Category Archives: astrology

Full Moon in Cancer 26 December 2023: Ripe With Feeling

22 Friday Dec 2023

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‘Still Life with Ripe Fruits’ By Josef Lauer 1870 {{PD}}

The Full Moon perfects at 4:33 PM PST of the 26th at 4 Cancer 58. A Moon-ruled Full Moon promises that a feeling state ripens and reaches its most complete point; it can also bring feeling states to a head, and so expose the depths of our caring, our complex emotions, and our wounds. Intuition may be fulsome, and also irrelevant, as everything we would otherwise sense is on display–we don’t have to parse the vibes, everything is right in front of us. There are almost 7 degrees between the Full Moon and Vesta, with the Moon and Earth having left Vesta long ago enough that this may describe the past that brought us to this present Full Moon moment: we’ve just been considering what really matters to us, what we’re dedicated to, whether our life investments of time and energy truly reflect our priorities, et voilà, the Full Moon delivers the emotional impact of these musings, and then some.

When it perfects the Full Moon is still within trine of Saturn in Pisces, suggesting the reality picture puts its two cents into the feeling formula; expect to see the results of emotional decisions in real-world circumstances, but also be aware of the potential for suppression of that awareness, especially if we are either in the midst of reaching for a dream, or if we’re unwilling to see what is without our rose-colored glasses. That means there’s the chance for internal clashes, as feelings try to surface, try to make themselves known, and we resist or deny–and of course, that’s possible for those with whom we must deal, as well.

‘Ripe Wheat’ c1353–1336 B.C. New Kingdom, Amarna Period
Dynasty 18, Reign of Akhenaten

The Full Moon is also sextile Jupiter and semi-square Uranus, both in Taurus, implying that emotions are easily exaggerated, and that optimism is easy to come by, especially when it’s focused on our material state and surroundings, but even these good feelings can wield a sharp edge: we may be shocked or surprised by the actual state of our comfort or prosperity, if the Full Moon reveals it to be other than we believe (and this could be a positive thing–or could plunge us into Uranian chaos). Too, we may become aware of how much the group and our place within it affects our standing and our sense of positivity. A steep learning curve for some, but an important re-orientation to real-world circumstances. Expect to see an even bigger reveal around the 31st, when Jupiter leaves stationary retrograde status and resumes direct motion once again; that promises that either ‘the facts’, or our beliefs, will be undeniable.

The Sabian for the Full Moon is, ‘At A Railroad Crossing, An Automobile is Wrecked By A Train’. This image may be emphasizing the Uranian shock or surprise factor, and suggests that the impact of Lunar events is bigger than we anticipate, shown by Jupiter. It’s easy to write off emotions as something we don’t have to pay attention to, or that is something only happening inside of us, but in this case, it doesn’t seem we’ll have a choice: Emotions will hit big, jarringly, and will translate directly into our surroundings and our world, probably through actions or decisions that are prompted by those feelings. Whatever it is, it ‘wrecks’ a particular way we’ve been moving forward, and this happens specifically because we’re stalled at just the point where other, larger forces move through.

I suspect those larger forces will be explained by the Sun’s Sabian: ‘Indians On The Warpath. While Some Men Row A Well-Filled Canoe, Others In It Perform A War Dance’. This is an image of like individuals working together, prepared and ready to strike or otherwise aggress, in order to get what they want. Any situation like that for you? If you are one of the aggressors, you’ll be making your move–and if not–makes me think of the old joke: Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean people aren’t out to get you! It seems any blow to our forward motion is perpetrated very deliberately, by those with an agenda. I imagine the Full Moon energy simply offers the emotional impetus for them to act, and like it or not, we’ll receive the impact.

The good part of all this is that we will definitively know where we stand–and that means with post-Lunar events we’ll be equipped to move forward wiser and more aware, especially in our knowledge of who to trust, who and what to care about.

Winter Solstice 2023

20 Wednesday Dec 2023

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‘The Spirit of Winter’ By Pierre-Louis-Marius Poujol 1883 {{PD}}

In the Northern hemisphere, Winter Solstice is when the Earth is tilted as far away from the Sun as possible–and in the Southern hemisphere, this is the same moment the Summer Solstice occurs, as that half of the globe is tilted as far toward the Sun as it will get. This year it happens at 7:27 PM PST of the 21st. Let’s get a gander at the chart and what it might promise for the next three months, until the Northern hemisphere Spring/ Southern hemisphere Fall Equinox, of 2024.

The most striking thing may be that the Sun and Moon will be out-of-sign trine, Sun at 29 stressful degrees of Sagittarius, the Moon just entered a new sign, at 00 Taurus. At the same moment, the Sun will be closely opposed Vesta-Earth in Gemini, quincunx Sedna, and semi-sextile Pluto, with all these at 29 degrees of their respective signs. Could the tension run any higher, or for that matter, be more dangerous? Stressed energies are energies that can express unpredictably, specifically because perceptions may tell those affected that there’s no other choice–but we need to remember there is, there always is.

Our attention may be on what we find sacred, on what we revere, and so feel we must protect (Sun opp Vesta-Earth), with feelings ‘new’, in the sense that we didn’t know we felt this way (Moon at 00). Our instincts and those things we ‘know’ but aren’t conscious of may make us uncomfortable, bedeviling us with things that we just can’t quite put our finger on (qnx Sedna)–in fact, we may feel it’s dangerous if we don’t figure it out (semi-sxt Pluto)–but those are emotional perceptions discerned through the mind (Gemini Moon), and so being interpreted with all the pitfalls that occur when the mentality tries to define the heart.

Venus and Mars are semi-sextile, suggesting that relationships, sex, love, and aggression may act as outlets for all this tension, as may a pair of quincunxes: Pallas-Chiron (every time we try to be practical or act wisely, we open a wound) and Mars-Uranus (spontaneity or chaos accompanies action), with Uranus also trine Juno (acting freely and off-the-cuff is empowering), which itself is sextile Venus (but declaring our freedom will affect relationships or earning power) and square Mars (and maybe start a fight).

And Zeus is quincunx Neptune and opposed Eris, which may cause the most kerfuffle or draw our attention most strongly. Moving toward what we desire won’t quite bring what we imagine it will (and that begs the question: are we clear on what we’re headed for?), and may stir up the ire of those who’d like us to stay put. Being as aware as possible of stressful energies that will be abundant (and realizing we don’t have to react to them), while remembering discrepancies between our thinking and our feelings, will help us navigate–and too, knowing that pursuing what we want may cause some upset, we can weigh whether that upset is justified, or just someone not respecting our boundaries.

Spotlight: An Earth Grand Trine–And What About Ceres?

14 Thursday Dec 2023

Posted by in astrology, Ceres, current events in the sky, Grand Trine, Jupiter retrograde, Mercury retrograde, Retrogrades + Directions

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‘Venus, Cupid and Ceres’ By Cornelis van Haarlem 1604 {{PD}} It’s such a drag to have to wear a shirt, isn’t it, ladies? Ceres is the one with wheat in her hair.

Freshly retro Merc in Capricorn connects with retro Jupiter in Taurus and the Black Moon Lilith point to form an Earth Grand Trine. One, BML, is just a mathematical point, you may argue–and yet by its very contact with these other two we see this point in Virgo bring a little intellectual heft, a little airiness via ruler Mercury, to what might otherwise be a formidably dense formula–and that’s only exaggerated by the way both bodies are in apparent retrograde motion. Have you ever seen a child who doesn’t yet grasp the concepts around concealing their entire body play hide-and-seek? Invariably, they will scrunch into a corner or behind something and cover their eyes–with so much of the rest of them visible to all! That’s what we’ve got here: Jupiter and Mercury behaving as if they aren’t really noticeable, and Black Moon Lilith mustering constructive criticism in order to make both planets deal with their current energy states head on.

Jupiter in Taurus retrograde would tell you money and things aren’t important, that what you know or believe doesn’t really affect what surrounds you or what comes to you, and Mercury in Capricorn retrograde may have warring assumptions all at once: thoughts that embrace the status quo and current power structure as if they’re solid and will last forever, and at the same time thinking repeatedly of the ways the present framework and rules can be skirted, undermined, or exploited through a loophole.

Then along comes the Black Moon Lilith point–which critiques and creates lists for the other two, asking: what about the social sphere and the place it offers you is unsatisfactory? Is what you have and the environment you create nurture and comfort you, or is it designed to impress others? Does your thinking support the power elites, or your own interests? And are you confused about what really benefits you, and what works against you?

Black Moon Lilith insists you face/ deal with what you have been ignoring, denying, or with things that enrage you but are suppressed; in the case of Jupiter, this hinges on social roles and interaction, and with Mercury this is about the mentality you exercise. With both bodies retrograde, the examination of these areas can seem that much more difficult, as the energies feel less accessible, more hidden, and somehow contrary, even when you come at them as consciously as possible. So, right now we have an ongoing examination of social roles, thinking, and the material reality they create for each one of us. Tips to handle this? At present letting things flow around you, with less insistence on control and less deliberate expression of the Will, is probably a good idea; if you can keep things low key, watch the symbolism inherent in every day life, and practice acceptance, you’ll get to the end of the Merc retro period (early AM PST of January 2nd) and Jupiter retro period (early AM PST of December 31st) with a much more fact-based and realistic understanding of both your material situation and the social sphere and your role in it. After both are direct, you can move forward both more confidently and more effectively.

And what about Ceres? It’s at 8 degrees Sagittarius, same degree as Merc and BML–and it’s square BML, and so semi-sextile Mercury. This suggests that much of what we find out at this time will be seated in Nature, both in our place within it, and in our relationship to it. We’re going to find out things, learn facts, experience the validity (or ineffectiveness) of our beliefs, and this will shape our sense of personal authority, our ability to genuinely nurture, our health, and again, our command of our environment, going forward. The retros offer us chances to reconsider–and the other related bodies help us discover what it is we need to know.

Highlights of the Current Picture 4-12 December 2023: Emotional Grounding

04 Monday Dec 2023

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‘A Storm in the Rocky Mountains, Mt. Rosalie’ By Albert Bierstadt 1866 {{PD}}

We’re at the midway point with the Moon between Full and New, currently in Virgo, aspiring to organize, account for, and produce (good goals all, though we carry inhumanly high expectations for ourselves and our output in this sign). This is the point where we start to feel our energy wane, a little more tired each day, a little slower to recover, until we hit the Dark of the Moon and go into mini-hibernation (as we should! That lasts midday the 9th through New Moon on the 12th).

What I really want to talk about, though, is a Water Grand Trine formed by Venus, new in Scorpio, Saturn in Pisces, and Vesta in Cancer. This may feel like ‘new’ emotional territory, feelings from the depths, from and about things you never imagined and that reach into your core and into whatever you call ‘home’. In that way, what comes up may be a little scary–but also revelatory, giving us a way to ground ourselves through the experience of feeling. Usually we’re disoriented by such a wash of emotion; this time it brings a kind of stability, simply through giving us clarity about our feelings, and by showing us how strongly we actually feel, and in that way can act as invaluable guidance to matters facing us right now.

Pallas and Black Moon Lilith are sextile, with BML trine/ Pallas opposed Jupiter in Taurus=our wisdom and our desire to banish certain factors from our lives are both exceptionally strong at present; what we need to know is that we tend to exaggerate both our smarts in handling things and our need to rid ourselves of certain elements, and that can lead to, say it with me, overdoing our response. It doesn’t help that Sedna hovers at 29 Taurus trine Pluto in Capricorn=this feels like a crisis in the reliability of our own instincts and inner knowledge, with the fear that destruction of what we rely on for support may ensue, if we can ever see clearly what’s happening! We may be far more vehement at this time than is necessary, which can lead to burning bridges we may someday want to cross again. Realize that everything is heightened currently, both our perceptions and our reactions, and tone down responses–it may seem fireworks are called for in our answers, when being mild may actually go a lot farther.

What current conditions really call for is an ability to live with uncertainty. This will feel contradictory to all those intense feelings will have, but the reality we might want to aim for is this: feel the feelings, but don’t think you have to do something about them right away. Blame it on Mars in Sagittarius squaring the Black Moon Lilith point, and then see that, by definition, Mars in Sag encourages actions and choices based on facts and knowledge, or based in faith. Just be careful that we don’t confuse what we want to be true with what is–if you believe it, make sure the facts back it up.

The 7th through 12th Mercury in Capricorn gives us an Earth Grand Trine with the Black Moon Lilith point and Jupiter. That’s the period that promises we’ll understand the real-world impact of what we’ve been feeling, and also when we’ll understand what we think of things, and what of those thoughts need to be shared with the wider world, what needs to be ignored, for now. By the 12th Mercury will have stationed in preparation for its retrograde, which occurs just before midnight PST of the 12th. A retro in Earth suggests we will re-think our material position, our surroundings, what we are materially creating in our world, and how and whether this truly suits us. The retro beginning just hours after the New Moon implies that what new feelings are born or direction taken will require this re-think–so proceed over the next week-and-a-half knowing that fresh positions and fresh attitudes will come about, can’t be hurried, and knowing that, at least some of the pressure to act on feelings may be relieved, as we see that responses may all be a little premature.

Full Moon in Gemini 27 November 2023: Until We Perfect Time Travel . . .

25 Saturday Nov 2023

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‘Time Traveler’ Raku ceramic piece, first shown at Artsight Gallery, Coral Gables 2013. Provenance: Private collector, Miami, Florida

Aimeeperezsculptor

Free Art License

The Full Moon perfects at 1:16 AM PST of the 27th at 4 Gemini 51, and we’re still seeing the influence of the Sagittarian Sun, Ceres, and Mars combined, now in opposition to the Lunar event–which means, all that identity and ego assertiveness, all that testing of one’s authority and right to do and be, creates an emotional reaction, with the Full Moon bringing it from the unconscious to conscious awareness. And what is that emotional response? It’s cerebral, but in that surface way that works things out by talking about it, chatting with others, sharing information, and just generally connecting with the minds and thinking that surround us. At the same time, it’s tempered by a wide conjunction of the Moon-Earth to Sedna, which is poised at the critical 29th degree of Taurus. That adds instinct, even what we might term ‘animal instinct’, to the mix, brings forward what we ‘know but don’t know we know’, and, probably suddenly, makes available ‘blind spot’ material that we’ve likely been struggling to access (especially so if we’ve sensed something there, just on, to mangle a phrase, the tip of our minds).

So, it’s a Lunar event of revelation, if we define revelation as gleaning knowledge from intense interaction with our environment that manages to shake loose and make accessible information both inner and outer in form. The Sun-Moon axis forms a loose Grand Cross with squares to Saturn, spanky new in Pisces, and Black Moon Lilith in Virgo, suggesting that, when the emotional reaction to the identity and ego efforts occurs, a simultaneous cross-current will form pitting an illusive or spiritually-tinged or creative reality picture against matters we’ve been ignoring, denying, or that have enraged us. The result is Self-recrimination, for all that we (theoretically) could’ve done in the past to get us closer now to where we’ve been wanting to go. We may berate ourselves for not having known better, or worked harder, earlier–but let me just say, that’s water under the bridge. Know that you had your reasons, that you handled things the best you could’ve at the time; we can’t expect ourselves to have performed in the past with the knowledge or mentality we have in the present. It’ll be a different situation when we perfect time travel–until then, understand we’re all operating at maximum (even when it doesn’t appear so to others!)

The Full Moon also forms a sesquiquadrate to Venus in Libra. This may make some relationships on which we rely feel uncomfortable; the Love may be hard to see, the value of the interaction so indiscernible we may feel alienated from what’s usually a steady source of partner support, emotionally and/ or financially. Don’t fret–it’s temporary, with the function of throwing our attention back on what we really can control: ourselves. That’s where the action is, right now, though that carries its own problems, namely some uncertainty as to whether we are smart enough, wise enough, or practical enough to handle what’s before us (quincunx to Pallas). Never fear; we are equipped, and here’s how we handle it. Use as guides two things: the chosen life direction, the way you have been intending to move forward, regarding that plan as not just legitimate but inspired (and this should include any modifications you now want to make that spring from newly-learned material), and second, accept that difficult reactions that come from others in answer to your actions and choices are only revealing feelings that were always there, just kept out of sight, usually because the other got some kind of advantage as long as your choices complemented their wants. See this as something you needed to know, and move on–dwelling on it won’t take away the somewhat sour taste of discovering a particular friend is only conditionally supportive, after all (novile NN and Eris).

The Sabian fits, and really needs no elaboration: ‘A Revolutionary Magazine Asking For Action’. In this case, the revolution is likely an internal one, aligning us more closely with our own newly discovered desires and direction, as has been stirred by the Sun, et al, with the Full Moon our emotional response to it. For the Full Moon we always look at the Sun’s Sabian, as well: ‘An Old Owl Sits Alone On The Branch Of A Large Tree’. This echoes the Pallas contact, since the owl is Pallas Athena’s symbol. We’ll feel alone, we may worry that we are inadequate to the task, especially when it comes to making smart choices–but this symbol hints that it’s in the space when we are alone that we can come to know our own mind, and what’s wise for us, most easily.

I plan on bringing back the Word Image–not today, because we have these Sabians to ponder–but with my next post. Have a wonderful Full Moon week!

November 20-23 2023: Grinding Gears

20 Monday Nov 2023

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Photo By Jim Kuhn Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

Scipione Del Campo’s Goddess with Gears panel from the 1932 Ogden Avenue Bridge House (Chicago, IL)

Here’s a dynamic I think worth talking about, where the Sun, Mars, and Ceres all conjoin, very late in Scorpio/ early in Sag, with all three sextile Pluto, square Saturn, and opposed Sedna as this latter moves from early Gemini back to the crisis degree (29) of Taurus. These combos make for a feeling of simultaneous push and pull, where we grind gears every time we try to move forward, even as retreat is made impossible by problems and barriers we can’t ignore. Our actions and choices, our sense of personal authority and responsibility, the very essence of who we are, is pressured to perform, to accomplish what we intend, and yet to do so threatens to strip us bare of protection. The consolation is that we’ll learn something new–but what a way to learn!

It doesn’t help that our instincts are in panic mode, restrictions seem insurmountable, and change to the point of obliteration is a constant ‘promise’–but here’s where we need to pause and ask, are our perceptions accurate? And the answer to that is: yes and no.

I think maybe bullet-pointing the way to approach this period is the best way to go; that way you get some direct ideas of how to respond, without worrying too much about the why of it all (because, of course, there is no why! It’s just life–no explanation needed).

–Keep in mind that at present the identity, the concepts of who we are that run Soul-deep, are feeling intense pressure to assert, to put the Self forward, to shout I Am from the rooftops–but included in this is too much push, a sense that something important is at stake if we don’t make an impact, and it’s this overemphasis on having our own way (or on doing something our own way) that causes us to lose perspective. We simply can’t see ourselves with much clarity, right now, and our instincts are, one way or another, unavailable for consult.

–It seems like reality exists mostly to give us a hard time. No, we’re just taking things too personally, and in doing so failing to recognize that some of what’s stopping us, or burdening us, is actually beneficial. Our ability to gauge how reasonable circumstances are is flawed, at this point–accept that, and you’ll avoid 99% of possible quagmires, simply by holding back instead of shouldering forward.

–Now here’s the good part: if we can bring ourselves to see and acknowledge the naked Truth, the genuine reality of any situation and our place in it (no sugar coating, no excuse-making masquerading as being reasonable), what we learn from this can give us the power to make needed changes, to transform areas that have recently felt stagnant, and to bring to an end those things that are truly beyond their ‘best by’ date. It’s an opportunity to control the changes to your world–and that’s priceless, considering that change will occur, like it or not–so better to shape things as we like, rather than to feel helpless in the process.

A few other points:

Zeus conj South Node, qnx Neptune=our ambitions and desires from the past hold some info or key to going forward–give those old aims a once over, and adjust the imagination/ creative energies to fold in some forgotten, but now valuable, ambition from yesterday.

Eris conj North Node=if in moving forward enmity arises, you can be sure the bad feeling was already there–it’s not coming from your choices or actions, it was just hidden. Deal with it not as if your goals are the issue, but instead look for the buried trigger beneath surface matters.

Black Moon Lilith sxt Vesta=a happy home doesn’t come without dealing with what’s been ignored, denied, or that has enraged. Clear the air, but keep in the forefront how important others are to you–gentle confrontation, rather than slash-and-burn, is the way to bring harmony and fulfillment to the home front.

New Moon in Scorpio 13 November 2023: Opposites Compel

11 Saturday Nov 2023

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Architechtural opposites By Paul Balfe Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

The New Moon perfects at 1:27 AM PST at 20 Scorpio 43 on the 13th, shortly to conjoin both Mars and Ceres, and to oppose Uranus. The Sun, Moon, Mars, and Ceres in Scorpio together shine a light on emotional depths, on personal power issues, on what action to take or choice to make, while this energy faces the Earth and Uranus in Taurus, a pairing that promises surprises or the unexpected in the material realm. Though Scorpio seems action-keyed with rulers Pluto and, secondarily, Mars, it’s actually a Water sign, and that’s what we need to remember: any shift, action, or change prompted by this New Moon will be fueled by feeling, even compulsion–and that means our most important efforts should be around understanding our own emotional reactions, and where they might lead–not easy to do, when Luna is New Moon fresh, with clear perceptions made even more difficult by Ceres, who quite naturally sees herself as an authority (even THE authority!) That can mean the new Moon atmosphere is infused with a sense of both urgency and willfulness, a push forward that at its heart remains mysterious–but only if we fail to examine our own motivations. It’s a situation where opposites compel–if by compel we mean the inner urges respond to the emotions as prompted by sudden and surprising material conditions, which call forward an emotional need to take action–but to do what?

There’s only one other aspect made by the New Moon: a semi-square to Venus. That’s about the farthest Venus ever gets from the Sun; it reflects the way consciousness (the Sun) can’t completely separate itself from the concept of Love (Venus)–but it does imply that the individual consciousness can be at war with Love, probably when it doesn’t recognize the form in which Love arrives–or fails to understand the need to reform its own ideas of Love and relationship. This may signal that the current environment calls for extra care in our approach, and perhaps calls for awareness that it’s all too easy to believe we’re acting out of Love, when our idea of what that entails differs drastically from our own forgotten or neglected ideal.

To sum it up, whatever shocks, surprises, radicalizes, innovates, or modernizes right in front of us is the thing we must approach with as much emotional intelligence and genuine Love as possible. If it pops out of the woodwork, you need to respond, with as much care, consistency, and awareness of your own feelings as is humanly available to you.

The Sabian says it perfectly: ‘Obeying His Conscience, A Soldier Resists Orders’. It’s in acute Self-awareness, coupled with a strong moral compass, that we make the right decisions in any situation. To do as we have always done won’t cut it; as necessary as it is to work in harmony with others within a larger framework (in this example, in the army and with one’s fellow soldiers), it’s important to recognize the circumstances under which it’s not just desirable, but necessary, to respond in accord with our own conscience, with what we know is right.

Lunar Eclipse 28 October 2023 Sacred Senses

25 Wednesday Oct 2023

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, eclipse, Full Moon, Lunar Eclipse, Sabian Symbols

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Incense in Vietnam Vietsui Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

The Lunar eclipse (otherwise known as a Full Moon) perfects at 1:24 PM PDT of the 28th at 5 Taurus 09. This promises emotional revelations or conclusions about the material world, to the senses, around the appetites, in the comfort or security situation, or endings to what we rely on, or to what soothes us. The thing is, this lunar event makes only a few contacts, which can sometimes confer a kind of nebulousness to proceedings, making the bodies the Moon does interact with seem more immediate, more in-your-face, more fraught as we seek meaning within some narrow avenues.

The Moon and Earth for this event oppose the Sun, of course, which is just about a week past Superior Conjunction with Mercury–that may give us the sense that the shoe has already dropped, that we already know what we need to know, that nothing else is coming–with the FM trining Juno-Black Moon Lilith in Virgo=we feel (the Moon) that the accounting’s been done (Virgo), that we’ve done our due diligence, have faced what was hidden or ignored (BML), that roles are assigned and our reach and empowerment parameters are clear (Juno)–but the eclipse comes along and says, Hold on–the material circumstances need rearranging–nothing’s settled, yet.

The Full Moon is sextile Vesta, imbuing all that occurs under this Lunar light with a sense of dedication, of the need to honor or to regard as sacred–and that can make us careful with how we handle things, which is good, or make us overly reverent in matters we’d be better off seeing in a harsher, more direct light. The eclipse also noviles Neptune and is in loose sesquiquadrate with Venus–and it’s really these two ‘minor’ aspects that will sing, and may in fact spark each other: will it be a bit of creative genius that takes us on a difficult or unexpected path relative to Art, to relationships, or to finances/ assets, or will it be that trouble with creative output, interactions, or money leads us to a creative or spiritual breakthrough? Either way, this is what we gain from the eclipse, as old conditions around these matters are wiped out–the only question is, will we be too distracted by practical considerations, details and accounts, or too focused on who holds what power, to grab the inspiration tackling some Venusian difficulty can offer?

The Sabian for the Full Moon eclipse is, ‘Cantilever Bridge Across A Deep Gorge’. Events at this time provide a ‘way across’ in some situation that may have up to now appeared impassable. The Sun’s Sabian is, ‘ The Gold Rush Tears Men Away From Their Native Soil’. This may describe the difficulty that will lead to creative or spiritual bounty; the price we pay is that we lose/ leave what’s familiar.

There are some things unrelated to the eclipse that I think may figure in. There’s this Martian energy in the air–aggressive, pugnacious, forward, assertive, consumed with doing–as the Sun will soon conjoin Mars and the Moon and Earth oppose it, with Moon and Earth meeting Jupiter at about the same time, exaggerating everything–and we have Eris and the North Node (a marker of the Moon’s extremity) closely conjoined in Aries=the way into the future is directly through facing any strife or buried tension. We can’t ignore it, if we want to make progress. Then there’s a sextile between Venus and Ceres, with both inconjunct Chiron in Aries, forming a Finger of God=the power situation, individually and in relationships, when dealt with will bring a certain amount of responsibility to heal at an individual level–only we can do it–and if responsibility is abdicated, those interactions become a vehicle for hurt. Self-responsibility, then, is background to successfully using eclipse energies to their fullest, and key to control–and we all want a little more of that, right?

 

Solar Eclipse 14 October 2023: Zombies, Or A Fresh Start?

11 Wednesday Oct 2023

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, New Moon, Sabian Symbols, Solar Eclipse, Sun/Mercury Superior Conjunction

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Well, that’s one way to get people to close a gate. Visitor7 CC 3.0

The Sun and Moon meet at 21 Libra 07 at 10:55 AM PDT of the 14th, lovingly cupped (it’s Libra, after all) in an 8 degree span by Mercury approaching for Superior Conjunction (the 19th) and Zeus and the South Node which both Moon and Sun are on their way toward. Then there are the oppositions: Earth, of course, along with Chiron and a close conjunction of Eris and the North Node. The Nodal points close to the Sun-Earth axis are to be expected, as that occurs with each set of eclipses, symbolically signaling the idea of Lunar extremity, the very kind of definitive change we should expect from an eclipse. For either Solar or Lunar eclipses, circumstances are reaching an apex, a pivot point, a point of no return, a point at which Things Will Change, with the Solar like a conception (the beginning of a thing), the Lunar like a birth (the arrival of the completed thing).

But in order for something to be conceived, previous conditions have to be set aside–it’s that old physical conundrum about two things unable to occupy the same space at the same time–so that a Solar eclipse can sometimes feels anti-climactic, a tiny sparkle in an empty space, a glimmer of newness to come, perhaps overwhelmed by a hollowness left by what is not there, anymore. We may feel things have ended and be looking around for the new start, or we may just then become aware that something is no longer–and only in that moment realize there are new opportunities ahead (because nature and vacuums, right?)

This time we may be heading toward fresh ambitions and goals (Zeus), our desires just taking coherent form (Superior Conjunction–expect to really understand what the eclipse means for you then), and they grow either from past experience and what we’ve learned, or from a previous want we’ve long forgotten or abandoned, perhaps thinking it was never to be (South Node). An old desire comes back to life–but will this be a genuinely new crack at achieving what we want, or will it be a zombie, re-animated but without the Soul presence needed to make a living, breathing result? Those zombies will be Plutonian, once again visible since Pluto’s recent direction: serious, potentially life-changing, resurrecting something you never thought would happen, so it may be hard to distinguish between what’s coming back that really is a birth (or re-birth), and what’s dead on its feet.

This Solar eclipse says there are others waiting to assist, cooperate, or partner, under aesthetic conditions we find pleasing (unless this eclipse hits by hard aspect a natal body involved with this particular desire/ ambition–then it could be a much different story). This may be surprising, or emerge out of chaos, with the eclipse forming a quincunx to Uranus in Taurus, but in either case, others will appreciate our originality, and want to help. Then there are the oppositions: to Chiron (which is at a degree prior to eclipse formation, suggesting a wound already suffered is part of what leads to now), bringing reactions or lessons derived from hurt into the mix, and to the Eris-North Node combination, which could suggest one of two things: either women or anima sensibilities are instrumental in shaping the future path, or that any underlying conflicts will surface, and in so doing, shape what comes. The oppositions are in Aries, implying that the individuality and Will, ours and that of those with whom we deal, will be the form these challenges arrive in. It may seem like our interactions are caught in the vagaries of personality on the one-to-one level, but we must recognize that each of these persons represents something larger, a force, a trend, the Universe itself, and that we’ll all be communicating larger matters for one another.

The Sun and Moon also form a semi-square to Venus in Virgo, and as ruler of both the current positions of Uranus and the eclipse, tells us a few things, chief among them that our critical judgment may be in crisis mode, under- or over-doing assessment, and Venus herself is widely conjoined the Black Moon Lilith point, which is opposed Saturn at 00 Pisces. This is a mini-portrait of the potential for relationships and/ or financial situations that will be sabotaged through an unwillingness to see reality, whether that’s by denying or ignoring important aspects of the matter, by allowing righteous anger to make our decisions for us, or by a simple denial of reality, and particularly denial of real-world problems or barriers we just don’t want to acknowledge–and this is all reinforced by Mars in Scorpio sextile Black Moon Lilith, quincunx Sedna, and trine Saturn, spelling Willfulness fueled by the darker side of our nature, and easily manifested in the world. This can mean that our eclipse new start is at first wrapped in just this kind of bull-headed resistance, a zombie of a circumstance that just won’t die–and that only after we deal with this distraction and the distortions we’ve allowed to our own perceptions will we be able to locate that glimmer of a new start.

The Sabian for the New Moon eclipse is, ‘A Child Giving Birds A Drink At A Fountain’. What strikes me about this is the phrasing: “giving birds a drink”. The water is there, maybe poured into the fountain by the child (though a fountain, by definition, already contains water), but still, that child can’t really give them a drink, they must come to it–her only real contribution may be that she doesn’t flap her arms and shoo them away! I think this points to the need for clear perspective, to see what we’re really doing, saying, or being, and the needed effort to refrain from obscuring what’s going on (by using euphemisms, by omitting facts, by making assumptions, by placing a veil of opinion or prejudice over matters) in a way that may skew the event in the perceptions. This may relate to Venus in Virgo as ruler of the eclipse: our judgment is a little wonky, so striving for clear sight may be the most helpful thing we can do.

Full Moon in Aries 29 September 2023 The Courage to Chart Our Own Course

24 Sunday Sep 2023

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Full Moon, Sabian Symbols, T-Square

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Are you going to trust yourself, or listen to some guy who’s pointing? Pilot Officer J H Smythe of Sierra Leone, a newly-qualified navigator, being instructed in the use of the sextant by an instructor at No. 11 Operational Training Unit, Westcott in Buckinghamshire, 1 August 1943. CH10740.jpg {{PD}}

The Full Moon perfects at 2:57 AM PDT of the 29th at 6 Aries 00, forming a loose T-square with an arm of Vesta in Cancer and opposed by the Sun and Pallas, together in Libra; the FM also sesquiquadrates a close conjunction of Venus and Juno in Leo, and quincunxes Ceres in Scorpio. Is there such a thing as a subtle hit with a hammer, a gentle punch in the face? That’s what we’re likely to get in some form, with the aggressive Self assertion of Cardinal Aries taking a Lunar (and so emotion-fueled, nebulous, fleeting, changeable) state. The tension comes from what we care about, are dedicated to, are committed to (square to Vesta), with the challenge presented by Self interests (Aries), probably of a material or security-oriented nature (Moon conjoined Earth), as they face off against the interests of others (Libra). The thing is, others may have the current zeitgeist on their side (Sun), and may have the advantage of seeming wise or practical (Pallas), in contrast to the I Want of the individual–but what we need to know is, that doesn’t make others’ interests more ‘right’, more important, or a better choice for us personally than our own.

We’ll need courage and confidence to face an atmosphere that is filled with the message, “We know what’s best for you.” That comes if we can live with and function beyond the discomfort (the sesquiquadrate) of Venus-Juno (empowerment via the anima energy, that of aligning ourselves with our receptive essence, a Beingness rather than a Doingness, in sync with Love rather than Duty) and the irritation (the quincunx) generated within us by authorities (or those who think they’re authorities!) with nominal dominion over our world.

The Venus-Juno combo is of particular importance, as being located in Leo reinforces autonomy; that is, if we can locate our own sense of being responsible for and capable of running our own lives, we can tap that courage and surety needed to follow what Luna calls us toward, rather than what everyone else thinks we should do. And what does this Full Moon promise? A path forward, a way to achieve what we want, that is truly resonant with our core spirit. It offers us an individual emotional yardstick by which to measure our need to do or be certain things, and in the process, shows us the only permission we need is our own approval of what we’ve chosen; all we have to do is be willing to be responsible for those choices.

Note too that Venus-Juno is square Uranus in Taurus and sextile Mars-Zeus in Libra. That tells us that a sudden twist or difficulty isn’t an impediment, it’s a necessary part of getting us to go in the right direction (and again, that direction is unique to us, probably at odds with the group), while with the appropriate spirit of cooperation or partnership, the correct support, our energy combined with others will set us on the path of fulfilling ambitions. It’s about finding those who truly support us and our efforts, as opposed to those who merely see us as players in their dramas. Remember, too, that there are others who’ll look to you for this support in their lives–don’t be too busy chasing your own dreams to help them, as well.

The Sabian for the Full Moon is, ‘A Square, With One Of Its Sides Brightly Illumined’. The thing about a square is that all sides are equal–and this may be the message of the Full Moon: it’s time for you to shine, while still remembering others have just as much worth as you. It’s a ‘First Among Equals’ situation, with each person’s uniqueness honored, and given a time to shine, even as we recognize all are entitled to a moment in the Sun. The Sun’s Sabian for this Full Moon is, ‘A Man Watches His Ideals Taking A Concrete Form Before His Inner Vision’. This might be the atmosphere: one of anxiousness, as each of us sees certain ideals (or fears) materializing–that may be the tension that makes some reach out, try to control others, entreat them to take the ‘safe’ option–but only the individual can decide what should be risked, what they must do.