Full Moon in Aries - October 2011: Learning from the Slime Molds

This Full Moon lies on the 'relationship' axis - Aries/Libra - first/seventh houses. The first house and Aries, represents our relationship to ourselves ie our self-image whereas the seventh house and Libra represent relationships to others. Much of the discontent that is occurring in the world today is due to issues of self-image and relationship.

How so?

Capitalism and consumerism, which have led to destruction of the planet, flourish when people become convinced that they need something outside themselves to be okay. I want to emphasize SOMETHING. We DO need each other to survive. No question of that. BUT we don't need a new cell phone, car, pair of designer shoes.

By convincing us that we need stuff to be happy and acceptable, the advertising industry, at the service of corporations, has succeeded in making us weak, numb and/or addicted, so that we seek fulfillment by buying whatever they decide we need.

This is not by accident. It was by design. The advertising industry was employed by the government after the Great Depression to bolster consumer confidence, so that rather than holding on to their money, people would begin to spend again. Our economy and that of the world now in a 'global economy' depends on constant growth. Much like cancer, it cannot live unless it continues to expand.

Prior to the Depression, they worked on the hearts and minds of recent immigrants. Rather, they worked on the children of immigrants, encouraging them to buy stuff in order to appear modern and more American. Those teenagers, like those of today, were susceptible too. They were taught to reject their parents, traditions: religious and cultural, and thus become more part of the 'melting pot'. In other words, lose your history and individuality to 'fit-in better'.

This trend led to alienation from the matrix of family, religion, culture, resulting in 'the nuclear family', an isolated, independent entity that does not exist anywhere in the animal kingdom. Oh yes, did we forget that we, too, are animals? We cannot live in isolation. The nuclear family led to increased domestic violence, child-abuse, incest and many of the psychological traumas that we suffer from.

While we are encouraged to think in terms of 'abundance' especially in New Age movements, many of the resources of the Earth, such as water and land, are finite. There is a lot, but it is not infinite. Use it up, poison and pollute it and it is destroyed for centuries, perhaps forever. Constant growth is unnatural. Nature manifests in cycles of birth, growth, death and decay. Each part of the process leads to the next. Even decay feeds the next cycle - the rationale behind composting.

So, back to this Full Moon. Relationship is among the lessons we are here to learn on planet Earth. Libra is usually considered the sign of balance and harmony. What it really means is that these are the lessons to be learned. Balance can only occur between equals.

Our Bill of Rights says: all men are created equal. A condescension really. What it doesn't say is: while you may be created equal, the State, its policies, and the system that results from those policies, will make sure that you are neither born equal nor that you will ever have an equal shot at the brass ring.

While we are taught that this country was founded on religious freedom, make no mistake, this country was actually founded on the ambitions of the growing capitalists who wanted the freedom from the old entrenched social systems of Europe where kings and traditional elites, including those of the Church would not allow merchants turned capitalists to prosper beyond a certain level. Those who created this country wanted to freedom to exploit the resources of the newly discovered lands, without taxation or regulation by kings, etc. They sugar-coated it by including 'religious freedom'. The new religion of the founding fathers was capitalism.

So here we are. Occupy XXXXX! For the first time ever, people are realizing that we are unified on an issue that affects us all...or at least 99% of us. WE are all suffering the effects of the economic meltdown. All except the 1% for whom there is nothing going on. They are not even experiencing a blip. Rather than red states, blue states; radical or conservative; Christian or Pagan...We are seeing that we are ALL losing.

With Saturn conjunct the Sun in Libra right now, we are changing the structure of our consciousness to include the Other, realizing that we are all ONE - even in our diversity.

Even slime molds know this. Composed of individual cells which can exist completely on their own, they unite when necessary for survival. Once they have solved their problems, they revert to their separate existences. They have survived threats that resulted in mass extinctions for most other species. Can slime molds be more intelligent that US the great human race? Let's use this opportunity to go beyond the "distinctions and differences that divide" to unify behind the banner of 'Occupy Wall Street' and any other street that keeps us in fear, separation and despair.

Saturn in Libra - Buy One Get One.

To celebrate Saturn's change of sign I would like to make the following offer: purchase any one of the astrology reports offered in the sidebar.... go down to find the links, and I will send you a second one of same or lesser value FREE! To honor Saturn in Libra, you might want to get the FRIENDS AND LOVERS, then a second one, like Opportunities, FREE. Take advantage of this offer until the end of November.

Saturn went into Libra today and I can already feel the change. Libra seeks to please and I can feel the cosmos asking me back into more accommodating relationship than we have had for the past 2+ years.

Saturn in Virgo was a task master for me. I already have plenty of Virgo is my chart with Ascendant conjunct Mars in Virgo I am really good at self-criticism. I really did not need the added weight of Saturn. When I am sat upon, I just go limp. It does not motivate me to do more. I don't fight back. Resistance is futile so why bother.

I feel a softening, a letting up of some of the pressure I've been under. I feel like I want to communicate again. For the past few months I have been questioning the meaning of life and my purpose in a very big way. Many deaths, including my 'big girl' Grace (cat). I went deep inside to process. Now, as we move into Fall and Winter, the traditional time for going inside, I want to express what I've found.

It's true that Libra can be critical and judgemental as well, but not right out of the gate. It tends to keep the negative stuff out of sight, like shoving it in a closet. If you want to fight and things get out of hand, believe me, Libra is right there with all the stuff that was in the closet right in your face, but it takes awhile before that happens. Libra can use the big guns, but prefers not to.

For the next couple of years or so, the job (Saturn always shows you the work to be done - in case you don't already know) will be in the realm of relationships. In Libra, this would be partnership, both intimate and business.

Saturn will ask us to define our relationships and to be clear as to who is doing what to whom. No more projection (a favorite past time of Libra). Are we clear about what we want from another person? Are they willing and able to give it to us? If not, how will be deal with that? If we decide to 'stay' anyway, we cannot blame the other person if they made their limitations clear to us. If they are vague or non-committal, are we going to accept that? If so, then, again, we cannot blame them.

Libra, as an air sign, seeks communication. But, let's face it, there are other ways to communicate besides talking. Facial expression, energy level, body language etc. communicate too. Rather than assuming that we understand each other, we might want to step out of our comfort zone and ask for an explanation.

Libra avoids conflict at any cost, but make sure the cost is not too high. Keeping the peace might feel good at one level, but are we going to be satisfied with that in the long run?

Sometimes we find out that all that silence and peace was actually a lack of caring or even an inability to care. It was not that they did not love you, they do not love anyone. Maybe cannot love at all. That is certainly not your fault. Nor was it your fault that you did not see it. There might be no one there behind the smile.

We have a couple of years to work on this. For those of you who have Pluto in Libra, you will have a Saturn/Pluto conjunction some time in this period. That should 'be fun'. Saturn might insist that something be done in the transformation department.

I feel there will be a lot of changes in the relationship department in the next couple of years. For those relationships that survive this transit and for those that are formed during this transit, there will be a lot more clarity and that is definitely a good thing.

The Value of Contraction - Less is More

Pluto in Capricorn is about maximum contraction. Since we have just gone through the opposite, that is, Pluto in Sagittarius, maximum expansion, this is particularly painful. Just like trying to squeeze into those jeans you wore in your 20s after two kids and gaining 20 pounds. Can't be done. Gotta shed some pounds. So that's where we are, all of us. And it feels awful. Depression is 'widely available'.

Liquor and fast food sales are up, even though more and more of us know the dangers of both. People want a quick fix for the psychological pain. People want to 'feel better,' if even for a moment.

I myself am grappling with this daily. Since I cannot go outside to my garden (due to my broken ankle), I have to dig deep into my inner resources. Meditation, chanting, repetition of mantra/wazifa is very useful since it helps you train your mind. Stopping thought is useful at this time, when what we are doing is not necessarily working at solutions with our thoughts, but rather beating ourselves up with self-sabotaging recriminations.

Flower essences, essential oils and tinctures have an incredible ability to soothe, heal and inspire. All very important at this time.

It is not about 'not feeling'. Among the tasks of Saturn and Capricorn is to evaluate what works and what does not work. To have the courage to admit that we don't like our life and then to change it. This requires feeling the pain. Pain is a message. Something is wrong. Don't mask it (of course if it is overwhelming and paralyzing, you have to manage it). Take the time (Saturn/Capricorn) to review your situation.

The next step which is so aptly put in the Serenity prayer adopted by AA.

"God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference."
Attributed to the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr.

This is one of the most useful messages that has been delivered to humanity in the last century.

About 18 years ago, while working at a domestic violence shelter, I was doing research on addiction. I read a series of books by Anne Wilson Schaef about the addictive society. Her best known one, When Society Becomes an Addict, opened my eyes to the role our culture has in making us all addicts in some way, so as to encourage consummerism.

Before we can stop our addictions we must 'admit we are powerless'. We must stop thinking that we can live forever, do anything we want, anytime. In a sense, the New Age Movement that expanded in the mid 80s, and promised us that we can have it all as we create our own reality (which usually included more stuff), has been co-opted (as the 60s were). Yes, even Michael Jackson died. Didn't you think for a moment that if anyone could figure out a way to live forever, he would? He could certainly afford to pay for whatever technology could come up with. For those who consider themselves 'spiritual' there are now millions of books, DVDs, CDs and catalogs full of all the accoutrements required to be 'on the spiritual path.' "Have you seen the latest yoga mat?"

Among the gifts of my recent 'confinement' is seeing what I actually NEED. Now that my ankle is nearly back to normal, I see that I am beginning to WANT again. The wanting is what causes me discomfort. About halfway through this confinement, I arrived at a state of contentment. A time when just being was all I could do and it was enough.

I hope to retain the lessons I learned. The gift of a broken bone (bones ruled by Saturn/Capricorn, ankle ruled by Uranus/Aquarius). Currently Chiron, shot in the ankle, is in Aquarius (natally in my 6th house of health). In my Solar Return chart for this year, it is at my midheaven (conjunct the 10th house cusp. The 10th house traditionally ruled by Saturn/Capricorn. Try to tell me that astrology does not work.

If you are feeling depressed right now, take it as a sign that you are alive and awake. You are not numbed out. Take the time to review your life. Feel what is not working anymore and try to understand why. Change what you can. If you can change nothing about the external situation, do an attitude adjustment.

One way this can be done is to invite the 'problem area' to tea. With friendship and kindness, ask it what it wants from you. What it wants you to know and learn. What is the lesson in this? is an extremely useful question to ask yourself on a regular basis.

Try to avoid 'why me?' because that is a victim stance. Instead I suggest you look for the lesson. I have found that when I can do this, I may come to value the 'problem' for the gifts it has brought - the 'virtues' of patience, humility, compassion, surrender etc. As soon as I 'get it', the 'problem' often goes away.

We can use plant guides and messengers in the form of flower essences and essential oils to support us in our own process. They work on a subtle level. They don't do the work - we still have to do it, but they can help us focus and have more clarity. They can take the panic away so we can think. See my herb blog.

If you wish assistance, I am available for astrology readings and flower essence sessions. Leave your contact info in a comment.

Jupiter and Saturn - Creating Reality

Each month, as a student in the Evolutionary Astrology school with Kim Marie, we participate in a telephone conference call on various topics. This month it was the planetary pair of Jupiter and Saturn.

The Evolutionary Astrology (EA) method is unique in that it begins with Pluto which represents the soul's purpose. The nodes of the moon are significant because they show the soul's history and the intent in this life time.

Unlike traditional astrological methods, the Sun, Moon and Ascendant are not the primary focus.

In addition to aspects, house, and sign of each planet, the phasal relationship between all planets is significant. As far as I know, this way of looking at planets is specific to the EA method. So, even if planets are not aspecting each other, they do have a phasal relationship.

What this means is that, like the phases of the Moon in relation to the Sun, planets form phases between themselves. The faster moving planet determines the phase. Ultimately, all are in relation to the Sun.

Since both of these planets are 'personal' planets, we have access to them consciously. We can easily see the archetypes operating in our life, unlike the
'transpersonal' planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto which operate on unconscious levels.

Jupiter and Saturn are very important in one's life because they have to do with manifestation. Jupiter is concerned with belief systems and truth. Saturn about form, structure and society. All of us act from our belief systems, whether personal beliefs about ourselves, beliefs about what we should be doing or beliefs held by the society in which we live. These beliefs affect our values, goals and actions. Saturn helps us ground our beliefs in reality - or not.

Many of those who say that 'we create our own reality', never see the fruit of that belief because, in fact, they really don't believe it. Or, their belief about themselves, say, is so contrary to their stated belief that they 'sabotage' themselves. Sometimes the new belief has not fully been integrated or conflicts with deeply held beliefs from childhood.

Jupiter's cycle is 12 years, Saturn 28 or so. They form a conjunction every 20 years. Currently they are nearly opposing each other, which means that collectively we have been re-examining the belief systems that have been the foundation of society. Each of us, in our own way, has had our beliefs challenged a lot in the past few years. On nearly every level, the beliefs that we have operated under, have crumbled or betrayed us and we have had to re-think, re-assess and re-evaluate. This process of breaking away from everything we have believed in before and coming up with new paradigms will reach its maximum when Jupiter and Saturn are in opposition. Then, the new ideas will begin to be integrated into society and create the new models of action. We are still at the creation point, so it is very important that we set our intentions for what we want to manifest in society in the next 10 years.

As we are all aware, what happens in the next 10 years will determine if there is a future for life on Earth.

One of the fundamental concepts of EA is that we are all evolving. It is important to know where we are at any given time on that path and to understand the best ways we can move forward from there. There is no judgement since we are all going to get "there". And, in fact, there is a concept, similar to that of Buddhism, that some have already gotten there and have returned to help others, so you never know.

The belief in Reincarnation is implicit in this system and so is the idea of karma. Some of our current life is the result of karma.

Of all the systems of astrology I have looked at, this one has the most answers for me. To find out more about it and get a sample DVD free, click here.

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.

Discovery of Pluto - Harbinger of the Coming Shift?

While doing my EC drops, yesterday, I found an interesting post about the discovery of Pluto at The Modern Historian. That occurred on February 18, 1930.

Astronomers demoted Pluto last year to a planetoid. But as anyone who has ever gone through a significant Pluto transit will testify, Pluto is no "toid" anything. In fact, after working with the Evolutionary Astrology method brought forth by Jeffrey Wolf Green, which focuses on Pluto in our charts, I believe no other planet has as much influence and power in our lives. Indeed, the EA method teaches that Pluto reveals our Soul's Purpose. What could be more important than that?

I have been thinking about the fact that Pluto passed over the Galactic Center in recent years. The "Event" at the core of 2012 is the alignment of our solar system with the GC. What is the significance of this transit? (which happens every 248 years or so.) The last time Pluto was in Sagittarius was a decade or so before the American Revolution. Why was America settled by the first colonists? We have been taught that it was because of religious persecution. Another reason was that people wanted to be free of the economic control of the King and the aristocracy. The 'common' man wanted a chance to make his own wealth. The emerging concept of Capitalism wanted free reign. Entrepreneurs and merchants wanted to out from under the tax system of the Crown, that's why we had the Boston Tea Party.

So here we are, one Pluto cycle later and that American Capitalism gone rampant threatens to destroy the global economy.

Some astrologers say that a planet is discovered when the collective is ready to understand and work with, its energy. So... what was happening in 1930 that relates to us today?

In the Qabbalah, the "non-sefira", lying in the central pillar between Tiferet and Kether, known as the Daat, the Hidden Teacher, is equated with Pluto,. There are some schema that equate it with Saturn "God of Time" because they were established before the discovery of Pluto. And there is significance to this reading as well. I believe that when Pluto passed over the GC, it served to remove the veil and open the way to the teaching from the Galactic Center. The Hidden Teacher in the sign of Sagittarius (the Teacher, the Spiritual Leader) opened the teaching of the meaning of the 2012 event.

Sagittarius represents the Teacher, but is also the "Seeker of Truth". So Pluto "God of Transformation and Death", in the the sign of the Seeker of Truth, went over the Galactic Center, The Source. Our entire Solar System is now within the area of the GC and will be exact on December 21, 2012, the end of a 5125 year cycle in the Mayan Calendar.

Many people alive today lived during the Great Depression. Many of us are children or grand-children of those "Depression Survivors" and have heard the stories and received the 'teachings' although we have dismissed them and not followed them. In the West, we have had abundance compared to the rest of the world. We have become complacent. Unless we were 'back-to-the-land' hippies in the 60s, we have lived an affluent life. The current economic down-turn will be changing that for many people.

I would like to suggest that rather than thinking about what we are losing or having to do without, we shift our attention to what is of real and lasting value. I suggest we develop our inner wealth, utilizing our inner resources to optimize our connection to Source. If you have a meditation practice, a program of prayer or other spiritual methodology, this is the time to dust it off and get with it again.

"Every breath we take is our prayer" I just heard that on the Caroline Casey radio show on KPFA and it seemed totally relevant to this post.

Think of all that you might be losing on the material plane as Sacrifice, which means to 'make sacred'.

Full Moon in Gemini December 12

During a Full Moon, we experience the maximum exposure from both the Sun's emanations and the Moon's reflection of solar radiance. Since human bodies are composed of both electrical and magnetic fields, we are affected by these changes in energy.

This is the fifth and final Super Moon of 2008. That means it is both at perigee (its closest approach to the Earth) and syzygy (directly aligned with the Sun and Earth).

In addition, the Sun and the Moon make a Grand Cross with Saturn and Uranus. All mutable signs, there could be some really big changes afoot.

I recommend flower essences during times like these because they operate on the energetic level. In the last couple days, I have been having erratic emotional states and have been relying heavily on my essences to maintain an even keel. Go to Hamida the Herbalist for some suggestions on essences that might help you during these challenging times.

Stephanie Austin says: "The Sun in Sagittarius illumines what we need to see; the Moon in Gemini, what we need to say. Saturn in Virgo exposes what no longer works, and Uranus in Pisces reveals where we are ready for a quantum leap."

Mars is conjunct the Sun exactly on December 5 and squares Uranus on December 11 and Saturn on December 15, extending the force of this Full Moon. Mars gives us the courage to act on our convictions.

It is one thing to know and what needs to be done, another to do it. The energy Mars brings to the situation can help us make the required changes. Good time to tackle those long-avoided projects, like cleaning out the garage.

Oh yes, and let us not forget that Mercury is conjunct Pluto at 1 degree Capricorn, which insists that we examine our assumptions and ask: "What is true for me now?"

"To be mistaken is a misfortune to be pitied; but to know the truth and not to conform one's actions to it is a crime which Heaven and Earth condemn." Giuseppe Mazzini

The Day Watch Calender "2for" lasts until December 24. A good last minute gift as well as any of the Astrology Reports which are sent to you via email and thus nearly instantaneous. You can print them and add a nice cover.

Please contact me if you want a Pluto Reading and Flower Essence Blend. Leave a comment with your contact info and I will get back to you.

You Made My Day

Oh I'm so excited! Just won an award and wow! did my Saturn transiting the first house need that! Sold a book and got some clicks on my ads! Big day in blogland! Have been so busy getting ready for craft fairs (where I sell my herbal products and soon my line of Pluto Elixirs) that I have had little time left for posting, dropping, commenting and all the 'hard work' of blogging - LOL!


Was just asked last night by friends how much money I make doing this and had to tell the truth. But the truth also includes my commitment to continuing because my guidance tells me it is the right thing for me to be doing. So today when I found out that I got this award from Witchy Mama, plus sold a book, plus got clicks on my ads - well, that was the response from the Universe that I needed.

Thank you so much WitchyMama!

My choices for the award are: (I wish I could give it back to WitchyMama, but I don't think that's how it works)

Herbs 'n Oils

Mermaids Treasures

My Gypsy Goods and her other blog - Alteredevents

And my cat Melody said we must include Luxor, because she just loves the White Cat.

First of the Month Give - away

The First of the Month Give-away will be the Opportunities Report. An in-depth personalized report by astrologer Stephanie Clement on your vocational aptitudes from the astrological perspective.

Thinking of a new career or change in your current career? This report can help you see aspects of your personality in relation to your work life. How can you best utilize your talents and gifts? For a sample of the report, click the graphic in the side-bar. Clicking that graphic in no way commits you to purchasing anything. It is merely a link to another web page.

It begins with your Ascendant which describes the way that you present yourself to the world and the way others see you. It also takes into account which Saturn cycle you are in and how that affects your work life and the choices you have.

The report goes into both the current situation and the trends for the coming year - your progressed chart.

The Opportunities Report will be sent to the first person to send a comment which includes name (can be a pseudonym), time, date and place of birth, and an email address to send the report to. This will not be published.

Full Moon in Pisces - September 15

This is traditionally called the Harvest Moon, because the light of the Full Moon allowed farmers to work into the night harvesting the bounty of the summer growth season. Also, it is the Full Moon closest to the autumnal equinox. We are reaping now what we sowed at the spring equinox and have been cultivating since then.

This is a most interesting Full Moon for a number of reasons. First, the moon is conjunct Uranus, second, the Sun and Moon form a wide T square to Pluto and third, Neptune is semi-sextile to the Moon and quincunx the Sun. In short, all the outer (transpersonal) planets are involved in this Full Moon.

The intensity of this Full Moon is enhanced due to the influence of Pluto and extends the effects for at least 8 days - from Sept. 12 to Sept. 20. At that time, the square between the Sun and Pluto will be exact. Pluto offers two options: change or be changed. We are directed to release what is dead or dying. Since it retrograded back to Sagittarius, what needs to go is our beliefs and limiting views, because they are holding us back.

Uranus, the great awakener, shows us where we have fallen into deadening conformity and where we are primed for a great breakthrough. Uranus urges us to march to the beat of our own drummer.

Neptune, whose realm is dreams and the imagination, can either inspire us, or lead us to despair and addiction. It takes courage to dream and follow your dreams. But think of the alternative. Without our dreams, our lives can be dull and not worth living. Sometimes we fear taking chances that may make our lives change. We may say we want change, but on our own terms. We fear we will end up alone, if we venture out and follow our bliss. But when you really think about it, what do you have to lose. What do you really have? As we see more and more everyday, nothing is permanent. People are losing homes, jobs, retirement packages they worked for their whole life. The effects of fires, floods, storms, earthquakes all over the world also show us - here today, gone tomorrow. It is frightening. What do we have to hold on to? From one angle, nothing. From another, our inner life, our consciousness, our connection to God. Increasing our trust in God and the Divine Plan is always available to us. We don't know how all this will turn out. So.... we might as well be ready for the best possible outcome. What would that be?

The transpersonal planets are affecting the collective right now. It is a powerful time for change, growth and increased awareness and compassion. We are all being asked to dream big because 'we create our reality.' If we settle for limitation and fear (lower octave of Saturn) that is what we will have. If we want a world where understanding, acceptance, compassion and caring abide, Saturn's higher octave will assist us in building that. Saturn is the planet which mediates the personal planets and the transpersonal planets. Whatever is imagined, dreamt, inspired etc. via the influence of the outer planets, is made manifest through Saturn.

Another facet to this complex kaleidoscope is that the Virgo/Pisces axis is concerned with service and sacrifice. As we come to the end of the Age of Pisces, symbolized by Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross, our beliefs are being challenged all the time. One big question is: Is the Christian God the same as the Muslim God, the Jewish God - you name him/her/it. If there is only one God, then.... fill in the blank.

Do we have to give up our lives to take care of others? What is the nature of service to our fellow human beings? What does real aid look like? With so many opportunities to give these days (there is always a disaster fund to send money to), what can we do day to day to change things so that there aren't so many disasters? Maybe changing our shopping habits can help prevent some of the problems. Just a thought.

The gift of this Full Moon is an enhanced ability to connect head and heart, effort with faith and dreams with reality. May your dreams come true.

Witchy Mama has an beautiful blessing
prayer for this Full Moon

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

The Galactic Center - Sun of our Sun

The Galactic Center, is a massive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. It is obscured by 'dust' and appears as if it were in fog. Radiation at every kind of frequency we can measure comes forth from it.

It is currently at 26 degrees Sagittarius. Pluto recently passed over it and being retrograde, is conjunct within a 2 degree orb.

In general, it indicates an area of life where one feels driven to act - where there is a sense of 'no choice'.

Research is now being done to learn the meaning of the GC in charts. The preliminary data indicates that the influences of close aspects are as follows:

Mercury - teachers, people in health care or food services
Venus - laziness or sensual focus on life or a talent for sales, arts or public relations
Mars - sexual or competitive drives
Jupiter - great success, travel and business
Saturn - able administrators and people dealing with depression

When I first heard of it I looked for that point in my chart. I have Jupiter conjunct the GC in the 4th house opposing Uranus in Gemini in the 10th. When Pluto passed over it the first time, I received an unexpected gift that has allowed me to follow my bliss and create my current life/work which includes travel. I will be leading a tour of Morocco next May. Leave a comment and a way to contact you if you're interested.

Where does 26 Sagittarius occur in your chart?

Navigating Pluto in Capricorn - We Need All the Help We Can Get

Just listened to a recording of Darby Costello from the recent UAC conference in Denver and felt this was important and I wanted to share it.

As I understood it, she said that one way to work with Pluto in Capricorn (which is ruled by Saturn), is to look at where Saturn is right now. Saturn is in Virgo and therefore trines Pluto. So, since trines are "helpful" "supporting" aspects, Saturn work can help us as we go into Pluto in Capricorn, a difficult transition, since it's kind of like going from the feast to famine. Easier to go from famine to feast. The Saturn work, because in Virgo, is about slow, small tasks, incremental progress. In fact, she said that if we do the Saturn work, Pluto in Capricorn will take care of itself. Nice thought.

Saturn in Virgo is about determining whether what we are doing is useful or not. It is also about finding ways to be efficient with everything, including our time. She suggested stopping as we go through our day, and asking ourselves if we are off on tangents or if what we are doing is what we planned to do. With Saturn in Virgo (ruled by Mercury) there might be a tendency to think about doing things rather than doing them - or thinking we are doing them when actually all we are doing is thinking about doing them. Does that make sense? Even if what we do is small compared to what we "should" do, the effort is well worth it. In fact, she suggested that the smaller the better, since accomplishment will encourage us. If we make the job to be done too large, we will not be able to complete it and the resulting discouragement will stop our progress.

The next part was to look at where your Mercury is, since Saturn is in Virgo, ruled by Mercury. Mercury by sign and house. This will give you clues about what "the work" might be, if you don't already know.

My Mercury is in Cancer in the 11th house. As I see it, my work is about nurturing and healing on behalf of the collective. I do volunteer work for the Master Gardener program. At home, I grow vegetables, herbs and pollinator-friendly plants. I am an herbalist and an astrologer. With Gemini in the 10th house, I feel part of my role is to disseminate information, so I see my various vehicles - blogs, website and even my products, as means to educate as well as heal. Continuing to do this work, in whatever way I can, will be good for the collective and for myself. Saturn in Virgo is in the 1st house right now, so "the work" "heals" "me" too. Healing includes providing useful information - another way that I serve.

As the Leos would say, "enough about me, what do you think of me" LOL - back to Pluto. After the extravaganza of Sagittarius, Capricorn might be felt as restrictive. A belt-tightening. But that is not necessarily bad. After persuing all the options, time to choose. Time to stand up for what you have chosen. Time to focus, organize and give form to what you believe. Do you believe anything?

For us Baby-Boomers, who are now officially seniors, did we learn anything from all that exploration? Do we only mourn our lost youth or value our gained wisdom? Is the famous expression "is that all there is?" what we are left with or do we instead feel the richness of life, the as yet unexplored depths?

This is a tme to assess what we have that is important - both inner and outer resources. What no longer serves, must be eliminated. No room for excess baggage. As I write this, the idea of shedding things so that one can become mobile - return to Nomadism. Huh I wonder what that's about?

I am still running the give-away. To the first three people who send a comment with their birth data: time, place and date of birth, and email address, I will send a free astrological report. I am expanding the give-away to give you a choice of 1) the Sky Within - a reading of the entire chart, 2) Opportunities - a reading focusing on your career potential, or 3) Asteroids - a reading of the four major asteroids plus Chiron. Your choice. I will not publish the comment if your email is on it. But I must have your email in order to send the report.