Taurus New Moon - April 21, 2012

The day before Earth Day the Moon is in the first earth sign, Taurus. Connected to the Egyptian goddess Ma'at>matter>mother, the foundation of manifestation. It rules the sensual and all sensory experience. We connect to the outer world through our senses. We take in information through sight, sound, smell, touch, taste...then process it and interpret it.

With Neptune in Pisces we have access to other senses. How will this affect our thoughts and ideas? Perhaps we will be more able to connect with animals, plants, beings on other dimensions. We will come to understand that our dreams are perceptions from another dimension...not just fantasy...but experiences.

Taurus also has to do with our resources, talents, gifts. During these difficult economic times, we need to recognize that we are more than our stuff, that we have inner resources we can call upon and, most important, we are not alone. We are part of the Creation. We have alienated ourselves willingly or should I say willfully!

Most of us, especially the young, spend way too much time indoors and connected to electronic media of one sort or another. We have lost touch with Nature. This New Moon is conjunct Ceres the Great Mother, Goddess of the Harvest. Her daughter, Persephone, was abducted by Pluto (God of Death and Transformation) and taken to Hades, the underworld. While she searched for her daughter and mourned her absence, Ceres (Demeter) made the earth a wasteland. In her preoccupation with the loss of her daughter, she ignored her duties as Earth Mother and let everything die.

Lately, there have been many shows on KPFA radio about the nuclear disaster at Fukushima Daiichi. As far as I know, since I never listen to them and don't have TV, the corporate media have moved on, as if it's over. There are others who continue to monitor the situation. I heard yesterday that if there is another earthquake of at least 7.0, the pools that are containing the released contamination will not be able to be maintained. If they break, it will mark 'the end of civilization.'  Now you tell me, what is the likelihood of an earthquake in Japan or nearby?

Pluto released on the world. Ceres lamenting her daughter and paralyzed by grief. We need to help bring Ceres back to life so she can restore the green earth and put Pluto back underground where he belongs. No more nuclear plants. No more oil and gas pumped out of the ground. We need to implement alternative sources of energy - sun and wind, and discover others. We need to stop using so much. We are more than our stuff and if we don't finally get that...we will all perish. Dire, yes and true.

So this New Moon and Earth Day, make a commitment to use less gas, electricity and plastic and to spend more time in Nature. Plant something, even if it's just a pot of geraniums on your deck or in your window. Get closer to the green while you can.

I want to end with this quote taken from The Mountain Astrologer April/May 2012 issue:

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, were nature may heal and give strength to body and soul." (John Muir)

New Moon in Aries - March 22, 2012

Is it just me or does time seem to be moving faster and faster? I try to keep up with these New and Full Moons, but they usually go by so fast I am not able to do it. Of course, this time, the New Moon is in Aries and conjunct Uranus so that might also have something to do with it.

Meanwhile, Mercury is retrograde conjuncting this New Moon and Mars is still retrograde in Virgo making for challenging times at best. I have been having a hard time thinking straight, talking and not crashing into everything in my environment. While, yes, it could be related to the aging process (shut up you), I feel it is connected to Uranus in Aries.

Aries tends to be really good at rushing around without a lot of thought and thus leads to accidents, so BE CAREFUL!

Even though it's in my 8th house (other people's money) I sure don't want to get it from an insurance company.

An amazing thing about this New Moon is that it opposes the Super Galactic Center (SGC) at 2 degrees Libra - the black hole around which our Milky Way galaxy and many other galaxies revolve.

According to Stephanie Austin in The Mountain Astrologer "The stellar transmissions emanating from the SGC function as a spiritual beacon, triggering memories of our cosmic origins and destiny. Streaming across millions of light years, they impel us to embody the talents and tasks encoded in our birth charts." Heady stuff!

Problem is... most people have no idea what their birth charts mean, let alone seeing the 'talents and tasks' encoded there.This is where you need the 'talents and tasks' of an astrologer, trained to read that chart. I am available for in person or telephone readings. Contact me via email to set up an appointment.

This New Moon coming just 3 days after the Spring Equinox is the perfect time to set your course for the year. It is considered the beginning of the year and corresponds to New Year is some calendars.

Next week, March 28 - through April 1 is the final 5 day month (wayeb) of the Mayan Haab or solar calendar. In that system, April 2 will be New Year's Day 0 Pop. See my 2012 blog for more on this.

You may not be able to act on your goals quite yet...until we get through this Mars retrograde ending April 13, and this Mercury retrograde, ending April 4, but you can prepare for your Spring forward.

Since I teach a course on the Mayan Calendar and 2012 at a local Junior College, many people ask what will happen on December 21, 2012.

Part of my answer is, what is happening now? And how are you dealing with it? Is your life and that of those around you falling apart? Are you in denial or are you actively seeking to solve your problems? If there were 'an answer', what difference would it make? If you can't follow through on the daily goals you set yourself, can't control your addictions, can't control your behavior....you will still be at the mercy of events rather than the master of your Universe.

We are in the thick of it now folks. What you do and think moment by moment creates your reality and sets the tone for the rest of the year and even the rest of your life.

As for the 'end of the world'...well, does the world look anything like it did even a year ago? Things end and begin constantly. Life is change at all levels. Get used to it. Learn resilience. Challenge yourself by going outside your usual boundaries of behavior.

Pluto in Capricorn is in the process of destroying and rebuilding the structures of the consensus world. If you are willing to risk, you could become a pioneer in a whole different field. But it won't happen if you sit and
wait. What that will bring is loss and destruction.

This New Moon is about starting new things. You don't have to finish....just start. Experimentation, trying new ways of being. Be ready to let them go if they don't work out. Nothing ventured, nothing gained...an old adage, but still true.

Imagine yourself a little child, eager, curious, active, in wonder at the creation. Running after butterflies, picking up this and that. Not a care in the world. Delighted to be alive. New Moon in Aries.

Pisces New Moon - Feb. 21, 2012

New Moons are times of new beginnings, but with Mars retrograde in Virgo, this is not the best time to start anything. Rather, it is time to work on things that have already been started and to complete things.

That being said, I think this is a good time to make progress in healing your spiritual connection to the earth. With this New Moon conjunct Neptune and Chiron and other bodies (see below), we have a unique opportunity to heal deep wounds regarding spirituality and the deepest one...that affects all of us and may lead to our ultimate destruction,
our alienation from Mother Earth.

Sometime in our history we severed our connection to Nature, other people, and ultimately to ourselves.
By making Earth an 'it', we thought we could do anything to her and we did. Now we face total destruction due to environmental degradation.

Despite the statement in the Bible: "From dust thou art, to dust you will return", we seem to have forgotten our origins and the necessity to stay connected. In addition, we dismissed those who did not forget: native tribal peoples from every land, as ignorant savages and heathens damned to the fires of hell.

Now we are paying for it.

Depression is one of the most prevalent maladies in the industrialized modern world. Prescription drugs are so common, they are now one of the largest polluters of water, as they pass through the body and end up in the water supply. Some even recommend Prozac for 4 year olds. What's going on?

Alienation from Source and disconnect from our earthly roots.

Rather than following the celestial bodies across the sky, staying in sync with the seasons, knowing the life cycles of the animals and plants that are part of our environment, we follow strangers on Twitter, watch every move of 'celebrities' and take our cues from 'the rich and famous'.

We are shocked by the deaths of these icons from drugs and alcohol, wondering how this could happen, not realizing that they have been unconsciously carrying the weight of our projections. We have been willing to settle for 'the toxic mimic' to use a phrase from Caroline Casey. The illusion rather than the real thing.

This New Moon is conjunct Neptune, Chiron and Pallas Athene. Mercury and Vesta are also in Pisces right now, supporting us in our healing relation to Source, the Earth and each other. The veils are thinning between the dimensions. We may find ourselves with increased access to wisdom keepers of all kinds.

Stephanie Austin in The Mountain Astrologer writes about an additional celestial guardian conjunct this New Moon - Fomalhaut - a fixed star which was the first one seen by the Hubble Space Telescope. It has an extrasolar planet in orbit. Traditionally one of the four royal stars of Persia it was used in navigation for
centuries. It is associated with the Angel Gabriel - the angel of Incarnation and Consolation who instructs the souls before their arrival on Earth. He is also the angel who appeared to Muhammad (pbuh) and urged him to "recite", resulting in the oral teaching that became the Qur'an.

This a sacred time for healing and reconnecting to the deeper aspects of life. Take the time to meditate, pray, or do whatever spiritually based practices you engage in. If you don't have any....find one that gives you peace and helps you connect to yourself, the Earth and others.

Aquarius New Moon - January 22-23, 2012

In general, New Moons are times of new beginnings. This is doubly true with this one since it is also Chinese New Year - a Dragon Year at that!

One of the qualities of Aquarius that you might find helpful right now...they can be VERY objective...even about themselves. They have the ability to change their lives in radical ways and not look back. This might be a useful thing to keep in mind these days. Learn to reframe 'loss' into 'making room for something new'. Learn to regard 'change' into something to look forward to and embrace, rather than something that upsets your apple cart.

With Uranus in Aries and Mars stationing retrograde in Virgo, the energy is challenging: full speed ahead/slow way down at the same time. This could lead to a very frustrating situation especially those with a lot of fire in their charts. Don't burn up your motor!

Rather take this Mars retrograde time to strategize and plan, so that when it goes direct April 13, you can leap ahead. You could make more progress in a shorter time, if you act with precision - one of the greatest qualities of Virgo. With laser-like focus, all your energy is put to its best use. No waste. So slow down to accomplish more.

Let this New Moon show you where you want to focus that laser in your life. The new beginning that you want to manifest in the next phase of your life.

This New Moon forms a T-square with Jupiter and Saturn which are asking you to check-in with your moral compass when you set your intentions. We are in a time when everything that you do and say has an effect on the future. Karma no longer takes lifetimes. We get it back in minutes now. Therefore, don't think you can get away with anything anymore. You must walk your talk; be the person you strive to be now; and get real.

While we may have the tendency to complain...and there's a lot to complain about... open your 'magic backpack' (another clever invention of Caroline Casey) and look for solutions... to your own problems and those of your 'peeps'. See how resourceful you can be rather than waiting for someone to rescue you.

Don't waste any time on fear or worry. Stay in present time so when the solution comes (and it will) you are paying attention and can recognize it.

Remember that old Chinese proverbs offer this blessing: "May you live in interesting times". That is putting it mildly. These are indeed, interesting times.

New Moon Eclipse in Sagittarius - November 24-25

This is a very powerful celestial event for a number of reasons.

1) New Moons are seen as times for beginning new things. The days of darkness when the moon is not visible can be times for gestating that which wishes to be born. It is birthed at the New Moon.

2) Eclipses - alignments of Sun and Moon - are portals through which souls enter and leave this dimension. Our alignment with the ultimate portal - the Galactic Center further emphasizes the potential of this alignment. This Eclipse is 25 degrees from the GC, considered to be too far to be a conjunction in astrology, but not that far to have an effect. So.. the portal created by the alignment of our Sun and Moon is connected to the portal (black hole) at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy which was seen, by the ancients Mayans, as the place of death and rebirth adding further power to this New Moon Eclipse. See my 2012 blog for more on this.

3) Venus is only 1 degree from the GC during this New Moon Eclipse. The cultures of ancient Mesoamerica saw Venus as the god of war. They timed their 'star wars' according to the cycle of Venus. This particular transit of Venus will pass right in front of the Sun, a very rare alignment.

4) The sign of Sagittarius represents the Spiritual Seeker, the one who searches for higher meaning and truth. The Archer aims its arrow at the highest potential available to each one of us no matter our current circumstances.

5) In Evolutionary Astrology, a system brought forth by Jeffrey Wolf Green, Sagittarius and the ninth house represent what is called 'natural law' as contrasted with man-made law.

Since many of the man-made institutions are collapsing during this time, this New Moon Eclipse in Sagittarius might be the ideal time to DO something that is in alignment with the life you want.
Alberto Villoldo says:

"The only way to end this dreadful reality is to awaken to the fact that it, too, is a dream, and recognize our ability to write a better story, one that the Universe will work with us to manifest. The nature of the cosmos is such that whatever dream you have about yourself and the world will become reality."

We need to focus on the world we want to live in then dream it into being by keeping the vision before us.

The Occupy Movement seems to be focusing on what is wrong and needs to change. Unfortunately there are few goals. One of the things that bothered me in the 60s when I was actively protesting the Vietnam War
etc, was that few had suggestions about what we would do if we won our battles with the system. What would we replace it with?

I see a similar problem now. We have gotten so dependent on the infrastructure, the system, even the government. What do we actually want to do? Is the goal merely to be allowed to have tent cities in
every town? I doubt it.

Because we have been encouraged to seek solutions outside ourselves, we don't realize we have to look inside first. The shift has to happen inside before you will ever see it on the outside. If we withdrew our
participation - stop spending your money at corporate-owned businesses, we would have more effect than camping out in the street. Every time we buy stuff at big box stores we fund the corporations.

People are frustrated, angry, scared. We are living a life of projection and blame. In some ways it is easier to yell at someone than to change our own behavior. If everyone quit smoking, that would put the tobacco companies (among the richest and most powerful influences in the world today) out of business. But instead, we want to keep our habit and make them pay more taxes. We expect the system to go against itself and do things against their self-interest.

How many of the Occupy people are using cell phones? Are they thinking about all the electro-magnetic pollution they are causing? or how the people who make the phones are living at the lowest economic levels in the world? Are they thinking about the risk to their own health? the possibility of brain cancer? Who will they blame if it happens? They want their cell phone and to end economic exploitation too.

The fact is... I hate to say it...but most of the people yelling the loudest are angry because they want it all. They want to be part of the 1% and are pissed off because they just found out the American Dream is not true anymore. Actually, it never was. It was always a way to get people to buy things. "You too can own a home, drive a new car every year, have it all...." It was a marketing scheme folks. Dreamed up by Madison
Avenue. Speaking of which, why is no one occupying Madison Avenue? That is the real culprit. Madison Avenue invented the American Dream. Much more so than Wall street. The money made on Wall Street was used to buy stuff promoted on Madison Avenue.

I challenge everyone to not buy anything this Christmas from anyone except a local craftsperson. Or better yet, make all your own gifts. Make homemade jam, cookies, or flavored vinegars. Package and decorate yourself. There is plenty of time before Christmas if you start now. Take all that pent-up anger and frustration at the system and use it creatively. That way, you will manifest beauty with your energy rather than destruction. Use the money you saved when you quit buying cigarettes, coffee at Starbuck's, a new cell phone.

Scorpio New Moon October 26, 2011

As often happens, I don't remember in advance, then something comes up and I don't post the "moons" until they are over. But... what also often happens is that I get an inspiration during the "moon" that relates...so here is the New Moon download...

Went to see the most recent Harry Potter movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows II, which I think is the last one. I saw it at the bargain show which features films that are no longer in the main theater around the corner (for way too much money), but still sought after. But the timing was perfect, of course...New Moon in Scorpio! Something ends (after much drama of course) and you are left standing, bloodied, in the rubble ready for a new life. But what shall you do now? Indeed. Have you ever felt like that?

I sat up close, which I normally don't do, but this time I wanted to be totally immersed. When I walked out of the theater, I was dizzy and feeling like I was in an altered state. The sky was dark and light at the same time. It was around 5:15 pm and there was an imminent luminescence to it...kind of like a solar eclipse. I had the feeling that indeed, Lord Voldemort was dead and a new world was possible. I felt hope! A heaviness I had been carrying for a long time was suddenly gone. I felt a new world was/is possible.

My mind immediately edited "wait a minute, that was just a movie!" Or was it? The first Harry Potter book came out June 30, 1997. As they were released, they were a publishing phenomenon. Bookstores scheduled huge events anticipating the next release. People lined up in the street for hours to get them. There were religious leaders who banned them. Schools designed curricula around them. They had a huge effect on the collective psyche.

While in Salt Lake City in 2004, I read a headline story in the newspaper about how a local teacher had been having more success with his students after re-designing his curriculum in terms of Hogwarts. Chemistry is much more interesting when renamed "Potions".

Knitting became the latest rage...and has since diminished.

And how does this relate to Scorpio? The major theme of the series according to J.K. Rowling, "My books are largely about death. They open with the death of Harry's parents. There is Voldemort's obsession with conquering death and his quest for immortality at any price, the goal of anyone with magic. I so understand why Voldemort wants to conquer death. We're all frightened of it."

I would add power. Death and power, two major Scorpionic themes.

Read more about Harry Potter at the wikipedia entry here.

So just like Harry and his friends, here we are, the world is in ruins around us (literally true in much of the world) and this is a new day. What does the world you want to see look like? Do you want to reconstruct what has been destroyed? or create something totally new. It's up to you.

In general, New Moons are times of beginnings. The Fall Season is a time of completion, moving toward the time of going within. So how can we integrate these two energies? With the New Moon in Scorpio, sign of death and rebirth, deep process and transformation, we can begin a process of reviewing the recent past to determine what progress we have made in our personal goals, investigate ways we could improve our 'performance', then develop a strategy for making changes.

We might realize we need more education or training, or that we need to start an exercise program, or change our eating habits. This process could take the next few months, but by Spring, we should be totally on board with it. This might seen as a 'retrograde' time in which we review, re-evaluate, re-frame.... integrating what worked, releasing what doesn't, so that we are ready for 2012.

It is very important that we listen for guidance and with Neptune going direct in two weeks, Spirit is readily available to provide it. The veils are thin and getting thinner. Many societies honor this time of the year with ceremony and ritual. All Soul's Eve, Halloween, Dia de los Muertos are just a few. This is the time when the Shadow dances in the street.

According to Stephanie Austin, "Our shadow holds not only our less desirable qualities, but also anything that has been repressed--our gifts, our truth, our light. When we identify with one side of a polarity, we unconsciously project its opposite outward, imprisoning ourselves in separation and suffering."

Time to work towards wholeness by embracing and accepting all parts of ourselves. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. What this means to me is that our past traumas may become the source of our highest inspiration.

I have been called to write a book. After many years and suggestions by many friends and acquaintances, I have surrendered to doing it. Many topics have run through my mind... my interests and travels, but the one topic that probably has most value is the one I have avoided talking about. Few people who know me, know this part of my life, but.... I think it has therapeutic value, so I am going to do it.

Just today, I had another message from Source that this is the topic. It concerns healing from the trauma of domestic violence. Still a taboo topic, even here in the 'enlightened' west.

With my Sun in Gemini in the 10th house, and my South Node in Scorpio conjunct Chiron in the 3rd house...North Node in Taurus in the 9th, I feel that my ultimate healing from this part of my life, will come with the telling of my story.

Dr. Christiane Northrup says, "All healing comes from the story you tell yourself." But, I also think you have to tell your story to others, both to heal yourself, and to help them heal themselves. Silence resulting from shame or fear of rejection, causes trauma to fester becoming more damaging. It becomes more and more toxic.

Out in the light of day the trauma has less power over us... like bringing the vampires into the sunshine. They shrivel and die, losing their hold over their victims and finally being put to rest. Our hidden secrets of abuse, like vampires which come out at night and disturb our sleep, keeping us hyped up and stressed out, cannot live when brought into the limelight of Truth.

New Moon in Leo - July 30, 2011

Once again we are in the time of the New Moon - a time of new beginnings. With things changing as rapidly as they are, some of us are not necessarily wanting anything new...Let's just keep what we have for awhile!

Yet, this New Moon in Leo conjunct Venus, trine Uranus - combines Creativity and Love with Values. Innovation and Courage to put our Creations out into the world. We have the energy now to create what we love and care most about. Take some time to think about what is most important to you, but don't just think about it - DO SOMETHING!!!

For me, one flower can brighten my day, or the sound of a certain bird that only sings early in the morning and at dusk and only during the early Summer. I don't know where that bird goes the rest of the year, but it is only here at these specific times.

I know this because I have lived in the same house now for 17 years and am finally becoming familiar with the beings I share this land with. Recently I have been thinking about selling my house, using to money to
improve my daily life. But then I heard that bird. I knew that I would lose that if I moved into town. What is the value of that bird song to me? It soothes my heart, brightens my soul. Priceless.

Can I create what I need right here so that I don't have to move? This New Moon in Leo conjunct Venus challenges us to find ways to create what we love and value. If not now, when? We have nothing to lose. we need to just go for it.

Today it seems that we base our self worth on not who we are but what we have..how much money, how much stuff. we feel we are failures if we have not 'succeeded' in achieving financial stability or wealth. With all that is occurring with the economy these days, there are few who are 'successful' or stay that way for long. Even those who once had it all are losing it.

The challenge is to not take it personally....one way or the other. We forget that 'we' are a drop in the ocean.. no better or worse than any other drop.

Often our success or failure depends on the decision of another person over whom we have no control. We get the fantastic job or we get laid off and our lives are affected deeply. We think we 'did' something.

The shadow of Leo is taking credit for everything. Thinking we are all powerful and that we are entitled to special treatment. The Pluto in Leo generation, now seniors, is really having a hard time with this. Some of us think that we deserve to have it all even if we did not put in the effort to have it. I am so grateful for the social security check I get each month. I marvel at it really. At the same time, I look at my circumstances and ask myself "How did this happen?" It's like I woke up one day shocked at my situation.

For me, this is the 'proof' of karma. There is no other explanation. Our past lives DO affect our present.
However, I have also found that any work done in the present to heal the past, has repercussions forward and backward in time. We heal not only our present life, but all that has come before and all that will follow.

The healing occurs in an instant. The work to facilitate that healing can take years. And yet it is worth it.

In September I will begin the training in Deep Memory Process (DMP) created by Roger Woolger, facilitated by Patricia Walsh. I have sacrificed a lot to be able to do this training.

Right now I am searching for ways to pay for the airline ticket. I have paid for the training in New York and need to fly there in one month. As of this moment, I don't have the money for the ticket.

Some would say this is an extravagance I cannot afford. I have prayed and meditated over it and I am certain that I am called to do this work. My entire life has been leading me to this. Like all pilgrimages, there are
challenges and dangers. I was recently diagnosed with Lyme Disease and am currently in treatment for it. I was experiencing the worst pain of my life. I knew it was part of the shamanic healing process and that it is 'now or never'. I must heal my past life traumas. I must finally deal with my issues so that I am totally available to help others through these difficult times.

More and more people are coming to me for answers. My astrology and flower essence practice is growing. I cannot afford NOT to go to this training.

I am seeking donations for my airline ticket.If you are wiling to donate, go to Paypal, enter my email address and give a personal gift. Any amount would be appreciated. I must raise around $800.00 in a week. I trust Spirit to take care of it for me.

I love this quote from Clarissa Pinkola Estes taken from the Mountain Astrologer, June/July 2011 issue:
"One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times. The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires, causes proper matters to catch fire. To display the lantern of soul in shadowy times like these--to be fierce and to show mercy toward others; both are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity."

Priceless!

New Moon in Taurus May 2011

New Moon in Taurus. Five planets in Aries including Venus, how might we look at this combination? Aries initiates, Taurus makes it real. Fire and Earth. Active and Passive.
Business as usual is not an option anymore. Whether we like it or not, our lives are changing. Better to let go than to try to cling to the past. Discomfort is actually lessened by 'going with the flow' than by resisting stubbornly.

I was speaking to a woman yesterday with a stellium in Cancer, opposed by Pluto in Capricorn. She indicated that her life was falling apart and that she had no idea what to do, and yet, she was closed and dismissive. It was one of those 'yes, but' situations.

She would ask for my thoughts on her situation, but would not listen to my response. After a few exchanges of this nature, I decided to stop playing her game, seeing how much I was attached to 'trying to help'. I asked her how she had dealt with issues in the past and she said she had never had any difficulties until now.

On the one hand I thought her fortunate that her life had been so perfect until now, but I also saw that she had no practice in dealing with challenges.

If you feel your life has always been difficult, consider yourself lucky. You know how to survive tough times. Your survival muscles are well-developed and you know options exist, even if you can't yet see them. Just that knowledge puts you ahead of the game.

Aries advises that we DO something rather than thinking too much. As for what to do, Taurus New Moon suggests that we act in accordance with our values. What do you love? What brings you joy? What do you care about?

We have been made to believe by society that money is of utmost importance and that without it we are powerless. Remember that human beings lived for millenia without money.

Stephanie Austin in the Mountain Astrologer asks the question: "If you had one year to live, how would you spend it? What were your childhood dreams?"

I suggest you take a little time during this New Moon to consider these questions and then move forward on the path that reveals itself.

New Moon in Aquarius - Feb. 2-3, 2011 The Winds of Change are Upon Us

Aquarius is associated with equality, humanity and new ideas. It has two rulers: Uranus, god of change, revolution and disruption; and Saturn, god of time, karma and structure. It is an air sign, although it's symbol is the water-bearer. Some say this represents the Egyptian god who flooded the Nile every year.
Isn't it amazing that Egypt is in turmoil at this time of the New Moon? Ancient Egypt was one of the early high cultures of the world and the place where astrology was developed into an art and a science. Islam came early to Egypt since it is so close to Arabia and it has been a stable country for decades. Egypt has been a friend of the U.S. for quite a long time. Considered a stable Islamic country with a secular government. A major tourist destination. Now what?
Everyone is in the streets, demanding change. What's going on? Why, after nearly 30 years of leading the country must the leader go NOW! Uranus! Soon to be in Aries. The co-ruler of Aquarius, says NOW! Change must occur NOW! The kind of change Uranus and Aquarius demand often means trauma for many people. Not content with gradual change, when Uranus gets a bug up its behind, gotta change NOW!

Not only are the Sun and Moon in Aquarius, but also Chiron, Mars, Neptune and Ceres. No doubt these added players are creating more pressure to change the status quo.

I suggest you take the time to breathe, have a cup of tea and take the time to relax in the next couple days, until this is over. With Jupiter in Aries and Uranus at the final degrees of Pisces, about to go into Aries as well, one could easily go into overwhelm.

The chart for this New Moon, in addition to all those planets and asteroids in Aquarius, has the North Node, Pluto, Mercury, Vesta, and Pallas Athene in Capricorn. Clearly, the forces of change are lined up against the forces of resistance...a little too much strife for me.

In addition, Uranus and Jupiter are making a T Square to the nodes. Best to lie low as much as you can.

On the other hand, all this energy might be just what you need to get moving and accomplish a lot. It depends on your nature. As to how it affects you, that depends on how centered you are. Meditate, pray, do whatever you do to set your intentions, then GO!

If you have a plan, you can accomplish a lot, if you don't you'll just be spinning your wheels and getting frustrated.
 
Where there is life, there is change, No change equals stagnation, death. My feeling is that you either consciously face change and accept it gracefully or have it forced upon you in ways you don't want.
 
 

New Moon in Gemini - June 12, 2010

Tomorrow is the New Moon in Gemini and according to Stephanie Austin in The Mountain Astrologer, relates to how we "receive, perceive and exchange information at every level of our being."

A New Moon is actually a conjunction of the Sun and Moon and represents both the completion of one lunar cycle and the beginning of the next. So we might take a few moments to notice what might be ending and what wants to be born.

A square to Saturn in Virgo may serve to anchor and ground creative thoughts brought in with this New Moon in Gemini, so that they do not blow away in the whirlwind.

Austin suggests that if we are confused, we need more information. For those of us who have a lot of Mercury, Gemini or third house energy, and thus might already feel overwhelmed with information, it might be more useful to use the square to Saturn in Virgo as an opportunity to organize and classify this information so that it is more available. Kind of like going through your files, throwing out what is out of date and organizing the rest for easy access.

I have Sun and Uranus in Gemini and this New Moon will be within orb of a conjunction to Uranus. I also have Virgo rising and South Node and Chiron in the third house. I have been collecting information all my life. Sometimes I feel like a library.

Another feature of Gemini is state of mind and perception. While I admit that I am feeling confused these days, getting more information does not feel like the right thing for me to do.

Instead, I am taking my lead from the Tarot card I drew yesterday....The Hanged Man. One of the interpretations for this card is that one needs to change their perspective. This makes a lot of sense to me.

Sometimes we cannot change our physical circumstances, but we can change our thoughts about them. Last year at this time I had a broken ankle and could not get out of my house without assistance. I was not able to
drive and was dependent on others to bring my groceries and do my laundry. As strange as it might sound, I found myself wishing I had that 'excuse' for not doing anything right now. I truly want to do nothing, because I feel unable to figure out what to do, but feel I can't justify that. Last year, I could not do anything and so was off the hook with a legitimate excuse. While it took a few days to accept my situation, I had to.

I surrendered to my powerlessness and began to find satisfaction is very small things. My power came when I saw how resilient and resourceful I am. I began to appreciate my inner resources. I had plenty of books and craft projects around to keep me busy. I produced a Powerpoint slide show of over 200 slides that I now use in my classes on Mayan Hieroglyphs. I did a lot of research and organized it into the classes I now teach.

I was immobilized physically, but my creativity was working just fine.

Because of the recent entry of Uranus and Jupiter in Aries, we may feel the need to act. In fact, we may be jumping with energy and the push to 'do' something. But action without forethought often causes disaster, so slow down during this New Moon, think, plan and prepare, so that you can act effectively in the next few months.

We need everyone to be as effective as possible in the next few months and years. No more rash action. Stop and think.

For those of you who could use some more information, this is a great time to get it. Open yourself to the energy streaming in from the conjunction of the two lights in Gemini.

Lighten Your Load, Enlighten Your Soul - New Moon December 16, 2009

The upcoming New Moon in Sagittarius at 24°39' on December 16, 2009, is conjunct the current location of the Galactic Center at 26°55'.

An enormous Black Hole was discovered at the center of our Milky Way Galaxy through the huge amounts of electromagnetic energy pouring out from it. Gamma, x-ray, infrared and radio waves coming out of the Galactic Center affect the electromagnetic fields of Earth and all its inhabitants.

This upcoming New Moon (conjunction of Sun and Moon) is conjunct the Galactic Center. Occurring just 5 days before the Solstice on December 21, I believe this is a very significant New Moon for seeding our intention for the next several years.

In general, New Moons represent new beginnings. A time to set your intention for the coming month. In many cultures, the month begins with the New Moon. The New Moon is actually the first sighting of the Moon after 2/3 days of Dark Moon - not being able to see the Moon at all.

Since we are only 3 years from December 21, 2012, I plan to set my intention on this New Moon because it is conjunct the Galactic Center and, significantly for me, conjunct my natal Jupiter and opposing my natal Uranus. This New Moon seeds my life for the next three years.

In my last long post on my 2012 blog, I wrote about the importance of focus. Interestingly, Stephanie Austin in her article in the current issue of The Mountain Astrologer, reiterates that theme saying "This New Moon in Sagittarius urges us to look deeply at our lives and the choices we are making. It reminds us of the power of focus -- just as a laser can do much more than a scattered beam of light, so our consciousness is vastly more powerful when we concentrate on our life purpose and what really matters."

Sagittarius, the ninth sign in the astrological cycle is represented by a man with the body of a horse. He holds a bow and aims his arrow high, seeking the answers to the BIG QUESTIONS.... What is the meaning of life? Why am I here? What is my purpose? Where did I come from? Where am I going?

While many people content themselves with job, family, home and recreation, some of us (like me) have been motivated to seek the answers to these questions. Since I have been on Facebook, I have been reuniting with many old friends and lovers. I was curious to see "how they turned out." They did the usual things... married, got jobs, had children, bought a house.

I have sought none of those things. Instead, I have been studying, traveling, sitting at the feet of spiritual teachers, meditating and contemplating the meaning of life, for as long as I can remember. Learning that my natal Jupiter conjuncts the Galactic Center and my natal Uranus opposes the GC, have helped me understand why I was so driven. Although we all have the GC at the same degree of Sagittarius in our natal charts, we vary in our house placements and planetary aspects. For a Galactic Center reading, please contact me.

The GC is located in my 4th house, which represents 'where you are coming from'. This can mean your home and family background, cultural conditioning, traditions you grew up with. I can also mean your soul's origin, the place you came from... in the larger sense. By contrast, the 10th house is who you will be in the world - your 'career' and what you will achieve while on planet Earth. You are born from the 4th house, you mature into the 10th and when you die, you return to the 4th.

With my Sun and Uranus in Gemini in the 10th house and Ascendant in Virgo, I see that part of my 'reason for being here' is to serve as a spokesperson for this time of cycle ending. Only after my many years of study, my travels and my experiences am I able to fulfill my mission.

I see my mission as twofold: 1) teaching the writing system so people can read what the ancient Maya said or did not say. 2) assisting people during this challenging time of transformation/transition through plant-based modalities such as flower essences and aromatherapy.

I teach courses on Maya Hieroglyphs, the Calendar and 2012, so, I read whatever I can find on these topics. As you can imagine, the quantity of material is increasing as we approach the date of December 21, 2012, the end of a cycle of 5125 years. There is very little that is original. Most is a rearranging of what others have said. I admit, it is difficult to have original ideas about this, because the 'data' is so limited. By data, I am referring to what the ancient Maya actually wrote. What we mostly have is New Age interpretation of the meaning of this upcoming event.

From time to time, I find something in this perusal of the literature that I believe can help people navigate this time period. Two concepts are crucial at this time and one might consider them especially during this New Moon.

The first is that of releasing and letting go. Lately many of us are being 'forced' to let go. Our lives may be more about loss than anything else right now. The secret then is to be okay with it. Mourn and grieve for a time, but move on. See yourself as on a journey where holding on weighs you down. You need to be free to move forward. Like refugees who start out with huge packs on their backs, then shed them as they go, leaving piles of stuff along the road, drop your baggage. It is weighing you down and where you are going, you won't need it. There is no way to fully prepare for what is coming so don't encumber yourself with packets of food or extra clothes.

The second is focus your attention and intention on the light up ahead. Make yourself into a laser beam which will connect you to the Light that is being directed towards us at this time. The more concentrated your light, the faster and easier it will be for you to move.

The word 'focus' is from Latin and it means 'hearth, cooking fire'. Traditionally, this was the center of a home or community. It later became symbolized as the place where the sacred fire was kept - an altar.

Mayan Cosmology, as reflected in the sky, posits the 'hearth of heaven', the 'three stone place' as composed of three stars, while the hearth of Earth is the traditional cooking fire in the home. The 'three stone place' is the place of creation. It is marked by Alnitak (one of the three stars in the belt of Orion), Saiph and Rigel)(Alnitak is in the position which corresponds to the Great Pyramid at Giza.) At the center of this triangular 'hearth' sits the M42 nebula which often appears 'smoky' due to clouds. One might ask themselves how the Maya could see this with unaided vision.

Sufis see the heart as the center of the human being. Cultivating the fire in the heart has to do with compassion, acceptance, forgiveness - Love. Many of the spiritual practices of Sufism have to do with removing the rust that coats the heart and prevents us from truly seeing each other as the sparks of the Divine that we truly are. Our hearts have become armored through betrayal, disappointment, and fear. Our job is purify ourselves by letting go of the pain - dropping our burden. We don't have to hang on to it. We need to move forward in Trust that all our needs will be taken care of. Lighten your load, enlighten your soul.

Now is the time to begin. Each moment offers another opportunity to begin again. The more times you begin the more chance you have of continuing. It is significant that this New Moon occurs the day before the Urs of Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi (Urs means the reunion with the Beloved, the wedding day - death.) One of his poems says:

Come, come, whoever you are.
Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving.
It doesn't matter.

Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vow
a thousand times.
Come, yet again, come, come.

~Inscribed on Rumi's Shrine in Konya, Turkey

Four years ago at this time, I was there along with pilgrims from all over the world. Another saying written in his tomb is: "Do not look for me in the tomb. I am not there. I am in the hearts of the Believers."

New Moon in Scorpio - November 16

There is a lot going on in the heavens right now and as the title of this blog... from the Emerald Tablets of Hermes Trismegistus say.. As Above, So Below, there is a lot going on here on Earth.

Most people I know are going through huge changes. It seems everyone in is flux.... moving, major changes in income (mostly going down), dealing with health challenges. There has been a lot of death of people and pets, among my acquaintances.

In addition to the New Moon, which is a conjunction of Sun and Moon, there are other significant transits occurring - the New Moon squares the ongoing conjunction of Juptier, Chiron and Neptune in Aquarius. If that weren't enough, Pluto squares Saturn the day before this New Moon. Whew! Can we find any stability in times like these?

Scorpio is a complex sign and one that is not easily understood, even by natives. They are often unable to understand themselves throughout their entire lives. Because of the depth and hidden nature of their ruling planet, Pluto, Scorpios who are not 'into' self-analysis or reflection, opt to live very material, externally motivated lives. Thus they can appear superficial. While this may be an unattractive, unexamined life that people reading this blog may want to avoid, it can give us a clue as to how to navigate this time of upheaval. Whatever is going on... don't take it personally. It is not your fault.

If you find that you are not able to figure out what to do next or what is going on....take a hint from the Scorpio/Taurus axis when it is 'unevolved'. Focus on the superficial. Huh? What I mean by this is... spend more time doing the small daily tasks. Cook your own food, rather than buying pre-made meals or going out. Can't cook? Learn. Start simple. Fix small things around the house, do crafts, wash the floor. Rather than adding to frustration and confusion by 'thinking' too much, stay grounded in mundane activities. Work on tangible things like...your yard, cleaning the closet, painting the bathroom.

This may appear to be 'denial' but by keep your mind and body occupied with tasks that are useful, practical and might save you some money, you will actually allow the intuitive function to kick in. Have you ever 'tried' to have a transcendent experience (without artificial means like drugs)? Did it work? But have they not just come to you while you were doing something else? - like walking in Nature. By keeping the mind and body busy, there is more space for the metaphysical to arrive. Inspiration often comes when you are not looking for it. I get a lot of ideas while washing dishes.

One of the metaphors for the transformational process is the butterfly. It begins as a caterpillar - an unattractive and, to some, disgusting creature. Certainly it is 'mindless' right? But....this so-called ignorant creature makes a cocoon around itself, goes to sleep and emerges as the extraordinary and magical creature we call a butterfly.

Does the caterpillar know what it is doing? Preparing an incubating chamber for its eventual transformation into a 'light being'? For all it knows, it is merely finding a twig, attaching itself then spinning the goo that comes out of its body into a home or a bed. The caterpillar/butterfly is 'programmed' to do this. It can no more say "No, I don't want to do this" than it can say, "I want it now, I don't want to wait, why do I have to bother with the cocoon?" "Why am I doing this?" It cannot stop its destiny.

Let us take our cue from this. Are we not also programmed to transcend, to ascend, to become light beings? Can we control the timing of it?

One of the lessons of now is that we are being asked (some would say forced) to surrender. We are being shown in many ways something that Gurdjieff said decades ago "we cannot do", which means that we live under many levels of laws of Nature etc. No matter how much we want the weather to be great on the day of the party we planned, we cannot control it. Our inability to control our circumstances, to make anything happen, to understand what is going on, to know what to do next....FRUSTRATING! A solution? Stop trying and just BE.

For those of us who subscribe to astrology, the planets also impose 'laws' on us. Saturn is the god of time. As long as we live at this level, we are subject to time. That includes timing. Sometimes the action is right, but the timing is not.

If you don't know what to do next...follow the teaching of Rumi: You are drunk and on the roof. Don't move or you will fall off. Just sit down where you are and be there. Learn to wait, be patient. (My interpretation)

Meanwhile, do what you CAN do...work on your cocoon. There is nothing you need to learn. You have it all already. It is part of your programming. Just take care of business on this plane as best you can.

Fifteen years ago, on November 12, 1994, I went to my first Sufi Dance in Sebastopol. Being involved in Sufism has been a very satisfying experience. I thank all my teachers. One of the teachings of Sufism is "die before death". I have often compared this to the teaching of Don Juan (Carlos Castaneda) who says to let death be an advisor.

If you died today, (no this is not morbid - it's Scorpionic) what would matter about your life? Who are you? asks the hookah smoking caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland. WHO ARE YOU? Are you your house, car, job, bills, material possessions? If they were all gone, would you die? If they.... who is 'they'? took it all away and you were standing there naked, what would you do next? Scream? Cry? Faint?

Stephanie Austin in her article for this New Moon in The Mountain Astrologer gives the following quote: You only really discover the strength of your spine when your back is against the wall." (James Geary).

I learned this lesson on the physical plane the Thanksgiving after getting involved with the Sufis when one of the group took some of us rock-climbing. First we paired off - one person blindfolded, the other the guide, climbing up a hill on the way to The Rock. An extremely valuable experience. I was blindfolded. My guide was so concerned about my getting hurt, she was not able to give me any direction. We barely moved up that hill because she was paralyzed by concern. Finally, I started moving by intuition. I used my inner sight, feeling my way up the hill to the point where I was leading her. As it turned out this experience bonded us and We became fast friends. She couldn't understand how I had done it. By conquering fear with my body, not my mind. Feeling my way up the hill through my body.

Once we had gotten up the hill, those of us who wanted to take the challenge, climbed up a 40ft rock with an experienced person up top holding the rope attached to our harness. We had to go up a crack. I got stuck. The space got too small to raise my knee to get my foot up to the next foothold. My arms were not strong enough to pull myself up. I was caught in the crack, hardly able to move. I started to panic. I thought about all the ways I could not do it - all my limitations. Halfway up (halfway down) almost ready to yell out to be 'rescued'.

I remembered to breathe, calm my mind, get still. Suddenly I felt all of my body, not just the parts that did not do what I wanted.... feet, legs, knees, arms, hands, but the rest as well. Not strong enough, no room to maneuver....stuck. But I also felt my back against the rock. I started to slither, like a snake. Pushing up against the rock, using the rock as my friend, rather than my enemy. My back against the wall, I slithered my way up those few inches that made the footholds accessible. I got to a place where I could function in the ways I was most accustomed to, but I did it by finding a new way to use my back (my weak point). Since I have always had 'a weak back' this was an amazing discovery. I had not used my back for carrying, but for slithering. A new use for a bad back. It felt miraculous.

I suggest you reassess everything in your life. Find new uses, be creative. Rather than look at what is not working in your life... turn it all upside down. See how the obstacles can be turned into foundations for new activities. Question all your assumptions. Better yet, get rid of your assumptions. Don't take NO (or yes, for that matter) for an answer. If you feel like your world is upside down use that as an opening to a new way of being.

The Universe is supporting our transformation despite what you think about it. Trust that.

New Moon in Gemini May 24

New Moons represent beginnings. It is a unique New Moon because it squares a rare triple conjunction of Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron.

While Jupiter and Neptune are conjunct every 12-13 years, and Jupiter and Chiron conjunct every 13-20, Neptune and Chiron conjunct between 57 and 80 years! Thus they may conjunct only once in a lifetime.

Perhaps this explains my recent accident, where I slipped, fell and broke my right ankle. Prior to the accident, which occurred while I was attending a Plant Spirit Healing Apprenticeship workshop, I had been slightly spraining both ankles for about a month. It was very disturbing and worrisome. I couldn't understand what was going on. Each time it happened, it was worse than the last. I live alone in a semi-rural area, with only one neighbor, who would never hear me if I were screaming for help. So, instead, I was among a group of healers-in-training when I fell and sprained my ankle so badly, it broke.

The significance was not lost on me. Nor was the 'luck' of being with a group of wonderful people, who were prepared to help me in so many ways. Thanks to the healing that was given to me by my friends.

I had just returned from communicating with a plant and talking to the chickens in the garden. The workshop was definitely operating on the Neptunian principle of the Unity of Creation. We were learning to enhance our relationship with the natural world by opening up to a different way of perceiving it. It was a shamanic journey. I got to be 'dismembered.'

Chiron was wounded in the ankle and because he was immortal, could not die, but rather suffered endlessly until a bargain was made among the gods so that Chiron could die. He became the constellation Sagittarius.

This triple conjunction is occurring in my 6th house, the house of healing, work, talents, and service. I feel that Chiron has given me the 'nod' and accepted me as a healer. I got initiated by Chiron.

The triple conjunction will go retrograde in the next two week period. Chiron will go retrograde on my 61st birthday, May 30!

Of course, the 'gift' from Chiron is not always appreciated. I am somewhat immobilized, since I can't drive or go outside. I must rely on others to help me. I must accept whatever help anyone can offer. Since I like my independence, this requires Surrender (another attribute of Neptune.)

When I had my Chiron return several years ago, it was just prior to being ordained as a minister of the Universal Worship. My mother took me on a trip to Crete where we went to an incredible tour called "Chiron, the Wounded Healer." She had no idea what that meant, nor did she know it was my Chiron return, but she thought it was something I would like. We had some incredible mother/daughter healing occur on that trip.

We also have a square to the triple conjunction from Mercury! It will station direct on my birthday as well. Now, there must be a message in all this for me. Since, as a Gemini with Virgo rising, Mercury is my significator planet and Pluto is opposing my natal Mercury.

The way I see all this? It is time for me to define, refine and then put out my message. The intention I stated at the beginning of the Plant Spirit Healing workshop was Surrender. Surrender does not mean 'giving up' or 'giving in.' It is setting the course - orientation to one's true purpose in life. It is more like Allowing What is Real and True to manifest.

I have a lot of time to think about what is next in my life. With the help of this New Moon and the influence of the powerful squaring planets, I see a path unfolding.

Capricorn New Moon - December 27

The New Moon is a conjunction between the Sun and the Moon. It resembles other conjunctions in that it represents the completion of one cycle and the beginning of another.

What is most noticeable about this New Moon is that in addition to the conjunction between Sun and Moon, there is a conjunction between Venus (the feminine principle)and its higher octave: Neptune; and between Mars (the masculine principle) and its higher octave: Pluto. Venus and Neptune are exact in Aquarius, Mars and Pluto are 1 degree apart in Capricorn, within 5 degree orb of the New Moon.

The two planets and two lights in Capricorn address the issue of our relationship to the physical world, the material plane. Clearly we need to come up with new ways of interacting with these aspects of life. For the last X number of years (some say 8,000) we have approached the Earth and her resources from a 'masculine' viewpoint, which is said to be aggressive, mental, opportunistic, destructive, exploitive....

These terms tend to be regarded as 'negative', but without the so-called masculine way of being, we would still be living as hunter-gatherers. I won't comment here on whether that is good or not. But ask yourself, would you prefer that? Be honest. No computers, no cell-phone, no microwave, no latte?

The 'problem' is that we have gone out of balance. We have focused on one type of energy at the expense of the other to the extent that we are now on the verge of destroying the Earth completely.

Mars and Pluto represent levels of the Will: Mars personal will; Pluto divine or collective will. Perhaps we are ready to summon our will, both personal and collective, to change our course, modify our direction.

Since Venus and Neptune, also conjunct, are 'ahead' of Mars and Pluto, in Aquarius, I see this as a sign and symbol of the re-emerging 'feminine' values: nurturing, intuitive, compassionate, resourceful, sustaining.... By the way, the Obama administration will be the first ever to have a First Grandmother in the White House! How's that for a re-emerging of the feminine!

The Sabian symbol for this New Moon at 7 degrees Capricorn is: "A veiled prophet speaks, seized by the power of a god; the ability to act as a mouthpiece for the revelation of a transcendent will and truth determining future action."

Sagittarius New Moon - November 27

I have been a bit distracted lately. A lot is cooking after the 2012 Conference. I am working out the details for a class I will be teaching on Mayan Hieroglyphs and the Mayan Calendar, and planning to put a class on CD that will be available in a couple of months and... I missed, or almost missed this incredible New Moon!

What adds to its significance is that on the same day, Uranus goes direct after being retrograde since June. Stephanie Austin in the Mountain Astrologer says its "like a red light turning green". Uranus is the Awakener, the God of Chaos, the Cosmic Wild Card. Turning direct it signals a time for a quantum leap.

From November 27 through December 31, there will be no planets retrograde and so a lot could happen in the next month. Austin calls the energy that is available "breakthrough or breakdown". Change or be changed.

I got an email from one of my teachers, Jane Bell. She said she is going to devote some time to creating a supportive infrastructure. That really got me thinking. Sometimes we are so focused on what we want to accomplish, we forget that unless we have a solid base to work from and nurturing support along the way, that is, if the foundation is not laid, we cannot get anywhere. The arrow of Sagittarius is pointing us in a direction. But don't forget to look at the rest of the symbol, which also has meaning. The bow and arrow are held by a man with the body of a horse. In addition to the arrow - the goal, look at the foundation - the horse. Don't forget to take care of your horse.

An expression I learned from the Sufis is "Pray to Allah, but tie your camel." We ask for Divine Inspiration (from whatever source) to give us this or that, but we fail to do our part by taking care of what we have in front of us.

The day before this New Moon, Pluto goes into Capricorn. The challenge is to create structures that are sustainable and equitable, not just to get back to business as usual. True, we all want economic recovery, but not the way things have been done in the past. Rather than seeing recent events as a disaster, see it as house cleaning, remodeling, tearing down a dilapidated structure to build a new one.

Pluto and Uranus are preparing us for a paradigm shift. They are leading us into a new way of doing things. Ya Hu!

"Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential" Barack Obama

Oh! I just love the sound of his voice! For 8 years, I couldn't listen to Bush, not only for what he said, but because his voice was so irritating. McCain was worse. A certain hissing like Golam in Lord of the Rings. Obama's voice is music to my ears. Oh Happy Day!

Full Moon in Aries - Oct. 14

It's Full Moon time again. Now that I am posting about the full and new moon phases - they seem to happen so fast! This time it's a Full Moon in Aries.

Stephanie Austin, in The Mountain Astrologer, says Full Moons are power times. She says we can better see where we are coming from and where we need go.

I don't know about you, but I feel sort of blah. Lots of ideas, but not enough energy to manifest them. I can definitely feel the days shortening and the temperature dropped 30 degrees in one week. Already at night it's 36 degrees!

Austin says that since the Moon is in Aries, ruled by Mars and the Sun is in Libra, ruled by Venus, this Full Moon has Venus energy(compassion and love) facing Mars energy (individuality and courage). She suggests that the more we develop our Aries side, our ability to know who we are and what we want, the better we can do Libra, the art of relating to and learning from someone who is different.

I agree completely. Most people need others in their life to fill their own emptiness or make up for their own lacks. Rather than identifying and exploring their own ideas, they follow others like sheep. Their lives are unsatisfying and empty. Depression and despair follow when and if they finally realize their condition.

Austin suggests we look for where the Sun is in our chart - 22 degrees Libra - this is where you are being called to negotiate and see things from another point of view. The Moon, at 22 degrees Aries, is where you need to clearly express your desires and intentions.

For me, Libra is in the second house - my resources and what I value - and Aries is in the eighth house - investments and other people's resources. Okay, in light of this advice, I am willing to receive copious and unlimited amounts of other people's resources (money) to improve the quality of my life and permanently improve my net worth. How's that?

Libra New Moon

Today is the New Moon in Libra. I realize it does you little good to have the information on the day it is happening, so in future, I will attempt to post this a few days before. That said, there are several things occurring now that are important.

I want to mention that we are still in a Mercury retrograde period and since it is in Libra, which is ruled by Venus, the emphasis for the retrograde period is relationships. We might find ourselves repeating relationship karma or at least revisiting it. We might also find out just what our relationship karma is by have a pattern repeat in such a way that we cannot avoid seeing it - perhaps for the first time. Relationships provide a mirror for us to see aspects of ourselves that we may be unaware of or disown. Pay attention to projections.

Another aspect of Venus is what has value for us and what we are willing to exchange, pay or do for that which we value. We are all being challenged on the material plane. We are being asked to go deeper and examine our other values. What is of the most importance to you? We are being encouraged - nudged - in some cases pushed into examining our non-material values, such as: relationships, knowledge, our spiritual connection. Those aspects of our life that cannot be taken away by down-sizing, foreclosures, or natural disasters.

Then, tomorrow is Rosh Hashanah "head of the year" - The "Jewish New Year" and is the first of the High Holidays or "Days of Awe." It begins a period of 10 days of repentance which culminate on Yom Kippur the "Day of Repentance." During this time Jewish people pray and fast, reviewing their deeds of the past year and seeking forgiveness so that they can be renewed and purified for the coming year.

Today is also the end of Ramadan, a month long period during which Muslims pray and fast. Muhammad (phuh) received the revelation which we know as the Quran during this month. Especially potent is the Night of Power which occurs during this month. It's exact timing is disputed, but some say it was Friday, Sept. 26.

And if that's not enough to inspire you....

Oh yes, the New Moon! in Libra, again ruled by Venus. Currently, Venus is in Scorpio. Scorpio has to do with transformation. New moons are times for beginnings. We might consider a new way of relating to people and to ourselves. Perhaps beginning or re-visiting a spiritual practice - movement, prayer, meditation. A reconnection to our inner life and the transformation of consciousness that these times require.

Stephanie Austin in The Mountain Astrologer has this to say:

"Venus is the Mythic Goddess of Beauty as well as Love. Beauty opens the heart and feeds the soul. Venus represents what is most dear to us and what is really worth our time, energy, and resources. Where Venus is located in our chart -- by sign, house and aspects -- describes our preferences and requirements in relationship and lifestyle choices. Venus in Scorpio pushes us to examine our desires and motivations. Are we living in accordance with our values, or with those that have been instilled by our parents, culture, or the media? Have we bought into the Western belief that power equals money (for men) and beauty (for women)? Venus in Scorpio asks us to go deeper, to go beyond the many substitutes for love we're sold and told to pursue and discover what truly lights our fire the fire in our heart and soul.... This New Moon shoes us what we treasure, what we dread, and what we need to reconcile. It illuminates the power of love and the power of truth -- for each of us and for the world."

I would like to add that we might think about whether we are motivated by the love of power or the power of love.

New Moon in Virgo

Virgo is known as one of the pragmatic signs of the zodiac. The organizer, the planner. Not the one to come up with the idea, but the one to make it happen. An earth sign which helps us to analyze, discern, refine and assimilate. It rules the digestion.

I had been planning for months to go to South Dakota for Segment III of the Evolutionary Astrology training with Kim Marie. Something kept me from buying an airline ticket and I was still debating whether I might drive. Then, the last minute, a family situation came up and I needed to stay home to take care of it. Thankfully, I was not going to lose any money from this last minute change of plans. While I was disappointed, I felt that in fact, it was perfect since I don't feel the need to take in any new information right now. Instead, I feel I need to digest and assimilate all that I have been learning in the last few months. It didn't occur to me until now that what I am feeling is completely in tune with the cosmos and what is going on in my own chart. The more I pursue this study of astrology, the more I am amazed at 'how it works'. In fact, this New Moon is conjunct my ascendant and my Mars and so the right action for me is to take action to realize and materialize my goals.

For all of us, Saturn is very close to this New Moon and will be in Virgo for the next couple of years. It is the principle of time, space and all forms of physical manifestation.

Stephanie Austin says "In Virgo, Saturn seeks the perfect form, the most appropriate way of expressing what is in our heart and soul. Saturn also tells us that we are the boss, the chooser, the creator of our reality, and that we have the power to change whatever forms are no longer functional or desirable, including our defenses. The mythic Reaper makes its yearly conjunction with the Sun on September 3, turning the spotlight on whatever most needs to be strengthened, revamped, or abandoned." She suggests that we use the power of this New Moon to "examine and dismantle what holds you back from expressing your creativity. Listen to your body. Be willing to be a beginner and try out some new steps."

Look at your own chart to see where this New Moon occurs. This is where you will feel the energy. Where is Virgo in your chart? This is where the lessons of Saturn will play out in the next couple years.

quotes are from the Mountain Astrologer Aug/Sept 2008

Leo Solar Eclipse

August 1, 2008 will be a Solar Eclipse. In general, New Moons are good times for beginning things. This one, an eclipse, has added effects. According to Stephanie Austin, in The Mountain Astrologer, "it signals our readiness for a major shift in direction and priorities." She says in an eclipse the normal flow of solar radiation is interrupted because the Moon blocks the light of the Sun. "Energetic matrices are opened, reorganized, and reconfigured, creating new patterns and pathways."

Austin believes that this eclipse will affect the Pluto in Leo generation (1939 - 1955) and the Uranus in Leo (1955 - 1962), which amounts to millions of people, very strongly, "as it activates their cellular memories of their mission and their fears (Pluto), as well as the need to break from tradition and be an agent of change (Uranus)."

She also says anyone with planetary placements or angles within 5 degrees of the eclipse will feel its evolutionary impulse most directly.

The eclipse is at 9 degrees Leo and therefore is conjunct my natal Pluto, which is at 12 degrees in the 12th house. Over the years, many people have accused me of 'self-sabotage'. Since I have always sought self-knowledge, I have been trying to understrand this and work with it. Generally self-sabotaging behavior is invisible to us and thus hard to control or change. But today I had a clear understanding of an issue I have struggled with all my life. I often feel that I don't get anything done, that I am way behind in my projects and that I live surrounded by 'wasted' talents and resources. Today I realized it is because my mind is over-loaded with inspiration and creative ideas. I struggle with time and space. Never enough time, never enough space. My house is packed. It is very difficult for me to admit I will never get to all the projects, books etc. Even if I did nothing but sew, I'd never be able to make all the garments I have patterns for. Let alone the crocheting, knitting, cross-stitch, etc. It goes on and on. Because I am surrounded by all these reminders of what I have not gotten to, I feel I have accomplished nothing. Since I am working with my North Node in Taurus, I am trying to make slow, but regular prgress. One way I do this is that each day I set some reasonable tasks for myself. At the end of the day, I check the 'to do' list against the 'done' list.

I have so many ideas, goals, plans, projects that no human being alone could get it all done. My mind moves very quickly, coming up with new ideas constantly. I am a natural multi-tasker. In addition, I like being able to do things myself, so, when I decided to get a new website, rather than pay someone else to do it, I had to take Dreamweaver myself. This often leads to tangents that have trajectories of their own. Sometimes, like the person who finds herself in the middle of a room and can't remember why she walked in there, I don't remember why I started out in a direction. To help me 're-trace' my steps, I must go to my garden. Reconnecting with the earth helps me remember what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. Meditation also helps.

The frustration comes when I realize that I come up with more ideas than any human could accomplish on their own in many lifetimes. In addition, now that I'm 60, my body is not as cooperative as it once was. I am tired and achy. I can't do as much as I used to do and it makes me feel depressed and hopeless.

So what is the solution?

Formerly, I would have thought: I should get rid of this all this stuff that I will never get a chance to do; I should curtail my creativity, just focus on a few things, dropping the rest.

Today, under the influence of the Leo eclipse, I realized I could do more if I had a staff including a chef, housekeeper, chaffeur, secretary, gardener.....LOL! Now that is truly a Leo idea. I laughed to myself, but why not? Rather than stop thinking, planning, creating, I need a domestic staff and a company with many employees.

As for understanding our mission, this is a problem we all share. Our soul designs an incarnation, like writing a screenplay, including the supporting characters and situations, so that it can experience something or accomplish something. Then we get here and forget. We spend most of our lives asking why we are here etc. because we have forgotten the 'play' we ourselves wrote.

There is actually a story about this. Recently I was told this is a Jewish folktale, but I'm not sure of that. The story goes that we did all this planning before we were born, including choosing our parents and everything that will happen in our life. Then, when we are born, an angel touches us right above our upper lip, which seals our mouth, and we forget. That little dip right under our nose, is the remnant of the angel's touch. For the rest of our lives we wonder what it's all about. It sounds like this eclipse will give us an opportunity to remember.

At the end of her article, Austin says that the Sabian symbol for this eclipse indicates that a new era is dawning: "Early morning dew sparkles as sunlight floods the field; the exalted feeling that rises within the soul of the individual who has sucessfully passed through the long night which has tested his strenth and his faith." According to Austin, the questions you should be asking yourself are: "What brings you joy? What do you love more than anything else?" She goes on to say "You are the eyes and hands of God. Dream. Dare. Do. Life is waiting to be lived through you. Rmemeber: 'When you don't follow your nature, there is a hole in the universe where you were supposed to be.' (Dane Rudhyar)"

Look at where this eclipse is occuring in your chart. Are there any planets or aspects that might be highlighted? The house where this eclipse is occuring is where you might experience insight and/or change.

Cancer New Moon - July 2 - 3

This is the third SuperMoon of 2008.

A SuperMoon is when the Moon is both near perigee (its closest approach to the Earth) and syzygy (in a New or Full Moon phase). SuperMoons generate stronger gravitational pulls on coastal tides, weather patterns and tectonic plates. Our psyches are more easily shifted as well: emotions surge and viewpoints change. Though not as strong as an eclipse, a SuperMoon increases the electromagnetic force both of the Sun and the Moon, making it easier for us to break up old patterns and construct new pathways.

The Moon is in Cancer, the sign it rules. Cancer reminds us that we all are children and mothers, that we must receive as well as give. What feeds us and how we nurture others are specific to each person and will vary at differenct stages of development. What was nourishing at one point may stifle us later; what helped us sprout may not foster our blossoming. Like a plant, we grow toward the light. This New Moon asks us to reflect upon what we require and also what currently blocks our growth.

Ceres at 9 degrees Cancer conjoins the Sun and Moon. In Roman mythology, Ceres was the goddess of agriculture and a daughter of Saturn, another ancient fertility figure. Her name (as well as the root of "create" and "increase") comes from the Indo-European root ker, meaning "to grow."

Known to the ancient Greeks as Demeter, Ceres played a central role in the Eleusinian mysteries -- the sacred rites of birth, death, and renewal -- that connect her with both spiritual and physical sustenance.

Ceres (now designated a "dwarf planet") was the first asteroid to be sighted. It was discovered in 1801 and its association with a goddess rather than a masculine arechetype coincided with an emerging women's rights movement.

Ceres, in conjunction with this New Moon acts as a reminder of what has been splintered off from our collective psyche: the power of the feminine, the importance of knowing where we came from, and the value of knowing where we belong.

Venus in Cancer conjoins this New Moon and exactly opposes Jupiter in Capricorn, further expanding our view on home and family.

The Sabian symbol for 12 degrees Cancer indicates that we need to nurture the part of us that already knows the truth.

"A Chinese woman nursing a baby whose aura reveals him to be the reincarnation of a great teacher."

This New Moon reminds us: "We are star stuff harvesting starlight...We are a way for the Cosmos to know itself...We are, in the most profound sense, children of the Cosmos..." (Carl Sagan)

excerpted from "Cancer New Moon -- July 2-3" by Stephanie Austin June/July 2008 issue of The Mountain Astrologer.

This New Moon conjuncts my natal Venus in the 11th house. It is a reminder to me that nurturing myself nurtures the collective. If I hope to be a vehicle for positive change, I must do those things that make me the best possible person - inside and outside.

Rumi says: "Let the beauty you love, be what you do." And fortunately, I am able to do this. I go outside each morning and visit my plants. I see their progress and what change they have made. What is blooming, fruiting or going to seed. Then I walk up the road behind my house and notice what is going on there. Today I actually saw quail. I thought I heard them days ago, but was not sure it was quail until I saw one run across the road. I realized I had not seen quail for years, despite them being our State Bird.

I spend hours a day online, again doing what I love. Communicating information that I have found helpful and interesting. Today I saw a blog that focuses on 'boredom'. I realized that I am so fascinated by so many things, I don't have time to be bored. Just look around you. There is so much to experience. Right where you are at any moment. If you don't understand this, let me know and I will explain.

For me this New Moon is also about re-dedicating myself to a meditation practice. Many years ago, a psychic by the name of Betty Bethards, taught me a meditation technique and prescribed it as a means of restoring my aura. I had proof that her recommendations were valid. I continued to meditate for several years, then sort of dropped off. Last night at Rio Olesky's Tuesday Night Astrology Class, I remembered Betty Bethards and how she had helped me. So today, I started again.

It's never too late to start again.

Rumi says: "Come, come, whoever you are.
Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving — it doesn't matter,
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vow a hundred times,
Come, come again, come."

We have to remember that making change is difficult. We have to forgive ourselves for forgetting, being lazy, stubborn or stupid. With the dawning day, start afresh.