Kosmic Horizon: October 2013

Photo by Chad Woodward, Temecula, Ca, 2013.

October pulls us gradually into the final eclipse season of 2013 with the first Lunar Eclipse on Oct 18. In addition, Mercury turns stationary retrograde in Scorpio on Oct 21. Get ready for a change of course; it’s coming whether we’re ready or not.

This fall is all about deep inner personal change. There will be many mental and emotional adjustments and alterations taking place with things which have been highly resistant to change and movement. That could be really exciting for some of us, and slightly threatening for others. This month offers an opportunity to clean things out and unclutter the mind, soul and psyche.

October begins in the midst of Mercury’s retrograde shadow—which serves as an introduction to the themes and issues which the actual retrograde will address. Gradually, as the month progresses, you may find yourself questioning some key areas of your life, particularly related to the soul’s purpose and the path you currently tread.

This is all natural and healthy; eclipses provide key moments where we must alter and renovate our interior mindscape. Mercury retrograde is a natural cycle where sporadic renovations take place. In Scorpio, that relates to forgotten corners and hidden chambers.

Many undisclosed elements will emerge this month. Depending on how willing we are to integrate this material, this experience will manifest as a small crisis or a sudden yet brief transformational process. But, either way, it’s usually uncomfortable. That’s an inevitable manifestation of these energies; and if there’s any sign that exemplifies rather touchy subject matter it’s Scorpio.  

Mars is also a key focal point this month, since the eclipse occurs in Aries and Mercury retrograde in Scorpio—both signs which fall under its dominion. Mars governs our ability to take action and to implement our soul’s purpose in this life. Mars deals with willpower and self-assertion. Knee-jerk reactions, gut level instincts, primal urges, desires and emotions are central to the expression of Mars. And it is this territory that we’re likely to find ourselves getting more in touch with.

Eclipse season is time for letting go—letting go of the past, and letting go to yourself as you actually are. That means momentarily placing ego needs and desires aside and peering deeply into what lies beyond the veneer of personality. This is a deep and sensitive process. It can guide us to seriously question ourselves, our motives, agendas and intentions. But, if we flow with it, we come out the other side renewed and excited to move ahead.

Here is a forecast of significant collective events this month; use it as a rough guide for what lies ahead: 

Oct 1

While the mind is clear and perceptive of concepts which usually evade common sense and the rational laws of physics, emotional currents are a bit harder to pin down and make sense of. That doesn’t mean that emotional clarity isn’t possible, but that it requires some work in the process of sorting things out.

This is a day where discrimination is necessary to distinguish between real or imagined emotional responses. Fortunately, the mind is a little more useful, and by extension, rather more helpful than usual in dealing with such material.

In the background, the tension is heating up—more on a collective scale as the Sun squares Pluto and approaches an opposition to Uranus. There may be considerable resistance to our efforts to charge forward and assert will power and ego needs. The Sun in Libra is more compromising and seeks equanimity. As a result it isn’t as assertive. But there is power in numbers, so don’t try to fight this alone. ­­

Oct 2

Real healing is possible now—although it’s part of a process that we’ve been in the midst of since last November. Chiron trine Saturn brings us tangible results while transmuting deep emotional, physical and spiritual pain. It reminds us that we aren’t alone in our suffering. If we take the initiative and face the unknown, and the uncomfortable, much progress and integration is possible.

The system works; there’s an intention within the fabric of nature; there’s a grand intelligent design. If you work with it, if you play by the rules, things have a way of working more in your favor.

Oct 3

There’s a strong rebellious streak in the air, a powerful urge to defy authority, control and structure. All those suffocating routines may feel unbearable. Demands and expectations from other people are likely to set off some nerves and trigger aggravation. Personal freedom needs to be addressed, but so do the needs of others. Working it out takes patience, but it’s possible.

Oct 4

There is a fresh new start emerging today with the New Moon in Libra. But, it emerges under a considerable amount of pressure. Where the ego has been challenged the past few days, a strong emotional impetus adds more fuel to the fire that’s waging in the background. The challenge: to seek peace, diplomacy, and common ground within uncertain and unstable territory. Collectively this is a significant day. Violence is the dark side. Greater strength and fortitude grace the higher road.

Oct 6

An ability to articulate deeply buried emotional material is highlighted today. The mind is less focused on logical and analytical methods of perceiving reality; today is about feeling our way to the very root of the matter at hand, and dealing with it the way it is, without censorship. The insights and perspectives we uncover are likely to excite powerful transformative processes leading to a deeper sense of meaning, purpose and direction.

This is a day of true authentic communication through an open discussion of feelings, fears, desires, and previously undisclosed material. Conversations are likely to be a lot more serious and focused on the bare essential information. Express rather than oppress that which you find bubbling up and vying for acknowledgement. It might be heavy, it may be deep, but whatever it is, it’s necessary.

Oct 7

Venus entering Sagittarius today lightens up the ambience quite a bit, adding an inclination and desire for more breathing space and fresh air. While the “seriousness” and heaviness shrouding communication continues, there is the prospect of greater perspective, clarity and truth. It also takes some of the focus away from intimate or inner personal issues, directing the mind toward new social vistas.

Oct 8

Today presents a prelude to some themes and issues which will be heavily dealt with during Mercury’s retrograde cycle (beginning Oct 21). Mercury’s initial conjunction with Saturn serves as a starting point for the creation of strategies which require some serious reworking. Pay attention to that critical goal you’re pondering today and release your attachment to making it happen right away.

As Mercury turns retrograde towards the end of the month, we’ll have an opportunity to revise, restructure, reevaluate, renovate and reconfigure in many shapes and forms. You don’t need to nail it all down and start putting it into action. Trust that this is a beginning step that will naturally unfold and take form all in due time. Patience, persistence, discipline, and a penetrating mental focus will be your allies. By the end of November, once the kinks are worked out, it will be time to practically integrate your strategy into the world.

This is also a good time to make sure that a system or structure is well supported and strong—whatever we don’t address now may force us to at the end of the month.

Oct 10

The truth seems to evade our grasp today. Desires may lead us to dead ends as they reveal themselves to be mere mirages or pure deceptions. Don’t be fooled by what may initially appear enticing, salacious or glamorous. Really pause and reflect before you act or commit. In fact, meditate deeply and you will eventually realize the truth—but you must make the effort to see past the façade. Spontaneous and effortless revelations won’t come easy. If they do, they’re not likely to have much basis in reality.

Don’t waste your time and resources chasing after a mirage today, you’ll feel pretty stupid in a few days. Healthy skepticism needs to be applied diligently. However, a concentrated focus using a sober outlook will be quite productive. Today is more about receiving than doing. Be like a magnet and calmly reflect on what you attract. Real truth and beauty hides in the deep, beyond several layers. Only fools rush in; don’t be one of them.

Oct 15

A drive for creative self-expression gets reverted toward much larger issues and concerns as Mars enters Virgo. Collectively, intense self-focus and promotion fades into the backdrop. Mars in Virgo demands that we put talents to good use, to serve a purpose. The problem is adjusting to the change of pace. It may be interpreted as a loss of passion and enthusiasm, because we suddenly have deeper and more meaningful concerns. The best way to work with this transit is to find the passion to help and serve others. There’s nothing to “prove” while Mars is in Virgo, remember that.

There is a powerful willpower to make improvements where needed, and a drive to obtain an ideal. Channeling enthusiasm into a specific point of interest takes dedication to avert wasteful expenditure of energy. That also means you need to know what you’re doing. If you don’t, it’s time to brush up and freshen up. Practice makes perfect.

Oct 16

Today is a little bitter sweet. While there’s an amplification of bountiful desire and an enthusiasm for new and unexpected experiences, there’s some apprehensiveness in regards to opening up and embracing it all. Some of this may derive from deeply rooted insecurities and fears which stem from past traumas or difficulties. It might feel as if it’s just too good to be true while you look for the silver lining.

The challenge is to align with your hearts true desires and intentions today. To connect with a fountain of authentic as opposed to artificial joy. If it really has meaning and value for you, then open up and embrace the spontaneous. Working past your resistance and releasing the past will be a part of today’s activities, but you’ll have a sense of accomplishment and some self-respect. Push through the barriers to truth; something new and exciting waits on the other end.

Oct 18

The Full Moon in Aries today is also a Lunar Eclipse. There’s an overwhelming sense of culmination permeating the collective. Emotional releases focus on letting out the steam and relieving tension and pressure. While Aries and its ruler Mars are action oriented, the eclipse today invites us to merely remain conscious of our impressions, urges and anxieties and to do nothing about them. There may be a change of pace, of heart and of desire. But change is the whole point.

Certain goals, intentions, directions, and plans of action are coming to a head. If they’ve been successful you have to merely receive the bounty. If they no longer serve you, your loss of interest is simply an indication of the need to let them go. If anything, today serves to grab and direct our attention. Focus on the quality of your attention and nothing else. The less outwardly focused you are, the more insightful and beneficial the moment will be.

Oct 19

Today is a bit shifty and difficult to pin down—and preceding a lunar eclipse it merely amplifies the sense of uncertainty that pervades the atmosphere. The more you attempt to charge forward to face certain obstacles and goals, the further away they appear. With each step they back away, in complete unison with your maneuvers, until they vanish completely as if they were merely holograms.

Certain fears and insecurities may paralyze and keep one from moving; but this might not be such a bad thing. Remember, there’s nothing to prove here. There’s only an ideal which must be carefully evaluated. The more you push today, the more you are likely to burn out and implode. The day is best served seeking inspiration which will later motivate you toward seeking its obtainment when the fog clears.

And speaking of clarity, this is equally possible today. There is an opportunity to see very clearly the best possible direction. That may accompany a complete change of direction—but at least you’re clear about what path wasn’t working for you anyhow. In the midst of eclipse season, we tread on shifting sands. Remain open to the higher guidance that you would normally disregard as impractical or insignificant. Who knows where it will lead you, but that’s all part of the adventure.

Oct 21

Mercury turns stationary retrograde today, setting off a three week period of backward motion in our daily affairs and personal projects. This is an ideal time to rework, review, revisit, restructure, reconsider, reflect, etc. The more time and energy spent on backtracking for the next three weeks the more beneficial our retrograde experience will be. Sometimes we come up against nagging or incessant irritations, setbacks or technical issues. So remain flexible and prepared to deal with potential problems. Each retrograde we’re given the opportunity to see things from a completely different perspective, so keep your mind open and receptive.

The sign of Scorpio deals with hidden, disclosed, and highly unconscious material; this retrograde could bring to light those relics we thought were long gone or had forgotten about entirely. This is an opportunity to connect deeply with our more primal nature and to reconsider things from a raw uncensored perspective.

If you feel a little uncertain about where you’re going or what actions to take right now don’t fret. It’s in the air. It may be a challenge to move forward with confidence today. Psychic and intuitive impressions are strong, but the mind appears to be telling us otherwise. Don’t analyze your feelings too much, it will likely make things more confusing.

A barrage of conflicting data or information could possibly paralyze one with a bout of uncertainty. Do your best to discern what’s relevant and simply let go of what isn’t. With Mercury retrograde we have plenty of time to fact check and to do some deeper research. Don’t feel pressured or rushed to make sense of it all right now, it’s probably not the right time as critical pieces are still missing.

Oct 22

The Sun’s ingress into Scorpio today further solidifies our collective desire to dig deep and connect on a more authentic level. This is the season to take things much further than you normally would. It also illuminates certain hidden caverns and dark corners where we usually fear to look. This solar Scorpio season is all about the bare essentials. That means letting go of irrelevant material and sticking to the basics.

This is a season of considerable change and transformation, highlighted by a Scorpio solar eclipse in early November. Shed the skin you have outgrown. It may be an uncomfortable process, but the rewards will be long lasting and will develop in due time.

Oct 29

Today marks the second stage of a process that began around Oct 8. It’s time to rework a strategy, tighten some screws, and make sure the overall structure is well supported. There may be a breakdown within the system which will require considerable attention to detail. If you put in the extra effort and sort things out now, it will be more solid and stable next month.

Today also signifies a second chance to articulate uncomfortable yet highly relevant material. Be clear and direct, in fact, make the effort to reiterate clearly so that there aren’t any misunderstandings which could lead to a conflict. The mind is sharp today, but in its precision it might miss the forest for the trees. Focus your gaze on those elements that you would normally overlook; you may uncover some highly critical missing pieces.

Responsibilities, commitments, or contractual agreements from the past may come back to haunt us. Today is ideal for renegotiation, but not entering into new alliances. Read the fine print very carefully! Whatever you commit to will have long lasting consequences. There is a strong desire for freedom beneath it all. That means there could be a considerable amount of resentment toward restrictions that weigh us down.

The only way to effectively break free and spread your wings will be to ensure that everything is lined up and in order. That means taking responsibility. Be yourself today, and remain completely authentic to who you are and what you’re capable of. Any attempts to conform, suppress or censor yourself will likely lead to a build-up of anger or frustration which will be difficult to let out.

Oct 30

There is the potential to directly face and deal with something painful today. A strong enthusiastic drive and motivation is channeled toward deep healing and integration. There may also be a powerful impetus to confront and deal with issues that have remained quite ambiguous for some time. It’s not about fixing or solving a “problem”, but rather boldly stepping up to face the unknown before you. It’s about surrendering to transformation. And that takes bravery.

Equally, there may be a sense of feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of something. We may feel unable to take charge and complete what needs to be done. Honor your fears and limitations, and don’t attempt to take on too much if you’re unable to handle it all. Today may present a minor stumbling block, but it carries great lessons.

Oct 31

There’s a clear, sharp, and directed sense of focus and ambition today. Use this energy willingly and wisely toward a specific task, goal, or intention. Any apprehensiveness or hesitation that may have emerged yesterday is likely to dissipate now alongside a renewed sense of purpose. The energy today is quite conducive for anything that requires long sustained attention to detail and enthusiasm.

Oct 1-Mercury trine Neptune, Moon opposition Neptune

Oct 2-Saturn trine Chiron

Oct 3-Sun opposition Uranus

Oct 4-New Moon 11 Libra 56’; Moon opposition Uranus and square Pluto

Oct 6-Mercury, Moon and Saturn sextile Pluto

Oct 7-Venus enters Sagittarius; Mercury conjunct Saturn trine Chiron

Oct 8-Mercury conjunct Saturn (direct, first pass); Venus square Transpluto

Oct 10-Venus square Neptune

Oct 11-Firsr Qtr Moon 18 Cap, Venus sextile Juno

Oct 15-Mars enters Virgo

Oct 16-Venus trine Uranus; Mars conjunct Transpluto; Venus square Chiron

Oct 18-Lunar Eclipse/Full Moon 25 Aries 45’

Oct 19-Mars opposition Neptune

Oct 21-Mercury Stationary Retrograde 18 Scorpio; Moon, Mars and Neptune T-square

Oct 22-Sun enters Scorpio

Oct 29-Mercury conjunct Saturn (retrograde, second pass); Yod formation: Moon conjunct Mars and sextile Sun (conjunct North Node) quincunx Uranus.

Oct 28-Pluto sextile Chiron

Oct 30-Mars opposition Chiron

Oct 31-Mars trine Pluto

Darkness and Light: The Scorpionic Conjunction and the Full Moon in Pisces

Sedona Buddha, by Chad Woodward, 2011.

Full Moon @ 26 Pisces
September 19, 2013

The dance of duality permeates every aspect of third density experience. We are creatures of contradiction. There is no light without the dark. Within each of us there is truth and beauty, and yet there is an equal amount of deception and ugliness to boot. The sign of Pisces, the final stop of the zodiac, brings cohesion to this universal disparity.

Pisces seeks unity. It carries the message that we are all oneness striving to know and love itself--and yet, most of the time, from our earthbound perspective, that remains a lofty ideal. It doesn’t seem to fit with our perception. I am me and you are you. There’s a perceivable difference. That perception has a purpose in that it keeps us alive while we walk around in our fleshy sack of bones. Boundaries are necessary and healthy.

One frightening truth about life is that we are completely vulnerable. There are no ultimate safety nets which will save us from suffering, pain or complete physical annihilation. Another frightening and yet liberating truth: all is impermanent; nothing stays the same. In the moment we are cast into the illusion of separation, but one day we will dissolve again; we will become one with the void.

I could go on, but I think you get the point. The reason I bring up these uncomfortable universal truths is because this Piscean Full Moon carries this message profoundly. While Pisces is often perceived as dreamy, spacy, ethereal, full of awe and wonder, there is a considerable amount of heaviness and seriousness alongside this Full Moon.

For several days leading up to this lunation a powerful and poignant conjunction of Saturn, Venus, and the North Node becomes exact in the sign of Scorpio. This conjunction comes into sharp focus on the days of Sept 16th to 18th—taking us directly into the culmination of the current lunar cycle. This is powerful psychic and emotional terrain. While Pisces may tempt us to “check-out” for a moment, to seek comfort in enticing illusions, this conjunction demands our full focus and awareness of reality as it actually is. Pisces equally helps us to clear the mind of distortions so that we feel this truth as it permeates all of existence.

Saturn in Scorpio (Oct 2012- 2015) is a rather lengthy transit which churns around in the background of consciousness. When highlighted by other transits it comes sharply into our awareness, and lets us know that it means business and what it’s up to. In Scorpio there’s inevitably that sense of concealment and secrecy.

We’re all feeling this in one way or another. There’s some seriously deep and heavy work going on within our lives….somewhere. Pinning it down to some recognizable construct is probably a challenge. While everything in astrology could be recognized as “unconscious”--that is, aspects of our psyche we don’t visibly perceive, the sign of Scorpio truly exemplifies those hidden trenches of the mind and soul.

Scorpio embodies uncomfortable truths and realities: death, impermanence, sexual lusts, unconscious fears, trauma, etc. It is a reservoir of primal rage, vulnerability and desire. While most of us would like to think of ourselves as “good” and socially polite persons—deep down, somewhere, there’s a blood thirsty beast. We’re all capable of doing some terrible and downright nasty things. No one is exempt.

When taken to the edge, past our ability to cope or deal with something painful, this reality gets exposed. It all hangs out. Things get real. That’s what we’re invited to do here—to get totally raw, honest, and real. Cut away all the B.S., and get straight to that bottom line. If we do it willingly and consciously, it needn’t surprise us. Any attempts to avoid what you don’t want to deal with will likely backfire. 

Full Moon @ 26 Pisces--September 19, 2013

With Venus’s involvement, this could bring relationships into the picture. That might mean intimate relationships, or that could mean relationships where we are somehow extremely vulnerable with that person. There’s a strong dependency factor with Scorpio, and a sense of enmeshment where our identity is bound up with someone else. This is some touchy and sensitive terrain.

The core message is this: bring it out into the open, take responsibility and deal with it consciously. Projecting, blaming or backstabbing would be the less desirable route to take. Saturn’s transit through Scorpio has the side effect of causing us to stagnate and bottle up emotions and sexual expression. In times like this, there is a universal breaking point: a collective cathartic moment.

This Full Moon could illuminate certain fears and challenges within our relationships--even deep, dark and uncomfortable secrets; it invites us to deal with and process some unsavory material. Doing the work consciously and intentionally could lead to unexpected emotional or karmic breakthroughs. This is a good time to find acceptance for your fears and vulnerabilities, and to realize that we all have them; it’s all a part of being human.

On the other end, Venus seeks to find balance, peace, rejuvenation, diplomacy and equanimity within the chaos and uncertainty that surrounds us. This Full Moon could symbolize a culminating point where something once in chaos and shambles comes back together again. It could symbolize a point of equilibrium within a long arduous process that required a lot of hard work and commitment. On the higher end, there is the prospect of restoring faith, trust and sanity.

The day proceeding the Full Moon (Sept. 20) Pluto turns stationary direct and makes an exact sextile to Saturn in Scorpio. Saturn and Pluto are currently in mutual reception; they occupy the sign the other rules. This brings commonality and accord between these constructs. This is a sobering connection; it helps us to see things as they really are, and this sextile is even more helpful; it motivates a committed response to transformation and the pursuit of our individual or collective purpose.

Additionally, Chiron makes a trine to this heavy conjunction, and along with Pluto offers a helping hand to pull us out of the sinkhole. Seize any help or support that gets offered, it would be foolish to ignore it. Pluto and Chiron cast a ray of light toward this intense conjunction. There’s a way out if we take the initiative to activate it. If we consciously make changes and deal with situations realistically, we will ignite a powerful and deep healing process.

The dark side of this Full Moon is that it ignites a sense of existential despair or hopelessness, and the perception that one is a helpless victim to the demands or nefarious agendas of those around them. Paralyzed by real or exaggerated fears-- one sinks deeper into stagnation and suffering. The Piscean temptation to numb out is strong, and we are offered rose colored glasses which momentarily blind us to the truth. But those glasses won’t hold the flood gates for very long. Eventually, something gives way and we wake up the hard way.

A square between Jupiter in Cancer and Mercury in Libra also highlights this lunation. There is a potential conflict between nostalgic ideals motivated by subjective feelings--and the ideas, facts and perceptions of alternate points of view. What we hope or long for may differ quite considerably from other people.

We’re all in this together; no one is an island unto themselves. That unifying Piscean vision directs us toward this fact of life. Humans are social creatures.  Compromise and an open mind are necessary to function in harmony with the reality around us, and to survive within social systems. Absolute self-sufficiency is an illusion. Finding that happy medium between independence and mutual dependency requires a lot of hard work. 

Pisces is about consciously surrendering and letting go. Again, we’re not alone. That island is a figment of our imagination. We are all connected, all sentient life forms. Personally and collectively we need to wake up and get real. It’s time.  That “frog-in-the-well” mentality isn’t going to serve us. The well is getting filled with dirt. Seize the opportunity and climb your way out! 

Find peace, silence and acceptance within that still point between light and darkness. Sink deep into that place of stasis that transcends time and space. It is only with a clear mind can we truly perceive the futility of our judgments, assumptions and self-delusions. Light and dark, beauty and macabre; they dance in unity for all eternity. We embody both ends of the spectrum. Embrace the ubiquitous contradictions.

Candy Coated Macabre: Venus in Scorpio

Venus In Scorpio square Lilith/Athena, trine Neptune.

Venus enters Scorpio tonight after her brief and eloquent dance through her home sign of Libra.  As she gently hops off the Librian precipice (with poise) into the uncertain trenches of Scorpio, she makes a square to Pallas Athena and Lilith in Cancer, and approaches a trine with Neptune in Pisces. Venus in Scorpio becomes goddess of the underworld. She takes on the mask of Persephone and momentarily becomes the consort to Pluto, and equally Mars.

Scorpio is a different country as far as Venus is concerned. Depth, intensity and the macabre prevail. Polite social veneers get left at the door. Scorpio prefers an all-night rave or heavy metal concert to Venus’s more preferable cotillion parties. It’s far too loud and boisterous for lovely lady Venus. But, she handles it well and with dignity.

Venus’s square to Athena, at her ingress into Scorpio, seems to challenge us to feel deep and powerful truths. It also brings out a conflict between stereotypical feminine roles and true feminine energy. Her trine to Neptune (exact on Sept. 13th) can enhance the imagination creating powerful creative or artistic expression. And yet, it can also lead to a candy-coating of those unsavory elements that Venus discovers as she enters this Scorpionic terrain. Sometimes a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down—and other times it just unnecessarily spikes your blood sugar, pissing off your pancreas, and ends up feeding that nasty fungal infection that you didn't know about.

Venus’s transit through Scorpio is rather deep and serious this round, because it coincides with a critical conjunction of Saturn and the North Node (Venus joins in on on Sept. 18th). The upside of this transit is that it assists us in going deeper into a creative process or within intimate relationships; its downside tempts us to beat around the bush and fluff up some uncomfortable truths.

However Venus's square with Pallas and Lilith is a good kick in the rear. Let those truths permeate you from higher dimensional planes. There is the potential influx of insight and mystical connection, and Venus in Scorpio is all about depth now; she’s in the underworld. As Venus reluctantly hangs up her party dress and throws on a more revealing outfit (possibly showing some skin and perhaps made of leather); she’s ready for the raw experience.

Venus in Scorpio can help us find peace and tranquility with intensity or chaos. She can also help us find acceptance with difficult, painful or repulsive realities. It is a delicate dance, but it can be done. Don’t think about it, just allow yourself to feel it naturally. Those primal and unconscious currents are gaining momentum; they will be the focal point this next season. Go deep or go home.

Venus in Scorpio: Sept. 11-Oct. 7

A Cathartic Moment: Mars Square Saturn

Schrei der Natur by Edvard Munch, 1893.

I was walking along the road with two friends – the sun was setting – suddenly the sky turned blood red – I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on the fence – there was blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city – my friends walked on, and I stood there trembling with anxiety – and I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature.[1]

On Sept. 9^th Mars in Leo squares off with Saturn in Scorpio. Saturn in Scorpio exemplifies a frozen statuesque formation. It conjures the feeling of numb sensory deprivation. Mars in Leo is action packed and ready to go; it has a mobile IV drip of testosterone. How will these two ever get along? Squares don’t suggest harmonious interactions. To top things off, the Moon conjoins Saturn on the same day—bringing an emotional element into the situation. Mercury additionally enters Libra striking an opposition to the Aries Point which has a significant global impact. 

Saturn in Scorpio has been freezing and hardening the primal emotional currents: sexuality, fight or flight reactions, intense anger, fear or paranoia. It’s sort of like a collective anesthetic most of the time. But when Mars enters the picture, it heats things up and starts generating steam, and all that bottled up garbage starts spewing out all over the place. It could get messy.

So for those operating from the lower chakras, this could lead to inappropriate or misdirected outbursts. Just tuck that possibility to the back of your mind, and deal with it the best you can if it shows up. Mars in Leo wants to go its own way, and it doesn't have any intention of backing off. Saturn is a little more indifferent but probably isn't going to budge either.

If you feel like “sticking it to the man” be careful how you express this frustration. The higher road urges us to step up and consciously develop a leadership capacity. If you’re feeling a little oppressed, or maybe a little numb from all that fluoride in your tap water, now is a good time to look for a way to take charge of your own life. Let some of the steam out in healthy and mature ways. There’s no sense in throwing a tantrum; or worse, exerting a primal and violent rage.

This aspect is indefinitely a challenge. It invites us to confidently step into our own creative power, and to equally temper egocentricity in the face of alternate opinions. Saturn’s conjunction with the North Node suggests opening up and embracing help, assistance and other agendas. The friction provides us the opportunity to strengthen and develop the will in a focused and directed manner. If you loosely follow the rules of the game, you’ll find yourself in a more ideal position.

That brings to mind the notion that the rules of the game were (most of the time) designed to challenge and assist in growth. So bring all of your talents and abilities to the table and give it all you've got. This is an ideal time for focused creative energy. It takes all that wild and untamed potential and directs it toward some tangible end result. If you've been feeling a little sexually, creatively or emotionally frozen or frustrated; this is the cathartic moment. Be mindful.

Screaming in an open field is highly recommended. Conscious travels. 

Notes & References

[1] A poem by Edvard Munch rendered from a journal entry dated January 22, 1892. Source: Peter Aspden (21 April 2012). So what does 'The Scream' mean? Financial Times. 

Healing and Becoming: New Moon In Virgo 2013

Flotar entre las nubes by Marianno Peccineti

New Moon @13 Virgo 04' 
September 5, 2013
4:36 AM Pacific
1:36 AM Eastern

The sign of Virgo condenses and organizes energy; it also adapts to changing circumstances. It is one of the most unique signs of the zodiac, in that it combines earthly practicality with powerful mental and analytical prowess. Virgo is also a sign of service—distilling the individual ego to its very essence so that it can serve a larger purpose.

This New Moon helps to consolidate, tame, and channel energy to fulfill a practical and meaningful role. It also carries a powerful message and lesson about healing. With Chiron in opposition to this New Moon, we come to a place of new awareness and acceptance in relation to our wounds or fragmentation. There may be new seeds planted, or the sense of closure and completion in relation to a healing cycle.

Healing is a process of becoming whole, healing isn't fixing. Virgo is always reaching for an ideal, to always “better” itself. When healing we must come to realize that we aren't broken; there’s nothing wrong. We are simply surrendering to a process of transformation; we have outgrown the shell that binds us.

The healing process is the process of becoming more than you currently are. As we expand and reach outward to absorb more within ourselves, we inevitably confront pain, trauma, wounds, fears, and darkness. When an infant learns to walk, it stumbles and falls. It struggles through as it learns how to work in harmony with the forces of gravity.

We are all seeking to illuminate darkness, and that requires reaching into places that initially make us uncomfortable. Such is the nature of the healing space; it’s uncertain and awkward. If that’s how you feel right now, then you know you’re probably on the right track. Move into that space and let go; surrender and trust the process as it unfolds one step at a time.

Achilles and the Centaur Chiron, 1746, by Pompeo Batoni.

Virgo and Chiron teach us about the process of unfolding and becoming. Nothing in this reality ever really stays the same. Virgo’s mutable nature is at the heart of the unceasing evolutionary process. It is reaching toward the ideal “happy ending” of its polarity sign Pisces. But before it can get there, it must find acceptance for itself as it currently is, and it must embrace humility. Otherwise, a sense of restless dissatisfaction overpowers the mind.

This lunation presents the contradiction of movement and stasis--meaning that sometimes, we evolve through simply being. Most of the time, evolution doesn't need our help. The more we try to fix things, we usually end up getting in the way. The more we try to figure it out, the more we end up short-circuiting the process that is already in the works. Find that balance between active participation and simply letting go.

Insecurities or fears may arise with these energies in relation to our ability to manage daily tasks, details, and obligations. There could be a sense of feeling overwhelmed and unable to handle the pace of things around us. The sign of Virgo helps to focus energy on the moment--to discriminate and prioritize. This lunation may simply bring these wounds to light so that they can be consciously processed and healed.

Ceres in Virgo is in a very close opposition to Neptune in Pisces. This brings up the polarity between physical and spiritual nourishment. Ceres will be in Virgo until early November. At home in the earthy realm of Virgo, Ceres’s transit through this sign is helping us to bring nutritional needs into alignment. Its opposition to Neptune also brings our awareness to subtle energy that feeds us, and the need to balance between the necessities of both realms.

Subtle energy can be the quantum level vibrations of homeopathic medicine, or simply surrounding yourself with laughter and good vibes. It can also relate to the subtle yet powerful rays of the Sun. But, you can’t exactly live off sunshine and good vibes. We also can’t find healing through purely physical and tangible means. Both realms need to be acknowledged and integrated, and this aspect seems to point toward this realization.

Ceres's opposition to Neptune also points to the need to uncover addictive tendencies, as well as deceptions in relation to environmental issues and our food supply. We are facing serious environmental problems such as the fact that more radiation is leaking into the Pacific Ocean from the Fukishima Power plant. This will have a serious impact on not only seafood sourced from the Pacific (Neptune and Chiron in Pisces), but also California's produce which happens to feed much of the United States.

The New Moon makes a sextile to both Jupiter in Cancer and Saturn in Scorpio, inviting us to be fully present and to feel our way through consciously. This New Moon can assist us in reawakening our sensory perception of the world around us, and to restore trust in ourselves as well as in the support of others. It brings a happy medium between expanding and condensing, as well as playfulness and discipline.

Trust the foundation beneath you, what was there before you were born, and what you have worked to solidify all on your own. We aren't alone in this, and this lunation reminds us of the help and support that’s all around us; but we must acknowledge and embrace it, and we must put forth the effort to work with it.

Saturn is ever so slowly approaching a conjunction with the North Node in Scorpio, which will be exact on Sept. 18th. Scorpio is often perceived as a realm of overwhelming intensity and fear, because it deals with elements our society has long suppressed and misused. Saturn in Scorpio is about mastering uncharted realms, consciously stepping up to the challenge, and going where we don’t want to go.

It also carries big lessons about learning to responsibly manage secret knowledge, information, and power. Conjunct the North Node, this is currently a dynamic collective focal point. Saturn and the North Node form a t-square with Mars in opposition to Juno. This challenging configuration brings to light intense friction involved in the integration of individuality with group dynamics.

At the root of it is the notion of maintaining a sense of confidence among harsh demands and possible criticism from others, as well as the need to cooperate and find equanimity between personal and mutual needs. We are challenged to find that fine line between doing it “our own way”, and opening up and trusting that others have mastered another way, which we could learn from.

Again, the more you surrender to what unfolds, and find trust in what may be perceived as unasked for criticism, the more you will grow, and the stronger you will become as a result. Resisting and insisting on your own self-importance, or defending an established group ideology to the bitter end, will result in a rather bloody mess for all concerned.

Mars in Leo, which gives powerful focus and energy toward the expression of the ego, also forms an inconjunct with Neptune in Pisces—which further brings home the message of needing to compromise to a larger collective vision, purpose, and power. This indicates that humility will best serve us all throughout this upcoming lunation cycle. Mars just isn’t going to have it all his way.

Uranus in Aries is inconjunct to the New Moon. While there is an “earthy” and “natural” vibe to this lunation; Uranus in Aries brings in the notion or the necessity of technological intervention. It also suggests that wild and untamed revolutionary urges must be channeled and condensed into workable and practical strategies.

A New Moon is a naturally reflective and passive time. The days surrounding the New Moon are a time to reset ourselves and find peace. Whatever comes up for you, simply sit with it and absorb it. This is a moment to reflect, gather your wits, and prepare for growth. This requires that we nourish and protect ourselves.

In sharp contrast to the previous New Moon in Leo, this lunation presents a bridge that brings attention and focus away from personal needs and concerns and more toward collective or relationship issues. It helps to tame and channel ego desires toward group efforts, service, as well as healing and integration. 

Kosmic Horizon: September 2013

For those in the northern hemisphere, September marks the gradual end of summer. In the southern portion of the globe, winter slowly gives way to spring. Wherever you are, a transition is upon you. August’s astrology was naturally intense and frictional, all signs of the times. Jupiter’s opposition to Pluto and square to Uranus, correlated quite profoundly with significant global events, such as the violence raging in Egypt.

Inwardly and subjectively we all respond to this influx, especially those of us with strong or prominent placements in cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn). We are in the midst of a global crisis that reflects an inner crisis; but a healthy dose of tension gets us up and off our feet. Most of us learned how to walk, talk, or engage in social interaction. Everything we ever learned was, at one point, initially a challenge.

We need stress for growth to occur, evolution thrives on it. That’s what we need to remember as we reflect on what’s going on, and on what’s about to come. Uncertainty is naturally a part of the deal. In this realm/density we either move with life, or we risk getting trampled. Nature has little compassion, but that’s what separates us from the beasts. Let’s not lose sight of that either, our innate compassion and our ability to consciously transcend instinct.

At the start of the month, Jupiter is slowly inching its way out of the T-Square alignment with Uranus and Pluto. While still technically in orb clear to next year, Jupiter’s exploitive influence of Uranus and Pluto’s tense and historical rendezvous eases up slightly. That doesn’t suggest that things will somehow cool off, but that the peak intensity of this generational configuration is slightly backing off.

September presents a consistent theme surrounding osmosis within relationships: moving past the fear of intimacy and vulnerability, embracing cooperation, trust, and sharing of resources. Most of the summer brought us into contact with deeply personal issues emphasizing emotional needs, security, and creative passion. September creates a more open discussion and dialogue. Things are more on display at this time, and there is a critical emphasis on cooperation within partnerships.

Saturn is slowly moving toward a conjunction with the North Node in Scorpio, which serves as the significant background transit this month. This is the focal point driving all collective events. The message seems to be that, at the moment, we will be more successful if we merge with others of like mind than if we try to go it alone. This is mostly a collective message, although it will show up for each of us in various subtle ways—especially if you have an emphasis of Scorpio or even Taurus in your chart.

This brings critical events involving secrecy and transparency to a dynamic culmination. The misuse of power or hidden information will also be quite relevant at this time. Scorpio is a realm of pure instinct, symbolic of our “lower” animalistic tendencies. It’s that part of the psyche most suppressed by “modern” peoples. As a result of this, it controls our society and appears as an external threat attempting to imprison us in fear.

As I stated above, let’s not forget our ability to consciously transcend instinct. This is different from suppression, in that transcendence requires that we acknowledge, accept, and integrate this aspect of ourselves so that we can work with it as opposed to against it. Because of our denial and suppression of this “hidden” realm of the psyche, we find ourselves the pawns of occult forces which seek to enslave us.

This notion often brings up unresolved and suppressed emotions such as extreme anger, rage, fear, or despair. When confronted with these feelings it’s best to allow them healthy expression as opposed to acting them out. These are the parts of us seeking acceptance and recognition. The more we deny them, or project them on to others, the deeper we sink into our illusory imprisonment.

The more we consciously work with what makes us uncomfortable, the easier it is to handle, and the less control it has over us. So this month, bring it all out into the light and deal with it. Be conscious of your tendency to hoard or hide what you don’t want to get exposed. You are not alone; we all have our shadows. Witness your “darker” and unacknowledged side reflected in those you interact with, and remember that it’s all a reflection of you.

New Moon @ 13 Virgo

The Sun makes an opposition to Chiron on Sept. 3^rd which will be a significant feature of the New Moon on Sept. 5^th. Jupiter is currently in trine to Chiron as well, and so September starts off with Chirotic themes. The opposition of Sun and Moon in Virgo with Chiron in Pisces brings up the polarity of the “higher” and “lower” aspects of human nature. Chiron in Pisces points us dynamically to the wounds associated with disassociation and collective fragmentation.

The New Moon energy seeks to ground and integrate disparate elements and to focus attention back to the moment and the process; to what’s real and relevant in the moment. This opposition invites us to find balance between being and dissolving; it asks that we find a way to be fully present in our own awareness, while maintaining a connection with a sense timelessness and wonder in relation to the mystery of the universe.

This may bring up some fears associated with losing ourselves in the details, of being unable to manage simple daily tasks and responsibilities. Spiritual or numinous insights will likely emerge through an immersion with practical affairs. When grounded and focused on what needs to be done, a bigger picture will eventually appear. Acknowledge and integrate subtle impressions.

Mercury enters Libra on Sept. 9^th setting off the Aries Point, which always has a profound impact on world affairs. Mercury entering Libra will create a highly noticeable shift of energy throughout the collective. Mercury in Libra has a potentially balancing and calming effect on the nervous system, at least until it enters the Uranus/Pluto square later in the month, so soak it up. Here Mercury seeks a more unified awareness of reality—it wants to understand both sides of the coin. This is a good time to become more conscious and clear of your own biases, and to seek a more unified and comprehensive understanding of certain issues. However, indecisiveness is more rampant than usual due to an increased openness to alternating viewpoints.

Also on this day, Mars squares Saturn, the North Node, and the Moon; this could be a bit intense and frustrating. Mars in Leo wants to do its own thing and go its own way. However, that’s not going to work out so well, and if Mars insists there could be some serious conflict. Mercury in Libra could be our saving grace here, because it opens the mind to other viewpoints. This aspect invites us to take some risks, and that might involve having to conform and merge with a group identity.

The trick is to surrender resistance or stubbornness, and to allow the process to alter your uniqueness. There’s something to be learned from both ends, requiring that we meet in the middle. If you hold on to an “all or nothing” type of attitude, it could get ugly. Form and structure helps to refine and tame the ego. See what wisdom you can acquire from what others have mastered.

There is likely to be a lot of intensity as Venus teeters on the edge of Libra, signifying a critical turning point. On Sept. 10^th Venus enters Scorpio—and here we have the opportunity to move into new and likely intimate territory. Again this places more emphasis on merging with shared creative momentum, power, or resources. While Venus is in Scorpio we’re more concerned with substance rather than looks.

What looked good last month (August) might appear a bit different since we’re now actually experiencing it for what it really is. Venus in Scorpio takes us to the heart of our desires, and helps to get clear about how we really feel about them. So forget proper social graces; Venus in Scorpio invites us to get raw and real, and to acknowledge whatever comes up, no matter how uncomfortable it makes us feel. This draws our attraction to the secretive chambers of the psyche.

The Moon forms a catalyzing fire grand trine with Mars in Leo and Uranus in Aries on Sept. 11th.  In addition, the Moon makes a t-square with Vesta in Virgo and Neptune in Pisces. This provides plenty of fuel for enthusiastic creative passion and intense focus.

These energies are catalyzing and motivational, however, Neptune’s involvement asks that we get clear about what we’re really passionate about, and to be conscious that it isn’t misdirected in any way. Are you being motivated by an authentic signal from your heart, or are you chasing some delusional ideal imposed upon you? Be cautious of what you put your energy into.

Venus in Scorpio makes a trine to Neptune in Pisces on Sept. 13^th. The Moon, while approaching a conjunction with Pluto, makes sextiles to Venus, Saturn, and the North Node in Scorpio in addition to Neptune and Chiron in Pisces. These aspects ask us: How we can make light of heavy and sometimes unsavory material? There is the potential of candy coating the macabre quite a bit. While obscuring the reality of what we’re actually faced with, we’re more likely to get it down our throat if it tastes better.

The Mars and Uranus trine is exact on Sept. 14^th, and Mercury squares Pluto, while Venus squares Juno. Mercury makes an exact opposition to Uranus on Sept. 15^th. That means the Uranus/Pluto square gets fired up quite a bit (especially the 13^th through the 16^th). We can anticipate an influx of collective tension and turmoil as usual, but Mars in Leo trine Uranus in Aries opens up creative and passionate channels. If used consciously, rather than destructively, these energies are conducive to forming new creative pathways that allow us to restructure and balance whatever system we find ourselves working with.

Venus in Scorpio square Juno in Aquarius brings our focus and attention toward partnerships and issues of desire versus true commitment and connection. This could also bring up partnership disputes, especially if certain desires distract or take away from shared or mutual goals. Venus in Scorpio can be possessive and domineering, preferring to keep things private and undisclosed. However, Juno in Aquarius requires that certain elements are brought to light openly so that they can be dealt with. Finding a compromise between transparency and secrecy (when appropriate) is the challenge.

Sept. 16^th brings a powerful conjunction between Saturn and the North Node to exactness. Venus joins in pulling it deeper into collective awareness on Sept. 18^th. A conjunction between Saturn and the Moon’s North Node occurs every 10-12 years. Saturn urges us to get serious about forward movement and releasing stagnant patterns that keep us stuck in the past. While it might feel safer and more certain maintaining things as they are, we are likely to encounter serious setbacks and frustration the more we resist.

This conjunction of planets, which has been building up to intensity for several weeks, demands that we master integration and cooperation with others. There’s always a risk to take, and fears to face in such circumstances—but Saturn insists that we deal with it, and step up to the challenge.  This suggests that we release stubbornness, narrow-mindedness, and isolating tendencies.

There is a powerful “karmic” element surrounding this particular configuration—so be on the lookout for significant connections with others that could help clear up loose ends or unresolved issues from the past. A Full Moon in Pisces occurs on Sept. 19^th, bringing a dynamic culmination and resolution within consciousness. This Full Moon is all about surrender, trust, and acceptance—opening oneself up to the support of larger forces. 

Full Moon @ 26 Pisces

Pluto turns stationary direct and sextiles Saturn on Sept. 20^th. This provides a thrust of momentum and excitement that further catalyzes the pursuit of deep change and tremendous growth. If you’ve been doing the hard work, and have been open to penetrating barriers to your own growth and maturity, then this aspect gives an extra boost. Venus’ proximity to Saturn indicates a breakthrough that opens the way for deep intimacy and osmosis within relationships, helping to move past blockages that have impeded authentic connection and sharing.

The Sun enters Libra on Sept. 22^nd, signifying the shift and transition of seasons. Day and night are of equal length as the Sun teeters on the balancing scales of equanimity. The Sun’s movement into Libra further amplifies the themes of cooperation and mutual sharing. The Moon’s conjunction to the South Node suggests letting go of tendencies to hoard and segregate personal resources.

Venus trines Jupiter on Sept. 26^th, and the Sun makes a trine to newly directed Juno in Aquarius. These aspects open up doorways within intimate or close relationships. Jupiter trine Venus creates emotionally charged intimacy within sexual partnerships, or the ability to open up emotionally and share vulnerable or sensitive material with those you trust. However, on Sept. 28th, Venus squares Mars in Leo which brings challenges up to the surface—so these three days (26^th through 28^th) are potentially both bitter and sweet.

Make sure you are honest and authentic when opening yourself either emotionally or sexually with another, as the square to Mars and Venus could bring it all out into the open. It’s best to be unfurled and real about your needs, as well as receptive and responsive to the needs of a partner.

Mercury enters Scorpio on Sept. 29^th inviting us to probe and investigate hidden aspects of the psyche. Mercury’s transit through Scorpio creates a bridge between intellect and instinct--which means we have a chance to uncover specific knee-jerk reactions to situations. Pluto’s trine to Vesta in Virgo makes this a day of intense mental concentration which can reveal what’s normally far beyond conscious recognition. There’s a grating and obsessive quality to these energies, which can be constructive or overwhelming.

The month closes on Sept. 30^th with Mercury entering the initial shadow of Mercury’s upcoming retrograde cycle (Oct. 21 through Nov. 10). Quite often, specific themes, issues, or situations we find ourselves dealing with during the retrograde surface at the initial shadow, so be conscious of this.

Sept 3- -Sun opposition Chiron

Sept 4—Venus opposition Eris

Sept 5--New Moon @ 13 Virgo 04'

Sept 7--Sun sextile Jupiter

Sept 9--Mercury enters Libra, Mars square Saturn, Vesta enters Virgo and conjoins Transpluto

Sept 10--Venus enters Scorpio

Sept 11--Fire grand trine: Mars, Uranus, and Moon; Moon T-Square: Neptune, Transpluto, Vesta; Venus sextile Transpluto, Pallas enters Leo, Venus sextile Vesta, and Mercury trine Juno.

Sept 13--Venus trine Neptune; Moon sextile Venus, Neptune, Saturn, and Chiron; Moon conjunct Pluto and square Uranus.

Sept 14--Mars trine Uranus, Mercury square Pluto, Venus square Juno

Sept 15--Mercury opposition Uranus, Moon square Venus, Saturn, and Nodal Axis, Saturn sextile Ceres

Sept 16--Pluto trine Ceres

Sept 17--Moon conjunct Neptune and Chiron, trine Venus, Saturn, and North Node, Neptune opposition Vesta

Sept 18--Venus conjunct Saturn and North Node, Pallas opposition Juno

Sept 19--Full Moon @ 26 Pisces 41'

Sept 20--Pluto stationary direct, Saturn sextile Pluto, Venus sextile Ceres

Sept 22—Sun enters Libra: Autumnal equinox (Northern Hemisphere) and spring equinox (Southern Hemisphere); Earth grand trine: Moon, Pluto, and Ceres.

Sept 23--Juno stationary direct, Mercury opposition Eris

Sept 26--Venus trine Jupiter, Last Quarter Moon, Sun trine Juno

Sept 28--Venus square Mars

Sept 29--Mercury enters Scorpio, Mercury sextile Transpluto, Pluto trine Vesta

Sept 30--Mercury enters retrograde shadow

Illuminating The Underworld: Full Moon In Aquarius 2013

Hermes reunites Persephone and Demeter. Detail from The Return of Persephone, circa 1891, by Frederic Leighton.

Full Moon @ 28 degrees Aquarius 11’

August 20, 2013

6:45 PM Pacific

3:45 PM Eastern

Aquarius tends to amp things up—it kicks it up a notch. That’s pretty much the deal with this lunation, since this is the second of two Full Moons to occur in this sign in 2013. It’s quite a big deal because in addition to two Full Moons in that Aquarian double current, August’s Full Moon is anaretic. That’s an astro-geeky reference for a significant placement at the very end of a zodiac sign, generally 28-29 degrees.

So what’s the big deal with that? The anarectic degrees of the zodiac are pressurized; anything placed there gets condensed, and the result is often explosive, literally or symbolically. I often say that “something is about to explode” whenever an anaretic degree is prominent. Many significant events throughout history were unleashed preceding a planet or significant placement occurring at an anaretic degree. I’m not predicting anything here. I am only pointing out the inherent nature of this zodiac hot spot.

On an individual level, we’re all likely to feel this in one way or another--this “building up” of energy, the sense of something giving way. The floodgates are bursting open alongside a critical culmination of energy which is inherent for any Full Moon. With Aquarius, and with the 28^th degree, this process becomes more exponential. The Uranian side of Aquarius is radical, revolutionary, and rather unpredictable.

Combined with the simultaneous Pluto/Uranus square and Jupiter Square Uranus and Opposition Pluto—we’re all feeling the overwhelming growing pains that are symptomatic of a restless revolutionary undercurrent welling up from the collective psyche. Aquarius is fast paced and it likes to assimilate swiftly. We get the sense of a quickening evolutionary process, which means that new innovations are emerging within bright and receptive minds, alongside the illusory experience of time acceleration.

Whether these innovations are used for the improvement of society or for darker self-serving interests is entirely up to the free will of the recipient. Any events, intentions, or situations you find coming to a critical flowering or breaking point are likely tied to seeds planted back at the New Moon in early February of this year. The Full Moon conjoins Neptune in Pisces and sits in opposition, naturally, to the Sun and a rather interesting group of astrological entities: Ceres and Transpluto (aka Persephone) along with Mercury (Hermes).

Now since this is a radical, eccentric, and pretty much off the wall lunation, I’m going to take a moment to discuss Transpluto and its significance, since it’s only 2 degrees from a conjunction with the Sun, and since the Sun sits on the Ceres/Transpluto midpoint. Transpluto is considered a “hypothetical” planet. That means that as a physical planetary body, it can’t be tested since it has yet to be physically sited. I would argue that for astrologers, it’s definitely more theoretical, because they can test it, and they do. Needless to say, the use of Transpluto in astrology is rather controversial ground, especially from the perspective of traditional astrologers. 

There are several books about Transpluto and a large body of research conducted on this hypothetical object to convince me of not only its significance, but also its likely existence as a real tangible entity within our solar system. Transpluto appears to be a dynamic and impactful archetypal force within the ranks of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. My sense of Transpluto is that, because it is still unconscious and very much dormant within the collective psyche (like a lot of other stuff), we do not have the tools to deal with it on an individual level.

I find that it often overwhelms us completely, and as a result we end up short circuiting the energy and misinterpreting its underlying intentions (which is common with all Trans-Saturnian planets, since they deal with energies beyond our physical/tangible perception). But that doesn't mean we can’t use it constructively (there are many who do), but that most of us cannot fully grasp the complexity of the process it deals with, since it’s a part of an emerging paradigm we, as a society, are not yet (obviously) ready for.

Transpluto is the result of mathematical reasoning and speculation. After the discoveries of Uranus and Neptune, astronomers noticed that there were anomalies, or perturbations, in the two planets predicted paths—meaning they weren't behaving like they should, which could only result from the gravitational tug from another nearby object. In fact, Neptune’s discovery was catalyzed by these same observations in Uranus’ unusual orbit. Pluto’s discovery proved anticlimactic because initially it was believed to be the reason for the anomalies; shortly after however it was realized that Pluto failed to account for the perturbations.

And so, even with the discovery of a slew of other objects beyond Neptune, the mysterious Transpluto has yet to be seen, and must theoretically exist since nothing has as of yet explained away the anomalies. The first ephemeris (based on its mathematically predicted position) was published in 1972 by Theodor Landscheidt and Reinhold Ebertain (yes, collaboration between an astronomer and astrologer). Other ephemerides with differing calculations have emerged, but their variations are all but slight. Therefore, Transpluto has been studied by modern astrologers ever since, and has proved itself a reliable and testable object.

The name Persephone was initially proposed by astronomer H.H Kritzinger; he reasoned that because the object was just beyond Pluto (god of the underworld) that Transpluto must be its consort (Persephone as Queen of the Underworld). There is an asteroid by the (official) name of Persephone, and many argue that Transpluto cannot be named Persephone as well.  With official naming aside, I will say that from my experience Transpluto carries with it many elements pertinent to the Persephone mythos. A very convincing and extremely well researched book on this subject is Persephone Is Transpluto: The Scientific, Mythological & Astrological Discovery of the Planet Beyond Pluto by astrologer and astronomer Valerie Vaughn. I highly recommend it for astrologers, astronomers, or those just interested in the subject. 

Since both Transpluto (Persephone) and Ceres sit in opposition to this pressurized Aquarian lunation, I will suggest that the myth of Ceres and Persephone is playing a prominent role at this time, and will likely have an association with whatever emerges from it. Ceres (or Demeter) is Persephone’s mother. Depending on which version of the narrative you read, Persephone is either abducted against her will, or she willingly chooses to go to the underworld. In the much later patriarchal version (which I feel is more relevant to our current collective awareness), Pluto, god of the underworld, abducts Persephone and takes her away from Ceres and Mt. Olympus after tempting her with a narcissus flower.

Persephone becomes Pluto’s wife; accruing the title of Queen of the underworld, and together they rule and govern the dead. Neither Ceres nor Persephone is happy about the situation. Ceres searches everywhere for her beloved daughter, for nine days, but obviously fails to find her. She ends up conversing with the Sun who tells her the whole story. Ceres, as the goddess of fertility and harvest, causes the earth to dry up; it becomes lifeless as a result of her grief, creating an environmental crisis of sorts.

Ceres leaves Olympus and goes to live (and wander) the barren and ice covered earth, disguising herself as an old (mortal) woman. Ending up in Eleusis (in some versions) Ceres sits by a well and meets four young sisters who ask what she’s doing there. She makes up a story (obviously, because she couldn't possibly tell the truth, revealing her divinity). The girls invite Ceres to come stay with them and their family.

Ceres agrees, and ends up becoming a sort of midwife, nursing their mother’s newborn son (perhaps an attempt to compensate for her personal loss). Eventually, Ceres reveals her true identity, and demands that they build her a temple. There Ceres sits, still heartbroken and sorrowful due to the loss of her daughter. The world becomes ever more barren, lifeless, and cold, an epidemic of famine takes hold of the immortal earthlings.

Zeus decides that something must be done, and so he sends Hermes (being a sly and silver tongued trickster) to the underworld to retrieve Persephone. Pluto realizes he cannot refuse the order of Zeus, and so agrees to let her go. Before leaving however, Pluto convinces Persephone to eat a pomegranate seed (or seeds, depending on which version; sometimes she eats three). As a result of this, Persephone must return to the Underworld during one third of the year (three months of winter). And so, the story correlates to the origin of the seasons.

When Persephone must return, Ceres grieves and the earth becomes barren and cold creating the winter season. When Persephone returns, life once again emerges and spring is born. The story is very much about the process of death and rebirth, the impermanence of beauty, life, and innocence. It describes a process of initiation, which changes Persephone forever; she’s never quite the same again. Persephone is taken (abducted) from an idyllic field of flowers on the ascended Mt. Olympus. She’s dragged against her will, kicking and screaming into the underworld.

Upon her return, she is permanently stained by her experience. She brings the underworld back with her. Such is the experience of Transpluto; it permanently alters our reality and leaves an everlasting imprint upon the individual. It offers us a powerful initiatory process in which we must cross an evolutionary threshold, leaving old ways behind us. Often that takes us into an alternate dimension, or we become a part of two separate and seemingly conflicting realms. It is a planet of paradox, but ultimately, it is a construct of reconciliation.

Certainly not a reality we humans have yet to fully experience or comprehend—but, once or if it is discovered, we are likely to get catapulted into an entirely foreign and unimaginable paradigm. I have found Persephone/Transpluto to have an antithetical resonance to that of Pluto. While Pluto deals with death, decay, and entropy--Persephone embodies growth, empowerment, and ectropy; she seeks to pull us up and out of the mud, so to speak. Although, that process involves extremely harsh demands placed upon an individual, in which they must learn to rely entirely on themselves.

Another researcher who has done a lot of work on Transpluto is astrologer Lynn Koiner[1]. In her article, Transpluto Is Real! she reveals the results of her research and its effects within the individual natal horoscope. Lynn found a distinct personality type that emerged when Transpluto was conjunct significant natal placements, such as the Sun, Moon, and the angles of the chart. She found very strong perfectionist qualities associated with Transpluto, much like the zodiac sign of Virgo.

In many of the situations, the individual with strong configurations often had a highly demanding and critical parent. Lynn provides keywords associated with the Transpluto personality type: The Perfectionsit/Perfectionism, Self-Sufficiency, The Reformer Complex, and Alienation. One key element of Transpluto was that it was associated with extreme self-sufficiency, which was a psychological backlash to protect one from criticism and fault finding.  

From my own observations over the years I've found Lynn’s discoveries to be incredibly accurate and consistent whenever Transpluto is poignantly placed in the chart. It’s significant in the charts of highly “successful” (by the standards of our society) and infamous individuals who seem to “go their own way” and really push the limits of their talents and abilities, and as a result become extremely self-sufficient in the process. It also carries the theme of apotheosis, giving an individual a certain, "god like status". However, that’s not always the case.

It’s also prominent in the horoscopes of lottery winners. Lynn mentions that in all the cases she studied, Transpluto was making a conjunction or square to the ruler of the second house cusp, a planet in the second house, or Venus. In Astrology’s Special Measurements, in which Lynn’s article was originally published, Noel Tyl mentions a case in his article titled The Measure of the Astrologer, where a client of his “received a great deal of money unexpectedly”[2], while transiting Transpluto was opposing his client’s natal Venus.

Of further interest is the work of Astrologer Joyce Wehrman[3]. Joyce spent a great deal of her life studying the astrology of luck and gambling. She came up with a system she claimed could determine, at any specific moment, when an individual was either “on the wheel”, as she called it, or “off the wheel”. In other words, through her method you can determine when someone is either lucky or unlucky at any given time or place.

Joyce’s system is highly specific and incredibly complex. It requires a great deal of work because the horoscope needs to be extremely exact, down to the second. That means that you must test the chart over and over, to not only rectify the horoscope to its accurate time, but to also determine which specific planets or transiting house cusps trigger, for the individual, the most fortunate times. Joyce suggested starting out with penny blackjack, otherwise, that could be an expensive process.

Anyway, my point is that Joyce equally found that Transpluto was involved in the process of determining lucky wins or losses. So much so that she included it in her system, which as I stated, only works if the chart is incredibly precise. This eventually became a computer program developed by Matrix Software, which definitely makes it much easier to utilize. In my opinion, Transpluto is real! There’s something there, and that something is a force to be reckoned with. Because of its influence on these latter cases I've just described, I was led to discover that Transpluto has a distinct influence on money and economics.

The word economics is Greek for the management of the home, ecos (home) and nomia (management). In the myth of Ceres and Persephone, the earth (our home), becomes barren, cold, and desolate--leading to a global environmental and economic crisis for all (us) mortals. Economics isn't just about money, it’s about natural resources which we exchange with symbolic currency; it’s about how we sustain ourselves, and that often involves food and nourishment (themes related specifically to Ceres).

Again, this Full Moon sits in direct opposition to both Ceres and Transpluto (Persephone). It also happens to conjoin the natal (or radix) Moon in the U.S. Sibly horoscope--a highly sensitive point which was activated by none other than Transpluto itself (along with other transits and secondary progressions) during key events which lead to the Great Depression and the recent Global Financial Crisis of 2007-2012, which I would say is definitely not over, unfortunately.

This Full Moon isn't an eclipse, but it is, in my opinion, a very significant lunation that could carry a symbolic impact. It sheds a bright light on our national (and global) food supply, new and emerging technological advancements, economic issues, and the general well-being of planet earth. I believe that currently, Persephone is trapped in the underworld and that Ceres mourns the loss of her beloved daughter. Our world has become neglected and is dying. This compelling astrological object is slowly but surely becoming conscious within each of us, it is vying for our attention.

Persephone will one day return to the earth and spring will once again flourish and embrace the earth with new life. Its probable discovery will not signal a “solution” or “cure” to our global (economic, financial, or environmental) crisis, but rather the opening of new realms and realities which completely alter the perspective and understanding of the very root of such problems. With this lunation we have the opportunity to embrace the contradictions we’re currently dealing with, and to accept them for what they are. 

What that means is that the world is changing. There’s no going back to the way it was. The good old days will never return, even the perfect agrarian ideal of endless green pastures and bright sunny days. No, we have crossed a significant threshold; we aren't in Kansas anymore. So what do we do? Well we can’t hang on to the past (Norman Rockwell and Apple Pie Americana), and we can’t just give up and let the world become a barren and lifeless landscape (adopting a sort of hopeless or nihilistic attitude).

The myth of Ceres and Persephone points us dynamically to the concept of compromise, of both/and, not either/or. We must embrace the inherent polarities and contradictions, surrender to the chaos, and love it for what it is. Everything dies, all will come to an end. But the end is just another step within the process. Finality is merely our perception and assumption. So where is it all going? I can’t claim that I know, but we’re all going with it. You can either go willingly or….kicking and screaming, take your pick.

Transpluto/Persephone is slowly moving into the sign of Virgo, and will officially leave Leo in July of 2014. Persephone has been transiting Leo since 1938. I believe this transit correlates our current economic, industrial, and cultural emphasis on all Leonian themes: amusement/entertainment, ego glorification, self-indulgence, pleasure orientation, glamour, celebrity idols, etc., etc. It's transit through Virgo is likely to pop our collective ego bubble, and quite literally rain on the parade. Leo is all about the power of personality and the individual. Virgo is about how the individual fits into the larger scheme of society, and how it can serve the greater good.

That's quite an inversion, and a definite cultural shift. Virgo's emphasis is on improving health, the environment, and serving a larger collective purpose. What the economic ramifications will be--let your imagination run wild. Persephone, again, correlates to the theme of apotheosis, and creates a collective worship of the symbols inherent to the sign it is in. Ego/Self worship is meeting its end, the party is over. Economic structures related to the qualities of Virgo will gradually build and replace those outmoded Leonian industries as the curtain comes down.

Now, from that digression, let us look at other aspects of the Full Moon. As I stated at the beginning of this article, it correlates to a powerful flowering, culmination, and an explosive archetypal influx. Anaretic degrees signify a critical shifting of energy, a build-up, and can equally correlate to instability within a structure. In the Full Moon horoscope Jupiter is within minutes of an exact Square with Uranus, and just leaving its first Opposition to Pluto. The Jupiter and Uranus square is exact about 5 and ½ hours after the Full Moon.

This is some intense and critical energy, which has been active ever since Jupiter entered Cancer at the end of June. Jupiter expands and amplifies this highly individualistic, rebellious, and cutting edge Uranus in Aries—and both Squares (Jupiter Square Uranus and Uranus Square Pluto) are waxing squares. That means there’s a lot of cutting away and consolidating that needs to be done. Jupiter in Cancer relates to our home, our sense of security, nourishment, and foundation. Uranus in Aries relates to our need to be free to express ourselves authentically and to forge new frontiers.

This Full Moon, again, brings up the issue of reconciliation and compromise. How can we allow change to progress and take shape without losing our place in the world completely, without uprooting everything? How do we integrate these two needs so that they both have free expression? How do we acknowledge the need for those things that provide safety and comfort without clinging to the past and stifling forward progress? The only way is through trying it out, working out the kinks, and by allowing ourselves to make mistakes.

The tension suggested by these aspects requires that we tough it out. Through the friction and tension a new form emerges. Jupiter makes a Trine to the North Node in Scorpio, and a Trine to Chiron in Pisces. Jupiter Trine the North Node is an incredibly supportive influence, it reveals that as long we are real, open, and vulnerable--we are likely to find plenty of help and support as we face very deep, dark, and rough terrain. It also allows us to free ourselves of stagnation, pushing us through the clutter and obstacles to get to the bottom line essentials. Perhaps this Full Moon sheds light on paths that lead us effortlessly toward an essential cleansing and decluttering process, and allows us to merge easily with others going in the same direction.

On a personal and collective level, we must be open to support and feedback, especially when it’s literally being handed to us on a shiny silver platter. Jupiter’s first Trine to Chiron ignites a powerful healing opportunity that will last until next summer. It allows us to heal and integrate the root of certain wounds, and to guide us toward higher perceptions which reveal the truth of those wounds. This is a time of incredible insight that opens up a clear and numinous perception.

From now until next May, Jupiter Trine Chiron can assist in deep emotional processing, physical healing, integration, and the gifting of powerful intuitive insights and understanding gleamed from higher densities. Amidst the conflict and potential instability of the T-square with Pluto, Uranus, and Jupiter—the Chiron/Jupiter Trine asks that we remain open and vulnerable, and that we surrender to our own healing process. This is tricky because many other elements are encouraging us to fight and attack things head on (Mars conjunct Lilith and Jupiter square Uranus).

Perhaps, along with this lunation, comes a moment of acceptance, trust, and surrender, since the Full Moon conjoins Neptune in Pisces, creating an awareness of higher omnipotent forces. Aquarius is a powerful conduit of objectivity. Perhaps we get a glimpse, if only momentarily, of why things are the way they are, or why it all unfolds the way it does. If we surrender our judgments and preconceived notions; if we let go of all fear, paranoia, worry, and anxiety, for just a moment, we may just see that at the root of everything there is a divine and benevolent force guiding us toward a truly higher purpose.

Sometimes, that higher purpose takes us into lurid and disturbing landscapes, such as deep into the underworld. But at the root of it, we’re all going the same direction, despite the perceived detours. While it may not seem apparent from our limited third density perception, we are oneness striving to know and love itself. Remember that, and see that truth reflected in all eyes your gaze encounters. 

Notes/References

[1] Lynn Koiner's full article on Transpluto is posted on her website: http://www.lynnkoiner.com/astrology-articles/transpluto-is-real

[2] Astrology's Special Measurements, Llewellyn Publications (1994), p. 4. 

[3] Joyce Wehrman, What Are Winning Transits. Astro Computing Services. 

New Moon In Leo 2013

New Moon @ 14 degrees Leo 35'
August 6, 2013
2:51 PM Pacific
11:51 AM Eastern

This New Moon is seething with intensity, heat, and creative passion. It effectively breaks up some of the watery influence we've been so immersed in for the past month. The sign of Leo is dramatic and ostentatious; it doesn't hold much back. This New Moon brings us (perhaps momentarily) back to the moment, to what's right in front of us as opposed to what's behind. The astrology from last month was imbued with nostalgia and deep reflection. Leo isn't too concerned with such things, and although there's still a heavy planetary presence in Cancer, this lunation carries enough power and punch to point us toward any or all tasks currently at hand. The New Moon conjoins the asteroid Vesta, the goddess of the hearth and the sacred fire. Combined with the energizing enthusiasm of Leo, we get a powerful surge of fiery energy that's dynamic, willful, and strong.

Contact with Vesta is said to generate an intense focus and commitment. Interestingly, the goddess Vesta was said to rule over the hearth; the word focus, from latin, actually means hearth. Another quality of Vesta is that it provides a sense of renewal and an ability to recharge, regroup, and refresh. This lunation provides an opportunity to perhaps renew creative juices, adding a dose of humor, play, and spontaneity into the collective psyche. A Trine to Uranus in Aries creates the potential for flashes of insight and revelations that incite creative action. If you can allow yourself to really feel these energies and tap into this powerful moment, the universe will gift you with a brief glimpse into entirely new vistas and landscapes you never thought possible.

This New Moon also helps to lighten up the heaviness and conflict generated by Jupiter, Lilith, and Pallas in Opposition to Pluto--bringing a powerful and challenging T-Square involving Uranus into sharp focus. This configuration urges us to break free from past restrictions and limitations that stifle our independence. But, it can be a rather frustrating process, because we can't just throw off all of the shackles that bind us, because in a way, we depend on some of them for our security and survival. That means we have to make some compromises and work within the limits of the structure that we've chosen to be a part of--and yet, this brief Trine to Uranus gives us a little more room to maneuver and to take charge; just don't take it too far.

The dark side of this lunation (it is the dark of the Moon) is that it drives us into such single pointed subjectivity that we exclude everything else outside of us, which could generate some conflict from those who end up feeling deprived of our attention. Leo can be a very self-centered sign, but must tap into the awareness and reality that it's a part of a larger community it depends on for its sustenance and survival. That means we could end up really losing perspicacity because we're so focused on our own needs and concerns. With that said, however, if we can consider the bigger picture as well as the needs of others, we should feel free to develop and focus on our own creative development.

On the collective level, this lunation appears significant as a portal for innovative solutions. It helps to bring fresh air which supports ingenuity. In combination with the Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto T-Square, we're at a significant turning point which requires fresh ideas and solutions to bring new life into the world. However, it won't come easily. It comes through a lot of hard work and constant debugging to get it right. We're also in the midst of a very volatile and unstable period of time politically. Be wary of this and remain highly conscious and grounded so as not to get mindlessly swept up in some collective drama that seeks to siphon your personal energy. Leo can really exaggerate things way beyond what's necessary. The world is a stage, so just play your role, but don't forget, it's all just a show.

Conscious travels.

Kosmic Horizon: August 2013

The astrological landscape of August changes quite significantly compared to last month. July was an acutely reflective and possibly emotional month--our attention was likely pulled deeper into ourselves, toward our essential needs as well as vulnerabilities. Mercury retrograde, as always, brought us to a place from which we had to reconsider our current path and question deeply ingrained assumptions. Specific emotions may have been brought up to the surface, inviting us to deal with and process anything that we've suppressed or have been holding in. We were likely brought back to things that were essential for our security and survival. The water Grand Trine formations which highlighted July mutate into T-squares this month creating quite a bit of friction as both Venus and Jupiter join in on the Pluto/Uranus square.

This is the kind of energy that really motivates us to get down and dirty. Without considerable tension, nothing would be challenged to grow. While the aspects this month appear rather intense, they provide the impetus needed to make tremendous progress. Time itself will appear as if it's speeding up, and events will likely unfold quite rapidly. There's going to be a lot to process and take in, so it's best to be prepared and ready to assimilate a lot of material. If we flow with it we can cover a lot of ground. The need for freedom, the need to break away from repression, stagnation, or boredom is extremely powerful right now and most of us will respond to this in our own unique way. If utilized creatively we'll have the opportunity to break out of restrictive molds and templates.

The Grand Trine energy last month was much more about conceptualizing, observing, and feeling. August takes this process to the next level and invites us to step up and make use of our potential. In other words, if you've been testing the water for a period of time, it's now time to decide whether we take the plunge. On both the collective and personal level, this will be a highly eventful period of time. The events that are beginning to transpire will likely carry on and reverberate clear through to next Summer. This energy influx is also very creative and innovative. It invites to move beyond rigid barriers, stale routines, and patterns of behavior that have outlived their usefulness. We're all feeling it and there's no going back to the way things were. Resistance is futile. Your best bet is to make the changes that are necessary now and move with it. The pace is quick and the beat is strong; do your best to keep up.

This month brings with it a rapid acceleration of growth and progress. Obviously, these are collective energies, but each of us is responding to them in our own lives because in reality there's truly no separation. How much actually changes is completely up to us. Real change hits the very root or core. Don't be fooled by artificial change, which is only a superficial renovation so that things merely appear to be different. Authentic change comes from within, it adjusts and uproots the foundation; it's uncomfortable and usually frightening, but once we've crossed the threshold, we're grateful we made the transition.

August 6th The New Moon occurs @ 14 degrees of Leo--The fire element begins to gain prominence with this lunation and a surge of passion and a single pointed focus infuses the collective psyche. This New Moon is creative and provides a burning intensity and drive that offers plenty of fuel for the long haul. The New Moon conjoins Vesta, giving a sense of powerful focus and stamina, and a Trine to Uranus amplifies willpower to break through creative barriers. Anticipate sparks or lightening bolts of inspiration that motivate action. August 7th Jupiter (along with Pallas and Lilith) makes an exact opposition to Pluto, joining in on the Uranus/Pluto square. This is intense, it amplifies power plays, it expands all the tension that's been slowly bubbling up to the surface. These energies seek complete freedom and especially the bottom line. That means no more beating around the bush, it isn't going to cut it; these energies demand that you get right to the point and cut all the bull. Jupiter in Cancer opposite Pluto creates an overwhelming desire to break free of past constraints.

August 8th Mercury enters Leo which helps to lighten up the intensity that's currently brewing. Mercury in Leo likes to play with ideas and try out different modes of self-expression. While we may feel challenged this month, the Leonian energy reminds us that life is really just a stage, and we're all just playing our role. As serious as it can appear to be at times, we shouldn't forget to just enjoy the show and go along for the ride. Mercury in Leo infuses the collective with a playful quality that lends well to social gatherings and the development or fine tuning of personal style.

August 16th Venus enters her home sign of Libra. Venus in Libra has impeccable taste and combined with the Leo energies creates the desire for the enjoyment of beauty. This also creates a strong allure that can be bit deceptive, so be discriminating. We're likely to fall for the facade more than we usually would. So before you commit to something, check to make sure there's enough substance beyond appearances. Venus in Libra helps to shape and mold creative projects toward their highest visual expression.

August 20 We encounter the second Full Moon in the sign of Aquarius of the year 2013. Occurring at the 28th degree of Aquarius, this is an "anarectic" Full Moon. A planet or placement is considered anaretic when it occurs at the end of a sign (about 28-29 degrees). It's considered a point of crisis, because the energies are building up to a boiling point and are more than ready to push through to the next layer. An anaretic Full Moon brings events to a critical point of culmination, and it can feel as if things are really blowing up. There can be a strong feeling of anticipation with this lunation. In the sign of Aquarius, we receive the opportunity to gain an objective awareness about something--like suddenly it all makes sense and we can see all the connections that were previously obscured. With the Sun in conjunction with Ceres and Persephone (the hypothetical Transpluto), there's likely going to be some significant connection with this lunation and our food supply. With Aquarius, I'm thinking something involving GMO's and the current battle and debate that's been waging. This should signify an interesting turning point with these matters, and a rapid acceleration of development for either end of the spectrum.

Aquarius rules technological progress as well as scientific methodology. Historically, major breakthroughs within scientific fields emerge whenever Uranus, Jupiter, and Pluto form hard aspects with one another. I'm not sure what that means for the current conflict over genetically modified food exactly. Current technological advances aren't showing any signs of slowing down, despite the massive surge in health related issues. The events that transpire this month will likely involve the emergence of new scientific discoveries, advancements, or paradigms.

August 21st Jupiter makes its first of three squares with Uranus while also in orb of an Opposition with Pluto. Jupiter also forms the first of three Trines with Chiron. With Jupiter and Uranus, any progress made from this developmental process comes only with hard work and patience. There's a strong desire to break loose, cut all ties, and make a run for some uncharted horizon--to "stick it to the man" and just sail away toward whatever symbol of freedom we can conjure. Jupiter in Cancer opens up such sensitive and vulnerable terrain, it can feel like a violating invasion and there's no safe place to go. Any sense of freedom to be derived from this can only come if we're willing to work with what's right in front of us. Through trial and error, we must slowly work out the kinks until we get it right.

These energies produce considerable social unrest, rebelliousness, and revolutionary impulses--but all of this must be tempered with the knowing that any innovation created right now comes from building upon past foundations that, at the root of it, have withstood the test of time. This same principle applies to our own personal loves. Unlike the 1960's, when Uranus and Pluto were in conjunction, we aren't exactly forging an entirely new frontier and completely altering the structure of society. We have to work within the limits of what's already been established, and that pretty much involves many of the elements that were considered "radical" back at that time.

Jupiter Trine Chiron occurring alongside this aspect accelerates healing on a collective scale. It also opens the way for psychic, intuitive, and mystical insights. We must look at everything through a more holistic perspective, and not just focus solely on the signs and symptoms. Fortunately, this rather positive aspect helps to facilitate integration on many different levels of reality. It opens the doorway to a multidimensional awareness, and helps to guide and temper the frustration and potential turmoil inherent to Jupiter square Uranus. We can also come to a place of understanding and awareness of pain and suffering we may have endured, and see it's purpose in helping us to achieve growth. This aspect helps to heal and process trauma and come to terms with painful material in an open and gentle manner. We may also discover new keys and insights which can help facilitate healing for ourselves and for others.

August 22nd The Sun enters Virgo shifting the energy from spontaneous creative play to a more refined and ethical mode of operation. The Sun in Virgo is the final passage for the Summer Sun as we slowly make our way toward the Autumnal Equinox. On August 23rd Mercury follows right behind; as the collective energy begins to shift into Virgo we get to pay more attention to all the intricacies. It's the season for fine details, so get intimate with all the elements you might have overlooked.

August 24th Venus squares Pluto, on Augsut 26th Venus makes an opposition to Uranus, and on August 27th Venus makes a square with Jupiter--creating a Grand Cross configuration that's sure to stir up collective as well as personal tension. Compromises are extremely hard to come by because all planets want to go their own way and direction. The only way to reconcile these energies is to consciously and patiently work through it by integrating and considering many different perspectives and positions. Sacrifices and adjustments are inevitable, but common ground is possible, it just won't come easy. Venus is the strongest placement within the configuration, seeking diplomacy and equanimity. Venus in Libra helps to balance arising tension and ensures that conflict and chaos is well contained; we shouldn't fear things getting too out of control here.

Additionally, on August 27th, Mars enters the sign of Leo blowing all hesitation and uncertainty out of the way. While Mars is in Leo there's a collective surge toward overcoming fear, exerting the power of the will, and asserting ourselves in dynamic and creative ways. Mars in Leo knows what it wants, and it usually goes about getting it through dramatic or boastful tactics.

In conclusion, August appears to jump start things into action producing considerable momentum. We need to already be blazing toward something if we wish to harness this energy fully. The Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto T-Square configuration begins and will carry over until the Summer of 2014. On the collective and social level we can anticipate events to really start heating up during this month, and it will be interesting to see what transpires. This month produces many challenges and potential conflicts, but it also assists in creating much progress, building strength, and the healing of things we never thought were possible. That means if we're willing and ready, this month helps to produce major breakthroughs, especially if you have significant planets or placements occupying the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn).

Aquarian Influx

Image of the black monolith from the film 2001: A Space Odyssey

This Summer features two Full Moons in the tropical sign of Aquarius. This creates an influx of that Aquarian double current into the collective psyche. Aquarius is known to correlate with that micro leap in evolution--accelerating and quickening a process of development. Combined with the overpowering presence of the water element, we get the sense of new doorways and dimensions opening up before us, allowing us to glimpse into unimagined territory. This has the effect of creating quantum leaps on the current pathway, or the realization of entirely new and uncharted directions. Feel the clear crispness of these vibrations as the first of these Full Moons peaks today, just as the Sun enters the creative and willful sign of Leo. Through the power of the will, the universe is supportive of bringing it all together: mind, heart, and soul. Ride the wave, and stay focused, because you just might find things really speeding up. Push through the threshold. 

Aquarius is also a very humanitarian and utopian sign. It upholds massive ideals, many of which are usually far ahead of their time. Equality and social justice are important elements of Aquarian idealism. With Jupiter joining in on a Uranus/Pluto T-square in August, we're entering into a period of social and political tension spawned by collective restlessness and revolutionary impulses. With Jupiter in the sign of Cancer, we're cautioned to connect deeply with the root of what impulses us into action--in other words, reflect before jumping on any bandwagon. These energies can stir up collective movements comprised of individuals displacing their own unresolved unconscious contents onto some external symbol. There's also the potential to feel the need to rescue or "save" those less unfortunate, which is certainly a noble desire. In moderation, helping others makes the world go round. Just don't lose all sense of your own boundaries and limitations. You can't save all the stray cats in the world. 

"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate."

-C.G. Jung

Full Moon In Aquarius July 2013

Full Moon @ 00 degrees Aquarius 06'
July 22, 2013
11:15 AM Pacific
2:15 PM Eastern


This first Aquarian Full Moon (there's another in August) provides a dynamic vantage point from which to observe a subjective inner world. The collective is currently submerged in an abysmal sea--floating, feeling, and reflecting. While in the midst of a powerful experiential process the Full Moon opens the way for an objective awareness which allows for a deeper understanding and processing to take hold. Mercury's retrograde backtrack provided the opportunity to reflect, absorb, take in, and possibly reroute our present course, or at least change the way we feel about it. The big theme right now is security and that opens up questions surrounding trust: Do you trust yourself? Do you trust those closest to you? Are you being too trusting, leaving you open and vulnerable? Where can you strike a balance? How can you remain receptive while maintaining clear and definite boundaries for your protection?

These may be some key questions floating around right now and this Full Moon creates a momentary window of immense emotional clarity where we can feel and understand simultaneously. These clear and crisp Aquarian vibrations remove some of that third eye window smudge, allowing for more vision and extrasensory awareness. In fact, with Mercury now direct and leaving a square with Uranus, this lunation permeates the collective with potential breakthroughs and deep insights. Some of us may feel more intuitive and psychic than usual, while others may feel more emotional, sensitive, and empathetic. This energy could incite some defensiveness as well, especially if you’re hiding anything that you would rather keep private. It can also drive others into escapism or patterns of avoidance to divert uncomfortable material that's now seemingly out in the open.

This Full Moon doesn't seem to leave much out and there's a lot that could get potentially exposed with this, especially for those taking advantage of the "extrasensory" potential that's currently activated. With so many planets in water signs, our attention is drawn toward subtle dimensions of reality; there may be more curiosity about what lies beyond the veil of third density. Take advantage of this because we're in the midst of a rare moment of collective lucidity. That means deliberately looking beyond the obvious facades we encounter in our everyday lives as well as the events in the media. If we look closely we're likely to see intelligence behind the patterns of events surrounding us. Such awareness may lead some to feel divinely guided by an omnipotent benevolent force or helplessly beleaguered by pernicious conspirators. I feel our reality is underwritten by both, and it serves us to be conscious of these two ends of the archetypal spectrum.

That means we can't just "pull the plug" on what we don't like by surrounding ourselves in a bubble of love and light optimism--that will only imprison us more. We also shouldn't allow our minds to get flooded and overloaded by paralyzing paranoia where nothing can be trusted and no hope lies before us. Ideally, we trust in life enough to let it guide us, but remain skeptical always of what we're guided to and the reasons or agenda behind it. I think that it's really critical to understand these days, because it's as if the rules of the game keep changing and morphing right in front of us and while it's happening we're left dumbfounded and confused about what's really going on because we weren't expecting it. The Grand Trine energy culminating at the end of July is pulling us deeper, much deeper into some very vulnerable territory. For some this is very healing and integrating, while for others it's potentially frightening because of just how deep that rabbit hole really is. I guess you could say we're being led to expand our expectations which ultimately change our assumptions. Reality is only what we all collectively agree upon anyway. Let's see how we can change it, but let's also reflect on what we're being led to change and whether that's really in our best interest or not.

Additionally, we’re in a very fertile time for creativity where we can bridge the dream world with the real world via the Saturn, Neptune, and Jupiter/Mars Grand Trine. This will be a consistent theme throughout the Summer, so if you’re feeling it, go for it. If you read a lot of astrology blogs or articles, you’re likely aware of the “making your dreams come true” energy surrounding all this. While this is certainly an inherent possibility let’s also be conscious of just how subtle it really is and also be aware of the fact that this is a very internalized process impacting us on a more subjective level. That means we can more closely align with who we really want to be, that is, our higher potential. This is a time where we can create a bridge between the ideal and the actual in many different ways, not just in a material sense. An opposition to Neptune from Venus in Virgo is a focal point that drives us toward that lofty peak of higher expectations. Also be wary of extreme criticism, fault finding, and perfectionist tendencies. 

The Chariot Tarot card from  Aliester Crowley's Thoth Tarot Deck

The opposition of Sun and Moon forms a T-square with Saturn in Scorpio. Saturn turned Stationary Direct on July 7th and in some ways we're back on track and ready for new lessons. How fun is that? Saturn's lessons are pretty tough, let's be honest, especially while transgressing the sometimes lurid depths of Scorpio and the "burning way". While Saturn was retrograde we had a chance to process a lot of deep and likely uncomfortable material. This Full Moon sheds light on new challenges and opportunities for lasting transformation. During this transit we're finding ourselves having to accept death as an inherent aspect of reality, and to embrace and even engage ourselves in the process of allowing things to die when they need to. Saturn's Scorpionic lessons can be painful but the growth it promotes in the long run are what make for strong and wise souls.

The heaviness of this Square gets tempered by the Grand Trine with Saturn, Jupiter/Mars, and Neptune, which can be positive or negative depending on your response. Positive in the sense that this Full Moon isn't going to bring a huge weight of enormous responsibility, but negative in the sense that we may be tempted to numb out rather than deal with what's real, or as I stated above, to avoid things you don't want to accept or have to admit to. Grand trines don't ignite much motivation in general, but this lunation seems to promote an even balance of ease and friction which can be harnessed and directed creatively. Again, we're dealing with material that's usually beyond our conscious perception, stuff that lurks in the shadows. As long as we actively engage with this and choose to take ownership or responsibility for it, we can really make some progress. 

As the month draws to a close we’re going to find ourselves in the midst of a powerful harmonic
energy field which will peak on July 29th. Again, this is a moment that’s imbued with powerful creative momentum, which invites us to really challenge ourselves to work outside the mold we've been dealing with. A new template awaits, and if we’re conscious of this moment we can use it to create an entirely new design, something really unique and original, but also, possibly, a radical alternation of things we've already established. So, in a way, we’re not really reinventing the wheel here, but it just might feel that way while we’re riding this wave. So keep that in mind, and don’t get too carried away or let it go to your head. In fact, while we’re experiencing this watery tidal wave we can really tune out from the mental process for a while and just feel our way through it. This is really far more kinesthetic than it is intellectual. Allow yourself to feel whatever comes up, go there, and see how you can transmute those feelings into something extraordinary. 

Sabian Symbol: An old adobe mission

*Note: This is the first of two Full Moons in the sign of Aquarius this year; this places the spotlight on humanitarian ideals, collective objectivity, and an accelerated process of growth, development, and culmination. This also further ignites the "revolutionary" impulse within the collective psyche to an extreme degree. As August approaches this will become exceedingly more apparent. 

New Moon in Cancer 2013

A depiction of the constellation "Cancer" as painted on the ceiling of Grand Central Station. Not the same as tropical Cancer, of course, but a crab nonetheless.

New Moon @ 16 degrees Cancer
July 8, 2013
12:14 AM Pacific
3:14 AM Eastern

In Cancer, we sink into our most intimate and vulnerable epicenter. Conjunct Mercury Retrograde, we glimpse into the past to resurrect pieces we've left behind. Introspective and reflective, we find ourselves peering deeper into our inner most nature and sense of self. The New Moon stands in the midst of a rough T-square with Uranus and Pluto--we look deep into ourselves for the source of transformation. With this lunation we must realize that change begins with us; what's happening out there is happening within. When we change, the world changes too. Take this opportunity to stop for a moment; step aside from the stress and heightened activity. Take off the blinders, and get real with what's within you.

New Moon @ 16 degrees Cancer--July 8, 2013

Don't think about it, just feel what's really there. This New Moon asks us to recharge our batteries so that we're ready for what lies ahead. As the month comes to an end there's going to be plenty of time for action. For now, allow yourself to open up and embrace these yin receptive vibrations. Pushing too much, or trying to force an issue will likely make this a rather difficult and needlessly stressful time. The reality is that many of us are not too clear about where we stand, or what we really need. To demand too much right now without certainty will only make things more complicated. This New Moon opens a portal for observation and deep reflection. If we flow with it we'll be gifted all the awareness we desire. Pablo Picasso's famous adage: "I do not seek, I find", is the guiding statement. Allow yourself to wander freely with your heart and mind wide open. If it's out there, and it's meant to be, you'll simply stumble upon it.

The New Moon trines Chiron in Pisces, opening up visionary, psychic, and intuitive channels. While there may be a lot of tension and inner turmoil stirring up a sense of restlessness, trust that a higher force is guiding you toward wholeness--all in the right time. This trine is very supportive, nurturing, and integrating. It allows us to look at or deal with intense or painful material from an expanded perception, and potentially gifts us with effective pathways of healing and integration. Venus in Leo trines Uranus in Aries, igniting passion and creativity. The more we closely align ourselves with our inner and higher selves, the more we'll be gifted with creative solutions from transcendent levels of reality. This New Moon reminds us that we're never alone; there's always help and support whenever we need it. Trust that you'll find it--put it out there and see what shows up.

Sabian Symbol: The germ grows into knowledge and life.

This symbol points to an unfolding process of development. Moving from potential to actualization; from something seemingly inert, to a thriving living organism.

Additional Articles:
Kosmic Horizon: July 2013 (Forecast for July)
Mercury Retrograde In Cancer 2013

Kosmic Horizon: July 2013

July is rather stimulating and exciting for several reasons. The astrology this month is truly supportive of an increase in activity, creativity, and motivation. The month begins in the midst of Mercury's retrograde back track through the sign of Cancer. We're deeper in our emotions and a little less in our heads now--feeling our way through and guided by intuition. Unless Mercury touches a sensitive placement in your chart, this retrograde shouldn't be as aggravating or confusing as some other cycles since Mercury isn't passing any significant planets, so this is a more mellow time to tune in to get comfortable and intimate with ourselves.  Some of us may feel the need for more "down time" which is really appropriate at this time--we may also feel compelled to make changes around our home or living space. As long as you avoid purchasing really expensive equipment or making drastic renovations, you shouldn't encounter any serious issues.

Mercury Retrograde invites us to test things out, make revisions, and adjustments--but this should flow more smoothly and feel more like we're dealing with elements a little closer to home. Don't be afraid of taking action or allowing yourself to do what you need to do now--just be cautious and remain flexible because Mercury Retrograde allows us to find a different strategy; our old ways of approaching things may need to be changed or adjusted. Also be mindful that whatever you desire to push forward with may need to be corrected or may have some critical elements missing. A lot of energy has been building lately and we're reaching a crescendo as the month progresses. In fact some really significant and amazing planetary contacts are taking place this month, all of which will leave a lasting imprint and can be successfully utilized if handled properly.

The majority of the energy this month is creative and emotional. Because the water element is so prominent we're drifting through subtle realms just beneath or beyond our conscious perception. We have more access to emotional depth and feelings that otherwise allude us. We can peer more deeply into realities that underpin and construct the illusory world we interact with. These realities may incite revelations and excitement, or may overwhelm us with frightening prospects. Escapism can also be a prominent theme this month, compelling us into alternate or more appealing realities. In moderation this shouldn't cause any problems, and could actually help excite our imagination. If you find yourself numbing out more than usual you may need to get clear about what you're wanting to avoid.

July 1st The Sun opposes Pluto in Capricorn and then Squares Uranus in Aries on July 4th. The month kicks off with a jump start; immediately we're confronting and energizing the need for a profound metamorphosis. We begin the month on a powerful note accelerating us toward new vistas and building some muscle and strength by challenging ourselves to move past stagnation. The first few days there's a bit of intensity and if we push too hard we may come up against some resistance or opposition. Look deeper within yourself before projecting blame on outer circumstances; this will help clarify what isn't working or happening for you and why.

July 6th The Moon gets sandwiched between Mars in Gemini and Jupiter in Cancer which could generate enthusiasm and motivation--or anger, frustration, and anxiety. This is best channeled inwardly and intimately. Funnel this energy around the house--look for projects that you've already started or put into motion and have at it, things could go in unexpected directions. The collective vibe could stir up hostility with certain people, so be on the look out and try your best to avoid sensitive material so as to not push any particular buttons.

July 7th Venus trines Uranus and Saturn goes stationary direct--creativity and unique self expression gets energized; forge new frontiers fueled by the passion of the heart. Saturn turning direct means that we have more structural support and backing in our endeavors. Since Saturn turned retrograde on February 18th we've had a chance to process and digest a lot of deep and uncomfortable material--like that stuff we usually don't enjoy looking at or experiencing. We also got a chance to catch up and put ourselves back in alignment with personal responsibilities. We can start to get a little more serious now because with Saturn direct we're not just practicing anymore, we're doing the real thing. Conquering the depths certainly isn't easy, but if we're focused and determined and ready to put in the hard work, valuable rewards await.

July 8th The New Moon occurs at 16 degrees of Cancer--Nostalgia, daydreaming, and self reflection are key elements of the new lunation cycle. Creative brainstorming gets a boost as well as the opportunity to rework visions that we've put aside or thought were long gone and impossible to solidify. Stretch the limits of your perception and go within to find what really matters to you the most. Idealism is strong and there's nothing wrong with it as long as we realize that the ideal is only a rough template we use to make our own design.

July 9th The Sun conjoins Mercury Retrograde igniting an entirely new process that will develop over the next three months until the next Mercury Retrograde cycle. What begins now is likely a rehash of past unresolved material and we get to see through to tying up all the loose ends. This could deal with past projects or specific relationships. This cycle allows us to cross into familiar territory with a renewed vision and perception. This also brings us into the more "constructive" phase of the Mercury retrograde cycle where we can begin putting things back together since we've pin pointed all the weak spots.

July 13th Mars enters Cancer--Now that Mars is in Cancer the emotional and imaginal realms are more empowered. We may feel a tidal wave of emotions encircling us allowing for the expression of deeper material we've been holding back or that we've been avoiding. As Mars approaches Jupiter there's a rising impetus to take action or to resolve situations from the past--to change the way we handle certain experiences.  Leading up to the Full Moon on July 22nd we begin a process that can assist in rewiring our brains by imprinting or recording new approaches to experiences we've previously encountered. There could be a lot of confusion with these energies because a part of us may feel the need to take action "out there", but in reality this is all pointing us internally, to how outer experiences imprint themselves upon our subjective inner world. Look for experiences that are comprised of a rehash of familiar material and how you can adjust your attitude towards it.

July 17th
This is a rather significant day correlating to an interesting configuration. We've been feeling a lot of energy building, which will continue to do so, but this day marks a significant crescendo as Jupiter brings a water grand trine into sharper focus. The emotional and intuitive realms take center stage infusing the collective with an emphasis on subtle dimensions. Psychic channels amplify leading to an increase in insight, imagination, or an exaggerated idealism. Go with the flow but maintain conscious control so that you don't get swept up and lose all sense of direction. Also be weary of falling into stagnation because grand trines tend to entice us to settle with what is and then nothing gets done; make use of your insights and perceptions. Discern from what's authentic and what's just overstated sensationalism.

Dream activity has likely increased for many of us and the days surrounding this date will correlate to some significant insights and shifts from the unconscious. With Mercury Retrograde in opposition to Pluto and forming a grand trine with Chiron and the North Node in Scorpio, we may also find ourselves amidst some deep karmic experiences and situations. We're dealing with a lot of unresolved material that could have prominence in the form of dynamic dream symbolism and outer events involving specific people.

In addition Uranus turns stationary retrograde--Collectively we've been radically defining ourselves in entirely new ways, forging into places we normally fear to tread. Naturally, we've encountered some resistance along the way, especially with authority figures that would rather maintain the status quo--our actions may be threatening to their overall security. As Uranus turns retrograde we get a chance to process and digest all the head-way we've made so far. That means settling in and adjusting to the new landscape we fell into as we danced off that precipice. Uranus Retrograde helps to strengthen our new image by adding some more unique twists and alternations. We'll find ourselves feeling less pioneering and more focused on the trail we previously blazed until December when Uranus turns direct.

July 20th Mercury turns stationary direct and Mars forms a grand trine with Neptune and Saturn--With Mercury stationary direct we're slowly reverting the energy into forward motion after having been more internally focused and directed. We slowly transition from extreme subjectivity to a more confident forward flow. Mars, Neptune, and Saturn form an exact water grand trine giving us confidence and impetus to implement all that stuff we've been formulating and constructing in the ethers. What may have seemed impossible, abstract, or less accessible now has the potential for more concreteness and solidification. We may additionally find ourselves feeling more certain and clear about what exactly we desire to put into motion--and at this point, if it feels right, do it!

July 22nd The Full Moon occurs in the tropical sign of Aquarius, Mars conjoins Jupiter, Venus enters Virgo, and the Sun enters Leo--This Full Moon generates a lot of momentum, passion, and enthusiasm since Mercury turned direct two days ago and Mars and Jupiter team up in Cancer. We've had the chance to explore our emotions quite a bit and to straighten out some rough edges in our psyche. Forward motion and direct action is favored since now we find ourselves back in the driver's seat along with a surge of confidence. Hopefully, if we've done the work, then we're ready to let everything fall into place but we have to take the reins ourselves. That means we need to put forth effort to make anything happen. Trust what unfolds, push yourself, but don't push too hard. Know your limits and boundaries.

July 26th Venus opposes Neptune--They say that both God and the Devil are in the details--so if you're going to do it, do it well. Don't get caught up chasing illusions, try your best to discern what's really valuable and what's just a mirage. Just when you think you've got it all pinned down and everything is accounted for, things start drifting into some alternate dimension. Enhanced receptivity opens the potential for truly "higher" insight and awareness; if you can't figure out what to do with it, just consider it and take in the experience.

July 27th Mars opposes Pluto-- If something isn't moving in the direction you're wanting or if there's some external resistance to your efforts see where you can compromise and lay off a bit. Pushing too aggressively might not work out too well, but then again, doing nothing may generate a bit of frustration. We might find ourselves feeling a lot more aggressive in pursuit of a desire to establish or protect our security. Do what you feel is absolutely necessary and simply let things fall into place in their own timing.

July 29th Grand Sextile (Star of David)--The month ends with a strikingly powerful configuration of planets. The abundance of sextiles and trines incite an influx of highly creative and visionary energy. A powerful conduit is created that infuses the collective mind with a catalytic force that excites water and earth signs primarily (Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, Pisces--as well as Aries). This has a crystallizing effect, in that it allows a lot of disparate elements to come together in harmonic accord and integrate into some kind of physical formation. This massive closed circuit of energy gets channeled directly into Uranus in Aries forming a T-square with Jupiter and Pluto. This incites the power of the individual to be a creative conduit of transformation. This is an incredibly harmonizing and balancing energy field--and the preponderance of feminine/yin signs means that we must remain mostly receptive in order for this energy to permeate us individually. This has the potential to bring a lot of differing elements together. Towards the end of the month see how you can harness this energy to become a creative catalyst of change. Many themes and issues presented at this time will develop and carry through to next Spring when Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto meet up again.

In conclusion, the month of July is truly extraordinary and has the potential to set a lot into motion. The end of the month is far more conducive for more aggressive forward action, since Mercury Retrograde has us in a state of reflection and reassessment. The configurations this month invite us inwardly to understand that there really is very little difference between our inner and outer landscapes. That means we're likely to see a lot of connections and synchronicity. We have the opportunity to notice that transcendent realities can be experienced in our common day-to-day routines--that life as we experience it is truly symbolic of something far more complex. What is your reality saying to you? Pay attention, there will be signs and signals all around you. Have fun with this; flow with it and allow yourself to be guided by your feelings, hunches, and intuitive insights. It's truly rare that the universe opens itself up like this, allowing us a deeper understanding of the inner workings of the cosmos. Realities are merging, fusing, and coalescing--and while the veils are thin get a glimpse of all you can.

Conscious travels.

Additional Articles:
Mercury Retrograde In Cancer 2013
Friction and Flow: Jupiter Through Cancer
Summer Solstice 2013

Friction and Flow: Jupiter In Cancer

Jupiter enters the tropical sign of Cancer on June 25th, where it will stay until July 16, 2014. Jupiter has been in Gemini since last summer--the sign of its detriment. Jupiter doesn't mesh too well in Gemini; it's a strange and confining world to Jupiter who seeks to expand into outstretched extrinsic horizons. Jupiter seeks meaning, truth, and the bigger picture. Gemini, and its ruler Mercury, seek quite the opposite: a distillation of raw undigested hard data. The result is often a frustrating complacency with a mediocre awareness of what lies ahead. This has been a period of time that presented us with a lot of information, ideas, and facts that appeared quite disparate. It's like putting together a giant puzzle without the picture of the end result from which to guide you.

Intuition and a sense of higher purpose can become blocked because the mind gets too much in the way with its own agenda of "figuring it out" instead of allowing a more inductive process to unfold. However, in looking at the brighter side of this transit (of which Jupiter is so good at doing), we've had an opportunity to collect and dissect a copious amount of information, and by now we're likely to have a lot of material in which to draw from and make sense of. Jupiter in Gemini can assist in simply enlarging our information base, as well as helping to improve all forms of communication. And yet, that bottom line, that deeper meaning and understanding is just so hard to come by; we just can't see the forest for the trees.

Towards the end of June Jupiter makes its way into Cancer. Jupiter is exalted in Cancer, which means that it's more comfortable and supported to express its inherent nature. Whereas Gemini deals with the mind and intellectual faculties; Cancer is a realm of feelings, sensations, and deeply seated emotions. Fortunately, Jupiter is quite comfortable here, which means that it can assist each of us in getting more in touch with our sensitive nature and to deepen our trust and love for those around us. From the end of June until July of next year, Jupiter in Cancer is providing opportunities to connect more deeply with our roots: close friends, family, and loved ones. Here we are provided doorways into dimensions that are supportive, nurturing, and healing. Jupiter in Cancer is a positive ray of light amidst the turmoil and instability we find ourselves in as a society. At a time when things are so uncertain and unpredictable, this transit offers a sense of hope and greater connectivity.

Collectively, there will be a strong pull toward experiences that provide a sense of comfort, warmth, and nostalgia. There will also be a greater sense of patriotism and pride for our home land or place of origin. On a subtle psychological level this transit is rather pleasant, light, and acclamatory. It generates a powerful collective bond urging us to cohere and deepen a connection with our tribe, kin, or family. It also supports us in understanding ourselves from a deeper and more profound level. Jupiter, as the planet of perspective, revels in a sort of self-psychological analysis, igniting the potential for a greater digestion of the abysmal workings of our own psyche. We can encounter or confront deep material in an open and gentle manner. We can also access feelings and emotions that are otherwise less accessible. Jupiter in Cancer is an excellent time to explore our sensitive inner world, and to trust that the universe will provide the right connections and experiences conducive to this process.

While this is a rather favorable place for Jupiter to be, it's transit through this sign won't exactly be a cakewalk. While traveling through Cancer, Jupiter will involve itself with some rather intense and extraordinary aspect configurations; and upon entering this sign we're in for some very big changes. On the political level we're already noticing this develop and build, but we really haven't seen anything yet. Once Jupiter enters the picture we'll receive a massive amplification of these energies adding further fuel to the fire that's already blazing. Jupiter's primary objective is inflation, by taking in more experience and awareness into reality. As long as we're open to this we'll be a lot more in synch with these energies. If we're receptive to stretching ourselves beyond the familiar and comfortable elements of our lives, we can ride this coming wave with more ease and joy.

For those of us who find ourselves awake and aware of the world around us, it's likely apparent that many elements of our culture have deteriorated into a mechanized assembly line dishing out the same old crap. It's as if all originality and creativity has been sucked dry leaving us with this sense of searching and longing for deeper meaning and purpose. Just when all seems bleak, lost, and hopeless; the universe comes in to help fertilize our creativity, activating new potential and alerting us to uncharted horizons. Whatever has outlived its usefulness needs to pass on; we need to just let it go. It isn't going to get any better. The world hasn't run out of creative solutions, it's just that we've become attached to "what works" and what's predictable. If anything is certain these days it's the fact that the unpredictable has the upper hand. For some that's an unsettling prospect, while for others, a call to adventure.

Let's just keep that in mind while Jupiter travels through Cancer. We're experiencing a bit of friction and flow, and such a fusion generates a powerful creative influx. If you've felt stuck, stagnant, lost, confused, or just plain bored; you can jump on the coming wave and go for the ride. Move with your hunches, instincts, and feelings--trust your inner intuitive awareness to guide you through this passage. The more open and receptive we are now, the more successful we'll be in channeling all of this into positive and constructive efforts. Jupiter's transit through this sign is an incredibly significant marking point and one that's bound to be historically as well as personally memorable.

Jupiter's Path Ahead

As Jupiter moves into Cancer it will progressively form a water grand trine with Neptune and Saturn. These grand trines have been forming throughout the month of June, so we're all quite familiar with this energy. When Jupiter enters the picture it magnifies and anchors this process, allowing us to further solidify the intangible by creating a more secure and rooted foundation. Many of us may be experiencing vivid, powerful, and profound dreams--as well as clear and dynamic creative visions. We're also itching for some kind of change or breakthrough in our lives, no matter how large or small; we all need something to shift. This grand trine isn't going to push us, but will inspire us in many ways, so stay receptive to what emerges from the depths. Look for insights coming from within yourself, and trust your instincts and hunches. This is a time when our inner voice is just a little bit louder than usual.

July 29, 2013

At the end of July Jupiter joins in on an extraordinary configuration of planets. This is an incredibly harmonizing and energizing force field. Water and Earth signs will be the most effected by this structure. This provides an optimal balance between hard and soft aspects--a blending of friction and flow. I'm calling this structure the Creative Catalyst of Change, because it provides a plentitude of exciting creative energy and the momentum to make use of it. It'll be very interesting to see what emerges from this on the collective level. With a T-square between Uranus, Pluto, and Jupiter as the centerpiece of this configuration, we're bound to see a lot heating up. It seems the best advice in handling all of this energy is to consciously flow with it. That means that we need to be grounded and strong in our own personal center. If we're firmly rooted and directed toward something, we can allow this creative influx to permeate and flow through us without carrying us away.

Jupiter will be within orb of a T-square with Uranus and Pluto throughout the Summer of 2013, and so there's likely to be a lot of action leading to big changes and breakthroughs. As far as all the current political tension goes, it's only going to amplify, so be on the alert for that. We're entering a very fertile time of innovation and creativity within varied creative and scientific fields. This Summer will set off a process that will gradually unfold and develop through to Spring of next year. Again, that means that we're all going to feel an increasing sense of pressure to bring fresh air into our lives. Jupiter turns retrograde in November of 2013, and enters back into this T-square again in January/February of 2014. It will turn direct in March of 2014, and form a more precise T-square in late April of 2014. See this summer as a critical starting point, and get ready for a powerful clearing of the house!

Jupiter will begin a series of trines to Chiron in Pisces beginning in late August. Jupiter and Chiron will be slowly forming a water grand trine with Saturn in Scorpio through to next spring, coming into sharper focus in May of 2014. Jupiter trine Chiron opens us to resplendent healing opportunities. New dimensions and doorways will be emerging, allowing us to find the support needed to effectively heal several aspects of our lives. This is also an incredibly powerful aspect opening up psychic and intuitive channels, creating a collective surge of increased awareness and numinous perception. Beginning with the water grand trines in the Summer of 2013, we're in a rather lengthy process that's incredibly conducive for the development of our higher faculties. In May of 2014 the Jupiter, Chiron, and Saturn grand trine allows us to mend our relationship with authority, structure, and discipline. This also symbolizes a collective process of healing and integrating "the father " or "divine masculine" archetypes within each of us.

This is an an exceptionally relevant theme in our current era, because we're living in a time of increased paranoia and distrust of authority. This is all perfectly warranted given the actions of governments, political leaders, and the big businesses and corporations--surreptitiously shifting the edifice of our society from behind the scenes. Pluto in Capricorn draws our attention to the corrupt and corrosive elements of our power structures and systems, and it's just a natural time for renovation and revolution. With that said, however, I'd invite each of us to look deeper at the root of these issues, because in reality the external elements of our society only reflect our internal state. In other words, we're not really victims of greed and the corruption of power; that's an illusion and a convenient scape-goat that allows us to abdicate our own responsibility.

This grand trine invites us to look at our wounded relationship to the divine father, which goes back far into our collective memory to the advent of our current patriarchal society. We're emerging upon a critical threshold that's really a balancing of masculine and feminine archetypes within the collective psyche. Before we can effectively bring balance we must heal our relationship with the divine father, and realize that true authoritative love exists deep within each of us. Authoritative love is the enforcing of rules, boundaries, and restrictions that comes from a place of true love and an authentic desire to protect others from the dangers inherent to our world. In our current western culture there are very few effective models for this which is why this is such a challenging process for many us. The Jupiter, Chiron, and Saturn grand trine gives us the collective opportunity to find ways of healing our relationship to the divine father by seeing our current situation as merely a reflection of our relationship to our own inner authority.

Significant Events: 

June 25, 2013: Jupiter enters Cancer
July 17, 2013: Jupter forms grand trine with Saturn and Neptune
August 07, 2013: Jupiter opposition Pluto
August 21, 2013: Jupiter Square Uranus/Trine Chiron
November 06, 2013: Jupiter Stationary Retrograde
December 12, 2013: Jupiter trine Saturn
January 31, 2014: Jupiter opposition Pluto
February, 05, 2014: Jupiter trine Chiron
February 25, 2014: Jupiter square Uranus
March 06, 2014: Jupiter Stationary Direct
April 20, 2014: Jupiter forms exact T-square with Pluto/Uranus
May 14, 2014: Jupiter trine Chiron
May 24, 2014: Jupiter trine Saturn
July 16, 2014: Jupiter enters Leo

Summer Solstice 2013

This summer presents some of the most extraordinary astrology. There's a powerful harmonic resonance surrounding this solstice, leading us toward the potential for greater shifts and changes. Of course, as powerful and impressive as it all is--nothing will come of its own accord. We must navigate this passage consciously, and remain open and receptive to the coming influx to ultimately allow for change to take place. In the northern latitudes, the Summer solstice is the longest day of the year; the sun reaches the highest point in the sky. This high point is symbolic of a fulcrum of energy potential and a sprouting of intentions planted at the Spring equinox. The Sun beams from this sky-born pedestal--pouring light, heat, and energy upon us--and because the Sun is symbolic of consciousness, the full expression of ego (the self, as in the I am), there is a blossoming of personality, individuality, and often a high point for the mind.

As the Sun enters Cancer there is a greater fascination with the deeper realms of the mind--the subtle diaphanous images and visions that float like wisps of smoke upon the inner eye, the realm of imagination. We all daydream from time to time, often wishing for some alternative scenario for our current lives or future. As we project these dreamlike visions from the deepest reaches of the mind, we are putting out an energy into the cosmos, and subsequently the universe arranges itself to match the frequency that we project. That doesn't suddenly teleport one to the French Riviera while sitting in a cubicle, but it often brings about synchronicities in various arrangements, or opportunities that seemingly match the feeling or resonance of our imaginal wanderings. This Summer presents us with bountiful opportunities to bridge our visions with reality. As the Sun enters Cancer on Summer solstice, it is slowly entering into a water grand trine with Saturn in Scorpio and Neptune in Pisces. Saturn in Scorpio, as intense and penetrating as it's been, is also about solidifying our desires in practical and pragmatic ways. When combined in harmonic accord with Neptune, we have the chance to bring those truly transcendent, abstract, and numinous visions into tangible constructs.

That means different things for different people--but whatever it means for you, look for ways to make something happen, something you really wanted but never believed was possible for you. Hold that vision this solstice, make it as clear and visible as possible; really believe in your ability to bring it about. While we do this, we must also be conscious that we're dealing with Saturn, and that means that we can't exactly take any shortcuts; but if we're willing to put in the hard work and effort, and are equally willing to trust in the power of the universe to assist us, we have an amazing opportunity to go really far. You may even find yourself feeling a little invincible, or just more capable and confident to carry something out that you may only have dreamed about before. Trust in yourself and consciously work to support your desires to make truly lasting changes for your future. This is a delicate balancing act that requires allowing ourselves to dream, but to equally condense and distill our visions into practical and applicable forms.

Just before the Summer Solstice, on June 19th, the Sun and Jupiter conjoin at the 28th degree of Gemini. The Sun conjoins Jupiter every year, but this particular conjunction is really quite unique because it occurs at this highly significant degree of Gemini. In addition, it is also an occultation of Jupiter, which means that Jupiter will actually pass behind the Sun. We could say that Jupiter gets literally swallowed by the Sun, and these two fiery wanderers fuse and melt together, momentarily merging their identities. As two of the largest bodies of our Solar system are coming together, we can anticipate this feeling of immense grandiosity occurring within us and especially within the mind-field. Occurring at the anaretic degree of Gemini, we must be conscious that we don't mentally burn ourselves out in the process. What is occurring here is a powerful merging of possibilities--a sort of multidimensional crossroads. It feels as if quite a bit is coming to a boil, things that have been brewing and stewing for quite some time. This is a critical turning point, pushing us to condense a lot of material into something more manageable and simplified.

The word solstice literally means sun stand still. This is because as the Sun reaches the Summer solstice it's literally moving higher and higher from the horizon; as the Sun reaches this climax mid June it stops ascending and begins descending toward the Autumnal equinox. The opposite occurs during the Winter solstice. With Jupiter and the Sun melding together, and the Sun slowly reaching its high point of the year, we will also experience this peak effect in our own lives. What is peaking for you now? What high point have you come to? We are expanding and blossoming into some potential within us. That means that this energy is about to explode like a miniature big bang, and all the scattered bits and pieces will eventually organize and coalesce into some truly extraordinary formations as the Summer progresses. So what are you wanting to expand yourself into? Let yourself dream, but also be practical so that you don't go out too far, fragmenting yourself, unable to bring it all back in.

Summer Solstice June 20, 2013 10:04 PM Pacific 7:04 PM Eastern

In the solstice chart there are five main points of interest. These will be subtle themes that will get carried out throughout the next three months. The first is the Jupiter/Sun conjunction I described above--adding expansiveness, optimism, and a culmination of ideas into our own individual process. The Moon in Scorpio inconjuncts this conjunction--which means that while there's this big thing going down on the surface attracting most of our attention, we mustn't lose sight of what's going on behind the scenes, in the shadows. Personally that means having to make compromises between inner and outer needs, visible and invisible realms. Mercury, Venus, and Vesta are conjoined in Cancer adding an intense focus upon something that we're really passionate about, something that supports, sustains, and nurtures our soul. The Sun/Jupiter conjunction forms a water grand trine with Neptune and Saturn--urging us to allow the creative force of the universe to work directly through our minds to bring about tangible creations through discipline, surrender, and an intuitive awareness.

Lastly, Mars and Athena in Gemini square Chiron in Pisces. This provides a tremendous drive and passion to uncover the truth behind the wound, whatever that is for you. Through research, logic, and a dissemination of information, we have the potential to discern the reality of some area of pain for us--by using the power of the intellect to uncover the truth of its origins to ultimately create a strategy for a healing process. In addition it pushes us into a sort of multidimensional awareness of reality; there is tremendous impetus and desire to unlock a perspective of our surroundings that we don't perceive with our usual senses. On the collective level, this challenges us to look at events from a perspective that transcends the limitations of pure logical analysis and to see our world through a more complete holistic picture. If we really go with this, we will strengthen the connection between the mind and higher faculties.

In addition to the personal changes we're all experiencing, we are going to witness some truly remarkable historical and political events on the world stage this Summer, many of which are already in the works. This is because the configurations occurring right now have been shown to correlate throughout history with truly significant cultural shifts and turning points. Without pointing to anything specific, I will just say that what we've witnessed so far in the media is really only just the beginning of something that is building up. This Summer is really a kick off of events that will unfold over the next few years. This is all being led and directed by the Uranus/Pluto square, pointing us all, ideally, toward social change and cultural reformation. As we navigate this Summer just keep in mind that you have more power than you think; trust in yourself and in your ability to step up and take charge of your life. There will be a lot of strong emotional and sensational currents surrounding us; but we must be conscious enough to resist the temptation of getting swept up and losing our sense of individuality and identity.

The biggest challenge this Summer is to allow yourself to expand into several directions to ultimately obtain a more comprehensive experience and awareness; but again, to remain aware of the tendency of going too far out and getting lost and fragmented. Uranus in Aries is a powerful focal point urging us to have a clear and direct intention so that we can properly distill our energies and channel ourselves into very specific aims. Our most powerful ally will be our inner voice and intuitive awareness. The water element is really speaking loudly, drawing our attention toward the more subtle and impressionable aspects of consciousness. Trust in your power to lead and have faith in the innate intelligence of your inner voice and gut instincts. The astrology this Summer is truly supportive of bringing some incredible shifts into our personal lives, and with the right determination, intention, and focus truly great things will be within our reach that are otherwise less available.

Conscious travels.

Supermoon In Capricorn 2013

Wolf Moon and The Pantheon  copyright Anthony Ayiomamitis.

Full Moon @ 2 degrees Capricorn 10'
June 23, 2013
4:32 AM Pacific
1:32 AM Eastern

This is the largest Full Moon of the year. Now popularly referred to as a Supermoon, June's full Moon coincides precisely with the Moon's perigee--its closest approach to the Earth. That means the Moon will appear slightly larger, and will have a much more powerful influence and effect upon the planet. And just to make it all the more expansive and grandiose, Jupiter sits in direct opposition and conjunct the Sun. We may experience a highly powerful and critical culmination of energy with this lunation as it correlates to a significant shift and blossoming forth. Jupiter at the 29th, or anaretic degree of Gemini, gives us a sense of immense anticipation, excitement, and expectancy. Looming behind the Moon and blinded by the intensity of its light, we find Pluto in Capricorn. Perhaps a great structure, strategy, or ambition takes hold and solidifies as a concrete possibility as opposed to a fanciful speculation. A bout of intense indecision begins to wane, and suddenly, new paths emerge with more clarity.

This feels powerful, exuberant, and optimistic. There is momentum and a strong sense of purpose emanating from these vibrations. What do we do with this all of this? Where do we go? Open your mind to the possibilities and then allow them to funnel and organize into a single point of clarity that supports the bottom line. What's the point? What are you ultimately wanting to accomplish? That needs to be clear because Jupiter, while expansive, doesn't always have a practical strategy. Allow this Supermoon to fully illuminate a path that can be developed and worked upon. That means no attachments to the ideal and an openness to alterations as you feel your way through. While there's excitement, there needs to be caution, practicality, and restraint. Dig deep and find what feels authentic to you--what's real and truly supportive.

Study and analyze the precipice before you: take measurements and notes; double check your work. This isn't the time to be a fool, just diving in without consideration. As we approach Mercury retrograde in Cancer, we'll have plenty of time to settle in to see how it all makes us feel. If we've been open to change and transformation this full moon is really supportive and offers a helping hand. If we've been resistant we may feel an increasing sense of pressure or suffocation. Either way something is going to give and its going to open up more space for healing, love, and trust--if we allow it. Let the light shine in; don't be afraid. Whatever you've been hiding needs to be revealed and it wants to be noticed so that it can be accepted and integrated. Look around you, open your eyes, and have the awareness to see what's normally hidden away. Our shadows are being revealed along with all those blind spots and vulnerabilities. Let it all into your consciousness and just let it be.

Mercury, Venus, and Vesta conjoin in Cancer, generating a burning intensity and passion fueled by the hearts authentic desires. Go there, to that fountain of endless joy, bliss, and creativity. When in doubt, use this center as an effective barometer of what's in alignment for you. When activated, it feels like a flutter of ecstasy, just bubbling beneath your heart chakra. Trust that feeling, and do what you can to keep it flowing and going, leading you to bliss. Mars and Athena in Gemini square Chiron in Pisces. While all the facts and information are important, we mustn't be blinded by zeal in a quest to figure it all out as if that's all that matters. Chiron in Pisces urges us to see the larger and cohesive holistic picture, and if we ignore this reality we'll only end up hurting ourselves. So keep on searching, questing, and finding, but also remember that we're all connected; we're all a part of it, and each of us is responsible for the role we play.



Full Moon Sabian Symbol:
The human soul receptive to growth and understanding.

Mercury Retrograde In Cancer 2013

Begins: June 26, 2013 @ 23 Cancer
Ends: July 20, 2013 @ 13 Cancer
Enters shadow: June 9, 2013
Leaves shadow: August 3, 2013

Yes, it's really true. Mercury is about to go retrograde for another three weeks. Just when you thought it was safe, and just as you got everything straightened out from the last one, here it is again. Luckily you're reading this, and are likely well aware of Mercury retrograde and all that it entails. And just in case you forgot something, I'm here to remind you. Mercury retrograde tends to toss a cosmic wrench in our plans, expectations, and assumptions. Sometimes, well, most of the time--for reasons we can't quite understand or explain. Hermes is a trickster; that's sort of its job. So, while all this is going on, we need to be exceptionally cautious, conscious, and aware. We also need a good sense of humor. So first off, take a deep breathe, and let yourself relax. That's important. There's going to be some kinks in the flow of things; it's just the way it is. Whatever usually works out without a hitch, is going to find itself a little unglued and slightly out of sorts.

Why? Well, we could say that Mercury retrograde is a time where we're guided to all those loose ends and weak spots that got seemingly overlooked. And while that's all well and good, shit just happens. It's Mercury retrograde. So what's usually most targeted here? All things Mercurial, which involve all forms of communication and travel. In this high tech saturated culture of ours, Mercury has just so many more options at its disposal. This is when your smart phone drops in its IQ score and your laptop decides to blow up.Your appointments get switched around or forgotten about entirely. All your light bulbs suddenly need changing and little stray bullets in the form of rocks start flying off the freeway to help beautify your windshield. Ah yes, Mercury retrograde is a load of fun. So, when all else fails, just laugh along and go for the ride; it's usually funny--unless it ends up costing a lot of money, but then again, a few years from now, you'll find it amusing. Or maybe not.

So what can you do? You can pay way more attention than you usually do and try to remain flexible with your plans. That means that Mercury retrograde is usually not ideal for going forward with really important matters because, most often, something is missing. This whole process brings our attention dynamically to those blind spots that just now start popping up all over the place. It's time to be exceptionally meticulous with the details and to make sure all your communications are clear and well presented. Misunderstandings are notorious, so be straightforward and ask lots of questions to make sure there is common ground and understanding.

As for all that mundane business stuff--it's pretty common advice that one should refrain from making serious commitments or signing pertinent contracts. When Mercury is retrograde we're in a process of revision. That means it's ideal for back-tracking and double checking all that you've been working on up until this point, but not so ideal for making that final deal or decision. Work out the kinks and be experimental. The less attachment you have right now the better it'll work out in your favor. In the weeks leading up to Mercury retrograde we can sometimes get ahead of the game if we know what needs to be fixed or adjusted. Taking care of it before hand can often save us from more complications once the retrograde process actually begins.

The last two obvious components of Mercury retrograde deal with a revision of our knowledge base and a redirection of our focus and attention. Have an open mind; this is really important. It's very common that we'll uncover information, ideas, opinions, or perceptions that we would normally ignore or disregard because it doesn't mesh with our current perspective. While Mercury is retrograde, the mind is in a more receptive state than usual, and it would be wise to explore alternate perceptions, because you never know what kind of impact it could have. Mercury retrograde can also redirect our focus towards a specific area of life, bringing us back to something that we've left behind; we now find ourselves resurrecting and redeveloping it in a new a different light. The specific house(s) in our natal horoscope containing Mercury retrograde will uncannily describe this exact area of attention and focus.

Mercury retrograde can really serve as an astonishingly useful cycle if we can just work around all the ubiquitous irritations. The mind is so linearly focused most of the time, and yet, nature has a built in process which redirects and resets this narrow and limited perception. In reality, our activities are guided and immersed within cycles and what goes around comes around. Use this as a time out, to back track and look over the path you've been following--retrace the breadcrumbs. Past and unresolved material may resurface at these times, involving specific people, ideas, situations, or experiences. The more receptive you are to resolving or adjusting whatever shows up for you, the more productive and potentially rewarding your Mercury retrograde experience will be.

In step with the Trickster archetype, Mercury retrograde acts as catalyst helping us to cross or dissolve boundaries. It is during these cycles that the normal rules of the game get changed around right in front of our noses, yet outside of our normal awareness. What is required is a different lens from which to view the flow of events in our lives; we need a sort of trickster gaze and strategy. That means deliberately moving beyond our customary ways of interacting with life, and opening up, humbly, to an alternate dimension. It is when we surrender to the lessons provided by this new reality that we really grow and evolve beyond the known and familiar perceptions. When we continue pushing forward with what we think is the "right" way of doing it, we often come out rather frustrated and feeling like a fool.

Mercury Retrograde In Cancer

Mercury will retrograde through the tropical sign of Cancer. Mercury's retrograde cycle this round coincides with the ingress of Jupiter into Cancer and ends with a Mars/Jupiter conjunction in July. As Jupiter enters Cancer, on June 26th, there's likely to be a sense of reprieve, of being able to settle down and catch your bearings. Exalted in Cancer, Jupiter can finally catch its breath from all that Geminian mental madness. Settle down, get comfortable, and set some strong roots. Mercury's retrograde through Cancer allows us to look over our foundation and to make sure we're rooted somewhere and that we have some sense of establishment. This is important, because in the month ahead things are going to be seriously tested; we want to make sure that we have a firm position placed so that we don't catch ourselves without a leg to stand on.

While Jupiter moved through Gemini (from Summer 2012 until the end of June) we had to grapple with a hailstorm of dichotomy; a tidal wave of choices, options, and contemplation. If handled well, we were able to sample a lot of information and experiment with different methods. However, trying to make sense of the bigger picture may have been the most challenging, if not flat out impossible. Now it's time to check in with our more subtle sense impressions, to adjust our reactions, and to get clear about how we're feeling. Trust yourself, and trust what you sense is going on. Relying more on intuition will be a lot more productive than getting stuck in your head. This is a time to make sure you're comfortable with where you are, that everything feels right, and that you have room to maneuver about without restriction.

Mercury retrograde in Cancer can bring about a powerful wave of nostalgia; we may feel suddenly drawn toward the past or a longing to return to some past experience or situation that provided a feeling of safety or comfort. Past relationships may play a prominent role and we can expect the reemergence of old friends, connections, or family members to be a key element of this particular cycle. Whatever shows up for you, do your best remain receptive to adjustments that need to be made, or loose ends that require tying up. We may also get redirected toward feelings, impressions, or emotions that we haven't properly processed or expressed--allowing for a gentle release and expression to take place.

This is also a time where we can receive insight into the deeper nature of our reactions, and to work out any flaws we notice within this internal space. Take time out to nurture yourself, take it easy, and be gentle. There's been so much to process lately, especially in this post eclipse phase. Use this retrograde cycle to to feel your way through whatever you're working with, and take your time with it. The past two months brought about a lot of changes, internally and externally. Mercury's retrograde cycle is going to provide the chance to get comfortable with all of this, and to familiarize ourselves with this new undigested material. The best way to do that is to relax, slow down, and trust the process.

As Mercury enters the shadow period (June 9th), it will be coming out of a T-square configuration with both Uranus and Pluto. This is rather significant because toward the end of the retrograde cycle (July 20th), Mercury will have entered back into this T-square once more, just before turning stationary direct. This reveals that the energies behind the Uranus/Pluto square will be a major theme to this retrograde cycle, urging us all to connect with a powerful impetus to change the foundation of our personal lives. At the initial stages of the retrograde shadow we begin thinking about what we want to transmute--during the retrograde we get a chance to actually rework our strategy based on our intuitive feelings and hunches. Once Mercury goes direct we'll be in a much more stable and clear position to actually begin to implement and move forward.

So as you feel this need to really break free from something--stop, pause, and reflect on what's motivating these feelings on a deeper level. There's a lot more to explore here than what we see on the surface and we need to get clear about our true motivations and agenda. The only way to do that is to really check in with yourself and get in tune with your emotions. This Mercury retrograde cycle is a preparation phase for when Jupiter enters this alignment mid July and additionally forms some miraculous configurations opening up fresh, expansive, and creative opportunities. Lead with your heart and not with your head--or rather, let your heart guide your mind to what is truly aligned with the highest purpose. That's always easier said than done, but Cancer's ultimate strategy is most definitely heart-centered.

Significant Retrograde Activity

June 9th- Mercury enters initial shadow period: This is the segway process into the actual retrograde itself, certain themes and issues that we'll be working on will start popping up now. So pay attention. 
June 26th- Mercury goes stationary retrograde
June 30th--Moon square Mercury
July 8th--Moon conjunct Mercury
July 9th--Mercury conjoins the Sun: A symbolic midpoint of the retrograde, and a powerful "new beginning" in regards to Mercury's cycle around the Sun. Pay close attention to what gets activated at this point, a process of development will unfold for the next three months, until the next retrograde cycle. 
July 15th--Moon square Mercury
July 20th--Mercury goes stationary direct: This is the segway process that will take us out of the retrograde, this is the time to tie up loose ends and put on finishing touches. 
August 3rd--Mercury leaves shadow

Conscious travels.

Easy Does It: New Moon In Gemini (June 8, 2013)

"How long can the average mind think about one thing--one thing only, without slipping first into thinking about thinking about that thing and taking off from there on a senseless chain of irrelevancies? About three and a half seconds, psychologists tell us. Like a ping-pong ball, the mind will alight where its owner directs it, but only to take off immediately on a jittery flight of staccato bounces that are completely out of hand".

--Huston Smith (The Worlds Religions, pg. 48)

New Moon @ 18 degrees Gemini
June 8, 2013
8:58 AM Pacific
5:58 AM Eastern

The New Moon in Gemini brings it all "back on track", that is, we find ourselves on a more stable and steady course.  This is the first "normal" lunation beyond the eclipse passageway--whatever changes we've made, or allowed to happen within us, are solidifying and becoming a part of our daily reality. There's a strong division of planets with this lunation, creating a slight dichotomy between mind and emotions, thoughts and feelings, intuition and logic. The mind is extremely powerful, and yet the unconscious is growing stronger. So there's a bit of a conflict, and an array of inner voices all vying for our attention. The challenge is in deciding which one to listen to. This is no easy task because Gemini doesn't settle well with the ultimate truth; it wants it's cake and it's going to eat it too.

Mars in Gemini conjunct Pallas Athena squares Neptune in Pisces, creating a bit of friction between personal and divine will. There's the idea of what we're after, what we desire, and then there's this higher sense of purpose which we must acknowledge. What we think we want versus what we're "destined" to do. With the planets now migrating into Cancer, with the exception of Mars, the mind is going to be vacated soon--and so the message seems to be that we should go with our gut, which again, is no easy task. Why? Well, because we often confuse the gut for something else. The mind is rather sneaky, and pretty damn smart--it can, and often does, get in the way, posing as intuition and making a mess of things.


This lunation doesn't help much, since it pretty much amplifies all that mental chatter--but, one by one, several planets are creating a powerful and dynamic water grand trine with Neptune and Saturn. This creates a free flowing closed circuit of energy, equally amplifying our emotional and intuitive center. It requires that we tune out and check in, and it's going to take a little bit of effort to do this. That means intentionally shifting our attention from the incessant mental buzz towards the silence and clarity of the inner voice. Waiting patiently, this center of deep knowing will inform us through our feelings and impressions rather than judgment and logical analysis. Trust the process, because over the next several weeks it will be become much easier to turn inward and get clear. Mercury's retrograde through Cancer at the end of the month will actually help mitigate any confusion if we're completely receptive, so stay tuned.

For the time being, just flow with it. Maybe we don't need to have it all figured out, and that's okay. Impatience and frustration are usually signs that the ego is just trying to control it all. As always, it's attempts are futile. See that there is really no difference between your will and divine will, they are one and the same. Become a vessel for a higher omnipotent force--it is within you and it is speaking quite loudly. Practice mindfulness; make every moment a meditation. Are you breathing? Are you focused? When the mind is quiet and obedient to the higher will, it is really quite an astonishing and functional machine. Beautiful things can happen. Everyone can really get along after all--no crisis at all. So allow yourself to sample some things, try it all out, because the energy is really supportive of this. With each option you explore listen to your gut feeling about it and whether it resonates or not. Once you've established that, let the mind have at it.

Sabian symbol: A large archaic volume

Conscious travels; much love.

Kosmic Horizon: June 2013

June is a highly transitional month, featuring several significant events that will carry us into new realms of activity. Now that we're clear of the intense eclipse passageway (late April to the end of May), we come smack back to reality. The ego, is once again back in full force. You may not have realized that it went anywhere, or that it was somewhat demoted for a while--but it was, however briefly. Everything seems to shift and morph during eclipse season, as if we can't quite grasp what's going on, or even who we are. There's this complete reworking of the personal self/identity at these times, and it can often feel like we're really losing touch with whatever that is. With most of the inner planets in Gemini now, the mind has kicked back into gear, and in many ways we go back to our old selves--slightly changed and somewhat altered, stained by the experiences we've just left behind. We now have a chance to settle in and try it all out in the real world. We emerge back into the external to implement this new self in a way that feels more under our control and intention.

At the end of May alongside the mutable Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius, there was a powerful breaking up of the heavily fixed energy pattern brought on by the Solar Eclipse in Taurus on May 9th. In the two weeks leading up to this last eclipse, a mutable energy permeated the collective psyche via the archetype of Gemini. We're a little more in our heads now and the mind is extremely active. We may also feel a lot more sociable and inquisitive, looking outward for interaction. There's so much that Gemini wants to do, to know, and to experience. Mars enters Gemini, and Mercury enters Cancer on May 31st, and with Mercury out of the mix, some of the intense nervous system activation will begin to settle down.

June 2nd, Venus enters Cancer, further amplifying the Canerian influx, and that draws our attention, a little more internally here--more toward feelings and reactions. With Mars in Gemini there's a strong motivation to experience a variety of things, and to actively seek out new learning experiences. Utilize Mars to gain some useful experience in whatever you're working with.

June 3rd Mercury forms a grand trine with Neptune and Saturn, which will be the first of three grand trine formations triggering off this aspect pattern--with the big one occurring mid July with Jupiter. This will be a day in which we can intuitively gather information that would normally seem extremely abstract and difficult to grasp; and yet, if we allow ourselves to go really deep we can actually extract some rather useful stuff that can be readily applied to our lives. Also, it's important to pay attention to your dreams around this time, because there could potentially be a lot of significant insight that isn't normally apparent.

June 7th Neptune goes stationary retrograde, Mars and Pallas Athena conjoin in Gemini, and Venus joins in on the grand trine formation. Here we get a flood of insight, perhaps even psychic impressions that just spontaneously arise within consciousness--dreams will be significant, as well as insights pertaining to certain relationships. In fact, this is an opportunity to allow yourself to really open up in a relationship--either personal, professional, or otherwise. Whomever you're relating too, there could be this sense of feeling a little more comfortable, and here we have a chance to discuss or share material that we would normally keep private. The days surrounding this configuration offers us the chance to be vulnerable which will not only deepen our relationships, but will equally push things to the next level--and this will be a powerful theme that gets encapsulated in the New Moon that occurs the following day, on June 8th. 

New Moon @ 18 degrees of Gemini June 8, 2013 8:56 AM Pacific 5:56 AM Eastern

The New Moon in Gemini resets the lunar cycle; we're officially back to earth and in the swing of things. While this is indefinitely a Gemini new Moon, accompanied by a strong mental influx, the mind finds itself somewhat overpowered by the all encompassing presence of the water element. Mercury, the ruler of the New Moon, forms a grand trine with Saturn and Neptune. We can more readily articulate emotions with this, and allow ourselves to feel our way towards an understanding of things. Not much will make sense if we just stick to analyzing it to death; we need the experiential awareness for progress to take place. This lunation invites us to find balance between mental acuity and emotional awareness--to feel and then to understand. While not making any significant aspects itself, the New Moon occurs along side the Venus, Neptune, Saturn grand trine--and a T-square with Mercury opposite Pluto, square Uranus. The Mars/Pallas conjunction in Gemini squares Neptune. Trusting our feelings is important here, and paying attention to powerful emotional reactions will bring a lot of insight.

June 9th Mercury enters the initial shadow period of its upcoming retrograde process. Pay attention to what you're focusing on at this time, because over the next several weeks there's going to be some revision going on. Begin embracing flexibility, because the world just isn't going to be moving in the direction it normally does, and changes in certain plans are imminent.

June 10th-12th Venus forms a T-square with the Uranus/Pluto square. Collectively, this could heat up some political conflicts, especially dealing with security matters. On the personal level, we get the opportunity to further break out of restrictive patterns and situations, however, we're also aware of our need for stability, so whatever we do now must be done consciously and with the consideration of others. This also invites us to transmute certain relationships by defining our own needs, and to establish a deeper foundation.

June 19th The Sun swallows Jupiter in Gemini, which means that Jupiter will pass behind the Sun. This is known as an occultation of Jupiter, and will be a highly pivotal day because it precedes the transition of Jupiter from Gemini to Cancer. Occurring at the 28th degree of Gemini, this conjunction sets off powerful reverberations throughout the collective psyche. This is the critical boiling point creating the potential to expand outwardly into entirely new horizons of experience--renewed optimism and a trust of life awaits on the other side. Soon we'll be able to feel more deeply, and to set down roots. This conjunction of Sun and Jupiter beautifully preludes the Summer Solstice which occurs on the night of June 20th, coinciding with the conjunction of Mercury and Venus in Cancer.

Summer Solstice 2013 June 20, 2013 10:04 PM Pacific 7:04 PM Eastern

The Moon squares Mercury retrograde on June 20th, which is likely to create a lot of Mercury retrograde action, so be prepared for the unexpected. Be mindful of your communications today, especially if attempting to articulate certain feelings--there could be some misunderstandings that could lead to someone getting a little irritated or angry. Emotional outbursts are also likely, as well as a lot of reactive behavior. Alternately, this is a day to pay close attention to your mind and your emotions; there's a lot of potential learning to be done. Think before you speak.

Then on June 21st Jupiter hits the 29th degree of Gemini for several days as it slowly makes its way into Cancer. It's like the last day of school before Summer begins. The energy here can feel intense, like something is about to give way. Jupiter has spent the past year in Gemini, and is eager to take a much needed mental break. The next few days will have this sense of anticipation, as if we just can't wait for whatever it is to break loose. The Full Moon occurs on June 23rd in Capricorn. The Full Moon brings a powerful climax to the energies that have been building since the occultation of Jupiter on the 19th.

Full Moon @ 2 degrees of Capricorn June 23, 2013 4:32 AM Pacific 1:32 AM Eastern

Jupiter enters Cancer  on June 25th, where it will stay until it reaches Leo in July of 2014. More substance, depth, and insight becomes available. Exalted in Cancer, Jupiter can more freely find the meaning it seeks, and so can each of us. Now we have a chance to set the stage and create a foundation--and Mercury retrograde, which begins the next day on June 26th (through July 21st), will assist us in this. This the optimal time to start putting things into place, and to have yourself rooted into something, because the potential to radically alter its inherent structure exists once Jupiter joins in on the Uranus/Pluto square come July.

In conclusion, June is quite an active month. With Mercury retrograde permeating most of this time, we have an opportunity to reflect deeply on all that inner personal stuff we've been working through the past month and a half. This also provides the opportunity to make a lot of adjustments and revisions. Since we've just emerged from the cocoon, so to speak, in the wake of the triple eclipse passageway--many of us may feel urged to really break free and begin charging forward with some idea or intention. However, it would be wise to be a little more patient, and to deeply reflect on yourself and your true intentions before pushing too aggressively. This month gives us a chance to secure ourselves, so that we're more firmly established. Once we're secure and confident about our position, late July will provide the adequate launching pad from which to take off. This month opens a bridge that allows us to connect with our feelings and subtle sense impressions. Be cautious of excessive idealism, and yet allow yourself to envision and clarify what it is that you really want, beyond the realm of ideas, opinions, or beliefs (from the gut).

Conscious travels. Much love.

You Are What You Are

"In this universe, there is no such thing as a mistake. There is also no such thing as punishment. What this means, is that everything that happens to you is not an accident and everything that happens to you has come to benefit you in some way. The key is to deliberately look through ego’s illusion for that “benefit”. "
-Teal Scott

I sometimes wonder whether astrology really helps me, or just adds more stress to my life. You all know the saying, ignorance is bliss; well, to some extent, it really is. The true reality may not be so blissful from an objective point of view, but for the individual, from their perspective, it seems to work out just fine. I feel like this incarnation, for me, is really about learning the power of free will. Like how to actually use it, consciously. It's scary as hell. I don't know why, but it just is. Maybe it's my exact Mars/Neptune opposition, but making decisions--knowing that this specific choice is going to reverberate throughout my entire life, that it will have lasting effects and consequences--that's a lot of pressure. It's really intense. I think I originally learned astrology because I wanted to have something to make decisions for me. On this unconscious level, I think that's really what I was looking for, some system that could "predict" my future, and thus allow me to see ahead of time what would happen.

Thinking your life is predetermined sort of makes all this decision making business less of a hassle to deal with. Throughout my years of astrological studies, it's become quite apparent that this isn't at all how it works. Astrology doesn't really predict anything, ever. Just because such and such is transiting your 6th house Sun isn't going to guarantee a new job, or a healing breakthrough. No, there's this thing called free will, dammit, and it's sort of the edifice of change in anyone's life. Now, of course, there are those events we call the byproducts of "fate"--the unforeseen unfolding circumstances that hit us over the head like a phantom brick. Yet, whether such events are "good" or "bad", from a larger evolutionary point of view, they are still, in some sense, the very result of free will, of the choices we've made in life which then reverberate and find their way back to us.

What goes around comes around. Everything outside of us, is really, at the end of the day, merely a manifestation of our own mind, our own consciousness. Nothing is separate  Everything is interconnected. It's just one of those innate truths, and none of us escapes it. That's the scary part. That's the reality that, lately, has placed this unbearable weight of pressure on my consciousness. This heavyweight of responsibility, this sense of urgency in moments of decision; to make the "right" choice, to pick the higher path. I don't believe that anyone is truly a victim. That might be difficult to understand for some us, especially when looking at situations that seem so beyond an individuals control. Yet, life has demonstrated to me that there are no victims, that we are all, on some level, responsible for our fate.

It's our responsibility to do what thy will. I personally know that human souls reincarnate. I don't believe in reincarnation, just as I don't believe in astrology. Both realities have proven themselves to me, on more than one occasion. I know them to be true as far as they are valid perspectives on the nature of reality. I've been gifted with direct past life visions, while dreaming, where it was utterly undeniable what I was witnessing  I just knew it, that's it. The imprints from those experiences have left a permanent mark within my memory, and I'm scarred for life. Looking at the horoscope through the lens of reincarnation allows for this deeper understanding to occur. It allows us to see all those decisions we keep coming up against, over and over.

Those moments of intense stress and crisis, perhaps over something seemingly petty or insignificant; they run deep, they go back farther than we can possibly imagine. It's interesting how the ego convinces us of its importance. How significant we believe this single life to be. Yet, in the larger scheme of things, everything is much closer than we think; more compressed than we imagine. Anyway, my point is that even knowing this information, doesn't really change the process. We all have our own process, and it's unique and it's perfect the way that it is. I catch myself, often, beating myself up because I "did it again", I made the "wrong" choice or decision. I gave into fear, hesitancy, uncertainty. I fell back on the old patterns--those behaviors I've been playing out for so damn long. With astrology, I should know better right? I mean, here's this map, right in front of me, basically spelling it all out.

Like, here's your fate, here's your life's struggle on a piece of paper. And yet, in the moment, when the shit hits the fan, or the cards are on the table--intellect goes out the window. When that phantom brick comes out of of dodge, that's when the real test emerges, that's when we see just how far we've actually come. And whatever happens, whatever we choose to do with that moment, it is what it is. Because, at the end of the day, we are what we are. We're learning; we're in a process. We're imperfect beings in an imperfect world, and that's how it will always be. If it wasn't we wouldn't be here to begin with. We're not here to get it all right. We're here to grow, to learn, and to evolve. No one escapes that, and nobody truly outsmarts it. They just think they do, because, you know, ignorance is bliss.