New Moon in Virgo: Ushers in Path of Grand Trine of Earth Signs

This Sunday, September 9 at 11:01 A.M. PDT/2:01 P.M.EDT the New Moon at 17 degrees of Virgo opens a new path to a new lunar year (in some traditions and cultures), and provides a time to renew ourselves, our perspectives, and our intentions for the future. Whatever has been transforming, churning up and being regenerated in your life, is ready for some grounding in the reality of your daily life and in the power of your intentions for the future. Take this opportunity to renew and refresh your outlook and way of living to more fully allow for your energetic renewal and creative progress.

The Grand Trine of Earth signs, which has been influencing our lives for a while now, is energized at the New Moon in 17 degrees of Virgo on September 9, 2018. The New Moon in Virgo also falls in the 2nd decan of Virgo and on the fixed star Mizar, in Ursa Major, located in  tail of the Great Bear constellation. Wherever this New Moon falls in your chart/life is a position that is influenced by Mizar. Ursa Major brings a need for quiet, prudence, self control, discretion, and patience. It also may cause us to feel mistrustful, suspicious, or more easily angered than usual. Notice during this New Moon cycle how this manifests in your own experience, and notice too what your usual way of coping with this energy is like. The more we notice how some trends affect us, the more easily we can make adjustments and changes. And that is what the Virgo New Moon and Grand Trine in Earth signs provides the impetus and energy to do just that.

This placement of the Virgo New Moon, the start of a new path and a new year, requires some discretion. This decan of Virgo tends to cause us to see the world as one of polarities and view life from an either-or perspective. There is no neutral ground emotionally with this New Moon. For that reason, it is a very emotional time, and requires that we exercise some discipline in how we speak, think, act, and respond to what others say to us. Virgo's gifts are ours to use as the energy is strong now to build and bring ideas into form. Be pragmatic and practical in your practices. Look at your schedule and consider the lifestyle you have been living. Take some time to think about what you'd like to see and do in your future. Where would you like to go, live, travel? What would you like to learn, create, or study? Assess your health and level of energy (physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, psychological), and make any changes you need to improve and alter your lifestyle to assist you in growing stronger and more energetic. Get enough rest, exercise, pleasure, and time to rest in between major activities. Consider ways  you can change or adapt to present overwhelming conditions or situations, and avoid simply dropping everything and running away. Implement better ways of doing things, better ways of taking care of yourself or handling stress and problems. Address fears that may keep you from making better choices. Get some help if you need to, and focus on getting support that you need as you adjust your life to provide you with a greater sense of well being and more joy in life, work, and all facets of living. Ask for what you're worth, and avoid overdoing and draining your resources. 

Practically speaking, consider the details of your life. Time management-how do you use your time? What could change some? What's working in your life? What is not working? Begin problem solving, and organizing so that your life, home, office, work, and relationships are more fulfilling and enjoyable.

Grand Trine in Earth Signs:
The Grand Trine in Earth is formed in part by the Sun, Moon, and Mercury all being in Virgo . These transits emphasize sacred service, space, and health and well being. The Grand Trine also includes Mars, Saturn, and Pluto all in Capricorn. Mars the planet of action, Saturn, the Great Teacher, and Pluto, the Great Transformer, all require that we work hard to establish strong commitments and that we  take on obligations with a deep sense of responsibility. 

Uranus, the planet of shocking and sudden change in Taurus in this Grand Trine, represents the need to use our energy to use the transformations and lessons we've been learning to conserve our strength, preserve our balance and energetic power.  What we bring forth from our inner needs, desires, and intentions, will now help shape the path before us. We must take steps to use care and caution with the choices we make and the way that we communicate and express our needs and intentions during this New Moon period. Also, what needs to leave our experience falls away or passes out of our influence during this period of time. Whatever you have held onto for fear of making the wrong choice, will now be removed from you regardless of your efforts. Let what needs to go, go. Space is needed to fulfill your intentions. It's all for the best, as Uranus in Taurus is all about building a foundation that allows you to honor your truest self and what you value most. 

We will see in the next two weeks leading up to the Full Moon and the Autumnal Equinox, the manifestations of our present vision, perspective, and intentions. Use care, discretion, and common sense in speaking, thinking, and directing your energy at this time. What we set into motion, decide, or intend at this time, leads us to our destiny, and opens us to the path before us. Seek Divine guidance, and then listen to what direction you receive. Follow the pull of your heart and your center of truth. Check in with that place within you where you "know the Truth" and then follow the path in that direction. Follow your heart or your solar plexus (3rd chakra) or intuitive knowing (6th chakra) or all three to discover the next step. Pay attention to your intuition. 

Impact of Virgo New Moon.

The blessings of Virgo are found in its focus on improving and maintaining our health and well being. We're each called upon to make improvements in our health, habits, patterns of living, and ways of coping with stress and change. The archetypal card of the Priestess is emblematic of Virgo's practical transformation of divine energy into physical creation and manifestation. Imagine yourself using your body, mind, emotions, spirit to pour out into your life, the beauty, balance, creativity, and wholeness you so desire. Bring yourself to a place of home in your heart of hearts, and allow yourself to make whatever changes and adjustments are needed to feel at home and in synch with the beating of your own heart and the pace of your own path. 

The growing edge of Virgo is overcoming the need to control and perfect every aspect of a plan before actually taking action or making a decision. Perfectionism can be a real obstacle for whatever area of your life Virgo rules. It can be a stumbling block for lots of things. We are here to learn, risk, begin and end, and start anew, so 'screw your courage to the sticking point" as Shakespeare once wrote, and get on with things. Write out your intentions, and be specific and concrete about what you want. Too often we get trapped in the whirlpool of indecision because we're looking for the perfect way to move forward. Begin where you are. Be brave and write down your fondest desire, wishes, and dreams. What do you really want?
Once you begin allowing the abundance of the Universe in on your tightly held secrets, there is a chance a small door will open and the Light will enter, giving you exactly what you need to move forward towards the realization of your dreams and desires. 

We are here to serve a purpose, to use our gifts, talents, time, and energy to create what we can to make our world a better place and to live our lives from a point of Love and Harmony.  We have the choice to choose Life or Death, and now is the time when we need to do whatever we can to choose what gives us life, affirms our Divine natures, as we help co-create a more beautiful and harmonious world, within and around us. This Virgo New Moon calls us to put into motion, into concrete, down to earth form, those desires that we have for creating beauty in the world and living in harmony with all of life. 

Full Sturgeon Moon in Pisces

On Sunday, August 26 at 4:56 a.m PDT/7:56 a.m. EDT the Moon in Pisces reaches her peak. August’s Full Moon in Pisces, called the Sturgeon Moon or the Green Corn Moon, comes as the fish are swimming  upriver to spawn and corn in growing and being harvested in the fields in the Northern Hemisphere. Every day when I go sit by the river near where she meets the  sea, I see the trucks, trailers, tents, and campers of those who have come to fish as the sturgeon enter the river. The Full Moon in 3 degrees of Pisces, the first decan, forms an aspect to a Grand Trine in Earth Signs and is part of a you formation with the North Node (gateway to change). After a period of time marked by three eclipses, a number of planets in retrograde (Mars and Mercury have now turned direct), it is like there’s been a huge event and disturbance that have left the streets littered with much that need cleaning up.

The Full Moon in Pisces and its aspects set us on a course to straighten up what needs to be put back in order and to use our imagination and ingenuity to be open to other possibilities outside the range of what we have considered ‘normal’. What we set into motion during this period, has long-lasting effects, and definitely will bring change in the next month that will shine a light into darkness in areas of life both for the collective whole and for individuals. This Full Moon falls between two major stars in the Constellation of Aquarian, Saddle Malick and  Form al-Haut. Saddle Malek, Saddle of the King at 3 degrees represents promise of gain earned by merit. 

The royal command bestows honor or disgrace depending on what we have earned.  This might mean our work receives recognition, we might find ourselves favored for our good qualities and behavior or, if we have not used our gift wisely, we may face dishonor, shame, or punishment. The other fixed star, Fomal al-Haut at 4 degrees suggests that what has been going on in secret has created enemies and crises/challenges that we now have to straighten out.  We may have misjudged others or been misunderstood or viewed in ways detrimental to our good.  it is crucial that we use our gifts, talents, powers, and resources for the greater good, and refrain from causing harm or trying to manipulate other. Those who misuse their power, will suffer and fall into disgrace. 

The Full Moon in Pisces focuses on the watery elements that keep energy flowing. Eliminate any blockages, clear out stagnate areas of thinking or emotional upset, and let the flow move you to take positive, concrete steps in all areas of life. The Moon aligned with Forma al-haut offers great honors or great disgrace. How you use your energy and create positive flow in all areas of your life, will determine how beneficial or not this Full Moon alignment will be. Dreams, fantasy, imagination, and all the intuitive realms are highlighted at this Full Moon in Pisces. We weave from our past and our accomplishments, the tapestry of our lives now and into the future. We are encouraged by this energy to do what we must do to unchain ourselves from whatever is holding us back and connect with what truly gives us life, and provides us with a channel of peace and cooperation with others. There is too much to be done to go it alone right now. We must cleave to one another to help support and nurture life.

Moon in Pisces sextile Saturn in Capricorn (part of the Grand Trine in Earth): Watery, emotional Moon in Pisces wears down the harshness of Saturn in earthy Capricorn.  Tears may flow and soften our understanding of what the lessons we are struggling to learn have to teach us. Our security, which begins with our understanding and appreciation of who we are, relies on our actively engaging in making the changes we need to make. While Saturn may make us feel we are on some kind of schedule, the Moon in Pisces reminds us that all is done in Divine Time, not our time.  Do the best you can. Give yourself credit for what you’ve already accomplished, and then keep on moving forward one step at a time. 

Moon in Pisces sextile Mars in Taurus (also part of the Earth Grand Trine). This aspect supports and ignites the artistic and mental brilliance that fuels inspiration and intuition. You might find that this is a good time to share your ideas and innovative creativity.  Public favor is again yours if you’ve done what you needed to do to move forward. Conversely, if you’ve been dragging your feet and making excuses for why not to dream big, you will find your coffers empty from lack of trust. 

Saturn in Capricorn trine Uranus in Taurus brings to life whatever was being planted, nurtured, and growing in your garden last year at this time. The changes you sought last year, have now come to fruition, and are ready to manifest in the world in which you live. 

The placement of this Full Pisces Moon in the first decan is one of the artists, the adventurer, and the risk taker and dreamer. Allow yourself to be guided, inspired, and trust your own intuition, dreams, imagination, and instincts. Give form and structure to your dreams, and help bring to life, your big dreams and true intentions. Avoid getting trapped in old emotional entanglements, and rekindle whatever love and delights have given you true joy and a sense of being loved and being able to give love. The mutual exchange of opposites is the gift of the Magi, and we all need the mystery, the mystical, and the alchemists to sprinkle their wisdom and light along the paths we seek to follow.

Who is most affected by this Full Moon in Pisces? Those with personal planets within 29-30 degrees of the fixed signs ( Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) and those within 0-7 degrees of mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) will be energized most.  Look to your natal, progressed, and current planetary transits to determine which areas of your life are most affected. For example, if the Moon aspects your natal planets, look to how lifelong issues and dreams are affected. If it hits your progressed planets, look at what you are growing into. And if it hits current transits, see what is being shaken up in your life now, that you can use this energy to amend, change, release, or learn. 

The Sun enters Virgo on Thursday, August 23, and Mars will turn direct net week on August 27. Whatever is growing, coming to fruition now, is going to begin to make itself known next week when Mars moves forward triggering the Grand Trine in Earth signs forward. Dream, intuiti, imagine, and plan now, and be ready to move forward in very real and concrete ways next week. 

New Moon & Solar Eclipse in Leo: Growing through Healing

On August 6, Venus entered Libra, her home where she weaves love into our lives and helps us learn how to live a life of balance and harmony. Today, August 6 Uranus turns retrograde, joining other planets in retrograde transits--reminders of our need to slow down, relax some, and take stock of how we are growing and learning.

The New Moon in Leo's transit in the wee small hours of August 11 (2:58 a.m. PDT; 5:58 a.m EDT) results in a Solar Eclipse. The effects of this eclipse will manifest over the next six months. The New Moon in Leo and the Sun in Leo, both at  18 degrees Leo, form a conjunction with Mercury in Leo at 14 degrees. This New Moon in Leo aligns with Merak, one of two fixed stars in Ursa Major (the Big Dipper). The Mother Bear, Ursa Major, at 18 degrees reminds us of what a mother bear will do to protect her children. She becomes a fierce protector, and Merak in Ursa Major symbolizes "love commands and dominates"--nothing can stop her. What does this mean for us? What kind of Mother Bear instincts will be awakened within us?

Learning Triangle:  The Leo need for ego gratification during this New Moon in Leo indicates that we are pleased and satisfied more by helping others than by clinging to our own ego gratification. This New Moon is a healing moon as it is part of the alignment known as the Learning Triangle. Our soul development and spiritual healing is given ample support and mystical strength at this time. Normally this means we can look forward to a long-term, ongoing soul growth and movement period.

The Learning Triangle is formed as follows: The New Moon in Leo is inconjunct Neptune in Pisces. Neptune in Pisces is trine Jupiter in Scorpio, and Jupiter in Scorpio squares the New Moon in Leo.  

What can we expect as the Learning Triangle influences our lives? The Triangle appears in our lives as Challenges, Misunderstandings, and Solutions/Answers. When we find ourselves struggling and in crisis, we seek solutions. However one thing that may be more difficult to do is to look within to see what is blocking us from finding answers or what has brought us to the brink of a crisis or caused a misunderstanding.

This particular New Moon in Leo/Solar Eclipse (meaning the effects of this new moon will manifest over the next 6 months), pushes us to seek self empowerment. Struggles are caused by whatever does not empower us. That most often is largely determined by our internal struggles. Fears, limitations, and negative emotions unexpressed or projected onto others blocks our energy. . Jealousy, envy, or resentment can be emotion-blocking, and certainly energy-blocking kinds of emotions. So what to do, what to do?

As I look at the period called the Dark of the Moon last few days before the new moon), I recognize ancient fears, beliefs, or frustration rising up, waving their nasty tentacles before my eyes. What do I fear? What beliefs are blocking my forward momentum" What frustration is causing me pain or draining my energy? What from the past is still hanging around making me feel, I cannot move on from this challenging place where I find myself? All questions to meditate on, at least for me this week. But whatever we find ourselves struggling with at this time, now is the time to be as honest as we can be with ourselves, to seek those answers within.

How to use this influence and information: This New Moon in Leo calls us to detoxify and seek balance in the Pineal Gland/6th Chakra. Our intuition and true knowledge is generated in this area of our anatomy. When our third eye/6th chakra/pineal gland is blocked or filled with beliefs, memories, and other mental/emotional clutter, our sense of what is truly within and calling us, is blocked. What is healing for all of us is Knowledge. Knowing the truth that sets us free, is quite simply being willing to face the truths that might not be how we'd like to be, or feel, or be perceived, but standing and living in our own truth is brilliantly liberating and healing.

New Moon in Leo inconjunct Neptune in Pisces. This aspect is all about self empowerment. Struggles in our lives are caused by what does not empower us. What saves us is our search for knowledge. As we seek ways to more fully understand what is happening, why it might be happening, and what steps we can take to cope with the struggles (internal or external), we become more empowered. Knowledge=power. And solutions are found. Through the process of detoxifying and clearing any fogginess or blocks in the pineal gland/6th chakra region of insight and intuition, we more clearly connect with true knowledge. Trust your intuition to guide you, and if this is hard to do, spend more time in meditation, self reflection, and sort through whatever it is you seem to be confused about. 

Sometimes we avoid sorting through or facing up to whatever we are struggling with. Avoidance, a form of denial, isn't helpful. Like our 'bad' dreams, our struggles, fears, confusion hold valuable messages when we are willing to look more closely to discern their hidden or veiled messages. Neptune in Pisces is all about facing up to our spiritual limitations and fear. By addressing disruptions to peace and clarity, the veil is lifted, the fog clears up, and we learn how to trust ourselves and our intuitive understanding. 

Neptune in Pisces trine Jupiter in Scorpio infuses us with the power to reconcile misunderstandings. This New Moon helps trigger this aspect of the Learning Triangle which again, calls upon us to face our fears through self reflection. 

Jupiter in Scorpio square the New Moon in Leo Be sure to look to the houses in your chart/life where this Learning Triangle is having the greatest impact. This aspect is about doing what you can to heal from past mistakes, misunderstanding, negative/outworn patterns of thinking, behavior, reactive emotional responses.  Rather than falling into the old patterns of negativity, active, conscious attempts to face the issues that are blocking your path, and learning to create new memories rather than dwelling on what happened in the past. Before we can move forward, we must be awake and aware of what we are carrying with us. How have you worked through whatever experiences, challenges, or understandings that may have drained your energy, blocked your path, or caused you to forget who you really are?  Make a list of the things you can do to take better care of yourself. Give yourself some time to reflect on what you've already accomplished, and then make a list of what you no longer need to worry about or carry around with you. Use this last list as a starting point for some ongoing self reflection for what you are consciously coping with. Your spiritual transformation comes about when you trust your own intuition and use it as a guide. 

New Moon in Leo inconjunct Pluto in Capricorn as well. This indicates a new path regarding an major,  ongoing transformation in your life. For full transformation to take place, you must be in full alignment with your truth as understood by the intuitive knowledge of your own energy body (body, mind, spirit, emotions/chakras, meridians) and awareness of your limitations. This includes your own internal messages about what is 'right' for you and what is not. We may be inclined to take the advice of others over the truth that our inner voice desires. Pay most close attention to what you really want and what you really  do not want, and follow that. Compromising with that spark of desire, is not in your best interest. 

New Moon conjunct Mercury (retrograde) calling us to examine how we are viewing our own self worth, how we assess our own value as a soul-being, and how we learn to love ourselves more fully. This path of self-soul transformation is an individual path, that we may share parts of with others, but which is ours truly and solely-treasure you and your soul journey, and spend some time learning more about how your various forms of communication help that spiritual growth. Listen to the voice within; watch from the perspective of an open mind and heart to the world about you.

We may be called upon to help others do the same, however, we are also called to learn how to clear the effects of trauma, blocks, and stagnate energy through the Abundance and Light of Jupiter. 

Venus in Libra (exalted) in opposition to Chiron the Wounded Healer  in Aries is all about healing the past, healing from the past. Healing always involves facing ourselves, and forgiving ourselves and others as part of the ongoing process. This may come up in surprising and shocking ways at times, but will be little portals to more self reflection with the goal of integrating all that has been with the person you are now.

Our lives consist of ongoing, repetitive experiences that constantly remind us who we are and what we may choose to do next. Scientist and Writer, Loren Eiseley told the story of the boy and the starfish, a take that reminds us of this process of healing into life.:

Once upon a time, there was an old man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach every morning before he began his work. Early one morning, he was walking along the shore after a big storm had passed and found the vast beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could see, stretching in both directions. 

Off in the distance, the old man noticed a small boy approaching.  As the boy walked, he paused every so often and as he grew closer, the man could see that he was occasionally bending down to pick up an object and throw it into the sea.  The boy came closer still and the man called out, “Good morning!  May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young boy paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves,” the youth replied. “When the sun gets high, they will die, unless I throw them back into the water.”

The old man replied, “But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.”

The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one!”

adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977)

Mars in Aquarius square Uranus in Aries is not Mars, the planet of action's favorite place. Mars in Aquarius is exhausted, disabled to a degree. We too may feel this weighing on us, and so the time of self reflection and soul searching fits this period of time well for we need more quiet, more unscheduled time, more opportunities to reflect. We may find this difficult because our minds and hearts and souls are so active. That's just the point--active minds, inactive bodies call for conserving, resting, nourishing, and treating ourselves with tender loving care. Make your self care a priority during this New Moon as it will help you grow in ways best suited for  the path ahead. 

Overall, the New Moon in Leo time opens us to a new way forward while asking that we settle our past so we are free to move on. Old relationships of one kind of another may reappear at this time, to remind us of what we have chosen and to allow us to live our lives more authentically with how we make new choices. Use this time to soften your approach to coping with struggles. Let go some and rely more on the rhythm of life to guide you in the right path. 

Full Moon in Aquarius, Lunar Eclipse: Healing Crisis

As I study the waxing Moon just before it enters Aquarius, I'm struck by the fact that it hits my own chart right on the cusp of the 4th house, home and all that entails. Makes so much sense as I'm in the process of searching for a new home. Wherever the Full Moon at 4 degrees of Aquarius transits in your chart/life, expect some drama, passion, and the pull between the needs of the Leo Sun and those of the Aquarius Moon. Leo's proud, dramatic, emotive, and highly individualistic need to stand out from the crowd, to that of the Aquarius Moon's individualistic need to be part of a team. Strength in numbers, power in connection, or the needs of the many over the needs of self, all are heightened expressions of this Full Moon.

The Full Moon peaks and the Lunar Eclipse takes place at 1:20 p.m. PDT/4:20 p.m. EDT/11:20 p.m. UT. The eclipse will not be visible in North America, but Africa, parts of Asia, and Europe will get a spectacular view of an eclipse that will last for more than an hour. The energy of the eclipse and the Full Moon in Aquarius though, will still have an effect on us, and whatever those effects are will manifest over the next three months. Before the Full Moon and eclipse hit, study your own chart (and if you don't have one, go to Astro.com for a free version) to see which houses will be affected.

It is said, that what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. Since we're all still breathing, we can all attest to that truth. Whatever we have coped with in the past, learned, come to understand, withstood, and mastered, provides us now with all we need to handle what our life presents to us. Think back on those times in your life when you wondered how you'd cope or manage, the circumstances of life seeming so completely bewildering and impossible. We've all had moments like that, if not longer spells when the road seemed to get washed out just as we were making our way through a difficult time.

We often try to avoid such times, but frankly, chaos and change is more normal than not. Imagine if you will the lifespan of a volcano.  A volcano may lie dormant, asleep for centuries, all the time in the depths and heart of its inner structure, magma and intense heat burns and amasses. On the surface we may glimpse an occasional escape of steam, lava, or a violent eruption. Before the eruption though, the movement of magma to the surface shakes the earth around it, causing tremors and shaking as it moves steadily to the weak places in the crust where it can escape.

Think of yourself, and your life as somewhat like that volcano. A thought that reminds me of this dynamic process of life and the volcano I found on a card a friend made for me: "Whatever is not Ex-pressed, is De-Pressed."  We cannot cope with everything all at once, so some things we depress or suppress, only to find later, they are still roiling beneath the surface, and they make their way up and out, sometimes in the form of a physical expression (illness, imbalance, weakness), or in some other manifestation, emotional, spiritual, mental, or pragmatic disorder with our surrounding and/or the people in it.

All this is to say, this Full Moon in Aquarius, conjunct Mars (action) opposite the Sun in Leo, squaring Uranus in Taurus, may precipitate a crisis of one kind or another. It may be a crisis of consciousness, an awakening of some kind that comes about after a long search. It may be a crisis of healing. Sometimes we get worse before we get better, or search for answers for a problem that eludes us. This might be a time when answers and healings begin. Crisis may be in sudden awareness, revelations, or unexpected news.

Expect the unexpected (always with Uranus), and unexpected arrivals and departures. Also what has been suppressed may burst through to the surface, and we may finally face some truth that has eluded us. Shocking discoveries, surprises, and realizations may be triggered at this point.  It may be the beginning of a whole new phase of life, and an abrupt end to another. Greet whatever change is sparked with an open mind, heart, and willingness to accept the graces within that change. Sometimes we have to wait for what is meant to be ours.

Where are the planets?:  Mercury is in Leo, along with the Sun. Venus is in Virgo (still part of the grand trine in earth signs), Mars is in Aquarius with the Moon, Saturn is in Cancer, and Jupiter is in Scorpio. Mercury in Leo just turned retrograde on July 26.

There are a number of aspects that also make this Full Moon in Aquarius more volatile and energized than usual.

Moon conjunct Mars in Aquarius: Mars in the same sign as the Moon can lead to conflicts, particularly since the Moon rules the Mother, the home and what we consider home, and the safety and security the Moon awakens in us all to protect what and who is most sacred and loved by us. Conflicts may arise over how that protection and security should be created. Different strokes for different folks, is a simple way to envision the differences between how the Lunar energy heals and protects, and how the Martian energy feels it should be done. Differences in life style, handling difficult situations, maintaining peace and harmony, may be the key issues that rise at this time.

Sun in Leo squares Uranus in Taurus: This aspect indicates that what we plan may not turn out as we hoped it would Again, the unexpected arises to disrupt plans, shake up routines, cause delays, or discover glitches in the systems we normally depend on. During this time we may need to change our plans or come up with a new way to approach a problem. We feel the urge to act, but have no clear vision as to how that should or could be done. Our patience is tested, and the term 'roll with the punches' comes to mind when I consider this energy.

Mars square Uranus in Taurus: Mars too squares Uranus, so surprising or shocking changes, news, or behavior can cause frustration, restlessness, or discouragement. Wherever it transits your chart/life is where you might feel more sensitive, restricted, restrained, or resistant. The urge to break away, seek one's independence, or change routines and patterns is triggered by this aspect. This energy might make you feel more impatient with routine and cause you to want to make changes regardless of the outcome. Some caution ought to be exercised at this time, for decisions made in this kind of powerful energy, won't necessarily end the way you think they might. You can however, see possibilities arise that seemed out of sight until now, and that kind of energy can be acted upon as the lunar cycle progresses.

Moon square Uranus: Not only is the active, impatient energy of Mars pushing for change (though Mars is somewhat muted in Aquarius...more about ideas and connections than actions), it can still create some emotional turmoil when the Moon too square Uranus. When the lunar energy that controls our emotional stability unites with Mars, the urge to act with immediacy, and is squaring Uranus, we can expect that something surprising, connected to whatever kind of crisis evolves, will make us feel like the curtain has risen on a new chapter in life. Some may act on it; more will awaken and realize what has to happen and will feel propelled to take steps to make that happen.

T-square: The the Sun in Leo, the Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius, and Mars conjunct the Moon form a t-square to Uranus in Taurus. This is a volatile and shocking aspect, and since it also aligns with both lunar nodes, it means that whatever is residual from the past (South Node, what we bring to life) and whatever we are in the process of creating, changing, or moving into (North Node) are activated in shocking and surprising ways. Saturn in Capricorn softens this somewhat as we've been confronted by whatever this is in our lives quite a lot over the past three or four years. Pluto prepared the ground by digging up the past, turning over that which has to change, and providing us with many a lesson in how to operate amidst chaos and confusion. Saturn, the Great Teacher, is now going to help us navigate the rocky waters by helping us hone our skills for survival, trusting our intuition, using our spiritual tools, and practicing the more pragmatic and practical ways of coping with changes. Notice where the Sun, Moon, Uranus, and Saturn are in your life/chart, and you'll probably recognize what has been in the process of change for quite some time now.

Sun conjunct the North Node; Moon and Mars conjunct the South Node:  Due to the Sun's position to the North Node and the Moon's to the South Node, we have to view this as a consequential period of time. South Node is what we bring into this life. What lessons we have to learn, what gifts we have to develop, what experiences we need to grow, and what weaknesses and challenges we have come to resolve. The North Node I call the gateway to the future. When a planet transits the North Node as it does now with the Sun's passage, we are moving into a new phase of life. The Sun represents our personal expression, who we are in our heart of hearts and what we must express. 

As we transit the North Node, we look as we always do at turning point times, to see what we need to resolve, leave behind, heal, correct, or discontinue so that the journey ahead can proceed without carrying what is dead and useless into the next phase of life. That doesn't mean we forget the past; it means we acknowledge whatever is no longer part of the active element of who we are (old beliefs, roles, relationships, goals, habits, patterns). It might be as simple as facing the fact that where we once found love, is no longer alive. It may mean that the home we have come to know, has ceased to be the safe haven it was. It may be that a habit that once served us, has become a burden and crutch. Again, it may be a major change or a minor one, but there will be a shift in direction, as a new path unfolds. 

In the collective, it may simply be (though not simple at all) facing the facts before us and moving to find peace and solutions in a new way. Reforms are needed to adjust to what has risen to the surface and destroyed the illusion that all was well. Everything changes, and if we try to hold back the dam that is bursting or the volcano that is erupting, we do so at our own peril. We have to see how things fall apart, as we hold onto the center of who we are, where we are, and with what we hold dear. We are, however, entering a period when we're slowing down. No object, person, or society can handle constant chaos and disruption without taking time to rest, recuperate, rejuvenate, and reflect.  

Regardless of what is happening in the world around us, we must focus our attention on the Temple we carry within us, that sacred place where we hold the Truth of our being, and we care for the gifts, talents, expertise, and wisdom we've accrued over our lives. 

A year and a half ago I attended our local Women's March in January, and the passionate, devoted people who came carried signs declaring bits of their truth. One that stood out and the thought that has helped sustain me since was this: "We were made for these times."  And that I do believe. We are stronger than we imagine. We are more of what is good, and we can do more than simply survive. We can grow, thrive, and create more of what is good for all. Happy Full Moon. Find some peace and share some love. Connect to the beauty of the world and one another, and seek solace in your quiet, solitary moments. Allow the Divine to infuse you with all you need, and use your spiritual tools, especially prayer,  to share your burdens and find the support and grace you need.

New Moon in Cancer

On Thursday, July 12 at 7:48 p.m. PDT/10:48 p.m. EDT, the New Moon in Cancer ushers in a new lunar cycle. Coinciding as it does with a partial solar eclipse, it also happens with the powerful energy of two Grand Trines; one in water signs, Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, the other in earth signs, Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn. This is an auspicious time as a new cycle begins, and we are infused with strong energy and events that stir our concpetions of reality up and toss our ideas of constancy into the wind. We are entering a period where our desire for security, safety, and maintaining a safe home is challenged on one hand, but boosted and supported on the other. With the two grand trines and emotional, securtiy-conscious Moon conjoining the equally safety and homebody Cancer Sun, we need to take this opportunity to get perspective and get our bearings as we ride out the turbulence and changes. 

Solar Eclipse: A solar eclipse  occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun (as it does each new moon) and in this case,  partially covers a portion of the Sun as it does. This New Moon in Cancer is also called the Hades Moon as it directly opposes Hades/Pluto the Great Transformer. While this is a partial eclipse, it nevertheless wth its opposition to Pluto, tests us to the max. The Moon, symbolic of our emotional energy, temperament, the Sun symbolic of our personal expression, are both in the safety, security-conscious water sign of the keeper of the hearth, the homemaker, the protector. Cancer seeks to provide safety and security by creating a safe haven, home, and warm, welcoming environment. We can see this is being sorely tested with the treatment, worldwide of refugees, immigrants, asylums, and all who seek and have a hard time finding, safe haven. The opposition of the Cancer Sun to  Pluto the transformer, lesson giver, taskmaster makes this an even more emotional eclipse. It’s already been a difficult period of time. The new lunar cycle begins with tensions rising and our feeling the heavy toll of the lessons we’re learning and the changes that we’re needing to make. 

What can we do with the energy of this New Moon and Solar eclipse? For starters, we can see it as a time when we spend our energy finding greater balance between the polarities within our very nature. Consider your brain, and the two hemispheres, each side representing different aspects of our being, managing and controlling different parts of our physical, mental, and emotional make up, and each side independent with a need for interdependent relationships to all the other parts of our being. Imagine if you will the tiny pineal gland that lies in the middle of the brain, between the two hemispheres. It’s about the size of a grain of rice. It one of the most powerful parts of our physical anatomy as it produces and regulates hormones. One of the hormones it controls is melatonin…the hormone that helps regulate our sleep. In dharmic practices, it is called the Seat of Intuition, the Third Eye. It is the site of the 6th chakra, Ajna which is said to be the gateway to intuition and spiritual enlightenment. When we meditate, we often focus on the pineal gland, as stimulating it can free us to experience a more heightened state of awareness. The pineal gland is also responsible for helping regulate the entire endocrine system (all the glands including the adrenals) as it manufactures hormones and chemicals that cause feelings of happiness, euphoria, peacefulness, serenity, and calm. The pineal gland also creates a sense of balance and well being, and what many who follow spiritual paths refer to as connection with a higher consciousness. In any event, it is crucial for our general sense of well being. And we have some control over how it operates. As we do in Kriya Yoga meditation practices (focus on energy/chakra systems and workings of the physical, emotional, spiritual body, we can activate the pineal gland to help create a more balanced, calm, sense of well being. Use whatever methods you find helpful to focus your attention on what is rising up from within to be released and what is pouring in from higher consciousness and the Collective Consciousness to help create stability, peace, and calm within. Release and receive. Use this New Moon to allow greater integration of body, mind, spirit, and emotions as we begin a new lunar cycle.

Grand Trines: Helping out with this process by granting us the wisdom to see beyond the hard lessons we’re learning, are two Grand Trines.  A grand trine is formed when three or more planets, the Sun, or the Moon form an equilateral triangle to one another. The Sun and Moon both at 20 degrees in the third decan of Cancer form part of the Grand Trine in Water. Sun and Moon in Cancer, Neptune and Chiron in Pisces, and Jupiter in 21 degrees of Scorpio complete the beneficent aspect.  The Grand Trine in Earth signs is formed as Saturn in Capricorn, Uranus in Taurus, and Venus in Virgo aspect one another. Trines are helpful aspects,

Grand Trine in Water Signs: The Sun and Moon are in Cancer, and therefore, we are fully engaged in the energy of safety, security, feeling at home, and making those we care for feel secure and at home. In the third decan of Cancer, we see a rising interest in more dramatic, passionate, and deep soul searching kinds of connections. Jupiter between the degrees of 21 and 27 Scorpio are  symbolized as “the wind whirling thousands of loose manuscript pages”. We are in a period of extreme chaos. Thought the chaos, we rewrite our realty. At 21 degrees of Scorpio, the symbol is “a pair of glasses with no lens”, meaning we have the desire to see, but we do not yet have the focus required to see clearly.  I don’t know about you, but this rings so true for me at this point. Desire to see, but not yet really seeing what is to be. Notice how this works out for you in whatever are you find Scorpio. Neptune and Chiron in Pisces, although Neptune is the only one of the two in this trine, both represent the desire, vision, and unveiled, hidden messages (Neptune) that are needed for healing, wholeness, and a new vision (Chiron, the Wounded Healer). We are going through a transformational time (individually and collectively), so the energy is powerful, and as you may have noticed, people have very different ways of handling such disruptive, transformative energy. 

Grand Trine in Earth Signs: Uranus in Taurus, Venus in Virgo, and Pluto in Capricorn (as well as Saturn) when bathed in the watery elements of the Grand Trine in Water, form a muddy mix that can be healing, soothing, and calming, or can be used to cloud judgment, weigh us down, or be the source of hostile mudslinging. It’s up to us how we use the energy of earth. Earth demands to see results in pragmatic and practical ways. If you can do nothing else, clean up your act. Clean a drawer. Develop a new healthy habit of picking up after yourselves. Sometimes the way to channel our pent up emotions  and frustrations, is to do something we CAN do. Take small steps to learn up around you. Take a walk. Take out the trash. Use the elements to bathe your consciousness in healing, earthy and watery ways that ground and soothe your heart and soul. Uranus in early degrees of Taurus slow the changes that occur and bring the changes and surprises sure to come, down to earth right where you are. Shocks and sudden changes will be more likely felt in the disruption or infusion of energy into daily life and everyday life. For example, gas prices may go sharply up or down. There may be food shortages or a bumper crop. Not what we expected is the motto of this period. So relax, because you’re not alone in the bumpy ride. Venus in Virgo is the Missouri of planet placement. Show me, don’t just tell me. If you like me, show it. If I love you, I show it in practical, everyday ways. We also create more when Venus is in Virgo. We put ideas into action or form. This is also a very good way to balance some of the other more erratic energy. Pluto, the Great Transformer and Saturn, the Great Teacher both tough teachers in Capricorn continue to grind us into to meal to make a new loaf of bread of us. Take this bread and become it. Live it. Be it. Act with intention and purpose, and show what it is you have to give in ways that serve, reflect, and support the world that is changing around you. 

Mars Retrograde: Starting June 27 and lasting until August 28, Mars transits in retrograde motion, and moves back into the energy of Taurus. Mars, the planet of action, war, sex, and power, is slowed down in this stage. That by no means indicates it’s less powerful. It is in fact more repressive, oppressive, being under such pressure it simmers and roils beneath the surface. Ideas about sexuality, handling of crises (on the collective level) and tempers and fears (on the personal level) make this a time akin to a volcano before it erupts.  Any effort to start wars, pick a fight, or lord it over anyone else, are doomed to fail during this time. Likewise, pushing the river, trying to make things happen that are just not ready to be born, will fail as well. How then do we handle the Mars energy in our lives? Start by looking at the area of your life where the retrograde motion began (9 degrees of Aquarius) and where it retrogrades to (28-29 degrees of Capricorn). These areas of your life and the collective experience are most prominent.Mars is unable to act as effectively as it would like to under these aspects, so it’s a time we need to slow down, adjust our expectations, and wait out the cycle. During this time we might have thoughts of an old lover, a ‘better’ time, or a more productive, prosperous time. Rather than bemoaning our fate, take time for some TLC. Tender Loving Care is what is called for during a time when we may feel rebellious, antsy, upset, or more than usually anxious about what we are trying to do or accomplish. Use your meditative and self care skills to keep seeking the balance points you need throughout the day, the week, the period of time in general. It’s during such times, when Mars is in a less than desirable home, that we may feel more uncomfortable and out of sorts. As I write, I realize the retrograde shift of Mars is when an old injury started acting up again. You may notice too, certain areas of your life that are affected. 

Retrograde Planetary Slowdown. Things may not seem to happen as fast as we think they should. While this may be the case for some of us generally, during this period of time, it is even more so the case. Planets don’t go backward; they orbit around the Sun at the farthest most points away from the Earth. When planets are farthest from the Sun (perrigree), their paths slow down their energy and influence. And depending on what constellations they are transiting, take on different kinds of energy. Saturn, Pluto, and Mars are already in retrograde motion. This is a lot of heavy, plodding energy slowing things down and causing us to go deep into the underground to dig up and sort out what is needing to be brought into the light. More planets will be joining this process, so this is a good time to adjust your sails, and get yourself in shape to keep on track despite the whirling winds, the seemingly endless series of upsets and changes. Life is like a roller coaster right now, and yet the roller coaster is going in slow, plodding motion. Try to keep some perspective by looking back at other times when life seemed deliriously out of whack, and remember what it was that got you though those times. We came here to this planet to learn, to grow, to find our purpose and meaning, and now is the time we have been preparing for. You have the skills, talents, gifts, and survival skills you need, and now is the time that is defining your to an even deeper more profound sense of who you are and why you are here to create, serve, and love. Set your sails for a course towards light. Prepare each day for the journey before you, and trust that you are not alone. Reach out for support and love, and be generous in giving and receiving. Be the peace you wish to see in the world, and live in love and your Divine nature. 

Creating Clarity and Peace: Full Strawberry Moon June, 27/28

Full Strawberry Moon in Capricorn, Conjunct Saturn

Tonight, June 27 at 9:45 P.M. (PDT)/12:45 A.M. (EDT) the Strawberry Full Moon peaks and conjoins Saturn, the Great Teacher as both form an exact opposition to the Sun at 6 degrees of Cancer. The polarity of Capricorn-Cancer highlights the push me-pull me energy of Cancer’s need for security, safety around our domestic environment and our personal need for feeling at home and being nurtured. Our need to feel connected and loved comes into opposition with our  Capricorn in opposition to Cancer focuses us on our emotional needs (the Moon) and that which we are learning to cope with in areas of transformation. 

 Saturn, the teacher and the Moon, we are learning to how we respond when our efforts to be rewarded and honored for our achievements are thwarted and how that in turn makes it more difficult to feel at home in the life we are currently living. We may feel torn between our very real need to create a safe and warm home as we weigh our commitment to those areas of obligation and duty in community and the collective realm.

With the Full Moon in the first decan (first 10 degrees) of Capricorn our need to succeed and get things accomplished is high.This Full Moon in Capricorn however is about clearing out whatever is blocking the way forward in areas of our great passions. It’s a time to purge and remove whatever stands in the way of our success. This Full Moon crosses in through the Sagittarius constellation where it aims its energy in direct line to with laser-like precision at its target. Both the eye of the Archer and the direction of the arrow in the Archer’s bow may be used now for either magical and healing purposes or for a darker, more dangerous kind of purpose. 

Using our energy with clear and loving purpose is crucial to long-term, positive, healing outcomes. Whether our energy, power, and actions are used for good and humanitarian purposes or is misused to cause greater harm and destruction, is crucial. Goodness and mercy are needed, however, the Moon transiting the star Fancies indicates there may be more sinister acts to come: Marina (Darkstar Astrology) notes that Fancies represents that which lacks justice and mercy: Fixed Star Facies 8º ~ “Experiencing violence or turmoil. The sadist, or the humanitarian who wants to help children or minority groups in need. To learn of wounded people, people who have been harshly treated.”  Moon in Capricorn natives include Hitler, Goebbels, Melania Trump, Marie Le Pen, and Mark David Chapman. We always have a choice in how we use our power and passions. Capricorn Moon natives can be humanitarians or  sadistic tyrants.  This position of Capricorn represents the strength of the family, which is the source of  power and strength to defend ourselves against tyranny.

What this Full Moon in Capricorn calls all of us to do is to use the inner wisdom that we have been learning during Saturn’s  transit of whatever area of our life it has been making in Capricorn. Our inner wisdom and ability to discern and see things clearly, help us respond and guard ourselves and our families in times of stress, danger, and challenges. We are being called to respond in the most humane and merciful ways we can regardless of what rises before us. Being accountable for our actions and holding ourselves in alignment with the Divine nature our our being is crucial to standing strong and seeing clearly.  The Sabian symbol for this Full Moon igives us hope that current events are creating a wave of energy and response that will eventually have positive impact. Blain Bovee’s interpretation rings true: Capricorn 6 carries an intriguing theme concerning 'thatching' . The image of an archway with ten logs at the bottom, can be easily imagined to be the shape of a bird nest... note that Cancer 6 is "Game birds feathering their nest. How the logs are perceived seems key for Capricorn 6 individuals. The logs could be material to use to build the desired goal. Or, they could be obstacles that seem to bar the way through the passageway of the arch.”  Taking care to do what is needed to support, nurture, and maintain a safe space for your family and yourself is key during this lunar cycle.

And our concern for others who are being deprived of their families through racist, xenophobic, and inhumane actions must be acknowledged and remedied. With the Full Moon in Capricorn conjoining Saturn and squaring Chiron, the Wounded Healer, we witness and confront. the brokenness in the world we live in and in ourselves. It is a time when we need healing, clarity, and the tenacity to remain courageous and strong in the face of harmful forces. We need to continue to build structures, ‘nests’, homes, places of safe haven for ourselves and others. Saturn in Roman mythology and Chronos in Greek, represents the Grandfather time, now in opposition to Cancer, the Archetypal ruler of the Moon/Luna. we are fighting the struggle when we are forced to confront the emotional harshness that has such a powerful influence at this time. Bringing the two into union, coping with our most difficult and harshest taskmaster and struggles, is a necessary part of forging a stronger, more courageous and clearer vision of just what we are capable of doing, being, and overcoming. 

Find peace within the conflict. Stand firm in union with all that you know is Good, Love-based, and Truth. Be kind to yourself and others, and allow healing to soothe your heart, mind, and soul. Let the beauty of the world ease the pain of your body. Work on building a safe, nurturing home where you are, and appreciate and give gratitude for the bounty you have received. In using our gifts and abundance to help build, heal, and nurture, we do the Divine work we have come here to do. We are co-creators of the Beauty of Life, and must use our gifts to heal and help.

New Moon in Gemini: A Path to Freedom

Seek your special place and path on the Gemini New Moon

The New  Moon in Gemini at 22 degrees,  occurs  on Wednesday,  June 13 at 3:32 PM EDT/12:32 PDT.   This New Moon will be affecting  those with major aspects (Sun, Moon, Ascendent, and other transits and aspects) between 19-27 degrees in the Mutable signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces. The New Moon will highlight whatever area of your life you find Gemini. In the third decan of Gemini, this New Moon is presenting you with results and direction for whatever you have been preparing and planning for. 

The day before the New Moon, June 12, Mercury enters Cancer. And the few days leading up to the New Moon is the period when the waning lunar cycle is in the dark of the moon. This is a time we become more reflective. Coupled with the fact that Mercury is ready to change signs (and therefore in the critical last/anaretic degree), we may be dealing with some old patterns and habits or some unfinished business related to goals, dreams, and communication that needs to be finalized. I've certainly noticed that trouble spots have been appearing that require some last minute fixes. Get chores and overdue issues handled so the New Moon will usher in the next lunar cycle in good shape for a new path.

Venus leaves Cancer the same day as the New Moon, entering Leo  where it will transit until July 9. This is a time when love, creativity, and all forms of self expression become  the key motivators. Deep seated needs rise up and become a chief motivation for much of what we seek. Venus makes a number of aspects to other points of interest, including her conjunction with the North Node on June 18-19. The North Node is the gateway to the future, so it may be we begin a new relationship or a new phase in an existing one. It may also mean we let go what has held us back from a new start.  On June 20-21 Venus forms an opposition with Mars, bringing into the equation a mixture of eroticism and emotional tension that gets acted out in heated and antagonistic ways. Mars is also conjunct the South Node (opposition to North Node=future) and karmic and past ties are activated. Some unfinished business requires attention, and something we’ve carried into this experience in order to make peace or cope with, must be attended.

The twins, Gemini, where the Sun and Moon form a conjunction on Wednesday, raise the specter of Duplicity and Forced Choice. Like the three-in-one goddess/god, (upon which the concept of the Trinity was based-three aspects of the One), Gemini activates the psychic energies within each of us. Whatever gifts we have can provide us with a steady source of information. Dreams may become more prescient. Intuition is likely to be stronger than usual, and though our minds may flit from flower to flower or have trouble finding a place to alight and focus, our inner voices will be strong and we’ll be able to connect, energize ourselves and others, to see more long range solutions to issues that have been difficult to resolve. 

The New Moon in Gemini aspects Ceres. Both represent archetypal energies of the Mother. Ceres one of the most recently discovered planets, joins the traditional ruler of the feminine, the Moon, as the Corn Goddess or Earth Mother. Ceres reigns over the cycles of life: fertility, birth, harvest, aging, death, rebirth.  The Moon rules over our individual emotional well being, health, and temperament.  Ceres rules over all who provide nourishment in some way, including chefs, spiritual guides, counselors, caregivers, healers, and of course mothers and grandmothers.  When our need to nurture and support is thwarted, we tend to suppress our emotional  needs and may feel weighted down and burdened. At this New Moon we might want to acknowledge what needs we do have and find ways to express our love and concern for those in need. 

With our karmic past appearing in our current life path (Mars conjunct the South Node), we will be spurred to meet ourself on the karmic road again. And we’ll meet those with whom we have unfinished business or ties that need renewing. Jupiter and Neptune are both in a loving, fortuitous trine to one another, making a kind of magical combination for conjuring up or manifesting what our hearts desire. We seek now, the fulfillment of our hopes and dreams, our desires, and our goals. The New Moon in Gemini may give you a much clearer vision of how that might be achieved; clearer than at any time in the past. “Jupiter trine Neptune could symbolize courtly love, the kind that was celebrated in medieval times. Troubadours would sing slushy love songs to married ladies, knights would joust in honor of the Queen. However, these pining wannabe suitors would never, ever take it to the physical.”

As we harness the power of the New Moon in the air sign Gemini while at the same time not allowing ourselves to be enslaved or entrapped by our own thoughts, beliefs, expectations, or opinions. Watch out for painful judgments and self criticism (or critical remarks from others). During a Gemini New Moon transit, we want to know our own minds, without being led into confusion and illusion. The process of discernment is crucial right now as we can experience freedom in our choices when we refuse to give into fears, self doubt, bad advice from others, or mental confusion. When the Moon and Ceres, both keepers of our emotional well being and balance, are in airy Gemini, we need to use our spiritual and physical skills and practices to stay grounded and in tune with our own breath and the beating of our own hearts. The rhythm of life is within our control through our breath, body, mind, and emotional balance. Now is the time to honor our multifaceted nature and embrace our ability to transcend limited and fear-based thinking.

By maintaining honorable and honest ways of communicating and respecting diversity, we work gracefully into a more harmonious way of living. We are able to both give and receive love when we live with an ethical heart and open, generous soul.