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I write regularly at jessicashepherd.substack.com — soft, human words on healing, astrology & intuition:
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This Fall Equinox is Gifted
In Vienna, the summer patio chairs have been removed from the sidewalks; the air has officially chilled. Wool jackets are donned, boots click-clack down the cobblestone streets, and candle lanterns have begun to light up wine stalls and storefronts. Horse and buggies line up next to the palaces, looking as 21st century fresh today as a Dickens novel. Compare this to my friend Erin's journey through India, who mentions Mumbai by contrast to elegant Vienna "Mumbai is dirty, smelly, and crazy...
Pisces Full Moon: The New Bohemia
Yesterday morning we made a trip to Melk to see an 89 years young grandfather of one of our dear friends here in Vienna. We loaded up in the car and journeyed through the Austrian countryside, classically picturesque. We rolled over the Danube and into the Wachau region, the place where the Venus of Wilendorf dated 24 000 BC, was found. This countryside has been (amazingly!) occupied by people ever since. It is clear that timeless history folds into the daily lives of the Austrians. We arrive...
Flowing with Van Gogh
I went to see the Van Gogh exhibit at the Albertina Museum. The tour was non-English, and only in deutsche, which was unusual for a European city. My Egyptian friend was outraged by this, and vowed to write the museum director. I did think she was overreacting a little although admitted I too thought it would diminish the experience. Instead it surprisingly enriched it. Lacking anything to read or manipulate my attention, this mad hatter mind and it's addiction to constant word input shut...
Elementally Balanced
I'm taking a conversational spin on the blog. This weekend, my husband got his Virgo on and pulled me into it. Elbow deep in soil working on the yard, away from the computer sigh... it felt good to be in the sunshine and the dirt. And I've never felt so clean. There's something about getting dirty with the earth that feels incredibly cleansing. In nature, dirt is dirt - alive and plenty holy. The use of the word "dirty," with baggage of nastiness and perversion is definitely a human concept....
Now Skype Brings the Fairfax Moon Gab Girls to You
Dear Readers, I am very excited to now offer you the opportunity to learn all about how the stars will affect your life, every month, from the comfort of your own home. We designed this format especially with our national and international readers and clients in mind, because we want to share the useful information we have been giving to our friends here in Fairfax, CA - with all of you. The great thing about using Skype is, no matter where you live, the call is free. So whether you're in...
The Wandering Astrologer: Cairo, Culture Shock and Travel by The Stars
To those wondering why I haven't blogged in eons, I've been traveling all summer. The good news is, I've not only traveled, I've astro-traveled too, so there's much to report. From Italy, Belgium, South Carolina and now, Cairo, Egypt. Geeh-za! (that's a joke) Eclipse season has been no joke, though. It's been a rocky summer of unexpected changes for many of us, so I do send out heartfelt blessings and gratitude to every person on their journey - on behalf of my own, and others who are fumbling...
Capricorn Full Moon, Putting One Foot in Front of the Other
I received my first rejection letter from a magazine for an article I'd felt pretty jazzed about, which was exceptionally disappointing because it was the kind of rare piece that just wrote itself. The cat died that same day. It wasn't one of my better days. I had noticed the planets of Strife and Trouble hanging around my chart, Saturn and Mars respectively, sitting there smugly squaring the ruler of my sixth house (Neptune) of small animals, and work. But I didn't blame them. I didn't even...
Cancer New Moon: Filling the Well
Loading up the van with backpacks the size of small people, I helped my family make their way to Yosemite. As fun as they made it sound, those midget troopers lugging around an extra person on their backs, they were clearly gearing up for an adventure of a lifetime and said such. I, on the other hand, wanted a facial. I reminded them to think of my dewy pores covered in chamomile and orange blossoms while they faced their fear of death on a slab of granite. Suckers. I was looking forward to...
Obama, McCain & The Times Ahead: Bay Area Astrologers Speak Out
Are the Sixties about to repeat? Who will win the presidency? Does Barack's hopeful message match the challenging times ahead? A panel of six Bay Area astrologers converged last Saturday evening to discuss, dissect, and divulge the next four years of cosmic activity affecting our nation. The meeting was arranged by the San Francisco group, the Bay Area Young Astrologers, where young-ish professional astrologers convene to share their knowledge and hear their voice. People Actually Use This...
Guidance for the Times Ahead: Bay Area Astrology Event June 7, 2008
We all could use a co-pilot, for these crazy times. Maybe you're guilty of "google-ing" astrology and coming up with a smattering of predictions that kind of make sense. Oh, but what if you could gather all your questions and answers about, say anything from what the Age of Aquarius portends, to the chart of the next president of the United States - and posit them to a panel of professional astrologers? Finally! KT the Astrologer, www.theastrologer.com (formerly known as Kelli Fox &...
