Mars’ Station and ME
February 1, 2012
Vedic View of 2012
January 31, 2012
This is a short audio section (26 minutes) of my part of a panel presentation for the January 2012 meeting of Austin’s astrological society. It starts with a view of 2012 strictly from the vedic perspective, and ends with my commentary on how to prepare for the energy changes, based on tropical astrology (the Great Saturn/Neptune Divorce).
Lecture: Who Are We Becoming
January 12, 2012
Here’s the audio to the lecture I gave on Jan 10 for the Austin IONS group. Soon I’ll be able to add a link to a video of the session, which includes being able to see the powerpoint. But if you’ve got an mp3 player and want to listen as you go about your life, here’s the spot.
Subject: Who Are We Becoming… A Symphony of Symbols.
We are nested within cycles of time. In addition to the larger patterns, we are also subject to the energy fields of shorter-term cycles, and these all interact to create the conditions of our times. How will it affect you? How will you affect our times? Listen here!
Presenting, at United Astrology Congress in New Orleans…
November 13, 2011
My proposal to do a presentation on Vedic Astrological Remedies has been accepted as a session at the UAC Conference in New Orleans, this May. Unfortunately I don’t yet have the exact date and time, but the conference will be at the end of May, 2012.
The “New” Neptune
August 11, 2011
Since Neptune entered Pisces last March, we earthlings have experienced totally new and different: Neptune without the influence of Saturn! When Neptune, the most ethereal of all planetary influences, was discovered in 1846, it apparently required the influence of Saturn to be brought to earthbound consciousness: It was discovered at 25 degrees of Aquarius, right next to Saturn, also at 25 Aquarius.
But in 2009-2010, Neptune finally made it’s long cycle to return to the position of its discovery. Generally, astrologers opine that the “discovery return” is our first chance to really understand an planet, since we are now seeing its cycle in its entirety. But this time we had THREE returns to that discovery degree–and each of these returns were potently conjunct other planets.
The first, in April 09, was conjunt Chiron, both at 25 Aquarius. This bound Neptune to the “shock that heals”. The second, later that summer, was conjunct (at 25 degrees) BOTH Chiron and Jupiter: Chiron helps Jupiter heal our ability to believe and trust. The third return was in 2010, and was conjunct (all at 25 degrees) BOTH Chiron and Venus: Healing our wounded value systems.
But the real shock came this year, when Neptune finally left Saturn’s sign of Aquarius. Separating Neptune–our deepest spiritual ideals–from the stern taskmaster of Saturn left many of us in a strange kind of limbo–lassitude, an inability to whip ourselves into performance, a questioning of why we do what we do. Acedia, ennui, the big “whatever” shrug… how do we reach spiritual ideals without Saturn driving us?
The conjunctions of the return answer the question: We are shocked into recognizing the false pairing of Saturn “shoulds” with Neptune’s ether, we are shocked into letting go and trusting, and we are shocked into revising our outmoded value systems. This is a period of free-fall and reorientation, and it’s amazing to see the story told in the skys.
July-Aug Newsletter
July 28, 2011
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Sheldrake is one of the most amazing new scientists of our time and his thinking turns the dogma of old scientific thinking on its head. Here are two fabulous video links: 
Anne Beversdorf’s Stariel Astrology | PO Box TBA | Austin | TX | 78750
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By Definition: The Stars INFLUENCE Us
July 26, 2011
I had to get out my Oxford English Dictionary for this one. My dear friend and fellow astrologer, Deborah Parker, called me this week and read me her newest blog (and you should read it too– here it is. Her commentary is sublime!) I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, and like Deborah, ran for my dictionary. The question? What is the definition of INFLUENCE??
Here’s what the OED says. There are 2 entries for “influence”. Here’s from the first entry and the first two definitions:
Word background: “13th century, emanation from the stars. 4th Century, Firmicus and Pico di Mirandola: The astrological sense: ‘astral influence.’”
Definition 1. “the action or fact of flowing in, said of the action of water and other fluids, and of immaterial things conceived of as flowing in.”
Definition 2. “a. the supposed flowing or streaming from the stars or heavens of an ethereal fluid acting upon the character and destiny of man, and affecting sublunary things generally. In later times gradually viewed less literally or as an exercise of power or ‘virtue’, or of an occult force, and in late use chiefly a poetical or humorous reflex of earlier notions.
“b. The exercise of personal power by human beings, figured as something of the same nature as astral influence.”
One might argue that these notions (a ‘fluid’ emanating from the stars) are hopeless scientifically outmoded–but actually, new physics are restoring the concept of the ‘ethers’, now positing the vacuum to be a rich medium of energy and energy transference, and some subatomic particles (the neutrino, the tachyon are examples) far exceed the speed of light, and in particle/wave form (fluids?) move through matter emanating from all objects in the universe to pervade all others.
So the next time someone asks you if you REALLY believe the stars “influence” people and things on earth, you can tell them “Actually, that’s the literal definition of ‘influence’. So yes, by defnition, the stars influence us.” Wow!
June 29 Newsletter
June 30, 2011
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I’m a “cherry-picker”. I use lots of techniques, thanks to computer-generated charts, and I pick up the most blatant and obvious clues from each technique. By comparing the blatant clues from myriad techniques, you can get a very good idea of upcoming energy patterns, and often, details of specific events, as well. What’s more, it makes it EASY to use predictive techniques. We’re looking for the obvious here!
Eclipses come in cycles, called Saros Series. And July 1st is a NEW eclipse cycle! This eclipse sets the tone for every new eclipse in this cycle for the next 1200 years!
Anne Beversdorf’s Stariel Astrology | PO Box TBA | Austin | TX | 78750
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July 1 Eclipse
June 29, 2011
Eclipses come in cycles, called Saros Series. And July 1st is a NEW eclipse cycle! This eclipse sets the tone for every new eclipse in this cycle for the next 1200 years!
[There are 19 (x2) eclipse cycles and it takes 18+ years (with 2 solar eclipses most years) to cycle through them all. Saros Series 13 South ENDED 19 years ago, with an eclipse at the North Pole. Saros Series 13 New South begins on July 1st at the South Pole.]
This is a profound and powerful eclipse chart. The Sun and Moon are in highly challenging relationship with the Biggie planets–meaning those that have been wreaking havoc and causing change all over the earth these last few years, namely Pluto, Uranus and Saturn. Overall, the eclipse represents huge generational endeavors, and active world stress. Bernadette Brady says this eclipse brings the end of long struggles and midpoints involving Neptune and Jupiter bring difficult issues to gentle conclusions. We can hope so.
This eclipse also happens among fixed stars which ancient astrologers associate with the death of a king. Countdown for Qaddafi?
Lecture: Transcendent Dances
June 22, 2011
Here’s the audio for the lecture to the Astrological Society of Austin.
These are the dances we must learn to understand the outer planets. Note: The nature of Neptune is changing, putting many into a tailspin right about now. Enjoy the lecture!
Predictive Astrology–Classes
June 5, 2011
Summer School Astrology Class:
Cherry-Picking Predictive Techniques
8 Weeks, beginning Wed, July 6, 6:30-8:30 pm
In this class we’ll use YOUR charts to demonstrate and illustrate the techniques.
Techniques: Transits, Progressions, Solar and Lunar Returns, Graphic Ephemerides, Sabian Symbols, Dasas, and Saturn/Jupiter aspects (also Ingresses, Retrogrades, Eclipses, Pre-Natal eclipses).
Come, expand, and fine-tune your tools for seeing into the future. Contact me HERE for location and directions.
$15/class or $90 prepaid ($30 savings). HOWEVER, if cash is tight, don’t stay away. Payment will be on the honor system, and anything at all will be appreciated. I love teaching an
Eclipse Season
June 5, 2011
This is one of those rare years when we get 3 eclipses within the span of a month. Sometimes these are two Lunar Eclipses with a Solar Eclipse in the middle, and sometimes, as in this year, the first and last eclipses are Solar Eclipses, with a Lunar Eclipse in the middle.
The first eclipse in this pattern was June 1st, at 11 Gemini. In a Solar Eclipse, the Sun is hidden, so we look for a world (or life-event) pattern where the symbolism of the Sun is darkened. The Sun can represent Ego, Consciousness, Visibility, the quality of direct energy (rather than the indirect Lunar energies). Eclipse events are triggered up to 2 weeks before and after the event, but the actual day remains significant. This eclipse coincided with the rather ridiculous news (Gemini) of Senator Weiner’s Tweeter account being hacked with a crotch-photo of a man wearing underwear. Since direct energy is compromised in a Solar Eclipse, there is reason to believe the “it was hacked” story–the underhanded action of an eclipsed Sun in Gemini. But it was also a terrible blow to Weiner’s ego, not least in his poor handling of the communication (Gemini). In your chart, see what house is ruled by Gemini. That is where something may be cut out or eCLIPsed.
The second eclipse is Lunar, at 24 Sagittarius on June 15. Here the feminine, subconscious, reflective and indirect energy of the Moon is eclipsed, in the sign of expansion. We may see lack of reflection (Moon) as suppressed emotions (Lunar Eclipse) expand without limit (Sagittarius). Look for the house ruled by Sagittarius in your chart to see where activity takes place.
The third eclipse is the doozy here. July 1 at 9 Cancer, creating a grand cross involving Pluto, Saturn and Uranus. Conscious activity (Sun) is darkened as Homelands (Cancer) are irrationally (Solar Eclipse) defended. Since this plays out close to the Solstice/Equinox Axis Mundi, these events will play on a world stage–except for the events in your chart in the house ruled by Cancer, and also the houses ruled by the other Cardinal signs.
There’s plenty of other stuff being written about this summer–and there are lots of other intensifying events, with retrogrades, sign changes, etc going on… so hang on to your peace while others grab for their “piece”.
Anne’s Austin Astrology Lecture 6/17
June 5, 2011
“Dancing with Transcendance: Music from the Outer Planets”
Lecture by Anne Beversdorf for the Astrological Society of Austin
Friday, June 17, 6:30 pm, Austin Texas
Remedy Center for Healing Arts
4901 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756-2609
The “outer planets” are often called the “transcendental planets”. Their energy is undeniable in the lives of those who have opened their awareness to CHOICE. These energies mediate between the fixed fate of the material world, on the one hand, and the gods’ (or OUR) abilities to negotiate everyday reality on the other hand. But this choice only comes with awareness. You only get the choice if you know their dances and don’t get caught in their traps.
There are two major shifts happening right now. One is big and frightening (which doesn’t mean Bad) and the other is subtle and possibly confusing. Most of us are aware of the Pluto dances (see Anne’s article in the June/July The Mountain Astrologer magazine). An equally powerful but far more subtle dance is with the other-worldly and imaginative Neptune. The world is changing here as well.
All of the transcendental planets are highly active in the sky these days, which means that all of us are feeling their influence. The wiser we are in dealing with these dance partners, the better the future we invite. Come engage in the dance!
($7 members; $10 non-members, to support ASA)
More, Better JUPITER
April 18, 2011
Getting More of the Good Stuff
Jupiter, or Guru, is the planet associated with the greatest good fortune. Each of us has Jupiter in our birth chart, but not all of us have great good fortune. This is where Upayas, or Astrological Remedies can be a valuable supplement to yagya participation (which you can do very inexpensively at puja.net).
Ganesha is the remover of obstacles in the form of a deity, while Jupiter is the planetary form. In order to be successful, obstacles to getting started, and obstacles to success must be eliminated. As a general rule, befriending Ganesha is a good idea and the most simple Ganesha mantra is: OM Ganapataye Namaha. The mantra for Jupiter is OM Vrim Brihaspataye Namaha. Repeating one or both on a regular basis is a surprisingly powerful discipline. You can do 108 repetitions once or twice a day outloud or mentally.
The principle of planetary remedies is to do activities that give you more of what you want and less of what you don’t want. Jupiter’s primary difficulty is “too much of a good thing”, so we don’t often think of difficulties with this planet. However, too much of a good thing can definitely bring difficulties, as you’ll see below.
- The qualities of a strong Jupiter/Guru:
Growth and expansiveness, mildness, soft-heartedness, humanitarian and spiritual outlook, wisdom, optimism, faith, geniality, generosity, joviality, humor, idealism, good judgement, nobility, benevolence, fruitfulness, bouyancy, good relation with father, teachers.
- The qualities of a weak Jupiter/Guru:
Obesity, liver disease, diabetes, difficulties with children or difficulties conceiving children, lymphatic and circulatory congestion, ear problems, difficulties with teachers, difficulties with educational opportunities, overconfidence, overindulgence, extravagance, immorality, greed, “always right” attitude, immodesty, overly optimistic, tendency to entertain false hopes, carelessness, debts, bad speculations, bad judgement.
- To improve your Jupiter:
It is best to do Jupiter activities on Thursday because it is Jupiter’s day. You don’t have to do all of the remedies. Start with something easy that appeals to you, and add more later on as you feel motivated to do so. The important thing is to get started and then be consistent. So, on nine consecutive Thursdays,
- Light a yellow candle, surrounding it as many of the following that you are able to; yellow flowers, gold, saffron, pictures of great teachers or your father, and spend a few minutes repeating the Ganesh or Jupiter mantra before it.
- Gold is the color of Jupiter, so give yellow or golden colored objects to your father, a respected teacher or spiritual guide.
- Spend some time being artistic using imagery of the divine (eg. Ganesha) or use stories about your father or great teachers, as your inspiration.
If you start this now, it won’t be long before you see an increase of good and a decrease in difficulties related to this planet. Good luck, and remember to have fun with this.
In Labor
April 16, 2011
Someone asked me today “when will things get back to normal”. (It was an astrological question.) I said “not in our lifetimes.” We’re in a vast period of change right now. And each punctuation point, each shock and each upheaval, is a step toward a new way of being on earth.
Why now? As I’ve said before, the astrological pattern: Three slow and powerful planets standing on 3 corners of the “cardinal cross” are literally changing our understanding of time. These planets are all crossing, back and forth, over the points in the sky where we have soltices and equinoxes. Solstices and equinoxes literally mark the changes of seasons: They are how we keep time on earth. They Mayans may say this period will be “the end of time as we know it”, and the planets now are telling us seasons are changing, the way we think of time is changing. We can’t go back to “how it was.” We can only discover the beauties of a new normalcy that hasn’t yet been born.
We’re in labor now. Think of the course of a pregnancy: usually the beginning is a lot of fun. The pregnancy itself is literally an expansion period. Mom eats more, her body signals her to rest, there is anticipation of great change and the discomfort of growth. But Mom can’t just keep getting bigger and bigger. There will come a day when the pregnancy ends, and usually that means some level of discomfort. Labor, especially natural labor, is a difficult and painful process. It comes in waves, and often women fear they are about to die. Some do. But life can’t continue without this process.
In a fractal sense, the earth, the solar system, the universe, all go through similar processes. The earth may buck and heave, people may shout and fight, the old, overgrown, too-large systems begin to break down. And what is the result? Something new–the new child, the new vision, a new social arrangement–that requires work and dedication, but which all agree is worth it. The new life we are preparing to nurture will be worth the travail of birthing it, and worth the work to bring it to maturity.
Should we rail against the excesses of the dying age? No. No more than we should rail against the excesses of pregnancy. That too, was part of the process. And for the dear soul who worried that the pain of birth is woman’s punishment for Eve’s transgression… I think not. If giving birth were as pleasant as an orgasm, this earth would have been overrun with humans to die off in horrible plagues many more times than we’ve experienced so far: my guess is that total plaguedom would have hit us about every 80 years, which is more trauma than most of us want to inherit.
We are the midwives of the process. Our job is to watch the waves of change break over us and recede, keep adapting to the changes of the last series of pains, prepare ourselves for the next shocks, until we see the beginning of the new. We will never “get back to normal” because “normal” is in the process of change. Our children and grandchildren will have enough time in the new arrangement to get a sense of “normal”, but our job is to keep riding the waves.
Astro-weather… an analysis
March 16, 2011
Astrologers have been waiting and holding our breath for Uranus to finally re-enter Aries for its run til 2019. Well, it finally happened on March 11th, long hours after the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan and shortly before the cascade of nuclear accidents.
Wow. Let’s analyze this.
First, we are dealing with the soltice/equinox points: Aries is the first of these points–the degree of the spring equinox. Solstice points are the Axis Mundi– the axis upon which the world turns–the four corners of the world.. Appropriate to this symbolism, the 9.1 Japanese quakes actually moved the earth several more inches off its typical axis.
But the quake actually struck when Uranus was at 29 degrees and 59 minutes of Pisces. Why was this such a big deal? Let us count the ways:
1. It’s as close to the Axis Mundi as it could possibly be, so that’s plenty.
2. 29 degrees is an “unstable degree” and Uranus is the least “stable” of all planets.
3. Uranus was in Pisces, a water sign ruled by Neptune AND Neptune was in Aquarius, the sign ruled by Uranus
4. AND Neptune was at 29 degrees of Aquarius. So with both of these at 29 degrees of each others’ home signs, one of the planets long associated with instability in a water sign, and the other long associated with the ocean in a sign associated with ‘shaking things up’… we had a perfect storm.
5. And one more thing–the Moon, the most visible object in the night sky, was very close to it’s first quarter position, long considered the position of ACTION. It was also approaching one of the Biggest Full Moons of 20 years (because the Moon will be unusually close to the earth this time).
So can we rest now? I’m sorry, but we can’t. On March 19, the Full Moon will be at perigee (closest to earth) at 29 Scorpio, the sign of the underground, the underworld, the hidden. And this powerful Full Moon will exactly conflict with Neptune (exact square), still at 29 Aquarius. Uranus will still be on the Axis Mundi. Unstable degrees, a powerful Moon, and a powerful Uranus, sharing MARS rulership (conflict, fire, explosions) with the Moon (both Scorpio and Aries are ruled by Mars, which is in watery Pisces).
There’s a lot more going on in these charts, but this plenty to paint a picture. Uranus will be at the Axis Mundi until March 28, but will return to this degree later this year, resting at that specific point between 11/11/11 and 1/8/2012. I particularly cringe at the 11/11/11 date, not because those numbers are astrologically significant, but they are VERY psychologically significant, and may prompt some unusual behavior even without Uranus’s help.
Gee. I hate to end this post on such a dire note. Right now the only thing I can think of are a couple of platitudes: True, but not new. But it’s still important to remember that these earth changes are course-corrections. We are in the process of long-needed change, and as stubborn as we humans are, we often neglect to make change until there is no longer choice. … or to mix our metaphors here, we are in the birth-pangs of a new age. Birth is sometimes long, difficult, and painful, but the results evoke the most profound love we know on earth: that of a mother for her new-born child. We are getting ready to welcome the child-form of a new era in human history.
Saturn Retrograde: The Vedic View
March 10, 2011
Saturn Retrograde…. and Remedies
Saturn went retrograde on January 26 this year, and will not station direct until June 12-13 (depending on where you are in the world). Why does this matter? Planets are stronger when retrograde. KN Rao teaches us that retrograde planets make aspects from their sign and from the previous sign, meaning they will give twice as many aspects when they are retrograde. And a strong planet is not necessarily a good planet. It is stronger to do what it will, whether that be good or bad. This year’s Saturn station was particularly strong. Saturn stationed in Virgo, Mercury’s sign. If we use Virgo as Lagna, all four angles are occupied. Mercury, Saturn’s ruler, conjoins Rahu in the 4th, with Ketu in Gemini in the 10th. Saturn is very strong, and Mercury is very weak. Saturn will overpower Mercury: Authority and Power will overcome Thought for the period of this retrograde, and all will carry the weight of Saturn.
What do we generally think about Saturn? Well, usually it’s not good. But Saturn does offer some gifts and it must be respected.
Here are qualities of Saturn when it’s strong in a positive way: Authorativeness, discipline, responsibility, conservatism, practicality, realism, durability, constancy, consistency, perseverance, prudence, frugality, endurance, industry, thrift, power to keep secrets, stability, self-control, dutifulness, faithfulness, chastity, ability to concentrate, longevity.
Here are problems that come from Saturn being strong and bad: Pain—especially bones, muscles, ligaments, joints, teeth; diseases due to coldness, consumption, paralysis, chronic illness, bone diseases, eczema, timidity, diffidence, anxiety, fear, bad dreams, poverty, instability, shame, delays, humiliation, inhibition, loneliness, isolation, depression, mental or physical rigidity, stinginess, disappointments, resignation, melancholy, suspiciousness, doubt, difficulties, laziness, lethargy, idleness, tendency to be easily discouraged, sorrow, misfortunes, death, and excessive use of the “good” expressions—e.g., too much discipline, authority, etc.
So if you are experiencing too much Bad Saturn or not enough Good Saturn, you must befriend this greatest of all visible planets. The easiest way to befriend Saturn is to ask Puja.net to do Saturn pujas for you, but you can also take action yourself. The principle for propitiation is to give a Saturn-related item to a Saturn related person or place on nine consecutive Saturdays.
For example, you can give your TIME and visit the elderly, shut-ins, or prisoners on Saturday, bringing them dark-colored foods (think coffee or rye bread) or purple flowers. Or you can give these things to a homeless person on Saturdays, or feed crows dark seeds or rye bread. You can light a dark blue candle on Saturday morning, surrounding it with pictures of old people, grandparents, laborers, renunciates, and with purple flowers, rye seeds and blue stones. Take a few moments to recite at least nine Mrityunjaya Mantras, (see Mantras under Astro-Remedies) or spend two minutes repeating Om Nama Shivaya. You will be surprised at how quickly the situation begins to improve.
Anne’s Lecture: Feb 13, Dallas
January 30, 2011
I’ll be speaking at the Astrological Society of North Texas on Sunday afternoon, February 13, 2011. The topic:
Astrological Archetypes and their Planetary Remedies
A lively series of illustrations and examples will take you deep into the energy patterns of our familiar planets. Then we’ll use this insight, plus wisdom from the Vedas, to discuss practical remedies for any planets that aren’t doing what you want them to do in your life! Both beginning and advanced astrologers will be able to use this information to improve patterns in their lives and in the lives of friends and clients. A limited number of Anne’s book on planetary remedies will be available for $12 each.
The meeting will be from 1:15 – 3:30 at
Stacy Furniture Community Room (upstairs)
1900 S. Main, Grapevine, TX (Dallas/Ft. Worth suburb)
Changing Astrology?????
January 30, 2011
I can’t begin to tell you how many questions I’ve received about the recent spate of “news” stories about the changing zodiac. I confess that my irritation (not with the questioners, but with the source) shows. This is SO stupid! In fact, every few years, some astronomer figures he can get his name in print and bash astrology (about which he knows nothing) with this very same story.
There were actually two stories in one. One was that the zodiac has been changing, slipping backwards, so that the sign you think you are is suddenly no longer your sign. Why this is suddenly news —well, we had some slow news days. This has actually been happening for over 2000 years.
If you want to be literal about constellations and zodiac signs, the sign of Aries would be about a week long and Pisces would be almost two months long. SIGNS are not the same as CONSTELLATIONS. Constellations don’t arrange themselves in the sky in equal-size 30-degree chunks. The zodiac is a circle of symbols. Circles have no beginning and no end, but in order to talk about them, we have to point somewhere and say “Start Here”. Western astrology starts by linking the beginning of Aries, the first sign, with the first day of spring: the spring equinox. India-n astrology usually starts by linking the beginning of Aries with a spot in the sky opposite the star Spica. The Indian system doesn’t drift because it’s linked with a star, rather than with the earth. Both measurements have a complex system of rules and procedures for interpretation that are internally consistent and are different from each other.
And what about the “NEW” sign, Ophuichus??? Well, if you run a chart for the year 0001 CE, you’ll see exactly the same thing you see today. And what is that?
First, imagine a map of the orbit of the sun around the earth. It will look a lot like the equator, but it’s in the sky (and in a different place). This is the ECLIPTIC, the linear path of the sun, that stays the same each and every year. Spread out across the Ecliptic, you’ll see the 12 constellations that give their names to the Zodiac signs. These constellations are ALL laid out, SPLAT!, right across the Ecliptic. The line of the Ecliptic goes right through the MIDDLE of these signs.
And 2010 years ago, exactly like today, one TEENSY corner of another constellation slips over the line. ONE STAR of the large constellation Ophuichus crosses the Ecliptic.
When you have 12 constellations neatly bisected by the ecliptic and one more, with the toenail of its little toe crossing the Ecliptic, and when this pattern has NOT CHANGED for way over 2000 years, you tell me how this is suddenly news!
Video: December-January AstroWeather
December 14, 2010