Horoscopes: 09.30.13

Aries: March 21 - April 20

An amazing thing happens when the right road finally opens up before us; we realize that we've been heading in its direction all along...

Taurus: April 21 - May 21

Anger and Joy cannot coexist in the same story without one having to completely surrender to the other.

Gemini: May 22 - June 21

There is no lasting benefit in replaying hurtful events from the past, especially when you're the only one in the audience.

Cancer: June 22 - July 22

You cannot control or change the forces that enter your life, but you can control how they change you.

Leo: July 23 - August 22

Believing in magic is the first step in being able to make it.

Virgo: August 23 - September 22

It's a gift to be able to find happiness in simplicity. Too often we over-complicate a road trip with too many unnecessary stops.

Libra: September 23 - October 23

You always try to find a middle road to all things, as if that will guarantee success or safety. Balance in all things isn't always necessary.

Scorpio: October 24 - November 22

The world does not need you to analyze its every pebble. Perhaps you should turn that scrutiny within where it can do the most good...

Sagittarius: November 23 - December 21

Where does your joy come from? You used to know. It used to flow effortlessly. It's not gone, you merely turned off the tap.

Capricorn: December 22 - January 20

Internal boundaries exist to be tested. There is no such thing as a "finish line" when it comes to self-evolution.

Aquarius: January 21 - February 19

Always keep an open mind and an open heart, because only with both can you truly learn to see the beauty surrounding you.

Pisces: February 20 - March 20

Others put their faith in you effortlessly it seems... why can't you? Be a shark... not a minnow.

Michaelmas

"Michaelmas", the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel (also the "Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael, the Feast of the Archangels", or the "Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels") is a day in the Western Christian calendar which occurs on the 29th of September. Because it falls near the equinox, it is associated in the northern hemisphere with the beginning of autumn and the shortening of days. In medieval England, Michaelmas marked the ending and beginning of the husbandman's year, George C. Homans observes: "at that time harvest was over, and the bailiff or reeve of the manor would be making out the accounts for the year."

In Christianity, the Archangel Michael is the greatest of all the Archangels and is honored for defeating Lucifer in the war in heaven. He is one of the principal angelic warriors, seen as a protector against the dark of night, and the administrator of cosmic intelligence. Michaelmas has also delineated time and seasons for secular purposes as well, particularly in the United Kingdom and Ireland as one of the quarter days.

The Eastern Orthodox Churches do not observe Michaelmas. The Greek Orthodox honor the archangels on the 8th of November instead.

St. Michael

"...there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back." ~ The Book of Revelation (12:7-9)

St. Michael is an archangel whose gentle influence is present throughout several religions and spiritual practices. He is often seen as both a great military force and a healer. For many, he has become a symbol not just of strength and protection, but of humility as well.

St. Michael is available over at my CafePress Shop under the Digital Art, Fine Art & Photography section.

YouTube Treasures: StreetStar 2013

Horoscopes: 09.16.13

Aries: March 21 - April 20

There will always be hurricanes in life. The question becomes... do you hunker down underground and wait for them to pass... or do you stand in the middle of them, hoping to be lifted up and taken into the sky. Granted, there's a chance you'll die regardless.

Taurus: April 21 - May 21

If you choose to stay in one spot for the rest of your life, you will see, experience and know nothing new. The world is full of wonders, so take a step.

Gemini: May 22 - June 21

Every moment and every breath is a chance to attract change into your life. Embrace the ability you possess to adapt and evolve. Ride the wave.

Cancer: June 22 - July 22

You have a tendency to latch onto painful memories, as if they are precious things. Those moments have passed, and you are still here. Stop lamenting what you've suffered, and rejoice that you are a survivor.

Leo: July 23 - August 22

Laughter is a both a shield and a sword. It can protect you from harm or cause it. However, true joy comes only from one of those applications.

Virgo: August 23 - September 22

Did it ever occur to you, that you might enjoy the feeling of self-defeat? After all, no one else is placing any unfair expectations upon you other that yourself.

Libra: September 23 - October 23

You respond almost on a cellular level to the weather. Your emotions seem to be as fragile as the clouds above. Your connection to the natural world borders on the magical. Explore it.

Scorpio: October 24 - November 22

Stop lashing out instinctively every time you perceive an offense. You can't evolve if you're always ready to chop off the teacher's head.

Sagittarius: November 23 - December 21

Dreams are wonderful, but they can be much better when made into reality. Work some magic, and show the world how it's done.

Capricorn: December 22 - January 20

You have always wanted to travel to someplace exotic. Try picking up a book, snuggle up under a blanket, and let yourself daydream for awhile. It's Ok.

Aquarius: January 21 - February 19

Don't take yourself for granted. Just because you can understand another point of view, doesn't mean that your own is invalid.

Pisces: February 20 - March 20

Only you can choose to swim or drown, little fishie.

YouTube Treasures: The Brontës Sisters Power Dolls

The Brontës were a nineteenth-century literary family associated with the village of Haworth in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England. The sisters, Charlotte (born 21 April 1816), Emily (born 30 July 1818), and Anne (born 17 January 1820), are well known as poets and novelists. They originally published their poems and novels under masculine pseudonyms, following the custom of the times practiced by female writers. Their stories immediately attracted attention, although not always the best, for their passion and originality. Charlotte's Jane Eyre was the first to know success, while Emily's Wuthering Heights, Anne's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and other works were later to be accepted as masterpieces of literature.

The three sisters and their brother, Branwell, were very close and during childhood developed their imaginations through the collaborative writing of increasingly complex stories. The effect of the deaths of first their mother, and then of their two older sisters marked them profoundly and influenced their writing.

Their fame was due as much to their own tragic destinies as to their precociousness. Since their early deaths they were subject of a following that did not cease to grow. Their home, the parsonage at Haworth in Yorkshire, now the Brontë Parsonage Museum, has become a place of pilgrimage for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

YouTube Treasures: Showgirl

Horoscopes: 09.08.13

Aries: March 21 - April 20

Begin this week with a new and refreshed outlook. It's time to abandon everything that has anchored you into feeling "less than" the who you have been meant to be.

Taurus: April 21 - May 21

Though sometimes it can be hard to look past pain, betrayal or heartache, it is the nature for all storms to pass.

Gemini: May 22 - June 21

Instead of constantly nitpicking at yourself over your perceived "imperfections", try focusing on those beautiful traits of yours that bring you a sense of peace.

Cancer: June 22 - July 22

Lose yourself in a good book this week. There's nothing wrong from withdrawing from life every once and awhile to recharge your soul's batteries.

Leo: July 23 - August 22

The true sign of being a star is being able to share the limelight and not feel diminished. The stage is indeed big enough for everyone.

Virgo: August 23 - September 22

Stop defining yourself by your failures. You are only a victim if you perceive yourself to be, and continue to permit yourself to be.

Libra: September 23 - October 23

"Balance in all things" has been your mantra for ages. Toss it out the window, and shake things up in your life a bit. Nothing will change, if you don't.

Scorpio: October 24 - November 22

Periods of transition can, unfortunately, often be painful, difficult and frightening. Do you honestly think that the caterpillar knows how it's all going to turn out? Grow wings.

Sagittarius: November 23 - December 21

You have a dream, but your ambition feels somewhat diminished. You can see things so much clearer now, but you need to relink to your source to move forward.

Capricorn: December 22 - January 20

Joy is not intangible. It's real, and within your grasp everyday. The only obstacle you face in obtaining it is your own fear, and lack of worth.

Aquarius: January 21 - February 19

A change of environment can often bring with it a change within. Embrace the new experiences and discoveries that await you. Shine.

Pisces: February 20 - March 20

It's the little simple moments in life that seem to give you the greatest joy. It's a gift to be able to recharge the soul so easily. Take advantage of that!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons 2013

Rupaul's Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons at Gramercy Theater
September 6th, 2013

This has been the Summer of Drag Queens. Despite having been a fan of Rupaul's Drag Race since the first episode aired and living in the New York / New Jersey area my whole life, I honestly have to confess that I had never before been to a drag show. Pandora Boxx popped my drag queen cherry with "Lick This Box" at the Laurie Beechman Theater on May 24, 2013 (see my post), and now I can't seem to get enough. It's definitely become one of my guilty pleasures, along with Apple Martinis. Since then, Brighton and I have gone to see "The Vaudevillians" starring Jinkx Monsoon as "Kitty Witless", and Major Scales as "Dr. Dan Von Dandy" (see my post), Alaska Thunderfuck in "Red for Filth" (see my post), celebrated my youngest niece's 18th birthday at LIPS (her idea), and have tickets to see "The Vaudevillians" yet again in October!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons hosted by Michelle Visage was nothing short of a Drag Queen Extravaganza full of Glamazonian Eleganza! I had been able to snag VIP Meet & Greet tickets, so we were able to get some lovely pictures with everyone as souvenirs of the evening. Brighton was initially a little starstruck (as was I), but I am so very grateful for the absolutely amazing time we both had. Everyone seemed so genuinely friendly and approachable which made the night that much more memorable and magical for us.

Brighton and I with Alaska Thunderfuck

Carmen Carrera and I (along with a few ghost orbs)

Sharon Needles and I

Detox Icunt and I

Miss Ivy Winters and I

The magnificent Jinkx Monsoon and I
being brilliantly photo-bombed by Michelle Visage

Michelle Visage and Brighton
(I can't get enough of this picture!)

Michelle Visage and I

Oshun

Oshun is an Orisha, originally of the Yoruba religion, who has become prominent in many Afro-American and Latin religions. Africans brought Oshun and a host of other deities, and energy forces in nature with them when they were brought to the shores of the Americas as captives. Oshun is the force of harmony. Harmony we see as beauty, feel as love, and experience as ecstasy. She reigns over love, intimacy, beauty, wealth and diplomacy. In Cuban Santeria, Oshun is an Orisha of love, maternity and marriage. She has been syncretized with La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, (Our Lady of Charity), Cuba's patron saint. This makes Oshun especially dear to Cubans, who celebrate her feast day on September 8th as a major holiday. She is associated with the color yellow, metals gold and copper, peacock feathers, mirrors, and anything of beauty.

Simply Divine: Oshun

Oshun is part of my "Simply Divine" series, and is available over at my CafePress Shop. Oshun's magnificent peacock is available in two colors over in the Nature section.

Yemaya

Yemaya is an Orisha, originally of the Yoruba religion, who has become prominent in many Afro-American and Latin religions. Africans brought Yemaya and a host of other deities, and energy forces in nature with them when they were brought to the shores of the Americas as captives. Yemaya is the mother of all living things, as well as the owner of all waters. She is the vast ocean, the essence of motherhood, a protector of children, and a goddess of magic and witches. In Cuban Santeria, she has been syncretized with Our Lady of Regla.

Yemaya is part of my "Simply Divine" series, and is 

available over at my CafePress Shop.

YouTube Treasures: Cher ~ Woman's World