Spring Rain on the King`s Reign
 Hurrah…the sun is out at last. As the United Kingdom shifts forward through May 2023, from my window here in the Southwest, I see peeps of cornflower blue skies jostling for supremacy between the shifting cotton-wool clouds, synonymous with this time of year. What a relief to see buds popping, seeds sprouting, and delicate pink and white blossoms exploding from the limbs of our fruit trees. For the hayfever sufferers amongst us, the pollen laden fragrance of impending summer bombards our nostrils, inviting another universal phenomenon, the Sneeze Fest. Winter, I hope, is tucked up and hibernating whilst we prepare to enjoy some well-deserved warm weather. All this takes place to the nationwide backdrop of billowing, red, white and blue bunting, street parties, and general bonhomie. Love them or hate them, monarchist or anarchist, patriot or anti-have/have-not, HRH, King Charles 111`s coronation has been a colourful distraction. On the lead up to the coronation. I pondered the subject of other historical moments like this, I found myself drifting back in my imagination.  Back in the days of court astrologers, augers, visionaries, and soothsayers (I`m assuming King Charles does not have one) the royal advisors would attune to the elements and the alignments of the planets in search of omens and auspicious timings for momentous events. Astrologer friends pointed out that the planets would be doing some iffy things around the time of the coronation. Mercury, the planet of communication, would be retrograde. On 5th May, the day before, a lunar eclipse in Scorpio. And Pluto would be in the sign of Aquarius, and the last time that happened the American and French revolutions took place. What does this mean to the layperson? Well, hmm, these planetary placements do not bode that well for a smooth reign for the new HRH. I came to the conclusion, that for the last five coronations, the King or Queen in waiting must have decided to ignore the omens, prophecies or the weather forecast, because it has rained heavily on every single one. Apparently, the late Princess Diana was a great believer in astrologers, however, it seems, the upper echelons of the monarchy only stretch their broad minds as far as employing an Astronomer Royal. Not quite the same thing. It`s a confusing old subject but the gist of it is… Astronomers study the stars and planets, originally to help with navigation across the globe. Astrologers study the positioning of the stars and planets to determine an individual’s personality and future. A fascinating piece of royal trivia – which I wanted to share. Astrophysicist Martin Rees has held the position of Astronomer Royal since 1995 and receives exactly the same fee of £100 per year as the first person ever appointed to this role by Charles ll in 1675. John Flamsteed, the King`s Astronomical Observator`s earnings per annum in 1675 would be worth roughly £20K in today`s money. Personally, I feel Martin Rees our current Astronomer Royal is being a little short changed!  I admit one of the highlights of coronation weekend has been the excuse to indulge in lots of great British puddings. I even made my own fresh cream, raspberry, blueberry and kiwi sponge flan for our village celebratory get together. And my clogged-up arteries are still screaming for mercy! I hear that Coronation Chicken was first created for the crowning of Queen Elizabeth ll. If you have never tried it, go for it. Coronation chicken is yummy! Just my own opinion, and as a notorious foodie there is not much I won`t try foodwise, but this one gets the thumbs up. Broad Bean and Spinach quiche was first created in 2023 for King Charles lll`s coronation. If you have never tried it, honestly, I wouldn`t. Broad bean and spinach quiche is, and this is a first for me… yukky! I won`t hold it against the crazy chef who advised HRH that it was a good idea, for in days gone by, that little invention may have resulted in an ‘orf with his/her/their head’ conclusion. Again, this is purely my own opinion.  I love numbers (not maths) and symbolism. With my numerologist`s hat on, May being the fifth month of the year, I think of this month as one where our five senses will be heightened. Particularly if you are generally a `sensitive` person, then May can magnify that sensitivity. Perhaps you have felt touchier or more easily offended than normal. Maybe you have been more aware of the chaotic communal energy, and it is common during a 5 period to either find yourself seeking more stimulation, or the contrary, feeling reclusive. During a 5 month, it can be easy to lapse back into habit situations. We also are likely to find ourselves craving freedom, travel or making dramatic, knee jerk changes to our way of life. Coco Chanel`s favourite number was 5. On 5th May 1921 she released, a legendary perfume, which she called, you guessed it… Chanel No.5. A scent steeped in seductive sensory sensuality, how apt.  WORLD EGO AWARENESS DAY – 11th MAY 2023 May 11th is World Ego Awareness Day (who thinks these things up?) It was first invented in 2018 to highlight the dangers of inflated ego. The word ego has both negative and positive meanings. In the positive it is to have a strong, solid, healthy sense of self. But when self-care tips across to self-absorption and believing yourself better, more beautiful or more entitled than others, then your EGO has become out of balance. On World Ego Awareness Day, it is suggested we carve out some time for introspection or meditation to reset and rebalance our sense of self. Maybe, if you fancy it, drop in a few affirmations along the lines of: All humanity is equal – I am self-aware – I care and share – We are all deserving – I am unconditional love. (Or whatever floats your boat). Something I thought would be a good exercise, is for me to buy a box of my favourite chocolates, the ones I absolutely adore, the ones which make me salivate simply at the thought of eating…and gift them unconditionally, to someone else. I`m thinking Lindt…the red shiny foil-wrapped round ones with crunchy chocolate outer layer and gooey centre…ooer…I`m faltering already.  Leaving you on a lighter note, if you fancy tweaking up your own soothsaying skills, or at least honing your intuition,my little book `Unleash Your Inner Psychic – How to reboot your natural Super skills`, makes a fun addition to your self-care toolkit. https://tinyurl.com/UnleashPsychic Wishing you a happy spring/summer 2023 filled with sunshine, family, friends and buckets of joy With Love & Blessings Sashi http://www.sashiradley.com |
Today is a Global 10 Day
A NUMBER WITH A HUGE HEART Soul numerologists the world over will be observing the trends of today with excitement and trepidation in equal measures. The power of 10th October 2024 is magnified due to the 10 energy of the day, combining with the 10 energy of the month, and when we reduce these numbers…
The Music of Late Summer 2023
Hello Lovely Readers Last night`s unexpected storm has passed; the lightning and roof-rattling hail has subsided. I take to the garden to inhale the cleansing air which has swept in fresh from the nearby south coast. The atmosphere has sweetened, post-summer pollen residues swept away on those blustery overnight winds. A windchime suspended from the…
Winter Nips at My Nose – December 2022
The sun is streaming through my window as I write this, tempting me to venture out and catch some winter air. A glassy sky of baby-blue, peppered with murmuring birds is beckoning. Can this be December? But, beware, the smiling sun who wears the guise of a Vitamin D infused friend, has other plans. In…
Fish & Chips – Getting to Grips
Hello Lovely Readers, As summer shadows stretch long and evenings draw in, we teeter on the edge of Autumn.These last weeks and months have been spattered with sharp reality and painful loss. Sometimes it is hard to search out the positives when challenging times seem to be affecting us all. Those phrases currently being bandied…
Vive la Difference
Hello Lovely Mid Summer Readers Wow! What a scorching summer here in the UK. Another good opportunity for us Brits tohave a whinge about the weather. It`s what we do! So, whilst the media have been gleefully reporting on how we have been cramming ourselves twenty deep on the beaches, sizzling our skin to the…
Azure Blue April Skies
Hello Lovely Readers In the south-west of England, the 2022 spring has been yo-yo-ing back and forth, unable to decide whether to spring or not. This week it would seem the decision is made. Azure blue April skies, cotton-wool clouds and verdant green shoots bursting out all over. The Dorset landscape is alive with the…
Today is a Global 10 Day
A NUMBER WITH A HUGE HEART Soul numerologists the world over will be observing the trends of today with excitement and trepidation in equal measures. The power of 10th October 2024 is magnified due to the 10 energy of the day, combining with the 10 energy of the month, and when we reduce these numbers…
The Music of Late Summer 2023
Hello Lovely Readers Last night`s unexpected storm has passed; the lightning and roof-rattling hail has subsided. I take to the garden to inhale the cleansing air which has swept in fresh from the nearby south coast. The atmosphere has sweetened, post-summer pollen residues swept away on those blustery overnight winds. A windchime suspended from the…
Winter Nips at My Nose – December 2022
The sun is streaming through my window as I write this, tempting me to venture out and catch some winter air. A glassy sky of baby-blue, peppered with murmuring birds is beckoning. Can this be December? But, beware, the smiling sun who wears the guise of a Vitamin D infused friend, has other plans. In…
Fish & Chips – Getting to Grips
Hello Lovely Readers, As summer shadows stretch long and evenings draw in, we teeter on the edge of Autumn.These last weeks and months have been spattered with sharp reality and painful loss. Sometimes it is hard to search out the positives when challenging times seem to be affecting us all. Those phrases currently being bandied…
Vive la Difference
Hello Lovely Mid Summer Readers Wow! What a scorching summer here in the UK. Another good opportunity for us Brits tohave a whinge about the weather. It`s what we do! So, whilst the media have been gleefully reporting on how we have been cramming ourselves twenty deep on the beaches, sizzling our skin to the…
Azure Blue April Skies
Hello Lovely Readers In the south-west of England, the 2022 spring has been yo-yo-ing back and forth, unable to decide whether to spring or not. This week it would seem the decision is made. Azure blue April skies, cotton-wool clouds and verdant green shoots bursting out all over. The Dorset landscape is alive with the…