A&E

The two most significant astrological events this month are Venus turning retrograde on December 21, the same day as the Winter Solstice when the Sun enters Capricorn. The Winter Solstice was celebrated by many ancient cultures as the most important day of the year. It marked the time when the Sun had traveled as far south as it could go, turned around and was heading north. This symbolizes the return of the light; the promise that the growing season was coming back and that life would continue for another year. This could be used as a time to look deeply within, to define what we would like to achieve or accomplish when the warmth and promise of spring are renewed. This is probably the basis for making New Year’s resolutions based on the idea that we will have the time and resources to create new parts of our lives even as we maintain those that continue to have value.

The change of the seasons and your skin

Famed anti-war activist Daniel Ellsberg tops a list of speakers

The Friends of the Healdsburg Library will sponsor a used book

Ocean salmon fishing has been very productive for boats out of Bodega Bay harbor. While limits were not the rule, many boats, both private and sport managed a fair number of fish the last week, averaging better than a fish per rod. Rick Powers, skipper of the 60 foot New Sea Angler exclaimed that “this has been the best opening week of salmon fishing since I can remember” and while not wanting to give up Rick’s age, suffice it to say that Rick has been doing this quite a while. It also helps when Rick can go out in his big boat in 20 knots of breeze and still effectively fish. Most private boats in the 20 to 35 foot class were unable to fish last Saturday for example and Rick got near limits for his 16 passengers. Sunday the weather backed off to a mere 12-15 knots and Rick and the crew of the new Sea Angler got easy limits for all aboard. Many private boaters that weathered the bumpy conditions also got limits. The 6 pack boat, Miss Anita reported 8 fish for a  mere half day of fishing Sunday and a half day trip out to see the whales which are plentiful off our coast this time of year. Vince Orcini, Captain of the Miss Anita felt sure she would have been able to get full limits for the passengers and crew had they fished a couple more hours.

Being a creative, high-strung sort, meditation is something that I have always thought was for others. I have set up little alters with flowers and feathers and incense and a pretty pillow to sit on, purple or deep red being preferable, and tried to call forth a still mind. If anyone was watching I probably looked serene enough while I was planning dinner or wondering if the cost of this little scene could be tax-deductible as a medical expense.

One of the most interesting and dramatic times of the year is Spring Solstice. The Sun passes from Pisces to Aries, leaving the sign with the least focus on self and the greatest awareness of Self and entering the sign that brings renewal to the individual expression of the life force. While Pisces can be dreamy and ethereal, Aries is assertive and present. This pattern is reflected in the transits this month as six planets will be in Aries at various times. The most significant of these alignments is a conjunction of the Sun and Mars.