Rob Brezsny

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) The “School of Hard Knocks” is an old-fashioned idiom referring to the unofficial and accidental course of study available via life’s tough experiences. The wisdom one gains through this alternate approach to education may be equal or even superior to the knowledge that comes from a formal university or […]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) Although her work is among the best Russian literature of the twentieth century, poet Marina Tsvetayeva lived in poverty. When fellow poet Rainer Maria Rilke asked her to describe the kingdom of heaven, she said, “Never again to sweep floors.” I can relate. To earn a living in my […]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) According to my assessment of the astrological omens, you’re in a favourable phase to gain more power over your fears. You can reduce your susceptibility to chronic anxieties. You can draw on the help and insight necessary to dissipate insidious doubts that are rooted in habit but not based […]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) As you make appointments in the coming months, you could re-use calendars from 2007 and 2001. During those years, all the dates fell on the same days of the week as they do in 2018. On the other hand, Pisces, please don’t try to learn the same lessons you […]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) In her novel The Round House, writer Louise Erdrich reminisces about how hard it was, earlier in her life, to yank out the trees whose roots had grown into the foundation of her family’s house. “How funny, strange, that a thing can grow so powerful even when planted in […]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) The posh magazine Tatler came up with a list of fashionable new names for parents who want to ensure their babies get a swanky start in life. Since you Aquarians are in a phase when you can generate good fortune by rebranding yourself or remaking your image, I figure […]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) Charles Nelson Reilly was a famous American actor, director, and drama teacher. He appeared in or directed numerous films, plays, and TV shows. But in the 1970s, when he was in his forties, he also spent quality time impersonating a banana in a series of commercials for Bic Banana […]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) When I was in my early 20s, I smoked marijuana now and then. I liked it. It made me feel good and inspired my creativity and roused spiritual visions. But I reconsidered my use after encountering pagan magician Isaac Bonewits. He didn’t have a moral objection to cannabis use, […]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) The pawpaw is a tasty fruit that blends the flavours of mango, banana, and melon. But you rarely find it in grocery stores. One reason is that the fruit ripens very fast after being picked. Another is that the pollination process is complicated. In response to these issues, a […]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) Three centuries ago, Capricorn genius Isaac Newton formulated principles that have ever since been fundamental to scientists’ understanding of the physical universe. He was also a pioneer in mathematics, optics, and astronomy. And yet he also expended huge amounts of time and energy on the fruitless attempt to employ […]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) Bubble gum is more elastic and less sticky than regular chewing gum. That’s why you can blow bubbles with it. A Capricorn accountant named Walter Diemer invented it in 1928 while working for the Fleer Chewing Gum Company. At the time he finally perfected the recipe, the only food […]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) Soulful beauty will be a major theme for you in 2018. Or at least it should be. But I suppose it’s possible you’re not very interested in soulful beauty, perhaps even bored by it. Maybe you prefer skin-deep beauty or expensive beauty or glamourous beauty. If you choose to […]