Georgia Frontiere's Blog

I ran into my children’s father today; it was quite an unexpected encounter. I was zipping down the street distracted with thoughts of work and wondering how Meow was doing. My cat wasn’t herself all day yesterday. She threw up late last night, waking me out of a sound sleep, and she wouldn’t eat this morning. I was just deciding to call the vet upon my return home when I looked up and saw Jack me on the corner of Broadway and 84th Street, staring right at me.

Though our marriage ended almost two decades ago, seeing Jack unexpectedly always gives me a jolt because I see so much of Jeffrey and Julie in him. They both have his height, athleticism, and jet black hair. Well, I’m tall also, so perhaps I helped in that department.

We embraced warmly while Jack explained that he was meeting a business associate for dinner in the neighborhood and that Jeffrey had called him this week. While nodding approvingly, I let my mind trip back to thoughts of Meow. Was she feeling better? I had to get home to see. I gave Jack a quick farewell peck on the cheek. It really was nice to see him again.

When encountering someone you once loved, are you ever struck with how completely time heals and adds distance, perspective, and peace?

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A few days ago a client expressed great anxiety over a particular turn of events. She felt powerless in the face of a new challenge and anger toward a perceived injustice. When dealing with cases like these, I rely on the wisdom I’ve gathered over my years of practice, the wealth of knowledge I inherited from my grandmother Irene, and the writings of the distinguished psychiatrist and psychotherapist Carl Jung.

Dr. Jung explored far beyond the boundaries of Western medicine and included the art of astrology as one of his many interests and areas of expertise. He saw the relevance of its ancient wisdom, which was embedded deep within the origins of many ancient cultures.

As a seeker and intuitive, Jung had a great understanding of human behavior; he knew that events were not always as they were perceived by the individual.

I reminded my new client of one of my favorite Jungian quotes: “It all depends on how you look at things, and not how they are in themselves.” I explained to this woman of clear intelligence and sensitivity how important it can be to question our responses to sticky situations. Looking clearly and objectively at our own reactions allows for a new perspective and creative problem solving when we are confronted with difficulties.

I encouraged my patient to explore the writings of Carl Jung. You might want to do that as well; I think you will find much treasure.

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What a hectic week! Besides three new clients, two of my longstanding regulars found themselves in crisis. I agreed to fit them in despite my full schedule and Sarah’s attempt to dissuade me. I rarely comply with Sarah’s request to not overbook myself, particularly for my regulars, so I worked through lunch and extended my workday by an hour three times this week. I do insist that Sarah end her workday at the appointed time; however, she sometimes refuses to comply with my request.

I need to restore myself with a special ritual after such a rush of activity. Crazy as it may sound, one of my favorite diversions is exploring thrift and consignment shops. I can’t fully explain why I find this particular activity relaxing, but I do.

So on Saturday morning I caught the number 1 local to 14th Street, then the L train to 3rd Avenue and my favorite consignment shop in the East Village. The trip gave me ample time to reflect on my week, and only once was I interrupted by a panhandler.

Once in the shop I lost myself in the racks of aged denim jackets and vintage silk blouses. While exploring the offerings I sometimes allow myself to muse on a particular work situation. When I do, I never fail to come up with a creative solution.

Thrift shop excursions are quite the private delight, and I found a beautiful old hand-painted tee I’m going to send to Julie.

Do you have a personal ritual? How do you take care of yourself after a taxing week?

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On very quiet Sunday mornings, as I lie still in my bed, I hear the sound of church bells off in the distance. The chiming fills me with a familiar warmth and memories of a distant past.

I was born Episcopalian and, as a very young child, attended church regularly with my parents. Though my grandmother Irene had a far more relaxed and broad-minded view of religion, I occasionally miss the ritual of my parent’s faith. Perhaps I miss them more than I know. I lost them in an accident so long ago, I wonder if the little girl I used to be is still grieving.

Isn’t it funny how sounds, smells, and even tastes will sometimes trigger far-off memories and longings of childhoods? Days will pass before I think of my parents, then suddenly a distant church bell will remind me of the times when they were close by and I could count on them being there.

Does that happen to you as well? What sensory triggers remind you of the distant past, a long-gone loved one, or a cherished memory?

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A client cancelled this morning. Since she was the only person scheduled for early in the day, I found myself free till well after lunch. So I had a good opportunity to bring some clarity to my office file cabinet.

Emma keeps most everything neat and tidy for me, but the files are my private domain. The only person besides me with access is Sarah, of course. If I get terribly busy with a backlog of charts and the corresponding client analyses to do, I will sometimes ignore the ordered system Sarah maintains and simply front-load the cabinet with the client folders I’m working on so I can easily reach them. I don’t do this often, but when I do, it’s my job to right the ship.

It took me a few minutes longer than I thought it would; more files than I expected needed to be put in their proper places. Putting everything in order, however, gave me an opportunity to look through a number of newer client files, confirm my very first impressions, and add details to my earlier assessments where appropriate.

All in all, today was a morning filled with necessary busy work followed by Emma’s savory chicken salad on toast. And now I’m ready for the afternoon!

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HIGHLIGHTS: With the sun still blazing in the sign of passionate Scorpio, the Phoenix ushers us into November on All Saints Day. As November dawns, Mercury has been direct for almost a week in Libra and some predictability has returned to our lives. On November 22 the sun leaves Scorpio behind and enters freedom-loving Sagittarius. We are treated to a full moon in loving Taurus on November 6. Also the new moon in Sagittarius on November 22 sets our course toward a newfound optimism and a desire for travel. With Mars and Pluto traveling together in Capricorn all month, some of us may experience an abundance in character strength.

For you Scorpios, changes abound for the first three weeks of November. The Phoenix, the mythical bird that was consumed in the fire of the Sun and rose again from its own ashes, is the symbolic ruler of Scorpio’s creativity. The Phoenix is always rising and falling back again into the underworld, only to rise again and again. It generates transformation, reincarnation and reinvention. The energy for regeneration abounds for us all, not only for Scorpios. Whatever worn-out belief system that needs to die in any of our lives can now finally be put to rest, and like the Phoenix rising, be replaced by a new birth of outlook or approach. Any new endeavor can be born successfully at this time.

On November 6 the moon will be full in the sign of Taurus and will shine its light on the things we love and value. This moon balances the sun’s intense Scorpion energy and helps us assess any remaining destructive patterns that we may harbor toward love and life. If you’re a Scorpio and you feel a tendency toward jealousy and manipulation, these traits are eradicated now through Taurus’s influence. The grounding impact of Taurus enhances our ability to live authentically. Taurus rules and reveals our attitudes toward our outer resources of money, security and pleasure, as well as our attitudes toward our inner resources of talents, gifts and abilities. Our inner and outer alliances and values will align harmoniously as this full moon lights up the night’s sky. Last but not least, this Taurus moon will enhance our ability to finally choose love instead of fear.

On November 22, the sun enters the sign of freewheeling Sagittarius. Under the energy of the centaur-archer man, the symbol for Sagittarius, there is zealous action, idealistic drive, eager effort, positive thought, adventuresome spirit and a philosophical attitude coming into consciousness. In public life, you Sagittarians will thrive in supporting your spiritual concepts and your moral and ethical standards. All of us can greet the world now with more verve and confidence. The new life that Scorpio’s transformational energy spawned in our lives can find expression in the outer world. We can all aim our arrows boldly toward the stars, confident of success. The only caution is to avoid hurrying so much that you overlook the necessary details. Also beware of your optimism leading you into making impulsive decisions.

With the new moon in Sagittarius, our emotional natures can experience the freedom to be true to our own natures. Candor regarding our feelings will be necessary. Free spirits can really let loose under this light, which grows lighter each night for most of the next month. Rigid and sedentary tendencies will tend to be eradicated. Finally our reluctance to plan that travel trip will be lifted and emotional exuberance will rule the day.

We all should be aware that the planets Mars and Pluto travel together in Capricorn all month. Pluto, one of the rulers of Scorpio, represents transformational energy while Mars, another ruler of Scorpio, represents aggressive energy. With this dynamic duo, we likely will experience a newfound strength to take charge and be in control. This month is a perfect time to get organized and use our ambition to accomplish any task necessary.

Until next month, remember one KEY to making the unconscious conscious is to face life’s twists and turns through the wisdom of astrology. Carl Jung warned, “Until you make the unconscious conscious it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”

After attempting to carve out time and failing for almost two weeks, Michelle and I finally got together. We met for lunch at a little café near the hospital. Though we touch base every few days, it had been weeks since we’d seen one another. She, Mark, and their daughter had recently returned from a trip to Minnesota where they had attended the funeral of Michelle’s favorite aunt. I needed to see for myself how my best friend was holding up, and I gave her an extra-long embrace before we found a table among the lunchtime crowd.

Michelle has helped me through some difficult times. She’s been my closest confidant almost since grad school and definitely since Grandma Irene’s death. It’s important to me that I’m just as good a friend to her as she’s always been to me. She’s a strong lady— perceptive, sensitive, and very funny.

We spent so much time laughing that we tried the patience of our waitress, who attempted to take our order more than a few times. We were only saved from ourselves by the tight schedules we keep. After a few hurried bites of quiche and salad we made plans to meet at the Met later in the week. We share a love of opera, and the brand-new production of The Marriage of Figaro was featured this month. Another opportunity to share time with my friend!

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Last Sunday I pulled out my baking supplies and set about to mixing up a batch of my very special butter cookies. If baked just so, they’re the right amount of delectable softness and crumble and the perfect companion to a cup of strong, freshly brewed coffee. When confronted with a challenging new client, I have found that breaking the ice can be made much simpler with a strategically placed plate of butter cookies.

My new client, a perfectly lovely young man who a mutual acquaintance recommended me to, believed in the science of psychology but had his doubts about astrology. To help him and do his chart, I, of course, needed specific information—but he refused to cooperate. I then asked Sarah to bring in a plate of cookies and a fresh pot of coffee. She promptly did so while I asked general questions about this client’s family life and career as I waited for the combination of butter, vanilla, coffee, and cream to work its magic.

Sometimes the coziness of a warm mug, patient attentiveness, and melt-in-your-mouth butter cookies is what’s needed to break through resistance to real communication.

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Last Saturday Meow and spent some time together in the study. King tagged along at first but quickly lost interest and padded his way back down the stairs—I assume to explore for more interesting prospects in his chow bowl.



It had been a while since I’d looked at my grandmother Irene’s papers, and I thought it would be a good time to refresh my knowledge by reading some of her astrological notes. Grandma kept copious notes in beautifully bound diaries. I keep them safe in the same wooden chest she used to store them in, which now resides in a corner of the study.

I think Emma must have been in the study recently because the room was delightfully cool, sweet smelling, and surprisingly free of dust. So I sat cross-legged in front of the chest while Meow curled up around my coffee mug on the floor to my right.

There is something a bit ritualistic in opening up Grandma’s old chest after so long. It feels sacred to me and I was filled with anticipation. Of course, I was immediately greeted by the faint whiff of roses from the greenhouse. My grandmother loved to dry a bouquet of roses from her garden and disperse the flowers around the house for me to find. I’ve continued the tradition, but instead l place them on top of her old ephemeris and diaries. That way each time I open the chest I feel her presence all the more.

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Dogs are funny, tolerant, forgiving creatures, gifts from above and, oh, so understanding. King and I liked to take long leisurely walks together in Central Park. On cool, brisk autumn mornings he’d lead me through shaded trails greeting other pups along the way and fighting the leash to reach the errant squirrel. It’s been days since our last walk together. Emma and Sarah have taking turns of late.

Does he miss our walks? Though his affection for me hasn’t waned, I wonder. Do Siberian huskies feel a sense of abandonment? There’s that word—abandonment. I usually avoid thinking about it, knowing how painful that feeling can be. After the death of my parents, it took me a long time to shake my sense of abandonment. I was a child of just nine. They, of course, were not to blame, and it was so long ago that I sometimes wonder why it’s still so present in my mind. I must put it out of my head.

It does, however, make me wonder if my not taking King out for our customary walks could be construed by my otherwise loving and loyal pet as rude and unforgivable.

I must make it up to him. Where are those rawhide chews?

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