Back in 1981, when I started studying the essences, I never thought I'd become one of those doddering old duffers who say things like, "back in 1981, when I started studying the essences..."

At that point, I was only looking for something to recommend to my astrology clients other than decades of psychotherapy to resolve the problems their horoscopes portrayed so starkly. The essences answered that need so well that they became a mainstay of my astrological and psychotherapy practices.

By 1983, I was knocking on the doors of astrology groups and magazines, begging to teach the subject to my peers. "No, thanks," the program committees and editors would say, "it's just not mainstream enough." (Like astrology is mainstream? Right!!)

Only slowly, as I continued to insert the essences judiciously into my books and workshops, did they stop rolling their eyes at this outlandish idea. Gradually, a few other astrologers became interested, and, once in a blue moon, another speaker would give a talk on astrology and healing methods at a conference.

Fade out, fast forward to the fall of 1999. We are poised on the brink of the Millennium, and suddenly the marriage of astrology and healing tools like the essences is being celebrated everywhere. It is appearing in magazines, on web sites, and, of course, here in Vibration. Maybe it has to do with the way time is rapidly funneling through the hourglass. Many of us feel an urgent need to put aside old emotional baggage and start fresh with a whole new Millennium.

Vibration has always included articles on combining essences with astrology. Besides this special suite, you will find other articles on this topic in our index of past articles. It is a delight, however, at this time to be able to direct you to two additional good sources of articles about astrology and essences.

The first is The Wholistic Astrologer, a hard copy quarterly published by Candy Hillenbrand, whose article kicked off this section. I have the premier issue, August, 1999, in hand, but Issue Two should be out shortly. There are articles on essences, and Candy assures us there will be many more.

All of the articles are oriented toward psychology and transformation. They include Outer Planet People (those with Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto prominent in their charts), two on different perspectives on Chiron, and variety of other subjects. To see a preview of The Wholistic Astrologer and to also read a variety of excellent materials on essences and astrology, visit Candy's web site, A Place in Space.

The second source is a crackerjack issue of The Mountain Astrologer. Known affectionately to its readers as TMA, this bimonthly journal is considered by many to be the finest source of advanced astrological information. Though some newsstands carry it, this is no newsstand magazine. By that I mean there are seldom any Sun sign articles, only high quality, detailed presentations of topics both students and professionals in this field love to read.

The October/November, 1999, special issue on Healing with Astrology has to be, to my admittedly biased mind, the best TMA issue ever. There are quality articles on chronic fatigue, grief, stress, and astrological signatures of healers.

Several articles discuss essences specifically, including Shellie Enteen's article on Astrology and the Bach Remedies, and frequent Vibration contributor, Gretchen Lawlor's important article on how astrologers can avert burnout. If you can't find this special issue at your local health food, metaphysical, or chain bookstore, back issues are always available through their web site.

I am taking these appearances as a hopeful sign that more and more astrologers and students of astrology will be using the various kinds of essences in conjunction with their studies. The combination is an unparalleled opportunity to go beyond the insights the chart offers into more rapid transformations of the undesirable patterns in a birth chart. It also is a key to enhancing the positive potential in the nativity and using the energies of a transiting planet in a constructive way. On the eve of a new Millennium, this is truly something to celebrate!

BIO: DONNA CUNNINGHAM, one of the editors of this e-zine, has a master's degree in social work from Columbia University and is also an internationally respected astrologer, the author of 13 metaphysical books. She is considered a pioneer in combining essences with astrology. Her FLOWER REMEDIES HANDBOOK can be ordered on our book page.

Click here to visit Donna's web page or to send her e-mail. Donna is pleased to announce the publication of her newest book, How To Read Your Astrological Chart. For an excerpt, click here.

NOTE: This background was created by A Sight to Behold.

The World Wide Essence Society does not mean to imply any recommendation of nor give certification to any individuals or companies above. This article is provided purely for informational purposes. We ask consumers to make their own determination as to quality of the services and products offered above. This article is not meant to be advice, and the information is not meant to replace medical or psychological treatment.

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