Thursday, September 30, 2010

Mistakes Women Make in Middle Age - Health.com

Mistakes Women Make in Middle Age - Health.com

My very first scrapbook...

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

A related read to the previous post



A review from J.R.Atwood...


Spark is the name of a new book by John Ratey that explains, in part, how exercise helps to alleviate stress and improve mood.

Another book extolling the virtues of exercise? Ugh! It’s like reading a book that says eating a balanced, healthy diet will improve your health. Yeah, we know — exercise is good!

That’s exactly what I thought. But the subtitle intrigued me: The revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain. Hmmm…

And John Ratey (the author — if you forgot, you might want to lace up those running shoes; exercise helps to improve memory) is a clinical associate professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and the author of multiple books about the brain.

So I picked-up a copy and have been unable to put it down since. It is nothing short of a wonderful — and accessible — chronicle about the science of, and relationships among, exercise, fitness, neurogenesis, cognitive functioning, and general health and happiness.

I will be sharing some the stories and data from Spark in future posts, no doubt, and kick-off this little new blog with the opening quote of the book:

In order for man to succeed in life, God provided him with two means, education and physical activity. Not separately, one for the soul and the other for the body, but for the two together. With these means, man can attain perfection. —Plato

Let’s collapse the distinction between mind and body.


My review;

Until I read this book,keeping fit was the only reason of exercising for me. The writers shows the reader that anykind of exercise make great changes in their body chemistry..

Can exercise make kids smarter?

Phys Ed: Can Exercise Make Kids Smarter?
By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS

Roger Weber/Getty ImagesIn an experiment published last month, researchers recruited schoolchildren, ages 9 and 10, who lived near the Champaign-Urbana campus of the University of Illinois and asked them to run on a treadmill. The researchers were hoping to learn more about how fitness affects the immature human brain. Animal studies had already established that, when given access to running wheels, baby rodents bulked up their brains, enlarging certain areas and subsequently outperforming sedentary pups on rodent intelligence tests. But studies of the effect of exercise on the actual shape and function of children’s brains had not yet been tried.

So the researchers sorted the children, based on their treadmill runs, into highest-, lowest- and median-fit categories. Only the most- and least-fit groups continued in the study (to provide the greatest contrast). Both groups completed a series of cognitive challenges involving watching directional arrows on a computer screen and pushing certain keys in order to test how well the children filter out unnecessary information and attend to relevant cues. Finally, the children’s brains were scanned, using magnetic resonance imaging technology to measure the volume of specific areas.
Previous studies found that fitter kids generally scored better on such tests. And in this case, too, those children performed better on the tests. But the M.R.I.’s provided a clearer picture of how it might work. They showed that fit children had significantly larger basal ganglia, a key part of the brain that aids in maintaining attention and “executive control,” or the ability to coordinate actions and thoughts crisply. Since both groups of children had similar socioeconomic backgrounds, body mass index and other variables, the researchers concluded that being fit had enlarged that portion of their brains.

Meanwhile, in a separate, newly completed study by many of the same researchers at the University of Illinois, a second group of 9- and 10-year-old children were also categorized by fitness levels and had their brains scanned, but they completed different tests, this time focusing on complex memory. Such thinking is associated with activity in the hippocampus, a structure in the brain’s medial temporal lobes. Sure enough, the M.R.I. scans revealed that the fittest children had heftier hippocampi.

Related
More Phys Ed columns
Faster, Higher, Stronger
Fitness and Nutrition News
.The two studies did not directly overlap, but the researchers, in their separate reports, noted that the hippocampus and basal ganglia regions interact in the human brain, structurally and functionally. Together they allow some of the most intricate thinking. If exercise is responsible for increasing the size of these regions and strengthening the connection between them, being fit may “enhance neurocognition” in young people, the authors concluded.

These findings arrive at an important time. For budgetary and administrative reasons, school boards are curtailing physical education, while on their own, children grow increasingly sluggish. Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that roughly a quarter of children participate in zero physical activity outside of school.

At the same time, evidence accumulates about the positive impact of even small amounts of aerobic activity. Past studies from the University of Illinois found that “just 20 minutes of walking” before a test raised children’s scores, even if the children were otherwise unfit or overweight, says Charles Hillman, a professor of kinesiology at the university and the senior author of many of the recent studies.

But it’s the neurological impact of sustained aerobic fitness in young people that is especially compelling. A memorable years-long Swedish study published last year found that, among more than a million 18-year-old boys who joined the army, better fitness was correlated with higher I.Q.’s, even among identical twins. The fitter the twin, the higher his I.Q. The fittest of them were also more likely to go on to lucrative careers than the least fit, rendering them less likely, you would hope, to live in their parents’ basements. No correlation was found between muscular strength and I.Q. scores. There’s no evidence that exercise leads to a higher I.Q., but the researchers suspect that aerobic exercise, not strength training, produces specific growth factors and proteins that stimulate the brain, said Georg Kuhn, a professor at the University of Gothenburg and the senior author of the study.

But for now, the takeaway is clear. “More aerobic exercise” for young people, Mr. Kuhn said. Mr. Hillman agreed. So get kids moving, he added, and preferably away from their Wiis. A still-unpublished study from his lab compared the cognitive impact in young people of 20 minutes of running on a treadmill with 20 minutes of playing sports-style video games at a similar intensity. Running improved test scores immediately afterward. Playing video games did not.
http://www.dailygood.org/view.php?qid=4267#comments

Monday, September 27, 2010

Camlıdere,Ankara,Turkey







Camlıdere,Ankara,Turkey




















Çamlıdere is a town and district of Ankara in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, 108 km north-west of the city of Ankara. This is an attractive woodland district with lakes, meadows, a deer park, a scout camp and many other places for camping, walking and picnics. In summertime Çamlıdere is busy with day-trippers from Ankara and there is a growing number of guest-houses for weekenders coming to enjoy the fresh air and open skies.

Currently reading;


























The Time Traveler's Wife is the debut novel by American author Audrey Niffenegger, published in 2003. It is a love story about a man with a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel unpredictably, and about his wife, an artist, who has to cope with his frequent absences and dangerous experiences. Niffenegger, frustrated in love when she began the work, wrote the story as a metaphor for her failed relationships. The tale's central relationship came to her suddenly and subsequently supplied the novel's title. The novel, which has been classified as both science fiction and romance, examines issues of love, loss, and free will. In particular, it uses time travel to explore miscommunication and distance in relationships, while also investigating deeper existential questions.
As a first-time novelist, Niffenegger had trouble finding a literary agent. She eventually sent the novel to MacAdam/Cage unsolicited and, after an auction took place for the rights, Niffenegger selected them as her publisher. The book became a bestseller after an endorsement from author and family friend Scott Turow on The Today Show, and as of March 2009 had sold nearly 2.5 million copies in the United States and the United Kingdom. Many reviewers were impressed with Niffenegger's unique perspective on time travel. Some praised her characterization of the couple, applauding their emotional depth; others criticized her writing style as melodramatic and the plot as emotionally trite. The novel won the Exclusive Books Boeke Prize and a British Book Award. A film version was released in August 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Time_Traveler's_Wife

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Red Room Library: Jane Austen is Spinning in her Grave

Red Room Library: Jane Austen is Spinning in her Grave: "Vampires. Werewolves. And now, Fight Club."

CAKRAZ BOZKOY (AMASRA,TURKEY)








Bozkoy is the secret heaven hidden in the infinite green of Çakraz for the ones who think a blue,clean sea and golden sand may only exist in movies.. A wonderful place to shut your minds for a while...

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

TATTOOED MOM



Tattoos have been around since ancient Egypt and have also been discovered on "the iceman" from millions of years ago. So why all the talk today about the tattoo culture and its effects on our society? Some nations of the world still sees tattooing as a family and cultural tradition. Children are tattooed as a right of passage. In our day, we feel it is an expression of who we are as a person. With this self expression comes positive and negative feedback from other members of our society.

Some of the positive aspects of being tattooed can be expressed by many tattoo lovers. The rush of putting something decorative on their bodies is like no other feeling in the world. Knowing the mark of the needle is there forever is a beautiful committment to many ink seekers. Picking a design and saying it is part of "you" is what drives some to commit to tattoo collecting. Sports teams, girlfriends names, children's favorite play toys, favorite foods, brand names, flowers, and even frightening subjects are part of the tattooing design platform. A tattoo can mean a committment between two friends to be friends forever.

A tattoo can commemorate a death of a family member, friend, or even a pet. Many times while doing memorial tattoos, artists will see the tears of the living flow under the buzz of the needle. The tattoo gives closure and security in knowing the memorial is permanently a part of the grieving person's body.
"Wearing your heart on your sleeve" is actually what the memorial tattoo does for the client seeking to show their love, committment, or grief of losing a loved one. This is just one positive effect of getting tattooed.

Another effect that can be positive is the ornamental decoration of one's body. Many decorative designs can be seen on young people and even people in their eighties. One episode of Miami Ink showed an eighty year old lady getting her first tattoo. She was a perky eighty year old and wanted to have her initial on her upper arm. It was an honor for Ami to decorate her virgin skin at the age of eighty.

Art on the skin has been around for millions of years. Expressing oneself through artistic designs is an uplifting experience for many being tattooed. The designing of a unique tattoo is one positive part of the tattooing experience. Becoming the designer gives the tattoo client a sense of ownership of the artwork being placed on their bodies. Some tattoo artists do not like to use artwork done by the client or a client's agent. Some art just does not make for good tattooing. If a piece of art is not up to an artist's view of good tattoo art, the artist may refuse to do the tattooing. If the artist approves of the art the client has designed, then it can have a very uplifting and positive effect on the client. The pride that comes with saying they designed their own artwork is great. Choosing the placement is another positive control of one's own body and what will become a part of their being forever. Positive feedback from friends and family also adds to the clients feelings of euphoria from being tattooed.

Tatoos might be the original calling card of sailors and bikers, but as more and more modern-minded parents embrace them as a form of personal artistic expression, they're finding that they can make a favorite moment more tangible than a memory.Like me.. (c:)
An advice; IF your daughter asks why people are staring at you, tell them it's because you are beautiful. ;)

Tuesday, September 21, 2010


Classroom Feng Shui



I LOVE working, and teaching in my classroom. Classroom feng shui is so easy to do; and people often comment on the peaceful energy they feel inmy room.

There are several feng shui books available specifically for teachers and classrooms, but my favorite (and the only one I use for my classroom) is a book I found online by two Asian women (it was permanently borrowed by someone who loved it, so I can't provide an author or title-yet)

I was skeptical of the suggestions when I first read them. So many different colors in one small space, made me think of a circus theme- which was the LAST thing I needed to create with my students! Nevertheless, I followed the rules as presented and I am so glad I did.

This page is a do-it-yourself instruction sheet for teachers who enjoy decorating, like to feel at home when they are at work, want to enhance learning for their students and would love to enjoy a classroom of peaceful children everyday.

This page explains how I do it (this also works for every room in a house and even for the space on a desk).

Make It Happen

Here are the 6 steps to feng shui a classroom:

* If the room has stuff sitting out everywhere, that anyone can see when they enter the classroom... throw half of it in the dumpster and then pack up and hide the rest in cabinets, and under tables. Goal= make the room look as empty as possible (other than chairs and desks, of course)!

The ultimate goal would be that even the cabinets and shelves are neat, organized and not overfilled; but that can come later.

Feng shui energy needs space to move around and between all the things in a room (even the things in a cabinet or on a shelf) in order to work it's best magic. So please create as much empty space as possible in the classroom.

If you are not familiar yet with the feng shui bagua , be sure to read my introduction to this very helpful tool.

Your FREE Stress Tip

Get your own, full-color feng shui bagua for free by signing up for my "Stressology" newsletter. Just fill in your name and email in the box on the left and you'll get an instant download link for your very own bagua map, which not only shows you which colors go where, but also tells you which objects to place in each area of your room, as well as the magic feng shui phrase that you can say to activate the special energy of each of the nine spaces.

This is an invaluable tool for any feng shui enthusiast- beginner or advanced.

* Using a real compass (sporting goods stores have these for hikers), stand in the middle of the room and follow the arrow to see which wall or corner is the north. Get a sticky note and write the word "North" on it, and stick it to the exact spot on the wall where the needle points to north.

Place a sticky note for each of the 8 compass directions on the walls and corners.

* Label each wall and corner (or ceiling tile) with the name of the nine feng shui bagua areas:

North: Career
South: Fame
East: Family
West: Fun
Northeast: Wisdom
Northwest: Helpful People
Southeast: Abundance
Southwest: Relationships
Center: Health

These labels can be as simple as sticky notes or as elaborate as posters. I created my own posters that combine the right color, with the specific word of the bagua and a photo of the matching element. I call this INSTANT feng shui, because all I have to do to feng shui a room, is hang the poster on the exact compass location and then state my intention three times. It could not be easier!

* Put the "right" color on each wall, or in front of the wall-including each of the four corners.

North: black or dark blue
South: red
East: green
West: white
Northeast: turquoise
Northwest: gray
Southeast: purple
Southwest: pink
Center: soft yellow or earth tone

* Stand in each color-coded area and either say or think a positively phrased statement, three times (in the present tense), about your wish for that part of your life.

Ex. In the turquoise, wisdom area say: "My students are hard-working and smart."

* This last step is optional, but does a great job of making the feng shui effect more tangible and therefore stronger.

Place an object of the right color in each area matching it to that areas' natural element.

North: water
South: light or fire (candles in a classroom- a no-no?)
East: wood
West: metal
Northeast: stone
Northwest: metal
Southeast: wood
Southwest: earthen product
Center: earthen product

That's it!

Although feng shui does not specifically involve essential oils; I always have a diffuser (or bottles) of lavender and orange oil at my desk. Lavender creates calmness (when student energy is high) and orange increases alertness (wake up those sleepy heads in the morning).

I use pure, essential oils in a nebulizer-type of diffuser at my desk; and no child (even those who say they have allergies) has ever said they have a reaction to the aromatherapy in my classroom. Use at your own discretion, of course.

Bug-proof Your Feng Shui Clasroom

Just in case you have or want to avoid a bug (ants, cockroaches) problem in your beautiful, new feng shui classroom, here is a natural bug prevention method and a natural bug killer product to try:

* Spray and clean cabinets with a mix of 1/4 cup tea tree oil, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 2 cups water.
* Sprinkle NATURAL diatonaceous earth powder (not the kind used for pool filters) at all the entry ways to your classroom. It can usually be found in the plant and nursery section of a store like Walmart or Home Depot and at horse feed stores. This product is completely safe for humans.

Note: cockroaches love and need water. If you have any sources of water in your classroom (like a sink), consider closing off the drain when it's not in use.

Personal Feng Shui

Once you have the classical feng shui elements in place and the room does not look cluttered, you are ready to do some personal feng shui adjustments that are specific to your birthdate!

Doing personal feng shui is like a tailor sewing your clothes specifically for your body. Only it's easy to do, and I bet you'll love learning more about yourself.

My intention for everyone reading this:

Enjoy Your Comfortable Classroom and Your Relaxed, Hard-Working Students!

taken from;
http://www.stress-relief-teacher.com/classroom_feng_shui.html

Friday, September 17, 2010

MY NEIGHBORHOOD.. GOZTEPE,IZMIR










Göztepe is a neighborhood of İzmir, situated on the southern shore of the Gulf of İzmir, administratively within the boundaries of the metropolitan district of Konak. The neighborhood is also one of the eight quays of İzmir's urban ferry services.

It is notable for its football team Göztepe A.Ş. which, although currently playing in the Turkish Third League and experiencing difficulties, boasts of remarkable past glories such as that of being the first Turkish football club to ever reach a semi-final in a European Club Competition and still attracts a passionate and dedicated fan base.

In Ottoman times, the alternative Greek name for Göztepe was "Enopi" and the area was a rich suburb inhabited principally by richer Greeks of İzmir.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON OF COUNTY





Madison County is Eastwood's gift to women: to Francesca, to all the girls he's loved before -- and to Streep, who alchemizes literary mawkishness into intelligent movie passion...

HENNA NIGHT of my sister! TONIGHT!!!













Tonight,we're going to celebrate the henna night of my sister, two day before her wedding.. She is going to wear our special costume and the henna will be put in her hands.. We're going to have a girls' party after then.. Ahh,can't wait.. (c:)

Some info about a Turkish wedding and Henna night..

The Weddıng Ceremony ın Anatolıa


Wedding ceremonies play an important role in our culture and are one of our most colourful traditions.

Wedding ceremonies are composed of a series of ceremonies connecting the houses of the bride and the bridegroom and celebrated between these two houses. On those occasions, relatives and friends join the ceremonies and celebrate the happy event together.

In most regions of Anatolia, the wedding ceremonies last for a week. The entertainment organized for the night before the wedding in the house of the bride among the women is called “henna night”.

Henna night is the most important element of wedding ceremonies. The bride takes part in the ceremony wearing a special dress. After sunset prayer, the women of the bridegroom’s house and the other guests meet at the house of the bride. Appetisers, cakes, desserts, and sweet fruit drinks are offered to the guests on large platters. The bride enters the room with young girls holding burning candles. There is music and folk dancing, and henna is put on the bride’s hands while an elderly woman says prayers. Henna is a plant of Indian and Arabian origin, which grows in the Middle East and Africa and is used to dye hair and nails. Dried henna leaves are ground and the resulting powder is mixed with water.

In some regions a gold coin is put in the bride’s hand and henna is applied to her hands. Her hand is tied with silk handkerchiefs. Henna has an important place in Turkish folklore. It is the theme of many proverbs and folk songs. To put henna on hands is a sign of joy. The custom of applying henna to the bride’s hands is accompanied by folk dances and folk songs. The following day is the wedding day, when the silk handkerchiefs are untied and the gold coin is presented to the bridegroom in a handkerchief. The bridegroom carries this coin as a symbol of fortune or sews it in his money pouch.

In some regions, one married and one unmarried woman apply the bride’s henna. The bride sits on a cushion and the henna is put in a silver bowl. The married woman applies the henna to her right hand and the unmarried woman applies henna to her other hand. Then the guests play folk dances and the entertainment continues until late at night. The henna is washed off on the wedding day. On the same day, henna is applied to the little finger of the bridegroom.

The dress, specially sewn for the purpose and carrying the characteristics of the region, is the most important piece of a bride’s trousseau. It is the most important inheritance from her mother and one that she will pass down to her daughter.

Though henna night has local characteristics in many regions, the object is the same everywhere and it still survives in many regions of Anatolia.

ME&MY SISTER

ME&MY SISTER DANCING ALL NITE!
HER SECOND COSTUME

 
 

BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!






Ahh,It is school time once again.. God,summer days just passed so fast.. Now both me and my kids are getting back to school. After two months of holiday, it will be real hard to concentrate to school... I read some tips for students getting back to school;

Survival Tips for students...

•The old saying "breakfast is the most important meal of the day" is never more true than when you're going to school. Students are more alert and perform better in class if they eat a good breakfast.
•Get enough sleep. Studies show that teens need at least 8½ hours of sleep each night to feel rested. Sleep deprivation can lead students to fall asleep in class (embarrassing if you're caught!) and can also make it hard to concentrate. It can be more productive to get the sleep you need than it is to stay up late cramming: A recent study found that students who got adequate sleep before a math test were nearly three times more likely to figure out the problem than those who stayed up all night.
•Do more at school and you'll have less to do at home. Take advantage of those times during the school day when you're not in class: Review notes, go to the library or computer lab, get a head-start on your homework, or research that big term paper. You'll be thankful later while you're at the mall or a concert and your classmates are stuck at home cramming!
•One of the best ways to make friends and learn your way around is by joining school clubs, sports teams, and activities. Even if you can't kick a 30-yard field goal or sing a solo, getting involved in other ways — going to a school play, helping with a bake sale, or cheering on friends at a swim meet — can help you feel like a part of things.
School is a time to make friends and try new things, but it's also a place to learn skills like organization and decision making that will come in handy for the rest of your life
http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/school/back_to_school.html#

THE MISSING ROSE-KAYIP GUL Serdar Ozkan





THE MISSING ROSE...

A very touchy novel from a Turkish writer... It is said to be the Turkish 'Little Prince' in the book world. I will read the original version in Turkish once again because I think the English version is a bit poor in translation..

Here are some comments from the official website of the writer...

''Up to this day, I have never read or heard of such an interesting book. My sister had read the book and recommended it to me, she especially kept praising the ending. I started reading it and finished it on the third day; I would have finished it much earlier if I had not had exams. I am very intrigued how you came up with such an unusual story. The ending was especially excellent. I thank you very very very much for writing such a wonderful book.''

''A rich first novel which perhaps most authors could only write as their last… I am really impressed. I bought your book and in the evening it was finished. In one word, it is magnificent. It’s a wonderful blend of many philosophies from different cultures. Since then, many of my friends have also read your book and The Missing Rose still hasn’t come back to me. In fact, some of them have bought copies of it to put into their libraries. In the middle of the night I received one sms message from a friend of mine, saying that she has just finished the book and wanted to share her feelings with me. (At different times of the day, I received other messages and I think they will continue to come.) She thanked me for giving her the book. I would like to thank you for putting together such a treasure and sharing it with us.''

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Gemini September 2010 forecast

Gemini Horoscope for September 2010
By Susan Miller
Although it's September, the traditional month for high energy and fresh starts, Mercury, your ruler, is still retrograde until September 12, so as you enter the month, take it slow and easy. The world will be in warm-up stage, not quite ready for your ideas yet. To push hard now would be out of sync with the flow of things, and you will actually gain more by spending some time thinking and perfecting your strategy.
Mercury is the planet that is responsible for your superb intelligence and talent with communication, but when he retrogrades, we are all liable to overlook certain facts that later cause problems. Miscommunications and misunderstandings abound, as do delays and changes in plans that require backtracking. Strikes and technical problems delay trains and buses while airlines bring delays and passengers change flights. Glitches and errors crop up in publishing, broadcasting, Internet, software, telecommunications, and shipping.
We become forgetful during these phases and are prone to lose things if we are not very careful. Keep track of your electronic devices, keys, wallet, sunglasses, and eyeglasses. Female readers could lose their makeup cases and guy readers may misplace season footfall tickets. In an effort not to lose your treasures, tape your business card inside every case (or slip it inside your case) and tape it on the underside of your computer or smart phone. When you get an address or phone number, enter it into our computer or cell phone immediately, and don't carry it around on a tiny slip of paper that could get lost.
Some readers ask, "Is Mercury retrograde all the time?" The answer is no, but it sometimes feels that way. Whenever Mercury speeds ahead of the Sun and gets to 27-1/2 degrees in separation, it's as if the Sun has a leash and pulls Mercury back and it appears that Mercury is retrograde in the sky. It's as though the Sun wants Mercury to be his front man, for after all, Mercury is the most articulate of all the planets and has been called "the messenger of the gods" for good reason. Mercury is very fast and very reactive. Mercury pulls ahead of the Sun four times a year, so he retrogrades about every 12 weeks for a three-and-a-half week period.
Readers have asked, "Is it a bad for a baby to be born with Mercury retrograde?" No, not at all! This aspect causes a child to be quite philosophical and deeply reflective. Actually, I was born with Mercury retrograde and it's never hindered me. That is saying a lot since I work in all phases of communication, including publishing, the Internet, and broadcasting, and have cell phone apps (Astrology Zone Premier and Astrology Zone Mobile) - those are all areas ruled by Mercury.
The next time Mercury will retrograde after it goes direct September 12 will be December 10-30. This means holiday shopping will be very difficult this year. Aim to make your most important purchases (especially electronic ones as Mercury rules moving parts) in October or November. If you don't shop early you will risk seeing your recipient disappointed with your gift, or else something may be wrong with it.
The good part about Mercury retrograde is that we go back to the past to discover possessions we haven't seen in a long time and presumed were lost. We also tend to connect with one or two people we know but haven't seen in a very long time.
While it is never wise to take a job when Mercury is retrograde, you CAN accept it if the offer is from your past, like if a former boss or old friend makes you the offer. In that case, you can accept the position, for it means you both were meant to do something more together in this lifetime.
Mercury happens to be retrograde in Virgo right now, suggesting that you can go back to get a lot accomplished in your home during this period. It's a great time to paint, repair, refurbish, and do cleaning and maintenance. If you once tried to buy a house, only to have your offer rejected, the owners may come back to you now for a second chance.
Speaking of home-related matters, this month the new moon on September 8 will help you get all kinds of home-related goals in gear within the two weeks that follow. If you paint, be sure to ask the painters to do the closets too for when you empty those closets, you will be excited to find old treasures that you never know you had. Repairs are perfect to do when Mercury is out of phase.
I feel it's a good idea to pretend you're moving out each year by calling in the painters to do one or two rooms. Doing so helps you keep the clutter at bay. Painting the closets almost forces you to give away things that you would never do if you didn't just empty it all first. Painting makes me enthusiastic about adding new little accessories and other touches, and I love the feeling of being in a super-clean apartment. I bet you feel the same way.
If you need to do something more ambitious, like move house, purchase a condo, or sell a co-op, do so AFTER September 12 for best results. This month could well prove to be pivotal for home and family-related matters, so get started on those plans!
Your career is due for some truly exciting news in the coming weeks and months once Jupiter, the giver of gifts and luck, moves into Pisces and your tenth house of fame on September 9, to stay until January 22. Jupiter only visits a sector of the chart once every 12 years, and you have Jupiter at the pinnacle point of your chart now, the house ruling honors, awards, achievement, and fame. The ancients called this house "the house of dignity," and when it is triggered, there's an opportunity to reach a new career level, to a place where everyone - even competitors - agree you have proven your worth in a new and important way. If you have been looking for a new position but not really seeing things click, you have the very best outlook for a major professional victory.
I would like you to watch September 18 as a potentially very special career day, when Jupiter and Uranus will conjoin in Pisces in your tenth house of professional achievement. That will be a Saturday, so watch the day or two prior for news, for September 16 and 17 will be work days when it might be more likely to bring news.
Also this month, Mars will enter your sixth house of work projects, indicating that from September 14 to October 28, you will be working very hard on your career. Get ready - there won't be a moment to breathe! It will be a good feeling to be so valued.
The ruler of your solar tenth house of career is Neptune, and Neptune is still retrograde (since May 31) but will turn direct November 7. No doubt about it, November will be a key month for you, for Jupiter will also go direct on November 18, having been retrograde since July 23.
November will also be great because it'll be the first month that the planets will start being friendlier to one another. The period from June through August was an especially tense time astrologically, but the first five months of 2010 weren't exactly a party either. Planets have kept you in a pressure grip, so you will notice a sense of ease that is both unfamiliar and welcome once you get to November. At that time you could see quite a career breakthrough, although this month September 17-18 could bring one, too.
Financially, this year (and last year, possibly as far back as July 2009) you've had to scramble to keep up with the kaleidoscope of changes that were being wrought by the eclipses. At some point in the past 15 months, you may have seen a source of income end, but if so, new sources were showing up, too. Gemini is a quick adapter, and you've shown outstanding resourcefulness. Still, it likely was a very nerve wracking period.
If you didn't see income end, then you may have had a number of unexpected financial setbacks or expenses. No matter, it kept you thinking about money, which is never Gemini's favorite subject. You prefer to think about new ideas and concepts, and thinking about money all the time can be mentally and emotionally draining. This month, you are likely to see a change for the better to your income, and here's why.
Pluto will turn direct this month on September 14, having been retrograde since April (yes, big, slow moving planets retrograde for months). This is going to be really good news for your finances, so watch for clues that things are looking up within days of September 14.
When a large outer planet goes direct, it brings immediate clues to the path to follow in the days surrounding that move to direct speed. Keep your antenna up in the days surrounding September 14 and listen acutely. You may feel very encouraged at that time, too. Your old optimism is returning, little by little!
Your social life will bring a fun evening out on September 23, the full moon in Aries, plus or minus four days. This full moon will conjunct Jupiter and Uranus, but in hard angle to Saturn. This tells me that: 1) It should be fun - surprisingly so. 2) You may be able to mix business with pleasure if you want to, or you may want to keep this evening purely personal. On the minus side, 3) one friend may give you pause, and you may feel sad to see a side of this person that you'd rather not see.
If you do have problems with the friend, don't let it overshadow the evening. Because this full moon is in zero degrees of Aries, you'll be in a courageous, adventurous mood - and I say that even if you are usually a little shy. You will want to be with others and within four days of this date, you can be! If you were born on or near June 21, you will reap the benefits of this full moon most. You really do need a night out, so hopefully you can make this work for you - it would be special, with a touch of luxury, too.
Saturn's position might make you a little worried about going out because of responsibilities that you have for your children or for work that needs to be done. Knowing this, perhaps you can find a way to have someone cover for you so you can plan for a night out. (I know you probably don't know yet that you are going out on or near September 23 because with Uranus involved, the option will come up quickly, but it looks like you are, so go with that idea and plan ahead.)
The hardest day of the month is due to be September 21, when Uranus opposes the Sun, so a VIP, client, important relative, or other major person in your life (most likely male) could bring completely unexpected problems, and when it happens, it could be shocking. Or, it may be that a male near you is under unusual duress.
Generally, it may help to know if you were born late in the sign, say, from June 17-21, you currently have Uranus opposed to the Sun. Your Gemini friends and relatives already had this aspect sometime between 2003 and this year, and when it triggers its news depends on the exact date of birth. For example, if your birthday falls May 22, you felt this aspect in 2003. If you were born at the end of your sign, it is hitting about now.
This is a very separating aspect, so you may have torn yourself away from a career path, particular job or relationship, or even from a city, or other endeavor. It's not an easy aspect, but it will be enlightening. Uranus is known to send thunderbolts to sweep away whatever it deems no longer viable, so that you can replace that situation with something more appropriate to your life. It is a tough aspect that comes once in a lifetime. Fortunately, once you deal with it, it's over as quickly as it comes up, but the episode can leave a scar.
If you were born near June 17-21, you would have to watch your health very carefully during this phase, as you are shouldering a lot of pressure these days. When Uranus enters Aries on May 27, 2011, you will be in the clear. Uranus will leave its present position and not be back to this placement again. You will be done!
Romantically, you have some good aspects as you start the month, as Mars will travel closely with Venus in your house of true love until mid-month. Later, after September 14, as mentioned, you are about to get very busy with work projects, so you might not feel as carefree as you will at the start of the month.
The weekend of September 11-12 seems very bright indeed. Mars will be signaling Neptune (lovely for travel or for doing cultural things together, like attending a concert, going to the movies, or going dancing), and the moon will conjoin Venus. Nice.
Also, I do feel that despite the slight problems associated with the full moon, September 23, you WILL enjoy yourself completely, so try to be out on that night or one close to it.
Best romantic nights: September 1, 2, 5, 6, 10-12, 23-24, and 28.
September ends the month on a somber tone. Saturn will conjoin the Sun on September 30, a time when you may need to make a long-range decision. Saturn will be conjunct the Sun, so you may feel sensitive to criticism, especially from someone you love or admire. You may also feel financial pressures, too, due to the position of Pluto and Uranus. At first you may feel bereft of options and completely cornered. Stay calm - the right answers are there if you look. Fortunately, you are a resourceful Gemini and you will find those options, so don't panic.
Summary
Jupiter, the planet of good luck, is headed to the lofty career and success part of your chart (tenth house) and will conjoin Uranus on September 18 giving Gemini, of any birthday, reason to celebrate a professional victory. A broadcasting or publishing project may come up, or news from a foreign person may thrill you. Circle September 18 - it's one of 2010's red-hot career days for you.
Keep your eye on September 7 when you will need to make a decision about an important financial matter. What comes up may relate to the events that happened near the lunar eclipse of June 26.
The turn of Pluto to direct speed on September 14 will help you craft a plan to fortify your financial situation.
Still, when it comes to money, you may be moving toward a difficult situation at month's end, so if you can guess what might be coming due, try to head off problems before they start.
You've been career-oriented all year, but the new moon, September 8, will help you take care of pressing needs at home that you may not have had time to address until now. No matter what your goal, you should be able to make real progress in September, from making a residential move to completing a decorating project. Even small projects, say, to schedule repairs or reorganize closets, will bring a welcome feeling of calm.
Although you would theoretically begin your home-related plans the moment the new moon appears September 8, you'd be wise to wait a few days. Mercury, your ruling planet, has been retrograde since August 20, but will turn direct on September 12. Make sure you don't buy anything, sign anything, or agree to anything important until AFTER this date.
The Sun will oppose Uranus on September 21, a time that may bring jarring news about your career. Indeed, any weak link could show signs of wear, or even break at this time. You'll likely feel pulled between needs of your family and those of your profession, and both sides will want your full attention. Keep breathing.
Romantically, your best moments will come either very early or at the full moon later in the month. First, Mars and Venus will keep things dazzling during the first week of September.
Later, a bright and very important social event could dot your schedule within five days of the full moon September 23. This full moon will be conjunct Jupiter, indicating an exceptionally luxurious evening out awaits you. You may find participating to be quite expensive, and only clever juggling will allow you to go and survive it financially! You will, but only by a hair! Oh, dear Gemini, just go!
September 30 may bring a depressing day in matters of the heart, so don't bring up any touchy subject with your significant other on this day. Saturn will conjoin the Sun, so you will be super-sensitive to anything you even construe as criticism. Alternatively, your partner may be under a lot of stress or not well, and you may be concerned about your beloved. See what comes up and just know, in three days you will be feeling better. Get through this, and you'll be feeling your old self again