Romance in the Moonlight: Corals in Blue

There's a new study on how reef-building corals are inspired to rendevous in response to silvery moonlight--especially when it's blue-tinged. For a few nights after Full Moons, they 'get it on' and little baby corals are the happy result.

Moonlight Spurs Coral to Spawn and make romance!

And I've just discovered a blog on the books and work of Rachel Carson, called Rachel Carson Centennial Blog which reminds me that Carson was fascinated with grunions, a small shimmery fish that makes romance (okay--lays eggs) on California beaches at the highest tides of the warmer months.

Perhaps, like corals, they're inspired by the silvery moonlight!


Image: Pattillo Armadillo walks under the pond drawing by jude cowell 2007

from Pattillo Armadillo and the Dream of Green (c) 2007

Rare Species Netted in the Philipines!

Sea Basin Expedition Nets Rare Species from the Celebes Sea south of the Philippines, a biologically diverse area of ocean.

Some possibly 'new' species include a transparent sea cucumber, a spiny 10-tentacled orange worm, and a black jellyfish. Follow the AP article's link to see a photo of some of these rare denizens formerly hidden so well from our view.

And since I've never drawn a black jellyfish (didn't know there were any!) here's a noble re-post of a white jelly, titled,Jelly's Leavin' by yours truly using Prismacolor oil pencils and Rexel Derwent Watercolour pencils.

Neptune's realm is giving up some of its mysterious species, it seems, and Neptune rules fish and fishing 'nets' too!

Slender weed whiting

Have you ever met a Slender weed whiting up-close? Aka Siphonognathus beddomei (Johnson) this fellow is originally from around Carnac Island (Western Australia) but he's ensnared within a dream just for you--and he certainly is on the slender side!

Pisces: Two Fishes

An Art representation for you of the two fishes of the zodiac. One fish swims upward, one down, for Pisces may go in either direction and often feels trapped between two worlds.

Yet most real-life fish do not choose to swim downstream although it's the easiest and most dangerous way to go. Fish need dynamic stability created by swimming against the current even though they may make no apparent forward progress. Which world, which way? is the question for those born under the sign of the two fishes.

And you don't have to have your Sun in Pisces (Feb 19--Mar 20) to be Piscean for other planets in the oceanic sign will qualify you for Pisceanhood, such as Moon, or having a stellium (3+) planets there.

Pisces is the twelfth and final sign of the zodiac, the end of the cycle of worldly experience and it contains all the other signs within it. It is the sign of sacrificial service, infinite compassion, and vicarious suffering, and is traditionally connected to the advent of the Messiah.

Otherwordly, spiritual Neptune, ruler of the seas, is associated with Pisces but the sign's traditional ruler is Jupiter, associated with philosophy and codified religion. (Being a Saturnian astrologer, I only use traditional planets as rulers of signs. The outer planets--Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are higher frequency, transpersonal planets. That's just the way I roll.)

In fact, many Pisceans live within the sound, if not the sight, of a body of water.

Pisces is the most inspirational and psychic of all the signs (I know--my natal Moon is there!) and as such it represents the meeting place of matter and spirit upon the plane of emotionality.

In Astrology, the Tertiary Progressions (based on the movements of the Moon and beginning with the birth chart) give us information on this emotional/intuitional plane and describes the much-touted mind-body connection we all must navigate in life. Blended with natal Moon information, it's a lot to consider yet most people agree that emotions influence health.

Is imagination more real than reality? Then you've just met a dreamy Pisces!

People of the artful Pisces persuasion can be exasperating, downright perverse, contradictory and vague...but can also be the soul of kindness.

So you may wish to get to know a Pisces today--even if you're one yourself!

Giant Red Kelp revealed...

...to be...

Giant Red Kelp!

A few goldfish busy themselves nearby as they plan for their futures.

Other specimens of artist-invented plants waft along with gentle, imaginary currents undersea as the ubiquitous bubbles arise from unseen gills and escape upward, toward the one ray of skylight.

This drawing reflects my continued aim to blend on paper the earthy realism which Saturn represents with the nebulous, mystically spiritual Neptune of the watery realms.

Spiritual aspirations are the province of Neptune's trident, and Neptune's links to Pisces, the two fish swimming in opposite directions, and to Creativity, make it a seductive muse perfect for artwork, music, literature, and film...dissolving Neptune is the urge to merge, while Saturn hardens and solidifies.

Want to have your most flattering photo taken?

Do it when Neptune connects with your Venus, or when Venus links up to your Neptune.

Start with beautiful Venus as the Attraction Principle, then add Neptune to diffuse light and cast your visage piquantly inside a rosy glow...you'll be a *smash, Dahling...it's one of the magical effects of Neptune's Veils!


*harmonious relationship between Venus and Neptune in the natal chart may be required for best results; offer not valid outside solar system.

Found! Ancient Beehives from 900 B.C.

In the ruins of the city of Rehov, Israel, archaeologists have discovered a sweet treat--honeycombs, beeswax, and 30 intact hives--the first of its kind ever found!

Seems the Land of Milk and Honey was all that after all!

Archaeologists Discover Ancient Beehives as evidence of a 3,000 year-old beekeeping industry. Who knew?

Now if only the more modern, mysteriously missing honey bees could be found. Then all the little Dreamyfish would celebrate, wouldn't you?


And have you visited my Lulu Storefront for modestly priced Downloadable Art? You may unavoidably discover there an image that's the bee's knees...who knows?

New Dreamyfish Art: Red-banded wrasse

Here I am...a Red-banded wrasse, Pseudolabrus biserialis (Klunzinger.) I'm a single, red male from the Recherche Archipelago, but willing to relocate...I love algae salads, nibbling coral bits, and romantic swims on moonlit nights.

Contact my PR rep, jude cowell if interested...

'Dead Zone' off Texas coast threatens fish

Post-Flood 'Dead Zone' Found Off Texas which is putting the fish, shrimp, crabs, and clams of the Gulf area under threat due to oxygen depletion.

Hold on, fishes and clams...this little Bengal sergeant is pulling for ya!

Ancient Mariner Tools Found in Cyprus

Ancient Mariner Tools Found in Cyprus and they tell of mysterious seafaring strangers from thousands of years ago!

Neptune Ascends

Ruler of The Deep, the watery realm, trident upraised, and blue as the ocean...