EmPower 

Aligning with inner

and outer 

perfection of nature.

discovering the power 

of alignment, 

through a process, 

time,

space,

honoring our unity 

of oneness,

layering of color, 

& line

creates me whole,

in gratitude,

peace,

love.

                                                                       © Greg Patch  2011

Great Northern or Common Loon, Gavia immer

Great Northern Loon on NC coast in winter 2/1/11            ©Greg Patch

Great Northern Loon on lake in Canada during summer      ©Matthew

http://www.loon.org/about-loons.php

Loons, like ducks, geese, cormorants and grebes, are waterbirds, but they are classified separately by scientists.  Their closest living relatives are penguins and a group of birds called the “tube-nosed swimmers” (including albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters).

North America is home to five species of loons, including the Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata), Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica), Arctic Loon (Gavia arctica), Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii) and Common Loon (Gavia immer).  The Common Loon is the most widespread and well-known species, and the only one that breeds as far south as New Hampshire.

In spring, loons arrive on northern lakes as soon as the ice thaws. Loons are territorial birds, and a mated pair of loons will defend an area of water from other loons. Small lakes, generally those between 5 and 50 ha, can accommodate one pair of loons. Larger lakes may have more than one pair of breeding loons, with each pair occupying a bay or section of the lake.

Until recently, loons were thought to mate for life. However, banding loons to allow the identification of individuals has shown that loons will sometimes switch mates after a failed nesting attempt, sometimes even in the same breeding season. Courtship and mating are a quiet time, with the pair swimming and making short dives together. Eventually, the male leads the female to a suitable spot on land to mate. Nest building then begins.

Loons build their nests close to the water, often on a small island, muskrat house, half-submerged log, or sedge mat. The same sites are often used from year to year. Loons will use mud, grass, moss, pine needles and/or clumps of mud and vegetation collected from the lake bottom to build a nest. Both the male and female help with nest building.

Usually one or two eggs are laid in late May or June, and incubation of eggs generally lasts 26-28 days. If the eggs are lost, the pair may renest, often in the same general location. Loon chicks covered in brown-black down appear on the water in late June or July. Chicks can swim right away, but spend time riding on their parents' backs to rest, conserve heat, and avoid predators such as large fish, snapping turtles, gulls and eagles. After their first day or two of life, the chicks do not return to the nest.

Chicks are fed small food items including minnows, insects and crayfish caught by their parents for the first few weeks of life, and up until eight weeks of age, the adults are with them most of the time.  Gradually, the chicks begin to dive for some of their own food, and by 12 weeks of age, the chicks are providing almost all of their own food and are able to fly.  By the fall, the young are able to look after themselves.  Adult loons generally migrate to the ocean to overwinter in October or November.  The young follow on their own, often just before ice-in of their natal lake.  They will not return to their natal lakes until they are 26 months old or older, and might not breed until they are six or seven years old.

Loons are generally solitary birds.  However, they will sometimes gather for short periods in small groups of up to 20 birds in late summer and fall, and can sometimes be found in groups on their ocean wintering grounds.

Happy Chinese New Year, Groundhog Day, New Moon, Candlemas, Birthday!

http://www.goodtimessantacruz.com/risa-astrology/2080-chinese-new-year-groundhog-day-new-moon-candlemas.html

Chinese New Year, Groundhog Day, New Moon, Candlemas

TUESDAY, 25 JANUARY 2011 00:00 RISA D’ANGELES COLUMNS -ASTROLOGY

The recent controversy (unnecessary flap) around astrology was short lived and distracting. I received, as did many astrologers, hundreds of emails asking what was the truth. Here’s the information. There are two different types of astrology for two different parts of the world and two different types of mind – 1) tropical (for the western mind) & 2) sidereal or Vedic (for the eastern mind, religion, training and sensibilities). The tropical zodiac is based upon the seasons (using equinox and solstice points. Vedic astrology (or the sidereal zodiac) is based upon the zodiacal constellations. Though 24 degrees apart, both are correct yet different. This seems a paradox, but it’s not.
The winter months, January, February and March, can seem rather empty without the winter festivals. This Wednesday, Feb. 2 (midwinter, increasing light), we have multiple reasons to be festive - Chinese New Year of the White Metal Rabbit (more next week), new moon (Second of the year), Candlemas, Groundhog Day (divination) and Imbolc. The last three are fire festivals bringing Epiphany to a close and the halfway point between winter solstice and spring equinox. The new moon (14 degrees Aquarius) is Wednesday evening. The meditative seed thought that explains the building of the personality in Aquarius is “Let desire in form rule.” The air of Aquarius constantly seeks shape, form and practicality. Each day, beginning at winter solstice, through winter and spring, the NGWS joins the Hierarchy in preparing for Wesak and the Three Spring Festivals. The Great Invocation is recited daily. Join us, everyone for the new Aquarius moon festival and our preparations.  

Esoteric Astrology as News for the week of Jan. 27–Feb. 2, 2011 For Sun and Rising Signs
Aries-March 21–April 20
Who are your friends? What groups do you belong to, if any? What are your hopes, wishes, dreams for the future? How do you see the future? These are some of the questions posed by the present astrological energies, while offering opportunity to review specific life issues. We work hard in our lives. There are times when we must pause, set our sites on future endeavors, find, identify, join our friends. And then we set about helping others. This is your time.
Taurus April 21–May 21
More and more you’re being identified as a leader with extraordinary organizing skills, who understands and mentors collaboration, a leader who leads with not only great intelligence but also willingness to have love. A group or community looks to you for direction. Although preferring to be behind the scenes, you’re being called out is in a new developmental stage. Come into the greater light of recognition. We are grateful.
Gemini May 22–June 20
And so, the same message, over and over. You are to travel somewhere, not wait. There is a place you’ve considered. It’s time to make plans, reschedule the next several months making room for not only travel but also study, entering and experiencing new village life, community endeavors. You need to expand out from where you presently are, see a different world a bit. It’s your future. 
Cancer June 21–July 20
Are you concerned about finances, reviewing cash flow, considering consulting an advisor for help with taxes, assets, resources? Do not remain silent. Have at least one person you can speak with. Also, it’s time to consider end-of-life (you are not dying) preparations, so those who remain here on Earth know what to do. What do you want done after you die? This includes resources.
Leo July 21–August 22
Whom do you love these days? Soon it will be Valentine’s Day. Someone must be on your mind. Or perhaps you’re on another’s mind. It seems that whomever you’re attracted to must be very unusual, almost revolutionary. You like this. However, your Leo pride hides it. You want to be innovative, too. Which you are, when you focus on creativity, presently in need of attention. Perhaps a trip somewhere will activate it. Love calls to you. Can you hear?
Virgo August 23–September 22
Do you feel overloaded and overwhelmed with work, tasks, chores, errands and just about everything calling you to do more, faster, quicker without rest? Something’s changing concerning your work and work environments, in the way you do things. You think about community, health, a needed spa experience. You’re running here, there, everywhere. Where are you going?
Libra September 23–October 22
Although the energetic focus in your life remains at home, it’s shifting to the creative arts. It’s good to, with a group of friends, meet at a museum, theatre, dance performance, art gallery, and party after. You need more fun. Invite friends over. Don’t take monetary risks or gamble. In the meantime, amidst this artistic activity, think about what gifts and talents you possess. Humanity needs them.
Scorpio October 23–November 21
Where’s your family, how are they doing, what is your relationship to them? What was your early life like and how does it affect your present life now? These are questions for the month. You may want to visit family (whomever you consider family), be in touch and in contact (which releases Love), send messages to those far away. In between, tend to home with loving attention. Soon more work calls to you.
Sagittarius November 22–December 20
And so the upcoming days may feel like a puzzle that must be completed in very little time. There will be many activities to tend to, many people to talk and confer with, decisions to be made, possibly more deadlines. You’ve walked into the future and will need to juggle present/past and future time. This is not a test. You’re perfecting how you work on multiple levels within time/space. And then you must tend to your social life.
Capricorn December 21–January 20
Are you concerned about money and resources? Is there not enough? Do you need to balance what’s coming in, what’s going out? Is there something that must be purchased? It’s good to think about and save for the future, to use resources to put things by (like the Mormons), to consider the idea that a greenhouse is an important investment. Are you saving and tithing? You know the spiritual rule for tithing, yes?
Aquarius January 21–February 18
More and more, day after day, events in your life are creating a new self-identity. Because of this it’s good to have new clothing, shoes and hairstyle, discover new colors never worn before. How you present yourself to the public, how you look and what you say, is remembered always. Confidence and a sense of well-being makes you feel festive, creative and alive. People want to be with you. Then they too become confident.

Pisces February 19–March 20
It’s time to tithe, giving to organizations you believe in so they can serve others. It may be a community (Aquarius), a hospital for children (St. Jude’s). It may be Oxfam or the Heifer Project, sending money so families can raise bees, ducks, chicks, farm animals. It could be Doctors Without Borders, Catholic Charities, or Unicef (for children). Service calls you. You understand this. Where are you?

---

Risa is Founder & Director of the Esoteric & Astrological Studies & Research Institute, a contemporary Wisdom School in Santa Cruz, CA.

More at nightlightnews.com. Risa's email: risagoodwill@gmail.com Facebook: Risa's Esoteric Astrology

Free horoscopes at Astrodienst...

Astrodienst authors/astrologers Liz Greene, Robert Hand and Mona Rieger are well known in the field of modern western "humanist" astrology. Astrodienst has artistic on site graphics, a precise Ephemeris, a discussion forum, and many types of charts, readings, and software that you can purchase at very reasonable pricing. Free horoscopes at Astrodienst

http://www.astrodienst.com/

Natural Selection 2.0 Opening February 1 - April 1

Am pleased to have my painting WebhGround 3 selected to be a part of the Natural Selection 2.0 show opening tomorrow.

Margaret Withers, stealing entropy, 
2010, resin, pigment, oil, string, painted vellum, 24x24
© Margaret Withers

Am honored to have art work selected for the Natural Selections 2.0 "contemporary art meets nature" Group Show at Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota. The show will open Feb 1st, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM and run through April 1, 2011. There will be 21 artists represented from the US and 1 artist from Belgium.
Alan Montgomery and Destry Sparks have curated the show.

Karl E. Mundt Gallery at Dakota State University

820 N. Washingston St.
Madison, South Dakota 57042 

The artists:

Cathryn Peters,  Angora, MN

Greg Patch,  Surf City, NC

Milbert Whitley,  Pantego, NC

Joshua Coombs,  Philadelphia, PA

Jane Horner,  New Bern, NC

Pamela Zimmerman,  Washington, NC

Emily Soldin Howard,  Raleigh, NC

Joey Howard,  Raleigh, NC

Maxine Masterfield,  South Sarasota, FL

Meredith Loughlin,  Washington, NC

Neil Loughlin, Washington, NC

Betsy Stewart,  Washington, DC

Andrew Fullwood,  Chapel Hill, NC

Platon Alexis Hadjimichalis,  Brussels, Belgium

Jenny Hodges,  Wilmington, NC

Kiernan McGonnell,  Chicago, IL

Margaret Withers,  Brooklyn, NY

Peggy Guichu,  Phoenix, AZ

Destry Sparks,  Greenville, NC

1st Anniversary of gregpatch.blogspot.com

enThanks to the experiences 

enJoy to the adventure

of maintaining this blog 

through the first year and into

tomorrow 


Solar Return reading for www.gregpatch.blogspot.com generated by Io Interpreter ©TCR Astrology software 

Transit MARS opposed natal Mars
Jan 30 through Jan 30, 2011 

The biggest potential of this period is that you may have to constantly cope with people whose actions and purposes are diametrically opposed to your own. Under this influence your attempts to physically accomplish something may be appropriately compared to hitting your head against the proverbial stone wall. Making little or no headway, you’ll end up wondering why you ever wasted your energy in the first place. Nor will you succeed any better with a show of strength or aggressiveness, since these efforts are apt to be met with an equally determined exhibition of force. It may be difficult to sustain any controlled or stable physical efforts at this time, but things may be easier for you if do not waste what energy you have with anything but the most routine, quietly carried out tasks.

Transit SUN opposed natal Mars
Jan 30 through Jan 31 

Under this influence many of your physical efforts may be undone, perhaps through laziness or careless behavior on your part or that of others. The point is that you should not try too hard to accomplish much since it may be a lost cause. Some vital force seems to be missing. Though you may or may not be able to point to exactly what it is, you’ll be frustrated if you try to stir things up to correct the situation. There is no pleasing anybody now, including yourself. Open confrontations are likely to turn into disasters and solve nothing in the bargain. A good time for quiet mental pursuits.

Transit VENUS square natal Uranus
Jan 30 through Jan 31, exact on Jan 30 

Interactions of all kinds; romantic, social, business, friendships and even fleeting encounters with such people as salesclerks or bank tellers-- can have a way of putting you in touch with the values and social mores of your own generation rather than what is currently fashionable. It can work in many different ways and on many different levels. You may, for instance, be wearing a certain style of clothing and find yourself among those dressed in fashions that differ strikingly from your own. Your interactions with others may also differ strikingly enough to make social events somewhat awkward. Any of these potential circumstances can end up being pleasant experiences, even if they are initially uncomfortable. Others are apt to eventually come around to finding you attractive and interesting, and you are able to succeed at something because of your uniqueness not in spite of it. Coordinating group activities is apt to be frustrating but if you rise to the challenge, your efforts may produce viable results.

Transit SATURN square natal Mercury
Jan 30 through Jan 31 

By choice or current circumstances you may be very preoccupied with computers, communications, writing assignments, mechanical and design projects, education, and training. Whatever efforts you may be engaged in along these lines, they are likely to be plagued by delay or frustrations of one sort or another. Correspondence does not arrive on time. The material or assignments you are given may be new or more difficult than usual, or other circumstances make it hard for you to give sufficient time and attention to the tasks at hand. Travel is apt to be delayed, but this by no means implies that you should cancel the trip. Simply work your schedule around the changes or inconveniences that turn up. A similar description and pattern of frustration may accompany business or commercial enterprises, community activities, meetings or seminars, and projects or contacts that involve siblings and neighbors. Your normal pace may be slowed by respiratory ailments, hearing or speech difficulties, arthritis, and other complaints that you may experience yourself or have to cope with in others. The positive potential is that in every likelihood you will accomplish what you set out to do. All you need is patience and the determination to overcome whatever challenges turn up.

Transit PLUTO square natal Saturn
Jan 30 through Jan 31 

This long-term influence is likely to bring difficult but not insurmountable circumstances, the nature of which involves overcoming those with more power than your own, situations that involve a new start or regaining something that was lost, or dealing with the threatened loss of your own power or influence. The past becomes significantly important to the present as well as the future. If you refused to accept the necessary restrictions and limitations that were necessary for progress to be made, this becomes a time to regret your past resistance and correct your attitude. Self-discipline plays a major role. Abuse of authority in the past will have to be confronted and corrected. Ambitions must be tempered with patience and control. Obstacles may challenge your right to the rewards of age and experience, hard work and sacrifice, and the traditions and structures that support your life-style.

Transit SATURN trine natal Venus
Jan 30 through Jan 31 

Those who are older find you very appealing and attractive. Entertain them. Socialize with them. Everyone will benefit in the nicest possible way. Romance, partnership, female relationships, and joint ventures are highly favored during this period. A long-established alliance will benefit in various ways, not the least of which may be because it manages to still exist. If marriage, romance, business partnership, social contact, or friendship is initiated under the present influence, it is certain to have the best chance for longevity and fruitful consequences. Beauty treatments, and decorating, design, or art projects undertaken during this period are likely to have long-lasting and successful results. Social and diplomatic gestures are not apt to be insincere or flimsy. This may be thought of as an excellent period in which to mix business and pleasure.

Transit SATURN sextile natal Moon
Jan 30 through Jan 31 

The people and circumstances likely to be encountered these days provide opportunity to boost your emotional life-- opportunity that can lead to fulfilling a desire, becoming healthier or more physically fit, and establishing better relationships with family members, especially elderly family members. Under this influence benefits are ultimately gained from heeding the wisdom of those who are older and wiser than yourself. Patience is definitely a virtue that pays off. If patience is not normally a part of your personality, it would be in your best interests to temporarily adopt this approach. Another opportunity in your current circumstances may arise as a direct result of your careful work and patience in the past.

Transit MARS conjoined natal Sun
Jan 30 through Jan 31 

During this period you experience a surge of vitality--a stronger identification with so-called male energy. Your inner determination becomes stronger, and ego gratification is the guiding force behind many of your physical actions. You energetically go after things or people in a number of ways depending on the circumstances. Under this influence, your actions may result in an act of great courage, aggressive push to get ahead, enthusiastic endorsement, or demonstration in one form or another of your integrity and principles. You either encounter physical challenges or purposely initiate direct confrontations and competitive or risky situations. You may be well able and willing to physically handle whatever comes along during this period (or at least believe that you can) but take care that your actions and activities do not strain your heart or spine or result in sunburn or injuries to your head or face.

Transit SUN conjoined natal Sun
Jan 30 through Feb 1, exact on Jan 30 

Congratulations! It is the beginning of another birthday year for you. Since the planetary patterns influencing your life and affairs will be different in any given year you do not always have the same feelings and attitudes every time your birthday rolls around. No matter what the circumstances happen to be however, you can take advantage of the positive potential of each birthday by making it a special time for renewing inner energy and vitality, and your faith in yourself as an individual. Reflect on what the past has taught, look forward to where you would like to be in the future, and above all, adopt the attitude and determination that you will meet and overcome every challenge that the future holds.

Transit MERCURY sextile natal Uranus
Jan 30 through Feb 1, exact on Jan 31 

The information, ideas, and communications that come your way during this period represent possible opportunities that will allow you to either demonstrate or acquire some unique or special talent or knowledge. Other opportunities you should watch for under this influence include the chance to acquire or use technical expertise and sociological skills, to travel in some unusual capacity or to an unusual place, or become involved in the finances or newsletters of an organization or club. One of the most interesting prospects is that your success under this favorable influence, is apt to result not so much because of how well you fit in with a group or society, but simply because you are not in synch with everyone else or have a nontraditional attitude or approach to things.

Transit VENUS sextile natal Neptune
Jan 30 through Feb 1, exact on Jan 31 

Opportunity to acquire a glamorous image or to wrap yourself in an aura of mystery may come along. Under this influence you may find yourself mystified by or strangely attracted to people or things of great beauty. Take advantage of opportunities that encourage your imagination. Allow yourself to be inspired, or take advantage of a chance to be inspiring to others. Let romantic encounters or social settings act as a means of enhancing your awareness and sensitivity to the subtleties of human relationships.

Peace Basket

Peace Basket        40" x 10"       Eleagnus shoots, White Egret wing feather, dune grass       2007

Within the first couple years I moved to Surf City, NC I created "Peace Basket" to honor my new home by loosely weaving and adding a feather. I selected Oleaster Eleagnus x ebbingei shoots that I trimmed from hedges in the yard. I added a feather from White Egret. Both Eleagnus and the White Egret abound in this area. Having spent the last 35 years living in the Northeast they were each new to me as species growing abundantly in the bioregion I lived in. I tied the woven shoots together using grass growing on the dunes. I placed the feather with its tip down. I learned from my Native American teachers that when they wore there feathers pointing down it was a show of peace. I placed it on an axe (harsh) corner at the intersection of a hallway and the kitchen/living area. May peace be with us all. Aho.