initiatives so you can bring in the right income.

Chapter 14: Successful Partnerships

Topic to cover: You cannot do career alone. Now that you have a vision, a plan, and a budget it’s time to think about how you will reach your audience.  What is your brand, your marketing plan, understanding market trends, how to create your own micro-markets.  Visualize your hot business model reaching the world.  See yourself working with your ideal clients, innovating and responding to market conditions through the power of partnerships. 

Chapter 15: Your Sustainable Art Career 2.0

Topics to cover: Marketing with social media and how to keep it going on the web, get ready get set go, open for business, your social branding. Visualizing yourself in cyberspace, work hard and work smart reaching your ideal audience and marketing your message through social networking, building equity, building viral word of mouth through all cyber channels.

Chapter 16: Take Charge of Your Life

Topics to cover:  Success for the long haul. Make your dream of a creative career a reality. Maintaining a sustainable life and art practice. Visualizing the five elements of a recognized, successful artist and visualizing your artistic business, meaningful, purposeful, fulfilling.  Are you ready to succeed?  Exercises to ensure your long term survival, work/life balance, fulfillment and satisfaction.

Resources and Index at the end.

What do you think? Am I missing anything? Is there something you would like in addition?

And in between it all, I'm drawing, meditating, healing. Watching the branches sway in the wind. Teaching at SVA how to write grant proposals and visualize success, being a Thesis advisor to an awesome photographer Alisha Jones.  Hanging out with Elia and Dave, and Max. And of course, dancing with the trees and becoming the spaces inbetween all form - ahh.

Mighty Balls

 Another one of my dear SVA alumna's has a great new business venture  - Mighty Balls!

Please check out her Indiegogo campaign and pass the word. She needs help, and what is a community to do - we help.

I am definately looking forward to my Mighty Balls t-shirt.

All the best,

Rhonda

-----------------

Hi folks!

Mighty Balls is over halfway through our fundraising campaign, and boy, have we been busy!

First, I would like to take a moment and thank every person that has contributed. Everyone has been so generous! And both Dina and I feel unbelievably blessed. I think I get tingles every time someone contributes. I can't tell you how much it means to me.

For Mighty Balls there are many great things on the horizon. Many projects are in the works, but most exciting we have found a partner to produce our sauces and are working on refining the recipes for production on a large scale. Beth has been canning for over 30 years, and works with many notable restaurants in Manhattan, so we are really excited to be working with her. Lately we've been playing with one of my personal favorites, a completely addicting African raw onion and mustard sauce. I can't stop eating it, and can't wait tot share it with everyone.

Our fundraising campaign has only twenty days left, and we still need your help. We are offering some really fun perks for everyone who contributes. For only 35 dollars, you get a signature tee, and limited edition sticker, not to mention our undying gratitude, and bragging rights to say you helped Mighty Balls get started. Visit http://indiegogo.com/Mighty-Balls to learn more. The more you give, the more we can do.

And equally important, all click-throughs and visits to our page help us raise in the rankings. We made the front page of the food campaigns within the first few days we posted, but our goal is to make the front page, and you can help us get there! Spread the word near and far. 

And don't forget- every contributor gets their name entered into a raffle for a chance to have a Mighty Ball named after them (and really, who doesn't want that?).

Let's do this! 

http://indiegogo.com/Mighty-Balls

xoxo,

Kerri 

Here is a new meditation for career success - from chapter 1

I have too much on my plate - teaching, full time job, artist, curate a show (oy veh), writing a book. SIGH. But,
I'm happy, feeling successful and productive. I meant to get into the city to see Manuel and Raul's videos/films, (so sorry), and meant to just sit and read and relax to replenish (oh well). But I did meditate with the trees today and spent time with the living energies drawing. Have you noticed, that you are more creative when you are feeling fulfilled? I have.

And so can you.....

So I have finished my first draft of Chapter 1 today (yes I spent the day writing) of "Create your art career: tools for empowerment and success".  This chapter is introducing the tools and techniques I love, and I created a new meditation that I wanted to share with you. Please try it out and let me know what happens!

Chapter 1: Creative Visualization:  Are you ready to start your day?

Get ready (quiet your mind, breathe and then begin.)

Now Imagine You wake up in the morning filled with an amazing feeling of joy, you wake up happy.  Take  a deep breath and imagine that there is an inner feeling of contentment, that everything is OK and as it should be.  Imagine that you are happy to get out of bed and start your day. You look forward to your day.

Now Imagine You go to your studio or your place of work, ready to create.  You love your job, you love what you do so much that you can’t believe how lucky you are to do what you love.  At the end of the day you are satisfied, invigorated, fulfilled. You are amazed that you actually have more energy at the end of your day than when you started.

Now Imagine Your self-awareness grows each day. You know yourself better every day. You know that your career path is leading you to make the work you’ve always wanted to make, to help people in the ways you’ve always wanted to help in the world.  You know that you are walking the right path at the right time with a clear sense that all is as it should be.

Now Imagine You feel a sense of great contentment and peace. You are successful, productive, and creative. By your definition, no one else’s. You write your own story of success, productivity and creativity. You know your own truth. What does it look like? Feel like? You are successful, you are productive, and creative.  What does it look like to be happy, to be prosperous?

Now Imagine You wake up to a new day, feeling fulfilled, happy and prosperous. You’re entire mind and body is filled with a deep sense of peace, fulfillment and satisfaction. You are ready to start the day.

Now Imagine You are on the right path.

Journal: write what you experience and draw what you feel.

Let me know if you like it, should I change it, does it work for you?

March astrology - Uranus in Aries ( war everywhere)

A dear friend of mine writes a great newsletter, and here  is her MARCH report.  If you would like to get on her email list, send her a quick note at virginiabell245@yahoo.com.

I know it is almost April, but wanted to share.....

March 2011 Astrology
Uranus enters Aries, the Full Moon, the Gift of Change
By Virginia Bell

Once again we meet at an important gateway, a significant crossroads; the planet Uranus is poised to enter Aries; a major event. At the same time the seasons are changing as the darkness of winter gives way to the softness of spring. Once more, time seems to stands still as we pause between to the old and the new. Here in the North East the weather has been cold and rainy but occasionally the Sun emerges and the air is filled with the faint scent of fresh earth and new flowers. Soon buttery yellow daffodils and forsythia will appear; tenacious baby crocuses, fragile yet brave will push through the hard ground; the brooks will run faster, the birds will sing longer. Our spirits too reawaken along with the natural world as a sense of hope and possibility return with the light. “March is the month of expectation.”- Emily Dickinson
                                                                                       
Uranus enters Aries – March 11, 2011
“Our only security is our ability to change.” John Lily

On March 11 revolutionary Uranus, the planet of change, reenters red-hot Aries, the sign associated with action, anger, combat, and passion. We had a preview last year when Uranus bolted into Aries from May 27 - August 13 then retreated back into dreamy Pisces. Now, the rehearsal is over; its full steam ahead! Uranus was last in Aries from 1927-1934. It was the rise of Hitler, the stock market crash, the Great Depression, and Roosevelt’s New Deal. Charles Lindbergh made the first transatlantic flight; the first television broadcast took place, penicillin was discovered, Mickey Mouse made his debut, and the Star Spangled Banner became our National Anthem.

Some History: Uranus, like Pluto and Neptune, is an outer planet; these planets are so far away they weren’t even discovered until we had telescopes. Uranus was the first to be discovered in 1781 around the time of the American Revolution, French Revolution, and the Industrial Revolution. When a planet is discovered tells us a lot about its character. Uranus is associated with freedom, rebellion, anarchy, genius, and breakthroughs of all kinds; creative, scientific, technical, and political. Called the maverick, the outlaw, and the eccentric, its energy is sudden, disruptive, exciting, and electric. Uranus in watery Pisces is like lightening through a fog; Uranus in pushy Aries is like a rocket. As Bette Davis said (in All About Eve); “Fasten your seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.”

A Revolution in Consciousness
“This gateway will unleash powerful, higher-dimensional energy that has never before been felt on earth.” Szuson Wong

Uranus will surely bring brilliant new discoveries and advancements in every field, especially in medicine, computer science, free energy technology, agriculture, and artificial life. But as Carl Jung said, “There is no breakthrough without breakdown.” It is the nature of the Uranus to challenge the status quo in order to liberate us from established conventions and institutions that have become overly restrictive and top heavy. Since “all or nothing” Pluto entered Capricorn (the sign of business, banking, government, and corporations) in 2008 we’ve seen old structures collapse as well as massive changes to the earth itself. Now “expect the unexpected” Uranus, in Aries, teams up with transformational Pluto, in Capricorn, to bring about more change and restructuring. There will probably be an increase in protests, rebellion, and instability but Uranus in Aries also has the potential to bring about a different kind of revolution; a revolution from within and a call to consciousness.
                                      
“With Uranus being in Aries, we can manifest magnificence in our lives by cultivating and expressing bravery, confidence, fearlessness, independence, and novelty in the area of our life (and natal chart) where Aries energy lies. This is a time where a warrior will be born in all of us, though it’s up to us to decide what to do with this new energy.” Szuson Wong

If you are an Aries (or have planets and angles in Aries) you will feel the impact of this transit the most. Uranus will be your sign until 2018 so at some point during this period Uranus will contact your Sun or other Aries planets. If you were born between March 20 - 28 then you will experience the conjunction this year. Lucky you; you have friends in high places. Jupiter, the planet of good fortune, is also in Aries (until June 4) acting as your ambassador. Dream big, take some risks, and go out on a limb for something you really, really want.

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.” –Charles Darwin
Even if we don’t have planets in Aries, we all have the sign Aries somewhere in our chart; that is where Uranus is transiting (traveling) and it is an area of our life that requires a major renovation and make-over so get out the tool box! As they say, “You work with the energy or the energy works on you.” Change will happen, whether we want it or not, so initiate it. It’s not necessary to alter everything but be willing to take some positive action where Uranus is. That’s what is being asked of us. The gods are speaking; pay close attention. Bottom line: “Pray for a big risk, then take it!” –Caroline Myss

“Watch out for emergencies. They are your big chances.” –Fritz Reiner

The energy of Uranus can feel jarring and unpredictable; as if we’re living in Starbucks! Because Uranus is not visible to the naked eye; we don’t see the events coming; they surprises us - and “me first” Aries is impulsive. Therefore, be flexible, stay open, and learn to improvise. The rules are changing; there are not rules. We’re all in uncharted territory learning to dance in this beautiful and brave new world.

 Virgo Full Moon - March 19
Full Worm Moon or Full Sap Moon

Practical Virgo is the sign of logic and reason; Sensitive Pisces rules the imagination. Earth bound Virgo is associated with doing; watery Pisces governs the realms of dreams. This polarity emphasizes the need to integrate body and soul, reality and imagination. The Full Moon makes a tight square to the karmic Nodes of the Moon (in Gemini/Sagittarius) creating a mutable grand cross that aligns with the Galactic Center, the center of the Milky Way. The planet Uranus is strongly placed; at 00 degrees of Aries it is conjunct the Sun and opposite the Moon and square to the Nodes, stressing the fact that we are on the brink of a great, new adventure. The Full Moon peaks the day before the vernal equinox which adds to its significance. The ancients believed that equinoxes were sacred days of the year, times to perform rituals and connect with the divine.
                                                                     
“The hardest thing in life is to know which bridges to cross and which to burn.” –David Russell

This Full Moon and Uranus entering Aries seem to be saying the same thing. We’ve all reached the end of something; a relationship, lifestyle, job, or an old limiting pattern or habit. At te same time we're on the brink of something new. Don’t be afraid to let go of what’s already over; don’t be afraid to reach for the brass ring. The great astrologer, Dane Rudhyar believed that anyone living in such a time (at the beginning of a new cycle or era) is faced with a fundamental choice: to identify either with the decaying leaves (that which is ending) or with the “small inconspicuous seeds that hold the promise of new life in the following spring.”

March 20 is the first day of spring, the vernal equinox, and the sign Aries: Day and night are equal in length; it is a time of cosmic balance when all things are possible. It is also Ostara (pronounced O-star-ah), the solar festival that marks the transition from the dark to light and the renewal and rebirth of nature herself. Create a ritual; clean and purify your home; decorate your altar with spring flowers; welcome this new energy into your life and your being. “Lighting a candle and making a wish is a little spell and blessing all by itself.”– Sister Karol’s Book of Spells and Blessings, by Karol Jackowski. 

March 30 Mercury turns retrograde until April 23: Retrograde Mercury in feisty Aries can have us tripping over ourselves. With so much happening right now it’s easy to over extend and over do. This is especially true early April; the brash New Moon in Aries is accompanied by Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus all in Aries; that’s a lot of fire! It’s more prudent to take the time to review, rethink, and redo rather than push forward. Remember, we can do everything; just not all at the same time. Things will come together early May at the lush New Moon in Taurus; Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus will all be in Aries but Mercury will be direct and the timing will be better to initiate new projects and plans.

Dear Friends, Have patience with yourselves and others; we are at just at the beginning of something. We don’t have the answers; we’re still trying to figure out the questions. Remember, change isn’t simply an event; it’s a process and it takes time to integrate. Breathe deeply, meditate, find your tribe, be with friends and family; spend time in nature during this sacred season. I will return in late April with a Spring Astrology Café newsletter. In the meantime, you can visit me at my website: www.virginiabellastrology.com  or on Facebook. Below is a quote that I have shared before but it feels especially relevant now. You are loved, all is well, Virginia

“New beginnings: Though your destination is not yet clear you can trust the promise of this opening. Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning. That is one of your life’s desires. Awaken your spirit to adventure; hold nothing back, learn to find the ease in risk. Soon you will be home in a new rhythm. For your soul senses the work that awaits you.” –John O’Donohue

Started writing my new book today - Tools for Empowerment

As my heart brakes over Japan, and the world in flames- in North Africa, middle east, drones in Pakistan, currency crises on the horizon. I am very aware of Uranus in Aries, Pluto in Capricorn, and each of us, the creatives - needing to share a vision of community and hope and survival with each other.

Let's prepare for the worst and hope it is not needed. Have plenty of food in storage, water, cash on hand, extra medicines, and getaway plan if needed.

And let's take care of each other, our neighbors, our community. Let's share images of reality, images of laughter, images that come up from deep within us - we are all we need. We are all we have.

I've been drawing again, I'm happy to say. The energy of the trees have been calling my name.  It is amazing to draw again. I sit with my pad, and watch the energy in between the trees, they dance. Ah, the ancient ones. The trees know what will be will be. I had a friend who could dance with the trees, I am happy to watch in awe.

I signed my contract for the new book with Allworth Press this week. I am very excited. It will be called ( I think) Create Your Art Career: Tools for Empowerment and Success. I'll keep you posted on what I'm writing.

Today I started chapter one, introducing the tools and techniques that I love: Introduction to and explanation of tools and techniques for a successful creative career. Tools include visioning, setting goals and creating marketing strategies. Techniques include visualization, guided meditation, self assessment and self exploration exercises and journaling. 

Discussion on how to use these tools and techniques for career management.  As you know I love using creative meditation and self assessment for just about everything! And now you can too!

Let's not put our heads in the sand, but with an open heart and strategies in mind - move through the collapse of what we've known and create, help each other create and  flourish.