tars S

WITH LILITH
This weeks Venus moving to critical Virgo, Mercury and Saturn to the sign of the sting and Mars into canbe-tactless Sagittarius signals bad news for sensitives and advises not taking things personally

ARIES: Your ruler Mars moving to the sign of speaking out unearths something you werent aware youve been keeping from yourself. If trust issues are triggered thats your cue to be extra discerning and discriminating, and to have backup plans in place in case of unexpected complications. TAURUS: Venus your boss goddess sweeping into the sign of clean up your act declutters and streamlines your physical world: body, house and workplace. Simplifies and clarifies your mental processes: beliefs, ideas, plans and judgments. And finishes off with an emotional detox of forgiving and letting go GEMINI: Disciplinarian Saturn is strongly indicating that this week you reorganise your daily routines to support your physical and mental health more efficiently. And not be too quick to dismiss people or possibilities; reconsidered from a less judgmental perspective they may make valuable allies or opportunities. CANCER: Resist defensive retaliation at this weeks sharp remarks it wont help. And though its useless suggesting you chuck outdated clutter (what clutter?), upgrade your wardrobe (retros always in!) or put that ancient junk on eBay (but theyre antiques!) then at least recycle whats not being used.

LEO: Although relationships have been high maintenance lately, theyre still a constructive and encouraging influence especially with others now more willing to discuss compromises, consider alternatives and adjust personal parameters. Repay them this week by letting them know how much you appreciate them, then showing it. VIRGO: Venus in Virgo likes peak performances, everyone at their best - though someone elses best mightnt look like what you had in mind and great expectations are often doomed to disappointment. But to err is human, or as Virgo Leonard Cohen says: cracks are where the light gets in. LIBRA: This week asks you to remove the rose tinted specs and take an eyes wide open look at whats really going on. Saturn leaving Libra is the turning point for the real you to step onto Octobers stage and authenticity is way more important than what others might think. SCORPIO: Scorpios are notorious for pinpointing other peoples weaknesses, but using the sting this week could have messy repercussions. With Saturn (astrologers call it the Karmic Lord) moving into Scorpio for the forseeable future, your course is best expressed by the Zen proverb: Let go or be dragged

SAGITTARIUS: This weeks tug of war has action planet Mars in Sagittarius urging you to go for it, while your retrograde ruler Jupiter says stay. What to do? Both, as in making a go of staying put. Meditating, gestating, then finally communicating what needs to be said. CAPRICORN: Better spell things out this week, which has a significant potential for misunderstandings. Not what you want when youve got big decisions to make or accept. Good news is your boss planet Saturn making its move to sexy, magnetic Scorpio for the next two and a half years AQUARIUS: This weeks cosmic combination brings overseas visitors for your entertainment, along with understandings concerning certain relationship moves you may have yet to make. If certain people are so annoying you feel a dummy spit coming on, do an Aquarian version: imagine youre venting, but without verbalising PISCES: Wishful thinking and Pollyana fantasies fly out the window as this weeks practical realities clarify your ability to perceive, learn and apply hows that for good news? And theres more understanding why others have boundaries is going to make relationships so much easier from here on in...

LEARN TO DANCE BOLLYWOOD STYLE (OR ATTEND ANY OF THE MANY DANCE CLASSES) AT DANCING GROUND FESTIVAL AT THE HOSANNA FARM IN STOKERS SIDING THIS FRI-SUN

Then enter it in Byron All Shorts! Short-film makers from across the region are invited to submit their short films, ofany genre, andup to 30 minutes in length. Byron All Shorts finalists willscreen beside the best OLDING YOUR ANCING ROUND in the world at Flickerfest, Australiasonly Academy-accredited shortDancing Ground Festival is bringing their community-inspiring event film festival, over the Australia Day weekendat Bangalow A&I Hall. to Hosanna Farm in Stokers Siding this Friday to Sunday. The festival Entries close 16 November. www.iQ.org.au

October. Writer/director Robert Marchand, a recognised authority of the Character-based Improvisation Process, received endorsement from Mike Leigh as a result of his final-year project at AFTRS and is currently completing his PhD on the process at Flinders University. Mike Leigh makes films that are idiosyncratic, funny and heartfelt. Starting without a script, he spends time with each actor alone to create a unique character. The actor is sent out to research the background, class, work situation, home life and any other relevant aspect to this character, which is then developed further through improvisations. Robert Marchands Mike Leigh Process Workshop is a practical investigation of this unique process. It examines Mikes methods from beginning to end in a dynamic, informative and interactive five-day workshop participants acquire direct, firsthand experience by taking part in progressive character and scene building exercises. For more information visit www.screenworks.com.au or contact Screenworks 02 6687 1599.

offers a weekend of dance and movement workshops, feasting and celebration in a beautiful bush environment. Dancing Ground is a new type of dance festival that revolves around creative expression and wellbeing through dance and movement. The festival has a packed program of workshops for dancers of all levels and abilities. Limited ticket sales and shared meals nurture the community atmosphere and create a safe environment for people to express themselves. The festival is a family-friendly, drug-and-alcohol-free event with plenty of activities to entertain the little ones. The program for the upcoming festival includes a diverse range of classes in the mix, such as 5 Rhythms, Bollywood, Hoop Dance, Capoeira, Contemporary Improvisation, Brazilian Zouk,Dance and much more.

SHOW US YOUR SHORTS!

Have you got a cracking comedy short? An amazing animation? A drop-dead gorgeous drama?

BOOK REVIEWS
Flowers Of Baghdad
by Bruce Lyman Set in Iraq in the period after the fall of Saddam Hussein, Flowers of Baghdad introduces us to two characters whose post-war experiences lead them into a collision course with each other. The rst character is a small-business owner who holds great hope for the future of Baghdad after the American invasion. His optimism is mocked by those around him and remains very scared of how his children will fare in the war-torn country with a paucity of social institutions like schools. However, he maintains his sense of hope and goes to his shop every day looking forward to his rst sale in months. The second is a career military engineer who was summarily dismissed from the Army as a suspected Hussein sympathiser. In fact he had only joined BAth party to further his career and not out of any political motive. Out of money and unable to get work because of this record, he agrees to use his engineering skills to design detonators, convincing himself that the bombs would only be used against the enemies of Iraq. He volunteers as a teacher as cover for this work but becomes

These book reviews are brought to you by Mary Ryans Books Music & Coffee Shop 5/21 Fletcher St, Byron Bay 02 6685 8183 www.maryryan.com.au

completely enamoured with teaching. In his class is the son of the rst character. Review by John Mitchell

Blood Red Road

by Moira Young Blood Red Road aims to replicate the fast pace and intense nature of the Hunger Games series. Although it doesnt get to this goal, Youngs book provides a great read, full of action and adventure. By not using speech marks, and writing in an American way with words like git for got, Young pulls you into the futuristic universe. Overall, Blood Red Road provides a great read for teens around 1215. By Will Fenwick Brisbane, age 14

Kingdom Of Strangers
by Zoe Ferraris A beautifully written and culturally sensitive work reminiscent of le Carrs early work. While the story centres on a mystery, it oers so much more, both in its characterisations and its presentation of the world of sexual politics in Saudi Arabia. At the heart of Kingdom of Strangers are the themes of decency, respect and fairness. A liberal-minded detective, more concerned about solving crime than attending to the gender prescriptions held by the more conservative elements within the police force, joins forces with a bright young pathologist who is desperate to move into the homicide branch despite the many obstacles placed in her way. Solving the crime is complicated, and even undermined, by the personal stories of each of the protagonists. Zoe Ferraris transports into the heart of Saudi Arabia not unlike the manner in which Khaled Hosseini takes us into Afghanistan in The Kite Runner. The reader is confronted with a world where hiding and subtefuge are part of life, and everyone is hiding something. This is a compelling book. Review by John Mitchell

Song of Achilles
by Madeline Miller If you like the history of Greek Legends, then this debut prize winning novel may be for you. This epic love story told from the point of view of Patroclus before and during the Trojan war, details the relationship he shared with the warrior Achilles. While the plot is no mystery, the retelling by Madeline Miller modernises it somewhat and develops the characters to reveal more emotionality. Weaving the myths through the drama, Miller produced an enjoyable novel sprinkled with gossip. While I didnt love it, the authors passionate storytelling kept me with her to the end. Review by Karen Martin www.echo.net.au

USE YOUR PRIVATE HEALTH FUND BEFORE 31 DEC.

SINGLE VISION GLASSES NO GAP EYE EXAMS BULK-BILLED

FREE SPECS!

Colleen Reilly | Greg Litcheld OPTOMETRISTS 6684 1799

24 October 9, 2012 The Byron Shire Echo