American Buddhist Net

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. News of the household - adopted by a cat!
1. Astrological Consultations, Courses, and Workshops
2. Learn Astrology One-on-One with Jim Shawvan
3. Llewellyn's 2009 Daily Planetary Guide
4. Quotations and Bonus Links: Important News Stories
5. JIM SHAWVAN'S ASTROLOGICAL PREDICTIONS,
MAY 2009
6. Meditation on Lovingkindness, Compassion,
Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity
7. How to find the cheapest gas for your car
8. For more information...

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A. NEWS OF THE HOUSEHOLD - ADOPTED BY A CAT!

In late April, we were adopted by the world's most affectionate pussycat, a little orange female about 6 months old. We have named her SweetiePie.

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1. ASTROLOGICAL CONSULTATIONS, COURSES, AND WORKSHOPS

Jim Shawvan offers consultations on:

- Lifelong Issues and Current Issues (Natal, Karmic, and Predictive Astrology)
- Electional Astrology (choosing the best dates and times for important actions such as marriage, opening a business, incorporating, listing real estate, making an offer on real estate, surgery, etc.)
- Horary Astrology (answering a question)
- Relationships (Synastry)
- Relocation Astrology (finding the best places to live)
- Travel Astrology (being in the right place at the right time to start off a new cycle in your life)

For more information, see Jim's home page at http://www.jshawvan.homestead.com

Because of Jim's other commitments, the 12-week Predictive Astrology Course and the half-day workshops (Solar Fire, Solar Maps, Electional Astrology, and Horary Astrology) will next be scheduled in the fall of 2009. If you would like to learn these topics in the meantime, please see item 2 below. For full descriptions of the Course and the Workshops, see http://www.jshawvan.homestead.com/classes.html

Questions? Please e-mail Jim at jshawvan@yahoo.com or jshawvan@gmail.com, or call him at 619-321-7080.

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2. LEARN ASTROLOGY ONE-ON-ONE WITH JIM SHAWVAN

Jim offers private tutoring (by phone or in person) in the areas of Electional, Horary, Karmic, Natal, Predictive, Relationship, Relocation, and Travel Astrology, as well as the Solar Fire and Solar Maps software programs.

Contact Jim about your interests at 619-321-7080, or by e-mail at jshawvan@yahoo.com or jshawvan@gmail.com

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3. LLEWELLYN'S 2009 DAILY PLANETARY GUIDE...

features Jim Shawvan's Opportunity Periods for the entire year of 2009.
More than a datebook, this guide is a powerhouse of day-to-day planetary information. Opportunity Periods are times when the positive flow of energy will not be obstructed by difficult aspects of the Moon. This calendar allows you to focus on the hours and minutes when it is best to do anything, from asking for a raise to searching for romance to
negotiating a business deal. This quick and easy-to-use electional system is ready for you to use at a glance. There's no guesswork involved, and a
brief explanation accompanies each Opportunity Period, to explain how to use that specific time to your best advantage.
The 2009 Daily Planetary Guide (price $10.99) is available in bookstores and at Amazon. See http://tinyurl.com/68tsf4

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4. QUOTATIONS AND BONUS LINKS: IMPORTANT NEWS STORIES

"The fool thinks one has won a battle when one bullies with harsh speech, but knowing how to be forbearing alone makes one victorious."
- The Buddha, Samyutta Nikaya 1.189

Liberty Quotes: Thomas Jefferson, Adam Smith
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheWayThingsWork/message/30986

"But how is this legal plunder to be identified? Quite simply. See if the law takes from some persons what belongs to them, and gives it to other persons to whom it does not belong. See if the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen himself cannot do without committing a crime."
- Frederic Bastiat (1801-1850) French economist, in 'The Law' (1848)

"[The task is to] covertly lower the standard of living, the whole social
structure, of America so that we can be merged with all other nations."
- Rowan Gaither [Horace Rowan Gaither, Jr.] (1909-1961) Attorney,
investment banker, President of the Ford Foundation (1953-1956).
1954 stated to Congressional Reese Commission investigator Norman Dodd

"Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is
dangerous. They will always equate their policies with patriotism, and find
criticism subversive."
- Henry Steele Commager, (1902-1998), Freedom and Order, 1966

"Did you ever expect a corporation to have a conscience, when it has no soul to be damned, and no body to be kicked?"
- Lord Chancellor of England Edward First Baron Thurlow (1731-1806)

The Dangers of Majoritarian Tyranny - by Walter E. Williams
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?pageId=94937

A Spiritual Conspiracy
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheWayThingsWork/message/31031

Pandemic Nonsense: Flying Pig Flu
by Patrick Wood and Dr. Russell Blaylock, M.D.
http://tinyurl.com/c9swes

Important: Homeopathy successfully treated 1918 flu epidemic
http://www.naturalnews.com/026148.html

The last great swine flu epidemic - by Patrick Di Justo
"This virus will kill 1 million Americans," declared the U.S.
in 1976. The panic then has a lot to teach us today.
http://www.salon.com/env/feature/2009/04/28/1976_swine_flu/print.html

Baxter To Develop Swine Flu Vaccine Despite Bird Flu Scandal
The fox has been given the duty of guarding the henhouse.
http://infowars.net/articles/april2009/270409Baxter.htm

The myths of modern pharmaceutical medicine parallel Greek
mythology - http://www.naturalnews.com/025988.html

New Scientific Study: Smoking Gun Evidence of 9/11 Explosives
in WTC Dust - http://tinyurl.com/dhkp5y

Scientist interviewed on nano-thermite in WTC dust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_tf25lx_3o (10 minutes)

9/11 Commission Counsel: Govt Agreed to Lie about 9/11
http://tinyurl.com/c2otek

Military whistleblower claims she witnessed Flight 93
shootdown order - http://tinyurl.com/ddyzdf

Las Vegas has latest snow storm in its history
http://www.lvrj.com/news/43087482.html

Antarctic Ice is Growing, Not Melting Away
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25348657-401,00.html

The Missing Sunspots: Is this the Big Chill?
http://tinyurl.com/cvsb9g

Prohibition spawns drug violence - by John Stossel
http://www.richmondregister.com/viewpoints/local_story_113153125.html

Killing Us Softly - by Thomas L. Knapp
http://c4ss.org/content/394

The Real Estate Bust is Far From Over - by Doug French
http://mises.org/story/3414

The Fake History of the Depression - by Robert P. Murphy
http://mises.org/story/3426

Book review: Meltdown by Thomas E. Woods, Jr.
http://mises.org/story/3396

1819: America's First Housing Bubble - by C. J. Maloney
http://mises.org/story/3395

Blowing Bubbles - by Doug French
http://mises.org/story/3356

The Tower of Basel: Secretive Plans for the Issuing of a
Global Currency - by Ellen Brown
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=13239

Gerald Celente calls for 'Revolution' as the only solution
http://www.howestreet.com/articles/index.php?article_id=9212

The Fed and the Golden Fleece - by William Anderson
http://www.campaignforliberty.com/article.php?view=59

Keynesian Conservatives - by Sheldon Richman
http://www.amconmag.com/article/2009/apr/20/00022/

The Upside-Down World of John Maynard Keynes
by Mark Thornton - http://mises.org/story/3413

The Foundation of a Free Market is a Free Market in Money
by James Leroy Wilson - http://tinyurl.com/cnwrr4

A 'Copper Standard' for the world's currency system?
by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard - http://tinyurl.com/cd38ju

Let's Play Pretend - by Peter Schiff
http://tinyurl.com/cp9xkf

Messin' Where We Shouldn't Oughta - by Fred Reed
A User's Guide to Thoroughly Stupid Foreign Policy
http://fredoneverything.net/TACMexico.shtml

World Bank Pres. admits agenda for global government
http://tinyurl.com/ddm3k

IBM files patent for system that calculates how to
offshore jobs while maximizing tax breaks
http://www.howestreet.com/articles/index.php?article_id=9067

New World Order: Still a Conspiracy Theory?
http://tinyurl.com/djx665

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the New World Order
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSVDM2LZhOs

Who controls the Black Bloc 'Anarchists'?
http://www.prisonplanet.com/who-controls-the-black-bloc-anarchists.html

Revenge of the 'Waco Gene' - by William N. Grigg
http://tinyurl.com/djsn8q

The Moral Dilemma of Today's Statists - by Walter E. Williams
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?pageId=93479

Bush's Torturers - by Justin Raimondo
You didn't really expect them to be prosecuted now, did you?
http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2009/04/19/the-torturers/

Top Democrats complicit in torture coverup
http://tinyurl.com/ddz53v

The Democrats' 'Battered-Wife Syndrome' - by Robert Parry
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2009/042509.html

Yes, the new boss really is the same as the old boss
by J. D. Tuccille - http://tinyurl.com/cfosg6

Despotism - the Soft Way - by Samuel Gregg
http://www.acton.org/commentary/520_despotism_the_soft_way.php

"Mo' Money," Less Wealth - by William N. Grigg
http://freedominourtime.blogspot.com/2009/04/homeboy-recovery-plan.html

The Link between Obama and John Law - by Doug French
http://mises.org/story/3438

The Obama Deception - a new film by Alex Jones
http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/593.html

Narcissism means never having to say you're sorry
[A three-part series -- all well worth reading. Just follow
the links from one to the next.] - http://tinyurl.com/cz47zq

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5. JIM SHAWVAN'S ASTROLOGICAL PREDICTIONS, MAY 2009:

Mercury in its Storm, then retrograde * Jupiter conjoins Neptune * Venus conjoins Mars * Mercury squares Neptune * Mercury squares Jupiter * Mars squares Pluto * Venus squares Pluto * Mars semisquares Jupiter * Mars semisquares Neptune * Sun sesquiquadrates Pluto * Sun squares Jupiter * Sun squares Neptune * Mars quincunxes Saturn * Mercury semisquares Mars * Venus semisquares Jupiter * Mercury conjoins the Sun * Venus semisquares Neptune * Mercury semisquares Venus * Venus semisquares Sun * Venus quincunxes Saturn * Sun quincunxes Pluto * Mars sesquiquadrates Saturn * Sun squares Saturn

On April 30, Mercury just entered its Storm, the period in which it moves very slowly, less than 40' (minutes of arc) per day. On May 6 or 7, depending on your time zone, Mercury goes retrograde, and it remains so until May 30, after which it is still in its Storm until June 9. For more information, see http://www.jshawvan.homestead.com/mercrx2009.html

Jupiter (optimism, wealth, success) conjoins Neptune (illusion, delusion, self-deception) from April 2009 until January of 2010. Politicians, bankers, and the public are almost all equally clueless about the economic disaster into which the United States and the entire world are headed. Mostly, they are whistling in the pitch-black darkness as they walk toward the edge of the cliff. This is the longest of several long-lasting aspects which color the coming period.

Throughout May and all the way to July 9(!), Venus (love) and Mars (energy) remain conjunct within a 7-degree orb. This is a very rare event, and it occurs almost entirely in Aries (Mars' own sign, Venus' Detriment) and Taurus (Venus' own sign, Mars' Detriment). Sexual energy runs high, but so does the tendency to quarrel. If everyone involved can keep their tempers under control, this might be a great time to start a relationship, or to make an existing relationship closer. However, Mercury slow and retrograde indicates that, if you haven't already initiated the relationship, it's better to put matters on hold in May and wait to act until after Mercury leaves its Storm on June 9.

Throughout May and all the way to June 16(!), Mercury (thought, communication) squares Neptune (confusion, delusion). It is difficult to think clearly under this influence. Wish-fulfillment tends to supplant rational and factual analysis. Given the ongoing Jupiter-Neptune conjunction, this Mercury aspect adds still another level of self-deception, and further puts off the day when Americans (and others) might come to understand what is being done to them.

Until May 3, Mercury (detailed analysis) squares Jupiter (synthesis). The mind is pulled two ways - will I pay attention to the details, or just try to see the Big Picture? Even more confusion arises from the involvement of Neptune - see the preceding paragraphs.

Until May 5, Mars (self-assertion, aggression, anger, violence) squares Pluto (irresistible force, deep transformation). The punk hoodlum is tempted to challenge the Capo di Capi - not a good idea. People who maintain self-control are likely to get through this period just fine. Others may find themselves in verbal or even physical confrontations, some of which will doubtless make the news.

Until May 13, Venus (love, beauty) squares Pluto (the Lord of the Underworld). This ends a very long period of flirtation between the archetype of the beautiful young girl and the archetype of the Gangster. Some people are blind to danger, and some actually enjoy the thrill of the forbidden. Escaping back to the light side may not be as easy as you think.

From May 2 to 5, Mars (rashness, assertiveness) semisquares Jupiter (optimism, the Big Spender). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 8-10 Cardinal and 23-25 Fixed. The temptation is to spend, spend, spend! To discipline yourself, pay all the bills that you know are coming up, and leave no extra money burning a hole in your pocket.

From May 5 to 8, Mars (energy, anger) semisquares Neptune (illusion, self-deception). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 10-12 Cardinal and 25-27 Fixed. Some horrific crimes will make the news at this time, since the worst of this combination is violence committed while in a delusional mental state. For the sane among us, this aspect can be focused on putting your effort (Mars) into creating a beautiful illusion in the arts (Neptune).

From May 7 to 9, the Sun (vitality, self-confidence) sesquiquadrates Pluto (irresistible transformation). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 2-4 Cardinal and 17-19 Fixed. Those who are used to "going with the flow" may be able to handle this gracefully, while those who fight against change will find that resistance is futile.

From May 8 to 24, the Sun (vitality, self-confidence) squares Jupiter (optimism, success). This is one of several influences contributing to "irrational exuberance" in the financial markets. Many people seem to think that the current financial crisis is about to end. They are wrong.

From May 9 to 25, the Sun (vitality, self-confidence) squares Neptune (illusion, delusion, self-deception). Everything in the preceding paragraph goes double.

From May 10 to 12, Mars (energy, action) quincunxes Saturn (frustration, blockage). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 14-16 Aries and Virgo. In this case, the problem is Saturn and the solution, such as it is, is Mars. Go ahead and do what you think needs to be done, and hope that you can trust your own judgment in spite of all the other influences going on now.

From May 11 to 13, Mercury (words) semisquares Mars (assertiveness, anger). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 15-16 Cardinal and 0-1 Mutable. Try to cultivate tact now - your impulses will lead you in the other direction. Remember that harsh speech hurts, and the unskillful karma that goes around will come around.

From May 12 to 15, Venus (love, beauty, charm) semisquares Jupiter (expansion, success). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 9-11 Cardinal and 24-26 Fixed. You may feel very lucky for a while. Enjoy it!

From May 13 to May 22, retrograde Mercury (communication) conjoins the Sun (vitality, self-confidence). Mercury is unusually slow even in the very middle of this retrograde period, so we may not get to enjoy the sensation of normality that often comes with this conjunction. Stay busy following up on things that you began in April or earlier. If you get new "bright ideas" while Mercury is slow and/or retrograde, write them down, noting the date and time. Save your notes and look at them after June 9 to see if those new ideas still look good then.

From May 14 to 17, Venus (love, beauty) semisquares Neptune (illusion, delusion, self-deception). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 10-12 Cardinal and 25-27 Fixed. If you guessed that this is not a good time to trust your judgment about falling in love, you guessed right. Use these pleasant, lazy vibes to enjoy the arts (maybe especially music, dance, and poetry) or the beach at sunset.

From May 16 to 18, Mercury (words) semisquares Venus (love). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 12-14 Cardinal and 27-29 Fixed. The urge to speak loving words is strong. Just be sure you're speaking them to someone you've been with for a while, since this is not the time to start something new.

From May 16 all the way to June 30(!), Venus (love, beauty) semisquares the Sun (vitality, self-confidence). It is rare for two of the relatively fast-moving bodies to pace each other for so long within a one-degree orb. This aspect will affect different degrees every few days. When it lands on degrees that are important in your natal chart, you should find yourself feeling all warm and fuzzy. Enjoy it!

From May 18 to 21, Venus (love, beauty) quincunxes Saturn (frustration, limitation). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 14-16 Aries and Virgo. Fortunately, the problem is Saturn and the solution is Venus. Try to enjoy love and beauty without feeling guilty.

From May 22 to 24, the Sun (vitality, self-confidence) quincunxes Pluto (irresistible transformation). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 1-3 Gemini and Capricorn. The problem is the Sun in Gemini, and the solution is Pluto in Capricorn. Don't try superficial approaches to problems that arise now - they won't work. You need the psychological equivalent of RotoRooter to get unstuck. If (as is likely) you don't finish the job now, you'll have plenty of opportunities to continue working on it in the future.

From May 30 to June 2, Mars (energy, drive) sesquiquadrates Saturn (blockage, frustration, but also self-discipline). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 29 Cardinal-1 Fixed and 14-16 Mutable. Unless you actually enjoy confrontations with authority, which few of us do, the best thing to do right now is buckle down to work. The only thing Mars and Saturn have in common is hard work.

From May 30 to June 13, the Sun (vitality, self-confidence) squares Saturn (frustration, delay, but also self-discipline). Speaking of hard work, here's your chance to get a lot done. Be sure it's mostly in the nature of review and follow-up until after Mercury leaves its Storm on June 9.

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6. MEDITATION ON LOVINGKINDNESS, COMPASSION,
SYMPATHETIC JOY, AND EQUANIMITY

The following meditation is known as "The Divine Abodes" or "The Four Immeasurables". Reciting these words to ourselves is always appropriate, no matter what the circumstances. Start by saying "May I have happiness", etc., through all four lines; then repeat, inserting the name of someone you like; then again with the name of someone who's neutral to you; and
finally with the name of someone whom you don't like. (It may take a while before you are comfortable doing this for the ones you don't like - but it's very important in the long run.) This practice is beneficial for us and for everyone with whom we come in contact.

May all living beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.
May we all be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.
May we always rejoice in the happiness of others.
May we abide in equanimity, free from attachment and aversion.

And a wonderful affirmation from Raymon Grace:

"May I always be in the right place at the right time to do as much good as possible."

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7. HOW TO FIND THE CHEAPEST GAS FOR YOUR CAR

At the links below, you can find cheap gas prices in your city anywhere in the United States. For Canada, use the third link, GasBuddy.

http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx
http://www.automotive.com/gas-prices/
http://www.gasbuddy.com/

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8. FOR MORE INFORMATION

about the astrological services, courses, and workshops offered by Jim Shawvan, Certified Astrological Professional, see
http://www.jshawvan.homestead.com

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No trees were killed in the production of this newsletter, though large numbers of electrons were greatly inconvenienced.

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If this message has been forwarded to you by a third party, and you would like to be on this mailing list, please send a message with the word "Subscribe" in the subject line to jshawvan@yahoo.com

Requests to remove may be sent by ordinary mail to:
Jim Shawvan, 2260 El Cajon Blvd. #890, San Diego, CA 92104-1192.