HAPPY SOLSTICE ALL

Today is the winter solstice and it surely looks like winter here in Arlington!
Tonight is the Earth's axis is tilted furthest from the Sun and once we pass the point the days will slowly start to lengthen.

So light your fire, light your candles - the ancients used to burn the fires bright to encourage the warmth to return. This is the basis for the Jewish festival of the lights and for the Christian birth of the "light of the world."

HAPPY SOLSTICE ALL.....

Mother Earth - Ceres

The final asteroid goddess that I examine when doing charts is Ceres - the original Mother Earth. In Greek mythology she and her daughter Persephone frolicked across the land happily bringing food and abundance to all. Tricked by the ruler of the underworld, Pluto, the young Persephone was taken captive in the underworld. Ceres, enraged at Pluto's deceptions, and in mourning for her daughter, Ceres brought famine upon the world. The people desperately prayed to Zeus for a compromise between the warring God and Goddess and through a series of bargains that would make Pelosi and Reid proud it was agreed that every year Ceres would spend time in the underworld and Pluto would release Persephone. When Ceres made her yearly journey the Earth would grow cold and barren - thus a perfect explanation for the onset of winter. When she returned in the spring - the Earth was fruitful again.

For obvious reasons, Ceres deals with mother and relationship issues and complexes in a chart - as well as food and our attachment to food. How we nurture and how we allow others to nurture us are in the realm of Ceres. For example, Ceres in the third house gives an inclination to nurture through teaching and exposing others to new ideas. Ceres in the sixth can make for a highly efficient parent who relates caring with an orderly and stable home.

Cancerians - are very Ceres oriented as they are natural motherers. However, Ceres is also highly compatible with Taurus the Bull not only because it is the opposite sign to Scorpio - ruled by Pluto but because Taurus the ultimate Earth sign rules our relationship to our and the Earth's resources.

Snow and Travel Agents

As the snow storm heads toward the East Coast - keep in mind that those people standing in line at the airports desperate to change flights --- are ones who don't have travel agents.

All of my clients are rebooked and on their way to their Christmas destinations!

That is why you need a travel agent!

Meditation Weekend Homestead Resort - Oct 9 -12, 2009

A Special Invitation from Mimi Malfitano,
Master Healer and Gifted Meditation Teacher . . .
RECHARGE & REJUVENATE YOUR LIFE
at The Homestead, a Premier Mountain Resort
October 9-12, 2009


In the spirit of the Homestead and
Hot Springs, Mimi is offering a
special 3-day healing experience
that might even change your life. This
retreat is for everyone—novice, beginner,
or experienced meditator. If you
are looking to . . .
• Reduce stress and re-establish
balance and clarity in your life OR
• Jump start a meditation practice OR
• Reenergize an existing practice OR
• Give yourself a meditative tune up
. . .this Meditation Retreat is
for YOU!
The program is group taught with each
participant leaving with an individualized
meditative practice that fits their needs.
Your Weekend Includes:
• 5 Meditation teaching & practice
sessions
• 3 Nights--Deluxe Accommodations
• Friday evening welcome reception
• Saturday & Sunday dinner
• Breakfast every morning
• Snacks during day sessions
Private Reiki Healing sessions with
Mimi available upon request.
$100 per hour.
Your Weekend Investment
Bring a Companion to enjoy Virginia’s
premier mountain resort while you destress
with meditation. Meals with the
group are included as well as a $75
credit to help your companion jump
start their adventure. While you
meditate they can enjoy golfing on
one of three championship golf courses
or hiking the gorge or pampered spa
treatments. And of course, the Homestead’s
sought after southern
hospitality is included.
$767.00 per person/double occupancy
Share a Room. If you are attending the
retreat solo and want to share a room,
we will try to pair up meditators--
though we can make no guarantees.
$767.00* per person/double occupancy
*Call for single occupancy rate.
For more information or to book your
reservation, call Joan at Joan's Travel
703-533-2210.
Or email: joanstravel@verizon.net

Getting Married in Scotland?

Are you thinking of a fabulous Wedding Day, in the midst of the history and traditions of Scottish lochs and glens, we can assist you with all the plans for your big day, from finding the ideal romantic location, booking the photographer, hiring kilts, to booking appointments for hair and beauty pampering.

We can also assist you with a ceremony to renew your vows, be it on a special anniversary or just because! This can be either religious in nature, performed by a local minister, or planned without mention of religion and performed by a local celebrant or the Humanist Society. We can even assist you with their own personalised ceremony and vows.

Contact us at Joanstravel@verizon.net for more information.

Atlantis Gay Cruises

Atlantis is pleased to announce the first all-gay cruise to Asia in 2009, from Hong Kong to Singapore aboard the brand new Azamara Quest. We sail to three ports in Vietnam (Hue, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City), a full overnight in Bangkok, and Ko Samui. All-new and custom designed just for Atlantis, this cruise will be our most unique adventure ever offered.

Contact us at joanstravel@verizon.net today for more information.

TOUR OLD EUROPE

Explore Old World Europe in grand style on a deluxe, intimate 150-passenger ship.
Experience great days of sightseeing tours.
Once you pay for your cruise, the price is guaranteed against any currency fluctuations.
On board your cruise ship, everything is included - enjoy three gourmet meals daily and taste complimentary local wines with dinner.
Save $200 per booking ($100 per person) on any new 2009 River Cruise vacationBook by May 31, 2008. Booking must include CIE Tours Travel Protection Plan. Valid for new bookings only and can not be combined with other offers. Use code 053108RCEBD
River Cruise Name
Description
Land Price
2008 & 2009 - 9 Day Europe's Heartland
Discover the best of Germany on a 7-night cruise. Embark in Nuremberg and enjoy the best of food and service. Explore medieval Bamberg and Würzburg's Romantic Road. Take walking tours through ancient towns and float past magnificent castles. Leave your ship in Trier.
From USD 1,499.00
2008 & 2009 - 9 Day Europe's Heartland (Reverse)
Discover the best of Germany on a 7-night cruise. Embark in Trier and enjoy the best of food and service. Take walking tours through ancient towns, float past magnificent castles, explore Würzburg's Romantic Road and medieval Bamberg. Leave your ship in Nuremberg.
From USD 2,099.00
2008 & 2009 - 9 Day Legendary Danube
Spend 7 nights cruising from Nuremberg to Budapest. Enjoy the facilities and entertainments of the intimate cruise ship as you explore towns along the River Danube. Tour Melk Abbey, the scenic Wachau Valley and Vienna's highlights.
From USD 1,499.00
2008 & 2009 - 9 Day Blue Danube Discovery
Embark in Budapest and travel for 7 nights up the River Danube through Hungary, Austria and Germany exploring cities and towns along the way - Vienna, Melk, Regensburg and Nuremberg where you disembark and head home.
From USD 1,499.00
2008 & 2009 - 12 Day Legendary Danube
Explore Prague for 3 days before joining your cruise ship in Nuremberg for a 7-night stay. Travel along the Main-Danube Canal and join the Danube to tour medieval Regensburg, Passau, Melk Abbey, Wachau Valley and Vienna to end in Budapest.
From USD 2,099.00
2008 & 2009 - 14 Day Europe's Heartland
Spend two nights in Prague before embarking on your 7-night cruise through the center of Germany. Take walking tours of wonderful towns, float past magnificent castles, discover Würzburg's Romantic Road and medieval Bamberg. Disembark in Trier and end with three nights in Paris.
From USD 2,499.00
2008 & 2009 - 14 Day Europe's Heartland (Reverse)
Spend three nights in Paris before embarking on your 7-night cruise through the center of Germany. Take walking tours through wonderful towns, float past magnificent castles, discover Würzburg's Romantic Road and medieval Bamberg. Disembark in Nuremberg and end with two nights in Prague.
From USD 3,199.00
2008 & 2009 - 14 Day Blue Danube Discovery
Spend 2 nights in Budapest before traveling up the River Danube through Hungary and Austria. Enjoy wine tastings and special evenings. Explore Vienna, Melk, Passau and Regensburg before disembarking in Nuremberg and continuing to Prague for a 3-night stay.