Category Archives: General Musing

Exploring Ceres and Vesta

Artist's concept of the Dawn spacecraft orbiting Ceres. Credit: McREL

While preparing this week’s forecast, I noted that the Sun sextiles Ceres on Sunday. I will admit to you that I have no idea what this means.

Many astrologers use the asteroids named for goddesses — Ceres, Vesta, Juno, and Pallas — in their consultation work with clients. For me, the jury is still out. I have never been satisfied with the explanations of their function, either in birth charts or transit readings. Since 2006, when the International Astronomical Union declared Ceres a “dwarf planet,” the same status they gave Pluto, I’ve been in quiet observation mode.

I’ve made a case for Ceres as the modern ruler of Virgo. The mythology fits. But a planet’s function in astrology also is based on its physical characteristics. For example, Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system, and it appears that he may protect the inner planets to some degree. In astrology, Jupiter rules the “big picture” and represents expansion. His presence in certain areas of the chart by transit can indicate where we’re being protected.

NASA’s Dawn Mission, which was launched in September 2007, is scheduled to fly by Vesta in 2010 and 2011, and it will reach Ceres in 2015. Researchers hope to understand more about how the solar system was formed by exploring these protoplanets. I’m excited by this news and believe that the information beamed back from the Dawn spacecraft will change our concept of how astrologers can use the asteroid goddesses to interpret personal charts and the charts for world events. With the Dawn Mission, awareness of these bodies will permeate the collective mind, and as that happens, our understanding of their function in astrology will continue to evolve.

Pat

Ask Real Astrologers: Could This Be Planet X?

This week we’d like to tackle an unconventional question, which actually was submitted weeks ago, but it has taken some time to look into it. It’s no surprise that the question comes from an unconventional Aquarius, Rossa in the U.K., who is a regular here on RealAstrologers. She asks:

I don’t know if you’ve picked up on the reports confirming (or appearing to confirm) that there is a brown dwarf star on the outskirts of our solar system. Some astronomers in Spain reckon it confirms the theory that we are a binary star system, which is fairly common throughout the galaxy . . . It was discovered in the 80s but until recently no one actually came out to say what it really might be. Found in the Sagittarius part of the sky. Just wondered whether you two lovely ladies have any insights? I’m aware of the Planet X/Niburu stories on the ‘Net, although this seems more ‘official,’ and NASA is aware of it.

[Note: Diane is on hiatus this week. She’ll be back to answer more of your questions next Friday.]

Pat’s response:

Thanks for your question, Rossa. This is the first I’d heard of it, and I checked out the URL you provided.

It was tricky researching this. As you say, it appears to be confirmed by real astronomers, and this article sounds very scientific. Moreover, many sites picked up the story, making it look as though it were true. This is a real problem on the Internet.

As a former reporter, I’ve got a lot of experience in confirming rumors, which do sometimes turn out to be true. The key is to find a reliable source. Normally, we’d turn to NASA for that, but for many people, a U.S. government site isn’t credible, because it must be hiding something it doesn’t want people to know, right? So I went to the site of Mike Brown, the Caltech astronomer who was part of the team that discovered Quaoar, Sedna, and Eris. He’s got a great blog, and apparently he gets questions all the time about stuff like this. I found an interview with him on a Discovery Channel site, which is very interesting because it also discusses his role in demoting Pluto to a dwarf planet.

“I really do get many emails and even worried calls from people who are convinced that I know something and am not telling,” Brown says in the interview. “It is very hard to convince someone who thinks that there is a conspiracy that you are not part of the conspiracy. I really, really wish there were a Planet X and that I had discovered it. That would have been serious fun.”

That’s your answer, in a nutshell. But why, then, does a story like this make such a splash? Why are people so ready to believe it? And is there anything else we should infer from the existence of brown dwarfs?

I agree with the author of the article you cite that the sense of “something big” about to happen is shared by many, and this could be feeding the belief in Planet X or Nibiru. Diane and I, along with many other astrologers, have written that the cardinal T-square and grand cross that is developing heralds sweeping changes between now and 2012. I believe this shift could be accompanied by events that we can’t predict, because we can’t even imagine them right now. Could it include some startling discoveries about our solar system and galaxy? Absolutely!

The description of brown dwarfs is fascinating, especially the idea that they are “failed” stars. As we explore this concept, we may broaden our perspective of everything being connected and gain a better understanding of the idea that some things die so that others may live.

As for Planet X, Nibiru, and 2012, I believe that it’s misguided to look for material evidence of a planet or celestial body that is going to collide with Earth. For example, Paul LaViolette has written about energy outbursts from the Galactic Core as the possible cause of global catastrophe. Energy events are every bit as real as material bodies. That may be one of the lessons here.

Thanks again for writing, Rossa. I encourage everyone to send us a note when you find news items like this. There’s so much information out there that it’s not possible for one person to keep track of it all.

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact us, or we don’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” NEW: You can also use the drop-down menu above under “About Us” to get to the question form. THANKS!

Saturday Extra! Some Thoughts on Right Use of Astrology

Image: Timed exposure of the north face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps. Photo by Fabrice Coffrini for Agence France-Presse.

With Mars retrograde in my seventh house and Mercury still not out of post-retrograde shadow, I’m constantly reminded of the “right use” of astrology.

For many people, astrology is a method of predicting what will happen to them. For sure, an astrologer can detect patterns and predict some events or, at least, a range of possibilities. But this is a limited use of a powerful tool that can do so much more.

If you’re a regular visitor here, you know that I’m a big proponent of using astrology to identify the energy currents flowing through our material world at any given time. It’s akin to predicting the weather. When we know that a high-risk period is on the way, we can choose to adjust our behavior accordingly.

For example, although it’s rarely a good idea to blurt out uncensored thoughts and react to situations without thinking first, such behavior can have far-reaching consequences during retrograde periods and some planetary transits. Having a difficult discussion while Mercury is retrograde can permanently damage a relationship.

It takes restraint, and it takes work. The planets can’t do that part for us. They are indicators, that’s all. And yes, when Mars is in my seventh house, opposite my Sun, there is going to be a real temptation to get in a heated argument, but approached with the right frame of mind, this type of discussion can be highly productive.

In a consultation this week, I was looking at the synastry of two people and noticed an aspect indicating a severe barrier to communications that, without attention, could cause the relationship to collapse. I explained that it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that this aspect was a deal-breaker and would lead to arguments, but that both people had a choice of maintaining awareness and working on good communications, or of ignoring the problem until it was too late.

Ultimately, this approach to astrology is empowering. It gives you the power to be proactive, and it helps you prepare for situations in which you may have to react quickly.

Even for me, the astrologer, it’s always good to have this reminder from time to time, and so I pass it on to you in the hopes that it will help you find more happiness and fulfillment.

Much love and many blessings,
Pat

Latest News & Saturn in Libra Video

Since Saturn in Libra is currently squaring Mercury, newly direct in Capricorn, as well as Pluto in Capricorn, this video I made shortly after Saturn entered Libra at the end of October 2009 is still apropos.

Between Mercury being a virtual standstill and hedged in by Saturn, don’t be surprised if everyone is on the terse side today. By this time next week, we are all going to start feeling like our communications have been freed up once again and returning to whatever passes for normal for each of us.

Pat and I would also like to encourage our readers to submit their questions including their location as well as complete birth data (date, time and place). Check back next Friday!

Today is also the day to write abundance checks and since this New Moon was not only in practical Capricorn but was a major solar eclipse, it is a perfect opportunity to do this. Go here for instructions.

We also want to give everyone a “head’s up” about some possible weirdness on this site as we shift to a new WordPress theme. Bear with us and enjoy our fresh new look once the dust settles.

posted by Diane . . .

Saturday Extra! 2010: The Year of Living Spiritually

For years, astrologers have been writing about what a big year 2010 is going to be. Well, now it’s here. So what are we going to do about it?

“Do about it?” you might ask. “What’s to do? It’s not as though we can do anything about planetary transits.”

True enough. But there is plenty we can do, and time’s a-wasting.

If you’ve kept up here and on other astrology blogs, you know that the defining quality of 2010 is the cardinal T-square, which briefly becomes a cardinal grand cross mid-year. The cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. These are the initiators of change. In short, it needs action. No sitting around talking about it or researching it to death. As the Nike ad says, “Just Do It!”

Diane had a great post on New Year’s Day on the meaning for each of us personally. As a cardinal sign living with a heavily cardinal partner, she is well-versed in this type of energy!

As 2010 begins, we have two outer planets in cardinal signs, Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn. The Sun, Venus, and Mercury also are in Capricorn, along with the lunar North Node, which determines the signs and timing of eclipses. As it so happened, we had a lunar eclipse in Cancer on New Year’s Eve. That means we experienced a very brief cardinal T-square, a taste of things to come.

Saturn will go back into Virgo in April, but he returns to Libra on July 21. In the meantime, both Jupiter and Uranus enter Aries, and the Sun enters Cancer at the solstice, with a lunar eclipse in early Capricorn on June 26 and a solar eclipse in Cancer on July 11. It’s a veritable windmill of change.

Exactly what those changes will be, who knows? Who could have predicted 9/11 and the far-reaching consequences? In the next few years, we are likely to witness mass upheaval that could be political, social, ecological, geological, or inter-planetary — maybe all of the above. It’s just as likely that we could experience major breakthroughs in consciousness and spirituality, perhaps as a result of global crises.

Now, back to the question of what you can do …

I believe that the biggest change any of us can make as individuals is to start living more spiritually. By that, I don’t mean sitting in a lotus position for 20 minutes a day or joining a drumming circle. My definition of “spiritual” is learning to recognize and work with the invisible energies that are constantly flowing through the material realm.

Astrology is one of the best tools we have to identify these energies. In my forecast every week, I tell you what the planets are doing and interpret how these celestial indicators can manifest in our daily lives. I also give you information on how to work with them, especially the more difficult transits such as we’re experiencing right now with Mercury and Mars both retrograde.

For example, when Mercury is retrograde, we know that there’s a higher risk of miscommunications. Yet, knowing this isn’t enough. It’s up to you to adjust your behavior and expectations accordingly.

Once you begin to work with these unseen energies, your manner of interacting with the world and everyone in it will begin to change. We can repeat over and over that we’re all connected, but it’s another matter to feel it deeply in your soul. If you don’t, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad person or a failure. You just need to learn, and that takes practice. I often liken it to learning to ride a bike.

I also would encourage you to simplify your life to the extent possible. Much of what comes will be outside our control, but we’ll be better able to respond if we’re more flexible. It’s a personal belief of mine that we are better able to tap into the realm of the unmanifest if we lighten our material load. But that’s another topic for another day.

In the meantime, I wish you a New Year filled with wonder and love.
Pat

P.S. I’ve been working on this video for two days, no thanks to Mercury Rx. That whirring noise is the dysfunctional fan in my laptop. There’s nothing I can do about it for now, but I’m investigating some potential fixes.

Weekly Forecast December 28: Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Cancer

Have we turned a corner? I think so. It’s hard for me to know for sure, with my sensory apparatus globbed up by so much sweet and rich food, not to mention the wine and chocolate.

Despite the unnerving astrological influences currently in play, I’ve been sleeping very well the past week, after months of tossing and turning. And I know I wasn’t the only one. Everywhere I went, people talked about not being able to sleep. If your sleep patterns have changed in the past week, please leave a comment and let me know.

In the meantime, we’re gearing up for Thursday’s Full Moon lunar eclipse — and on New Year’s Eve, at that! I suspect that familiar pre-eclipse buzz will return by Monday or Tuesday, and we may have a few sleepless nights. Then, maybe not. We’re heading into uncharted territory, and little is going as expected.

Speaking of expectations, if I were to try to predict events for this eclipse, I would say to look back at what was happening in mid-September and mid-October. As you may recall, we had a powerful New Moon solar eclipse at the last degree of Cancer on July 21, but few people I know experienced any immediate developments at the time. Instead, shifts occurred 60 to 90 days later, toward the New Moon on September 18 and especially at the New Moon in Libra on October 18.

This eclipse will be the culmination of those events, the coming full circle, with possible new beginnings. Diane will have more in her New Moon report early this week, so be sure to check back.

In the meantime, Venus conjoins Pluto and squares Saturn on Monday (Tuesday in the Eastern Hemisphere). Issues of love, sex, and commitment come to the fore. With Mercury and Mars both retrograde, talking through issues to your satisfaction may be tough. You may need to agree to disagree for now, or you may need to accept that there aren’t any immediate answers. Sometimes there is no solution but time, and picking at scabs only irritates wounds and prevents healing.

The Moon enters Cancer on Wednesday in preparation for Thursday’s eclipse. Emotions are closer to the surface, so prepare for a bit of drama. Again, with Mercury and Mars retrograde, you may witness more than a few temper tantrums and meltdowns.

As it so happens, Mercury and Mars form an exact quincunx (inconjunct) on Thursday. You might not even know why you’re angry or upset, let alone what’s motivating anyone else. Try to be patient and kind, with yourself as well as with others, and keep your expectations in check. This is always a good idea, but even more so now, in this period of surprising changes.

There are no major planetary aspects for the rest of the week. The only thing I’d watch out for is the Moon’s conjunction with Mars on Sunday, for all of the reasons I’ve already mentioned.

Do continue to keep journals of unusual dreams, flashes of insight, or events during your day. New patterns are forming, and writing down seemingly random occurrences will help you identify them.

Love and light to all as we head into another new year,
Pat

Image: Return of the light. It’s normally overcast and gray at this time of year here in the Puget Sound region, but on Christmas Day, we were blessed with blinding sunshine, calling us out for a late afternoon walk on the beach.

Saturday Extra! Oh, What a Time for Mercury Retrograde

My HP Pavilion prefers hanging out with lemons, since it is one.

The day after Christmas is the biggest gift return day of the year. With Mercury stationed retrograde, I don’t even want to think about the lines at customer service.

Not even the promise of after-Christmas sales could lure me anywhere near a shopping mall today — especially not with Mercury stationed retrograde. The lines will be long and traffic gnarled beyond the usual stop-and-go. And with Mars now retrograde, you can bet that tempers are going to flare. Already I’ve heard several reports of honking horns, squealing tires, and cutting in line.

Retailers desperate to end the year solidly in the black are offering great deals on their entire stock. I know you’ll be tempted, but remember that Mercury retrograde is not the time to make major purchases. The exception will be if you’re replacing something that’s broken. Even though “return” starts with an “re” — activities normally acceptable during Mercury retrograde — I’d wait until the middle of January to exchange unwanted gifts.

As many of you know, my laptop went belly up a few weeks ago. It wasn’t even three years old. I didn’t have control over the purchase, as a third party helped me purchase and program it for some contract work I was doing at the time. I begged them not to order while Mercury was retrograde, but I was talking to a wall. They thought I was being ridiculous.

Predictably, I’ve had nothing but problems with this machine. It wasn’t delivered on-time. The programming was screwed up. Programs that were supposed to have been installed weren’t, or there were errors. There were connectivity issues. I was tearing my hair out and burst into tears of frustration more than once. (Apparently I wasn’t alone; others who bought the first machines using Vista were similarly upset.)

When I took my computer to the repair shop, the technician rolled his eyes the instant he saw the make and model number. My HP Pavilion evidently is one of a few series made in 2007 that was recalled due to problems with the motherboard. Fortunately, here in the Seattle area, I was able to find a shop with the special equipment required for the delicate repair, but problems apparently remain, and the prognosis isn’t good.

I’ll probably need a new laptop sometime in the next year. If you do succumb to the deep discounts in the next few weeks, at least don’t buy any electronic equipment. If you do, keep all the receipts and opt for the extended warranty. The extra cost will be well worth it.

I’ll have more in my weekly forecast. In the meantime, I hope you can enjoy a quiet holiday weekend and find some of the joy and peace of the season.

Pat

Happy Holidays from RealAstrologers

Diane and I are taking a break today to celebrate Christmas with our friends and family — well, if you can call it a break. We’re both in the kitchen whipping up pies, rich chocolate desserts, and a host of other holiday treats.

We feel very blessed to be able to share our passion for astrology with all of you via the Internet, without which the amazing connections we’ve made over the past few years would not be possible. We look forward to making even more connections in the coming year, and we hope you’ll continue to be a part of our world.

Wishing you all a joyful and prosperous holiday, filled with warmth, love, light, and lots of wisdom for the times ahead.

Pat

Weekly Forecast December 21: Sun Enters Capricorn, Mercury Retrograde

This is a very big week. And not just because of Christmas.

Today, Monday, is arguably the most important day of the year astrologically and one of the most important days of the entire decade. That’s a pretty strong statement, I know, but I say this because I believe a portal will appear on this day. Anyone who wishes to step through can do so.

Portal to what or where, you might ask? To higher awareness and elevated consciousness, to healing and wholeness, to feelings of connectedness with all things, to greater understanding that brings peace.

Perhaps it is a portal to love.

Today is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, so it also is the return of the light. From now on, the days will begin getting longer again, even though we may not notice much difference for another month or so.

I sensed the opening portal the week before equinox, when the Sun entered Libra. Inexplicably, I woke up very early that morning and was “called” out of bed to the doors opening out onto my deck. Venus was shining brightly on the western horizon. If I had gotten up any later, I’d have missed her, as she began to disappear in the light of dawn.

There was an important message there, and I suspected it had something to do with love and the reunion of the universal male and female energies. I was at the gate but couldn’t step over the threshold, and although I could see something there, it was out of focus. The message was that I would be able to see more when the portal was fully open.

I began looking for upcoming dates that were astrologically significant. None was more compelling than today. Not only is it the Solstice, but Jupiter and Neptune form an exact conjunction, with the Moon conjoining both a few hours later. Venus is sextile Neptune as well. We’re also coming up on another pair of eclipses, with Venus in conjunction.

There is nothing that I can tell you to do, except to open your eyes and mind to whatever may come your way. In most of the United States, the exact moment of conjunction will occur overnight, so perhaps a message will come to you in a dream. Or, it might come before you go to sleep or upon awakening. I often have revelations in the hypnagogic and hypnapompic states.

There could be developments in the days that follow as well. I believe the portal will stay open for most of the week and possibly through the New Moon solar eclipse on January 14. I’ll let you know if I pick up anything. Please leave a comment if you experience any unusual effects.

In classical mythology, Mercury was the Messenger between worlds. With planet Mercury about to turn retrograde later this week, it’s even more likely that we’ll receive news, flashes of insight and understanding, and breakthroughs in consciousness. These insights may come via someone close to you.

The Sun’s conjunction with Pluto on Thursday also feeds into this phenomenon, as Pluto rules the underworld or, as I like to think of it, the “otherworld” — in other words, invisible realms that are all around us but just outside the conscious awareness of most people.

Now, shining light into dark corners can reveal unpleasant truths, so don’t be surprised if something very uncomfortable comes up. Try to keep your nerve and be still.

On Friday, Venus enters Capricorn, and she’ll conjoin Pluto on Sunday. If you have a romantic partner, new levels of passion and intimacy are possible, but you’ll probably have to work through some issues first, unless you’ve gotten them out of the way already. So many things keep us from connecting with each other, and many of the obstacles, we’re not even aware of. We can become aware of them now.

Also on Friday, the Sun squares Saturn. This is an oppressive energy, but we are more likely to grown and learn through challenges than when everything is going smoothly. I’ll be whining right along with you — I’m tired of hard lessons, OK? But ultimately I’ll take notes and try to figure out what I’m supposed to do next.

For those who celebrate Christmas, family get-togethers could be a bit testy. I don’t know many families who don’t have control issues. Hopefully, seeing them in a clear light will help you figure out the best way to respond, but do be aware that with Mars retrograde and Mercury stationed, tempers will be short, with a high risk of misunderstandings.

Mercury turns retrograde on Saturday morning in the United States. If you need to return a gift, check the receipt to see how long you’ve got, take a deep breath, and have another bite of fruitcake. Even a bad one will be preferable to the lines at the mall.

Better still, sit down with a warm cup of spiced cider, a blank journal, and a fast writing pen. Let the material stuff wait. It will still be there when you’re ready to make an exchange. But the portal has limited hours, and we need to get as much information as we can while it’s open.

Wishing you all limitless love and light this holiday season,
Pat

Image: As promised in my Saturday Extra! post, here’s a photo of my 80s party. I let myself get talked into doing karaoke, first time ever. The song was “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” by one of my favorite 80s bands, Eurythmics. In hindsight, I couldn’t have picked a better song for the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction!

Saturday Extra! Going Retro with Mars in Leo

Leg warmers I’ve been invited to a birthday party this evening with an 80s theme. How ironic to have a party with a retro theme, the night before Mars turns retrograde in Leo, the party sign that loves flash and glitter.

What’s more, Mars is opposite Jupiter, lord of everything big and over-the-top. That pretty much sums up fashion in the 80s … which, as I recently discovered, has made a dreaded comeback.

I searched for some astrological reason that we might be returning to the years of Ronald Reagan, supply side economics, Big Oil, and big hair. Maybe Jupiter conjunct Neptune? Beats me. I did find out that Mars in Leo was opposed to Jupiter in Aquarius in 1985. The opposition was exact at 11 degrees on August 11, with Mars direct and Jupiter retrograde. Could that be significant? I’ll have to think about it, after I’ve figured out what to wear tonight.

Part of the deal is that everyone has to come in 80s attire. Never mind that the birthday girl is turning 30 and probably doesn’t remember much of the 80s.

Then, neither do I. In an attempt to keep my life simple and uncluttered, I have not saved a single item of clothing from the 80s. Heck, I barely remember what I wore back then. As a 20-something, I should have been following all the latest trends. I can say with certainty that I never owned a pair of leg warmers, fishnet stockings, or jewelry with crosses. I did, however, wear large earrings and gargantuan shoulder pads (they balanced out my wide butt), and I was thoroughly guilty of big hair and blue eye shadow.

Since that was what actually what I wore, I decided to start there for my party costume. My first stop was Granny’s Attic, the place to shop on Vashon, where we’ve got this recycle thing down. There are two shops on Vashon where you can buy new clothing and three thrift shops. On any given Saturday, Granny’s has a long line at the cash register, which isn’t true for most retail stores these days.

For $5.50, I found a warm-up jacket in pale yellow parachute silk with big, puffy shoulder pads. I put it on and howled. It just screams 80s. I came home all smug and happy … until I started thinking about what to wear with it. It probably came with matching parachute pants, and the original buyer might have dressed it up with heels or down with Reeboks.

Reeboks! Yes, I had a pair of those, the high-tops with the Velcro straps. They still make them, and you can buy them online. I ordered a pair and kept my fingers crossed that they’d arrive on time and would fit. You know, Mercury in shadow, Mars about to go retrograde. It’s enough to make an astrologer bite off all her nails before painting them torrid fuchsia.

I envisioned leggings and a short jean skirt to cover my hips. Since the 80s are allegedly back, I figured I could just walk into Nordstrom and find legwarmers. Meanwhile, I researched the hair and makeup. For that, I Googled Dallas, Dynasty, Madonna, and Cyndi Lauper. Flame red spikes are out of the question, but a couple of twisted bandanas and a lot of mousse and hairspray should do the trick. Oh, and I’ll need an eye shadow duo in blue and orange, and “wet look” lip gloss.

With my list in hand, I ventured into the city. There wasn’t a pair of legwarmers to be had anywhere. No skirt, either. Lots of leggings. I tried them on alone. No, no, no. After three hours of shopping and a four-hour roundtrip commute, I came home with a pair of large leopard-print hoop earrings and a couple of bracelets.

A week went by, and I was starting to panic. Rather than leggings and a skirt, I thought about a Plan B: tapered jeans and slouch socks. I ventured into the city again. Two hours and two dozen pairs of jeans later, I found a pair that fit. Almost. They’re too short, but I’ll just roll them up and show off my vintage shoes.

Legs and butt covered, I shifted to cosmetics. In the past two years, I’ve bought a couple of eyeliner pencils and some Burt’s Bees colored lip balm. All of the makeup I own fits into a four-by-six-inch pouch. I went to three separate stores, none of which had exactly what I needed. Exasperated, eyes glazed over, I had to make a decision or I’d miss the last bus to the ferry.

It was late when I got home, but I just had to see how everything looked together. As I was pushing back the elasticized sleeves on the jacket, I heard a rip. The fragile fabric was torn in two spots near the elbow, and when I inspected it more closely, discovered that the fabric casing over the elastic was disintegrating!

I spent part of yesterday back at our thrift stores, looking for alternatives, but nothing worked. So, I told myself, I will go the party with a disintegrating jacket, and that’s that. I’ll bet no one even will notice.

I also told myself that there was a lesson here and even more irony. The 80s were about rabid consumption. Like everyone else in that era, I spent money freely and carelessly. I had more stuff than space to put it. I worked long hours and wrecked my health to make money so I could buy even more stuff. Life was cluttered and complicated. It’s no wonder that 80s fashion reflected that.

To accessorize my $5 “bargain” jacket, I’d spent nearly $150, even though I was very selective and bought everything on sale.

I took a deep breath and made sure I wrote my abundance check when I got home. I also vowed that, after the party, I will give the extraneous makeup to some friend’s teenagers and donate my unwanted clothes to Granny’s, which gives the proceeds to the health center to help cover the costs of treating uninsured residents. This is a much better economic model, and one that I can feel good about supporting.

Wishing you a holiday season full of all the things that really matter,
Pat

P.S. Photos on Monday!

Image: What I won’t be wearing! But, hey, if I’d started searching early enough, I could have ordered a pair online. There’s nothing you can’t get on the Internet. These go for $16 from American Apparel.