10/28/22 Update: Have I really lived in Philly 40 years? It is a good time to be in Philly ( World Series opener in progress tonight!) While I have not taken and recent fall photos, I thought it would be cool to reblog this oldie but goodie from 2014. I do hope to take some shots soon since the foliage is finally taking shape here in the City of Brotherly Love. What is it about Phila and Pennsylvania? We seem to be in the spotlight often. Maybe because this area has strong roots in the founding of America, the cradle of democracy. I hope the cradle doesn’t break. With my birthday, Samhain, Eclipse Season and the midterm Elections all imminent, this is a powerful, high energy time. I have been interviewing for jobs, looking for a new car, and considering moving to a new home. It will be close but most likely out of Philly. So this could be my last fall in Philadelphia!
Happy Samhain and Scorpio Season.
It is only fitting that I post about this Hall and Oates song on the first full day of fall, here in Philadelphia. This version with Diane Birch is from Live from Daryl’s House. I moved to this city to start the fall semester of my senior year at Temple University, so it is an anniversary theme of sorts. My trip to University City last week really reminded me of those first days of freedom and adventure in a new city and new state ( Though I did live in Reading , PA as a child).
The first time I heard this song on the radio while living in Philly was very special to me because it was in early autumn. I told myself I would hear it every year on the radio as a way to usher in the season and mark my life in this amazing city. For a few years I did hear it annually, but eventually the frequency dwindled. But now we have Pandora and YouTube so I can listen to it or watch a video as long as I have a decent wi-fi signal!
The song’s message is actually very dark in nature, but the music is very upbeat with some folksy, twangy guitar licks and jazzy horns. Like so much in life, it is a juxtaposition of energies blended into one.
Here are some pictures that were taken close to my past and present neighborhoods ( by Wikipedia, not me) that closely reflect the beauty of my home with the stunning old architecture, splashes of color, and natural splendor. Philly really rocks, pun intended!
West Philly ( just a couple blocks away from my first apartment)
Wissahickon Creek ( near my current neighborhood )
Residential Chestnut Hill ( a classic home ” On the Hill ” )
I could wax poetic about the history and majesty of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. I could brag as many Phila-files do, about the Quaker roots, substantial native american history, the Founding Fathers ( where are the Mothers?) forming of an experimental American government, the first capital of the US, the name – Brotherly Love, but you already knew all about it. We brag about and trash the city all the time, its kind of an unspoken tradition. I honestly never expected to live in any one place for so long, but here I am. I was born in New York City, but my roots are truly here. However, I am really very different from the young woman who moved into this incredible city with a college friend and her room-mate from Penn. I am so much more who I am meant to be, but with many more scars and broken dreams.
So where is the spiritual angle? Where is the lite in the ordinary?
Let’s just say that this calendar year of 2014 is just beginning as far as I am concerned. With Mars and then Saturn retrograde for most of the year, and Saturn weighing me down as he straddled all of my Scorpio planets, New Year’s day for me has not happened yet! I would say that it will start in early November after the Mercury retrograde post shadow has ended. We are currently in the pre shadow period which happens before Mercury makes his latest foray backward on October 4th. Yes, that again! Maybe I will use my birthday in early November ( solar return ) to celebrate a true forward motion.
So I have a few days after tomorrow’s Libra new moon to experience new beginnings before the slowdown is again in full gear. Coincidentally ( or not) Rosh Hashanah, the start of the Jewish New Year, begins tomorrow evening at sunset. I do appreciate that many religious and cultural holy days are in alignment with the lunar cycle.
NOW is all we have, so today is like a second-hand New Year’s Eve if I choose it to be. Cycles are in motion constantly, from the microscopic, cellular and quantum level to the universal, cosmic level. Most of them we are not even aware of, but that does not make them any less significant.
Think about it, while I notice the leaves turning yellow while daylight slips away and the black sky entertains streaks of pink and purple. hint – that is where the lite resides.
It is fall again, in Philadelphia….
Update : Just discovered a great article about Philly that really illustrates the heart.
http://www.movoto.com/philadelphia-pa/philadelphians-love/
Philadelphia images courtesy of wikimedia.org public domain
litebeing chronicles 
Reblogged this on litebeing chronicles and commented:
Hello litebeings, with the Mars square Pluto transit this morning, I learned that a friend of mine if seriously ill. She is so young and strong and this news makes no sense to me. I drove to the stored today and it became apparent that fall has arrived in Philadelphia. Slowly but surely the leaves are turning and gliding through the clear blue sky. I long for normalcy in this anything but typical year of 2020. Here is a reblog of my post about Philly traditions and shifting cycles of time.
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How beautiful are those homes.. Loved your pictures, and the countryside too looks stunningly beautiful.. Wishing you a great Fall.. as the heavens alter and bring in the new.. 🙂
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Hi again, Your remarks remind me of those great pictures of your homeland that you shared with me. So much beauty abounds!
hugs, Linda
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Beautiful pics! I love Philly, such great architecture.
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Hey Sarah,
So happy you like the pics and my hometown 😉
And extra thanks for the follow. Any friend of Amanda is a friend of mine.
Namaste,
Linda
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I was thinking the same thing, haha. My pleasure! Hoping some of your knowledge will rub off.
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so we are in synch 😉
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Apparently we have more friends in common! Check your blog where I left you a clue 🙂
love love love the synchronicities …
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Love the row houses Linda! I was in Phillie twice, once in 7th grade for a class trip, and once to watch the Phillies play. Spent lots of time as a kid camping near Gettysburg and Hershey. Love Pennsylvania.
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Thank you Deb,
The rowhouses are an East Coast thing. Did you see the Liberty bell on your class trip? I really liked Gettysburg and Hershey too. I yearn to get to the Northwest sometime soon. Astrologically it really suits me and I know it would soothe my soul.
xx Linda
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Yes, I did get to see the Liberty bell, and the old part of Philly where the streets are still cobblestoned.
Let me know if and when you plan a trip out here. I would love to visit with you. We have a guest room!!
xoxo
Debra
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That’s very generous Deb. I will indulge my travel urge once I am graced with sufficient funds. It is sooo long overdue 🙂
xx Linda
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Oh Linda, it was just lovely to see photos of Philadelphia! Nothing like an old friend… I have extended family, Italian relatives that live in the surrounding area.
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Where are they located? I had some Italian family settle near the Delaware Water Gap. Maybe Pennsylvania reminded them of Italy. Having been both places, I do not see the link 🙂
Glad the pictures warmed your heart ❤
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Rosalyn? Hahaha… no link between Italy and PA, except for all the Italians! 🙂
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Do you mean Roslyn? I have friends who live there, It is very close by 🙂
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Thank You for sharing this with me !!! You made me smile and sing !!! ❤ *Cynthia
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I am so glad you enjoyed yourself 🙂
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Enjoyed reading this poetic post. I grew up in Wilmington DE and my parents were from Philly so I know of these places. I was also born in early Nov. (8th). So, we may have more in common than we know!
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I knew there was a reason I was led to your blog. I also am fond of Wilmington and Delaware in general.
Now I know we have much to discuss ( I will email you soon)
Glad you enjoyed it Paula!
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Another lovely post! Thank you for sharing the beautiful photographs – Wissahickon Creek is just gorgeous. And yes on the delayed ‘new year’ for 2014, due to the Mars and Saturn retrogrades and Saturn putting the anchor down in some key areas. So happy new year … soon. 🙂
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So glad someone else besides me gets that 2014 has not started yet for many of us with fixed planets or angles. Even without them, the year began mid August.
Isn’t the Wissahickon lovely?
Happy New Year TBD 😉
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Definitely! With Sun-Saturn and MC in Aqua and Mars in Leo, I definitely understand what you mean! 🙂
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