Full Moon in Aries 2016: Feed The Inner Fire

“The price of sanity in today’s society is a certain level of alienation.”
-Terence McKenna
 
Social rejection is such a painful thing that we crave inclusion and tend to do what we must to retain it. That means we’re susceptible to believing some dangerous things and correspondingly adjusting our lives around those beliefs. The planet Uranus, aligning with this Full Moon, asks that you scrutinize where you have compromised yourself for the sake of keeping everyone else happy or fitting in. In the days surrounding this Full Moon, keep a look out for the collective process of intense individuation that may get stirred up. Be mindful of this in yourself, as well as the potential hostility from others attempting to break themselves free.
 
This month’s Full Moon occurs in the tropical sign of Aries and aligns with both the planet Uranus and the dwarf planet Eris. As the lunar cycle culminates, it correlates with a dynamic breaking point in the collective psyche. That may show up in the culmination of several circumstances in your personal life. The combination of Uranus and Eris in the sign of Aries might create powerful momentum and a desire for decisive action. However, opposing the Full Moon is the Sun in Libra, which alludes to the validity of alternative points of view of which you may be also considering.
 
With the Sun in Libra, there is the necessity of compromise; you may have to contend more with the will and needs of others. The planet Uranus always highlights the need for authenticity. Consider whether your current direction is congruent with who you really are. There is likely to be a focus on independence and autonomy, which may result in breaking free from what limits your full self-expression. Be cautious with this energy, however. Eris and Uranus in Aries can be volatile, hostile, rebellious and unpredictable. If you’ve been repressing your feelings about certain matters in your life, expect this Full Moon to pull them out.
 
The conjunction between Eris and Uranus is reflected all around us in current events. Not much is fully known about Eris astrologically since its discovery in 2005. But when its existence was confirmed, it completely altered the solar system from the astronomical point of view. Eris may have a trickster quality, correlating with massive upheaval within established structures. Uranus, the rebel, and outlaw of the planetary pantheon will likely amplify this tendency. Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, correlates with the sense of new beginnings. While a Full Moon is not technically a new start, it may feel that way.

Mars is currently approaching a conjunction with Pluto in Capricorn which receives a square from Mercury. Now is the time to begin thinking and brainstorming about possible strategies and plans of action. That will require facing up to reality honestly and soberly. Mars and Pluto can help you to think carefully about your future survival. With this lunation, it’s likely that you’ll find yourself fed up with something in your life, perhaps an old approach has become stale and prosaic. Use this high-energy Full Moon to make some fresh changes. Free yourself from any shackles you feel are binding you, and connect with who you really are, and who or what truly feeds that and keeps it alive.

Reaching Out From Within: New Moon in Libra 2016

Two statues representing two communities in Derry, Northern Ireland; photo by Kenneth Allen.

New Moon @ 8 degrees Libra 15'
September 30, 2016
5:11 PM Pacific
8:11 PM Eastern

Take a deep breath. You’ve made it to the New Moon in tropical Libra. Feel the inner peace that exists within you; connect with that potential state. Something holds the universe together. No matter what we endure, life seeks to achieve homeostasis. It’s really an amazing thing. Life always finds a way around things. Every obstacle, challenge, or blockage is just an accent along the pathway to wholeness. And each perceived limitation can always be worked with and incorporated somehow. Whatever flaws you might think you have can become your allies. They can be a beautiful piece of your wholeness.

This is what Libra ultimately teaches us. As the archetype of the artist or the lover, Libra seeks to create beauty from whatever it has to work with. As you settle into this New Moon, take a deep look at your life, and see the opportunities that exist allowing you to turn your challenges into a work of art. It might take the form of stabilizing a relationship, friendship, or professional partnership, or it might take the form of a literal creative endeavor. Whatever it is, this New Moon plants the seeds for increased stability and cooperation in some aspect of your life.

Mercury’s retrograde cycle is now over. Perhaps you’ve encountered some setbacks in the past few weeks. But it’s also possible that those setbacks served to gift you with a different perspective. I don’t think that Mercury retrogrades ever pass by without teaching us something, or helping us become more aware of the universe we are enmeshed within. The final eclipse season of this year is also over, and it has likely left you a bit altered, perhaps it has significantly rerouted your present course. Where do you go from here? This is a time when you may begin to get a better sense of that.

The planet Jupiter conjoins this New Moon. The God of expansion, abundance, and opportunity steps in to open new doorways. This New Moon is a time to make some choices and feeling sure ourselves to do that. In Libra, consider the possibility of receiving help from trusted allies, whoever or whatever they might be. Don’t feel like you have to step into the darkness all by yourself. The most powerful theme of this lunation is a spotlight on the human need for companionship and support. It’s our nature, as social creatures, to reach out and support others on their journey.

How can you reach out? And what do you need for yourself? You may find that the best use of your time right now would be to see who needs help and to equally see where you could benefit from support as well. Again, don’t step into this darkness alone. This powerful New Moon amplifies our social instincts. If you’re open to that, you’ll find that new ways to connect and bond will emerge all around you. While it might not be clear where these connections will ultimately lead, this is a potent starting point. Also, consider Jupiter’s innate ability to bring about restlessness and the need for new experience. It will likely catalyze action to help you move beyond those attachments that hold you back, and to embrace those that can help you step forward.

The New Moon makes a sextile to Saturn, which makes it easier to work with current life challenges. You might find that, at the moment, the heaviness of recent obstacles are lifted. Neptune also makes a quincunx with the New Moon. What is emerging now does not appear with crystalline clarity, but it’s probably enough to entice you to keep going with whatever you’ve been struggling with. Neptune reminds you that you’ll never have it all figured out anyway, so stop pretending you ever will. Trust in the great mystery, and along the way, grab the helping hand that is offered to you (be discerning, of course). Life might still be confusing, but at least you can grapple with that confusion in good company.

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Bare Attention: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse in Pisces 2016

Great bronze statue of Amida Buddha at Kotokuin Temple in Kamakura; photo by Fg2 via Wikimedia Commons.

Full Moon/Penumbral Eclipse @ 24 Pisces 20'

September 16, 2016

12:05 PM Pacific

3:05 PM Eastern

September’s Full Moon is a penumbral lunar eclipse in the tropical sign of Pisces. As with all Full Moons, you may notice things coming into clearer focus now. Whatever you have put into motion two weeks prior, will begin to manifest, culminate, or reach a breaking point. The lunar eclipse will often amplify this process. In the sign of Pisces, the Full Moon/eclipse points to the power of your perception and the quality of your conscious state. As the final sign of the zodiac, Pisces embodies the truth that what we experience throughout life is always filtered through our own biases, judgements, or quality of awareness.

 In a conjunction with Chiron, the Full Moon/eclipse can also bring to your attention deeply buried wounds related to feelings of disconnectedness from life, God/Goddess, or the universe as a whole. The opposition of the Moon/Chiron and the Sun create a t-square with Mars in Sagittarius. The tension of this Full Moon may feel uncomfortable. It may ignite a subtle crisis of meaning as it illuminates an existential void that exists within each of us, but contained within this Full Moon/eclipse is the potential for much healing and resolution.

How you choose to respond to this Full Moon energy is the key. Pisces’ deeper, esoteric truth is that the outer world doesn’t actually exist as we experience it. What we see is only a perception of the universe, not what it actually is. The vast majority of spiritual teachings suggest this. While ultimately that’s probably true, experientially, life is pretty damn convincing. Subjectively, the world appears to be real, and we’re kind of stuck with that for a while. So, what do we do with such a realization? We could yield to nihilism and write  life off as meaningless, or we could use such insight to engage with life in a more conscious and meaningful way.

The choice is always ours. And whichever choice we make will be reflected in our perception of what happens to us. The centaur asteroid Chiron, aligned with this Full Moon/eclipse gives you an opportunity to change your perception and squaring Mars, it amplifies the need to actively engage in that process. The best way to resolve this Full Moon/eclipse is through the practice of mindfulness. As we move throughout life, things happen to us and we have reactions. From our perspective, our reaction is actually all that we experience.

Chiron’s message is that pain is an inevitable part of being human. Our reaction to pain can lead to suffering or it can serve as a catalyst for change in our lives. Consider what is presented to you at this Full Moon/eclipse with mindfulness. Instead of reacting as you normally would, see that it’s possible to notice your feelings without identifying with them. 

Use this final eclipse portal of the year as an opportunity to shift your view, maybe even your attitude towards some difficult things in life. You may realize that while difficulty and pain are sometimes inevitable, your response actually lies in your hands. In other words, we can’t control life, but we can control how we see life and how much we allow it to dictate our choices. As Buddha so wisely stated, “Your worst enemy cannot hurt you as much as your own thoughts, if you have not mastered them.”

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

New Possibilities: Annular Solar Eclipse in Virgo 2016

By Gummigoof [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Annular Solar Eclipse/New Moon @ 9 Virgo 21'

September 1, 2016

2:03 AM Pacific

5:03 AM Eastern

September begins with a dynamic, annular solar eclipse in the tropical sign of Virgo. Two weeks later, we will pass through a penumbral lunar eclipse in Pisces. Eclipse season is underway, and it happens to coincide with the onset of Mercury’s retrograde cycle through Virgo until Sept. 21/22. Eclipses are mysterious events and hard to fully understand. It’s as if they correlate with changes that occur on some other dimension that  we only experience emotionally or psychically. The days (and sometimes weeks) surrounding the eclipse can generate a field of emotionally charged energy. 

Eclipses are moments of accelerated change and notable shifts in perspective. They allow us to glimpse deeper into reality, beyond surface appearances. A solar eclipse occurs during a New Moon and can often correlate with feelings of deep uncertainty or a subtle crisis that’s hard to make sense of rationally. It’s a time to step back and observe more deeply what’s happening within you without needing to act drastically or impulsively. As you get closer to the eclipse, try to remain grounded, conscious, and centered within yourself. If possible, use the eclipse day to take it easy and allow yourself time to recharge. 

This final solar eclipse of 2016 creates a powerful t-square with Neptune and the Saturn/Mars conjunction. This will likely generate immense internal tension, especially for those of us with placements in Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. The Saturn/Mars conjunction suggests having a task or mission for which you can focus your attention. Having a point of concentration with something you’re attempting to accomplish will help to relieve confusion, distraction, or escapist tendencies.

Mercury retrograde, the ruler of this eclipse, invites you to slow down and take your time when considering your options at the moment. Accept that not all the information you need is available yet. And due to its backward movement, may bring situations from the past into conscious view. It’s important to consider that this eclipse is a time to increase your awareness of opportunities you may not have been fully conscious of. These opportunities may assist you greatly in reorganizing your life and getting yourself back on track. 

The sign of Virgo relates to the path of self-improvement and the impulse to contribute to the human community through practical service. You may glimpse new ways to improve your overall health through a modification of  your current routine. You may also realize ways of improving a work or job-related situation. With this eclipse, the practical and imaginal must find some way to compromise. Dealing with the Saturn/Mars conjunction can feel like coming up against the resistance of reality’s harsh limitations. But Neptune in Pisces suggests that contained within those limitations is a clear view to a new vision. 

Consider this eclipse passageway as a point of transition into a new landscape. If you work consciously with it, you’ll find it easier to accept reality the way that it is without losing hope or your ability to dream of new possibilities for your life. If the eclipse presents you with a crisis, trust that it will resolve itself in the following days or weeks. Remember, an eclipse tends to amplify unconscious contents. What is emerging is not so much concerned with the ego’s comfort. The psychic instability of the eclipse is a reminder that ultimately the unconscious underwrites the life events we actually experience in our waking life. As unsettling as that realization can be, it’s also liberating to know that we don’t always need to fix things; often, life has a way of coming to its own resolutions if we get out of the way. 

Mars Conjunct Saturn: How Far Will You Take It?

By Sonoradocent (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Over the next several days, the planets Mars and Saturn will make a conjunction in the tropical zodiac sign of Sagittarius (exact on Aug. 24). You can see this in the sky after the Sun has descended. Looking westward after sunset, you will first notice Mars and the supergiant, binary star Antares (known as the heart of the Scorpion). Both objects have a distinctly reddish hue. In fact, the name Antares derives from a Greek title which meant “equal to Ares” or “equal to Mars”. While Antares rivals Mars in its brightness, you will glimpse its distinctive, effervescent twinkle; its light reaches us from a distance of 550 light years. 

Mars, however, has a steady glow and will appear directly to the right of Antares. And just above and to the right of these two red, luminous objects, you will find Saturn, much fainter but just as steady in its brightness as Mars. Mars, Saturn, and Antares will be slowly descending behind the Sun as they come into alignment. And how might this event show up in your life? As with anything astrological, the possibilities are vast. But Mars, Saturn, and Sagittarius represent a specific archetypal field, one that will be quite distinctive. 

Mars is the archetypal warrior--but deeper, it represents the archetypal field governing primal desire, getting what we want from life, fighting for our right to what we want and our right to life. Mars symbolizes the “fight or flight” response ubiquitous to any sentient being with the ability to run or defend itself. And also, Mars is the sex instinct. It’s deep, red color evokes passion and primal thirst--craving, wanting, desiring. It is an archetype that is reactive and impulsive; it doesn’t think things through. 

Mars is also out of bounds (through the end of Oct.), beyond the Sun’s highest declination in the sky. While Mars is inherently autonomous from the ego (if you’ve acquainted yourself with your sexual instincts you know what I’m talking about), it is even more so when out of bounds. So, while you may notice your inner Mars on overdrive lately (creating a deeper awareness of addictive tendencies, violence, hostility, or rage), it presents a unique opportunity to rise above these destructive qualities. Why? Because Mars out of bounds is a time to detach our primal instincts from ego-driven motivations. 

We might say, it’s an opportunity to channel our Mars-like passion toward something above and beyond what we’re used to. It gives us a chance to gain objective insight into these “lower” manifestations of Mars, allowing us to gain perspective about a deeper purpose they could be utilized to achieve. And along comes Saturn, the archetypal task-master. Saturn is the God of time, it represents the archetypal field dealing with discipline, focus, hard work, structure, and great works. Saturn is restrictive and presents us with obstacles, challenges, limitations, and the harsh lessons of reality. 

If Mars is about impulsive action, Saturn is the braking mechanism. In the brain, Saturn has a resonance with the prefrontal cortex which deals with impulse control, and interestingly, this brain region isn’t fully matured until we’re in our late twenties, after a full cycle of Saturn around the horoscope (the infamous Saturn return). So, if you find yourself coming up against a wall, presented as a limitation, rethink your strategy or realize that you need one. If your impulsive behaviors have been on autopilot lately, it might be time to reel yourself in and channel your enthusiasm toward productive activities that require discipline, focus, and long-term planning. The combination of these two archetypes is difficult to integrate. Mars wants the freedom to explore all of the possibilities it desires, but Saturn says, “No! Make a choice and commit to something”. 

Saturn can present Mars with some harsh realizations about reality, but can also assist this archetype in uncovering its ability to focus its passion toward more rewarding and long-lasting achievements. How will you focus your passion over the next several days? You may already be considering it. Conversely, Mars can temper Saturn’s overt, practical focus by adding some adventure and life force back into the current narrative. If you have been under the dark spell of Saturn, ready to give up, losing the will to move forward, depressed, over-burdened by some overwhelming limitations, Mars can help by rejuvenating your passion or willingness engage with life.

Both Mars and Saturn are square to Neptune, too. Those things that are failing or collapsing may be giving way to new visions and the awareness of deeper realities more aligned with your spiritual purpose. This brief window in time also offers a deeper glimpse into our delusions and self-deceptions. If you strive to remain realistic without losing the will to live, this configuration will give you access to a new way of relating with those things you never thought could work together. Take advantage of this launching pad; it will assist you in carrying out your ideals in the real world. Remember that a reservoir of strength and courage lies deep within you. It’s more available to you now than ever. How far will you take it? 

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

A Focused Passion: "Lunar Eclipse" in Aquarius 2016

The Third Eye by Irina Belova; oil on canvas, 2009.

Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse

August 18, 2016

2:26 AM Pacific

5:26 AM Eastern

August’s Full Moon is technically a lunar eclipse, but not a notable one. The Earth’s shadow will just barely graze the face of the Full Moon. However, it paves the way for two eclipses which will occur in the month of Sept. (an annular eclipse on Sept. 1 and a penumbral eclipse Sept. 16). The eclipse passageway, which will become noticeable towards the end of the month and into Sept., can mark a subtle or profound shift of perspective revealing the presence of things beyond the visible reality. This process will be greatly enhanced by Mercury’s retrograde cycle (from Aug 30 to Sept. 21/22).
 
This Aquarian Full Moon, while not a powerful eclipse, occurs alongside the building conjunction of Mars and Saturn in the tropical sign of Sagittarius. Exact on August 24, this conjunction is an opportunity to focus your attention and stamina toward productive endeavors in your life. In Sagittarius, that may manifest as a yearning to channel your desires in the direction of a greater purpose or mission. If you find yourself completely off track, Mars and Saturn can help to get you back into alignment. But these two archetypes are not often friendly in their interaction. If you’re not prepared, they will gift you with a classic kick in the ass.
 
This is especially true for those with significant placements in Sagittarius or Gemini (such as the Sun, Moon or Ascendent), and perhaps placing considerable pressure on those with placements in Virgo or Pisces. The sign of Aquarius is traditionally associated with Saturn. This Full Moon symbolizes a breaking point in collective and personal awareness, gifting us with a moment of sharp focus and much-needed objectivity. The Saturn end of Aquarius relates to reality testing via the necessity of social collaboration. It’s a moment to gain clarity about how your efforts fit into the boundaries of society. It may equally shed light on how you may have alienated yourself from the social structure.
 
In the modern world, Aquarius is associated with Uranus, the planet of revolution, genius, rebellion and a fierce commitment to individuation. Aquarius is a sign wrought with intense inner tension created by the dualistic desires of cooperation and the need to break the rules. Uranus makes a sextile to the Full Moon while creating a trine with the Sun. It opens up pathways which allow for increased freedom and independence, but Mars and Saturn require discipline, strategy, and adherence to a structure. To acquire the freedom and self-sufficiency you may be seeking now will require awareness and respect of natural limitations.

Use the energy of this Full Moon to free yourself of crippling fear, anxiety, rage, or addiction. The Aquarian, Uranian, and Saturnian archetypes symbolize the potential within the psyche to transcend behaviors which prevent us from actualizing our higher, evolutionary potentials. Free-will may be the true gift of the gods and goddesses--something which makes humans unique within the animal kingdom. As the Full Moon culminates and wanes over the following week, notice what comes up for you and the choices that you have in regards to transmuting something destructive into a focused passion. Notice behaviors that drain your life force and how you can redirect your focus to activities which fill you with purpose, accomplishment and a deeper sense of meaning.

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Holding It Together: New Moon in Leo 2016

Dusty 'Sunrise' at core of galaxy; image by NASA/JPL-Caltech

New Moon @ 10 Leo 58'

Aug 2, 2016

1:44 PM Pacific

4:44 PM Eastern

August’s New Moon in tropical Leo might feel like a welcome relief from the tension and seriousness of recent, past lunations. Leo correlates with a strong desire to play and cultivate joy. The subjective nature of Leo relates to the shaping of a consciousness attuned to the demands of the immediate experience. But like any New Moon, this is a moment of inner attunement in light of the conscious anticipation of new potential. In other words, the collective energy is low and directed toward conservation but ready to expend energy in new expressions.
 
Leo’s extroverted nature extends this New Moon’s manifestation outwardly and its fiery element helps to vitalize and nourish willpower to renew any lost enthusiasm. Carrying the rulership of the Sun, Leo’s signature at the start of August can help you to revitalize and begin a process of recovering purpose, strength, presence, and gravitas. The Sun, the central star of our solar system, has a gravitational force that is rather demanding, to say the least. With the power of a star, this Leo New Moon carries tremendous force which you can use to build up confidence and sanity.
 
The past two lunations, involving contacts with Pluto (an object symbolic of archetypes antithetical to the Sun), can have the effect of dampening personal significance. Plutonian events can mitigate willpower as they dredge up an awareness of harsh realities beyond one’s control. That may have been a subtle or significant experience over the past month for you. In the awareness of the shadow, the ego can often feel frightened or overwhelmed in the face of such powerful inner truths. If you’ve felt that way recently, focus your attention on this lunation as a source of motivation and self-definition.
 
Saturn’s trine to the New Moon from Sagittarius promises that effort and hard work (begun now or from past efforts) will accelerate progress toward certain goals and objectives. Saturn invites us to channel this building enthusiasm in directions that have practical applicability and that can help us grow in new directions. This fits well with Saturn turning stationary direct on Aug 13, which will bring to an end a period of consolidation and adjustment of priorities. Uranus in Aries, though far from a close trine, aids the building energy through the formation of a loose grand trine.
 
This is enough to help you to get excited about something, to breathe new life and energy into things that have been neglected or stagnant. Fire energy creates the impetus and motivation to continue moving forward, to keep thriving in the face of adversity. Two quincunx aspects to the New Moon from both Neptune and Pluto also amplify a sense of purpose and direction. To get to where you want to go now may require some seemingly awkward adjustments, and it may not come easily, but there is some magic with this New Moon that can help you find the stamina or determination that you need.

New life is being put into motion at this lunar beginning. Never underestimate the life force--the will to live. It moves through us biologically as well as spiritually. Whether you’re conscious of it or not, it moves far beyond your body, shaping the experiences throughout your daily life. If you desire something, know that the life force will see to it that you have the opportunity to attain it. With this Leo New Moon, perhaps you simply need a reminder of the joy and playfulness that is an essential part of our human experience. And also, if you make the effort, you can find stability and purposeful direction in your life. Let loose and allow yourself a moment to shine in some way; trust that the Sun, the central star in the solar system, will hold things together (at least for a while).

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Health Beyond the Shadows: Full Moon in Capricorn 2016

Photo by Denise Womack-Avila via Flickr

Full Moon @ 27 Capricorn 40’
July 19, 2016
3:56 PM Pacific
6:56 PM Eastern

July’s Full Moon culminates in the tropical sign of Capricorn. In the distant shadows lurks Pluto, far away from a tight conjunction, but close enough to share the spotlight. Capricorn is a cardinal earth sign. Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn, favors action and initiation through sustained effort and concentration. Perhaps this Full Moon has you narrowing your gaze a bit. It symbolizes a brief window through which we can gain some clarity about our purpose or ultimate objectives. Practical matters and their efficient implications are a much higher priority right now.
 
A Full Moon, a time of increased energy and emerging awareness, often brings to our attention important information. With Pluto, that is crucial information we need to ensure our survival and that we have everything we need to make it through the challenges life often presents to us. The awareness needed to become more organized and to make your life more efficient is likely to be available now. Use this time to reflect and turn inward if needed. A brief period of soul searching around this Full Moon wouldn’t be a bad idea. The challenge with this lunation lies not only in the need to face reality with sobriety, but also the need to honor and stay true to yourself--your unique path and destiny.
 
The planet Uranus in Aries makes a square to this Full Moon--presenting a t-square between Pluto and the Sun in Cancer. The light of the Moon points to the emergence of realizations about life’s inherent limitations, but Uranus in Aries, and the Sun in Cancer suggest that you not lose sight of your heart and the power of your will to change what might seem like daunting circumstances. The forecast may appear grim on the surface, but it can always change. Your attitude and your ability to step up to new challenges has immense power in your life and in the world.
 
But a t-square promises a challenge. Whatever you seek to resolve right now, it won’t be easy to do. In fact, it’s probably going to take some hard work and discipline to make it happen. But, the Full Moon’s promise is that if you can fess up to reality and see what hides in the darkness, you’ll have a better chance of conjuring up a strategy to overcome it. As Carl Jung once said, “when the diagnoses is correct, the healing begins.” Mercury and Venus in Leo will help to lighten the mood and empower us to engage more playfully with life’s challenges. While this Full Moon is heavy, it’s not out to get you. Trust in the moment, no matter how difficult. Through the will, many new possibilities can be realized.
 
You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Trust That You Are Loved: New Moon in Cancer 2016

Photo by Theophilos Papadopoulos, via Flickr

New Moon @ 12 Cancer 54'
July 4, 2016
7:01 AM Eastern
4:01 AM Pacific

This lunation is the first New Moon of summer in the tropical sign of Cancer. It also occurs on the United States’ Independence Day which is widely celebrated here in the U.S. For this reason, the New Moon points a spotlight on the U.S. because it correlates with its birthday. The New Moon is joined by both Mercury and Venus, which all stand in opposition to Pluto in Capricorn. The zodiac sign of Cancer stands as a symbol of safety, nourishment, protection, healing, and comfort. In its high expression, Cancer seeks to provide this in gentle, loving ways.

The Moon, which we associate with the sign Cancer, has an archetypal link to the symbol of mother--the one who provides sustenance needed to bring and sustain new life into the world. Here at the New Moon, we stand at a beginning--a moment imbued potentially with mystery, uncertainty, and anticipation. With any New Moon, you may feel less energized, but with Mars recently turned direct and now picking up speed, feel free to begin planting the seeds for forward movement and the initiation of new endeavors. A reservoir of strength and momentum will gradually become available to you. You may notice more energy and confidence build over the coming two weeks.

Pluto, in opposition to the New Moon, dredges up the shadow of Cancer. While the mother seeks to protect those she has brought forth into the world (with whatever it takes to do so!), all things are vulnerable in this reality; nothing is ultimately safe and protected from harm. In Cancer’s shadow, there is a chronic paranoia of dangers which seek to annihilate oneself and loved ones. Cancer, in its shadow, blocks the flow of life and love as it recoils from the world, building walls, and segregating one’s life from full participation in the unfolding of the moment.

Cancer, in its shadow, can also lead to the desire to cling to dying circumstances--to keep things as they are for the sake of the comfort and sense of safety that they provide. This New Moon carries the potential for realizations relating to how you can extend love outward to make changes in your life and in the larger world. To be truly loving, we must accept what we love for what it is and not try to change it. Where in your life is this needed? How can you express more love in authentic ways? As the Sun and Moon conjoin, they invite you to look deeply at the expression of love in your life, by finding new ways to love and trust the moment the way that it is.

While this is a deeply sensitive and emotional New Moon, which highlights fears related to security, vulnerabilities, and sensitivities, it asks that we keep our eye on the higher path--the bigger plan or mission that is seeking manifestation in the world. When we look at our own lives, as well as the events in the world, it can be hard to accept what is. Mars will assist you to make the changes and take the appropriate actions to free yourself of oppressive or stagnate situations. But ultimately, this New Moon is offering signs and omens in regards to the love we need to express to vitalize and nourish all aspects of our lives. And finally, trust that YOU are loved and supported by the universe in your wholeness, no matter what.

 You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Anaretic Gemini: Edward Snowden's Gift of Knowledge

Edward Snowden speaking at the 2015 International Students for Liberty Conference; photo by Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons.

While actually a Gemini Sun, Edward Snowden was born near the summer solstice of 1983 (June 21, 1983 @ 4:42 AM Elizabeth City, NC). Snowden was a former employee of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and former contractor for the United States government. He gained international attention in 2013 for leaking thousands of classified documents to journalists from the National Security Agency (NSA)--revealing several global surveillance programs. Stories based on the leaks appeared in the Guardian, The Washington Post, and The New York Times.

Snowden’s natal Sun sits at the 29th degree of Gemini, conjunct the entry of Cancer, the point of the summer solstice. His Sun touches what is known as the Aries Point (the first degree of all cardinal signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn). Astrologer Noel Tyl suggests in his book, Synthesis and Counseling in Astrology, that when the Aries point is prominent in the horoscope, “there is the potential of public projection for the person”. It’s what Hans Niggemann, in The Key to Uranian Astrology said, “is every being’s connection to the larger world”. And what Planet Waves founder, Eric Francis, calls the “intersection between the personal and the collective”. 

Astrologer Brenda Brush says of the 29th degree (the final degree of a sign), that it is “something you must give away”. In an e-mail correspondence with Brenda, she stated that “The 29th degree is where you have to accept what it is asking of you. I feel like it is a bit like the 12th house, the sign Pisces. It is the last of a sign just like the 12th house is the last house or Pisces is the last sign. Something has to be accepted and surrendered at the same time.”

Snowden is considered to be a hero/patriot or a traitor/dissident from differing viewpoints. No matter the opinion, he made an obvious sacrifice in an attempt to help people become more conscious of the world we now live in. He used his Gemini potential (the gift of the storyteller, writer, and researcher), to freely give information critical for the world to acknowledge. His chart features five major placements in the sign of Gemini such as the Ascendant, Mercury, Mars, the lunar North Node, and the Sun. 

With such heavy emphasis in Gemini, especially tapped into his lunar North Node, Snowden had a clear destiny tied to the need to communicate a message to the world. And we can’t forget, as with last week’s featured chart, that Gemini is notorious for being a trickster due to its association with the trickster planet Mercury. And any good trickster can easily cross between realms to undermine societal structures that have become too rigid and controlling. In trickster like fashion, Snowden left the U.S. for Hong Kong in May 2013 before releasing the documents to journalists. He now resides at an undisclosed location in Russia and has been granted a three-year asylum as of 2015. 

In an article from The Washington Post in Dec. 2013, Snowden was quoted as saying, “For me, in terms of personal satisfaction, the mission's already accomplished. I already won. As soon as the journalists were able to work, everything that I had been trying to do was validated. Because, remember, I didn't want to change society. I wanted to give society a chance to determine if it should change itself. All I wanted was for the public to be able to have a say in how they are governed.” Snowden’s words reflect the heart of his gift to the world, the ability of society to change itself in light of the information he freely provided. Whether a hero or a traitor, it’s clear that Snowden is fulfilling his evolutionary path--the destiny of the trickster who gave an important message for all.

 You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Below is a recent episode of HBO's VICE featuring Edward Snowden....

Photo by Mactographer via Wikimedia Commons

Maximum Light: Sagittarius Full Moon and Summer Solstice 2016

Summer solstice at Stonehenge; photo by Bill via Flickr. 

Full Moon @ 29 Sagittarius 32'

June 20, 2016

4:02 AM Pacific

7:02 AM Eastern

June's Full Moon occurs in tropical Sagittarius on the summer solstice. It also occurs at the 29th degree of Sagittarius, a degree known as the anaretic degree. To compound the significance of this lunation, it also conjoins the opening of Capricorn--the point of the winter solstice which connects us to the “Aries Point”. Significant events or lunations that happen near the Aries Point (technically the first degree of Aries), tend to correlate with major shifts in the collective and events that have widespread, global ramifications.

 Astrologer Eric Francis from Planet Waves calls the Aries Point the “intersection between the personal and collective”--a place where collective events influence our personal lives. In my experience, events that hit the end of a sign, the 29th degree, have a catalytic quality and carry with them a feeling that “something is about to explode”. I don’t say this to make any kind of prediction, although if you pay attention to events occurring on these degrees, you will notice an uncanny synchronicity with major political or world events taking place. On the personal level, it may simply feel like a highly charged Full Moon culmination, a feeling that certain aspects of your life are beginning to bear fruit or that certain realizations are flooding your conscious awareness.

Sagittarius is a sign that emphasizes an openness and acceptance of life experience. It’s the human ability to say “yes” to new experiences in an attempt to expand consciousness. This Full Moon carries with it a sense of anticipation, and due to its anaretic nature, a sense of something breaking through to a new level of expression in some explosive or catalytic way. The Sun and Venus stand on the other end of this Full Moon, with Venus over the sign line in tropical Cancer. The Sun and Venus’ close proximity throughout the last few weeks have emphasized our connections with others, a focus on relationships, and a need to slow down heightened activity. Venus’ entrance into Cancer takes certain relationships to another level, one that emphasizes bonding and intimate connection and the need to take better care of ourselves.

Venus in Cancer invites each of us to open our hearts to those we love as well as cultivating self-love, and the Sun’s transition into Cancer will amplify this heart opening need within us. Thus, this Full Moon can correlate with this feeling or need to say yes to love in some new way in your life. Perhaps that happens through an honest acknowledgment of your feelings or your attitude towards yourself. Its correlation with the summer solstice can give you a deeper sense of connection and trust in the life force impulse. Mercury opposite Saturn and t-square with Neptune, however, encourages honesty and realism in communication. Make sure that you’re making a mature and sober assessment of situations in your life without losing sight of the magic working through them.

Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, also aligns with the North Node in Virgo. Jupiter encourages you to be of service to others using your talents, abilities, and competence. You may find that during this Full Moon, you have something to share that can be of significant use to someone, or it may correlate with opportunities to be helpful in some practical way. Jupiter’s encroaching trine to Pluto in Capricorn, connects the need to serve to some larger, socially viable outlet. Use this expansive, Sagittarian energy to widen your awareness to a greater field of vision, to simply see, through your heart, what’s possible to make your life more purposeful and meaningful to yourself and others.

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Open Your Heart and Listen: New Moon in Gemini 2016

Elder blossoms in bloom; Jonathan Billinger [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

New Moon @ 14 Gemini 53'
June 4, 2016
10:59 PM Eastern
7:59 PM Pacific

At the heart of Gemini, is the pursuit of new information and the sharing, dispensing, and endless questioning of that information. This month’s New Moon occurs in tropical Gemini. It’s also in the cross-hairs of some serious tension! First off, the New Moon conjoins the planet Venus--a potent symbol for relationships (in the romantic and platonic contexts). All relationships need to grow and change. But you may find that at this New Moon, the seeds of considerable change are being planted. And this is likely to emerge in your most personal encounters with others.

The thing about a New Moon is that it is hidden. If you were to go out in the sky and look for the Moon, you wouldn't see it.  And ditto with Venus here. Something is happening in your heart and relationships that you can’t see right now. It’s there, you know it’s there, but it’s not palpable or real yet. This is a moment of transition.You can only sense it--like a ghostly presence upon you. The planet Saturn, in Sagittarius, makes an opposition to the New Moon.

What you might notice is that a new way of communicating with others is needed now. Perhaps you feel you have outgrown your response to those closest to you. Or perhaps,  you need a new language to effectively express yourself fully. To compound the tension, Neptune and Jupiter both sit in opposition to each other (180 degrees apart) and both planets hit the New Moon and Saturn at a 90-degree angle (a square). So what we’re looking at here is a grand cross. 

The cross is a symbol often associated with sacrifice and resurrection. In astrology, we recognize the “cross of matter”--essentially the birth chart itself. This is the intersection point between the spiritual and material. A grand cross can feel like an impossible and irresolvable crisis. Neptune adds an otherworldly dimension to this New Moon, or a desire to escape to avoid resolving any tension you may feel within yourself. And Jupiter opens opportunities for personal growth and extending assistance to others.

Acting out this New Moon negatively might result in trying to force your vision or version of the truth onto others or the world in some way. It might also look like losing yourself in some cause or movement in an attempt to avoid facing the reality of personal and existential uncertainty. It might look like giving others unsolicited advice or trying to save someone from what you might perceive to be a threat. But  all saviors are tricksters. The savior unwittingly ushers in a new paradigm through accident and happenstance. And beyond salvation, is transformation. What should you do with this New Moon tension? 

Maybe you choose to open your heart and simply listen. In fact, listening might be the best use of your time. And when you have listened enough, maybe discuss things openly, humbly, and authentically. Accept what you don’t know and remain open to new answers. Applied collectively, this New Moon is a powerful statement about needing to trust the great mystery. Sometimes, the solutions we seek arise all on their own, but only if we allow ourselves to go through the growing pain, the birth pain and the existential pain. And it’s in the midst of it, at the epicenter of crisis and unknowing that Jung once suggested, “that we know that we’re truly alive.” 

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Exploring Space Together: Full Moon in Sagittarius 2016

By maxime raynal from France (Bateau et voie lactée) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Full Moon @ 01 Sagittarius 14'

May 21, 2016

5:14 PM Eastern

2:14 PM Pacific

I’m sure that you’ve noticed by now that we live in a reality that expresses itself through duality. A Full Moon illustrates this principle dynamically. In astrology, we associate the Moon with a receptive impulse and the Sun with an active impulse. The Moon receives and reflects while the Sun actively asserts its radiance. This month’s Full Moon occurs in tropical Sagittarius. It also conjoins (makes an alignment) with the planet Mars which is currently retrograde (appearing to move backwards until the end of June).
 
A Full Moon is a moment of culmination; it brings something to a head. It can be a time of higher energy and momentum. The Moon relates to our mood at any given time, and how we feel around a Full Moon can be an indication of what is arising or what has been repressed. During this Full Moon, unresolved anger or fear may surface. It may equally bring to light desires for adventure, whether those adventures are palpable or of the mind need not matter. Exploration of the universe can happen both inwardly and outwardly. While Mars is retrograde, we are in a process of redefining passion, desire, and appropriate action. We are building the momentum needed to set ourselves on a new path for the attainment of what we really want in life.
 
And that requires courage and bravery to step up to the challenge and claim what is rightfully ours. But a Full Moon is also a moment of compromise and reconciliation. This is further punctuated by the opposition from Venus to the Moon and Mars. Appropriate action is understanding how much force one should use--when to assert ourselves and when to back off. Venus in Taurus asks that you be mindful of your body and its limitations, and also that space be created for silence, peace and rejuvenation. The power of this Full Moon is such that you may feel the need to expand outwardly, feeling as if the world just isn’t big enough for what’s possible.
 
Jupiter square Saturn suggests that you be cautious and realistic with this Full Moon energy. Be mindful of being too sure of yourself and your beliefs. The Sun in Gemini suggests doing more research and talking things out with others to see their point of view. Venus in Taurus also suggests that you trust your instincts and the wisdom of your own body too. Try not to get too caught up in being right or dogmatic. Be wary of others doing the same. If getting what you want ends up hurting others or excluding their point of view, it may be time to rethink your approach and find a compromise. And you may also realize that you don’t have to do it all by yourself either.

Mars is a powerful archetype, especially in a fire sign. If you wish to avoid conflict or butting heads during this Full Moon, then allow your Mars some healthy expression. The Moon so often conceals the energy of Mars behind the fear of not wanting to hurt others. And yet, hurting others for our own selfishness can turn ugly too. So, where does that leave you? It leaves you in that beautiful dance of duality, betwixt and between light and dark which must co-exist to co-create. Admit your desires. Be vulnerable. Talk things out with someone you trust. Set boundaries. Get your anger out through healthy physical expression. Say what you need to say, but realize that your viewpoint isn’t absolute. And don’t lose sight of the seemingly infinite possibilities which can be explored with those you truly love.

I'll leave you with this video of the late, great comedian Bill Hicks who had the Sun, Mercury, Mars, and Venus in Sagittarius.....

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Incoming Messages: The Transit of Mercury 2016

By edhiker (http://www.flickr.com/photos/edhiker/292807612/) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

I hope that you're surviving this Mercury retrograde cycle. I'm doing my best. The trickster seems to have singled me out this time, but I think I’ll make it and come out more aware of myself and the world. Mercury will also do something really interesting on May 9. It will pass over the face of the Sun! This is called a Transit of Mercury, and it’s an exciting event for serious and amateur astronomers. Due to the fact that Mercury and Venus lie between the Earth and the Sun, they're the only planets to do this from Earth’s perspective.

We recently experienced a Transit of Venus (much rarer) back in May of 2012. The last Transit of Mercury was in November of 2006, ten years ago. There were also transits of Mercury in 1999 and 2003. During a Transit of Mercury, Mercury will appear as a tiny black dot moving across the face of the Sun. And no, you cannot see it with the naked eye! In order to view this event, you need special equipment--a telescope and special filters to protect you from going blind. You can also watch it live online, though seeing it through a telescope (with proper equipment) is a lot more exciting.

Is there anything special about a Transit of Mercury astrologically? The Transits of Venus appear to have a significant correlation with cultural and artistic turning points, but it is much rarer than Mercury’s transits. There are about 13 to 14 Transits of Mercury per century. So, in a given lifetime, we experience quite a few. A Transit of Mercury occurs during a Mercury retrograde cycle when Mercury makes an alignment (called a conjunction) with the Sun, but its orbital plane is such that the planet visually crosses over the Sun.

Normally, this is called an inferior conjunction of Mercury which happens at the midpoint of every Mercury retrograde cycle. Mercury is hard to see at any time, but especially when it conjoins the Sun. The Sun’s light outshines it. When Mercury descends into the Sun, such as during its retrograde periods, it is moving behind the scenes. There is a lot going on right now that you can’t see. And it will involve Mercurial things--communication, writing, teaching, and your perceptual awareness of reality. But on May 9, during the Transit of Mercury, some hidden process emerges onto the solar disk of the Sun.

What is hidden and unconscious makes an appearance. Keep your awareness attuned to this reality. Information, signs, omens and synchronicities are revealing themselves to you. New realms are opening up, and with them, a new perception of your world. This is a month to keep your mind receptive to incoming messages. While Mercury retrograde can be a time of increased frustrations, try to see the hidden gifts in the setbacks. You may be a gifted a new awareness, and a new way of communicating it to the world.

We don’t often associate Mercury with things like synchronicities--what most modern people are trained to call "coincidences". But it's how the universe speaks to us. And Mercury is the messenger of the gods. With winged feet, it flies back and forth between dimensions to bring us glimpses of new realms. As Mercury crosses the face of the Sun, it's likely that you will notice these messages more frequently, along with some seemingly frustrating situations. But if you can, see what there is to learn from them. You just might learn something important and profound.

Taking the Scenic Route: New Moon in Taurus 2016

By NIHAL JABIN (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

New Moon @ 16 Taurus 41'

May 6, 2016

3:29 PM Eastern

12:29 PM Pacific

Two inner planets are currently in retrograde (they appear to be moving backwards).This optical illusion manifests within each of us internally. For a while, life feels sluggish and uncooperative. This is highly common when Mercury is retrograde, which it will be for the next two weeks. Such a feeling may be accentuated further by the fact that Mercury conjoins this New Moon in a sign that’s known for taking its sweet time. In tropical Taurus, the Sun and Moon initiate a slow and steady process of growth and development over the next lunation cycle.
 
The universe may be telling you to slow it down. You’ll likely find that situations around you have indicated this pretty clearly. There’s no need to rush with Taurus. This is a sign that prefers taking the scenic route--the detour through the forest just to smell the pine trees. You may find that image helpful. In fact, open your mind to all of the detours that may be cropping up in your life right now. If the usual path isn’t open to you, there’s probably another, and an opportunity to enter a new landscape.
 
Mercury retrograde often reroutes us. This can be frustrating as well as liberating. It all depends on how you choose to respond and perceive it. This is a time to keep your mind loose and open--willing to take in alternative points of view. Taurus emphasizes the physical body and the need to enjoy it. It also relates to natural beauty and the value we attach to things. At the moment, Mercury, Venus and the Sun are moving through Taurus. Such an emphasis in this sign indicates that it would be wise to take the next two weeks to tune into your body and allow yourself some rest and recovery in whatever way you can.
 
The New Moon also forms a grand trine between Jupiter and Pluto. At the start of the current lunar cycle, you may find that your mind is focused on practical matters--survival, outer accomplishments, or physical health. Some of these areas, especially relating to finances, may not be moving as fast as you would like. But perhaps, this is an opportunity to take care of yourself, or at least discover new ways of doing so. And as a result, your physical needs will be met in time. Be aware that Mercury is helping you to devise a new strategy or approach.
 
Ultimately, Taurus is a sign that emphasizes self-love.It’s association with Venus and the second house archetypes relate to self-worth as connected to personal wealth and resources. We live in a society that equates wealth with self-worth. We’re taught to accumulate resources to feel good about ourselves or worthy. But natural wisdom tells us that it works a lot better the other way around. Take some time over the remaining two weeks to reevaluate your relationship to self-love and its connection to the flow of resources in your life.
 
As the Sun and Moon conjoin on May 6, use this moment to relax and catch your breath. You might find it beneficial to immerse yourself in nature by going for a hike, hitting the beach, or taking a short camping trip. Whatever you do, keep it simple. Maybe you just end up eating some ice cream and watching the clouds pass by outside your window. That works, too! The New Moon is a time of lower energy anyway, and Taurus takes an easy pace. I think you get the point and you’re probably feeling it, too.

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Kosmic Mind Blog by Chad Woodward is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Going With the Retrograde Flow

By Randi Hausken from Bærum, Norway (In the stream) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Sometimes, life seems to be at a standstill. This might be one of those times. Currently, five planets are in retrograde. They appear to be moving backwards. This is an optical illusion. Planets don’t actually move backwards. If your life appears to be slogging along, that is an illusion, too. There really is no time. Time itself is an illusion. But illusions are convincing, and our entire existence depends on them. What you’re feeling is likely convincing and real. That’s okay. You’re probably not alone.

Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto all appear to be moving backwards. The most significant of these are Mercury and Mars. These two cycles are overlapping, and that is rare. It’s rare because Mars turns retrograde only every two years. And its correlation with Mercury retrograde enhances all this retrograde energy that saturates the air. Some things get stuck during retrograde cycles while others actually begin to move. It all depends on what it is.

But at the moment, both Mercury and Mars have just recently changed direction, that is, moved from forward to backward motion. And when that happens, things often feel stagnant and possibly frustrating. Mercury relates to communication and commerce while Mars deals with passion and willpower. Mercury is in Taurus and Mars is in Sagittarius. Uncertainty about resources and your personal values are likely. Lost passion and subsequent frustration (and anger) over a lack of perspective or adventure in life are likely too.

The good news? Retrograde periods are moments of revision and an opportunity to do things differently. They open new realities and worlds to us. But there’s always a transition. We are at such a time. Use this time to pause and step back. Take a break from how you typically approach what it is that’s not doing what you want it to. And over the next few weeks, you’ll find that a new approach is emerging if you are open to it.

For Mars, you are building up some momentum that will carry you far. That will relate to something specific in your life. If you know some astrology, look to the house in your natal chart that Mars is currently in. If not, trust your impulses and desires right now (the ones that won’t get you into serious trouble). This is an opportunity to change your life in some drastic way. Think about something you have always wanted. Now is the time, over the next two months, to build the foundation for its attainment. This is powerful magic.

With Mercury, over the next three weeks, tune into your body. Take some time to relax and trust that there aren’t many things in life that can’t wait three weeks. You are on the threshold of a potential breakthrough in many ways. And that is exciting. Make more illusionary time in your life over these three weeks for flexibility and changes of direction.

Keep your mind open to new perceptions regarding your body and the natural world around you. The universe will give you extra time for whatever you feel you don’t have time for. Get it? Good. Trust it. I’ll leave you with a quote from Lewis Hyde, author of Trickster Makes This World, “the agile mind is pleased to find what it was not looking for.”

Primal Wisdom: Full Moon in Scorpio 2016

Wall art in the caves of Lascaux; by Prof saxx (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0, via   Wikimedia Commons

Full Moon @ 02 Scorpio 31’
April 21, 2016
10:24 PM Pacific
April 22, 2016
1:24 AM Eastern

April’s Full Moon reaches its climax in the tropical sign of Scorpio just after the planet Mars turns stationary retrograde in Sagittarius. In many ways, this lunation points to Mars, not because it touches it in any direct way, but through Mars’ resonance with the sign of Scorpio. As I’ve discussed in detail in my article on Mars retrograde, this rare cycle is always somewhat pivotal. It occurs roughly every two years and there’s a significant association with its occurrence and particular karmic circumstances that tend to develop around it. These situations have probably already emerged for you, in the weeks leading up to its reversal of direction.

I suppose everything in life is a result of our karma. But Mars (and even Venus) retrogrades tend to stir up a particular kind of karma we share with other people, and with Mars that can be sexual or involve the need to resolve conflict or pent up anger we carry share between us and those we relate to. But at the root of it, Mars deals with the most primal components of the human psyche. Yes, sex is certainly a part of that and something the modern world places a lot of restrictions on.

 The psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich proposed that the repression of sexuality led to the emergence of political figures who we (as a society) projected god-like status upon. That might sound rather strange at first, but if we understand the true power of sex and infatuation, it doesn’t seem too far off. The feelings and emotions stirred up through sex give us the sense of a spiritual bond with someone; they often stir up a longing to return to the womb. We unconsciously equate the womb with the source of life.

 Whether “spiritual”, theistic, or atheist, every human being can identify with the womb as the most primordial archetype that is ubiquitously shared within the human psyche. It appears that no matter your spiritual or philosophical orientation, no one is immune to the hormonal magic (or trickery) that certain people create for us when we become intimate. Sex is how we all got here anyway. Sexual repression is perhaps a major cause of war and violence in the world. That certainly seems to be a theme associated with the newly discovered planet Eris (which I wrote about in my last article on the New Moon) that will conjoin Uranus this June. And in this lunation chart, we see Venus conjunct Uranus and Eris!

A Full Moon is a moment of climax and culmination. It brings to a head some process that began at the New Moon two weeks prior. But with Mars retrograde now, and this Full Moon’s presence in Scorpio, you may notice that situations may be coming to a head from some time ago, perhaps other lifetimes, or perhaps merely situations that have been brewing for a while in the background. We also can’t forget Scorpio’s resonance with Pluto--the outer planet that was demoted to dwarf planet status by the Astronomical Union when Eris was discovered.

I think we’re all feeling this collectively now, that we are on the brink of some unknown and mysterious transition point. Every moment of change and transition is accompanied by a sense of fear and uncertainty. Scorpio certainly contains an archetypal resonance with primal fear: whether that’s being torn apart by saber-toothed tigers, grizzly bears, carried away by a tsunami or abandoned by those we trust and love. The fears stirred up by this Full Moon, should they arise, may involve fears connected to our relationships and the commitment required to hold them together. Venus, Uranus and Eris in the sign of Aries significantly highlight freedom, independence, and autonomy. And yet Scorpio also relates to intimate bonding and exclusivity. How do you make space for both? It starts by making clear boundaries and asserting your right to be yourself in whatever situation you find yourself.

Fear is a useful ally when it comes to our survival, but it appears to direct many people’s choices and decisions in the modern world, especially in the U.S. since the events of 9/11. Mars retrograde invites you, until the end of June, to face some fears head on. When you do that, you’ll find that you’ll have more courage and freedom to pursue your authentic path--free from the dictates of unconscious controls you may have placed upon yourself. And as this Full Moon culminates, it invites you to get real about what you really want and need to evolve. That may be a little painful, to cut through all the crap that’s been in the way, but when in doubt, listen to your primal wisdom, your gut instincts. They will guide the way to clarifying your intentions.

The Price of Freedom: New Moon in Aries 2016

Day 40 of Occupy Wall Street; photo by David Shankbone.

New Moon @ 18 Aries 04'

April 7, 2016

3:23 AM Pacific

6:23 AM Eastern

April is an interesting month and one in which you may find catalytic for many new experiences. On a collective level, April’s New Moon symbolizes a prelude to a significant historical marker: the conjunction of Uranus and the newly discovered dwarf planet Eris. These two planets will first conjoin this June, but April’s New Moon occurs within the vicinity of this building conjunction, giving us a preview of the archetypal energy that it will embody in our personal and collective lives.

Eris was discovered in 2005 and was responsible for demoting Pluto from a planet to a dwarf planet. Eris made headlines in major news publications and completely altered the solar system. While there have been many new and significant discoveries, Eris stands out as the object that single-handedly brought so much upheaval within the astronomical community. I personally think Eris is a powerful archetype and that it has much to teach us. But what does Eris mean?

As with any new discovery, it will take time before we have a working interpretative framework, but for now we have some key themes associated with the mythology. Eris is named after a trickster goddess, a goddess of discord, chaos, and strife. In the most popular Greek mythos, Eris threw a golden apple inscribed with the phrase “to the fairest” into a wedding party (that she wasn’t invited to) causing a competitive tussle between the goddesses Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena that resulted in the Trojan War.

 It appears that Eris may have an association with some of the deepest layers of the primordial unconscious involving fierce competition, primal sexuality, and themes relating to the survival of the fittest. On another layer, Eris may embody issues surrounding wealth inequality and the social problems connected with status and privilege. And as a trickster goddess associated with Chaos, her influence often correlates with disruption and upheaval. We can also say the same of Uranus, and these two planets coming together are bound to create some turbulence within the collective psyche.

As the current lunar cycle comes to a close, you may notice that feeling of something ending and yet something unknown and mysterious taking its place. This is a common feeling during a New Moon, and to make things even more ambiguous, we have the presence of this new object that we are being invited to integrate into our consciousness. The New Moon occurs in tropical Aries which begins the zodiac cycle. Aries may symbolize the need for new adventures along with new stress and challenges.

With the presence of Uranus, we get the symbolism of trailblazing for the sake of independence, personal freedom, and autonomy. But the path you may find yourself following may feel uncertain, even a little scary. That’s because you’re encroaching upon a new evolutionary threshold—one in which the modern world has yet to touch upon. To do that requires immense bravery and courage. It requires staring into the unknown without allowing fear to hold you back or to keep you from achieving your goals.

The New Moon’s trine (a 120 degrees relationship) aspect to Saturn will help facilitate rapid growth and maturity—as long as you step up to the challenge that lies before you without taking short cuts or avoiding the need for discipline and focus. Pluto in Capricorn also squares (makes a 90 degrees relationship) with this lunation as well.  If you take the initiative with this New Moon, you will find that you have an opportunity to completely alter the structures in your life in some profound way.

And always with Pluto, you must confront deeply embedded feelings and fears. As you charge forth this month, you may encounter what appears to be a brick wall that seems impenetrable. But if you can imagine a wall constructed out of beliefs and limitations inherent to your own mind, you can see that perhaps there’s a way past it through the intentional transcendence of fear. Uranus conjunct the New Moon asks you how much you would pay for freedom. How much are you willing to give up to direct your own life? That might require stepping up and becoming your own authority, and releasing the need for others to take care of you. The price is that void of uncertainty that lies before you.

The current lunar cycle is one in which you can initiate some big changes in your personal life—whether drastic or subtle. Those changes are probably frightening and uncertain. Remember that whatever Eris ultimately embodies is something in which we must, collectively, become conscious of. Consider that in your own life, too. What new realities have you yet to glimpse? It’s both an exciting and unnerving process. To become conscious of anything is often uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. But Aries stirs up your inner warrior. This New Moon can give you the boost of courage and stamina you need. And once you set things into motion, the universe will take care of the rest. 

Bridging Heart and Mind: Lunar Eclipse in Libra 2016

The spiral galaxy M81. Photo by NASA/JPL-Caltech/S. Willner (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse @ 03 Libra 17'
March 23, 2016
5:01 AM Pacific
8:01 AM Eastern

As we near the end of the month, the current lunar cycle culminates with a penumbral Lunar Eclipse in the tropical sign of Libra just four days after the equinox (spring in the northern and autumn in the southern hemispheres). As you pass through this first eclipse portal of 2016, you may have noticed a shift within yourself (however drastic or subtle). Eclipses are moments of inner change, change that happens beneath the surface—often relating to an awareness of something new within yourself or your environment.

The challenge is holding onto the new awareness that the eclipse portal has gifted you. These are often brief periods of time where the ego has lessened its stranglehold upon consciousness. It is a fertile period for inner work and self-realization. And there is often an opportunity to accelerate internal growth and change. This Lunar Eclipse/Full Moon seals the deal, so to speak. It brings to a head the process that began just two weeks ago at the Solar Eclipse in Pisces.

Now that the Sun has entered Aries, you may feel a sense of a new beginning. You are responding to a collective shift which happens every year. Astrologers like to refer to this moment as the Astrological New Year because the Sun has begun a new cycle around the ecliptic. For you, that may feel like an experience of starting out fresh. New potentials wait to be revealed and brought to manifestation.

The Lunar Eclipse highlights the sign of Libra, an archetype with a strong association with relationship.The eclipse may correlate with a shift in how you relate to friends, partners, clients or those you work with directly. It may relate to inner changes that will be reflected within the social environment around you. Metaphysically speaking, the outer reality is a reflection of your internal state.

Pay close attention to the people you interact with on the days surrounding this eclipse. Choose to make it a point to simply observe and notice what is happening around you. Mercury, the messenger of the gods, is conjunct the Sun and in direct opposition to the Lunar Eclipse. Information, messages, omens, and synchronicity will all play a vital role in the eclipse process. While the mind may be focused on a new pathway that lies ahead of you—blazing that trail, so to speak, the heart feels compelled to focus on the needs, opinions, and perceptions of other people.

This can symbolize a subtle breakthrough in your ability to find common ground and compromise without sacrificing freedom, autonomy, and personal willpower. And realize that the new pathways you seek now will be revealed to you through your relationships. Focus on supporting certain connections and through them, you will find the freedom you seek. The dark side of this lunation is the temptation toward passive aggressiveness due to overt people pleasing and politeness; or conversely, defending a viewpoint to the point of annihilating the possibility of seeing the other side of the issue.

Can you bridge the heart and mind and come to a mutual understanding now, or will you simply butt heads, or totally surrender to someone else’s point of view just to avoid conflict (leading to the repression of your true feelings)? Explore your feelings now; allow them to enter your conscious awareness, and choose the path that has the most heart. To open your mind to another requires that you equally open your own heart.

Also, be mindful that this eclipse takes place near the Aries point. Any event that occurs at the entry of cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) will activate the Aries point (technically the first degree of Aries). The Aries point is the intersection of the personal and the collective. It can often indicate the emergence of collective events which impact us all--that seep into our personal or intimate lives. 

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I’ve been writing astrology posts on my blog since about 2009. That’s seven years. I’ve used this time to develop my writing and to build my confidence as both a writer and an astrologer. I think I still have a lot of work left to do. I’m not sure that will ever end. At this point, I’d like to connect more with my audience (that means you), and to do that, I want to invite you to sign up for my free newsletter. It will be sent out bi-weekly—that’s just twice a month. If you already receive e-mail pings about new posts from my blog that’s great, but my newsletter will be unique because, in addition to New and Full Moon readings, I will be including exclusive content only for newsletter subscribers that will not be available on my blog page. That’s pretty cool, right?

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Glimpsing the Miraculous: Total Solar Eclipse in Pisces 2016

Sun Rays at Lake Heiniö, Pieksämäki; photo by Vijo Viitanen, 2006.

Total Solar Eclipse @ 18 Pisces 56'

March 8, 2016

8:54 PM Eastern

5:54 PM Pacific

As the current lunar cycle begins again, the Sun and Moon align to create a Total Solar Eclipse alongside a strong emphasis of planets (including the eclipse) in the tropical sign of Pisces. Pisces is a sign which describes perceptions that are above and beyond the reality of our everyday experiences—those of a “spiritual” and transcendent nature. From my perspective, everything in life is essentially spiritual. Every experience we have is a part of our spiritual journey. Whether you're meditating in a monastery or staring at the television until you die, you're on a spiritual path. But for many people living in the modern world, conditioned by overt materialism and existentialism, the world of the senses is taken entirely at face value.

Eclipses are potent moments in time where we are afforded the opportunity to see beyond surface appearances, and they often correlate with profound inner shifts and changes. In Pisces, we come to the realization that life itself is not what it appears to be. “Spiritual”, when used in the Piscean context, describes the awareness, even if it’s just intellectual, that the world before us is somehow more symbolic than it is literal. To fully integrate the ultimate perception of Pisces, one must accept that events throughout life are not random products of chance or chaos—that what may, at first glance, appear to be chaotic, is actually directed by some intelligence that is far beyond that of our own. A higher spiritual understanding of life is the awareness that we are, always, engaging in a dialogue with an intelligent universe.

This month, the heavy cluster of planets in Pisces including Neptune, Mercury, Ceres, Sun, Chiron (and even the south node of the Moon), draw our attention to this deeper metaphysical revelation about our reality. The world of objects and random events are merely the ghostly emanations of archetypal energies embedded in a vast field that encapsulates the physical world. That is a difficult perception to carry with you throughout your daily life. The mind simply cannot fully accept it most of the time (and for good reason). But at times such as this, or during particular cycles in our lives (such as transits of planets through the 12^th house or the cycles of Neptune in our horoscope), we are given an opportunity to glimpse this deeper understanding of the world around us.

We are given the chance to witness “miracles”—experiences that suggest that there is something more going on here than meets the eye. The Solar Eclipse itself makes a conjunction (alignment) with Chiron. This interesting object, discovered in 1977, appears, often, to have a deep correlation with miraculous and spontaneous healings and the reversal of disease processes (physically, mentally, and emotionally). But Chiron’s highest teaching appears to be that one’s attitude towards reality can actually change it and cause it to shift. To witness the miraculous with this eclipse, you must be open to the possibility that magic, synchronicity, and the existence of fate are very real things we interact with on a daily basis.

The planet Jupiter in Virgo lies directly opposite the Solar Eclipse while the planet Saturn in Sagittarius makes a 90 degrees aspect (a square) to both the eclipse/Chiron and Jupiter.This lunation is one that contains a potent dynamic of tension—tension you can use to make something happen and fully manifest. The square aspect from Saturn requires discipline, focus, and considerable effort. But consider that, above all else, your faith and trust in life will be your true ally during this current lunar cycle, even in the face of a reality that may seem quite daunting or challenging.

Jupiter in Virgo invites us to somehow integrate this mystical, Piscean perspective into our everyday lives in some practical way that can be useful to ourselves as well as others. And Saturn in Sagittarius invites us to take actions that require intent and sustained focus to break free of limiting beliefs, routines, and patterns which have halted growth and maturity. There is a way to break through the prison of your current perception, but you must honor the illusion that lies before you as a means through which spirit chooses to communicate wisdom and teachings to you. To successfully integrate this lunation, you must engage with reality in a conscious and sober way. Choosing to escape what you don’t want to face, will make this lunation more difficult. Make an effort with your New Moon meditation to find the magical and miraculous in your everyday life and the affairs of the world.

No matter what difficulties you encounter now, big or small, simply remind yourself that things aren’t what they seem. Explore the possibility that random events, whether painful or wonderful, are a form of communication, a means through which some vaster part of yourself and your reality is choosing to speak to you. As you engage with the world during this New Moon/Solar Eclipse, remain fully conscious and willing to accept that your life is guiding you toward a higher, imperceptible potential that only you can intuit deep within yourself. And then ask yourself throughout the next several days, or weeks, “Am I trusting?” When you do that, when you open yourself to trusting the moment, you may just glimpse the miraculous.

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