If you’re on my mailing list you received an announcement about the change to this blog, but some of you have emailed me wanting to know what has happened so here’s the scoop (the abbreviated version):
Many of you have been with me since the beginning in 2005 when I was on the Blogger platform. In 2007 I was contacted by Beliefnet who wanted to carry my blog on their site, and in 2008 I agreed and signed a contract with them. They pulled the RSS feed of all of my posts at that time.
As some of you know, over time the advertising on Beliefnet became more and more offensive and I started carrying an ad-free copy of the blog on my own website. Last year Patheos contacted me about moving my blog to their site, and in January of this year I made the decision to move to Patheos. (Mars was stationing before turning retrograde but it was about a week from the retrograde turn.)
Everything was going fine until Patheos received a threatening letter from Beliefnet attorneys stating that they OWN the trademark and the blog Astrological Musings. Rather than provide me with an opportunity to defend this charge, Patheos followed the advice of their attorneys and took the blog down.
Of course all of this is occurring with both Mars (aggression and defense) and Pluto (destruction and nuclear warfare) stationary in the sky, forcing latent conflicts into the open where they must be fought. I have filed for the trademark Astrological Musings and have sent a letter to the Beliefnet attorneys but in the meantime Beliefnet has hired another writer to write Astrological Musings on their site.
It’s hard to say how much effect my letter to Beliefnet will have – after all, I am just a tiny fish and Beliefnet is a large corporation with a phalanx of lawyers on staff. It doesn’t really matter – and other than fighting for the principle of the matter it’s the writing that’s the point here at this blog – there are plenty of other sites that incorporate “Astrological Musings” into the title. Transiting Uranus (innovation and change) is in an exact trine to my progressed Ascendant (my evolving persona in the world) this week, so there is a sense of liberation here and freedom for greater self-expression. So I thank you for your support, and for continuing to find this blog no matter where it lives!
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I am boggled!!! Bullies in religion and spirituality!! Again!!!! So glad you know how to fight this fight, may they get doubles of what they deserve!
I’m actually glad you moved, Lynn. Every time I’ve tried to access the Patheos site, I get a virus on my computer. I love your posts and hated missing them.
That’s helpful information Kallan, thanks!
I ‘m on several Beliefnet mailing lists, and I agree that the advertisements are growing steadily more offensive. Not only that – they encourage a mindset directly opposite the stated purpose of a site like Beliefnet. In my estimation, they’re simply greedy merchants playing all the angles, getting that cash any way they can. I’m disappointed to hear of the actions of their lawyers, but it’s pretty much par for the course these days, no matter who you’re dealing with. I can’t say I blame you for moving your blog.
I considered canceling my subscriptions, but they really do contain some good things that I enjoy sharing. I do my best to ignore the bad and focus on the good. Looking forward to more of your Musings.
I’ve been following your blog through all these changes. Beliefnet was impossible and oxymoronic for the spiritual content with their greedy attitude. Keep on keeping on with your excellent content.
I will follow you where ever you are. Your writing about astrology is clear and understandable. You now have your own following. I will continue to subscribe to you.
What a bunch of creeps. I like your attitude: it is the writing that counts. For what it’s worth I think your name is more important than the title Astrological Musings. It’s always how I think of your blog.
This is very true! I learned of your blog a year ago via your name and they said just google Lynn Hayes to find her blog! So go forth Lynn Hayes, The Astrology Muse!
Yes, this! You’ve written under this title for so long I know you’re attached to it, but for those of us who read you faithfully I can say we don’t really care what you call your blog. Your name carries more weight than the title.
Hear Hear! What they said, Lynn! I, too, am one who will continue to follow you around wherever you go! (But in a good way, not a creepy stalking way!) :)
Let me weigh in too on how much I enjoy your Astrological Musings, Lynn. I’m dumbfounded by all the trouble Beliefnet has caused you, even stealing your title!
I enjoy your writing and will follow you around the Webverse, wherever you post it.
Cheers,
Greg
That is horrible!!! Bad karma will come to those who made those poor decisions, if done knowingly. Hopefully, those involved will see the lunacy of their actions and hence a quick resolution. In any case, u r a great writer and educator of astrology and that is ultimately what will shine and grab readers Attention (and lose readers in beliefnet case) to wherever or whatever u call your blog.
I agree with this: ” For what it’s worth I think your name is more important than the title Astrological Musings.” I love your work: and I will follow you anywhere! :D
What a pain. At the end of the day, your writing has value and will be recognised as such. Websites who are more greedy than giving will also be recognised as such. Good luck. best, Sally
My love from Athens Greece.
I will follow you fanatically!!!!!!
totally agree with Christina ~ it’s your name I think of first. The Astrological Muse sounds even better than ‘musings’. Leave them behind ~ not worth the bother, you have much better things to do.. Wishing you the very best :)
You can always be ‘Lynn’s Astrological Musings’ – it is very funny to me that both of these companies are looking at the name instead of the content. There are many many astrologers on the web, and each has their personal take on things. thinking that one astrologer is as good an another is very silly. I will hold the thought that awareness will come to them. As a long time catalyst for change in all relationships I find myself in, I say take the high road. You will prevail.
Dear Lynn – it is U that I read your website for…somehow my piscean mind ignores the title of the website and thinks..”ah, my favorite astrology writer…Lynn Hayes”…..thats all that matters!!
The only reason I was going to Beliefnet was to read you, Lynn. Now I can brush the dust off my shoes! They were fun at the very beginning but as time progressed, greed got them. Too bad. Seems to be a nemesis in the “Self-help, Spirituality” field. Greed. I agree with my fellow commentators here, your name stands out. You are a class act in a field that isn’t always dependable. Your spirit shines through everything you do. We can depend on the information you provide!! Maybe you can name your blog Lynn Hayes’ Astrological Musings…. Maybe the Universe is saying it’s time to be Independent. We certainly believe in and follow you!! Sending Light & Reiki your way!!
ps: LOVE the illustration you chose for this post!
pps: I think I am sensing a powerful message from us, your peeps: Use your own name from here on out, and bah humbug begone, you Beliefnet bums!
I want to echo that about the illustration. Way cool!
Greg
I’d like to echo the voices here that have assured you that it is you we follow and your wisdom we seek, no matter on what server your insightful advise resides.
Corporate gangsters, I mean blogsters have discovered that you are a well-read name (flashing dollar signs) in astrology these days so, because they are what they are, they intend to exploit your (blog) for their own gain.
They will fail.
Good luck, Lynn. And thank you.
Thanks again all, for your comments and continued support!!!!
Hi Lynn,
I’m so happy you’ve liberated yourself from that site that has stolen your brand name, and has now replaced your posts with that of an automaton! I agree with you that it’s best to move on. I found you again at pathos, but when they took down your posts I found you through Skywatch. Perhaps you could rebrand yourself as Lynn Hayes’ Skywatch?!!! Just a thought, but so happy that you’re BACK!
Dear Lynn,
Just sort of skimmed this blog and it’s comments. I found you on Beliefnet, as well as many others, and not have YOUR blog in my bookmarks toolbar, so I can go straight to the source. But I do check the daily astrology on Beliefnet, (If you can suggest a better daily I’d happily switch). Oh, and I love your graphic here! I won’t say sorry for this debacle because it’s probably one of those events that will take you to a better place.
So, I’m just commenting here because I was checking the dailyscope on Beliefnet. I was surprised to see your name and picture still up, next to your the blog name they swiped from you. When you click on the blog it’s another astrologer’s, as you know.
Lame.
I just thought you should know (maybe you do) I tried to skim the comments to see if it had been address. Mia culpa if this isn’t news to you.
They should take your picture and name down. Maybe I’ll write them?
Keep on Keepin’ On, woman!
xo
I don’t know if you know about this
Yes, I do indeed know about it. I’ve sent a letter to their attorney but I’m inclined to think that as long as they keep my contact info up I won’t be too disturbed.
*sorry that should say I NOW have YOUR blog on my toolbar :-))
Lynn,
haha-sorry for typos. Also, I just saw that someone previously said “Keep On Keepin’ On!” so I guess you better! xo
Lynn, it is good to know that you are alive and well.
I continued to click onto the link to your site on Beliefnet and was curious why you hadn’t posted in over a month but I did check my aol account which I rarely do and saw your email.
I am sorry for all of your legal issues but I wasn’t a fan of Beliefnet because it would always cause my computer to freeze.
Good luck on the new site.
[…] began last fall with a burst of productivity, but the second phase in the spring was marked by a blog crisis of major proportions as Astrological Musings quit BeliefNet to move to Patheos, only to be dropped […]