Tag Archives: The Lunar Essence

Full Moon 1 January 2018 The Making of an Emotional Truth

30 Saturday Dec 2017

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William Stott of Oldham. ‘The Birth of Venus’ 19th century {{PD}}

The Full Moon of the 1st at 11 Cancer 37 at 6:23 PM Pacific time doesn’t make many close aspects, though it does form a Water Grand Trine with Neptune and Mars; the Full Moon also opposes Sun-Venus, which are heading toward Superior Conjunction, and which during that period (5th-9th, roughly) will pass together over Pluto. This Sun-Venus circumstance-to-come only figures in as it alerts us to potential responses to Full Moon events–and it could be that the Full Moon itself acts as a pre-echo, a harbinger of what the Sun-Venus situation will bring, likely involving changes to the valuing of the identity, to the sense of Self-Love, to the concept of what assets we possess, both literally and in the form of talents and abilities; or, Pluto may contribute transformation energy, a kind of nuclear blast that sends change out in incontestable ripples, or it could bring about shifts in Sun-Venus through an experience with Power–and this all kicked off by a Lunar completion, finish, realization, or ending, one that anticipates some entré to the Sun-Venus-Pluto effect via the developments of the Full Moon.

And what are those? They will concentrate largely in a re-balancing of effort/ Will and the creative urge. We may see where we need to do more, where to apply our creative ideas, how to facilitate those things that so far have dwelt only in the imagination–and we do this through feeling (Cancer, the Moon, Water GT) as it can be materialized (Moon’s conjunction to Earth). The most useful result may be that we will see exactly how to make what has remained nebulous or a mere creative notion into a materialization of emotion, in essence a felt event or object, an expression of what we care about, something that encapsulates a personal emotional Truth.

‘The Pearls of Aphrodite’ Herbert James Draper 1907 {{PD}}

The opposition to Sun-Venus simply points to the future, to the alteration (as the two move over Pluto) of our Self-concept and/ or our asset picture, changing it in response to what we do or create at the Full Moon. We create the image of ourselves by what we create! Simple and confusing, all at once.

Are there dangers here? Of course–they are Martian: the ego can overwhelm, aggression can take hold, or illusion can drive a less-than-productive course–and yet, it’s all useful, in that we will be allowed to refine our efforts, to see more clearly how to make the world in the image we prefer–so even disappointing results can show us the way.

The Sabian for this Full Moon is, ‘A Chinese Woman Nursing A Baby Whose Aura Reveals Him To Be The Reincarnation Of A Great Teacher’. With this image we see Universal recognition of the advanced spirit, of the ‘teachers’ we all encounter, no matter what form they take, whether they be individuals, institutions, or events; that is, if we look we can see what can guide us, what holds worth, what will advance our own spirit–it simply requires willingness to see, something we aren’t always open to.

For a Full Moon we also look at the Sun’s Sabian: ‘An Illustrated Lecture On Natural Science Reveals Little-Known Aspects Of Life’. Again, if we are willing to see (or listen, in the spiritual sense–‘an illustrated lecture’) what we might otherwise (incorrectly) refer to as ‘the secrets of Life’ will be revealed (incorrect because there are no secrets, not really)–and again, all it takes is intention to see, is willingness to let go of illusion.

17 December 2017 New Moon in Sagittarius: Sculpting Reality

15 Friday Dec 2017

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‘Portrait of Anna Vaughan Hyatt’ 1915 By Marion Boyd Allen {{PD}}

The New Moon falls at 26 Sagittarius 31 at 10:30 PM Pacific time of the 17th, and it sits between a figurative rock and hard place, cradled by Saturn, the rock which is about to vacate Sag for the comfort of home turf Capricorn, and on the other side by ‘hard place’ Venus, over which the Moon has just ‘swept’. As the Moon and Sun are moving swiftly away from one body and the other will ‘fall away’ into a new sign (even as the Sun-Moon themselves soon enter that sign, the Sun set to meet Saturn there), the scenario suggests that the New Moon brings facts, beliefs, knowledge, or other outreach into the reality picture–it’s apparent what the situation truly is, and what it may cost or reward us with factors in–or, we already know the costs or rewards going in, and now find out the impact in real-world terms. That means that new starts come with a balance sheet, and the awareness that we must do something (Fire placement) in reaction to what we learn. Restraint and aesthetics and/ or relationships also factor in, and our eye remains on ‘the prize’ (possibly causing us to fix our gaze on the rear view mirror, rather than the road ahead), even if our goal doesn’t seem related to New Moon events.

The New Moon also squares Chiron, trines Pallas-Uranus, and quincunxes Sedna, suggesting some pain or triggering of old issues springs from NM events, or that the difficult circumstances presented require use of the Chirotic skills (those represented by the natal situation of your Chiron). What occurs is smart, at least in the sense that what happens is the most practical turn of events for the individual, with the potential for the wise move to be spurred by the group or by a ‘fresh’ understanding, provided by the New Moon. Expect some ‘sudden wisdom’, the revelation of which may provide the answer to (or reason for) the pain, and know that what occurs will require either a re-calibration of the instincts, or allow for a glimpse into one or more ‘blind spots’ from which we suffer.

The Sabian symbol for the New Moon is, ‘A Sculptor At His Work’. Aha! There’s that Saturn effect, applying knowledge and/ or working with reality in a talented way (and very possibly a Chirotic one, that is skilled or healing). We shape things as we want them to be, in part unconsciously, via the mechanism of our own instincts and values. Notice that it all funnels into a response to reality, one that may leave us better off than it found us, but that’s totally dependent on how firmly we accept that we are responsible, we are the creators.

 

Your Weekend 2-3 December 2017 Lunar Domination

01 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, Mercury retrograde, Sabian Symbols

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Albert Aublet – ‘Selene’ 1879 {{PD}}

The Full Moon in Gemini falls on the 3rd at 7:47 AM Pacific time at 11 Gemini 40, and in spite of a host of other aspects forming this weekend, dominates the atmosphere, at least in part because of its to-the-degree connections to Neptune (to which the axis forms a T-square) and Jupiter (quincunx the FM event). Too, Mars and Juno-Hygeia form the base for a Fist of God with the Full Moon as apex, and Uranus-Pallas, close together in Aries, form a semi-square to the FM, and it all happens roughly 9 hours after Mercury’s apparent motion shifts to retrograde–and that’s all, but damn, isn’t that enough?

These contacts promise that what culminates, ends, presents itself completely formed, or resolves will challenge us on a creative, spiritual, or idealistic level, presenting us with a scenario that forces us to act in a way that defines one or more Neptunian areas (including those areas ruled by Neptune in the personal natal chart)–and that shows us the way our beliefs need to be modified, and/ or the facts accommodated (Jupiter quincunx).

The Fist smacks us with an issue centered in conflict between a healthy sense of personal authority and aggression or egocentricity, our own or others’. Our natural reaction is to fight an incursion on our autonomy (or what we believe is our autonomy, if we are in full-ego mode), in this instance with the resolution offered by the circumstances of the Full Moon, and as with the rest of the activity, the focus is likely to be mental (Gemini), as we process the meaning and implications of what’s occurring. However, the status of Mercury, newly retro, suggests that even if we seem to see the whole picture, understand the facts or issues, or know the lay of the land, we can’t possibly–it’s almost guaranteed we’ll be making choices blind (relatively speaking), and under stress (Merc retro at 29 degrees).

The semi-square may be the most prominent bit initially, as it suggests sudden actions taken at an individual level that are either very wise, or very stupid, precipitating all the other Full Moon effects (though Mars opposed Uranus on the 1st, then opposed Pallas, contra-parallel Uranus, and and quincunx Sedna on the 2nd, followed by a sesquiquadrate to Neptune on the 3rd, scream of a possible series of bad choices, or possibly out-of-control or hyper-spontaneous or deluded ones, that lead to that precipitating move).

Anita Rée ‘Head of a Girl’ {{PD}}

The Sabian for the Full Moon is, ‘A Negro Girl Fights For Her Independence In The City’. Set aside the antiquated language, and we have the image of someone who, in Western society (‘The City’), might have to fight much harder than others do to gain her autonomy, or even to get adequate consideration. Again, we have the ‘language’ of the Fist, and the need to guard our own healthy sense of personal authority. This suggests that the Full Moon result will create the need for struggle, and possibly also the personal need to declare one’s independence from something or someone that has exerted undue influence, held an advantage, that has ‘kept one down’ for far too long, or that is now trying to impose their Will (echoing the Fist and the Mars activity leading up to the Full Moon).

Nandina and Rooster from the Colorful Realm of Living Beings by Itō Jakuchū, c. 1761-65 (Edo Period) {{PD}}

The Sabian for the Sun, which originates the light that makes the appearance of the Full Moon from our stance on Earth possible, is, ‘A Flag Turns Into An Eagle; The Eagle Into A Chanticleer Saluting The Dawn’. To my mind this suggests that at least some of the Full Moon circumstance/ what draws our attention at this time is related to the political situation in the US. We see a sense of country morphing into a rather aggressive symbol, that then morphs into a crowing rooster–a step down for the eagle! The eagle maintains a certain dignity–seeking prey is part of what it does, so no one should be surprised that it indulges in predatory behavior perfectly reflective of its nature. A rooster, however, makes a lot of noise, crowing about something (‘The Dawn’) that will occur whether he announces it or not–so in a way, almost as if he’s taking credit for it. Sound familiar? If you live somewhere else, your conclusions may vary 🙂

Mercury retrogrades very late in the evening Pacific time of the 2nd, at 29 tense degrees of Sagittarius, possibly causing us to question what we know, or to explode over what we find out! What we need to be aware of is that, whatever happens, it’s something we need to know. Once Mercury picks up retro speed it will run right into Saturn–and that hints that what we learn with the retrograde will help us deal with some obstacle, or some facet of the reality picture–so we’ll end up being glad, even though initially the revelation may be stressful.

The only other thing I’d like to mention is the Jupiter trine to Neptune on the 2nd. This could be an island of ideal opportunity, creative expansion or outreach, or expanded expression or sense of spirituality, that comes forward in the midst of mild mental chaos, or it could act to exaggerate delusions or misperceptions that will fuel those Martian choices, actions, and so results, that come with the Full Moon.

And here’s a post on Merc retrograde you might find worthy of review—

Have a wonderful weekend!

Your Weekend: New Moon in Scorpio November 2017 Earthly Instincts

17 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, New Moon, Sabian Symbols, The Daily Word Image

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Jan Toorop ‘Mother’ 1891 {{PD}} Photo by https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Vassil

This New Moon occurs at 3:42 AM PST of the 18th at 26 Scorpio 19, closely opposed Sedna (and that means Sedna is conjoined Earth); the NM is also in close semi-sextile to Saturn, trine Chiron, and quincunx Uranus. The New Moon initiates new attitudes, actions, perceptions via feeling (Scorpio is a Water sign), and in this case offers a dose of healing energy, as well. Our instincts and matters we ‘know but don’t know’ may seem alien at this time, but the reality is the New Moon beginning draws us into using those instincts, into real-world situations or obstacles that require we call forth that deep, instinctive knowledge, and by confronting us with the unexpected, the shocking, the surprising. What occurs now gives us the chance to use talents or skills we may have thought dormant or non-existent, and urges a willingness to modify efforts to accommodate the material situation and/ or our own inclination toward originality or uniqueness (with that latter, we may need to curb a too-erratic response nature, or may need to adhere to more practical measures than we might otherwise consider). The New Moon in Scorpio gives us a Truthful Beginning that can lead to further discovery, the unanticipated, and to healing, down the road.

The Sabian for the New Moon is, ‘A Military Band Marches Noisily On Through The City Streets’. Whatever begins here makes an entrance, and a loud one! What we have to remember is that, despite the ruckus, what marches before us isn’t necessarily that important. A parade is a public statement on what prevalent social elements want to emphasize, celebrate, or otherwise note as of concern; that makes a parade a bit like advertising, an attempt to persuade onlookers that this is what the current social order honors and promotes–but it only takes a moments consideration to realize that a parade is propaganda, and may not at all reflect real-life priorities or actual matters deemed sacred. Parades are voices of those who hold power–remember, parades come originally from military displays meant to impress–so look behind the surface statement, to where time, attention, and money actually goes, to inform those New Moon instincts and emotions that drive uncovering of what’s true, beyond all the spectacle and noise.

By Sunday the 19th we may be so fixated on the Mars-Pluto square and the automatic contentiousness it fosters that we may miss the benefits of mining a tactic from the past in order to realize goals and gain, and so shape the future. Thoughts and actions can be forward-looking and so fortuitous, if we can do two things: avoid demanding unilateral acknowledgment that you are in authority or hold power (that is, be not just modest but allow others to feel they have their own say or authority, too), and be willing to recognize what you’ve been ignoring, denying, or enraged over–and then let it go, even as you allow it to give perspective to actions and choices.

Today’s word image is a milkmaid carrying a pail of milk. This brings to mind the saying, ‘You are what you do’, which points out that in a material world, our actions, not our thoughts, define us.

As of Monday the 20th, it’s easy to see how we can channel the past into the present productively; this allows us to make the most of situations that might not otherwise have paid off, and shows us the hidden benefits in any obstacles we might encounter. Just be aware that it may be necessary to modify efforts and attention, as well as to see identity as flexible, so that results are truly wise or practical–if we don’t, we may miss the mark.

Today’s word image is: you mention something you’re missing, and immediately find an abandoned one right in front of you. That’s very vague, so I’ll outline the instance that inspired it: I’d forgotten my Remembrance Day poppy at home, and upon mentioning it, my husband said, “Well here’s one”, and reached down and picked up a pristine one from its spot in a snow bank. I wore it until it fell off the next night in a restaurant, where I assume it was found by someone else who needed it. Just a vivid episode of a responsive Universe, so know it responds, and know that, one way or another, you are being provided with answers/ what you need.

Have a great weekend!

Here’s an excellent analysis of Taurus South Node, Scorpio North Node–

Full Moon in Taurus 3 November 2017 What We Need

02 Thursday Nov 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Full Moon, Horoscope, Sabian Symbols

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‘Music Making Couple’ Willem Cornelisz Duyster Early 17th century {{PD}}

The Full Moon occurs at 10:22 PM Pacific time of the 3rd at 11 Taurus 58, and makes only a few contacts within our required close-aspect framework for drawing a Full Moon picture. The most interesting thing to me is that some of the contacts offer the potential for individuals to experience configurations, should they have a natal body or point in the ’empty’ space. For instance, The FM sextiles Neptune, suggesting that if one has a natal placement at 10-14 Libra, then the sextile creates a base for a Finger of God, with the apex the natal body. On its own, the Full Moon-Neptune sextile says inspiration, imagination, ideals, and illusions may, with a little effort or input, reach fruition or conclusion with the FM event; add a personal apex point, and you have a recipe that says, ‘A Neptunian thing that’s brought to conclusion or ‘ripens’ with the event will trigger a tricky or uncomfortable situation that is resolved by adjusting the expression of that natal apex energy.” (Please note: Mars, at 7 Libra 51, is just too far outside an acceptable orb–1.5-2 degrees max–for quincunxes at this point.)

We see a similar situation with the Full Moon’s trine to Juno. Here the aspect suggests that the FM event shows us a likely avenue of, or actually delivers, material empowerment and a sense of authority or effective role in real-world matters (Earth signs). If an individual has a natal placement at roughly 11-15 Virgo, that fills in an Earth Grand Trine, bringing a chance for empowerment via expression of the natal energy, a kind of ‘Grand Result’ brought forward by accomplishment, timing, and a willingness to act within one’s empowered role.

The full moon photographed from the Apollo 11 spacecraft NASA {{PD}}

Lastly, the Full Moon makes a fist on its own: a Fist of God is formed by the Full Moon-Earth square Ceres with apex the midpoint of Saturn-Black Moon Lilith (the latter being at 29 degrees, and so under stress, anyway). I know it’s not exactly kosher to consider a midpoint as a configuration apex, but here we actually need to; otherwise we have a Full Moon that in an energy sense may ‘short-circuit’ in a sextile, trine, and square that offer disjointed and seemingly unconnected outlets for Lunar expression. With the Fist we see impact of one sort or another that forces or necessitates conflict or confrontation within a power situation or dynamic (Ceres), the only hope for resolution of which is found in real-world (Saturn) acknowledgement of transgressions, matters ignored or denied, or in allowing entities already under stress full and uncensored personal expression (BML).

The Sabian Symbol for the Full Moon (remember, we read the next degree up for any minutes above the 00 mark; in this instance we read 12, listed at the referenced site as 11-12 Taurus) is, ‘A Young Couple Window Shopping’. This is an image of bonded individuals with time on their hands, dreaming, forward-looking. That may seem to negate the idea behind the Fist, until you consider how much a young couple may ignore or deny as in the early stages making the relationship work may seem so vital. Rose-colored vision (Neptune sextile) and a sense of empowerment drawn from a grown-up role (Juno) may incline the individuals/ parties to hide or disregard disparities, disrespect, or power imbalances (square to Ceres) that surface as each entity gets to know the other. Prejudices, assumptions made, and the belief in inequality of the sexes may poison interactions and be muffled, leading to subdued rage and the need to relate to an illusion (Neptune) rather than a three-dimensional individual, Being, or entity (BML). This Full Moon, then, offers a chance to resolve some of the issues that arise naturally in wanting to put our own ‘best foot forward’, and in wanting to see our ideals in the Other. It does it by bringing about a Taurean emotional conclusion or revelation that shows us that we are both personally empowered to handle things, and that we must deal with some real-world disparity or offense, before we can move on.

We also look at the Sun in a Full Moon event: ‘An Official Embassy Ball’. This suggests some en masse social event or shared experience may act as trigger to the conflict and resolution of the Full Moon. The official nature of the symbol implies a wider societal event may mirror our own personal one, and that all may involve a kind of diplomatic outreach, a formalized celebration of roles and relationships, and actions and choices meant to ‘smooth’ interactions.

‘Moonlight’ Ilya Repin 1895 {{PD}}

A culmination of Lunar energy implies an emotional resolution or ending; happening in Taurus, it likely involves comfort, stability, assets, security, or attempts to create these circumstances that reach an apex or conclusion at this time. In this case, the Full Moon may bring easy manifestation of delusions or ideals (Neptune), and effortless autonomy or empowerment (Juno), accompanied by a tough power situation or a denial of or by authority (Ceres). This suggests a mixed bag that brings about something that answers wants but also requires Self-responsibility–and that may be hampered by higher authorities or by others who block or negate our expression, with all of it keyed to resolving the material, physical, or real-world situation surrounding our relationships and/ or our roles–it’s an effort to right imbalances and sweep conditions too long ignored away for good–and it works, if we can acknowledge our true feelings and needs, willingly embrace Self-responsibility, and recognize the reality of our interactions and our situation.

New Moon in Libra 19 October 2017 Chaos and Instinct

16 Monday Oct 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Horoscope, New Moon, Sabian Symbols

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By http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/13647This file was donated to Wikimedia Commons by as part of a project by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=57097242

The New Moon occurs at 12:12 PM Pacific time on the 19th at 26 Libra 35. It makes a close opposition to Uranus in Aries, sesquiquadrates Neptune in its own sign of Pisces, and is apex to a Finger of God with base of Sedna-Chiron, and at the same time is part of the base of another Finger with a sextile to the point Black Moon Lilith, apex Sedna. Most of the aspects for this Moon are close, which is why we don’t need to reach for other contacts (though we may count a loose semi-sextile to Mars, which just seems to bring home the Aries energy that’s already so prominently in opposition); the orb is too wide to count a conjunction to Jupiter or a sextile to Saturn–no need to stretch, we already have a concise picture.

New starts, beginnings, related to Libra always have an ‘us-other’ facet, and often emphasize aesthetic, asset, or relationship matters. There may be changes or shifts in cooperation and partnership areas that highlight the way Venusian subjects such as Love or Money are really interaction issues, with a requirement to weigh and measure levels of financial or emotional investment. These typical New Moon in Libra matters are shaped by aspects the NM makes to others bodies; this time around, they get a dose of chaos, which examined closely reveals a method beneath the madness.

The New Moon opposes Uranus in Aries (which of course conjoins Earth). This suggests material or real-world issues are chaotic, unexpected, avant garde, or intellectually advanced (Uranus), with the illusion (Neptune) being that these erratic or surprising moves appear to be the expression of individuals (Aries) responding to ideals (Pisces)–but they’re actually an emotional (and probably unconscious) response to the group and the individual’s unique place within it (Uranus). Projection of feeling may be something both given and received, at this time, and it may either be difficult to know what we feel, or may seem that others are acting as they do because they’re unaware of their own emotional reactions–or we could experience a mind-bending elixir of both.

The Finger with New Moon as apex suggests that instinct or ‘blind spot’ material combines with hurt or unique skill, and the result is the ‘fresh start’ of this Lunar cycle. With the NM as base with Black Moon Lilith, we see the new beginning reach deep into denied or ignored material (no wonder it all feels chaotic!), with the result being we are stimulated to act either out of material held in our ‘blind spot’ or instinctually. The Fingers create a kind of energy ouroboros, with a lot of the material suppressed, denied, unconscious, or projected so that things seem to leap out of chaos–but if we are honest with ourselves, we know there’s method here, in the form of circumstances forcing us to see and acknowledge what we may have been denying or rejecting–and so become more responsible to both ourselves and in our agreements with others (Libra).

The Sabian for the New Moon is, ‘An Airplane Sails, High In The Clear Sky’. Flight, at least that facilitated by an airplane, is relatively modern, with the mention of ‘high in the clear sky’ suggesting a successful ascension and safe travel in easy weather; this may speak to that Uranus-Earth opposition to this New Moon, with that planetary combo a perfect expression of successfully leaving the Earth via a modern invention. In opposition, this may imply that what occurs at the New Moon may, as we’ve discussed, seem chaotic, but in reality it will offer the foundation for something entirely new, an unusual (for the individual) way to soar. We get a clue as to what may come about with the Sabian for Uranus-Earth, ‘Through Imagination A Lost Opportunity Is Regained’. What occurs stimulates the creative, imaginative, inventive spirit and the instinctual nature–even out of chaos, we find purpose, meaning, and a new way forward.

One caveat: the New Moon period, though bringing positive things, may be difficult in itself. The same day brings Mars and Chiron parallel each other and both contra-parallel Vesta, and Saturn sesquiquadrate Pallas. That suggests that the ‘real world’ may fail to support what’s wise or practical, and our inclinations may be to act out of hurt and so could sabotage values. Just a heads up about surrounding circumstances, and a warning to keep our eye on motivations and reactions.

Have a wonderful New Moon, everyone! I won’t be around for a few days–stay safe, live happy!

 

Full Moon in Aries 5 October 2017 Judged

02 Monday Oct 2017

Posted by in astrology, Finger of God, forecast, Full Moon, Horoscope, Sun/Mercury Superior Conjunction

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By Craig Deakin from Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom – #bluemoon #moon #nature #landscape #evening #sunset #summer #sky #eavig #photooftheday #iphoneography #iphonesia #picoftheday #instadaily #bestoftheday #jj #nofilter #instagood #igaddict #popular #ignation #statigram #webstagram #all_shots #followme #follUploaded by ComputerHotline, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21015674

The Full Moon in Aries occurs at 11:39 AM Pacific time of the 5th at 12 Aries 43, and falls at the midpoint of Neptune-Pallas, and opposed Mercury (which, along with the Sun, is apex to a Finger with base consisting of Neptune-Pallas). The fact that the Full Moon falls in a sign known for its singular viewpoint suggests we’ll have an especially ‘alone’ feeling with this event, even more so because of the build-up in Libra, as if others are ‘facing’ us and considering (even judging) our choices, actions, and ‘fitness to lead’, even if that applies only to leading our own lives. Our thoughts will be the result of combining our spiritual ideals and our inner wisdom, practicality, and skills, and this means that we can learn the most from stepping back and observing our own minds, seeing how well (or poorly) we are able to make our ideals an active part of our lives–and this all occurs in the context of a culmination of emotional and intuitive energy that is Self-oriented, as it faces feedback from ‘the Other’, the audience, even from those who specifically dislike us (the build-up in Libra, which includes the source of all energy, the Sun). The natural outcome of this may be that we are experiencing inner revelations even as we are dealing with less-than-pleasant externals–and all of it meant to show us what within us and within our lives that is Aries-natured is at an end, or has gone as far as it can go.

Not in aspect to the Full Moon, but significant, together with only three minutes variation at the time of Lunar culmination, Venus and Mars sit at 19 Virgo, watching and evaluating it all. In my mind they represent a secondary faction relative to the FM event: they are those not engulfed in FM action, but off to the side, critiquing and commenting. They are an audience, a very Libran thing–and so drawing attention to the line-up there, which includes, between 8 and 28 degrees Libra, Vesta, Mercury (current ruler of Venus and Mars, with Merc-Venus in mutual reception, and Merc involved in the FM picture), the Sun, Zeus, and Jupiter.

This places a lot of ‘weight’ on our relationships and particularly on the way we function as an individual within them; that is, we’ll see ourselves as both separate from and entangled with others, with emphasis on our aloneness, our choices, and our potential for being ‘the leader’ within the interaction. If you are lonely, this Full Moon may highlight that, and if you feel regarded, judged, observed and assessed by others, this too may be highlighted, with the Full Moon assisting you in drawing conclusions, especially concerning how much you will or will not engage in partnership, acceptance, or intimacy in the future. This Lunar event offers the chance to establish a Self-image harmonious to the emotional reality, and it’s only natural that this involves at least some decisions made in the context of current relationships.

How much change can we expect from this? Little to none, it seems, at least that will show on the surface; the Sabian is, ‘An Unexploded Bomb Reveals An Unsuccessful Social Protest’, suggesting that we may try to ‘blow it all up’ in protest of our social role, responsibilities, or treatment, only to find it doesn’t work! This may be a very good thing, as our actions could reveal the true feelings of others: do they care how we feel? do they respond to our distress? do they agree with what we feel are injustices, or do they just look away, and hope we’ll continue in our role? Or, we could be the recipient of ‘a bomb’ that startles but has little effect on the social landscape. The idea is one of energy that is not successfully deployed–and that this potentially explosive scenario is justified by social conditions–and that may or may not be valid reasoning for attempting to ‘explode’ the current reality picture.

By Basile Morin – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62520604

The Sabian for the Sun may give us the final piece to this puzzle: ‘Children Blowing Soap Bubbles’. So, are we seeing ineffectual expression, in the sense that it is perhaps disguised as someone declaring they are care-free, presented as a cry for freedom or creativity, even an elaborate ‘game’ designed to make us jump or distract us? Or are we alerted to this within ourselves? In any case, the situation presented will not be a situation to take too seriously–although if it’s an attempt on our part to express a sense of injustice or a desire for change in our role, what we need to see is that the approach that might seem smart at the time of the Full Moon may not be effective, and/ or may not be taken seriously by others.

Whether we are lobbing the firecrackers, or they’re being lobbed at us, the reality is that this will be a period of communication centered on needs and power—and this may explain why things are addressed obliquely, perhaps dressed up as something else, or that actions are meant as a cry for attention or to address a state of emotional need and want. We’ll need to listen for the unspoken message, look at the symbolism, observe what’s done and what’s not done, what’s said and what’s never uttered–and then choose who we are, and how we will communicate our needs, from there.

Also of note: we’re on the verge of the Superior Conjunction of the Sun and Mercury (the 8th); that will help thoughts coalesce, make messaging clear, and will show us what, inevitably, will be changing, after all (T-square Sun-Merc opp Earth all square Pluto).

New Moon in Virgo 19 September 2017 To Serve Man

18 Monday Sep 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, New Moon, Virgo

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The Enchanted Garden of Messer Ansaldo by Marie Spartali Stillman (1889) {{PD}}

Many of you will recognize this article’s title from an old Twilight Zone episode, where humans eventually realize that extraterrestrials who arrived carrying a book titled ‘To Serve Man’ haven’t come to offer altruistic aid, which is humanity’s first, Self-serving assumption. Too late it’s discovered that the tome is, rather than instructions for actually a cookbook, and we’re all on the menu! I’ve been seeing something like this all around lately, a dogged attempt at interpreting actions and events as ‘for our own good’, one way or another, when in fact those choices are serving only the perpetrators. Is there anything wrong with serving one’s own needs and agenda? Of course not–it’s true that our primary responsibility is to look out for ourselves–it’s the presentation of selfish choices in a way meant to lull others into feeling cared for, to deceive concerning the intentions behind what’s said or done, that are the problem.

We may have accepted the unacceptable in particular over the weekend, and during the Monday and Tuesday preceding the New Moon. The Dark period often makes us unintentionally receptive, the mind and psyche open, either from a sense of relaxation or a sense of unguardedness. Sometimes we feel extra-alert in that figurative darkness (when the transiting Moon is contacting sensitive natal bodies or territory as it approaches the Sun), but more often we feel adrift, and so unable to resist what comes at us; sometimes this is a good thing, as we absorb information that otherwise might not be available to us, and potentially a bad thing, as we receive influences without our usual critical assessment.

What does all this have to do with the New Moon in Virgo, occurring at 10:30 PM Pacific time of the 19th? Everything, really, as we see a New Moon in Virgo brings new, productively-oriented beginnings–and what prompts those beginnings may have been influenced by Dark of the Moon material. Again, this may not be a problem, as it could’ve acted to lower our barriers and quiet critical resistance to our creativity and imagination–but it also may have ‘let in’ things that tailor our new start more to the interests of others than to our own wants and needs.

Since the tone of Virgo is one of service, we may find we need to ask ourselves one defining question about what originates around this time: For whom am I doing this? If you do it for yourself, fine; if you do it in pure service to others, also fine; but if you do it unsure of what motivates you, you may do best to stop and sort it out, or risk creating something that’s more burden than benefit.

The New Moon perfects at 27 Virgo 27, widely conjoined Vesta in Libra, and opposed both Earth (natch) and Chiron. The NM also sextiles Ceres, widely squares Black Moon Lilith, sesquiquadrates Pallas, trines Sedna, with its closest aspect a quincunx to Uranus. (This is where I might also point out the Finger of God that, though not connected directly to the New Moon, still may poke us in the eye: Sedna sextile Earth-Chiron, apex Jupiter=if we can get the instincts and material skills to work together, we make something larger than the sum of its parts–a challenge that might apply to whatever we instigate at this point, and that we must be aware can get away from us, overwhelming our control or understanding, at any time).

The aspects suggest the New Moon ‘births’ something we dedicate ourselves to, that reflects our highest values (and again, we see the need to know why and for whom we are acting, as new commitments and obligations, especially to others, are a distinct possibility–Vesta in Libra). The caution comes in the opposition of Chiron, suggesting we may be in denial of, or out of touch with, our own wounds, substantially upping the chances of us being insensitive to our needs (or even to martyring ourselves–Chiron in Pisces).

The square to BML describes tension over things that enrage us, or over injustice or things we are in denial of–again, a ‘looking away’ or separative element to what we do, or how we see or process events, that suggests we observe and react to the wrong without actually doing anything–though the sextile to Ceres and trine to Sedna both promise we can connect to informative energies through our natural roles and sources of power, especially those attuned to Mother Nature and her rhythms and cycles. We can trust our own natural authority as our guide, and we’ll need to; the sesquiquadrate to Pallas and the quincunx to Uranus imply difficulty using the intellect to discern what’s wise, what’s smart, what’s ‘right’, and this can contribute situations where we must draw on skills in times of sudden opportunity or, more likely, sudden stress.

The Sabian for the New Moon is, ‘A Baldheaded Man Who Has Seized Power’. The image is one not just of taking power for oneself, it conveys natural power, akin to that which we find in Black Moon Lilith, Ceres, Pallas, and Sedna, derived in the image via the high testosterone levels we now know cause baldness. The NM meeting of Moon and Sun suggests a blending of male and female, with the Sabian providing a male image of power, overt in its expression, while the connections of the New Moon provide a picture largely of female power, or at least power represented in various female forms, a more receptive and emotionally perceptive energy.

The New Moon, then, brings us all a chance to dedicate ourselves in some kind of service, and we may become powerful in the process, though one of the challenges is to be as aware as possible of not just who we are serving, but how and where the power to serve and be served is derived, in growing this New Moon seed of Higher Consciousness.

The Full Moon 6 September 2017 Noblest Form

05 Tuesday Sep 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Full Moon, Lunar Aspects, Moon

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Three Women by Umberto Boccioni, 1910 {{PD}}

Somehow I managed to talk all around the Neptune conjunction with the Full Moon–I was thinking about it, but not naming names! Now it’s in there. The Full Moon culminates at 2:46 AM Pacific time at 13 Pisces 53, conjoined ruler Neptune (though past perfection to it). The FM sextiles Pallas, quincunxes Venus, semi-sextiles Uranus, and quindeciles (165 degrees) the just-direct Mercury. We skip a potential sextile to Pluto, as it’s a little too far for this contact, just over three degrees difference. The Moon in Pisces is receptive, open to the Universe, and it’s triply so conjoined ruler Neptune; this makes for a potent result that carries the essence of the creative, the imaginative, the ideal, or the illusive, with the latter suggesting we might not get a handle on the FM until it’s well past perfection. A Full Moon presents conclusions or fulfillment; in this case we may see an end to, a resolution of, or a fulfillment of a dream, ideal, or deception. It may or may not be stressful in a minor way, with its biggest immediate impact an empty space where that Piscean element, now resolved, used to be.

The aspects show us the wisdom of whatever comes to an end (that is, that it’s smart for things to conclude now, possibly so that we may free up creative energy); they also suggest that whatever occurs may happen suddenly, an in-the-moment surprise or revelation, spurring some sort of difficulty, a need to adjust ourselves or our attitudes in matters of relationship or finances. Most compelling, though, may be a Full Moon urge to communicate, whether that is advisable or not. There is something we will feel an overwhelming desire to convey to others, verbally or otherwise, and this may be ‘dressed up’ in fanciful ways, as Art, or may be camouflaged so that the communicator (because of course, everyone will be subject to this urge, in one form or another) sends the message without claiming the energy, or drawing attention back on themselves. You always have to watch out for the quiet ones, don’t you?

The Sabian for this FM is, ‘A Lady Wrapped In A Large Stole Of Fox Fur’. At the time this symbol was formulated, it was quite fashionable to wear animal fur; now it’s anything but, despite a small contingent of those who cling to old values. In terms of the Full Moon, this may suggest that what concludes at this time does so because it’s ‘out of fashion’–this is, because the time for such a dream, ideal, or deception is past. And it’s not just passé, it’s actually offensive to some, as we evolve toward a more and more respectful treatment of our fellow animals. The Sabian tells us that, no matter how we perceive and process the ending brought about by this Moon, we must see that it’s all for the good, that it’s helping us shed old, no-longer-desirable attitudes, that it’s freeing us from ideas that may be nothing so much as cruel.

For a Full Moon we also look at the Sun, the provider of energy and light, and we see this Sabian: ‘An Aristocratic Family Tree’. This suggests that the elimination or conclusion brought by the FM is ennobling, that it harks back to the finer qualities of human beings as a species, and that in fact it may originate with this idea; each of us connects to something within that is fine, and that shows us the wisdom of this Full Moon ending. It also spurs us to ask ourselves what we will allow to fill the Piscean space this conclusion creates. It’s a period when we communicate who we are in our noblest form, and we tap ourselves for new creative or idealistic material that is original, that could only come from the individual celebrated and honored for all that’s best within.

 

 

The Solar Eclipse in Leo 2017: The Re-Birth of the Soul

20 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Lunar Aspects, New Moon, Sabian Symbols, Solar Eclipse

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John William Waterhouse – ‘Mermaid’ 1899 {{PD}}

This is re-published from earlier. Have a safe and joyous eclipse experience!

The Solar eclipse begins on the 21st of August at 11:29 AM PDT at 28 Leo 52. Though I wouldn’t normally count it as conjoined Mars when the spread is just over eight degrees, as it is here, I think we must, considering the part the ego, action, and ‘I Am’ energies played in the partner Lunar eclipse that preceded this event—so we’ll keep the Martian spirit in mind as we assess the eclipse; the Martian Fire is right in tune with the Leo event. This New Moon has been anticipated for some time, because it’s both a total eclipse, and because it will be visible along a path that spans the United States coast to coast. The interesting thing is that, if you’re outside the path of totality, what you’ll see is a partial covering of the Sun by the Moon, rather than the complete eclipse visible elsewhere. So, as with everything, it’s important to keep in mind that where you are determines perspective, and so dictates your experience of the eclipse, as it does so many other things.

Does that mean the eclipse will deliver a different effect to those in the path of totality than it will to everyone else on the planet? Perhaps it will have a different, stronger, or more potent impact on those who find themselves in its path, but I think it’s more of an astronomical spectacle than an astrological one; I don’t anticipate it being any more or less potent than any other eclipse (and remember, we have two Solar and two Lunar eclipses per year, on average, so eclipses themselves are not actually all that rare), though others will disagree.

Maybe we should think of it more as a New Moon in Leo that just happens to be an eclipse; that way we keep the emphasis on the Leo/ Mars ‘I Am’ facets of the event, even as we note that all eclipses serve to ‘wipe out’ certain circumstances that came before, specifically those related to the matters of the House in the natal chart where the eclipse falls, those related to the sign energy in general, and in anything the eclipse contacts in the natal chart by close aspect (no more than three or four degrees, typically, and this can affect expression of the contacted energy or matters of the Houses ruled, if any). But, aside from personal natal contacts, the eclipse draws a more general picture that applies in some degree to everyone; that’s what we’ll look at here.

A Solar eclipse is a seed event, a New Moon the energies of which supersede those that came before, in this case those of the ‘I Am’, the identity, and the Soul Purpose for incarnating as they mesh with the emotions, intuition, and perceptions of the non-physical and non-material. With an eclipse, we see a vibrational inception that will resonate through to the next eclipse set, in roughly six months. In part this tone is set by the sign in which the eclipse occurs, in this case, Leo, emphasizing the individual perspective, individual initiative (due to Mars lingering nearby), and how well the Soul has to this point managed to create circumstances under which it could ‘shine’, that is, live its purpose. So, the attention for the next six months goes to accomplishment in Soul-terms—and of course, that will mean something unique to each individual.

The eclipse forms an out-of-sign trine to a close conjunction of Hygeia and Juno, which makes for a Grand Trine with Uranus; the New Moon also squares Sedna, loosely noviles Ceres, and quincunxes Chiron (and anyone with natal placements at 27 Capricorn-00 Aquarius should expect the eclipse to deliver a wallop, either hurting or healing the involved energies in some significant way). Is it too vague to say expect surprises, shocks, the unexpected, revelations, and the potential for immediate and immersive understanding via the Higher Mind? This may be especially so around literal health as well as the ‘health’ (i.e. effectiveness) of the personal state of empowerment. We may resist what the instincts tell us, at least initially; hidden information that we ‘know but don’t know’ may cause problems, which are meant to draw our attention and contribute to or shape that ‘shock of the new’ we’ll undergo.

Or, rather than a personal shock or revelation, we may experience the eclipse’s ‘big reveal’ through a group choice or interaction. We could find ourselves responding as an individual to something the group requires, testing our willingness to lead, to commit to a philosophical approach to things, or to sacrifice the individual needs for the larger good. We may find we are stronger than we think, forced to adjust our ideas of just what truly injures us, and that may call for adjustments to our Self-image, to the way we see ourselves and so to the way we express ourselves and exert our Will. What occurs may bring forward unique skills, a sense that the individual is ‘the only one who could ‘x’’ and so in some way save the day, or serve the group needs in a major way.

There is a single element of grace here that should enable us to weather anything the eclipse brings: that novile to Ceres says that either Nature, or the sense of personal authority, will provide the support, or the answers, we’ll need. Our own ability to accept complete responsibility for ourselves will allow for the most effective position and response possible; so will acceptance of the ways of Nature, and what they tell us about our part in it.

Don’t you love the Sabian for this eclipse? ‘A Mermaid Emerges From The Ocean Waves Ready For Rebirth In Human Form’. We see an end to immersion in the currents of emotion with their overwhelming influence, dulling the other senses, obscuring the vision and hearing, keeping us below the surface (a symbolic way of saying we aren’t accessing the Air, that is, using reason and the mind, to process things). The mermaid is ready to shed a way of Being that, in terms of imagery, is focused on the feeling nature; she is ready to move on, in the sense of becoming. It’s important we note that going from mermaid form to human is not inherently a move from inferior to superior form, but is a shift in the tools we use to interact, process, and understand. It’s also important to be aware we’re assuming the mermaid will be taking all she’s learned underwater (through the feeling nature) with her; she’s not abandoning emotional perceptions and intuitions, she’s adding to them. As this applies to the eclipse, the symbol suggests each of us will evolve to a next step (literally, in the case of a mermaid!) that expands our skills in dealing with the world. Re-birth usually isn’t easy, or pleasant, and change of any kind can be messy—but it’s also a widening of our horizons and our ability to deal with things that can’t be attained any other way, a journey into new elements, with all the adventure, risk, and need to learn that entails (another mermaid reference!)

One other thing to note: though I don’t usually discuss aspect sets that don’t interact with the event (I find that dilutes the focus on, and so the meaning of, what we’re examining), this time I would like to point to a very close conjunction, only three minutes apart and moving ever closer at the time of the eclipse, of Saturn and Black Moon Lilith. BML is, as we know, a point, rather than a body; Saturn moving closer to perfection with that point suggests either suppression or materialization of rage, or of matters we or others have been working to ignore or deny. This may be a significant side note to the entire eclipse period, and could suggest secrets revealed will become the norm.