This episode of my BLOG finds me playing closet doctor and bartender (two jobs which I suppose serve a similar purpose). I just wanted to share with those of you who experience the living Hell of migraines, a fairly ’soft’ and over-the-counter cure. Today at the gym, while on the isometric treadmill, I found myself going into extreme tunnel vision, seeing spots, actually I lost about 40% of my vision SUDDENLY. When that ended the throbbing pain kicked in in line at The Coffee Bean. Then the nausea hit at the post office. But (here I go, sounding like an ad) I took a cocktail of two Alleve and a blended latte and within two hours it was gone. Try it!

Next: I’d like to introduce a new designer cocktail into the vernacular of local bartenders: AB-TAB. Yes, they’ve brought Tab back and I’m buying it by the bus-load. It’s that original Patti Hansen beverage for the designer jeans set. Its lettering is superb, that archaic “a” and its magenta aluminum can, sublime. And then there’s that totally 90’s Absolut Vodka, at the dawn of the Phillipe Stark era. Two great tastes that taste great together.

I am starting a new booze campaign to intimidate bars into carrying tab. Each time you go into a trendy bar, indignantly walk up to the bartender and say, “Ab-Tab.” He’ll look at you like you’re crazy. Look at him like he’s crazy. It will be a stare-down…until suddenly he breaks and feigns ignorance. That’s when you say, a little annoyed, “You don’t know what an Ab-Tab is.” You pretend to walk away. He forcefully grabs you by the shoulder, desperate to know, to be let it on the secret. You lean in close and quietly whisper in his ear. “Why, it’s Absolut Vodka and Tab cola, darling” (omit the ‘darling’ if you’re not a woman or a gay man). You wink and then walk away leaving him wanting more. He’ll be sure to ask his boss, the bar manager to carry your favorite kitsch retro beverage.

I love the idea of taking ancient symbols from different cultures and putting them together to create a sort of personal amulet, ceremony or spell. Even cynical “realists” (whatever that means anymore) can’t complete dismiss this sort of action. After all, society is made up of nothing but pomp, circumstance, ceremony and rite–from weddings to funerals, graduations to 12-steps, State of the Union addresses, and (last and least) baby showers.

Henna continues to be used in certain parts of the world as an ingredient in sacramental ceremony. In India and parts of the Middle East henna tattoos are created to consecrate a union (marriage or such) or simply to symbolize celebration. So, I decided to get a henna tattoo to celebrate what I feel is my passageway to a strong and powerful place. The belly area, in China is the location of the Dan Tien, as it is known in Qi Gong and Tai Chi– just below the naval–and is the focal point of physical energy. In Hindu spiritual circles, that area is the location of the 3rd chakra which governs personal power, accomplishments, self-esteem, directed will, and vital energies. This is of course where I decided to place my tattoo, for obvious reasons.

The visual I chose is of a self-intertwining vine (which for me symbolized growth, nature and the feminine powers) which has, at its center a scorpion. Apart from Scorpio being my Vedic astrology sign, the scorpion is the potent universal symbol of life, death and transformation. It is masculine, so it balances out the feminine of the interwining vine. It is also a totem of self-defense that reflects any negative energy back to the sender of that energy. So, this whole process for me and its concomitant symbols were completely 100% intended. And we all know (whatever culture we espouse) that intent enables our true purpose.

The new moon in sidereal Taurus occurs tomorrow night, just in time for my henna tattoo to begin ripening (it goes through a process of showing up on the skin from 24-48 hours after it has been painted on), planting a seed in my personal power garden, so to speak. If you are interested, a wonderful henna artist by the name of Yousseff Sefrioui in Westwood is the one to talk to–check out his site: www.tattoo-me.com. Happy living.

This unbelievably disturbing political cartoon was published in one of the Arab newspapers in the UK. It basically sums up the sentiment amongst many Arabs towards America. It is of course based on the horrifying images of extreme sadism towards Iraqis by American soldiers that were recently made public worldwide. If a picture’s worth a thousand words…there is nothing more to say…

Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within.
-James Baldwin

Mercury’s direct, yay! Actually my mercury retrograde was delightful because I purposely focused on past projects and issues. Hope yours was too! And of course on May 4th, Jupiter is direct, which is what I’ve REALLY been looking forward to, since it’s the planet of luck and expansion and it’s been witholding for the past four months. As always, my horoscopes are sidereal so check your birthdate for your forecast.

(January 15th-February 12th)
Because of a set of eclipses taking place in your home/work axis, related issues should be at the forefront of your agenda this month. A new situation on the home front-be it a roommate, remodeling, upgrading or moving-will take place some time in the next three months. As far as your work zone is concerned, creativity should abound after the 19th when you’re poised for a new monthly cycle that focuses on the fun, whimsical and imaginative. Even if you’re a businessperson, find a way to infuse your work with this energy and it will pay off.

(February 13th-March 13th)
Home is where the heart is through the summer. This is because Venus is hanging around in your domestic sector for a good four months this year. Since you’re smack dab in the middle of an unpredictable personality growth cycle (for another few years), you find pleasure in creature comforts. Share those with a significant other, especially during the first week of May when your partnership sector is graced with good luck. If you have no S.O. then now is the time to take a chance on someone. It will pay off.

(March 14th-April 13th)
If you’ve been down in the dumps about cash, this is your opportunity to clear the slate and start a whole new financial cycle. Despite your usually dreamy state, you’ll feel much more inclined to organize and get on top of things through the summer. Remember that these seemingly boring steps are the last pragmatic ones you will be taking through the Fall. After that, a great romance or growth of a relationship will take center stage and the practical will go out the window in favor of the emotional and instinctual.

(April 14-May 14)
This is a HUGE year for you. Your perceptions of yourself will greatly change, especially over the next three months. A relationship may have recently ended or perhaps you’re just starting to see the light about a significant other. This is part of the above-mentioned growth process. Open your eyes and learn from it. The first week of may is an especially grand opportunity to not just open those eyes, but fill them with creativity and love, as Jupiter hangs in the sky for a few glowing days in your house of creativity and romance before finally going direct.

(May 15-June 14)
It’s all about you, all summer long, you should be pleased to hear. Venus is hanging in your sign for four months. It goes retrograde in June so expect to revisit some old notions of your identity in order to move on to another level of YOU. The emphasis on you will be especially strong after the 19th, with a new moon in your sign. You’ll be taking care of number # and there is nothing wrong with that, since it’s all in the name of expansion and growth. Part of this will center on your domestic environment or your family. Look out for that sector to heat up in the summer.

(June 15-July 15)
This has not been an easy year for you. That’s because Saturn, planet of restriction has been in your sign, making you more sober, practical, serious and inward. You will have some momentary relief in the Winter (but we’ll talk about that in a later forecast). For now, on the positive end of things, you’ll meet many new friends in the coming three months due to a new moon eclipse in your house of friendships. Also, mercury retrograde last month gave you “foot in mouth” disease. The good news is that it’s direct and the first week of May shows you sparkling with wit.

(July 16-August 16)
The first week of May will see you showered with monetary rewards for a job well done. If this doesn’t come in the form of an actual paycheck look for fringe benefits and kickbacks to come your way. Chances are, though, because of the solar eclipse in your house of career, that it will be payment for fantastic services rendered. This is also the start of a whole new career cycle spanning the next three months. The summer will also be an exceedingly social time with Venus camping out in your house of friendships. When it goes retrograde, through June, expect to see quite a few old associations pop up.

(August 17-September 16)
This part of the year is when Jupiter in your ascendant really kicks in. You’ll feel it in this first week of May-as if it’s saying, “I’m here, you can start the party.” And you will be the life of the party, the focus of attention and someone for whom enlightening experience seems to be naturally drawn to. The next three months are the perfect time to act on your impulses, especially anything concerning the foreign and exotic. If you want to take a trip, do it. If you want to go back to school, do it. Whatever it is, this is your moment…take advantage.

(September 17-October 17)
The first week of May sees you having some stunning realizations. You’ve been far too rigid in your thinking and need to understand that strength comes not from controlling petty things but rather from relinquishing the power to the pain and hurt in your subconscious. This month there is a tiny window of opportunity haunting your soul. If you step through it, you just may have your horizons expanded so much that you will be a different person. If not, same ol’, same ol’.

(October 18-November 15)
All the things about yourself that you did not want to face are now boiling to the surface due to a lunar eclipse in your sign. If you’re right on track this shouldn’t be a problem; there will just be more of you to love. If you’ve been governed by fear and low self-esteem things will seem to get worse before they get better. Venus is retrograde in your intimacy and property house through June, making it hard to start new ventures or relationships until you have dealt with past issues of love and shared assets.

(November 16-December 15)
The first week of May sees major career development. It’s as if the Gods are on your side. What you’re seeing is the culmination of one cycle and the beginning of a new one. All your old fears and insecurities may momentarily resurface, if only to show you how invalid they are. You will be in a much more high-profile career role this year. Romantically, it’s time to review and re-assess. You may have to revisit some old situations of the course of the next few months to fully understand (and be ready for) what the future holds.

(December 16th-January 14th)
When eclipses grace your 5th and 11th houses and you are a sign that is ruled by the planet Jupiter, thank your lucky stars. A fantastically social and fun summer is in store for you. You should see this start to materialize as early as this month. Perhaps you are planning a long-range trip-now is the perfect time to do so with Jupiter in your 9th house and mercury direct. This year should be focused on nurturing a sense of childlike wonder about life and learning as much as you can.