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| A random black hole |
So what have
I been up to that’s been taking me away from this blog I love so much?
As well as currently
holding down a very demanding ‘day job’, I have been writing a long piece of
fiction. I’ve got more than 40,000 words down on paper, so I’m about half way
through. I’ve committed to finish it so I’m trying to devote most of my limited
free time to it. Yes, it does have an astrological angle, but not overtly
so.
Why
fiction? It came from a long ago germ of an idea born out of a conversation
with a stranger in a pub. I did quite a bit of work developing the idea at the
time and then the notes just sat in a drawer for a few years. It wouldn’t lay
down and rest though, it just nagged and nagged at me until finally I gave in and started writing. I’m pleased with progress so far and really enjoying immersing
myself in my story and its characters. I’m finding it a welcome release from the
very long, otherwise quite difficult Neptune transit I’m currently wading
through - five Squares from Neptune to my Gemini-Sag Nodes between 2012
finishing Jan 2014 and three Squares from Neptune to my Gemini ASC lasting
until early 2015. Perhaps a concurrent Sextile transit from Neptune to my 8th
house Capricorn Sun is helping me to be imaginative and receptive.
Needless to
say, my novel in progress is a dark story, but a deeply spiritual one. I find
it hard to drag myself away from that imaginary world to see to practical
matters such as earning enough money to pay the mortgage and so on. Neptune,
you don’t make it easy, do you? Oh and I’ve been getting health checks. All
clear so far thank goodness, but a good thing to do for a strong transit to the
ASC, especially as I also have Saturn transiting my 6th house.
There has
been a run of astrological based fiction lately.
The
wonderful Joyce Mason of The Radical Virgo blog has just launched her new
novel, The Crystal Ball, a mystery featuring an intriguing crime
busting duo, one of whom is an
astrologer and the other a gun toting ex-FBI agent. I’ve just downloaded it as I’ve
been writing this and can’t wait to get stuck in. I love Joyce’s writing style
and unique tone of voice so I’m definitely in for a treat.
Also on my reading list is Ecliptic by Sara Lunardi, an intriguing urban fantasy which sees
a brother and sister wake up one morning miles apart with strange tattoos of
the astrological constellations on their arms. This awakens them to a dangerous
mission to save the planet and all its inhabitants.
Back in the world of real astrology, I’m thrilled
to see that Donna Cunningham is back with her new book The Stellium Handbook,
another essential for my reading list.
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| Two Doctors for the price of one |
The first ever episode was entitled An Adventure in Space
and Time. The original time travelling Doctor was played by William Hartnell as
an older authoritarian figure, a Time Lord. How fitting to see Saturn in
Aquarius on the MC for the chart of the show’s first broadcast? It’s also a
good symbol for the longevity of this much loved sci-fi show. A Sun-Mercury-Venus-Mars
stellium in Sagittarius is also perfect for the galaxy trotting adventurer and
his companion, perfect for broadening one’s horizons, for fostering a
fascination with alien races and for seeing the (much) bigger picture. And in
the 6th house, we are reminded that Doctor Who’s ultimate mission is to
alleviate the suffering of mankind, to deliver hope. Venus on the DC is also great for
popularity. See also the Moon in Aquarius close to the MC and Saturn? The original
Doctor Who was a progressive production indeed. It was produced by Verity
Lambert who at the time was the only female producer at the
BBC and directed by Waris Hussein, its first Indian-born director.
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| Broadcast of the 1st Episode of Doctor Who (click on chart to enlarge) |
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| The original TV listing |
Now a brief admin update: I have taken down
www.mandilockley.com for now. It pretty much became redundant once I started
this blog and now I’m branching out into fiction I need to rethink my strategy.
I’m sure there will be a shiny new website at some point, but it will be a
while yet and you’ll be the first to hear. In the meantime if you want to get
in touch: mandi_lockley@hotmail.com
Lots of love and hugs,
Mandi
