PREVIOUS THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY April 9 2012 to April 15 2012 Monday April 9 Easter eggs are fertility symbols, as befits a time named after the ancient fertility goddess Ostara or Eostre. The venerable Bede tells us 'Eosturmonath' was once the English name for April. In Germany, April used to be known as Ostermonat. Easter's other traditional theme, of resurrection, also goes back a long way. The Egyptians believed their god Osiris had died and risen again while the Greeks had similar stories about Aristeas of Proconnesus. Throughout history, the waxing and waning of the Moon and the fall and rise of the Sun have been seen as symbols of death and rebirth. Tuesday April 10 Creative Thinking Dear Jonathan, I have noticed that sometimes in your forecasts you refer to the Creator as 'he or she'. If everything comes from the master of this universe who possesses all things, then 'he' would have to be male because women only have X chromosomes while men have an X and a Y. Sincerely, Samira Dear Samira, I find myself struggling to follow your point. To have any chromosomes at all, you must surely, first, have a physical body. If you haven't got one of those, if you simply exist in 'eternal spirit', how can that argument apply? Wednesday April 11 Glad Tidings Dear Jonathan, You recently said encouraging things about a rare Grand Trine. Important events were happening around me, so I made great efforts to create positive change. Unfortunately it seems these were in vain. I feel the tide has come in, gone out and left me behind. M Dear M, That tide may not have raised your boat and helped it float out into the ocean - but it has, at minimum, briefly lifted it from the beach and dropped it in a new position. From here you can more easily make it seaworthy before the next wave of opportunity. Thursday April 12 Polterpriced Hello Jonathan, I was amused to find the following listing in my local small ads. It said 'Ghost in daughter's closet, $25'. Underneath, it said, 'We caught the ghost that was haunting my daughter's closet in a large peanut butter jar. Now she wants me to sell it since my husband is at risk of getting laid off and money is tight. Offers accepted from anyone who dares...' What a creative way to raise money in these tough times. Carol. Hello Carol, Maybe it's real! Or why didn't they advertise a poltergeist in a jelly jar to go with it? Friday April 13 Seeing the Wizard My friend and colleague, Russell Grant, is currently starring in The Wizard of Oz. I recently saw him being brilliant in the title role. As I watched the Tin Man, Lion, Scarecrow and Dorothy (all beautifully played), I felt fascinated by the 'elemental' nature of their characters. The desire for a heart represents 'water', the quest for courage is surely 'fire', the hankering for a brain symbolises 'air' and the hunger for home is a classic 'earth' impulse. But, speaking strictly personally, I'm happy never to get closer to the West End stage than a seat in the audience! Saturday April 14 Your Week Ahead Contrary to popular opinion, planets don't turn 'bad' when they appear to move backwards. They just bring a phase where people tend to turn and review whatever they usually take for granted. Recently, for example, we had Mercury (communication and negotiation) retrograde at the same time as Mars (which rules power, passion and 'engines'). In the UK, this coincided with the threat of a strike by fuel delivery drivers. The very whisper of this caused long lines at gas stations. Mercury turned direct last week. Mars turns direct this week. Whatever has been slowing you down should soon start letting you move on. Sunday April 15 Your Week Ahead - Love Focus Contrary to popular opinion, planets don't turn 'bad' when they appear to move backwards. They just bring a phase where people tend to turn and review whatever they usually take for granted. Recently, for example, we had Mercury (communication and negotiation) retrograde at the same time as Mars (which rules power, passion and 'engines'). In the UK, this coincided with the threat of a strike by fuel delivery drivers. The very whisper of this caused long lines at gas stations. Mercury turned direct last week. Mars turns direct this week. Whatever has been slowing you down should soon start letting you move on. Back to Index   Click here for Jonathan Cainer's Daily Zodiac Forecasts