Full Moon in Virgo - March 10-11

As if Venus retrograde weren't enough, this Full Moon is conjunct the Saturn/Uranus opposition. Yikes! Hold on to your... or is it better to let go?

According to Stephanie Austin in The Mountain Astrologer, this is one of the most importantFull Moons of 2009 because it amplifies the Saturn/Uranus opposition which she calls an 'evolutionary imperative.' Ah, that's what they are calling it. I thought it was 'my life falling apart.' This so-called imperative is operational until 2010 folks, so I guess we have no other choice but to evolve or .....?
Austin suggests we 'embrace inventiveness.'

What we see is the breakdown of of outmoded structures and rapid cultural change. The retrograde Venus can be useful here since it assists us in determining what is of value and thus what we should keep or at least work on rather than just totalling tossing it.

As you may have read in my 2012 blog, I am really getting into Nassim Haramein and it just happens to relate to this Saturn/Uranus thing. Saturn representing the laws of classical physics and Uranus the 'quirky' realities of quantum mechanics.

Other contrasts that Austin makes that relate to this Saturn opposing Uranus transit are: hierarchy/democracy, status-quo/progress, and fear/freedom. Duh, I wonder which to choose? The difficulty is that there are few models out there because we are being called to create new ones.

But on to the Full Moon. The Sun will be at 21 degrees Pisces conjunct Uranus at 22 degrees. The Moon will be at 21 degrees Virgo with Saturn at 19 degrees Virgo. Austin says that each moment we have a choice between standing in love or collapsing into fear, between staying asleep or waking up. She says that where the Sun at 21 Pisces is in your chart is where you must trust your intuition and do something out of the ordinary; where the Moon at 21 Virgo activates your chart is where you need to discern your priorities and honor them.

Those with Uranus in Virgo and Pluto in Virgo are being given an especially loud wakeup call to own and express their power. Austin suggests we all use the power of this Full Moon to take the next big step on your path and remember: If we are facing in the right direction, all we need to do is keep on walking. (Buddhist proverb)

As for me, lately I have a lot of trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. I am filled with an intense energy but must really focus to accomplish anything. I feel there is something really important I must do, but don't always know what it is. When I am focused, I can get a lot done in half the time. I can be very efficient. But when I am not focused, I feel I am spinning my wheels.

One way I ground myself is by literally saying: "Stop! What are you doing?" This can snap me out of the whirr of my mind. I also need to go outside a lot and smell the flowers or work in the greenhouse. I am learning to listen to my intuition and act on it.

Over the years through meditation and other spiritual practices, I have learned how to distinguish between my intuition and other 'voices' that pass through my mind. My work with flower essences (see my herb blog) has moved up to another level. I can feel it. When I am with a client, I get 'downloads' from the plant spirits and find staying grounded both essential and extremely difficult. It is definintely an interesting time and I feel excited about what is happening.

Venus Retrograde - Let the Beauty We Love Be What We Do

Venus goes retrograde 5 times in 8 years - every year and a half or so. It stays retrograde for 45 days. The retrograde pattern over an eight year period, forms a pentacle in the sky. Perhaps this is the source for the symbol. Being related to the retrograde pattern of Venus in the sky - when Venus may be challenging the status quo - may have led to its identification with 'women's magic'.

Venus will station retrograde March 7 at 15 degrees Aries, go back into Pisces April 12, then station direct at 29 degrees Pisces April 17.

Venus retrograde asks us to review, refine and redefine our values, social behavior and relationship needs. We need to look at how we express love and affection. Time to focus on our aesthetics - taste and style. During this time of economic downturn, we might want to find more frugal and creative ways of dressing and decorating. Another way to approach this is to realize that beauty serves a real purpose in our lives. We need beauty to inspire and heal. But having beauty around us need not be expensive.

Last week, I visited a friend in Oakland. His home was magical and delightful. A true Libran (ruled by Venus), his home was comfortable and inspiring. He had told me earlier it was cluttered. On the contrary, it was a tribute to his full and interesting life. He opened the door and I stepped into another world. Bird song and blooming tropical flowers, wood carvings and paintings, color and light. He had created his own altar to Venus. Part of the magic was the way that each item was placed and arranged with intention. Carefully and lovingly selected.

I realized the influence that such a space can have on the psyche. We truly flourish amidst nature and beauty. It is a need, not just a luxury. It can be accomplished in many ways - flowers, plants, cherished items from our life, stones.

Another thing we can do during this retrograde period is to seek balance between the sacred (spiritual) and the profane (mundane) in our lives. Preparing food can be viewed as a ritual where we are preparing nourishment and sustenance to the temple of our bodies and those of our loved ones, rather than a task or chore. Smelling, tasting and feeling the texture of the food,l rather than just gulping it down.

During this time we have access to undeveloped personal characteristics which will be more available to our view. The house where Venus currently resides may be where you will have revelations. The challenge is to own whatever you discover about your needs and whether or not you are actually communicating or expressing them. Don't blame your partner, family or friends. Don't point your finger about "what they are doing to you". Take responsibility. No one can hurt your feelings and you can't hurt anyone else's. Sometimes the truth hurts. I found it interesting that people are finally seeking a Truth Commission in relation to the activities of our government for the past 8 years, because during this time political leaders can fall from grace.

Venus retrogrades also signal reversals in the stock market, but they can be totally erratic and frequent. So.... it can go up one day and down the next. I am not predicting anything here, so please don't gambol the farm.

In terms of money, you should review your spending patterns (like you haven't already been doing this). By reviewing your values - what you want vs. what you need. And as I wrote above, we all need love and beauty. By examining our values, we might find that we wish to make changes. I suggest you wait until after Venus goes direct to make some of those changes. This is not a good time for major purchases, remodeling your house, getting married or divorced, because your choices right now might actually be the opposite of those you would normally make.

You could end up with an orange house with purple trim that you will only love 45 days every year and a half. But you will LOVE it then! Maybe that's better than never loving it. LOL!

Since Venus is in Aries, it's a good time for new beginnings. Astrology and flower essences are tools that can help you can gain insight as to what is next in your life. Contact me for a reading.

'Let the Beauty We Love Be What We Do' is from a poem by Rumi.