ere in queer Vermont, we begin to believe in the existence of spring around the time of Taurus: April 21st to May 21st. The mud has dried out a bit and the odds are against the likelihood of snow. Nowthe concept of gardening seems more real, and reality as perceived by the senses is what Taurus is all about. We smell earth and our deprived senses come alive. Yes! The Taurean Bull could not be happier. There is sun, running streams, buds, even flowers. Taurus moves us from the youthful energy of Aries . toward a calmer, earthier time. This can be a time to reflect on where we ‘have come from and where we are going. In silence, Taurus is challenged to be the creator of peace and - to be capable of seeing the difference‘ between peace and what is merely security or stasis. from a place of quiet contem- plation we are able to find sim- plicity, and out of simplicity comes the possibility of peace. As Aries is challenged ' to be the appropriate warrior, Taurus is challenged to» be the creator of peace and to be capa- ble of seeing the difference between peace and what is merely security or stasis. Peace has vitality whereas stasis is an illusion of living, a desperate hope that we will arrive at some kind of end point where we will no longer be required to change. — We who consider ourselves . activists know that the road to peace means change and contin- ual attentiveness a life time of attention. Yet in the words of Thich Nhat Hahn there can be peace in every step. Is my eat- ing peaceful,/mindful? My speech? My work? If I am peaceful that is a start.'I am now more able to ask the ques- tions: “Who am I? What am I doing? How am I doing it? Is ' this what I really want to do? What is my motivation?” We are able to get clearer about the quality of our motivation. These big questions are more easily examined in big silence. With silent meditation and contemplation comes a strengthening of our convic- tions and a greater understand- ing of our subconscious minds. We are then better able to take responsibility for our present conditions. I More questions arise. “Does my work support the community? What am I afraid of‘? What are the consequences of my selfish behaviors? Who ‘ am I hurting here?” Knowing the workings of our minds leads us to greater peace. Our minds become more expansive and inclusive: “You mean it isn't all about me?” Our intuition becomes healthier leading us t further insight. ‘ In the Buddhist view, the mind is like a horse, wild or tamed. Certainly the wild horse has its own beauty, but a tamed horse is needed to take you where you want to go. With our tamed/trained minds we are not so overwhelmed. We can see what work needs to be done. As our thinking become more refined, clearer we notice and give authority to the spiritu- al qualities oflife. We begin to see the bonds that connect us and the importance of the group. ‘ Choosing .our groups carefully is crucial, as they will influence us greatly. With whom do we want to align our- selves? By whom do we want ' to be influenced? Participation and collaboration can teach us how to trust one another. Then the stubbornness of -Taurus can be transformed into a steady determination and endurance‘ that serves the entire group. Desire can become aspiration _ for something greater. Selfishness and greed can trans- mute into a hunger for maturity ‘and the urge to be of service. Taurus promotes stamina, stew- ardship, growth, and ultimately reverence. We not only live and let live but feel awed by life. The energies of Taurus have a aversion to drama, recognizing that the real thing is far more impressive. At this time, we get to _ choose between being seduced by the tired and numbing mate- rialistic tune that promises cer- tainty, permanence and pre- dictability.’ Or we may choose serenity and peace founddn the silent music of a meditative opening to the reality of what is the ever-changing moment. ' V Glo Daly is an astrologer living on women ’s land' in Huntington. Vita continued from previous page really broke her heart to leave. The two Vs had let each- other in farther than anyone else had been admitted before. They both found in one another the darkest and most secret part, and the closeness that they achieved .reached a plateau when Vita went back to Tehran. The Nicholsons returned to England for good in May of 1927. Virginia had begun to plan out hernovel, Orlando, a symbolic biography of Vita. By now Vita began to , find Virginia’s continual ill- health frustrating. Vita did not I “relish or approve of chastity.” And Vita’s lesser intelligence ‘began to frustrate Virginia. In September, Vita began an affair with her neighbor, Mary Campbell. A The closeness between Vita and Virginia diminished but they -remained friends until Virginia’s suicide in’.194l. Vita participated in the writing of Orlando by posing for photos and providing images of por- traits from Knole to be included in the book. The estate in Orlando was modeled after her ancestral estate just as the char- , acter was after Vita. It was Virginia’s way of giving to Vita her most beloved and mourned home of the heart, Knole. V Further Reading: . Vita: The Life of]/.' Sackville- West, by Victoria Glendinning, Knopf, 1983. Francesca Susannah‘ is a writer interested in lesbians through history. She lives in Burlington. Unique floral designs to suit " L/r individual taste & style. Custom Flower Designs for: Civil Unions, Special Events, Weddings, & Weekly Orders! 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