Pisces

Astro Doings September 2017

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Hi Everyone

Good news! September will be quieter than August – no solar eclipse! For most of the month, until the Autumnal Equinox on September 22nd, there will be a lot of Virgo energy. Virgo, an earth sign, is the sign of the harvest and has a lot to do with gathering all the different parts of ourselves into one integrated whole. She is discerning, discriminating, analytical and can get lost in the details. However, she’s also the one who will remember the forks and napkins for the picnic! I believe we can use this time to integrate the insights gained during last month’s volatility. We need fire energy to wake us up, but now comes the time of assimilation and integration.

Hallelujah! Mercury goes direct on September 5th at 7:30 a.m. He’ll be at 280 Leo, but will move into Virgo on the 9th. Mercury does well in Virgo; he likes to analyze and categorize. However, this also means that we can get into analysis paralysis easily and just spin without moving forward. Having said that, Mercury’s energy can also help us organize the gains made last month.

The Sun enters Libra on the 22nd at 4:02 p.m. Libra is the sign of balance – they’d like to have some, but most often Libra’s energy works like a teeter-totter. Libra can’t stand to be by him/herself; it is the sign of the “other” as we move outward from ourselves to others – for Libra, one at a time. S/he hates crowds. While this is the sign of relationship, it is the only sign with an inanimate object as its symbol – the scales. For me this speaks to the fact that Libra is about relationship in the head – the ideal of “perfect” relating to a “perfect” other. Smelly socks, gym clothes and dirty hands are not included in Libra’s vision! Libra is an air sign, after all, and air loves the realm of ideas.

Lest we think we can kick back and eat bonbons this month, Pluto, planet of deep seated transformation, the underground, all that we’d like to keep hidden from ourselves and others, goes direct on September 28th at 3:33 p.m. (I was struck by the time she goes direct. I’m sure numerologists would have something to say about three at three levels.) Pluto’s been retrograde since April, so the gains made during this long, inner transit can now be expressed more outwardly. She’ll be at 170 Capricorn where she’s been for the last two months and she’ll stay at that degree through October and most of November. Speed demon she’s not! Those who have planets from 12-220 in Libra, Aries, Cancer or, of course, Capricorn may feel this shift in direction more strongly. On a larger scale, Capricorn rules structures and systems. Issues, which have been brewing below the surface for the last five months, may become much more obvious and volatile with this change of planetary direction.

The Full Moon occurs on September 6th at 130 Pisces, right next to Neptune. The Moon, as you know, rules the tides and Pisces and Neptune rule the sea. Water may be, or continue to be, an issue. Also water and the Moon are associated with emotions, which may be running very high during this time.

The New Moon occurs on September 20th at 270 Virgo, providing a fresh start in our continued integration efforts.

Let’s joyously welcome the new season!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings June – July 2017

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

June and July promise to be pretty quiet so I’m doing Astro Doings for both of them. I’ll be back for all the activity of a very busy August, including the solar eclipse on the 21st that is in the news already, because it will be visible in the US.

Back to June: Pretty smooth. Jupiter goes direct on June 9th at 10:04 a.m. He’ll be at 130 Libra and will continue his direct motion for the rest of the year. Also on June 9th, we’ll have the Full Moon at 180 Sagittarius.

Neptune, the planet of fog, illusion, compassion and redemption, goes retrograde at 7:10 a.m. on June 16th. She’ll be at 140 Pisces – her own sign – so we have the opportunity to turn all of her attributes inward. While the potential is there to increase our compassion towards ourselves, it may also prove to be time when we don’t see ourselves too clearly! Those with planets or other points on your chart from 10 to 200 Pisces, Gemini, Sagittarius or Virgo may feel this change of direction more forcefully.

The Summer Solstice, when the Sun enters Cancer, occurs on June 21st at 0:24 a.m. As you all know, it’s the longest day of the year. June’s New Moon occurs on June 23rd at 20 Cancer. In the second third of the month there will be a lot of planets in water signs: Sun, Moon, Mars and Neptune. Good thing Venus and Pluto are in earth signs to provide some boundaries, but emotions (water) may be running high. (This could also manifest as floods and/or a lot of rain.) Saturn and Uranus continue in an easy flow of energy in the fire signs, Sagittarius and Aries, respectively.

Everyone continues to do their thing in July – no changes of direction or other “doings.” Towards the last third of July, when the Sun and Mars enter Leo, (July 22 and 20th respectively) joining Saturn and Uranus in fire signs – there will be a lot of fire. Inspiration, volatility, brashness, and/or anger could be close to the surface.

July’s Full Moon occurs on the 9th. She’ll be at 170 Capricorn, conjunct (next to) Pluto, hopefully providing some practicality and/or stability.

Hope you all have a wonderful summer! And I’ll be back in August.

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings May 2017

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

May promises to be rather quiet, especially compared to April.

Mercury goes direct on May 3rd at 12:33 p.m. He’ll be at 240 Aries at the time. He’ll enter slow-moving Taurus on May 16th, so our thinking may become more deliberate, less impulsive than it was in April.

The Full Moon occurs on May 10th at 200 Scorpio and the New Moon is on May 25th at 40 Gemini. The Sun enters Gemini on May 20th at 4:31 p.m. Gemini is the sign of the twins – and there are definitely two sides to the sign. It’s an air sign that tends to flit from one thing to another and is easily bored. Gemini wants to know a little bit about everything and is generally very restless.

As we go through May, the only planet in water is Neptune. So sensitivity may be a bit lacking. The planets in fire (Venus, Saturn, Uranus) will do very well with those in air (Sun, Mars, Jupiter), but they may have trouble settling down. This fire/air combination frequently looks like the Peter Pan complex – never wanting to grow up or bring their ideas to fruition because everything looks better in their heads. The planets in earth signs (Mercury, Pluto) may slow us down a little bit, but don’t work well with either fire (great way to put it out) or air. However, once these elements agree to work with each other, we could have the practicality of earth applied to the inspiration of fire and the ideas of air. Up to us on how we choose to use these energies both individually and collectively!

Have a great May!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings April 2017

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Feel like changing direction? Going inward for greater in-sight? Great! So do the planets this month. A total of four – yes four – of them change direction in April; three go retrograde and one goes direct.

A word about when a planet changes direction – no matter which way it occurs. It basically stops in some cases for a day or two; in others (like the slow moving outer planets) it can stay at the same degree for weeks or months. If you happen to have a planet or other sensitive point(s) on your chart within 5 degrees on either side of the degree the planet is at when it changes, this planet will be activated. It’s rather like a tuning fork, so the planet starts to vibrate and do all manner of things to get your attention. And if it’s in a challenging relationship with other planet(s), you could have a lot of energy coming at you all at once.

As you’ve heard me say before, retrograde motion is when the planet appears (key word) to be moving from west to east across the sky. We know it isn’t really, but from the earth’s perspective it looks that way. Practically, it means that we experience the energy of the planet more inwardly and/or the focus of the energy of the planet, colored by the sign it’s in, is inward. So it’s a great time for reflection, retrospection and internal change, especially if it’s one of the outer planets. It may feel like nothing’s moving and you’re stuck.

When a planet goes direct, it may feel like it’s gotten out of reverse, which it has in some respects. You may be able to express the energy of the planet more freely and more outwardly. And you may feel less stuck around the energies the planet represents.

So who’s doing what? In order. . .

Saturn: The planet of delay, fear, lack, lessons and yet the great teacher of the zodiac goes retrograde on April 6th at 1:06 a.m. He’ll be at 280 Sagittarius, a mutable fire sign. Attention those with planets in Gemini, Virgo or Pisces the other mutable signs – or Leo and Aries the other fire signs. The latter will be an easy flow of energy (trine); the former – more challenging, growth opportunities! Our inner critic may be hyperactive during this time, depending on how it impacts your chart.

Mercury: Everyone’s favorite! He goes retrograde on April 9th at 7:15 p.m.  He’ll be at 50 Taurus and he’ll slide back into Aries on April 20 at 1:37 p.m. He goes direct again on May 3rd. Good time for retreats, re-thinking, re-focusing, and re-pairing. Be sure to double check your taxes if you file after April 9th. There’s no problem doing that – just go over them carefully. Attention to the fixed signs (Leo, Aquarius and Scorpio) for growth opportunities in how you think and the other earth signs (Virgo and Capricorn) for an easy flow of practical, down-to-earth (literally) thinking and planning.

Venus: She is the one going direct. She changes on April 15th at 6:17 a.m.  She’ll be at 270 Pisces, a sign she really likes to be in. Again attention for adjustments required for the other mutable signs (Virgo, Gemini and Sagittarius) and easy, flowing (it’s water after all) to Cancer and Scorpio. (See March Astro Doings for more information about Venus.)

Pluto: The planet of deep-seated, slow moving, transformation goes retrograde on April 20th at 8:46 a.m. She’ll be at 190 Capricorn – she’s been there all month and will be there all of May as well. Cardinal signs this time are up for adjustments leading to internal growth (Aries, Libra and Cancer), plus the other earth signs to help ground the growing (Taurus, Virgo). On a personal level, this retrograde can be wonderful time to become aware of deep thought patterns and attitudes that have been long buried. This can be a time to bring them to light and heal them. Globally, I think we’ll continue to see a weakening in structures or systems that no longer serve us.

Phew! The Full Moon occurs on April 11 at 2:08 a.m. She’ll be at 210 Libra. The New Moon occurs on April 26th at 8:16 a.m. She’ll be at 60 Taurus. And finally the Sun enters Taurus on April 19th at 5:37 p.m. The Taurean energy may slow us down some – take time to smell the flowers! Also a more practical bent to our thinking perhaps! Or we may have a raging bull! Time will tell.

Have a great April!

Peace and abundant blessings

Margaret

 

Astro Doings February 2017

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope you enjoyed the relative quiet of January. In February we will have the first of four eclipses in 2017 and Jupiter goes retrograde. Let’s look at them in the order that they happen.

Jupiter, the planet of expansion, optimism, faith, and seeming good luck, starts his four-month retrograde motion on February 6th at 1:52 a.m. He’ll be at 230 Libra, the sign of relationship, balance and fairness, and he’s on the other side of the zodiac from Uranus, who is in Aries, the sign of spring, new beginnings and self (or Self depending on how you use the energies). This may be a time to look inwardly (retrograde) to balance (Libra) our thinking about relationship (Libra) and how we can express ourselves in that context (Aries). Libra is also about fairness and peace at any price. How do we assert and take care of ourselves (Aries) in balance with the needs of others (Libra)? These are questions that we can look at within ourselves during this retrograde period.

The first eclipse of 2017 is a lunar one, on February 10th at 7:33 p.m. The Moon will be at 220 Leo. Attention all those of you with planets in fixed signs (Leo, Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio), who may have been feeling neglected over these past months with so little fixed energy. We’ve arrived! Fixed energy is feminine by nature, and sustains that which is initiated by cardinal signs. Fixed signs can also be very stubborn and get stuck in ruts (in their own thinking and/or feeling). Leo, fixed fire, is focused on the expression of the individual and Aquarius, fixed air, is focused on the group. In some ways, they are similar to the Aries/Libra axis, fire and air in opposition. This eclipse offers the potential to end our feelings of unworthiness (Leo) and instead use Leo’s creative energy for the benefit of humanity at large (Aquarius).

A solar eclipse ends the month (February 26th) at 9:56 a.m. The Sun will be at 80 Pisces. This is the last of the series of eclipses in mutable signs. Mutable energy, as I’ve written elsewhere, is changeable, multi-talented and unsettled. Pisces is ruled by Neptune, which is currently in her own sign. Pisces is a sign of divine homesickness, perceptive, psychic, dreamy and not always realistic. A solar eclipse represents a significant new beginning. It can be used to do a better job of translating our dreams into reality; it can also remind us that this is not all there is, especially for those with planets in Pisces, Virgo, Gemini and/or Sagittarius.

Hope you have a great February!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings November 2016

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

We have a little bit more fixed (sustaining, feminine, stubborn) energy in November with the Sun in Scorpio until the 21st and Mars moving into Aquarius on the 9th. Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto are all in cardinal signs (Libra, Aries and Capricorn respectively), as they have been for a while. Jupiter and Uranus oppose each other and Pluto squares both of them. Lots of opportunity for growth and change come from this energetic line-up.

Neptune is still hanging out at 90 Pisces, the sign she rules. She will basically stop moving on the 18th and change directions at 11:39 p.m. on the 19th. This may impact those with any planet or sensitive point, like the Ascendent, at 90, plus or minus 5 degrees, of Pisces, Sagittarius, Gemini or Virgo (all mutable signs). Pisces is a water sign, so issues around water may come into focus.

The Full Moon on November 14th at 8:52 a.m. will be at 220 Taurus. This will be the last Super Moon and she will be the closest she’s been to earth since 1948. So hope the night is clear so we can see her! Taurus is a fixed sign, so those with planets close to those degrees in Scorpio, Aquarius or Leo may be a bit more moody or loony that day!

The Sun moves into Sagittarius on the 21st at 4:23 p.m. It will be an easy flow of energy with Uranus (trine) and square (growth opportunity) Neptune. The Sun is joined by Saturn. Sagittarius is the Pathfinder, the explorer and the optimist, in its best expression. It is also the sign of faith.

Hope you have a lovely November and a happy Thanksgiving.

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings September 2016

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope you had a wonderful summer! September promises to be quite intense, especially for the mutable signs (Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo, Pisces). And there are no planets in fixed signs (Leo, Aquarius, Taurus, Scorpio) until the end of the month, so it may feel that nothing is settled or finished. Fixed energy gives us the tenacity to finish what we start. Mutable energy is constantly shifting and adapting.

September begins with Mercury retrograde and a solar eclipse. Mercury goes retrograde on August 30 at 9:04 a.m. at 290 Virgo. It’s the last one in 2016!  Because of this retrograde motion, he will be in Virgo until October 7th. Virgo is the sign of discernment, discrimination and organization (among many other things). Mercury likes being in Virgo where he works to categorize life and put it in little boxes. Just don’t get lost in the analysis (paralysis)! He also trines (easy flow of energy) Pluto (power, underground, transformation) in Capricorn (status quo, big business, systems). In addition he opposes (other side of the heavens) Neptune (fog, compassion, redemption, divine homesickness) in Pisces. This can be a positive thing, as earth (Virgo) gives boundaries to watery Pisces and Pisces softens Virgo’s perfectionism. Both signs are feminine – sustaining, supportive, nurturing and both are about change.

The solar eclipse occurs at 90 Virgo on September 1st at 5:03 a.m. (We will not be able to see it in the US.) This is an annular eclipse where a ring of the Sun’s light is visible around the darkness of the Moon’s shadow. It will last about six hours so this energy vortex will be open for at least six months. Those with planets, lunar nodes or angles from 6-120 of any of the mutable signs will be most likely to feel the energy of this potent new beginning. This eclipse will be squared (growth opportunity) by Saturn (restriction, lack, lessons, Dweller on the Threshold) in Sagittarius (quest for Truth) and opposed by Neptune in Pisces. These two planets ask us to elevate our mundane perceptions (Saturn) to live our spiritual truths (Neptune) and create heaven here on earth. This eclipse in Virgo adds additional support to this effort as Virgo represents the harvest of our Selves, integrated spiritual beings, expressing ourselves from our highest understanding.

As you know, eclipses come in pairs. The lunar eclipse occurs on the Harvest Moon on September 16th at 3:05 p.m. The moon will be at 240 Pisces. What are you harvesting? What do you want to let go of? How do you want to serve? Are you ready to move forward in unity with all that is? This eclipse is squared by Mars in Sagittarius, whose highest expression is the spiritual warrior with plenty of courage to seek the Path to Truth, which is the quest of Sagittarius.

The Autumnal Equinox is on the 22nd when the Sun moves into Libra at 10:22 a.m. Libra is the sign of balance and reconciliation of opposites. Libra focuses on the other, but its task is to balance itself with the other.

And Mercury goes direct on the 22nd at 1:31 a.m. He’ll be at 140 Virgo. Phew! If that’s not enough, Pluto, the planet of deep-seated transformation, what lies beneath the surface, power struggles, and manipulation, goes direct on September 26th at 10:50 a.m. She’ll be at 14 degrees Capricorn. The inner work done during her long retrograde may now be more evident to you — and to others. Power struggles on the world scene could be more obvious.

The month ends with a new moon in Libra, signaling the potential for new beginnings of balance, beauty and measured growth!

Have a great September!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings June 2016

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Hi Everyone

The planet that stands out for me in June is Neptune. Attention all Pisceans – this is your ruling planet and she will be at 120 Pisces the entire month. Why? She goes retrograde on June 13th at 4:43 p.m. EDT and basically stops there. She will also be part of a big T (called a t-square, also called a growth opportunity) with Jupiter on the other side of the heavens in Virgo (earth), with Saturn squaring both of them in Sagittarius (fire). Early in the month, the Sun in Gemini (air) will change this T to an X by opposing Saturn and closing the figure. The New Moon on June 3rd will add a little more energy to this X in the heavens (called a Grand Cross). This may result in a feeling of restlessness, an inability to settle down, and needing to choose (but unable to do so) between many different possibilities. Emotions may be very close to the surface and anyone impacted by Neptune may feel somewhat in a fog. It can also be a time of increased compassion. By the way, Saturn (and this big X) is currently sitting on the Ascendant (how we present ourselves) of the US Sibly chart. I’ll leave it to you to figure out what that means!

At the very end of June – the 29th to be exact, Mars, the planet of war and warriors (spiritual and otherwise) goes direct after his retrograde that began in April. He’ll be at 230 Scorpio. Mars is male, initiating energy so things may seem to move forward a little more easily. Scorpio is a water sign and is about what ripples beneath the surface, especially power. Scorps can never been fooled and they have unfailingly accurate insight into others, which can be rather unnerving.

The Summer Solstice, when the Sun enters Cancer, occurs on June 20th at 6:34 p.m. Earlier that morning, we have June’s Full Moon at 290 Sagittarius. Since this occurs at the very end of the Gemini/Sagittarius continuum, it suggests that we have an opportunity to re-visit our ways of thinking about things (Gemini) and to incorporate higher truths (Sagittarius) into our everyday lives.

This is the 65th Astro Doings post, and I’ve decided to take the summer off. Astro Doings, or some form of it, will be back in the fall.

I hope you all have a wonderful summer!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings May 2016

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Hi Everyone

Happy May Day! As I looked at the astrological calendar for May, I was struck by the fact that most planets are in either fire or earth signs. Looking at this from a strictly practical perspective, fire and earth don’t get along very well. Earth is a good way to put fire out and fire can render earth dry and infertile. However, another way to look at this is practical (earth) inspiration (fire). It is the ability to take our dreams (fire) and realize them in a practical and useful (earth) way. Earth helps us look at the details (Virgo) and plan (Capricorn) how we will implement our insights into spiritual truth (Sagittarius) and into ourselves (Aries). We have a lot of Taurus energy this month, which slows us down enough to look before we leap.

Jupiter, ruler of Sagittarius (and Pisces), ends its long retrograde sojourn on May 9 at 8:16 a.m. He’ll be at 130 degrees Virgo, the sign of harvest and integration. He is on the other side of the zodiac from Neptune in Pisces, and can provide boundaries and balance for our quest to merge with something greater than ourselves (Pisces). It can bring practicality (Virgo) to our dreams (Neptune).

Mercury also stations direct this month – on May 22nd to be exact at 9:20 a.m. He’ll remain in methodical Taurus for the rest of the month. Speed demon Mercury doesn’t particularly like being in slow-moving, deliberate Taurus. However, we can focus on “thinking things through” and on recognizing that thoughts are truly things. Along with Mercury, the New Moon occurs in Taurus on May 6th at 3:29 p.m.

The Sun moves into Gemini on May 20 at10:37 a.m. Gemini looks at both sides of any (and all) continuums and loves to explore the realm of ideas – for a few minutes, anyway, until he moves on to something else. The Full Moon is the next day, providing some balance to Gemini’s flitting energy, by focusing us more on higher truths (Sagittarius).

And don’t forget to watch Mercury pass over the face of the Sun on May 9th starting a little before 7 a.m. EDT (if I’ve done the time conversion correctly). Weather permitting, we should be able to see it in eastern North America. (The last time this happened was in 2006). If you decide to watch it other than online, be sure to protect your eyes from the Sun’s rays. I’m sure there will be more information about this astronomical event as we get closer.

Have a wonderful month!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings March 2016

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope you enjoyed the relative quiet of February. They say that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. As far as the stars go this March, the first part is certainly true but not so much for the last part.

Solar Eclipse

We begin the month with a powerful total Solar Eclipse at 180 Pisces on March 8 at 8:54 p.m. A solar eclipse occurs at a new moon, and this is the first of a series of “super moons.” Super moon is when the moon is closest to the earth at either a new or a full moon. This closeness impacts tides, the tectonic plates and electromagnetic fields. This powerful eclipse is also joined by Neptune, and Chiron, squared by Saturn and opposed by Jupiter. This is a lot of energy all at once. So, what to do with it?

First, look to see where 180 Pisces lands in your chart and if there are any planets at that degree in your chart plus or minus 10 degrees. This is the area that will be most impacted by the eclipse. Pisces is a water sign that dissolves harsh barriers and attitudes. It is the sign of faith that seeks the numinous, the divine and what is beyond our five senses. Generally it has a hard time relating to the harshness of the world. This is an extraordinary time for healing, meditation, and retreat from old thought patterns about ourselves. A time to move into the recognition that in truth we are light and that light and love are all that is. An eclipse is like an energy vortex that remains open one month for every hour of the eclipse, in this case five, and as planets pass over that “spot” they “dump” energy into it. Mercury and Venus will pass over the eclipse point on the 15th and 27th respectively.

In September 2015 there was another solar eclipse at 200 Virgo, exactly opposite this one. What was important to you six months ago? Are there unresolved issues that need to be resolved around becoming and expressing who you are in truth? And Jupiter, planet of expansion, faith, optimism, and the ancient rule of Pisces, is sitting on top of that eclipse degree. This provides positive, expansive energy as we work to integrate all parts of ourselves and our experiences (Virgo) as we move toward a greater understanding that all these supposed “differences” were simply experiments in consciousness, exploring the difference facets of the light that we are (Pisces).

Vernal Equinox

Yep, it’s spring and happy astrological New Year! New beginnings, new expressions of self, new quests for a closer relationship with high self – the Sun enters Aries on March 20 right after midnight. Yahoo! And Mercury enters Aries the next day. It’s a time to put into action the reflections and insights of this winter. You may feel like you’re waking up from a long sleep.

Lunar Eclipse

Eclipses come in pairs and a lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the zodiac. In this case the lunar eclipse occurs on March 23rd at 8:01 a.m. at 30 Libra. Libra is an air sign and is focused on relationship – with each other, with ourselves and with our beloved planet. The Sun in Aries provides impetus to speak out, to be assertive to lead the way. Moon in Libra reminds us to keep the heart in focus as we move forward, to be considerate and thoughtful of others and where we need to hone our compromise skills.

Saturn Retrograde

Saturn, the great teacher of our solar system because he presents himself as delay, fear, the ego, but also discipline, patience and wisdom, changes direction on March 25th. He goes retrograde (backwards) at 6:01 a.m. at 160 Sagittarius and is squared (growth opportunity) by Jupiter in Virgo. He will remain in retrograde motion until August. Sagittarius is a fire sign on a quest for truth; Virgo (where Jupiter is) is an earth sign focused on integration. These energies can be used to go inward for our truth and integrate all what we perceive to be the different parts of ourselves into one whole expression of the divine in form – once of course, fire isn’t afraid that earth will put it out!

Have a wonderful month and happy spring and other great new beginnings1

Peace and abundant blessings!

Margaret