Because fruits and nuts produced by trees require no technology and the least amount of labor, humanity's original diet gave us health, freedom and happiness. It also gave us plenty of time to engage the living world and to learn of its wonderful occupants.

In all creation, we are closest to animals. It was a natural step to populate the skies with constellations named after our animal friends and imagine that their basic traits correlated to the Sun sign personality types devised by the earliest astrologers.

And so the Aries native became the dynamic Ram since that sign begins when the stimulation of sunlight ushered in by longer days becomes increasingly dominant as winter expires and spring flowers.

Ruled by the Sun, the feline sign of Leo governs the animals and children who give us warmth and affection.

I adopted several kittens 15 summers past. Mostly black, Bootsy received his name from a back pair of white feet and lower legs. His sibling, Sissy, became my prize as her many health problems bonded us through tough times that even included an attack by a dog whom I rescued.

With the loss of Sissy two years ago, Bootsy stepped into the limelight at last. But his recent six-month struggle with kidney and other afflictions ended with a goodbye wave in August.

It set me to thinking how each of us -- no matter the species, gender or age -- is indeed like a wave that inevitably disappears upon reaching shore. The physical wave vanishes, yet the spiritual water remains, only to well up into wave form at some point along its endless cycle.

We are all riding the cosmic surf of energy waves with our loved ones. We fear death, yet we stand fascinated at the shore, watching wave after wave rhythmically reach a glorious finale. Once my kitten, now an old man, Bootsy engaged in a brave struggle that transformed him into the Lionhearted Leo. His parting became our wave goodbye.

Be guided by the creatures in our midst and know that love is the brightest star!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. Ted PanDeva Zagar, an East Chicago native, is a pioneer in Wellness Astrology, a prevention-over-remedy approach to overall wellness. For an archive of herbal and dietary recommendations for each Sun sign, log onto www.wellnessastrology.com. He can be reached at PanDeva@aol.com to receive a free copy of "Zodiac Signs and Healing Plants."

DISCLAIMER: The author's comments are not intended to serve as medical advice, and he urges his readers to seek qualified wellness professionals to resolve matters of health. Direct your wellness questions with exact time, date and place of birth to Ted PanDeva Zagar at PanDeva@aol.com.