The Force and Garden Eels

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“How your life feels is more important that how it looks.” – Think Smarter

How is everyone feeling today, readers? I am taking another temperature check. You’ve been a little quiet out there. How’s the force within you? It is pulsating or is it a tad weak? Whatever it is, it’s okay. Do what feels best.

Silence may be as variously shaded as speech. – Edith Wharton

https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-52500113?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20200504&instance_id=18202&nl=the-morning&regi_id=121107475&segment_id=26556&te=1&user_id=8d9827cde5758c7f510b01ae213d8966

I really enjoyed the above news story reported by the BBC. It turns out the Sumida Aquarium in Tokyo needed help with some interaction with its Garden Eels. Garden Eels know quite a bit about isolating, as they rarely ever leave the burrows, in the sand, that they live in. Isolation is their regular way of life. The Eels that live in the Sumida Aquarium were forgetting what humans looked like and were shyly staying buried in their burrows instead of peeking out. Their keepers were worried about them and they were having trouble monitoring the little eels’ health. Their solution to this problem? They set up iPads with cameras and asked people to come “look” at their garden eels, to keep them used to human faces and to human interaction. Watch the video. It’s strangely calming.

A sad-looking garden eel

So, my little garden eels, how are you doing really? What “takes” have you gotten from all of this isolation? Are you starting to poke your heads out a little bit more? Are you feeling scared and wanting to stay buried in the comforts of your own burrows? Whatever you are feeling, it’s all okay. And it’s all going to be okay.

Star Wars

My family, friends and regular readers know that I faithfully read my horoscopes every day. Cue in the prayers for my soul, from my more traditionally religious friends, family, and readers. Cue in the sighs for my naivety, from my more intellectual friends, family, and readers. Cue in prayers and sighs and tongue clucking, from the smartest and most religious among them all. Cue in the eye rolls from my kids. Cue in the cute wink from my patient, amused, “totally gets me” husband.

Okay, now that that’s out of the way, I feel the need to warn you all, that today’s stars forbode angry tempers among all of the signs. There is a Pluto-Mars opposition that only occurs once a year, happening today. According to the stars and the scopes, it is likely to be an edgy, ornery day for all of us. So, my advice is to take a few breaths before you react to anything or anyone. My advice is to respond calmly versus reacting, reaction-ally. My advice for today, is to think before you speak, give others the benefit of the doubt, and protect yourself from undue toxicity.

Now some would argue that this is good advice to heed any day of the week or of the year, for that matter, and I concur. See, my point is proven. Is reading your horoscopes such a bad thing or is it just a reminder, on a daily basis, to be your best self, while also providing an explanation and an excuse, when you are not quite your best self? All bases are covered. You are welcome.

“The only day to watch is Tuesday when Mars squares Pluto, a combustible situation. Friends or team members could be ornery, so sit tight and let this pass.” – My Stars

“Tempers could flare on Tuesday, when warrior Mars forms a combative square (90-degree angle) to controlling, domineering Pluto. Fortunately, this challenging transit only comes around once a year, but when it does, a clash of egos could quickly escalate into an epic showdown. People will be hotheaded and ready to sting, and even the most enlightened among us won’t be able to totally dodge the intensity. If emotions are intensifying, step out for some air instead of getting sucked into the drama. Socially, beware the wolf in sheep’s clothing. That quiet observer could be an undercover competitor with a secret agenda—or not! But since it’s going to be hard to tell near Tuesday, keep your cards closer to your vest. Mars and Pluto are the lusty co-rulers of Scorpio—and in a combustible square, they can stoke passion. Simmering attractions may explode, but they might also get complicated quickly. Rule of thumb? Get a grip before you strip.” – Astrotwins