h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've had a look at your website, Maggy, and added it to my favourites!

Interesting stuff.

Is that retrograde Mercury still about, do you know, Maggy.

Today at work we had two incidents. The first involved a delivery of 20 boxes, which the driver not only refused to bring to our floor, he expected us to unload it from his lorry and he was most unhelpful, not to say rude. In the end, we got him to unload it into e building's reception.

Just as that had been dealt with, another delivery person came into our room with a box - didn't know what it was or who ordered it, just that it was for my team and that it was an exchange. I suggested we opened it and had a look, to find it was a replacement fax. He helped me to take the old one out and then handed the new one over. Just after he left, I found a note (upside down on the floor) that said we should have taken four pieces from the old fax and put them in the new one.

My admin got very wound up trying to sort it out with BT. In fact, I ended up spending ages calming down both her and the person to whom the boxes had been sent. As far as I can see, it's no use complaining for ages afterwards, as it does not help, wastes their time, and more importantly, mine! (Gosh, don't I sound impatient!)

Golly - so sorry, I completely missed this one!

It sounds just like retrograde Mercury! Sometimes it's even worse at either end as Mercury is stationary and it's like trying to wade through treacle.

Safely over now - for the moment at least.

How are things? I've been rushed off my feet with all my different jobs (!) and also been looking for a new home. The people from whom we rent our house are coming back from abroad so we have to move. Just found somewhere - and very challenging it is too - because it's SO beautiful!

I've never lived anywhere like it. We can afford it (just!) and have said we'll take it. But we both went through a real crisis about it afterwards! Most interesting to see the resistance to moving up a level...

Hi Maggy,

I thought the stuff I was telling you about was retrograde Mercury.

Good for you finding somewhere great to live. I wish you all the luck in the world.

Things are doing well at the moment. My man and I have been talking about doing some writing together, working on a programme and writing a book together. It will be an interesting relationship. We're communicating in a more honest way than has been possible before, and being able to talk about the sacred and the mundane. We're both learning and I think I can grow a lot here.

He's going to help me declutter and probably to redecorate, which will be really good for me. I may extend the mortgage a little to be able to have it professionally done, but I need to work out just what I want doing. He's suggested I have a good think about what I want each room for, functionally, before making plans. I'm not good at this type of thing. I may also have your kind of resistance!

Maggy,

R and I were discussing prosperity consciousness and foolhardiness. How do you know the difference?

Well it's hard sometimes! But I think the best answer to that is the old Arabian proverb: Trust God but Tether your Camel. Keep one foot on the ground and learn to be aware of your strengths and limitations.

It was prosperity when my ex and I sold our house in Birmingham to move to London, with the intention of moving to Montana. It was foolhardy to take the flight out when the visa had been denied three days before we went.

Okay, the attorney said it would be won on appeal and said we were safe to go...and good things did come out of it but, in retrospect, I'd still say that it was foolhardy.

Basically it broke the marriage - but then, perhaps it needed breaking?

In a nutshell, I'd say go ahead until you get a definite halt from the Universe. Then stop and consider carefully!

Do you have an example like that?

I like the 'tether your camel' proverb - since I saw your site, I've quoted it a few times to friends.

Well, one of the issues around me at the moment is whether to extend my mortgage in order to do some stuff to the house so that it is a more pleasant place to live in. This might mean paying rather a lot more back monthly or paying more back and extending the term, unlessI find a way of bringing more money in.

I'm not suggesting going over the top, but just some things like putting a shower in the bathroom, painting and decorating. It's not terribly practical for me to do DIY type things at present, although there are things I can do.

I suspect that I need to complete the clutter clearing before I am clearer on this. It's going slowly, but it is happening.

Perhaps I need to take a good long look at my finances.

Hi Zarquon,

I'm a bit on the cautious side (with the odd moment of impulse) but if you've still got clutter to get rid of I'd advise that you do that before you launch into plans for new stuff. Getting rid of the clutter makes room for whatever you need to come in - and that can include money!

If you've got really major clutter to dispose of, be prepared to catch a cold or similar - when you get rid of material stuff you also get to clear some psychological stuff, too, which also works on the physical body. Sounds complicated (and also like a consignment of geriatric shoemakers) but it sometimes works out like that for me!

Oops! Jumped the gun, there.

Thanks, AstroLion. This ties in very well with my feelings. My friend is keen for me to blaze ahead. I feel the best way is to do the clearing work first. I am doing it, but it is taking an awful long time as at present I'm doing it on my own and my energy levels are still quite low.

Just watch your energy increase as the clutter decreases 'cos you've got less to lug around!

That's true - but there can also be some fall-out while you are clearing emotional stuff. It may bring up some old emotions and make you feel tired to start with. But once it's gone - wow!

It's so simple - nature abhors a vacuum and if you throw stuff out more will come in. A good idea to focus on what you really want to come in though!

I find the best way to do that is to read a real quality magazine - a homes and gardens type of thing which gives a hint of luxury - but that's just me.

When I was single, I read wedding magazines and swooned over the dresses. And I put up pictures of loving couples on the wall. It worked!

Yes, I am feeling tired, although I'm so often tired that I don't know I'd notice a difference!

Every trip down to the charity shop does feel good, though.

Yes, I've bought some house and garden type magazines, although I've not really looked at them yet. Reading wedding magazines - not sure I dare yet!

At present, little is ill and in bed. Poor thing seems to have a gastric thing - trouble either end.

Um. Yes I had that last weekend (though I promise I didn't give it to little ).

I did some healing for a friend's partner - in their home - and, most unusually for me, I took some of it on (I think). Didn't eat anything other than what the Best Beloved ate so it can't have been that.

Anyway, much better now. And clearing out again this end too - we're moving house on Friday week. Again...

Little is much better today.

My contribution to clutter clearing today has been - 10 books. I set myself that as a target and for some reason struggled (although I did make it). Better a little than none. And I'm going through some papers., so more stuff to go there.

This house move of yours, I'm assuming it's to the house you had the hesitation over because you thought it was a step too high?

Good luck!

No it's not. We didn't get that one (with all the corresponding agitation about that). It went to a corporate let - we found out on Saturday...

Instead, we're going to a perfectly nice little house which is right next to the tube line (trains going past at the bottom of the garden). Nothing but the garden itself makes my heart sing and it's all very average.

I should be really grateful that we've got somewhere - after losing the other one at such short notice. And I know that we can make something of this house - the other was so perfect that it would have been hard to make a presence there. But I feel almost depressed about it.

I can't help thinking that all the irritation over the dog has had its own fall-out effect. Must do something to change the mood!

I think once we're in and I'm doing something positive with it, it'll be better.

Ugh! Sorry to hear this. I suppose there's a reason and that you might find out what it is, however I suppose it doesn't help at the moment.

I wish you all the best in the new house and that it will be a very good move for you.

I did an interesting I Ching for my man and I and I and got the same as I did quite some while ago - got 49 = Skinning transforming to 15 = Humbling.

Skinning, getting rid of things, like a snake shedding its skin,eliminating the useless, so that renewal can take place. Sound familiar?

Humbling is not only about being modest, but about simplicity and clarity.

Ah yes, humbling...I think I've worked out what's going on about the house (and I was horribly depressed today - my best beloved is just looking up the transits!).

I have terrible pockets of pride...and my ex is now living in his rich girlfriend's posh house - and I think I wanted to be posh to so I could go

Our house will be lovely. We don't have any furniture so we will build it ourselves and make it beautiful.

How's it going with your Arian and your son? Still a problem?

Aha! Yes, I'm sure you'll make your house lovely, Maggy! I wish you every happiness in it. You sound much more cheerful now.

My son and my Arian - they're getting on well now. It's good that in the few incidents of discipline that we've had to cope with that we have a similar stance. He (son) no longer asks after the Taurean as much and says he likes them equally. It's progress. We've seen a couple of videos together as a threesome, (Lord of the Rings, Men in Black and Spiderman), which he's thoroughly enjoyed (and so have I!) as well as going out together. He is coming to enjoy seeing him.