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I was very surprised to see that the sign of Virgo rules the city of Baghdad, and I found myself delving into the astrological history of this city.

It is said that during the period from 810-865 A.D., when the Byzantines were spreading their magnificence, and Charlemagne initiated a cultural flowering in Europe, lifting it from the Dark Ages, at the same time, the Islamic Dynasty of al-Mamun in Baghdad, brought Muslin science, literature, medicine, astronomy and architecture to a new higher level. This magnificence was the seed that led to the flowering of Western European culture.

Parallel to these events, the mystical sect of Sufism and in India the Hindu Vedanic philosophy, was inaugurated.

This was a period that was called the Copper Age, and it is very much impressed by the passage of the planet Neptune from the sign of Scorpio, up to the sign of Aquarius.

Whenever we find the collective outer planets: Neptune, Pluto and Uranus, high in the sky, transiting from Scorpio to Aquarius, we can be quite sure that some changes, in the collective sphere, are at stake, because the masses of the world population respond to the vibrations of these outer planets.

Human culture develops.

Baghdad was founded on the West bank of the Tigris in the year 762 A.D., it was probably the largest city in the world at the time,,nearing one million of inhabitants and became famous as a seat of learning; the first astrological school in Baghdad was founded in 777 A.D., the famous astrologer Abu-ma'shar influenced the European scholars in the West, at that time.

Why, you can say, am I taking into consideration Baghdad with Virgo? I am trying to see Baghdad's astrological history in relation with her past to understand her present.

The answer might be that Virgo, the city's sign is, right now, in deep stress from the continuous energies which come from the outer planets, positioned, all three together, high in the sky.

Currently, Uranus is in Pisces, Pluto is in the end of Sagittarius and Neptune is in Aquarius.

If we take Uranus in consideration, we see that is opposite to the sign of Virgo, this relationship causes revolutions which, later, can develop into innovations: Uranus causes changes and the city can take the change, or totally deny it! Change and revolution is made up of lots of shocking events and upheavals will occur before an innovative independence can be achieved.

Neptune too, is in a stressful position, for the city-sign, and this state of things indicates the city is dealing with a lot of suffering, but there is healing, and help and compassion is needed. Disintegration, either mental or physical, it is a chaotic situation. Remember that Neptune rules oil.

The World's people will cooperate with this city, helping to raise herself again from the ashes. Making Baghdad, shine once more!

On the other hand, Pluto, the other outer planet,still in Sagittarius, in relation to Virgo, shows a disturbing aspect, it can bring into the open shadowy psychotic outbreaks in the collective unconscious, causing many unseen secretive events with Pluto high in the sky.

In the 2008 Pluto will leave Sagittarius and enter Capricorn, the planetary interactions will then be much more in tune with Virgo because both signs are in the same element: earth.

Many outmoded trends will be burned out, in a kind of purification, but the new and fresh start of the city will be instigated by world wide good will.

Here, again, Astrology allows us to read between the lines of world-events: the outer planets are indicative of development and future evolution, when all of them are found high in the sky, but the field must be fertile, and there must be harmonic equilibrium. Without harmonic equilibrium there will be just disruption.

Like in the past, Baghdad will flourish again, one day, on an higher spiral motion which characterizes the development and growth of the whole planet Earth.

Leni provides a large variety of astrological services, workshops, readings and is an accomplished lecturer and writer, in both English and Italian. She has appear on television and radio, and is much in demand for the both traditional and soul centered astrology.

Leni Sibilio http://.astrominds.com leni@astrominds.com

While nutritional concerns apply to both genders after gastric bypass weight loss surgery one thing differs: women must supplement iron, and men must not supplement iron.

Men are at risk of iron toxicity if they supplement their diet with iron. According to the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences men should only intake 8 mg of iron a day versus the 18mg women should take daily until they turn 50 and drop daily intake to 8mg.

Iron poisoning, caused by acute ingestion of large quantities of iron-containing supplements, causes nausea, vomiting, damage to the lining of the intestinal tract, shock, and liver failure, and is a leading cause of death among children.

Chronic iron overload, or excessive iron storage, can cause a variety of symptoms including loss of appetite, fatigue, weight loss, headaches, bronze or gray hue to the skin, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath. It is generally believed that chronic iron toxicity occurs only in people who require regular blood transfusions, take iron supplements, or in those with a genetic iron storage.

Although iron overload is not likely to develop from food sources alone, men, because they do not experience iron losses, may be at greater risk for the problems associated with excessive iron. In recent years, excess iron intake and storage, especially in men, has been implicated as a cause of heart disease and cancer. In addition, iron has been found in increased levels in the joints of people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Kaye Bailey 2005 - All Rights Reserved

Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com and http://www.livingafterwls.blogspot.com

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