The Astrological sign of Pisces starts in the month of February. It is the twelfth and last sign of the Zodiac. This sign is known for some energy that is charming and other energy that is troubling. Studying the attributes of Pisces may be confusing as this unique sign is recognized for contradiction. This sign requires perspective because it is known to be about karma and consequences of past actions. It may be the wisest of all of the signs but can appear to be the weakest at the same time.

Pisces is ruled by the planet Neptune, which is mysterious in its own right because it is named after the Roman god of the underworld. This god was the brother of Jupiter who was the King of the gods. Neptune, depicted holding a pitchfork when he came to the surface, was forced by Jupiter to live underwater when he tried to trick his brother and drew his wrath. The consequences of Neptune's actions caused him to use illusion, deception, and escapism to get his way and cope in his murky world. He is remembered for having unpaid karmic debt that has accumulated over time.

Pisces is the sign of imagination which, in my opinion, is a higher use of the brain than intelligence and thus a very impressive quality. Imagination is unique to humans. Pisces is probably the most intuitive and private signs of the Zodiac. Pisceans often appear naïve but can be very shrewd. They are usually very good with money! This sign is more secretive than the other water signs like Cancer and Scorpio. The weight of the energy from all of the other signs rests on the twelfth constellation which may be a reason there is energy to escape from reality. Wouldn't you want to move away from a heavy weight or get away from a condition under which you had no control? Do you ever feel you have some sort of karmic debt that you are working through?  If you have then you have felt Piscean energy. 

Piscean energy is often associated with escapism, addictions, mental issues, and the unfortunate condition of incarceration. The soul of a Piscean may innately want to change its position in life and may make some unfortunate decisions to do it. It is no surprise that Neptune possessed these qualities as well. This does not mean that every Piscean suffers from these issues. It only means there is energy in these areas. There are many other factors in a person's chart that can indicate whether or not these tendencies will be activated. Our freedom of choice is another major factor that needs to be considered before any conclusion can be made. We can work off karmic debt in positive ways, not just negative ones.

Every sign of the Zodiac has unique traits that are interesting and worth discussion because we can gain insight into our own lives from them. This month happens to be the one when Pisces offers us a chance to explore energy that is difficult to understand yet very important. This sign, full of contradiction, is a reflection of life that reminds us that nothing is black and white. It reminds us that we live in a world of stark gray!  )-( 

by John Cappello

This month, I wanted to write about a type of grief that is foreign to most people, the grief caused by the incarceration of a family member. I have met many people who have had to deal with the emotional and financial difficulties surrounding these unusual circumstances. The tragedy of an imprisoned family member is many faceted, and while grief is not normally considered a consequence, it is very real. Families who are dealing with this type of loss must adjust to the situation the best that they can. Emotionally, the grief can be crushing.

It is a reality that about one in thirty of working-age adults in Texas are on parole, and this statistic has remained relatively steady for years. The situation in Texas is alarming, but families in the rest of the country are dealing with this type of grief as well. It is something that is not talked about by most people.  The number of people serving time in prison is surprising, and the ripple effect of their incarceration is a drain on our society. My comments are not politically motivated. They are inspired by the pain I see in people who are living with this situation.

The consequence of grief is felt by everyone involved with a crime. The victims, their families, and those connected with them are not to be diminished in any way; however, the innocent people associated with a person in prison are also uniquely affected by the decision to break the law. Many times, it is a mother or father who will come to see me who bear the brunt of a child's actions. Other times, it is a spouse, sibling, or even a child of a perpetrator who may come in to gain some insight. There are times when an outsider of a family steps up to help. They come for perspective and understanding of their role in the situation. These noble people are doing their best to make sense of a life that may be broken.   I can only share with them what is given to me from spirit.

I have to admire those who step up to help because they do not have to do so. They exhibit the special virtue of compassion to be there for those who are suffering. They cannot be judged for the actions of another person, but they feel the shame and guilt of an association with a convicted person. The virtues of caring, compassion, and discretion are just a few of the necessary qualities that must be present to deal with the issues associated with a family working through this type of grief.

There is a lesson here for all of us to learn. We should always be compassionate towards others because we never know what may be happening in their lives. Most people suffering will not divulge their problems to others. This is a hidden pain that requires a respect for privacy. The grief from incarceration or from parole may sound like a rarity, but it is not. It might be affecting a neighbor, friend, or someone else close to you. You may never know about it because it could be a closely held secret. If it has ever affected you, then you understand the reason for this article. A healthy perspective, maturity, and responsible behavior must be practiced by all of us to understand this complication in life.

Emotionally, people coping with the grief from incarceration often just try to put it out of their minds and move forward. They simply work the problem and function as normally as possible. It is a situation beyond their control. The healthy minded people in prison or who are on parole suffer another kind of grief we will discuss in another article, remorse. Normally, people feel remorse after they have made a mistake, and they want to make amends for a transgression. Grief has many faces, and dealing with its many forms stretches us and helps us understand that the human experience is complicated and humbling at the same time. Psychic mediums get special insight from the lives of the people they serve. It is insight that widens our perspective and increases our respect for those coping in this special circumstance.

February is the month of illusion, so it seems a fitting time to examine the role our imaginations play in our everyday lives, present and past. We imagine a lot of things. Some are fantasies or wishes for the future. But just like our dreams, our imaginations can also be a window into the past. "Imagination and intuition are like flip-sides of the same coin. You never know where one leaves off and the other begins."

Most of us have made at least one of these statements at some time. "Is this real? Am I making it up?" "This place seems familiar." "I feel like I know this person." "That place makes me uncomfortable." "I love this part of the country." "This feels like home."

It is interesting to investigate these feelings to understand why we have strong repulsions or attractions. Through meditation and reflection, we can tap into our memories. Even if we can't uncover specific details, dwelling on our feelings can be therapeutic. Often, when a place or person strikes a chord, it is our subconscious memory sending us signals about unresolved issues or relationships.  

While we don't necessarily need to rekindle relationships of the past, bringing those attractions to our conscious memory can liberate us from ties that no longer serve us. Through understanding the past, we can move freely into the future. If you are wondering if you have lived in a special time or place, pay attention to your imagination. It may be trying to tell you something!

Astral Projection Workshop Description

Have you ever felt you had an out of body experience but were not sure about it? If you have or if you have an interest in learning more about astral projections then you will benefit from this workshop. In this two hour class we will explore this phenomena that many of us have experienced but were not able to understand. Experiences will be shared along with exercises to help in creating a healthy out of body event.

A lecture about astral projections and a workbook will be provided to students who attend. Participants are asked to bring a yoga mat and be prepared to join in a guided meditation that will simulate an actual astral projection. The cost of the workshop is $25.00 in advance and $30.00 at the door.  

The time is 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, February 15th  

Place:  Miracles of Joy

            701 S. Old Orchard Dr.

  Lewisville, Texas 75050