At age 35, Jennifer Flewellen was put into a medically induced coma after crashing her car into a pole. Doctors soon became certain she would never recover and encouraged Flewellen’s mother, Peggy Means, to take her off life-support.
Means refused. Weeks turned to months, which turned into years, but Means’ fierce love for her daughter wouldn’t allow her to give up. Despite working fulltime, the devoted mom did whatever she could—transferring her daughter to different care centers in Grand Rapids, MI, battling with insurance companies to cover the treatments, and convincing hospital administrators to not give up on her.
Means would give her daughter “spa days” even though she was unresponsive to all stimuli. She would wheel her around the hospital talking to her as if she were awake, recounting the progress of her three sons in school. Then, one day, a miracle happened. Five years after the fateful crash, Means was sitting with her daughter telling jokes, when Flewellen laughed. After all that time, Means’ instinct had proved true: her daughter was still in there.
Few people in a vegetative state for that long ever wake up. Was it a miracle? Or simply a mother’s refusal to give up? Either way, with speech, occupational and physical therapy, plus surgery to loosen the rigor mortis that had begun to set in, much improvement has occurred. Now that’s she’s home, the family isn’t sure how many of her faculties Flewellen will recover – but they’re keeping the faith.
Early on, a nurse practitioner told Means something she never forgot: ‘First you have to dream it, then you have to believe it.’ This is a beautiful mantra for the New Moon at 20 Pisces (March 10, 1 a.m. PT). Since this lunation joins Neptune in the sign of the fish, Piscean energy is in high relief – which can run the gamut from despair and confusion to faith and hope.
Feisty Mars squares impetuous Uranus the day before the New Moon, suggesting a shock or an unsettling event. It may be tempting to fall off the deep end, especially at a time when war, genocide, climate disasters and other ills are rampant. But this New Moon can also bring solace. Saturn in Pisces is not far from the Sun and Moon, acting as an emotional anchor. And, Saturn is supported by a sextile from Jupiter in earthy Taurus. As the old ruler of Pisces, Jupiter disposits this lunation. So, we’re encouraged to combine Jupiterian faith with Saturnian determination, and carry on. The New Moon also sextiles Uranus at 19 Taurus, bringing a fresh take on matters or a revelation of how something could work better.
At the March 19 Spring Equinox, the Sun will charge into Aries (with two big eclipses right on its heels) to kickstart the astrological New Year. Meanwhile, we can use the Pisces New Moon energy to dive into the dream space and feel into where we may be headed. Visioning, a method created by Rev. Michael Beckwith of Agape International, is a great place to start. You enter a light meditative state by breathing slowly and deeply, then allow Spirit to bring you messages through images, words, symbols or feelings.
Here are some potential questions to ask:
- What is Spirit’s highest vision for (my life, my marriage, the world)?
- What is my role in this situation?
- What must I release for the highest outcome to happen?
- What spiritual quality must I embrace to achieve the highest outcome?
- What else might Spirit want to share with me about this?
Record the answers you receive and contemplate their meaning. Also watch for unusual, even prophetic dreams around this New Moon. If you or someone you love are facing challenges, don’t lose hope. Keep the faith that a miracle can happen – as it did for Jennifer Flewellen and her family!
Simone!
Your book.
I don’t care about the quality of images, I care about their source and reason. I want to read your story of explorations on that road trip Outside the Box.
Admittedly I am projecting some of my own issues , as my book remains unpublished after a year of tackling Drop Box with a patient book designer. We’re not giving up! My problem is self-discipline. Your shared situation re-inspires me to get back to it.
I would so hope you do, too. The subject is pertinent and timely, and that you are a mature woman makes it all the more of interest.
A determined friend of mine (my age) just self-published her book on desert gardening (with Amazon). The photos are far from some people’s standards, but it works. She is happy and so are her readers.
Thank you, too, for the encapsulation of your recent years. Though brief, i t sheds a lot of light on your beautiful mind and heart, drawing readers like me closer to you.
With love from me and the Muses.
Thanks dear Constance for your vote of confidence, and I’m glad I’ve inspired you to persevere with your book. There weren’t many options for self-publishing in 2001, or I might have considered it. I did self-publish Astro Feng Shui in 2011, but didn’t have the resources to do all the publicity required. I’ve often thought of returning to some of the places I visited on my road trip to update the earthen home book. Jupiter was on my Gemini Ascendant then, and it’s about to do the same again this June! We shall see…
Simon,
Thank you for your inspiration. I receive your emails, and enjoy reading them.
I have been teetering on the edge of retirement for 2 months now. I adore the monetary security of working full time, and I do love my job as a Graphic Artist, I have been gainfully employed for over 47 years doing what I love. But, with arthritis, slowing down, and loving gardening and sleeping more than work these days. It’s, well… such a toss up. Plus my husband’s health is not the best. I am going to sign up for S. S. today. One step at a time…
In my MUCH younger days, I created a lot of natural art using dyes from plants, tie-dyed shirts and clothing, and creating things from what I found on my walks in the woods. I would love to go back to that time again. (I live in Florida, they are taking away all of our wooded areas, what a shame for us and the animals) I really believe we, as a people need to rediscover that part of ourselves again, a simpler time when we were not over burdened with politics, and hatred for anything we don’t agree with.
Many Blessing,
P.S. I would also read your book, I too have a cook book on the back burner. It’s not as easy as people think!
Hi Sharon, thanks for the vote of confidence! I hope you’re able to scale back your life and return to a simpler, happier life. And you’re right about producing a book – having done it twice now, I concur that it’s not as easy as some people may think! Happy New Moon…
Wow. What an amazing story about Jennifer’s faith-filled mother and Jennifer waking up after five years from a medically induced coma. What a testament to a belief in a miracle.
There are several people close to me who are facing challenges; several with health conditions, both mentally and physically, another who wants to be in a loving partnership and close to home, my husband and I just lost our beloved dog, Daisy.
With Pisces positioned in my mid-heaven, I have been told by a dear friend and astrologer, who passed away many moons ago, that my mantra is “have faith.” I have faith most days, yet I falter at times. I guess this year it is time for the rubber to hit the road. Thank you Simone.
“Have faith” is a lovely mantra for someone with a Pisces Midheaven! It’s not always realistic to be able to sustain that faith, however, as we are human after all. So sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved dog Daisy. Be gentle with yourself during this Pisces season. Glad you enjoyed the essay…
Thank you Simone
I always enjoy your inspiring and informative blog post. You’re a gifted writer and a fabulous astrologer. I appreciably your wisdom that helps me navigate life with a little more ease and grace. Yay you ❤️
Thank you so much, dear one! Appreciate you as well. We help each other navigate life, eh?