Can you find love in the Zodiac?

Can one find love in the stars? I thought I'd draw some inspiration from the zodiac. Let's take a look at the stars and see if it really does influence us.

Our zodiac signs tells us a lot about ourselves, including those we care for/love. You can always find a trace of the zodiac's influence on love. One thing to remember is that our sign tells us of our major traits, and how those influence our love lives. (if you believe. WINK, WINK) —Keep in mind if one sign is more assertive than the other, a calmer sign might provide balance to the assertive sign.

The signs of the zodiac and their romantic traits:

Ares – is a quick-witted, assertive love sign.

Taurus – tend to be calm and controlled in love.

Gemini – are intelligent and witty in love. Don't bore them.

Cancer – exhibit a wide arrange of emotions, but appeal to their sense of home and you've got them in your back pocket.

Leo – make a them the center of attention and you're in.

Virgo – they're composed and don't look for the limelight.

Libras – they're rational in love.

Scorpios – they possess eyes that can pierce your soul.

Capricorn – tend to be shy but respect traditions.

Sagittarius – they're fun loving and optimistic.

Aquarius – they're very friendly.

Pisces – they enjoy going with the flow.

Every zodiac has good and bad traits. What makes a good match is the ability of the signs to balance and compliment each other.

Do you know your sign? Do you know who makes a good zodiac mate for you? Write in and share!

PS - What's the zodiac sign depicted in this post.  Post the answer.  I'll draw a name out of the hat to win a $5.00 Starbucks Gift Card. 

Romantic Muses - Who's your muse?

 

Erato, the muse

A lot of us writers often throw out references to our muses.  "Oh, she went on vacation, I can't write anything now."  Or maybe: "She's on fire. I can't write fast enough for her." Some of our muses even have names and inspire us in ways we often don't realize. But where did muses come from?

From Greek myths, the muses are goddesses and the inspiration for literature, sciences and the arts. They are the nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne. Some of their names may sound familiar: Calliope, Clio, Thalia, and Erato is the muse for love poetry.

Erato's name shares the same roots as Eros. She's the muse of lyric, love, and erotic poetry. She's often depicted holding a harp and in Eros' company.  From the pictures I've seen, she reminds me of Venus – a beautiful young woman, gifted, graceful, and inspirational.

Finding romantic inspiration can be easy- it's all around us. Flowers, chocolates and cards are materials things that inspire romance. You can dedicate a song to your loved one. You can write them a poem about your feelings. A romantic gesture can go a long way. Treating your loved one to a movie or a dinner are romantic gestures that a muse might inspire. How does Erato inspire you?

Question for you: Do you have a muse? What is his/her name? What have written or done that you can say your muse inspired you? 

Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her short story, "Matchmaking Amusement" is in the Be Mused Anthology. 

ABOUT "BE MUSED"

Muses are fickle creates, sprinkling inspiration on their wards as they see fit.

They live in a world just right of center from ours, and to them, we're just the day job. Muses need lives too, you know.

Enjoy this collection of stories compiled by several authors at Desert Breeze Publishing that will give you some insight into the world of the ethereal creatures who inspire the arts.

Watch the Video for "Matchmaking Amusement:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxZASQSddfM

4 Stars for "Be Mused" from Long & Short Reviews:  This collection of stories will not only give you a new perspective to the writer behind the words on the page you are reading, but a good laugh as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Buy Links:

Amazon:

http://amzn.com/B003EV5SWM

Publisher's Buy Link:

http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/be-mused-an-a-muse-ing-anthology-epub/

Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/be-mused-an-a-muse-ing-anthology-j-morgan/1111629183?ean=9781936000111

Writing Inspiration - Poets from the "Romantic" Era

Sir Walter Scott

In the late 18^th, early 19^th Century "romanticism" swept across Europe. It was an artistic and philosophical movement that stressed individualism, subjectivity, and emotion. Generally, romantic era poetry praised the individual, giving voice to the common man, his life, and nature. Nature, in fact, proves to be a very prevalent theme in romantic era poetry.

The style the poetry stressed was everyday language, along with a free form presentation.

While romance and love can be a subject of poetry during this time, the "romanticism" movement has little in common with what we consider romantic today. These poets tended to distrust the human world and invited the reader to believe in the poet.

Several romantic era poets include:

William Wadsworth

Percy Bysshe Shelley

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Edgar Allen Poe

Mary Shelley

Emily Dickinson

Sir Walter Scott.

Enjoy this poem from Sir Walter Scott:

An Hour With Thee

An hour with thee! When earliest day 


Dapples with gold the eastern gray, 


Oh, what can frame my mind to bear 


The toil and turmoil, cark and care, 


New griefs, which coming hours unfold, 


And sad remembrance of the old? 


One hour with thee.



One hour with thee! When burning June 


Waves his red flag at pitch of noon; 


What shall repay the faithful swain, 


His labor on the sultry plain; 


And, more than cave or sheltering bough, 


Cool feverish blood and throbbing brow?


One hour with thee.



One hour with thee! When sun is set, 


Oh, what can teach me to forget


The thankless labors of the day; 


The hopes, the wishes, flung away; 


The increasing wants, and lessening gains, 


The master's pride, who scorns my pains? 


One hour with thee.

Question: Do you have a favorite Romantic Era Poet? I hope you and your muse find inspiration for the  poet in you.  If you'd like to share a "romantic" poem, I'd love to read it. Just put in your comments.

Smiles

Steph