PREVIOUS THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY August 22 2011 to August 28 2011 Monday August 22 I was recently invited to address an astrological conference. I soon realised that my audience was very knowledgeable and I might be better off doing the listening rather than the talking. In the end, we compromised. I told them a bit about my work, then we swapped notes about the current big issues. While we did not agree on everything, you'll be glad to hear we had consensus on the tricky planetary alignments now troubling the global financial markets. Things will calm down next year. And we are confident that the world has a strong, positive future long beyond 2012. Tuesday August 23 Versions Dear Jonathan, A while back, you were talking about introversion. According to many recent studies, this is not the same as shyness. Introverts can be very gregarious. They simply need periods of time to reflect and recharge their batteries. Suzanne Hello Jonathan, Shyness is social anxiety and extreme self-consciousness when around people, a learned negative behavior responsive to change. Introversion is a healthy capacity to tune into one's inner world, an innate personality trait. Both shy-introverts and shy-extroverts sometimes hide behind an outgoing 'front'. Adriana Dear Suzanne and Adriana, Thank you. I'll quietly reflect on that. Wednesday August 24 Winehouse Hi Jonathan, You expressed sadness at the death of Amy Winehouse. I am fed up with the adoration directed towards degenerate elements of society. With such pitiful role models, no wonder young people are lost. Anise. Hi Anise, So many of history's greatest writers, artists and musicians have been notorious drink or drug abusers. Perhaps the very same force that lets them push back creative boundaries erodes their self-restraint in other ways. If only we could find a way to respect the contribution of such 'degenerates' whilst helping them to release their talents without also releasing their demons. Thursday August 25 Universal Truth Hi Jonathan, Deb wrote that she had walked out of a shop with an item which had 'mysteriously' hooked itself on her bag and asked if she had done the right thing returning it or whether she had 'insulted a generous universe'. I find it hard to accept that the universe is capable of being 'insulted'! Trish Hi Jonathan, I'm amazed that someone justifies 'accidentally' stealing something as 'the universe wanting her to have it'. Of course she should have returned it, accidental or not. The 'universe' doesn't want anyone to steal. Nor would the 'universe' condone it. Cheryl Friday August 26 Open Attachments Dear Jonathan, The concept of non-attachment has nothing to do with 'not getting involved'. It's the opposite. For attachment you need two parties, self and other. To go beyond this illusion you meditate on unity. Nothing truly is separate in this connected universe. Joolz Dear Jonathan, Emotions are food for enlightenment and meditation is the tool for cooking that food. If you meditate, you become able to reap the fruits of life, without falling a victim to the extremes of your reactions and perceptions. Brenda Hi Jonathan, Prayer is talking to God; Meditation is listening to God. Vandra Saturday August 27 Your Week Ahead Mercury stands still this week, as does Jupiter. Well, when I say 'stand still', I mean they look as if they're standing still. Or rather, that's how they'd look if you could see them. Well, when I say if you could see them, you CAN see them. You just have to get up before the dawn and track them with a smartphone running an astronomy app. But if there's no cloud and you can focus your eyes at that early hour, both planets will be visible. Their respective changes of direction are considered auspicious. Well... when I say auspicious... Sunday August 28 Your Week Ahead - Love Focus Mercury stands still this week, as does Jupiter. Well, when I say 'stand still', I mean they look as if they're standing still. Or rather, that's how they'd look if you could see them. Well, when I say if you could see them, you CAN see them. You just have to get up before the dawn and track them with a smartphone running an astronomy app. But if there's no cloud and you can focus your eyes at that early hour, both planets will be visible. Their respective changes of direction are considered auspicious. Well... when I say auspicious... Back to Index   Click here for Jonathan Cainer's Daily Zodiac Forecasts