The Horoscope, The Bible, And Me - Saturday

I'm a Christian. This means that I believe God, not his creation (like stars and planets) looks after me and the rest of the world. When I wonder about future happenings or today's decisions, I look to his book the Bible.

The horoscope, on the other hand, is something I've never even bothered reading. I've never understood how creation could have any power over our lives that could be bigger or better than the power of the creator who made it.

But this week, we'll be looking at my horoscope. Why, you ask. Because I've always wanted to compare the advice it gives with the advice I've needed in real day-to-day life. Is the horoscope on track? If not, I wonder why people continue to read it. Is it so vague it could apply to all people all of the time? Why do people believe such generalisations might apply to them and others in the 1/12 of the population born at the same time in the year? I'm interested to find out!

Each morning this week, I will be reading my horoscope (I wonder if the version I am reading is similar to other astrologists' interpretations?) and each evening I will be updating you with how my day actually turned out.

It doesn't seem sensible to record my horoscope and my day unless I also record what I'm reading in my REAL guidebook each day - The Bible. That makes sense doesn't it? Don't stress, I'm not gonna get all preachy and stuff. I'll just tell you what I read and how it might have applied to me.

And in return, you'll forgive me for being biased, won't you? It doesn't make sense to love God and follow God (which is a whole-hearted sort of thing) if you're going to be all half-hearted about the Bible and become more open to your horoscope. But through it all, I will try to be sensitive to readers who may not share my world-views and who may take horoscopes seriously.

So: what star sign am I? I didn't even know that star signs existed until Grade 6 when a maths book gave us 12 sets of maths problems and instructed us to complete the set that corresponded to our star sign. What's a star sign? I asked. A school friend had to help me. She said I was a Capricorn.

I really wanted to start by describing myself and making you guess: a much more reliable way of determining if it's a true match to my personality than the usual conversation:

Somebody Else: What star sign are you?
Me: To be honest, I don't really remember.
SE: Well what's your birthday?
Me: 12th of January.
SE: Oh, you're a Capricorn. That's the goat. That means you're hard-headed and practical, ambitious, suspicious, resentful, diplomatic, reserved, selfish, orthodox, determined and unscrupulous. Aren't you?
Me (unsure but unable to completely disagree): I guess I am sort-of a bit like that ... sometimes. (Ah, the power of persuasion!)

Which is sort-of uncanny, until you realise you're artistic, fickle, contrary, witty, versatile, and joyous like a Gemini. And balanced, indecisive, detached, fair-minded, and alert like a Libran. And pragmatic, practical, careful, trustworthy and stubborn like a Taurus.

So. Not an exact science then?

Just once I'd like to describe myself, and make people guess. But I have no time for that today: I want to get into this Horoscope-Bible-Me thing.

So here we go. Saturday 17th May 2008.

Advice for Goats: It's hard to fathom the motive of your friends now, for they seem to be playing with an intense flair that is covering their hidden agendas. But perhaps it is your straightforward lifestyle and traditional goals that motivate them to bring out a different side of your personality these days. Instead of attempting to know why they are treating you differently now, focus your attention on what they are trying to tell you. You might just learn something important about yourself.
By Rick Levine Saturday, May 17, 2008.


Advice for God's people: I had been thinking of Psalm 121 all day, and just had to read it when I had a spare minute. This is what it says, from the NIV. Note: The "LORDs" are in capitals because it denotes a different Hebrew word was used; 'Yahweh' I think is denoted by caps, and Adonai is usually translated as "Lord".

Psalm 121 (NIV)
I lift up my eyes to the hills -
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip -
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you -
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm -
he will watch over your life
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

What Did Today Bring? Well here's something about me. I stress about all things medical. I've been a bit worried this week about a weird pain, and I've been lying awake and night worrying my little head off about it. This morning I thought that the stress of finally heading to my lovely doctor (now that I have time to go!) would be much less stressful than worrying all day and all night, so I did. Hubs was out all day, and I really hate dragging two active kids to the doctor's office, so I called my Good Friends to see if they could mind Sonny Ma-Jiminy while I took Smoochy Girl with me.

At short notice, they did. Sonny had a great time, I came back with my mind at rest and free of worry, and then we had coffee and lamingtons before I brought the kids home for a sleep.

Sorry, horoscope. I have to say you were off about my friends. Their motives were flexible, caring and open. Their willingness and availability enabled me to go to the doctor with one less packet of stress in my metaphorical backpack. The way they treated me today is nothing new. Their other-centredness extends to us no matter whether we're kind and happy and on top of the world, or tired, grumpy, and letting fly with words that we really shouldn't. Well, that's really about ME, not HUBS.

The Bible reading was a comfort to me. After years of reading the Bible, I guess I'm used to the feeling of "Aaahhh!" I get when reading it. Sorry horoscope, you don't have the benefit of years of positive associations with me. I admit you've got the handicap there. For me, reading the Bible feels like dropping into a favourite armchair ("Aaahhh!"), or slipping into a beautiful cool swimming pool ("Aaahhh!"), or taking a breath of fresh air after being in a stuffy room ("Aaahhh!")

When I read Psalm 121, my body and mind felt that wave of relief. He could calm my nerves and still my worry, and even if there was something wrong with my body, he would be there with me in the hard times.

It reminded me to pray for strength and courage in the hard times that will come in life, and also for other people who are going through very difficult things. I can't explain. I ache for them and let that prompt me to pray like crazy for healing, for saving and for renewing. And I pray that the Lord will comfort all of us in our hard times.

And also, I hope that we can all HAVE some really great friends ... and BE really great friends for others too!