Beginning astronomy students are taught to start from Ursa Major and "follow arc to Arcturus"; then "spin on to Spica". Arcturus is second brightest star in spring sky, a fortunate star of zodiac, while Spica is considered luckiest star of all. Are you lucky enough to have a planet at 23 Libra? Email me at parklanenancy@hotmail.com and I’ll let you know.

Mizar and Alcor have a love story in American Indian mythology. Not everyone can see Alcor, but she is 7th sister of Pleiades, youngest sister, who fell in love with a mortal man. One night Windsong lifted him up into stars for her His name is Mizar and they have been together ever since. All cultures speak of Seven Pleiades, but that is why you can only see six of them.

Astrologically, constellation Ursa Major is said to give a "quiet, prudent, suspicious, mistrustful, self-controlled patient nature, but an uneasy spirit and great anger when roused". Much like a bear, I suppose. The name Ursa Major (the Big Bear) comes from a myth about Zeus, king of gods. Zeus raped a young nymph named Callisto. Callisto gave birth to a son named Arcas. Zeus’ wife was so angry she turned Callisto into a bear. Callisto roamed woods for 15 years. One day she ran into her son, who had become a hunter. As he drew his bow to shoot her, of course not recognizing that she was his mother, Zeus took pity on Callisto and turned her son into a bear as well. Then he took them both by tail and swung them up into heavens which is why their tails are so long. Zeus’ wife became furious again and drug a promise out of ancient ruler of sea that these two constellations would never get their paws wet. To this day they do not set below horizon of sea as other constellations do.

The constellation has had other meanings. In Arabic, Mizak and Alcor are called horse and rider. The rest of constellation is seen as a funeral procession ... perhaps because of slow and solemn motion of figure around pole.

The Babylonians saw a chariot in these stars and Romans, seven oxen. In Ireland constellation is called King David's Chariot; in Denmark and Sweden Stori Vagn or Chariot of Thor. Similarly Vikings, Poles, Germans and Medieval Christians saw it as a chariot for their gods.

The Plough, as it is called in UK, is bucket shaped figure on back of Bear, outlined by stars Merak, Dubhe, Phecda and Megrez. The Three Horses pulling plough are located in tail.

Ursa Major has also been called Wain by Welsh, short for Charlie Wain or Charlemagne, while Arcturus refers to King Arthur.

The stars do not compel any more than there are chariots, bears and funeral processions in skies. Most individual stars have Arabic names while constellations in our northern hemisphere have names derived from Greek and Roman mythology. There was a time 2000 years ago when these worlds were all one -- when shepherds sat alone on hilltops at night and stared into sky. There was a time when desert caravans followed star maps reliably across sands and sailors cried “By Jiminy!” to constellation of twins to keep them safe at sea. There was a time when astrology and astronomy were twins as well and I’m one astrologer who likes to return to those times every now and then.

Do something spontaneous. Search within for your purpose. Set some life goals for yourself. Complete a task you've been meaning to finish. Learn to trust your intuition. Listen to a motivational tape or energize yourself with affirmations. Empower yourself with divine thoughts and let your ideals awaken. WATER Season - Autumn Time of Day - Dusk/sunset Direction - West Color - Blue Archangel - Gabriel

If you have ever loved, you have experienced element of Water. Serenity is a result of Water's presence in our lives. Water is most psychic of all elements. It cleanses, nourishes and reflects. It is passive and malleable - it takes on shape of whatever contains it. The Holy Grail is associated with Water, original Primordial Chaos. Water rules emotions and subconscious. If you have prophetic dreams, you are using element of Water. If you are lonely, depressed, overwhelmed or having trouble opening your heart, let Water clear way for you.

To get water flowing in your life, easiest, most accessible tool is bathtub. Add essential oils or milk and honey to cleanse and nurture your Higher Self. Drink pure water to purify your body. You may try taking a walk in rain. Notice how it gathers together to form puddles and pools. Throw a stone into a lake or a pond and watch endless ripples. See how beautiful it is when it is contained.

Feeling compassion, shedding tears and giving to charity are workings of this gentle element. Scrying bowls and table fountains are easy ways to get more Water into your life. Read poetry to get a feel for Water's subtle, soothing properties.

EARTH Season - Winter Time of Day - Midnight Direction - North Color - Green Archangel - Uriel

When you eat, exercise or save money, you are interacting with Earth element. Stability is Earth's unique gift. Seeing, smelling, tasting and touching are functions of Earth. Earth is solid, rich, sultry, strong and dependable. It is foundation for all other elements. Earth is commitment, permanence, form. It is facts and law, practicality and consequence. Earth is about getting results. Poverty, insecurity, safety issues, obsessions and a sense of being "weak-willed"or incapable can all be resolved with earth. If you would like to strengthen your connection to Earth, put your bare feet on ground. Walk, run, jump. Let immovable nature of Earth element support you. You could also plant a garden or start a houseplant on a window sill. Roots such as potatoes, carrots, beets and turnips are known as "grounding" foods that can increase your personal Earth energy.

Learn to respect yourself, accept yourself. Define what dignity is to you. Stimulate your senses. Work with your hands. Knit, string beads, or do pottery. Place stones or a dish of sea salt on your altar, or wear a hematite pendant, to represent Earth in your spiritual workings. Strive to be at home in your body. INTEGRATE Figure out which elements you are lacking and integrate them into your life. Let elements of nature bring you into closer contact with your True Self. As you grow on each of these levels, you will experience greater and greater joy.

Don't let yourself get too much of one element. Too much air can make you spacey. Too much fire can cause burn-out. Too much water can make you "wishy-washy." And too much earth can make you rigid. Keep your personal elements balanced and your life will reflect that balance back to you by giving you all that you need, on every level.

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