Last year about this time, my fellow Californians couldn’t even water their yards due to chronic drought conditions. More than one friend in various parts of the state adopted a no-flushing policy: if it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down. I didn’t make that up.

Today, I sit here watching sheets of rain blow across the gray sky. The Sacramento River is licking across the North State. The lakes are brimming over. The dams are getting a true test and some are having major issues. (Eh hem, Oroville, you may be the tallest, but…)

Oroville in general, about an hour south from where I live, is a mess. Evacuations have been going on for over a week.  In the neighborhood of  180,000 people have been evacuated. I didn’t even know Oroville had that many people. The article, “Faith and Stoicism” in Sunday’s LA Times (front page!)–adds a whole new meaning to holy. Stay strong, Orovillians! Before you know it, 115 degree days and a very full lake will be yours for the taking.

I know about the front page of The Times not because I so nostalgically read it from Nor Cal, but because my husband is in Los Angeles, having driven down the day before I5 went under water near Williams causing a 5 hour traffic delay. Lucky him. His trip back will be delayed due to more expected flooding. Not so lucky.
Closer to home, our seasonal Weil Creek has white caps and looks more like a Weil River. It’s broken off into tributaries not before forged. There are new ponds in our neighborhood, overflowing with crickets that form a full orchestra at first sign of a blue sky or starry night. Those respites have been few over this rainiest ever Nor Cal season.

This water-logged February parallels a move into Pisces on the astrological side. Pisces, a water sign, seems like the perfect actor to enter center stage. Water equals emotions and we are drowning in emotion collectively. Expect more of that. Here’s hoping we can hole up the dam before all hell breaks loose.

I think we can. We just need to learn how to ride the currents. Feast or famine. When it rains, it pours. These cliches are born from observing patterns. The trick is to learn how to be your own regulator in these times. Listen to your inner voice and trust it. Know how to adjust your faucet. Know when to dive in, swim to the side, or finish the race.

Timing. Listening. Knowing the flow…embrace these.

And remember, reach for the blue sky. It always follows.