October 2023

There’s lots of great things about Galesburg, IL, which has been a progressive ‘village’ since its inception; founded by high-minded abolitionist-folks from out East, who came to found & build Knox College. Galesburg grew to be a city, as it was always envisioned to be. I grew up in Galesburg, attended schools, worked here most of my life, raised my daughter & son here, graduated from Carl Sandburg College, then from WIU. Galesburg is building a grand, new library, which we ‘Galesburgians’ can hardly wait to visit. Our municipality operates under the Council-Manager form of govt, which has worked fairly well since the 1950s. The City Council consists of seven council members, elected by ward; our Mayor is elected by City resident voters. We currently have a wonderful, educated, progressive Mayor, Peter Schwartzman, who is committed to keeping residents informed, and urging their involvement in the affairs that affect ‘Our Town’. Everyone should educate themselves on what’s happening in the City, State, Country they reside in, and be involved; apathy & duplicity only helps those who want to operate in the shadows.

Galesburg has a wide range of social services for people in need, such as: Public Aid & DCFS: Dept. of Children & Family Services. Bridgeway Inc. has services for mental & behavioral health, for developmental & intellectual disabilities, and vocational training services for them; Community Day Services for Adults with such disabilities; DUI Assessment; and Psychiatry, Nursing & Medication management. Galesburg has Residential Care Home facilities for elderly, & several Group Homes for those with disabilities. There’s FISH food pantry. Besides an Amtrak Depot, we have the Galesburg Downtown Depot, located at 120 E. Main St, no ID needed, no questions asked, free food pantry, as well as donated clothing & hygiene goods, run by caring volunteers. We have a General Assistance Office; LIHEAP, utility assistance services for low-income folks, HUD, for low-income housing, and Knox County Health Dept. Google: City of Galesburg, Community Services to find more information.

In spite of all these kinds of services, it’s sad that Galesburg also has a growing population of homeless folks, many of which have mental-emotional difficulties, and some suffer from drug addiction; most are unemployable. They have fallen through the cracks. Many of us wish a larger-ranging plan could be implemented to help these people; though the City does have winter plans for overnight heating-centers for the homeless. The Rescue Mission serves some homeless.

Galesburg’s population: around 30,000, is comprised of around 75% White people, 13.5% Blacks, 4% Hispanic, the remainder: ‘Other’. One thing I didn’t know as I was growing up here, was how segregated ‘Our Town’ was; the schools weren’t segregated, but some places were, such as some businesses, and public places like Lake Storey. I didn’t know until I was an adult that there had been a section “For Blacks” across the lake. I never even thought about why Blacks didn’t swim at Lake Storey; like most of us don’t think much, if at all, about where minorities congregate. Out of sight, out of mind; I didn’t think about people I hardly ever saw. I’m European enough to pass for ‘White’. There are probably many Galesburg residents, who aren’t aware that we have a growing population of Congo people, resident in Galesburg. Where do they live, work & worship? There are over 50 listings for churches, synagogues & worship centers in Galesburg; that’s amazing! I visited a church recently in Galesburg, other than my own, to hear a talk hosted by First Lutheran Church. Rev. Kenneth W. Wheeler, author of “US, The Resurrection of American Terror”, awakens us with his memoir to the truth about the impact of the disease of white-supremacy; the structures & systems which closes minorities out of the opportunities open for Whites. On Amazon, Kindle, you can get a free sample, a few chapters of a book; get this one!

All humanity needs to learn to accept each other; to stop warring; to care for & love one another, as Jesus commanded us to do. Jesus said, “If you love me, love one another”. White-supremacy is a personal affront to Jesus, who didn’t mean to just love those of our own ‘race’, our own nation. It’s also a democracy-killer! We all want to be protected from violence, and ugliness; WE CAN halt hatred & discrimination. WE are called to this NOW! How do we get to know others? We must first mingle with them, be open to accepting them. Know that our Creator created them also, in His image and likeness.

“In Christ there is no east nor west, In Him no south or north, but One great fellowship of love, throughout the whole wide earth. Join hands then, brothers of the faith, Whate’er your race may be. Who serves my Father as a son, Is surely kin to me.” Lyrics of a hymn written in 1908 by John Oxenham (pen name: William Arthur Dunkerley).

Trish Forsyth Voss

October will bring both a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse, powerful events that affect us all, and offer opportunities to raise consciousness across the planet. “The universe is in a state of growth, and consciousness always seeks to expand. The eclipse’s job is to help further humanity’s expanding consciousness. The solar eclipse on Oct 14, is in Libra and the lunar eclipse on Oct 28, is in Taurus.” The effects are felt most strongly in the sign an eclipse occurs in, so if you’re a Libran, you “will likely experience October as a key month with possible endings or new beginnings. Libran themes of relationships, balance, harmony, and beauty might rule our attention in the first two or three weeks of October.” The month begins with Mars and Mercury in Libra, “indicating that much can be accomplished during this real powerhouse of energy. The solar eclipse is also accompanied by a south node in Libra, which suggests that we must be willing to release things in our lives that aren’t doing us any favors. It also suggests a need for cleansing, purging, forgiving and accepting, opening the way for more positive circumstances to develop. If we have been enduring difficult situations, this eclipse could end them.” We can strive to create more harmonious relationships and more balance in our lives; “conflicts in a relationship can be released now through forgiveness or acceptance.”

The lunar eclipse occurs in Taurus on Oct 28, 2023. “Jupiter and Uranus are also in Taurus, adding to its power and potency. Lunar eclipses work on inner levels bringing insight, awareness, illumination and clarity.” We may receive answers to issues that have been on our minds. “This eclipse is likely to shine a light on the path ahead, resulting in feelings of fulfillment, success, or completion in some aspect of life.” We might avoid becoming energetically overloaded by involving ourselves in pleasurable activities we enjoy, and grounding ourselves by walking and being out in nature. “The lunar eclipse will likely bring greater awareness of the ‘Taurean’ themes of money, abundance, nature and simplicity, allowing us to shift consciousness in whatever theme is most relevant for us. Full moons are linked to high tides, and lunar eclipses close to the north node are likely to bring very high tides indeed. On a metaphorical level, we need to remain safe distances from what might emotionally overwhelm us. This is a very abundant energy”, and we should watch to not be swept away by coming developments. “These two eclipses bring endings and beginnings.” Let us move ahead creating greater balance and harmony wherever we go, in whatever we work on, and with whomever we work & play.

*** The above was quoted or paraphrased from: Donna Taylor’s magazine article, “Two Eclipses Bring Endings and Beginnings”, October 2023 Sedona Journal of Emergence, with added commentary by Trish Forsyth Voss. **** The message below was quoted or paraphrased from: Mary Elizabeth Hoffman’s magazine article, ‘On the Edge of the Past, Present, and Future”, October 2023 Sedona Journal of Emergence, with some commentary by Trish Forsyth Voss. ***

“Jupiter in Taurus on the Taurus point of avatar, Uranus in late Taurus, Saturn in Pisces, Neptune in Pisces, and Pluto in Capricorn all remain retrograde during October 2023. This signals a continuation of feeling on the edge between past, present & future in a co-creative process with the universe to discover the cosmic truth of balanced reciprocity. Venus in late Leo trine the Moon’s node node in Aries is a reminder to seek out the soul-heart’s truth, path and passion in new or alternate ways that harm none and bring blessings to all. The T-square between Mars in Libra conjunct the Moon’s south node, Pluto in Capricorn, and Chiron and the Moon’s north node conjunct in Aries is an opportunity to release all past patriarchal patterns of dominance, control, and fearmongering, and replace them with more balanced and harmonious expressions of beauty, light, and love expressed in many new ways. The soul-heart impetus for October is to discover and attain more ease, gratitude, and joy in being part of the cosmos, and moving away from the fear energies used to try to control us.” The old Piscean order of patriarchy is breaking apart; the Age of Aquarius is upon us, and Goddess energies will reign!

“With Mercury in late Virgo in opposition to Neptune in Pisces, a plethora of communications, visions, and information will pour forth regarding what is required in this time of restructuring, reordering, and reorganizing on all levels, dimensions, and aspects. Interdimensional portals are opening for releasing and transmuting the ancient frameworks, beliefs, and fears that are no longer useful, life-affirming, or creative. Much will be dismissed as the final bridges between past, present, and future are crossed. Those who cling to old and limiting beliefs, patterns, and expressions will feel this intensely as the energies of entrapment dissolve and leave all to connect deeply with their inner truth centers and guidance devoid of the ego attachments taught and perpetuated on Earth for eons. Integrity and accountability are here! Jupiter conjuncts the Taurus point of avatar, opening portals and creating situations in which choices can be made individually and collectively to dismiss what no longer serves as affirming, expansive or supportive. With Venus in Leo trine the Moon’s north node in Aries trine Cupido in early Capricorn, this is the ideal opportunity to ground and anchor passionate life-affirming energies into 3D on Earth.” We can call on the ‘Mary-collective’ and all the goddesses for guidance, light, grace and support.

“October 14, 2023, at 9:56 am (PST), a new moon eclipse in late Libra conjuncts the Moon’s south node, and Mercury opposes the Moon’s north node and Chiron in Aries squaring Pluto retrograde in late Capricorn. This stellium in Libra is a powerful vision-holding time of clarification as to the many expressions and aspects of balanced reciprocity with all kingdoms. Neptune’s biquintile to the stellium in Libra will bring huge amounts of defogging, cleansing, and washing away of previous projected agendas by negative astral beings. With Uranus retrograde in late Taurus trine Pluto (now in forward motion) in late Capricorn, 3D changes are possible with less drama, trauma, fear or reaction. With Venus now in early Virgo opposite Saturn retrograde in Pisces, clarity might be attained as to what must be cleared away for rebuilding to begin in earnest. October 28, 2023, a full moon eclipse in Taurus on the Taurus point of avatar at 12:25 pm (PST) conjuncts Jupiter trine Cupido in Capricorn opposing the Sun, Mercury, and Mars in Scorpio. This is a time of surprising hidden portals opening to reveal many unexpected truths of past and potential future issues of balancing power for the human kingdom. Some sudden harsh truths will be revealed that have been concealed from the public by those in power, supposedly “for the good of the people”. Ideas will come forth from the creative general populace, revealing alternate ways to deal with challenging issues initiated by the narrow-mindedness of those who deem themselves to be more knowledgeable. Those unable to accept or cope with these intense revelations might opt to depart planet Earth during the coming months as their fears overwhelm them. Others able to process the grief, disappointment, and physical/mental/emotional pain and who remain hopeful, grateful, and appreciative for even the smallest boon will encounter daily miracles.” Keep the faith, and move forward in Light & Love to bring in the New Earth!

“All Hallow’s Eve, on October 31, 2023, is a time of preparation for the major equinox portal taking place on November 1, 2023, with Mercury and Mars conjunct the Scorpio point of avatar. Those sensitive to this huge interdimensional opening when ancestors return to Earth to commune with those remaining in 3D will feel the effects of this powerful transformational portal between 3D and other dimensions. Messages regarding previous interactions with long-past relationships and the truths of their beingness will be revealed. Take time to commune, discover truth, grow and learn. Namaste.” We can call on our angels to assist us in all things, in all ways!