Cologne Carnival is an explosion of colour, music, feasting, drinking and general merry-making and, if there’s any town in Europe that should be designated official party town, it’s Cologne.

This time around we had a specific mission, to watch the parades and collect as many sweets, chocolates, gifts and flowers as possible. We had plenty of opportunity as there are two huge processions in Cologne. On Sunday, there’s the School and Youth Club Carnival and on Monday, the official Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) Carnival. Both parades took about 5-6 hours to pass by where we were standing so it’s an all-day experience for participants and spectators.

We made new friends, met up with old friends, joined in Carnival songs and caught bagfuls of sweets, chocolates and gifts that are thrown from the floats or given out for free. The many Carnival Clubs in Cologne and from the surrounding villages work hard all year to ensure that the bounty is plentiful. My daughter learnt how to shout “karamellen” (sweets), to sing along to “Koelle Alaaf” (3 Cheers to Cologne) and that a kiss was required if you wanted to receive one of the many thousands of flowers.

Tired but happy, we flew home on Monday night. One small girl collected 3 carrier bags full of sweets, chocolates and toys that were somehow squeezed in to our hand luggage and asked, “Can we come again next year?”

[photo of Cologne Cathedral by flickr.com/photos/andreasheyden]

Make A Wish

Today’s New Moon falls in the sign of Pisces and is exact at 10:35pm (GMT), 21 February 2012. New Moons are wonderful for new beginnings, creating intentions and making a wish.

Watching the Moon as it waxes and wanes throughout its twenty eight day cycle connects us to the lunar world, the night time and all that is dark and hidden. The Moon is an ancient symbol for the Feminine and this is where intuition comes in to play, doing something because it “feels” right and trusting your inner knowingness.

Today’s New Moon is especially magical as it connects with Neptune, the planet of dreams and inspiration, in the early degrees of Pisces. It’s a wonderful time to tap in to your own poetic or artistic side, to be creative or allow yourself to be inspired by others. Watch a film, read a book or be romantic and find your muse.

Tom Evans, The Bookwright, has devised a programme that harnesses the energy of the Moon and supports you to write the first draft of a book in 28 days. Naturally enough it begins on the New Moon and is called quite simply Writing In Tune With The Moon.

If you have something you want to begin in your own life, do it now. I’m starting the Abundance Programme which lasts for 40 days and is (hopefully) going to teach me how to be the source of my own abundance. What intentions or actions will you initiate on this New Moon? Say them out loud, tell a friend or colleague or write them down in a journal.

Then, when you first catch a glimpse of the new crescent Moon in the sky tomorrow or the next day, make a wish. Do this, and it’s said your dreams will come true. Create the results you want in your own life and start something new today on the New Moon.

[photo source: flickr.com/photos/aussiegall]

These three characters are the Triumvirate of Cologne Carnival, the wildest and craziest Carnival celebration in Germany. In fact, it’s one of the biggest celebrations outside of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and this weekend, Dave, Merida and I are off to Cologne to celebrate Carnival in style.

Me and my good friend Georg at Karneval

Carnival in Cologne is almost as old as the city itself but the organised Carnival that is celebrated today began in 1823.  Carnival is the “fifth season” of the year and begins officially on 11th November at 11:11. But the real “crazy days” begin on Weiberfastnacht, Shrove Thursday, the first day of Carnival, which this year falls on 16 February 2012, and closing times for pubs and bars are suspended for the duration of the festival, until Ash Wednesday, 22 February 2012.

It’s not 100% sure what Carnival means but many people believe it means “carne vale”, farewell to meat. What is for sure, it’s the period before Lent and the perfect excuse to be excessive, party and go wild.

Weiberfastnacht (Women’s Day), 16th February 2012, is celebrated in commemoration of an 1824 revolt by washer women. The women in Cologne run riot; they storm city halls, cut off men’s ties and kiss any man who passes their way. Effectively, women are in charge and get to do what they want. Excellent!

The Prince at Karneval

The main event, however, is the parade on Rosenmontag (Rose Monday), 20 February 2012, and to put the Cologne Carnival in to perspective, here are some figures I found on the net. The length of the parade is 6 km (the parade route is only 6.5km); there are over 10,000 participants, 350 horses and 117 bands.

The participants throw 140 tonnes of goods into the crowd, this includes 700,000 chocolate bars, 220,000 boxes of sweets, 300,000 bunches of flowers and numerous other assorted gifts. You’re in more danger of being knocked out by a chocolate bar than you are going home empty-handed.

The Prince, The Farmer and the Virgin are the three main characters in the Carnival procession and it’s a great honour to be chosen to be one of the three (I think you have to pay for the privilege). The Prince is “Seine Tollitaet” (His Madness), the Farmer is “Seine Deftigkeit” (His Heftyness) and the Virgin (always played by a man in drag, but no moustache or beard allowed!) is “Ihre Lieblichkeit” (Her Lovelyness).

So, that’s a quick heads up on Cologne Carnival. Our wigs are packed and rucksacks are at the ready; we’re off to grab some chocolate.

The Many Faces of Venus: flickr.com

Venus, Goddess of Love, rules Valentines Day. However she has become overly-entwined in our imaginations with Neptune, Venus’ higher octave, the planet of romance.

Together these two planets give us a “rose-coloured” idealistic perspective on love. Everyone thinks Venus represents love, fidelity and romance, perfect for Valentine’s Day. The true picture, however, gives us a different story.

Venus’ predecessors in the mythology line-up were Inanna and  Ishtar, around whom cults developed worshipping both goddesses. Part of the Sumerian pantheon of Gods and Goddesses in ancient Mesopotamia, they ruled sexual love, fertility, prosperity and warfare. Ishtar in particular was known for being “cruel and wayward”.

Move forward to Roman mythology and Venus was Goddess of prostitutes, although she could turn the hearts of men and women from sexual vice to virtue. In other words, Venus ruled all aspects of love (think of the term venereal disease which derivates from the word, Venus).

In Greek mythology, Venus was Aphrodite who ruled sexual love, desire, beauty and fertility. She was forced into an arranged marriage with “ugly” Haphaestus but was vehemently independent and constantly in search of a new lover. One of her more familiar lovers was Ares, God of War, whom she later married. But she had many affairs and many children, Eros, Rhodos, Hermaphroditus and Aneas, to name but a few.

So love comes in many guises and on this Valentines Day, 14th February 2012, it’s important to celebrate all aspects of love. If you’re in a conventional marriage or relationship, give your red roses, chocolates and champagne in honour of love. But if you’re not, honour what love means to you, whether your love of the Divine, love of friends and family, even love of a good book. Don’t be limited by what love has become. Love is immense and immeasurable and poses one of the biggest conundrums of our present day. Ask anyone “what is love?” and everyone will have a different answer and rightly so.

Whitney Houston on flickr.com

I was deeply saddened to read of the passing of Whitney Houston and amazed that she was born the year before me. I feel as if her songs have been with me throughout my life.

A gorgeous Leo, she married her opposite in many respects, Bobby Brown, a bad boy Aquarius. Their Sun signs exactly opposed one another across the zodiac at the same degree. (You can read more about Sun signs opposites in love at Opposites Attract). A lot has been written about their 15 year relationship and it’s not for me to add to the much-publicised literature on their marriage. What interests me as an astrologer is her personal birth chart.

As so often is seen in the charts of mega stars, Neptune plays a prominent role and in Whitney’s chart is square to the Sun/Venus  in Leo. Neptune is the planet that represents fame, glamour and celebrity, because Neptune is the planet that wants to escape reality. It’s domain is the fantasy world and a world that pulls on Leo’s heart strings in particular, because Leo adores being in the spotlight.

Neptune rules music and here we find a woman who inspired millions with her amazing singing; “I Will Always Love You” was the bestselling single by a female in history. The trouble begins for Leo when the spotlight fades and life returns to the humdrum, the ordinary, the normal.

I often talk to clients about Neptune saying it’s the saint or sinner within you; whichever way you go, it’s the same urge to transcend reality. Some people do this through spirituality, a conversation with the Divine, music, poetry or art; others spiral in to drink, drugs or delusion.

Dear, sweet Whitney Houston battled with drugs throughout her troubled marriage and is yet another victim of an early rise to fame. Let us hope that future celebrities and stars become wise to Neptune’s contradictions and extremes and let us hope too that Whitney Houston, Diva, Mega Star, Leo Extraordinaire rests in peace. Bless you, Whitney, and thank you for the music.

[photo by asterix611 at flickr.com]

A quick look at our 14 members shows a preponderance of earth and water signs. Judith, Kerry and Allison – Taurus (Earth); Janet – Cancer (Water), Yvonne and Sally – Scorpio (Water) and Marion, John, Jan and Sarah – Pisces (Water). Earth and water are the two introverted elements of the zodiac and on one level this suits our group. We’re all working away individually behind the scenes busy with our own creative musings.

In addition, we have 3 members who have Air Sun Signs; Amanda, Liz – Gemini (Air) and Bianca – Libra (Air). This makes sense as Water and Air are the two elements that are expert at people skills. Water is the emotional, intuitive element and Air is the thinking, analytical element. We aren’t simply blogging for ourselves; our intention is to reach out and make an impact on others.

There’s 1 member to add, Ntathu – Sagittarius (Fire) and it’s timely to consider the planets. Each star sign is ruled by a different planet and this offers added information about the group. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter which is the planet of learning and the higher octave of Mercury, the communication planet, which rules Gemini. So 3 members of the group, Ntathu -Sagittarius and Amanda and Liz – Gemini are ruled by Jupiter and Mercury, and you would expect to find these planets prevalent in a group that’s involved in communication.

So which other planets inspire our Better Blogging group. Firstly, the feminine planets, the Moon and Venus, and these two planets rule the zodiac signs of 5 members of the group; Janet – Cancer (Moon), Judith, Kerry, Allison – Taurus (Venus) and Bianca – Libra (Venus). The feminine planets are caring and sharing, receptive and appeal to the heart. Neptune features strongly as Neptune rules Pisces and we have 4 Pisceans; Marion, John, Jan and Sarah. Neptune is the planet of dreams and fantasy; it rules the imagination and increases sensitivity and empathy. Last but not least, Pluto rules Scorpio and there are 2 Scorpios, Yvonne and Sally. Pluto is the planet of transformation which adds depth and intensity.

So what Sun Signs/planets are missing and does that inform us too? This group isn’t overly interested in the ego (Leo – Sun), self-centred competition (Aries – Mars) or the traditional business world (Virgo – Mercury and Capricorn – Saturn). In addition, technology continues to be a learning for some (Aquarius – Uranus).

Instead, we are an inspired, introverted yet interesting group, who want to grow, transform and, most importantly, connect and touch peoples’ hearts by doing something new.

What does your group’s Star Signs say about you? Email me now to find out more.

[image by astrologycom.com]

The friend contracted the flu and hasn’t really recovered and she’s been miserable. I received an email from her today saying, “Me and my twin sis escaping to a spa; taking champagne and scrabble.”

I thought, “oh bless, that’s just what she needs”. My friend has her Moon in Leo and the Moon represents your inner needs, what you require to feel happy and nourished by life on a daily basis. The Moon in Leo needs indulgence (champagne, spa – tick), craves attention (the friend has her twin sis all to herself) and wants to play and have fun (a game of scrabble – sorted).

So what about the rest of us, how can we get our needs met on a daily basis?

Here’s a quick guide to all twelve Moon signs’ needs:

Moon in Aries needs challenge and craves action and passion

Moon in Taurus needs sensual experiences and craves simplicity and laughter

Moon in Gemini needs to talk and craves mental stimulation and gossip

Moon in Cancer needs security and craves food and cuddles

Moon in Leo needs indulgence and craves attention and fun

Moon in Virgo needs order and craves an efficient routine and a healthy body

Moon in Libra needs quality one-on-one time and craves beauty and harmony

Moon in Scorpio needs intensity and craves deep and meaningful insights

Moon in Sagittarius needs freedom and craves travel and exploration

Moon in Capricorn needs to be in control and craves success and progress

Moon in Aquarius needs novelty and craves friendship and gadgets

Moon in Pisces needs inspiration and craves music, poetry and an escape from reality

I have the Moon in Libra and even though I live with the Man, I still need quality one-on-one time. Yes, we are constantly in each other’s company but what I crave is an intimate get-together, a candlelit dinner, a chance to “connect”. We’re going out on Saturday night together, just the two of us – lovely.

You can find out where your  planets are for free at astro.com. Even better, if you would like an indepth personal astrology consultation by Skype or by phone, email me now.

[photo from flickr.com stephen_bolen]

]]> http://www.sallykirkman.com/blog/champagne-spas-and-scrabble/feed 8 http://www.sallykirkman.com/blog/five-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-me http://www.sallykirkman.com/blog/five-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-me#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:46:18 +0000 sallyk http://www.sallykirkman.com/?p=1752 As part of the Better Blogging Challenge, here are five things you probably didn’t know about me:

1. I slept in the room I was born in until I was 18

This may not be an earth-shattering revelation but how many people have slept in the actual room they were born in for years and years? My mother had all three children at home and I was the biggest and best (ok, I’ve added that). The room I was born in was my parents’ bedroom and the biggest in the house, so with two girls and one boy, the two girls were moved in to the big bedroom at an early age. I’m sure there must be some deep psychological benefit from sleeping in the place you emerged in to the world but I haven’t yet discovered a decent thesis on this topic.

2. I hitch-hiked from the UK to Venice when I was 17

I was a teenage rebel in to heavy rock music and intent on disobeying my parents, although I loved them dearly. My best friend, Denise and I, told my parents (her parents did little parenting, so didn’t really deserve the title) that we were going to Venice by train. Dad drove us to the train station and after we’d said “goodbye”, Den and I legged it to the road out of town. We moved swiftly across Europe, mainly with long-distance lorry drivers (one of whom had brought his Dad and every time we stopped, he would jump out of the lorry in his slippers and offer us all a nice cup of tea cooked on his primus stove). We did board one train from Venice to the French Riviera but bored, we hitch-hiked home again!

3. My other name is “Schlossfraulein von Werneck”.

I studied German at university and spent 18 months living in Bavaria. I was taken on a hot air balloon by a lovely local man who was determined to show me the best that Bavaria had to offer. In Germany (this may be the same in other countries) hot air ballooning is deemed a royal sport. We flew over Schloss Werneck, an amazing baroque castle in the district of Schweinfurt in Bavaria and this became the inspiration for my royal name. My hair was singed and I was doused in champagne as they named me “Castle Girl of Werneck”.

4. I used to salsa dance 4 nights a week.

I lived in London for 15 years and for most of that time I was a single girly enjoying the nightlife. I discovered lambada in Brixton and then salsa dancing, a new buzz that gripped the capital, from the bright lights of the city to the odd dodgy club in Peckham (oh yes, really). I was a girl obsessed and loved my nights out dancing to the salsa vibe.

5. I met the love of my life in Venezuela… and he lived 5 minutes away in London.

I travelled to Venezuela at the end of 1998 and on New Years’ Eve met a man named Dave in the only bar that was open to tourists. He was my Scorpio soulmate and it turns out he only lived 5 minutes away from me in London. He lived in Putney and I lived in Clapham. Fast forward 14 years and our 11 year old daughter is named Merida, which is the name of the town in the Andes where Dave and I met.

The cleverly interwoven themes of birth, love, illness and death have made me both laugh and cry over the last few weeks and prompted interesting conversations with my 11 year old daughter (especially the episode where the main character was a prostitute and my daughter asked, “what’s that lady’s job?”) So how does this link to astrology?

There’s a branch of astrology called “electional astrology”, which specialises in “electing” a time or day for a big event in someone’s life. In essence this is traditional astrology which was used to plan the best date for a battle or a royal coronation. Kings and queens and political leaders have famously employed astrologers in the past to give them added insight that’s heaven sent.

Today, the most usual requests are to find an auspicious date for a wedding or the launch of a business. However, astrologers are sometimes asked to elect the best time for a caesarian birth and this arouses strong debate and rightly so. Personally, this is like someone asking me to “play God” and I believe there’s an ethical issue for declining such a request.

Astrology works on the simple premise, “As Above, So Below” i.e. what’s happening in the heavens mirrors life on earth. This is what electional astrology is based on and the astrologer is looking for a favourable pattern of planets that bestow happiness, good fortune and prosperity. It’s fun, although quite complicated to do.

On a very basic level, New Moons are perfect days for a fresh start and the Moon is the most important planet in electional astrology. It’s also said that when you first catch a glimpse of the crescent moon in the sky, make a wish and it will come true. Why not give it a try and see what happens.

So if you’re hoping for the successful birth of your child, I’d always suggest “Call the Midwife, not the Astrologer”. But if you are interested in electing the perfect date for a wedding or business launch or if you’d like a personal astrology consultation, then please do “Call the Astrologer” and email me at sally@sallykirkman.com.

The world of escapism is Neptune’s domain which includes poetry, music and art; love; drink and drugs; spirituality and mysticism. Pisceans are sensitive, empathic, visionary and sometimes impractical and gullible. Neptune’s world is the glamorous world of the celebrity, seeking fame and fortune, based on fantasy rather than reality.

Neptune remains in Pisces for the next 12 years so it could be a boom decade for photographers, musicians, film-makers, marine biologists, anaesthetists, romantics, oil men and con men. Miracle cures, weird sea creatures, global unity, telepathic communcation, altered states; the list of new possibilities, in true Neptunian fashion is boundless.

For a full-blown Neptune in Pisces experience, forget your list of “things to do”, click the video link below and lose yourself in Morcheeba’s The Sea. (Then read your monthly stars here to find out what Neptune in Pisces means for each of the 12 star signs.)

“I left my soul there,

Down by the sea

I lost control here

Living free”

Uploaded by EFgamez on 15 Dec 2006, Youtube.com