Astrologers are aware that we all have options in deciding exactly how a planetary pattern will manifest in a given year. For instance, you can think of smiling, notice a smile just beginning and stifle it, see a picture of someone smiling, read about the history of smiles in a book, call the press about it, meditate on or visualize smiles, try to stop someone from smiling, dream of smiling, teach people how to smile, idealize, analyze or disdain smiling, laugh and smile until you're blue in the face and then tell a story about it, recalling it for years to come and integrating it into your self-definition and identity. There are many different ways to experience a smile, from seed or concept, to manifestation, to completion or memory. It is the same with astrological energies -- responses and experiences vary, but essential themes remain the same. It can take months, sometimes years, for some energies to play themselves out, integrated and overlapped in many interesting and unique patterns. Each life event is made up of several hundred patterns, with some prevailing at one time and others at another time. Long-term aspects are background energies. Sometimes they influence self-definition and character, manifesting many events of a similar quality. In any case, it's up to the individual to make the most of them. Most daily events will be shown by short-term aspects, like a "Time Window" opening and then closing. Please remember that we are working with probabilities, possibilities, inclinations; seldom compulsions, demands or requirements. It is possible to go outdoors in the rain or snow wearing only a bathing suit, but usually better to wear a coat and carry an umbrella. (Not always!) The Degree Symbol for 7 Capricorn is: **Birds in a house filled with light are singing happily.** The happiness that radiates from an integrated personality. A Degree of Song. With Mars t in this degree I found myself singing happily while making breakfast. I had watched Brother Sun, Sister Moon, a deeply moving film on DVD by Franco Zeffirelli about the life of St. Francis and his work with the homeless and underprivileged. In the film score there is a song written by Donovan that goes like this: "Birds are singing, sweet and low, from the trees that gently grow, soft and soothing breezes blow, on this lovely day." The house was indeed full of light, so four elements of the symbol came together in a new juxtaposition: Birds, house, light, and happily singing. Good Samaritans and Humanitarians: if you run across someone in need, you can now help them to call 2-1-1. It's 9-1-1 for the oppressed and disenfranchised. That will hook them up with a local network of resources and volunteer agencies who can assist them. So St. Francis' and Gautama Buddha's work continues, but it's a bit easier now, and it won't cost you a dime. It's free, even at the phone booth.