PATRICIA O'NEILL

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON…

Dear BB Buddies,

As mentioned last week, we have entered the Chinese year of the Fire Horse and all the accompanying excitement that entails – an understatement if ever!! When we had the solar eclipse in Aquarius last week, I knew something important was coming our way. Add to this another HUGE planetary alignment of the two slow-moving outer planets Saturn and Neptune. They both moved into the action-oriented sign of Aries in the past few days. Remember Aries is ruled by Mars, the God of war!!

What would all this mean to our world? was an obvious question to ask ourselves. Before I get into the next part, it’s good to know that Saturn has an orbit of 29 years and Neptune has an orbit of 165 years, so for both to move into Aries at the same time is no small matter. And in the sign of Aries spells ACTION!! FAST ACTION!! No beating around the bush!!

I like to break it down into a relatable story that makes sense to me, so I asked myself what is the function of all the big planetary players here?

Saturn – The function of Saturn is to create order and structure. No pain, no gain.

Neptune – The function of Neptune is to bring healing, compassion and consciousness to our world. The operative word for me is ‘Healing’.

Solar Eclipse – Change – BIG Change!!

Aquarius – The sign of the rebel who seeks Justice, equality and fraternity.

Iran, the Country in the limelight currently, happens to be ruled by the sign of Aquarius (each country in the world is ruled by a sign, determined by the date it officially became a country). Ireland, by way of example, is a Taurus country. And coming from there, i would agree Ireland is archetypal Taurus!! In every sense of the word!!

Lastly, the Ayatollah was an Aries, and the fact that Saturn, the planet of challenges, had just entered his sign, did not bode well for him. DON’T WORRY ARIES!!! Not all of you reading this will end up like the Ayatollah!! Your Saturn challenges will come in different ways, forcing you to mature and make changes for the betterment of your life. Remember, NO PAIN – NO GAIN!!! Saturn is the strict disciplinarian. You Reap what you Sow. In the case of the Ayatollah – he sowed violence and immense cruelty – and so he reaped what he sowed. Mission accomplished, Saturn.

Can you now make sense of what is happening in our world currently? To re-cap, look at the Big Movers and Shakers again:

Aquarius – Seeking FREEDOM from tyranny and justice for the people (Iran)

Saturn in Aries – Seeking structure and order and freedom to implement both.

Neptune in Aries – Seeking healing, consciousness and compassion for suffering.

ARIES – DO IT NOW!! ACTION!! FAST!! JUMP IN!! GET THE JOB DONE – And I can’t think of a better example of that than the current situation evolving in Iran. It sure happened fast and seems to be moving at the speed of lightening, in true Aries style.

Hope that helped you make sense of what is happening currently in Iran.

Here’s praying for peace.

With Love,

Patricia xx

GUNG HAY FAT CHOY

Hi again BB buddies,

Tuesday the 17th February was such a powerful day on many levels. As well as welcoming in the Chinese Year of the Fire Horse, we had a solar eclipse in Aquarius and it was also Mardi Gras,Shrove Tuesday and the start of Ramadan.

Chinese New Year was a last hurrah before Lent began. Many of us wore red for good luck and enjoyed Chinese cuisine. The following day, Ash Wednesday, was about restriction, as many of us began our Lenten journey for 40 days. The colour palette changed from red to purple. Purple is the colour traditionally worn during Lent. It symbolizes repentance, reflection, and the anticipation of Easter.

The current Chinese Year of the fire Horse occurs only every 60 years, so as we may not be around for the next one, lets enjoy this one!! I was curious to see what happened in our world 60, 120, and 180 years ago, to get some idea of what we may expect, or hope for.

1966
This was indeed a year of awakening. The Vietnam War was raging and protests were happening all over America to stop the war. Fierce fighting happened and lots of pain and suffering as a result of the war. Music-wise, the Beatles and Bob Dylan were kicking up a different and more pleasant kind of storm. Bob Dylan summed it up in his iconic song ‘The Times they are a changin’. Fashion was in full bloom with mini skirts kicking up another cultural uproar and ladies being more daring in their vibrant colour choices and style of clothing. Hippies were hopping and youth movements rebelling and challenging the old systems. Lots of fiery energy.

1906
This was an era of innovation with electricity becoming more common. Homes were gradually lighting up. In addition to electricity, aviation was occurring. People flying in the sky was another exhilitaring invention that would transform lives. Transforming minds were the likes of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Also around this time, Women’s Suffrage. Liberation for Women was on the horizon. Finland was the first country in Europe to allow women to run in National Elections. Possibilities were endless…

1846
Global Migration was the big news around this time. It was caused mainly by famine, economic crisis, political upheaval and also new styles of transportation. The Irish Potato Famine caused many Irish people to flee Ireland and emigrate to America and Australia. Lots of people settling in different parts of the world. The gold rush movement to California and the Mormons settling in Utah. Millions of Europeans migrated, mostly Germans, Scandinavians, and Central Europeans.

The transportation industry was also transformed, with steamships replacing sailing and railroads were quickly expanding. Telegraph networks emerged. All of these inventions made long distance travel much easier for people. The world was moving at an exciting pace.

So what now?

2026

What I hope for…

Freedom for countries fighting oppression and barbaric regimes.

People taking charge of their lives in a positive and hopeful manner.

Greater freedom to think, be, and everyone striving to live their best lives.

Last, but not least PEACE & LOVE

On that very hopeful note, I wish you all a peaceful and blessed week ahead.

With Love,

Patricia and Coco xx

HOPE IS A MAGIC WORD…

Hello again my BB Buddies,

I hope you all had a joyful week of love as we celebrated St. Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day. Well, it wasn’t really just a day, was it? No, it was all week, and I hope that the LOVE continues all year long, as well as the chocolates and the roses.

Faith, Hope, and Love are three important words. But I have to say, my favourite is HOPE. Without hope, there can be no love or faith. Hope is what keeps us believing, even through the dark days. Hope is what gets us out of bed in the morning.

This past week, I heard some amazing true life stories that demonstrate hope in action. I hope they will touch your hearts as much as they did mine.

Recently, a little boy went missing in a town in America. His distraught parents reached out to the police and the public. He had been missing several hours. A policeman on patrol heard a dog barking very loudly at a parked car. He walked over to investigate. There inside the car was the missing boy. Somehow, the car was opened, he had wandered in, and got locked inside. As soon as the policeman arrived, the dog ran away. The policeman said he had never seen that dog in the neighbourhood before, nor did he ever see the dog again. But that dog sure saved the little boy that day. Could the dog have been an Angel? My thoughts when I heard that story. Angels are beacons of HOPE.

Also this week, I heard of the miraculous swim a 13 year old boy made in Australia to save the lives of his mother and two siblings. Out paddle boarding, the mother got into difficulties and became stranded with her three children. She had to ask her 13 year old son to swim to get help. She said it was the hardest thing she ever had to do in her life. The boy swam and never gave up hope. After hours in the water, telling himself he must keep going, he must save his family, throwing off his life jacket to help him swim faster, he continued. Hope was the juice that kept his little engine going. He reached shore eventually, exhausted. But thank God, he saved the lives of his mother and brother and sister. He never gave up HOPE!! A true hero.

I will conclude with a beautiful article written by a local retired Bishop. It was entitled ‘Discovering the value of hope in times of darkness’. He reflected on the words of Irish poet, Tom McIntyre. ‘There was a trap door at the end of a loft…and nothing would do but for me to find it, even if I didn’t know I was searching for it…I rambled my way to it, the foxgloves looking at me, the clover smelling, the daisies basking, the buttercups shiny and the trap door somehow not fastened. Suddenly, I’m gone, down a 15 ft. drop to the stable below. A lap of hay was all that saved me. It wasn’t they said, supposed to be there but it was.”

In days of darkness, let us still hope and possess that brazen optimism to chase our dreams, engage with each other, mind each other, just like that little dog who saved the child locked in the car, and the 13 year old boy who swam for hours to save his family, never giving up hope. Because we can and must always be ‘that lap of hay’ for one another.

Hold that happy and hopeful thought my friends, until we chat again!!

Happy Chinese New Year coming on Tuesday the 17th of February. Be sure to wear something red for Good Luck!!

GUNG HAY FAT CHOY!!

With love,

Patricia and Coco xx

A Cheerful Heart is Excellent Medicine

So said my cute little purple ‘Uplifting Thoughts for Every Day’ book. I open it each morning to reveal a thought for the day. The words in this little book always hit the spot perfectly for me. Reading it gives me the glimmers…of Hope.

“Accept your troubles, Com’on Get Happy”. Judy Garland sang that song so beautifully. It got me really thinking about people I know in my life. Some I would say have a really sunny disposition. No matter what life throws at them (and none of us are without our challenges). We are all students in the classroom of life.

Through observing people, and how they handle difficulties, I have actually learnt a lot about life. Just this past week, I had a lot of fun events to attend, including my friend Anita’s 85th birthday, and then yesterday a joyful Hawaiian lunch. Lots of people at both events. Lots of positive souls – and alas – a few miserable ones too.

At the birthday party, there were two “unhappy campers”. The same girls are always complaining, always angry. I’m not a Saint – far from it!! But gosh, they try my patience at times!! Anita, the birthday girl asked one of the girls to swop seats with someone, so she could be near her friend. The cranky girl refused, saying “No, I’m happy where I am sitting.” Neither are what I would call ‘Givers’ and always on the receiving end. Yes, I am being judgemental – and with good reason too.

The weird thing I have observed about these two ladies, is that Yes, their lives have not been easy, but could their negative attitudes have contributed to the negative energy they have drawn into their lives? They believe Life is difficult so in that belief, they have drawn difficulties into their lives. This is a question that I have asked myself over and over again when I encounter negative people.

The reverse is true when I encounter people of a sunny disposition. They draw good unto themselves. Leaving me with a wonderful saying which I shall share with you.

“OPTIMISM IS A MAGNET THAT DRAWS GOOD UNTO ITSELF”.

On that happy note, I wish you all a joyful and very happy weekend. Be the change you wish to see all around you. Accept the sunny days and the rainy days, with equal cheer. Because nothing remains the same for long. Life is ever evolving… Think P for Positivity!! It’s the cheapest form of medicine.

With Love,

Patricia and Coco xx

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN!!

Hi again BB buddies,

How was your January, 2026? It’s gone now – never to return. And would you believe that discarded Christmas tree is still sitting on the sidewalk kerb, looking miserable, like it was a few weeks ago. Honestly, that’s why I’m big into sustainable trees.

If you were to ask me about my January, I’d say ‘Time flies when you’re having fun!!’ For the first time in years, this January flew, and it was the most fun one to-date. Also, the most productive. Why? And what did I do differently this time? For one thing, I was very fussy about the thoughts I allowed occupy my head space. Very selective indeed!!

I decided to follow the advice of the wise buddhist monks, which was to eliminate the negative, accentuate the positive – and not mess with Mr. in-between. I coloured my life with beauty, golden yellows and sunny orange hues in my clothing choices. Uplifting lemon scent permeated the air, via hand wash and diffusers. Table mats from the French Riviera added oomph to my daily meals.

I planned fun outings with friends as I advised you to do, and have two trips booked for later this year. Having something to look forward to is a proven joy generator. If your budget is tight – plan a staycation. Beauty is all around us…we don’t always need to get on an airplane to enjoy the bounty of our surroundings. Coco, my dog would agree. Dogs are another joy generator. As is a good bracing walk. Returning home to a nice warm cup of tea. Could anything be sweeter?

This past January, I decided to tackle the pleasure pounds that had become very attached to me. They can be rather clingy. I re-joined TOPS (Taking Pounds Off Sensibly) And thanks to ‘Scribbling what I nibble’, lowering my daily calorie allowance, increasing my daily steps, and of course, the accountability of a weekly weigh-in – the excess pounds have gone. Good riddance to them!! Still a ways to go, but an effort a day keeps failure at bay!! Right guys?

I now welcome in February, the month of Love, and the Chinese New Year of the Horse, with vigour, hope, and immense gratitude in my heart for all of God’s Blessings. We had a lovely happy start to February with my friend Anita celebrating her 85th birthday. God willing, I would love to be as good humoured and fun loving as Anita at 85!!

I hope February will be a happy, joyful and blessed month for you too, and for all the people and animals that you hold close to your hearts. On that happy note, bye for now guys. Let’s see what February has in store for us all.

With Love,

Patricia and Coco xx